Toner supply control system
US4595277A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0889
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides an agitator for releasing powder toner through a bottom opening of a hopper. The agitator has a screen for placing over the opening and an element which, when positioned in the hopper, is in contact with the upper surface of the screen. Toner normally bridges the openings in the screen so that there is normally no flow through the screen and the element is operable to brush over the upper surface of the screen to break down the bridging locally, thereby effectively sifting powder toner through the screen. On stopping the element, the toner again bridges the openings and flow of toner stops. The invention also provides a feeder which magnetically transports toner received from the hopper, and an applicator which takes the toner magnetically from the feeder and transports the toner to the point of use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.