Dry-process developer replacing and supplying device for electrophotographic recording apparatus
US4625895A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 1985 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S222/01
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A developer replacing and supplying device for a small-size electrophotographic copier is disclosed which removes used developer from a developing unit and supplies a fresh developer instead. After the used developer which is a mixture of carrier and toner has been discharged, fresh carrier is introduced into the developing unit and, then, fresh toner to be mixed with the fresh carrier. The fresh carrier and the fresh toner are stored in physically independent cylindrical cartridges, which are selectively mounted in a cartridge casing. The cartridge casing is mounted in a hopper casing, which is provided integrally with the developing unit, and driven in a rotational motion together with the cartridge. The supply of the toner or the carrier from the associated cartridge into the developing unit is selectively intercepted by an interceptor disposed in a slotted portion of a hopper casing, which includes an elongate and flat, stationary shutter having numerous equally spaced apertures and a movable shutter having numerous apertures capable of communicating with the apertures of the stationary shutter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.