Carousel-mounted modular development units for electrographic printer
US4728987A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1986 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/10
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A toner or development unit arrangement for an electrographic printer or plotter in which each of the toner units is modular and can be readily removed and replaced by the user. In addition, the units are mounted in a rotating support, generally referred to herein as a carousel, which is compact and which rotates each of the units into the same position for printing, simplifying the movements of the medium past the development units. As a result, the moving parts within each unit are driven by the same set of drivers, to which each toner unit is coupled by coupling means when a selected toner is in the printing position. Also, disclosed is a method of quickly establishing a toner meniscus where the toner unit engages the medium surface as soon as the toner pump is activated. Further, cam operated means is provided to operate the medium cutter in conjunction with a cutter stepper motor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.