Electrostatic printing apparatus with a hopper and applicator roller with method of applying toner to and declumping the applicator roller

US5570170A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Moore Business Forms, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Mark J. Muranyi · Grand Island, US
• Dennis C. Pollutro · Cherry Creek, US
• T. F. Cyman · Grand Island, US
• Kevin J. Hook · Grand Island, US
• Orrin D. Christy · Tonawanda, US
• Mark A. Matheis · North Tonawanda, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 27, 1993
• Grant date: Oct 29, 1996
• Expiry date: Dec 27, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G15/0887
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Electrically conductive magnetic toner is supplied to an electrostatic printing apparatus by dispensing it pneumatically from one of two different toner bottles mounted on dispenser blocks. The toner passes through a chute into a container having an air previous, toner impervious, bottom. The toner particles are fluidized in the container, and come into contact with the rotating surface of an applicator roller having interior magnets, and the amount of toner which stays on the applicator roller surface is controlled in part by rotating the surface past a metering blade. To periodically declump the toner, a mechanical element is depressed which reverses the direction of the applicator roller, and brings a scraper blade into contact with the surface of the applicator roller, and applies a high level of vacuum to remove scraped off toner.