EP0042051B1 - Powder dispensing apparatus with metering roll - Google Patents
Powder dispensing apparatus with metering roll Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0042051B1 EP0042051B1 EP19810102750 EP81102750A EP0042051B1 EP 0042051 B1 EP0042051 B1 EP 0042051B1 EP 19810102750 EP19810102750 EP 19810102750 EP 81102750 A EP81102750 A EP 81102750A EP 0042051 B1 EP0042051 B1 EP 0042051B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- roll
- wall portion
- powder
- container
- toner
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0877—Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
Definitions
- the present invention relates to apparatus for metering powder from a container and is especially, but not exclusively, useful in xerographic copier/duplicator types of equipment.
- the roller is an auger feed device and has, at one end, a portion carrying spaced projections. Toner is fed to the auger between a pair of sealing plates which have projections positioned to be engaged by the projections on the roller. This engagement, as the roller rotates, causes movement of the sealing plates to break up the tendency for the toner to coalesce.
- U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,044,719 shows an arrangement wherein a grooved, rotating replenisher meter roll engages a spring-like plate so that the spring-like plate will scrape loose any toner that has caked into the metering roll, but does not address the resolution of the reservoir caking problem.
- the present invention is directed to a system in which reservoir caking is reduced by employing a metering roll which itself agitates powder in a container. Essentially, it has been realised that if the roller is mounted eccentrically, it imparts vibrations in the toner mass which extend beyond the toner in the immediate vicinity of the roller. Additionally, these vibrations may be employed in conjunction with those imparted by moving sealing plates.
- powder dispensing apparatus comprising a powder container including a lower wall portion biassed into sealing contact with the surface of a rotatable metering roll positioned within the container but with its lowermost surface portion outside, the metering roll surface having a section configured to entrap a metered quantity of powder from the container as it passes the wall portion and to discharge the metered quantity by gravity from the dispensing apparatus as it leaves the wall portion, characterised in that the metering roll, is mounted eccentrically relative to its axis of rotation so that, its surface imparts vibratory motion to the powder in the container as the roll rotates, thereby to agitate the powder to reduce caking therein.
- FIG. 1 a segment 10 of a photoconductive surfaced drum or a photoconductor belt guide is shown in its generally operative relationship to the developer 12.
- the housing for developer 12 includes an opening 15 in which a toner charging or loading device can be attached.
- the toner is initially loaded and stored in replenisher chamber 16.
- the toner is metered from chamber 16 into the auger chamber 18, where it is added to the developer mix which is transported along the lower portion of chamber 18 by auger 19.
- Each end of divider wall 20 has an opening such as 21 with the mix entering the developer chamber 22 through the opening at one end.
- Auger element 24 rotates oppositely from auger 19 so that toner is forced through the opening at the opposite end from chamber 22 through the opening at the opposite end of wall 20, thereby continuously recirculating the mix between chamber 18 and 22 through the interconnecting ports or openings such as 21.
- the mix contained in chamber 22 is attracted to the surface of magnetic developer roll 25 for ultimate contact against the photoconductive surface of drum or belt guide 10 to provide development of the image on the photoconductive surface of 10.
- the operation of this mechanism is conventional.
- a metering roll 30 which is mounted on shaft 32 for rotation eccentrically relative to the central axis of roll 30.
- Chamber 16 also includes bar 35 which, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, extends through the sidewalls of chamber 16 with outer end 36 being positioned to ride on the upper surface of a cam 37 (see FIG. 2).
- Microswitch 38 is located so as to be actuated by arm 36 of rod 35 when the level of toner in chamber 16 has dropped below some minimum.
- cam 37 likewise rotates, lifting arm 36 and allowing rod 35 to drop onto the upper surface of the toner contained in chamber 16, thereby ensuring that rod 35 is always following the surface level of the toner contained in chamber 16.
- rod 35 functions as a combination toner level sensor and toner agitator in that the inner segment 39 pivots along the wall inside chamber 16, thus augmenting the loosening of toner from the housing sidewall as the toner level drops.
- a flexible plate 40 forming a lower wall portion of the container and fabricated from spring steel or the like, is mounted as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. That is, plate 40 is formed with a bend so as to be insertable between the retainer 41 and nub 42 of centre wall 20. This arrangement ensures that plate 40 is biased toward the peripheral surface of roll 30 and maintains constant engagement therewith during full rotation of roll 30.
- the dashed position of plate 40 as shown at 44, is obtained as roll 30 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrows.
- Roll 30 has grooves or flat areas 45 separated by one or more peripheral bridges 46. In the example shown, two grooves 45A and 45B, formed by flat cuts, are separated by bridges 46A, 46B, and 46C.
- blade or plate 50 On the opposite or outer wall 48, another flexible blade or plate 50 forming another lower wall portion of the container is mounted and retained within nubs 51 and 52 in a manner somewhat similar to blade 40. That is, the spring-like nature of blade 50 and its attachment between nubs 51 and 52 causes blade 50 to be continuously biased toward the peripheral surface of roll 30 so that outer edge 53 remains in continuous contact with the surface of roll 30. Accordingly, blade or plate 50 flexes to the position shown in dashed lines at 54, and outer edge 53 not only ensures that the toner contained in chamber 16 does not escape, but also provides a scrubbing function to loosen any toner adhering to the peripheral surface of roll 30 to cause it to drop into the auger sump 18.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a typical arrangement for sealing the mechanical mounting or roll 30, relative to sidewall 55.
- Sidewall 55 is constructed with a slight depression therein, into which a sponge-like member 56 is bonded or otherwise secured with member 56 being fabricated from any acceptable closed cell material such as polyurethane or the like.
- Rotational power to roll 30 is coupled through shaft 32, which is further mounted within collar 57.
- the compressible nature of member 56 allows it to maintain a sealed relation with the end face of roll 30 so that toner will not migrate through the mounting hole for shaft 30 through sidewall 55 and collar assembly 57.
- the resilient sealing member 56 also engages the outer edges of flexible plates 40 and 50 to prevent escape of toner from chamber 16.
- clutch 58 is operable in response to electrical or mechanical actuation to couple the rotary power from shaft 59 to shaft 32 and thus, to roll 30.
- the typical controls having determined by whatever means that additional toner is to be metered from replenisher chamber 16, causes clutch 58 to be actuated and one or more rotations of roll 30 to be accomplished until the controls determine that adequate toner has been dispensed.
- toner is entrapped in grooves 45 on roll 30, transported past the sealing flexible wall portion or plate 40, and disgorged into auger chamber 18 with the further assistance of scraper edge 53 on flexible wall portion or plate 50.
- Plates 40 and 50 oscillate between the positions shown in FIG. 3, maintaining continuous jostling or jogging of the toner contained within chamber 16.
- Cam 37 likewise causes level sensor bar 35 to reciprocate to aid in sidewall build-up prevention and level sensing of the amount of toner contained within chamber 16.
- FIG. 5 A somewhat different embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein the replenisher chamber 70 is shown with a charge of toner 71 contained therein.
- the combination toner level sensor and toner agitator 72 is here shown with a somewhat open grid configuration, but pivotable around shaft 74, which has an arm external to chamber 70 for actuating a microswitch, in response to a cam movement similar to that discussed previously for level sensor bar 35.
- the generally triangular shape of the lateral members such as 73 aids both in assuring that sensor 72 is brought to rest on the top of the toner and in breaking up the toner lumps as it is dropped into chamber 70.
- the eccentrically mounted metering roll 75 is sealed with a metering spring-type of plate or blade 76 on one side, and a cleaning spring-type of blade 77 on the other, also in a manner somewhat analogous to that previously described, at least as far as mountings thereof relative to sidewalls 78 and 79.
- Roll 75 has a continuous longitudinal groove 80 therein, without any bridging since groove 80 will entrap toner within itself and blade plate 76 seals the mouth of groove 80 as it passes from chamber 70 to the auger chamber 81.
- the outer edge 82 of blade plate 77 is arranged so as to enter groove 80 and assure scrubbing of any toner from groove 80 before it reenters chamber 70.
- FIGS. 6 and 7 Yet another arrangement is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the toner within chamber 86 is sensed by toner level arm 88, having a single inverted V-shaped transverse arm 89 for resting on the top of the toner and also aiding in lump break-up.
- the eccentrically mounted metering roll 90 has an oval shaped cross-section in this example and interfaces with spring blades or plates 91 and 92 in a manner similar to that previously described.
- eccentrically mounted roll 90 has an outwardly extending ridge or raised metering boss 95 thereon for the purpose of metering toner past sealing blade plate 91 with plate 92 acting as a scraper as is shown in detail in FIG. 7.
- the toner in reservoir chamber 86 oscillates vertically in accordance with arrows 96 and 97 in response to rotation of metering roll 90.
- the noncircular cross-section of metering roll 90 adds a churning effect to the toner in the replenisher chamber as roll 90 rotates.
- FIGS. 8 and 9 An alternative arrangement for sealing the replenisher storage chamber relative to the sidewalls is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.
- Flexible plate 100 is similar in construction and operation to the metering and cleaning blades 40 and 50 of FIGS. 1 and 3. Blade 100 is sealed relative to sidewall 101 by a resilient sealing pad 102.
- Pad 102 is made of a compressible material such as polyurethane foam with a pressure sensitive adhesive surface for adhering in wrapped relation around the edge of plate 100. Thus, compression of the wrapped edge of pad 102 establishes a dynamic seal interface 103 with sidewall 101 to prevent escape of toner despite flexing movement of spring plate 100.
- FIG. 10 shows a configuration for sealing the metering roll 104 relative to sidewall 101 in a manner suitable for use concurrently with FIGS. 8 and 9.
- Roll 104 is mounted for eccentric rotation by drive shaft 105 coupled to a power source (not shown) on the other side of sidewall 101.
- Sealing assembly 106 is formed of a compressible core 107 which is affixed to roll 104 by bonding or adhering at interface 108 as by a pressure sensitive adhesive or the like.
- the opposite side of seal assembly 106 is formed by a wear-resistant layer 109 such as Mylar (trademark of E. I. DuPont de Nemours Et Co.).
- Seal assembly 106 is installed in a generally compressed relation on the end of metering roll 104 and remains in compressed relation between roll 104 and sidewall 101 during the full rotational operation of roll 104. Accordingly, toner is prevented from escaping from the storage chamber into either the developer sump or the mounting hole for drive shaft 105.
- the reciprocating motion of the metering roll surfaces as shown in the preferred embodiments imparts some pulsating motion to the reservoir toner independent of the flexible plates.
- the flexible plates can be replaced by relatively rigid plates mounted and biased for a plunger type of movement toward the metering roll surface.
- the combination of the spring-like flexible plates and the eccentric movement of the metering roll surface in accordance with the preferred embodiments is advantageous in that the greatest amount of agitation of the toner in the replenisher chamber is obtained.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to apparatus for metering powder from a container and is especially, but not exclusively, useful in xerographic copier/duplicator types of equipment.
- It has been known for many years to transfer powder from a reservoir into a processing area by means of a rotating roller which has flexible plates engaging the peripheral surface of that roller to provide a dynamic seal. The powder can be entrapped by, or adhered to the roller surface as the roller surface passes through the material in the reservoir area, with this material being released by the roller after it has passed beyond the containment defined by the peripheral edge engaging seal plates. US. Patent Specification No. 3,114,482 shows such an arrangement.
- Similar metering configurations have been adapted by the xerographic industry for the purpose of dispensing toner from a container to the active developer area of the copier. For instance, U.S. Patent Specification No. RE28,589 shows such an arrangement wherein the toner transporting element comprises a roller having a series of longitudinal peripheral grooves on its external surface. The toner is trapped in these grooves and transported past the flexible sealing plates so as to be dropped into the active developer sump for a copier. As the roller rotates, it imparts vibratory movement to the sealing plates as they engage the peripheral grooves. This vibratory movement assists in maintaining the mass of toner within the dispenser in a loose and pulverulent state. The roller itself, however has little effect on the mass of toner.
- Another similar device is shown in U.S. Patent Specification No. 3985098. In this device, the roller is an auger feed device and has, at one end, a portion carrying spaced projections. Toner is fed to the auger between a pair of sealing plates which have projections positioned to be engaged by the projections on the roller. This engagement, as the roller rotates, causes movement of the sealing plates to break up the tendency for the toner to coalesce.
- In yet another arrangement, shown in the Xerox Disclosure Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, Feb. 1974 at pages 61 and 62, the feed plates of a disposable toner carton are caused to vibrate during operation of a toner disperser into which the carton fits. In this system, a cam coupled for movement with the dispensing feed roller engages and drive members coupled to the feed plates. This movement of the feed plates agitates the developer in the dispenser. Other techniques employed in the past in an efford to overcome this caking problem have enjoyed varying degrees of success. One method employed is to maintain continuously moving stir paddles along the container wall. Another is to employ vibratable screens or the like along the container wall, such as that shown in U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,840,156. The caking problem mentioned is discussed in U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,964,648 which endeavours to resolve it by an arrangement radically different from the present invention in that it employs a rotating rod that pivots within the cylindrical storage container and in proximity to its walls so as to break up the cake and also to throw a portion of toner out of the reservoir into the sump of the developer.
- U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,044,719 shows an arrangement wherein a grooved, rotating replenisher meter roll engages a spring-like plate so that the spring-like plate will scrape loose any toner that has caked into the metering roll, but does not address the resolution of the reservoir caking problem.
- The present invention is directed to a system in which reservoir caking is reduced by employing a metering roll which itself agitates powder in a container. Essentially, it has been realised that if the roller is mounted eccentrically, it imparts vibrations in the toner mass which extend beyond the toner in the immediate vicinity of the roller. Additionally, these vibrations may be employed in conjunction with those imparted by moving sealing plates.
- According to the invention, there is provided powder dispensing apparatus comprising a powder container including a lower wall portion biassed into sealing contact with the surface of a rotatable metering roll positioned within the container but with its lowermost surface portion outside, the metering roll surface having a section configured to entrap a metered quantity of powder from the container as it passes the wall portion and to discharge the metered quantity by gravity from the dispensing apparatus as it leaves the wall portion, characterised in that the metering roll, is mounted eccentrically relative to its axis of rotation so that, its surface imparts vibratory motion to the powder in the container as the roll rotates, thereby to agitate the powder to reduce caking therein.
- The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned side view of a developer for a copier/duplicator employing a toner powder dispenser embodying the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a top view of the FIG. 1 apparatus;
- FIG. 3 is an expanded detail view particularly showing the roll operation in the FIG. 1 and 2 structure;
- FIG. 4 is a partially broken and sectioned view of the roll mounting and plate sealing arrangement of the FIGS. 1-3 embodiment;
- FIG. 5 is a partially broken and sectioned view of another embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned and broken view of yet another embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 7 is an expanded view illustrating the metering operation of the FIG. 6 embodiment;
- FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an alternative arrangement for sealing the edge of the flexible plates;
- FIG. 9 is a sectioned and broken view of the flexible plate seal of FIG. 8 showing its interrelationship to a sidewall; and
- FIG. 10 is a sectioned and broken view of an alternative metering roll sealing configuration.
- The various embodiments of the invention will be shown and described in conjunction with the environment of the developer mechanism for a xerographic copier/duplicator. As will be more apparent from the subsequent description, the structures used in these examples cooperate to eliminate toner sticking or bridging to the sidewalls of a toner replenisher chamber for a copier, thereby allowing relatively complete evacuation of the toner from the replenisher chamber on demand by the developer.
- In FIG. 1, a
segment 10 of a photoconductive surfaced drum or a photoconductor belt guide is shown in its generally operative relationship to thedeveloper 12. The housing fordeveloper 12 includes an opening 15 in which a toner charging or loading device can be attached. Thus, the toner is initially loaded and stored inreplenisher chamber 16. The toner is metered fromchamber 16 into theauger chamber 18, where it is added to the developer mix which is transported along the lower portion ofchamber 18 byauger 19. Each end ofdivider wall 20 has an opening such as 21 with the mix entering thedeveloper chamber 22 through the opening at one end.Auger element 24 rotates oppositely fromauger 19 so that toner is forced through the opening at the opposite end fromchamber 22 through the opening at the opposite end ofwall 20, thereby continuously recirculating the mix betweenchamber - The mix contained in
chamber 22 is attracted to the surface ofmagnetic developer roll 25 for ultimate contact against the photoconductive surface of drum orbelt guide 10 to provide development of the image on the photoconductive surface of 10. The operation of this mechanism is conventional. - Inside
replenisher chamber 16 is ametering roll 30, which is mounted onshaft 32 for rotation eccentrically relative to the central axis ofroll 30.Chamber 16 also includesbar 35 which, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, extends through the sidewalls ofchamber 16 withouter end 36 being positioned to ride on the upper surface of a cam 37 (see FIG. 2). Microswitch 38 is located so as to be actuated byarm 36 ofrod 35 when the level of toner inchamber 16 has dropped below some minimum. Each time thatshaft 32 is rotated,cam 37 likewise rotates, liftingarm 36 and allowingrod 35 to drop onto the upper surface of the toner contained inchamber 16, thereby ensuring thatrod 35 is always following the surface level of the toner contained inchamber 16. Note thatrod 35 functions as a combination toner level sensor and toner agitator in that theinner segment 39 pivots along the wall insidechamber 16, thus augmenting the loosening of toner from the housing sidewall as the toner level drops. - A
flexible plate 40, forming a lower wall portion of the container and fabricated from spring steel or the like, is mounted as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. That is,plate 40 is formed with a bend so as to be insertable between theretainer 41 and nub 42 ofcentre wall 20. This arrangement ensures thatplate 40 is biased toward the peripheral surface ofroll 30 and maintains constant engagement therewith during full rotation ofroll 30. The dashed position ofplate 40 as shown at 44, is obtained asroll 30 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrows.Roll 30 has grooves orflat areas 45 separated by one or moreperipheral bridges 46. In the example shown, twogrooves 45A and 45B, formed by flat cuts, are separated bybridges roll 30 rotates eccentrically aroundshaft 32, thegrooves 45 entrap toner which is transported past the outer edge ofblade 40 and allowed to drop into theauger chamber 18.Bridges 46 prevent the outer edge ofblade 40 from scraping the toner out of theentrapment areas 45 as it passes the leadingedge 47 ofplate 40. - On the opposite or
outer wall 48, another flexible blade orplate 50 forming another lower wall portion of the container is mounted and retained withinnubs 51 and 52 in a manner somewhat similar toblade 40. That is, the spring-like nature ofblade 50 and its attachment betweennubs 51 and 52 causesblade 50 to be continuously biased toward the peripheral surface ofroll 30 so thatouter edge 53 remains in continuous contact with the surface ofroll 30. Accordingly, blade orplate 50 flexes to the position shown in dashed lines at 54, andouter edge 53 not only ensures that the toner contained inchamber 16 does not escape, but also provides a scrubbing function to loosen any toner adhering to the peripheral surface ofroll 30 to cause it to drop into theauger sump 18. The result of the eccentric movement ofroll 30 throughchamber 16, as well as the flexing action ofspring plates metering roll 30 is that the toner contained withinreplenisher chamber 16 vibtates, thereby preventing it from sticking or bridging on thehousing sidewalls replenisher chamber 16. In effect,blade 40 acts as a metering spring in conjunction withroll 30, whereasblade 50 acts as a cleaning spring, although both provide continuous sealing. - FIG. 4 illustrates a typical arrangement for sealing the mechanical mounting or roll 30, relative to
sidewall 55.Sidewall 55 is constructed with a slight depression therein, into which a sponge-like member 56 is bonded or otherwise secured withmember 56 being fabricated from any acceptable closed cell material such as polyurethane or the like. Rotational power to roll 30 is coupled throughshaft 32, which is further mounted withincollar 57. The compressible nature ofmember 56 allows it to maintain a sealed relation with the end face ofroll 30 so that toner will not migrate through the mounting hole forshaft 30 throughsidewall 55 andcollar assembly 57. The resilient sealingmember 56 also engages the outer edges offlexible plates chamber 16. That is, the bead on the outer edges ofplates member 56 in a manner similar to roll 30, thereby completing the seal ofchamber 16 despite the flexing movement ofplates - In operation, power from a source (not shown) is applied to shaft 59 (note FIG. 2).
Clutch 58 is operable in response to electrical or mechanical actuation to couple the rotary power fromshaft 59 toshaft 32 and thus, to roll 30. The typical controls, having determined by whatever means that additional toner is to be metered fromreplenisher chamber 16, causes clutch 58 to be actuated and one or more rotations ofroll 30 to be accomplished until the controls determine that adequate toner has been dispensed. In the course of rotation ofroll 30, toner is entrapped ingrooves 45 onroll 30, transported past the sealing flexible wall portion orplate 40, and disgorged intoauger chamber 18 with the further assistance ofscraper edge 53 on flexible wall portion orplate 50.Plates chamber 16.Cam 37 likewise causeslevel sensor bar 35 to reciprocate to aid in sidewall build-up prevention and level sensing of the amount of toner contained withinchamber 16. - A somewhat different embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein the
replenisher chamber 70 is shown with a charge oftoner 71 contained therein. The combination toner level sensor andtoner agitator 72 is here shown with a somewhat open grid configuration, but pivotable aroundshaft 74, which has an arm external tochamber 70 for actuating a microswitch, in response to a cam movement similar to that discussed previously forlevel sensor bar 35. The generally triangular shape of the lateral members such as 73 aids both in assuring thatsensor 72 is brought to rest on the top of the toner and in breaking up the toner lumps as it is dropped intochamber 70. - The eccentrically mounted
metering roll 75 is sealed with a metering spring-type of plate orblade 76 on one side, and a cleaning spring-type ofblade 77 on the other, also in a manner somewhat analogous to that previously described, at least as far as mountings thereof relative to sidewalls 78 and 79.Roll 75 has a continuouslongitudinal groove 80 therein, without any bridging sincegroove 80 will entrap toner within itself andblade plate 76 seals the mouth ofgroove 80 as it passes fromchamber 70 to theauger chamber 81. In this case, theouter edge 82 ofblade plate 77 is arranged so as to entergroove 80 and assure scrubbing of any toner fromgroove 80 before it reenterschamber 70. - Yet another arrangement is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the toner within
chamber 86 is sensed bytoner level arm 88, having a single inverted V-shapedtransverse arm 89 for resting on the top of the toner and also aiding in lump break-up. The eccentrically mountedmetering roll 90 has an oval shaped cross-section in this example and interfaces with spring blades orplates roll 90 has an outwardly extending ridge or raisedmetering boss 95 thereon for the purpose of metering toner past sealingblade plate 91 withplate 92 acting as a scraper as is shown in detail in FIG. 7. The toner inreservoir chamber 86 oscillates vertically in accordance witharrows metering roll 90. The noncircular cross-section ofmetering roll 90 adds a churning effect to the toner in the replenisher chamber asroll 90 rotates. - An alternative arrangement for sealing the replenisher storage chamber relative to the sidewalls is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.
Flexible plate 100 is similar in construction and operation to the metering andcleaning blades Blade 100 is sealed relative to sidewall 101 by aresilient sealing pad 102.Pad 102 is made of a compressible material such as polyurethane foam with a pressure sensitive adhesive surface for adhering in wrapped relation around the edge ofplate 100. Thus, compression of the wrapped edge ofpad 102 establishes adynamic seal interface 103 withsidewall 101 to prevent escape of toner despite flexing movement ofspring plate 100. - FIG. 10 shows a configuration for sealing the
metering roll 104 relative to sidewall 101 in a manner suitable for use concurrently with FIGS. 8 and 9.Roll 104 is mounted for eccentric rotation bydrive shaft 105 coupled to a power source (not shown) on the other side ofsidewall 101.Sealing assembly 106 is formed of acompressible core 107 which is affixed to roll 104 by bonding or adhering atinterface 108 as by a pressure sensitive adhesive or the like. The opposite side ofseal assembly 106 is formed by a wear-resistant layer 109 such as Mylar (trademark of E. I. DuPont de Nemours Et Co.).Seal assembly 106 is installed in a generally compressed relation on the end ofmetering roll 104 and remains in compressed relation betweenroll 104 andsidewall 101 during the full rotational operation ofroll 104. Accordingly, toner is prevented from escaping from the storage chamber into either the developer sump or the mounting hole fordrive shaft 105. - Note that the reciprocating motion of the metering roll surfaces as shown in the preferred embodiments imparts some pulsating motion to the reservoir toner independent of the flexible plates. Thus, the flexible plates can be replaced by relatively rigid plates mounted and biased for a plunger type of movement toward the metering roll surface. The combination of the spring-like flexible plates and the eccentric movement of the metering roll surface in accordance with the preferred embodiments is advantageous in that the greatest amount of agitation of the toner in the replenisher chamber is obtained.
Claims (9)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15988180A | 1980-06-16 | 1980-06-16 | |
US159881 | 1980-06-16 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0042051A2 EP0042051A2 (en) | 1981-12-23 |
EP0042051A3 EP0042051A3 (en) | 1982-02-10 |
EP0042051B1 true EP0042051B1 (en) | 1984-07-25 |
Family
ID=22574494
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19810102750 Expired EP0042051B1 (en) | 1980-06-16 | 1981-04-10 | Powder dispensing apparatus with metering roll |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0042051B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS5713464A (en) |
DE (1) | DE3164997D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS59163107A (en) * | 1983-03-03 | 1984-09-14 | 株式会社 フジパツクシステム | Regulator for cut length of film for packing in packer |
JP2579466B2 (en) * | 1986-07-21 | 1997-02-05 | 三田工業株式会社 | Developing device for image generator |
JPH0442855Y2 (en) * | 1986-10-03 | 1992-10-09 | ||
GB2259910B (en) * | 1991-09-21 | 1995-10-25 | Clarke Stephen William | Dispensing device |
JP6231292B2 (en) * | 2013-03-29 | 2017-11-15 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Powder coating apparatus and electrode manufacturing method using the same |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USRE28589E (en) * | 1969-05-27 | 1975-10-28 | Xerographic toner dispenser | |
US3985098A (en) * | 1975-01-20 | 1976-10-12 | Itek Corporation | Toner dispensing apparatus |
JPS5256939A (en) * | 1975-11-06 | 1977-05-10 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Developing apparatus for electronic copying machine |
-
1981
- 1981-04-10 DE DE8181102750T patent/DE3164997D1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-04-10 JP JP5305581A patent/JPS5713464A/en active Granted
- 1981-04-10 EP EP19810102750 patent/EP0042051B1/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE3164997D1 (en) | 1984-08-30 |
JPS5713464A (en) | 1982-01-23 |
JPH0223865B2 (en) | 1990-05-25 |
EP0042051A3 (en) | 1982-02-10 |
EP0042051A2 (en) | 1981-12-23 |
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