MXPA97001760A - Magnetic appliance for filling and mixing and processing - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for distributing the contents of a container, characterized in that it comprises: placing in close proximity, to a filled container containing at least one particulate magnetic material and a non-magnetic material, at least one field magnetic, and combine the relative positional relationship of the magnetic field and the filled vessel, so that the magnetic field acts on the magnetic particulate material in the vessel to provide a non-invasive agitation and dispersion of the magnetic material so the magnetic component is mixed and the non-magnetic material, in which the movement of the container is carried out with a conveyor belt, and wherein the change in the relative position of the magnetic field and the container is carried out when the container is moved on the conveyor.

Description

MAGNETIC APPLIANCE FOR FILLING AND MIXING AND PROCESSES THEREOF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, in general, to an apparatus, and processes thereof, for filling a container with material in the process of developing and for non-invasively mixing the contents of the container. More particularly, the present invention concerns a system for filling, distribution and dispersion, in various embodiments, for two-component magnetic developers, which provides the dispersion of the particles, for example, particles of the carrier, in a container of the developer and promotes a uniform dispersion of a developer composition that is formed when the particles of the organic pigment are combined with the particles of the carrier. In the large-scale, mechanized manufacturing of the developer, and specifically in the filling operations of the developer container, typically dense metal particles of the carrier are first added to a container or dosage cartridge in a predetermined amount, followed by the addition of a predetermined amount of less dense organic pigment particles. A related operation of filling the container involves combining a magnetic organic pigment with a non-magnetic organic pigment composition.

REF: 23908 A problem that is frequently encountered with the resulting developer is that a non-homogenous mixture is obtained. Another problem encountered with the resulting developer is "a tendency or predisposition of the components with higher density, of the developer, to settle and / or separate from the components with lower density during subsequent handling, such as transportation, packing, shipping, and Similar operations The aforementioned problems may result in poor or non-uniform developer behavior during use, for example, in xerography or may require an additional stage or stages of developer mixing, eg, mechanical agitation, during manufacturing of the developer, such as before, during or after the container is filled or before final use.Additional handling and handling can lead to situations that do not suit the end user and are not satisfied, and at additional costs and reduced production in the developer's manufacture, situations that are preferably avoided. The developer's non-homogeneity, menc Previously, although not wishing to limit ourselves to the theory, it is thought that it is attributed, at least; in part, to the first dense component added, such as the particles of the carrier, which rest substantially on the bottom of the filled container and to the inability of the carrier particles to achieve adequate mixing with the less-dense particles of the organic pigment, when the particles of the organic pigment are subsequently added to the container. The organic pigment is the material that forms the image in a developer, which, when deposited by the field of an electrostatic charge, becomes the visible record. There are two main types of development systems, known as one-component and two-component systems. In the development systems of a component, the developer material is the organic pigment formed of particles of magnetic material, usually iron, embedded in a pigmented thermoplastic resin. The iron allows the organic pigment to be manipulated magnetically, for example, in the development and cleaning processes. In two-component systems, the developer material is comprised of organic pigment comprising small particles of thermoplastic resin and a color agent, and carrier granules comprising barely spherical particles or beads made of, for example, hard or soft materials that they are magnetically affected, such as iron. The following North American Patents are noted. North American Patent No. 4,932,355 Holder of the Patent: Neufeld Issued: June 12, 1990 North American Patent No. 5,404,198 Holder of the Patent: Noda et al.

- - Issued: April 24, 1995. Portions of the above patents may be summarized as follows: U.S. Patent No. 4,932,355 discloses a method for removing a developing mixture from a developing station with a magnetic closure device that is in the vicinity of a discharge opening in the development station. In its energized condition, the magnetic closure device creates a magnetic field that acts on the developing mixture to form a plug of the developing mixture in the region of the discharge opening. In the de-energized condition, the magnetic closure device releases the plug of the developing mixture. U.S. Patent No. 5,404,198 discloses a process cartridge that can be mounted to an image forming apparatus and includes a frame, an image-carrying element and a magnet positioned within the transport element of the organic pigment. A common element of positioning, separated from the frame, is put in contact with the element that carries the image and with the magnet to locate mutually the element that carries the image and the magnet. The descriptions of the documents mentioned above are incorporated herein in their entirety as a reference. There is a need for an apparatus and processes to fill a container with developing material and to mix, non-invasively, the contents of the container. The need remains for a system for filling the material, distributing the particles and dispersing the components for the two-component developers, which provides the predispersion of the carrier granules in a developing container or cartridge during manufacture and that allows an improved behavior of the development of the image after distributing it to an image forming apparatus. There is also a need for processes to mix or agitate non-invasively the content of a cartridge or container of a developer, to obtain homogeneous mixtures of the developer during the operations subsequent to filling the container. Solutions have been achieved to the problems and needs mentioned above in the embodiments of the present invention where an apparatus and processes are provided for filling developer cartridges and, simultaneously or subsequently, mixing in a magnetic, non-invasive manner, the contents of the container to produce superior dispersions of the mixtures of developer components, compared to developers and cartridges that are filled and mixed by conventional, non-magnetic processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Examples of the objectives of the present invention, in the modalities, include: - solving or minimizing the problems encountered in the art by providing a filling and mixing equipment of the developer, which allows an improved efficiency in manufacturing and material performance; - provide filling and non-invasive mixing processes that allow obtaining developer materials with superior performance characteristics; and - providing an apparatus and processes for easily and economically filling containers with developer materials and mixing or agitating simultaneously or subsequently, non-invasively, the contents of the container. These and other objects are achieved in the embodiments of the present invention, as described and illustrated herein. In the embodiments, the present invention provides processes for filling and dispersing the contents of a container comprising placing a container to be filled in a filling relationship with a holder of the container and at least one source of the material, moving a magnetic material. from a first source to the container, to fill the container with the magnetic material and apply a magnetic field to the container; move - - a non-magnetic material, from a second source, to the container to additionally fill the container with the non-magnetic material; and eliminate the magnetic field applied to the container before unloading the filled material. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, processes for dispersing the contents of a container are provided, which comprise: placing in close proximity to a filled container, containing at least one particulate magnetic material and a non-magnetic material, less a magnetic field and change the positional relationship of the magnetic field and the filled container, so that the magnetic field, which acts on the magnetic particulate material in the container, provides a non-invasive agitation and dispersion to the magnetic material, mixing accordingly the magnetic component and the non-magnetic material. Following other embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for filling a container and mixing the contents of the filled container, wherein the apparatus comprises means for placing a container in a filling relationship with a filling tube; means for moving a magnetic material from a source, through the filling tube, to the container for filling the container with magnetic material; means for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic material in the container; means for moving a non-magnetic material from a source, through the filling tube, to fill the container with non-magnetic material; means for moving the container; and means for removing the magnetic field applied to the container, so that the magnetic and non-magnetic materials are intimately mixed. Other embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for mixing the contents of a container, wherein the apparatus comprises a conveyor, for transporting a filled container; At least one magnetic element located adjacent to the container, the magneto element (magnet) provides a magnetic field to the magnetic content of the container, where the magnetic field is sufficient to suspend the magnetic content from the bottom of the container and prevent sedimentation of the magnetic component. magnetic content; and optional means to vary the strength of the magnetic field. Another additional aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for filling a container with a magnetic material and subsequently transporting the container from a first filling location to a second filling location, for filling the container with non-magnetic material, where the contents of the container it is stirred continuously or intermittently with magnetic means to provide and ensure uniform, ie homogeneous, mixtures of the components of the developer when the container leaves the second location. The apparatus and processes of the present invention are useful in developer manufacturing and packaging operations involving the mixing of magnetic and non-macromatic particulate components and related industrial processes. The aforementioned and other additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1A shows in a plan view, in the embodiments of the present invention, a container and a holder of the container or fold (puck) in a suitable filling ratio with a filling tube. Figure IB shows in a top view, in the embodiments of the present invention, the influence of the external magnetic elements on the magnetic filling material, in a cartridge of the container, during a filling operation. Figure 2 shows a schematic view, in the embodiments of the present invention, of a container containing the developer that travels on means of transport and illustrates the action of the external and stationary magnetic elements on the magnetic component of the developer, in the cartridge of the container.

- - Figure 3 shows a schematic view, in the embodiments of the present invention, of a cartridge of the developer container traveling on transport means and illustrates the action of the external and rotating magnetic elements on the magnetic component of the developer, in the cartridge of the container. While the present invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended that the description cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents, as they may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in its modalities, is directed to processes for filling and dispersing the contents of a container comprising placing a container to be filled in a filling ratio with a holder of the container and minus one source of the material; moving a magnetic material from a first source towards the container, filling the container with the magnetic material, and applying a magnetic field to the container; moving a non-magnetic material, from a second source, to the container to additionally fill the container with non-magnetic material, and remove the magnetic field applied to the container before discharging the filled material. In the embodiments, the present invention is directed to processes for dispersing the contents of a container, comprising: placing in close proximity to a filled container, containing at least one particulate magnetic material and a non-magnetic material, at least one field magnetic field and change the relative positional relationship of the magnetic field and the filled container, so that the magnetic field, which acts on the magnetic particulate material in the container, provides non-invasive agitation and dispersion of the magnetic material, thereby mixing the magnetic component and the non-magnetic material. Still, in other embodiments, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for filling a container and mixing the contents of the filled container, comprising: means for placing a container in a filling relationship with a filling tube; means for moving a magnetic material from a source, through the filling tube, to the container, to fill the container with the magnetic material; means for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic material in the container; means for moving a non-magnetic material from a source, through the filling tube, for filling the container with non-magnetic material, means for moving the container; and means for eliminating the magnetic field applied to the container, so that the magnetic and non-magnetic materials are intimately mixed. The present invention, in its embodiments, is directed to an apparatus for mixing the contents of the container, wherein the apparatus comprises a conveyor for transporting a filled container; at least one magnetic element located adjacent to the container, where the magnet element (magnet) supplies a magnetic field to the magnetic content of the container, and where the magnetic field is sufficient to suspend the magnetic content from the bottom of the container and prevent sedimentation of the magnetic magnetic content; and optional means to vary the intensity of the magnetic field. The present invention, in its embodiments, provides an apparatus for filling a container with a magnetic material and subsequently transporting the container from a first filling location to a second filling location for filling the container with non-magnetic material, where the contents of the container it is continuously or intermittently stirred with the magnetic means to provide and ensure uniform, ie homogeneous, mixtures of the components of the developer when the container leaves the second location. Figure 1A shows, in a plan view, in the embodiments of the present invention, a container in a suitable filling ratio with a filling tube, - - where the end of the tube rests substantially in, or within, the opening upper side of the container. A holder of the container, such as a transport puck of the cartridge of the container 1, can have, in the embodiments, a plurality of support arms 2, projecting upwards therefrom, and which are adapted with magnetic means 3, for example, permanent magnets or electromagnetically controlled magnetic means, and positioned to accommodate a developer or organic pigment cartridge 4 therein. A dispensing orifice of the cartridge 5 (hidden circular line) is properly clogged or plugged during typical cartridge filling. The filling of the cartridge is effected through an opening in the upper part of the cartridge, and in communication with the source of the material (not shown), by the filling nozzle 7. The filling nozzle or tube is suitably sized, so that it is slightly smaller than the filling opening of the developer container (not shown) and allows for maximum filling and minimal loss or spillage of the filling materials. The filling tube is preferably made of a non-tacky polymer material, for example, TEFLON or stainless steel. After completing the individual or total filling operations, the containers can be closed hermetically, temporarily or permanently, in the filling opening, depending on the requirements of handling and use after filling. The cartridge or container 4 can be manipulated, for example, moved, transported or placed before, during or after the filling with handling means, for example, a mechanical or robotic mechanism 8 or a conventional conveyor belt. In a comparative situation, in the absence of the influence of the aforementioned magnetic elements 3, located on the support arms 2, of the transport puck or fastener 1, the magnetic filling material easily falls towards the bottom 10 of the cartridge , by gravity. In the embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic filling material is kept substantially outside the floor of the container and substantially in close proximity to the walls of the container, and where there is a sufficient separation between the inner wall of the container and the filling material magnetically "active", so that the non-magnetic filling material, which is added later, can easily access, surround and coat the magnetic filling material either directly or under the action of a non-invasive, gentle magnetic stirring, such as described here. Figure IB shows, in a top view, in the embodiments of the present invention, the influence of the magnetic elements, such as bar magnets, or electromagnetic elements located on the arms or support elements 2, and adjacent to a container of the cartridge 4, on the magnetic filling material 9. The magnetic filling material 9 is maintained substantially in close proximity to the walls of the cartridge container while still allowing the non-magnetic material to be added later., to access and mix intimately with the magnetic filling material, so that little or nothing of the non-magnetic material rests on the bottom of the cartridge container. Figures 2 and 3, in the embodiments, show views of containers moving along a dividing conveyor with respect to the filling tube. Each container is placed in a transport device, also known as a puck. The folds are specially designed and constructed and for each type of developer container or organic pigment, the fold allows different container widths and heights. A fold (puck) is used so that the same transport and lifting system can be used with container types, the developer and the organic pigment, of different dimensions. When the container is in a position below the filling tube, an optional lifting mechanism (not shown) pushes the fold, with the container inside, upwards, until the lifting mechanism is fully extended. When the lifting mechanism is fully extended, the container is in the proper - - filling ratio with the filling tube. Figure 2 shows a schematic view, in the embodiments of the present invention, of a cartridge of the "developer" container, 20 traveling on transport means 21, and illustrates the action of a plurality, for example, from 2 to about 10,000, external and stationary magnets (magnets) 23, for example, with alternating polarities, on the magnetic component of the developer 24, in the cartridge of the container 20. In other embodiments, the magnetic polarities do not need to alternate and can be the same polarities of As long as the container is in motion, an adequate mixing and agitation of the filling material is achieved, Figure 3 shows, in a schematic view in the embodiments of the present invention, a cartridge of the developer container 30, which travels 32 directionally, on the means of transport 31, and illustrates the action of the axially rotating external magnetic dipole element 34, 33, such as a magnet (magneto) of bar, or electromagnet, on the magnetic component of the developer 35, in the cartridge of the container. In the embodiments, an alternating current electromagnetic medium, where the poles of the magnetic component (s) can be easily exchanged, is a suitable equivalent alternative for the stationary and alternating magnetic means 23 and the rotating magnetic means 33, mentioned above.

In the embodiments of the present invention there is provided a filling and mixing apparatus and processes thereof, which provide inexpensive techniques that can be easily implemented to conveniently control organic pigment emissions, for example, in manufacturing, packaging, shipping, distribution and similar handling or unit operations. In the embodiments of the present invention, there are provided processes for filling and dispersing the contents of a container, which comprise placing a container to be filled in a filling relic with a holder of the container and at least one source of material; moving a magnetic material, from a first source towards the container, to fill the container with the magnetic material and apply a magnetic field to the container; moving a non-magnetic material from a second source towards the container, to additionally fill the container with the non-magnetic material and remove the magnetic field applied to the container before discharging the filled material. In the embodiments, the magnetic field is sufficient to maintain the magnetic material within the container substantially against or in close proximity to the walls of the container. The application of the magnetic field to the container is carried out before, at the same time as, or subsequent to, the filling with the material. In the embodiments, the application of the magnetic field preferably takes place before filling the first component of the material, typically the magnetic component of the material. With respect to the container and the holder of the container, they can be constructed of any suitable material so that the objectives of the invention are achieved. The container is preferably constructed of a non-magnetic material, such as polyethylene or a polycarbonate polymer. If a holder of the container is selected to support the container, the holder of the container can be configured with at least one vertical support element, where the support element is substantially magnetic or has magnetic means attached thereto or embedded therein, for making the support arm substantially magnetic with respect to the magnetic material filled in the container. In embodiments, the container can be filled with magnetic material in an amount from about 2 to about 5 weight percent and subsequently filled with a non-magnetic material in an amount from about 98 to about 5 weight percent, based on the weight total content of the container. In embodiments, the magnetic material may be magnetic particles of organic pigment and the non-magnetic material may be non-magnetic particles of organic pigment, referring, for example, to U.S. Patent No. 5,475,470, which discloses developing processes, where a mixture of organic - and non-magnetic organic pigments can reside and be distributed separately from the same developer housing. The aforementioned filling materials are preferably any type of magnetic xerographic carrier granules and non-magnetic organic pigment particles, respectively, and are present in the container in a quantity ratio, by weight, from about 75:25 to about 90. : 10 The magnetic filling material may have magnetic properties selected from magnetic, paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, diamagnetic and similar materials, and mixtures thereof. The magnetic material may have an average volumetric particle size of about 20 to about 10,000 microns and in the embodiments, preferably in the range of about 30 to about 1,000 microns. The magnet element or the means associated with the crease holder, or the magnetic arrangement around the conveyor, may be a permanent or electrically induced magnet, and combinations thereof. The terms "permanent magnet", "bar magnet" and "electromagnet" refer to any material that has magnetic properties; it can be of any geometry or size and can exert a sufficient magnetic field on the magnetic filling material, in the container, to achieve the objectives of the present invention. In embodiments, the application of a magnetic field can be achieved, for example, by placing an electromagnetic coil or a bar magnet, or a bar magnet array, in close proximity above, below or around the holder of the container. A suitable application of the magnetic component provides a sufficient magnetic field to "activate" the magnetic particles in the container, i.e. suspending and / or orienting the particles that can be magnetically affected in the container, before the addition of, or mixed with, the non-magnetic particles. In the modalities, after the removal of the applied magnetic field, if desired, although it is thought to be unnecessary for most applications, a demagnetizing field can be applied to the filling material, so that the bulk of the filling material is demagnetize partially or completely, either to facilitate its handling or to return the magnetic component of the material to its original or non-magnetic state. The amount of organic pigment charged in the container can be predetermined by various means, for example, based on the size of the container and the flow of the organic pigment and is controlled mainly by known means of source distribution, such as the number of rotations of the source. a feeding propeller, making - reference, for example, to the commonly owned cooperative application, mentioned above, USSN 08 / 540,993 (D / 95051), which describes a method for controlling filling to a container. In the methods of the process, in order to disperse the contents of a container, the relative positional relationship of the magnetic field and the filled container is changed so that the magnetic field, acting on the particulate magnetic material, in the container, provides a non-invasive agitation and dispersion of the magnetic material, thereby efficiently mixing the magnetic component and the non-magnetic material in the container, for example, by rotating the external magnetic field, moving the container with a conveyor belt or simultaneously moving the container and moving the external magnetic field, as illustrated in Figure 3. The magnetic field employed can be provided, for example, by means of a series of bar magnets with alternating orientations of their poles, a magnetic bar rotary, a magnetic coil that surrounds the container and similar magnetic media. In preferred embodiments, the magnetic field applied to the container is removed before discharging the filled material from the container. As in the filling modes, mentioned above, the magnetic field used to mix the contents of the container, partially or completely filled, is strong enough to temporarily hold the magnetic material inside the container substantially against or in close proximity to the walls of the container and allow, in this way, the mixing and dispersion of the contents of the container. The magnetic field is of such force to achieve the aforementioned suspension of the magnetic particles, but is of insufficient magnetic force to cause misalignment or undesirable movement of the container. In the embodiments of the aforementioned filling and mixing apparatuses, magnetic materials which are suitable as xerographic carrier particles can be selected separately or in combination; the non-magnetic materials that are aduained as organic pigment particles, the means to move the container, such as, conveyor belt; the means to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic material in the container, such as a permanent magnet, an electromagnetic coil above or surrounding the container and electrically induced magnets. In embodiments, when what is desired is an apparatus for achieving high levels of mixing the contents of a container, at least one magnetic element is located adjacent to the container, where the magnetic element supplies a magnetic field to the magnetic content of the container and where the magnetic field is sufficient to suspend the magnetic content from the bottom of the container and prevent sedimentation of the magnetic content. Optionally, means may be used to vary the strength of the magnetic field, to provide the ability to completely disconnect the magnetic field, to release the suspended magnetic particles, from their suspended state to a relaxed state, to bring the magnetic component into an intimate mixture with the magnetic field. the non-magnetic components. Alternatively, the means for varying the strength of the magnetic field can be used to produce a non-invasive reinforced agitation, both to the magnetic content and to the non-magnetic content in the container, for example, by an intermittent or continuous operation. For example, by providing a magnetic field that varies rapidly, or by pulses, around the container, where the container is located and is stationary or in continuous motion, such as on a conveyor, highly dispersed mixtures of the magnetic components can be obtained and not magnetic A number of organic pigment polymer resins can be selected for the organic pigment compositions, for example, styrene acrylates, styrene methacrylates, styrene butadienes and especially polyesters. The organic pigment compositions may contain waxes, so that melter take-off failure is avoided or minimized.

- - The organic pigment compositions generally contain pigment particles comprised, for example, of carbon black, such as the magnetites REGAL 330, or mixtures thereof; color blue-green (cyan), magenta, yellow, blue, green, red, or brown components or mixtures thereof, therefore providing the development and generation of black and / or colorful images. When the pigment particles are comprised of magnetites, thereby allowing magnetic single-component or two-component organic pigments in some cases, where the magnetites are a mixture of iron oxide (FeO.Fe20 ^) including those commercially available as MAPICO BLACK, are present in the composition of the organic pigment in an amount from about 10 weight percent to about 80 weight percent and preferably in an amount from about 10 weight percent to about 50 weight percent. Mixtures of carbon black and magnetite, with an amount of from about 1 to about 15 weight percent carbon black, and preferably from about 2 to about 6 weight percent carbon black, and magnetite, such as MAPICO BLACK, in an amount of, for example, from about 5 to about 60, and preferably from about 10 to about 50 weight percent, can be selected. A filler additive may also be included in the organic pigment compositions and examples include those illustrated in US Patent No. 4,338, where these additives can impart a positive charge to the organic pigment composition; alkyl pyridinium compounds, such as those described in US Patent No. 4,298,672 and additives for cargo control, such as are illustrated in US Pat. Nos. 3,944,493; 4,007,293; 4,079,014; 4,394,430 and 4,560,635, which illustrate an organic pigment with a filler additive of methyl distearyl dimethyl ammonium sulfate. Negatively charged additives, such as zinc or aluminum complexes, can also be selected, such as the aluminum compound of a hydroxycarboxylic acid (BONTRON E-88 from Orient Chemical Company), the zinc complex of butyl salicylate 3.5- (BONTRON E-84 from Orient Chemical Company and hydroxy bis (3,5-ditertiary butyl salicylic) aluminate monohydrate and similar compounds and mixtures thereof, waxes may be included in the organic pigment and developer compositions of low molecular weight or mixtures thereof, such as polypropylenes and polyethylenes such as EPOLENE N-15 ™, commercially available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc .; VISCOL 550-P ™, a polypropylene with low average molecular weight, available from Sanyo Kasei KK, and similar materials The selected commercially available polyethylenes have a molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 3,000, such as those that are obtained from Petrolite Corporation, while commercially available polypropylenes optionally used for the organic pigment compositions of the present invention, are thought to have a molecular weight of from about 4,000 to about 5,000. Many of the polyethylene and polypropylene compositions are illustrated in British Patent No. 1,442,835. Low molecular weight wax materials are present in the organic pigment in different amounts, however, in general, these waxes are present in the organic pigment composition in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 15 weight percent. percent by weight and preferably in an amount from about 2 weight percent to about 10 weight percent. Other organic pigment additives can also be mixed with the organic pigment compositions., such as external additive particles that include flow aid additives where these additives are usually present on the surface thereof. Examples of such additives include metal oxides, such as aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide, cerium oxide, mixtures thereof and the like, colloidal evaporated silicas, such as AEROSIL R or CABOSILR, metal salts and salts of fatty acids including zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, polymeric particles from 0.2 to 5 microns, such as polyvinylidene fluoride, which can be obtained from ATOCHEM North America. Inc.; polytetrafluoroethylene, available from ICI Advanced Materials; or polymeric microspheres from 0.1 to 2.0 microns, such as those obtainable from Nippon Paint, Osaka, Japan; and mixtures thereof, these additives are generally present in an amount from about 0.1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent and preferably in an amount from about 0.1 weight percent to about 3 weight percent. Several of the additives mentioned above are illustrated in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,590,000 and 3,800,588. Additionally, with respect to the surface additives of the organic pigment, the colloidal silicas, p such as AEROSIL, can be surface treated with known filler additives, such as DDAMS, in an amount from about 1 to about 30 weight percent and preferably 10 percent by weight, followed by the addition of the same to the organic pigment, in an amount from 0.1 to 10, and preferably from 0.1 to 1 percent by weight. The suitable magnetic and non-magnetic filling materials of the present invention include colorful organic pigments and developer compositions which are comprised of organic pigment resin particles and carrier particles and, as pigments or dyes red, blue, green, brown particles , magenta, blue-green and / or yellow, as well as mixtures thereof. The colorful pigment particles are present in the organic pigment composition in an amount from about 2 percent to about 15 percent by weight, calculated based on the weight of the organic pigment resin particles. For the formulation of the developer compositions, the organic pigment particles are mixed non-invasively with the carrier components during filling and subsequent transfer operations under the influence of external magnetic media and as illustrated herein. The carrier particles are selected to be of a negative or positive polarity, allowing the organic pigment particles that are preferably with opposite charge to adhere and surround the carrier particles. Illustrative examples of carrier particles include iron powder, steel, nickel, iron, ferrites including copper ferrites, zinc and the like.

Additionally, carriers of nickel pellets, such as shown in US Patent No. 3,847,604, can be selected as carrier particles. The selected carrier particles can be used with or without a coating, the coating generally containing terpolymers of styrene, methyl methacrylate and a silane, such as triethoxy silane, with reference to U.S. Patent Nos. 3,526,533 and 3,467,634; polymethyl methacrylates and other known coatings. Carrier particles may also include in the coating, where the coating may be present in the embodiments in an amount from about 0.1 to about 3 weight percent, conductive substances, such as carbon black, in an amount from about 5 to about about 30 weight percent. Polymeric coatings that are not in close proximity to the triboelectric series can also be selected, with reference to U.S. Patent Nos. 4,937,166 and 4,935,326, which include, for example, KYNAR and mixtures of polymethylmethacrylates in a ratio of 40 / 60 The coating weights may vary, generally, however, from about 0.3 to about 2 and preferably from 0.5 to about 1.5 weight percent, of the weight of the coating are selected. The organic pigment and developer compositions can be selected for use in electrostatic imaging apparatuses containing conventional photoreceptors therein, provided they are capable of being negatively charged, therefore, the organic pigment and developer compositions can to be used as photoreceptors in layers, which are capable of being negatively or positively charged, such as those described in US Patent No. 4,265,990. Illustrative examples of inorganic photoreceptors, which may be selected for the imaging and printing processes include selenium, selenium alloys, such as selenium arsenic, selenium-tellurium and the like; Selenium substances with halogen impurities and selenium alloys with halogen impurities. Other similar photoreceptors can be selected provided that the objectives of the present invention are achievable. The organic pigments are generally applied to jet and are further classified to the preparation to allow organic pigment particles, with a preferred average diameter of from about 5 to about 25 microns, and more preferably from about 6 to about 12 microns. Also the organic pigment compositions preferably have a triboelectric charge from about 5 to 40 microcoulombs per gram, in the modalities thereof, as determined by the known charge spectrograph. The mixing time for the organic pigments is preferably from about 15 seconds to 1 minute, and more specifically from about 15 to about 30 seconds in the modalities thereof, as determined by the known charge spectrograph. These organic pigment compositions with rapid mixing characteristics allow, for example, the development of latent electro-statistic images in electrophotographic imaging apparatuses, where the revealed images do not substantially present background deposits on them, even with high distribution speeds of the organic pigment, in some cases, for example, exceeding 20 grams per minute, and in addition these organic pigment compositions can be selected for high-speed electrophotographic apparatuses, ie those exceeding 70 copies per minute. The organic pigment and developer compositions have excellent mixing characteristics and maintain their triboelectric charging characteristics during a large number of imaging cycles, for example, of up to 1,000,000, in a number of modalities. The organic pigment and developer compositions of the present invention can be selected for electro-statographic, especially xerographic, imaging and printing processes, including color processes. The desired characteristics, mentioned above, of the organic pigment of the developer, such as rapid mixing, reduced bottom deposits, stable triboelectric charge and the like, and similar properties, are believed to be attributable, at least in part, to the intimate mixture already the dispersion that is allowed to the developer components, according to the apparatus and processes of the present invention. The aforementioned patents and publications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other modifications of the present invention may be presented to those skilled in the art, based on the review of the present application, and it is intended that these modifications, including equivalents thereof, be included within the scope of the present invention. It is noted that, in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it refers. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (32)

- - CLAIMS

1. A process for filling and distributing the contents of a container, characterized in that it comprises: placing the container to be filled in a filling ratio with a holder of the container and at least one source of the material; - moving a magnetic material from a first source towards the container, to fill the container with the magnetic material and apply a magnetic field to the container; - moving a non-magnetic material from a second source towards the container, to additionally fill the container with the non-magnetic material; and eliminate the magnetic field applied to the container before unloading the filled material.

2. The process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic field is sufficient to retain the magnetic material inside the container, substantially suspended, and in proximity with the walls of the container.

3. The process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the application of the magnetic field is carried out before, simultaneously with, or subsequent to, filling with the material.

4. The process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the container is non-magnetic.

5. The process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastener of the container has at least one vertical support element, wherein at least one support element is substantially magnetic.

6. The process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the container is filled with magnetic material in an amount from about 2 to about 95 weight percent; and filled with non-magnetic material in an amount from about 98 to about 5 weight percent, based on the total weight of the contents of the container.

7. The process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic material comprises beads particles of xerographic carrier; and the non-magnetic material comprises xerographic organic pigment particles.

8. The process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic material comprises magnetic organic pigment particles; and the non-magnetic material comprises non-magnetic organic pigment particles.

9. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic material is selected from the group of particles consisting of magnetic, paramagnetic, superparamagnetic particles and mixtures thereof.

10. The process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetic material has an average volumetric particle size from about 20 to about 10,000 microns.

11. The process, according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastener of the container has at least one magnet element (magnet) that is integrally therewith.

12. The process, according to claim 11, characterized in that the magnet element (magneto) is selected from the group consisting of permanent magnets and electrically induced magnets, and combinations thereof.

13. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the application of the magnetic field is carried out by placing an electromagnetic coil in a close proximity above or around the holder of the container.

14. A process for distributing the contents of a container, characterized in that it comprises: placing, in close proximity to a full container, containing at least one particulate magnetic material and a non-magnetic material, at least one magnetic field; and - changing the relative positional relationship of the magnetic field and the filled container, so that the magnetic field acting on the particulate magnetic material, in the container, provides a non-invasive agitation and dispersion to the magnetic material by mixing, therefore, the component magnetic and non-magnetic material.

15. The process according to claim 14, characterized in that the mangetic field is selected from the group consisting of at least one stationary or rotating rod magnet, a stationary or rotating electromagnetic coil, and combinations thereof.

16. The process according to claim 14, characterized in that the change in the relative position of the magnetic field and the container is effected by rotating the external magnetic field.

17. The process, according to claim 14, characterized in that the change in the relative position of the magnetic field and the container is effected by moving the container.

18. The process, according to claim 14, characterized in that the change of the relative position of the mangetic field and the container is effected by simultaneously moving the container and the external magnetic field.

19. The process, according to claim 17, characterized in that the movement of the container is carried out with a conveyor belt.

20. The process, according to claim 14, characterized in that it also comprises removing the magnetic field applied to the container before unloading the filled material.

21. The process according to claim 14, characterized in that the magnetic field is sufficient to temporarily maintain the magnetic material inside the container substantially against or in close proximity to the walls of the container thus allowing the mixing and dispersion of the magnetic material. content of the container.

22. The process, according to claim 14, characterized in that the container is not magnetic.

23. The process, according to claim 14, characterized in that the container is filled with magnetic material in an amount from about 2 to about 95 weight percent, and because it is filled with non-magnetic material in an amount from about 98 to about 5. percent by weight, based on the total weight of the contents of the container.

24. The process, according to claim 14, characterized in that the magnetic material comprises beads particles of xerographic carrier; and the non-magnetic material comprises particles of xerographic organic pigment.

25. The process according to claim 14, characterized in that the magnetic material comprises magnetic particles of organic pigment and the non-magnetic material comprises non-magnetic particles of organic pigment.

26. The process, according to claim 14, characterized in that the magnetic field is selected from the group consisting of permeating magnets and electrically induced magnets, and combinations thereof.

27. The process, according to claim 14, characterized in that the application of the magnetic field is carried out by placing an electromagnetic coil in close proximity above or around the holder of the container.

28. An apparatus for filling a container and mixing the filled content thereof, characterized in that it comprises: a lifting conveyor for placing a container in a filling ratio with a filling tube; - a magnetic valve source and means for moving a magnetic material from the source, through the filling tube, to the container to fill the container with a magnetic material; - at least one magnetic element for applying a magnetic field to the material in the container; and - a second source and second magnetic valve means for moving a non-magnetic material from the second source, through the filling tube, to fill the container with non-magnetic material, where the container is transported on the conveyor and the materials of Magnetic and non-magnetic filling are intimately mixed.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that the magnetic material are carrier particles.

30. The apparatus, according to claim 28, characterized in that the non-magnetic material is organic pigment particles. - a magnetic field, for the magnetic material inside the container, is selected from the group consisting of a permanent magnet, an electromagnetic coil above or around the container, and electrically induced magnets, and combinations thereof.

31. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that it also comprises means for controllably varying the intensity and duration of the at least one magnetic element, so that a continuous or intermittent magnetic field can be applied to the container.

32. An apparatus for mixing the contents of a container, characterized in that it comprises: - a conveyor for transporting a container that has been filled; at least one magnetic element located adjacent to the container, the magnet element supplies a magnetic field to the magnetic content of the container, where the magnetic field is sufficient to suspend the magnetic content of the bottom of the container and prevent sedimentation of the magnetic content; and - optional means for varying the intensity of the magnetic field.