Abstract Processes are provided for improving the mixing efficiency of carrier and toner in electrostatographic apparatus by causing a partial reverse cascade of developer from the buckets of a bucket-type conveyor in the electrostatographic developing apparatus prior to said developer cascading across the electrostatographic surface whereby developer falls back upon subadjacent buckets and mixes with toner newly deposited therein. An improvement in electrostatographic development apparatus is obtained by providing the buckets of the bucket-type conveyor of the development apparatus with a plurality of apertures in the posterior wall of each bucket thereby obtaining buckets adapted to allow a partial egress of developer from said apertures prior to said developer cascading across the electrostatographic surface whereby developer falls back upon subadjacent buckets and mixes with fresh toner released from the toner dispenser.
In electrostatographic developing apparatus comprising an imaging surface adapted to receive a latent electrostatic image to be developed; an endless bucket-type conveyor spaced from said drum and adapted to provide a cascade of developer thereupon; a reservoir adapted to receive and contain developer situated below said conveyor and in charging relationship with said buckets; a toner dispenser spaced from and above said conveyor adapted to supply additional toner to compensate for that consumed in the developing operation and a housing containing said developing apparatus, whereby the buckets are continuously charged with developer from the reservoir and cause said developer to cascade across the imaging surface depositIng toner thereon in image configuration and said deposited toner being continually replenished, the improvement which comprises increasing the mixing efficiency of toner and carrier particles by providing at least one aperture in the posterior wall of said buckets thereby causing a partial egress of developer from said aperture prior to said developer cascading across the imaging surface whereby developer falls back upon subadjacent buckets and mixes with toner released from said toner dispenser.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
In electrostatographic developing apparatus comprising an imaging surface adapted to receive a latent electrostatic image to be developed; an endless bucket-type conveyor spaced from said drum and adapted to provide a cascade of developer thereupon; a reservoir adapted to receive and contain developer situated below said conveyor and in charging relationship with said buckets; a toner dispenser spaced from and above said conveyor adapted to supply additional toner to compensate for that consumed in the developing operation and a housing containing said developing apparatus, whereby the buckets are continuously charged with developer from the reservoir and cause said developer to cascade across the imaging surface depositIng toner thereon in image configuration and said deposited toner being continually replenished, the improvement which comprises increasing the mixing efficiency of toner and carrier particles by providing at least one aperture in the posterior wall of said buckets thereby causing a partial egress of developer from said aperture prior to said developer cascading across the imaging surface whereby developer falls back upon subadjacent buckets and mixes with toner released from said toner dispenser.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a gate is provided in the posterior wall of said buckets to enable the partial egress of developer from said buckets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of apertures is provided in the posterior wall of said buckets to enable the partial egress of developer from said buckets.