US3806003A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toner supply device of electrostatic photocopying apparatus
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-12-27
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Granted: 1974-04-23
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Expires: 1991-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An oscillatable rotary feed roller is disposed along an elongated opening formed in the bottom of a toner supply hopper to define a slit-like toner discharge opening between the feed roller surface on which toner mixing bars are mounted and one of the side edges of the elongated opening which is provided with an opening adjusting plate. As the roller is oscillated, the toner mixing bars agitate the toner in the supply hopper to prevent agglomeration and a wire is extended below the toner discharge opening along the toner feed roller in contact or in closely spaced apart relation therewith so that toner attached to the feed roller can be removed by the wire.
Inventors
- 👤 S Fujimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:34
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G65/00; B65G65/30; B65G65/34; B65G65/40; B65G65/48; B65G65/4881; B01; B01F; B01F31/00; B01F31/44; B01F31/445; G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0877; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S118/00; Y10S118/01; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A toner supply device of an electrostatic photocopying apparatus comprising: a toner supply hopper; a rotary feed roller disposed along an elongated opening formed at the bottom of said toner supply hopper such that a slitshaped toner discharge opening is defined by one of the side edges of said elongated opening and the surface of said feed roller to permit toner to drop therethrough; a wire extended below said toner discharge opening along the surface and parallel to the axis of said feed roller; a plurality of toner mixing bars arrayed on the surface of said feed roller and extending into said toner supply hopper through said elongated opening and of a length greater than the width of said discharge opening so as to confine their operation within the walls of said hopper; and means for oscillating said feed roller to cause said mixing bars to agitate and feed toner through said discharge opening from said toner supply hopper and said wire to remove toner upon the surface of said feed roller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A toner supply device of an electrostatic photocopying apparatus comprising: a toner supply hopper; a rotary feed roller disposed along an elongated opening formed at the bottom of said toner supply hopper such that a slitshaped toner discharge opening is defined by one of the side edges of said elongated opening and the surface of said feed roller to permit toner to drop therethrough; a wire extended below said toner discharge opening along the surface and parallel to the axis of said feed roller; a plurality of toner mixing bars arrayed on the surface of said feed roller and extending into said toner supply hopper through said elongated opening and of a length greater than the width of said discharge opening so as to confine their operation within the walls of said hopper; and means for oscillating said feed roller to cause said mixing bars to agitate and feed toner through said discharge opening from said toner supply hopper and said wire to remove toner upon the surface of said feed roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of toner mixing bars are disposed on the feed roller slanting toward the axis thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as in claim 1 further comprising bracket means fixed on said toner supply hopper at the opposite ends of said elongated opening for supporting said wire along the surface of said feed roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said oscillating means comprises a crank connected at one end of said feed roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said one of the side edges of said elongated opening has an opening adjusting plate mounted thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said opening adjusting plate is slidably mounted on the side edge by means comprising sCrews fitted into elongated slots formed in the plate in parallel to each other at an angle relative to the side edge of said adjusting plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 6 further comprising means at one end of said opening adjusting plate for selectively sliding said plate along said elongated opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-22 | 1977-10-22 | 1978-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-22 | 1981-10-22 | 1982-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-22 | 1985-10-22 | 1986-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |