US4218126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Developer collection device for a copying machine
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1979-04-02
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Granted: 1980-08-19
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Expires: 1999-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A shaft with a spiral blade is supported in a receptacle for receiving a developer removed from the surface of a photosensitive drum. The developer is conveyed toward a collection box during the rotation and movement of the shaft. When an excess load is applied to a screw shaft due to an overflow or blockage of the developer, the shaft is moved in a direction opposite to that in which the developer is conveyed, causing it to abut against a sensor to permit the sensor to be rendered ON.
Inventors
- 👤 Fujio Takeichi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/10; G03G21/105; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A developer collection device for a copying machine, comprising a photosensitive drum, a removing mechanism for removing developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum after a transfer operation is completed, a receptacle having a developer discharge opening at one end portion thereof and adapted to receive the developer removed by the removing mechanism, a shaft rotatably supported in the receptacle and movable in the axial direction thereof, said shaft having a spiral blade at the outer peripheral surface thereof, urging means for urging the shaft, a developer collection box detachably attachable to the developer discharge opening of the recepticle, and a sensor which is rendered ON when said shaft is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of conveyance of the developer into abutment therewith, the movement of the shaft in that direction being affected against an urging force of said urging means when an excess load is applied to the spiral blade of said shaft due to an overflow of the developer from the collection box toward the discharge opening of said receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A developer collection device for a copying machine, comprising a photosensitive drum, a removing mechanism for removing developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum after a transfer operation is completed, a receptacle having a developer discharge opening at one end portion thereof and adapted to receive the developer removed by the removing mechanism, a shaft rotatably supported in the receptacle and movable in the axial direction thereof, said shaft having a spiral blade at the outer peripheral surface thereof, urging means for urging the shaft, a developer collection box detachably attachable to the developer discharge opening of the recepticle, and a sensor which is rendered ON when said shaft is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of conveyance of the developer into abutment therewith, the movement of the shaft in that direction being affected against an urging force of said urging means when an excess load is applied to the spiral blade of said shaft due to an overflow of the developer from the collection box toward the discharge opening of said receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A developer collection device according to claim 1 in which said spiral blade of said shaft is provided such that the developer of the receptacle is conveyed toward the developer discharge opening of the receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A developer collection device according to claim 1 in which said urging means is urged in the direction in which the developer is conveyed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A developer collection device according to claim 3 in which said urging means is a spring coiled around one end portion of said shaft and located in the discharge opening side of said receptacle.
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) | 1983-08-19 | 1984-02-18 | 1984-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-19 | 1988-02-18 | 1988-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-19 | 1992-02-18 | 1992-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |