USRE28589E
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Xerographic toner dispenser
Assignee: —
•
Filing: 1974-08-09
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-08-09
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for dispensing toner into a developing unit of a xerographic-copying machine is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a hopper having sidewalls provided by a pair of resilient members whose lower ends engage the periphery of a rotatable fluteddispensing shaft located at and forming the bottom of the hopper. The resilient members function to seal the lower portion of the hopper, meter the amount of toner carried from the hopper when the fluted-dispensing shaft is rotated, and clean the toner from the toner-carrying grooves or channels of the fluted-dispensing shaft. Mechanism is provided for indicating when the amount of toner in the hopper has been reduced to a predetermined minimum amount.
Inventors
No inventors recorded.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0856; G03G15/0887; G03G15/0889
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A toner dispenser for disposing metered quantities of toner to a developing unit in a copying machine comprising: a toner receiving hopper having a pair of sidewalls; means to detect when the toner in said hopper falls below a predetermined level; said means to detect comprising a measuring member extending into said toner within said hopper; biasing means tending to move said measuring member from a normal position to an actuated position; said toner in said hopper surrounding said measuring member maintaining said measuring member in (actuated) said normal position against the action of said biasing means; a dispensing shaft forming a portion of at least one wall of said hopper; a plurality of teeth and toner-carrying dispensing channels disposed alternately about the periphery and extending the length of said dispensing shaft; one of said sidewalls comprising a platelike deflectable back resilient member having an end portion coextensive with said teeth and toner-carrying dispensing channels and engaging said periphery of said dispensing shaft to provide a toner seal and a cleaning means for removing toner remaining in said tonercarrying dispensing channels; and means to rotate said dispensing shaft whereby quantities of toner are metered to said developer unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A toner dispenser for disposing metered quantities of toner to a developing unit in a copying machine comprising: a toner receiving hopper having a pair of sidewalls; means to detect when the toner in said hopper falls below a predetermined level; said means to detect comprising a measuring member extending into said toner within said hopper; biasing means tending to move said measuring member from a normal position to an actuated position; said toner in said hopper surrounding said measuring member maintaining said measuring member in (actuated) said normal position against the action of said biasing means; a dispensing shaft forming a portion of at least one wall of said hopper; a plurality of teeth and toner-carrying dispensing channels disposed alternately about the periphery and extending the length of said dispensing shaft; one of said sidewalls comprising a platelike deflectable back resilient member having an end portion coextensive with said teeth and toner-carrying dispensing channels and engaging said periphery of said dispensing shaft to provide a toner seal and a cleaning means for removing toner remaining in said tonercarrying dispensing channels; and means to rotate said dispensing shaft whereby quantities of toner are metered to said developer unit.
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) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |