Eastman-kodak Company

Larry W Speer

Susan P Westbrook

Richard A Weitzel

A magnetic brush development apparatus for applying developer material to a latent electrostatic image wherein the mixing of pigmented marking particles in the developer material is enhanced. The development apparatus includes a housing having a portion defining a sump adapted to contain a supply of developer material to which marking particles may be selectively added. A magnetic brush is located substantially within the housing in spaced relation to the sump portion for applying developer material to the latent image. A feed mechanism, located within the housing between the sump portion and the magnetic brush transports developer material from the sump to the magnetic brush. An agitating and transporting mechanism, located in said sump portion, agitates developer material and transports developer material to the feed mechanism. In order to enhance the mixing of developer material, flow of developer material is directed from the wall of the housing adjacent to the sump portion back into the agitating and transport mechanism.

Device for improving mixing in a magnetic brush development apparatus

An improved magnetic brush development apparatus for applying developer material to a latent electrostatic image wherein measurement of toner level is facilitated. The apparatus includes a housing defining a sump portion adapted to contain a supply of developer material, and a magnetic brush located substantially within the housing in spaced relation to the sump portion for applying developer material to the latent image. A feed mechanism located within the housing between the sump portion and the magnetic brush transports developer material from the sump to the magnetic brush, and a mechanism located in the sump portion agitates developer material and transports developer material to the feed mechanism. Developer material in the sump portion is replenished by a device which includes a reservoir for replenishment material adjacent to the sump portion, a flow communication path between the reservoir and the sump portion, and a device for selectively controlling flow of replenishment material through the path. Measuring the level of replenishment material in the reservoir is facilitated by a material monitor located in the bottom of the reservoir immediately upstream of the flow communication path, the surface of the monitor being periodically swept to assure accurate measurement of replenishment material level.

Device for aiding in measuring pigmented marking particle level in a

An improved magnetic brush development apparatus for applying developer material to a latent image on a moving image carrying member wherein mounting of a take-off skive is facilitated. The development apparatus includes a housing having a portion defining a sump adapted to contain a supply of developer material, and a magnetic brush located substantially within the housing in spaced relation to the sump portion for applying developer material to the latent image. A feed mechanism including a metering assembly located within the housing between the sump portion and the magnetic brush transports developer material from the sump to the magnetic brush, and a mechanism located in the sump portion agitates developer material and transports developer material to the feed mechanism. A take-off skive for stripping development material from the magnetic brush after application to a latent image and directing such material to the sump portion is mounted so that the skive is self-adjustably supported between the metering assembly and the magnetic brush.

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Hilton, NY, United States of America

Larry W Speer