Xerox Corporation

Eastman-kodak Company

Mikhail Vaynshteyn

Paul Martin Wegman

Alexander Germanovich Kashkarov

Oleg Yurievich Abramov

Alexander N Gerasimov

Yuri A Yudin

Sergei D Ryabov

Victor A Kouzmitchev

Fumii Higuchi

Joseph C Barbisan

Joseph S Zelazny

David R Dowe

Richard B Wheeler

Timothy L Huss

David M Korvick

Charles J Balistere

Andrey N Sharov

Vladimir P Vasilyev

Sergei D Raybov

An insert in the form of a bin partition improves flow of powder or particulate material once installed into an existing bin. The insert has a triangular shape with a baffle on top of it covering a portion of the partition. The partition changes the shape of the exit area of a bin and enables better control of powder or particulate material flow, thus preventing bridging and uncontrolled flooding while filling the bin's hopper.

Bin partitions to improve material flow

Dispenser conduit partitions are used to improve the discharge flow of toner particles from a toner dispenser bottle in a host image forming device. A dispenser conduit partition assembly is inserted into the funnel-like dispenser conduit of the toner dispenser bottle. The conduit partition assembly is arranged with multiple partition members. The multiple partition members act to partition the single symmetric dispenser conduit into a corresponding multiplicity of asymmetric dispenser component conduits. As a result, the toner particles are dispensed by the multiple dispenser component conduits to thereby form a corresponding multiplicity of asymmetric toner particle discharge flows, thus reducing toner bridging.

Dispenser bottle including a conduit partition assembly, and an image forming device including the same

A toner-filling device that transports a toner mass from a hopper to a cartridge. A porous tube is used during the filling operation to remove air from or supply air to the toner. This porous tube will operate at various depths of toner to more completely remove air from or supply air to the toner. An auger is used to transport the toner, and the porous tube extends through the auger beyond the lowest end of the auger.

Conditioning toner in cartridge during auger filling

A method and an apparatus are provided for cleanly cutting off filling of a container with toner without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus for the method includes (a) a conduit member having a discharging end; (b) a conveyor device for moving the toner from the hopper towards the container; and (c) a nozzle device including a positive and negative air pressure applying device, and a nozzle member for directing the toner to the container. The nozzle member has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member and a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container. The nozzle member includes a post-cutoff controllable vibrator assembly connected to a controller for selectively enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.

Toner filling apparatus and method including a nozzle having post-cutoff vibrator assembly

A method and apparatus have been provided for directing toner from a hopper containing a supply of toner to fill as well as cleanly cutoff filling of a container without post-cutoff dribbling. The apparatus for the method includes (a) a conduit member connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the container; and (c) an anti-dribbling nozzle device for directing the toner from the conveyor to cleanly fill the container. The anti-dribbling nozzle device includes a source of pressurized air, a controller, and a nozzle member that has a first end connected to the discharge end of the conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the container, and a nozzle wall connecting the first end to the second thereof. The nozzle wall includes slanted air discharging ports for discharging directed pulses of positive pressure air to forcibly remove powder from the nozzle wall, thereby enabling clean cutoff of powder flowing into the container without post-cutoff dribbling.

Toner filling apparatus and method including an anti-dribbling nozzle having air discharge ports

A method for filling a powder container, including the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a supply of powder in a vessel, vibrofluidizing the powder in the vessel to improve its flow properties, dispensing powder from the vessel into the first container, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Powder filling utilizing vibrofluidization

An apparatus and method for supplying particulate material from a hopper is disclosed. A conduit is operably connected to the hopper and extends downwardly therefrom, the conduit permitting a flow of particulate material therewithin in a supplying operation. A nozzle assembly is connected to the conduit and extending downwardly therefrom. The nozzle assembly defines an inlet thereof for receiving particulate material from the conduit and defines an outlet thereof for dispensing particulate material from the nozzle assembly. A conveyor within the conduit assists in providing the flow of particulate material through the conduit. Within the nozzle assembly is a porous nozzle with dimensions selected so as to provide a ratio of the inlet cross-sectional area to the outlet cross-sectional area and selection and application of an air boundary layer to the inner surface of the porous nozzle to maximize the porous nozzle's compression ratio such that the flow of particulate material does not seize as it progresses through the nozzle. The nozzle assembly is part of a mechanical valve, the nozzle assembly being slidably supported with respect to the conduit. The slidable nozzle assembly moves up and down with respect to a flow control device to respectively open and close the valve. In the closed position the flow control device blocks the flow of particulate material from the nozzle assembly and in the open position the flow control device allows particulate material to flow from the nozzle assembly.

High speed air nozzle with mechanical valve for particulate systems

A method including: a particulate material source and receiver, and wherein the source contains a discharge feature; moving material in the source in the direction of a member located at least partially within the source, the member defining an adjustable restriction therein such that the particulate material clogs within the restriction; mechanically agitating the particulate material in the source, at least adjacent to the restriction to thereby unclog the particulate material within the adjustable restriction; and dispensing particulate material through the adjustable restriction, through the discharge feature, and into the receiver.

Apparatus for particulate processing

A method for filling a powder container is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a discharge feature in the vessel, directing the powder in the vessel toward a member located at least partially within the vessel, the member defining a restriction therein such that the powder clogs within the restriction, mechanically exciting the powder at least adjacent the restriction to improve the flow properties of the powder so as to unclog the powder within the restriction, dispensing powder through the restriction, through the discharge feature and into the first container, stopping the mechanical excitation of the powder so as to clog the restriction with the powder, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Oscillating valve for powders

A method for filling a powder container is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a supply of powder in a vessel, mechanically exciting the powder in the vessel to improve its flow properties, dispensing powder from the vessel into the first container, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Vibratory filler for powders

A method and apparatus for filling a container with a magnetic material using an electromagnetic valve and a demagnetizing circuit to control the flow and properties of the material. Initially an empty container is placed under a fill tube through which the material will be supplied to the container. In the filling process an auger located inside of the fill tube rotates to move the material through the fill tube. When the container is filled, the auger stops rotating and the electromagnetic valve is actuated. The electromagnetic valve supplies a magnetic field which holds the material particles in place, plugging the fill tube with the material. The filled container is removed from the fill tube and an empty container is put in its place. When the electromagnetic valve is switched off, a demagnetizing circuit is activated. After the material particles are demagnetized the auger is switched on and the material flows again to fill the container.

Electromagnetic valve and demagnetizing circuit

A method and apparatus for filling a container with toner using a series of traveling magnetic fields to control the flow of toner from a supply of toner to the container. Initially, an empty container is placed under a fill tube through which the toner will be supplied to the container. In the filling process the traveling magnetic fields, which are supplied by turning on and off a series of solenoids, and gravity cause toner from the toner supply to move through the fill tube. When a solenoid is turned on toner particles are attracted to its magnetic field where a plug of toner is formed. The solenoids are controlled so that a discrete amount of toner is supplied in each on/off cycle of the solenoids. The solenoid on/off cycle is repeated until the container is filled with toner. When the container is filled, the appropriate solenoid is activated so that a plug of toner stops the flow of toner in the fill tube. The filled container is removed from the fill tube and an empty container is put in its place so that the solenoid on/off cycle may begin again.

Electromagnetic filler for developer material

A variable angle flash for a photographic camera has a flash tube and a reflector that are relatively movable along an optical axis. A linear motor in the camera drives a follower connected with one of the flash tube and reflector members for moving the flash tube (or reflector) along the axis to vary the illumination angle of the flash. Optionally, the motor is a linear form of ultrasonic wave motor of which the follower forms a movable portion. An elastic body engaging the follower and fixed to the camera case carries piezoelectric elements that undulate the body when subjected to ultrasonic alternating currents, causing the body to move the follower and drive the flash tube (or reflector) along the optical axis and thereby vary the illumination angle.

Variable angle flash with linear motor drive

A film transport mechanism for a camera is powered by a clock-like spiral spring to advance the film. The spring is rewound during manual rewinding of the film into its canister. A separate belt and pulley drive carries the force of spring rewinding. The separate drive also actuates laterally movable (swinging) idler gears on pivot arms to disengage the canister film spool from the drive when the take-up spool is being driven in the forward, film winding, direction and to disengage the take-up spool from the drive when the film spool is being driven in the reverse, film rewind, direction. The film is thus not subjected to the forces required for rewinding the spring. An escapement mechanism is provided to control the speed of film transport to a relatively constant value in spite of the torque variations inherent in the spiral wound spring.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Mikhail Vaynshteyn