Eastman-kodak Company

Susan P Westbrook

Richard A Weitzel

Larry W Speer

Thomas K Hilbert

Arthur S Kroll

Jerry Eugene Livadas

Theodore H Morse

Allen Kass

Gregory L Miller

John M Beres

Christopher J Olan

A development station for applying toner to an electrostatic image includes a rotatable magnetic core and a roughened sleeve on which developer moves to develop the image. The outside surface of the sleeve contains fine extrusion-formed serrations, which serrations provide a roughness for the outside surface contributing to movement of developer in response to rotation of the magnetic core.

Development station having a roughened toning shell

A toning station particularly usable in a multicolor image-forming apparatus includes an applicator and a developer mixing mechanism. A transport roller with a fluted surface transports developer from the mixing device to the applicator. A magnetic gate is positioned inside the transport roller and has a first position in which it attracts developer from the mixing device to the transport roller to facilitate delivery of developer to the applicator. The magnetic gate is movable to a position opposite the applicator where it inhibits passage of developer to the applicator to stop the development action of the station.

Toning station for selectively applying toner to an electrostatic image

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 the set up latitude between the replenishment roller and replenishment skive wall is increased. The development apparatus includes a housing defining a sump portion adapted to contain a supply of developer material. 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, and a mechanism located in the sump portion agitates developer material and transports developer material to the feed mechanism. The development apparatus further includes a developer material replenishment device which has a reservoir for replenishment material adjacent to the sump portion, a flow communication path between the reservoir and the sump portion, and a selectively rotatable roller located relative to the path to control flow of replenishment material through the path. The entrance to the path is configured to engage the roller such that the set up latitude between the roller and path is increased.

Developer replenishment device with increased set up latitude

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.

Growing community of inventors

Fairport, NY, United States of America

Susan P Westbrook