Xerox Corporation

Wayne D Fox

Kevin L Maltzahn

Barry J Gheer

Michael Harris

Christina L Pierce

Carlton W Campbell

Paul Martin Wegman

Roger C Hopkins

Toner loading bottle

There is disclosed an apparatus for storing a supply of marking particles therein, including: (a) a container defining a chamber for storing the marking particles therein and a discharge opening in communication with the chamber for the discharge of the marking particles; (b) a flange member coupled to the container, wherein the flange member includes a flange wall that defines a flange opening in communication with the chamber for loading of the marking particles into the chamber; (c) an agitator mounting member fixedly positioned adjacent the flange opening, wherein the mounting member includes an agitator end coupling portion which is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening; and (d) an agitator disposed within the chamber, wherein the agitator has an end coupled to the agitator end coupling portion, whereby the agitator end is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening.

Toner cartridge

Apparatus for priming the magnetic end seals in the developer of a xerographic-based copying or printing machine immediately on startup to quickly establish the seals and prevent initial escape of toner from the developer housing, the apparatus continuing to supply developer material to the end seals while the machine is operating, thereby to prevent seal degradation or loss resulting from use and wear.

System for priming the magnetic brush end seals of copier/printer

Apparatus for removing toner from a charge-retentive surface and collecting the toner in a receptacle for subsequent disposal thereof. This apparatus is characterized by the provision of a segmented auger structure which is disposed internally of the receptacle such that toner is moved into the receptacle through a vertical one end thereof and positively transported by auger action across the entire length of the receptacle. The segmented auger functions to move toner by means of the two auger sections and causes toner moved by the auger sections to push toner between the two auger sections and between one of the auger sections and the end of the receptacle.

Residual toner removal and collection apparatus

Blade cleaner apparatus for removing residual toner from a charge-retentive surface including a cleaner housing having a cleaning blade disposed therein adjacent the top thereof. The apparatus is characterized by improved means for reducing the escape of toner particles from the housing. Seals are disposed between the blade ends and side frame members. The seals block the flow of toner laden air past the ends of the cleaning blade. Thus, the toner laden air flow is redirected to behind the blade which allows toner to separate from the air prior to its exodus from the cleaner housing area.

Blade cleaner apparatus for removing toner from a charge-retentive

Blade cleaner apparatus for removing residual toner from a charge-retentive surface including a cleaner housing having a cleaning blade disposed therein adjacent the top thereof. The apparatus is characterized by improved means for reducing the escape of toner particles from the housing. To this end, a shield is mounted behind the blade, out of contact from the blade and the surface to be cleaned. The shield directs toner propelled by the blade in a generally downward direction. A lower seal supported by the cleaner housing contacts the surface to be cleaned and insures that the toner stays in the cleaner housing. The lower seal is characterized by its ease of attachment to the cleaner housing. Accordingly, one end of the seal is bent so that an outer angle is formed. The material from which the seal is fabricated is flexible so that the end can be manipulated such as to reduce the acute angle to allow resuction into a recess in the housing.

An erase device for removing residual charges from the photoreceptor of a xerographic type reproduction machine or printer preparatory to recharging, comprising, an elongated rectangular light conducting bar or fiber adapted for disposition with one side thereof in preset spaced relation to the photoreceptor surface; a light impervious cover about the remaining sides of the fiber to prevent escape of light from the interior thereof; an illumination cavity at one end of the fiber; a lamp in the cavity in operative relationship within the fiber end, the lamp and cavity cooperating so that light is discharged by the lamp into the fiber for transmittal axially within the fiber toward the fiber opposite end, portions of the light in the interior of the fiber escaping through the fiber one side to impinge upon the photoreceptor surface and discharge the photoreceptor; the fiber one side being roughened so that the light exit area progressively increases in proportion to the distance from the lamp, the roughened portion enabling the discharge of light through the fiber one side and providing a proportionally increasing light emitting surface in accommodation of the fall off in light intensity as the distance from the lamp increases. In a second embodiment, the fiber is semi-circular in cross section, the rounded portion of the fiber being covered with a cladding material to prevent the escape of light therefrom while permitting the discharge of light from the uncovered flat portion of the fiber, the fiber being positionable with the flat portion thereof in preset spaced relation to the photoreceptor surface, the surface area of the fiber flat portion being roughened to enable the discharge of light from the fiber and progressively increasing in proportion to the distance from the lamp to accommodate fall off in the intensity of the light discharged from the fiber as the distance from the lamp increases.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Wayne D Fox