Device for adjusting the level of a developing mixture, which consists

Abstract

In a developer station for an electrophotographic printing or copying machine, there is provided apparatus which serves to assure a uniform layer thickness and density of developer mix to be conducted by the developer roller to the inking gap with a charge image carrier. This apparatus comprises a stripping roller which is mounted for rotation in the same direction as the developing roller and is arranged adjacent to the developing roller for defining therebetween a nip area through which developer mix must pass in route to the inking gap. The stripping roller serves to define an even level thickness for the developer mix being conducted to the inking gap by stripping away an upper portion of the developer mix layer for return to the main body of developer mix disposed in the lower region of the developer station. A guide plate is disposed beneath the striping roller about the lower end of the developer roller for defining a gap opening between its lead edge and the stripping roller. The excess developer mix stripped by the stripping roller passes through this gap opening for return to the station lower region. The gap is sized such that a small accumulation of excess mix particles develops at the inlet to the nip area for compressing the developer mix layer at this point and, thus, effecting a uniform density of the mix layer passing through the nip area onto the inking gap.