The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 21, 1988
Filed:
Jul. 24, 1987
Kensuke Fukae, Monsey, NY (US);
Keitaro Yamashita, Kumagaya, JP;
Kentek Information Systems, Inc., Allendale, NJ (US);
Abstract
A device for recycling residual developer particles which are removed from a photoconductive element by a cleaning unit in an electrographic copier or printer is disclosed. The device comprises a first tube connected to the cleaning unit and a second tube which is connected to the first tube and leads to the developer unit. The second tube is disposed along the developer unit. The residual particles are transferred from the cleaning device through the first tube and into the second tube. The second tube is provided with holes spaced at predetermined distances from each other. The residual particles fall through these holes and co-mingle with developer material stored in the developer unit. In a preferred embodiment, the holes increase in size as one goes along the second tube. In another preferred embodiment, an auger is used to deliver the residual particles to the first tube. A second auger is disposed within the second tube to move the residual particles over the holes. An even distribution of residual particles within the developer unit is thereby attained.