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:
Sep. 11, 1990
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1988
Brian J Joseph, Rochester, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
Magnetic brush development apparatus wherein flow of developer material, distributed in balance across the length of the apparatus, is assured. The apparatus includes a sump containing a supply of developer material. A magnetic brush is spaced from the sump. 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. A ribbon blender, located in the sump, agitates and transports developer material to the feed mechanism. The pitch of the blender blades self adjust as a function of developer imbalance. As material builds up, the blades's pitch angles decrease, reducing the rate of material transport toward areas of maximum build up. Thus, for a blender where the desired flow pattern is end-to-end, the end of the other ribbon near the end of the station toward which material is transported by the outer ribbin is self adjusting. Similarly, the portion of the inner ribbon near the end of the station toward which material is transported by the inner ribbon is self adjusting. The end result is a mixing device that self balances.