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:
Jan. 29, 1991
Filed:
Dec. 05, 1988
Richard Allen, Rochester, NY (US);
Paul Hartley, Rochester, NY (US);
Thomas Hilbert, Rochester, NY (US);
Andrew J Mauer, Rochester, NY (US);
Thomas T Stetz, Rochester, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
Magnetic brush development apparatus for applying developer material to a latent electrostatic image in which flow of developer material, distributed in balance across the length of the apparatus, is assured. The apparatus includes a housing having a portion defining a sump 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. An agitating and transporting mechanism, located in said sump portion, agitates developer material and transports developer material to the feed mechanism. In the preferred embodiment the agitating and transporting mechanism is a ribbon blender. In order to assure the desired balanced developer material distribution in the apparatus housing under all conditions, a magnet is attached to the external wall of the housing adjacent to the sump portion.