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:
Dec. 09, 1997
Filed:
Jan. 11, 1996
Joseph F Gorzka, Jr, Rochester, NY (US);
Scott M Smith, Webster, NY (US);
Gene T Tomasino, Rochester, NY (US);
Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A mill for grinding marking particles utilizing a source of a pressurized fluid is provided. The mill includes a grinding chamber having a peripheral wall, a base and a central axis. The mill also includes a nozzle associated with the peripheral wall of the grinding chamber. The nozzle defines an inlet of the nozzle. The inlet is connectable to the source of pressurized fluid. The pressurized fluid propels the marking particles about the periphery of the chamber. The mill further includes a plug cooperable with the nozzle. The plug is in engagement the nozzle when the pressure within the grinding chamber is substantially greater than the pressure at the inlet of the nozzle. The plug is spaced from the nozzle when the pressure within the grinding chamber is substantially less than the pressure at the inlet of the nozzle, so that when the source of pressurized fluid is connected to the inlet, the plug is spaced from the nozzle permitting the entry of the pressurized fluid into the chamber and so that when the source of pressurized fluid is disconnected from the inlet, the plug is engaged with the nozzle preventing marking particles from entering the nozzle and clogging the nozzle.