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:
Mar. 09, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 01, 1996
Timothy Gilbert Armstrong, Rochester, NY (US);
James C Maher, North Rose, NY (US);
Susan Pike Farnand, Fairport, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
A development station for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus wherein pigmented marking particles from a particulate material mixture of pigmented marking particles and magnetic carrier particles are utilized to develop latent image charge patterns on a dielectric member. The development station has a housing adapted to be located adjacent to a dielectric member. The housing defines a reservoir for a particulate material mixture, and an opening facing such dielectric member. A mixer for mixing particulate material, a magnetic brush for applying pigmented marking particles from such particulate material mixture to a latent image charge pattern to develop such charge pattern, and a transport for transporting such particulate material from the mixer to the magnetic brush are located within the housing. A device is provided for collecting contaminating airborne particulate material contamination. The contamination collecting device includes an elongated tube, located externally of the housing. The tube defines an opening communicating through the wall of the tube with the interior thereof. Passages are defined by the housing between the magnetic brush and the mixer, communicating with the opening of the tube, and a vacuum is supplied to the interior of the tube to substantially prevent contamination of the reproduction apparatus and its environment.