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:
Nov. 21, 2006
Filed:
Sep. 24, 2004
Edward Michael Eck, Lima, NY (US);
Wendy Sue Buhay-kettelkamp, Clifton Springs, NY (US);
Edward Michael Eck, Lima, NY (US);
Wendy Sue Buhay-Kettelkamp, Clifton Springs, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
According to the various aspects of the invention, a method and apparatus for mixing electrographic developer is provided. An elongate shaft having two ends and an intermediate location between the two ends is rotated. Developer is moved away from the intermediate location toward one of the ends with an inner helical ribbon mounted concentrically to the elongate shaft for rotation therewith. Developer is moved away from the one of the ends toward the intermediate location with an outer helical ribbon mounted concentrically to the elongate shaft for rotation therewith, the inner helical ribbon is disposed within the outer helical ribbon. Developer is moved away from the intermediate location toward another of the ends with another inner helical ribbon mounted to the elongate shaft for rotation therewith. Finally, developer is moved away from the another of the ends toward the intermediate location with another outer helical ribbon mounted to the elongate shaft for rotation therewith, the another inner helical ribbon is disposed within the another outer helical ribbon. The outer helical ribbon and the another outer helical ribbon are terminated to provide an opening spanning the intermediate location through which developer is drawn into the inner helical ribbon and the another inner helical ribbon upon rotation of the longitudinal shaft.