US3721209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Developing unit for electrostatic copying apparatus
Assignee: Agfa Gevaert AG
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Filing: 1971-10-07
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1991-10-07
Abstract
Abstract An electrostatic copying apparatus wherein a driven xerographic surface which carries electrostatic latent images receives developer material from the buckets of a conveyor which is normally driven in a first direction but can be driven in a second direction to thereby retract the foremost filled bucket away from a dumping position. The conveyor is driven by a reversible electric motor which is automatically started in reverse in response to deenergization of a relay and is automatically arrested after a predetermined interval of operation in reverse to thus insure that the contents of filled buckets on the conveyor are unlikely to spill into the copying apparatus when a carriage which supports the conveyor and a magazine for developer material is moved to and from a retracted position. The circuit of the motor is opened by a switch which is held in closed position by a power train between the conveyor and the motor when the conveyor is driven in the first direction. The switch is caused to open in response to such operation of the power train that the conveyor is driven in the second direction.
Inventors
- 👤 R Szostak
- 👤 K Hartwig
- 👤 J Vossnacke
- 👤 G Maurischat
- 👤 G Schnall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:04
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0896; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
In an electrostatic copying apparatus, a combination comprising a driven xerographic surface; a developing unit including a support, a source of flowable developer material provided on said support, conveyor means mounted on said support and actuatable to move in a first direction and to thereby deliver developer material from said source to said surface and in a second direction at least substantially counter to said first direction, and reversible drive means for said conveyor means; and control means for said drive means comprising a reversing device including a member movable automatically upon leaving a first position in which said drive means is operated to move said conveyor means in said first direction to assume a second position in which said drive means is operated to move said conveyor means in said second direction, and arresting means for terminating the operation of said drive means with a predetermined delay following the movement of said member of said reversing device to said second position thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
In an electrostatic copying apparatus, a combination comprising a driven xerographic surface; a developing unit including a support, a source of flowable developer material provided on said support, conveyor means mounted on said support and actuatable to move in a first direction and to thereby deliver developer material from said source to said surface and in a second direction at least substantially counter to said first direction, and reversible drive means for said conveyor means; and control means for said drive means comprising a reversing device including a member movable automatically upon leaving a first position in which said drive means is operated to move said conveyor means in said first direction to assume a second position in which said drive means is operated to move said conveyor means in said second direction, and arresting means for terminating the operation of said drive means with a predetermined delay following the movement of said member of said reversing device to said second position thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said support is movable with reference to said xerographic surface to and from an operative position in which the developer material delivered by said conveyor means can reach successive increments of said surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means comprises an endless flexible element having a plurality of receptacles arranged to discharge developer material onto said xerographic surface when said drive means moves said flexible element in said first direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said predetermined delay is such that a receptacle which is about to discharge developer material is moved to a material retaining position in response to movement of said flexible element in said second direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a portion which moves in one direction when said drive means moves said conveyor means in said first direction and in another direction when said drive means moves said conveyor means in said second direction, said arresting means comprising follower means which is engaged by said portion of said drive means and arrests said drive means in response to movement of said portion of said drive means in said other direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, wherein said drive means comprises a reversible prime mover and a power train connecting said prime mover with said conveyor means, said portion of said drive means forming part of said power train.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said portion of said drive means comprises a plurality of entraining elements for said follower means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A combination as defined in clAim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a reversible electric motor and said reversing device comprises a two-way electric switch in circuit with said motor, said switch having first and second fixed contacts and a movable contact which respectively engages said first and second contacts when said motor is respectively operated to move said conveyor means in said first and second directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said control means further comprises relay means actuatable to assume first and second conditions and to thereby respectively effect a movement of said movable contact into engagement with said first and second fixed contacts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said reversing device further comprises means for permanently biasing said movable contact into engagement with said second fixed contact.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
161 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a prime mover and a power train connecting said prime mover with said conveyor means, said power train including a portion arranged to move in one direction during movement of said conveyor means in said first direction and in another direction during movement of said conveyor means in said second direction, said arresting means comprising a microswitch and a follower extending into the path of movement of said portion of said power train and arranged to maintain said microswitch in a first condition in which the microswitch permits the operation of said prime mover during movement of said portion of said power train in said one direction and to cause said microswitch to assume a second condition with said predetermined delay following the start of movement of said portion of said power train in said other direction whereby said microswitch effects a termination of operation of said prime mover.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |