Simplified resetting thumper assembly
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsJAMES D. WALSH, TIMOTHY P. FOLEY
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This is a thumper assembly that is positioned in a developer station of a xerographic marking system. A waste container connected to a drop tube collects waste developer from this station. A magnet prevents magnetic developer from moving through the tube when the container is removed. Once a new container is installed, the magnet is moved away from the tube thereby allowing magnetic developer lodged therein to again move through the tube. A thumper is moved striking the tube to further dislodge developer and allow this developer to move through the tube into the waste container.
Claims14
A thumper assembly useful in an electrophotographic marking system that uses magnetic developer, said assembly comprising:
- a conduit configured to be attached to a developer waste trickle drop tube,
- a conduit on its lower end configured to be attached to a removable developer waste bottle or container,
- a movable magnet with a movable magnet arm(s) and a movable thumper mass,
- said magnet enabled to be moved adjacent said drop tube to thereby prevent magnetic developer movement through said tube.
A thumper assembly useful in an electrophotographic marking system that uses magnetic developer, said assembly comprising:
- a conduit configured to be attached to a developer waste trickle drop tube,
- a conduit on its lower end configured to be attached to a removable developer waste bottle or container,
- a movable magnet with a movable magnet arm(s), and a movable thumper mass,
- said magnet enabled to be moved away from trigger arms and adjacent said drop tube to thereby prevent magnetic developer movement through said tube,
- said waste container when attached to said assembly is enabled to cause said thumper mass to be spring loaded,
- said thumper mass configured when spring released to strike said tube thereby loosening, initiating and causing the flow of previously lodged developer through said tube, said mass configured to reset itself as said magnet rotates through said trigger arms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.