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US 4,546,722 AGranted
Developing apparatus for electrophotographic copying machines
AssigneeOlympus Optical Co., Ltd.
InventorsAkitoshi Toda, Yoshiyuki Mimura
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A developing apparatus for an electrophotographic copying machine includes a developer carrier disposed in opposing relationship with a member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. A vibrator comprising a single sheet piezoelectric element which is adapted to undergo vibrational oscillation in the direction of its thickness or a plurality of such elements bonded together is closely engaged with the developer carrier to cause the developer to fly toward the latent image carrying member.
Claims20
A developing apparatus for an electrophotographic copying machine comprising:
- conveyor means for conveying a developer from a developer vessel to a location adjacent to an electrostatic latent image carrying member;
- a developer carrier disposed in opposing relationship with and at a given spacing from the latent image carrying member;
- a vibrator mounted on the carrier and formed by a piezoelectric element having a pair of electrodes;
- and
- drive means for applying an alternating voltage across the electrodes of the vibrator to cause the latter to oscillate, thereby urging the developer on the carrier to fly toward the latent image carrying member.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.