Mechanism for agitating the toner in the replenisher of an electrophotographic machine
AssigneeHeidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
InventorsKenneth M. Patterson, Paul E. Thompson, Laverne N. Lincoln, Jr., James G. Blum
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Abstract
A replenisher for facilitating flow of toner in an electrophotographic apparatus. The replenisher includes a sump for receiving the toner. An beater element having a plurality of blades is rotatably mounted within the sump wherein some of the blades impart a shear force and a normal force along the axis of rotation to the toner while others of the blades impart a shear force and a normal force towards or away from the axis of rotation to the toner as the beater is rotated through the toner. This effectively “aerates” the toner and keeps it mobile within the sump.
Claims13
A replenisher for agitating particulate toner to facilitate flow of said toner in an electrophotographic apparatus;
- said replenisher comprising:
- a sump in said replenisher adapted to receive said toner;
- an agitator element rotatably mounted within said sump and adapted to impart both shear and normal forces to said toner as said agitator element is rotated in said sump,
- wherein said agitator element comprises:
- a beater element comprising:
- a shaft rotatably mounted and extending through said sump;
- a hub mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith;
- and
- a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from said hub wherein some of said plurality of blades impart a shear force and a force normal along the axis of rotation of said hub to said toner in said sump when said hub is rotated and wherein others of said plurality of blades impart a shear force and a normal force towards or away from said axis of rotation to said toner in said sump when said hub is rotated.
A beater element for a replenisher in an electrophotographic apparatus, said beater element comprising:
- a hub adapted to be mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith;
- and
- a plurality of blades extending radially outwardly from said hub wherein some of said plurality of blades impart a shear force and a force normal along the axis of rotation of said hub to said toner in said sump when said hub is rotated and wherein others of said plurality of blades impart a shear force and a normal force towards or away from said axis of rotation to said toner in said sump when said hub is rotated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.