Back to results
US 7,983,604 B2Granted
Magnetic scavenger for an electrostatographic printer
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsKenneth J. Brown, Eric C. Stelter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for managing magnetic carrier in an electrostatographic printer including an apparatus for directing magnetic carrier from a photoconductor, back toward a feed apparatus wherein the apparatus includes a magnetic carrier scavenger such that there is more magnetic carrier volume in the direction of the feed apparatus as well as a well to collect any magnetic carrier that does not move toward the feed apparatus.
Claims10
A magnetic carrier control apparatus for transporting magnetic carrier comprising:
- a. a scavenger plate comprising a face plate to create a magnetic field between a photoconductor and the face plate to preferentially direct magnetic carrier from the photoconductor, back toward a feed apparatus;
- b. a support plate for supporting the face plate such that the support plate does not influence the magnetic field between the photoconductor and the face plate;
- and
- c. one or more troughs adjacent the face plate such that surplus magnetic carrier is collected and retained away from the photoconductor.
1 more element
A method of transporting magnetic carrier comprising, the method comprising:
- a. powering a scavenger plate comprising a face plate by applying an electric current to the face plate to create a magnetic field between a photoconductor and the face plate to preferentially direct magnetic carrier from the photoconductor, back toward the feed apparatus;
- b. controlling the electric current to preferentially direct magnetic carrier from the photoconductor, back toward a feed apparatus such that a support plate for supporting the face plate does not influence the magnetic field between the photoconductor and the face plate;
- and
- c. cleaning magnetic carrier from one or more troughs adjacent the face plate such that the surplus magnetic carrier is collected and retained away from the photoconductor.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.