Abstract: A toner level sensor for detecting the presence or absence or the level of residual amount of the toner of an electronic copier or the like. In order to secure stable operation regardless of changes of external environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, a pair of transformers are provided with primary coils and secondary coils respectively wound on magnetic cores having a magnetic gap. When a magnetic member is present in the vicinity of a magnetic gap, the phases of the outputs of the secondary coils are opposite to each other, so that the differential output of the secondary coils is phase detected to determine the presence or absence of the residual toner amount or the level of residual amount.

Abstract: In a developing station functioning on the principle of cross-blending in an electrophotographic printing device, two mixing screws running in opposite directions are arranged at a distance from one another. The first mixing screw is situated in a mixing trough provided with a plurality of oblique slots and comprises two mixing strips in the delivery region of the developer mix which are offset by 180.degree. and which neighbor one another. A scraper strip having an actual scraping region and scraping teeth is situated above the two mixing screws. A metering baffle is arranged at an angle relative to this scraper strip, this metering baffle extending through the teeth of the scraper strip and including baffles at its lower end for controlling the flow of the developer mix.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device is improved to prevent unexpected dropping of toner when attaching a toner storage cartridge to a toner receptacle of a developer and detaching it therefrom. The cartridge is easily attached to the developer and is hooked in place thereto when a sheet sealing an open end of the cartridge is removed. The cartridge easily is detached from the developer by the operation of a cam portion engaging with a hooking member as a result of displacement of the cartridge by a distance equal to the thickness of the sheet and a sheet tearing member which previously are removed from the cartridge.

Abstract: A development station of electrographic apparatus uses particles of toner to develop latent images on a photoconductor. As the toner particles are depleted a new supply of toner from a container is provided to the development station. Apparatus for adding toner to the development station includes a mounting member having an opening through which toner can pass to the station. A cover hinged to the mounting member moves between closed and open positions, and the cover has an opening that is aligned with the opening in the mounting member when the cover is closed. A shut-off slide in the cover has an opening that can be aligned with the opening in the cover. A container of fresh toner is coupled to the slide and moves with the slide between positions wherein the toner is blocked from flowing through the cover and a position wherein toner from the container can move through the slide, the cover and the mounting member into the development station.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a toner storage area, from where the toner is supplied to a developing section, includes a holder for releasably holding a cartridge containing therein a quantity of toner, which may be located at a cartridge mounting and dismounting position and at a replenishing position, in which the cartridge is held substantially horizontally and driven to rotate thereby discharging the toner to a toner transporting path leading to the toner storage area. The cartridge is provided with a first mating member and the holder is provided with a second mating member corresponding in position to the first mating member. Thus, only the cartridge having the first mating member may be properly held by the holder for carrying out a toner replenishing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus in which particles are moved from one end of a duct to the other end thereof. The particles in the duct are fluidized. A pressure differential is generated which moves the fluidized particles in the duct from one end of the duct to the other end thereof. When the particles pack and cake together, the apparatus automatically moves the toner particles away from the region of the packed and caked toner particles to relieve this condition.

Abstract: A cylindrical developer storage and dispensing cartridge with a dispensing opening at one end has an integral developer transport mixing and antibridging member rotatably supported within the container which has a first coiled spring element having a cross section substantially the same as the cross section of the container and freely rotatable therein which is wound in the direction to transport developer along its length toward the dispensing opening and a second coiled spring element having a cross section substantially smaller than the first spring element but being substantially concentrically positioned and being attached to the first element but wound in a direction opposite to the first spring element to provide a counter rotating motion relative to the first spring element.

Abstract: A toner concentration control method and system for controlling the toner concentration of a developer which includes toner and carrier for use in electrophotography. A controller, typically including a central processing unit or CPU, first determines a degree of deviation of the current toner concentration from a predetermined reference level and then replenishes the toner to the developer at an optimal replenishing condition which is varyingly set in accordance with the detected degree of deviation. In the preferred embodiment, the flow rate of toner to be supplied and time period of replenishing operation are varyingly set. Besides, the frequency of toner concentration detecting operation is also varyingly set so as to alleviate the load of the CPU.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in a copying machine for supplying fresh toner to the developer for the machine is disclosed as being formed with an elongated opening to permit discharge of toner when inverted. A removable flexible strip covers the opening and is detachably held to the cartridge by adhesive material. The strip comprises a flattened sleeve having the edges of one of its sides adhesively held onto the cartridge across the opening and a pulling member retained in the sleeve with one of its ends connected to one end of the sleeve so that a gradual pulling of the other end of the member progressively removes the sleeve as the same is turned within itself or inside out thereby carrying toner particles adhering to the sleeve within the sleeve.

Abstract: A development station conveys developer material from a sump to a magnetic brush for development of latent images on a photoconductor. The developer material flows through a slot adjacent the magnetic brush. A thin film having a plurality of apertures is positioned adjacent the slot. The film is movable to align the apertures with the slot so that developer material can pass through the slot to the brush. Movement of the film perforations out of alignment with the slot shuts off the flow of developer material to the magnetic brush.

Abstract: A toner container for use with a developing unit of an electrostatographic copier or the like which is rotated to discharge a toner thereoutof is disclosed. A toner agitating member is accommodated in the container in a freely movable manner and shaped and dimensioned to be prevented from slipping out of the container through a slot, or toner outlet, of the container.

Abstract: A reproduction machine having a rotatable toner supply cartridge, a row of toner discharge ports in the cartridge, a toner ejecting rod with flats opposite each port, and a cam drive for quickly rotating the rod to temporarily causing the flats to face outwardly into the machine developer housing so as to dump the controlled amount of toner on the each flat into the developer housing.In an alternate embodiment, the ejecting rod is replaced by a reciprocable slide plate having row of openings which match with the toner discharge ports, and a cam drive for temporarily moving the plate to match the plate openings with the toner discharge ports and discharge a controlled amount of toner into the developer housing.

Abstract: A device for detecting the amount of developer remaining in a developer tank of a developing device is provided. A stirring unit is rotatably provided in the developer tank, and the present detector device is operatively associated with the stirring unit for detecting the level of resistance applied to the stirring unit by the developer inside of the tank. The detector device includes a pair of discs arranged opposite to each other, in which one of the discs is provided freely rotatable i one direction around a center shaft on which the stirring unit is mounted and the other disc is fixedly mounted on the center shaft. A spring is provided to bias one of the pair of discs to rotate with respect to the other and the pair of discs are so structured to cause a relative rotation over a predetermined angle.

Abstract: An apparatus that determines the density of the liquid developer in a xerographic system by depositing charged toner on a NESA glass segment, and optically measuring the density of the toner. A cleaning station is also provided. If the toner density is too low, more toner is added, and the test is repeated.

Abstract: An electronic imaging apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine comprises an image forming device for forming an image corresponding to the image of an original, an image agent supply for supplying an image agent to the image forming device, a developer for developing the image formed by the image forming device, and a recycle device for recycling the imaging agent which has not been used for the image forming process by the image forming device, the image agent supply being further responsive to the recycle device for receiving the recycled image agent gathered by the recycled device.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that monitors the concentration of material in a fluid carrier which includes means for circulating the fluid carrier within a substantially closed loop system and means for measuring the concentration of material carried in the fluid. The measuring means includes means to detect rapid changes in transmissivity of the fluid carrier, which are indicative of the presence of entrained air bubbles in the fluid carrier, so that measurements of material concentrate under such conditions may be ignored or rejected. Further, to ensure that an accurate measurement of concentrated material depletion is being observed, more than one consecutive measurement is made and validated before concentrate is finally added to the fluid carrier in the system. In the preferred embodiment, the determination of whether air bubbles may be entrained in the fluid carrier is accomplished by determining a disparity between two consecutively measured samples to have been greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in replenishing additional toner to a toner storing section of an imaging machine, such as an electrophotographic copier, which uses toner to produce a visible image is provided. The present toner cartridge includes a trough-shaped container having an opening, a cover which is large enough to encompass the opening and supported to be slidably movable with respect to the container between a closed position to close the opening and an open position to open the opening, and a seal member having one end fixed to the container and another end fixed to the cover. Thus, when the cover is moved from the closed position to the open position, the seal member is partly separated away from the container to make the opening half-open. Then, the seal member is pulled to completely open the opening to have the toner completely discharged from the container. Thereafter, the cover is returned to the closed position to close the opening.

Abstract: A developer material supply arrangement which includes a developer hopper mounting portion for detachably mounting a developer hopper on the mounting provided portion at an opening at the upper portion of a developing tank of an electrophotographic copying apparatus, a hopper-shaped container for a developer material, a supply port provided at a lower portion of the hopper-shaped container and formed into a configuration which can be detachably mounted with respect to the developer hopper mounting portion, and a valve member provided within the supply port for selective opening or closing of the supply port.

Abstract: A developing device is constructed so that a developing agent resupply section is located side by side with a developing chamber, and a feed member for feeding a developing agent into the developing chamber is disposed in the developing agent resupply section.

Abstract: A toner supply device for supplying a developing unit of an electrophotographic copier with a toner developer which is stored in a cylindrical cartridge. The cartridge is fixed in a horizontal position in the vicinity of the developing unit of the copier while occupying a minimum of space. The toner supply device is desirably applicable to a small-size electrophotographic copier.

Abstract: A method of detecting the toner concentration of a two-component developer comprising a mixture of carrier particles and toner particles for use in an electrostatic copying apparatus or the like wherein a relationship between flow rate and the toner concentration of a two-component developer which passes through a container is obtained in advance, then the flow rate of the two-component developer whose toner concentration is unknown is measured by use of the container and developer flow rate detecting member. Thus, the toner concentration of the developer is determined from the measured flow rate and the relationship between the flow rate and the toner concentration which has been obtained in advance.

Abstract: A developer unit for use in connection with an electrophotographic printer is disclosed. Toner is provided to the developer unit by means of a disposable cartridge so that maintenance requirements are significantly reduced. The developer includes a sensing circuit which measures the inductance of the toner/carrier mix and controls the rate at which toner is introduced into the toner carrier mix.

Abstract: A mounting and drive arrangement for a hopper of an automatic toning apparatus includes mounting members mounted at each lateral end of one reciprocably mounted portion of the hopper. The mounting members are stiff in a plane normal to the path of transport of the photo-element through the toning apparatus.

Abstract: A developer supply system for a dry process electrophotographic copier supplies a single component or dual component type developer to a developing unit. After a used developer has been discharged from the developing unit, a fresh charge of carrier is supplied to the developing unit and, then, a fresh charge of toner to be mixed with the fresh carrier. A circuit is provided for controlling such a sequence. Independent cylindrical cartridges are allocated to the toner of the single composition developer and to the toner and carrier of the dual composition developer. Each of the cartridges is received in a cylindrical cartridge. The cartridge casing is mounted in a hopper casing associated with the developing unit and is driven for rotation therein.

Abstract: To facilitate the refilling of a fluid toner into a toner container of a printing of copying device, a toner refill container (16) is used which has a nozzle (20), whose opening is sealed by a foil (5), which can be removed from the nozzle edge (7) by a tear-open or tear-off cord (6) after a coupling ring (17) of the toner refill container (16) has been inserted into the filler neck (22) of a toner container (23). Moreover, the tear-open or tear-off cord (6) is led from the inside of the toner container (23) through a guide channel (18) to the outside.

Abstract: A developer replacing and supplying device for a small-size electrophotographic copier is disclosed which removes used developer from a developing unit and supplies a fresh developer instead. After the used developer which is a mixture of carrier and toner has been discharged, fresh carrier is introduced into the developing unit and, then, fresh toner to be mixed with the fresh carrier. The fresh carrier and the fresh toner are stored in physically independent cylindrical cartridges, which are selectively mounted in a cartridge casing. The cartridge casing is mounted in a hopper casing, which is provided integrally with the developing unit, and driven in a rotational motion together with the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a charge retaining member is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic conveyor having a magnet roller and a non-magnetic sleeve and applies a magnetic two-component developer comprising a toner and a magnetic carrier to the latent image while it conveys the developer, thus forming a toner image. A tuft of developer carried by the non-magnetic sleeve is brought into contact with a thin uniform layer of toner formed on a toner supply roller to cause the toner to be transferred into the developer under the action of a magnetic or an electrostatic attraction.

Abstract: A powdered developer supplying device in an electrostatic reproducing apparatus comprises a developer hopper and a developer receptacle. A cover for opening and closing a developer inlet opening of the developer receptacle is urged by a spring in the close direction. When the receptacle is installed on the hopper, the cover is opened by an operating member which is operated by the developer receptacle. A limiting member is provided for limiting movement of the cover from open/close positions. A bayonet type coupling member is provided for coupling the receptacle to the hopper by rotation after the receptacle is installed on the hopper. A developer receptacle wall which forms the bottom of the receptacle when the latter is up-ended at the time developer is being supplied is formed on a slope to facilitate flow of the powdered developer from the receptacle, through the opening into the hopper.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided with a developer storing container which includes a first developer storing chamber and a second developer storing chamber which are independent from each other. Each of the first and second chambers has an opening. The openings are sealed by a first and second sealing members, respectively in the manner that the second sealing member can be removed only after the first sealing member is removed.

Abstract: A toner container unit wherein an opening part of the toner container unit is sealed by a film-like sheet surrounding a sliding cover. When the sliding cover slides forwardly the film-like sheet is torn off from the opening part of the toner container unit. When the sliding cover slides backwards the film sheet seals again the opening part.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a toner storage area, from where the toner is supplied to a developing section, includes a holder for releasably holding a cartridge containing therein a quantity of toner, which may be located at a cartridge mounting and dismounting position and at a replenishing position, in which the cartridge is held substantially horizontally and driven to rotate thereby discharging the toner to a toner transporting path leading to the toner storage area. The cartridge is provided with a first mating member and the holder is provided with a second mating member corresponding in position to the first mating member. Thus, only the cartridge having the first mating member may be properly held by the holder for carrying out a toner replenishing operation.

Abstract: A method for forming a thin layer of one-component non-magnetic developer on the surface of a developer carrying member in a dry type developing device using one-component non-magnetic developer. The non-magnetic developer is supplied to the surface of the developer carrying member, a magnetic blade is disposed with a clearance to the surface of the developer carrying member, and a stationary magnet is disposed across the developer carrying member from the magnetic blade and upstream of the magnetic blade with respect to the direction of movement of the developer carrying member to confine the magnetic particles if formed between the magnet and the magnetic blade. The developer carrying member with the developer is moved past the confined magnetic particles to form a thin layer of dry one-component non-magnetic developer on the surface of the developer carrying member.

Abstract: A valve which connects selectably one of a plurality of chambers storing different color developer material therein with a developer housing chamber. The valve has one aperture in communication with one of the chambers and another aperture in communication with the other chamber. A shaft is mounted rotatably in the tube. The shaft has a portion thereon adapted to close one of the apertures in the tube with the other aperture remaining open so as to connect selectably either one of the chambers storing the developer material with the chamber of the developer housing. A seal is interposed between the shaft and the tube for sealing the region therebetween. The seal prevents the escape of developer material from the chamber not connected to the developer housing chamber into the developer housing chamber.

Abstract: A method for applying a toner comprising: forming, in a container containing a toner and magnetic particles for application of the toner, a magnetic brush of the magnetic particles; circulating the magnetic particles in the container; and forming a thin layer of the toner electrically charged on the toner carrying member; wherein the magnetic particles have a particle size distribution of 30 wt. % or more in the range of 150 to 200 mesh and 5 wt. % or less of under 250 mesh, and the weight ratio of the toner to the magnetic particles is from 5:95 to 50:50 in the region where the magnetic brush is formed.

Abstract: A toner vessel for use in a copying machine includes a square dish-shaped vessel body which is opened at the upper part, is provided with an outwardly projecting flange at the peripheral edge of said opening and receives the toner therein. The opening of the vessel body is covered with a lower part of a twice-folded cover sheet and its periphery is fitted on said flange. A cover plate, covering the lower part of this cover sheet, is mounted on the vessel body movably in the horizontal direction. A slit is provided in a place on the portion of this cover plate near the folded portion of the cover sheet, and simultaneously a projection for removing the toner is provided on the inside in the neighborhood of this slit on the side opposite to the folded portion. A folded upper portion of the cover sheet is designed to pass through the slit and then extend through the head of the projection for removing the toner along the back of the cover plate.

Abstract: A method for applying a toner comprising: forming, in a container containing a toner and magnetic particles for application of the toner, a magnetic brush of the magnetic particles; circulating the magnetic particles in the container; forming a thin layer of the toner electrically charged on the toner carrying member, wherein the magnetic particles have been treated with a substance A having a position opposite to that of the toner in the triboelectric series with the material constituting at least the surface of the toner carrying member as the standard substance and with a substance B having a position between the substance A and the toner in the triboelectric series.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed to facilitate the dispensing of powders, particularly toner in a photocopy machine, which must be vibrated to prevent clumping. A powder container is shown with a unique neck baffle, and sloping sides so that the flow of powder is substantially regular when the vibration is turned on and the flow will stop when the vibration is turned off. A method and apparatus for adjusting the natural frequency of the container system is shown so that the amplitude of vibration does not significantly increase as the dispenser is emptied and the flow of powder is thereby maintained at a relatively constant rate.

Abstract: Magnetic brush development apparatus for use in reproduction apparatus in which a support carrying a developable latent image is moved through a development zone which is transversely inclined at a predetermined angle to the horizontal. The development apparatus includes a stationary non-magnetic inclined applicator with a segment located adjacent to the development zone. The applicator is supplied with magnetic developer which is distributed over the surface of the applicator through the influence of gravity and of a magnet assembly rotatably mounted within the applicator. A reservoir associated with the applicator accumulates developer moved about the periphery of the applicator and levels it to produce a uniformly thick layer in the development zone.

Abstract: An apparatus in which a latent image recorded on a photoconductive surface is developed. The apparatus has a housing which forms, with the photoconductive surface, a substantially closed volume with the sealing edges of the housing being closely spaced from the photoconductive surface. A magnetic strip is mounted on at least one of the sealing edges of the housing. The magnetic sealing strip prevents the escape of carrier granules from the housing without the carrier granules adhering thereto.

Abstract: In a method of operating electrostatic reproducing apparatus, developer made of a predetermined ratio of toner and carrier is continuously fed from a reservoir directly to a rotating developing sleeve for transfer to a photosensitive drum to continuously develop electrostatic latent images on the drum. Since some toner in the developer is consumed during image development, fresh toner from a source of supply is continuously dispensed by a movable roller (or endless belt) having toner-carrying recesses on the surface thereof to the reservoir so as to maintain the predetermined ratio of toner and carrier. Used developer containing unconsumed toner is continuously removed from the developing sleeve and a first portion of it is returned directly to the reservoir for re-use, whereas another portion of it is directed past the movable member so as to electrostatically dislodge toner from the roller or belt recesses and facilitate its entry into the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved toner control system having a pair of matched photosensitive devices connected in series and receiving equal amounts of light, wherein one device responds to light transmitted through the toner-containing developer and the other device responds to light transmitted through an adjustable aperture or attenuator.

Abstract: A toner vessel for use in a copying machine includes a square dish-shaped vessel body which is open at the upper part, is provided with an outwardly projecting flange at the peripheral edge of said opening and receives the toner therein. A cover sheet is folded on itself to define an upper part and a lower part. The opening of the vessel body is covered with the lower part of the folded cover sheet and the latter's periphery is fitted on said flange. The surface of the upper part, in the vicinity of the fore end of the upper part, is adhered to the back surface of a cover plate arranged movably in the horizontal direction on the surface of the cover sheet upper part.

Abstract: A device for filling and filtering toner from a supply container which is placed by an operator in communication with a feed container in a photocopier has a cylindrical filling opening for the feed container with a cross section such that the supply container can be inverted therein, and has a filter basket disposed in the region of the filling opening which is closed from the feed container by a filter mesh, and an electric vibrator connected thereto by a linkage which can be automatically triggered at the beginning of a filling operation.

Abstract: An apparatus in which an auger, coupled to a hopper storing toner particles, dispenses toner particles substantially uniformly into a developer mixture. The auger comprises a tubular member having a plurality of apertures therein for discharging toner particles therefrom. A toner transport is disposed interiorly of the tubular member for advancing the toner particles therealong. The toner transport has a helical tooth for advancing the toner particles along the tubular member. The helical tooth has sections thereof deleted therefrom in the region of the apertures in the tubular member to facilitate discharging of the toner particles from the toner member and to prevent caking and clogging thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying magnetically attractable particles from a first position to a second position including a support member, such as a disc, adapted for rotation and having at least one surface area at which a magnetic field is presented that passes between the first and second positions. More than one support member, each having at least one surface area at which a magnetic field is presented provides another arrangement wherein the support members are serially arranged to extend between the first and second positions so the magnetically attractable particles are carried from one support member to the next.

Abstract: A thin layer of triboelectrically charged toner for developing an electrostatic latent image is formed by forming a magnetic brush of magnetic particles in a container containing the toner and the magnetic particles, and circulating the magnetic brush in the container on a toner carrying member. In this case, a uniform layer of toner adapted for development is obtained, if the magnetic particles have specific shape characteristics such that, where each magnetic particle is assumed to be circumscribed with a rectangular parallelopiped having edge length of a, b and c satisfying a.gtoreq.b.gtoreq.c with the proviso that all of a, b and c are not the same, the average of b/a is from 0.4 to 1.0 and the average of c/a is from 0.4 to 0.95.

Abstract: Two different type toners are packaged in a cartridge having reversible parts. Reversal of the parts, as the two different toners are packaged, insures use of the correct toner in the correct one of two different electrophotographic reproduction devices.

Abstract: A magnetic brush developing system for electrostatic duplication using a monocomponent developer controls the thickness of the developer on the brush such that the necessary amount of developer is applied to the photosensitive surface which carries the latent electrostatic image. A capacitive sensor in the form of a rigid plate of conductive material is spaced closely adjacent to the surface of the roll on which the magnetic brush is formed. The dielectric constant depends on the thickness of the developer in the magnetic brush and is detected by the capacitive sensor. The capacitance of the sensor is converted, into a pulse train the duty cycle of which is modulated in accordance with the change in capacitance, by a circuit arranged on a circuit board in close proximity to the sensor to provide a compact structure which is not subject to perturbations which could effect the capacitance presented by the sensor.

Abstract: A dry toner replenishing apparatus is provided for periodically replenishing dry toner into a storage receptacle of a copying machine. The apparatus includes a toner material supply container adopted to be removably received within an opening in the copier for dispensing developing material into the storage receptacle. The supply container has a dispensing opening and a closure device normally closing the opening. A cooperating connecting structure on the copying machine limits pivotal movement of the supply container between an insertion and a dispensing position, and a device on the copying machine engages the closure device on the supply container to open the closure device during movement of the supply container from the insertion position to the dispensing position.