Patents by Inventor James G. Blum

James G. Blum has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Mechanism for agitating the toner in the replenisher of an electrophotographic machine
    Patent number: 6647235
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Patterson, Paul E. Thompson, Laverne N. Lincoln, Jr., James G. Blum
  • Mechanism for agitating the toner in the replenisher of an electrophotograpic machine
    Publication number: 20030002890
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Patterson, Paul E. Thompson, Laverne N. Lincoln, James G. Blum