Abstract: A particulate agitator system located within the confines of a particulate sump enclosure comprises two slotted agitator panels, connected together by spaced bars, mounted on a pivot shaft, with one end partially extending from the enclosure. A pivot arm attached to the extending end has a camming surface on its unattached end adapted to periodically engage a pin extending from the side of an adjacent rotating gear. The arm and panels pivot in a first direction during such engagement, while a spring urges the arm and panels in the opposite direction in the absence of engagement, thereby causing the arm to strike an impact pin. The concurrent pivot action of the panels and vibrations of the enclosure when the impact pin is struck cause particles within the enclosure to remain in a free-flowing condition, thereby facilitating removal of the particles from the enclosure by a screw conveyor located at the bottom thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is provided a novel device for applying an electrical bias to a conductive shell of a magnetic brush in an image reproduction machine. The conductive shell is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has an end surface generally perpendicular to the axis. The machine includes a source of electrical bias and a bearing block adjacent the end surface. The bearing block defines an opening elongated generally in the direction of the axis. The opening has a wide portion toward the end surfaace, a narrow portion away from the end surface and a spring support surface facing the end surface into which the narrow portion opens. The device includes an elongated conductive member, a compression spring and a narrow conductive connecting piece. The spring is positioned in the wide portion between the spring support surface and the conductive member, and urges the conductive member out of the opening and into contact with the end surface.