Abstract: A replenishment receptacle for containing particulate material and replenishing the particulate material into a reservoir. The replenishment receptacle includes an enclosed container with an orifice for filing and removing particulate material and a closure with a slide cover for closing and sealing the container. Tab-like features on the closure, for locating it to the reservoir during transfer of the particulate material from the receptacle to the reservoir, are uniquely shaped and located for low cost manufacturing. The slide cover for closing and sealing the receptacle has a cellular urethane foam gasket bonded to the inner side and ramp-like features on the outer side to capture the slide cover, thus preventing it from being removed from the closure. In one embodiment the enclosed container and closure have features which engage and lock together the enclosed container and closure, thus preventing them from working loose and leaking during shipping and handling.

Abstract: An interface member providing flow communication of particulate material between a particulate material receptacle and a housing of a mechanism for replenishing particulate material from a receptacle to a remote reservoir. The interface member includes a casting defining a flow communication passage. A plate is attached to the casting at an angle to the horizontal to define an angled entrance to the casting. A member, associated with said angled entrance plate, is provided for guiding and holding the marking particle receptacle at a corresponding angle to the horizontal when the receptacle is installed on the angled entrance plate, whereby the angled orientation of the receptacle lets air percolate into the receptacle while the receptacle is emptying, allowing the particulate material to flow freely out of the receptacle.

Abstract: A single piece control grid electrode for a corona charging device for charging a curvilinear shaped dielectric support member with improved charging uniformity and consistency and with lower assembly and service cost. The single piece control grid is formed by a plurality of integral planar segments angularly oriented with respect to each other so that each segment may be equally spaced from the curvilinear shaped dielectric support member.

Abstract: A mechanism for replenishing particulate material from receptacles to a reservoir, which provides a highly accurate and continuous indication of the amount of particulate material remaining in the housing of the replenisher mechanism. The replenisher mechanism includes a housing having a plurality of discrete sensors for sensing the level of particulate material within the housing, a delivery assembly which provides flow communication of particulate material between the housing and a remote reservoir, and has a delivery assembly sensor that senses the amount of particulate material delivered by the delivery assembly. A logic and control unit operatively connected to the housing level sensors and the delivery assembly sensor continuously determines the amount of particulate material remaining in the housing so as to indicate when, and how much, particulate material to add to the housing.

Abstract: A magnetic brush development station with a housing forming a reservoir for developer material has a plurality of augers located in the housing for mixing developer material. A drive for the plurality of augers includes an assembly having a body extending through the development station housing. A plurality of bearings are positioned in the body with a spacer between the plurality of bearings. A rotatable shaft is connected between the plurality of augers and an auger drive member. A seal for the rotatable shaft has a lip formed of a material which is able to stretch sufficiently to maintain sealing contact with the shaft while the shaft is being rotated by the auger drive member.

Abstract: A magnetic brush development station for a reproduction apparatus. The magnetic brush development station includes a housing forming, at least in part, a reservoir for developer material; a plurality of augers located in the housing for mixing developer material within the reservoir; a development roller mounted within the housing for delivering developer material from the reservoir to a development zone; and a pressure equalization seal associated with the housing. The pressure equalization seal is placed over a hole defined in the housing, the pressure equalization seal allowing air flow, caused by pressure differential between inside the housing and the exterior thereof, through the seal without carrying developer material dust out of the housing.

Abstract: A magnetic brush development station including a housing forming, at least in part, a reservoir for developer material. A plurality of augers are located in the housing for mixing developer material within the reservoirs. A development roller is mounted within the housing for delivering developer material from the reservoir to a development zone. A mechanism is provided for selectively readily replenishing and/or emptying at least one component of developer material with respect to the reservoir, the replenishing mechanism including a tube defining a series of ports, the series of ports being at a specific angle and of a size so as to allow an equal amount of material to pass through each of the ports, whereby marking particles exit from the ports and are substantially uniformly introduced into the reservoir of the housing.

Abstract: A magnetic brush development station includes a housing forming a reservoir for developer material. A development roller is mounted within said housing for delivering developer material from this reservoir to a development zone. A plurality of augers are located in the housing for mixing developer material. A drive for the plurality of augers extends through the housing and has a seal therefore, the drive includes an assembly having a body extending through the development station housing, a plurality of bearings positioned in the body with a spacer between the plurality of bearings, an auger drive member, and a seal for the drive surrounding a rotatable shaft connected between the plurality of augers and the auger drive member. The seal has a lip formed of a material which is able to stretch sufficiently to maintain sealing contact with the shaft while the shaft is being rotated by the auger drive member.

Abstract: A magnetic brush development station includes, a housing forming a reservoir for developer materials. A plurality of augers are located in the housing for mixing developer material. A development roller is mounted within the housing for delivering developer material from the reservoir to a development zone. The development roller includes a core magnet inside a shell, having relative rotation. The core magnet extends less than the entire length of the development roller such that a developer nap on the shell does not extend to the respective ends. A metering skive controls the quantity of developer material delivered from the reservoir. A metering skive is positioned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the development roller at a location upstream in the direction of shell rotation prior to the development zone. A magnetic seal is located in association with the skive at each end to substantially prevent leakage of developer material.

Abstract: A magnetic brush development station including a housing forming, at least in part, a reservoir for developer material. A development roller is mounted within the housing for delivering developer material from the reservoir to a development zone. A plurality of rotatable augers are located in said housing for mixing developer material within the reservoir, and are arranged substantially side-by-side with respective parallel longitudinal axes, the most outboard of the plurality of augers being positioned to be raised and toward the center with respect to the housing of the development station. Accordingly the overall width of the development station is reduced while maintaining centerline distances between each of the plurality of augers so that individual augers do not interfere with one another.

Abstract: A magnetic brush development station for a reproduction apparatus. The magnetic brush development station includes a housing forming, at least in part, a reservoir for developer material. The reservoir has a pressure equalization seal. A mechanism is associated with the housing for readily moving the housing relative to the reproduction apparatus. Another mechanism selectively readily replenishes and/or empties at least one component of developer material with respect to the reservoir. A plurality of augers are located in the housing for mixing developer material within the reservoir. A drive for the augers, extending through the housing, has a seal therefor. A development roller, mounted within the housing, delivers developer material from the reservoir to a development zone. The development roller includes a core magnet inside a shell such that the core magnet and the shell having relative rotation.

Abstract: A mechanism for replenishing particulate material from a receptacle to a remote reservoir. The replenisher mechanism includes a housing having a sensor for sensing the level of particulate material within the housing, pair of spaced end walls, and a pair of spaced side walls. At least a portion of the side walls are flexible. An interface provides flow communication of particulate material between a particulate material receptacle and the housing, and a delivery assembly provides flow communication of particulate material between the housing and a remote reservoir. At least one paddle assembly is operatively associated with at least one of the flexible side walls for moving such side wall in a manner to substantially prevent agglomeration and flake production in the particulate material within the housing. The paddle assembly includes a first pivot rod mounted in fixed spatial relation to the housing, a paddle supported on the first pivot rod, a second pivot rod carried by the paddle.