Electrophotography – Image formation – Development
Patent
1997-05-02
1998-11-03
Smith, Matthew S.
Electrophotography
Image formation
Development
399258, 222413, 141 18, 141 44, G03G 1508
Patent
active
058323481
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus and more particularly relates to an apparatus for dispensing fine particulate material such as toner for photocopiers and laser printers. "Toner" is a term used in reprographics to describe the electrostatic compound that acts as the "ink" forming the image on a plain-paper copy.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fine particulate material is known to be difficult to handle in automated processes. This is particularly true where the material is to be passed from one container to another. Where material is passed from one container to another, displaced air carries with it a certain amount of the fine material. This arrangement is often unsatisfactory as it creates a particle-laden atmosphere which may be hazardous to breathe. Additionally, accumulated material may effect machinery and may be difficult to clean.
In a known semi-automated process such as that exemplified by Per-Fil apparatus (Per-Fil Industries, Inc. Riverside, N.J. 08075, U.S.A.), fine particulate material is dispensed from a storage hopper into cartridges for use. The material is toner for laser printers, photocopiers and the like, and is used for charging cartridges which fit specific machines. The dispensing apparatus is required to meter out a predetermined amount of toner into a range of sizes of toner cartridge and comprises a hopper, a vertically disposed auger and a dispensing nozzle. In this filling process, the empty cartridge is held under the dispensing to feed the required amount of material to the nozzle. The displaced air carries with it a quantity of toner. Additionally, due to the liquid-like flow of fine particulate material, the amount of toner dispensed from the auger may vary unacceptably.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide an improved dispensing apparatus for fine particulate material such as toner.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing fine particulate material comprising: material from the hopper to the discharge tube; material transferred by the feeding means to the discharge tube; sealing engagement with the discharge nozzle, feeding means transfers a predetermined amount of material from the hopper to the discharge tube and material laden displaced air from the container escapes into the settling tube where the material in the displaced air settles and falls by gravity into the container
Preferably, the feeding means comprises a generally horizontally disposed auger.
Advantageously, the auger is arranged so that the particulate material carried therethrough is biased to remain in the auger or to return to the hopper, whereby flow of the material ceases when the auger stops.
Conveniently, the metering means comprises a timer based switching means to regulate the number of revolutions of the auger so that the material through-feed is accurately and consistently metered.
In a preferred embodiment, the discharge tube and the settling tube form part of a vertically disposed tube which is fed by the auger at a junction located remote from the tube's upper end. The material falls from the junction to the discharge nozzle at the lower end of the tube and displaced air escapes upwardly via the discharge tube to the settling tube where the material carried by the displaced air is allowed to settle and fall under gravity into the container juxtaposed the discharge nozzle.
Advantageously, the container is sealed against the discharge nozzle by a plate having the biasing means.
Conveniently, the discharge nozzle has a tapered profile to facilitate sealing engagement with a range of container charging apertures.
Preferably, a means is included for agitating the material in the hopper.
Advantageously, the agitating means is driven from the feeding means.
The apparatus preferably comprises a single hopper (23) and a plurality of feeding means (25) and associated discharge tubes.
The invention will n
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patent: 3386372 (1968-06-01), Knipp
patent: 4833501 (1989-05-01), Buyukguclu
patent: 5443102 (1995-08-01), Svendsen
patent: 5711215 (1998-01-01), Sextl et al.
patent: 5711353 (1998-01-01), Ichikawa et al.
Author: Boellman, Shari; Title: "Leading Ladies," The Recycler, pp. 26-27; Date of Publication: After Mar. 1994; Place of Publication: Unknown.
PER-FIL Industries manufacturers' literature concerning PER-FIL Model PF-MR-1 Micro Recharger; Date and Place of Publication: Unknown.
Faircove Systems
Smith Matthew S.
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