WO1997046919B1 - Non-magnetic toner dynamic recycling - Google Patents
Non-magnetic toner dynamic recyclingInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997046919B1 WO1997046919B1 PCT/US1997/008397 US9708397W WO9746919B1 WO 1997046919 B1 WO1997046919 B1 WO 1997046919B1 US 9708397 W US9708397 W US 9708397W WO 9746919 B1 WO9746919 B1 WO 9746919B1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- toner
- toner particles
- airlock
- imaging system
- recited
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 title claims 12
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims abstract 46
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 claims abstract 27
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract 9
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims 4
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims 2
- WXPNDRBBWZMPQG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methyl-4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-5H-thieno[3,2-c][1,5]benzodiazepine Chemical compound C1CN(C)CCN1C1=C(C=C(C)S2)C2=NC2=CC=CC=C2N1 WXPNDRBBWZMPQG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract 1
Abstract
Non-magnetic toner in an electrostatic imaging system, such as the MIDAX® electronic imaging system, is dynamically recycled. Wayward airborne toner particles in the imaging system are vacuum collected to provide an air stream with entrained toner particles, and a centrifugal separator separates the particles from the entraining air. The separated particles are then dynamically returned to the imaging system. At least one airlock, which may comprise at least first and second fluid actuated or mechanically actuated valves which are spaced from each other, is provided between the separator and a reservoir for toner particles to be supplied to a fluidized bed of toner particles in the imaging system. A distribution device for distributing the toner particles in at least two different horizontal paths, to return to the reservoir.
Claims
1. A method of reusing toner in an electrostatic imaging system, the
electrostatic imaging system using a fluidized bed of toner particles supplied by a
reservoir of non-magnetic toner particles; said method comprising the steps of:
(a) vacuum collecting airborne wayward toner particles in the electrostatic
imaging system to provide an air stream with entrained toner particles;
(b) causing the air stream with entrained toner particles to flow in a vortex
so that the toner particles are separated from the entraining air; and
(c) dynamically returning the separated toner particles to the electrostatic
imaging system, by returning the non-magnetic toner particles to the reservoir.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein step (c) is practiced by passing
the toner particles through at least one airlock.
3. A method as recited in claims 1 or 2 wherein the airlock comprises first
and second flexible material pinching valves; and wherein step (c) is practiced by
selectively applying fluid under pressure to the first and second valves so that
only one valve is open at a time.
4. A method as recited in claims 1 or 2 wherein the airlock comprises first
and second mechanically actuated valves; and wherein step (c) is practiced by selectively mechanically actuating the first and second valves so that only one
valve is open at a time.
5. A method as recited in claims 1 or 2 wherein step (c) is further
practiced by distributing the toner in at least two different substantially horizontal paths after the toner passes through the at least one airlock, and before it
returns to the reservoir.
6. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the electrostatic imaging
system uses a fluidized bed of toner particles supplied by a reservoir of non¬
magnetic toner particles; and wherein step (c) is practiced by returning the non¬
magnetic toner particles to the reservoir.
7. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein step (b) is practiced vertically
above the airlock, and wherein the airlock is vertically above the reservoir, so
that after separation from entrained air the toner particles flow primarily by
gravity to the reservoir.
8. A method as recited in claim 6 wherein step (c) is further practiced by
entraining the toner particles in air to facilitate substantially horizontal flow
thereof.
9. A method as recited in any preceding claim wherein step (b) is
practiced vertically above the airlock, and wherein the airlock is vertically above
the reservoir, so that after separation from entrained air the toner particles flow
primarily by gravity to the reservoir.
10. A method as recited in any preceding claim wherein step (b) is
practiced by using a centrifugal separator having a substantially circular inlet
opening having a diameter of between about 0.75 - 1.5 inches; and by
introducing toner particles entrained in air into the opening at a velocity of
between about 500-2500 feet per minute. 26
11. A toner recycling system comprising:
an imaging system which applies toner to substrates, said imaging system
including a fluidized bed of non-magnetic toner particles supplied with particles
by a reservoir;
a centrifugal separator for separating toner particles from air entraining
the toner particles;
a vacuum system for collecting wayward airborne toner particles from said
imaging system, and delivering the toner particles entrained in air to said
centrifugal separator;
means for dynamically returning toner particles, separated from said
entrained air by said centrifugal separator, to said imaging system, said means
for dynamically returning toner particles comprising at least one airlock between
said imaging system and said separator; and
a fluidizing distributing means between said airlock and said reservoir to
cause particles to flow from said airlock to said reservoir.
12. A toner recycling system as recited in claim 11 wherein said at least
one airlock comprises first and second flexible material pinching valves; and
means for selectively applying fluid under pressure to said first and second
valves so that only one valve is open at a time.
13. A toner recycling system as recited in claim 11 wherein said at least
one airlock comprises first and second mechanically actuated valves; and means
for selectively mechanically actuating said first and second valves so that only 27
one valve is open at a time.
14. A toner recycling system as recited in claim 11 wherein said
centrifugal separator is vertically oriented, having a top and a bottom, and
includes a tangential inlet opening, a gas outlet from adjacent said top thereof,
and a particle outlet from adjacent said bottom thereof; and wherein said airlock
is located vertically below said particle outlet, and wherein said imaging system
is located vertically below said airlock, so that recycled toner may flow primarily
by gravity from said separator to said imaging means system.
15. A toner recycling system as recited in claim 14 wherein said vacuum
system includes a hose extending upwardly from said imaging system to said
separator inlet, and a vacuum pump connected to said separator outlet.
16. A toner recycling system as recited in any one of claims 11 through 15
wherein said vacuum system includes a hose extending upwardly from said
imaging system to said separator inlet, and a vacuum pump connected to said
separator outlet.
17. A toner recycling system comprising:
a vertically oriented centrifugal separator having a top and a bottom, an
inlet, a toner outlet adjacent said bottom, and a fluid outlet adjacent said top;
an airlock assembly vertically below said toner outlet and connected
thereto in substantially air-tight relationship, said airlock assembly including
vertical tubular housing having at least two pinching valve assemblies stacked
one above the other in said housing, each pinching valve assembly comprising a 28
flexible valve element, an open volume surrounding said flexible valve element,
and an automatically controlled fluid supply means for supplying fluid to said
open volumes of each of said pinching valve assemblies so that only one valve is
open at a time; and
a toner distributing means located beneath said airlock assembly for
distributing toner from said airlock assembly into at least two different paths.
18. A toner recycling system as recited in claim 17 wherein said
centrifugal separator inlet opening is substantially circular, having a diameter of
between about .75-1.5 inches, and is connected to a vacuum hose; and wherein
said fluid outlet is connected to a vacuum pump.
19. A method of reusing toner in an electrostatic imaging system,
comprising the steps of:
(a) vacuum collecting airborne wayward toner particles in the electrostatic
imaging system to provide an air stream with entrained toner particles;
(b) causing the air stream with entrained toner particles to flow in a vortex
so that the toner particles are separated from the entraining air, by using a
centrifugal separator having a substantially circular inlet opening having a
diameter of between about 0.75 - 1.5 inches; and by introducing toner particles
entrained in air into the opening at a velocity of between about 500-2500 feet per
minute; and
(c) dynamically returning the separated toner particles to the electrostatic imaging system. 29
20. A toner recycling system comprising:
an imaging system which applies toner to substrates;
a centrifugal separator for separating toner particles from air entraining
the toner particles;
a vacuum system for collecting wayward airbome toner particles from said
imaging system, and delivering the toner particles entrained in air to said
centrifugal separator;
at least one airlock between said imaging system and said separator; and
wherein said centrifugal separator is vertically oriented, having a top and a
bottom, and includes a tangential inlet opening, a gas outlet from adjacent said
top thereof, and a particle outlet from adjacent said bottom thereof; and wherein said airlock is located vertically below said particle outlet, and wherein said
imaging system is located vertically below said airlock, so that recycled toner
may flow primarily by gravity from said separator to said imaging system.
21. A toner recycling system comprising:
a vertically oriented centrifugal separator having a top and a bottom, an
inlet, a toner outlet adjacent said bottom, and a fluid outlet adjacent said top;
an airlock assembly vertically below said toner outlet and connected
thereto in substantially air-tight relationship, said airlock assembly including at
least first and second valves;
a toner distributing means located beneath said airlock assembly for
distributing toner from said airlock assembly into at least two different paths; and 30
wherein said centrifugal separator inlet opening is substantially circular,
having a diameter of between about .75-1.5 inches, and is connected to a
vacuum hose; and wherein said fluid outlet is connected to a vacuum pump.
22. A toner recycling system as recited in claim 21 wherein said airlock
assembly comprises first and second mechanically actuated valves, and means
for selectively mechanically actuating said first and second valves so that only
one valve is open at a time.
Priority Applications (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU31308/97A AU723077B2 (en) | 1996-06-06 | 1997-05-16 | Non-magnetic toner dynamic recycling |
| EP97926576A EP0842458A1 (en) | 1996-06-06 | 1997-05-16 | Non-magnetic toner dynamic recycling |
| BR9702295A BR9702295A (en) | 1996-06-06 | 1997-05-16 | Dynamic recycling of non-magnetic toner |
| JP10500598A JP2000503420A (en) | 1996-06-06 | 1997-05-16 | Dynamic recycling of non-magnetic toner |
| NZ329796A NZ329796A (en) | 1996-06-06 | 1997-05-16 | Method of dynamically recycling non-magnetic toner in electrostatic imaging systems |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/659,612 US5799227A (en) | 1996-06-06 | 1996-06-06 | Non-magnetic toner dynamic recycling |
| US08/659,612 | 1996-06-06 |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1997046919A1 WO1997046919A1 (en) | 1997-12-11 |
| WO1997046919B1 true WO1997046919B1 (en) | 1998-02-05 |
| WO1997046919A9 WO1997046919A9 (en) | 1998-04-16 |
Family
ID=24646072
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US1997/008397 WO1997046919A1 (en) | 1996-06-06 | 1997-05-16 | Non-magnetic toner dynamic recycling |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5799227A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0842458A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2000503420A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU723077B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9702295A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2227579A1 (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ329796A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997046919A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6507723B2 (en) | 2001-01-24 | 2003-01-14 | Xerox Corporation | Image developer that provides fluidized toner |
| US7010251B2 (en) * | 2002-12-02 | 2006-03-07 | Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. | Toner conveyance device and image forming apparatus equipped therewith |
| US7621502B2 (en) * | 2006-12-15 | 2009-11-24 | Xerox Corporation | Minimal-compression butterfly valve |
| JP5439269B2 (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2014-03-12 | 東洋自動機株式会社 | Filling passage opening and closing device for liquid filling machine |
| US9822549B2 (en) | 2015-07-06 | 2017-11-21 | Sportafence, Inc. | Portable fence system for sporting events and security applications |
Family Cites Families (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3195586A (en) * | 1962-11-08 | 1965-07-20 | Clarence W Vogt | Method and apparatus for accurately dispensing divided material |
| US3703957A (en) * | 1968-03-06 | 1972-11-28 | Kenneth W Swanson | Pneumatic separator, filter and particle conveying system |
| GB1391835A (en) * | 1971-05-10 | 1975-04-23 | Ricoh Kk | Electrophotocopying amchines |
| JPS56107281A (en) * | 1980-01-31 | 1981-08-26 | Canon Inc | Developer reusing device |
| JPS60107681A (en) * | 1983-11-16 | 1985-06-13 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Toner recovering device of electronic copying machine |
| US5029517A (en) * | 1984-01-13 | 1991-07-09 | Sigmon James W | Vaneless rotary airlock valve |
| US4724459A (en) * | 1986-12-29 | 1988-02-09 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus for selectively recycling used toner or delivering such toner to a container |
| FR2639559B1 (en) * | 1988-11-29 | 1991-01-11 | Bull Sa | APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND RECOVERING SOLID DEVELOPER PARTICLES TRANSPORTED BY A GAS STREAM |
| FR2639726B1 (en) * | 1988-11-29 | 1991-01-11 | Bull Sa | DEVICE FOR THE REINTRODUCTION, INTO A TANK OPEN TO AIR, OF SOLID DEVELOPER PARTICLES WHICH HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM A CARRIER GAS STREAM |
| US5028959A (en) * | 1988-12-22 | 1991-07-02 | Xerox Corporation | Vacuum collection system for dirt management |
| US5103264A (en) * | 1990-12-19 | 1992-04-07 | Compaq Computer Corporation | Moistureless development cartridge for printers and copiers |
| US5532100A (en) * | 1991-01-09 | 1996-07-02 | Moore Business Forms, Inc. | Multi-roller electrostatic toning |
| JP3078037B2 (en) * | 1991-06-21 | 2000-08-21 | 株式会社東芝 | Image forming device |
| US5146279A (en) * | 1991-09-10 | 1992-09-08 | Xerox Corporation | Active airflow system for development apparatus |
| JPH05150627A (en) * | 1991-11-29 | 1993-06-18 | Sharp Corp | Developing device |
| US5376994A (en) * | 1992-02-13 | 1994-12-27 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Compact BI-color electrophotographic image forming apparatus |
| EP0665966B1 (en) * | 1992-10-22 | 1996-05-08 | Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft | Pneumatic toner transport arrangement for an electrophotographic printing or copying machine |
| US5268727A (en) * | 1992-11-13 | 1993-12-07 | Xerox Corporation | Uniform velocity air manifold |
| US5424806A (en) * | 1994-02-28 | 1995-06-13 | Xerox Corporation | Tubular frame with integral air duct for heat, dirt and ozone management |
-
1996
- 1996-06-06 US US08/659,612 patent/US5799227A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-05-16 WO PCT/US1997/008397 patent/WO1997046919A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-05-16 AU AU31308/97A patent/AU723077B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1997-05-16 NZ NZ329796A patent/NZ329796A/en unknown
- 1997-05-16 CA CA002227579A patent/CA2227579A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-05-16 JP JP10500598A patent/JP2000503420A/en active Pending
- 1997-05-16 EP EP97926576A patent/EP0842458A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-05-16 BR BR9702295A patent/BR9702295A/en unknown
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| AU2009344910B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for separation of phases in a multiphase flow | |
| EP1512362A3 (en) | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow | |
| US4191544A (en) | Gas cleaning apparatus | |
| US20110042274A1 (en) | Method and Apparatus for the Separation of Solid Particles Having Different Densities | |
| WO1997046919B1 (en) | Non-magnetic toner dynamic recycling | |
| JPH0316822Y2 (en) | ||
| NO954589L (en) | Separation system for a powder inhaler | |
| JP2020536006A (en) | Emissions treatment equipment for vehicle air brake filling systems | |
| US2588106A (en) | Sheetsxsheet i | |
| CA1182997A (en) | Powder spray booth | |
| CA2348453A1 (en) | Separator apparatus | |
| US4797038A (en) | Powder recovery method and device | |
| JPS62110770A (en) | Powdered body coater | |
| SE9003092D0 (en) | SEAT AND DEVICE FOR SEPARATION OF WEIGHTER PARTICLES FROM A PARTICULAR MATERIAL | |
| CN111589706B (en) | Fine-grained particle group same-stage grading and sorting device for dry coal preparation | |
| US5799227A (en) | Non-magnetic toner dynamic recycling | |
| JP3734515B2 (en) | Resin molding material collector | |
| JP2535778B2 (en) | Air flow sorting method and device for solid matter | |
| KR20140039272A (en) | Method and apparatus in a pneumatic material conveying system | |
| WO1997046919A9 (en) | Non-magnetic toner dynamic recycling | |
| WO1991011716A3 (en) | Flexible bag assembly for magnetic separator | |
| WO2007098211A3 (en) | Gravimetric separation system and method | |
| US5711776A (en) | Air escaping means | |
| KR840002445Y1 (en) | Apparatus for a flux feeding-withdrawing | |
| CA2232782A1 (en) | Centrifugal separator with improved quiescent collection chamber |