Replenisher mechanism for a development station of a reproduction apparatus

摘要

A mechanism (10) for replenishing particulate material from a receptacle (28) to a remote reservoir (32). The replenisher mechanism (10) includes a housing (12) having a sensor (56,58) for sensing the level of particulate material within the housing (12), pair of spaced end walls (14,16), and a pair of spaced side walls (18,20). At least a portion of the side walls (18,20) are flexible. An interface (26) provides flow communication of particulate material between a particulate material receptacle (28) and the housing (12), and a delivery assembly (30) provides flow communication of particulate material between the housing (12) and a remote reservoir (32). At least one paddle assembly (22,24) is operatively associated with at least one of the flexible side walls (18,20) 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 (22,24) includes a first pivot rod (34,36) mounted in fixed spatial relation to the housing (12), a paddle supported on the first pivot rod (34,36), a second pivot rod (40,42) carried by the paddle. A reciprocating actuator arm (38) is connected to the second pivot rod (40,42) to selectively move the paddle about the first pivot rod (34,36). A lever (46,48) is pivotably mounted on the second pivot rod (40,42), whereby when the paddle is rotated about the first pivot rod (34,36) by reciprocation of the actuator arm (38), the lever (46,48) rotates about the second pivot rod (40,42) providing movement of the flexible membrane (18a,20a) adjacent to the first pivot rod (34,36) causing the breaking of any particulate material bridges at that point.