Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130170867 | TONER CARTRIDGES HAVING POSITIONAL CONTROL FEATURES - A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir to permit toner from the reservoir to pass out of the housing. A first leg and a second leg each project from a bottom portion of the housing to limit the side-to-side travel of the toner cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. Wing guides are positioned on opposite side surfaces of the housing. A stop extends from each wing guide to limit the forward travel of the toner cartridge in the image forming device. Rounded projections extending from the bottom surfaces of the wing guides define contact points to control the vertical position of the toner cartridge in the image forming device. | 07-04-2013 |
20130170868 | TONER CARTRIDGE FOR USE IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A shutter positioned at the exit port is movable between an open position and a closed position. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is positioned near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device for opening and closing the shutter. A forward facing slot is positioned near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device for locking and unlocking the shutter. | 07-04-2013 |
20130170871 | OVERMOLDED SHUTTER FOR USE IN TONER CONTAINING SUPPLY ITEMS OF AN IMAGING APPARATUS - An shutter having an overmolded seal for use in controlling the flow of toner through a port in a toner containing supply items for an imaging apparatus. In one form the shutter is overmolded with a seal comprised of a sleeve and one or more integrally molded angled endless ribs projecting outwardly from the sleeve. With the shutter installed in the supply item, the ribs deflect creating an sealing interface with the housing of the supply item to prevent toner leakage between the shutter and the housing of the supply item. | 07-04-2013 |
20130170873 | TONER DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR A SHAKE-FREE TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner delivery system for a shake-free toner cartridge comprises a toner paddle assembly having a plurality of scrapers. A main scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces and directs toner from a first region of the toner reservoir into the opening in a first portion of the front of the housing. A secondary scraper positioned adjacent with the main scraper scrapes and directs toner from a second region of the toner reservoir into the first region. A side scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces of respective side walls of the housing. | 07-04-2013 |
20130170874 | PADDLE ASSEMBLY FOR A SHAKE-FREE TONER CARTRIDGE - A paddle assembly for a shake-free toner cartridge comprises a toner paddle having a plurality of scrapers. When installed in a toner cartridge, a main scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces and directs toner from a first region of the toner reservoir into the opening in a first portion of the front of the housing. A secondary scraper positioned adjacent with the main scraper scrapes and directs toner from a second region of the toner reservoir into the first region. A side scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces of respective side walls of the housing. | 07-04-2013 |
20130343019 | Retainer Assembly Having Positioning Features for Processing Circuitry used Within an Image Forming Device Supply Item - A retainer mountable on an exterior surface of an insertable supply item of an image forming device for holding a circuit board having processing circuitry with a plurality of contacts. A reference datum point in the retainer aligns the circuit board with the retainer while a pair of alignment devices align the retainer with respect to the supply item. The supply item is inserted into a frame with the image forming device have an electrical connector having a plurality of connecting pins. When the retainer and circuit board are mounted on the supply item and the supply item is inserted into the frame of the image forming device, the retainer aligns the plurality of connecting pins of the connector with corresponding ones of the plurality of contacts of the circuit board for electrical interconnection therebetween. | 12-26-2013 |
20130343777 | Toner Cartridge for an Image Forming Device Having a Retainer Assembly Having Positioning Features for Processing Circuitry - A toner cartridge for an imaging forming device having a retainer for holding a circuit board having processing circuitry with a plurality of contacts. A reference datum point in the retainer aligns the circuit board with the retainer while an alignment device aligns the retainer with respect to the supply item that is inserted into a frame within the image forming device having an electrical connector with a plurality of connecting pins. When the retainer and circuit board are mounted on the supply item and the supply item is inserted into the frame, a pair of cam surfaces and a corresponding pair of supports spaced apart and extending from an outer surface of the housing, align the connector with the retainer with the retainer aligning the connecting pins of the connector with corresponding contacts of the circuit board for electrical interconnection therebetween. | 12-26-2013 |
20140199097 | Toner Delivery System for a Shake-Free Toner Cartridge - A toner delivery system for a shake-free toner cartridge comprises a toner paddle assembly having a plurality of scrapers. A main scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces and directs toner from a first region of the toner reservoir into the opening in a first portion of the front of the housing. A secondary scraper positioned adjacent with the main scraper scrapes and directs toner from a second region of the toner reservoir into the first region. A side scraper scrapes toner adhering to interior surfaces of respective side walls of the housing. | 07-17-2014 |
20140241758 | Toner Cartridge Having a Shutter Lock Mechanism - An example toner cartridge includes a reservoir for containing toner and an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A shutter is positioned at the exit port and movable between an open position and a closed position. A first linkage member is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by a first engagement feature. A second linkage member is pivotally attached to a side wall of the housing and biased toward a home position. A third linkage member is movable with the second linkage member. When the second linkage member is in the home position, the third linkage member is in a blocking position preventing the first linkage member from opening the shutter. When the second linkage member pivots away from the home position, the third linkage member moves to a non-blocking position permitting the first linkage member to open the shutter. | 08-28-2014 |
20140341616 | Toner Cartridge Having an Angled Exit Port Surface - A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing. The housing has an elongated shape extending from the first side to the second side. The housing defines a reservoir for containing toner therein. An exit port on the front of the housing is in fluid communication with the reservoir. A port surface surrounding the exit port is positioned to seal against a corresponding surface when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device. The port surface is angled upward with respect to the bottom of the housing and faces generally downward. | 11-20-2014 |