Abstract: An elongated toner box extending in a horizontal direction has a cylindrical portion where a toner discharge port is formed. A wrapping member serving as a shutter is rotatably disposed over the cylindrical portion for selectively shutting off the toner discharge port. The wrapping member has a circular shape concentrical with the cylindrical portion. A developing case is provided to which the toner box is detachably installable. The developing case has a wall confronting the toner box, and a toner inlet port is formed at the wall. A toner inlet shutter is slidably movably supported to the partition wall. When the wrapping member opens and closes the toner discharge port, the wrapping member is positioned close to the outer surface of the toner box and does not largely protrude from the toner box. Further, the discharge port shutter and the inlet port shutter are movable in interlocking relation with each other.

Abstract: A supply cartridge for a printer or copier retains a quantity of dry marking material. The cartridge defines a round structure on an exterior thereof, with a collar rotatable about the round structure. The round structure and the collar both define openings, and the cartridge can dispense marking material when the openings are aligned. A pad is attached to an inner surface of the collar to enhance urging of the collar against the opening of the cartridge when the cartridge is closed. The pad itself urges against the round structure at a point on the circumference of the round structure opposite the opening therein. Alternately, a protrusion can be provided in the round structure at a point opposite the opening.

Abstract: A developing device for developing a latent image electrostatically formed on an image carrier is disclosed. The device has a developing mechanism for depositing a toner and carrier mixture, i.e., developer on the image carrier, a developer normalizing mechanism for normalizing the developer and located at a different position from the developing mechanism, and a developer transferring and circulating mechanism for transferring the developer to the developing mechanism and developer normalizing mechanism. The device is easy to maintain since the developing mechanism is small in size and simple in configuration.

Abstract: A developer supplying container of cylindrical shape which is connectable in a direction of its rotational axis. The container having a developer sending aperture on a base, a developer receiving aperture on the opposite base, and a connecting member to detachably connect the container to a second container having the same construction as the former container. The developer accommodated in the former container is transported to the second container through the developer sending aperture of the former container and a developer receiving aperture of the second container, and supplied to the developing device with the developer accommodated in the second container. When the developer accommodated in the former container is exhausted, only the former container should be replaced.

Abstract: In a developing device included in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a device for replenishing toner to the developing device has a toner container having a hollow cylindrical body. The body is formed with a toner outlet at the center of one end thereof. A holder arrangement holds the container such that the toner can be delivered to a toner inlet portion included in the developing device. A drive mechanism causes the container to rotate about its own axis. The holder arrangement is formed with an opening for feeding the toner flowing out via the toner outlet to the toner inlet portion. The opening is covered with an elastic member having a holed portion. The device is capable of replenishing a predetermined amount of toner to the developing device at all times.

Abstract: A marking particle cartridge including a container defining a marking particle storage chamber and an opening communicating with such chamber through which marking particles may pass, a removable tear strip attached to the container to cover the opening and enable the opening to be selectively uncovered, and a slide cover slidably attached to the container for movement between a first position sealing the opening of the container and a second position remote from the first position where the opening of the container is uncovered. The slide cover includes a substantially planar member and a plurality of ribs on the planar member. At least a portion of the ribs are positioned to lie in a direction at an angle to the direction of sliding movement of the slide cover between the first and second positions, such that the ribs trap and capture residual marking particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for dispensing toner comprising a generally cylindrical container for containing a quantity of toner, at least one end aperture and at least one toner discharge opening formed therein, a first closure detachably, rotatably and sealingly secured to the cylindrical container for closing the end aperture, a shutter member extending from the first closure for selectively opening and closing the toner discharge opening of the cylindrical container when the first closure is rotated, and means for aligning the dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention insures that the proper color toner used in a color printer is replaced once the present supply is consumed The printer has several of receptacles, one receptacles for each colored toner. Each receptacle has a unique key receptacle. The replacement toner comes in a cartridge, one cartridge for each color of the several of colored toners. A cartridge is constructed from a common body to which an endcap is attached. The endcap has a unique key that mates with only one of the unique key receptacles. Each cartridge is removably inserted in the correct receptacle.

Abstract: A developer container has a cylindrical container body with a bottom end and an open end and a cap closing the open end of the container body. The developer container has a spiral rib, a outlet opening and a bank portion. The spiral rib is formed on the inner surface of the container body. The outlet opening is formed on the side surface in vicinity of one end of the container body, whereby the rotation of the container disposed horizontally causes a developer contained in the container to move to one end of the container along the spiral rib and to flow out through the outlet opening. The bank portion is formed on the inner surface at the upstream side of the outlet opening with respect to the rotational direction of the container, the bank portion being positioned in the vicinity of the outlet opening and being continuous with the terminate end of the spiral rib.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for reconditioning and resealing toner cartridges.The method generally comprises the following steps: a) providing a used toner cartridge having a hopper, a mounting member and spacers interposed therebetween, b) separating the toner hopper and mounting member by cutting the spacers, and c) securing a new seal assembly between said toner hopper and mounting member to seal the toner discharge opening. The invention includes a device for separating a toner hopper from a mounting member so that the cartridge can be reliably resealed and refilled with toner for repeated use. A container holds the cartridge while leaving the outer edge of each of the spacers exposed. In one embodiment, the container is provided with wheels that travel in a track. The container moves linearly along the track past a blade that cuts through the outer edge of the spacers. In a second embodiment, the container is positioned on a rail aligned to pass between two spaced-apart blades.

Abstract: A pneumatic toner transport device for an electrographic printing or copying machine is used for transporting toner and for removing toner and/or dirt particles from units of the machine, such as developer station (10) and cleaning station (28). It contains a vacuum-producing device (31), which is connected via a vacuum duct system to the various units of the machine. Assigned to the duct system is a particle separator (24) in the form of a cyclone filter for separating toner and dirt particles out of an airstream flowing through. The particle mixture is separated in a recycling device into dirt particles and recyclable toner and the recyclable toner is supplied anew to the developer station. The dirt particles are collected in a fine filter (32) of the vacuum-producing device (31). The toner recycling device (25) is designed as an exchangeable constructional unit, which can be exchanged for a catchbox.

Abstract: A developer supply opening of a developer replenishing cartridge is sealed by a flexible film peelably adhered to the cartridge, and one end of a folded back portion of the film is secured to a gripper which is manipulated by an operator and which is separably mounted on the cartridge. A developer receiving container on which the cartridge can be mounted has a lid. When the lid is opened, the lid engages by the gripper to separate the latter from the cartridge.

Abstract: A customer-replaceable supply accessory for a page printer, such as a toner cartridge or liquid-ink supply, includes a conductor which interacts with connectors within the printer to ensure proper installation of a given type of accessory. The conductor is exposed only within cavities on the accessory which receive springably-mounted extendible members. The extendible members serve to secure the accessory in position within the printer. The conductor is generally not apparent from the outside of the accessory.

Abstract: A developing unit comprises a developer container having an agitation space for agitating developer therein and a toner hopper for feeding toner to the agitation space of the developer container. A lower wall of the toner hopper includes a toner drop port allowing toner to fall into the aforesaid agitation space. On a surface of the lower wall exposed to the agitation space, disposed is a partition wall surrounding the periphery of the toner drop port. The partition wall defines a non-agitation space. The toner is allowed to fall from the toner drop port smoothly into the agitation space through the non-agitation space which is not affected by the agitation.

Abstract: An elongated toner box extending in a horizontal direction has a cylindrical portion where a toner discharge port is formed. A wrapping member serving as a shutter is rotatably disposed over the cylindrical portion for selectively shutting off the toner discharge port. The wrapping member has a circular shape concentrical with the cylindrical portion. A developing case is provided to which the toner box is detachably installable. The developing case has a wall confronting the toner box, and a toner inlet port is formed at the wall. A toner inlet shutter is slidably movably supported to the partition wall. When the wrapping member opens and closes the toner discharge port, the wrapping member is positioned close to the outer surface of the toner box and does not largely protrude from the toner box. Further, the discharge port shutter and the inlet port shutter are movable in interlocking relation with each other.

Abstract: A developing device using dual-component developer which is detachably attachable a first cartridge accommodating toner or a second cartridge accommodating starter incorporating at least carrier. The developing device has a developing section which develops an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member, a coupling which detachably holds a first cartridge or a second cartridge and having a first aperture corresponding to a replenishment aperture of the first cartridge as well as a second aperture corresponding to a replenishment aperture of the second cartridge, toner buffer which supplies toner from the first cartridge to the developing section by predetermined amounts when the first cartridge is attached to the coupling, and a replenishment path provided between the developing section and the coupling for supplying starter from the second cartridge directly to the developing section when the second cartridge is attached to the coupling.

Abstract: A developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing device with a developer, and a developer container for use therewith. The developer container, or toner bottle, has a mouth portion at one end thereof which is smaller in diameter than a hollow cylindrical main body. At the end of the bottle provided with the mouth, a shoulder has the inner periphery thereof partly raised to the edge of the mouth portion to form a raised portion for scooping up a toner. In addition, a part of the inner periphery of the circumferential wall of the bottle which is contiguous with the raised portion is also raised toward the axis of the bottle about which the bottle is rotatable, thereby forming another raised portion. When the bottle is mounted to a bottle holder, which is included in the replenishing device, substantially horizontally with the mouth portion oriented sideways, the bottle is rotated to raise the toner from the bottom of the main body to the mouth portion.

Abstract: A device is provided for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine. The device comprises an open ended container defining a chamber in communication with the open end thereof. The particles are stored in the chamber of the container. The device further comprises a puncturable seal attached to the open end of the container for sealing the chamber. The container is installable into the developer unit without removal of the seal.

Abstract: A developer supply container includes a developer containing portion having an opening for supplying the developer therefrom; a shutter for closing the opening; a shutter support for supporting the shutter for movement between a closing position where the shutter closes the opening and an opening position where the shutter is retracted from the closing position to open the opening; and a seal mounted on such a side of the shutter as is faced to the opening.

Abstract: A toner replenishing device for a developing device included in an image forming apparatus is disclosed. An engaging member, used to transfer a driving force from an external drive source to the shaft of an agitating member disposed in a toner container, is prevented from being damaged when, for example, the toner container is let fall by accident. The agitating member for agitating toner stored in the toner container is protected from damage when an excessive load acts on the shaft. The toner stored in the toner container is prevented from solidifying and exerting an excessive load on the shaft of the agitating member.

Abstract: A drive mechanism including a toothed pulley and a device for retaining mesh between the teeth of the pulley and the teeth of a belt after assembly thereto. The retaining device includes a retaining member positioned adjacent a toothed section of the pulley defining a space therebetween enabling the belt to fit between the retaining member and the toothed section of the pulley when the teeth are in mesh, the space between an apex or crown of a pulley tooth and the surface of the retaining member opposite thereto being smaller than the maximum thickness of the toothed belt thereby ensuring a mesh between the teeth of the belt and pulley to provide a synchronized drive therebetween.

Abstract: A cover 10 is provided to cover the opening of a toner container 2. The cover 10 is attachable to, and detachable from, the toner container 2. A valve element 12 capable of closing the opening 11 formed in the cover 10 is pressed up to an opening position by a pressing-up portion 20 provided on a developing apparatus side. Shifting of the valve element 12 to the opening position makes it possible to supply the toner from the toner container 2 to the developing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing and/or transporting/migrating particles such as toner that may be prone to agglomeration in a particle dispensing system. Movement and/or vibration of the dispersing and migrating plate member serves to break up, clear and prevent particle agglomerations. Perforations, slits or mesh areas in the upper surface of the plate member can prevent oversize particles/agglomerations from passing through the system, while side walls, fins or disposing the plate member at a angle can channelize the dispersion of the particles contacting the upper surface of the plate member.

Abstract: An original equipment type seal for recharged toner cartridges can be installed without splitting the cartridge itself, by screening a border of "hot-melt" type adhesive, preferably wax-based, onto a strip of polyester, the adhesive being capable of softening or melting at a temperature above the softening or coagulating point of the toner powder itself, but below the softening points of the plastic components of the cartridge. The polyester seal is inserted into the cartridge with the aid of a room temperature or even cold, metallic insertion tool, preferably made of a high magnetic permeability steel. Heating this cold tool, or subsequently inserting a hot tool, will cause the adhesive to melt and seal the cartridge.

Abstract: A developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing device with a developer, and a developer container for use therewith. The developer container, or toner bottle, has a mouth portion at one end thereof which is smaller in diameter than a hollow cylindrical main body. At the end of the bottle provided with the mouth, a shoulder has the inner periphery thereof partly raised to the edge of the mouth portion to form a raised portion for scooping up a toner. In addition, a part of the inner periphery of the circumferential wall of the bottle which is contiguous with the raised portion is also raised toward the axis of the bottle about which the bottle is rotatable, thereby forming another raised portion. When the bottle is mounted to a bottle holder, which is included in the replenishing device, substantially horizontally with the mouth portion oriented sideways, the bottle is rotated to raise the toner from the bottom of the main body to the mouth portion.

Abstract: A toner kit includes a toner for developing electrostatic images and a toner container. The toner has a flowability index of from 5 to 25% and the toner container is provided at a discharge opening thereof with a flow control edge at least part of which has a slope with a slope angle .theta. of from 110.degree. to 160.degree. with respect to the plane of the discharge opening.

Abstract: A toner container is rotatably mounted to a toner replenishing device for discharging toner thereto upon rotation of the toner container. The toner container includes a cylindrical member for containing toner to be discharged. A cap member covers the mouth portion of the cylindrical container and is rotationally mounted thereon. A shutter selectively closes an opening of the cap member. When the toner container is mounted to the toner replenishing device and rotationally driven thereby, the cap member is prevented from rotation and the shutter is opened to permit discharge of toner.

Abstract: A toner anti-dribble device is attachable to a toner fixture having a vertical fill tube and a rotatable auger for feeding toner into a toner cartridge. The toner anti-dribble device includes a sleeve member engageable with the fill tube. A plurality of flexible insertion wires are inserted through the sleeve member into the toner fixture and disposed substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction of the toner. The wires are preferably equally spaced about a periphery of the toner fixture and extend radially inwardly into the toner fixture preferably a distance approximately one-third a diameter of the toner fixture. The arrangement positively prevents toner dribble between fills while being flexible enough to flex in proportion to the fill rate, thereby preventing fusing of the toner on the wires.

Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing metered amounts of liquid electrophotography toner concentrate. The cartridge comprises first and second endcaps within a hollow of the cartridge for confining the concentrate; a tube rigidly attached to the first endcap having a passage therein for allowing expulsion of the concentrate when pressure is applied to the concentrate by the first endcap; and a first and second control lip rigidly attached to the tube for metering the expulsion of concentrate out through the passage. In an alternate embodiment, the first endcap is a diaphragm whereby the bowing capacity of the diaphragm meters a controlled amount of concentrate out through the passage. A pressurized medium or vacuum acts upon the first endcap to effectuate a pumping of the concentrate out through the passage for mixing with a carrier fluid.

Abstract: The object is to carry out developer feeding and toner supplement in a short time without scattering dust particles around, in view of the effectual use of natural resources and space saving. A developer cartridge is removably mounted on a developing unit body and also functions as a lid for closing a developer supply opening after developer has been released into the developing unit body. A toner cartridge includes a lid which can be inserted into and taken out of a toner cartridge body; a sealing member for sealing the toner release opening of the toner cartridge body, the leading edge of which is fixedly attached to the end of the lid on a side from which the lid is inserted; and a tab sheet one end of which is fixed to the middle position of the sealing member and the other end of which is temporarily affixed to the lid.

Abstract: A laser printer includes a cover with a top surface and an adjoining wall having an inlet opening for single-fed sheets. A receptacle is positioned beneath the cover for receiving a toner supply and is positioned adjacent the adjoining wall. A toner loader door encloses the receptacle and includes a first portion which mates with the cover's top surface and a second portion that abuts the adjoining wall. The first and second portions meet at point of joinder to form an L-shape. The second portion of the toner loader door is pivotally mounted to the adjoining wall and enables the toner loader door to pivot between an open position and a closed position. A sheet feed mechanism is positioned adjacent the wall and feeds sheets through the inlet opening. The sheet feed mechanism is pivotally mounted to the printer by a spring biased pivot which forces the sheet feed mechanism against the toner loader door so as to maintain it in a closed position.

Abstract: A toner cartridge of the present invention includes a container for containing toner, a toner discharge port, a sealing member for sealing the toner discharge port, an air communicating hole having an area smaller than that of the discharge port, and an air permeable member made of porous material for covering the air hole, adjusting a pressure within the container, and restricting permeation of moisture into the container so as to prevent a blocking phenomenon of toner. Specifically, a coefficient of moisture permeability of the porous material is 100 to 1000 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours in a measuring method of JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) L-1096-A-11 to restrict permeation of moisture into the container so as to prevent a blocking phenomenon of toner. Accordingly, the toner cartridge of the present invention scatters little toner, is insensitive to variation of ambient conditions, and deteriorates the quality of toner very little even after a long time storage.

Abstract: Disclosed are a developer cartridge designed to ensure exchange of developers and toner supplement, and an image forming apparatus using this cartridge. This developer cartridge includes a cylindrical body whose rotational axis extends in a direction perpendicular to the developer carrying direction of the developing unit, a first developer storage room, provided at one portion of the cylindrical body, for storing an unused developer, a second developer storage room, provided at the other portion of the cylindrical body, for storing a supplemental toner, openings respectively formed in the first and second developer storage rooms of the cylindrical body, and a case with a cylinder shape for rotatably retaining the cylindrical body, the case having a pair of injection ports respectively provided in association with the opening of the first developer storage room and the opening of the second developer storage room.

Abstract: When a developer supply cartridge is set at a predetermined position for discharging a developer into a developing device on a cartridge holding portion of the developing device, the developer supply cartridge is locked by a locking member so as to be detached from the predetermined position. When a sensor has detected that the amount of the developer remaining within the developing device has been reduced to an amount equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the locking is released in response to a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A space optimizing toner container for an electrophotographic printing machine. The toner container is generally configured so that it is larger in the horizontal dimension than in the vertical dimension. A pusher member, internal to the container housing is spaced from the discharge opening in the housing. The pusher member is movable, either manually or by a biasing device such as a spring so that the powder toner is moved in a generally horizontal direction as the toner is depleted. The container may have a flexible inner liner which contains the toner particles and allows for the recycling of the container. The described toner container operates without the need for a complex toner transport system while allowing the normally unused space in the horizontal direction from the toner outlet to be utilized.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is extractably set in a storing recess of an image forming apparatus main body, and toner is supplemented to a specified part of the image forming apparatus main body. While the toner cartridge is brand-new, an inner seal member peelably adhered to the lower surface of the toner cartridge main body seals the toner dropping opening at the lower surface. After setting the toner cartridge in the storing recess, by peeling off and taking up the inner seal member by the take-up shaft, the toner dropping opening is unsealed. An outer seal member provided slidably along the lower surface of the toner cartridge main body opens or closes the toner dropping opening beneath the inner seal member. When the toner cartridge is drawn out from the storing recess, an outer seal member operating member becomes engaged with an engaging part of the image forming apparatus main body, thereby automatically closing the outer seal member.

Abstract: Developing apparatus includes a developing housing and a toner supply housing which is pivotal to a first position on which the toner supply housing comes in engagement with the developing housing so that an opening of the developing housing is covered so as not to be accessible from the outside or to a second position on which the toner supply housing is spaced from the developing housing so that the opening is made to be able to be accessible from the outside.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for storing a supply of marking particles therein, including: (a) a container defining a chamber for storing the marking particles therein and a discharge opening in communication with the chamber for the discharge of the marking particles; (b) a flange member coupled to the container, wherein the flange member includes a flange wall that defines a flange opening in communication with the chamber for loading of the marking particles into the chamber; (c) an agitator mounting member fixedly positioned adjacent the flange opening, wherein the mounting member includes an agitator end coupling portion which is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening; and (d) an agitator disposed within the chamber, wherein the agitator has an end coupled to the agitator end coupling portion, whereby the agitator end is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening.

Abstract: In this developing toner supply device, the main body of a toner cartridge having an unused toner storing room is designed in a longitudinal vessel shape. A projecting portion is projected from the front wall of the cartridge at the casing side to engage with the recess portion of a toner storing portion. A semi-circular support wall is formed at the projecting portion to project toward the unused toner storing room side. A longitudinally-extending cartridge side opening is formed on the support wall. A semi-cylindrical cartridge side rotating member engages with the cartridge side and opens rotatably between the closing position where the cartridge side opening is closed and the opening position where the cartridge side opening is opened. When the toner cartridge is detached from the casing, the cartridge side opening is closed. The flat side surface of the cartridge side rotating member serves as the outer surface of the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A developing device for an image forming apparatus and operable with a developer cartridge mounted on, for example, the top of a hopper thereof. When the cartridge is inserted into a predetermined space defined in the device, it forms a clearance having a predetermined sectional area and extending in the direction of cartridge insertion in cooperation with a wall that delimits the space. Hence, air inside the space is forced out to the outside via the clearance which terminates at a cartridge inlet. A filter is affixed to the outer periphery of at least the leading end portion of the cartridge, with respect to the direction of cartridge insertion, in such a manner as to block the clearance. As a result, when air flows through the clearance, a toner entrained by the stream of air is caught by the filter.

Abstract: A toner pack for use in an electrophotographic apparatus is formed of a polypropylene resin containing 30 to 50 wt % calcium carbonate filler. This resin has a high deformability, and generates a small amount of heat at the time of incineration thereof. Thus, the used toner pack can be disposed of together with flammable products made of paper and/or wood. Further, at the time of disposal, it is possible to fold the used toner pack to reduce its size.

Abstract: An ink filter having a fine mesh structure secured to an ink supply passageway is erected at a side portion of an ink reservoir. An upper portion of the ink reservoir communicates with the atmosphere through an air filter, a lower side portion communicates with the ink supply passageway. An ink filter interrupts the ink supply passageway at an upper portion and has a predetermined height to ensure maintenance of a column of ink in the ink supply passageway. As a result of the capillary phenomenon of the ink filter on the ink, the ink fills the entire portion of the ink supply passageway located below the ink filter so that the liquid surface of the ink is above the communication portion between the ink supply passageway and the ink reservoir but below the position of the ink filter.

Abstract: A powder charging apparatus includes a low pressure chamber for accommodating a container to be charged with powder. The low pressure chamber is separable into an upper section and a lower section. A pressure reducer reduces the pressures in the low pressure chamber and the container at the same time. A pressure riser increases the pressure in the low pressure chamber. A powder supplier allows a predetermined quantity of powder to fall into the container under a difference in the pressures between inside and outside the container. The powder supplier includes a hopper having an outlet port. The container has an inlet neck portion engageable with a nozzle secured to the low pressure chamber. The nozzle is connected to the outlet port of the hopper. A buffering member is disposed at a space from the nozzle.

Abstract: A technique for providing an easy to remove leak-proof seal for shipment of a remanufactured toner cartridge. An adhesive-backed sealing strip is disposed over the feed roller of the hopper so that a seal is formed between the mylar blades and the feed roller. The excess portion of the sealing strip is then passed through a foam wiping assembly and out through a slit in the lid of the hopper. The toner is poured into the hopper over the sealed feed roller and the lid is then sealed onto the hopper prior to shipment. Upon receipt by the customer, the excess portion of the sealing strip extending out through the slit in the lid is simply pulled until the sealing strip is completely removed from the feed roller. Excess toner is removed from the sealing strip by the foam wiping assembly so that no toner escapes the hopper to leak onto the user's clothing.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening/closing a toner falling aperture is adapted to open/close a toner falling aperture formed in the bottom of a toner cartridge main body in which toner is housed. Disposed inside of the toner cartridge main body is a screw conveyor for conveying the toner to the toner falling aperture. While the toner cartridge is not under use, an elastic sealing member attached to the top surface of the bottom of the toner cartridge main body, closes the toner falling aperture. One end of the sealing member is secured to the screw conveyor. When the toner cartridge is set to a predetermined portion of the main body of an image forming apparatus and the screw conveyor is driven, the screw conveyor takes up the sealing member while winding the same thereon, thus opening the toner falling aperture. The sealing member to which toner is sticked, is taken up by the screw conveyor and held inside of the toner cartridge main body.

Abstract: A toner cartridge dispenses toner for a printing apparatus. The cartridge comprises a housing having an internal cavity and a series of openings through a sidewall of the housing. An axially reciprocating slide includes a series of openings that are selectively aligned with the housing openings to discharge toner from the cavity. An agitating mechanism operates within the cavity and in response to paper advancement through the printing apparatus to facilitate discharge of toner from the cartridge.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic printer, an apparatus for supplying a liquid toner that has a solids concentration within a predefined range. A concentrated solids material and a carrier liquid is contained within a reservoir. The concentrated solids has a solids concentration higher than the predefined range and has settled out from the carrier liquid. A tube has its orifice submerged in the concentrated solids material A second tube has its orifice submerged in the carrier liquid. To insure that the second tube remains above the concentrated solids material and simultaneously below the upper surface, a float is formed around the tube. Finally, a mixer is connected to the two tubes and mixes the concentrated solids with carrier liquid to create the liquid toner. The solids concentration range is directly related to the rations of the two orifices.

Abstract: A refurbished toner cartridge includes a cover having elongated side dimensions with integral flanges and a mating bottle also having elongated side flanges, the flanges bonded to create an interior volume for holding a print toner. At one end of the cartridge is a toner fill opening which enables access into the interior volume. The refurbished cartridge further comprises a flexible bladder that is inserted through the fill opening and is positioned within the interior volume of the cartridge. Toner is contained in the bladder and is released upon the bladder being ruptured by user actuation of either an internal knife blade or a pull string attached to the bladder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing cartridge adapted to discharge material therefrom to a receiving member during a dispensing operation. The cartridge includes an inner tubular member with an inner port therein. The cartridge also includes an outer tubular member with an inner surface, an outer surface, and an outer port therein. The inner tubular member is mounted rotatably within the outer member and is in sliding contact therewith. A cover is coupled to the inner tubular member and is adapted to rotate the inner tubular member in response to movement of the cover from a first position, wherein the inner port and the outer port are aligned with one another to define an exit aperture for discharging material from the cartridge to the receiving member, to a second position, wherein the inner port and the outer port are misaligned from one another to define a closed position preventing discharge of material from the cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates a particle carrying device wherein a carrying passage can be detachably installed onto a toner particle collection unit for storing wasted particles, without dropping the particles. According to the particle carrying device, when the carrying passage is attached onto a particle container, a shutter provided on the carrying passage is moved. Then, a guide member stored in the carrying passage is moved and an opening provided in the carrying passage is opened. Noteover, as a carrying auger rotatably supported in the carrying passage rotates, the waste particles are carried toward the particle container through the opening. On the other hand, when the carrying passage is detached from the particle container, the guide member is moved back into the carrying pipe, and the opening is shut. Further, the shutter moves so as to shield the opening and maintain the guide member in the closed position, so that the particles are prevented from dropping out of the opening.