Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. A first electrode and a second electrode are positioned on the housing. The first electrode and the second electrode form a capacitor having a capacitance that changes in response to a change in an amount of toner in the reservoir between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a first rod and the second electrode includes a second rod spaced from the first rod.

Abstract: A cartridge for containing toner material used in an image-forming device according to one example embodiment includes a developer roll, two J-seals that provide interfaces with the developer roll at the ends thereof, and an air duct that conducts airflow across the interfaces to cool the developer roll and seals. The air duct is an unitary structure including an elongated hollow body and a pair of nozzles in fluid communication with the hollow body. One of the nozzles is disposed at a distal end of the developer roll near one J-seal, and the other of the nozzles is disposed at a proximal end of the developer roll near the second J-seal.

Abstract: The present application is directed to toner cartridges for use with image forming devices. The cartridge may include an interior to contain toner that is transferred to the image forming device and used during image formation. The cartridge may include one or more engagement features that interact with the image forming device during insertion. The engagement features may include one or more alignment features that align the cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. The engagement features may also include one or more functional features that allow the cartridge to effectively transfer the toner to the image forming device.

Abstract: A bearing plate for rotably supporting a photoconductor drum having a center shaft according to one exemplary embodiment includes a body having a first side, a second side, and an edge surface between the first and second sides. A center hole extends through the body for rotably receiving an end of the center shaft and positionally referencing an outer surface of the photoconductor drum to a center axis of the center hole. A support arm extends from the body in a non-radial direction. The support arm has a mounting surface for receiving an additional component positionally referenced to the center axis. An assembly for use in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a photoconductor drum having a center shaft and a pair of substantially identical bearing plates mounted on opposite ends of the photoconductor drum. The bearing plates are translated from one another and have identical orientations.

Abstract: A roll assembly, including a frame; a first component mounted to the frame and having a shaft, the shaft; a second component rotatably mounted to the frame and disposed in proximity with the first component, wherein at least one of the first component and the second component is translatable relative to the other; and a plurality of separator devices mounted on ends of the shaft of one of the first and second component.

Abstract: A cleaner assembly within a printer cartridge is provided that moves waste toner from photoconductive drum and stores it in a waste toner storage container. The cleaner assembly includes an auger, a drive shaft, and the waste toner storage container that includes a tube with plurality of perforations. The tube has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to an inlet to receive the waste toner and the second end extends to a point vertically above the inlet. The auger extends into inside of the waste toner storage container through the inlet and follows passage formed by the tube inside the waste toner storage container. The perforations in the tube allow the waste toner to move from inside the tube to the waste toner storage container, thereby resulting in maximum utilization of the space inside the inside the waste toner storage container.

Abstract: A roll assembly, including a frame; a first component mounted to the frame and having a shaft, the shaft; a second component rotatably mounted to the frame and disposed in proximity with the first component, wherein at least one of the first component and the second component is translatable relative to the other; and a plurality of separator devices mounted on ends of the shaft of one of the first and second component.

Abstract: A doctor blade assembly for an electrophotographic printer comprises a first bracket having a first width dimension and a first height dimension, a second bracket having a second width dimension and a second height dimension, a doctor blade disposed between the front bracket and the rear bracket, the doctor blade having a cantilever length, the cantilever length varying from a first length at a first location and a second length at a second location moving along the width dimensions.

Abstract: The present application is directed to toner cartridges for use with image forming devices. The cartridge may include an interior to contain toner that is transferred to the image forming device and used during image formation. The cartridge may include one or more engagement features that interact with the image forming device during insertion. The engagement features may include one or more alignment features that align the cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. The engagement features may also include one or more functional features that allow the cartridge to effectively transfer the toner to the image forming device.

Abstract: A roll assembly, including a frame; a first component mounted to the frame and having a shaft, the shaft; a second component rotatably mounted to the frame and disposed in proximity with the first component, wherein at least one of the first component and the second component is translatable relative to the other; and at least two separator devices mounted on ends of the shaft of one of the first and second component when in a first rotational position separate the first component and second component. Each separator device includes an aperture for mounting on a clutch that is mounted on the shaft of the first component and rotation of the second component in the first direction disengages the separation devices allowing the first and second components to touch and the separation devices to move to a second rotational position and rotation of the shaft in the first direction engages the clutch to rotate the separation devices back to the first rotational position.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for use with image forming devices according to one example embodiment includes an interior to contain toner that is transferred to the image forming device and used during image formation and includes one or more engagement features that interact with the image forming device during insertion. The engagement features may include one or more alignment features that align the cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. The engagement features may also include one or more functional features that allow the cartridge to effectively transfer the toner to the image forming device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toner container system, such as a toner cartridge, having a first reservoir for containing toner and a second reservoir for receiving toner from the first reservoir and transferring the toner to an image forming apparatus, and a toner transfer mechanism disposed between the first and second reservoirs, the transfer mechanism including a generally cylindrically shaped rotatable roller member having a plurality of equally spaced recesses disposed around the circumference thereof and being rotatable in angular increments wherein the recesses are alternately open to the first reservoir in a first position for each recess and open to the second reservoir in a second position for each recess, whereby toner is transferred from the first reservoir to the second reservoir upon rotation of the roller member, a Geneva drive mechanism including a drive gear operatively connected to the roller member for advancing the roller member in one angular increment for each complete rotation of the

Abstract: A cartridge for containing toner material used in an image-forming device according to one example embodiment includes a developer roll, two J-seals that provide interfaces with the developer roll at the ends thereof, and an air duct that conducts airflow across the interfaces to cool the developer roll and seals. The air duct is an unitary structure including an elongated hollow body and a pair of nozzles in fluid communication with the hollow body. One of the nozzles is disposed at a distal end of the developer roll near one J-seal, and the other of the nozzles is disposed at a proximal end of the developer roll near the second J-seal.

Abstract: A bearing plate for rotably supporting a photoconductor drum having a center shaft according to one exemplary embodiment includes a body having a first side, a second side, and an edge surface between the first and second sides. A center hole extends through the body for rotably receiving an end of the center shaft and positionally referencing an outer surface of the photoconductor drum to a center axis of the center hole. A support arm extends from the body in a non-radial direction. The support arm has a mounting surface for receiving an additional component positionally referenced to the center axis. An assembly for use in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a photoconductor drum having a center shaft and a pair of substantially identical bearing plates mounted on opposite ends of the photoconductor drum. The bearing plates are translated from one another and have identical orientations.

Abstract: A cartridge for containing toner material used in an image-forming device according to one example embodiment includes a developer roll, two J-seals that provide interfaces with the developer roll at the ends thereof, and an air duct that conducts airflow across the interfaces to cool the developer roll and seals. The air duct includes an elongated hollow body and a pair of nozzles in fluid communication with the hollow body. One of the nozzles is disposed at a distal end of the developer roll near one J-seal, and the other of the nozzles is disposed at a proximal end of the developer roll near the second J-seal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toner container system, such as a toner cartridge, comprising a housing including a first reservoir for containing toner and a second reservoir for receiving toner from the first reservoir and transferring the toner to an image forming apparatus, and a toner transfer mechanism that includes a rotatable roller member having in the surface thereof a recess defined by a concave surface having a radius of curvature, and wherein the roller member is rotatable from a first position at which the recess is open to the first reservoir and a second position at which the recess is open to the second reservoir, for conveying toner from the first reservoir to the second reservoir upon rotation of the roller member from the first position to the second position, and a rotatable wiper member disposed within the second reservoir and being sized and having a flexible distal end rotatable through the recess in contact with the concave surface when the roller member is in the second position.

Abstract: A cleaner assembly within a printer cartridge is provided that moves waste toner from photoconductive drum and stores it in a waste toner storage container. The cleaner assembly includes an auger, a drive shaft, and the waste toner storage container that includes a tube with plurality of perforations. The tube has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to an inlet to receive the waste toner and the second end extends to a point vertically above the inlet. The auger extends into inside of the waste toner storage container through the inlet and follows passage formed by the tube inside the waste toner storage container. The perforations in the tube allow the waste toner to move from inside the tube to the waste toner storage container, thereby resulting in maximum utilization of the space inside the inside the waste toner storage container.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an imaging unit for an image forming device. In one embodiment, the imaging unit includes a frame that includes brace members that are connected together to form a central opening. The imaging unit may also include separate mounting locations positioned on the frame in a side-by-side orientation. Each of the mounting locations may be adapted to receive a imaging unit and position a PC member of the imaging unit. The frame may also include locating features to align the frame within the image forming device. Electrical contacts may be operatively connected to the frame. The electrical contacts may operatively connect with the image forming device to provide electrical communication to each of the plurality of imaging units.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toner container system, such as a toner cartridge, comprising a housing including a first reservoir for containing toner and a second reservoir for receiving toner from the first reservoir and transferring the toner to an image forming apparatus, and a toner transfer mechanism that includes a rotatable roller member having in the surface thereof a recess defined by a concave surface having a radius of curvature, and wherein the roller member is rotatable from a first position at which the recess is open to the first reservoir and a second position at which the recess is open to the second reservoir, for conveying toner from the first reservoir to the second reservoir upon rotation of the roller member from the first position to the second position, and a rotatable wiper member disposed within the second reservoir and being sized and having a flexible distal end rotatable through the recess in contact with the concave surface when the roller member is in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toner container system, such as a toner cartridge, having a first reservoir for containing toner and a second reservoir for receiving toner from the first reservoir and transferring the toner to an image forming apparatus, and a toner transfer mechanism disposed between the first and second reservoirs, the transfer mechanism including a generally cylindrically shaped rotatable roller member having a plurality of equally spaced recesses disposed around the circumference thereof and being rotatable in angular increments wherein the recesses are alternately open to the first reservoir in a first position for each recess and open to the second reservoir in a second position for each recess, whereby toner is transferred from the first reservoir to the second reservoir upon rotation of the roller member, a Geneva drive mechanism including a drive gear operatively connected to the roller member for advancing the roller member in one angular increment for each complete rotation of the