Abstract: A replaceable imaging unit according to one example embodiment includes a photoconductor unit positioned at the front of a housing of the imaging unit. First and second alignment guides extend outward at the same height from first and second sides of the housing, respectively, on the photoconductor unit and run parallel to each other along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. Each of the first and second alignment guides includes a front contact member at a front end thereof and a rear contact member at a rear end thereof. The front contact members are positioned further outward sideways than the rear contact members. Bottom surfaces of the front and rear contact members are unobstructed to permit the bottom surfaces of the front and rear contact members to sit on top of corresponding guide rails in the image forming device to control a vertical position of the imaging unit.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a housing having first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the housing, respectively, and that run along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. Third and fourth alignment guides extend outward from the first side of the housing. The third alignment guide is spaced toward the front of the housing from the fourth alignment guide. Bottom surfaces of the third and fourth alignment guides are unobstructed to sit on top of a corresponding guide surface in an image forming device to control a vertical position of the toner cartridge in the image forming device. The bottom surfaces of the third and fourth alignment guides are aligned with each other in a vertical dimension of the housing and are positioned higher than the first and second alignment guides.

Abstract: A removable media handling module includes a body that is horizontally slidable into and removable from an imaging apparatus. The media handling module includes a lower media guide extending between a front and a rear of the body in a direction of insertion of the body into the imaging apparatus. With the media handling module inserted into the imaging apparatus, the lower media guide is positioned parallel to and spaced from a corresponding upper media guide mounted in the imaging apparatus to form at least a portion of a duplex media path therebetween. The media handling module includes a media feed through channel extending from a bottom of the body to an entrance of a simplex media path to allow media to be fed from a media tray below the media handling module and into the simplex media path when the media handling module is installed in the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a housing having first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the housing, respectively, and that run along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. Third and fourth alignment guides extend outward from the first side of the housing. The third alignment guide is spaced toward the front of the housing from the fourth alignment guide. Bottom surfaces of the third and fourth alignment guides are unobstructed to sit on top of a corresponding guide surface in an image forming device to control a vertical position of the toner cartridge in the image forming device. The bottom surfaces of the third and fourth alignment guides are aligned with each other in a vertical dimension of the housing and are positioned higher than the first and second alignment guides.

Abstract: A removable media handling module includes a body that is horizontally slidable into and removable from an imaging apparatus. The media handling module includes a lower media guide extending between a front and a rear of the body in a direction of insertion of the body into the imaging apparatus. With the media handling module inserted into the imaging apparatus, the lower media guide is positioned parallel to and spaced from a corresponding upper media guide mounted in the imaging apparatus to form at least a portion of a duplex media path therebetween. The media handling module includes a media feed through channel extending from a bottom of the body to an entrance of a simplex media path to allow media to be fed from a media tray below the media handling module and into the simplex media path when the media handling module is installed in the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An imaging unit of an image forming apparatus is provided including a handle mechanism. The imaging unit includes at least one of a photoconductor unit and a developer unit for developing a toner on the photoconductor unit. The handle mechanism is mounted on a frame portion of the housing and is configured to pivot between a collapsed position and an extended position. When in the collapsed position, the handle mechanism is substantially flush with a surface of the housing to accommodate a toner cartridge. When in the extended position, the handle mechanism automatically returns to the collapsed position by gravity when released from a user's grip.

Abstract: An imaging unit of an image forming apparatus is provided including a handle mechanism. The imaging unit includes at least one of a photoconductor unit and a developer unit for developing a toner on the photoconductor unit. The handle mechanism is mounted on a frame portion of the housing and is configured to pivot between a collapsed position and an extended position. When in the collapsed position, the handle mechanism is substantially flush with a surface of the housing to accommodate a toner cartridge. When in the extended position, the handle mechanism automatically returns to the collapsed position by gravity when released from a user's grip.

Abstract: A toner cartridge included with an image forming device when initially sent to a user. The cartridge has a limited toner capacity. The user is able to print with the small capacity cartridge upon initially receiving the image forming device. Once the toner is exhausted, a second large capacity cartridge having a greater toner capacity can replace the small capacity cartridge. The small capacity cartridge and the large capacity cartridge are constructed in a similar shape to be mounted in the same manner within the image forming device.

Abstract: A photoconductive member for an image forming apparatus includes a hollow, conductive cylindrical drum; an insulating end cap disposed axially within the drum at either end thereof, each end cap including an axial bore; a shaft disposed axially through the drum and the bores, the shaft electrically isolated from the drum by the end caps; and an electrical contact assembly operative to bias the drum, but not the shaft, to an operating voltage.

Abstract: An article used to seal the interface between the developer roll, doctor blade and developer housing in a laser printer toner cartridge is described. The sealing member described in the present application performs static sealing between the components while the cartridge is idle and performs dynamic sealing while the toner cartridge is used for printing, keeping the sealing surfaces free from toner by actively pushing the toner back into the developer sump. The seal has a rotary seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the developer roll, and a blade seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the doctor blade. The rotary seal portion is biased toward the surface of the developer roll and incorporates, on its face adjacent to the developer roll, ridges which act to push the toner away from the edge of the developer roll in use. The blade seal portion is biased toward the doctor blade.

Abstract: An article used to seal the interface between the developer roll, doctor blade and developer housing in a laser printer toner cartridge is described. The sealing member described in the present application performs static sealing between the components while the cartridge is idle and performs dynamic sealing while the toner cartridge is used for printing, keeping the sealing surfaces free from toner by actively pushing the toner back into the developer sump. The seal comprises a rotary seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the developer roll, and a blade seal portion which seals between the frame of the cartridge and the doctor blade. The rotary seal portion is biased toward the surface of the developer roll and incorporates, on its face adjacent to the developer roll, ridges which act to push the toner away from the edge of the developer roll in use. The blade seal portion is biased toward the doctor blade.