Abstract: In one aspect, a water supply system for a waste disposal may generally include a supply conduit configured to be fluidly connected to a water supply, wherein the supply conduit has a discharge end. The system may also include a disposal conduit in fluid communication with the supply conduit and a supplementary conduit in fluid communication with a storage tank containing an additive fluid. The supplementary conduit may be configured to supply the additive fluid into the flow of water directed through the disposal conduit to create a water/additive fluid mixture within the disposal conduit. Moreover, an outlet end of the disposal conduit may be configured to be in fluid communication with a disposal inlet of the waste disposal such that the water/additive fluid mixture directed through the disposal conduit is received within the waste disposal.

Abstract: In one aspect, a water supply system for a waste disposal may generally include a supply conduit configured to be fluidly connected to a water supply, wherein the supply conduit has a discharge end. The system may also include a disposal conduit in fluid communication with the supply conduit and a supplementary conduit in fluid communication with a storage tank containing an additive fluid. The supplementary conduit may be configured to supply the additive fluid into the flow of water directed through the disposal conduit to create a water/additive fluid mixture within the disposal conduit. Moreover, an outlet end of the disposal conduit may be configured to be in fluid communication with a disposal inlet of the waste disposal such that the water/additive fluid mixture directed through the disposal conduit is received within the waste disposal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a duct door rotatably mounted in relation to an ice dispenser recess, and a selectively energizable shape memory alloy wire coupled to the duct door such that the shape memory alloy wire causes the duct door to rotate between its open and closed positions, when the wire is energized and de-energized respectively. A method of using an apparatus is also disclosed.

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: An alignment member is externally disposed on a toner cartridge for alignment with a developer unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. In one embodiment of the invention, the alignment member includes a first portion to properly align the developer unit relative to the toner cartridge and a second portion to maintain the proper alignment of the developer unit. The alignment ensures proper installation of the toner cartridge into the image forming device and prevents undesirable spill of toner.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an extendable tray that can be moved into a retracted position and an extended position away from a recess surface, and a cover with a surface positioned in conjunction with the extendable tray so as to bridge a gap between the recess surface and the tray when the tray is in the extended position to provide a uniform appearance. Also included is a latch apparatus that includes a latch arm that engages a stop to limit horizontal translation of the tray past an extended position, a handle that, when depressed, disengages the latch arm, enabling removal of the tray past the extended position, a pivot that provides a rotational axis by which the handle is attached to the tray, and a spring arm that controls a pivot angle of the handle, ensuring that latch arm engages the stop. A refrigerator incorporating the structures is also disclosed.

Abstract: An alignment member is externally disposed on a toner cartridge for alignment with a developer unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. In one embodiment of the invention, the alignment member includes a first portion to properly align the developer unit relative to the toner cartridge and a second portion to maintain the proper alignment of the developer unit. The alignment ensures proper installation of the toner cartridge into the image forming device and prevents undesirable spill of toner.

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: An alignment member is externally disposed on a toner cartridge for alignment with a developer unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. In one embodiment of the invention, the alignment member includes a first portion to properly align the developer unit relative to the toner cartridge and a second portion to maintain the proper alignment of the developer unit. The alignment ensures proper installation of the toner cartridge into the image forming device and prevents undesirable spill of toner.

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 application is directed to retainers and methods of retaining a developer unit within an image forming device. One embodiment may include positioning a retainer attached to a frame at a first position with a second end of the retainer positioned away from the developer unit. A toner cartridge may be inserted into the image forming device in a vertical direction and contact against retainer. The toner cartridge may laterally move the retainer relative to the frame from the first position to a second position with the second end positioned to prevent removal of the developer unit from the frame. Another embodiment features a system to retain a developer unit in an image forming device. The system may include a frame configured to receive the developer unit and the toner cartridge. A retainer may be movably attached to the frame and include a first end with a ramped surface, and a second end spaced away from the first end.

Abstract: An alignment member is externally disposed on a toner cartridge for alignment with a developer unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. In one embodiment of the invention, the alignment member includes a first portion to properly align the developer unit relative to the toner cartridge and a second portion to maintain the proper alignment of the developer unit. The alignment ensures proper installation of the toner cartridge into the image forming device and prevents undesirable spill of toner.

Abstract: The present application is directed to toner cartridges with a bearing plate to locate and provide a bearing surface to one or more rotational members. The bearing plate may be positioned on an outer wall of a body of a toner cartridge. The bearing plate may include apertures to receive shafts of a series of rotational members. The bearing plate may locate the shafts relative to the body such that each is operatively connected together through a gear train. Bearing plate may also provide a bearing surface for the rotating shafts.

Abstract: The present application is directed to cartridges for use with an image forming device. The cartridge includes a body with an interior reservoir sized to contain toner, and an outlet to move the toner to the image forming device. A shutter is rotatably connected to the body and movable between a closed orientation to prevent toner from passing from the cartridge and into the image forming device, and an open orientation to allow toner to pass. A biasing mechanism is operatively connected to the shutter and the body of the cartridge. The biasing mechanism urges the shutter towards one of the open and closed orientations.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a removable cartridge holding toner, supplying toner to a developer. The cartridge and developer each include a shutter to retain toner when the cartridge is removed. Upon insertion, the developer abuts the cartridge shutter, and the cartridge abuts the developer shutter, such that movement of the shutter into the image forming device opens both the shutters. Additionally upon insertion, the cartridge shutter releasably engages with the developer, and the cartridge releasably engages with the developer shutter. Upon removing the cartridge, the developer pulls the cartridge shutter closed prior to releasing engagement, and the cartridge pulls the developer shutter closed prior to releasing engagement. The opening and closing of both shutters requires only a single movement by the user: inserting or removing the cartridge from the image forming device.

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: The present application is directed to retainers and methods of retaining a developer unit within an image forming device. One embodiment may include positioning a retainer attached to a frame at a first position with a second end of the retainer positioned away from the developer unit. A toner cartridge may be inserted into the image forming device in a vertical direction and contact against retainer. The toner cartridge may laterally move the retainer relative to the frame from the first position to a second position with the second end positioned to prevent removal of the developer unit from the frame. Another embodiment features a system to retain a developer unit in an image forming device. The system may include a frame configured to receive the developer unit and the toner cartridge. A retainer may be movably attached to the frame and include a first end with a ramped surface, and a second end spaced away from the first end.

Abstract: The present application is directed to devices for moving toner within an image forming device. In one embodiment, the device includes a reservoir with an inlet that leads into the reservoir through a first sidewall. New toner may be introduced through the inlet and into the reservoir. A paddle may be positioned within the reservoir to move the toner from the inlet and through the reservoir. The paddle may prevent the toner from accumulating at the inlet which may act as a block to prevent further toner from being moved into the reservoir. The paddle may include a shaft with a weighted first arm extending from the shaft in a first direction and a second arm extending from the shaft in a second direction. The arms are weighted such that the first arm is heavier than the second arm. The paddle is positioned within the reservoir such that rotation of the paddle moves the toner from the inlet throughout the reservoir.

Abstract: The present application is directed to toner cartridges with a bearing plate to locate and provide a bearing surface to one or more rotational members. The bearing plate may be positioned on an outer wall of a body of a toner cartridge. The bearing plate may include apertures to receive shafts of a series of rotational members. The bearing plate may locate the shafts relative to the body such that each is operatively connected together through a gear train. Bearing plate may also provide a bearing surface for the rotating shafts.

Abstract: The present application is directed to cartridges for use with an image forming device. The cartridge includes a body with an interior reservoir sized to contain toner, and an outlet to move the toner to the image forming device. A shutter is rotatably connected to the body and movable between a closed orientation to prevent toner from passing from the cartridge and into the image forming device, and an open orientation to allow toner to pass. A biasing mechanism is operatively connected to the shutter and the body of the cartridge. The biasing mechanism urges the shutter towards one of the open and closed orientations.