Abstract: A unit for use with a removable toner cartridge of an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An inlet port is positioned to receive toner from the toner cartridge. The inlet port is connected to the reservoir to allow the toner received from the toner cartridge to enter the reservoir. A shutter is slidably movable between a closed position and an open position. A biasing member biases the shutter toward the closed position. The shutter includes a first engagement surface positioned to receive a first engagement member of the toner cartridge to begin to open the shutter as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device. The shutter also includes a second engagement surface positioned to receive a second engagement member of the toner cartridge to move the shutter a remaining distance to the open position.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet port is positioned on the front of the housing for transferring toner from the reservoir to the developer unit through an inlet port on the developer unit. A first engagement member projecting from the front of the housing is positioned to provide an initial force to begin to open a shutter on the inlet port of the developer unit as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device. A second engagement member projecting from the front of the housing is spaced toward one of the sides of the housing from the first engagement member and positioned to provide a force to continue to open the shutter on the inlet port of the developer unit as the toner cartridge is inserted further in the image forming device.

Abstract: A toner container including a first electrode disposed within the toner container, a second electrode electrically connected to the first electrode and disposed within the toner container, and a sense electrode disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The sense electrode and the first electrode form a first capacitor having a first capacitance that changes in response to a change in toner amount existing therebetween.

Abstract: A rotating cover on the developer unit of an imaging apparatus to prevent toner leaks from the toner entry port of the developer unit. When installing a toner cartridge, the cartridge contacts a surface to cause the cover to rotate to an open position, thereby exposing the toner port for receiving toner. Conversely, when the toner cartridge is removed the cover is rotated into a closed position with the aid of a torsion spring so as to seal the toner entry port of the developer unit.

Abstract: A printer cartridge is provided that allows a charge roller to be separated from a photoconductive drum when the printer cartridge is not used within an image forming device. The printer cartridge includes the photoconductive drum, the charge roller, and a separating member having a resilient member disposed thereon with the separating member being disposed on the charge roller. The separating member engages and disengages the photoconductive drum in a first position and in a second position. The first position provides a spaced relationship between the charge roller and the photoconductive drum and the second position provides an engaged relationship between the charge roller and the photoconductive drum. The printer cartridge also includes the photoconductive drum disposed adjacent to the charge roller in an offset orientation that includes a centerline of a charge roller shaft offset by a predetermined distance from a centerline of a photoconductive drum shaft.

Abstract: A toner seal comprises a j-shaped seal having an upper seat portion and a leg portion, the leg having a front face extending between first and second edges of said leg portion, a lip seal extending along at least one of the first and second edges of the leg, and, the lip seal having a length extending from the upper seat portion along the leg.

Abstract: A printer cartridge is provided that allows a charge roller to be separated from a photoconductive drum when the printer cartridge is not used within an image forming device. The printer cartridge includes the photoconductive drum, the charge roller, and a separating member having a resilient member disposed thereon with the separating member being disposed on the charge roller. The separating member engages and disengages the photoconductive drum in a first position and in a second position. The first position provides a spaced relationship between the charge roller and the photoconductive drum and the second position provides an engaged relationship between the charge roller and the photoconductive drum. The printer cartridge also includes the photoconductive drum disposed adjacent to the charge roller in an offset orientation that includes a centerline of a charge roller shaft offset by a predetermined distance from a centerline of a photoconductive drum shaft.

Abstract: A skirt for a toner cartridge comprises a body having a pair of parallel edges, a plurality of beams extending along the body in the direction of the pair of parallel edges, the beams having a first end dimension B, the beams having a second end dimension b, the plurality of beams having tapered edges between the first end and the second end defining a ratio R defined by dimensions b/B being from about 0 to 0.9 for inhibiting creep deflection.

Abstract: A doctor blade for a printer may include a cantilever spring. The free end of the cantilever spring includes a section with a first bend in one direction and a second bend in the opposite direction. Thus, a bump end may be formed which has a surface which is generally tangential to the surface of a developer roll against which the doctor blade is biased.

Abstract: The present application is directed to devices to move toner within a toner reservoir of an image forming apparatus. The devices may include an elongated auger with a helical blade to move the toner. A gutter may be positioned adjacent to the auger and include a bottom section positioned vertically below the auger and a sidewall that extends upward along a lateral side of the auger. Apertures may be positioned along the bottom section of the gutter.

Abstract: A toner seal comprises a j-shaped seal having an upper seat portion and a leg portion, the leg having a front face extending between first and second edges of said leg portion, a lip seal extending along at least one of the first and second edges of the leg, and, the lip seal having a length extending from the upper seat portion along the leg.

Abstract: A skirt for a toner cartridge comprises a body having a pair of parallel edges, a plurality of beams extending along the body in the direction of the pair of parallel edges, the beams having a first end dimension B, the beams having a second end dimension b, the plurality of beams having tapered edges between the first end and the second end defining a ratio R defined by dimensions b/B being from about 0 to 0.9 for inhibiting creep deflection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method that is capable of adjusting the position of a developing agent metering device. Developing agent may therefore be metered in an image forming device.

Abstract: A device to regulate toner within an image forming apparatus. The regulating member has a first section and a toner regulating edge with at least one gap. The regulating member controls the amount of toner that is distributed on the surface of the toner developer roller by contacting the toner developing roller in a contact region. The gap, having at least one upper edge, may regulate toner on the toner developer roller near the contact region. The toner regulating device may prevent inadvertent toner marks that may appear on printed media.

Abstract: A waste toner removal system for an image forming device. The invention includes a mechanism for removing the waste toner from the cartridge and transporting it through a toner chute to a waste toner tank. One or more actuators within the device allow for the connection between the various elements to seal the waste toner path and prevent toner leakage. Methods of moving waste toner are also disclosed that include moving the waste toner through the cartridge and into a waste toner chute. The waste toner is moved through the chute and into a waste toner tank where it may be removed from the device.

Abstract: A device and method of connecting a cartridge unit to a door assembly of an image forming device. The door assembly includes a first mount having a first configuration, and a second mount having a second different configuration. The cartridge unit includes a first attachment for connecting to the first mount, and a second attachment for connecting to the second mount. The cartridge unit is connected and does not become disengaged when the door assembly moves between open and closed orientations. Method of using the attachments are also disclosed that include mounting one of the attachments to the corresponding mount, and then moving the cartridge unit to mount the other attachment to the other mount.

Abstract: An ink jet maintenance station for an ink jet printer with radially arranged printheads around a print drum. The maintenance station is located axially outward of the print drum, and includes a cylinder with caps and wipers at the cylinder periphery. A cam system operates upon rotation of the cylinders to elevate the caps into sealing relationship with the printhead nozzle plates. The nozzle plates are wiped by rotation of the cylinder to sweep the wipers across the nozzle plates. During non-service periods, the maintenance station does not interfere with printer carriage movement.

Abstract: An ink jet maintenance station for an ink jet printer with radially arranged printheads around a print drum. The maintenance station is located axially outward of the print drum, and includes a cylinder with caps and wipers at the cylinder periphery. A cam system operates upon rotation of the cylinders to elevate the caps into sealing relationship with the printhead nozzle plates. The nozzle plates are wiped by rotation of the cylinder to sweep the wipers across the nozzle plates. During non-service periods, the maintenance station does not interfere with printer carriage movement.