Toner rake assembly with static tines for improved toner raking
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorDarren Adam Keese
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A toner rake assembly for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a spine movable in a reciprocating manner along a length of the spine, a plurality of first projections from the spine that are movable with the spine, and a plurality of second projections from a fixed surface adjacent to the spine. The plurality of first projections are movable relative to the plurality of second projections when the spine moves in the reciprocating manner. The plurality of second projections are positioned above the plurality of first projections such that heaps of toner that form above the plurality of first projections are pushed against one or more of the plurality of second projections when the spine moves in the reciprocating manner.
Claims20
A toner rake assembly for an image forming device, comprising:
- a spine movable in a reciprocating manner along a length of the spine;
- a plurality of first projections from the spine that are movable with the spine;
- and
- a plurality of second projections from a fixed surface adjacent to the spine such that the plurality of first projections are movable relative to the plurality of second projections when the spine moves in the reciprocating manner, the plurality of second projections are positioned above the plurality of first projections such that heaps of toner that form above the plurality of first projections are pushed against one or more of the plurality of second projections when the spine moves in the reciprocating manner.
A toner rake assembly for an image forming device, comprising:
- a spine movable in a reciprocating manner along a length of the spine;
- a plurality of rake tines extending from the spine and movable with the spine;
- and
- a plurality of static tines extending toward the spine, the plurality of rake tines are movable relative to the plurality of static tines when the spine moves in the reciprocating manner, the plurality of static tines are positioned above the plurality of rake tines and an imaginary vertical plane extending along the length of the spine intersects the plurality of static tines and the plurality of rake tines.
A waste toner container for an image forming device, comprising:
- a housing having a reservoir for storing toner and an inlet for receiving toner;
- a spine positioned within the reservoir and movable in a reciprocating manner along a length of the spine;
- a plurality of rake tines extending from the spine and movable with the spine;
- and
- a plurality of static tines extending from a fixed surface toward the spine, the plurality of rake tines extending toward the fixed surface, the plurality of rake tines are movable relative to the fixed surface and the plurality of static tines when the spine moves in the reciprocating manner, the plurality of static tines are positioned lower than the inlet and above the plurality of rake tines for breaking down toner heaps between the plurality of rake tines and the inlet when the spine moves in the reciprocating manner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.