Toner cartridge having a shutter lock mechanism

A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device having an imaging unit separate from the toner cartridge removably installed therein, the toner cartridge comprising:

• a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein, the housing having an exit port on a front portion of the housing in fluid communication with the reservoir;
• a shutter positioned at the exit port that is movable between an open position to permit toner from the reservoir to pass out of the exit port and a closed position to prevent toner from passing out of the exit port, the shutter being biased toward the closed position;
• a linkage operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by an engagement feature on the image forming device, the linkage including a first linkage member and a second linkage member, a first end of the first linkage member including a first engagement surface exposed to an exterior of a rear portion of the housing to receive the engagement feature on the image forming device, a second end of the first linkage member overlapping with a first end of the second linkage member, and a second end of the second linkage member being connected to the shutter;
• and
• a rotatable interlock member pivotally attached to a side wall of the housing, the rotatable interlock member having:
• a first leg extending radially from a pivot axis of the rotatable interlock member and operatively engaged with the second linkage member;
• and
• a second leg extending radially from the pivot axis of the rotatable interlock member, the second leg including a second engagement surface exposed to an exterior of the front portion of the housing to receive an engagement feature on the imaging unit,
• wherein the rotatable interlock member is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position and biased toward the locked position, when the rotatable member is in the locked position the second linkage member is clear of a catch on the first linkage member so that the first linkage member is free to move relative to the second linkage member upon actuation of the first linkage member by the engagement feature on the image forming device without opening the shutter, and when the rotatable interlock member is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position upon being actuated by the engagement feature on the imaging unit the first leg of the rotatable interlock member raises the second linkage member into the path of the catch on the first linkage member so that actuation of the first linkage member by the engagement feature on the image forming device causes the first linkage member to engage the second linkage member causing the second linkage member to move with the first linkage member to open the shutter.