US 2014/0369719 A1 · Venting System for a Toner Cartridge for use with an Image Forming Device

Abstract

A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. The toner cartridge includes a first vent having an inlet opening positioned to receive air from outside the housing, an outlet opening positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the outlet opening to the inlet opening. A check valve limits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:

a housing having a reservoir for storing toner;
a first vent having an inlet opening positioned to receive air from outside the housing, an outlet opening positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the outlet opening to the inlet opening;
and
a check valve that limits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

1 more element

A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:

a housing having a reservoir for storing toner;
a first vent having an inlet opening on an outer side of a wall of the housing positioned to receive air from outside the housing, an outlet opening on an inner side of the wall of the housing positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the outlet opening to the inlet opening;
and
a check valve that is open to the inlet opening in a normal operating position of the check valve permitting air to enter the inlet opening and the check valve closes the inlet opening when the airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening exceeds a threshold amount.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/320,726Filed 1 Jul 2014

Priority

14 Jun 2013

Published

18 Dec 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G03G 15/0877
Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer: arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer…
G03G 15/0865
Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer: arrangements for supplying new developer
G03G 15/0896
Using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer: arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by…
G03G 15/0875
Arrangements for supplying new developer: cartridges having a box like shape

Family

Application61/834,903Us provisional application · filed 14 Jun 2013

Application13/936,425Continuation in part · filed 8 Jul 2013

Application14/320,726Continuation in part

US 8,774,685 B1Related patent

US 9,128,412 B2Related patent

US 2014/0369719 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Venting System for a Toner Cartridge for use with an Image Forming Device

Life of this patent

Venting System for a Toner Cartridge for use with an Image Forming Device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17