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US 4,538,651 AGranted
Interlocked, clean loading toner cartridge
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorLarry W. Lykins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Two different type toners are packaged in a cartridge having reversible parts. Reversal of the parts, as the two different toners are packaged, insures use of the correct toner in the correct one of two different electrophotographic reproduction devices.
Claims13
A traveling-fold sealed toner cartridge selectively containing toner "A" or toner "B", for use with reproduction devices "A" or "B", respectively, comprising:
- a cartridge housing having a first end wall and a second oppositely disposed end wall, having interlock means insuring use of the proper toner with the proper reproduction device such that said first end wall faces a given direction when toner "A" is mounted on reproduction device "A", and said second end wall faces said given direction when toner "B" is mounted on reproduction device "B", and having an opening through which toner exits the housing;
- and
- a removable traveling-fold seal strip which includes a folded-back handle portion to facilitate removal of the seal strip, said seal strip being capable of closing said housing opening in one of two different 180.degree. rotated positions relative said interlock means and said end walls, such that said handle portion is exposed for seal removal only when a toner "A" cartridge is mounted on reproduction device "A", and vice versa.
A method for fabricating a toner replenishing system which selectively contains either toner "A" or toner "B", comprising:
- providing a box-shaped housing, including a toner-filling opening, and a toner-dump opening;
- providing side-disposed interlock means on said housing, adapted to cooperate with an electrophotographic device with which the selected toner is to be used;
- providing a traveling-fold seal including a manual handle portion, having symmetry to said toner-dump opening;
- and
- sealing said toner-dump opening with said seal oriented in one fashion when said housing is to contain toner "A", and sealing said toner-dump opening with said seal oriented in a 180.degree. rotated fashion when said housing is to contain toner "B", to thereby place the handle portion of said seal at one end of said housing in said one fashion of seal orientation, and to place the handle portion at the other end of said housing in said 180.degree. rotated fashion of seal orientation.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.