Method and device for eliminating toner leakage from a toner cartridge

A toner cartridge, for use with a copier having a toner hopper with a first interlocking sealing means, comprising:

• a) a plurality of side walls forming a cavity adapted to hold toner;
• b) a second interlocking sealing means, said second interlocking sealing means,
• i) being formed on a bottom portion of each of said plurality of side walls, and
• ii) being specially adapted to mate with said first interlocking sealing means of said toner hopper;
• c) a plurality of movable panels, said plurality of movable panels being disposed at the bottom portion of the toner cartridge;
• d) a hinge, said hinge adapted to pivotally attach at least one of said plurality of movable panels to a bottom portion of said toner cartridge;
• e) a means for sealing said plurality of movable panels;
• f) a long, thin, flexible member, said long, thin, flexible member having a first end and a second end exiting through an opening in said toner cartridge;
• and
• g) a plurality of filament segments, each having a first end attached to said first end of said long, thin, flexible member and a second end attached to a corresponding one of said plurality of movable panels.

A method for installing a toner cartridge including a plurality of side walls forming a cavity adapted to hold toner, a first interlocking sealing means, said first interlocking sealing means being formed on a bottom portion of each of said plurality of side walls, a movable panel being disposed at the bottom portion of the toner cartridge, a hinge adapted to pivotally attach said movable panel to a bottom portion of one of said plurality of side walls, a means for sealing said movable panel and a filament having a first end attached to said movable panel and a second end exiting through an opening in said toner cartridge onto a toner hopper having a second interlocking sealing means comprising steps of:

• a) mounting said toner cartridge onto said toner hopper so as to interlock said second interlocking sealing means with said first interlocking sealing means;
• b) removing said means for sealing said movable panel;
• and
• c) manipulating said second end of said filament so as to permit said movable panel to pivot about said hinge toward said toner hopper.

An arrangement comprising:

• a) a toner cartridge, said toner cartridge including:
• i) a plurality of side walls, said plurality of side walls
• including two opposing side walls, and
• defining a bottom opening;
• and
• ii) an axis, said axis
• extending between said two opposing side walls slightly above the bottom opening;
• and
• iii) a movable panel, said movable panel
• adapted to rotate about said axis, and
• having an opened state and a closed state;
• and
• b) a toner hopper, said toner hopper
• adapted to receive said toner cartridge, and
• including a mechanical interlock, said mechanical interlock
• including
• an axial portion,
• a first rod extension, and
• a second rod extension, said second rod extension being longer than said first rod extension, and
• having a first state and a second state
• wherein, when said toner hopper receives said toner cartridge and when said mechanical interlock is in said first state, said first rod extension contacts said movable panel such that said movable panel assumes said closed state, and wherein, when said toner hopper receives said toner cartridge and when said mechanical interlock is in said second state, said second rod extension contacts said movable panel such that said movable panel assumes said opened state.

An arrangement comprising:

• a) a toner cartridge including a bottom interlock section, said bottom interlock section including,
• i) a first rectangular extension having an outer length and width, and
• ii) a first rectangular flange, located adjacent to, and along the outer periphery of said first rectangular extension;
• and
• b) a toner hopper, said toner hopper
• i) adapted to receive said toner cartridge, and
• ii) including a top interlock section, said top interlock section including,
• a second rectangular extension having an inner length and width substantially equal to said outer length and width, respectively, of said first rectangular extension, and
• a second rectangular flange, located adjacent to, and along the inner periphery of said second rectangular extension.

An arrangement comprising:

• a) a toner cartridge, said toner cartridge
• i) adapted to hold toner,
• ii) including a first interlocking sealing means, and
• iii) including a movable panel having an open state and a closed state;
• b) a toner hopper, said toner hopper
• i) including a second interlocking sealing means adapted to form a sealed toner pathway with said first sealing means;
• and
• c) a means for changing a state of said movable panel.

A toner cartridge adapted to hold toner comprising:

• a) a plurality of side walls forming a cavity adapted to hold said toner;
• and
• b) a bottom surface, said bottom surface including,
• i) a peripheral area defining an opening and including female locking surfaces,
• ii) a movable panel, said movable panel having an open state in which said toner is permitted to flow through said opening and a closed state in which said toner is held within the toner cavity.