US 5,396,316 A · User-replaceable liquid toner cartridge with integral pump and valve mechanisms

Abstract

A user-replaceable liquid toner cartridge fits into a receptacle in an EP printer. The receptacle includes automatic fluid and mechanical connectors that mate with the cartridge upon its insertion. The cartridge includes a liquid toner supply reservoir, a pump connected to an outlet from the reservoir; a mechanical coupling that automatically engages a pump actuator that extends from the receptacle; and a three-port valve. The three-port valve is connected to an output from the pump and has a first port that communicates with the reservoir and a second port that communicates with an external wall of the cartridge. The fluid connector automatically connects to a fluid fitting in the receptacle upon insertion of the cartridge. The fluid fitting in the receptacle also automatically operates the valve in the cartridge and redirects liquid toner flow from a recirculation path to the cartridge's reservoir and directs it into the receptacle's fluid fitting.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A replaceable liquid toner cartridge for an electrophotographic (EP) apparatus, said EP apparatus including a receptacle for receiving said liquid toner cartridge and including at least fluid connection means and a pump operating means, said liquid toner cartridge comprising:

a reservoir for holding a supply of liquid toner;
pump means having an input connected from said reservoir, an output and means for engaging said pump operating means upon insertion of said cartridge into said receptacle;
and
valve means connected to said output from said pump means and having a first valve output communicating with said reservoir to enable recirculation of toner liquid from said pump means to said reservoir, and a second valve output in communication with an external wall of said cartridge for making connection with said fluid connection means to enable a feeding of said liquid toner to said EP apparatus when said cartridge is inserted into said receptacle.

1 more element

An electrophotographic (EP) apparatus which employs a liquid toner in an EP process, said EP apparatus comprising:

at least one receptacle for receiving a liquid toner cartridge, said receptacle including a used toner coupling, a new toner coupling, and pump actuating means;
and
a removable liquid toner cartridge, including a reservoir for holding a supply of liquid toner, inlet port means communicating with said reservoir and positioned to mate with said used toner coupling when said cartridge is positioned in said receptacle, pump means having an input from said reservoir, an output, and means for engaging said pump actuating means upon insertion of said cartridge into said receptacle, and valve means connected to said output from said pump means and having a first valve output communicating with said reservoir to enable recirculation of toner liquid from said pump means to said reservoir, and a second valve output in communication with an external wall of said cartridge, said second valve output for making connection with said new toner coupling and feeding liquid toner to said EP apparatus when said cartridge is inserted into said receptacle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

User-replaceable liquid toner cartridge with integral pump and valve mechanisms

Life of this patent

User-replaceable liquid toner cartridge with integral pump and valve mechanisms

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11