Cartridge with slide mechanism for dispensing toner
AssigneeNu-kote International, Inc.
InventorsBren R. Smith, Donald E. Snyder, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A toner cartridge dispenses toner for a printing apparatus. The cartridge comprises a housing having an internal cavity and a series of openings through a sidewall of the housing. An axially reciprocating slide includes a series of openings that are selectively aligned with the housing openings to discharge toner from the cavity. An agitating mechanism operates within the cavity and in response to paper advancement through the printing apparatus to facilitate discharge of toner from the cartridge.
Claims34
A cartridge adapted to dispense toner for a printing apparatus, the cartridge comprising:
- a generally elongated hollow housing closed at opposite ends by first and second end caps and defining therewith an internal cavity adapted to hold toner therein, the housing including at least one opening therethrough that communicates with the cavity for selectively dispensing toner to the printing apparatus;
- a slide disposed adjacent the housing for selectively covering and exposing the housing opening to dispense toner from the cavity;
- and,
- means for selectively axially moving the slide between covered and exposed positions in response to rotation of the first end cap relative to the housing.
A cartridge for selectively dispensing toner to an associated printer apparatus, the cartridge comprising:
- an elongated hollow housing having a generally cylindrical sidewall and first and second end caps closing opposite ends of the sidewall and defining a cavity, openings formed in the sidewall communicating with the cavity;
- a slide disposed adjacent the sidewall openings and including openings that are selectively aligned therewith to permit passage of toner from the cavity through the slide and housing;
- means for axially reciprocating the slide and selectively aligning the openings in the housing and slide;
- and,
- a cage assembly disposed in the cavity and adapted for rotation relative to the sidewall to agitate toner in the cavity.
A cartridge for selectively dispensing toner to an associated printer apparatus, the cartridge comprising:
- an elongated hollow housing having a generally cylindrical sidewall and first and second end caps closing opposite ends of the sidewall and defining a cavity, openings formed in the sidewall communicating with the cavity;
- a slide disposed adjacent the sidewall openings and including openings that are selectively aligned therewith to permit passage of toner from the cavity through the slide and housing;
- a cooperating pin and slot arrangement for reciprocating the slide and selectively aligning the openings in the housing and slide, one of the pin and slot being defined in the first end cap and the other of the pin and slot being defined in the slide;
- and
- an agitator for stirring toner in the cavity.
A cartridge adapted to dispense toner for a printing apparatus, the cartridge comprising:
- a generally elongated hollow housing closed at opposite ends by first and second end caps and defining therewith an internal cavity adapted to hold toner therein, the housing including at least one opening therethrough that communicates with the cavity for selectively dispensing toner to the printing apparatus;
- a slide disposed adjacent the housing for selectively covering and exposing the housing opening to dispense toner from the cavity;
- and,
- an actuator member that selectively axially moves the slide between covered and exposed positions in response to rotation of the first end cap relative to the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.