US 5,472,026 AGranted

Toner loading system having a swiveling extendible filler snout

AssigneeT.B.S. Printware Corporation

InventorsKarl L. Herbst, Peter B. Simons

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A system for loading toner into a large capacity printer and copier machines includes a base adapter with a swiveling filler snout for receiving and latching onto a spout of a large toner container. The axis of filler snout is oriented at angle .PHI. with respect to its swivel axis which in turn is tilted at angle .PHI. with respect to the vertical. Accordingly, the filler swivels between a retracted stow position where the filler snout extends vertically over the base adapter and an extended position where the snout tilts at angle 2.PHI. from the vertical for receiving and latching onto the spout of the toner container. The spout of the toner container and the mouth of the filler snout have mating surfaces facilitating latching of the container spout within the snout.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A system for loading toner into a toner hopper of toner printer and copier machines comprising in combination:

a) a toner container filled with toner formed having a spout with a conically tapering exterior shoulder surface having a flat cord section,
b) a removable lid having a displaceable diaphragm closing the spout,
c) a base adapter providing an annular platform oriented with an axis tilted relative to a horizontal plane at an angle of 90.degree.-.PHI. for establishing a fluid coupling to the toner hopper of such machines, and
d) a filler snout coupled to the base adapter in fluid communication with the toner hopper having a cylindrical mouth with a longitudinal axis oriented at angle .PHI. relative to the tilted axis of the annular platform, the filler snout being mounted for swiveling about the tilted axis of the annular platform from a stow position where the cylindrical mouth of the snout is oriented vertically to an extended position where the cylindrical mouth of the snout tilts outward from a vertical side of such machines at angle 2.PHI. for receiving the spout of the toner container, the cylindrical mouth of the filler snout having a conically flared opening with a flat cord section configured for mating with the conically tapering exterior shoulder surface and flat cord section of the spout of the toner container.

1 more element

A filler snout assembly attachable to printer and copier machines for receiving an outlet a toner container, comprising, in combination:

a) a cylindrical base housing having an axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end adapted to be mounted on the machine;
b) an annular platform extending from the cylindrical housing at an oblique angle from the axis;
c) a ring flange formed coaxially with the platform;
and
d) a filler snout mounted on the ring flange for swiveling from a stow position where the filler snout extends vertically upward from the annular platform to a load position where the filler snout extends beyond the distal end of the base housing adapted to receive the outlet of the toner container.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/270,754Filed 5 Jul 1994
Granted: 5 Dec 1995
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G03G 15/0865
Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer: arrangements for supplying new developer
G03G 15/087
Cylindrical developer cartridges, e.g. toner bottles for the developer replenishing opening: developer cartridges having a longitudinal rotational…
G03G 2215/0673
Having a longitudinal rotational axis, around which at least one part is rotated when mounting or using the cartridge: generally vertically…
G03G 2215/0678
Having a longitudinal rotational axis, around which at least one part is rotated when mounting or using the cartridge: bottle shaped container…