Image forming machine having a verifiably openable sump shutter assembly

Abstract

A residual toner collecting system is provided in an electrostatographic reproduction machine. The collecting system includes units within the reproduction machine for generating waste or residual toner; members within the machine defining an elongate loading aperture for a removable cartridge, and a fixed position interference member adjacent the loading aperture. The collecting system also includes an elongate cartridge unit for removably loading into the loading aperture, and a residual toner collecting sump assembly connected to an externally directed end of the cartridge unit for receiving residual toner from the residual toner generating units. The collecting sump assembly includes a frame defining a visible end cavity, and a top wall defining a chamber for holding residual toner. The collecting sump assembly also includes an opening into the chamber, and a shutter assembly pivotably mounted to the top wall over the opening. The shutter assembly includes a generally flat shutter plate that is directly engageable by the interference member upon loading of the cartridge unit into the loading aperture. The shutter plate is automatically movable pivotably from a closed non-visible position, into an open position in the visible end cavity so as to be open and verifiably visible.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.