Back to results
US 5,669,044 AGranted
Article and method for dispensing toner and the like
AssigneeNashua Corporation
InventorLaura Cuthbert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeNashua Corporation
InventorLaura Cuthbert
Estimating the term…
An article for dispensing toner and the like to an electrophotographic copier. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the article has a generally cylindrical housing with an open end and a closed end, the open end having a flanged collar adjacent thereto. The collar is provided with outwardly extending teeth for enabling the article's rotation upon driving engagement with a dispensing device of the copier. The article open end further comprises a lip and flange portions which loosely secure a ring thereto. Upon mounting the article to the dispensing device, serrated edges about the ring engage a receptacle of the device so as to limit ring movement relative to the receptacle, while allowing rotation of the canister. The ring also has lip portions configured for minimizing spillage of toner, upon removal of the canister from the receptacle.
An article for dispensing toner and the like to an electrophotographic copier, the article comprising a generally cylindrical housing with an open end and a closed end, the open end having a flanged collar adjacent thereto, the collar having outwardly extending teeth for enabling the article's rotation upon driving engagement with a dispensing device of the copier, the article open end further comprising a lip and flange portions which loosely secure a ring thereto, the ring having edges configured for engaging a receptacle of the dispensing device so as to limit ring movement relative to the receptacle, while allowing rotation of the article, the ring also having lip portions configured for minimizing spillage of toner upon removal of the article from the receptacle.
A method of dispensing toner and the like to an electrophotographic copier, the method comprising the steps of:
In combination, a toner dispensing device and article for dispensing toner to an electrophotographic copier, the article comprising a generally cylindrical housing with an open end and a closed end, the open end having a flanged collar adjacent thereto, the collar having outwardly extending teeth for enabling the article's rotation upon driving engagement with a dispensing device of the copier, the article open end further comprising a lip and flange portions which loosely secure a ring thereto, the ring having edges configured for engaging a receptacle of the dispensing device so as to limit ring movement relative to the receptacle, while allowing rotation of the article, the ring also having lip portions configured for minimizing spillage of toner upon removal of the canister from the receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.