US 8,948,659 B2 · Shutter for a developer unit for use with an image forming device

Abstract

A unit for use with a removable toner cartridge of an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An inlet port is positioned to receive toner from the toner cartridge. The inlet port is connected to the reservoir to allow the toner received from the toner cartridge to enter the reservoir. A shutter is slidably movable between a closed position and an open position. A biasing member biases the shutter toward the closed position. The shutter includes a first engagement surface positioned to receive a first engagement member of the toner cartridge to begin to open the shutter as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device. The shutter also includes a second engagement surface positioned to receive a second engagement member of the toner cartridge to move the shutter a remaining distance to the open position.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A unit for use with a removable toner cartridge of an image forming device, comprising:

a housing having a reservoir for holding toner;
an inlet port positioned to receive toner from the toner cartridge, the inlet port being connected to the reservoir to allow the toner received from the toner cartridge to enter the reservoir;
a shutter slidably movable between a closed position blocking the inlet port and an open position unblocking the inlet port;
and
a biasing member biasing the shutter toward the closed position;
wherein the shutter includes a first engagement surface positioned to receive a first engagement member of the toner cartridge to begin to move the shutter from the closed position to the open position as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device and a second engagement surface positioned to receive a second engagement member of the toner cartridge to move the shutter a remaining distance to the open position as the toner cartridge is inserted further in the image forming device.

3 more elements

A developer unit for use with a removable toner cartridge of an image forming device, comprising:

a housing having a reservoir for holding toner;
a developer roll rotatably positioned in the housing for transferring toner to a photoconductive drum of the image forming device;
an inlet port positioned to receive toner from the toner cartridge, the inlet port being connected to the reservoir to allow the toner received from the toner cartridge to enter the reservoir;
a shutter slidably movable between a closed position blocking the inlet port and an open position unblocking the inlet port;
a biasing member biasing the shutter toward the closed position;
an engagement surface at an edge of the shutter positioned to receive a first engagement member of the toner cartridge to begin to move the shutter from the closed position to the open position as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device;
and
an arm extending from a side portion of the shutter positioned to receive a second engagement member of the toner cartridge to move the shutter a remaining distance to the open position as the toner cartridge is inserted further in the image forming device.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shutter for a developer unit for use with an image forming device

Life of this patent

Shutter for a developer unit for use with an image forming device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17