Venting plug in toner cartridge

US5758231A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Lexmark International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Johnnie Coffey · Winchester, US
• Steven Alan Curry · Nicholasville, US
• Robert Flynt Strean · Lexington, US
• Earl Dawson Ward, II · Richmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 1996
• Grant date: May 26, 1998
• Expiry date: Dec 20, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G2221/183
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Hopper plug (143) vents out air pressure build-up which cause toner leaks. One side of the plug has a series of entrance openings (491) which communicate with the inside of the hopper (61). Air, potentially containing some toner particles, passes through those openings and enters a first chamber (507). The first chamber has exit holes (499) which do not face the entrance openings. Air passing through the exit holes of the first chamber enters a second chamber (509). The second chamber has exit holes (495) which are at the opposite end and do not face the entrance openings. Third chamber (511) of this labyrinth faces a mat toner filter (501) which leads to exit holes (503).