Toner cartridge having encoded wheel
US6169860A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2221/1838
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
One aspect of the invention is directed to a toner cartridge including a sump for carrying a supply of toner. An agitator is rotatably mounted in the sump, and the agitator has a first end and a second end. An encoded wheel is coupled to the first end of the agitator. The encoded wheel is structured and adapted to include a first preselected cartridge characteristic indicia having a first extent, a stop indicia having a second extent larger than the first extent and a start indicia having a third extent larger than the second extent. Each indicia may be in the form of a slot. Preferably, the start indicia is positioned between about a 5:00 o'clock position and a 6:00 o'clock position. The stop indicia is positioned at about a 9:00 o'clock position. At least one preselected cartridge characteristic indicia is positioned between the start indicia and the stop indicia. At least one measurement indicia is located between about 200 degrees and about 230 degrees in a clockwise direction from the 6:00 o'clock position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.