Toner loading system
US6421518B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0678
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A toner loading system for an image forming apparatus includes a valve for a toner bottle and a valve opening member on a toner hopper of the image forming apparatus. The valve includes a first valve member non-rotatably secured to an opening of the toner bottle and a second valve member rotatably secured to the first valve member. The first and second valve members each include tabs and apertures. When the tabs of the first and second valve members are aligned the apertures of the first and second valve members do not overlap and no toner may be dispensed from the toner bottle. The toner bottle is engaged with the valve opening member on the toner hopper to dispense the toner. The valve opening member prevents rotation of the second valve member with respect to the hopper and permits rotation of the first valve member and the toner bottle with respect to the toner hopper. Rotation of the first valve member relative to the second valve member in a first direction causes the tabs to move out of alignment and the aperture of the first valve member to overlap the aperture of the second valve member, allowing dispensing of the toner. The valve opening member prevents disengagement of t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.