Toner cartridge

US6459876B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Lexmark International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John Andrew Buchanan · Lexington, US
• Chris Anthony Burdette · Lexington, US
• Philip Scot Carter · Palo Alto, US
• John William Kietzman · Lexington, US
• Benjamin Keith Newman · Lexington, US
• Matthew Lee Rogers · Los Gatos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 18, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 1, 2002
• Expiry date: Jul 18, 2021

Classification

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

Abstract

A toner cartridge for use in a laser printer has a toner reservoir or hopper in which a first paddle rotates about a fixed first axis to sweep most of the toner volume of the cartridge to agitate and push the toner out of the toner reservoir or hopper through an exit port. A second paddle is pivotally mounted on the first paddle to sweep a volume of the toner reservoir or hopper in which a portion of the longitudinal wall of the toner reservoir or hopper of the toner cartridge is non-circular so as to produce a reduced cross section in the toner reservoir or hopper. The second paddle also initially engages the curved portion of the inner surface of the longitudinal wall of the toner reservoir or hopper and preferably has a tear drop cross section.