Toner cartridge hopper with labyrinth channels for releasing air while trapping toner in cartridge
US6931224B2 · kind B2 · utility
6Cited by
1References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/066
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A vent integral with the top surface of toner hopper (5) having three labyrinth channels (3a-3c) oriented in one direction and three labyrinth channels (3d-3f) oriented in an orthogonal direction. Each labyrinth communicates with the inside of the hopper by a hole (13a-13f) and the end of each labyrinth communicates with filter pad (7) held in a basin (11) formed in the top surface of hopper (5). Cover (9) closes the vent except for hole (15) over the center of pad (7).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.