Toner cartridge having a shutter lock mechanism

US9031451B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lexmark International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Darrell Stephen Rulon · Lexington, US
• John Andrew Buchanan · Lexington, US
• James Anthany Carter, II · Lexington, US
• Gregory Alan Cavill · Winchester, US
• Mark Duane Foster · Lexington, US
• Benjamin Keith Newman · Lexington, US
• Matthew Lee Rogers · Los Gatos, US
• Keith Seaman · Lexington, US
• Christopher Gene Vowels · Bardstown, US
• Tyler Frederick Williams · Georgetown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 28, 2013
• Grant date: May 12, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 13, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G2215/0692
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An example toner cartridge includes a reservoir for containing toner and an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A shutter is positioned at the exit port and movable between an open position and a closed position. A first linkage member is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by a first engagement feature. A second linkage member is pivotally attached to a side wall of the housing and biased toward a home position. A third linkage member is movable with the second linkage member. When the second linkage member is in the home position, the third linkage member is in a blocking position preventing the first linkage member from opening the shutter. When the second linkage member pivots away from the home position, the third linkage member moves to a non-blocking position permitting the first linkage member to open the shutter.