Volumetric toner cartridge having driven toner platform

US9063460B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lexmark International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey Alan Abler · Georgetown, US
• Jonathan Hill · Richmond, US
• Benjamin Erich Kant · Lexington, US
• Matthew Thomas Martinkovic · Lexington, US
• Robert Watson McAlpine · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 14, 2012
• Grant date: Jun 23, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 21, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G2215/0802
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A toner cartridge for an imaging apparatus having a housing including two opposed end walls and an elongated body therebetween and an exit port. An inner surface of the body defines a toner reservoir that is communication with the exit port. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing. A toner platform is provided in slidable contact with the inner surface of the body and is nonrotatable relative to the housing. A drive shaft coupling couples the toner platform to the drive shaft. An exit paddle is positioned adjacent the exit port and is rotatable by the drive shaft. Rotation of the drive shaft translates the toner platform toward the exit port and rotates the exit paddle. As the toner platform moves, toner within the reservoir moves toward the exit paddle and exit port and rotation of the exit paddle moves toner through the exit port.