Toner cartridge for use in an image forming device

US9658590B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lexmark International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Benjer Albaran Acosta · Kiamba, PH
• James Anthany Carter, II · Lexington, US
• Gary Neal Hackney · Georgetown, US
• Katrina Rosit Lactuan · Balamban, PH
• James Richard Leemhuis · Lexington, US
• Keith Seaman · Lexington, US
• Bryan Christopher Scharf · Richmond, US
• Matthew Lee Rogers · Los Gatos, US
• Christohper Gene Vowels · Bardstown, US
• Jason Paul Hale · Pembroke Pines, US
• Mark William Amann · Lexington, US
• Benjamin Keith Newman · Lexington, US
• Harald Portig · Versailles, US
• Rodney Evan Sproul · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2016
• Grant date: May 23, 2017
• Expiry date: Nov 30, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G2221/166
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing defining a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A first alignment guide is positioned on the first side of the housing and a second alignment guide positioned on the second side of the housing. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir out of the exit port includes a main interface gear. A portion of the main interface gear is exposed on the front of the housing at a second side of the housing above the second alignment guide. A connector on the first side of the housing has a forward facing opening positioned above the first alignment guide. Electrical contacts are positioned within the connector and are accessible through the forward facing opening.