Lexmark : Patent Issued for Toner Cartridge Having a Shutter Lock ….

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Lexmark : Patent Issued for Toner Cartridge Having a Shutter Lock Mechanism
By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Journal of Engineering — Lexmark International, Inc. (Lexington, KY) has been issued patent number 8682213, according to news reporting originating out of Alexandria, Virginia, by VerticalNews editors.

The patent's inventors are Carter, James Anthany (Lexington, KY); Rogers, Matthew Lee (Lexington, KY); Newman, Benjamin Keith (Lexington, KY); Hackney, Gary Neal (Georgetown, KY); Seaman, Keith (Lexington, KY); Cavill, Gregory Alan (Winchester, KY); Vowels, Christopher Gene (Versailles, KY).

This patent was filed on December 30, 2011 and was published online on March 25, 2014.

From the background information supplied by the inventors, news correspondents obtained the following quote: "The present disclosure relates generally to toner cartridges used in electrophotographic image forming devices and, more particularly, to a toner cartridge having a shutter lock mechanism.

"In order to reduce the premature replacement of components traditionally housed within a toner cartridge for an image forming device, toner cartridge manufacturers have begun to separate components having a longer life from those having a shorter life into separate replaceable units. Relatively longer life components such as a developer roll, a toner adder roll, a doctor blade and a photoconductive drum are positioned in one replaceable unit (an 'imaging unit'). The image forming device's toner supply, which is consumed relatively quickly in comparison with the components housed in the imaging unit, is provided in a reservoir in a separate replaceable unit in the form of a toner cartridge that mates with the imaging unit. In this configuration, the number of components housed in the toner cartridge is reduced in comparison with traditional toner cartridges. As a result, in systems utilizing a separate toner cartridge and imaging unit, the toner cartridge is often referred to as a 'toner bottle' even though the toner cartridge is more complex than a mere bottle for holding toner.

"To deliver toner from the toner cartridge to the imaging unit, an auger in the toner cartridge may be used to feed toner from an exit port on the toner cartridge into an entrance port on the imaging unit and into a second auger that disperses the toner within the imaging unit. As the toner is drawn out of the toner cartridge, it is augured through a shutter used for sealing the exit port of the toner cartridge when it is not inserted in the printer. In order to prevent the undesired release of toner, the shutter preferably remains closed unless the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device. Accordingly, the shutter may be biased toward the closed position. As the toner cartridge reaches its final position in the image forming device, a pin or other type of projection on the image forming device may engage a catch on the toner cartridge and supply an opposing force to open the shutter. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,606,520, entitled 'Shutter for a Toner Cartridge for use with an Image Forming Device' and assigned to the assignee of the present invention provides an to example shutter mechanism.

"A problem may be experienced if a user accidentally releases toner from the cartridge by inadvertently actuating the shutter or by intentionally engaging the shutter catch without appreciating its purpose until it is too late. The released toner may fall from the toner cartridge and contact an area surrounding the image forming device or a user's clothing resulting in uncleanliness. Image forming devices having a separate toner cartridge and imaging unit present an additional concern. If the imaging unit is not present when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device and the cartridge's shutter is opened by the image forming device, any toner exiting the shutter will leak from the cartridge's exit port into the interior of the image forming device because the imaging unit is not there to receive it. When leaked toner falls into the internal portions of the image forming device, it can cause reliability issues and, in some cases, print defects. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that a mechanism that prevents the unwanted release of toner from the cartridge's shutter is desired."

Supplementing the background information on this patent, VerticalNews reporters also obtained the inventors' summary information for this patent: "A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device having an imaging unit separate from the toner cartridge removably installed therein according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port on a front portion of the housing in fluid communication with the reservoir. A shutter is positioned at the exit port that is movable between an open position to permit toner from the reservoir to pass out of the exit port and a closed position to prevent toner from passing out of the exit port. The shutter is biased toward the closed position. A linkage is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by an engagement feature on the image forming device. The linkage includes a first linkage member and a second linkage member. A first end of the first linkage member includes a first engagement surface exposed to an exterior of a rear portion of the housing to receive the engagement feature on the image forming device. A second end of the first linkage member overlaps with a first end of the second linkage member. A second end of the second linkage member is connected to the shutter. A rotatable interlock member is pivotally attached to a side wall of the housing. The rotatable interlock member has a first leg extending radially from a pivot axis of the rotatable interlock member and operatively engaged with the second linkage member. The rotatable interlock member also has a second leg extending radially from the pivot axis of the rotatable interlock member. The second leg includes a second to engagement surface exposed to an exterior of the front portion of the housing to receive an engagement feature on the imaging unit. The rotatable interlock member is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position and biased toward the locked position. When the rotatable member is in the locked position the second linkage member is clear of a catch on the first linkage member so that the first linkage member is free to move relative to the second linkage member upon actuation of the first linkage member by the engagement feature on the image forming device without opening the shutter. When the rotatable interlock member is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position upon being actuated by the engagement feature on the imaging unit the first leg of the rotatable interlock member raises the second linkage member into the path of the catch on the first linkage member so that actuation of the first linkage member by the engagement feature on the image forming device causes the first linkage member to engage the second linkage member causing the second linkage member to move with the first linkage member to open the shutter.

"A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device having an imaging unit separate from the toner cartridge removably installed therein according to another example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port on a front portion of the housing in fluid communication with the reservoir. A shutter is positioned at the exit port that is movable between an open position to permit toner from the reservoir to pass out of the exit port and a closed position to prevent toner from passing out of the exit port. The shutter is biased toward the closed position. A linkage is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by an engagement feature on the image forming device. The linkage includes a first linkage member and a second linkage member. A first end of the first linkage member includes a first engagement surface exposed to an exterior of a rear portion of the housing to receive the engagement feature on the image forming device. A second end of the first linkage member overlaps with a first end of the second linkage member. A second end of the second linkage member is connected to the shutter. A rotatable interlock member is pivotally attached to a side wall of the housing at a first end of the rotatable interlock member. The rotatable interlock member has an elongated body that extends from a pivot axis of the rotatable interlock member toward the front portion of the housing and a second end that includes a second engagement surface exposed to an exterior of the front portion of the housing to receive an engagement feature on the imaging unit. The rotatable interlock member is to rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position and biased toward the locked position. When the rotatable member is in the locked position, the second linkage member is clear of a catch on the first linkage member so that the first linkage member is free to move relative to the second linkage member upon actuation of the first linkage member by the engagement feature on the image forming device without opening the shutter. When the rotatable interlock member is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position upon being actuated by the engagement feature on the imaging unit, the rotatable interlock member raises the second linkage member into the path of the catch on the first linkage member so that actuation of the first linkage member by the engagement feature on the image forming device causes the first linkage member to engage the second linkage member causing the second linkage member to move with the first linkage member to open the shutter."

For the URL and additional information on this patent, see: Carter, James Anthany; Rogers, Matthew Lee; Newman, Benjamin Keith; Hackney, Gary Neal; Seaman, Keith; Cavill, Gregory Alan; Vowels, Christopher Gene. Toner Cartridge Having a Shutter Lock Mechanism. U.S. Patent Number 8682213, filed December 30, 2011, and published online on March 25, 2014. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=35&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1721&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=20140325.PD.&OS=ISD/20140325&RS=ISD/20140325

Lexmark : Patent Issued for Toner Cartridge Having a Shutter Lock Mechanism
By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Journal of Engineering — Lexmark International, Inc. (Lexington, KY) has been issued patent number 8682213, according to news reporting originating out of Alexandria, Virginia, by VerticalNews editors.

The patent's inventors are Carter, James Anthany (Lexington, KY); Rogers, Matthew Lee (Lexington, KY); Newman, Benjamin Keith (Lexington, KY); Hackney, Gary Neal (Georgetown, KY); Seaman, Keith (Lexington, KY); Cavill, Gregory Alan (Winchester, KY); Vowels, Christopher Gene (Versailles, KY).

This patent was filed on December 30, 2011 and was published online on March 25, 2014.

From the background information supplied by the inventors, news correspondents obtained the following quote: "The present disclosure relates generally to toner cartridges used in electrophotographic image forming devices and, more particularly, to a toner cartridge having a shutter lock mechanism.

"In order to reduce the premature replacement of components traditionally housed within a toner cartridge for an image forming device, toner cartridge manufacturers have begun to separate components having a longer life from those having a shorter life into separate replaceable units. Relatively longer life components such as a developer roll, a toner adder roll, a doctor blade and a photoconductive drum are positioned in one replaceable unit (an 'imaging unit'). The image forming device's toner supply, which is consumed relatively quickly in comparison with the components housed in the imaging unit, is provided in a reservoir in a separate replaceable unit in the form of a toner cartridge that mates with the imaging unit. In this configuration, the number of components housed in the toner cartridge is reduced in comparison with traditional toner cartridges. As a result, in systems utilizing a separate toner cartridge and imaging unit, the toner cartridge is often referred to as a 'toner bottle' even though the toner cartridge is more complex than a mere bottle for holding toner.

"To deliver toner from the toner cartridge to the imaging unit, an auger in the toner cartridge may be used to feed toner from an exit port on the toner cartridge into an entrance port on the imaging unit and into a second auger that disperses the toner within the imaging unit. As the toner is drawn out of the toner cartridge, it is augured through a shutter used for sealing the exit port of the toner cartridge when it is not inserted in the printer. In order to prevent the undesired release of toner, the shutter preferably remains closed unless the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device. Accordingly, the shutter may be biased toward the closed position. As the toner cartridge reaches its final position in the image forming device, a pin or other type of projection on the image forming device may engage a catch on the toner cartridge and supply an opposing force to open the shutter. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,606,520, entitled 'Shutter for a Toner Cartridge for use with an Image Forming Device' and assigned to the assignee of the present invention provides an to example shutter mechanism.

"A problem may be experienced if a user accidentally releases toner from the cartridge by inadvertently actuating the shutter or by intentionally engaging the shutter catch without appreciating its purpose until it is too late. The released toner may fall from the toner cartridge and contact an area surrounding the image forming device or a user's clothing resulting in uncleanliness. Image forming devices having a separate toner cartridge and imaging unit present an additional concern. If the imaging unit is not present when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device and the cartridge's shutter is opened by the image forming device, any toner exiting the shutter will leak from the cartridge's exit port into the interior of the image forming device because the imaging unit is not there to receive it. When leaked toner falls into the internal portions of the image forming device, it can cause reliability issues and, in some cases, print defects. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that a mechanism that prevents the unwanted release of toner from the cartridge's shutter is desired."

Supplementing the background information on this patent, VerticalNews reporters also obtained the inventors' summary information for this patent: "A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device having an imaging unit separate from the toner cartridge removably installed therein according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port on a front portion of the housing in fluid communication with the reservoir. A shutter is positioned at the exit port that is movable between an open position to permit toner from the reservoir to pass out of the exit port and a closed position to prevent toner from passing out of the exit port. The shutter is biased toward the closed position. A linkage is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by an engagement feature on the image forming device. The linkage includes a first linkage member and a second linkage member. A first end of the first linkage member includes a first engagement surface exposed to an exterior of a rear portion of the housing to receive the engagement feature on the image forming device. A second end of the first linkage member overlaps with a first end of the second linkage member. A second end of the second linkage member is connected to the shutter. A rotatable interlock member is pivotally attached to a side wall of the housing. The rotatable interlock member has a first leg extending radially from a pivot axis of the rotatable interlock member and operatively engaged with the second linkage member. The rotatable interlock member also has a second leg extending radially from the pivot axis of the rotatable interlock member. The second leg includes a second to engagement surface exposed to an exterior of the front portion of the housing to receive an engagement feature on the imaging unit. The rotatable interlock member is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position and biased toward the locked position. When the rotatable member is in the locked position the second linkage member is clear of a catch on the first linkage member so that the first linkage member is free to move relative to the second linkage member upon actuation of the first linkage member by the engagement feature on the image forming device without opening the shutter. When the rotatable interlock member is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position upon being actuated by the engagement feature on the imaging unit the first leg of the rotatable interlock member raises the second linkage member into the path of the catch on the first linkage member so that actuation of the first linkage member by the engagement feature on the image forming device causes the first linkage member to engage the second linkage member causing the second linkage member to move with the first linkage member to open the shutter.

"A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device having an imaging unit separate from the toner cartridge removably installed therein according to another example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port on a front portion of the housing in fluid communication with the reservoir. A shutter is positioned at the exit port that is movable between an open position to permit toner from the reservoir to pass out of the exit port and a closed position to prevent toner from passing out of the exit port. The shutter is biased toward the closed position. A linkage is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by an engagement feature on the image forming device. The linkage includes a first linkage member and a second linkage member. A first end of the first linkage member includes a first engagement surface exposed to an exterior of a rear portion of the housing to receive the engagement feature on the image forming device. A second end of the first linkage member overlaps with a first end of the second linkage member. A second end of the second linkage member is connected to the shutter. A rotatable interlock member is pivotally attached to a side wall of the housing at a first end of the rotatable interlock member. The rotatable interlock member has an elongated body that extends from a pivot axis of the rotatable interlock member toward the front portion of the housing and a second end that includes a second engagement surface exposed to an exterior of the front portion of the housing to receive an engagement feature on the imaging unit. The rotatable interlock member is to rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position and biased toward the locked position. When the rotatable member is in the locked position, the second linkage member is clear of a catch on the first linkage member so that the first linkage member is free to move relative to the second linkage member upon actuation of the first linkage member by the engagement feature on the image forming device without opening the shutter. When the rotatable interlock member is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position upon being actuated by the engagement feature on the imaging unit, the rotatable interlock member raises the second linkage member into the path of the catch on the first linkage member so that actuation of the first linkage member by the engagement feature on the image forming device causes the first linkage member to engage the second linkage member causing the second linkage member to move with the first linkage member to open the shutter."

For the URL and additional information on this patent, see: Carter, James Anthany; Rogers, Matthew Lee; Newman, Benjamin Keith; Hackney, Gary Neal; Seaman, Keith; Cavill, Gregory Alan; Vowels, Christopher Gene. Toner Cartridge Having a Shutter Lock Mechanism. U.S. Patent Number 8682213, filed December 30, 2011, and published online on March 25, 2014. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=35&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1721&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=20140325.PD.&OS=ISD/20140325&RS=ISD/20140325

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April 3, 2014 at 11:12 AM