Lexmark International, Inc.

Brian Scott Carpenter

Robert Watson McAlpine

Gregory Alan Cavill

James Richard Leemhuis

Jeffrey Lawrence Tonges

Michael Nuestro Bayubay

Salvador Capurihan Bonanciar

Donato Austria Marmol

Katrina Rosit Lactuan

Randal Scott Williamson

Kyle Bradley Martin

Michael Craig Leemhuis

Matthew Lee Rogers

Edward Lynn Triplett

James Daniel Anderson, Jr

Jason Paul Hale

Jay Scott Siekmann

Robert Watson Mcalpine

Charles Alan Bast

Daniel Joshua Smith

Brian Lester Boettcher

Thomas Eugene Pangburn

Kerry Leland Embry

Jeremy Keith Payne

Jason Carl True

John Lemaster

Randall Lee Hudson

Trey Dustin Gilliam

Masahito Cho

A toner cartridge according to one example includes first and second alignment guides that extend outward from a first side and a second side of the toner cartridge, respectively, for positioning the toner cartridge. The first and second alignment guides define a pivot axis about which the toner cartridge is pivotable relative to an imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. An engagement member is positioned on a rear of the toner cartridge for receiving a bias force for biasing the toner cartridge about the pivot axis when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit. The engagement member is positioned next to the bottom of the housing. The engagement member includes an angled contact surface that faces upward and rearward for contacting a corresponding hold-down on the imaging unit when the toner cartridge is installed on the imaging unit.

Toner cartridge having positioning features including guides extending outward from sides of the toner cartridge

A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet is positioned on a front of the toner cartridge for exiting toner from the toner cartridge. First, second and third electrical contacts are positioned on a first side of the toner cartridge for contacting corresponding first, second and third electrical contacts in an image forming device. Each of the first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge is electrically connected to a respective imaging component positioned on the toner cartridge. The first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge are positioned such that an imaginary line that angles downward in a direction from a rear of the toner cartridge toward the front of the toner cartridge passes through the first, second and third electrical contacts of the toner cartridge.

Toner cartridge electrical contacts

Toner cartridge having positioning features including guides extending outward from sides of the toner cartridge and an engagement member on a rear of the toner cartridge

Toner cartridge

A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A linkage is positioned on the first side of the housing and has an engagement surface that is accessible at the rear of the housing. A projection is positioned on the first side of the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The projection is operatively connected to the linkage such that the projection moves upward from the first position to the second position when the engagement surface receives a forward force that is toward the front of the housing. The projection extends outward sideways from the first side when the projection is in the second position.

Toner cartridge having a movable projection for providing installation feedback to an image forming device

A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable developer roll is mounted on the housing. A doctor blade has a distal end in contact with the outer surface of the developer roll along a length of the developer roll for metering toner on the outer surface of the developer roll. The doctor blade has a proximate end positioned against a portion of the housing. A toner agitator in the reservoir has a shaft. A support in the reservoir is positioned in close proximity to the shaft to limit bending of the shaft. A first end of the support contacts an inner surface of the portion of the housing that the proximate end of the doctor blade is positioned against. The support stiffens the portion of the housing that the proximate end of the doctor blade is positioned against.

Toner agitator support

A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet are detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A polarity of the first magnet is oriented opposite a polarity of the second magnet relative to the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.

Replaceable unit for an image forming device having magnets of varying angular offset for toner level sensing

A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, KY, United States of America

Brian Scott Carpenter