International Business Machines Corporation

Cheryl A Goin

Jeffrey Jay Miller

Larry W Lykins

Paul J Josephson

Robert L Fey

David D Feenstra

Andrew D Keller

Philip D Ballard

The developer station of a xerographic reproduction device is purged of used developer mix, and the developer is refilled with new mix, without disturbing the developer's operative position within the reproduction device. New mix is shipped from the factory in a sealed bag, protected by a unique, throw-away, rigid, corrugated paperboard, outer package. This package is opened at the location of the reproduction device to be serviced, and the sealed bag is removed. A tear strip on the side of the package is then removed, leaving an elongated opening along one side of the empty package. The package's shape is such that it can be inserted into the developer, with the package's elongated opening aligned with the developer's mix-flow path. Operation of the developer now fills the package with used mix. The package is then discarded. The sealed bag is opened, and the new mix is placed in the developer.

Method and apparatus for in situ purging a xerographic developer

A bottom-dumping xerographic toner cartridge is protected by a storage and shipping package having strategically located zipper perforations, and a tuck-flap. One end of the package is removable by virtue of certain zipper perforations. Removal of this end, and operation of other zipper perforations, results in the tuck-flap being exposed for use in mounting the package on the reproduction device whose toner supply is to be replenished. The toner cartridge is then moved out of the package, into the reproduction device. The now-empty package remains supported in a position to catch the toner cartridge's traveling-fold seal, and any toner which may be transported out of the cartridge on the face of the seal.

Toner cartridge and method of replenishing toner to a xerographic device

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Longmont, CO, United States of America

Cheryl A Goin