Lexmark International, Inc.

Matthew Thomas Kerley

Jedediah Taylor Dawson

Benjamin Keith Newman

Jarrett Clark Gayne

Darin Michael Gettelfinger

Akash Chaudhuri

Matthew Lee Rogers

James Anthany Carter, Ii

Paul Douglas Horrall

Keith Seaman

John Andrew Buchanan

Michael David Lattuca

Philip Scot Carter

David Clay Blaine

Jedediah Dawson

The present application is directed to toner cartridges for use with image forming devices. The cartridge may include an interior to contain toner that is transferred to the image forming device and used during image formation. The cartridge may include one or more engagement features that interact with the image forming device during insertion. The engagement features may include one or more alignment features that align the cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. The engagement features may also include one or more functional features that allow the cartridge to effectively transfer the toner to the image forming device.

Toner cartridges for an image forming device

A toner cartridge for use with image forming devices according to one example embodiment includes an interior to contain toner that is transferred to the image forming device and used during image formation and includes one or more engagement features that interact with the image forming device during insertion. The engagement features may include one or more alignment features that align the cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. The engagement features may also include one or more functional features that allow the cartridge to effectively transfer the toner to the image forming device.

The present application is directed to retainers and methods of retaining a developer unit within an image forming device. One embodiment may include positioning a retainer attached to a frame at a first position with a second end of the retainer positioned away from the developer unit. A toner cartridge may be inserted into the image forming device in a vertical direction and contact against retainer. The toner cartridge may laterally move the retainer relative to the frame from the first position to a second position with the second end positioned to prevent removal of the developer unit from the frame. Another embodiment features a system to retain a developer unit in an image forming device. The system may include a frame configured to receive the developer unit and the toner cartridge. A retainer may be movably attached to the frame and include a first end with a ramped surface, and a second end spaced away from the first end. The retainer may be movable between a first position prior to insertion of the toner cartridge with the second end positioned away from the developer unit, and a second position after insertion of the toner cartridge with the second end positioned to prevent removal of the developer unit from the frame.

Retaining devices and methods for retaining a developer unit of an image forming device

The present application is directed to toner cartridges with a bearing plate to locate and provide a bearing surface to one or more rotational members. The bearing plate may be positioned on an outer wall of a body of a toner cartridge. The bearing plate may include apertures to receive shafts of a series of rotational members. The bearing plate may locate the shafts relative to the body such that each is operatively connected together through a gear train. Bearing plate may also provide a bearing surface for the rotating shafts.

Bearing and locating member for a toner cartridge for use with an image forming device

The present invention relates to seals which may be used in an image forming apparatus. The seals may prevent the leakage of image forming materials, e.g. as between a blade or a roll and an image forming apparatus housing.

Dynamic seal for component surfaces

The present application is directed to cartridges for use in image forming devices. In one embodiment, the toner cartridge includes a body with an enclosed interior to contain toner. An electrical connector with one or more electrical contacts may be positioned on a first side of the body. A handle may be mounted to a second side of the body opposite from the first side. The handle may be movable between an open orientation that extends outward from the body and a closed orientation positioned in proximity to the body. A biasing member may be operatively connected to the handle to force the handle towards the open orientation. When the cartridge is mounted in the image forming device, a lid on the image forming device may be closed which moves the handle to the closed orientation. In this orientation, the biasing member may exert a force directed towards the second side. In one embodiment, this force maintains the electrical connector engaged with a corresponding receptacle in the image forming device.

Cartridge with a handle for use with an image forming device

In a two piece toner cartridge assembly, as typically used in a computer and/or facsimile printing device, comprising separable photoconductor and developer units a unique coupling device is provided whereby the cartridge assembly may be removed from the printing device without the photoconductor unit separating from the developer unit for paper jam clearance or unit replacement. However, if desired the developer unit may be separately removed from the printing device for servicing or replacement without removal of the photoconductor unit.

Coupling mechanism for a two piece printer cartridge

Gear ( ) and resin body ( ) supported on shaft ( ) and between frame members ( ) and ( ) are protected from contacting a frame member. Frame ( ) has a partial hole ( ) with an opening ( ) and a cavity ( ), which is open at the hole ( ) and on the side toward the opening ( ). A bearing ( ) has a inner body ( ) which internally is partially circular with diameter substantially the same as opening ( ). The outer portion of body ( ) forms an outwardly extending nub ( ). Wall ( ) extends across body ( ). The part ( ) of bearing opposite body has an extended part ( ) to serve as an electrical contact. A shaft end (Sa) past a circular ledge ( ) is supported by bearing ( ). The nub ( ) fits in the cavity ( ) and the wall ( ) defines the proper position of rotation of the bearing. This protects gear ( ) from being dislodged from its position on shaft ( ). Where the resin body ( ) is for electrophotographic developing, toner carried by the body ( ) is not subject to effects from the body contacting a frame element or the like.

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Lexington, KY, United States of America

Matthew Thomas Kerley