The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 07, 1998
Merle L Meyer, Burnsville, MN (US);
John V Ahart, Bloomington, MN (US);
Steven A Thompson, Golden Valley, MN (US);
Katun Coporation, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A toner cartridge assembly is provided including a cartridge rotatably mounted with a cap component. The cap component has an opening and a sweeper assembly rotatably coupled therewith. The cartridge has a sealing area on one end which seals the opening of the cap component. Longitudinal toner guiding ribs are provided on the cartridge for agitating the toner to be guided by the internal surface of the cartridge. A safety ring is provided on an external surface of the cartridge, and has a gap therein. The safety ring prevents removal of the toner cartridge assembly due to engaging components of the hopper. The cartridge assembly can be removed from the hopper when the gap of the ring is aligned with the engaging components, which also simultaneously requires the sealing area of the cartridge to cover the opening of the cap component.