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:
Jun. 12, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 03, 2000
Matsushita Graphic Communication Systems, Inc., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A toner cartridge is provided that includes an agitator provided in a toner hopper. An agitator gear is coupled with the agitator in such a way that the agitator always has the same positional relationship with the agitator gear. The agitator gear is provided with a mark indicating the orientation of the agitator and an agitation blade fixed thereto. A method of feeding toner using the toner cartridge is also provided, in which the agitator and the agitation blade are withdrawn from the vicinity of a toner feeding hole by turning the agitator gear by hand while watching this mark, and toner is refilled through the toner feeding hole. Feeding toner in this manner enables feeding a predetermined amount of toner.