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:
Jul. 16, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 28, 2000
Rebecca Floyd, Filton, GB;
Andrew Michael South, Ebina, JP;
Michael Gerald Ladell, Milton Keynes, GB;
Shaun Hutchinson, Northfield, GB;
Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A toner loading system for an image forming apparatus includes a valve for a toner bottle and a valve opening member on a toner hopper of the image forming apparatus. The valve includes a first valve member non-rotatably secured to an opening of the toner bottle and a second valve member rotatably secured to the first valve member. The first and second valve members each include tabs and apertures. When the tabs of the first and second valve members are aligned the apertures of the first and second valve members do not overlap and no toner may be dispensed from the toner bottle. The toner bottle is engaged with the valve opening member on the toner hopper to dispense the toner. The valve opening member prevents rotation of the second valve member with respect to the hopper and permits rotation of the first valve member and the toner bottle with respect to the toner hopper. Rotation of the first valve member relative to the second valve member in a first direction causes the tabs to move out of alignment and the aperture of the first valve member to overlap the aperture of the second valve member, allowing dispensing of the toner. The valve opening member prevents disengagement of the toner bottle from the toner hopper while the valve is open, thus preventing spilling of the toner. Rotation of the first valve member relative to the second valve member in a second direction opposite to the first direction moves the tabs back into alignment and closes the valve. The toner bottle may then be disengaged from the valve opening member.