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:
Oct. 08, 2002
Filed:
May. 09, 2001
Michael David Maul, Lexington, KY (US);
Alexander Douglas Meade, Lexington, KY (US);
Liqun Larry Wang, Lexington, KY (US);
Lexmark International, Inc., Lexington, KY (US);
Abstract
A toner cleaning apparatus for a printing device includes a toner separator operating against a component of the printing device, to dislodge toner particles therefrom. A toner receptacle is provided for collecting the dislodged toner particles, and an auger positively conveys the dislodged toner particles into the toner receptacle. A vibration plate is provided for receiving the toner particles dislodged by the toner separator, and for directing the dislodged toner particles to the auger. The vibration plate includes lengths thereof extending into the auger and deflected by the auger to induce vibrations along the plate and distribute-and convey toner particles disposed thereon.