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:
Apr. 08, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 24, 2001
Oki Data Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A toner cartridge detachably is attached to an image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge includes a toner chamber that holds toner therein and a toner-agitating mechanism that agitates the toner in the toner chamber. The mechanism includes a crank shaft that includes a first crank pin and a second crank pin, the crank shaft being rotatably supported in the toner chamber. A rod has a first end rotatably coupled to the second crank pin and a second end slidably inserted in a guide path provided above the toner chamber. The second end has a permanent magnet or a magnetic flux sensitive element attached thereto. The rod moves upward and downward when the crank shaft is driven in rotation. A detection mechanism on the image apparatus side detects the magnetic flux or the permanent magnet.