Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A cartridge for replenishing particulate material in a dispenser for the material, characterised in that it comprises a base plate (51) and a hopper (52) positioned on top of and slidably engaged with the base plate, the base plate having at least one aperture (57) through which the particulate material may pass, the hopper having at least one aperture (71) in the bottom through which the material may pass, the apertures (57, 71) in the base plate and the hopper not being in communicating alignment when the hopper is slid into a "closed" position relative to the base plate, thereby providing a seal under said at least one opening in the hopper, and the apertures being in communicating alignment when the hopper is slid into an "open" position relative to the base plate to allow material to fall from the hopper into the dispenser, the base plate (51) being adapted to be received in an opening (39) in the dispenser, and having a hook (59) at one end adapted to lock under a lip (41) of the dispenser opening, and the hopper (52) having a hook (68) at the other end, the hopper hook (68) being retracted when the hopper is in the "closed" position, and being adapted to lock under a lip (41) of the dispenser opening when the hopper is in the "open" position whereby said cartridge dispenses material only when the hopper is in the "open" position and the cartridge is removable from the dispenser only when the hopper is in the "closed" position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A cartridge for replenishing particulate material in a dispenser for the material, characterised in that it comprises a base plate (51) and a hopper (52) positioned on top of and slidably engaged with the base plate, the base plate having at least one aperture (57) through which the particulate material may pass, the hopper having at least one aperture (71) in the bottom through which the material may pass, the apertures (57, 71) in the base plate and the hopper not being in communicating alignment when the hopper is slid into a "closed" position relative to the base plate, thereby providing a seal under said at least one opening in the hopper, and the apertures being in communicating alignment when the hopper is slid into an "open" position relative to the base plate to allow material to fall from the hopper into the dispenser, the base plate (51) being adapted to be received in an opening (39) in the dispenser, and having a hook (59) at one end adapted to lock under a lip (41) of the dispenser opening, and the hopper (52) having a hook (68) at the other end, the hopper hook (68) being retracted when the hopper is in the "closed" position, and being adapted to lock under a lip (41) of the dispenser opening when the hopper is in the "open" position whereby said cartridge dispenses material only when the hopper is in the "open" position and the cartridge is removable from the dispenser only when the hopper is in the "closed" position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The toner cartridge of Claim 1 wherein the hopper (52) is slidably mounted on the base plate by means of at least one rail (60) in said hopper in slidable engagement with at least one hook (58) in said base plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The toner cartridge of Claim 1 wherein said cartridge Is rectangular in horizontal cross section and both said base plate (51) and said hopper (52) are rectangluar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
The cartridge of Claim 3 wherein said at least one aperture in both said base plate and said hopper each comprises a plurality of apertures and wherein each of said apertures (71) in said hopper and each of said apertures (57) in said base plate are positioned such that they are in communicating alignment when the hopper is in the "open" position and that portions (56) of said base plate between said apertures (57) in said base plate are in sealing engagement with said plurality of apertures in said hopper when the hopper is in the "closed" position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The cartridge of Claim 4 wherein said means to slidably move said hopper relative to said base plate comprises a pair of parallel tracks (60) on opposite sides of the plurality of apertures (71) in said hopper in sliding engagement with a plurality of hooks (58) arranged in parallel rows on opposite sides of said apertures (57) in said base plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cartridge of Claim 5 wherein the top of said hopper (52) is open and said cartridge has a cover member (53) sealingly engaged with the top of said hopper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cartridge of Claim 5 including a strip of flexible stripable tape in sealing engagement with the plurality of apertures of said base plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cartridge of Claim 4 wherein said hopper comprises a plurality of bins (69) each with a plurality of Inclined side portions (70) defining a chute which terminates in the plurality of apertures (71) in said hopper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cartridge of Claim 8 wherein there are four equally shaped side portions (70) each inclined at an angle of from 35° to 55° to the plane of the base plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cartridge of Claim 4 wherein said hopper has a sealable hole In one end for filling said cartridge with particulate material.