Device and method for storing toner waste

Claim 2

In an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by transferring toner from an image carrier to the recording medium, a device for storing excess toner waste collected from the surface of the image carrier, comprising: a container for holding the toner waste; means for compressing the toner waste collected in the container; said means for compressing including a resilient cantilever member attached to the interior of the container; and a scraping member for removing toner waste which has accumulated along the interior surface of the container wherein the means for compressing is operatively coupled to the scraping member.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the scraping member includes a rotatable plate having a distal end operable for pressing against the cantilever member.

Claim 4

In an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by transferring toner from an image carrier to the recording medium, a device storing excess toner waste collected from the surface of the image carrier, comprising: a container for holding the toner waste; means for compressing toner waste collected in the container; diaphragm means for expanding in response to the amount of toner waste accumulated within the container and having an open ended rectangular pyramid; switch means for activating an alarm in response to the diaphragm means expanding a predetermined distance; and a pair of bulkhead plates disposed on either side of the diaphragm means for directing and thereby concentrating toner waste toward the face of the pyramid.

Claim 5

In an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by transferring toner from an image carrier to the recording medium, a device storing excess toner waste collected from the surface of the image carrier, comprising: a container for holding the toner waste; means for compressing toner waste collected in the container; diaphragm means for expanding in response to the amount of toner waste accumulated within the container and having an open ended rectangular pyramid; switch means for activating an alarm in response to the diaphragm means expanding a predetermined distance; and a pair of bulkhead plates disposed on either side of the diaphragm means for directing and thereby concentrating toner waste toward the face of the pyramid.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3, further including a pressure plate adjacent to the force of the pyramid.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 3, further including a hinge plate disposed within the open ended rectangular pyramid.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a leaf switch supports the hinge plate and serves as the switching means.

Claim 9

In an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by transferring toner from an image carrier to the recording medium, a device for storing toner waste collected from the surface of the image carrier, comprising: a container for collecting the toner waste; a scraping member for removing toner waste which has accumulated along the interior surface of the container; means for compressing the toner waste stored in the container operatively coupled to the operation of the scraping member; diaphragm means for expanding in response to the amount of toner waste accumulated in the container; and switch means for activating an alarm in response to the diaphragm means expanding a predetermined distance.

Claim 10

In an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by transferring toner from an image carrier to the recording medium, a device for storing toner waste collected from the surface of the image carrier, comprising: a container for collecting the toner waste; a scraping member for removing toner waste which has accumulated along the interior surface of the container; means for compressing the toner waste stored in the container operatively coupled to the operation of the scraping member; diaphragm means for expanding in response to the amount of toner waste accumulated in the container; and switch means for activating an alarm in response to the diaphragm means expanding a predetermined distance.

Claim 11

In an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by transferring toner from an image carrier to the recording medium, a device storing excess toner waste collected from the surface of the image carrier, comprising: a container for holding the toner waste; means for compressing the toner waste collected in the container; diaphragm means for expanding outwardly and away from the container in response to compression of toner waste within the container and including baffle-like pleats; and switch means for activating an alarm in response to the diaphragm means expanding means a predetermined distance; wherein the container includes a wall having an opening and wherein the diaphragm means also includes a projection operable for contacting the switch means when the diaphragm means expands said predetermined distance and a skirt secured to the wall of the container and surrounding said opening.

Claim 12

In an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by transferring toner from an image carrier to the recording medium, a device storing excess toner waste collected from the surface of the image carrier, comprising: a container for holding the toner waste; means for compressing the toner waste collected in the container; diaphragm means for expanding outwardly and away from the container in response to compression of toner waste within the container and including baffle-like pleats; and switch means for activating an alarm in response to the diaphragm means expanding means a predetermined distance; wherein the container includes a wall having an opening and wherein the diaphragm means also includes a projection operable for contacting the switch means when the diaphragm means expands said predetermined distance and a skirt secured to the wall of the container and surrounding said opening.

Claim 13

In an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by transferring toner from an image carrier to the recording medium, a device for storing excess toner waste collected from the surface of the image carrier, comprising: a container for holding the toner waste; means for compressing the toner waste collected in the container; diaphragm means for expanding outwardly and away from the container in response to the compression of toner waste within the container; switch means for activating an alarm in response to the diaphragm means expanding a predetermined distance; and wherein the container includes a wall having an opening and wherein the diaphragm means also includes a projection operable for contacting the switch means when the diaphragm means expands said predetermined distance and a skirt secured to the wall of the container and surrounding said opening.

Claim 14

In an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by transferring toner from an image carrier to the recording medium, a device for storing excess toner waste collected from the surface of the image carrier, comprising: a container for holding the toner waste; means for compressing the toner waste collected in the container; diaphragm means for expanding outwardly and away from the container in response to the compression of toner waste within the container; switch means for activating an alarm in response to the diaphragm means expanding a predetermined distance; and wherein the container includes a wall having an opening and wherein the diaphragm means also includes a projection operable for contacting the switch means when the diaphragm means expands said predetermined distance and a skirt secured to the wall of the container and surrounding said opening.