US5424816A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toner cartridge
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1994-06-27
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Granted: 1995-06-13
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Expires: 2014-06-27
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an apparatus for storing a supply of marking particles therein, including: (a) a container defining a chamber for storing the marking particles therein and a discharge opening in communication with the chamber for the discharge of the marking particles; (b) a flange member coupled to the container, wherein the flange member includes a flange wall that defines a flange opening in communication with the chamber for loading of the marking particles into the chamber; (c) an agitator mounting member fixedly positioned adjacent the flange opening, wherein the mounting member includes an agitator end coupling portion which is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening; and (d) an agitator disposed within the chamber, wherein the agitator has an end coupled to the agitator end coupling portion, whereby the agitator end is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne D. Fox
- 👤 Paul M. Wegman
- 👤 Roger C. Hopkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:49
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0865; G03G15/0867; G03G15/0868; G03G15/0877; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/066; G03G2215/0663; G03G2215/0665; G03G2215/0675; G03G2215/0685; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for storing a supply of marking particles therein, including: (a) a container defining a chamber for storing the marking particles therein and a discharge opening in communication with the chamber for the discharge of the marking particles; (b) a flange member coupled to the container, wherein the flange member includes a flange wall that defines a flange opening in communication with the chamber for loading of the marking particles into the chamber; (c) an agitator mounting member fixedly positioned adjacent the flange opening, wherein the mounting member includes an agitator end coupling portion which is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening; and (d) an agitator disposed within the chamber, wherein the agitator has an end coupled to the agitator end coupling portion, whereby the agitator end is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for storing a supply of marking particles therein, including: (a) a container defining a chamber for storing the marking particles therein and a discharge opening in communication with the chamber for the discharge of the marking particles; (b) a flange member coupled to the container, wherein the flange member includes a flange wall that defines a flange opening in communication with the chamber for loading of the marking particles into the chamber; (c) an agitator mounting member fixedly positioned adjacent the flange opening, wherein the mounting member includes an agitator end coupling portion which is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening; and (d) an agitator disposed within the chamber, wherein the agitator has an end coupled to the agitator end coupling portion, whereby the agitator end is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the agitator mounting member is comprised of the agitator end coupling portion and a plurality of supporting legs that extend from the agitator end coupling portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein there are three supporting legs which extend from the agitator end coupling portion in a tripod pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the agitator end coupling portion defines an opening to receive the agitator end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flange member includes a hollow collar portion, and wherein the agitator mounting member is fixedly positioned within the collar portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flange opening has a width which is at least about 50% the width of the chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flange opening has a width ranging in size from about 60% to about 90% the width of the chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the agitator mounting member contacts the flange wall and the agitator end coupling portion is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
An electrostatographic printing apparatus comprising: (a) a charge retentive surface; and (b) a storage apparatus for storing a supply of marking particles therein, including: (i) a container defining a chamber for storing the marking particles therein and a discharge opening in communication with the chamber for the discharge of the marking particles; (ii) a flange member coupled to the container, wherein the flange member includes a flange wall that defines a flange opening in communication with the chamber for loading of the marking particles into the chamber; (iii) an agitator mounting member fixedly positioned adjacent the flange opening, wherein the mounting member includes an agitator end coupling portion which is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening; and (iv) an agitator disposed within the chamber, wherein the agitator has an end coupled to the agitator end coupling portion, whereby the agitator end is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
An electrostatographic printing apparatus comprising: (a) a charge retentive surface; and (b) a storage apparatus for storing a supply of marking particles therein, including: (i) a container defining a chamber for storing the marking particles therein and a discharge opening in communication with the chamber for the discharge of the marking particles; (ii) a flange member coupled to the container, wherein the flange member includes a flange wall that defines a flange opening in communication with the chamber for loading of the marking particles into the chamber; (iii) an agitator mounting member fixedly positioned adjacent the flange opening, wherein the mounting member includes an agitator end coupling portion which is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening; and (iv) an agitator disposed within the chamber, wherein the agitator has an end coupled to the agitator end coupling portion, whereby the agitator end is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the agitator mounting member is comprised of the agitator end coupling portion and a plurality of supporting legs that extend from the agitator end coupling portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein there are three supporting legs which extend from the agitator end coupling portion in a tripod pattern.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the agitator end coupling portion defines an opening to receive the agitator end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the flange member includes a hollow collar portion, and wherein the agitator mounting member is fixedly positioned within the collar portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the flange opening has a width which is at least about 50% the width of the chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the flange opening has a width ranging in size from about 60% to about 90% the width of the chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the agitator mounting member contacts the flange wall and the agitator end coupling portion is spaced from the flange wall defining the flange opening.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-06-12 | 1998-12-12 | 1999-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-12 | 2002-12-12 | 2003-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-12 | 2006-12-12 | 2007-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |