Electrophotography – Internal machine environment – Particle or contaminant control
Utility Patent
1999-07-06
2001-01-02
Royer, William J. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Internal machine environment
Particle or contaminant control
C399S258000, C399S262000
Utility Patent
active
06169864
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates generally to a container for storing a supply of toner therein, and more particularly concerns sealing of the dispensing port located in the toner container.
A typical electrophotographic printing machine employs a photoconductive member that is charged to a substantially uniform potential so as to sensitize the surface thereof. The charged portion of the photoconductive member is exposed to a light image of an original document being reproduced. Exposure of the charged photoconductive member selectively dissipates the charge thereon in the irradiated areas to record an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive member corresponding to the informational areas contained within the original document. After the electrostatic latent image is recorded on the photoconductive member, the latent image is developed by bringing a developer material into contact therewith. Generally, the electrostatic latent image is developed with dry developer material comprising carrier granules having toner particles that adhere electrically thereto. However, a liquid developer material may be used as well. The toner particles are attracted to the latent image forming a visible powder image on the photoconductive surface. After the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner particles, the toner powder image is transferred to a sheet. Thereafter, the toner powder image is heated to permanently fuse it to the sheet.
As the toner within the developer material is transferred to the photoconductive member and eventually to the sheet, this used toner must be replaced. The electrophotographic printing machine includes a toner container or cartridge from which fresh toner is dispensed into the machine. When all of the toner is consumed within the printing machine, additional toner must be supplied to the machine. Presently, printing machines are supplied with replaceable toner cartridges. It is highly desirable that these toner cartridges be “white glove.” By that it is meant that the operator's hands do not get dirty when they are replacing toner cartridges within the printing machine. Hence, when the toner cartridge is opened to dispense toner particles into the printing machine, none of these toner particles should escape dirtying the hands of the operator or into other areas of the printing machine resulting in contamination thereof. Thus, the toner cartridge must be sealed as it is placed in the printing machine and resealed as it is removed therefrom in order to prevent this kind of contamination on both the printing machine subcomponents and the operator.
Cylindrical toner cartridges are now being used in printing machines. These toner cartridges have spiral ribs located therein. Thus, when the cartridge is rotated, the spiral ribs urge the toner to one end thereof. These cartridges have an opening in the periphery of the container near that end through which the toner escapes. The toner cartridge mates with an opening in the printing machine so that the toner particles are discharged from the opening in the toner cartridge into the printing machine and received in the developer unit thereof. Prior to being placed in the printing machine, the opening in the toner cartridge is typically covered with a removable seal to insure that toner particles do not escape therefrom during the shipment and handling of the cartridge. The seal is removed prior to installation of the toner cartridge in the printing machine.
The following patent may be relevant to aspects of the present invention:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,129
Patentee: Harris
Issued: Jan. 5, 1999
The relevant portions of the foregoing patent may be briefly summarized as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,129 discloses a cylindrical toner cartridge having an opening at one end thereof. Spiral ribs are molded into the container so that as the container is rotated about its longitudinal axis, toner particles are advanced from one end thereof to the opening therein so as to be dispensed into the developer unit of the printing machine. A seal closes the opening in the container so that particles may not escape therefrom during the shipment and handling thereof.
In accordance with one aspect of the features of the present invention, there is provided a container for storing a supply of toner therein. The container includes a housing having an open end. A sealing member is mounted movably in the open end of the housing. The sealing member is adapted to move from a closed position sealing the open end of the housing to an open position enabling discharge of toner from the open end of the housing. A member, in engagement with the sealing member, resiliently urges the sealing member from the open position to the closed position.
Pursuant to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for storing a supply of particles and discharging particles into a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine. The apparatus includes a container for storing a supply of particles therein. The container comprises the housing having an open end. A sealing member is mounted movably in the open end of the housing. The sealing member is adapted to move from a closed position sealing the open end of the housing to an open position enabling discharge of the particles from the open end of the housing. A member, in engagement with the sealing member, resiliently urges the sealing member from the open position to the closed position. A particle dispenser cooperates with the container to receive particles being discharged from the open end of the housing when the sealing member is in the open position. The particle dispenser dispenses particles into the developer unit of the electrophotographic printing machine.
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Baxendell Douglas J.
Imes, IV Clifford W.
Royer William J.
Xerox Corporation
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