GB2435696A - Shaker for printer toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

The Shaker unit is an electrical and or electromechanical component. It can be fitted independently to an electronic printer or be an integral part of an electrical printer. The Shaker may also be an integral part of a toner cartridge. The Shaker has electronic circuitry to allow interaction and installation into an electronic printer management or control system. The Shaker generates rectilinear or circular movement and forces when activated. The Shaker has a means to minimize the forces produced by the movement in a controlled manner.

Description

<p>A SHAKER UMT FOR AGITATING TONER IN A TONER CARTRIDGE</p>

<p>This invention relates to all types of electronic printers that contain or use toner cartridges.</p>

<p>Toner cartridges suffer from the disadvantage that they have to be frequently replaced.</p>

<p>They are replaced because they contain a finite amount of toner which limits the amount of printing life of the toner cartridge.</p>

<p>When an electronic printer control panel readout displays the message toner low the toner cartridge is removed and replaced by a new toner cartridge. However due to economy or replacement reasons, in practice the toner cartridge is sometimes removed from the printer and shaken by hand then placed back into the printer. This has the effect of using up all of the remaining toner within the cartridge and prolonging the printing life of the toner cartridge and hence reducing the frequency of replacement.</p>

<p>An object of the present invention is to extend the life of a toner cartridge assembly and reduce the frequency of toner cartridge replacement and refill.</p>

<p>A shaker unit for agitating toner in a toner cartridge assembly comprising a housing containing a damped oscillator connected to a plunger said housing having means to fix to a printer casing of an electronic printing machine and said plunger having means to fix to said toner cartridge assembly.</p>

<p>A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</p>

<p>Figure 1 shows a typical electronic printer with the Shaker and relevant components in diagrammatic format.</p>

<p>Figure 2 shows an electronic toner shaker unit.</p>

<p>Figure 3 shows an electromechanical toner shaker unit.</p>

<p>Figure 2 shows an electronic Shaker unit. Item 6 could be an oscillator or any device that will provide the required movement. All other items are as Figure 3.</p>

<p>Figure 3 shows an electromechanical Shaker unit. Item 1 is the body or housing of the Shaker. Item 2 is a motorized gear wheel that a small electric motor rotates. Item 3 is a crank that is pin connected to a dovetailed plunger which is item 5. Item 4 is an anchored dovetail to allow secure fixing.</p>

<p>The Shaker is a component or device that generates the shaking action described above. It can be attached directly to the toner cartridge or it may be an integral part of the toner cartridge. z</p>

<p>The Shaker can be attached to the electronic printer housing and separate from the toner cartridge. It may also be manufactured as an integral part of the toner cartridge.</p>

<p>The Shaker unit transmits reciprocating movement to the toner cartridge to agitate the remainder of toner within the cartridge.</p>

<p>The Shaker can be an electronic device or a mechanical device that will create the desired movement to agitate the remaining toner to extend the printing life of the toner cartridge.</p>

<p>The Shaker can be electronically integrated into the electronic printers management and control system and activated automatically when the toner reaches a certain level.</p>

<p>It may also be manually activated.</p>

<p>The Shaker is designed to prevent excessive movement of the toner cartridge by incorporating a damper mechanism either integral or independent to minimize the forces exerted on the toner cartridge.</p>

<p>In both cases item 5 is connected to the toner cartridge and item 4 is fixed to the body or casing of the electronic printer.</p>

<p>In the case of an integral Shaker item 4 would be fixed to the toner cartridge as Figure 4 shows. The plunger which is item 5 would connect to a vane that would agitate the toner from inside the cartridge.</p>

Claims (1)

1. <p>CLAIMS</p>

   <p>1, A shaker unit for agitating toner in a toner cartridge assembly comprising a housing containing a damped oscillator connected to a plunger said housing having means to fix to a printer casing of an electronic printing machine and said plunger having means to fix to said toner cartridge assembly.</p>

   <p>2, A shaker unit according to claim I, in which the unit agitates toner contained within the toner cartridge assembly.</p>

   <p>3, A shaker unit according to claim 1, that can be controlled and programmed to activate at a time and duration.</p>

   <p>4, A shaker unit according to claim 1, that can be incorporated into the electronic printer to agitate toner in a toner cartridge assembly.</p>

   <p>5, A shaker unit according to claim 1, which can register status and operation at a control panel of the electronic printing machine.</p>

   <p>6, A shaker unit according to claim 1, that can be manually operated from a control panel of the electronic printing machine.</p>

   <p>7, A shaker unit according to claim 1, that can be integrated and operated by an electronic control system of the electronic printing machine.</p>

   <p>8, A shaker unit according to claim 1, that when activated isolates all other activities of an electronic printing machine.</p>

   <p>9. A shaker unit according to claim 1, can be separate or integral with either the electronic printing machine or part of the toner cartridge assembly.</p>

   <p>10, A shaker unit as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</p>