Toner cartridge having magnetic coupling

• US 20090238604A1
• Filed: 03/21/2008
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Katun Corporation (General Plastic Industrial Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Katun Corporation (General Plastic Industrial Company Limited)
• Inventors: Peckjian, Bryan
• Granted Patent: US 8,175,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/120
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0865 Arrangements for supplying new developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0868 Toner cartridges fulfilling a continuous function within the electrographic apparatus during the use of the supplied developer material, e.g. toner discharge on demand, storing residual toner, acting as an active closure for the developer replenishing opening
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/10 Collecting or recycling waste developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/12 Toner waste containers
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/085 Stirring member in developer container
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2221/1657 transmitting mechanical drive power

Abstract

A toner cartridge having a magnetically coupled drive apparatus is provided. The cartridge provides a first toner holding member that houses toner and a second toner holding member adjacent to the first member that houses toner. A dividing wall separates the first toner holding member from the second toner holding member. A toner shifting component shifts the waste toner housed in the first toner holding member and a toner stirring component stirs the fresh toner housed in the second toner holding member. The toner shifting component and toner stirring component are magnetically coupled through the dividing wall so that when the toner stirring component rotates the toner shifting component rotates. The magnetic coupling disposed between the toner shifting component and toner stirring component engages without an opening through the dividing wall. As a result, waste toner cannot pass through the dividing wall into the fresh toner housing and vice versa.

Claims

1. A toner cartridge comprising:

a first toner holding member housing toner therein;

a second toner holding member adjacent to the first member housing toner therein;

a dividing wall separating the first toner holding member from the second toner holding member;

a toner shifting component that shifts the toner housed in the first toner holding member;

a toner stirring component that stirs the toner housed in the second toner holding member;

wherein the toner shifting component and toner stirring component are magnetically coupled through the dividing wall so that when the toner stirring component rotates the toner shifting component also rotates; and

wherein the magnetic coupling between the toner shifting component and toner stirring component engage without an opening through the dividing wall.

2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the toner shifting component has a first magnet disposed thereon and the toner stirring component has a second magnet disposed thereon and wherein the first and second magnets are oriented and positioned to attract one another.

3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1 wherein one of the toner shifting component or toner stirring component has a magnet disposed thereon and the other has a ferrous material disposed thereon and wherein the magnet and ferrous material are oriented and positioned to attract one another.

4. The toner cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the toner shifting component comprises a first plurality of magnets disposed within and the toner stirring component comprises a second plurality of magnets disposed within and wherein the first and second plurality of magnets are oriented and positioned to attract one another.

5. The toner cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the toner shifting component has an annular recess and wherein the toner stirring component has an annular recess.

6. The toner cartridge according to claim 5 wherein the dividing wall has a first protrusion on a first side that corresponds to the annular recess on the toner shifting component and a second protrusion on a second side that corresponds to the annular recess on the toner stirring component and wherein the annular recesses of the toner shifting component and toner stirring component are free to rotate about the first and second dividing wall protrusions.

7. The toner cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the toner shifting component has an annular post and wherein the toner stirring component has an annular post.

8. The toner cartridge according to claim 7 wherein the dividing wall has a first annular hub on a first side that corresponds to the annular post on the toner shifting component and a second annular hub on a second side that corresponds to the annular post on the toner stirring component and wherein the toner shifting component and toner stirring component are free to rotate about the first and second annular hubs.

9. A toner cartridge comprising:

a first toner holding member housing toner therein;

a second toner holding member adjacent to the first member housing toner therein;

a partition that separates the first toner holding member from the second toner holding member;

a toner shifting component that shifts the toner housed in the first toner holding member;

a toner stirring component that stirs the toner housed in the first toner holding member;

wherein the toner shifting component and the toner stirring component are magnetically coupled through the partition so that when the toner shifting component rotates the toner stirring component also rotates; and

wherein the magnetic coupling between the toner shifting component and toner stirring component provide engagement without an opening through the dividing wall.

10. A magnetic coupling for use in a toner cartridge having toner housed therein, the magnetic coupling comprising:

a toner shifting component for shifting the toner housed within the toner cartridge

a toner stirring component for stirring the toner housed within the toner cartridge;

at least one magnet disposed within each of the toner shifting component and toner stirring component;

a dividing wall disposed between the toner shifting component and toner stirring component; and

wherein the at least one magnets disposed within the toner shifting component and toner stirring component are magnetically coupled together through the dividing wall.