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Toner cartridge with hopper exit agitator

DC CAFC
  • US 5,875,378 A
  • Filed: 12/20/1996
  • Issued: 02/23/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A toner cartridge comprising a cylindrical hopper having an opening for delivering toner out of said hopper said hopper having a lower wall extending from a bottom of said hopper to a location substantially above the bottom of said hopper to define a bottom of said opening,a paddle rotatable in said hopper to stir toner such that some toner will move gently toward said opening,an exit surface to deliver toner from said hopper on the side of said lower wall opposite said hopper, said exit surface sloping downward during normal operation of said cartridge,an agitator member extending across said exit surface having a first pivot member on one side of said exit surface and a second pivot member on an opposite side of said exit surface and normally located proximate said exit surface except when moved by said paddle around said first pivot member and said second pivot member,and an extension on said agitator member extending past said lower wall into the path of said paddle in said hopper when said paddle is rotated.

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