Coupling mechanism for a two piece printer cartridge
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A replaceable two piece image forming cartridge for use in an image forming apparatus said cartridge comprising:
- a) a first unit having a second unit removably coupled thereto, b) operable blocking means affixed to said first unit, said blocking means having a blocking position and a non-blocking position whereby said first and second units may be inserted into and removed from said image forming apparatus, as an assembly, when said blocking means is in its blocking position and whereby said second unit may be separately removed from said first unit when said blocking means is in its non-blocking position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a two piece toner cartridge assembly, as typically used in a computer and/or facsimile printing device, comprising separable photoconductor and developer units a unique coupling device is provided whereby the cartridge assembly may be removed from the printing device without the photoconductor unit separating from the developer unit for paper jam clearance or unit replacement. However, if desired the developer unit may be separately removed from the printing device for servicing or replacement without removal of the photoconductor unit.
26 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A replaceable two piece image forming cartridge for use in an image forming apparatus said cartridge comprising:
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a) a first unit having a second unit removably coupled thereto, b) operable blocking means affixed to said first unit, said blocking means having a blocking position and a non-blocking position whereby said first and second units may be inserted into and removed from said image forming apparatus, as an assembly, when said blocking means is in its blocking position and whereby said second unit may be separately removed from said first unit when said blocking means is in its non-blocking position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A removable, two piece, image processing cartridge for use with an image forming machine wherein,
a) said processing cartridge comprises a photoconductor unit upon which a detachable developer unit is mounted, b) a plurality of guide channels embodied within said photoconductor unit and a plurality of associated guide studs affixed to said developer unit such that said guide studs engage said guide channels thereby guiding said developer unit, into its desired operating position, along a predetermined path of travel when coupling said developer unit to said photoconductor unit and detachment therefrom, c) a handle attached to said photoconductor unit for removing said photoconductor unit and said developer unit from said image forming machine as a coupled assembly, said handle including at least one, movable blocking arm extending from said handle toward said developer unit, said blocking arm having a closed blocking position and an open non-blocking position, such that when said blocking arm is in its closed position, said blocking arm extends into the path of said developer unit as said developer unit is being removed from said photoconductor unit thereby preventing removal of said developer unit from said photoconductor unit and when said blocking arm is in its open non-blocking position, said blocking arm is removed from the path of said developer unit thereby permitting removal of said developer unit free from said photoconductor unit.
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9. In a two piece toner cartridge assembly having a first unit and a separable second unit, a method of joining the two assemblies together in a separable relationship comprising the steps of:
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a) providing at least one guide channel within said first unit for receiving therein a guide member affixed to said second unit whereby the path of said second unit, when assembling said second unit to said first unit or separation of said second unit from said first unit, is determined by the movement of said guide member within said guide channel, b) providing a movable blocking member upon said first unit, said blocking member having a blocking position and a non-blocking position whereby said blocking member, when in its blocking position, extends into said path of said second unit thereby preventing said second unit from being separated from said first unit and when said blocking member is in its non-blocking position said, blocking member is removed from said second unit'"'"'s path thereby permitting separation of said second unit from said first unit.
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10. In a two piece toner cartridge assembly comprising a photoconductor unit and a separable developer unit, a method of coupling the two assemblies together in a non-separable relationship comprising the steps of:
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a) providing at least two guide channels within said photoconductor unit for receiving therein associated guide members affixed to said developer unit whereby the path of said developer unit, when assembling said developer unit to said photoconductor unit or separation of said developer unit from said photoconductor unit, is determined by the movement of said guide members within said guide channels, b) providing a movable blocking member upon said photoconductor unit, said blocking member having a blocking position and a non-blocking position whereby said blocking member, when in its blocking position, extends into said path of said developer unit thereby preventing said developer unit from being separated from said photoconductor unit and when said blocking member is in its non-blocking position said blocking member is removed from said developer unit'"'"'s path thereby permitting separation of said developer unit from said photoconductor unit.
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11. A replaceable two piece image forming cartridge for use in an image forming apparatus said cartridge comprising:
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a) a first unit having a second unit removably coupled thereto, b) operable blocking means affixed to said first unit, said blocking means having a blocking position and a non-blocking position whereby said first and second units may be inserted into and removed from said image forming apparatus, as an assembly, when said blocking means is in its blocking position and whereby said second unit may be removed from said first unit, when said blocking means is in its non-blocking position, and said first unit may thereafter be removed from said image forming apparatus when said assembly has been inserted into said image forming apparatus.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeLexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
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Original AssigneeLexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
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InventorsNewman, Benjamin Keith, Kerley, Matthew Thomas, Blaine, David Clay, Carter, Philip Scot, Buchanan, John Andrew, Rogers, Matthew Lee
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current399/113
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CPC Class CodesG03G 21/1821 means for connecting the di...G03G 2221/1853 having a submodular arrange...
