Toner container handle

Abstract

A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a pivotable handle. The handle includes a front section extending along the front of the body of the toner container when the handle is in the first position for contacting a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device when the handle is moved from the first position to the second position. The handle includes a rear section extending along the rear of the body when the handle is in the first position, allowing a user to actuate the rear section to move the handle from the first position to the second position. The handle includes a first side section extending along a first side of the body and a second side section extending along a second side of the body. The first side section and the second side section connect the front section and the rear section.

Description

[0001] background

[0002] 1. Public Domain

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to image forming apparatuses, and more particularly to toner container handles.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Technology

[0005] In the electrophotographic printing process, an electrically charged rotating photosensitive drum is selectively exposed to a laser beam. The areas of the photosensitive drum exposed to the laser beam are discharged, producing an electrostatic latent image of the page to be printed on the photosensitive drum. Toner particles are then electrostatically picked up by the latent image on the photosensitive drum, producing a toned image on the drum. The toned image is transferred to a print medium (e.g., paper) either directly from the photosensitive drum or indirectly from an intermediate transfer member. Heat and pressure are then used to fuse the toner to the medium to complete the print.

[0006] The toner supply of an image forming device is typically stored in one or more replaceable units that have a shorter useful life than the image forming device. The replaceable units require periodic replacement by the user in order to continue printing. The user experience associated with replacing replaceable units is an important design consideration. Preferably, the process of removing existing replaceable units and installing replacements is intuitive, efficient, and relatively simple. From a manufacturer's perspective, it is desirable to reduce the cost and complexity of replaceable units and overall system design. It is also desirable to minimize the overall size of the replaceable units and image forming device, which is consistent with consumer preferences for smaller devices and components.

[0007] Overview

[0008] A toner container for use in an image forming device according to an example embodiment includes a body having a top, a bottom, a front portion positioned between a first side portion and a second side portion of the body, and a rear portion. The body has a reservoir for holding toner. A downwardly facing outlet port is positioned on the front portion of the body for discharging toner from the toner container. A handle is pivotable relative to the body between a first position and a second position about a pivot axis. The handle includes a front segment extending along the front portion of the body when the handle is in the first position, for contacting a corresponding pry surface in the image forming device when the handle moves from the first position to the second position, thereby being used to lift the toner container from a corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The handle includes a rear segment extending along the rear portion of the body when the handle is in the first position, thereby allowing a user to actuate the rear segment to move the handle from the first position to the second position, so as to remove the toner container from the corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The handle includes a first side section extending along a first side portion of the body and a second side section extending along a second side portion of the body. The first side section and the second side section connect the front section and the rear section.

[0009] Embodiments include those wherein the front section, the rear section, and the first and second side sections of the handle are positioned no higher than the top of the body when the handle is in the first position.

[0010] In some embodiments, when the handle is in the first position, the front section extends horizontally along the front of the body.

[0011] Embodiments include embodiments in which a bottom contact surface of the front section is positioned to contact a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device when the handle moves from a first position to a second position, the bottom contact surface being positioned above the pivot axis when the handle is in the first position and below the pivot axis when the handle is in the second position.

[0012] In some embodiments, when the handle is in the first position, the rear section extends horizontally along the rear of the body.

[0013] Embodiments include those wherein the rear section is positioned below the pivot axis when the handle is in the first position and above the pivot axis when the handle is in the second position.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first side section and the second side section each include a front portion proximate the front of the body and extending downwardly and rearwardly when the handle is in the first position. In some embodiments, the pivot axis extends through the front portion of the first side section and the second side section.

[0015] Embodiments include those wherein the first side segment and the second side segment each include a rear portion that extends horizontally when the handle is in the first position.

[0016] Some embodiments include a recess in the front of the body, the recess being located below the front section of the handle when the handle is in the first position, the recess providing clearance for a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device during removal of the toner container from a corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device. In some embodiments, the recess in the front of the body includes an inclined bottom surface that is inclined upward in a direction from the front of the body toward the rear of the body. In some embodiments, the recess in the front of the body includes a first inclined side surface and a second inclined side surface that are inclined inwardly toward each other in a direction from the front of the body toward the rear of the body. In some embodiments, the recess in the front of the body includes a first recess positioned proximate to a first side of the body and a second recess positioned proximate to a second side of the body, and the position of the first recess in the vertical direction can be aligned with the position of the second recess in the vertical direction.

[0017] Some embodiments include a recess in the rear portion of the body that provides space for a user's hand, thereby allowing the user to manually actuate the rear section to move the handle from the first position to the second position.

[0018] A toner container for use in an image forming device according to another exemplary embodiment includes a main body having a top, a bottom, a front, and a rear positioned between a first side portion and a second side portion of the main body. The main body has a reservoir for holding toner. A downwardly facing outlet port is positioned on the front of the main body for discharging toner from the toner container. The handle can be pivoted between a first position and a second position relative to the main body about a pivot axis. The handle includes a front section extending along the front of the main body when the handle is in the first position, for contacting a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device when the handle moves from the first position to the second position, thereby being used to lift the toner container from a corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The handle includes a rear section extending along the rear of the main body when the handle is in the first position, thereby allowing a user to lift the rear section upward to move the handle from the first position to the second position, causing the front section to move downward to apply a downward force on the corresponding prying surface, for removing the toner container from the corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The handle is positioned no higher than the top of the housing when the handle is in the first position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of four imaging stations for use with an image forming apparatus, each having a toner cartridge and a developer unit, according to an example embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first toner cartridge according to an example embodiment.

[0024] Figure 5A yes Figure 3 and Figure 4 A side view of a toner cartridge is shown showing the handle of the toner cartridge in a first position.

[0025] Figure 5B yes Figure 3 and Figure 4 A side view of a toner cartridge is shown showing the handle of the toner cartridge in a second position.

[0026] Figure 6 and Figure 7is a perspective view of a second toner cartridge according to an example embodiment.

[0027] Fig. 8A yes Figure 6 and Figure 7 A side view of a toner cartridge is shown showing the handle of the toner cartridge in a first position.

[0028] Figure 8B yes Figure 6 and Figure 7 A side view of a toner cartridge is shown showing the handle of the toner cartridge in a second position.

[0029] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment, with an access door of the image forming apparatus omitted, showing four toner cartridges positioned within the image forming apparatus, with three toner cartridges in an installed position and one toner cartridge in a raised position.

[0030] Fig.10 According to an example embodiment Fig. 9 A perspective view of an image forming apparatus is shown with an access door of the image forming apparatus omitted and four toner cartridges removed from the image forming apparatus.

[0031] Figures 11A-11F is a side cross-sectional view showing a sequence of removing a toner cartridge from an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment.

[0032] Fig.12 is a diagram showing a prying surface of an image forming device and a Fig.11A A perspective cross-sectional view of the alignment between the cutouts of the toner cartridge shown in position.

[0033] Fig.13 is a diagram showing a prying surface of an image forming device and a Fig.11E A perspective cross-sectional view of the alignment between the cutouts of the toner cartridge shown in position.

[0034] Detailed Description

[0035] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which like numbers represent like elements. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that other embodiments may be utilized, and process, electrical and mechanical changes, etc. may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples represent possible variations only. Portions and features of certain embodiments may be included in other embodiments or replace portions and features of other embodiments. Therefore, the following description should not be regarded as limiting, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the interior of an example image forming device 20 is shown. The image forming device 20 includes a housing 22. The housing 22 includes one or more input trays 28 positioned therein. Each tray 28 is sized to accommodate a stack of media sheets. As used herein, the term media is meant to include not only paper, but also labels, envelopes, fabrics, photo paper, or any other desired substrate. The trays 28 are preferably removable for refilling. A control panel 30 may be located on the housing 22. Using the control panel 30, a user is able to enter commands and generally control the operation of the image forming device 20. For example, a user may enter commands to switch modes (e.g., color mode, monochrome mode), view the number of images printed, etc. A media path 32 extends through the image forming device 20 for moving media sheets through an image transfer process. The media path 32 includes a simplex path 34 and may include a duplex path 36. Media sheets are introduced from the tray 28 into the simplex path 34 by a pickup mechanism 38. In the example embodiment shown, the pick mechanism 38 includes a roller 40 positioned at the end of a pivotable arm 42. The roller 40 rotates to move the media sheet from the tray 28 and into the media path 32. The media sheet is then moved along the media path 32 by various transport rollers. The media sheet may also be introduced into the media path 32 by a manual feed mechanism 46 having one or more rollers 48.

[0037] The image forming device 20 includes an image transfer portion that includes one or more imaging stations 50. Each imaging station 50 includes a toner cartridge 100, a developing unit 200, and a photoconductive unit (PC unit) 300. Each toner cartridge 100 includes a reservoir 102 for holding toner and an outlet port that communicates with an inlet port of a corresponding developing unit 200, the outlet port being used to transfer toner from the reservoir 102 to the developing unit 200. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the developing unit 200 utilizes a system that is generally referred to as a single-component developing system. In this embodiment, each developing unit 200 includes a toner reservoir 202 and a toner adding roller 204 that moves toner from the reservoir 202 to a developing roller 206. In another embodiment, the developing unit 200 utilizes a system that is generally referred to as a dual-component developing system. In this embodiment, the toner in the toner reservoir 202 is mixed with magnetic carrier beads. The magnetic carrier beads may be coated with a polymer film to provide triboelectric properties, thereby attracting the toner to the carrier beads when the toner and the magnetic carrier beads are mixed in the toner reservoir. In this embodiment, the developer roller 206 attracts the magnetic carrier beads having the toner thereon to the developer roller 206 by using a magnetic field. Each PC unit 300 includes a charging roller 304 and a photoconductive (PC) drum 302 for each imaging station 50. The PC drums 302 are mounted substantially parallel to each other. For clarity, the developer unit 200 and the PC unit 300 are labeled on only one of the imaging stations 50. In the example embodiment shown, each imaging station 50 is substantially identical except for the color or type of toner.

[0038] Each charging roller 304 forms a nip with the corresponding PC drum 302. During the printing operation, the charging roller 304 charges the surface of the PC drum 302 to a specified voltage. Then, the laser beam from the print head 52 associated with each imaging station 50 is directed to the surface of the PC drum 302, and selectively discharges those areas contacted by the laser beam to form a latent image. The developer roller 206 then transfers the toner to the PC drum 302 to form a toner image. A metering device, such as a doctor blade, can be used to meter the toner on the developer roller 206 and apply a desired charge to the toner before the toner is transferred to the PC drum 302. The toner is attracted to the area on the surface of the PC drum 302 that is discharged by the laser beam from the print head 52.

[0039] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, an intermediate transfer mechanism (ITM) 54 is disposed adjacent to the imaging station 50. In this embodiment, the ITM 54 is formed as an endless belt that runs around a drive roller 56, a tension roller 58, and a back-up roll 60. During a printing operation, the ITM 54 moves along a plurality of axes. Figure 1 The image forming station 50 is shown moving in a clockwise direction through the image forming station 50. One or more of the PC drums 302 applies a toner image of its respective color to the ITM 54 at a first transfer nip 62. The ITM 54 rotates and collects the one or more toner images from the image forming station 50 and then transfers the toner images to the media sheet advancing through the simplex path 34 at a second transfer nip 64 formed between a transfer roller 66 and the ITM 54, which is supported by a support roller 60. In other embodiments, the toner image is transferred directly from the PC drum 302 to the media sheet.

[0040] The media sheet with the toner image then moves along the simplex path 34 and into a fuser area 68. The fuser area 68 includes a fuser roller or belt 70 that forms a nip 72 to adhere the toner image to the media sheet. The fused media sheet then passes through an exit roller 74 located downstream of the fuser area 68. The exit roller 74 can rotate in a forward direction or a reverse direction. In the forward direction, the exit roller 74 moves the media sheet from the simplex path 34 to an output area 76 of the image forming device 20. In the reverse direction, the exit roller 74 moves the media sheet into the duplex path 36 for forming an image on the second side of the media sheet.

[0041] In contrast to the color image forming apparatus 20 , which may include a plurality of image forming stations 50 , the monochrome image forming apparatus 20 may include a single image forming station 50 . Figure 2A set of four imaging stations 50 is shown, each imaging station 50 including a respective toner cartridge 100, a developing unit 200 and a PC unit 300. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 includes three toner cartridges 100a, 100b, 100c having substantially the same construction and size, and a toner cartridge 100d having a larger overall size and toner capacity. In this embodiment, the toner cartridges 100a, 100b, 100c each contain a color toner, such as, for example, cyan, yellow and magenta toners, respectively, and the toner cartridge 100d contains black toner. In some embodiments, the image forming apparatus 20 may also allow a toner cartridge having substantially the same construction and size as the toner cartridges 100a, 100b, 100c to be installed in place of the larger toner cartridge 100d, so that the image forming apparatus 20 may allow a smaller (normal capacity) black toner cartridge or a larger capacity black toner cartridge to be used according to the user's selection.

[0042] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A toner cartridge 100a is shown according to an example embodiment, which can have substantially the same construction as toner cartridges 100b and 100c, and optionally toner cartridge 100d. Toner cartridge 100a includes a body 104 in which a toner reservoir 102 is housed. Body 104 includes a top 105, a bottom 106, a front 107, a rear 108, and a pair of side portions 109, 110. In the example embodiment shown, body 104 includes a main portion 112 and an extension portion 114. Extension portion 114 is positioned at bottom 106 of body 104. As shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in one example embodiment, the depth of the extension portion 114 is less than the depth of the main portion 112 , and the height of the extension portion 114 is less than the height of the main portion 112 .

[0043] The toner cartridge 100a includes an outlet port 116 for transferring toner to an inlet port of a corresponding developer unit 200. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the outlet port 116 is formed as a downwardly facing opening on the main portion 112 on the front portion 107 of the body 104, approximately in the middle of the front portion 107 of the body 104. The outlet port 116 may include a shutter that controls whether toner is allowed to flow out of the outlet port 116 from the toner reservoir 102.

[0044] The toner cartridge 100a also includes a drive gear 118 that meshes with and receives rotational power from a corresponding gear in the image forming device 20 (e.g., on a corresponding developing unit 200) when the toner cartridge 100a is installed in the image forming device 20, so as to provide rotational power to various toner agitators positioned within the reservoir 102 for moving toner to the outlet port 116. In the illustrated example embodiment, the drive gear 118 is positioned on the front portion 107 of the main body 104, and when the toner cartridge 100a is installed in the image forming device 20, a bottom portion of the drive gear 118 engages with a corresponding gear in the image forming device 20.

[0045] The toner cartridge 100a may further include a Figure 3 Various alignment members 120 are provided to align the toner cartridge 100a with the corresponding developer unit 200 during insertion in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the figure. For example, the alignment member 120 may include a combination of a protrusion protruding outward from the side portions 109, 110 of the body 104 and / or an elongated groove formed as a recess in the side portions 109, 110, the protrusion and the elongated groove respectively cooperating with the corresponding groove and / or protrusion to ensure accurate positioning of the toner cartridge 100a. For example, the alignment member 120 helps to ensure that the outlet port 116 cooperates with the inlet port of the developer unit 200, and the drive gear 118 cooperates with the corresponding drive gear in the image forming device 20.

[0046] The toner cartridge 100a may also include an electrical connector 122 having electrical contacts that can cooperate with corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device 20 when the toner cartridge 100a is installed in the image forming device 20 to facilitate a communication link between the processing circuit of the toner cartridge 100a and the controller of the image forming device 20. The processing circuit of the toner cartridge 100a can provide authentication functions, safety and operational interlocks, operating parameters and / or usage information related to the toner cartridge 100a, and can include hardware and / or software logic as needed. The electrical connector 122 including the electrical contacts can be positioned in a recess or cavity formed in the bottom 106 of the body 104. The opening at the bottom end of the cavity and the bottommost portion of the body 104 allows the corresponding electrical connector in the image forming device 20 to enter the cavity during the downward insertion of the toner cartridge 100a into the image forming device 20.

[0047] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B The toner cartridge 100a includes a handle 130 for assisting a user in removing the toner cartridge 100a from the image forming device 20. The handle 130 can be pivoted relative to the body 104 about a pivot axis 132. Figure 3 , Figure 4and Figure 5A The first position shown is Figure 5B 108 of the body 104. In the example embodiment shown, the pivot axis 132 is horizontal and extends from the side 109 to the side 110, generally parallel to the front 107 and the rear 108 of the body 104. The pivot axis 132 is positioned near the top 105 of the body 104 (e.g., slightly spaced below the top 105 of the body 104). In the example embodiment shown, the pivot axis 132 is positioned closer to the front 107 of the body 104 than to the rear 108 of the body 104. In the example embodiment shown, the handle 130 tends to move from the front 107 of the body 104 due to gravity. Figure 5B The second position shown falls and stabilizes Figure 5A In other embodiments, the handle 130 can be biased toward the first position as desired, for example, by a spring or other resilient biasing member.

[0048] The handle 130 includes a front section 134 extending along the front portion 107 of the body 104. In the example embodiment shown, the front section 134 extends horizontally along the front portion 107 of the body 104. The front section 134 includes a bottom contact surface 136 that contacts a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device 20 when the handle 130 is manually moved from the first position to the second position by a user to remove the toner cartridge 100a from the image forming device 20, as discussed in more detail below. In the example embodiment shown, the front section 134 including the bottom contact surface 136 is in a position to pry when the handle 130 is in a Figure 5A In the first position shown, the handle 130 is positioned above the pivot axis 132 and is in the Figure 5B The second position is shown positioned below the pivot axis 132. In this embodiment, the top surface 137 of the front section 134 is positioned no higher than the top 105 of the body 104 in both the first and second positions of the handle 130.

[0049] The handle 130 also includes a rear section 138 that extends along the rear 108 of the body 104. In the example embodiment shown, the rear section 138 extends horizontally along the rear 108 of the body 104. The rear section 138 provides a contact point for a user's hand or finger to allow the user to actuate the handle 130 and move the handle 130 from the first position to the second position to remove the toner cartridge 100a from the image forming device 20, as discussed in more detail below. In the example embodiment shown, the rear section 138 is in a position to move the handle 130 from the first position to the second position to remove the toner cartridge 100a from the image forming device 20. Figure 5A In the first position shown, the handle 130 is positioned below the pivot axis 132 and is in the Figure 5BThe second position shown is positioned above the pivot axis 132. In this embodiment, in the first position of the handle 130, the rear section 138 is positioned below the top 105 of the body 104, and in the second position of the handle 130, the rear section 138 extends above the top 105 of the body 104.

[0050] In the example embodiment shown, the handle 130 includes a pair of side segments 140, 142 that extend along respective sides 109, 110 of the body 104 and connect the front segment 134 to the rear segment 138. In the example embodiment shown, each side segment 140, 142 includes a respective front portion 140a, 142a proximate the front 107 of the body 104 and a respective rear portion 140b, 142b proximate the rear 108 of the body 104, the front portions 140a, 142a extending downwardly and rearwardly along the respective sides 109, 110 of the body 104 when the handle 130 is in the first position, and the rear portions 140b, 142b extending horizontally along the respective sides 109, 110 of the body 104 when the handle 130 is in the first position. In the example embodiment shown, the pivot axis 132 extends through the front portions 140 a , 142 a of the side segments 140 , 142 .

[0051] The handle 130 can be pivotally mounted to the body 104 by any suitable means. For example, in one embodiment, a post on the inner surface of each side segment 140, 142 of the handle 130 is received by a corresponding mount on each side 109, 110 of the body 104, wherein the engagement between the post and the corresponding mount defines a pivot axis 132 of the handle 130.

[0052] refer to Figure 5A and Figure 5B To actuate the handle 130 and move the handle 130 from Figure 5A The first position shown moves to Figure 5B In the second position shown, the user typically contacts the rear section 138 of the handle 130 (e.g., the bottom surface of the rear section 138) and lifts the rear section 138 upward. When the handle 130 moves from the first position to the second position, the handle 130 pivots clockwise about the pivot axis 132, as shown in FIG. Figure 5A and Figure 5BAs the handle 130 moves from the first position to the second position, the rear section 138 is raised from a position below the pivot axis 132 and the top 105 of the body 104 to a position above the pivot axis 132 and the top 105 of the body 104, and the front section 134 is lowered from a position above the pivot axis 132 to a position below the pivot axis 132. When the handle 130 returns from the second position to the first position, for example, due to the effect of gravity when the user releases the handle 130, the handle 130 pivots counterclockwise about the pivot axis 132, as shown in FIG. Figure 5A and Figure 5B shown.

[0053] Return to reference Figure 3 In the example embodiment shown, the toner cartridge 100a includes a recess or cutout 150 in the front portion 107 of the body 104 that provides space for a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device 20 to accommodate the prying surface during removal of the toner cartridge 100a from the image forming device 20, as discussed in more detail below. When the handle 130 is in the first position, the cutout 150 is positioned below the contact surface 136 of the front section 134 of the handle 130. In the example embodiment shown, the cutout 150 is formed by inclined side surfaces 152, 153, an inclined bottom surface 154, and an open top end 156. The side surfaces 152, 153 are inclined inwardly toward each other in a direction from the front portion 107 to the rear portion 108, and the bottom surface 154 is inclined upwardly in a direction from the front portion 107 to the rear portion 108.

[0054] refer to Figure 4 In the illustrated example embodiment, the toner cartridge 100a includes a recess or cutout 160 in the rear portion 108 of the body 104 that provides space for a user's hand. As discussed in more detail below, the cutout 160 makes it easier for a user to engage or grip the rear section 138 of the handle 130 when the handle 130 is in the first position in order to actuate the handle 130 and move the handle 130 from the first position to the second position. In the illustrated example embodiment, the cutout 160 includes an inner, angled rear surface 162 that extends further toward the front portion 107 of the body 104 as the surface 162 extends downward, such that the depth of the cutout 160 along the direction from the rear portion 108 to the front portion 107 increases in the downward direction.

[0055] Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Fig. 8A and Figure 8BA toner cartridge 100d according to an example embodiment is shown having a larger overall size and toner capacity than the toner cartridge 100a discussed above. For the sake of brevity, descriptions of features common to both toner cartridges 100a and 100d are not repeated, and like reference numerals are used to represent like elements.

[0056] The toner cartridge 100d includes a body 1104 that is substantially the same as the body 104 of the toner cartridge 100a, except that the body 1104 has a larger overall size and toner capacity than the body 104. Similar to the body 104, the body 1104 includes a top 1105, a bottom 1106, a front 1107, a rear 1108, and a pair of side portions 1109, 1110. The toner cartridge 100d includes a handle 1130 for facilitating removal of the toner cartridge 100d from the image forming device 20. The handle 1130 is movable relative to the body 1104 about a pivot axis 132. Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Fig. 8A The first position shown is Figure 8B In the illustrated example embodiment, the handle 1130 of the toner cartridge 100d is substantially identical to the handle 130 of the toner cartridge 100a, except that the front section 1134 and the rear section 1138 are wider (in the direction from the side 1109 to the side 1110) than the front section 134 and the rear section 138 of the handle 130 to accommodate the larger overall size of the body 1104.

[0057] In the example embodiment shown, handle 1130 operates in the same manner as handle 130. Fig. 8A The first position shown moves to Figure 8B In the second position shown, the user typically contacts the rear section 1138 of the handle 1130 and lifts the rear section 1138 upward. When the handle 1130 moves from the first position to the second position, the handle 1130 pivots clockwise about the pivot axis 132, as shown in FIG. Fig. 8A and Figure 8B When the handle 1130 returns from the second position to the first position, for example, due to the force of gravity when the user releases the handle 1130, the handle 1130 pivots counterclockwise about the pivot axis 132, as shown in FIG. Fig. 8A and Figure 8B shown.

[0058] Return to reference Figure 6In the example embodiment shown, the toner cartridge 100d includes a pair of notches or cutouts 1150a, 1150b in the front portion 1107 of the body 1104 that provide space for corresponding prying surfaces in the image forming device 20 to accommodate the prying surfaces during removal of the toner cartridge 100d from the image forming device 20. In the example embodiment shown, each notch 1150a, 1150b is substantially the same as the notch 150 discussed above. In this embodiment, the vertical position of the notch 1150a is aligned with the vertical position of the notch 1150b. The notch 1150a is located proximate to the side 1109 of the body 1104, and the notch 1150b is located proximate to the side 1110 of the body 1104.

[0059] refer to Figure 7 In the illustrated example embodiment, the toner cartridge 100d includes a recess or cutout 1160 in the rear portion 1108 of the body 1104 that provides space for a user's hand. In the illustrated example embodiment, the cutout 1160 is substantially the same as the cutout 160 discussed above.

[0060] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 An image forming apparatus 20 according to an example embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 comprises a multi-function device including an electrophotographic printer 400 and a document scanner 402 . Fig. 9 The image forming device 20 is shown with the access door omitted in order to show the toner cartridges 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d installed in corresponding toner cartridge receptacles 404a, 404b, 404c, 404d of the image forming device 20. When the access door of the image forming device 20 is open, the toner cartridges 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d are accessible within the recessed area 408 of the image forming device 20. Fig. 9 In the embodiment, the toner cartridges 100b, 100c, 100d are fully installed and positioned in the toner cartridge receiving portions 404b, 404c, 404d of the image forming device 20, wherein the handles 130, 1130 of the toner cartridges 100b, 100c, 100d are in their respective first positions. Fig. 9 , the handle 130 of the toner cartridge 100a is shown as being moved from a first position to a second position such that the bottom contact surface 136 of the front section 134 contacts a corresponding prying surface 406a positioned adjacent the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a within the image forming device 20, thereby causing the toner cartridge 100a to be vertically raised from the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a, as discussed in more detail below.

[0061] Fig.10The image forming device 20 is shown with the access door omitted and the toner cartridges 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d removed. The toner cartridge receivers 404a, 404b, 404c, 404d are shown positioned to receive and hold corresponding toner cartridges 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d within the image forming device 20. In the example embodiment shown, the toner cartridge receiver 404d is positioned and sized to receive a relatively large toner cartridge 100d (such as a Figure 6-Figure 8B ) or a smaller toner cartridge 100d (such as Figure 3-5B ). The prying surfaces 406a, 406b, 406c, 406d, 406e are shown as being positioned to engage the bottom contact surface 136, 1136 of the front section 134, 1134 of the handle 130, 1130 of the toner cartridge 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d to allow a user to remove the toner cartridge 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d from the image forming device 20. In the example embodiment shown, the toner cartridge receiving portion 404d includes a pair of prying surfaces 406d, 406e positioned adjacent thereto. If a relatively large toner cartridge 100d (such as Figure 6-Figure 8B ) is installed in the toner cartridge receiving portion 404d, then when the handle 1130 is moved from the first position to the second position, both prying surfaces 406d, 406e contact the bottom contact surface 1136 on the front section 1134 of the handle 1130 to prevent twisting or flexing of the handle 1130 during removal of the toner cartridge 100d. If a smaller toner cartridge 100d (such as Figure 3-5B ) is installed in the toner cartridge receiving portion 404d, then when the handle 130 is moved from the first position to the second position, only the prying surface 406d contacts the bottom contact surface 136 on the front section 134 of the handle 130.

[0062] Figures 11A-11F 1 is a sequential view showing removal of toner cartridge 100a (including operation of handle 130) from image forming apparatus 20 according to an exemplary embodiment. Removal of toner cartridges 100b, 100c, 100d from image forming apparatus 20, including operation of handle 1130 of toner cartridge 100d, is substantially the same. Fig.11A The toner cartridge 100a is shown fully installed and seated in the corresponding toner cartridge receiving portion 404a, and the handle 130 is in the first position. When the handle 130 is in the first position and the toner cartridge 100a is fully seated in the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a, the bottom contact surface 136 of the front section 134 of the handle 130 is shown to be slightly spaced above the prying surface 406a.

[0063] Fig.12It shows that Fig.11A A perspective view of the toner cartridge 100a in the position shown. Fig.12 As shown, when the handle 130 is in the first position and the toner cartridge 100a is fully seated in the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a, the prying surface 406a in the image forming device 20 is aligned with the cutout 150 on the front portion 107 of the main body 104 of the toner cartridge 100a in the vertical direction and is spaced above the open top end 156 of the cutout 150.

[0064] Return to reference Figures 11A-11F ,like Fig. 11B and Fig. 11C As shown, when the user manually lifts the rear section 138 of the handle 130 upward, the handle 130 moves from Fig.11A The first position shown is pivoted about the pivot axis 132 (eg Figures 11A-11F The rotation of the handle 130 about the pivot axis 132 due to the user lifting the rear section 138 causes the handle 130 to act as a lever, wherein the bottom contact surface 136 of the front section 134 contacts and exerts a downward force on the corresponding prying surface 406a in the image forming device 20. Fig. 11B and Fig. 11C As shown, the upward force applied by the user to the rear section 138 of the handle 130 and the upward reaction force from the prying surface 406a on the front section 134 of the handle 130 cause the toner cartridge 100a to be lifted upward from its toner cartridge receiving portion 404a.

[0065] As the user continues to lift the rear section 138 of the handle 130 upward, the handle 130 further pivots about the pivot axis 132 away from the first position of the handle 130 and toward the second position of the handle 130 (eg, Figures 11A-11F counterclockwise as shown), such as Fig.11D and Fig.11E The contact between the bottom contact surface 136 of the front section 134 of the handle 130 and the prying surface 406a causes the toner cartridge 100a to continue to rise upward from the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a, as shown in FIG. Fig.11D and Fig.11E shown. Fig.11E The handle 130 is shown in a second position, wherein the bottom contact surface 136 of the front section 134 of the handle 130 is in contact with the prying surface 406a.

[0066] Fig.13 It shows that Fig.11E A perspective view of the toner cartridge 100a in the position shown. Fig.13As shown, when the handle 130 is in the second position and the toner cartridge 100a is lifted upward from the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a and the bottom contact surface 136 of the front section 134 of the handle 130 contacts the prying surface 406a, the prying surface 406a extends into the cutout 150 on the front portion 107 of the body 104 of the toner cartridge 100a. In this way, the cutout 150 accommodates the prying surface 406a and allows the use of the handle 130 that does not need to extend forward beyond the front portion 107 of the body 104 of the toner cartridge 100a.

[0067] Return to reference Figures 11A-11F After the handle 130 reaches the second position, the toner cartridge 100a tends to rest on the top portion of the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a, thereby allowing a user to manually lift and remove the toner cartridge 100a from the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a with little resistance. Fig.11F The toner cartridge 100a is shown lifted from and separated from the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a.

[0068] As discussed above, in the illustrated embodiment, the handle 130 of the toner cartridge 100a tends to stay in the first position due to gravity. Therefore, during the insertion of the toner cartridge 100a into the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a of the image forming device 20, the front section 134 of the handle 130 tends to be spaced above the prying surface 406a until the toner cartridge 100a is completely or almost completely seated in the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a. If the handle 130 of the toner cartridge 100a is moved away from the first position and pivoted toward the second position during the insertion of the toner cartridge 100a into the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a, the prying surface 406a will contact the bottom contact surface 136 of the front section 134 of the handle 130, and the downward insertion of the toner cartridge 100a into the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a will cause the handle 130 to pivot about the pivot axis 132 toward the first position. When the toner cartridge 100a is fully installed and positioned in the toner cartridge receiving portion 404a, the front section 134 of the handle 130 tends to rest on or just above the prying surface 406a, wherein the handle 130 is in the first position, such as Fig.11A and Fig.12 shown.

[0069] Thus, the present disclosure provides an assembly for efficiently removing an existing toner container and installing a replacement toner container. The handle 130, 1130 of the present disclosure allows the overall height of the toner cartridge 100 to be reduced compared to a handle positioned on the top of the toner cartridge 100. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the handle 130, 1130 including the front section 134, 1134, the rear section 138, 1138, and the side sections 140, 142 is positioned no higher than the top 105 of the body 104 in the first position of the handle 130. As shown in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown, in the case where the image forming device 20 includes one or more components (such as a document scanner 402) positioned above the toner cartridge 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, the handle 130, 1130 of the present disclosure allows the overall height of the image forming device 20 to be reduced, which is consistent with the user's preference for smaller devices. On the other hand, if the toner cartridge 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d includes a handle that occupies more vertical space above the toner cartridge 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, such as a handle positioned on the top of the toner cartridge 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, a larger recessed area 408 with a larger height will be required in order to provide the user with sufficient vertical space to remove and install the toner cartridge 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d.

[0070] like Fig. 9 As shown, the handle 130, 1130 of the present disclosure also provides a touch point for the user, namely, the rear section 138, 1138 in the illustrated example embodiment, which is positioned closer to the user than a handle positioned on the top of the toner cartridge. In this way, the handle 130, 1130 of the present disclosure provides a more visible and intuitive mechanism for removing each toner cartridge 100.

[0071] In addition, the handle 130, 1130 of the present disclosure provides a relatively long lever arm for removing the toner cartridge 100, which extends from the rear section 138, 1138 actuated by the user to the front section 134, 1134 that contacts the corresponding prying surface in the image forming device 20. The relatively long lever arm provided by the handle 130, 1130 helps to reduce the force required by the user to move the handle 130, 1130 from the first position to the second position to lift the toner cartridge 100 out of the toner cartridge receiving portion corresponding to the toner cartridge 100 within the image forming device 20.

[0072] although Figure 2 The illustrated example embodiment includes a toner cartridge 100, a developer unit 200, and a PC unit 300 positioned in separate replaceable units, but it should be understood that the replaceable units of the image forming device 20 may be configured in any suitable manner as desired. For example, in one embodiment, the main toner supply, developer unit 200, and PC unit 300 for the image forming device 20 are combined in separate replaceable units for each color of toner. In another embodiment, the main toner supply and developer unit 200 for the image forming device 20 are disposed in a first replaceable unit, and the PC unit 300 is disposed in a second replaceable unit. Other combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0073] The foregoing description illustrates various aspects of the present disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, it is selected to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, so that a person of ordinary skill in the art can utilize the present disclosure, including its various naturally derived modifications. All modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims. Quite obvious modifications include combining one or more features of the various embodiments with features of other embodiments.

Claims

1. A toner container for use in an image forming device, comprising: a body having a top, a bottom, a front portion positioned between a first side portion and a second side portion of the body, and a rear portion, the body having a reservoir for holding toner; a downwardly facing outlet port positioned on the front portion of the body for discharging toner from the toner container; and A handle, the handle being pivotable relative to the body about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position, the handle comprising a front section extending along the front of the body when the handle is in the first position, for contacting a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device when the handle moves from the first position to the second position, thereby for lifting the toner container from a corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, the handle comprising a rear section extending along the rear of the body when the handle is in the first position, thereby allowing a user to actuate the rear section to move the handle from the first position to the second position so as to remove the toner container from the corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, the handle comprising a first side section extending along the first side of the body and a second side section extending along the second side of the body, the first side section and the second side section connecting the front section and the rear section.

2. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein: The front section, the rear section, and the first and second side sections of the handle are positioned no higher than the top of the body when the handle is in the first position.

3. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein: When the handle is in the first position, the front section extends horizontally along the front of the body.

4. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein: The bottom contact surface of the front section is positioned to contact a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device when the handle moves from the first position to the second position, and the bottom contact surface is positioned: above the pivot axis when the handle is in the first position, and below the pivot axis when the handle is in the second position.

5. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein: When the handle is in the first position, the rear section extends horizontally along the rear of the body.

6. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein: The rear section is positioned below the pivot axis when the handle is in the first position and above the pivot axis when the handle is in the second position.

7. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein: The first side section and the second side section each include a front portion proximate the front of the body and extending downwardly and rearwardly when the handle is in the first position.

8. The toner container according to claim 7, wherein: The pivot axis extends through the front portion of the first side section and the front portion of the second side section.

9. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein: The first side section and the second side section each include a rear portion that extends horizontally when the handle is in the first position.

10. The toner container of claim 1 , further comprising a recess in the front portion of the body, the recess being located below the front section of the handle when the handle is in the first position, thereby providing space for a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device during removal of the toner container from a corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device.

11. The toner container according to claim 10, wherein: The recess in the front portion of the body includes an inclined bottom surface that slopes upward in a direction from the front portion of the body toward the rear portion of the body.

12. The toner container according to claim 11, wherein The recess in the front of the body includes first and second inclined side surfaces that are inclined inwardly toward each other in a direction from the front of the body toward the rear of the body.

13. The toner container according to claim 10, wherein: The recesses in the front portion of the body include a first recess positioned proximate the first side portion of the body and a second recess positioned proximate the second side portion of the body.

14. The toner container according to claim 13, wherein: A position of the first notch in the vertical direction is aligned with a position of the second notch in the vertical direction.

15. The toner container of claim 1, further comprising a recess in the rear portion of the body, the recess providing space for a user's hand, thereby allowing the user to manually actuate the rear section to move the handle from the first position to the second position.

16. A toner container for use in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a body having a top, a bottom, a front, and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the body, the body having a reservoir for holding toner; a downwardly facing outlet port positioned on the front portion of the body for discharging toner from the toner container; and A handle, the handle being pivotable between a first position and a second position about a pivot axis relative to the main body, the handle comprising a front section extending along the front of the main body when the handle is in the first position, for contacting a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device when the handle moves from the first position to the second position, thereby being used to lift the toner container from a corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, the handle comprising a rear section extending along the rear of the main body when the handle is in the first position, thereby allowing a user to lift the rear section upward to move the handle from the first position to the second position, causing the front section to move downward to apply a downward force on the corresponding prying surface, for removing the toner container from the corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, the handle being positioned so as to be no higher than the top of the housing when the handle is in the first position.

17. The toner container according to claim 16, wherein: The handle includes a first side section extending along the first side of the body and a second side section extending along the second side of the body, the first side section and the second side section connecting the front section and the rear section.

18. The toner container according to claim 17, wherein: The first side section and the second side section each include a front portion proximate the front of the body and extending downwardly and rearwardly when the handle is in the first position.

19. The toner container according to claim 18, wherein: The pivot axis extends through the front portion of the first side section and the front portion of the second side section.

20. The toner container according to claim 17, wherein: The first side section and the second side section each include a rear portion that extends horizontally when the handle is in the first position.

21. The toner container according to claim 16, wherein: When the handle is in the first position, the front section extends horizontally along the front of the body.

22. The toner container according to claim 16, wherein: The bottom contact surface of the front section is positioned to contact a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device when the handle moves from the first position to the second position, and the bottom contact surface is positioned: above the pivot axis when the handle is in the first position, and below the pivot axis when the handle is in the second position.

23. The toner container according to claim 16, wherein: When the handle is in the first position, the rear section extends horizontally along the rear of the body.

24. The toner container according to claim 16, wherein: The rear section is positioned below the pivot axis when the handle is in the first position and above the pivot axis when the handle is in the second position.

25. The toner container of claim 16, further comprising a recess in the front portion of the body, the recess being located below the front section of the handle when the handle is in the first position, thereby providing space for a corresponding prying surface in the image forming device during removal of the toner container from a corresponding toner container receiving portion in the image forming device.

26. The toner container according to claim 25, wherein: The recess in the front portion of the body includes an inclined bottom surface that slopes upward in a direction from the front portion of the body toward the rear portion of the body.

27. The toner container according to claim 26, wherein: The recess in the front of the body includes first and second inclined side surfaces that are inclined inwardly toward each other in a direction from the front of the body toward the rear of the body.

28. The toner container according to claim 25, wherein: The recesses in the front portion of the body include a first recess positioned proximate the first side portion of the body and a second recess positioned proximate the second side portion of the body.

29. The toner container according to claim 28, wherein: A position of the first notch in the vertical direction is aligned with a position of the second notch in the vertical direction.

30. The toner container of claim 16, further comprising a recess in the rear portion of the body, the recess providing space for a user's hand to allow the user to manually lift the rear section to move the handle from the first position to the second position.

Images