Toner container with positioning feature

Abstract

A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a drive coupler and an electrical contact on a first longitudinal end thereof. The first and second guide posts project outwardly from the first longitudinal end of the body along a longitudinal dimension of the toner container. The first guide post is spaced apart from the drive coupler toward a first side of the body and the second guide post is spaced apart from the drive coupler toward a second side of the body. The first and second guide posts overlap the drive coupler along a vertical dimension of the toner container such that an imaginary horizontal plane intersects the first and second guide posts and the drive coupler. Bottom surfaces of the first and second guide posts may be positioned in a vertical dimension below an axis of rotation of the drive coupler.

Description

background

[0001] 1. Public Domain The present disclosure relates generally to image forming devices and, more particularly, to toner containers having locating features.

[0002] 2. Description of Related Technologies In the electrophotographic printing process, a charged, rotating photosensitive drum is selectively exposed to a laser beam. The areas of the drum exposed to the laser beam are discharged, creating an electrostatic latent image of the page to be printed on the drum. Toner particles are then electrostatically picked up by the latent image on the drum, producing a toned image on the drum. The toned image is then transferred directly from the drum or indirectly via an intermediate transfer member to a print medium (e.g., paper). Heat and pressure are then used to fuse the toner to the medium, completing the print.

[0003] The toner supply for an image forming device is typically stored in one or more replaceable units that have a shorter lifespan than the image forming device. It is important that the one or more replaceable units are precisely aligned within the image forming device. If the replaceable units are misaligned, the toner port may not seal properly, resulting in significant toner leakage, which can lead to mechanical and print quality defects. Misalignment of the replaceable units may also cause one or more drive couplings in each replaceable unit to not properly mate with corresponding drive couplings in the image forming device, preventing the rotatable components of the replaceable units from, for example, moving toner. If the replaceable units are misaligned, the replaceable units may also be unable to establish or maintain an electrical connection with the image forming device, thereby preventing or interrupting the electronics on the replaceable units from communicating with the image forming device and / or preventing or interrupting the electrophotographic components (such as the developer roller, photoconductive drum, etc.) from receiving the voltage required for the electrophotographic printing process from the image forming device's power supply. It is generally desirable that the replaceable units be rigidly held in place after installation in the image forming device to prevent their alignment from being disturbed during operation. The need for strict positional control must be balanced with the need to allow a user to easily load and unload the replaceable unit into and from the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it will be appreciated that precise alignment of the replaceable unit and relatively simple insertion and removal from the image forming apparatus are desirable. Overview

[0004] According to one exemplary embodiment, a toner container for use in an image forming device includes a main body having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, the first side and the second side being positioned between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the main body. A longitudinal dimension of the toner container, orthogonal to the vertical dimension of the toner container, extends between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the main body. The main body includes a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet port is positioned at the bottom of the main body for discharging toner from the toner container. The outlet port is positioned closer to the first longitudinal end of the main body than to the second longitudinal end of the main body. A drive coupling is positioned at the first longitudinal end of the main body for mating with a corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device to receive rotational motion from the corresponding drive coupling. Electrical contacts are positioned at the first longitudinal end of the main body for contacting corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are positioned higher than the drive coupling of the toner container in the vertical dimension of the toner container. The first guide post and the second guide post project outwardly from a first longitudinal end of the body along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container. The first guide post is spaced apart from the drive coupling of the toner container toward a first side of the body, and the second guide post is spaced apart from the drive coupling of the toner container toward a second side of the body. The first guide post and the second guide post overlap the drive coupling of the toner container along a vertical dimension of the toner container such that an imaginary horizontal plane intersects the first and second guide posts and the drive coupling of the toner container.

[0005] Embodiments include those in which the first guide post is positioned closer to the first side of the body than to the second side of the body, and the second guide post is positioned closer to the second side of the body than to the first side of the body. In some embodiments, the first guide post is spaced from the first side of the body along a lateral dimension of the toner container, the lateral dimension of the toner container being orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and the vertical dimension of the toner container, and the second guide post is spaced from the second side of the body along the lateral dimension of the toner container.

[0006] In some embodiments, a bottom surface of the first guide post and a bottom surface of the second guide post are positioned below an axis of rotation of the drive coupling of the toner container in a vertical dimension of the toner container.

[0007] Embodiments include those in which the first guide post and the second guide post are positioned equidistant from an axis of rotation of a drive coupling of the toner container along a lateral dimension of the toner container, the lateral dimension of the toner container being orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and the vertical dimension of the toner container and extending between the first side of the body and the second side of the body.

[0008] Some embodiments include a third guide post and a fourth guide post at the top of the body and near the first longitudinal end of the body. The third guide post and the fourth guide post protrude outwardly along the lateral dimension of the toner container. The third guide post protrudes toward the first side of the body and the fourth guide post protrudes toward the second side of the body. During insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, the bottom surface of the third guide post and the bottom surface of the fourth guide post contact the top surface of the corresponding guide in the image forming device unimpeded and slide along the top surface for controlling the position of the first longitudinal end of the body along the vertical dimension of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device. In some embodiments, the third guide post and the fourth guide post are positioned closer to the first longitudinal end of the body than the outlet port is closer to the first longitudinal end of the body.

[0009] Some embodiments include a first guide rail and a second guide rail at the top of the body. The first guide rail and the second guide rail extend along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and protrude outward along the lateral dimension of the toner container. The first guide rail protrudes toward the first side of the body and the second guide rail protrudes toward the second side of the body. The third guide post and the fourth guide post are located at the front end of the first guide rail and the second guide rail and protrude further outward along the lateral dimension of the toner container than the first guide rail and the second guide rail. During the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, the bottom surface of the first guide rail and the bottom surface of the second guide rail unimpededly contact the top surface of the corresponding guide rail in the image forming device and slide along the top surface, for controlling the position of the toner container along the vertical dimension of the toner container during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

[0010] Some embodiments include a primary vertical wall located directly below each of the first and second guide rails. The primary vertical walls are inset from outer edges of the first and second guide rails, respectively, and the primary vertical walls taper in the lateral dimension of the toner container along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container. Ribs extend outwardly from each primary vertical wall along the lateral dimension of the toner container. The first and second guide rails extend further outwardly than the ribs along the lateral dimension of the toner container. The ribs protrude further outwardly relative to the primary vertical wall near one of the first and second longitudinal ends of the body than near the other of the first and second longitudinal ends of the body, such that an outer surface of each rib has a constant position along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container in the lateral dimension of the toner container, for limiting the range of travel of the toner container along the lateral dimension of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

[0011] Some embodiments include a reference point at a respective rear end of each of the first guide rail and the second guide rail for controlling a position of the second longitudinal end of the body along a vertical dimension of the toner container when the toner container is installed in the image forming apparatus. A bottom surface of the reference point extends lower along the vertical dimension of the toner container than a bottom surface of the first guide rail and a bottom surface of the second guide rail.

[0012] According to another example embodiment, a toner container for use in an image forming device includes a main body having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, the first side and the second side being positioned between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the main body. The first longitudinal end of the main body is forward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, and the second longitudinal end is rearward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device. A longitudinal dimension of the toner container, orthogonal to the vertical dimension of the toner container, extends between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the main body. A side-to-side dimension of the toner container, orthogonal to the lateral dimension and the vertical dimension of the toner container, extends between the first side and the second side of the main body. The main body has a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet port is positioned at the bottom of the main body for discharging toner from the toner container. The outlet port is positioned closer to the first longitudinal end of the main body than to the second longitudinal end of the main body. A drive coupling is positioned at a first longitudinal end of the main body and is configured to mate with a corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device to receive rotational motion from the corresponding drive coupling. Electrical contacts are positioned at the first longitudinal end of the main body and are configured to contact corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. The electrical contacts of the toner container are electrically connected to processing circuitry on the toner container. The electrical contacts of the toner container are positioned higher than the drive coupling of the toner container in the vertical dimension of the toner container. First and second guide posts project outwardly from the first longitudinal end of the main body along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and are configured to control the position of the first longitudinal end of the main body along the vertical dimension and the lateral dimension of the toner container when the toner container is installed in the image forming device and the first and second guide posts are received by corresponding first and second guide grooves in the image forming device. The first guide post is positioned closer to a first side of the main body than to a second side of the main body, and the second guide post is positioned closer to the second side of the main body than to the first side of the main body. The first guide post is positioned closer to a first side of the main body than a drive coupling of the toner container is closer to a first side of the main body, and the second guide post is positioned closer to a second side of the main body than a drive coupling of the toner container is closer to the second side of the main body. A bottom surface of the first guide post and a bottom surface of the second guide post are positioned lower than a rotation axis of the drive coupling of the toner container in a vertical dimension of the toner container and higher than a bottom end of the drive coupling of the toner container in a vertical dimension of the toner container.

[0013] According to another example embodiment, a toner container for use in an image forming device includes a main body having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, the first side and the second side being positioned between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the main body. The first longitudinal end of the main body is forward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, and the second longitudinal end is rearward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device. A longitudinal dimension of the toner container, orthogonal to the vertical dimension of the toner container, extends between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the main body. A lateral dimension of the toner container, orthogonal to the lateral dimension and the vertical dimension of the toner container, extends between the first side and the second side of the main body. The main body has a reservoir for holding toner. The toner container includes an outlet port for discharging toner from the toner container. A drive coupling is positioned at the first longitudinal end of the main body for mating with a corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device to receive rotational motion from the corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device. A first guide post and a second guide post project outwardly from a first longitudinal end of the main body along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container, and are configured to control the position of the first longitudinal end of the main body along the vertical dimension and the lateral dimension of the toner container when the toner container is installed in the image forming device and received by corresponding first and second guide slots in the image forming device. The first guide post is positioned closer to the first side of the main body than to the second side of the main body, and the second guide post is positioned closer to the second side of the main body than to the first side. The bottom surfaces of the first and second guide posts are positioned below the rotational axis of the toner container's drive coupling in the vertical dimension of the toner container and above the bottom end of the toner container's drive coupling in the vertical dimension of the toner container. The first and second guide posts are positioned equidistant from the rotational axis of the toner container's drive coupling along the lateral dimension of the toner container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2-Figure 5 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an example embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment, wherein an access door of the image forming apparatus is in an open position, illustrating four toner cartridges installed in the image forming apparatus.

[0018] Figure 7A and Figure 7B is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment, with an access door of the image forming apparatus in an open position and a toner cartridge removed from the image forming apparatus, illustrating a plurality of cartridge slots of the image forming apparatus, each cartridge slot being positioned to receive a corresponding toner cartridge.

[0019] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a guide groove formed in one of a plurality of cartridge slots in an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment.

[0020] Figure 9 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment, with an access door of the image forming apparatus in an open position, illustrating an initial insertion of a toner cartridge into a corresponding cartridge slot of the image forming apparatus.

[0021] Figures 10A-10F is a sequential schematic perspective view illustrating the insertion of a toner cartridge into a corresponding cartridge slot of an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment.

[0022] Figures 11A-11F is a sequential schematic side view illustrating the insertion of a toner cartridge into a corresponding cartridge slot of an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment.

[0023] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge in its final installed position in an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment, with an opening in a frame of the image forming apparatus schematically illustrated in phantom lines.

[0024] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge in its final installed position in an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment, with an end cap omitted at a rear end of the toner cartridge. Detailed description

[0025] 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 practice the present disclosure. It will be understood 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. The examples represent only possible variations. 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 taken in a restrictive sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the interior of an example image forming device 20 is shown. Image forming device 20 includes a housing 22. 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 intended to include not only paper but also labels, envelopes, fabric, photo paper, and any other desired substrate. Trays 28 are preferably removable for refilling. A control panel may be located on housing 22. Using this control panel, a user can input commands and generally control the operation of image forming device 20. For example, a user can input commands to switch modes (e.g., color mode, monochrome mode), view the number of printed images, etc. A media path 32 extends through image forming device 20 for moving media sheets through the image transfer process. Media path 32 includes a simplex path 34 and may include a duplex path 36. Media sheets are introduced from tray 28 into simplex path 34 by a pickup mechanism 38. In the example embodiment shown, the pick mechanism 38 includes rollers positioned to move media sheets from the tray 28 into the media path 32. The media sheets are then moved along the media path 32 by various transport rollers. Media sheets can also be introduced into the media path 32 by a manual feed 46 having one or more rollers 48 or by additional media trays.

[0027] The image forming device 20 includes an image transfer portion comprising one or more imaging stations 50. Each imaging station 50 includes a toner cartridge 100, a developer 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 developer unit 200, the outlet port being used to transfer toner from the reservoir 102 to the developer unit 200, as discussed in more detail below. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the developer units 200 utilize what is commonly referred to as a single-component development system. In this embodiment, each developer unit 200 includes a toner reservoir 202 and a toner adder roller 204 that transfers toner from the reservoir 202 to a developer roller 206. In another embodiment, the developer units 200 utilize what is commonly referred to as a dual-component development 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 magnetic carrier beads are mixed in the toner reservoir. In this embodiment, the developer roller 206 attracts the magnetic carrier beads with the toner thereon to the developer roller 206 by using a magnetic field. Each PC unit 300 includes a charge 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 shown in FIG. Figure 1 Only one of the imaging stations 50 in the image forming apparatus is labeled. In the example embodiment shown, each imaging station 50 is substantially identical except for the color or type of toner contained therein.

[0028] Each charging roller 304 forms a nip with its corresponding PC drum 302. During printing operations, the charging rollers 304 charge the surface of the PC drum 302 to a specified voltage. A laser beam from the print head 52 associated with each imaging station 50 is then directed onto 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 toner to the PC drum 302 to form a toner image. A metering device, such as a doctor blade 208, can be used to meter the toner on the developer roller 206 and apply a desired charge to the toner before it is transferred to the PC drum 302. The toner is attracted to the areas of the PC drum 302 surface that were discharged by the laser beam from the print head 52.

[0029] In the exemplary embodiment shown, 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 roller 60. During printing operations, the ITM 54 moves along the Figure 1 The media sheet is shown moving counterclockwise through the imaging station 50. One or more of the PC drums 302 applies its respective color toner image to the ITM 54 at a first transfer nip 62. The ITM 54 rotates and collects the one or more toner images from the imaging 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.

[0030] The media sheet with the toner image then moves along the media path 32 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 a transport roller 74 located downstream from the fuser area 68, which moves the media sheet to an output area 76 of the image forming device 20 or the duplex path 36 for forming an image on the second side of the media sheet, as desired.

[0031] In contrast to the color image forming apparatus 20 , which may include a plurality of imaging stations 50 , the monochrome image forming apparatus 20 may include a single imaging station 50 .

[0032] Figure 2-Figure 3A toner cartridge 100 is shown according to an example embodiment. The toner cartridge 100 includes a body 104 that houses a toner reservoir 102 therein. The body 104 includes a top 105, a bottom 106, a front end 107, a rear end 108, and a pair of side portions 109, 110. The body 104 has a height measured between the top 105 and the bottom 106 along a vertical dimension 112 of the toner cartridge 100, a length measured between the front end 107 and the rear end 108 along a longitudinal dimension 114 of the toner cartridge 100 that is orthogonal to the vertical dimension 112, and a width measured between the side portions 109 and the side portions 110 along a lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 that is orthogonal to the vertical dimension 112 and the longitudinal dimension 114. In the example embodiment shown, each end 107, 108 of the body 104 includes a respective end cap 117, 118 mounted to the corresponding end wall, such as by suitable fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, etc.) or by a snap-fit ​​engagement. In this embodiment, an end wall 119 at the front end 107 and an end wall (not shown) at the rear end 108, together with the top 105, bottom 106, and sides 109, 110, form the toner reservoir 102. In the example embodiment shown, the toner cartridge 100 is Figure 2 and Figure 3 Inserted into the image forming device 20 generally along the longitudinal dimension 114 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, with the front end 107 of the main body 104 in front and the rear end 108 of the main body 104 in the rear, and the toner cartridge 100 generally along the longitudinal dimension 114 Figure 2 and Figure 3 The main body 104 is removed from the image forming apparatus 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow B, with the rear end 108 of the main body 104 at the front and the front end 107 of the main body 104 at the rear.

[0033] As used herein, the terms "front" and "rear" correspond to the direction of travel of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20, rather than any particular orientation of the image forming device 20. For example, in one embodiment, primary operation of the image forming device 20, such as access to a user interface, a media tray, supplies (such as the toner cartridge 100, the developer unit 200, and the PC unit 300), and other features of the image forming device 20, is provided on a side proximate the rear end 108 of the body 104 of the toner cartridge 100.

[0034] Toner cartridge 100 includes an outlet port 122 for transferring toner to an inlet port of developer unit 200. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, outlet port 122 is formed as a downward-facing opening on bottom 106 of main body 104, near front end 107 of main body 104, for example, near the inside of end wall 119. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, outlet port 122 is positioned closer to side 109 of main body 104 than to side 110 of main body 104. Outlet port 122 may include a shutter 124 that controls whether toner is allowed to flow from toner reservoir 102 out of outlet port 122. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, shutter 124 is biased by a biasing member (such as a tension spring 125) toward a closed position that blocks toner from exiting outlet port 122. Installation of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 20 causes shutter 124 to move from the closed position to an open position that allows toner to exit outlet port 122.

[0035] The toner cartridge 100 also includes a drive coupling 126 that, when the toner cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming device 20, mates with and receives rotational power from a corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device 20 to provide rotational power to various rotatable components of the toner cartridge 100, such as a toner agitator positioned within the reservoir 102 for moving toner to the outlet port 122. In the illustrated example embodiment, the drive coupling 126 is positioned on the front end 107 of the main body 104, e.g., above the outlet port 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive coupling 126 is positioned on an outer surface of the end wall 119 and is exposed through an opening 128 in the end cap 117, such that when the toner cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming device 20, the drive coupling 126 is unobstructed from mating with a corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device 20. In the illustrated embodiment, when toner cartridge 100 is installed in image forming device 20 , drive coupling 126 mates with a corresponding drive coupling in image forming device 20 at an axially end longitudinal end portion 127 of drive coupling 126 .

[0036] The toner cartridge 100 includes an electrical connector 130 having electrical contacts 132. When the toner cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming device 20, the electrical contacts 132 can mate with corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device 20 to facilitate a communication link between the processing circuitry of the toner cartridge 100 and a controller of the image forming device 20. The processing circuitry of the toner cartridge 100 is electrically connected to the electrical contacts 132 and can provide authentication functions, safety and operational interlocks, operating parameters, and / or usage information related to the toner cartridge 100. The processing circuitry of the toner cartridge 100 can include hardware and / or software logic, as desired. For example, the processing circuitry of the toner cartridge 100 can include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and / or a microprocessor, etc., as well as accompanying memory, such as non-volatile and / or volatile memory, as desired.

[0037] In the example embodiment shown, the electrical connector 130 and the electrical contacts 132 are positioned on the front end 107 of the body 104. In this embodiment, when the toner cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming device 20, the electrical contacts 132 are unobstructed on the front end 107 to mate with corresponding electrical contacts in the image forming device 20. In the example embodiment shown, the electrical connector 130 and the electrical contacts 132 are positioned higher than the drive coupling 126, near the top 105 of the housing 104. In this embodiment, as shown Figure 3 As shown, the electrical connector 130 and the electrical contacts 132 are vertically aligned with the drive coupling 126 such that an imaginary vertical plane intersects the electrical connector 130 and the drive coupling 126 , and a corresponding imaginary vertical plane intersects each electrical contact 132 and each drive coupling 126 .

[0038] In the illustrated example embodiment, the toner cartridge 100 further includes an alignment guide 134 that contacts a corresponding electrical connector in the image forming device 20 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20 to align the corresponding electrical connector in the image forming device 20 with the electrical connector 130 of the toner cartridge 100. In this embodiment, the alignment guide 134 is positioned on the front end 107 of the main body 104. The alignment guide 134 may be positioned at the top 105 of the main body 104. In the illustrated example embodiment, the alignment guide 134 is positioned above the electrical connector 130 and the electrical contacts 132. In the illustrated example embodiment, the alignment guide 134 is vertically aligned with the electrical connector 130 and the electrical contacts 132 such that an imaginary vertical plane intersects the alignment guide 134 and the electrical connector 130. The alignment guide 134 extends forwardly, e.g., in a cantilevered manner, from the front end 107 of the main body 104 along the longitudinal dimension 114 in the direction A of insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20. The alignment guide 134 extends further forwardly than the electrical contacts 132 along the longitudinal dimension 114 so as to contact a corresponding electrical connector in the image forming device 20 before the electrical connector 130 contacts a corresponding electrical connector in the image forming device 20 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20. In the example embodiment shown, the alignment guide 134 is integrally formed with the end cap 117.

[0039] In the illustrated example embodiment, alignment guide 134 comprises an awning that protrudes from front end 107 of body 104 along longitudinal dimension 114. In this embodiment, alignment guide 134 comprises an upper ledge or guide member 136 having a bottom contact surface 137 positioned to contact a corresponding electrical connector in image forming device 20 during insertion of toner cartridge 100 into image forming device 20, thereby aligning the corresponding electrical connector in the image forming device with electrical connector 130 along vertical dimension 112. Bottom contact surface 137 faces downward, toward electrical connector 130 and electrical contacts 132. In this embodiment, bottom contact surface 137 of upper guide member 136 is positioned higher than electrical connector 130 and electrical contacts 132. In the illustrated example embodiment, upper guide member 136 is formed as a substantially horizontal protrusion from front end 107 above electrical connector 130 and electrical contacts 132.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment shown, alignment guide 134 includes a first side flange or first side guide member 138 and may include a second side flange or second side guide member 140. Each side guide member 138, 140 includes a respective inner contact surface 139, 141. Each inner contact surface 139, 141 faces an opposite side 109, 110 of body 104 along lateral dimension 116, with inner contact surfaces 139, 141 facing each other. In the exemplary embodiment shown, inner contact surface 139 of side guide member 138 is positioned closer to side 110 of body 104 than to side 109 of body 104, and inner contact surface 141 of side guide member 140 is positioned closer to side 109 of body 104 than to side 110 of body 104. In this embodiment, the inner contact surface 139 of the side guide member 138 is positioned closer to the side 110 of the main body 104 than the electrical connector 130 and the electrical contacts 132 are located from the side 110 of the main body 104, and the inner contact surface 141 of the side guide member 140 is positioned closer to the side 109 of the main body 104 than the electrical connector 130 and the electrical contacts 132 are located from the side 109 of the main body 104.

[0041] The inner contact surfaces 139 of the side guide members 138 are positioned to contact corresponding electrical connectors in the image forming device 20 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20 so as to align the corresponding electrical connectors in the image forming device 20 with the electrical connector 130 along the lateral dimension 116. In the example embodiment shown, the side guide members 140 provide symmetry and structural support for the upper guide member 136. The inner contact surfaces 141 of the side guide members 140 can also help prevent overtravel of the corresponding electrical connector in the image forming device 20 during mating with the electrical connector 130. In the example embodiment shown, each side guide member 138, 140 is formed as a substantially vertical protrusion from the front end 107 that extends downwardly from the upper guide member 136.

[0042] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4In some embodiments, the toner cartridge 100 includes one or more guide posts on the front end 107 of the body 104. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the toner cartridge 100 includes a pair of guide posts 150, 152 on the front end 107 of the body 104. In the illustrated example embodiment, the posts 150, 152 are integrally formed with the end cap 117; however, in other embodiments, the posts 150, 152 can be formed in any suitable manner, including, for example, integrally with the end wall 119 or separately attached to the end cap 117, the end wall 119, or another portion of the body 104. In the illustrated example embodiment, the posts 150, 152 protrude from the front end 107 of the body 104 along the longitudinal dimension 114 of the toner cartridge 100 in the direction A of insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 22, away from the rear end 108 of the body 104. In this embodiment, the posts 150, 152 are formed as cantilevered extensions from the front end 107 of the body 104 (e.g., from the end cap 117). In the example embodiment shown, the post 150 is positioned closer to the side 109 of the body 104 than to the side 110 of the body 104, and the post 150 is positioned closer to the side 109 of the body 104 than to the post 152, the drive coupling 126, and the electrical contacts 132. In this embodiment, the post 152 is positioned closer to the side 110 of the body 104 than to the side 109 of the body 104, and the post 152 is positioned closer to the side 110 of the body 104 than to the post 150, the drive coupling 126, and the electrical contacts 132. In some embodiments, the posts 150, 152 are positioned equidistant from the axis of rotation 129 of the drive coupling 126, as measured along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100. In some embodiments, the posts 150, 152 are spaced inwardly from the sides 109, 110 of the body 104 (such as the sides 109, 110 of the end cap 117) along the lateral dimension 116. In the example embodiment shown, the posts 150, 152 are positioned below the electrical connector 130, the electrical contacts 132, and the alignment guide 134, and above the outlet port 122. In this embodiment, the posts 150, 152 overlap the drive coupling 126 along the vertical dimension 112 of the toner cartridge 100, such that an imaginary horizontal plane intersects the posts 150, 152 and the drive coupling 126. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 151, 153 of each post 150, 152 is positioned below the axis of rotation 129 of the drive coupling 126 and above the bottom end of the drive coupling 126. In the example embodiment shown, each post 150, 152 has a cross-shaped or X-shaped cross-section; however, other shapes, such as circular or square cross-sections, may be used as desired.

[0043] As discussed in more detail below, when the toner cartridge 100 is fully installed in the image forming device 20, the posts 150, 152 are received by corresponding guide slots in the frame of the image forming device 20. When the toner cartridge 100 is fully installed in the image forming device 20, the engagement between the posts 150, 152 and the corresponding guide slots in the image forming device 20 controls the position of the front end 107 of the body 104 of the toner cartridge 100 along the vertical dimension 112 of the toner cartridge 100 and the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 to align various interface features of the toner cartridge 100 (including the outlet port 122, the drive coupling 126, the electrical connector 130 (including the electrical contacts 132), and the alignment guides 134) positioned at or near the front end 107 of the body 104 with corresponding features in the image forming device 20 during operation, as discussed in more detail below.

[0044] refer to Figure 2-Figure 4 In the illustrated example embodiment, the toner cartridge 100 includes a pair of guide posts 154, 156 that project outwardly in opposite directions along a lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100, e.g., in a cantilevered manner, at the top 105 of the body 104 and proximate the front end 107 of the body 104. Posts 154 extend along the lateral dimension 116 toward the side 109 of the body 104, and posts 156 extend along the lateral dimension 116 toward the side 110 of the body 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the posts 154, 156 are positioned closer to the front end 107 of the body 104 than the outlet port 122 is. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the posts 154, 156 are positioned at the end wall 119 of the body 104. In other embodiments, the posts 154, 156 may be positioned on the end cap 117. In the example embodiment shown, the posts 154, 156 are integrally formed with the body 104 at the end wall 119; however, in other embodiments, the posts 154, 156 may be integrally formed with the end cap 117 or separately attached to the body 104, such as the end cap 117 of the body 104, the end wall 119 of the body 104, or another portion of the body 104. In the example embodiment shown, each post 154, 156 has a circular cross-section; however, other shapes may be used as desired.

[0045] Each post 154, 156 includes a bottom contact surface 155, 157 that contacts and slides along the top surface of a corresponding guide track that extends along the length of a cartridge slot that receives the toner cartridge 100 in the image forming device 20 to guide the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion and removal of the toner cartridge 100 from the image forming device 20, as discussed in more detail below. The posts 154, 156 control the position of the front end 107 of the body 104 of the toner cartridge 100 along the vertical dimension 112 of the toner cartridge 100 and the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion and removal of the toner cartridge 100 from the image forming device 20, as discussed in more detail below.

[0046] refer to Figure 2-Figure 5 In the example embodiment shown, the toner cartridge 100 includes a pair of guide rails 160, 162 extending along the longitudinal dimension 114 of the toner cartridge 100 at the top 105 of the body 104. In this embodiment, the guide rails 160, 162 are formed as cantilever extensions that extend outward in opposite directions along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 at the top 105 of the body 104. Specifically, the guide rail 160 extends along the lateral dimension 116 toward the side 109 of the body 104, and the guide rail 162 extends along the lateral dimension 116 toward the side 110 of the body 104. In the example embodiment shown, the guide rails 160, 162 extend along the longitudinal dimension 114 of the toner cartridge 100 along substantially the entire length of the body 104 of the toner cartridge 100 from the end wall 119 at the front end 107 of the body 104 to the inner end of the end cap 118 at the rear end 108 of the body 104. In the example embodiment shown, the guide rails 160, 162 are integrally formed with the main body 104; however, in other embodiments, the guide rails 160, 162 may be separately attached to the main body 104. In the example embodiment shown, the posts 154, 156 project outwardly in opposite directions along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 at a front end 160a, 162a of each guide rail 160, 162. The posts 154, 156 extend further outward along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 than the guide rails 160, 162.

[0047] Each guide rail 160, 162 includes a bottom contact surface 161, 163 that is positioned to contact and slide along a top surface of a corresponding guide rail located at an entrance of the toner cartridge 100 to the image forming device 20 during insertion and removal of the toner cartridge 100 into and from the image forming device 20 to guide the toner cartridge 100 into and out of the image forming device 20, as discussed in more detail below. The guide rails 160, 162 help control the position of the toner cartridge 100 along the vertical dimension 112 of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion and removal of the toner cartridge 100 into and from the image forming device 20, as discussed in more detail below.

[0048] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 In the example embodiment shown, each guide track 160, 162 includes a datum point 164, 166 at a respective rear end 160b, 162b of each guide track 160, 162. In this embodiment, a bottom surface 165, 167 of each datum point 164, 166 extends lower along the vertical dimension 112 of the toner cartridge 100 than a bottom surface 161, 163 of other portions of the guide tracks 160, 162 (such as the remainder of the guide tracks 160, 162). The datum points 164, 166 control the position of the rear end 108 of the body 104 of the toner cartridge 100 along the vertical dimension 112 of the toner cartridge 100 when the toner cartridge 100 is fully installed in the image forming device 20, as discussed in more detail below.

[0049] refer to Figure 2-Figure 5In the illustrated example embodiment, the top 105, bottom 106, and sides 109, 110 of the body 104 of the toner cartridge 100 can be formed by injection molding, which typically requires drafting along the longitudinal dimension 114 of the toner cartridge 100. In the illustrated embodiment, a generally vertical wall 170, 172 is located directly below each guide rail 160, 162. The walls 170, 172 are inset from the outer edges of the guide rails 160, 162. Due to the drafting along the longitudinal dimension 114 of the toner cartridge 100, the walls 170, 172 gradually taper inwardly toward each other in the lateral dimension 116 along the longitudinal dimension 114 of the toner cartridge 100 in a direction from the front end 107 of the body 104 toward the rear end 108 of the body 104. In the illustrated example embodiment, one or more ribs 174, 176 extend outwardly from each wall 170, 172 along the lateral dimension 116 of the body 104. In this embodiment, the guide rails 160, 162 extend further outward along the lateral dimension 116 toward the sides 109, 110, respectively, of the body 104 than the ribs 174, 176. The outer surfaces of the ribs 174, 176 have a substantially constant position along the length of the ribs 174, 176 in the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100, such that due to the tapering of the walls 170, 172, the ribs 174, 176 protrude further relative to the walls 170, 172 near the rear end 108 of the body 104 than near the front end 107 of the body 104. In this manner, the ribs 174, 176 have substantially the same effective width as measured along the length of the ribs 174, 176 in the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100. As discussed in more detail below, in the example embodiment shown, the ribs 174, 176 help control the position of the toner cartridge 100 along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20 and removal of the toner cartridge 100 from the image forming device 20 in a manner that provides substantially the same clearance along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 throughout the insertion or removal process.

[0050] Figure 6 The image forming device 20 is shown with an access door of the image forming device 20 in an open position, allowing a user to access the toner cartridges 100 installed in the image forming device 20. In the illustrated example embodiment, when the toner cartridges 100 are installed in the image forming device 20 and the access door is in the open position, the rear end 108 of each toner cartridge 100 is exposed to the user. Each toner cartridge 100 is positioned in a corresponding cartridge slot 402 in the image forming device 20.

[0051] Figure 7A and Figure 7BThe cartridge slots 402 of the image forming device 20 according to one example embodiment are shown in greater detail. Each cartridge slot 402 is positioned to receive and hold a corresponding toner cartridge 100 in the image forming device 20. Each cartridge slot 402 includes an inlet opening 404 that allows the toner cartridge 100 to be inserted into the image forming device 20 with the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 at the front, and to be removed from the image forming device 20 with the rear end 108 of the toner cartridge 100 at the front. When the toner cartridge 100 is in its final installed position in the image forming device 20, the rear end 108 of the toner cartridge 100 is positioned proximate the inlet opening 404 of the cartridge slot 402, and the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 is positioned proximate the distal end 405 of the cartridge slot 402 relative to the inlet opening 404. Each cartridge slot 402 includes a pair of guide slots 410, 420 that receive corresponding guide posts 152, 154 of the toner cartridge 100, respectively. Each guide slot 410 , 420 includes a respective bottom guide 412 , 422 having a top contact surface 414 , 424 and a respective top guide 416 , 426 having a bottom contact surface 418 , 428 .

[0052] refer to Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B and Figure 8In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, each guide slot 410, 420 includes a first portion 411a, 421a and a second portion 411b, 421b. The first portion 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420 is positioned proximate to the entrance opening 404 of the cartridge slot 402. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first portion 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420 is formed on a cover 406 of the image forming device 20, which is positioned inside an access door of the image forming device 20 and forms the entrance opening 404 of the cartridge slot 402. The second portion 411b, 421b of the guide slots 410, 420 extends from the first portion 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420 along the remaining length of the guide slots 410, 420 to the distal end 405 of the cartridge slot 402. In the example embodiment shown, the bottom guides 412, 422 and top guides 416, 426 of the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420 protrude further along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 than the bottom guides 412, 422 and top guides 416, 426 of the second portions 411b, 421b of the guide slots 410, 420, such that the guide posts 154, 156 of the toner cartridge 100 can contact the first portions 411a, 421a and 421b of the guide slots 410, 420. The bottom guides 412, 422 and top guides 416, 426 of the second portions 411b, 421b, but the guide rails 160, 162 of the toner cartridge 100 are able to contact the bottom guides 412, 422 and top guides 416, 426 of the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide grooves 410, 420 without contacting the bottom guides 412, 422 and top guides 416, 426 of the second portions 411b, 421b of the guide grooves 410, 420, as discussed in more detail below.

[0053] refer to Figure 7A and Figure 7BIn the exemplary embodiment shown, each guide slot 410, 420 includes a raised section 430, 431 located in the second portion 411b, 421b of the guide slot 410, 420, positioned proximate to the distal end 405 of the cartridge slot 402. The raised sections 430, 431 of the guide slots 410, 420 are formed by the bottom guides 412, 422 and the top guides 416, 426 of the guide slots 410, 420. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 include inclined portions 432a, 433a that are inclined upward along the insertion direction A of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20, raised portions 432b, 433b having a substantially constant height along the insertion direction A of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20, and inclined portions 432c, 433c that are inclined downward along the insertion direction A of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20. Similarly, the bottom contact surfaces 418, 428 of the top guides 416, 426 include inclined portions 434a, 435a that are inclined upward along the insertion direction A of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20, raised portions 434b, 435b having a substantially constant height along the insertion direction A of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20, and inclined portions 434c, 435c that are inclined downward along the insertion direction A of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20.

[0054] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, each guide slot 410, 420 includes an enlarged portion 440, 442 at the distal end 405 of the cartridge slot 402, the enlarged portion 440, 442 having an enlarged vertical spacing between the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 and the bottom contact surfaces 418, 428 of the top guides 416, 426 relative to the portion of the guide slots 410, 420 that opens into the distal end 405 of the cartridge slot 404. Specifically, in this embodiment, the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 extend downwardly at the distal end 405 of the cartridge slot 402 along the insertion direction A of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20, and the bottom contact surfaces 418, 428 of the top guides 416, 426 extend upwardly at the distal end 405 of the cartridge slot 402 along the insertion direction A of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20.

[0055] Figure 9 The toner cartridge 100 is shown during initial insertion into the corresponding cartridge slot 402 of the image forming device 20 , with the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 leading in the insertion direction A. The guide posts 154 , 156 are received by the guide slots 410 , 420 , respectively. Figure 9The guide posts 154, 156 are shown entering the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420. The engagement between the guide posts 154, 156 and the guide slots 410, 420 controls the vertical position of the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20. Specifically, the contact between the bottom contact surfaces 155, 157 of the guide posts 154, 156 and the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 of the guide slots 410, 420 limits downward movement of the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 and generally controls the vertical position of the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20. The bottom contact surfaces 418, 428 of the top guides 416, 426 of the guide grooves 410, 420 restrict the upward movement of the guide posts 154, 156 of the toner cartridge 100, so as to restrict the upward movement of the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 during the insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20. The side surfaces 450, 452 ( Figure 7A and Figure 7B ) limits lateral movement of the guide posts 154, 156 so as to limit lateral movement of the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20.

[0056] Figures 10A-10F and Figures 11A-11F 1 is a sequential view illustrating the insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the corresponding cartridge slot 402 of the image forming apparatus 20 according to an example embodiment. Figures 10A-10F The positions of the toner cartridge 100 relative to the image forming device 20 are shown in FIG. Figures 11A-11F The toner cartridge 100 is shown in the same position relative to the image forming device 20 . Figure 10A and Figure 11A The toner cartridge 100 is shown during initial insertion into the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming device 20. Figure 9 As discussed, the engagement between the guide posts 154 , 156 and the guide slots 410 , 420 controls the vertical position of the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 as the toner cartridge 100 enters the cartridge slot 402 .

[0057] Figure 10B and Figure 11B Shows relative to Figure 10A and Figure 11AThe position shown is further advanced to the toner cartridge 100 in the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming device 20. As the toner cartridge 100 is advanced into the cartridge slot 402, the guide posts 154, 156 travel within the guide slots 410, 420, and as described above, the guide posts 154, 156 control the vertical and lateral position of the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20. Figure 10B and Figure 11B Guide posts 154, 156 are shown positioned in second portions 411b, 421b of guide slots 410, 420. When the toner cartridge 100 is advanced into the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming device 20, guide rails 160, 162 are received by first portions 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420, respectively. The engagement between the guide rails 160, 162 and the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420 controls the vertical position of the toner cartridge 100 at the inlet opening 404 of the cartridge slot 402. Specifically, contact between the bottom contact surfaces 161, 163 of the guide rails 160, 162 and the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 of the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420 limits downward movement of the toner cartridge 100 at the inlet opening 404 and generally controls the vertical position of the toner cartridge 100 at the inlet opening 404 of the cartridge slot 402. Bottom contact surfaces 418, 428 of the top guides 416, 426 of the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420 limit upward movement of the guide rails 160, 162 of the toner cartridge 100, thereby limiting upward movement of the toner cartridge 100 at the inlet opening 404 of the cartridge slot 402 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20. In this way, the engagement between the guide posts 154 , 156 and the second portions 411 b , 421 b of the guide slots 410 , 420 and the engagement between the guide rails 160 , 162 and the first portions 411 a , 421 a of the guide slots 410 , 420 combine to support the toner cartridge 100 during insertion into the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming device 20 .

[0058] As described above, in the example embodiment shown, the bottom guides 412, 422 and top guides 416, 426 of the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420 protrude further along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 than the bottom guides 412, 422 and top guides 416, 426 of the second portions 411b, 421b of the guide slots 410, 420, such that the guide rails 160, 162 of the toner cartridge 100 can contact the bottom guides 412, 422 and top guides 416, 426 of the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420, but cannot contact the bottom guides 412, 422 and top guides 416, 426 of the second portions 411b, 421b of the guide slots 410, 420. Therefore, when the toner cartridge 100 advances into the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming device 20, the toner cartridge 100 is supported at the front end 107 by the engagement between the guide grooves 410, 420 and the guide posts 154, 156, and is supported at the entrance opening 404 by the engagement between the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide grooves 410, 420 and the guide rails 160, 162, but the portions of the guide rails 160, 162 located in the second portions 411b, 421b of the guide grooves 410, 420 that extend from the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide grooves 410, 420 to the guide posts 154, 156 are not supported to avoid over-constraining the toner cartridge 100 during insertion into the image forming device 20.

[0059] In the example embodiment shown, the side surfaces 450, 452 of the guide slots 410, 420 limit lateral movement of the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion into the image forming device 20. Specifically, contact between the side surfaces 450, 452 of the guide slots 410, 420 and the guide posts 154, 156 of the toner cartridge 100 limits the extent of travel of the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100. In the example embodiment shown, the bottom guides 412, 422 of the guide slots 410, 420 also limit lateral movement of the toner cartridge 100 along the length of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion into the image forming device 20. Specifically, the contact between the bottom guides 412, 422 of the guide slots 410, 420 and the ribs 174, 176 extending along the length of the toner cartridge 100 limits the range of travel of the toner cartridge 100 along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 so as to further control the position of the toner cartridge 100 along the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 during insertion of the toner cartridge 100 into the image forming device 20.

[0060] Figure 10C and Figure 11C Shows relative to Figure 10B and Figure 11BThe position shown is further advanced to the toner cartridge 100 in the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming apparatus 20 . Figure 10C and Figure 11C The guide posts 154 , 156 of the toner cartridge 100 are shown approaching the raised sections 430 , 431 of the guide slots 410 , 420 , and the guide rails 160 , 162 of the toner cartridge 100 further along the guide slots 410 , 420 .

[0061] Figure 10D and Figure 11D Shows relative to Figure 10C and Figure 11C The position shown is further advanced to the toner cartridge 100 in the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming device 20. As the toner cartridge 100 is advanced into the cartridge slot 402, in the illustrated embodiment, the guide posts 154, 156 travel upward along the inclined portions 432a, 433a of the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 of the guide slots 410, 420 toward the raised portions 432b, 433b of the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422. Figure 10D and Figure 11D 4. The guide posts 154, 156 are shown positioned on the raised portions 432b, 433b of the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422. In this embodiment, when the toner cartridge 100 approaches the distal end 405 of the cartridge slot 402, the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 is raised by the raised sections 430, 431 of the guide slots 410, 420 to lift the shutter 124 of the toner cartridge 100 above and away from the seal on the shutter at the inlet port of the developer unit 200 to avoid contact with and potential damage to the seal of the developer unit 200, which could result in toner leakage when toner flows from the outlet port 122 of the toner cartridge 100 to the inlet port of the developer unit 200. As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, the guide rails 160, 162 of the toner cartridge 100 do not contact the second portions 411b, 421b of the guide slots 410, 420. This allows the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 to lift upward as the guide posts 154, 156 of the toner cartridge 100 travel through the raised sections 430, 431 of the guide slots 410, 420 without the guide rails 160, 162 binding on the top guides 416, 426 or the bottom guides 412, 422 of the guide slots 410, 420.

[0062] Figure 10E and Figure 11E Shows relative to Figure 10D and Figure 11D The position shown in FIG. 1 is further advanced to the toner cartridge 100 in the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming apparatus 20. When the toner cartridge 100 is removed from the cartridge slot 402, the toner cartridge 100 is moved to the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming apparatus 20. Figure 10D and Figure 11D As the toner cartridge 100 advances toward the distal end 405 of the cartridge slot 402, the guide posts 154, 156 travel downwardly along the descending portions 432c, 433c of the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 of the guide slots 410, 420, thereby allowing the shutter 124 of the toner cartridge 100 to descend onto the shutter seal at the inlet port of the developer unit 200 so as to align the shutter 124 of the toner cartridge 100 with the shutter of the developer unit 200 without damaging the seal of the developer unit 200. As the toner cartridge 100 advances further toward the distal end 405 of the cartridge slot 402, the guide posts 154, 156 travel away from the raised sections 430, 431 of the guide slots 410, 420, and the various interface features of the toner cartridge 100 begin to align with the mating features in the image forming device 20. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the drive coupling 126 of the toner cartridge 100 is aligned with and moved toward a corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device 20, and the alignment guides 134 and electrical connector 130 of the toner cartridge 100 are aligned with and moved toward a corresponding electrical connector in the image forming device 20. The guide posts 150, 152 are aligned with and moved toward corresponding guide slots in the image forming device 20.

[0063] Figure 10F 、 Figure 11F 、 Figure 12 and Figure 13 The toner cartridge 100 is shown in its final installed position in the image forming apparatus 20, with respect to the toner cartridge 100. Figure 10D and Figure 11D The position shown is further advanced into the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming device 20. Figure 10F 、 Figure 11F and Figure 12 When the toner cartridge 100 reaches its final installation position in the image forming device 20, the guide posts 150, 152 on the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 enter the corresponding guide grooves 460, 462 formed in the frame 470 of the image forming device 20. The openings forming the guide grooves 460, 462 in the frame 470 of the image forming device 20 are located at the bottom of the image forming device 20. Figure 12 It is schematically shown by a dotted line. Figure 12Also shown are openings 464, 466 in the frame 470 of the image forming device 20 that allow the drive connector 126 of the toner cartridge 100 to operably engage with a corresponding drive connector in the image forming device 20, and the alignment guide 134 and electrical connector 130 of the toner cartridge 100 to operably engage with corresponding electrical connectors in the image forming device 20, respectively, when the toner cartridge 100 is in its final installed position in the image forming device 20. In this embodiment, when the toner cartridge 100 is in its final installed position in the image forming device 20, the engagement between the guide posts 150, 152 and the guide slots 460, 462 controls the position of the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 along the vertical dimension 112 and the lateral dimension 116 of the toner cartridge 100 to ensure that the interface features of the toner cartridge 100 (such as the outlet port 122, the shutter 124, the drive coupling 126, the electrical connector 130 and the alignment guide 134) positioned at or near the front end 107 precisely mate with corresponding features in the image forming device 20. In this embodiment, in which the guide posts 150, 152 and the alignment guide 134 are integrally formed with the end cap 117 and the drive connector 126 and the electrical connector 130 are located on the end cap 117, using the guide posts 150, 152 to position the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 during printing operations helps to minimize tolerance stack-up between the drive connector 126 and the corresponding drive connector and between the alignment guide 134 and the electrical connector 130 and the corresponding electrical connector in the image forming device 20.

[0064] In the illustrated example embodiment, when the toner cartridge 100 reaches its final installed position in the image forming device 20, the guide posts 154, 156 enter the enlarged portions 440, 442 of the guide slots 410, 420. Figure 12 As shown, the increased vertical spacing between the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 and the bottom contact surfaces 418, 428 of the top contact surfaces 416, 426 of the enlarged portions 440, 442 of the guide slots 410, 420 provides clearance so that when the toner cartridge 100 is in its final installed position in the image forming device 20, the guide posts 154, 156 do not contact the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 or the bottom contact surfaces 418, 428 of the top guides 416, 426 to avoid over-constraining the toner cartridge 100.

[0065] Figure 13 The rear end 108 of the toner cartridge 100 is shown when the toner cartridge 100 is in its final installed position in the cartridge slot 402 of the image forming device 20, with the end cap 118 omitted for clarity. Figure 10F 、 Figure 11F and Figure 13When the toner cartridge 100 is in its final installed position in the image forming device 20, the reference points 164, 166 at the rear ends 160b, 162b of the guide rails 160, 162 of the toner cartridge 100 are positioned on the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 of the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420. In this embodiment, when the toner cartridge 100 is in its final installed position in the image forming device 20, the contact between the reference points 164, 166 of the guide rails 160, 162 and the top contact surfaces 414, 424 of the bottom guides 412, 422 of the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide slots 410, 420 controls the position of the rear end 108 of the toner cartridge 100 along the vertical dimension 112 of the toner cartridge 100.

[0066] This order is reversed when the toner cartridge 100 is removed from the image forming device 20 along the removal direction B. As described above, during removal from the image forming device 20, the toner cartridge 100 is supported at the front end 107 of the toner cartridge 100 by engagement between the guide grooves 410, 420 and the guide posts 154, 156, and is supported at the entrance opening 404 of the cartridge slot 402 by engagement between the first portions 411a, 421a of the guide grooves 410, 420 and the guide rails 160, 162.

[0067] Thus, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides for relatively simple and intuitive installation and removal of toner cartridge 100 to image forming device 20 while also providing for accurate positioning of interfacing features of toner cartridge 100 relative to corresponding features in image forming device 20 during operation.

[0068] although Figure 1 The illustrated example embodiment includes the toner cartridge 100, developer unit 200, and PC unit 300 positioned in separate replaceable units, but it should be understood that the replaceable units of the image forming device 20 can be configured in any suitable manner as desired. For example, in one embodiment, the primary 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 primary toner supply and developer unit 200 for the image forming device 20 are provided in a first replaceable unit, and the PC unit 300 is provided in a second replaceable unit. Other combinations are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0069] Furthermore, while the example image forming apparatus 20 discussed above includes four toner cartridges 100 and corresponding developer units 200 and PC units 300, more or fewer replaceable units may be used depending on the desired color options. For example, in one embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a single toner cartridge and corresponding developer unit and PC unit to enable monochrome printing.

[0070] 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 applications, so as to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the present disclosure, including its various modifications that naturally arise. All modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Quite obvious modifications include combining one or more features of various embodiments with features of other embodiments.

Claims

1. A toner container for use in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a body having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, the first side and the second side being positioned between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the body, a longitudinal dimension of the toner container orthogonal to a vertical dimension of the toner container extending between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the body, the body having a reservoir for holding toner; an outlet port on the bottom portion of the main body for discharging toner from the toner container, the outlet port being positioned closer to the first longitudinal end portion of the main body than to the second longitudinal end portion of the main body; a drive coupling on the first longitudinal end of the main body for mating with a corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device to receive rotational motion from the corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device; an electrical contact on the first longitudinal end of the body for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, the electrical contact of the toner container being positioned higher in the vertical dimension of the toner container than the drive coupling of the toner container; and and a first guide post and a second guide post, wherein the first guide post and the second guide post project outwardly from the first longitudinal end of the body along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container, the first guide post being spaced apart from the drive coupling of the toner container toward the first side of the body, the second guide post being spaced apart from the drive coupling of the toner container toward the second side of the body, the first guide post and the second guide post overlapping the drive coupling of the toner container along the vertical dimension of the toner container such that an imaginary horizontal plane intersects the first guide post and the second guide post and the drive coupling of the toner container.

2. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein The first guide post is positioned closer to the first side of the body than to the second side of the body, and the second guide post is positioned closer to the second side of the body than to the first side of the body.

3. The toner container according to claim 2, wherein The first guide post is spaced apart from the first side of the body along a lateral dimension of the toner container, the lateral dimension of the toner container being orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and the vertical dimension of the toner container, and the second guide post is spaced apart from the second side of the body along the lateral dimension of the toner container.

4. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein A bottom surface of the first guide post and a bottom surface of the second guide post are positioned below a rotational axis of the drive coupling of the toner container in the vertical dimension of the toner container.

5. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein The first guide post and the second guide post are positioned equidistant from the axis of rotation of the drive coupling of the toner container along a lateral dimension of the toner container, the lateral dimension of the toner container being orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and the vertical dimension of the toner container and extending between the first side of the body and the second side of the body.

6. The toner container according to claim 1 further includes a third guide post and a fourth guide post at the top of the main body and near the first longitudinal end of the main body, the third guide post and the fourth guide post protruding outwardly along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the lateral dimension of the toner container being orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and the vertical dimension of the toner container, and extending between the first side portion of the main body and the second side portion of the main body, the third guide post protruding toward the first side portion of the main body, and the fourth guide post protruding toward the second side portion of the main body, during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, the bottom surface of the third guide post and the bottom surface of the fourth guide post unimpededly contact the top surface of the corresponding guide in the image forming device and slide along the top surface, for controlling the position of the first longitudinal end of the main body along the vertical dimension of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

7. The toner container according to claim 6, wherein: The third guide post and the fourth guide post are positioned closer to the first longitudinal end of the body than the outlet port is closer to the first longitudinal end of the body.

8. The toner container according to claim 6 further includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail at the top of the main body, the first guide rail and the second guide rail extending along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and protruding outward along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the first guide rail protruding toward the first side of the main body, and the second guide rail protruding toward the second side of the main body, the third guide post and the fourth guide post being positioned at the front end of the first guide rail and the second guide rail and protruding further outward along the lateral dimension of the toner container than the first guide rail and the second guide rail, during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, the bottom surface of the first guide rail and the bottom surface of the second guide rail unimpededly contact the top surface of the corresponding guide member in the image forming device and slide along the top surface, for controlling the position of the toner container along the vertical dimension of the toner container during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

9. The toner container according to claim 8, further comprising: a main vertical wall positioned directly below each of the first and second guide rails, the main vertical wall being inset from outer edges of the first and second guide rails, respectively, and the main vertical wall tapering along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container in the lateral dimension of the toner container; and A rib extending outwardly from each main vertical wall along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the first guide rail and the second guide rail extending further outwardly than the rib along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the rib protruding further relative to the main vertical wall near one of the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the main body than near the other of the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the main body, so that the outer surface of each rib has a constant position along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container in the lateral dimension of the toner container, for limiting the travel range of the toner container along the lateral dimension of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

10. The toner container according to claim 8 further includes a reference point at the corresponding rear end of each of the first guide rail and the second guide rail, for controlling the position of the second longitudinal end of the main body along the vertical dimension of the toner container when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, and the bottom surface of the reference point extends lower than the bottom surface of the first guide rail and the second guide rail along the vertical dimension of the toner container.

11. A toner container for use in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a main body having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, the first side and the second side being positioned between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the main body, the first longitudinal end of the main body being forward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, and the second longitudinal end of the main body being rearward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, a longitudinal dimension of the toner container orthogonal to a vertical dimension of the toner container extending between the first longitudinal end of the main body and the second longitudinal end of the main body, a lateral dimension of the toner container orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and the vertical dimension of the toner container extending between the first side of the main body and the second side of the main body, the main body having a reservoir for holding toner; an outlet port on the bottom portion of the main body for discharging toner from the toner container, the outlet port being positioned closer to the first longitudinal end of the main body than to the second longitudinal end of the main body; a drive coupling on the first longitudinal end of the main body for mating with a corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device to receive rotational motion from the corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device; an electrical contact on the first longitudinal end of the body for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, the electrical contact of the toner container being electrically connected to processing circuitry on the toner container, the electrical contact of the toner container being positioned higher in the vertical dimension of the toner container than the drive coupling of the toner container; and The first guide post and the second guide post protrude outwardly from the first longitudinal end of the main body along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container, and are used to control the position of the first longitudinal end of the main body along the vertical dimension of the toner container and the lateral dimension of the toner container during the installation of the toner container in the image forming device and the reception of the first guide post and the second guide post by the corresponding first guide groove and the second guide groove in the image forming device, the first guide post being positioned closer to the first side of the main body than the second side of the main body, and the second guide post being positioned closer to the first side of the main body than the second side of the main body. The first side is closer to the second side of the main body, the first guide post is positioned closer to the first side of the main body than the drive connector of the toner container is close to the first side of the main body, the second guide post is positioned closer to the second side of the main body than the drive connector of the toner container is close to the second side of the main body, and the bottom surface of the first guide post and the bottom surface of the second guide post are positioned lower than the rotation axis of the drive connector of the toner container in the vertical dimension of the toner container and higher than the bottom end of the drive connector of the toner container in the vertical dimension of the toner container.

12. The toner container according to claim 11, wherein The first guide post is spaced from the first side of the main body along the lateral dimension of the toner container, and the second guide post is spaced from the second side of the main body along the lateral dimension of the toner container.

13. The toner container according to claim 11, wherein The first guide post and the second guide post are positioned equidistant from the rotational axis of the drive coupling of the toner container along the lateral dimension of the toner container.

14. The toner container according to claim 11 further includes a third guide post and a fourth guide post at the top of the main body and near the first longitudinal end of the main body, the third guide post and the fourth guide post protruding outward along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the third guide post protruding toward the first side of the main body, and the fourth guide post protruding toward the second side of the main body, during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, the bottom surface of the third guide post and the bottom surface of the fourth guide post unimpededly contact the top surface of the corresponding guide member in the image forming device and slide along the top surface, for controlling the position of the first longitudinal end of the main body along the vertical dimension of the toner container during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

15. The toner container according to claim 14, wherein The third guide post and the fourth guide post are positioned closer to the first longitudinal end of the body than the outlet port is closer to the first longitudinal end of the body.

16. The toner container according to claim 14 further includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail at the top of the main body, the first guide rail and the second guide rail extending along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and protruding outward along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the first guide rail protruding toward the first side of the main body, and the second guide rail protruding toward the second side of the main body, the third guide post and the fourth guide post being positioned at the front end of the first guide rail and the second guide rail and protruding further outward along the lateral dimension of the toner container than the first guide rail and the second guide rail, during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, the bottom surface of the first guide rail and the bottom surface of the second guide rail unimpededly contact the top surface of the corresponding guide member in the image forming device and slide along the top surface, for controlling the position of the toner container along the vertical dimension of the toner container during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

17. The toner container according to claim 16, further comprising: a main vertical wall positioned directly below each of the first and second guide rails, the main vertical wall being inset from outer edges of the first and second guide rails, respectively, and the main vertical wall tapering along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container in the lateral dimension of the toner container; and and a rib extending outwardly from each main vertical wall along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the first guide rail and the second guide rail extending further outwardly than the rib along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the rib protruding further relative to the main vertical wall near one of the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the main body than near the other of the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the main body, so that the outer surface of each rib has a constant position along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container in the lateral dimension of the toner container, for limiting the travel range of the toner container along the lateral dimension of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

18. The toner container according to claim 16 further includes a reference point at the corresponding rear end of each of the first guide rail and the second guide rail, for controlling the position of the second longitudinal end of the main body along the vertical dimension of the toner container when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, and the bottom surface of the reference point extends lower than the bottom surface of the first guide rail and the second guide rail along the vertical dimension of the toner container.

19. A toner container for use in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a main body having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, the first side and the second side being positioned between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of the main body, the first longitudinal end of the main body being forward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, and the second longitudinal end of the main body being rearward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, a longitudinal dimension of the toner container orthogonal to a vertical dimension of the toner container extending between the first longitudinal end of the main body and the second longitudinal end of the main body, a lateral dimension of the toner container orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and the vertical dimension of the toner container extending between the first side of the main body and the second side of the main body, the main body having a reservoir for holding toner; an outlet port for discharging toner from the toner container; a drive coupling on the first longitudinal end of the main body for mating with a corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device to receive rotational motion from the corresponding drive coupling in the image forming device when the toner container is installed in the image forming device; and and a first guide post and a second guide post, the first guide post and the second guide post projecting outwardly from the first longitudinal end of the main body along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and configured to control a position of the first longitudinal end of the main body along the vertical dimension and the lateral dimension of the toner container when the toner container is installed in the image forming device and the first guide post and the second guide post are received by corresponding first and second guide slots in the image forming device, the first guide post being positioned closer to the first side of the main body than to the second side of the main body, the second guide post being positioned closer to the second side of the main body than to the first side of the main body, the bottom surfaces of the first guide post and the bottom surfaces of the second guide post being positioned below a rotational axis of the drive coupling of the toner container in the vertical dimension and above a bottom end of the drive coupling of the toner container in the vertical dimension, the first guide post and the second guide post being positioned equidistant from the rotational axis of the drive coupling of the toner container along the lateral dimension of the toner container.

20. The toner container according to claim 19, wherein The first guide post is spaced from the first side of the main body along the lateral dimension of the toner container, and the second guide post is spaced from the second side of the main body along the lateral dimension of the toner container.

21. The toner container according to claim 19 further includes a third guide post and a fourth guide post at the top of the main body and near the first longitudinal end of the main body, the third guide post and the fourth guide post protruding outward along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the third guide post protruding toward the first side of the main body, and the fourth guide post protruding toward the second side of the main body, during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, the bottom surface of the third guide post and the bottom surface of the fourth guide post unimpededly contact the top surface of the corresponding guide member in the image forming device and slide along the top surface, for controlling the position of the first longitudinal end of the main body along the vertical dimension of the toner container during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

22. The toner container according to claim 21, wherein The third guide post and the fourth guide post are positioned closer to the first longitudinal end of the body than the outlet port is closer to the first longitudinal end of the body.

23. The toner container according to claim 21 further includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail at the top of the main body, the first guide rail and the second guide rail extending along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container and protruding outward along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the first guide rail protruding toward the first side of the main body, and the second guide rail protruding toward the second side of the main body, the third guide post and the fourth guide post are positioned at the front ends of the first guide rail and the second guide rail and protrude further outward along the lateral dimension of the toner container than the first guide rail and the second guide rail, during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device, the bottom surface of the first guide rail and the bottom surface of the second guide rail unimpededly contact the top surface of the corresponding guide member in the image forming device and slide along the top surface, for controlling the position of the toner container along the vertical dimension of the toner container during the insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

24. The toner container according to claim 23, further comprising: a main vertical wall positioned directly below each of the first and second guide rails, the main vertical wall being inset from outer edges of the first and second guide rails, respectively, and the main vertical wall tapering along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container in the lateral dimension of the toner container; and and a rib extending outwardly from each main vertical wall along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the first guide rail and the second guide rail extending further outwardly than the rib along the lateral dimension of the toner container, the rib protruding further relative to the main vertical wall near one of the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the main body than near the other of the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the main body, so that the outer surface of each rib has a constant position along the longitudinal dimension of the toner container in the lateral dimension of the toner container, for limiting the travel range of the toner container along the lateral dimension of the toner container during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device.

25. The toner container according to claim 23 further includes a reference point at the corresponding rear end of each of the first guide rail and the second guide rail, for controlling the position of the second longitudinal end of the main body along the vertical dimension of the toner container when the toner container is installed in the image forming device, and the bottom surface of the reference point extends lower than the bottom surface of the first guide rail and the second guide rail along the vertical dimension of the toner container.

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