Patent ID: 6771922
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A toner cartridge comprising:a hopper having an opening for delivering toner out of said hopper; said hopper having a lower wall extending from a bottom of said hopper to a location substantially above the bottom of said hopper to define a bottom of said opening; a paddle rotatable in said hopper to stir toner such that some toner will move gently toward said opening; an exit surface to deliver toner from said hopper on the side of said lower wall opposite said hopper, said exit surface sloping downwardly during normal operation of said cartridge; an agitator extending across said exit surface having a first pivot member on one side of said exit surface and a second pivot member on an opposite side of said exit surface; said hopper having support pins for supporting said first pivot member and said second pivot member of said agitator to pivotally support said agitator on said hopper; said agitator normally located at a home position proximal said exit surface except when moved by said paddle around said first pivot member and said second pivot member; an extension on said agitator extending past said lower wall into the path of said paddle in said hopper when said paddle is rotated; and a spring mounted for exerting a force on said agitator to return said agitator to said home position after said agitator is moved from said home position by said paddle engaging said extension during rotation of said paddle and said paddle ceases to engage said extension.