Abstract:
A removable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an inner volume forming a toner reservoir and a channel for accumulating toner. The removable unit further includes an auger for advancing toner within the channel. The auger has a rotational axis and a flight. An agitator is pivotally mounted within the toner reservoir. The agitator has at least one agitating member extending near the auger and a cam surface operatively connected to the at least one agitating member and positioned to engage the auger. When the auger rotates, the flight of the auger engages the cam surface causing pivotal movement of the agitator to move the at least one agitating member to agitate toner accumulated near the auger.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/564,037, filed Aug. 1, 2012, entitled “Toner Anti-Bridging Agitator for an Imaging Device.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to electrophotographic image forming devices and more particularly to an anti-bridging agitator for an image forming device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In toner cartridge design, it is now common to separate components having a longer life from those having a shorter life into separate replaceable units. Relatively longer life components such as a developer roll, a toner adder roll, a doctor blade and a photoconductive drum are positioned in one replaceable unit (an “imaging unit”). The image forming device&#39;s toner supply, which is consumed relatively quickly in comparison with the components housed in the imaging unit, is provided in a reservoir in a separate replaceable unit in the form of a toner cartridge that mates with the imaging unit. In this configuration, the number of components housed in the toner cartridge is reduced in comparison with traditional toner cartridges. 
         [0006]    To deliver toner from the toner cartridge to the imaging unit, an auger in the toner cartridge may be used to feed toner from an exit port on the toner cartridge into an entrance port on a developer unit of the imaging unit. The developer unit may include a second auger in proximity to the entrance port that disperses the toner within the developer unit. While the toner cartridge and the imaging unit are in high temperature storage or shipping conditions, toner stored therein may tend to clump together. When the toner cartridge and imaging unit are then installed in an image forming device, the clumped toner may form a bridge that disrupts or blocks toner flow from the toner cartridge to the imaging unit. Accordingly, a mechanism for keeping the pathway from the toner cartridge to the imaging unit free from packed toner is desired in order to improve toner delivery. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A removable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having an inner volume forming a toner reservoir and a channel for accumulating toner. The removable unit further includes an auger for advancing toner within the channel. The auger has a rotational axis and a flight. An agitator is pivotally mounted within the toner reservoir. The agitator has at least one agitating member extending near the auger and a cam surface operatively connected to the at least one agitating member and positioned to engage the auger. When the auger rotates, the flight of the auger engages the cam surface causing pivotal movement of the agitator to move the at least one agitating member to agitate toner accumulated near the auger. 
         [0008]    A toner conveyance assembly for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a channel for accumulating toner and an auger for advancing toner within the channel. The auger has a rotational axis and a flight. An agitator has at least one agitating member extending near the auger and a cam surface operatively connected to the at least one agitating member and positioned to engage the auger. When the auger rotates, the flight of the auger engages the cam surface causing pivotal movement of the agitator to move the at least one agitating member to agitate toner accumulated near the auger. 
         [0009]    An agitator assembly for a toner delivery device according to one example embodiment includes a base for mounting on an inner surface of a housing of the toner delivery device. A shaft is pivotally mounted on the base. At least one agitating member extends from the shaft. A cam surface is connected to the shaft and positioned to engage an auger of the toner delivery device when the auger rotates causing pivotal movement of the shaft to move the at least one agitating member to agitate toner accumulated near the auger. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an imaging system according to one example embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a toner cartridge and an imaging unit of  FIG. 1  according to one example embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the toner cartridge shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a toner exit port of the toner cartridge shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a toner entrance port of a developer unit of the imaging unit shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway view of the exit port of the toner cartridge of  FIG. 4  in communication with the entrance port of the developer unit of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a cutaway view of an agitator assembly positioned above an auger of the toner cartridge according to one example embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a lid of the toner cartridge having features to facilitate the mounting of the agitator assembly shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an agitator of the agitator assembly shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the agitator assembly shown in  FIG. 7  mounted to the lid shown in  FIG. 8  showing a torsion spring for biasing the agitator to a home position according to one example embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the agitator assembly shown in  FIG. 7  mounted to the lid shown in  FIG. 8  showing stops on the agitator defining the home position of the agitator according to one example embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show cutaway views of the agitator assembly shown in  FIG. 7  at different moments of operation. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14A  is a plan an agitator according to a second example embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14B  is a plan view of an agitator according to a third example embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings where like numerals represent like elements. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical, and mechanical changes, etc., may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples merely typify possible variations. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of others. The following description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0026]    Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure I, there is shown a block diagram depiction of an imaging system  20  according to one example embodiment. Imaging system  20  includes an image forming device  22  and a computer  24 . Image forming device  22  communicates with computer  24  via a communications link  26 . As used herein, the term “communications link” generally refers to any structure that facilitates electronic communication between multiple components and may operate using wired or wireless technology and may include communications over the Internet. 
         [0027]    In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , image forming device  22  is a multifunction machine (sometimes referred to as an all-in-one (AIO) device) that includes a controller  28 , a print engine  30 , a laser scan unit (LSU)  31 , an imaging unit  32 , a toner cartridge  35 , a user interface  36 , a media feed system  38  and media input tray  39  and a scanner system  40 . image forming device  22  may communicate with computer  24  via a standard communication protocol, such as for example, universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet or IEEE 802.xx. Image forming device  22  may be, for example, an electrophotographic printer/copier including an integrated scanner system  40  or a standalone electrophotographic printer. 
         [0028]    Controller  28  includes a processor unit and associated memory  29  and may be formed as one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Memory  29  may be any volatile or non-volatile memory or combination thereof such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory and/or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). Alternatively, memory  29  may be in the form of a separate electronic memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM), a hard drive, a CD or DVD drive, or any memory device convenient for use with controller  28 . Controller  28  may be, for example, a combined printer and scanner controller. 
         [0029]    In the example embodiment illustrated, controller  28  communicates with print engine  30  via a communications link  50 . Controller  28  communicates with imaging unit  32  and processing circuitry  44  thereon via a communications link  51 . Controller  28  communicates with toner cartridge  35  and processing circuitry  15  therein via a communications link  52 . Controller  28  communicates with media feed system  38  via a communications link  53 . Controller  28  communicates with scanner system  40  via a communications link  54 . User interface  36  is communicatively coupled to controller  28  via a communications link  55 . Processing circuitry  44 ,  45  may provide authentication functions, safety and operational interlocks, operating parameters and usage information related to imaging unit  32  and toner cartridge  35 , respectively. Controller  28  processes print and scan data and operates print engine  30  during printing and scanner system  40  during scanning. 
         [0030]    Computer  24 , which is optional, may be, for example, a personal computer, including memory  60 , such as RAM, ROM, and/or NVRAM, an input device  62 , such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, and a display monitor  64 . Computer  24  also includes a processor, input/output (I/O) interfaces, and may include at least one mass data storage device, such as a hard drive, a CD-ROM and/or a DVD unit (not shown). Computer  24  may also be a device capable of communicating with image forming device  22  other than a personal computer such as, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or other electronic device. 
         [0031]    In the example embodiment illustrated, computer  24  includes in its memory a software program including program instructions that function as an imaging driver  66 , e.g., printer/scanner driver software, for image forming device  22 . Imaging driver  66  is in communication with controller  28  of image forming device  22  via communications link  26 . Imaging driver  66  facilitates communication between image forming device  22  and computer  24 . One aspect of imaging driver  66  may be, for example, to provide formatted print data to image forming device  22 , and more particularly to print engine  30 , to print an image. Another aspect of imaging driver  66  may be, for example, to facilitate the collection of scanned data from scanner system  40 . 
         [0032]    In some circumstances, it may be desirable to operate image forming device  22  in a standalone mode, In the standalone mode, image forming device  22  is capable of functioning without computer  24 . Accordingly, all or a portion of imaging driver  66 , or a similar driver, may be located in controller  28  of image forming device  22  so as to accommodate printing and/or scanning functionality when operating in the standalone mode. 
         [0033]    Print engine  30  includes laser scan unit (LSU)  31 , toner cartridge  35 , imaging unit  32 , and a fuser  37 , all mounted within image forming device  22 . Imaging unit  32  is removably mounted in image forming device  22  and includes a developer unit  34  that houses a toner reservoir (or toner sump) and a toner delivery system. The toner delivery system includes a toner adder roll that provides toner from the toner sump to a developer roll. A doctor blade provides a metered uniform layer of toner on the surface of the developer roll. Imaging unit  32  also includes a cleaner unit  33  that houses a photoconductive drum and a waste toner removal system. Toner cartridge  35  is also removably mounted in imaging unit  32  in a mating relationship with developer unit  34  of imaging unit  32 . An exit port on toner cartridge  35  communicates with an entrance port on developer unit  34  allowing toner to be periodically transferred from a reservoir in toner cartridge  35  to resupply the toner sump in developer unit  34 . 
         [0034]    The electrophotographic printing process is well known in the art and, therefore, is described briefly herein. During a printing operation, laser scan unit  31  creates a latent image on the photoconductive drum in cleaner unit  33 . Toner is transferred from the toner sump in developer unit  34  to the latent image on the photoconductive drum by the developer roll to create a toned image. The toned image is then transferred to a media sheet received in imaging unit  32  from media input tray  39  for printing. Toner remnants are removed from the photoconductive drum by the waste toner removal system. The toner image is bonded to the media sheet in fuser  37  and then sent to an output location or to one or more finishing options such as a duplexer, a stapler or a hole-punch. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a toner cartridge  200  and an imaging unit  300  are shown according to one example embodiment. Imaging unit  300  includes a developer unit  301  and a cleaner unit  302  mounted on a common frame  303 . As discussed above, imaging unit  300  and toner cartridge  200  are each removably installed in image forming device  22 . Imaging unit  300  is first slidably inserted into image forming device  22 . Toner cartridge  200  is then inserted into image forming device  22  and onto frame  303  in a mating relationship with developer unit  301  of imaging unit  300  as indicated by the arrow shown in  FIG. 2 . This arrangement allows toner cartridge  200  to be removed and reinserted easily when replacing an empty toner cartridge without having to remove imaging unit  300 . Imaging unit  300  may also be readily removed as desired in order to maintain, repair or replace the components associated with developer unit  301 , cleaner unit  302  or frame  303  or to clear a media jam. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , toner cartridge  200  includes a housing  202  having an enclosed reservoir  220  for holding a quantity of toner therein. Housing  202  may be viewed as having a top or lid  204  mounted on a base  206 . Base  206  is formed by first and second side walls  214 ,  216  connected to adjoining front and rear walk  208 ,  209  and bottom  207 . In one embodiment, top  204  is ultrasonically welded to base  206  thereby forming enclosed reservoir  220 . First and second end caps  210 ,  212  are mounted to side walls  214 ,  216 , respectively. First and second end caps  210 ,  212  may be snap fitted into place or attached by screws or other fasteners. First and second end caps  210 ,  212  each include guides  226  to assist the insertion of toner cartridge  200  into image forming device  22  for mating with developer unit  301 , Various gears are housed within a space formed between first end cap  210  and first side wall  214 . At least a portion of a main interface gear  218  is exposed between first end cap  210  and first side wall  214  at the front of toner cartridge  200  to allow main interface gear  218  to engage with a drive system in imaging apparatus  22  that provides torque to main interface gear  218 . As a result, first side wall  214  may be referred to as the “drive” or “driven” side of toner cartridge  200 . Various interlocks and/or linkages may be housed within the space formed between second end cap  212  and second side wall  216 . A paddle  260  is rotatably mounted within toner reservoir  220 . First and second ends of a drive shaft  262  of paddle  260  extend through aligned openings (not shown) in first and second side walls  214 ,  216 , respectively. A drive gear  224  is provided on the first end of drive shaft  262  that engages with main interface gear  218  either directly or via one or more intermediate gears. 
         [0037]    A channel  240  extends along the width of front wall  208  between first and second side walls  214 ,  216 . In one embodiment, channel  240  is positioned above the axis of rotation of drive shaft  262  of paddle  260 . Channel  240  may be integrally molded as part of front wall  208  or formed as a separate component attached to front wall  208 . Channel  240  is generally horizontal when toner cartridge  200  is installed in image forming device  22 . An auger  230  having first and second ends  232 ,  234 , and a spiral screw flight  236  is positioned within and extends along the length of channel  240 , First end  232  of auger  230  extends through a bushing  238  ( FIG. 6 ) in first side wall  214 . A drive gear (not shown) is positioned on first end  232  of auger  230  that engages with main interface gear  218  either directly or via one or more intermediate gears. 
         [0038]    Channel  240  includes an open portion or trough  242  and a substantially enclosed portion  244 . Trough  242  is open to toner reservoir  220  and extends from first side wall  214  toward second side wall  216 . Enclosed portion  244  of channel  240  extends from second side wall  216  and encloses second end  234  of auger  230 . As paddle  260  rotates, it delivers toner from toner reservoir  220  into trough  242 . With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , auger  230  is rotated via the drive gear (not shown) on first end  232  of auger  230  to deliver toner received in channel  240  to a shutter  270  housed in enclosed portion  244  of channel  240 . Shutter  270  regulates whether toner is permitted to exit toner cartridge  200  through an exit port  256  provided in front wall  208  and shown in  FIG. 4 . Exit port  256  is disposed at the bottom of channel  240  so that gravity will assist in exiting toner through exit port  256 . 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , developer unit  301  includes a housing  304  having a toner sump  305  formed by a rear wall  306 , first and second side walls  308 ,  310  and a bottom (not shown). A channel  340  extends along the width of and near the top of rear wall  306 . Channel  340  may be integrally molded as part of rear wall  306  or be formed as a separate component attached to rear wall  306 . An auger  330  having first and second ends  332 ,  334 , and a spiral screw flight  336  is positioned within and extends along the length of channel  340 . First end  332  of auger  330  extends through first side wall  308 . A drive gear (not shown) is positioned on first end  332  of auger  330  that engages with an input coupler  309  ( FIG. 2 ) of developer unit  301  either directly or via one or more intermediate gears. Input coupler  309  receives torque at its axial end from a drive system in image forming device  22  to drive various rotatable components in developer unit  301  including auger  330 . 
         [0040]    Channel  340  includes an open portion or trough  342  and a substantially enclosed portion  344 . Trough  342  is open to toner sump  305  and extends from first side wall  308  toward second side wall  310 . Enclosed portion  344  of channel  340  extends from second side wall  310  and encloses second end  334  of auger  330 . An entrance port  356  is provided through a wall  358  of enclosed portion  344  of channel  340 . Entrance port  356  of developer unit  301  aligns with exit port  256  of toner cartridge  200  when toner cartridge  200  is installed on frame  303  and mated with imaging unit  300 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , entrance port  356  is disposed at the top of enclosed portion  344  of channel  340  so that gravity will assist toner entry into developer unit  301 . In one example form, entrance port  356  is larger in area than exit port  256  to prevent bridging by the toner exiting toner cartridge  200  and entering developer unit  301 . 
         [0041]    A shutter  370  positioned in enclosed portion  344  of channel  340  regulates whether toner is permitted to enter developer unit  301  through entrance port  356 . Second end  334  of auger  330  extends into shutter  370  allowing auger  330  to distribute the incoming toner along channel  340 . Trough  342  includes a plurality of openings (not shown) spaced along its length. The openings extend through a bottom portion of trough  342 . Auger  330  is rotated via the drive gear on first end  332  of auger  330  to distribute toner received from exit port  256  of toner cartridge  200  along the length of trough  342 . The openings in trough  342  allow incoming toner to be distributed substantially evenly into toner sump  305 . Channel  340  is disposed above toner sump  305  allowing the entering toner to drop into toner sump  305 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  illustrates the toner flow path (shown as the solid arrow labeled “TFP”) between toner cartridge  200  and developer unit  301 . In operation, toner is first passed from reservoir  220  to channel  240  by paddle  260 . Auger  230  then advances the toner through shutter  270  and out exit port  256 . The toner falls via gravity from exit port  256  into entrance port  356  of developer unit  301 . The toner is passed through shutter  370  and distributed along channel  340  by auger  330 . The toner then drops through the openings in trough  342  into toner sump  305  where it is held for use by developer unit  301 . Shutters  270 ,  370  of toner cartridge  200  and developer unit  301  are moved from closed positions to open positions as toner cartridge  200  is mated with imaging unit  300  to allow toner to flow from toner cartridge  200  to developer unit  301 . Shutters  270 ,  370  are moved from open positions to closed positions as toner cartridge  200  is separated from imaging unit  300  in order to prevent toner leakage from toner cartridge  200  or developer unit  301 . 
         [0043]    As discussed above, toner under high temperature storage or shipping conditions may tend to clump or bridge in channels  240 ,  340  above augers  230 ,  330 . In some instances, the clumped or bridged toner may block additional toner from being transported through channel  240  or channel  340  potentially causing toner starvation. To address this potential problem, an agitator is provided in channel  240  of toner cartridge  200  and/or channel  340  of developer unit  301  to break up any clumped toner.  FIG. 7  shows an example agitator assembly  400 . Agitator assembly  400  includes a base  402  that mounts to an inner surface of housing  202  above channel  240  as shown in  FIG. 7 , Agitator assembly  400  may also be provided in developer unit  301  as desired by mounting base  402 . to an inner surface of housing  304  above channel  340 . 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , in one embodiment, the inner surface of lid  204  of housing  202  includes a series of ribs  280  that support base  402  of agitator assembly  400 . In this embodiment, the inner surface of lid  204  also includes bosses  282 ,  284  each having a fastener hole  283 ,  285  therein to facilitate the mounting of base  402  to lid  204 . For example,  FIG. 7  shows base  402  mounted to lid  204  using fasteners such as screws  404 ,  406  mounted in fasteners holes  283 ,  285  in bosses  282 ,  284 , respectively, shown in  FIG. 8 . It will be appreciated that more than two fasteners and corresponding bosses may be used as needed to provide additional support. Further, base  402  may be mounted to housing  304  of developer unit  301  using a similar arrangement as desired. Base  402  may also be mounted to the inner surface of front wall  208  of base  206  as desired. It will also be appreciated that base  402  may be mounted to housing  202  or housing  304  by any other suitable method such as, for example, by an adhesive applied between base  402  and housing  202  or housing  304 , by a snap fit engagement between base  402  and housing  202  or housing  304  or by forming base  402  integrally with housing  202  or housing  304 . 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , agitator assembly  400  includes an agitator  420  pivotally mounted on base  402 . Agitator  420  includes a shaft  422  that is rotatably positioned within an elongated channel  408  in base  402 . Channel  408  provides a bearing surface to allow rotation of shaft  422 . The centerline of shaft  422  forms a pivot axis  424  of agitator  420 . One or more agitating members  426  extend from shaft  422  toward auger  230  or auger  330 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated, agitating member(s)  426  include a bar  428  and one or more extensions or beams  430  connecting bar  428  to shaft  422 . In one embodiment, bar  428  is substantially parallel to shaft  422 . Beams  430  provide strength and structural support for bar  428 . Gaps or windows  432  are formed between beams  430 , shaft  422  and bar  428 . Agitator  420  also includes one or more cams  434  that ride on the flight  236  of auger  230  or flight  336  of auger  330  causing agitator  420  to pivot back and forth about pivot axis  424  as auger  230  or auger  330  rotates to break up compacted toner. In the example embodiment illustrated, cams  434  extend from bar  428  toward auger  230  or auger  330 . In this embodiment, cams  434 A,  434 B are formed as extensions from beams  430 A,  430 B; however, one or more cams  434  may extend from bar  428  separate from beams  430  as desired. 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , agitator  420  is biased by a biasing member toward a home position where cam(s)  434  are positioned in the roots  237 A of flight  236  of auger  230  (or flight  336  of auger  330 ) ( FIG. 7 ). In the example embodiment illustrated, the biasing member includes a torsion spring  436  wrapped around shaft  422  and anchored against a nearby beam  430 C and a post  410  on base  402  as shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  also illustrates a plurality of slots  412  in base  402  each corresponding with one of the beams  430  of agitator  420 . Slots  412  provide clearance for beams  430  to allow agitator  420  to pivot when actuated by auger  230  or auger  330 . 
         [0047]    With reference to  FIGS. 9-11 , agitator  420  includes one or more stops  438  that engage with the inner surface of housing  202  or housing  304  to define the home position of agitator  420 . In the example embodiment illustrated, stops  438  extend from shaft  42 . 2  near one or both of the ends of shaft  422 . In this embodiment, stops  438  are positioned near pivot axis  424  of shaft  422  where the velocity of agitator  420  is lowest. This reduces the change in acceleration of agitator  420  as it stops to reduce the noise associated with stops  438  contacting the inner surface of housing  202  or housing  304 . Stops  440  may also be provided on one or more of beams  430  proximate to the inner surface of housing  202  or housing  304 . Stops  440  may be used in place of stops  438  or as a backup to stops  438  in case stops  438  become damaged and fail. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the operation of agitator  420 . As auger  230  rotates to move toner along channel  240  (to the right as viewed in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ), cams  434  ride up and down the crests  237 B and roots  237 A of flight  236  causing agitator  420  to pivot back and forth about pivot axis  424 .  FIG. 12  shows agitator  420  in the home position with cams  434  positioned in the root  237 A of flight  236  of auger  230  and contacting the rear side of auger  230  (i.e., the side of auger facing rear wall  209 ). As auger  230  rotates, cams  434  ride up the crests  237 B of flight  236  pushing cams  434  rearward and upward (as defined by rear wall  209  and lid  204  of housing  202 ) as shown in  FIG. 13 . This causes agitator  420  to pivot about pivot axis  424  away from the home position compressing spring  436  and moving bar  428  rearward and upward above channel  240 . As auger  230  continues to rotate, cams  434  ride down crests  237 B toward roots  237 A as a result of the bias applied by spring  436  causing agitator  420  to return to the home position. The oscillating movement of agitator  420  helps to break up any toner compacted above auger  230  in channel  240  (or auger  330  in channel  340 ). In the example embodiment illustrated, bar  428  and beams  430  break up compacted or bridged toner while windows  432  allow agitator  420  to sweep through the toner. 
         [0049]    Of course it will be appreciated that agitator assembly  400  may take many shapes and forms as desired. For example,  FIG. 14A  shows an agitator  1420  according to another example embodiment. Agitator  1420  includes a series of T-shaped structures  1426  extending from a shaft  1422 . Each T-shaped structure  1426  includes an extension or beam  1430  extending from shaft  1422  and an extension such as a bar segment  1428  that extends from beam  1430  in a substantially parallel orientation with shaft  1422 . One or more cams  1434  extend from T-shaped structures  1426  to engage auger  230  or auger  330  as discussed above.  FIG. 14B  shows another example agitator  2420  that includes a series of axially spaced blades  2426  extending from shaft  2422 . One or more of the blades  2426  may serve as cams  2434 . Alternatively, blades  2426  may have extensions therefrom that serve as cams  2434 . It will be appreciated that the agitating members of the agitator may be of other various geometrical shapes such as, for example, substantially cylindrical, rectangular, triangular, conical, etc., and may be of different lengths and/or dimensions, or angular orientations with respect to each other or relative to shaft  422 . 
         [0050]    The foregoing description illustrates various aspects of the present disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, it is chosen to illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the present disclosure, including its various modifications that naturally follow. All modifications and variations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims. Relatively apparent modifications include combining one or more features of various embodiments with features of other embodiments.