Toner Cartridge Having a Shutter Lock Mechanism

摘要

An example toner cartridge includes a reservoir for containing toner and an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A shutter is positioned at the exit port and movable between an open position and a closed position. A first linkage member is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by a first engagement feature. A second linkage member is pivotally attached to a side wall of the housing and biased toward a home position. A third linkage member is movable with the second linkage member. When the second linkage member is in the home position, the third linkage member is in a blocking position preventing the first linkage member from opening the shutter. When the second linkage member pivots away from the home position, the third linkage member moves to a non-blocking position permitting the first linkage member to open the shutter.

主权项

1. A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device, comprising:
a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein, the housing having an exit port on a front portion of the housing in fluid communication with the reservoir; a shutter positioned at the exit port that is movable between an open position to permit toner from the reservoir to pass out of the exit port and a closed position to prevent toner from passing out of the exit port, the shutter being biased toward the closed position; a first linkage member operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by a first engagement feature in the image forming device, the first linkage member having a first engagement surface positioned on a rear portion of the housing to contact the first engagement feature to open the shutter; a second linkage member pivotally attached to a side wall of the housing and biased toward a home position, the second linkage member having a second engagement surface positioned on the front portion of the housing to contact a second engagement feature to pivot the second linkage member away from the home position; and a third linkage member movable with the second linkage member, wherein when the second linkage member is in the home position, the third linkage member is in a blocking position preventing the first linkage member from opening the shutter and when the second linkage member pivots away from the home position, the third linkage member moves to a non-blocking position permitting the first linkage member to open the shutter upon being actuated by the first engagement feature.