| 摘要 |
A toner delivering apparatus and method for supplying toner to the toner hoppers of toner cartridges used in printer, copier and facsimile machines. In one embodiment a balloon is filled with toner. A string or wire is wrapped aroound the center of the balloon. The balloon is sealed in a toner hopper, with the balloon attached to the inside walls of the hopper and a free end of the string or wire tied or otherwise secured to the toner lumping-prevention paddle. When the toner cartridge is loaded in the machine and operated, the paddle rotates, pulling and tightening the string or wire around the balloon. The balloon breaks or tears, releasing toner evenly along thelength of the toner hopper. In another embodiment, a plastic, cellophane-like material is used for the toner packaging. A pull-tear strip extends along the package and is also attached to the paddle. When the paddle rotates, the pull-tear strip is removed from the package, opening the package and distributing toner within the toner hopper. For toner hoppers which do not use rotating paddles to prevent toner lumping, a small opening is provided in the hopper above the expected level of toner. The pull-tear strip extends through this opening so the toner package may be opened from outside the hopper. The user pulls the strip and does not come into contact with the toner.
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