Toner dispensing apparatus for a xerographic reproduction machine

摘要

A toner cartridge is provided for dispensing toner on demand to the development station of a xerographic copier machine. The cartridge is modified so as to improve the dispensing of toner through dispensing ports located at one end of the cartridge by the provision of a relatively stiff, coiled spring element which is fixed in position adjacent the interior walls of the cartridge. As the cartridge rotates, the spring moves through the toner acting as an auger-type transport mechanism to move the toner towards the dispensing ports. The spring also serves to agitate the toner so as to make its consistency more fluid thereby aiding the augering transport motion. In one embodiment, the toner cartridge is tilted so as to utilize additional gravitational forces to assist in the toner transport towards the dispensing end.