[0001] The toner cartridges in some laser printers may be refilled for continued use rather than replaced with a new cartridge.

DRAWINGS

[0002] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one example of a portable powder metering device.

[0003] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the example device shown in Fig. 1 .

[0004] Figs. 3 and 4 are section views taken along the lines 3-3 and 4-4 in Fig. 2.

[0005] Fig. 5 is a plan view of the inner cylinder in the example device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0006] Fig. 6-7, 8-9, and 10-1 1 are section views illustrating the example device of Figs. 1 and 2 in different functional positions. In Figs. 6-7 the inlet is fully open and the outlet is fully closed. In Figs. 8-9 the inlet is fully closed and the outlet is fully open. In Figs. 10-1 1 the inlet and outlet are both fully closed.

[0007] Fig. 12 is an elevation view illustrating one example of a group of different size portable powder metering devices.

[0008] Figs. 13-15 and 16-18 are diagrams illustrating an example of one of the powder metering devices in the group shown in Fig. 12 in different functional positions. In Figs. 13-15 the inlet is fully open and the outlet is fully closed. In Figs. 16-18 the inlet is fully closed and the outlet is fully open.

[0009] Fig. 19 is a section view illustrating another example of a portable powder metering device.

[0010] Fig. 20 is a section view illustrating another example of an inner cylinder for a portable powder metering device.

[0011] The same part numbers designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION

[0012] Some toner cartridges contain a specific volume of toner to print a corresponding number of pages with a particular type of printer. For refillable toner cartridges, it may desirable to accurately measure a predetermined volume of toner for refilling the cartridge, for example to help ensure the correct amount of toner is added to the cartridge at each refill without overfilling the cartridge. In addition, any refill system may help control the release of toner powder into the environment and on to the user.

[0013] A new toner metering device has been developed for transferring toner powder from a bulk supply to a toner cartridge to help refill the desired amount of toner while reducing the risk of overfilling the cartridge or making a mess. In one example, the toner metering device includes a reuseable portable container having a fixed volume and a single valve that is movable (1 ) to a first position in which the inlet to the container is open and the outlet from the container is closed, and (2) to a second position in which the inlet is closed and the outlet is open. The device may include a funnel to funnel toner from a bag or other bulk supply to the inlet of the container and a nozzle from the outlet to fit into the refill port of the cartridge. The container and the valve may be implemented, for example, with a pair of concentric cylinders in which the inner cylinder is to hold the desired volume of toner powder and the outer cylinder surrounds the inner cylinder. The cylinders rotate with respect to one another to simultaneously open the inlet and close the outlet, to allow toner to funnel into and fill the inner cylinder, and to simultaneously close the inlet and open the outlet, to allow toner to empty out of the inner cylinder through the nozzle.

[0014] Examples are not limited to use with laser printer toner, but may be used with other powders including, for example, powdered build materials used in additive manufacturing (also sometimes referred to as 3D printing).

[0015] The examples described herein illustrate but do not limit the scope of the patent, which is defined in the Claims following this Description.

[0016] As used in this document, "meter" means to supply in a measured or regulated amount.

[0017] Figs. 1 -5 illustrate one example of a reusable portable powder metering device 10. Referring to Figs. 1 -5, device 10 includes an inner cylinder 12 and an outer cylinder 14 enclosing inner cylinder 12. Cylinders 12 and 14 are concentric with one another about a centerline 16. Each cylinder 12, 14 is a closed cylinder with a top 18, 19, a bottom 20, 21 and a side 22, 23, respectively. Inner cylinder 12 forms an interior chamber 24 that defines a fixed capacity interior volume to hold toner or another powder. An opening 26 in top 18 of inner cylinder 12 forms an inlet to chamber 24. An opening 28 in bottom 20 of inner cylinder 12 forms an outlet from chamber 24. In this example, inlet 26 and outlet 28 are diametrically opposed across centerline 16, as best seen in the plan view of Fig. 5.

[0018] The side 23 of outer cylinder 14 forms a sleeve around the side 22 of inner cylinder 12. The top 19 of outer cylinder 14 covers the top 18 of inner cylinder 12. The bottom 21 of outer cylinder 14 covers the bottom 20 of inner cylinder 12. An opening 30 in top 19 of outer cylinder 14 enables powder to reach inlet 26. An opening 32 in bottom 21 of outer cylinder 14 enables powder to leave through outlet 28. Openings 30 and 32 are diametrically aligned along centerline 16, as best seen in the section view of Fig. 3.

[0019] Cylinders 12 and 14 rotate with respect to one another to open and close inlet 26 and outlet 28. Inlet 26, outlet 28, and openings 30, 32 are positioned with respect to one another so that when cylinders 12, 14 are rotated to a first position, shown in Figs. 6 and 7, inlet 26 is fully open and outlet 28 is fully closed, and when cylinders 12, 14 are rotated to a second position, shown in Figs. 8 and 9, inlet 26 is fully closed and outlet 28 is fully open. In this example, inlet 26, outlet 28, and openings 30 and 32 are positioned with respect to one another so that cylinders 12, 14 may be rotated to simultaneously open inlet 26 and close outlet 26 and to simultaneously close inlet 26 and open outlet 28. Also in this example, inlet 26, outlet 28 and openings 30, 32 are positioned with respect to one another so that, when cylinders 12, 14 are rotated to a third position, shown in Figs. 10 and 1 1 , inlet 26 and outlet 28 are both fully closed. The relative position of inlet 26, outlet 28 and openings 30, 32 on concentric cylinders 12, 14 rotatable with respect to one another function as a single valve 34 to simultaneously open and close inlet 26 and outlet 28, as described above.

[0020] Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, in this example openings 36 are formed in the sidewall 23 of outer cylinder 14 to facilitate rotation. Inner cylinder 12 may be grasped through openings 36 to rotate inner cylinder 12 while holding outer cylinder 14 stationary to actuate operate valve 34, to hold inner cylinder 12 stationary while rotating outer cylinder 14 to actuate valve 34, or to rotate inner cylinder 12 and outer cylinder 14 at the same time to actuate valve 34.

[0021] Fig. 6-7, 8-9, and 10-1 1 are section views illustrating the example device 10 of Figs. 1 -5 in different functional positions. In Figs. 6-7, valve 34 is actuated by rotating one or both cylinders 12, 14 to align opening 30 and inlet 26 until inlet 26 is fully open and outlet 28 is fully closed. In Figs. 8-9, valve 34 is actuated by rotating one or both cylinders 12, 14 to align opening 32 and outlet 28 until outlet 28 is fully open and inlet 26 is fully closed. In Figs. 10-1 1 , valve 34 is actuated by rotating one or both cylinders 12, 14 to misalign openings 30, 32 to inlet 26 and outlet 28, respectively, until inlet 26 and outlet 28 are both fully closed.

[0022] Portable powder metering device 10 may also include a funnel 38 to funnel powder to inlet 26 and a nozzle 40 from outlet 28 to help direct powder into a toner cartridge or other receptacle.

[0023] Inner container 12 with may be implemented as a replaceable component or "cartridge" to enable the use of different volume interior chambers 24, for example to refill different size toner cartridges or to refill one size toner cartridge to three different levels. Although concentric inner and outer cylinders 12, 14 are shown, other suitable shapes for one or both of an inner container 12 and an outer housing 14 are possible, as long as the inner container 12 and outer housing 14 can rotate with respect to one another. Also, while a cylindrical interior chamber 24 is shown, other suitable shapes for chamber 24 are possible.

[0024] "Top" and "bottom" and other terms of orientation or direction are determined with reference to the usual orientation of device 10 while powder is added to or emptied from chamber 24 in inner cylinder 12.

[0025] Fig. 12 illustrates one example of a group 42 of different size portable powder metering devices 10A, 10B and 10C, for example. to refill three different size toner cartridges or to refill one size toner cartridge to three different levels. The diagrams of Figs. 13-15 and 16-18 illustrate an example of a device 10B from group 42 shown in Fig. 12 in different functional positions. In this example, inlet 26 and outlet 28 are pie shaped and cover a substantially larger portion of the planar area of chamber 24, compared to the example shown in Figs. 1 -5. In Figs. 13-15, a rotary valve (not shown) is turned until inlet 26 is fully open (indicated by hatching) and outlet 28 is fully closed, for example by rotating concentric cylinders as described above. Fig. 13 shows powder 44 pouring in to funnel 38 and through inlet 26 to fill chamber 24. In Figs. 16-18, a rotary valve (not shown) is turned so that inlet 26 is fully closed and outlet 28 is fully open (indicated by hatching), for example by rotating concentric cylinders as described above. Fig. 16 shows powder 44 flowing out of outlet 28 and through nozzle 40 to empty chamber 24. A larger area inlet 26 and outlet 28 such as those shown in Figs. 13-18 allow chamber 24 to fill and empty faster, but may preclude a position in which both are fully closed.

[0026] In another example, shown in Fig. 19, a metering device 10 is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 -1 1 except without a funnel to the inlet or a nozzle from the outlet.

[0027] In another example, shown in Fig. 20, an inner cylinder 12 includes a funnel 46 to funnel powder toward outlet 28, such that the interior volume 24 funnels to outlet 28.

[0028] As noted at the beginning of this Description, the examples shown in the figures and described above illustrate but do not limit the scope of the patent. Other examples are possible. Therefore, the foregoing description should not be construed to limit the scope of the patent, which is defined in the following Claims.

[0029] "A" and "an" as used in the Claims means one or more.