Venting system for a toner cartridge for use with an image forming device
View Patent ↗A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. The toner cartridge includes a first vent having an inlet opening positioned to receive air from outside the housing, an outlet opening positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the outlet opening to the inlet opening. A check valve limits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
1. A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:
a housing having a reservoir for storing toner;
a first vent having an inlet opening positioned to receive air from outside the housing, an outlet opening positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the outlet opening to the inlet opening; and
a check valve that limits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
2. The toner cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the check valve includes an air flow limiting filter.
3. The toner cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the check valve is open in a normal operating position of the check valve permitting airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and the check valve closes when the airflow exceeds a threshold amount preventing airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
4. The toner cartridge of claim 3 , wherein the check valve is open to the inlet opening in the normal operating position of the check valve permitting air to enter the inlet opening and closes the inlet opening when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount.
5. The toner cartridge of claim 3 , wherein the check valve includes a reed valve having a flap that is open in a normal operating position of the flap permitting airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and that closes when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount preventing airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
6. The toner cartridge of claim 5 , further comprising a barrier on an outer surface of the housing surrounding the inlet opening and having an opening to the inlet opening, the flap of the reed valve extends across the opening of the barrier and a rim around the opening of the barrier includes a tapered end surface, a gap is formed between the flap and a portion of the tapered end surface when the flap is in the normal operating position of the flap permitting airflow to the inlet opening and the flap seals against the opening of the barrier when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount.
7. The toner cartridge of claim 3 , wherein the check valve includes a ball check valve that is open in a normal operating position of the ball check valve permitting airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and that closes when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount preventing airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
8. The toner cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising:
an outlet port positioned on the housing for transferring toner out of the toner cartridge; and
a second vent having an inlet opening positioned adjacent to the outlet port to receive air at the outlet port, an outlet opening positioned to exit the air received at the outlet port into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the second vent from the inlet opening of the second vent to the outlet opening of the second vent and prevents airflow through the second vent from the outlet opening of the second vent to the inlet opening of the second vent.
9. The toner cartridge of claim 8 , further comprising an auger positioned above the outlet port for moving toner from the reservoir to the outlet port, the inlet opening of the second vent being positioned on an inner side of a wall of the housing next to the auger.
10. The toner cartridge of claim 9 , further comprising a deflector separating the inlet opening of the second vent and a portion of the auger from toner stored in the reservoir.
11. A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device, comprising:
a housing having a reservoir for storing toner;
a first vent having an inlet opening on an outer side of a wall of the housing positioned to receive air from outside the housing, an outlet opening on an inner side of the wall of the housing positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the outlet opening to the inlet opening; and
a check valve that is open to the inlet opening in a normal operating position of the check valve permitting air to enter the inlet opening and the check valve closes the inlet opening when the airflow through the first vent from the inlet opening to the outlet opening exceeds a threshold amount.
12. The toner cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the check valve includes a reed valve having a flap that is open in a normal operating position of the flap permitting air to enter the inlet opening and that closes the inlet opening when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount.
13. The toner cartridge of claim 12 , further comprising a barrier surrounding the inlet opening on the outer side of the wall of the housing and having an opening to the inlet opening, the flap of the reed valve extends across the opening of the barrier and a rim around the opening of the barrier includes a tapered end surface, a gap is formed between the flap and a portion of the tapered end surface when the flap is in the normal operating position of the flap permitting air to enter the inlet opening and the flap seals against the opening of the barrier when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount.
14. The toner cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the check valve includes a ball check valve that is open in a normal operating position of the ball check valve permitting air to enter the inlet opening and that closes the inlet opening when the airflow exceeds the threshold amount.
15. The toner cartridge of claim 11 , further comprising:
an outlet port positioned on the housing for transferring toner out of the toner cartridge; and
a second vent having an inlet opening positioned adjacent to the outlet port to receive air at the outlet port, an outlet opening positioned to exit the air received at the outlet port into the reservoir, and a one-way valve that permits airflow through the second vent from the inlet opening of the second vent to the outlet opening of the second vent and prevents airflow through the second vent from the outlet opening of the second vent to the inlet opening of the second vent.
16. The toner cartridge of claim 15 , further comprising an auger positioned above the outlet port for moving toner from the reservoir to the outlet port, the inlet opening of the second vent being positioned on the inner side of the wall of the housing next to the auger.
17. The toner cartridge of claim 16 , further comprising a deflector separating the inlet opening of the second vent and a portion of the auger from toner stored in the reservoir.