A cartridge for an electrophotographic machine having a sump for carrying an agitator rotatably mounted in the sump for engagement with a toner; an encoded device coupled to a first end of the agitator; and a torque sensitive coupling connected to a second end of the agitator which is connectable to a drive mechanism of the machine. The encoded device includes coding representing cartridge characteristic information.

Imaging apparatus cartridge including an encoded device

Disclosed is a cartridge (30) having an encoder wheel (31) thereon for encoding EP supply cartridge characteristic information for an electrophotographic machine, the cartridge comprising a sump (33) for carrying an initial amount of toner (35). A shaft (32) is mounted for rotation in said sump, and an agitator or paddle (34) is mounted thereon in such a manner that when the shaft (32) rotates, the paddle (34) rotates into, through and out of engagement with toner (35) carried by the sump. A single encoder wheel (31) is mounted on the shaft (32), external of the sump (33), the encoder wheel positioned for proximate mating coaction with a coded wheel reader when the cartridge (30) is mounted in position in the electrophotographic machine. A variable torque flexible coupling connects the drive means of the electrophotographic machine to the shaft (32) to effect rotation thereof. The encoder wheel (31) is configured for indicating, in conjunction with said coded wheel reader, a component of resistance to paddle (34) movement through the portion of said sump (33) having toner (35) therein to give an indication of the amount of toner remaining in said sump. Other portions of the wheel (31), in a portion thereof which confronts the reader during a substantially constant velocity of rotation thereof, carry additional characteristic information of the cartridge (30) to permit proper operation of the machine as well as increased efficiency of operation thereof.

Multiple function encoder wheel for cartridges utilized in an electrophotographic output device

Method is disclosed for determining characteristics of a toner cartridge. One aspect is directed to determining the characteristics associated with a quantity of toner in the cartridge, and thus, the method includes the steps directed to determining a home position of an encoded device relative to a code reader, determining a delay in rotational movement of the encoded device with respect to a rotational movement of a drive mechanism as an agitator moves through the toner, and translating the delay into an amount of toner remaining in the cartridge. Another aspect is directed to determining preselected cartridge characteristics from the encoded device, and thus, the method includes steps directed to rotating the encoded device, reading a coding of the encoded device, and decoding the coding to determine the preselected cartridge characteristic information represented by the coding. The method steps directed to these aspects of the method may be performed separately or in aggregate.

Method for determining characteristics of an electrophotographic cartridge carrying a rotatable element

An encoded device for a toner cartridge provides a plate having preprogrammed indicia positioned at locations defined in relation to a clock face. The preprogrammed indicia includes a start indicia positioned at about a 6:00 o'clock position and at least one measurement indicia located between about 200 degrees and about 230 degrees from the 6:00 o'clock position.

Encoded device having positioned indicia for use with a toner cartridge

An encoded wheel for a toner cartridge including a plate having preprogrammed indicia positioned at locations defined in relation to a clock face, the preprogrammed indicia including a start indicia positioned between about a 5:00 o'clock position and a 6:00 o'clock position, a stop indicia positioned at about a 9:00 o'clock position, at least one preselected cartridge characteristic indicia positioned between the start indicia and the stop indicia, and at least one measurement indicia located between about 200 degrees and about 230 degrees from said 6:00 o'clock position.

II D. Earl Richmond Ward

Papers

Toner cartridge for an electrophotographic machine and method of determining characteristics of such cartridge