This invention provides an agitator blade and toner cartridge employing
such an agitator blade that enables a higher capacity of toner while
lowering the load exerted by the print engine motor as toner is agitated.
This blade and cartridge also allows for greater efficiency at low toner
levels as the blade is brought closer to the inner wall of the cartridge
toner tank. The blade consists of an axially directed axle shaft having a
plurality of rigid, radially directed ribs that extend to a location
proximate to the inner wall of the tank. A plurality of cross bar members
are mounted between each pair of ribs. Each cross bar includes axially
extended, rib-engaging wings. The wings are mounted so that the cross
bars are generally prevented from passing between the ribs when the cross
bars are driven by the ribs in the normal direction of agitator rotation.
However, the wings are sufficiently resilient so that a predetermined
level of toner resistance at high fill levels causes the wings and cross
bars to elastically deform and pass through the ribs, leaving only the
thinner ribs to traverse the toner in that cycle. The toner cartridge can
include a volume extension member that is sized to fit within the empty
space of a corresponding print engine. The cartridge can also include a
compound angle doctor blade for better toner distribution.