An agitator blade and toner cartridge that enables a higher capacity of
toner while lowering the load exerted by the print engine motor as toner
is agitated. This 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 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. The toner cartridge can include a volume extension member that
is sized to fit within the empty space of a corresponding print engine.