Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080199226 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPER SUPPLY DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner bottle stores toner in a cylindrical section having an inner circumferential surface provided with a plurality of protruding portions raised inward the cylindrical section. When the cylindrical section is driven to rotate on its central axis, the toner is discharged from the cylindrical section via an outlet. When cross-sections perpendicular to the central axis of the cylindrical section are projected from a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical section, the cylindrical section has an inner circumference provided with one or more regions where the protruding portions are not projected. This prevents the toner from making contact with the protruding portions. Therefore, the toner can be conveyed while suppressing the generation of frictional heat by reducing the resistance between the toner and the protruding portions. | 08-21-2008 |
20080199227 | TONER CARTRIDGE - In a toner cartridge, a cover member is attached to an outer surface of a case main body so as to cover a filling hole through which a toner is filled in a toner chamber. The cover member is detachably attached to the case main body by a lock mechanism disposed between the case main body and the cover member. The lock mechanism includes two or more lock structures which lock the cover member to the case main body and a release tool which carries out a release operation of the lock structures. Each of the lock structures includes an elastic engagement claw and an engagement recess which are provided on opposite surfaces of the case main body and the cover member, respectively. The release tool is configured to allow all of the elastic engagement claws to be simultaneously displaced in a lock release direction. | 08-21-2008 |
20080213004 | Developer Supply Container and Image Forming Apparatus - A developer supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a developer discharge opening to be disposed opposite to a developer receiving opening of the apparatus main assembly; an operation member capable of performing a moving operation in a mounted state of the container; an open/close driving force transmitting portion provided to the operation member; a driving force transmitting portion for transmitting a driving force, to a apparatus shutter member, from the open/close driving force transmitting portion through an open/close driving force relay gear train provided to the apparatus main assembly; and a container-side abutting portion for abutting against a gear-side abutting portion provided to at least one gear of the relay gear train. When the developer supply container is mounted into the apparatus main assembly, the container-side abutting portion abuts against the gear-side abutting portion to rotate the relay gear train toward an initial position. | 09-04-2008 |
20080213005 | Developer cartridge and image forming apparatus - A developer cartridge includes a developer storage portion for retaining developer. The developer storage portion includes an opening portion. The developer cartridge further includes a shutter member for opening and closing the opening portion; and a first protrusion portion disposed on at least one of end portions of the developer storage portion in a longitudinal direction thereof. The first protrusion portion extends outwardly in the longitudinal direction. | 09-04-2008 |
20080260433 | Stabilizer for a toner cartridge and related method - A stabilizer for interconnecting two movable sections of a toner cartridge assembly. A toner cartridge assembly incorporating a stabilizer and a method of stabilizing movable sections of a toner cartridge assembly are also provided. | 10-23-2008 |
20080267670 | CONTAINER FOR TONER CARTRIDGE - A container for a toner cartridge includes a hollow main body defining a longitudinal central axis. The main body has a first section near a rear end thereof, a second section near a front end thereof, a connecting section between the first and second sections, a longitudinal rib extending from the first section to the second section via the connecting section. The radii of cross sections of the first and second sections respectively gradually increase toward the front end of the main body. The longitudinal rib has a third guiding surface defining with the central axis a distance shorter than the radius of a cross section of the connecting section. The container can effectively move the toner accommodated inside the container from the rear end toward the front end. A mold for the container is easy to manufacture, resulting in cost reduction in manufacturing. | 10-30-2008 |
20080267671 | Toner cartridge having control board mounted therein and electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same - A toner cartridge has a control board mounted therein and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same. The toner cartridge includes a toner tube having a mounting part on which a control board is mounted, a control board cover for covering the mounting part to mount the control board therein, and a sealing cover for sealing the toner tube. | 10-30-2008 |
20080273899 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge includes a container defining a central axis and a toner-guiding member. The container is provided at one end thereof with an opening having a radius. The toner-guiding member is provided with an annular connecting portion connected with the container, an outlet at one end thereof, a longitudinally-extending portion at the other end thereof extending into the container through the opening, an inlet formed on the longitudinally-extending portion, and a flexible scraping piece mounted on the longitudinally-extending portion and adjacent to the inlet. The scraping piece has a distal end defining with the central axis a distance longer than the radius of the opening, such that the toner in the container can be substantially fully discharged out of the toner cartridge so as to lower the residual quantity of toner in the toner cartridge. | 11-06-2008 |
20080279593 | TONER BOTTLE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner bottle unit detachable to an image forming apparatus includes an opening/closing device for making an opening of a toner bottle by removing a cap from the opening and closing the opening by attaching the cap. An opening/closing operation device is provided to swing from an open position, in which the opening/closing device makes the opening, to close position, in which the opening/closing device closes the opening. The opening/closing device is operated to make the opening in conjunction with swinging movement of the opening/closing operation device from the close position to the open position, and closes the opening in conjunction with the swinging movement of the opening/closing operation device from the open position to the close position. The opening/closing operation device is swung between the open and close positions substantially around the central axis. | 11-13-2008 |
20080279594 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer supply container includes a container body, a developer conveyance member, and a clog prevention member. The container body includes an outlet port and contains and contains developer therein. The developer conveyance member includes a rotational shaft and a conveyance-member body. The conveyance-member body is supported by the rotational shaft and has flexibility. The developer conveyance member is disposed in the container body and conveys the developer to the outlet port for discharge. The clog prevention member is formed in the conveyance-member body in a position corresponding to the outlet port. The clog prevention member goes into the outlet port to protrude to outside of the container body as the rotational shaft rotates. | 11-13-2008 |
20080286013 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPER SUPPLYING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer container has a main part accommodating a developer therein and is detachably attached to a main part of an image forming apparatus. The developer container comprises an outlet provided at a side of the developer container to discharge the developer from the developer container. An input unit is provided adjacent to the outlet and has a small-diameter portion an inside diameter of which is smaller than a diameter of the container main part wherein, when the developer container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the input unit is engaged with a drive motor of the image forming apparatus to receive a rotating force of the drive motor. A developer guiding unit causes the developer inside the developer container to be moved to the outlet beyond the small-diameter portion of the input unit by rotation of the developer container. | 11-20-2008 |
20080304869 | TONER BOTTLE FOR ELECTROSTATIC LATENT IMAGE DEVELOPING - A toner bottle containing a cylindrical toner container having therein a toner comprising at least a resin, a colorant and an external additive, the toner container having a toner discharge port on an end thereof and a rotation axis along the cylindrical toner container, and the toner container being installable in an image forming apparatus, wherein the toner container has plural protrusions which are intermittently provided in an interior of the cylindrical container, the protrusions having a function to convey the toner toward the toner discharge port when the toner container is rotated around the rotation axis; an X-ray intensity ratio of titanium to silicon (Ti/Si) determined via X-ray fluorescence spectrometry of the toner is 1.0 to 3.0; and a conveyance index of the toner is 2.0 to 10.0 mg/sec. | 12-11-2008 |
20080304870 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - If a user is not familiar with the operation for a developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. By increasing a rotation load of a second gear which is in an operable connection with a drive gear member of the developer receiving apparatus by a function of a locking member, the developer supply container mounted to the developer receiving apparatus is rotated toward the supply position. After the developer supply container rotates to the supply position, the locking by the locking member is released, by which the rotation load applied to the second gear is reduced, so that drive transmission, thereafter, to the feeding member for developer supply is smooth. | 12-11-2008 |
20080304871 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - If a user is not familiar with the operation for a developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. By increasing a rotation load of a second gear which is in an operable connection with a drive gear member of the developer receiving apparatus by a function of a locking member, the developer supply container mounted to the developer receiving apparatus is rotated toward the supply position. After the developer supply container rotates to the supply position, the locking by the locking member is released, by which the rotation load applied to the second gear is reduced, so that drive transmission, thereafter, to the feeding member for developer supply is smooth. | 12-11-2008 |
20080304872 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - If a user is not familiar with the operation for a developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. By increasing a rotation load of a second gear which is in an operable connection with a drive gear member of the developer receiving apparatus by a function of a locking member, the developer supply container mounted to the developer receiving apparatus is rotated toward the supply position. After the developer supply container rotates to the supply position, the locking by the locking member is released, by which the rotation load applied to the second gear is reduced, so that drive transmission, thereafter, to the feeding member for developer supply is smooth. | 12-11-2008 |
20080310884 | BODY MEMBER OF A POWDER CONTAINER - The body member of a powder container of the present invention includes a bag-like powder storing body storing powder and formed with an opening at one end, and a base member affixed to the opening of the powder storing body. The base member allows an outlet member, which is formed with a passage configured to deliver the powder from the powder storing body to an outlet and has a shutter function for selectively blocking or unblocking the passage, to be connected to or disconnected from the base member. | 12-18-2008 |
20080317510 | TONER CARTRIDGE LOCKING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME, TONER CARTRIDGE, AND MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING METHOD FOR A TONER CARTRIDGE - The present general inventive concept relates to a toner cartridge locking apparatus, which includes a rotation handle rotatably disposed at a first end of a toner tank, and having a locking blade formed at an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a hooking portion disposed at a developing unit to which the toner tank is mounted, wherein when the rotation handle is rotated in a predetermined angle, the locking blade of the rotation handle is inserted into the hooking portion. | 12-25-2008 |
20080317511 | Developer Cartridge and Method of Recycling the Developer Cartridge - A developing cartridge and method of recycling a developing cartridge are provided. The developing cartridge includes a cartridge housing that is configured to accommodate developer. The cartridge housing includes a first opening for discharging the developer from the cartridge housing; and a second opening for accommodating the developer into the cartridge housing. The developing cartridge further includes a deflector that is configured to generate a swirling flow of air in the cartridge housing. The method of recycling the developing cartridge includes injecting air into the second opening such that the air is deflected by the deflector and refilling the developing cartridge with developer. | 12-25-2008 |
20090003886 | TONER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner supply device is equipped with a coupling that has a toner supply opening on the side wall, a partition wall provided in this coupling integrally with a specific space provided on the inner wall and a hole larger than a toner supply opening on the side wall. A toner bottle containing toner is provided in the coupling with its cap portion inserted airtight into the partition wall detachably and an opening provided on its cap portion opposing to the hole on the partition wall for replenishing toner to a developing device from this opening through the hole and a toner supply opening. | 01-01-2009 |
20090035024 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a housing; a partition wall which is provided in the housing along a substantially vertical direction, the partition wall partitioning an inner space of the housing into a first space and a second space; developing units which are disposed in parallel along the substantially vertical direction in the first space, each of the developing units comprising a first reception opening and a return opening; and developer cartridges which correspond to the plurality of developing units, the developer cartridges being disposed in parallel along the substantially vertical direction in the second space, each of developer cartridges comprising a supply opening and a second reception opening. The first reception openings of the developing units communicate with the supply openings of respective ones of the developer cartridges, and the return openings of the developer units communicate with the second reception openings of respective ones of the developer cartridges. | 02-05-2009 |
20090041509 | Image forming apparatus having replaceable developer cartridges - An arrangement for providing developer to process cartridges is described. Developer agent storing members may be insertable into a body containing the process cartridges through a front of the body. The developer agent storing members may be provided on two sides to reduce the stacked height of the developer agent storing members in the body. | 02-12-2009 |
20090067886 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device, process cartridge and image forming apparatus of a premix developing system, with which developer splashed by the transport member is not discharged from the discharge port, fluctuations of the amount of developer discharged to the outside are not produced, and the output image quality is stable. The transport member comprises, in a part thereof in the longitudinal direction, a cutaway region where the screw part is not formed. The discharge port faces the cutaway region, and is formed such that the longitudinal length thereof is smaller than that of the cutaway region. A wall part, which protrudes toward the interior of the transport route from a partition wall where the discharge port is formed, is then installed upstream of the transport route in relation to the discharge port and within the range of the cutaway region. | 03-12-2009 |
20090067887 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING METHOD, AND DEVELOPING DEVICE - An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers, a latent image forming unit, and a plurality of developing units. Each of the developing unit forms an image to have a color difference of equal to or less than about five with respect to an initial unicolor image formed by using a toner not containing a reversely-transferred toner of another color when a toner contained in a toner container is consumed by about 70%. | 03-12-2009 |
20090074472 | DEVELOPING AGENT CONTAINER PACKAGE UNIT, PACKING RECEPTACLE FOR DEVELOPING AGENT CONTAINER, AND PACKING METHOD OF DEVELOPING AGENT CONTAINER - A developing agent container package unit includes a packing case, a developing agent container received inside the packing case and storing developing agent, and a supporting member to support the developing agent container so that the developing agent container is inclined with respect to one side surface of the packing case. | 03-19-2009 |
20090080945 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER FOR AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer container storing a developer of the present invention includes a developer outlet formed in the side wall thereof, and a shutter member for selectively opening or closing the developer outlet. The shutter member opens the developer outlet when the developer container is mounted to the body of an image forming apparatus or closes it when the former is dismounted from the latter. The toner container with this configuration surely prevents the developer from leaking when the developer container is dismounted from an image forming apparatus. | 03-26-2009 |
20090087224 | DEVELOPING UNIT - A developing unit includes a developer cartridge for accommodating developer and including a first opening, a first elastic member including a first through hole surrounding the first opening, a housing including a cartridge housing part and a second opening provided in a position opposite to the first opening, a second elastic member including a second through hole surrounding the second opening, and a shutter including a third opening and being movable between an opening position and a closing position. When the shutter is located at the opening position, an upstream end of the third opening in a movement direction of the shutter from the opening position to the closing position is located more upstream than upstream ends of the first through hole and the second through hole in the movement direction. | 04-02-2009 |
20090087225 | Developing Device, Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A developing device includes: a first conveying unit that is provided within a developing agent storage chamber and that is configured to convey a developing agent from one end of the developing agent storage chamber to another end of the developing agent storage chamber in a longitudinal direction of a developing agent carrier that is disposed with in a developing chamber and to supply the developing agent from the developing agent storage chamber to the developing chamber; a second conveying unit that is provided within the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the other end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing chamber in the longitudinal direction and to supply the developing agent toward a developing agent carrier; and a third conveying unit that is provided between the one end of the developing agent storage chamber and the one end of the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the one end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing agent storage chamber. | 04-02-2009 |
20090110439 | Skirt for Toner Cartridge - A skirt for a toner cartridge comprises a body having a pair of parallel edges, a plurality of beams extending along the body in the direction of the pair of parallel edges, the beams having a first end dimension B, the beams having a second end dimension b, the plurality of beams having tapered edges between the first end and the second end defining a ratio R defined by dimensions b/B being from about 0 to 0.9 for inhibiting creep deflection. | 04-30-2009 |
20090110440 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge includes a recording unit that records a deterioration table in which a reference value of a deterioration degree is specified for each of constituent members and a load characteristic table in which the deterioration degree corresponding to an operation state of an image forming apparatus in which the toner cartridge is inserted is specified, a transmitting and receiving unit that performs transmission and reception with the image forming apparatus in which the toner cartridge is inserted, a deterioration counter that extracts the deterioration degree for each of the constituent members from the load characteristic table according to an operation state of the image forming apparatus and counts the deterioration degree for each of the constituent members, and a control unit that compares the deterioration degree counted by the deterioration counter and the reference value specified in the deterioration table. | 04-30-2009 |
20090116877 | Developing Unit - A developing unit comprising a developer cartridge comprising an outside frame and an inside frame that comprises a first opening and is movable between a first opening position where the first opening is opened and a first closing position where the first opening is closed by the outside frame, a first seal disposed around the first opening on the inside frame, a housing that comprises a cartridge holding part for holding the developer cartridge and is capable of holding a developer holding member, and a capturing member which is provided on the cartridge holding part, which has a developer capturing force greater than that of the first seal, and which is slide contactable with the first seal when the inside frame moves from the first opening position to the first closing position. | 05-07-2009 |
20090123192 | METHOD AND TONER BOTTLE FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF EFFECTIVELY SUPPLYING TONER TO IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The toner bottle exchangeably used in an image forming apparatus. The toner bottle includes a bottle body having a substantially cylindrical shape and configured to contain toner, a gear configured to rotate a part of the toner bottle, a cap attached to the bottle body and including an opening arranged in a circumferential surface of the cap and configured to output toner to a development apparatus of the image forming apparatus, a toner conveyance mechanism arranged in the bottle body and configured to convey the toner to the opening. | 05-14-2009 |
20090129825 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLY SYSTEM - A developer supply container detachably mounts to a developer receiving apparatus and supplies a developer by rotation and includes a regulation portion for determining whether or not the developer supply container should be mounted by being regulated by a regulation member of the developer receiving apparatus and a lead portion which is movable relative to a guiding portion of the developer receiving apparatus so that the regulation member and the regulation portion are in phase with each other. When the developer supply container is inserted in a direction of a rotation axis thereof, a phase of the regulation portion with the regulation member is determined by movement of the lead portion of the developer supply container relative to the guiding portion of the developer receiving apparatus and then is regulated by the regulation member. | 05-21-2009 |
20090129826 | DEVELOPER CONTAINING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INTO/FROM WHICH DEVELOPER CONTAINING DEVICE IS INSTALLED AND REMOVED - A developer containing device includes: a developer container configured to contain developer and to be inserted into a receptacle defined in an image forming apparatus main body; a developer feed inlet provided in a forward end of the developer container which is inserted into the receptacle in an insertion direction and for feeding the developer contained in the developer container into the image forming apparatus main body; and an opening and closing member that opens the developer feed inlet with movement of the developer container in the insertion direction when the developer container is inserted into the receptacle and closes the developer feed inlet with movement of the developer container in opposition to the insertion direction when the developer container is removed from the receptacle, the opening and closing member having a protrusion formed to protrude inward of the opening and closing member and allowed to engage with a recess provided in the developer container and being arranged to be allowed to move on the outside of the developer container in a direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the developer container, and when the developer container is inserted into the receptacle, a developer container outside section sliding into the opening and closing member being brought to one side of the opening and closing member in the direction intersecting with the insertion direction of the developer container, then the protrusion being released from an engageable state. | 05-21-2009 |
20090129827 | DEVELOPER STORAGE CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A developer storage container includes a container body, an opening formed in the container body, an opening-and-closing cover, a cover holding frame that holds the cover so that the cover is movable between opening and closing positions, a protrusion portion, a blocking portion and a position regulating protrusion. When the opening-and-closing cover moves in the opening-and-closing direction toward the opening position and reaches a certain intermediate position, the blocking portion contacts with the protrusion portion. When the opening-and-closing cover moves from a position where the protrusion portion and the blocking portion are in contact with each other to the closing position, the position regulating protrusion causes the opening-and-closing cover to move in a intersecting direction and regulates a position of the opening-and-closing cover in the intersecting direction so that the blocking portion is overlapped, along the opening-and-closing direction, with the position of the distal end of the protrusion portion. | 05-21-2009 |
20090142103 | TONER CARTRIDGES FOR AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - The present application is directed to toner cartridges for use with image forming devices. The cartridge may include an interior to contain toner that is transferred to the image forming device and used during image formation. The cartridge may include one or more engagement features that interact with the image forming device during insertion. The engagement features may include one or more alignment features that align the cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. The engagement features may also include one or more functional features that allow the cartridge to effectively transfer the toner to the image forming device. | 06-04-2009 |
20090169267 | Image Formation Apparatus and Developer Cartridge - The invention provides an image formation apparatus, to which developing devices, each having an opening, and developer cartridges for respectively supplying a developing agent to the openings of the developing devices are mountable. The apparatus includes: developing device shutters, each configured to open and close a respective one of the openings of the developing devices mounted to the apparatus; and a link mechanism configured to move the developing device shutters in linking with each other. | 07-02-2009 |
20090175660 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPER SUPPLYING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer container has a main part accommodating a developer therein and is detachably attached to a main part of an image forming apparatus. The developer container comprises an outlet provided at a side of the developer container to discharge the developer from the developer container. An input unit is provided adjacent to the outlet and has a small-diameter portion an inside diameter of which is smaller than a diameter of the container main part wherein, when the developer container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the input unit is engaged with a drive motor of the image forming apparatus to receive a rotating force of the drive motor. A developer guiding unit causes the developer inside the developer container to be moved to the outlet beyond the small-diameter portion of the input unit by rotation of the developer container. | 07-09-2009 |
20090190963 | Developer storing container and image forming apparatus - A developer storing container includes outer and inner cases. The outer case includes first and second hollow portions. The first hollow portion includes a surrounding wall so shaped as to surround a center axis. The surrounding wall has both ends in a cross-section perpendicular to the center axis, and has an ejection opening. The second hollow portion includes first and second outer walls extending from both ends of the surrounding wall and a third outer wall disposed therebetween. The inner case is rotatably disposed in the first hollow portion, and has an opening corresponding to the ejection opening. The surrounding wall extends from one of both ends to the other of both ends at an angle greater than or equal to 180 degrees with respect to the center axis. An entire outer surface of the surrounding wall constitutes a part of an outer surface of the outer case. | 07-30-2009 |
20090208253 | TONER BOTTLE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner bottle includes a bottle main body for discharging toner contained therein by rotation of the bottle main body and a scraping member disposed inside the bottle main body for rubbing the inner wall surface of the bottle main body 20 by rotation of the bottle main body. A shaft section for supporting a rubbing section included in the scraping member has an inclined support section extending with a predetermined angle inclined in a direction deviating from a direction in which an axis of rotation of the bottle main body extends. | 08-20-2009 |
20090238608 | STORAGE CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A storage container includes: a storage container main body; a flow-out opening; a shutter; a seal member; a restricting portion; and an open-close movement restricting portion. | 09-24-2009 |
20090238609 | Powder developer holding apparatus, developing apparatus, and image forming apparatus - A powder developer holding apparatus prevents developer leakage. A housing holds powder developer, and includes a discharging opening through which the powder developer is discharged. A shutter is mounted to the housing and is rotatable relative to the housing to an opening position where the discharging opening is opened or to a closing position where the discharging opening is closed. A locking member is slidably mounted to the shutter. When the powder developer holding apparatus is oriented such that the discharging opening faces upward in a gravitational direction, the locking member prevents the shutter from rotating relative to the chamber. | 09-24-2009 |
20090245883 | Developer material holding apparatus, process cartridge to which the developer material holding apparatus is attached,and image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge is a attached - A developer material holding apparatus holds a developer. A body holds a developer material and includes a first opening through which the developer material is discharged. A shutter is assembled to the body, and is movable either to an opening position where the developer material is discharged from the body or to a closing position where the developer material is not discharged from the body. The shutter includes a second opening such that when the shutter is at the opening position, the second opening is in alignment with the first opening. At least one of the first opening and the second opening is in the form a mesh including a plurality of openings. | 10-01-2009 |
20090245884 | DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing cartridge includes: a developer carrier which carries toner; a toner supply member which supplies the toner to the developer carrier; a regulation member which regulates an amount of toner on the developer carrier; a developing chamber which has the developer carrier and the toner supply member; a transport section which is connected to an upper portion and a lower portion of the developing chamber and transports the toner from the lower portion of the developing chamber to the upper portion of the developing chamber; and a transport member which is disposed inside the transport section and transports the toner while agitating the toner. A capacity of the transport section is larger than a capacity of the developing chamber. | 10-01-2009 |
20090252539 | TONER HOPPER, DEVELOPING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner hopper contains toner supplied from a toner container and supplies the toner to a developing device. The toner hopper includes: a container tank for containing the toner; a carrying screw which is disposed in the container tank and is rotated so as to carry the toner in the container tank; and an elastic member having a first section which is fixed to the container tank and a second section which comes into contact with the carrying screw, the first section being farther from the carrying screw than the second section in a direction perpendicular to an axis line of the carrying screw. According to the arrangement, it is possible to stabilize an amount of toner supplied from the toner hopper to the developing device. | 10-08-2009 |
20090263164 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A developer supply system includes a container, a memory, and a positioning mechanism. The container has a deformable bag formed of flexible material to accommodate developer therein. The memory is attached to a given planar surface of the deformable bag to store information for communication to the image forming apparatus. The positioning mechanism holds the container therein while maintaining the given planar surface in position relative to the image forming apparatus when the deformable bag collapses as it discharges developer. An image forming apparatus employing such a developer supply system is also disclosed. | 10-22-2009 |
20090263165 | DEVELOPER CARTRIDGE, IMAGE FORMING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer cartridge includes an outer barrel member, an inner barrel member rotatably provided with respect to the outer barrel member, and a regulating member rotatably provided with respect to the inner barrel member. The regulating member includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The inner barrel member includes a first to-be-engaged portion that engages the first engaging portion and an operating member. The outer barrel member includes a second to-be-engaged portion that engages the second engaging portion. When the first engaging portion and the first to-be-engaged portion engage each other and engagement between the second engaging portion and the second to-be-engaged portion is released, the inner barrel member is rotatable together with the regulating member with respect to the outer barrel member. When engagement between the first engaging portion and the first to-be-engaged portion is released and engagement between the second engaging portion and the second to-be-engaged portion released, the regulating member is rotatable with respect to the inner barrel member. | 10-22-2009 |
20090279921 | TONER CONTAINER, PRODUCTION METHOD FOR TONER PRODUCT AND TONER REPLENISHING METHOD - A toner container for replenishing toner to an image forming apparatus, including: a container main body having a toner outlet and a toner conveyance device which conveys the toner toward the toner outlet through rotation; a cap which covers the toner outlet and has a toner ejecting section; a toner ejecting member which conveys the toner from the container main body to the cap; and a holding ring which is fixed with the toner ejecting member, wherein the container main body has a first engagement member which engages with an engagement section of the holding ring such that the container main body, rotates together with the holding ring and the toner ejecting member, and wherein the cap has a second engagement member which engages with the holding ring such that the holding ring and the toner ejecting member are rotatable. | 11-12-2009 |
20090290910 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus in a removable manner for supplying toner to the image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprises a toner cartridge main body which contains the toner, a discharging opening for supplying the toner contained in the toner cartridge main body to the image forming apparatus and a shutter which opens the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in the image forming apparatus and closes the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is removed from the image forming apparatus, wherein the shutter has a concave part formed therein for engaging with a holding member which holds the shutter provided in the image forming apparatus to open and close the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in or removed from the image forming apparatus. | 11-26-2009 |
20090324296 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC TONER AND METHOD OF PREPARING THE SAME - Disclosed are an electrophotographic toner and a method of preparing the same. The electrophotographic toner includes latex; a colorant; and a releasing agent. The absolute value of a differential value of complex viscosity with respect to temperature, | 12-31-2009 |
20090324297 | TONER CARTRIDGE, AND PROCESS UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A toner cartridge, and a process unit and image forming apparatus using the same. Toner contained in an outer chamber is scooped with a toner scooping member by rotation of a toner container and slides down toward a communication port along an upper surface of a partition, and falls down to an inner chamber from the communication port. Then, the toner that has fallen down into the inner chamber from the communication port slides down toward a toner discharging port along the inner surface of the partition, and is discharged from the toner discharging port. Furthermore, toner discharged form the toner discharging port is discharged from a toner through hole provided in a toner container supporting member to the outside of the toner cartridge. | 12-31-2009 |
20090324298 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, POWDER SUPPLYING UNIT, TONER CONTAINER, POWDER CONTAINER, AND METHOD OF RECYCLING THE POWDER CONTAINER - A part of a toner supply path is formed in a setting unit ( | 12-31-2009 |
20100003056 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A toner cartridge is provided removably fitted to a toner supply pipe for supplying toner to a developing device. The toner cartridge includes, as a toner discharging mechanism, a toner discharging portion having a toner discharge port, a toner conveyor screw for conveying toner inside toner container and a shutter for opening and closing the toner discharge port. The shutter has a loosening member. When the toner cartridge is fitted to the toner supply pipe, the loosening member moves inside the toner container as the shutter moves along the toner discharge port. | 01-07-2010 |
20100021211 | Image forming apparatus - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a toner feed unit used in a developing device and provided near a top surface of a body casing. The toner feed unit includes a frame that includes a toner container storage space portion including a curved concave portion formed of a material different from a material constituting the body casing, and has supporting surfaces, in a part of a top surface of the space, that support side portions of a device mounted on the body casing and a rear portion of the device connected to the side portions by surface contact. The frame has legs that extend from a position, which is located opposite to the device to be mounted, toward an installation surface of the body casing. The frame is built in the body casing. | 01-28-2010 |
20100021212 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - There is provided an image forming apparatus including a casing in which toner is accommodated, a toner inflow portion that is provided on a side of one of ends in a longitudinal direction of the casing, a first screw that conveys the toner accommodated in the casing from one end toward the other end, a second screw that conveys the toner accommodated in the casing from the other end toward one end, and a sensor in which a detection portion is disposed at a position facing a side face of the casing provided in the longitudinal direction in order to detect an amount of toner accommodated in the casing. The longitudinal direction of the detection portion is located closer to one end than the other end, and a position in a vertical direction of the detection portion partially overlaps at least a toner conveying region of the second screw. | 01-28-2010 |
20100021213 | Container for Developing Agent, and Image Forming Apparatus Incorporating the Same - In a container is adapted to be coupled with another container, a first wall member defines a first storage space adapted to store developing agent for forming an image on a recording medium. A first coupler is adapted to be coupled with a second coupler provided with the first another container. A first communicator is operable to communicate the first storage space with a second storage space provided with the first another container by way of the first coupler and the second coupler, when the container is coupled with another container. | 01-28-2010 |
20100054817 | CONTAINER AND DEVICE - A container includes: a container body that is to be inserted into the device, and that has a port; and a pair of support members arranged so that the support members face each other across the port, that supports a cover for covering the port, the cover including: a covering portion that covers the port; a pair of supported members that are supported by the support members; and a pair of connecting portions arranged so that the connecting portions face each other, that connects the covering portion and the supported members, and at least one of the connecting members being configured so that the connecting member becomes narrow as an outside surface of the connecting member tapers towards its inside surface at an end of the container body inserted into the device. | 03-04-2010 |
20100054818 | DEVELOPING APPARATUS - A developing apparatus includes a tank configured to contain a developing agent including a toner and a carrier, the tank having a discharge port configured to discharge the developing agent overflowing from the tank, a supplier configured to develop a latent image by using the toner contained in the tank, a replenisher configured to contain the developing agent and to replenish the developing agent into the tank, and a controller configured to estimate an amount of the developing agent in the tank in according with the amount of the supplied developing agent and the amount of the replenished developing agent and to execute a forced discharge for forcibly discharging the developing agent contained in the tank from the discharge port based on the estimated amount of developing agent. | 03-04-2010 |
20100054819 | Toner Cartridge for Developing Device - A toner cartridge includes: a casing; a partitioning wall; and an operation member. The casing is configured to accommodate toner therein. The casing is formed with a first casing opening. The partitioning wall is configured to be rotatable relative to the casing around a predetermined rotational axis. The partitioning wall has a side surface that extends substantially parallel to the rotational axis and a pair of opposite ends that are arranged opposing each other along the rotational axis, a first partitioning-wall opening being formed through the side surface of the partitioning wall, the first partitioning-wall opening being selectively aligned with the first casing opening when the partitioning wall is rotated relative to the casing. The operation member rotates the partitioning wall relative to the casing, the operation member including a pair of lever members rotatably supported on the casing that when rotated apply a rotating operation to both of the pair of opposite ends of the partitioning wall. | 03-04-2010 |
20100061771 | REWELDED CARTRIDGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A reassembled laser toner cartridge and method of manufacture in which the hopper section and roller section of a previously depleted toner cartridge are rewelded together by ultrasonic welding along the length sections after an ancillary energy director strip has been positioned between the sections where the roller section interfaces with the hopper section to provide a laser toner cartridge that has the same or nearly the same specifications as the original equipment manufactured cartridges. | 03-11-2010 |
20100104326 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge including at least one of an image bearing member and a developing device; a main assembly including an opening; an openable member movable between a closed position in which the opening is covered and an open position in which the opening is exposed; and a movable member for supporting the cartridge. The movable member is movable between an inside position in which the cartridge is located inside the main assembly and a pulled out position in which the movable member is outwardly pulled out from the main assembly. The openable member is prevented, from moving from the open position to the closed position, in a state in which the movable member is located outside the open position but is movable from the open position to the closed position in a state in which the movable member is located at the open position. | 04-29-2010 |
20100111573 | SEALING MEMBER, TONER ACCOMMODATING CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes a main body for containing toner; a sealing portion for sealing the toner discharge opening; locking projections for snap-fitting engagement with holes provided in a cylindrical member of an image forming apparatus, wherein the projections receive from the cylindrical member unsealing forces for unsealing the toner discharge opening by a relative movement between the sealing portion and the toner container, wherein a number of the locking projections is larger than a number of ribs provided between the holes of the cylindrical member. | 05-06-2010 |
20100119264 | POWDER CONTAINER, POWDER SUPPLYING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container that has a hollow interior for containing powder includes a tubular member that is equipped with an information storage unit that stores therein at least information related to a container body, and attached to the container body such that the container body is located within an inner hole of the tubular member. The powder container also includes a movement restricting unit that restricts movement of the tubular member in an axial direction of the tubular member. | 05-13-2010 |
20100119265 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - A developer supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a rotatable container body provided with a portion-to-be-engaged on an inner surface thereof; an opening for permitting discharging of the developer; a sealing portion for sealing the opening; an extended portion being displaceable toward a rotational axis of the container body; an engaging portion engageable with the portion-to-be-engaged; and a limiting portion to substantially hold the sealing portion in a sealing position by engagement between the engaging portion and the portion-to-be-engaged, and a non-limiting portion to permit the relative movement of the sealing portion by disengagement between the engaging portion and the portion-to-be-engaged. | 05-13-2010 |
20100129119 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - In a structure in which a gear train | 05-27-2010 |
20100143001 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge includes a housing, a wheel and a grating tube. The housing has a chamber for accommodation of toner, and an outlet in communication between the chamber and the outside. The wheel is rotatably connected the housing. The grating tube is coaxially connected to the wheel and defines several transparent areas and several opaque areas. The grating tube is made of transparent material and covered with several opaque layers defining the opaque areas such that the toner cartridge has the advantages of flexible application, being compatible with different types of image-forming apparatuses, and reducing manufacturing cost. | 06-10-2010 |
20100158575 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge for containing toner is provided with a lever for operating the toner cartridge, and a cover partly surrounding the lever. The cover forms an uncovering area where the lever is not covered, and a user can access the lever through the uncovering area. | 06-24-2010 |
20100166466 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment a toner cartridge includes a case to contain toner, a rotator to rotate and stir the toner in the case round a rotary shaft line, and a clicker piece to move a space separated from the toner in the direction of the rotary shaft line. | 07-01-2010 |
20100178080 | SWITCHING MECHANISM FOR TONER CARTRIDGE - A switching mechanism for a toner cartridge includes a base and a sliding member. The base is mounted to a housing. A chamber is defined between the housing and the base for receiving the sliding member. The base has a guiding slot. The sliding member has a body received in the chamber, a suspension arm extending from the body, a hook disposed on the suspension arm, and a post extending from the suspension arm and received in the guiding slot. When the sliding member is moved to different positions, an outlet of the toner cartridge can be closed or opened. The post moves along the guiding slot to cause an elastic deformation of the suspension arm for changing the position of the hook such that an erroneous operation of the switching mechanism can be avoided, and a mold for the switching mechanism is easy to manufacture to reduce the manufacturing costs. | 07-15-2010 |
20100178081 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - This invention provides a buffering block with a Mylar bonded on the upper surface of an urethane rubber made base material on the bottom surface of the inserting port of an inserting side frame to support a toner bottle. When a toner bottle is slid and taken out from a copying machine, its inclined portion and cap portion run against the buffering block. Thus, a shock given to the toner bottle when taken out from the copying machine is eased and toner adhered around the cap portion is prevented from dropping to and contaminating the periphery of the inserting side frame. | 07-15-2010 |
20100189470 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container includes a container body that contains toner therein, and a cap portion that is held by a toner-container holding unit and includes a toner discharge opening to discharge the toner contained in the container body. A gear portion is detachably attached to the container body so that a rotational force is transmitted to the container body. | 07-29-2010 |
20100215408 | DEVELOPER, IMAGE FORMING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer has a molecular weight distribution of its tetrahydrofuran soluble portion measured by a gel permeation chromatography. In the molecular weight distribution, the main peak is in a range from 2×10 | 08-26-2010 |
20100215409 | DEVELOPER SUPPLYING CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPER RECEIVING CARTRIDGE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer supply cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, includes a developer accommodating portion of accommodating a developer; a discharging opening for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion to a developer receiving opening of a developer receiving cartridge provided with developing means for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with the developer, the developer receiving cartridge being detachably mountable to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus; a shutter member movable between an opening position for opening the discharging opening and a closing position for closing the discharging opening; an engaging portion for engagement with the developer receiving cartridge so as to receive, from the developer receiving cartridge, a force for moving the shutter member from the closing position to the opening position, in interrelation with a relative movement between the developer supply cartridge and the developer receiving cartridge toward each other in a mounting-and-demounting direction of the developer supply cartridge relative to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. | 08-26-2010 |
20100221045 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming apparatus body that includes a container attaching portion to which a developer container is removably attached; a container put-on member on which the developer container is put; and a support member to which the container put-on member is attached, the support member supporting the container put-on member to perform a movement between a first position in which the container put-on member is at the container attaching portion and a second position in which the container put-on member is pulled out from the container attaching portion, wherein at the second position, at least a part of the container put-on member is displaced downward through a rotating shaft provided on the support member to a lower position than a height of the container put-on member at the second position in the direction of gravity. | 09-02-2010 |
20100226690 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The toner container includes a guiding member formed at a part surrounding a toner outlet to be protruded from a circumferential surface of the toner container for guiding an opening or closing operation of a shutter member in a circumferential direction of the toner container. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus main body includes a main body side shutter for opening or closing a toner supplying opening to be connected to the toner outlet. When the shutter member is opened, an end surface of the guiding member pushes the main body side shutter together with the opening operation of the shutter member, and the toner supplying opening is opened and is connected to the toner outlet. | 09-09-2010 |
20100239325 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS COMPRISING THE SAME - A hollow cylindrical cap is rotatably attached to a container body opening provided in one end of a hollow cylindrical container body. A seal member around the container body opening forms a seal between the container body and the cap. Once the cap is attached to the container body, pressing chips are circumferentially slidably engaged with a flange, and the seal member is pressure-sealed to a pressure-seal portion. A toner container identification is contiguous with the rear edge of one of the pressing chips. The toner container identification is formed by denting one part of the cap so its outer surface radially protrudes outward, and has a predetermined cross-section. | 09-23-2010 |
20100247160 | Developer storing body, image forming unit and image forming apparatus - A developer storing body is detachably attached to an image forming unit main body of an image forming unit. The developer storing body includes a cartridge main body for storing a developer. The cartridge main body has a developer outlet opening through which the developer is ejected. The developer storing body includes an outlet shutter member movable with respect to the cartridge main body so as to open and close the developer outlet opening. A movable direction of the outlet shutter member is substantially the same as a direction in which the developer storing body is attached to or detached from the image forming unit main body. | 09-30-2010 |
20100247161 | Developer Supply Device - A developer supply device, comprising a casing having an opening facing a supply target and a developer reservoir portion provided on an opposite side; a roller-like developer holding body placed around the opening to face the supply target; a main carrying substrate that is located to face the developer holding body at a downstream end portion thereof in a developer transport direction and is configured to carry the developer through a traveling electric field to the developer holding body; and a sub carrying substrate that has a facing part to face the main carrying substrate, the sub carrying substrate being configured to carry the developer from the developer reservoir portion to the facing part through a traveling electric field, and wherein the sub carrying substrate carries the developer in the facing part in a direction opposite to a direction in which the main carrying substrate carries the developer. | 09-30-2010 |
20100272477 | TONER CARTRIDGE, ADAPTOR FOR TONER CARTRIDGE, TONER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner cartridge ( | 10-28-2010 |
20100278564 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus and settable in a developer receiving apparatus by a setting operation including at least a rotation toward a setting position, includes a containing portion for containing the developer; a rotatable discharging member for discharging the developer out of said containing portion; drive transmitting means, engageable with a driving gear provided in said developer receiving apparatus and rotatable in a direction opposite the setting direction, for transmitting a rotating force from said driving gear to said discharging member. | 11-04-2010 |
20100278565 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - If a user is not familiar with the operation for the developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. by increasing a rotation load of a second gear | 11-04-2010 |
20100284710 | INNER CAP FOR TONER CONTAINER AND TONER CONTAINER - A toner container that can pass not only air but a toner, has toner sealing ability, and does not allow toner leakage even during transportation and an inner pressure change of the container, by placing an air permeable member at the fitting part in the casing part. An inner cap including at least the air permeable member is placed in the casing part of the inner cap, wherein the inner cap is used for a toner container that is detachably mounted to a developing unit in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographical method, and the toner container includes at least a container main body, the inner cap, and an outer cap. | 11-11-2010 |
20100296847 | TONER CARTRIDGE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD OF RECYCLING TONER CARTRIDGE - An insertion passage | 11-25-2010 |
20100322676 | Cartridge Alignment Member for Aligning with a Developer Unit in an Electrophotographic Image Forming Device - An alignment member is externally disposed on a toner cartridge for alignment with a developer unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. In one embodiment of the invention, the alignment member includes a first portion to properly align the developer unit relative to the toner cartridge and a second portion to maintain the proper alignment of the developer unit. The alignment ensures proper installation of the toner cartridge into the image forming device and prevents undesirable spill of toner. | 12-23-2010 |
20100322677 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING THE SAME - A toner cartridge in a bottle shape for storing toner is composed of a first cylindrical portion having a blocked bottom wall at one end and an opening at the other end and a second cylindrical portion in which one end thereof is connected to the opening, and an opening for ejecting toner is formed at the other end, and the outside diameter thereof is smaller than the first cylindrical portion. | 12-23-2010 |
20100329747 | DEVELOPER CARTRIDGE WITH SHUTTER MEMBER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer cartridge is provided with a cartridge main body with a supply port for supplying developer to an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, a shutter member displaceable between an opening position for opening the supply port and a closing position for closing the supply port, an operation lever arranged to face the opening cover and adapted to displace the shutter member between the opening position and the closing position, and a biasing member for biasing the operation lever toward the closing posture. The operation lever is displaceable between an opening posture corresponding to the opening position and a closing posture corresponding to the closing position. The operation lever is displaced from the closing posture to the opening posture against a biasing force of the biasing member due to interference with a part of the opening cover when the opening cover is closed. | 12-30-2010 |
20110002713 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container includes a longitudinal container body and a held portion. The longitudinal container body has a first end and a second end distal to the first end in a length direction of the container body. The container body includes a gear configured to engage with a drive gear provided in the main body. The held portion is attached to the first end of the container body and configured to be detachably attached to the toner-container holder. The held portion includes a toner outlet, is configured to be held by the toner-container holder in non-rotating manner, and is biased downwardly by a force applied from the drive gear to the gear when the drive gear rotates. | 01-06-2011 |
20110008074 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPER SUPPLY CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer supply cartridge supplies a developer into a process cartridge, and is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a drum, a developing roller, a receiving-side shutter portion opening and closing a developer receiving opening, a receiving-side movable portion to move the receiving-side shutter portion, and a regulating member for regulating movement of the receiving-side movable portion. The developer supply cartridge includes a supplying-side developer accommodating portion, a developer supply opening supplying the developer from the supplying-side developer accommodating portion into the process cartridge through the developer receiving opening, a supplying-side shutter portion opening and closing the developer supply opening, and a supplying-side movable portion to open the supplying-side shutter portion when the developer supply cartridge enters the main assembly and the process cartridge is set in the main assembly, by engagement with the receiving-side movable portion. | 01-13-2011 |
20110008075 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container detachably attached to a toner-container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body that includes an opening, and discharges toner contained in the container body, from the opening; and a held portion that is held by the toner-container holder in a non-rotating manner. The held portion includes an open/close member for opening/closing the toner outlet in synchronization with an attachment/detachment operation of the held portion to/from the toner-container holder. | 01-13-2011 |
20110020039 | TONER CONTAINER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR TONER CONTAINER - A toner container includes a cylindrical container body, having a first opening in a first end thereof and a notch in a circumferential surface thereof continuous with the first opening in the first end, a flange member to engage the first opening and the notch in the container body and having a toner outlet therein through which toner in the container body is discharged, a shutter member disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the container body, a conveyance member, rotatably installed inside the container body to convey the toner from a second end of the container body opposite the first end to the toner outlet in the flange member, and a recessed portion in the container body that projects inward into the interior of the toner container 5 mm or less from an inner surface of the container body. | 01-27-2011 |
20110044727 | DEVELOPER SUPPLYING CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPER RECEIVING CARTRIDGE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer supply cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, includes a developer accommodating portion of accommodating a developer; a discharging opening for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion to a developer receiving opening of a developer receiving cartridge provided with developing means for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with the developer, the developer receiving cartridge being detachably mountable to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus; a shutter member movable between an opening position for opening the discharging opening and a closing position for closing the discharging opening; an engaging portion for engagement with the developer receiving cartridge so as to receive, from the developer receiving cartridge, a force for moving the shutter member from the closing position to the opening position, in interrelation with a relative movement between the developer supply cartridge and the developer receiving cartridge toward each other in a mounting-and-demounting direction of the developer supply cartridge relative to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. | 02-24-2011 |
20110052268 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A toner cartridge includes a toner reservoir for storing toner and a toner conveyor portion. The toner conveyor portion includes a toner discharge port for discharging toner stored in the toner reservoir to the outside and a toner conveying member for conveying toner to the toner discharge port. The toner conveyor portion includes an airtight cover that encloses the upper part of the toner conveying member located over the toner discharge port, a communication opening arranged near the toner discharge port to connect between the toner conveyor portion and the toner reservoir and a pressure relieve valve that opens and closes the communication opening in accordance with the pressure of the toner in the space enclosed by the airtight cover. | 03-03-2011 |
20110058857 | TONER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME, AND CONNECTING STRUCTURE FOR CONNECTING TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container includes a cylindrical container body, a cap having a toner outlet, and a shutter. The cap includes a primary positioning primary positioning hole, formed in a top front surface perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the toner container, extending in the longitudinal direction, to determine an installation position of the cap relative to the image forming apparatus, a secondary positioning hole, formed in a bottom front surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner container, extending in the longitudinal direction forward the toner outlet, to subsidiary determine the installation position of the cap, and a first restriction member to position the cap in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, projecting vertically upward from an outer circumferential surface of the cap and symmetrical about a virtual perpendicular line passing through a cross-sectional center position of the primary positioning hole perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. | 03-10-2011 |
20110064476 | IMAGE FORMING AGENT STORAGE UNIT, METHOD FOR FILLING IMAGE FORMING AGENT STORAGE UNIT WITH IMAGE FORMING AGENT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming agent storage unit includes a body portion and a pair of a protrusion portion. The body portion extends in an insertion direction in which the image forming agent storage unit is inserted into an image forming apparatus. The pair of a protrusion portion is disposed on an outer face of the body portion and extends along the insertion direction. An approximate geometrical center of gravity of a cross-sectional shape of the body portion is disposed between the pair of the protrusion portion. One of the protrusion portions is disposed on an upper right angle position between an upper portion of the body portion and a right portion of the body portion and the other of the protrusion portions is disposed on a lower left angle position between a lower portion of the body portion and a left portion of the body portion. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064477 | IMAGE FORMING AGENT STORAGE UNIT, METHOD FOR FILLING IMAGE FORMING AGENT STORAGE UNIT WITH IMAGE FORMING AGENT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming agent storage unit includes a body portion, grip portion, a movement preventing member. The body portion exists to extend in a direction in which the image forming agent storage unit is mounted in an image forming apparatus. The grip portion is disposed on an operator's side of the body portion in the direction in which the image forming agent storage unit is mounted in the image forming apparatus, so that the grip portion can be gripped by a hand. The movement preventing member is disposed in a top portion of the grip portion. The movement preventing member is caught on the image forming apparatus. And, the movement preventing member prevents the image forming agent storage unit mounted in the image forming apparatus from moving in a direction in which the image forming agent storage unit is pulled out. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064478 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND MEDIUM CONTAINER INSTALLED THEREIN - An image forming apparatus in which a medium container is installed includes a main body, an image forming unit, a medium container a container body at least partially formed of a deformable material, a drawer to hold the medium container thereon and movable between a first position and a second position, a medium transport unit including a medium outlet port provided on a distal end of the medium container, and a medium receiving unit disposed at the second position of the drawer and connected to the medium transport unit provided on the medium container, and a medium transport facilitator mounted on the drawer to contact the medium container set in the drawer from below to move the medium contained in the medium container toward the medium transport unit at the second position. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064479 | TONER BOTTLE AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - A toner bottle includes a toner accommodating container, an inner lid including an inner discharge port, a measurement shutter member movable between an accumulation position where toner is accumulated in space formed between the measurement shutter member and the inner discharge port, and a discharge position where the toner accumulated in the space is discharged, an inner discharge port sealing member, and an outer lid for rotatably supporting the toner accommodating container in a state that the outer lid surrounds the inner discharge port. The outer lid has a shutter opening and closing inner peripheral surface where a restraint portion for restraining the measurement shutter member at the accumulation position, and a non-restraint portion capable of moving the measurement shutter member to the discharge position so that an outer surface of the measurement shutter member is abutted with the non-restraint portion are arranged in the circumferential direction. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064480 | Developer storage container, developing device and image forming apparatus - A developer storage container includes a storage portion for storing a developer therein. The storage portion has an opening through which the developer is ejected. A convex portion is provided around the opening of the storage portion. The convex portion protrudes outward from the storage portion. | 03-17-2011 |
20110069997 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER PACKAGE BODY AND PACKAGE CONTAINER - An end portion of a top side of a package container is tapered. Although a developer container package body may be stood up with a bottom side at the bottom, it cannot be stood up with the top side at the bottom, The bottom side serves as a switching lid of the package container, When the switching lid is opened, an opening which is a taking-out hole appears and a developer container can, be taken out of the opening. | 03-24-2011 |
20110076061 | POWDER STORAGE CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A powder storage container includes a container body, an opening formed in a portion of the container body, an opening-and-closing cover, a cover holding frame, a protrusion portion provided in the opening-and-closing cover, a blocking portion provided in the cover holding frame, a position regulating protrusion protruding from the cover holding frame, and a disengagement suppressing protrusion provided in the opening-and-closing cover. When the opening-and-closing cover takes such an attitude that the opening-and-closing cover is swingably supported by a contact portion, serving as a fulcrum, between the disengagement suppressing protrusion and the cover holding frame and is arranged along the opening-and-closing operation direction, a distal end position of the protrusion portion is located in a position where the distal end position can be released from the blocking portion. | 03-31-2011 |
20110076062 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A developer container for an image forming apparatus includes a developer accommodating chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer to be supplied to the opening; a feeding member, provided in the developer accommodating chamber and having an elasticity, for feeding the developer by rotation thereof; a deforming portion, provided in the developer accommodating chamber and contactable to the feeding member, for deforming the feeding member against the elasticity with the rotation of the feeding member; and a restoration portion for permitting the feeding member deformed by the deformed portion to restore elastically, thereby to throw the developer toward the opening, wherein a boundary portion between the deformed portion the restoration portion is disposed below a lower end of the opening. | 03-31-2011 |
20110097114 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND DEVELOPING DEVICE AND DEVELOPING UNIT THEREOF - An image forming apparatus includes developing units designed to have an appropriate developer storage capacity in consideration of developer consumption, and improved convenience of use. The image forming apparatus also includes an image carrier, and plural developing units arranged along a rotating direction of the image carrier to supply developers to the image carrier. The plural developing units include a first developing unit having the largest developer storage capacity and a second developing unit having the second largest developer storage capacity after the first developing unit. | 04-28-2011 |
20110103844 | Developer Unit For An Image Forming Apparatus - A developer unit for an image forming apparatus is provided. The developer unit includes a developer device with a developer agent carrier and a developer agent supplier, and a developer agent container, which contains the developer agent and is arranged in a lower position with respect to the developer device. The developer agent container is formed to have a fitting wall, which is curved inward at a position to be adjacent to the developer device. The fitting wall is formed to have a feeding opening and a collecting opening. The developer unit is further provided with a first conveyer, which is rotated about a rotation axis to sweep an inner surface of the developer agent container and convey the developer agent toward the feeding opening, and a second conveyer, which is arranged along the developer agent supplier and conveys the developer agent toward the collecting opening. | 05-05-2011 |
20110116843 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes: a cylindrical powder containing portion that contains a powder, and is able to be pulled out of an image forming apparatus; a covering member facing an outer surface of the powder containing portion, being provided to be movable on a movement route along an axial direction of the powder containing portion, the covering member, whose movement is regulated by a protruding portion of the apparatus, moving relative to the powder containing portion, thereby covering a specific portion on a lower side of the powder containing portion when the powder containing portion is pulled out of the apparatus; and a pressing portion provided between the outer surface of the powder containing portion and the movement route of the covering member, the pressing portion pressing the protruding portion when the powder containing portion is pulled out of the apparatus, thereby removing the regulation provided by the protruding portion. | 05-19-2011 |
20110129260 | DEVELOPER CARTRIDGE, IMAGE FORMING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer cartridge includes a developer container, an opening and a first projection. The developer container holds a developer. The opening, which is formed on the developer container, extends in a longitudinal direction of the developer container. The first projection is formed in the vicinity of the opening. | 06-02-2011 |
20110129261 | DEVELOPER UNIT FOR AN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer unit for an image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a developer device having a developer agent carrier and a developer agent supplier, a developer agent container arranged in an upper position with respect to the developer device, and a curved wall, which separates the developer device from the developer agent container; is curved toward the developer agent container; and is formed to have a feeding opening and a collecting opening, and a conveyer, which is arranged along the developer agent supplier and conveys the developer agent toward the collecting opening. The curved wall is arranged to be in proximity to the conveyer and to fit with outlines of the conveyer. | 06-02-2011 |
20110142498 | REPLENISHER TONER CONTAINER - A low cost, robust and efficient replenisher toner container is provided and includes (a) a one-piece blow-molded container body having a wall defining an exterior surface of the body and an interior cavity within the body; (b) a first end, of the one-piece blow-molded container body, having a handle member; (c) a second end, of the one-piece blow-molded container body opposite the first end, including a single fill/dispense opening for filling the interior cavity with replenisher toner and for dispensing replenisher toner from the interior cavity; and (d) at least a one molded scoop member formed at the second end for efficiently delivering the replenisher toner being dispensed from the interior cavity into receiving components in the xerographic machine. | 06-16-2011 |
20110142499 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - According to an aspect of the invention, a toner cartridge includes a container body, a first cover, and a second cover. The container body contains toner and that has an opening portion provided on an outer face of the container body and a guide piece provided on the outer face. The first cover opens and closes the opening portion. The second cover is supported by the guide piece and that is movable in an noncontact state with a bottom portion of the first cover to cover the first cover when the container body is pulled out from an image forming apparatus. | 06-16-2011 |
20110170912 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND ITS RECYCLING METHOD (as amended) - The present invention provides a toner cartridge and its recycling method in which a clearance due to stack of the housing and the lid can reliably be sealed so that toner leakage can be prevented. A toner cartridge which is set in an image forming apparatus to feed toner to the image forming apparatus includes a housing having a toner containing portion for containing toner therein, and a lid for covering the toner containing portion of the housing. A stack portion where the housing and the lid are stacked on each other is sealed by a sealing member having first and second adhesive materials provided on both-side surfaces of a base material with the first adhesive material stuck on an outer peripheral surface of the stack portion and with a release paper stuck on the second adhesive material. | 07-14-2011 |
20110222915 | IMAGE FORMING AGENT HOLDING CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, AND METHOD OF FILLING IMAGE FORMING AGENT - There is provided an image forming agent holding container having a container body that is installable into and removable from an image forming device body and in which an ejection hole for use in ejection of image forming agent is formed, an opening/closing part that is shiftably mounted on the container body so as to open and close the ejection hole, and a manipulating part turnably supported by the container body to be used for shifting the opening/closing part relative to the container body, the manipulating part shifting to and from an open position to place the ejection hole in an open state, a sealing position to place the ejection hole in a sealed state, and a fitting position to fit the manipulating part to the container body. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222916 | Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes an input gear which receives an external driving force; a developing roller which carries developer; a supply roller that is in contact with the developing roller and supplies the developer to the developing roller; a supply roller gear that is meshed with the input gear to drive the supply roller using a driving force transmitted from the input gear; and a developing roller gear that drives the developing roller with a driving force transmitted from the supply roller gear. | 09-15-2011 |
20110236075 | POWDER STORAGE CONTAINER, DEVELOPING DEVICE USING POWDER STORAGE CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder storage container includes a powder storage unit, a conveying member, and an elastic member. The powder storage unit stores powder. The conveying member is rotatably disposed in the powder storage unit and conveys the powder stored in the powder storage unit to an outlet. The elastic member includes: an upper end portion fixed to the inside of the powder storage unit; and a lower end portion which is a swingable free end and is disposed above the conveying member. A part of the lower end portion along the conveying direction of the conveying member is configured to contact with the conveying member to be elastically deformed. | 09-29-2011 |
20110236076 | TONER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner supply device configured to be detachably attached into an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus and supplying a toner to a developing device, the toner supply device being: provided with a container main body configured substantially in a rectangular solid shape and configured to be inserted into the apparatus main body along a longitudinal direction of the container main body, having a toner containing part communicating with a developing device, and a barrel part that moves downward upon receipt of a biasing force from a direction of the apparatus main body when being inserted into the apparatus main body and a lock part arranged at a rear of the barrel part; the handle member being inserted into said apparatus main body side according to the downward movement of said barrel part and fixing said toner supply device in said apparatus main body. | 09-29-2011 |
20110243614 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DEVELOPING AGENT CARTRIDGE - An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing agent carrier that transforms the electrostatic latent image into a visible image by supplying a developing agent to the image carrier; and a developing agent cartridge that accommodates a developing agent to be supplied to the developing agent carrier, arranged so as to be opposed to the developing agent carrier in a longitudinal direction of the developing agent carrier, and formed with an opening for horizontally passing the developing agent in a position horizontally opposed to the developing agent carrier. | 10-06-2011 |
20110249991 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPER SUPPLYING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus for use with a toner container which dispenses toner to the image forming apparatus, depending on an angular position of a rotatable cap of the toner container. The rotatable cap has a handle attached thereto. There is a toner container holder to support the toner container which permits the cap of the toner container to rotate. The image forming apparatus has a cover to selectively cover and uncover the toner container. There is also a device which moves with movement of the cover which interacts with the handle of the toner container. | 10-13-2011 |
20110280631 | DEVELOPER STORAGE BODY, IMAGE FORMING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer storage body includes an outer case enclosing a space in which a developer is stored and having a first opening, and an inner case rotatably provided in the outer case and having a second opening. The inner case is rotatable with respect to the outer case between an opening position and a closing position to open and close the first opening. An operating portion is provided for operation to rotate the inner case between the opening and closing positions. The inner case includes a bottom wall having the second opening, and a plurality of beams provided so as to extend between edges of the bottom wall. The beam has an inclined upper surface. The inclined upper surface is inclined downward in a gravity direction toward a side end of the beam in a cross-section of the beam. | 11-17-2011 |
20110293334 | TONER CARTRIDGE CONVERTING DEVICE - A toner cartridge converting device is provided with a driving module to change gaps between a photoreceptor drum and respective toner cartridges using a positioning groove formed in a radial direction of the photoreceptor drum. Each fixing rod of the toner cartridges can slide into the positioning groove and slide out of the positioning groove with following the displacement of the groove, so that the converting operation to the toner cartridges can be finished. Due to the configuration space required by the driving module is smaller, and the quantity of elements is less than the conventional driving unit and easy in repair and maintenance, so that the structure of the driving module is simplified and the repair cost is reduced. | 12-01-2011 |
20110311281 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING A MAGNETIC FIELD GENERATING UNIT AT THE TONER CARRYING SECTION - An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a toner supplying device, a toner container, and a developing device. The toner supplying device supplies toners stored in the toner container to the developing device. The toner supplying device includes a toner tank which stores toners discharged from the toner container, a toner carrying section which carries the toners stored in the toner tank in an obliquely upward direction, and a toner dropping route which causes the toners carried by the toner carrying section to drop into the developing device by toner own weight. The toner carrying section controls an amount of the toners to flow into the toner dropping route. | 12-22-2011 |
20110318063 | TONER, DEVELOPER, TONER CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a toner wherein when a solid image formed by the toner is irradiated with incident light at an incident angle of −45° using a goniophotometer, a ratio (A/B) of a reflectance A at a light-receiving angle of +30° to a reflectance B at a light-receiving angle of −30° is about 2 or more and about 100 or less. | 12-29-2011 |
20110318064 | Image Formation Apparatus and Developer Cartridge - An image formation apparatus is provided, to which developing devices, each having an opening, and developer cartridges for respectively supplying a developing agent to the openings of the developing devices are mountable. The apparatus includes: developing device shutters, each configured to open and close a respective one of the openings of the developing devices mounted to the apparatus; and a link mechanism configured to move the developing device shutters in linking with each other. | 12-29-2011 |
20120014720 | Image Forming Apparatus, Image Forming Cartridge Supporter, and Image Forming Unit - An image forming apparatus has a body frame and a slide frame. The slide frame is configured to be pulled out from the body frame along a sliding direction. A plurality of image forming cartridges is detachably mounted on the slide frame. A plurality of electrode members is mounted on the slide frame and aligned along the sliding direction so as to correspond to the image forming cartridges. A body-side contact portion of each of the electrode members is electrically connected to the body frame. A cartridge-side contact portion of the electrode member is electrically connected to the image forming cartridge. The image forming cartridge is connected to the body via the corresponding electrode member when the slide frame mounting the image forming cartridges is inserted to the body frame. | 01-19-2012 |
20120014721 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING THE SAME - A toner cartridge in a bottle shape for storing toner is composed of a first cylindrical portion having a blocked bottom wall at one end and an opening at the other end and a second cylindrical portion in which one end thereof is connected to the opening, and an opening for ejecting toner is formed at the other end, and the outside diameter thereof is smaller than the first cylindrical portion. | 01-19-2012 |
20120014722 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - Conventionally, the developer in the developer supply container is discharged by an air-supply pump and a suction pump which are provided in the main assembly side of the image forming apparatus, and therefore, the developer is compacted by the increase of the internal pressure of the developer supply container resulting from the air-supply. Therefore, the proper suction of the developer from the developer supply container becomes difficult with the result of shortage of the developer amount to be supplied. | 01-19-2012 |
20120020704 | Toner Cartridge Having Linearly Movable Shutter Member and Image Forming Device Provided With the Same - An image forming device includes a movable holding member, a plurality of operation members and a plurality of developer cartridges detachably mountable on the holding member. The holding member has a plurality of photosensitive members and developing devices. Each operation members is disposed on the holding member in correspondence with each developing device. Each of the photosensitive member, the operation member and the developer cartridge extends in a first direction. Each developer cartridge is formed with an opening and has a shutter member linearly movable between an open position and a closed position in the first direction. The shutter member opens the opening at the open position to allow developer to flow and closes the opening at the closed position to prevent developer from flowing. Each operation member is linearly movable in the first direction to move the shutter member between the open position and the closed position. | 01-26-2012 |
20120027467 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A toner cartridge includes a toner containing section which contains a toner therein; a toner discharging unit which is disposed in one side of the toner containing section and has a toner discharging port; a screw member which is disposed inside the toner containing section and transports a toner inside the toner containing section to the toner discharging unit; a bearing member which holds an end of the screw member; a rotary shutter which is disposed in the toner discharging unit to be rotatable about a rotation axial line of the screw member and has a circular-arc-shaped cross-section; and a shutter opening and closing mechanism which opens the rotary shutter in conjunction with rotation of the screw member. | 02-02-2012 |
20120033999 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A toner cartridge comprising:
| 02-09-2012 |
20120034000 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus in a removable manner for supplying toner to the image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprises a toner cartridge main body which contains the toner, a discharging opening for supplying the toner contained in the toner cartridge main body to the image forming apparatus and a shutter which opens the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in the image forming apparatus and closes the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is removed from the image forming apparatus, wherein the shutter has a concave part formed therein for engaging with a holding member which holds the shutter provided in the image forming apparatus to open and close the discharging opening when the toner cartridge main body is inserted in or removed from the image forming apparatus. | 02-09-2012 |
20120034001 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge comprises a toner container which contains toner, a driving member which rotationally drives a conveying member, an agitating member which agitates a toner in the toner container while being rotated, a driven member which rotates in association with the driving member which is for rotationally driving the agitating member, and a rotational body which rotates according to rotation of the driven member, has a plurality of slits in rotational circumference for identifying a type of the toner cartridge, and has 1/K or more of the slits when a ratio of a rotational speed R1 (rad/s) of the driving member and a rotational speed R2 (rad/s) of the driven member is K=R2/R1. | 02-09-2012 |
20120039635 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge includes a housing having a first mouth and a second mouth, a rotator having a first opening and a second opening and being rotatably mounted on the housing in such a manner that the first and second mouths are accessible through the first and second openings respectively, and a sliding cover having a through hole and being slidably disposed on the housing in such a manner that the second mouth is closeable by the sliding cover. When the rotator is erroneously forced to rotate relative to the housing, the first mouth of the housing exposes outside through the first opening of the rotator and the second mouth of the housing will be covered by the sliding cover. Therefore, the leakage of the toner caused by a user's erroneous operation of the toner cartridge of the present invention can be effectively reduced. | 02-16-2012 |
20120057906 | TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge includes: a main body; a shutter; a toner seal; and a shift member. The main body defines an internal space for accommodating toner and formed with a communication hole, through which an interior and an exterior of the main body communicate. The shutter is movable between an open position in which the communication hole is open and a closed position in which the communication hole is closed. The shutter is also shiftable between a first position in which the shutter is positioned away from the main body and a second position in which the shutter is positioned close to the main body. The toner seal is disposed between the main body and the shutter when the shutter is in the closed position. The shift member is configured to shift the shutter from the first position to the second position when the shutter is in the closed position. | 03-08-2012 |
20120070196 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, DEVELOPING DEVICE AND TONER CARTRIDGE - An image forming device has: a developing cartridge for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image carrying member and a toner cartridge. The developing cartridge contains a developing roller and a single auger. The toner cartridge is detachably attached to the developing cartridge and containing toner. The toner cartridge has an agitation mechanism that agitates the toner, a conveyance mechanism that conveys the toner to the agitation mechanism, and two ports, the two ports being aligned in the axial direction and communicated with the developing cartridge, respectively. The toner cartridge and the developing cartridge are arrayed side by side in a horizontal direction. The toner cartridge has a shape having a vertical cross section in which a horizontal length is greater than a vertical length. | 03-22-2012 |
20120076548 | POWDER HOLDING CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder holding container includes: a tubular shaped section that is formed in a tubular shape with a hole formed in a tube wall for letting powder pass through; an opening and closing member that moves in a straight line inside the tubular shaped section to open and close the hole; a projection portion that projects out from the opening and closing member and enters the hole; and a resilient tab that is formed by a cutout provided in the opening and closing member, and is resiliently deformable in directions in which the projection portion enters or exits the hole. | 03-29-2012 |
20120076549 | IMAGE FORMATION UNIT AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - An image formation unit includes a developer container containing developer therein, an image formation device configured to form a developer image using the developer, a first engagement part provided at the image formation device, a second engagement part movably provided at the developer container, and a regulation member. The second engagement part is movable between an unengaged position and an engaged position with respect to the first engagement part. The regulation member regulates movement of the second engagement part in the state where the second engagement part is in the engaged position. | 03-29-2012 |
20120076550 | TONER CONTAINER - A toner container installed in an image forming apparatus includes a toner container main body having a predetermined length and in which toner is accommodated, a discharge port through which the toner is discharged from the toner container main body, a shutter which opens and closes the discharge port, a handle provided on the toner container main body, and a pressed portion provided on the toner container main body and which is pressed by the image forming apparatus to project the handle out from the image forming apparatus. | 03-29-2012 |
20120087699 | TONER CARTRIDGE WITH A LOCK MECHANISM - The invention relates to a toner cartridge with a locking mechanism, including a body provided with a top cover and used for receiving a developer, wherein the locking and unlocking mechanism used for locking the toner cartridge into an image forming apparatus is arranged on the body. The locking mechanism includes a handle hinged with the top cover, a gear fixedly connected with the handle, a locking lever capable of reciprocating and a torsion spring used for realizing the automatic reset of the handle. A rack engaged with the gear is arranged on the locking lever. Moreover, the handle is driven to be close to the top cover under the action of a torque force of the torsion spring under the locking state, and the gear is engaged with the rack to drive the locking lever to be extended out of the top cover so as to lock the toner cartridge. When the handle is under the unlocking state by overcoming the torque force of the torsion spring under the action of an external force, the gear and the rack are operated to drive the locking lever to be retracted into the top cover so as to unlock the toner cartridge. Unlocking and locking can be realized through a tensile force of a human hand and the reset of the torsion spring. | 04-12-2012 |
20120093542 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge has first and second toner hosing portions configured to house toner. The first toner housing portion has a first bottom part that is arcuately curved. The second toner housing portion has a second bottom part that is arcuately curved. The second bottom part is next to the first bottom part and is situated at a position lower than the first bottom part. A third bottom part is provided between the first bottom part and the second bottom part. The third bottom part has a toner discharge port. | 04-19-2012 |
20120099902 | POWDER CONTAINER, POWDER CONVEYING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes: a powder containing unit that contains powder and at least a part of which is deformable; a discharging unit that receives the powder supplied from an opening of the powder containing unit via an inlet arranged on the discharging unit and discharges the powder to a supply destination; an elastic member that is arranged on a periphery of the inlet of the discharging unit; and a seal member that is arranged on the powder containing unit and seals the opening. The seal member is sandwiched between the discharging unit and the powder containing unit via the elastic member such that the seal member is removable from between the discharging unit and the powder containing unit. | 04-26-2012 |
20120099903 | PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing roller, a cleaning blade, a developer container including an opening, a developer conveyance member, a driving force transmission member having a driving force transmitted from the developer conveyance member, a seal member configured to seal the opening, and a winding member configured to wind the seal member such that the opening is opened, and the driving force transmission member is configured to take a first position at which the driving force is not transmitted to the winding member and a second position at which the driving force is transmitted to the winding member, and wherein the driving force transmission member is further configured to move from the first position to the second position after rotation of the developer conveyance member. | 04-26-2012 |
20120099904 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - With a structure in which gear trains | 04-26-2012 |
20120107020 | DEVELOPING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing device includes a developing device main body and a developer cartridge detachably mounted to the developing device main body and storing a developer. The developer cartridge includes a case member that stores a developer, a supplying opening provided on the case member, and a first shutter that opens and closes the supplying opening. The developing device main body includes a housing that stores the developer supplied by the developer cartridge, a receiving opening provided on the housing, and a second shutter that opens and closes the receiving opening. The first shutter and the second shutter are configured to move in conjunction with each other. | 05-03-2012 |
20120107021 | Image Forming Apparatus - The present invention provides a configuration in which an electrically connected condition can further be stabilized in electrical-connection zones between a body of an image-forming apparatus, and an image-forming unit and a plurality of image-forming cartridges. Developing electrode members and wire power-feed electrodes are attached to a slide frame. Each of the developing electrode members has a first body-side contact. The developing electrode members are electrically connected with the developing-roller output terminals. The wire power-feed electrodes are electrically connected with wire output terminals through contact with the wire output terminals. The developing electrode members are elastically deformed as a result of their first body-side contacts being pressed in a direction, which is along a slide direction, by the developing-roller output terminals. The wire power-feed electrodes are pressed in a paper width direction by the wire output terminals. | 05-03-2012 |
20120114388 | POWDER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND COVER MOVING METHOD - A powder container includes a container section that contains powder, an opening that is formed in the container section so as to pass the powder therethrough, a first covering member that is supported by the container section, a second covering member that is supported by the container section, a disengagement restricting portion that is disposed in an area where the second covering member moves between the second uncovered position and the second covered position, and a restricted portion that is disposed in the second covering member so as to restrict the disengagement of the second covering member by coming in contact with the disengagement restricting portion when the second covering member having moved to the second covered position moves to disengage from the container section. | 05-10-2012 |
20120114389 | POWDER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND POWDER CONTAINER CONTROLLING METHOD - A powder container includes a containing portion that is capable of containing powder therein, the containing portion having an opening through which the powder passes; an opening/closing member that is supported by the containing portion so as to be movable between an open position at which the opening is open and a closed position at which the opening/closing member closes the opening; and an engaged portion disposed on a side surface of the opening/closing member with respect to an installation direction, the installation direction being a direction in which the containing portion is removably installed into an apparatus, the engaged portion restraining a movement of the opening/closing member by being engaged with an engaging portion of the apparatus when the containing portion is installed in the apparatus. | 05-10-2012 |
20120114390 | POWDER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND POWDER CONTAINER CONTROLLING METHOD - A powder container includes a containing portion that has an opening; a first opening/closing member that is movable between a first open position at which the opening is open and a first closed position at which the opening is closed; and a second opening/closing member that is movable between a second closed position at which the second opening/closing member covers an outside of the first opening/closing member and a second open position at which the first opening/closing member is exposed, wherein a direction in which the second opening/closing member moves from the second open position to the second closed position is different from a direction in which the first opening/closing member moves from the first open position to the first closed position, and wherein the second opening/closing member contacts the first opening/closing member and pushes the first opening/closing member into the first closing position when the second/closing member moves. | 05-10-2012 |
20120114391 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes a containing portion having an opening; an opening/closing member movable between an open position and a closed position; an opening restrained portion on one of the opening/closing member and the containing portion; an opening restraining portion on the other of the opening/closing member and the containing portion at a position corresponding to the opening restrained portion when the opening/closing member is at the closed position, the opening restraining portion restraining movement of the opening/closing member toward the open position by contacting the opening restrained portion; an urged portion on one of the containing portion and the opening/closing member; and an urging portion on the other of the containing portion and the opening/closing member at a position corresponding to the urged portion when the opening/closing member is at the closed position, the urging portion making the opening restraining portion contact the opening restrained portion. | 05-10-2012 |
20120114392 | DEVELOPER STORAGE BODY, IMAGE FORMING UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer storage body includes a housing in which a developer is stored, a shutter portion mounted to the housing and having a hole portion through which the developer is replenished into the housing, and a cap portion covering the hole portion. The cap portion includes a structural portion that constitutes an enclosure body enclosing a hollow portion. The structural portion is formed of a first material. The cap portion further includes a seal portion that covers the structural portion to seal the hollow portion. The seal portion is formed of a second material having a lower flexural modulus than the first material. | 05-10-2012 |
20120114393 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - If a user is not familiar with the operation for the developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. by increasing a rotation load of a second gear | 05-10-2012 |
20120128391 | DEVELOPER COLLECTION CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS - A developer collection container includes: a container body capable of containing collected developer; a developer conveyance member extending into the developer collection container and configured to convey the developer into the container body; and a guide provided in the container body and supporting the developer conveyance member from below the developer conveyance member. | 05-24-2012 |
20120134717 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER RECEIVING APPARATUS - A developer supply container is mountable to a developer receiving apparatus including a driving gear, wherein the container mounted to the apparatus is settable to a set position by a rotating operation of the container in a setting direction by an operator, and includes a substantially cylindrical portion; a developer discharging opening provided on a surface of the cylindrical portion; a developer feeding member provided in the cylindrical portion; a drive receiving member to engage with the driving gear for rotating the developer feeding member; and a regulating portion for regulating a mounting attitude of the cylindrical portion so as to prevent engagement between the drive receiving member and the driving gear. A rotating operation of the cylindrical portion toward a set position about a center of the cylindrical portion in a setting direction engages the drive receiving member with the driving gear. | 05-31-2012 |
20120134718 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER RECEIVING APPARATUS - A developer supply container is mountable to a developer receiving apparatus including a driving gear, and includes an inner body and an outer body configured and positioned to open and close an opening formed on a peripheral portion of the inner body; a developer feeding member provided in the inner body; a drive receiving member engageable with the driving gear for rotating the developer feeding member; and a regulating portion for regulating a mounting attitude of the container to prevent an engagement between the drive receiving member and the driving gear. Upon mounting the container, the drive receiving member is revolvable, with manual rotation of the outer body, in a setting direction around an axis of the outer body to a set position where the drive receiving member engages with the driving gear. The drive receiving member is loaded to retard the rotation thereof about the axis. | 05-31-2012 |
20120134719 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER RECEIVING APPARATUS - A developer supply container is mountable to a developer receiving apparatus including a driving gear, and includes a developer discharging opening; a feeding blade for feeding the developer toward the opening when the container is positioned at a developer discharging position; a drive receiving gear engageable with the driving gear for rotating the feeding blade; a regulating projection for regulating a mounting attitude of the container to prevent engagement between the drive receiving and driving gears. Upon mounting the container, the drive receiving gear is revolvable, with manual rotation of the container, about a rotation center of the container to a set position where the drive receiving gear engages with the driving gear; and a load applier for applying a load to the drive receiving gear to rotate the container from the set position to the discharging position by the rotational force received by the drive receiving gear. | 05-31-2012 |
20120134720 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus and settable in a developer receiving apparatus by a setting operation including at least a rotation toward a setting position, includes a containing portion for containing the developer; a rotatable discharging member for discharging the developer out of said containing portion; drive transmitting means, engageable with a driving gear provided in said developer receiving apparatus and rotatable in a direction opposite the setting direction, for transmitting a rotating force from said driving gear to said discharging member. | 05-31-2012 |
20120141170 | Process Cartridge, Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode. | 06-07-2012 |
20120155925 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner cartridge that makes it possible to prevent outflow of a large amount of toners at any other time but supplying of a toner, and an image forming apparatus are provided. A toner cartridge includes a container having an outlet; a conveyance member for conveying a toner inside the container toward the outlet by rotation motion of a conveyance blade associated with rotation of a conveyance shaft; and an opening/closing member disposed so as to have a distance from an inner wall of the container, the opening/closing member being fixed to the conveyance shaft and opening or closing at least a part of the outlet in conjunction with the rotation of the conveyance shaft. | 06-21-2012 |
20120163877 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH A SECURE SEAL - A toner container which includes a main body for storing toner, an opening for dispensing toner, and a mechanism for sealing the opening. The mechanism for sealing the opening includes a slidable shutter which includes a cover and an extension, connected to the cover part, including a pushing surface and a blocking surface. The mechanism for sealing further includes a restriction which contacts the blocking surface to prevent the slidable shutter from sliding. | 06-28-2012 |
20120170955 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - A developer container for an image forming apparatus includes a developer accommodating chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer to be supplied to the opening; a feeding member, provided in the developer accommodating chamber and having an elasticity, for feeding the developer by rotation thereof; a deforming portion, provided in the developer accommodating chamber and contactable to the feeding member, for deforming the feeding member against the elasticity with the rotation of the feeding member; and a restoration portion for permitting the feeding member deformed by the deformed portion to restore elastically, thereby to throw the developer toward the opening, wherein a boundary portion between the deformed portion the restoration portion is disposed below a lower end of the opening. | 07-05-2012 |
20120177414 | POWDER CONVEYING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND POWDER CONTAINER - A powder conveying apparatus includes a powder containing unit that contains powder and at least a portion of which is deformable; a discharging unit that discharges the powder from the powder housing unit to an outside; a delivery member that moves toward the discharging unit side while pushing the deformable portion of the powder containing unit inward to thereby convey the powder to the discharging unit; and an oscillation applying unit that applies oscillation to the discharging unit. Driving of the oscillation applying unit is controlled in response to an operation of the delivery member. | 07-12-2012 |
20120183335 | Image Formation Apparatus and Developer Cartridge - An image formation apparatus is provided, to which developing devices, each having an opening, and developer cartridges for respectively supplying a developing agent to the openings of the developing devices are mountable. The apparatus includes developing device shutters, each configured to open and close a respective one of the openings of the developing devices mounted to the apparatus; and a link mechanism configured to move the developing device shutters linked with each other. | 07-19-2012 |
20120195645 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A system with a container including a protrusion, and a receiver to receive the container. The receiver includes a slide block that is movable relative to a body of the receiver, the slide block including two surfaces, a first surface, initially contacted by the protrusion of the container during insertion of the container into the receiver, having a first slope to resist movement of the container towards the receiver, and a second surface, subsequently contacted by the protrusion of the container during the insertion of the container into the receiver, having a second slope to interact with the protrusion of the container to assist movement of the container towards the receiver. This construction provides the user with a changing insertion force to indicate proper mounting of the container. | 08-02-2012 |
20120213555 | POWDER CONTAINER, POWDER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container which is mounted on an image-forming apparatus body, and houses a powder includes a container body configured to carry the powder housed inside thereof from a first end side to a second end side by rotating, and discharge the powder outside from the second end side, a gear formed in an outer circumference of the container body, and a cover which is mounted on the gear to cover at least a tooth section of the gear. | 08-23-2012 |
20120213556 | Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge - An image forming apparatus is provided including a casing, a process cartridge, and a toner box. The process cartridge includes: a first housing which supports an electrostatic latent image carrier and which has a first opening and a first edge portion; and a second housing which supports a toner carrier, which is attached to the first housing so that the toner carrier confronts the electrostatic latent image carrier and the second housing is movable relative to the first housing and which has a second opening and a second edge portion. The process cartridge further includes an elastic element which blocks a gap between the first edge portion and the second edge portion and which permits relative movement between the first opening and the second opening, while allowing toner communication between the first opening and the second opening. | 08-23-2012 |
20120219329 | DEVELOPER SUPPLYING CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPER RECEIVING CARTRIDGE, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer supply cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus. The developer supply cartridge includes a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, and a discharging opening for discharging the developer to a developer receiving opening of a developer receiving cartridge provided with developing means for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with the developer. A shutter member is provided movable between an opening position for opening the discharging opening and a closing position for closing the discharging opening. An engaging portion for engagement with the developer receiving cartridge receives a force for moving the shutter member from the closing position to the opening position in interrelation with a relative movement between the developer supply cartridge and the developer receiving cartridge toward each other in a mounting-and-demounting direction of the developer supply cartridge. | 08-30-2012 |
20120219330 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH A MECHANISM TO SECURE THE TONER CONTAINER - A toner container and system for mounting and/or securing the toner container includes a toner container having a toner dispensing hole, a shutter, and a protrusion. The shutter is movable relative to the toner dispensing hole, and is to selectively close the toner dispensing hole. The protrusion is connected to the shutter and movement of the protrusion causes the shutter to move relative to the toner dispensing hole to cover the toner dispensing hole. There is a receiver including a movable catch, the movable catch being in a first position when the toner container is initially inserted into the receiver, and the movable catch moving to a second position upon insertion of the toner container into the receiver. The movable catch interacts with the protrusion of the toner container when the toner container is being removed from the receiver. | 08-30-2012 |
20120224890 | TONER CARTRIDGES FOR AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - The present application is directed to toner cartridges for use with image forming devices. The cartridge may include an interior to contain toner that is transferred to the image forming device and used during image formation. The cartridge may include one or more engagement features that interact with the image forming device during insertion. The engagement features may include one or more alignment features that align the cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. The engagement features may also include one or more functional features that allow the cartridge to effectively transfer the toner to the image forming device. | 09-06-2012 |
20120230735 | IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS, TONER CONTAINER AND TONER CONTAINER INSTALLATION STRUCTURE - An image-forming apparatus and toner container installation structure used in the image-forming apparatus, includes: a toner container with a toner container body, being attached to a fitting section in a body of the image-forming apparatus in a detachable manner; a latent image-bearing member, being formed with a latent image thereon; a developing unit, for developing the latent image with a toner supplied from the toner container body; an ID chip provided in the toner container, having a plurality of through-hole electrodes; and a substrate provided in the fitting section, having a plurality of pin electrodes. The pin electrodes are fitted into the through-hole electrodes when the toner container is attached to the fitting section. | 09-13-2012 |
20120230736 | Image-Forming Apparatus And Powder Container - An image-forming apparatus includes a development device configured to form a visualized image with a developer, a powder supplier configured to supply the developer from a powder container to the development device and a housing in which the powder supplier and the development device are housed, a loading preparation position which allows the powder container to be placed from an outside of the housing and a loading position which enables the developer to be supplied to the development device from the powder container are set in the powder supplier, and the powder supplier includes a loading drive mechanism configured to move the powder container in a central axis line direction between the loading preparation position and the loading position while rotating the powder container about the central axis line of the powder container. | 09-13-2012 |
20120237269 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING SAME - A toner container for containing toner, removably installable into an apparatus body, includes a container body in which an opening for receiving toner therein or discharging toner therefrom is formed and a handle forming a front end portion of the toner container when the toner container is installed in the apparatus body, the handle having a front face inclined relative to a center axis (L) of the container body. | 09-20-2012 |
20120243912 | DEVELOPING DEVICE - A developing device for forming a toner image on an image support member with a developer composed of toner and carriers, the developing device having; a main body in which a first space for a developer is made; a developer support member, which is located in the first space, for supporting the developer and for supplying toner of the developer to the image support member; and a toner tank in which a second space for toner is made, the second space leading to the first space via at least one boundary area; wherein the at least one boundary area between the first space and the second space is closed by the toner or the developer. | 09-27-2012 |
20120251187 | Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane. | 10-04-2012 |
20120257912 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, TONER SUPPLY MECHANISM, AND METHOD OF MOUNTING AND DEMOUNTING TONER CARTRIDGE - The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment includes a toner cartridge, a toner supply unit, and a developing device. The toner cartridge includes a toner discharge port configured to discharge stored toner, and a shutter configured to open and close the toner discharge port. The toner supply unit includes an engagement unit configured to engage with the shutter of the toner cartridge, a toner supply port configured to communicate with the toner discharge port and to receive the toner supplied from the discharge port when the shutter is open, an opening member configured to open the shutter and an elastic member configured to cause the opening member to move following the shutter by being in contact with the shutter until at least the engagement between the engagement unit and shutter is released during dismounting the toner cartridge from the apparatus. | 10-11-2012 |
20120263503 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND TONER CONTAINER - A developing device includes a developer housing which includes a container mounting portion and a toner supply opening, a developer shutter plate which is so held on the developer housing as to be movable in a direction parallel to a developing roller and is displaceable to a closing position for closing the toner supply opening and an opening position, and a biasing spring which biases the developer shutter plate to the closing position. The container main body includes a first pressing plate and the developer shutter plate includes an oblique elongated projection with which the first pressing plate comes into contact. The first pressing plate and the oblique elongated projection are formed to displace the developer shutter plate from the closing position to the opening position against a biasing force of the biasing spring as the toner container moves in an assembling direction in a mounting process. | 10-18-2012 |
20120263504 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND TONER CONTAINER - A toner container includes container main body, conveying screws and container gear. A developing device includes developer housing including container mounting portion, gear holder including output gear which rotates upon receiving rotational drive force from motor and displaceable to engaged position where the output gear is engaged with the container gear and retracted position retracted outward from the engaged position, and biasing spring. The container main body includes a second pressing plate and the gear holder includes a contact portion with which the second pressing plate comes into contact. The second pressing plate and the contact portion displace the gear holder from the engaged position to the retracted position as the toner container moves in a mounting process. When the toner container reaches a predetermined assembled position, the gear holder is returned to the engaged position by a biasing force of the biasing spring. | 10-18-2012 |
20120301187 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER AND PACKAGING SYSTEM - A developer container includes a developer containing member that contains developer; an opening part through which the developer is externally supplied, and a pressure absorbing mechanism that is provided on an external portion of the developer containing member. The pressure absorbing mechanism is configured to deform in an inward direction toward the developer container when an external force is applied to the developer container. | 11-29-2012 |
20120301188 | TONER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, TONER CONTAINER PRODUCING METHOD AND TONER CONTAINER RECYCLING METHOD - A toner container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the toner container including: a cylindrical container which accommodates a toner; a cap portion which holds the cylindrical container such that the cylindrical container can rotate in a circular direction, with an end of the cylindrical container inserted in the cap portion; and a sealing member lying between the end and an inner surface of the cap portion, wherein the toner in the cylindrical container is discharged to an inside of the cap portion through an opening provided in the end and the toner in the cap portion is discharged to an outside through a toner discharge port provided in the cap portion, as the cylindrical container rotates, and wherein the cylindrical container is provided with a seal receiving surface for fixing the sealing member, and the sealing member is fixed to the seal receiving surface. | 11-29-2012 |
20120308270 | Developing Unit Having Guide That Stably Supports Toner Cartridge - A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developing unit includes a first guide and a second guide. The second is movable with respect to the developing frame between a first position where the second guide is in continuous with the first guide and a second position where a continuous state of the second guide with the first guide is interrupted. The developer cartridge includes a developer frame that accommodates a developer and a first guided member movable with respect to the developer frame. The first guide and the second guide at the first position guide the first guided member in the course of attaching the developer cartridge to the developing unit. When an attachment of the developer cartridge to the developing unit completes, the first guide receives the first guided member, and the second guide is at the second position. | 12-06-2012 |
20120315066 | CARTRIDGE ALIGNMENT MEMBER FOR ALIGNING WITH A DEVELOPER UNIT IN AN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - An alignment member is externally disposed on a toner cartridge for alignment with a developer unit in an electrophotographic image forming device. In one embodiment of the invention, the alignment member includes a first portion to properly align the developer unit relative to the toner cartridge and a second portion to maintain the proper alignment of the developer unit. The alignment ensures proper installation of the toner cartridge into the image forming device and prevents undesirable spill of toner. | 12-13-2012 |
20120328335 | Process Cartridge, Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode. | 12-27-2012 |
20130011165 | TONER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the toner supply container including a rotatable container body for containing toner; and a sensor, rotatable integrally with the container body, for detecting a remaining toner amount in the container body. | 01-10-2013 |
20130011166 | POWDER CONTAINER, POWDER SUPPLYING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container that has a hollow interior for containing powder includes a tubular member that is equipped with an information storage unit that stores therein at least information related to a container body, and attached to the container body such that the container body is located within an inner hole of the tubular member. The powder container also includes a movement restricting unit that restricts movement of the tubular member in an axial direction of the tubular member. | 01-10-2013 |
20130011167 | Image Formation Apparatus and Developer Cartridge - An image formation apparatus is provided, to which developing devices, each having an opening, and developer cartridges for respectively supplying a developing agent to the openings of the developing devices are mountable. The apparatus includes developing device shutters, each configured to open and close a respective one of the openings of the developing devices mounted to the apparatus; and a link mechanism configured to move the developing device shutters linked with each other. | 01-10-2013 |
20130034370 | CARBON POWDER SUPPLY CARTRIDGE - Disclosed is a toner cartridge, which comprises a case, a toner outlet and a gate that can slide to close the toner outlet. The inside of the gate has a bump which can be resisted by the opening mechanism to open the toner outlet. The outside of the gate has an elastic buckle which can be resisted by the closing mechanism to close the toner outlet. The outside of the toner feeding compartment has a notch; the bottom surface of the notch is connected with the outside of the toner feeding compartment through the guiding slope. When the gate is in the closing position, the elastic buckle and the notch coordinate; when the gate is in the opening position the elastic buckle separates from the notch and puts over the outside of the toner feeding compartment. | 02-07-2013 |
20130039678 | POWDER CONTAINER, POWDER CONVEYING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container ( | 02-14-2013 |
20130064577 | TONER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND TONER CONTAINER - A toner supply system having: a receiving section that is set in a body of an image forming apparatus so as not to rotate; and a substantially cylindrical toner container that is mountable in and dismountable from the receiving section and that can be driven to rotate on an axis while being mounted in the receiving section, wherein: the toner container has a first toner feeder for feeding toner stored therein toward the receiving section while the toner container is rotated; and the receiving section has a supply port that permits toner fed thereto with rotation of the toner container to drop down and a toner stirrer that extends to a position close to the first toner feeder located inside the toner container while the toner container is mounted in the receiving section. | 03-14-2013 |
20130078005 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING TONER CARTRIDGE - A toner cartridge has first and second toner hosing portions configured to house toner. The first toner housing portion has a first bottom part that is arcuately curved. The second toner housing portion has a second bottom part that is arcuately curved. The second bottom part is next to the first bottom part and is situated at a position lower than the first bottom part. A third bottom part is provided between the first bottom part and the second bottom part. The third bottom part has a toner discharge port. | 03-28-2013 |
20130101319 | Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge for the Use Therewith - An image forming apparatus and a cartridge for use therewith are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body; a cartridge that stores a developer; a supporting member that receives the cartridge; and a side cover that covers the supporting member, where the supporting member is rotatably supported by the main body. The supporting member pivots between a reception position at which the cartridge is received into the main body and an exposure position at which the cartridge is exposed from the main body. | 04-25-2013 |
20130129391 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The toner container includes a guiding member formed at a part surrounding a toner outlet to be protruded from a circumferential surface of the toner container for guiding an opening or closing operation of a shutter member in a circumferential direction of the toner container. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus main body includes a main body side shutter for opening or closing a toner supplying opening to be connected to the toner outlet. When the shutter member is opened, an end surface of the guiding member pushes the main body side shutter together with the opening operation of the shutter member, and the toner supplying opening is opened and is connected to the toner outlet. | 05-23-2013 |
20130170872 | Toner Cartridge having a Pivoting Exit Port Cover - A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A cover is mounted on an exterior portion of the housing that is pivotable between a closed position blocking the exit port and an open position unblocking the exit port. The cover is biased toward the closed position. The cover has a projection extending therefrom such that a force on the projection causes the cover to move toward the open position. | 07-04-2013 |
20130209141 | Toner Cartridge Having Positional Control Features - A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing that has an elongated shape extending from a first side to a second side. The housing defines a reservoir for containing toner therein. An exit port is in fluid communication with the reservoir and faces downward on the front of the housing near the first side. A first leg portion and a second leg portion each projects from the bottom of the housing and extends along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. The first leg portion has a first outer side spaced inward from the first side of the housing and the second leg portion has a second outer side spaced inward from the second side of the housing. The first outer side and the second outer side are unobstructed to limit the side-to-side travel of the toner cartridge during insertion into the image forming device. | 08-15-2013 |
20130216272 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes a body and a pair of walls that blocks one longitudinal end of the body and the other longitudinal end of the body. Powder is accommodated within the powder container which is mounted to an apparatus using the powder in a posture where a longitudinal direction of the body is a transverse direction of the apparatus. The powder container has an opening, through which the powder is supplied to the apparatus, formed in a lower position of the body in a posture where the powder container is mounted to the apparatus. The powder container includes a shutter and a shield. The shutter is, prior to mounting the powder container to the apparatus, in a closed location to block the opening and, when the powder container is mounted, is moved along an outer peripheral surface of the body to an opened location to open the opening. | 08-22-2013 |
20130216273 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes a body and a pair of walls that block one end of the body and the other end. The powder container is mountable in an apparatus. The body has an opening in a location closer to the one end to supply the powder to the apparatus. The powder container includes a shutter, a guide portion and a boss. The shutter is situated in a closed location before the powder container is mounted in the apparatus and is moved to an opened location to open the opening when the powder container is mounted in the apparatus. The guide portion maintains the shutter on the body and guides the shutter. The boss is located between the shutter and an outer wall surface of the one of walls and next to the end of the shutter at the closed location in a movement direction of the shutter. | 08-22-2013 |
20130259535 | TONER CONTAINER - A toner container installed in an image forming apparatus includes a toner container main body having a predetermined length and in which toner is accommodated, a discharge port through which the toner is discharged from the toner container main body, a shutter which opens and closes the discharge port, a handle provided on the toner container main body, and a pressed portion provided on the toner container main body and which is pressed by the image forming apparatus to project the handle out from the image forming apparatus. | 10-03-2013 |
20130259536 | Developing Cartridge - A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode. | 10-03-2013 |
20130266346 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPING DEVICE INCLUDING DEVELOPER CONTAINER, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING DEVELOPING DEVICE - A developer container is fitted in a first direction to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet. The developer container includes a main body and a protrusion. An inner space filled with a developer is formed in the man body. The protrusion protrudes outward from an outer wall of the main body. The protrusion includes a plurality of wall surface parts facing in a direction opposite to the first direction. An order in which the plurality of wall surface parts are arranged when viewed in the first direction is different from an order in which the plurality of wall surface parts are arranged when viewed in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. A plurality of wall parts are formed integrally to connect the plurality of wall surface parts through the plurality of wall parts. | 10-10-2013 |
20130266347 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPING DEVICE, PROCESS UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The developer container includes a rotator that is rotated in the container body, a sequence of gears disposed outside the developer container that transmits a torque to the rotator, and a container guiding portion that fits with a main body side guiding portion and guides the developer container in a direction in which the developer container is attached to a mounting portion of an image forming device main body. A first gear included in the sequence of the gears is movable between an operating position where the first gear engages with a second gear and a retracted position where the first gear is retracted. On a surface on which the container guiding portion is disposed, a part of the container guiding portion is disposed within a projected area of the first gear being disposed at the operating position. | 10-10-2013 |
20130272750 | POWDER CONTAINER, POWDER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is a powder container having a new structure capable of stable discharge and transport of a powder contained in a container by enabling the powder to be reliably discharged to the outside of the package while preventing the powder from spilling and flying out of the container. The powder container has a container body ( | 10-17-2013 |
20130279943 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND TONER CASE - An image forming apparatus includes a toner case and an installed part. The toner case includes a discharge port discharging a toner. To the installed part, the toner case is detachably installed. On the circumference of the toner case, a locking piece is provided. The installed part includes a locking member covering at least a part of the circumference of the toner case. The locking member has an insertion depression, an engaging piece and a biasing member. The insertion depression is arranged along an installing direction of the toner case and is capable of insertion of the locking piece. The engaging piece moves between a protrusive position protruded to the insertion depression at predetermined length and a withdrawn position withdrawn further than the protrusive position from the insertion depression in intersecting directions with the installing direction. The biasing member biases the engaging piece to the protrusive position side. | 10-24-2013 |
20130279944 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC TONER - An electrophotographic toner contains an electron donating color former compound, an electron accepting color developing agent, and a binder resin, wherein a toluene insoluble content in the electrophotographic toner is 10% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less, and the toner is decolorized by heating. | 10-24-2013 |
20130308986 | TONER CONTAINER - A toner container includes a toner container body having a toner chamber for housing a toner inside, a toner discharge port provided at one end of the toner container body, a cover portion having front edge and rear edge. The toner container also includes a projection provided near the discharge port and at one end of a top surface of the cover portion in a longitudinal direction, wherein a height of a surface of the projection facing the rear edge is declined towards the rear edge. | 11-21-2013 |
20130315634 | PACKING STRUCTURE OF DEVELOPER CONTAINER - Disclosed is a packing structure of a developer container, including a developer container that contains a developer and is formed with a supply port for supply of the developer, a transport member that is provided in the developer container and transports the developer to the supply port while stirring the developer, a packing member that packs the developer container from an end portion of the transport member in an axial direction thereof to a central portion of the transport member in the axial direction, and a unit that moves the transport member by an operation of detaching the packing member from the developer container. | 11-28-2013 |
20130322928 | Developer Transport Member and Developing Apparatus - There is provided a developer transport member including a rotatable member, a main body configured to transport the developer by being rotated in accordance with rotation of the rotatable member, and a metal spring configured to bias the main body. | 12-05-2013 |
20130330105 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A powder container includes a rotatable powder chamber for containing powder used for forming images, having an opening on a first side in an axial direction of the powder container, a conveyor to transport powder contained in the powder chamber to the first side from a second side in the axial direction, a protrusion radially projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the powder chamber, disposed in a circumferential area of the powder chamber, and a facing member disposed facing the outer circumferential surface of the powder chamber. The protrusion contacts the facing member as the powder chamber rotates. | 12-12-2013 |
20130330106 | TONER CONTAINER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR TONER CONTAINER - A toner container includes a cylindrical container body, having a first opening in a first end thereof and a notch in a circumferential surface thereof continuous with the first opening in the first end, a flange member to engage the first opening and the notch in the container body and having a toner outlet therein through which toner in the container body is discharged, a shutter member disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the container body, a conveyance member, rotatably installed inside the container body to convey the toner from a second end of the container body opposite the first end to the toner outlet in the flange member, and a recessed portion in the container body that projects inward into the interior of the toner container 5 mm or less from an inner surface of the container body. | 12-12-2013 |
20130343785 | DEVELOPER ACCOMMODATING UNIT, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer for image formation includes a flexible container provided with an opening | 12-26-2013 |
20140016967 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - In the case that a developer supply container is provided with a feeding portion for feeding a developer by receiving a rotational force and a pump portion for discharging the developer by reciprocation, and the rotational force and a reciprocating force are received from a main assembly side of an image forming apparatus, there is a liability that a driving connection is not properly established between a portion of the developer supply container for receiving the reciprocating force and a portion of the main assembly side for applying the reciprocating force. | 01-16-2014 |
20140023405 | Developing Device and Image Forming Apparatus Having the Same - A developing device is provided that facilitates developing agent delivery upward. A cartridge includes a developing roller, a supply roller, and a container disposed below the supply roller. The container can have an upper portion formed with an opening having upper and lower edges. A conveying member can be rotatably disposed and in rotational contact with an inner surface of the container for delivering the developing agent upward. The developing agent container can include a first wall portion for receiving the developing agent through the opening. The first wall portion extends from the lower edge in a downstream direction with respect to a rotational direction of the conveying member toward a bottommost portion of the supply roller. The container also includes a second wall portion extending from the upper edge in an upstream direction. The conveying member can be in simultaneous sliding contact with the first and the second wall portions. | 01-23-2014 |
20140023406 | Developing Device, Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A developing device includes: a first conveying unit provided within a developing agent storage chamber and that is configured to convey a developing agent from one end of the developing agent storage chamber to another end of the developing agent storage chamber in a longitudinal direction of a developing agent carrier that is disposed with in a developing chamber and to supply the developing agent from the developing agent storage chamber to the developing chamber; a second conveying unit provided within the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the other end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing chamber in the longitudinal direction and to supply the developing agent toward a developing agent carrier; and a third conveying unit provided between the one end of the developing agent storage chamber and the one end of the developing chamber. | 01-23-2014 |
20140023407 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drum unit which holds photosensitive drums in parallel, a developing cartridge which is detachably mounted in the drum unit, a translation member which is provided in the apparatus body to be movable linearly, a shaft which is provided on the tandem photosensitive drum unit for each developing cartridge; and a pivoting member which is rotatably supported by the shaft. The pivoting member includes an abutting portion which is provided on one side to abut the translation member, a pressing portion which is provided on the other side, and is configured to press a predetermined portion of the developing cartridge in a direction in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and a spring portion which applies a biasing force in a direction in which the pressing portion is separated from the predetermined portion. | 01-23-2014 |
20140029985 | Image Forming Device and Cartridge Configuration - A developer cartridge according to one aspect of the invention is attachable to a photoconductor unit that comprises a photoconductive drum. The developer cartridge may comprise a developing frame defining a developer container configured to contain developer, the developing frame having a first side and a second side; a developing roller located at the first side of the developing frame so as to receive developer conveyed from the developer container in a first direction; a contact terminal located at the second side of the developing frame; and a memory electrically connected to the contact terminal, wherein the first side is downstream in the first direction from the second side. | 01-30-2014 |
20140037341 | TONER CONTAINER - A toner container is configured to be insertable into an image forming device. The toner container comprises a toner container body including a toner chamber in which toner is stored and a toner discharge port provided at one end portion, a cover portion configured to cover the toner container body, a first projection provided at one end in a length direction of the cover portion to be orthogonal to a top surface of the cover portion, and a second projection projecting along an inserting direction into the image forming device at the other end in the length direction of the cover portion or a length direction of the toner container body. A surface of the first projection directed to the other end in the length direction along the inserting direction into the image forming device is an inclined portion. | 02-06-2014 |
20140050508 | Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane. | 02-20-2014 |
20140050509 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The toner container includes a guiding member formed at a part surrounding a toner outlet to be protruded from a circumferential surface of the toner container for guiding an opening or closing operation of a shutter member in a circumferential direction of the toner container. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus main body includes a main body side shutter for opening or closing a toner supplying opening to be connected to the toner outlet. When the shutter member is opened, an end surface of the guiding member pushes the main body side shutter together with the opening operation of the shutter member, and the toner supplying opening is opened and is connected to the toner outlet. | 02-20-2014 |
20140064794 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER, DEVELOPER REPLENISHING DEVICE, DEVELOPING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING SAME - A developer container removably installable in an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body to contain developer, a cap connectable to the container body, the cap including a supply opening, and a flange projecting beyond an outer circumferential surface of the cap in a radial direction extending from a center of a cross section of the container body. The flange is formed along a circumference of the container body and provided between the container body and the cap. | 03-06-2014 |
20140064795 | POWDER MATERIAL CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED THEREWITH, AND POWDER MATERIAL REPLENISHING METHOD - A powder material container is disclosed, including an elongated tubular container body; and a cap which has formed a temporary containing space which is communicably connected in the longitudinal direction of the container body to an opening of the container body to temporarily contain a powder material conveyed from the opening and which has formed on a side face in the longitudinal direction of the container body a discharging hole which discharges the powder material within the temporary containing space. The powder material container includes a blocking member which can switch between a blocking state in which the powder material within the temporary containing space is blocked from passing through an inlet face of the discharging hole facing the temporary containing space and a non-blocking state in which the powder material within the temporary containing space is not blocked from passing through the inlet face of the discharging hole. | 03-06-2014 |
20140072346 | DEVELOPER ACCOMMODATING CONTAINER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer for image formation, includes a first flexible member having a three-dimensional shape; a second flexible member for forming a space for accommodating the developer by covering a part of the first flexible member; wherein the developer accommodating container is constituted by bonding the first flexible member and the second flexible member to each other, and an injection opening, provided between the first flexible member and the second flexible member, for permitting injection of the developer into the developer accommodating container. An adjacent side, which is one of sides constituting an outer configuration of the three-dimensional shape and which is adjacent to the injection opening, has an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to an injection direction of the developer at the injection opening. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072347 | DEVELOPER ACCOMMODATING CONTAINER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer for image formation, comprising: a first flexible member having a three-dimensional shape; a second flexible member for forming a space for accommodating the developer by covering a part of the first flexible member; wherein the developer accommodating container is constituted by bonding the first flexible container and the second flexible container to each other, and an injection opening, provided between the first flexible container and the second flexible container, for permitting injection of the developer into the developer accommodating container. An adjacent portion adjacent to the injection opening in the three-dimensional shape has a folded shape. When the injection opening is opened, the adjacent portion expands in a direction including, a directional component perpendicular to an injection direction of the developer at the injection opening. | 03-13-2014 |
20140079438 | Volumetric Toner Cartridge Having Driven Toner Platform - A toner cartridge for an imaging apparatus having a housing including two opposed end walls and an elongated body therebetween and an exit port. An inner surface of the body defines a toner reservoir that is communication with the exit port. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing. A toner platform is provided in slidable contact with the inner surface of the body and is nonrotatable relative to the housing. A drive shaft coupling couples the toner platform to the drive shaft. An exit paddle is positioned adjacent the exit port and is rotatable by the drive shaft. Rotation of the drive shaft translates the toner platform toward the exit port and rotates the exit paddle. As the toner platform moves, toner within the reservoir moves toward the exit paddle and exit port and rotation of the exit paddle moves toner through the exit port. | 03-20-2014 |
20140079439 | Volumetric Toner Cartridge Having Driven Detachable Toner Platform - A toner cartridge for an imaging apparatus having a housing including two opposed end walls and an elongated body therebetween and an exit port. An inner surface of the body defines a toner reservoir that is in communication with the exit port. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing. A translatable toner platform is provided in slidable contact with the inner surface of the body and is nonrotatable relative to the housing. A toner platform stop is also provided. A detachable drive shaft coupling couples the toner platform to the drive shaft and upon the toner platform hitting the stop, the coupling detaches from the platform. The detachable coupling may be provided in a frangible portion of the toner platform or be frictionally engaged with a recess therein. Rotation of the drive shaft translates the toner platform toward the exit port and rotates an exit paddle. | 03-20-2014 |
20140079440 | Volumetric Toner Cartridge Having Removable Exit Paddle - A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic device including a housing having a reservoir that is in fluid communication with an exit port. A first end wall has a recess on an inner surface thereof in fluid communication with the reservoir and the exit port. A partially threaded drive shaft has an end received in the second end wall. An exit paddle having a drive hub is detachably mounted on the drive shaft near an unthreaded portion. Arms on the drive hub are received in the recess. A drive hub axial extension is received in the first end wall. The housing rotatably supports the drive shaft and exit paddle. A translatable toner platform rotatably connects to the drive shaft. When the drive shaft rotates the toner platform translates for moving toner toward the exit port and rotates the exit paddle for delivering toner from the exit port. | 03-20-2014 |
20140079441 | Volumetric Toner Cartridge Having Toner Agitators - A toner cartridge for an imaging device having a housing having a toner reservoir and an exit port in fluid communication with the toner reservoir. A drive shaft rotatably mounts within the toner reservoir. A toner platform is movably coupled to the drive shaft and is nonrotatable but slidable relative to the housing. A resilient arm is positioned within the reservoir and biased toward an initial position in the path of the toner platform. When the drive shaft rotates, the toner platform translates toward the exit port. When the toner platform contacts the resilient arm, the resilient arm moves to permit the toner platform to pass and when the toner platform moves further toward the exit port the resilient arm returns to the initial position. The resilient arm may mount on the inner surface, the toner to platform or the drive shaft. | 03-20-2014 |
20140105651 | POWDER ACCOMMODATION CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder accommodation container includes an accommodation container body, a regulation member, and a transport member. The accommodation container body has a hole portion to outside and accommodates powder. The regulation member is provided in the hole portion to regulate a passage of the powder accommodated in the accommodation container body. The transport member is arranged in an inside of the accommodation container body to rotate about a rotating shaft and to transport the powder in the inside of the accommodation container body. The transport member has one end side in a short direction that is arranged on the rotating shaft and the other end side that is a free end, the free end includes a flexible member that is in contact with the accommodation container body to be flexed. The flexible member is locatable to face the hole portion. | 04-17-2014 |
20140105652 | POWDER ACCOMMODATION CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder accommodation container includes an accommodation container body, a regulation member, and a transport member. The accommodation container body has a hole portion to outside and accommodates powder. The regulation member is provided in the hole portion to regulate a passage of the powder accommodated in the accommodation container body. The transport member is arranged in an inside of the accommodation container body to rotate about a rotating shaft and to transport the powder in the inside of the accommodation container body. The transport member has one end side in a short direction that is arranged on the rotating shaft and the other end side that is a free end, the free end includes a flexible member that is in contact with the accommodation container body to be flexed. The flexible member is locatable to face the hole portion. | 04-17-2014 |
20140119780 | TONER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME, AND CONNECTING STRUCTURE FOR CONNECTING TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container includes a cylindrical container body, a cap having a toner outlet, and a shutter. The cap includes a primary positioning primary positioning hole, formed in a top front surface perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the toner container, extending in the longitudinal direction, to determine an installation position of the cap relative to the image forming apparatus, a secondary positioning hole, formed in a bottom front surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner container, extending in the longitudinal direction forward the toner outlet, to subsidiary determine the installation position of the cap, and a first restriction member to position the cap in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, projecting vertically upward from an outer circumferential surface of the cap and symmetrical about a virtual perpendicular line passing through a cross-sectional center position of the primary positioning hole perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. | 05-01-2014 |
20140126934 | Cap Configuration for a Toner Cartridge - Aspects described herein relate to a cap for a toner cartridge. In one example, the cap may be configured to close a toner supply opening of the toner cartridge. According to one or more aspects, the cap may include a sealing or covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening and a shaft portion for rotatably supporting a to-be-detected rotary member. The to-be-detected rotary member | 05-08-2014 |
20140133890 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes a container body for storing powder, the container body having an introduction port from which the powder is introduced; a transport member having one end provided, in a rotatable manner, on a side wall of the container body, at a position below the introduction port, and the other end serving as a free end that is displaced upward as the amount of powder recovered in the container body increases, the transport member transporting the powder from the one end to the other end by being rotated; and guide portions provided on the container body to guide the transport member in directions intersecting a direction in which the other end of the transport member is displaced as the transport member is displaced upward. | 05-15-2014 |
20140140738 | PRINTER WITH TONER CONTAINER - In one example, a printer includes a printer housing, a photoconductor to apply toner to a print substrate, a developer to apply toner to the photoconductor, a light source to expose parts of the photoconductor to light, and a toner container to supply toner to the developer. The toner container housing is integrated into the printer housing as a load bearing structure or as an exterior feature, and/or the light source is integrated into the toner container as a single sub-assembly within the printer housing. | 05-22-2014 |
20140153973 | DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE - A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller that is rotatable about a developing roller axis line, which extends in a predetermined direction; a supply roller, which is rotatable about a supply roller axis line, which extends in the predetermined direction, and which supplies developer to the developing roller; a developing roller driving gear that is connected to the developing roller; a supply roller driving gear that is connected to the supply roller; and a driving force transmission gear, which is rotatable about a gear axis line extending in the predetermined direction, and which includes: a first gear part meshed with the developing roller driving gear; and a second gear part meshed with the supply roller driving gear. The driving force transmission gear transmits driving force to the developing roller driving gear and the supply roller driving gear. | 06-05-2014 |
20140153974 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - An object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container capable of simplifying a mechanism for displacing a developer receiving portion to connect it with a developer supply container. | 06-05-2014 |
20140169837 | TONER CARTRIDGE - Disclosed is a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge comprises a rotary container body, a toner discharge port, a sealing component, a connection component and a transmission component. The toner discharge port is placed on the rotary container body. The sealing component is placed inside the toner discharge port. The connection component is slide-connected with the toner discharge port. The transmission component is slide-connected with the connection component. When the transmission component is driven to rotate, it drives the connection component, the toner discharge port, and the rotary container body to rotate together. | 06-19-2014 |
20140193177 | HEAT SEALED REMANUFACTURED TONER CARTRIDGE - A remanufactured toner cartridge includes a wall defining a fill hole that is used to refill the cartridge with toner. A patch covers the fill hole, and a heat activated adhesive non-removably attaches the patch to the wall. The fill hole can be formed with a heat knife such that when the heat knife is withdrawn it forms a raised ridge of material extending around the perimeter of the fill hole. The patch is attached to the wall by applying heat and pressure to the patch, which also softens and at least partially flattens the ridge of material surrounding the fill hole such that the patch is substantially flush with the wall upon completion of the operation | 07-10-2014 |
20140233986 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - In the case that a developer supply container is provided with a feeding portion for feeding a developer by receiving a rotational force and a pump portion for discharging the developer by reciprocation, and the rotational force and a reciprocating force are received from a main assembly side of an image forming apparatus, there is a liability that a driving connection is not properly established between a portion of the developer supply container for receiving the reciprocating force and a portion of the main assembly side for applying the reciprocating force. | 08-21-2014 |
20140270855 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING RESIDUAL TONER IN A ROTATING CONTAINER - An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves rotating a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner. The rotatable vessel includes a body section having a substantially round cross-section, a first end at one axial end of the body section, a second end axially distal the first end, and helical features on an internal surface of the body section configured to transport the toner in an axial direction between the first end and the second end as the vessel is rotated. The approach also involves causing, at least in part, at least a portion of the toner to be agitated by an insert configured to tumble and rotate within an inside portion of the rotatable vessel as the rotatable vessel rotates. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270856 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING RESIDUAL TONER IN A ROTATING CONTAINER - An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves causing a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner to be rotated by way of a drive train. The rotatable vessel includes a body section having a substantially round cross-section, a first end at one axial end of the body section, a second end axially distal the first end, and helical features on an internal surface of the body section configured to transport at least a portion of the toner in an axial direction between the first end and the second end as the rotatable vessel is rotated. The approach also involves causing the drive train to impart a periodic pulse to the rotatable vessel. The periodic pulse causes at least a portion of the toner contained by the rotatable vessel to be agitated. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270857 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING RESIDUAL TONER IN A ROTATING CONTAINER - An approach is provided for reducing an amount of residual toner remaining in a rotating container. The approach involves rotating a rotatable vessel configured to contain a toner. The approach also involves a causing a plurality of beads that include at least one material configured to be attracted to a magnetic strip that extends in a direction parallel to an axial direction of movement of the toner between a first end and a second end of the vessel. The plurality of beads, when attracted to the magnetic strip, cooperate with helical features of the vessel and the internal surface of a body section of the vessel to transport at least a portion of the toner in an axial direction from the first end of the vessel to the second end of the vessel as the vessel is rotated. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270858 | IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE HAVING HOLDER UNIT, IN WHICH TONER BOX IS DETACHABLY MOUNTED - In an image forming device, a holder unit is movable in a moving direction between an accommodated position and a pull-out position. A plurality of toner boxes are detachably attachable to the holder unit in one to one correspondence with the plurality of developing units. Each toner box is detachably attachable to the holder unit at the pull-out position. Each toner box includes: a toner container accommodating therein toner and formed with an opening through which toner in the toner container is to be supplied to each developing unit; and a shutter movable between an open position for opening the opening and a closed position for closing the opening. An operation assembly is provided at the holder unit and configured to move the shutter between the open position and the closed position. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270859 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder conveying device includes: a conveying nozzle, provided with a powder receiving opening; an open/close member to open/close the powder receiving opening; a flange provided to the open/close member; a biasing member to bias the open/close member; and a container setting section to which a part of a powder container is to be fit. The powder container includes: a conveyor to convey the powder from a second end of the powder container to a first end; a container opening protruding from the first end; a nozzle receiving opening into which the conveying nozzle is to be inserted; and a butting portion provided in the container opening, to butt against the flange. When the powder container is attached to the powder conveying device, the container opening is fitted to the container setting section, and the flange and the biasing member are housed in an inner space of the container opening. | 09-18-2014 |
20140286680 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A powder container includes a body and a pair of walls that blocks one longitudinal end of the body and the other longitudinal end of the body. Powder is accommodated within the powder container which is mounted to an apparatus using the powder in a posture where a longitudinal direction of the body is a transverse direction of the apparatus. The powder container has an opening, through which the powder is supplied to the apparatus, formed in a lower position of the body in a posture where the powder container is mounted to the apparatus. The powder container includes a shutter and a shield. The shutter is, prior to mounting the powder container to the apparatus, in a closed location to block the opening and, when the powder container is mounted, is moved along an outer peripheral surface of the body to an opened location to open the opening. | 09-25-2014 |
20140334849 | Developing Cartridge and Image Forming Device with Pressing Member - A developing cartridge that maintains a pressing condition to press a developer carrier against the image carrier is described. The developing cartridge may include a coil spring that presses the developer carrier against the image carrier. The coil spring may include a handle that transmits a pressing force to the coil spring via the contacting member. By doing so, every time the developing cartridge is replaced, a new coil spring and handle can be provided for the color laser printer with the developing cartridge attached. Therefore, a constant pressure by the coil spring can be continuously maintained. Thus, a preferable pressure condition of the developer carrier against the image carrier can be continuously maintained. | 11-13-2014 |
20140348550 | TONER HOUSING CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Toner housing container includes: container body housing a toner; conveying portion conveying the toner from longer direction one end of container body to its other end at which container opening portion is provided; pipe receiving port receiving a conveying pipe fixed to toner conveying device; and uplifting portion moving the toner toward toner receiving port of conveying pipe. Toner has molecular weight distribution having a peak in a range of 10 | 11-27-2014 |
20140369719 | Venting System for a Toner Cartridge for use with an Image Forming Device - 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. | 12-18-2014 |
20150023699 | Developer Cartridge - In a developer cartridge, a base portion may be fixed to a surface of one side of a frame, and extend from one end thereof to another end thereof in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A first portion may extend from one end thereof to another end thereof in the first direction. The one end of the first portion is connected to the other end of the base portion. A second portion may extend from one end thereof to another end thereof in a direction opposite to the second direction. The one end of the second portion is connected to the other end of the first portion. An electrode for the cartridge is deformable such that a distance between the base portion and the second portion can be decreased. | 01-22-2015 |
20150055986 | Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge may include a housing configured to hold toner. The cartridge may further include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a supply roller including a supply roller shaft, a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode and supply electrode may be configured to guide an electrical contact of an image forming apparatus in one or more directions. In some examples, the developing electrode and supply electrode may have angled surfaces that extend toward one another. | 02-26-2015 |
20150063877 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A toner container according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a toner container to be detachably mounted on an image forming apparatus. The toner container includes a container body, a pair of guide portions, and a storage portion. The container body contains toner. The pair of guide portions are provided on a bottom surface of the container body and allow the container body to be guided in a mounting direction toward a mounting position that allows toner to be supplied from the container body to the image forming apparatus. The storage portion is attached at a predetermined position between the pair of guide portions on the bottom surface of the container body. The storage portion stores information about toner contained in the container body. | 03-05-2015 |
20150071684 | DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developing cartridge mountable to a development rotary of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a coupling member for transmitting a rotational force from a main assembly engaging portion to a developing roller, the coupling member being engageable and disengageable relative to the engaging portion with rotation of the rotary, the coupling member being movable among a rotational force transmitting angular positio, a pre-engagement angular position in which the coupling member is inclined relative to that in the transmitting angular position to engage with the engaging portion, and a disengaging angular position for disengaging therefrom; and an inclination regulating member movable between a regulating position for positioning the coupling member to the pre-engagement position and a retracted position, the inclination regulating member being movable from the retracted position to the regulating position by being abutted by a function member of the rotary. | 03-12-2015 |
20150086244 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The toner container includes a guiding member formed at a part surrounding a toner outlet to be protruded from a circumferential surface of the toner container for guiding an opening or closing operation of a shutter member in a circumferential direction of the toner container. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus main body includes a main body side shutter for opening or closing a toner supplying opening to be connected to the toner outlet. When the shutter member is opened, an end surface of the guiding member pushes the main body side shutter together with the opening operation of the shutter member, and the toner supplying opening is opened and is connected to the toner outlet. | 03-26-2015 |
20150086245 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge is described. The developer cartridge detachably mountable on a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable to a drawn-out position and a mounted position with respect to an image forming apparatus body may include a casing; a developer carrier rotatably supported on one end portion of the casing for carrying a developer; a pair of upright portions arranged on another end portion of the casing at an interval from each other in the axial direction of the developer carrier to extend from another end portion of the casing in a detaching direction for the developer cartridge; and an elastically deformable coupling portion extending in the axial direction of the developer carrier for coupling the upright portions with each other. | 03-26-2015 |
20150086246 | Developer Cartridge - A developer cartridge is described. The developer cartridge detachably mountable on a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable to a drawn-out position and a mounted position with respect to an image forming apparatus body may include a casing; a developer carrier rotatably supported on one end portion of the casing for carrying a developer; a pair of upright portions arranged on another end portion of the casing at an interval from each other in the axial direction of the developer carrier to extend from another end portion of the casing in a detaching direction for the developer cartridge; and an elastically deformable coupling portion extending in the axial direction of the developer carrier for coupling the upright portions with each other. | 03-26-2015 |
20150104217 | Process Cartridge - A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge including a photoconductor; a development cartridge configured to be detachably attached to the drum cartridge and including a developer carrying member for supplying developer to the photoconductor; a locking member provided on the drum cartridge and configured to be switchable between a locking position in which the development cartridge attached to the drum cartridge is in a locked state and restrained from being moved in a removing direction in which the development cartridge is removed from the drum cartridge and a lifting position in which the locked state is released and the development cartridge is movable in the removing direction, and a retaining member configured to retain the development cartridge which has been moved from the locked state in the removing direction by switching the locking member from the locking position to the lifting position. | 04-16-2015 |
20150104218 | CAP, POWDER CONTAINER, DEVELOPER SUPPLY DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cap is configured to be attached to a developer container that discharges developer contained in the container body out of the container body through a discharge port defined in a portion of the container body. The cap includes a first attaching member and a second attaching member that are detachably assembled into one piece. When the first attaching member or the second attaching member receives a rotary force, the first attaching member and the second attaching member are separated from each other, and only the first attaching member is released from the container body. | 04-16-2015 |
20150110526 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer supply container includes: a developer accommodating bag, having an elastic restoring force, for accommodating the developer; and a developer discharging path for discharging, when the developer accommodating bag is mounted in a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating bag to the main assembly. When the developer accommodating bag is mounted in the main assembly, the developer accommodating bag is expandable by pressure generating means provided in the main assembly. An amount of the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating bag is such that by accommodation of the developer, a volume of the developer accommodating bag is not less than a volume when a contraction pressure of the developer accommodating bag has a maximum value. | 04-23-2015 |
20150117907 | CARTRIDGE AND LID MEMBER FOR CARTRIDGE - There is provided a cartridge, including: a casing including an inlet portion configured to be filled with a developer; and a lid member configured to close the inlet portion by being installed to the inlet portion from an installation direction, wherein the casing includes a first protruding portion which projects inward beyond an inner surface of the inlet portion in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction; and the lid member includes a recessed portion which is recessed from an outer surface of the lid member in the direction perpendicular to the installation direction and is configured to be engaged with the first protruding portion in a case that the lid member is installed to the inlet portion. | 04-30-2015 |
20150117908 | Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge is provided for use with an image forming apparatus and may include a housing, a developing roller rotatably provided in the housing, and a developing roller gear configured to rotate integrally with the developing roller. Further, the developing cartridge can include a driving input gear configured to receive an external driving force and apply the received driving force to the developing roller gear. The driving input gear can be meshed with the developing roller gear or an intermediate gear can be provided to mesh with the developing roller gear and the driving input gear. Such an intermediate gear can be configured to apply the received driving force to the developing roller gear. Also, the developing cartridge can include a receiving member which is disposed between the housing and the developing roller gear and between the housing and the driving input gear. | 04-30-2015 |
20150309443 | DEVELOPER REPLENISHING CARTRIDGE AND DEVELOPER REPLENISHING METHOD - Provided is a developer replenishing cartridge excellent in accuracy with which an image forming apparatus is replenished with a developer irrespective of a use environment even when the developer is in a consolidated state. The developer replenishing cartridge includes: a developer replenishing container and a developer, being removably mountable to a developer replenishing apparatus; in which: the developer replenishing container includes a pump portion that operates so that a state where the internal pressure of a developer containing portion is lower than the atmospheric pressure and a state where the pressure is higher than the atmospheric pressure alternately repeatedly switch with each other; and the developer contains toner having a uniaxial collapse stress at a maximum consolidation stress of 10.0 kPa, of 2.5 kPa or more and 3.5 kPa or less. | 10-29-2015 |
20150323884 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A toner cartridge includes a toner container to store toner and two rotary agitation members to rotate to agitate toner in the toner container. The toner container has two arc-shaped portions adjacent to each other at an inner bottom wall of the toner container. The two rotary agitation members has edges to rotate along the two arc-shaped portions with rotation phases thereof shifted from each other. The two rotary agitation members are placed with rotation trajectories thereof partially overlapping each other. | 11-12-2015 |
20150323885 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drum unit which holds photosensitive drums in parallel, a developing cartridge which is detachably mounted in the drum unit, a translation member which is provided in the apparatus body to be movable linearly, a shaft which is provided on the tandem photosensitive drum unit for each developing cartridge; and a pivoting member which is rotatably supported by the shaft. The pivoting member includes an abutting portion which is provided on one side to abut the translation member, a pressing portion which is provided on the other side, and is configured to press a predetermined portion of the developing cartridge in a direction in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and a spring portion which applies a biasing force in a direction in which the pressing portion is separated from the predetermined portion. | 11-12-2015 |
20150338773 | Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller that is rotatable about a developing roller axis line, which extends in a predetermined direction; a supply roller, which is rotatable about a supply roller axis line, which extends in the predetermined direction, and which supplies developer to the developing roller; a developing roller driving gear that is connected to the developing roller; a supply roller driving gear that is connected to the supply roller; and a driving force transmission gear, which is rotatable about a gear axis line extending in the predetermined direction, and which includes: a first gear part meshed with the developing roller driving gear; and a second gear part meshed with the supply roller driving gear. The driving force transmission gear transmits driving force to the developing roller driving gear and the supply roller driving gear. | 11-26-2015 |
20150338774 | Venting System for a Toner Cartridge for use with an Image Forming Device - A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. An outlet port is positioned on the housing for transferring toner out of the toner cartridge. A first vent has a first inlet opening positioned to receive air from outside the housing, a first outlet opening positioned to exit the received air into the reservoir, and a first one-way valve that permits airflow through the first vent from the first inlet opening to the first outlet opening and prevents airflow through the first vent from the first outlet opening to the first inlet opening. A second vent is positioned to introduce air received at the outlet port into the reservoir. | 11-26-2015 |
20150346634 | TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner cartridge includes a cylindrical casing configured so as to be rotatable, a discharge port discharging toner inside the casing to a storage section of a developing unit, and a plurality of slanted ribs on an inner circumferential surface of the casing with one or more discontinuous sections formed in between. The plurality of slanted ribs each include a first slanted rib located on a downstream side of the discontinuous section and a second slanted rib located on an upstream side of the discontinuous section with respect to a toner flow direction. A first end portion formed on the discontinuous section of the first slanted rib is disposed at a position relatively shifted by a predetermined length toward a toner inputting side in relation to a position on an extension line of a second end portion formed on the discontinuous section of the second slanted rib. | 12-03-2015 |
20150346635 | POWDER CONTAINER, POWDER SUPPLY DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection. | 12-03-2015 |
20150355579 | ANGLED TONER PADDLES FOR A REPLACEABLE UNIT OF AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A channel runs along the bottom of the housing and includes a portion open to the reservoir forming an inlet to the channel and a portion closed to the reservoir and open to an outlet port for exiting toner from the housing. A rotatable auger in the channel moves toner from the inlet toward the outlet port. Paddles extend from a rotatable shaft in the reservoir. A first paddle set is positioned between a first end of the reservoir and the inlet of the channel and a second paddle set is positioned between a second end of the reservoir and the inlet of the channel. The first and second paddle sets are angled to direct toner away from the first and second ends of the reservoir, respectively, and toward the inlet of the channel. | 12-10-2015 |
20150370187 | ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE IMAGE DEVELOPING TONER, ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE IMAGE DEVELOPER, AND TONER CARTRIDGE - An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes a binder resin containing a polyester resin, a release agent, a colorant, and an aromatic aldehyde compound, the content of which exceeds 100 ppm and is equal to or smaller than 1200 ppm. | 12-24-2015 |
20150378278 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer supplying apparatus includes a pump portion provided to act at least on said developer discharging chamber and having a volume changeable with expansion and contraction with reciprocation, the cam groove for converting the rotational force received by a gear into a force for decreasing the volume of pump portion, a cam groove for converting the received force into a force for increasing the volume of the pump portion, a cam groove not converting the received force for operating the pump portion, and a phase detecting portion for stopping the rotation of a feeding portion using one of said cam grooves. | 12-31-2015 |
20160004185 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus, the developer supply container includes an accommodating portion for accommodating a developer; a discharge opening for discharging the developer accommodated in the accommodating portion from the developer supply container; a developer feeding portion for feeding the developer in the accommodating portion toward the discharge opening; a rotatable drive receiving portion for receiving a rotational force; a drive transmitting portion for transmitting the rotational force received by the drive receiving portion to the feeding portion; a portion-to-be-detected for detecting rotation of the drive receiving portion; a contact surface for contacting a rotatable member provided in the developer receiving apparatus; wherein the drive receiving portion, the portion-to-be-detected and the contact are formed integrally. | 01-07-2016 |
20160004186 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING APPARATUS - A developer supply container includes a developer accommodating portion | 01-07-2016 |
20160011542 | Cartridge and Image Forming Device | 01-14-2016 |
20160018758 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner container which is a powder container includes a container body that stores toner which is powder; a nozzle receiver having a nozzle insertion opening which is a nozzle insertion opening through which a powder conveying nozzle of a powder conveying device is inserted in the container body; and an elastic sheet which is an elastic sheet member that blocks the nozzle insertion opening and is elastically deformed so that the powder conveying nozzle can pass through when the powder conveying nozzle is inserted. A plurality of elastic sheets is arranged so as to overlap at least partially. | 01-21-2016 |
20160033897 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A toner container includes a container body, a toner discharge outlet, and a moveable wall. The container body includes an inner circumferential section having a tubular shape extending in a first direction and an internal space. The toner discharge outlet passes through the container body. The moveable wall includes a conveying surface and an outer circumferential section in sealed contact with the inner circumferential section of the container body. The moveable wall moves in the first direction along a shaft while conveying developer toward the toner discharge outlet. The shaft includes a moveable wall support section that supports the moveable wall when the moveable wall reaches a final position. | 02-04-2016 |
20160033903 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A toner container includes a container body, a toner discharge outlet, a moveable wall, and a stirring member. The container body includes an inner circumferential section having a tubular shape extending in a first direction and an internal space. The toner discharge outlet passes through the container body. The moveable wall includes a conveying surface and an outer circumferential section in sealed contact with the inner circumferential section of the container body. The moveable wall moves in the first direction while conveying developer toward the toner discharge outlet. The stirring member stirs toner in proximity to the toner discharge outlet. A first gear that transmits driving force to the moveable wall and a second gear that transmits driving force to the stirring member are located together outside of the container body. | 02-04-2016 |
20160041498 | POWDER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A powder supply device to supply powder to a supply destination includes a body, a single holder including multiple mounts on which multiple powder containers are removably mounted respectively, and a reservoir disposed in the body and below the single holder to store powder discharged from the multiple powder containers; and the single holder is removably attachable to the body of the powder supply device including the reservoir. | 02-11-2016 |
20160041499 | Toner Cartridge for use in an Image Forming Device - A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A portion of a main interface gear for providing rotational power to a toner delivery system is exposed on the front of the housing near a top of a second side of the housing and engagable with a corresponding drive gear in the image forming device. A projection extends forward from the housing further forward than a frontmost portion of the exit port and is spaced from the exit port toward the first side of the housing. A front of the projection is unobstructed for engaging a developer unit when the toner cartridge is inserted into the image forming device. | 02-11-2016 |
20160041500 | TONER CONTAINER - In one embodiment, a toner container comprises a toner container body in which toner is stored, a cover portion configured to cover the toner container body, and a projection. The projection is provided in the vicinity of a rear end portion in a longitudinal direction of the cover portion or a longitudinal direction of the toner container body, and projecting toward a rear side of the toner container. | 02-11-2016 |
20160054678 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A developer container ( | 02-25-2016 |
20160054681 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A developer container ( | 02-25-2016 |
20160062263 | Developing Cartridge and Process Cartridge - A developing cartridge includes a developing roller with a shaft, a housing with a wall portion, a developing electrode, a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a connecting portion. The developing electrode includes a first contact portion contacting the shaft and has a first surface against which an apparatus electrode of an image forming apparatus body slides, a second contact portion disposed next to the first contact portion, and a second surface configured to contact an electrode of the image forming apparatus. The connecting portion includes a first inclined surface connecting the first surface and the second surface with each other and being contiguous with the first surface. The first inclined surface is inclined toward the second contact portion from the first contact portion such that the first inclined surface extends in a direction away from the wall portion. | 03-03-2016 |
20160062268 | DEVELOPER STORING CONTAINER, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - Provided are a developer storing container, including a movable moving wall, and suppressing a developer from being leaked to a moving direction upstream side of the moving wall, and an image forming apparatus, provided with the same A toner container is provided with a container main body, a moving wall, a toner discharge port, and an inner wall seal. The toner container replenishes toner to a developing apparatus. The moving wall conveys the toner while being moved toward the toner discharge port inside the container main body. The inner wall seal forms an outer peripheral part of the moving wall, and is compressively deformed between an inner peripheral part of the container main body and the moving wall. A cross-sectional area of an internal space of the container main body is set so as to be decreased as a final position of the moving wall is approached. | 03-03-2016 |
20160062271 | Toner Cartridge Having a Shutter Lock Mechanism - A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a body having a reservoir for storing toner. The body has an outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir for exiting toner from the reservoir. A shutter positioned at the outlet port is slidable between a closed position blocking the outlet port and an open position unblocking the outlet port. A lock is sandwiched between a portion of the shutter that faces the outlet port and a portion of the body that the shutter slides along. The lock is movable between a locked position blocking the shutter from moving from the closed position to the open position and an unlocked position permitting the shutter to move from the closed position to the open position. | 03-03-2016 |
20160062273 | DEVELOPER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A developer container ( | 03-03-2016 |
20160077466 | Replaceable Unit for an Image Forming Device Having Magnets of Varying Angular Offset for Toner Level Sensing - A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet are detectable by a magnetic sensor when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A polarity of the first magnet is oriented opposite a polarity of the second magnet relative to the shaft. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir. | 03-17-2016 |
20160091819 | POWDER STORAGE DEVICE - A powder storage device includes a powder container that has an opening at one end, stores powder therein, and has, on an inner peripheral surface, a rib configured to transport the powder toward the opening with rotation of the powder container, a lid member that is configured to cover the opening, has an outflow opening through which the powder flows, and is held in a non-rotatable state, and a driving-force transmission member interposed between the powder container and the lid member and having a driving-force receiving portion penetrating the lid member in a rotation axis direction, the driving-force transmission member transmitting a rotating force to the powder container. | 03-31-2016 |
20160091827 | POWDER STORAGE DEVICE AND IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a powder storage device including: a powder container that stores a powder, the powder container including an opening at one end, being horizontally installed and including a protruding line provided on an inner circumferential surface of the powder container; and a lid member that covers the opening, the lid member including an outflow opening for the powder and being held in an irrotational state, wherein the protruding line is capable of transporting the powder to the opening due to rotation of the powder container, a structure for scooping the powder transported through the rotation of the powder container toward near a rotation shaft is not provided, and the powder is made to flow out through the outflow opening. | 03-31-2016 |
20160103417 | Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane. | 04-14-2016 |
20160109826 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER - If a user is not familiar with the operation for the developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. by increasing a rotation load of a second gear | 04-21-2016 |
20160109849 | Developing Cartridge And Process Cartridge For Stably Rotating Developing Roller - A developing cartridge includes: a housing having first and second sidewalls through which respective end portions of a developing roller shaft are rotatably inserted; a developing gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which is fixed to the end portion of the developing roller shaft; a transmission gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which transmits driving force to the developing gear; a first cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the transmission gear; and a second cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the developing gear from an outer side in the axis line direction. The second cover member is formed separately from the first cover member and is arranged side by side with the first cover member outside of the first sidewall. | 04-21-2016 |
20160124341 | Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge may include a housing configured to hold toner. The cartridge may further include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a supply roller including a supply roller shaft, a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode and supply electrode may be configured to guide an electrical contact of an image forming apparatus in one or more directions. In some examples, the developing electrode and supply electrode may have angled surfaces that extend toward one another. | 05-05-2016 |
20160131993 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER, DEVELOPER SUPPLYING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A developer supply container, the developer supply container includes a developer accommodating chamber; a rotatable feeding portion; a developer discharging chamber including a discharge opening; a driving force receiving portion for receiving a rotational force for rotating the feeding portion; an pump capable of changing an inside volume of the accommodating chamber in a longitudinal direction of the container to apply a pressure to the discharge opening; a driving force converter for converting the rotational force into a feeding driving force for feeding the developer by an operation of the pump in a longitudinal direction of the container; and wherein an expansion and contraction stroke of the pump provided by the converter in a initial predetermined number of rotations in a initial stage is different from that in a subsequent stage after the initial stage. | 05-12-2016 |
20160131994 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING SYSTEM - In the case that a developer supply container is provided with a feeding portion for feeding a developer by receiving a rotational force and a pump portion for discharging the developer by reciprocation, and the rotational force and a reciprocating force are received from a main assembly side of an image forming apparatus, there is a liability that a driving connection is not properly established between a portion of the developer supply container for receiving the reciprocating force and a portion of the main assembly side for applying the reciprocating force. | 05-12-2016 |
20160131995 | Developing Cartridge Including Detection System for Determining Presence of Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes a housing which accommodates developer therein, a receiving member provided which couples with a force output member of an image forming apparatus to receive a driving force, a developing roller which rotates by the driving force received by the receiving member; a detectable rotary member having a first detectable portion and a second detectable portion and rotates by the driving force from a first rotational position where the first detectable portion is detected by a detection member provided in the image forming apparatus to a second rotational position where the second detectable portion is detected by the detection member, and a cut-off mechanism which cuts off a transmission of the driving force from the receiving member to the detectable rotary member in a state where the detectable rotary member is positioned in the second rational position. | 05-12-2016 |
20160132020 | Developing Cartridge Having Electrode - A developing cartridge includes a casing, a rotating member, and an electrode member. The casing may be configured to accommodate therein developer. The rotating member has a rotational shaft extending in an axial direction. The rotating member is configured to rotate about the rotational shaft and carries the developer thereon. The electrode member is configured to be electrically connected to the rotating member. The electrode member covers at least part of the rotational shaft from an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction and is arranged to confront the casing in the axial direction. The electrode member is configured to move in the orthogonal direction in accordance with a movement in the axial direction. | 05-12-2016 |
20160139536 | DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND DEVELOPER SUPPLYING APPARATUS - A developer supply container includes a developer accommodating chamber; a discharge opening; a fluid communication path connecting with the discharge opening; a pump portion having a volume changing with reciprocation and actable at least on the discharge opening; a regulating portion configured to regulate flow of the developer into an entrance region of the fluid communication path; a movable portion configured to move the regulating portion toward and away from the entrance of the fluid communication path; an air flow path provided inside the regulating portion to permit fluid communication between the pump portion and the discharge opening; and an elastic member provided between the regulating portion and the chamber adjacent to the entrance of the fluid communication path. | 05-19-2016 |
20160147178 | TONER CASE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A toner case ( | 05-26-2016 |
20160154339 | Development Cartridge, Process Cartridge, and Image Forming Apparatus Having the Same | 06-02-2016 |
20160161884 | TONER CARTRIDGE SUPPORTING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME, AND TONER CARTRIDGE SUPPORTING METHOD - A toner cartridge supporting apparatus includes a storage portion, an insertion port, an opening/closing cover, a detecting portion for detecting a toner remaining amount, a control portion for controlling toner supply, a judging portion to judge whether or not a toner in a toner cartridge is exhausted, a message generating portion for generating a replacement message, a display portion for displaying the message, a toner cartridge replacement icon, and a toner cartridge moving portion, wherein a toner cartridge replacement message display function and a toner cartridge movement instruction function are provided as the control portion. | 06-09-2016 |
20160179032 | Developing Cartridge | 06-23-2016 |
20160195833 | TONER CARTRIDGE FOR USE IN AN IMAGE FORMING DEVICE | 07-07-2016 |
20160202631 | Developing Cartridge Provided with Cover | 07-14-2016 |
20160202632 | TONER CONTAINER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR TONER CONTAINER | 07-14-2016 |
20160202633 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE | 07-14-2016 |
20160202634 | Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus | 07-14-2016 |
20160378021 | POWDER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A powder container includes a rotatable powder storage to store powder for image formation, a conveyor to transport the powder inside the powder storage, and a scooping portion to scoop the powder inside the powder storage. The conveyor transports the powder in a powder conveyance direction parallel to a rotation axis of the powder storage toward an opening at one end of the powder storage. The scooping portion causes the powder to flow to the opening. The scooping portion includes a scooping face extending from an inner face of the powder storage toward the rotation axis of the powder storage, and a rim disposed along an inner end of the scooping face in a diameter direction of the powder storage, and at least a portion of the rim protruding downstream beyond the scooping face in a rotation direction of the powder storage. | 12-29-2016 |
20180024464 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING A REPLACEABLE TONER CARTRIDGE THAT INCLUDES AN ENGAGEMENT MEMBER FOR ACTUATING A SHUTTER | 01-25-2018 |
20180024466 | TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING A SHUTTER HAVING AN EXTENSION | 01-25-2018 |
20180024467 | DEVELOPER CASE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME | 01-25-2018 |
20190146408 | REPLACEABLE UNIT FOR AN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING POSITIONING FEATURES FOR ELECTRICAL CONTACTS | 05-16-2019 |