Abstract: A plug for use in plugging an aperture in a container for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The plug includes a base, a rim extending from the periphery of the base. The rim may cooperate with the aperture. The plug further includes a stem extending from the base and spaced from the rim, so that the rim may conform to the aperture and thereby seal the aperture without being affected by the handle.

Abstract: A developing device includes a toner cartridge mounting portion, and a toner cartridge to be detachably mounted on the toner cartridge mounting portion. The toner cartridge mounting portion has a bottom wall having a toner acceptance opening formed therein, and a pair of supporting side walls disposed on the opposite side edges of the bottom wall, and an engaging means is disposed on the inner surface of one of the supporting side walls. The toner cartridge includes a generally cylindrical container having an unsealably sealed toner discharge opening formed in the peripheral wall of the container, and a toner accommodated in the container. An engaged means to be engaged with the engaging means is disposed in the outer surface of one side wall of the container.

Abstract: In order to insert a replacement toner dam in an assembled toner cartridge, the opposing sides of the toner cartridge are caused to move towards each other so as to deform the cartridge and cause openings to appear at opposing ends thereof. A pair of web spring carriers are inserted into and through the openings so they exit from one opening. A new toner dam is inserted between web spring carriers at the portion thereof that exits from the opening. The web spring carriers are then withdrawn until the replacement toner dam is in a proper position. The dam is then held in position and the web spring carriers are freely withdrawn. This method thereby enables replacement of the toner dam without injury to seals at either end of the toner cartridge. Various non-adhesive bearing toner dam structures are shown, each of which has a flexible portion that engages a toner bottle flange and thereby enables a toner seal to be achieved without use of adhesive.

Abstract: A toner supply container for supplying toner to a toner accommodation container for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a flexible toner accommodating portion having side walls at longitudinal opposite ends, the side walls having respective inward projected portions so that the toner accommodating portion is collapsed when external force is applied thereto; an opening, provided in the toner container, for permitting supply of the toner from the toner accommodating portion to the toner accommodation container; a sealing member for removably sealing the opening; wherein when the external force is applied, the toner accommodating portion is collapsed while the projected portion being folded, so that a volume of toner accommodating portion is reduced in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is disclosed which includes a case having two toner discharge openings through the surface connected to a toner hopper, two sealing films, and a reeling shaft. The sealing films are removably adhered to the portion adjacent to the toner discharge openings, and seal the toner discharge opening. The reeling shaft is rotatably supported by the case, and allows the plurality of sealing films to be removed from the toner discharge openings during toner cartridge installation by reeling the sealing films around the reeling shaft. At least one of the plurality of sealing films is longer than the others, and is attached to the reeling shaft in a direction opposite that of the others. This arrangement allows the timing of removal of the sealing films to be shifted, thereby reducing the amount of torque required for their removal.

Abstract: A device for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The device includes an open ended container defining a chamber in communication with the open end thereof. The particles are stored in the chamber of the container. The device also includes a member cooperating with the container to urge the container in the direction of the open end. The member defines a longitudinal axis thereof. The member is collapsible in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The member includes a body defining a cavity therein.

Abstract: A device for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine is provided. The device includes an open ended container defining a chamber in communication with the open end thereof. The particles are stored in the chamber of the container. The device also includes a resilient member cooperating with the container to urge the container in the direction of the open end. The member defines a longitudinal axis and includes conofrustrical shaped segments. The member is collapsible in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The member includes a body defining a cavity therein.

Abstract: An opening portion formed in the head of a toner bottle containing a toner is attached to a body of a development device of an image forming apparatus. The toner bottle is then turned so as to supply the development device with the toner. A projection for turning the toner bottle is formed on a circumferential surface on the bottom side of the toner bottle. On the development device side, a driving source is mounted which drives and turns the toner bottle through the projection when the toner bottle is attached to the development device body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toner bottle having a body with a convexly-shaped spiral rib continuously formed on the inside surface thereof and a tip with an opening for toner to flow therefrom. A section for joining the body and the tip includes a first circular face having a slope convex portion that slopes toward the inside, and a second circular face having a toner pump-up portion, the diameter of which is approximately same as that of the body. There is a shutter rotatably disposed on the tip to normally close the opening. The shutter has an opening that fits over the tip opening when the toner bottle is rotated inside the shutter. The shutter may be made of elastic material, and has arcs of different thicknesses. A thicker one of the arcs is used to keep the tip opening closed except when being used in a toner supplying apparatus. The toner bottle allows the toner to flow in a continuous manner, and prevents users from dirtying their hands when replacing toner bottles.

Abstract: A toner fillable cartridge for use with the developing device includes a blow-molded resin body, at least one protrusion integrally formed on the blow-molded resin body, and a toner box shielding member rotatable in relation to the blow-molded resin body to selectively seal a toner exhaust port. The toner box shielding member includes at least one lateral bearing surface that slidingly engages with the at least one protrusion integrally formed on the blow-molded resin body. A method of forming a toner fillable cartridge includes blow-molding a resin toner body sealable at each end and having a toner exhaust port section formed between each end; and providing at least one integrally blow-molded protrusion on the toner body structured to slidingly engage and guide a lateral surface of a toner box shielding member rotatable in relation to the blow-molded resin body.

Abstract: A toner bottle has a bottle body (1) containing toner and a cap (5) closing an opening portion (3) formed in the bottle body (1), and toner is supplied through the opening portion (3). A plateshaped toner scraping member (20) extending into the opening portion (3) and having elasticity is provided on the back surface of the cap (5) in the diameter direction of the cap (5). Also, the outer end of the toner scraping member (20) is positioned inside of the bottle body (1) beyond the opening portion (3) even when the cap (5) is in its cap-opened position. If the toner bottle is constructed in this way, the toner on the opening portion (3) will be scraped by the toner scraping member (20) and toner condensation can be reliably prevented at the opening portion (3) when toner is supplied from the bottle body (1) by rotation of the toner bottle.

Abstract: A cap for a toner fillable container for use with a toner developing device includes an end wall dimensioned to sealingly mate with an end of the toner fillable container, a peripheral wall connected to the end wall and structured to slide over the toner fillable container for releasably and integrally connecting the peripheral wall to the toner fillable container to prevent relative rotation therebetween, and a knob connected to and extending radially away from the peripheral wall, wherein manipulation of the knob in concert with the toner fillable container provides communication between the developing device and the toner fillable container. The knob may also include an engagement surface that is engageable with an angled surface mounted within a printer to cause rotation of the toner fillable container upon installation of the toner fillable container within the printer to provide communication therebetween.

Abstract: A developing device includes a toner container for supplying toner; and a container receptacle for receiving the toner container therein. The container receptacle includes a positioning plate for positioning the toner container with respect thereto by making contact with a frontal end of the toner container in an insertion direction, and engaging means provided on the positioning plate. The engaging means has a first engaging member, and a second engaging member partially surrounding the contour of the first engaging member when viewed from a rear end of the toner container in the insertion direction.

Abstract: A system for dispensing toner particles from a toner hopper to a development system, a sensing system for detecting low toner condition within the toner hopper, the sensing system including a flexible wall assembly mounted within the hopper and in fluid communication with the toner particles within the toner hopper, the flexible wall assembly being adapted to transmit an interior pressure generated by the toner within the toner hopper being indicative of an amount of toner present therein; and a sensor assembly mounted exterior to the toner hopper and in communication with the flexible wall assembly, for sensing the interior pressure. There is provided circuitry responsive to the sensor for generating a feed back signal indicative of a low toner condition within the toner hopper.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member for carrying an image, a developing unit for developing an electrostatic image on the image carrying member, and a toner storage unit for storing the toners and replenishing the toners to the developing unit. In the image forming apparatus, a residual quantity of the toners within the toner storage unit is detected, and a quantity of toners substantially replenished to the developing unit from the toner storage unit is integrated. When a deficiency of the toner residual quantity is detected during a consecutive image forming operation, there is stopped and inhibited the image forming operation when an integrated value of the replenishing toner quantity reaches a predetermined value since the deficiency of the toner residual quantity was detected.

Abstract: A toner container densely packed with toner to be replenished into a developing unit included in an image forming apparatus, and a method of producing the same. The toner is packed in the container with a ratio of a packing density to a saturation bulk density greater than 1.0, a mean penetration greater than 5.0 mm inclusive, and a standard deviation of penetration not exceeding one-fifth of the mean penetration. The toner can be smoothly and continuously replenished into the developing unit so as to form a number of images matching the amount thereof.

Abstract: An endless toner transport which connects a developing device with a cleaning device is disposed so as to pass through these devices in their respective longitudinal directions. The mixing of toner can be enhanced by returning recovered toner to the developing device and by supplying fresh toner to the cleaning device by using the toner transport itself, whereby the reuse of recovered toner and the reduction of the quantity of fresh toner used can be conducted more effectively. In the processes of transporting toner from the developing device to the cleaning device and from the cleaning device to the developing device, toner can effectively be stirred and mixed by utilizing oscillation or the like generated in the endless toner transport which can be in the form of a coil spring so that an additional stirring member is not required, thereby allowing the developing device, and hence the entire image forming apparatus, to be greatly reduced in size.

Abstract: A device for developing an electrostatic latent image including a developing housing having a developing chamber, a stirrer chamber, and a developing agent-feeding port communicating with the stirrer chamber. A developing roller is disposed in the developing chamber to hold, on the peripheral surface thereof, a developing agent in a developing agent-holding zone, and convey the thus held developing agent to a developing zone to apply it to the electrostatic latent image. A replenishing device feeds the developing agent onto the peripheral surface of the developing roller in the developing agent-holding zone. A stirring device disposed in the stirrer chamber stirs the developing agent that is fed through the developing agent-feeding port and sends the stirred developing agent to the developing chamber. A vibration plate having a plurality of developing agent-flow ports is disposed at the developing agent-feeding port of the developing housing, and the stirring device is caused to act on the vibration plate.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes an inner tubular container having a toner discharge opening and accommodating a toner; an outer tubular case having a toner passage opening corresponding to the toner discharge opening, and being fitted around the inner tubular container relatively rotatably; and a seal member having a sealing portion for covering the toner discharge opening, the sealing portion being strippably bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular container, and an action portion formed as a continuum of the sealing portion and having a front end part secured to the outer tubular case. The sealing portion of the seal member has a longitudinal bond portion and a peripheral bond portion defined along the surroundings of the toner discharge opening, and a cut groove provided inwardly of the peripheral bond portion at the peel start side end part thereof.

Abstract: A sealing member for a developer supply container in the form of a two-sided tape constructed of adhesive layers attached to the opposite sides of a substrate with adhesive. A thin film member is attached to one of the adhesive layers. The other adhesive layer is attached to the periphery of an aperture of a developer supply container to seal the aperture. The strength of the substrate is less than the adhesive strength of the adhesive layers relative to the film member and the developer supply container. When the developer supply container is placed in an image forming apparatus, the aperture is opened by pulling the film member. As a result, the film member is peeled from the developer supply container and part of the substrate is removed from both adhesive layers along a layer surface of the tape, with one side of the separated substrate remaining attached to the periphery of the aperture of the developer supply container and the other side of the separated substrate being pulled out with the film member.

Abstract: A liquid developing material replenishment system wherein an apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image with a liquid developing material includes a liquid developing reservoir for providing a supply of operative liquid developing material to the developing apparatus, and a liquid developing material supply is coupled to the liquid developing material reservoir for providing a supply of liquid developing concentrate to the liquid developing material reservoir for replenishing the supply of operative liquid developing material in the liquid developing reservoir. A predetermined amount of operative liquid developing material is periodically and/or systematically discharged from the liquid developing material reservoir to remove contaminated liquid developing material from the reservoir.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes an outer pipe, inner pipe inserted into the outer pipe, and cap fitted over the inner pipe. The outer pipe and inner pipe are of a long, hollow cylinder shape and are formed with a plurality of first and second openings, respectively, therein aligned longitudinally thereof. The inner pipe has at one end thereof a toner-filling opening and an annular flange eccentric with respect to the hollow cylinder, and at the other end thereof a knob that closes the longitudinal end of the hollow cylinder and abuts the outer pipe. The first openings are not aligned with the second openings when the inner pipe is at a first rotational position and are aligned when the inner pipe is at a second rotational position. A sealing member is mounted to the inner pipe encircling the second openings and has third openings aligned with the second openings.

Abstract: An enhanced container for supplying toner to an image forming machine and a consequentially enhanced, toner dispensing method characterized by the utilization of a slip-clutched shutter plate, journaled in the free end of a container body, and operable to be manipulated, without positional constraints, through simple rotation of the container body itself.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: a developing device to develop an image by using developer; a developer container portion to supply the developer to the developing device; a developer cartridge which is attachable to or detachable from the developer container portion; and a driving means to rotate the developer cartridge. The developer cartridge further includes the following: a) a cartridge main body having a shape which facilitates movement of the developer toward a developer supply port by being rotated around a rotation axis by the driving means; b) a developer supply portion having the developer supply port to supply the developer to the image forming apparatus; and c) an opening/closing covering member to open and close the developer supply port.

Abstract: A toner replenishing method for use in a development process of developing latent electrostatic images formed on an electrophotographic photoconductor with a two-component dry developer containing a toner and a carrier, the latent electrostatic images being formed on the electrophotographic photoconductor by uniformly charging the electrophotographic photoconductor to a predetermined potential and exposing the electrically charged photoconductor to light images corresponding to original images, includes the step of replenishing the toner only in a portion of the two-component dry developer as the toner concentration thereof is decreased so as to make up for the used toner in the course of the development of the latent electrostatic images.

Abstract: This invention relates to developing agent supply container for supplying a developing agent to a developing agent storage container for storing the developing agent used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive body. The container includes a developing agent storage portion, and an inhibition device for inhibiting supply of the developing agent stored in the developing agent storage portion to the developing agent storage container when the developing agent supply container is removed from a predetermined position, and permitting supply of the developing agent stored in the developing agent storage portion to the developing agent storage container when the developing agent supply container is mounted at the predetermined position with respect to the developing agent storage container so as to supply the developing agent to the developing agent storage container.

Abstract: The invention is applicable to a developing device with a toner hopper as toner container, which can be mounted and dismounted and includes a toner replenishment roller controlled for rotation according to a detection signal of a toner concentration sensor. A shutter capable of being rotated along the outer periphery of the toner replenishment roller, is provided for opening and closing an opening at predetermined angular positions. At least one shutter opening end is in frictional contact with roller periphery, thus permitting stable mounting and dismounting of the toner container with respect to a developer container in a simple operation.Further, in a toner container comprising a replenishment toner accommodating section and a waste toner recovery section formed at a longitudinal end of the accommodating section via a partitioning wall, the volume ratio between the replenishment toner accommodating section and the waste toner recovery section is set such that no overflow of waste toner occurs.

Abstract: A toner containing device includes a toner body having a toner exhaust port, a shaft rotatably mounted to rotate within the toner body, an agitating blade on each end of the shaft on opposite sides of the toner exhaust port and a central agitating blade arranged on the shaft and disposed in substantial alignment with the toner exhaust port, wherein the central agitating blade is flexible such that a free end of the central agitating blade extends outside the toner body to flick toner through the toner exhaust port upon rotation of the central agitating blade past the toner exhaust port.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner cartridge body formed with a toner outlet, and a shatter mechanism provided movably closing the toner outlet, the shatter mechanism including a shatter element having a free shutter edge defining a closed space between the shutter element and an outer surface of the toner cartridge body, wherein the shutter element further carries a member for preventing a spillage of toners accumulated in the space from the free shutter edge.

Abstract: A toner cartridge installation unit for an image forming device is disclosed which allows proper toner cartridge installation to take place. The installation unit includes at least one detection slot, and the toner cartridge includes a detection member. If the proper toner cartridge has been selected, or if certain foreign objects have not fallen into the installation unit, the detection member will slide into the detection slot, and a switch within the detection slot will be activated, thereby allowing installation to be completed. If the wrong toner cartridge has been chosen, or if certain foreign objects have fallen into the installation device, the switch will not be activated, the installation unit will discharge the toner cartridge from the image forming device, and the user will be alerted.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a rotary developing device has a developing unit in which a plurality of developing chambers are arranged around an axis of rotation. The developing unit is rotated about the axis to bring one of the chambers to a developing position where an image carrier is located. In each of the chambers, part of a developer removed by a doctor blade is received by a guide and then released from the guide into the chamber. This part of the developer is agitated in the vertical direction and conveyed together with the developer existing in the chamber by the rotation of the device. As a result, the developer is agitated, conveyed and charged in a desirable manner.

Abstract: A developer replenishing apparatus includes a developer housing, a replenishing developer container accommodating a developer, an adapter to be mounted detachably on the replenishing developer container, and a tentative cap to be mounted detachably on an outlet portion of the adapter. The tentative cap has a top panel wall and a skirt wall formed so as to extend downwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the top panel wall. The skirt wall is composed of opposite side walls and a rear wall, and has an opening at its front part. A shielding plate covering the upper part of the developer housing is provided with a cap fitting portion and an adapter guide portion. On the shielding plate is mounted a sealing device adapted to cover the adapter guide portion and be caused to elastically open according to the movement of the adapter.

Abstract: A toner accommodation container for containing toner to be used for developing a latent image formed on a electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the toner accommodation container is supplied with toner from a toner supply container includes a toner accommodating portion for accommodating the toner; a toner supply opening for supplying toner; a cover member for covering the toner supply opening, wherein the cover member is movable between a closing portion for covering the toner supply opening and an open position for permitting supply of the toner therethrough; a blocking member, provided inside the covering member, for preventing the toner from scattering from the toner accommodating portion to outside, the blocking member is locked by a first locking member and a second locking member; wherein the blocking member is movable to the open position by the first locking member being released by the toner supply container and the second locking member being released by the cover member.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a frame; an image bearing member; a developing device; a toner accommodating device for accommodating toner to be supplied to said developing device; opening for supplying to said developing device the toner in said toner accommodating device; a toner seal removably mounted at said opening to close it; a gap in said frame to permit pulling of said toner seal; an elastic sealing member in contact with said toner seal to prevent leakage of the toner through the gap; wherein said toner seal is constructed such that said toner seal is out of contact with an end of said elastic sealing member upon pulling of said toner seal.

Abstract: A developing device includes a toner cartridge receiver, and a toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes a container body having a toner discharge opening, and a shutter member mounted on the container body so as to be free to reciprocate between a closing position where it covers the toner discharge opening and an opening position where it is displaced from the toner discharge opening. By bringing the container body to the position of insertion, and then moving it to the position of mounting, the toner cartridge is detachably mounted on the toner cartridge receiver. The toner cartridge receiver is provided with a shutter member forwarding means and a shutter member returning means which, when the container body is brought to the position of insertion, are situated so as to face the shutter member, thereby inhibiting the movement of the shutter member.

Abstract: A toner fillable cartridge for use with a toner developing device includes a toner body having first and second ends, a toner exhaust port between the first and second ends, a toner box shielding member rotatably mounted on the toner body to open and close the toner exhaust port as the toner body is rotated with respect to the development device and the toner box shielding member, and a pair of protrusions formed on each side of the toner box shielding member. Each of the pair of protrusions are structured to engage a developing device shielding member movably positioned over a toner introduction port of the developing device. Rotation of the toner body with respect to the development device causes each of the pair of protrusions to engage and displace the developing device shielding member to open and close the toner introduction port as the toner exhaust port rotates to align with the toner introduction port.

Abstract: A developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing device with a developer, and a developer container for use therewith. The developer container, or toner bottle, has a mouth portion at one end thereof which is smaller in diameter than a hollow cylindrical main body. At the end of the bottle provided with the mouth, a shoulder has the inner periphery thereof partly raised to the edge of the mouth portion to form a raised portion for scooping up a toner. In addition, a part of the inner periphery of the circumferential wall of the bottle which is contiguous with the raised portion is also raised toward the axis of the bottle about which the bottle is rotatable, thereby forming another raised portion. When the bottle is mounted to a bottle holder, which is included in the replenishing device, substantially horizontally with the mouth portion oriented sideways, the bottle is rotated to raise the toner from the bottom of the main body to the mouth portion.

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image-developing device includes a toner cartridge provided with a container having a toner discharge opening, a toner contained in the container and a sealing tape for sealing the toner discharge opening, and a toner cartridge-holding device having a toner-receiving opening and allowing detachable mounting of the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge is equipped with a shutter member that is disposed on one edge side of the toner discharge opening and is so constituted as to move to the other edge side across the toner discharge opening to cover the toner discharge opening. The toner cartridge-holding device is equipped with a shutter-moving device which moves the front edge of the shutter member from one edge side to the other edge side of the toner discharge opening.

Abstract: A developing unit including a housing having an opening defining a developing zone, an applicator for applying particulate developer through the opening towards an electrostatographic image to be developed, and a paddle wheel for agitating developer within the housing, for scooping up developer from within the housing and projecting scooped-up developer towards the applicator. A hopper, located outside the width of the development zone supplies toner to the housing, and a primary spiral screw conveys developer from the hopper across the width of the development zone in one direction, while a secondary spiral screw receives developer from the primary spiral screw and conveys developer across the width of the development zone in an opposite direction. A passageway outside the width of the development zone enables the return of developer from the secondary spiral screw to the primary spiral screw.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body having a photosensitive drum for carrying an image, a developing unit, provided within the apparatus body, including a developing agent storage unit for storing a developing agent and a developing roller for supplying the developing agent in the developing agent storage unit to the photosensitive drum, a driving gear, provided detachably to the developing roller of the developing unit, for driving the developing roller when the driving gear is connected to the developing roller, and a rigid shield member, attached removably in the developing unit, for separating the developing agent storage unit from the developing roller in the developing unit and separating the developing roller from the driving gear when the shield member is attached, and for making the developing agent storage unit communicate with the developing roller and connecting the developing roller and the driving gear when the shield member is removed.

Abstract: A cartridge for replenishing a two-ingredient developer to an image forming apparatus, and a developer replenishing device using it are disclosed. The cartridge is made up of two containers each storing a content of particular kind. One of the containers has an annular portion and a bore formed at the center by the annular portion. The other container has a cylindrical configuration and coaxially mates with the above container to form a single unit. Coaxial openings are respectively formed in the containers. Spiral grooves inclined in opposite directions to each other are respectively formed on the inner peripheries of the containers.

Abstract: A container for supplying toner includes a containing portion with an opening through which toner is moved into a receiving sump. A cover for the opening is flexible enough to move in an arcuate path from a position coveting the opening to a position of storage alongside a sidewall of the containing portion. The cover is stiff enough to be pushed back to its covering position. The leading edge of the cover in its movement back to its coveting position is made concave to the direction of movement so that it will more easily enter a channel partially defined by a seal around the opening. A protrusion on the cover enters a hole in a cover holding member when the cover is in its coveting position to lock the cover in place when the container is not on a receiving apparatus. The protrusion can be pushed out of the hole, unlocking the cover by an appropriate receiving member.

Abstract: An apparatus for refilling an electrophotographic imaging system. A refill pack is constructed around a frame. A collapsible bag, which is permanently attached to the top of the frame, along with a removable seal, which is attached to the bottom of the frame, defines an internal volume that contains the developer particles. The refill pack attaches to a receiving area on the cartridge. A new cartridge includes a flexible cover attached over an opening in the receiving area. Once the refill pack is attached to the receiving area, the removable seal is removed. As the removable seal is removed, a cutting edge on the removable seal cuts the flexible cover, opening the cartridge. Removal of the removable seal also releases the developer particles from the internal volume, allowing them to enter the cartridge thereby refilling the cartridge. Additional refill packs may be added over the top of a spent refill pack. However, the receiving area of the cartridge allows a maximum number of refill packs.

Abstract: A toner cartridge mountable to a cartridge mount of a main assembly of an image forming apparatus comprising an electrostatic latent image bearing member, and a toner container for containing toner for developing an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member, wherein the cartridge is disposable in a mounting position, where the toner cartridge can be mounted on or dismounted from the cartridge mount, and a toner supply position, where toner can be supplied into the container from the toner cartridge. When toner is to be supplied into the container, the toner cartridge is rotated in a predetermined direction from the mounting position to the supply position, and when the toner cartridge is to be dismounted from the cartridge mount, the toner cartridge is rotated in the opposite direction. The toner cartridge includes a container body for containing the toner, and a toner discharge opening is provided in the container body for discharging toner from the container body.

Abstract: A developer cartridge detachably mountable to a developing apparatus having a shutter for closing and opening a developer receiving opening, includes a cylindrical portion for accommodating a developer, the cylindrical portion being provided with an opening extending along a length thereof; a sealing member for sealing the opening; a first projection for moving the shutter to an open position for the developer receiving opening in interrelation with rotation of the developer cartridge in a first direction; and a second projection for moving the shutter to a close position for the developer receiving opening in interrelation with rotation of the developer cartridge in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction.

Abstract: A particulate image developer material mixing system for a reproduction apparatus, with a rotatably driven helical mixing coil in a developer material sump for mixing the developer material in the sump, and with a system for holding the rotatably driven helical mixing coil in the sump, and a system for anti-bridging of the developer material by agitating the developer material in the sump by agitating the mixing coil; including a smoothly rounded rod substantially extending inside of the helical mixing coil with a smoothly enlarged diameter end portion outwardly radiused to operatively intermediately engage the mixing coil so that as the helical mixing coil is rotatably driven at least one coil thereof is periodically partially detained and deformed on the smoothly enlarged diameter end portion and then periodically released automatically after a further rotation, so as to provide a periodic anti-bridging agitation of the developer materials, at a desired frequency, and the free end of the helical mixing coil

Abstract: A device is provided for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine. The device includes an open ended container defining a chamber in communication with the open end of the container. The particles are stored in the chamber of the container. The device also includes a puncturable seal attached to the open end of the container for sealing the chamber. The container is installable into the developer unit without removal of the seal. The device further includes an internal seal attached to the open end of the container. The internal seal is internal to the puncturable seal. The internal seal has a surface closely conforming to the open end of the container. The internal seal is removable from the open end of the container by displacement of the internal seal into the chamber of the container.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed comprising: (a) a coupling member comprising a cradle portion defining a container receiving space, and including a first side end having a first flange which extends into the receiving space and a second side end having a second flange which extends into the receiving space; and (b) a first container including one or more outer surface protuberances, wherein the first container is partially disposed in the container receiving space and at least a portion of the first flange and at least a portion of the second flange contact the outer surface of the first container to define a first region of the outer surface of the first container below the first flange and the second flange, wherein the one or more protuberances, disposed in the first region, minimize movement of the first region above the first flange and the second flange by engaging the first flange or the second flange when the first container is subjected to movement out of the receiving space, thereby coupling the first cont

Abstract: A xerographic image recording apparatus includes a photosensitive body moved along a circuitous path, an electric discharging unit for eliminating electric charges from the photosensitive body, a precharging unit for charging the photosensitive body electrically, an image writing unit for writing an image on the photosensitive body, an image developing unit for coating the photosensitive body by the toner to form a toner image on the photosensitive body; a recording sheet feeding unit for feeding a recording sheet along a sheet path, an image transfer unit for transferring the toner image onto a recording sheet, a cleaning unit for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive body after the transfer of image on the recording sheet is completed, a toner supply tank for supplying the toner to the image developing unit, and a toner recovery tank for collecting the toner removed by the cleaning unit from the photosensitive body, wherein the toner supply tank and the toner recovery tank are assembled into a

Abstract: A toner hopper seal-insert and slide-seal to provide for the shipping and transporting of a refilled toner cartridge. The seal-insert is comprised of two slotted rectangular strips or pieces of material. A middle piece or layer of a resilient two-sided foam tape is sandwiched between the two slotted pieces, holding them together such that their slots align. The tape is configured such that it also has a slot which is wider than the slots in the two outer pieces and open at one end, providing a channel for the slide-seal. The seal-insert is attached to the toner hopper of the toner cartridge, and the slide-seal is slid into or out of position in the seal-insert to seal or unseal the opening of the toner hopper, creating a reusable leakproof seal system. For ease of placing the seal-insert in the toner hopper, the ends of the outer pieces opposite the slot openings in the tape layer may be bent and fused together, then cut into a shape extending to a point.