Toner Cartridge Patents (Class 399/106)
  • Patent number: 8995888
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container and a development device. The toner container includes a container main body being provided with a discharge port configured to discharge a toner. The development device includes a development device main body being provided with a replenishment port configured to receive a toner discharged from the discharge port and a shutter configured to open/close the replenishment port. The shutter opens/closes the replenishment port by turning along the outside face of the development device main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Daisuke Eto
  • Patent number: 8989636
    Abstract: A toner container that is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus such that a longitudinal direction of the toner container is parallel to a horizontal direction is provided. The toner container includes: a cylindrical container body that has an opening on one end, and is configured to convey toner inside the body toward the opening; a cap portion into which the opening of the container body is inserted, and which includes a toner outlet at a bottom portion for discharging toner discharged from the opening of the container body to the outside of the toner container in a vertically downward direction; and a shutter member that is held on the bottom portion of the cap portion, and moves along an outer periphery of the cap portion to open and close the toner outlet. The cap portion is formed by integral molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Eisuke Hori, Noriyuki Kimura, Nobuo Takami, Yuji Suzuki, Hideki Kimura, Kenji Kikuchi, Junji Yamabe, Masato Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8977160
    Abstract: An shutter having an overmolded seal for use in controlling the flow of toner through a port in a toner containing supply items for an imaging apparatus. In one form the shutter is overmolded with a seal comprised of a sleeve and one or more integrally molded angled endless ribs projecting outwardly from the sleeve. With the shutter installed in the supply item, the ribs deflect creating an sealing interface with the housing of the supply item to prevent toner leakage between the shutter and the housing of the supply item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Andrew Buchanan, James Anthany Carter, II, Benjamin Keith Newman, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Patent number: 8965243
    Abstract: A developing device for an image forming apparatus, comprising a frame provided with a developer accommodating chamber accommodating a developer, and a development opening for supplying the developer from an inside of the developer accommodating chamber to an outside; a first sealing member sealing the development opening, the first sealing member being dismountable from the development opening by being pulled out through a pulling opening provided in the frame; and a second sealing member for sliding on the first sealing member to prevent the developer from leaking to an outside of the frame through the pulling opening when the first sealing member is pulled through the pulling opening, wherein the second sealing member is integrally molded on the frame by injecting a thermoplastic elastomer into a space between the first sealing member and an edge of the pulling opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Hayashida
  • Patent number: 8958727
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus includes a developer storage chamber partitioned into a first storage portion and a second storage portion and configured to store a developer, a replenishment opening disposed in the second storage portion, through which the developer passes from inside the developer storage chamber to outside the developer storage chamber, and a conveyance member disposed in the second storage portion and configured to convey the developer in a predetermined conveying direction, the conveyance member including a first conveyance portion located on an upstream side of the replenishment opening to convey the developer in the conveying direction, and a second conveyance portion located on a downstream side of the replenishment opening to convey an amount of a developer smaller than that of the developer conveyed by the first conveyance portion in the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Hayashida, Osamu Anan
  • Patent number: 8958718
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Kadota, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Nobuyuki Taguchi, Satoru Yoshida, Takuya Seshita
  • Patent number: 8953977
    Abstract: A developer container includes: a casing having a filling port and a cap for covering the filling port. The filling port is defined by a cylindrical through-hole having an inner peripheral surface, and a protruding portion protruding radially inward from the inner peripheral surface. The cap is attached to the casing in a first direction. The cap includes: a main body portion in a tubular shape having an outer peripheral surface; and a flange portion protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface in annular fashion. The flange portion is positioned downstream of the main body portion in the first direction and configured to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface. The protruding portion is positioned upstream of the flange portion in the first direction upon attachment of the cap to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 8953974
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: an upstream side unit which discharges a conveyed developer from a discharge port; a downstream side unit which receives the developer discharged from the discharge port from a receiving port located at a position opposite to the discharge port; and a sealing member which includes a multiple layer with an elastic member and a sheet material alternately stacked and is nipped between the upstream side unit and the downstream side unit to seal a periphery of the discharge port and the receiving port, wherein at least one of the upstream side unit and the downstream side unit is detachably attachable to an apparatus body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Manabe
  • Patent number: 8948650
    Abstract: 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 shutter is positioned at the exit port that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The shutter is biased toward the closed position. A linkage is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by a first engagement feature in the image forming device. An interlock is operatively engaged with the linkage and biased toward a locked position preventing the linkage from opening the shutter. The interlock is movable to an unlocked position that is disengaged with the linkage when the interlock is actuated by a second engagement feature in the image forming device permitting the linkage to open the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Keith Newman, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Patent number: 8942578
    Abstract: A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs printing using a recording material, and includes a plurality of storage units configured to store a recording material, a reception unit configured to receive designation information for specifying a storage unit to which the recording material is supplied, and a moving unit configured to move the storage unit that the designation information specifies, into a position at which the recording material can be supplied, according to an instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shukei Kurihara
  • Publication number: 20150003865
    Abstract: A developer container includes: a developer accommodating chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer; a sealing member including end portion sealing portions each for sealing an end portion of the opening and a central portion sealing portion for sealing a central portion of the opening; and a rotatable member, connected with the sealing member, for peeling off the sealing member from the opening by rotation thereof to expose the opening. With respect to a rotational axis direction of the rotatable member, an outer configuration of the rotatable member is different between a sealing-member-connected end thereof and a sealing-member-connected center thereof so that one of the end portion sealing portions is peeled earlier than the central portion sealing portion and so that the central portion is peeled earlier than the other one of the end portion sealing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Batori, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguchi, Junichi Matsumura, Tatsuo Fujisaki, Kazuki Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140376955
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes: a frame; a flexible container, provided with an opening at a side thereof and provided inside the frame, for accommodating a developer; and a sealing member for sealing the opening. The sealing member is removable when being used. The flexible container includes a bottom portion forming a bottom thereof. The bottom portion is provided vertically above a lower end of the opening in a state in which the cartridge is mounted in the main assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20140363196
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer includes: an accommodating portion, provided with an opening, for accommodating the developer; a sealing member for sealing the opening; and an unsealing member rotatable for winding up the sealing member. The sealing member is peelable off from the accommodating portion to unseal the opening in a first unsealing direction and a second unsealing direction opposite to the first unsealing direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Takashi Kase, Takayuki Kanazawa, Yusuke Usui, Masaki Furutani, Kojiro Yasui, Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Tetsuo Uesugi, Tatsuo Fujisaki, Masaaki Matsushita, Junichi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8909093
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kikuchi Kenji, Eisuke Hori, Yuji Suzuki, Hideki Kimura, Nobuo Takami, Noriyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 8909099
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a developing device, a support frame, a developer supply mechanism, and a shutter member. The developing device has a developer bearing member that supplies a developer to the image bearing member. The support frame is capable of disposing the developing device selectively at a mounting/demounting position and at a developing position. The shutter member opens a replenishment port formed at the connection portion in tandem with the movement of the developing device from the mounting/demounting position to the developing position and closes the replenishment port in tandem with the movement of the developing device from the developing position to the mounting/demounting position. A direction in which the developing device is moved is different from a direction in which the shutter member performs the opening/closing of the replenishment port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masanobu Maeshima
  • Patent number: 8909094
    Abstract: A toner supply container includes a rotatable container body and a sealing member provided at its axial end portion. The sealing member is movable in an axial direction and includes a sealing portion to seal and unseal an opening of the container body when in first and second relative positions, respectively, and a coupling portion positioned to receive a rotational drive force for rotating the sealing member and the container body. The coupling portion includes an elastically displaceable supporting portion, an engaging portion, and a displacing force receiving portion, which are integrally molded. The engaging portion includes a rotational force receiving portion for receiving a rotational drive force for rotating the sealing member and the container body, and a locking portion. The displacing force receiving portion is provided on the supporting portion at a position closer to the container body than the engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Yamada, Yutaka Ban, Katsuya Murakami, Fumio Tazawa, Hironori Minagawa
  • Publication number: 20140356020
    Abstract: A developer container includes: a developer accommodating chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer; a sealing member bonded to the developer accommodating container so as to block the opening; and a rotatable member, having a connecting surface where the sealing member is connected thereto, for peeling off the sealing member from the opening by rotation thereof. The connecting surface has a rectangular shape which has a long side with respect to a rotational axis direction of the rotatable member and which is twisted in a rotational direction of the rotatable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguchi, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Yoshiyuki Batori
  • Publication number: 20140348535
    Abstract: A developer container includes: a developer chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer; a rotatable member rotatably supported in the developer chamber; and a sealing member for being removed at the opening by being wound up by the rotatable member, wherein the sealing member is provided in the developer chamber and includes a first end portion connected to the rotatable member and a second end portion sealing the opening. Sealing of the opening is made by bonding the sealing member along an edge of the opening. The developer container includes a first bonding portion provided upstream of the opening and a second bonding portion provided downstream of the opening with respect to an unsealing direction of the sealing member. A peeling-off force for peeling off the sealing member at a predetermined angle is larger at the first bonding portion than at the second bonding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguchi, Yoshiyuki Batori, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20140348518
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a developer accommodating chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer; a sealing member, provided with an electroconductive portion, for sealing the opening; and a storing element, provided with an electrical contact at a surface thereof, for storing information on the cartridge. The electroconductive portion covers the electrical contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Masui, Masataka Mochizuki, Kenta Shibukawa
  • Patent number: 8892004
    Abstract: A cartridge drive gear assembly for holding a drum coupling includes a drive gear having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface including inner projections which extend into the interior of the drive gear and includes at least two voids disposed on opposing sides of the inner projections, and at least one slot disposed in the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Static Control Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Huck, Lawrence Dale Lewis, William L London
  • Patent number: 8879948
    Abstract: A toner cartridge, a main casing accommodates therein toner and is formed with an opening which provides communication between an interior and an exterior of the main casing. A shutter is movable along the main casing by an external driving force applied in a force direction between a closed position at which the shutter closes the opening and an open position at which the shutter opens the opening. A toner seal is formed with a seal opening opposing the opening of the main casing, and interposed between the main casing and the shutter when the shutter is positioned at the closed position. A guide portion is configured to guide a movement of the shutter in an inclined direction inclined with respect to the force direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 8867954
    Abstract: 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 is put on the outside surface of the toner feeding compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Print-Rite ° Unicorn Image Products Co., Ltd. of Zhuhai
    Inventor: Quan Liu
  • Patent number: 8867955
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit includes a flexible developer accommodating container sealed with a sealing member at its developer discharging opening; a rotatable unsealing member for removing the sealing member from the opening; a drive transmission member for transmitting a rotational force to the unsealing member, wherein the drive transmission member is mounted at one longitudinal end portion of the unsealing member and is rotatably assembled with a frame; and a supporting member for supporting the unsealing member when the unsealing member is assembled. The supporting member includes a preventing portion for preventing the unsealing member from dropping from the supporting member. In a state in which the drive transmission member is assembled with the frame, a gap between the unsealing member and the supporting member is larger than a gap between the drive transmission member and the frame. The unsealing member is spaced from the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Yamaguchi, Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Masaakii Matsushita, Junichi Matsumura
  • Publication number: 20140294435
    Abstract: A toner container and system for mounting and/or securing the toner container includes a toner container having a toner dispensing hole, a shutter, 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 moveable catch moving to a second position upon insertion of the toner container into the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Kenji KIKUCHI, Eisuke HORI, Yuji SUZUKI, Hideki KIMURA, Nobuo TAKAMI, Noriyuki KIMURA
  • Patent number: 8849157
    Abstract: In a cap for sealing a filling port formed in a developer container, a base is in the shape of a circular plate. A first cylindrical portion is in the shape of a cylinder extending from a peripheral portion of the base in a first direction. A second cylindrical portion is in the shape of a cylinder extending from the peripheral portion of the base in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. A first projecting portion projects radially outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion with a predetermined projecting amount. A second projecting portion projects radially outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion with a projecting amount equal to the predetermined projecting amount of the first projecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20140255058
    Abstract: A toner bottle cap has a fixed member and a slide member. The fixed member is stationary relative to a toner bottle and defines a first flow passage. The slide member defines a second flow passage coaxially adjoining the first flow passage in a toner outflow direction and having a peripheral wall in sealing contact with a peripheral wall of the fixed member. The slide member is slideable relative to the fixed member in axial direction of the flow passages. One of the members has a wall part that restricts the cross-section of the flow passage of the one member and defines a toner outflow opening. The other of the members has a stop member projecting axially towards the outflow opening and closes the same when the slide member is in a closed position and opens the outflow opening when the slide member is slid in the toner outflow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Otto W. SALOMONS, Joseph A. SCHULKES
  • Patent number: 8824918
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer for image formation includes a developer accommodating container including a flexible container provided with openings for permitting discharge of the accommodated developer and sealing member for sealing the openings by a bonding portion and for exposing the openings by being moved, an unsealing member, mounted on the sealing member, for moving the sealing member, and a frame which accommodates the developer accommodating container and the unsealing member and which includes a fixing portion for fixing the flexible container. In addition, connecting potion is disposed between the openings in the flexible container. With respect to an unsealing direction of the sealing member, the fixing portion and the connecting portion are provided so as to overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Junichi Matsumura, Masaki Furutani, Masaaki Matsushita, Tetsuo Uesugi, Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Tatsuo Fujisaki, Kojiro Yasui, Kazuki Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140241752
    Abstract: A developer storage container includes a first storage member storing a developer, a second storage member fitted to the first storage member, and a sealing member that seals between the first storage member and the second storage member for preventing leakage of the developer. The first storage member includes a first fitting portion. The second storage member includes a second fitting portion fitted to the first fitting portion. The first fitting portion includes a pressing portion pressing the sealing member. The pressing portion includes an inclined portion that faces the second fitting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro GOTO
  • Publication number: 20140212166
    Abstract: An accommodating container includes: an accommodating chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer; a seal member for unsealably sealing the opening; and a rotatable member rotatably supported inside the accommodating chamber. The seal member includes a sealing portion for sealing the opening, a connecting portion connected with the rotatable member, and at least one hole provided between the sealing portion and the connecting portion. The rotatable member includes a shaft portion and at least one projection extending in a direction of being spaced from the shaft portion. The hole and the projection are provided to establish a non-overlapping positional relationship with respect to a direction along the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takeuchi, Yoshiyuki Batori, Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguchi, Gosuke Goto, Makoto Tokudome, Yu Fukasawa
  • Patent number: 8787790
    Abstract: A developing apparatus includes an organic photo conductor, an OPC frame part to support the organic photo conductor, a developing roller to develop a latent image formed on the organic photo conductor by supplying a developer, a developing roller frame part to support the developing roller, a developer storing part to store the developer and provided with a supplying opening through which the developer is supplied to the developing roller, a spacer removably interposed between the OPC frame part and the developing roller frame part and spacing the OPC frame part from the developing roller frame part such that the organic photo conductor and the developing roller do not contact each other, a leakage preventer removably attached to and sealing the supplying opening, and a connecting part to connect the spacer with the leakage preventer. Thus, the spacer and the leakage preventer are capable of being removed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-jin Kim, Ji-won Moon
  • Publication number: 20140199093
    Abstract: A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer includes: a flexible container provided with an opening for permitting discharge of the developer; a sealing member for sealing the opening in a state in which the sealing member is bonded to a periphery of the opening, wherein the sealing member is capable of exposing the opening by being removed by pulling; and a reinforcing portion, provided at least as a part of the periphery of the opening, for decreasing a degree of deformation of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatomi Yoshida, Masaki Furutani, Masaaki Matsushita, Tetsuo Uesugi, Seiichi Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20140199094
    Abstract: A developer accommodating container includes: a flexible container provided with an opening for permitting discharge of a developer; a sealing member, mounted to the flexible container in a state in which the sealing member seals the opening, capable of exposing the opening by being wound up; an unsealing member for winding up the sealing member by being rotated to expose the opening; a frame for accommodating the unsealing member; and a limiting portion for limiting deformation of the unsealing member with respect to a direction of a force applied from the sealing member to the unsealing member when the unsealing member winds up the sealing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Kojiro Yasui, Koji Yamaguchi, Masaaki Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20140199092
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer includes: a flexible container provided with an opening for permitting discharge of the accommodated developer; a sealing member for sealing the opening and for exposing the opening by being moved in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating unit; an unsealing member, mounted to the sealing member, for moving the sealing member; a frame including a fixing portion for fixing the flexible container; and a bonding portion for bonding an end portion of the sealing member and a periphery of the opening. The bonding portion includes a projected portion or recessed portion in a plane of the bonding portion as at least a part thereof, in an upstream side or a downstream side of the opening with respect to an unsealing direction of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Matsushita, Tatsuo Fujisaki, Junichi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8781375
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Keiichi Yoshida, Shunji Katoh, Hiroshi Ikeguchi
  • Patent number: 8774685
    Abstract: 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 venting system includes a first vent positioned to introduce air from outside the housing into the reservoir and a second vent positioned to introduce air received at the outlet port into the reservoir. The venting system maintains an air pressure in the reservoir at the greater of a pressure of the air from outside the housing and the air received at the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, James Richard Leemhuis
  • Publication number: 20140169827
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearer, a development casing in which a developer conveyance channel is formed facing the developer bearer through a communicating area, a developer supply member disposed in the developer conveyance channel, a developer regulator disposed facing a lower portion of the developer bearer to adjust an amount of developer carried on the developer bearer, and a sheet member that is removably installed to seal the communicating area and passes through a gap between the developer regulator and the developer bearer and an opening formed in the development casing. A first end of the sheet member is retained downstream from the gap in a direction of rotation of the developer bearer, and the sheet member is fixed to the development casing at a position across the communicating area from the first end with a second end positioned outside the development casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Hattori, Yoshiyuki Fukuda, Sho Akiyama, Yuki Oshikawa, Noriyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 8750751
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing device, a toner container, a container support member, a toner supply unit, a transfer device, a fixing device, and a restricting mechanism. The toner container includes a container housing having a container opening, a sealing member having a hole that communicates with the container opening, and a shutter member. The shutter member is slidable between a closed position and an open position at which a front end portion of the shutter member in an attachment direction at least partially overlaps with the sealing member. When the shutter member is at the open position, the front end portion is pressed in a direction away from the toner container by the sealing member, and the restricting mechanism restricts a position of a back end portion of the shutter member, the back end portion is opposed to the front end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakai, Takashi Sakamoto, Hiroaki Okuma
  • Patent number: 8750752
    Abstract: A development device can include a developer containing part containing developer, a carrier to carry developer that is supplied from the developer containing part to a development range, a partition dividing the developer containing part into a supply part and a circulation part beneath the supply part to collect developer from the carrier, a first transport member in the supply part of the developer containing part to supply developer from the supply part to the carrier, and a second transport member in the circulation part to transport developer in the circulation part in an axial direction of the carrier. The device can also include a removable seal member, which seals a supplied-developer and/or a collected-developer communicating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yasuo Miyoshi, Norio Kudo, Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Tsukuru Kai, Hiroshi Hosokawa, Hiroaki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8731432
    Abstract: This invention provides a seal for the tank/developer section of a two-piece toner cartridge that is applied externally to the section at the opening of the developer roller, where it is intended to confront the drum in the fully assembled cartridge. The seal assembly includes a resilient seal member, illustratively constructed from a stiffening bar that caps a resilient/pliable foam or another elastomer. The foam impinges on the doctor blade where it meets the developer roller, to bias the doctor blade against the developer roller and seal this region against the exit of toner. The foam and stiffening bar have an elongated length that matches the developer opening so that this region is fully sealed along its length. The stiffener is flexibly attached to a sheet material. The sheet is secured to the cartridge surface at a respective edge on each side by releasable adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Turbon America, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn C. Goldie
  • Publication number: 20140126928
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a toner chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a toner; and a seal member including a sealing portion, elongated in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge, for unsealably sealing the opening and a mounting portion for being mounted on an unsealing member to unseal the opening. The sealing portion includes a first sealing portion located at a longitudinal end portion and a second sealing portion located at a longitudinal central portion. With respect to a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, a length between the first sealing portion and the mounting portion of the seal member is shorter than a length between the second sealing portion and the mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Batori, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguchi, Junichi Matsumura, Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Kazuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8718509
    Abstract: A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus, the developer supply container includes an containing portion for containing a developer; a discharge opening, provided in the containing portion, for permitting discharge of the developer; a shutter for opening and closing the discharge opening; an elastic member, provided around the discharge opening, for sealing between the developer supply container and the developer receiving apparatus; and a film member for unsealably sealing the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuya Murakami, Ayatomo Okino
  • Patent number: 8712295
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a developing unit; a toner cartridge; a shutter drive member; and a second gear. The toner cartridge is mountable on or detachable from the developing unit and includes a casing defining an internal space for accommodating a developing agent and formed with a communication hole for supplying the developing agent to the developing unit, and a shutter 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 drive member includes a first gear that extends in the moving direction of the shutter. The shutter drive member is engageable with the shutter to be movable together with the shutter when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing unit. The second gear is meshingly engageable with the first gear to transmit a drive force to the first gear. The first gear is disengaged from the second gear when the shutter is in at least one of the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 8693924
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Fujii
  • Publication number: 20140093272
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a toner accommodating frame including a toner feeding opening communicating with a toner feeding chamber and a toner filling port; a rotatable member; and a toner seal member. The toner seal member includes a first fixed portion and a second fixed portion which are fixed on the toner accommodating frame at an edge of the toner feeding opening along a longitudinal direction of the toner feeding opening, and includes a third fixed portion fixed on the rotatable member. With rotation of the rotatable member, the first fixed portion of the toner seal member is peeled off from a fixing portion to open the toner feeding opening. The toner is filled into said toner accommodating frame through the toner filling port such that the toner is first filled into a recess defined by said toner seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumaru, Daisuke Makiguchi, Yoshiyuki Batori, Ryuta Murakami, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20140086621
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a toner chamber; and a toner supplying chamber for supplying a toner through a developer supply opening communicating with the toner chamber. The toner chamber includes: a feeding portion, including a rotatable member and a feeding sheet connected with the rotatable member, for feeding the toner from the toner chamber to the toner supplying chamber; and a toner seal member, including a first end portion and a second end portion, for unsealing the toner supply opening by being wound up by the rotatable member. During start of unsealing of the toner supply opening, the feeding portion is located below a powder surface of the toner with respect to a direction of gravitation, and the feeding sheet is located in a position where the feeding sheet is contactable to an inner wall of the toner chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Makiguchi, Yoshiyuki Batori, Ryuta Murakami, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20140086620
    Abstract: A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer includes: a toner seal member for unsealably sealing an opening of the developer accommodating container; an unsealing member, connected to an end portion of the toner seal member, for unsealing the opening by moving at least a part of the toner seal member; and an auxiliary unsealing member for assisting unsealing by changing a pulling direction of the toner seal member by the unsealing member. The auxiliary unsealing member includes a shaft portion or a projected portion. The shaft portion or the projected portion extends in a longitudinal direction of the developer accommodating container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takeuchi, Takashi Kimura, Yoshiyuki Batori, Ryuta Murakami, Daisuke Makiguchi, Noritomo Yamaguchi, Naoki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20140079432
    Abstract: A fixing portion 18c for suppressing movement of a developer bag 16 when the developer bag 16 is unsealed by moving a sealing member 19 is provided. By this, unsealing becomes easy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Junichi Matsumura, Kazuki Matsumoto, Tatsuo Fujisaki, Kojiro Yasui
  • Publication number: 20140072329
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer includes: a flexible container, provided with an opening for permitting discharge of the developer, for accommodating the developer; and a frame. The flexible container is provided with a fastening hole for fastening said flexible container in said frame. The frame includes a fixing shaft portion fixed in the fastening hole by being inserted into the fastening hole and includes a retaining portion for preventing the fixing shaft portion from being disengaged from the fastening hole. The fastening hole is locked by fitting the fastening hole around the fixing shaft portion while an edge of the fastening hole rides over the retaining portion by elastic deformation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuo Uesugi, Masaki Furutani, Kojiro Yasui, Hiroomi Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20140072331
    Abstract: A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer includes; an opening for permitting discharge of the developer; and a sealing member, mounted on the developer accommodating container, capable of exposing the opening by being moved. At least a part of the sealing member is formed of a material having compatibility with a material for forming the developer accommodating container and a material having incompatibility with the materiel for forming the developer accommodating container. Either one of the material having the compatibility and the material having the incompatibility is dispersed in the other one of the materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaaki Matsushita, Koji Yamaguchi, Junichi Matsumura, Masatomi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140072330
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit includes: a flexible container including an opening for permitting discharge of a developer; a sealing member for forming a bonding portion between itself and the flexible container; an unsealing member; and an accommodating container. The bonding portion includes a first bonding portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the sealing member at a periphery of the opening in an upstream side of a peeling direction of the sealing member, a second bonding portion extending in the longitudinal direction at the periphery of the opening in a downstream side of the peeling direction, and a third bonding portion bonded upstream of the first bonding portion with respect to the peeling direction. When the sealing member exposes the opening, the bonding portion is peeled in the order of the third bonding portion, the first bonding portion and the second bonding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masatomi Yoshida, Masaki Furutani, Kojiro Yasui, Tetsuo Uesugi