Toner Cartridge Patents (Class 399/106)
  • Publication number: 20110262180
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, in a toner cartridge, an engaging member includes a first engaging section and a sealing tape is fixed to the engaging member. A shutter includes a second engaging section and moves between a shutter first position where the shutter overlaps a toner supply port in plan view and a shutter second position where the shutter does not overlap the toner supply port in plan view. A lever includes a third engaging section and a fourth engaging section. The lever is present in a lever first position where the third engaging section and the first engaging section are disengaged. According to movement of the shutter, the lever moves in a first direction from the lever first position to a lever second position where the third engaging section engages with the first engaging section. Thereafter, the lever moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the lever second position to move the engaging member and the sealing tape in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicants: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kengo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8036568
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section and a toner cartridge which is loadable into the image forming section. The toner cartridge includes a seal member which is bonded to a peripheral edge of a toner discharging port by an electro-releasing adhesive, of which adhesive force decreases when a current is applied thereto. The image forming section includes a first electrode and a second electrode that contact the peripheral edge of the toner discharging port and the seal member, respectively, when the toner cartridge is loaded into the image forming section. When a current is applied to the electro-releasing adhesive via the first and second electrodes, the adhesive force of the electro-releasing adhesive decreases, whereby the seal member is released from the toner discharging port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Mimura
  • Publication number: 20110243579
    Abstract: A powder container includes a powder containing compartment having a powder outlet connectable to a horizontally extending tube of an apparatus in conjunction with installation of the powder container in the apparatus, a removably insertable plug member to open and close the powder outlet in conjunction with installation of the powder container, and at least one discrimination protrusion projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the powder container. The powder contained in the powder containing compartment is discharged from the powder outlet thereof to the tube. A downstream end of the discrimination protrusion is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the powder outlet of the powder containing compartment in an installation direction in which the powder container is installed in the apparatus, and at least one of shape, arrangement, and quantity of the discrimination protrusion is unique to the type of powder contained in the powder container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Yuki OSHIKAWA, Emi Kita
  • Publication number: 20110229190
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing cartridge, comprising a developing unit and a photosensitive unit, of which the latter consists of a photosensitive member and a developer chamber and has a developer outlet connecting the chamber and a sealing cap matching the developer outlet and used to seal the said outlet. Based on the said technical proposal, the photosensitive unit is designed with a developer outlet connecting the chamber and with a sealing cap matching the developer outlet and used to seal the said outlet, so, when the photosensitive unit becomes full with developer, the sealing cap can be opened to remove the developer in the photosensitive unit, which facilitates the cleaning without affecting the normal operation of the processing cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Kui XIE, Lianjun Wu, Qingfei Peng
  • Patent number: 8023858
    Abstract: A material supplying container and an image forming apparatus are provided. The material supplying container includes two or more containers each of which contains a material; supply openings respectively formed in and corresponding to the containers; and seal members that respectively close the supply openings, wherein the supply openings can be opened by simultaneously operating the seal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Shinoda
  • Patent number: 8023864
    Abstract: A toner cartridge is described. The toner cartridge may include: a first frame storing a developing agent and having a first opening for passing the developing agent therethrough; a second frame relatively movable with respect to the first frame in a direction orthogonal to a direction of passage of the developing agent through the first opening, and opening/closing the first opening; and a seal member provided on either one of the first frame and the second frame for coming into contact with the other frame to prevent leakage of the developing agent from the first opening. A first edge of the seal member and an edge of the other frame, coming into contact with each other when the second frame opens/closes the first opening, intersect with each other as viewed from the direction of passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeyuki Takagi, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 8019250
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes an inner casing, an outer casing, a sealing member, an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion. The inner casing is configured to accommodate toner therein, the inner casing having a circular cylindrical shape whose axis extends in an axial direction, the inner casing being formed with an inner opening, the inner casing having an outer peripheral surface defining a circumferential direction. The outer casing is configured to accommodate the inner casing therein, the outer casing having a circular cylindrical shape and being formed with an outer opening, the outer casing and the inner casing being capable of rotating relative to each other between a first position where the inner opening and the outer opening are in communication with each other and a second position where the outer casing covers the inner opening. The sealing member is elastically deformable and is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner casing and surrounds the inner opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuya Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8005395
    Abstract: A toner hopper seal assembly is disclosed. The toner hopper seal assembly has a gasket which has a gasket opening, a pull strip having a first and second end, the pull strip attached to a first side of the gasket and covering the gasket opening. The first end of the pull strip is positioned near the gasket opening. The toner hopper seal assembly also having an integrated pull tab disposed at an end of the gasket, the integrated pull tab has a first side and a second side, the integrated pull tab is formed from a same material as the gasket and separated from the gasket by a cut in the material. The toner hopper seal assembly also has an adhesive layer covering a second side of the gasket and the second side of the integrated pull tab as well as a release liner covering the adhesive layer on the second side of the gasket and the second side of the integrated pull tab. The release liner secures the integrated pull tab in place adjacent to the end of the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Static Control Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Dale Lewis, Glenn L. Szabo
  • Patent number: 7986900
    Abstract: A method of sealing a toner opening port of a printer cartridge is provided for inserting a seal through a toner exit port leading to the toner opening port which is configured to be covered by a toner exit port plug. The seal has a seal frame and a first pull tab attached to the seal frame with a first adhesive, and a second pull tab attached to the seal frame with a second adhesive, the second adhesive being different from the first adhesive. The method further provides for detaching the second pull tab from the seal frame, allowing the first pull tab to cover the toner opening port, and applying pressure with a seal clamp to the seal thereby allowing the seal to attach to the printer cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Kagaku Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Denny Holmes, Tigran Ohanyan
  • Patent number: 7983590
    Abstract: A developing unit includes a developer cartridge for accommodating developer and including a first opening for enabling communication between an inside of the developer cartridge and an outside of the developer cartridge, a housing including a cartridge housing part and a second opening provided in a position opposite to the first opening and formed toward the cartridge housing part, a shutter including a third opening and being movable between an open position and a closed position, and a protruding portion provided at an upstream end portion of the third opening in a movement direction of the shutter from the open position to the closed position and including a first end at a side close to the first opening and a second end at a side close to the second opening. The first end protrudes more downstream in the movement direction than the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 7983592
    Abstract: A toner container for replenishing toner to an image forming apparatus including: a container main body which comprises a toner storage section and a toner outlet; a cap that covers the toner outlet; and a seal member that is interposed between the container main body and the cap to prevent toner leakage, wherein the container main body has a step portion formed between the toner storage section and the toner outlet, and the seal member is fixed on the step portion to be interposed between the step portion and the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Naito, Yoshihiko Toyoizumi, Tatsuo Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 7962072
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a casing provided at a bottom side thereof with an outlet, a sliding member slidably mounted on the casing, and a retaining member pivotally mounted on the casing. The sliding member is movable relative to the casing between a first position where the outlet is closed by the sliding member and a second position where the outlet is opened. The retaining member is pivotable relative to the casing between a third position where the retaining member is engaged with the sliding member to lock the sliding member at the first position, and a forth position where the retaining member is disengaged from the sliding member such that the sliding member is moveable to the second position to open the outlet. The toner cartridge has the advantage of preventing leakage of toner due to unintentional movement of the sliding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: General Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuan-Tung Li
  • Publication number: 20110123216
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Kaori MITSUISHI, Seiji TERAZAWA, Atsushi INOUE, Tomoji ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20110103823
    Abstract: A developing cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus by passing through a mounting guide provided in the main assembly. The developing cartridge includes a frame; a developer carrying member for carrying a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image; a portion to be guided for being guided by the mounting guide when the developing cartridge passes through the mounting guide; an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer; a seal member for unsealably sealing an opening for permitting supply of the developer from the accommodating portion to the developer carrying member; and a grip member, provided at a longitudinal end portion of the seal member, including a fixed portion dismountably fixed on the frame and a grip portion to be gripped when the seal member is removed. The grip portion is disposed in a state in which the grip portion is bent relative to the fixed portion in a direction crossing a mounting direction of the developing cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Tetsuya Numata
  • Patent number: 7937018
    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: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuya Murakami, Ayatomo Okino
  • Publication number: 20110097107
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke YAMADA, Yutaka BAN, Katsuya MURAKAMI, Fumio TAZAWA, Hironori MINAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20110085820
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a developing device. The developing device includes a housing having a toner containing unit and a developing unit, a partition member, having a toner supply window, coupled to the housing to partition the toner containing unit and the developing unit, a barrier film attached to the partition member to close the toner supply window, the barrier film having one end exposed out of the housing through a discharge port provided at a side wall of the housing, and a sheet member to guide and discharge the barrier film out of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jai Il Choi, Chan Su Park
  • Patent number: 7917055
    Abstract: A toner container includes a vessel for storing toner, a toner draining unit having a toner draining passage, and a shutter in the toner draining passage. The toner draining passage includes a horizontal passage and a connection passage. Further, the toner draining unit includes the horizontal passage, a middle part, and an external part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Goro Katsuyama, Nobuo Iwata, Nobuo Kasahara, Satoshi Muramatsu, Junichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20110058846
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a first frame member which has an opening through which a developer accommodated therein is fed; a sealing member which seals the opening and which is pulled out to unseal the opening; a second frame member which sandwiches the sealing member with the first frame member; a welding portion which is formed on one of the first frame member and the second frame member and adapted to weld the first frame member and the second frame member at an area outside the opening; and a sandwiching portion which is formed on one of the first frame member and the second frame member and which is melted with the welding of the welding portion at an area outside the opening and inside the welding portion to sandwich the sealing member between the first frame member and the second frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kuniaki Hirukawa, Toshiyuki Shuto, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko
  • Patent number: 7903996
    Abstract: A remanufactured laser printer toner cartridge having a foam gasket seal with the transverse edge of the inner periphery extending from a longitudinal edge at an acute angle, preferably about 22 degrees, which angled edge prevents post testing excess toner from building up into a roll and jamming at the exit port as the remanufactured cartridge's pull strip is pulled when making the cartridge ready to install into the printer, and minimizes the likelihood that the gasket will be pulled off of the cartridge hopper section and jam the pull seal exit port as the pull seal is removed from the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Wazana Brothers International, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Lenahan
  • Publication number: 20110038647
    Abstract: A toner cartridge containing: a toner container including an opening and configured to contain a toner; and an engaging member containing a ring-shaped seal member disposed on a seal member installation surface, and being engaged with the toner container to cover the opening and rotatably mounted to the toner container while an edge of the opening is frictionally slid on a surface of the seal member, wherein the toner container is configured to convey the toner into the engage member through the opening and discharge the toner therefrom as the toner container is rotated, the seal member includes a non-contact portion at a surface thereof facing the installation surface and being free from any contact with the installation surface so that the engage member includes a space extending from the surface of the seal member where the edge of the opening is frictionally slid to the non-contact portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kawamura, Masashi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20110026965
    Abstract: A method of sealing a toner opening port of a printer cartridge comprises inserting a seal through a toner exit port leading to the toner opening port which is configured to be covered by a toner exit port plug. The seal comprises a seal frame and a first pull tab attached to the seal frame with a first adhesive, and a second pull tab attached to the seal frame with a second adhesive, the second adhesive being different from the first adhesive. The method further comprises allowing the first pull tab to cover the toner opening port, detaching the second pull tab from the seal frame, and applying pressure to the seal frame thereby allowing the second adhesive to attach the seal frame to the printer cartridge, wherein the first pull tab is configured to be detached from the seal frame without substantially adhering to the toner exit port plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Kagaku Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Denny Holmes, Tigran Ohanyan
  • Patent number: 7881633
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes an outside frame, an inside frame, a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The outside frame includes an outside supply opening and an outside return opening. The inside frame includes a developer chamber for accommodating a developer, an inside supply opening and an inside return opening. The first sealing member is provided around one of the inside return opening and the outside return opening between the inside frame and the outside frame and is contactable with the inside frame and the outside frame with a first contact pressure. The second sealing member is provided around one of the inside supply opening and the outside supply opening between the inside frame and the outside frame and is contactable with the inside frame and the outside frame with a second contact pressure that is greater than the first contact pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20110020014
    Abstract: A storage container includes a container body formed with a discharge hole and a filling hole, an opening and closing part opening and closing the discharge hole, a lid member sealing the filling hole, and an operating member having a facing portion facing the filling hole and used to operate the opening and closing part. The operating member moves between a first position where the discharge hole is brought into an opened state, a second position where the discharge hole is brought into a closed state, and where the facing portion is arranged at a position which overlaps the container body, and a third position where the discharge hole is brought into a closed state, and where the facing portion is arranged at a position which does not overlap the container body in the direction of gravity in which the sealing part is attached to the container body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya OKAMOTO, Kota Furuhata
  • Patent number: 7869742
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Igarashi, Naoya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 7869737
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a storing portion that stores developer and has an opening, a shutter member that opens and closes the opening, and a seal member that seals between the shutter member and the storing portion. The seal member is so provided that both end portions thereof face each other. One end portion of the seal member has at least one angled portion provided inside both side end edges of the seal member in width direction of the seal member, and the other end portion has an angled portion along the angled portion of said one end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Yukiyoshi Oda
  • Publication number: 20100310270
    Abstract: A remanufactured laser printer toner cartridge having a foam gasket seal with the transverse edge of the inner periphery extending from a longitudinal edge at an acute angle, preferably about 22 degrees, which angled edge prevents post testing excess toner from building up into a roll and jamming at the exit port as the remanufactured cartridge's pull strip is pulled when making the cartridge ready to install into the printer, and minimizes the likelihood that the gasket will be pulled off of the cartridge hopper section and jam the pull seal exit port as the pull seal is removed from the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Scott Lenahan
  • Patent number: 7831170
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a toner cartridge of the invention is installed in an image forming apparatus, and includes a toner storage container that has a toner discharge port, and a toner discharge roller disposed inside of the toner storage container so as to block the toner discharge port. An inner wall of the toner storage container faced by the toner discharge roller is provided with a curved region that has a curvature that matches a curvature of the toner discharge roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7826777
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Taguchi, Goro Katsuyama, Takeroh Kurenuma, Hideo Yoshizawa, Masayuki Yamane
  • Patent number: 7826765
    Abstract: A developer container supplies developer to a development device and includes a storage, an opening, a first seal member, a through-hole, and a second seal member. The developer is supplied from the storage to the development device through the opening. The first seal member seals the opening and is pulled in a predetermined direction to unseal the opening. The through-hole guides the first seal member toward an opposite side of the opening. The second seal member is provided on at least one of a lead-in opening and a lead-out opening of the through-hole and elastically blocks the at least one of the lead-in opening and the lead-out opening. A non-bonded portion of the second seal member elastically blocks the at least one of the lead-in opening and the lead-out opening when the first seal member is pulled out from the through-hole through the non-bonded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kuba
  • Publication number: 20100272465
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes an inner casing, an outer casing, a sealing member, an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion. The inner casing is configured, to accommodate toner therein, the inner casing having a circular cylindrical shape whose axis extends in an axial direction, the inner casing being formed with an inner opening, the inner casing having an outer peripheral surface defining a circumferential direction. The outer casing is configured to accommodate the inner casing therein, the outer casing having a circular cylindrical shape and being formed with an outer opening, the outer casing and the inner casing being capable of rotating relative to each other between a first position where the inner opening and the outer opening are in communication with each other and a second position where the outer casing covers the inner opening. The sealing member is elastically deformable and is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner casing and surrounds the inner opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryuya YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 7822357
    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: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hyung-jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7813671
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a drum unit having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a developing unit rotatably connected with the drum unit at a center of rotation. The developing unit includes a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer, a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer, and a supply opening, extending in an axial direction of the developing roller, for supplying the developer to the developing roller from the developer accommodating portion. The rotation axis is within a width of the sealing member as seen in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Susumu Nittani, Hideki Maeshima, Masato Tanabe, Isao Koishi
  • Patent number: 7805092
    Abstract: A toner container that is removably attached to a toner feed device for feeding toner to a developing unit provided for an image forming apparatus, includes: a container body filled with toner; and a supporting structure, which supports the container body in a rotatable manner by enclosing the outer peripheral surface along the rotational direction of the container body so as to include the area where a toner feed recess is formed, and has a toner feed aperture for feeding the toner discharged from a toner discharge aperture of the container body into the toner feed recess, to the outside. The supporting structure includes a shutter opening and closing mechanism having a shutter element that is movable along a fixed direction to open and close the toner feed aperture. This shutter opening and closing mechanism in the supporting structure is formed with an anti-slide portion for restraining the movement of the shutter element before the toner container is mounted to the toner feed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Mihara
  • Publication number: 20100232827
    Abstract: A liquid container is detachably mountable in an image forming apparatus having a liquid introducing member. The liquid container includes a storage unit, a supply port assembly, and an elastic seal member. The storage unit is disposed in the liquid container to store a liquid usable for image formation. The supply port assembly is mounted in the storage unit and has a supply channel therein. The liquid introducing member of the image forming apparatus is inserted into the supply port assembly. The elastic seal member is disposed in the supply port assembly. When penetrated by the liquid introducing member, the elastic seal member moves together with the liquid introducing member relative to the supply port assembly to open and close the supply channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.,
    Inventors: Toshiroh Tokuno, Tomomi Katoh, Shotaro Takeuchi, Akiko Bannai, Masanori Kusunoki, Masahiro Kuwata, Tadashi Hayakawa, Ikoh Soh
  • Patent number: 7796914
    Abstract: A toner container includes a storing body that stores toner, a toner reception opening that receives the toner from the toner storing body, a shutter opening, a cylindrical shutter, and an O-shaped elastic ring disposed at the shutter opening configured to seal a space between the shutter opening and the shutter. The shutter receives a nozzle of an image forming apparatus and the cylindrical shutter opens and closes the shutter opening when moved by a nozzle of the image forming apparatus inserted into the shutter opening. When the nozzle is disposed through the shutter opening, the toner which is received from the toner reception opening is subsequently received by the nozzle of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Nobuo Kasahara, Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Goro Katsuyama
  • Publication number: 20100226682
    Abstract: A developer container, which contains a developer to be supplied to a developing chamber in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the developer container including: a partition wall partitioning the container from the chamber; a conveying member conveying the developer to an opening in the partition wall to supply the developer to the chamber; a sealing member attached to a wall surface of the partition wall to cover the opening; an extending portion extending from the sealing member to an outside of the container, wherein, when the extending portion is pulled, the sealing member is separated into a remaining portion and a removal portion, and a free end of the remaining portion is positioned below an upper edge of the opening; and a spacing holding member disposed between the wall surface of the partition wall and the sealing member to hold a spacing between the wall surface and the sealing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Tanaka, Shinichi Nishida, Norio Takahashi, Takahiro Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20100221028
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly thereof. The cartridge includes a developer carrying member for carrying a developer to develop with the developer a latent image formed on an image bearing member, an conductive member contactable to the carrying member, a developing chamber for holding the carrying member and the conductive member, a developer accommodating chamber for accommodating the developer, and a seal member for sealing an opening for permitting communication between the developing chamber and the developer accommodating chamber. The apparatus further includes a seal member removing device for removing the seal member, and a control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Kihara, Motonari Ito
  • Patent number: 7780040
    Abstract: A cylindrical-shaped particle dispenser cartridge includes a dispenser nozzle. The dispenser nozzle outer surface includes sealing ribs that surround an included nozzle opening. The dispenser nozzle is arranged to engage a shutter that slides over the sealing ribs, thus sealing the nozzle opening. When the cartridge rotates about the cartridge axial in a shutter-opening or leading direction (X) with respect to the shutter, the sealing ribs move in a like direction with respect to the shutter, thus unsealing the particle dispenser cartridge nozzle opening. The dispenser cartridge is arranged to dispense particles such as, for example, toner particles. The dispenser nozzle outer surface includes outer shutter rails disposed on inboard and outboard sides of the sealing ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Paul M. Wegman
  • Patent number: 7783234
    Abstract: A developer cartridge, including: a container for containing developer; a shutter that is supported so that the shutter can linearly move relative to the container, and that opens and closes by moving linearly; a handle member that is supported so that the handle member can rotationally move relative to the container, and that includes a handle; and a conversion mechanism by which rotational-movement force that rotationally moves the handle member is converted into linear-movement force that linearly moves the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Okamoto, Toshiaki Oshima, Kazuhiro Ichikawa, Takatomo Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 7773919
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuo Nakajima, Ayatomo Okino, Katsuya Murakami, Toshiaki Nagashima, Yutaka Ban
  • Patent number: 7769317
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a housing having an opening; a sheet member provided on the housing and sealing the opening when not used, the sheet member including a forward part and a backward part, the forward part extending from a base end to a folded part, and the backward part extending in the one direction from the folded part to a free end as a top end of the sheet member; and a press unit pressing the backward part of the sheet member toward the forward part when not used, wherein the housing has a guide hole formed in a position where the backward part gradually separates off from the forward part and from the folded part to the free end, the backward part being inserted into the guide hole when not used, and the sheet member being guided by the guide hole when the sheet member is pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Ito
  • Patent number: 7745085
    Abstract: A toner for developing an electrostatic latent image that includes a crystalline polyester resin and a release agent, wherein structures in which the crystalline polyester resin contacts the release agent exist in a ruthenium-stained cross section of the toner, and if the cross-sectional area of these structures is labeled A, the cross-sectional area of lone portions of the release agent is labeled B, and the cross-sectional area of lone portions of the crystalline polyester resin is labeled C, then 40?100×A/(A+B+C)?70, 10?100×B/(A+B+C)?30, and 20?100×C/(A+B+C)?30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Ishiyama, Takashi Inukai, Akitsugu Seto, Tomohito Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20100150605
    Abstract: A developer supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a first chamber, provided with a first opening, for accommodating a developer; a second chamber for receiving the developer from the first chamber through the first opening, the second chamber being provided with a second opening for permitting discharge of the developer to an outside of the developer supply container; a first sealing member for sealing the first opening; a second sealing member for sealing the second opening; and a connecting mechanism for interrelating an unsealing operation of the first opening with an unsealing operation of the second opening, while permitting a resealing operation of the second opening by said second sealing member without resealing the first opening by the first sealing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yomoda, Katsuya Murakami
  • Publication number: 20100135690
    Abstract: A reassembled laser printer toner cartridge and method of manufacture including a cartridge seal assembly in which the remains of an OEM laser printer toner cartridge's toner hopper pull seal strip(s) is left in position, or a substitute conductive strip is put in the same position to simulate the OEM pull seal strip(s) if the OEM strips have been damaged or are missing in order to enable a repaired or remanufactured cartridge to cooperate with the printer in detecting measuring and displaying the amount of toner consumed from the cartridge and shut the printer down, once the toner cartridge is empty, and a toner cartridge hopper foam seal strip assembly that covers the remnants of the OEM seal strips and provides a seal to prevent leakage of toner from the re-filled toner cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Scott Lenahan, Oswaldo Cota, Jesus Gonzalez Perez
  • Publication number: 20100111561
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke YAMADA, Yutaka BAN, Katsuya MURAKAMI, Fumio TAZAWA, Hironori MINAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20100111560
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke YAMADA, Yutaka BAN, Katsuya MURAKAMI, Fumio TAZAWA, Hironori MINAGAWA
  • Patent number: 7711295
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sam-seok Choi, Jeong-hun Pang
  • Patent number: 7693448
    Abstract: A remanufactured laser printer toner cartridge having a foam gasket seal with the transverse edge of the inner periphery extending from a longitudinal edge at an acute angle, preferably about 22 degrees, which angled edge prevents post testing excess toner from building up into a roll and jamming at the exit port as the remanufactured cartridge's pull strip is pulled when making the cartridge ready to install into the printer, and minimizes the likelihood that the gasket will be pulled off of the cartridge hopper section and jam the pull seal exit port as the pull seal is removed from the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Wazana Brothers International, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Lenahan
  • Patent number: 7689146
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, the apparatus, includes (a) a plurality of mounting portions for detachably mounting process cartridges, respectively, the process cartridges each including, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for use by the developing roller to develop the electrostatic latent image, a developer supply opening for supplying the developer to the developing roller from the developer accommodating portion, a sealing member for unsealably sealing the developer supply opening, and unsealing means for unsealing the developer supply opening by removing the sealing member from the developer supply opening; (b) a motor; and (c) driving force transmitting means for selectively transmitting a driving f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Kazuo Chadani, Shigeo Miyabe