Toner Cartridge Patents (Class 399/106)
  • Patent number: 7689141
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Wazana Brothers International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Lenahan, Oswaldo Cota, Jesus Gonzalez Perez
  • Patent number: 7672609
    Abstract: A toner bottle that is composed of a main body filled with toner and a bottle-side toner discharges port for discharging toner from the main body is adapted to discharge the toner in the main body out of the container whilst the toner bottle is being rotated in the toner bottle's peripheral direction. The toner bottle has a sealing element that seals the bottle-side toner discharge port. This sealing element is formed of a flexible member, and is peeled off the main body of the toner bottle as the toner bottle is rotated so as to open the bottle-side toner discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Koyama, Masanobu Deguchi
  • Publication number: 20100046982
    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: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke YAMADA, Yutaka BAN, Katsuya MURAKAMI, Fumio TAZAWA, Hironori MINAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20100046981
    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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Isao Ito
  • Patent number: 7668489
    Abstract: A toner path opening and closing apparatus of an image forming device includes a first shutter elastically supported by a first elastic member to open and close a first toner path, and a second shutter elastically supported by a second elastic member having an elastic modulus smaller than the first elastic member to open and close a second toner path by the first shutter. After the second toner path is opened by the first shutter, the first is opened, so that the first and second toner paths communicate with each other. The first toner path is a toner supplying pipeline to which a toner is supplied from a toner cartridge, and the second toner path is a toner injecting port disposed in a developing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-ho Kim, Kurgi Eduard, Jin-geun Kwak, Sung-wook Kang, Ji-hoon Woo
  • Publication number: 20100034554
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a housing that has a developer containing part and an opening, the developer containing part containing a developer, and the opening allowing the developer to flow through; a sheet member that is provided in the housing, seals the opening when unused, and is pulled out in one direction to open the opening when used; and a loosening regulation unit that is provided on the housing or the sheet member, and regulates loosening of the sheet member, wherein the housing has a guide hole, the guide hole allowing the sheet member to be inserted in when sealing the opening with the sheet member, and guiding the sheet member when the sheet member is pulled out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Isao Ito
  • Patent number: 7660008
    Abstract: The present invention provides a storage device that enables identification data to be readily rewritten and ensures normal completion of a data writing operation in a short time period. In the storage device of the invention, an ID comparator determines whether or not identification data transmitted from a host computer coincides with identification data stored in a memory array. In the case of coincidence, the ID comparator sends an access enable signal EN to an operation code decoder. The operation code decoder analyzes a write/read command, switches over a direction of data transfer with regard to the memory array based on a result of the analysis, and requires an I/O controller to change a high impedance setting of a signal line connecting with a data terminal DT. This series of processing allows access to an address in the memory array specified by a count on an address counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Asauchi
  • Publication number: 20100028039
    Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a developer accommodator including two frames two end portion members, supporting the roller, a first member providing an electrostatic capacity between itself and the roller when a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roller, and a second member including a contact portion elastically contacting to a bent portion of the accommodator, and a first electrical contact portion, electrically connected to the contact portion, for transmitting, to the main assembly, an electric signal corresponding to a value of the electrostatic capacity provided between the developing roller and the first member. The second member is mounted to one end portion member such that the contact portion is inside the one end portion member and the first electrical contact portion is outside the one end portion member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Abe, Naoya Asanuma
  • Patent number: 7650097
    Abstract: A toner supplying apparatus having a sealing member. The toner supplying apparatus includes a toner tank to hold toner, the toner tank having a toner supplying hole to discharge the toner, a slide shutter disposed inside the toner tank so as to close the toner supplying hole, the slide shutter allowing the toner supplying hole to be opened when the toner tank is mounted in an image forming apparatus, and a sealing member disposed on an outer circumference of the slide shutter to prevent the toner from leaking out through a gap between the slide shutter and the toner tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-won Yoon, Jong-pil Jun
  • Patent number: 7643771
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller, a sheet member, and a plurality of seal members. The casing accommodates developer and is formed with an opening for communicating inside of the casing with outside thereof. The developing roller is disposed on the opening and is rotatably supported on the casing. The sheet member is disposed between the casing and the developing roller. The plurality of seal members is attached to the sheet member in order to prevent the developer from leaking through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroya Fukuta
  • Patent number: 7630665
    Abstract: A developer container for an image forming apparatus, said developer container including a rotatable member; a container body for containing a developer; a sealing member, provided in the container body, for preventing leakage of the developer out of the container body; a sheet, provided in the container body, for contacting the rotatable member to guide the developer into the container body; a gap provided between the container body and the sealing member and covered by the sheet; a communication hole provided in the container body in fluid communication with the gap; packing material filled in the gap through the communication hole for preventing leakage of the developer through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Masaki Kakitani
  • Publication number: 20090297207
    Abstract: A winding member winds a seal member that seals an opening of a developer storage unit. The winding member includes a first holding portion having a first engaging portion, and a second holding portion having a second engaging portion to be engaged with the first engaging portion, configured to hold the sealing member between the first and second holding portions, wherein an end of the first holding portion and an end of the second holding portion are connected, so that the first holding portion and the second holding portion are relatively movable, and wherein the first engaging portion is engaged with the second engaging portion while the sealing member is held between the first holding portion and the second holding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuo Furukawa, Hideki Nagae
  • Patent number: 7620349
    Abstract: An agent containing unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes a container, a discharge port unit, and a support plate. The container stores an agent and has an opening on one end portion of the container. The discharge port unit is attached to the opening of the container, and covers the opening of the container and has a first discharge port, through which the agent is discharged from the container. The support plate supports the container, fixed detachably on the support plate, and has a second discharge port, which is aligned with the first discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Goro Katsuyama
  • Publication number: 20090279916
    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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka NAITO, Yoshihiko TOYOIZUMI, Tatsuo NAKANISHI
  • Patent number: 7603054
    Abstract: A part of a toner supply path is formed in a setting unit (100), and a nozzle (110) coupled to a toner container (20) is provided, wherein the fitting direction of the toner container (20) to the setting unit (100) and the coupling direction of the nozzle (110) to the toner container (20) are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Goro Katsuyama, Nobuo Iwata, Nobuo Kasahara, Satoshi Muramatsu, Junichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20090245854
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a first frame and a second frame that confronts the first frame. The second frame includes an opening, through which developer is passed, and which is openable and closable by the first frame in accordance with a relative movement between the second frame and the first frame, a seal member, which is provided around the opening for preventing leakage of the developer from the opening, and which comprises a seal side confronting portion confronting the first frame when the second frame moves relative to the first frame, and a protection member, which has an elastic modulus higher than an elastic modulus of the seal member, and which is provided between the seal side confronting portion of the seal member and the first frame for protecting the seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Susumu SAKUMA
  • Publication number: 20090245853
    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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Static Control Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Dale Lewis, Glenn L. Szabo
  • Publication number: 20090245855
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a first frame and a second frame, which confronts the first frame. The second frame includes an opening, through which developer is passed, and which is openable and closable by the first frame in accordance with a relative movement between the second frame and the first frame, and a seal member, which is provided around the opening, and which does not overlap the first frame as viewed from a direction in which the developer passes the opening when the opening is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Susumu SAKUMA
  • Patent number: 7596338
    Abstract: A toner container for an image forming apparatus includes: a toner container body; structure supporting the container body in a rotatable manner and comprising a toner feed aperture. The supporting structure includes a shutter opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the toner feed aperture. The container body is applied with a sealing element for sealing the toner discharge aperture of the container body. The sealing element is engaged with the supporting structure at one end opposite to the other end thereof which seals the toner discharge aperture of the container body when the container body is held by the supporting structure. The side surface of the container body against which the shutter opening and closing mechanism provided for the supporting structure abuts is formed with an engaging projection for engaging the shutter opening and closing mechanism when the shutter element confines the toner feed aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Mihara
  • Publication number: 20090202270
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for containing toner material used in an image-forming device. The cartridge comprises a developer roll, two J-seals that provide interfaces with the developer roll at the ends thereof, and an air duct that conducts airflow across the interfaces to cool the developer roll and seals. The air duct comprises an elongated hollow body and a pair of nozzles in fluid communication with the hollow body. One of the nozzles is disposed at a distal end of the developer roll near one J-seal, and the other of the nozzles is disposed at a proximal end of the developer roll near the second J-seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen Andrew Brown, Jarrett Clark Gayne, Nicholas Fenley Gibson, Asmund Vego
  • Patent number: 7570903
    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: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sam-seok Choi, Jeong-hun Pang
  • Patent number: 7561821
    Abstract: A developer supplying apparatus of the present invention includes a toner bottle and a bottle supporting member that is in the shape of substantially a cylinder. A slip ring is attached to an inner peripheral surface of the bottle supporting member so as to be slidable on one end portion, supported by the bottle supporting member, of the toner bottle. A V ring is attached to the end portion, supported by the bottle supporting member, of the toner bottle, and the slip ring contacts a seal strip of the V ring. Thus, it is possible to surely seal the developer supplying apparatus which can stably supply toner to a development device at high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Koyama, Masanobu Deguchi
  • Publication number: 20090169240
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer reservoir having developer stored therein, a developing roller for carrying developer, a sealing member which is brought into close contact with the developer portion so as to cover a communication port in communication with inside of the developer reservoir, and a sealing passing member for passing the sealing member peeled off the developer reservoir, wherein the sealing member is peeled off the developer reservoir to open the communication port and the sealing passing member has an opening with an approximately elliptical shape, through which the sealing member passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroshi KAWAHITO, Masanobu DEGUCHI, Yasuyuki ISHIGURO
  • Publication number: 20090169241
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming section for forming an image, and a toner cartridge for supplying a toner to the image forming section, the toner cartridge being detachably loaded into the image forming section. The toner cartridge includes a toner discharging port for discharging the toner when the toner cartridge is loaded into the image forming section, and a seal member for sealing the toner discharging port until the toner cartridge is loaded into the image forming section. The seal member is bonded to a peripheral edge of the toner discharging port by 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, and a power supply for applying a voltage between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Shinya Mimura
  • Patent number: 7542697
    Abstract: The toner supply unit is provided with a preventing unit for preventing toner contamination due to toner leakage from that sealing valve. A mouth ring of the toner container is provided with the sealing valve. This valve is opened/closed by removing/inserting a nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Nobuo Kasahara, Nobuo Iwata, Satoshi Muramatsu, Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Yoshio Hattori, Tomotoshi Nakahara, Takaaki Yanagisawa, Masumi Sato, Kouta Fujimori, Kazuhisa Sudo
  • Publication number: 20090129811
    Abstract: A part of a toner supply path is formed in a setting unit (100), and a nozzle (110) coupled to a toner container (20) is provided, wherein the fitting direction of the toner container (20) to the setting unit (100) and the coupling direction of the nozzle (110) to the toner container (20) are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Goro Katsuyama, Nobuo Iwata, Nobuo Kasahara, Satoshi Muramatsu, Junichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20090110431
    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: October 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Scott Lenahan, Oswaldo Cota, Jesus Gonzalez Perez
  • Publication number: 20090097877
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a toner container which contains toner, the toner container having at one end portion thereof a discharge port which discharges the toner, and a member which is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the one end portion. The member has a first part which is disposed at the one end portion and has a shape corresponding to the toner cartridge, and a second part which has, at a position corresponding to the discharge port, a passage hole through which the toner discharged from the discharge port passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Satoshi Kaiho
  • Publication number: 20090087216
    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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20090087215
    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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Susumu SAKUMA
  • Patent number: 7505716
    Abstract: A process cartridge of an image forming apparatus including a development cartridge including, a development cartridge housing with a toner inlet port therein, and a toner inlet port cover movably formed at the development cartridge housing, to open and close the toner inlet port, having a rib at a leading end thereof and a locking recess at a lateral surface thereof; and a toner cartridge including, a toner cartridge housing, detachably engaged with the development cartridge, having toner provided therein, a toner supply part provided with a toner supply port and a locking protrusion to contact the rib of the toner inlet port cover, and a locker to lock in the locking recess of the toner inlet port cover. As the toner cartridge is engaged with the development cartridge, the locking protrusion contacts the rib and the locker is locked in the locking recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-hyun Park
  • Patent number: 7499663
    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: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Kazuo Chadani, Shigeo Miyabe
  • Publication number: 20090035011
    Abstract: A process roller for use with an imagining cartridge, the process roller including sealing surfaces located at its distal ends. As the process roller rotates, the sealing surfaces of the process roller are sufficiently flexible to conform to the inner side walls of the imaging cartridge, thereby sealing the printing agent inside the imaging cartridge at the distal ends of the process roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Jesse Delcamp, Steven Miller
  • Publication number: 20090035010
    Abstract: A toner container which is mountable and removable at a main body of an image forming apparatus, the toner container comprising: at least one toner filling port provided in a casing body of the toner container; and a sealing member which covers the toner filling port and a predetermined range of surroundings of the toner filling port, from an outer side of the casing body, for sealing toner inside the casing body, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Serizawa, Katsumi Harumoto, Kazuyuki Yamagishi, Keisuke Shinoda
  • Patent number: 7486905
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a casing having a wall defining a developer accommodating portion inside the casing, a filling port being formed through the wall in fluid communication with the developer accommodating portion; a cylindrical wall portion formed on the wall at a circumferential edge of the filling port and protruding from the wall outside the casing, the cylindrical wall portion having an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface, and an end surface positioned between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface; a closure member which is fitted in the cylindrical wall portion, while being in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall portion, to close the filling port; and a protruding portion that is provided on at least one of the end surface and the closure member at its contact portion between the end surface and the closure member and that protrudes toward the other one of the end surface and the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Soichiro Nishimura, Masatoshi Sakaguchi, Mitsuru Horinoe, Fumikazu Sato
  • Publication number: 20090028600
    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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukiyoshi Oda
  • Patent number: 7483646
    Abstract: A developer container for an image forming apparatus, said developer container including a rotatable member; a container body for containing a developer; a sealing member, provided in the container body, for preventing leakage of the developer out of the container body; a sheet, provided in the container body, for contacting the rotatable member to guide the developer into the container body; a gap provided between the container body and the sealing member and covered by the sheet; a communication hole provided in the container body in fluid communication with the gap; packing material filled in the gap through the communication hole for preventing leakage of the developer through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Masaki Kakitani
  • Patent number: 7483647
    Abstract: A cartridge mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a molded resin complex in which a first resin molded product and a second resin molded product are engaged with each other so as to be separable. The first resin molded product is obtained by molding a first resin pervious to laser light, and the second resin molded product is obtained by molding a second resin absorptive to laser light. The first resin molded product and the second resin molded product are engaged with each other so as to be separable, by one or more protrusions of the second resin molded product which is formed by applying laser light from the first resin molded product side while placing the first resin molded product and the second resin molded product either in a close state or in a contact state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Suzuki, Osamu Anan, Jun Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20090016767
    Abstract: A developer storing container includes a developer storing body having a first opening, and a shutter member capable of taking a closing position and an opening position to close and open the first opening. The shutter member includes a first seal member including a seal portion provided along the first opening and an extending portion extending from the seal portion in the opening direction of the shutter member. A distance from an end portion of the first opening in the opening direction to an end of the extending portion when the shutter member is in the closing position is longer than a distance of an end portion of an exposable portion of the first seal member (exposed via the first opening when the shutter member is in the closing position) when the shutter member moves from the closing position to the opening position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigenori Koido
  • Publication number: 20090010676
    Abstract: A developing apparatus is provided that can reliably prevent a developer from leaking even where the developing apparatus is continuously used, and an image forming apparatus having the developing apparatus is provided. The developing apparatus has a developer container for containing a developer, a developing portion for generating a developer image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image holder using the developer contained in the developer container, a seal member formed along a surface of an end portion of the developing portion for sealing between the developer container and the developing portion, and a supporting member for supporting the seal member so as to allow displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20090003872
    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: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke YAMADA, Yutaka BAN, Katsuya MURAKAMI, Fumio TAZAWA, Hironori MINAGAWA
  • Patent number: 7469113
    Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a container body with a discharge opening formed thereon. A sealing member, which unsealably seals the discharge opening, includes an engageable projection engageable with an engaging member provided in the image forming apparatus and a support for displaceably supporting the portion. The sealing member is moved relative to the container body away therefrom to unseal the discharge opening. The engageable projection is with the engaging member. A releasing projection, is provided in the supporting member, for receiving, from a releasing member provided in the image forming apparatus, a force for displacing the engageable projection in a direction of disengagement from the engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Yamada, Yutaka Ban, Katsuya Murakami, Fumio Tazawa, Hironori Minagawa
  • Publication number: 20080310878
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit. The image forming unit is detachable with respect to the image forming apparatus. The image forming unit includes a development part, a developer accommodation part, a connection part and a sealing member. The development part develops an electrostatic latent image held on an image holding body by a developer. The developer accommodation part accommodates the developer. The connection part connects the development part and the developer accommodation part. The sealing member unsealably seals the connection part. The sealing member is drawable to outside the image forming apparatus in a direction intersecting with a detaching direction of the image forming unit in such a state that the image forming unit is held therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naomasa OKIMURA, TaeSung KIM
  • Publication number: 20080298834
    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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7457560
    Abstract: A developing device is provided with a case main body, a developing roller coupled with the case main body, an axis direction seal member coupled with the case main body, and a side seal member coupled with the case main body. The axis direction seal member and the side seal member make contact with one another such that there is no gap between the axis direction seal member and the side seal member in a rotation axis direction of the developing roller. In a rotation direction of the developing roller, an upstream end of the side seal member is located downstream of an upstream end of a contact area between the axis direction seal member and the developing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukiko Nakaya, Mitsuru Horinoe, Hiroki Mori, Yuichi Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20080267658
    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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeyuki Takagi, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 7437101
    Abstract: A toner container which is mountable and removable at a main body of an image forming apparatus, the toner container comprising: at least one toner filling port provided in a casing body of the toner container; and a sealing member which covers the toner filling port and a predetermined range of surroundings of the toner filling port, from an outer side of the casing body, for sealing toner inside the casing body, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Serizawa, Katsumi Harumoto, Kazuyuki Yamagishi, Keisuke Shinoda
  • Publication number: 20080240773
    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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Kazuo Chadani, Shigeo Miyabe
  • Publication number: 20080240772
    Abstract: A toner cartridge (20) includes a main cartridge body (30) having a housing formed with an opening (350) and also having a rotary shaft (41) supported by the housing for rotation about an axis thereof, a detachable member (60) mounted to the opening (350) and having a toner outlet (610) through which the toner (T) is discharged and a sealing film (70) having a first end so attached to the detachable member (60) as to close the toner outlet (610) and a second end attached to a part of the main cartridge body (30), the first end of the sealing film (70) being peeled off from the detachable member (60) by the rotation of the rotary shaft (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: KYOCERA MITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Nishikawa
  • Patent number: RE40711
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a housing and a shutter inserted therein. The housing has a first partially cylindrical wall and a box-like portion that communicates with the first partially cylindrical wall. The shutter has a second partially cylindrical wall inserted inside the first partially cylindrical wall such that the second partially cylindrical wall is slidable on and concentric with an inner surface of the first partially cylindrical wall. The shutter has a supporting member that engages the housing to support the shutter such that the second partially cylindrical wall is in pressure contact with the first partially cylindrical wall. The supporting member may be in the shape of an arcuate member or ring that engages a part of the box-like portion so that the shutter is rotatably supported in the housing by the part and the first partially cylindrical wall. The housing has a projection or rib that inwardly projects toward the first partially cylindrical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitatsu Okiyama, Shinichi Murakami, Ken Kikuchi