Abstract: The present invention relates to a toner cartridge, which contains the toner directly in a housing. The housing has an opening. A plug is disposed in the housing where the opening is. The plug has a small diameter portion that has a diameter smaller than the opening. A piston is disposed in the housing to be biased by an elastic member to the plug for sealing the opening. Such toner cartridge has a simple structure to reduce the cost of fabrication and use and has a function of preventing leaking toner.

Abstract: This invention provides a printing apparatus which controls to inhibit any inadvertent write to a memory in an expendable so as to securely manage the exchange timing and the like of the expendable. For this purpose, the expendable such as a toner cartridge or the like comprises a rewritable nonvolatile memory (21) which holds information indicating whether or not its service life has expired. When the toner cartridge is attached to the printing apparatus, it is ready to communicate with a printer engine controller in the printing apparatus, and write to the nonvolatile memory (21) can be made in accordance with an instruction from a control unit. A lock functional unit (21a) writes information indicating write inhibition at a predetermined address in the nonvolatile memory (21), thus inhibiting write to the address position that stores the information indicating whether or not its service life has expired.

Abstract: A toner container for supplying and/or replenishing toner into a development apparatus of image forming apparatus, by being engaged with the rotation transfer member of the development apparatus and being rotated about a center axis of the toner container integrally with the rotation transfer member. The toner container is structured with a cylindrical body having a toner outlet on one end of the cylindrical body, nearby a center axis of the cylindrical body, a convex spiral flute formed on the inner periphery of the cylindrical body, and a concave spiral flute formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body, wherein a ratio L/D of length L to diameter D of the cylindrical body is in a range of ½?L/D?10, a thickness of the cylindrical body t is 0.3 mm?t?5.0 mm; and a thickness deviation of the cylindrical body is ?t?20%.

Abstract: A recharged toner cartridge assembly is disclosed in which a sealing member is provided between the toner hopper and the feed roller compartment to prevent leakage of the recharged toner powder. In particular, the sealing member is fixed to the bottom surface of the feed roller compartment before the compartment is brought to engage with the toner hopper, thus avoiding any inadvertent messing of the toner powder in the toner hopper.

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.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a container body for accommodating toner, a discharge opening for permitting discharge of the toner from the container body, a sheet for sealing the discharge opening and for being staved by an unsealing member provided in the image forming apparatus, and a rotational force receiving portion for receiving a rotational force for feeding the toner from the container body toward the discharge opening. After the sheet is staved by the unsealing member, the rotational force receiving portion is engaged with the unsealing member to be placed in a state capable of receiving the rotational force.

Abstract: A toner supply container is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus. The container includes a toner accommodating portion to accommodate toner and has a supply opening to supply toner into the image forming apparatus, a feeding member to feed the toner in the toner accommodating portion toward the supply opening, and a sealing member to seal the supply opening. The sealing member has a locking portion to be locked by a locking member provided in a main assembly of the apparatus, and a coupling portion to be coupled with a drive coupling member provided in the main assembly. The sealing member is rotatable integrally with the feeding member by a rotational force received by the coupling portion from the drive coupling member. The locking portion and the coupling portion are spaced apart from each other with respect to a mounting direction of the container.

Abstract: A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving device, includes a main body for accommodating a developer; a grip member for gripping the developer supply container; an engaging member for engagement with the grip member with said grip member being elastically deformed; and a regulating portion for regulating an elastic deformation of the grip member with the engaging member being mounted on the main body.

Abstract: A toner supply container is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus. The container includes a toner accommodating portion to accommodate toner and has a supply opening to supply toner into the image forming apparatus, a feeding member to feed the toner in the toner accommodating portion toward the supply opening, and a sealing member to seal the supply opening. The sealing member has a locking portion to be locked by a locking membered in a main assembly of the apparatus, and a coupling portion to be coupled with a drive coupling member provided in the main assembly. The sealing member is rotatable integrally with the feeding member by a rotational force received by the coupling portion from the drive coupling member. The locking portion and the coupling portion are spaced apart from each other with respect to a mounting direction of the container.

Abstract: A developer supply apparatus includes a holding member for detachably holding a developer supply container having a developer discharge opening and a sealing member for sealing the developer discharge opening; a rotatable member rotatably supported on the holding member; a converting mechanism, provided at a connecting portion between the rotatable member and the holding member, for converting a rotation of the rotatable member to a sliding operation of the holding member; wherein the sealing member moves from a closing position to an opening position by the sliding operation.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus that not only prevents leakage of a developer from a developing apparatus due to vibrations and the like at the time of transportation but also enables attachment of a developer leakage preventing member to a miniaturized image forming apparatus and facilitates attachment and detachment of the developer leakage preventing member at the time of use of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus that is shipped with a developing member being fitted to an apparatus main body includes a developer leakage preventing member that prevents leakage of a developer from the developing member, in which the developer leakage preventing member is fitted at an attachment position opposing the developing member in place of a component that is detachably attachable to the apparatus main body at the attachment position.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printing or copying machine includes a functional module which can be readily removed and replaced by service personnel. The module includes a monitor in the form of an electronically-readable memory, which includes information about how the particular module is to be operated. A distribution board electronically accesses the memories within the monitors and reads therefrom information, such as how much voltage to supply to different components within each module. The distribution board can also update the number of prints made with each module, and maintain this count within the monitors.

Abstract: Sealing film having a substantially longitudinal central strip to be torn out between a first end and a second end, whereby the central strip has a substantially constant width and a substantially longitudinal central axis, and whereby an end of the central strip adjacent to one end selected from the first end and the second end has a width which varies from the substantially constant width of the central strip to an end width lower to the substantially constant width of central strip.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes an electrophotographc photosensitive drum; a developlng member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer; charging member for electrically charging the drum; a drum frame supporting the charging member and the drum; a developer accomodation frame having a developer accomodating portion for accomodating the developer; a supporting frame supporting the drum frame and the developer accomodation frame adjacent one logitudinal end of the drum; a developing bias contact, provided on the supporting frame, for receiving a developing bias voltage applied to the developing member from the main assembly of the apparatus when the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus; and a charging bias contact, provided on the supporting frame, for receiving a charging bias applied to the charging member from the mai

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, toner cartridge assembly and toner hopper having a seal-insert and tear-style seal-assembly in the toner hopper as used in toner cartridge assemblies for dry toner style printers, copiers and facsimile machines. The seal-assembly may have a short grip portion where the seal installation personnel may pull on both the short grip portion and the pull-strip simultaneously to control and guide the seal-assembly into position in the toner hopper with ease. Methods to install and manufacture are also included.

Abstract: A sealing member for sealing a toner discharge opening of a toner accommodating container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the sealing member includes a locking portion for being locked with a portion to be locked provided in the image forming apparatus, the locking portion being adapted to displace with a relative closing movement relative to the portion to be locked, wherein the toner discharging opening is brought into an open state from a closed state by relative to movement of the sealing member relative to the toner accommodating container with the locking portion being in engagement with the portion to be locked; and a releasing force receiving portion for receiving from the image forming apparatus a releasing force for releasing engagement between the locking portion and the portion to be locked by displacing the locking portion.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes a main body, provided with an opening for permitting discharge of the toner, for accommodating the toner; a sealing member for unsealebly sealing the opening; wherein the opening is unsealed by tearing a part of the sealing member, wherein a pattern of welding with which the sealing member is welded on the main body of the container is inclined inwardly with respect to a tearing direction at a laterally outward end portion at a tearing starting side end portion.

Abstract: A developer cartridge for containing a developer and for delivering the developer to a developer hopper of an electro-photographic machine. A developer containment portion includes a first portion having an at least partially closed volume configured to contain the developer and a second portion adjacent the first portion and having an opening configured to deliver the developer to the developer hopper. A sealing gasket is disposed adjacent the second portion of the developer containment portion and surrounds at least a portion of a circumference of the opening. A first cover is disposed adjacent the second portion of the developer containment portion and is positionable between an open position for delivery of the developer and a closed position for preventing delivery of the developer. The sealing gasket contacts the first cover to prevent undesired leakage of the developer therebetween.

Abstract: A sealing member for sealing a slenderly extending developer outflow opening formed in a container accommodating a developer. The sealing member includes a first film strip formed from a longitudinally stretched plastic film, and a second film strip formed from a similarly longitudinally stretched plastic film. The first film strip and the second film strip are bonded to each other as required.

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 engageable portion. The sealing member is moved relative to the container body away therefrom to unseal the discharge opening. The engageable projection is engaged 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.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner; (b) a toner supply opening or port for discharging toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion toward the toner supply opening by rotation thereof, wherein a center of rotation of the toner feeding member is in an opening region of the toner supply port as seen in the longitudinal direction of the toner feeding member. A capping member is configured to seal the toner supply opening and can be made integral with the toner feeding member or can be slidably movable relative to an engaging portion of the toner feeding member from a state in which the toner supply opening is opened to a state that the opening is closed.

Abstract: A multi-level seal may include a first sealing portion adapted to form a first seal between interfacing surfaces of a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The multi-level seal may include at least one other sealing portion attached to the first sealing portion and partially detached from the first sealing portion to form at least a second seal between at least two other respective interfacing surfaces of the first and second subassemblies at a level different from the first seal.

Abstract: A developer supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes a developer accommodating portion; a developer discharging portion; and a cover cover in the developer discharging portion, the cover being movable between a first position in which the cover covers the developer discharging portion and a second position in which the developer discharging position is exposed, wherein the second position is closer to the developer accommodating portion than the first position.

Abstract: In order to provide a developing device and a process cartridge that are capable of preventing leakage of developer at low cost, for example, a developing device includes a container for containing a developer; a developer collecting member, a flexible sheet, a developer separating member, and a developer collecting member mounted at least a part of which is provided on an upper surface of the flexible sheet and which is provided so as to be free of contact with the developing roller, for preventing spurt of developer from a gap between the photosensitive drum and the developing device container. A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and the previously-described developing device.

Abstract: A developer container of a developing device that is provided in an image forming apparatus, includes: a developer container main body provided with a developer containing portion that contains a developer and a developer supply opening; a sealing member that seals the developer supply opening of the developer container main body; and a grip member for pulling out the sealing member in a longitudinal direction of the developer container main body. The developer container main body and the grip member are integrally molded from resin materials having low compatibility to be separable from each other, and the grip member has a longitudinal dimension extending to an outside of a developer container mounting region of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A toner supply container is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus. The container includes a toner accommodating portion to accommodate toner and has a supply opening to supply toner into the image forming apparatus, a feeding member to feed the toner in the toner accommodating portion toward the supply opening, and a sealing member to seal the supply opening. The sealing member has a locking portion to be locked by a locking member provided in a main assembly of the apparatus, and a coupling portion to be coupled with a drive coupling member provided in the main assembly. The sealing member is rotatable integrally with the feeding member by a rotational force received by the coupling portion from the drive coupling member. The locking portion and the coupling portion are spaced apart from each other with respect to a mounting direction of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus include a thermally activatable sealing member. The sealing member can be operatively positioned in or near an opening or passage to control the flow of material therethrough by way of selective thermal activation of the sealing member. Methods include providing a thermally activatable sealing member in or near an opening or passage and selectively thermally activating the sealing member to control the flow of material through the opening or passage.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner; (b) a toner supply opening or port for discharging toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion toward the toner supply opening by rotation thereof, wherein a center of rotation of the toner feeding member is in an opening region of the toner supply port as seen in the longitudinal direction of the toner feeding member. A seal member seals the toner supply port and is configured to be rotatable with the toner feeding member and receives a drive force from a main assembly of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Sealing member formed by a sealing film with a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out, wherein the sealing film is connected to a pulling strip made of a layer, with fibers extending in a direction forming an angle between −60° and +60° with respect to the tearing direction of the longitudinal portion to be torn out.

Abstract: A sealing film for a toner cartridge or container. The sealing film has a layer with a thickness of between 20 &mgr;m and 1 mm and has at least on substantially linear tearing direction. The layer also includes surface elements that extend in a direction that is different from the preferred tearing direction of the sealing film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sealing film for a toner cartridge. The sealing film includes a layer with a preferred linear tearing direction. The layer is provided with longitudinal surface elements defining a strip to be torn out. The longitudinal surface elements extend in an inclined direction with respect to the strip to be torn out. The strip to be torn out includes a pulling means having a sufficient tearing resistance for preventing a separation between the pulling means and the strip to be torn out during a tearing operation.

Abstract: Apparatus include a thermally activatable sealing member. The sealing member can be operatively positioned in or near an opening or passage to control the flow of material therethrough by way of selective thermal activation of the sealing member. Methods include providing a thermally activatable sealing member in or near an opening or passage and selectively thermally activating the sealing member to control the flow of material through the opening or passage.

Abstract: A toner cartridge has a base and a slide slidably received in a slot of the base with at least one opening therein. A rotatable knob is inserted into the slide opening, wherein knob rotation results in a portion of the knob contacting a slide opening, thus moving the slide with respect to the base to one of a fully opened and fully closed position. The knob can include an eccentric cam which engages the slide opening to cause slide movement. The knob can have an axle which engages an opening in the base. The knob also can have a plurality of teeth on an outer edge thereof. The slide opening can have teeth which engage the teeth of the knob to move the slide with respect to the base.

Abstract: Sealing member for toner container having a tearable central strip and being associated with connecting elements ensuring the pressing of the lateral portions of a compressible cleaning element, with respect to the portion of the cleaning element intended for cleaning the torn central strip.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a developer; a developer container for containing the developer, the developer container having an opening for supplying the developer to the developing means; a sealing member for sealing the opening of the developer container; a winding shaft for winding the sealing member, the sealing member being rotatably supported by the developer container; a driving device for applying a driving force to rotate the winding shaft; and drive control device for permitting and preventing transmission of the driving force to the winding shaft, wherein the driving control device permits the transmission in response to insertion of the process cartridge into the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and prevents transmission in response to a predetermine

Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a process cartridge includes a step of removing a pin to thereby separate a drum unit and a developing container, a step of separating a developing frame and a developer frame from each other to thereby separate the developing container, a step of resupplying the developer to a developer containing portion of the developer frame, a step of superposing a reseal member on end portion seal members provided at lengthwise one end and other end of a developer supply opening for supplying the developer contained in a developer containing portion to a developing roller, and interposing the reseal member on each of widthwise one end and other end of the developer supply opening along the lengthwise direction of the developer supply opening, and reuniting the developing frame and the developer frame, and a step of reuniting the reconstructed developing container and the drum unit.

Abstract: A developer cartridge for containing a developer and for delivering the developer to a developer hopper of an electro-photographic machine. A developer containment portion includes a first portion having an at least partially closed volume configured to contain the developer and a second portion adjacent the first portion and having an opening configured to deliver the developer to the developer hopper. A sealing gasket is disposed adjacent the second portion of the developer containment portion and surrounds at least a portion of a circumference of the opening. A first cover is disposed adjacent the second portion of the developer containment portion and is positionable between an open position for delivery of the developer and a closed position for preventing delivery of the developer. The sealing gasket contacts the first cover to prevent undesired leakage of the developer therebetween.

Abstract: Strips, gaskets and shipping seals may be installed for various industries. A toner cartridge of a laser printer, copier or facsimile machine has various strips in it for various functions. Among the strips are recovery blades, spreader blades, wiper blades, certain shipping seals, doctor blades and other miscellaneous strips. A device and method is shown that enables any strip or modular shipping seal to be ergonomically installed in a user-friendly way by leaving a handle protruding from the strip-assembly or seal-assembly for easy separation of the release liner when installing the strip-assembly or seal-assembly. Also, seal-assemblies may be manufactured and installed where there is a page consisting of the same material that the seal-insert is made of and the seal-inserts are die-cut into the page. Since the seal-insert perimeter is formed with a kiss-cut to the bottom release liner, the seal-assembly can be built-into a page.

Abstract: A means and method for installing a seal upon the mouth of an elongated opening in a toner hopper farming part of a cartridge used with photoelectric copying devices. The tool is configured to support the seal along its axial length while exposing a distal edge portion of a peripherally located adhesive enabling it to be positioned on a corresponding edge surface of the toner hopper opening and engaged therewith, following which the tool is disconnected from the seal to enable the remaining portions of the adhesive to be adhered to the remaining portions of the mouth of the seal.

Abstract: A developing apparatus, an image formation apparatus and a process cartridge is provided. Even though the sealing materials of the initial developer container are stripped off in such a way that the process cartridge having the developing apparatus is tilted, the initial developer can be uniformly supplied along the central axis line of the developer carrier. The developing apparatus performs a self toner control and has an initial developer case 10 for containing the non-used initial developer 3c that is input into the developer containing space S. The initial developer case 10 is divided internally into a plurality of partition spaces 10b along the direction of the central axial line D of the developing sleeve 4, so that a plurality of partitions 10c is formed inside the initial developer case 10.

Abstract: Sealing member for toner container, said member with a tearable central strip being associated to a means ensuring the pressing of the lateral portions of a compressible cleaning element, with respect to the portion of the cleaning element intended for cleaning the torn central strip.

Abstract: A sealing member for sealing a toner discharge opening of a toner accommodating container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the sealing member includes a locking portion for being locked with a portion to be locked provided in the image forming apparatus, the locking portion being adapted to displace with a relative closing movement relative to the portion to be locked, wherein the toner discharging opening is brought into an open state from a closed state by relative to movement of the sealing member relative to the toner accommodating container with the locking portion being in engagement with the portion to be locked; and a releasing force receiving portion for receiving from the image forming apparatus a releasing force for releasing engagement between the locking portion and the portion to be locked by displacing the locking portion.

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.

Abstract: A developer container includes a container body for containing a developer. The container body is formed by a bottom wall, two side walls, a first end wall, and a second end wall, the first end wall being provided with an opening for feeding the developer. The container also includes a member connecting the first end wall and the second end wall to prevent deformation of an attachment surface for a toner seal member.

Abstract: This invention relates to the packaging and subsequent removal of dry marking materials that tend to clump or bridge when shipped or stored in containers. Human operators are presently instructed to agitate such containers before installation into a marking engine but such agitation is unreliable. The present invention involves placement of agitation vanes on a displaceable inner seal within the cartridge such that such vanes will break apart clumps and bridges of the marking material during installation of the container upon the marking engine.

Abstract: A developing member for use in an image forming apparatus is constructed to include a developing member main body containing a developer for developing images, a sealing member sealing developer supply holes of the developing member main body, a grip member connected to one end of the sealing member for the gripping of the hand to pull the sealing member away from the developing member main body, positioning means provided at the grip member, and a position member fixedly provided in one end wall of the developing member main body and adapted for receiving the positioning means of the grip to secure the grip to the end wall of the developing member main body.

Abstract: A developing member for use in an image forming apparatus is constructed to include a developing member main body containing a developer for developing images, a sealing member sealing developer supply holes of the developing member main body, a grip member connected to one end of the sealing member for the gripping of the hand to pull the sealing member away from the developing member main body, positioning means provided at the grip member, and a position member fixedly provided in one end wall of the developing member main body and adapted for receiving the positioning means of the grip to secure the grip to the end wall of the developing member main body.

Abstract: Sealing member comprising a sealing film with a substantially longitudinal portion to be torn out, wherein the film is connected to a pulling means comprising at least a layer comprising fibres extending in a direction forming an angle comprised between −60° and +60° with respect to the tearing direction of the longitudinal portion to be torn.

Abstract: A developer container includes a developer containing unit containing a developer and a sealing member supplied between a plurality of members to prevent leakage of the developer. The sealing member is a liquid elastomer. In an area in which the liquid elastomer is supplied, supply amounts of the sealing member at a start point and end point are larger than a supply amount of the sealing member in an intermediate portion.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner; (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion toward the toner supply opening; (d) a sealing member including: a sealing portion for openably sealing the toner supply opening; and a driving portion for driving the toner feeding member.