Developing Unit Patents (Class 399/119)
  • Patent number: 9740144
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning device body including a cleaning member, the cleaning member being in contact with a surface of an image carrier so as to remove developer retained on the surface of the image carrier; and a fixing member that fixes an end of the cleaning device body in a longitudinal direction to a side surface of a frame that supports the image carrier and corresponds to the end of the cleaning device body in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Ohtani
  • Patent number: 9720365
    Abstract: An image forming device includes: a main casing; a retaining unit; a feed tray; and a pickup roller. The retaining unit retains a plurality of photosensitive drums juxtaposedly arrayed and spaced away from each other in an array direction. The retaining unit is movable in the array direction between a mounted position in which the retaining unit is mounted in the main casing and a pulled-out position in which the retaining unit is pulled out of the main casing. The feed tray is configured to accommodate a first transferred medium. The pickup roller is configured to pick up the first transferred medium accommodated in the feed tray. The pickup roller is arranged to overlap with the retaining unit in the array direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9720371
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes process units and developer cartridges; a process unit supporting member; a cartridge supporting member; and a moving mechanism. Each developer cartridge includes a transporting member configured to transport developer to a corresponding process unit. The moving mechanism is configured to move each transporting member between a communicated position, in which developer is transported to the corresponding process unit, and an interrupted position, in which transporting of developer to the corresponding process unit is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Hiroshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9639052
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet in an electro-photographic method and detachably attached to a body of the image forming apparatus; a chassis configured to accommodate the image forming unit and including an opening portion, through which the image forming unit is detachably attached to the body; a handle arranged in the image forming unit to protrude at least partly through the opening portion when the image forming unit is attached to the body; and a cover movable between a closed position, in which the opening portion is closed, and an open position, in which the opening portion is exposed, the cover including a protrusion cover configured to cover a protrusive part of the handle protruded through the opening portion when the cover is in the closed position, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Miwa, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9632454
    Abstract: A cartridge capable of preventing careless damage or the like of a memory unit and an image forming apparatus including the cartridge are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 9625875
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing having first and second sidewalls through which respective end portions of a developing roller shaft are rotatably inserted; a developing gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which is fixed to the end portion of the developing roller shaft; a transmission gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which transmits driving force to the developing gear; a first cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the transmission gear; and a second cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the developing gear from an outer side in the axis line direction. The second cover member is formed separately from the first cover member and is arranged side by side with the first cover member outside of the first sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Handa, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 9612550
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toner cartridge and a side cover thereof. The toner cartridge has a side opening, where the side cover is disposed, and a transmission device passing through the side opening. The toner cartridge is disposed in an electronic imaging device which is provided therein with a sliding rail, a moving piece, and an elastic member disposed between the sliding rail and the moving piece. The toner cartridge is installed into or unloaded from the electronic imaging device by sliding along the sliding rail. The side cover has a pushing portion located above the sliding rail for pushing the moving piece to move toward the elastic member in the process that the toner cartridge is unloaded from the electronic imaging device, so as to prevent the transmission device from being damaged by the moving piece, thereby extending the life time of the transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: General Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Hsiung Huang
  • Patent number: 9594343
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a cartridge that includes a developing roller and a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating the developing roller. A cylindrical member movably supports one end portion of the coupling member inside of the cylindrical member. A cylindrical member side force receiving portion is provided inside the cylindrical member. A first regulating portion, provided inside of the cylindrical member, prevents one end portion of the coupling member from disengaging in an axial direction of the cylindrical member. A second regulating portion regulates deformations of the first regulating portion outward of the cylindrical member in the radial direction in a state in which one end portion of the coupling member is mounted to the inside of the cylindrical member. The apparatus also includes a driving motor and a driving shaft engageable with the coupling member of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Atsushi Takasaka
  • Patent number: 9588484
    Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a developing cartridge including a developing roller; a developing pressing member for pressing the developing cartridge; a first developing guide; and a second developing guide. The developing cartridge is movable among a detachable position; a contact position at which the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum; and a separated position at which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. The developing pressing member presses the developing cartridge to place the developing cartridge at the contact position. The developing pressing member is disabled from pressing the developing cartridge to place the developing cartridge at the separated position lower than the contact position. The first developing guide can guide movement of the developing cartridge between the detachable position and the contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9588462
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one embodiment includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An outlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir is positioned on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. An interface gear is exposed on the front of the housing near a second side of the housing. A magnet is movable in response to rotation of the interface gear. An engagement member is positioned on an exterior of the top of the housing proximate the second side of the housing. The engagement member is aligned with a point in a path of movement of the magnet. The engagement member has a front surface that is unobstructed to contact and push a housing in the image forming device supporting a magnetic sensor to an operating position of the magnetic sensor during insertion of the toner cartridge into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Scott Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9581932
    Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developer carrying member configured to carry developer, a blade configured to be deformed by contacting the developer carrying member, and an operation member provided on an opposite side to a side of the blade contacting the developer carrying member. The operation member is configured to contact the deformed blade so as to cause the blade to act on the developer carrying member at a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: CANON FINETECH INC.
    Inventor: Yusaku Makino
  • Patent number: 9575461
    Abstract: Provided is a process cartridge by which the stability of an image having a high print percentage can be obtained even when high-density loading is performed. The process cartridge is a process cartridge in which a toner having a uniaxial collapse stress at the time of a maximum consolidation stress of 10.0 kPa of 2.0 kPa or more and 4.5 kPa or less, and a total energy measured after its compression of 70 mJ or more and 95 mJ or less is stored in a toner container in a state in which the container has a loading density of 0.70 g/cm3 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Akiyama, Koji Nishikawa, Kosuke Fukudome, Shotaro Nomura, Daisuke Yoshiba, Shohei Tsuda, Katsuhisa Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9568856
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include a housing configured to hold toner. The cartridge may further include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a supply roller including a supply roller shaft, a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode and supply electrode may be configured to guide an electrical contact of an image forming apparatus in one or more directions. In some examples, the developing electrode and supply electrode may have angled surfaces that extend toward one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeyuki Takagi, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 9568860
    Abstract: A developer container includes a conductive member containing a resin configured to detect a developer amount using capacitance, and a frame member having the conductive member configured to store the developer. The conductive member is provided on a first side of the frame member contacting the developer and on a second side of the frame member, the second side is the back of the first side, and the conductive member provided on the first side and the conductive member provided on the second side are connected with each other within the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumaru, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9541863
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit includes: a developer accommodating member, provided with an opening for permitting discharge of a developer, for accommodating the developer; a sealing member including a connecting portion for being connected to the developer accommodating member so as to seal the opening; and an unsealing member for exposing the opening by moving the sealing member to peel the connecting portion from the developer accommodating member. The connecting portion includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion with respect to a longitudinal direction thereof. When the connecting portion is peeled from the developer accommodating member, the unsealing member is flexed so that the first connecting portion is peeled earlier than the second connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Noritomo Yamaguchi, Yuichi Fukui
  • Patent number: 9535396
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes: a first rotary body having at least one detected part; and a second rotary body. The first rotary body is configured to rotate between a first position, in which a transmission part is disposed opposite the second rotary body, and a second position, in which a non-transmission part is disposed opposite the second rotary body. The first rotary body includes a contacted part. A photosensitive body cartridge includes a moving member. When the moving member is in a third position, the moving member contacts the contacted part of the first rotary body disposed in the second position, causing the first rotary body to rotate to the first position. Thereafter, in association with rotation of the first rotary body, the moving member moves to a fourth position, in which the moving member is unable to contact the contacted part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9529320
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a first cartridge; a second cartridge; and a protection cover. The first cartridge includes: a photosensitive body; a photosensitive-body accommodating portion for accommodating the photosensitive body; and a cartridge mounting portion. The second cartridge is detachably mounted in the first cartridge and includes a developer carrier. The protection cover provides an attached state to be attached to the second cartridge and a detached state to be detached from the second cartridge. The protection cover at the attached state faces the developer carrier to protect the developer carrier. The second cartridge provides an accommodated position to be accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion when the protection cover is at the attached state, and a mounted position to be mounted in the cartridge mounting portion when the protection cover is at the detached state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Mori, Yasumasa Fujii
  • Patent number: 9494891
    Abstract: A developing device mountable in a main body of an image forming device includes: a frame, a developer cartridge attachable to the frame, and a maintaining member. The developer cartridge includes: a casing having an opening; and a shutter movable between an open position and a closed position to open and close the opening. The developer cartridge is movable between a first position to be attached to the frame and mountable in the main body and a second position to be partially detached from the frame and incapable of being mounted in the main body. The shutter moves from the closed position to the open position while the developer cartridge moves from the second position to the first position. The maintaining member maintains the shutter at the closed position when the developer cartridge moves from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9494913
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing having first and second sidewalls through which respective end portions of a developing roller shaft are rotatably inserted; a developing gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which is fixed to the end portion of the developing roller shaft; a transmission gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which transmits driving force to the developing gear; a first cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the transmission gear; and a second cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the developing gear from an outer side in the axis line direction. The second cover member is formed separately from the first cover member and is arranged side by side with the first cover member outside of the first sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasumasa Fujii
  • Patent number: 9494907
    Abstract: A waste toner storing container includes a container main body, a first conveyance portion, and a second conveyance portion. The container main body stores waste toner discharged from a plurality of image-carrying members provided in an image forming apparatus. The first conveyance portion is rotatably provided in the container main body and configured to, by being rotated, convey the waste toner toward one side in a direction along a rotation axis line. The second conveyance portion is rotatably provided below and parallel to the first conveyance portion in the container main body and configured to, by being rotated, convey the waste toner toward another side that is opposite to the one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Naoki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 9454101
    Abstract: A developing cartridge is provided. The developing cartridge includes a first frame and a second frame and a layer thickness regulating member. The first frame and the second frame include a first welding surface formed at a periphery of the developer accommodating part correspondingly to a developer accommodating part; and a second welding surface extending continuously from the first welding surface correspondingly to a roller support part. The first welding surface extends in a direction orthogonal to an overlapping direction of the first frame and the second frame. The second welding surface extends to be inclined toward a side of the first frame in the overlapping direction as extending toward the developing roller. The layer thickness regulating member is provided to cover the second welding surface from a side of the second frame in the overlapping direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 9448505
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include multiple rotary members, at least one of the rotary members configured to be detected by an image forming apparatus. In one example, the rotary members may include engagement portions configured to engage with one another to rotate the rotary members. Additionally or alternatively, in a case where one rotary member is in a driven position, the other rotary member may be rotatable a predefined amount from a non-driving state in which the other rotary member is rotatably disengaged from the one rotary member, to a driving state in which the other rotary member rotatably engages the one rotary member with the engagement portions in contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeyuki Takagi
  • Patent number: 9436156
    Abstract: A developing device includes a housing that includes an accommodating portion, a development opening portion, a developing roller, and a supply receiving portion; an opening/closing member; a guiding portion; and an elastic pushing member. The opening/closing member includes a body, a guide portion, and an extended protrusion, the body having a cutaway end portion, the guide portion being provided at left and right end portions of the body except where the cutaway end portion exists, the extended protrusion being formed by causing at least a portion of an end portion of the body to extend and protrude in an opening direction. The housing is provided with a sandwiching holding portion that holds at least a portion of the extended protrusion of the opening/closing member by sandwiching at least the portion of the extended protrusion by the sandwiching holding portion and the supply receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuji Hattori, Shota Makita, Katsuyuki Nishizawa, Kazuya Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9429871
    Abstract: A releasing mechanism usable for a toner supply container includes a rotatable structure, a stationary structure engaged with the rotatable structure, and a pump movably connected to the stationary structure. The rotatable structure has a first magnetic member. The stationary structure has an opening for releasing toner and a second magnetic member. The pump has a pumping portion that is expandable. A first force drives the rotatable structure to rotate relative to the stationary structure, such that the first magnetic member is alternatively aligned and misaligned with the second magnetic member. When the first and second magnetic members are aligned, the pump is pushed away from the stationary structure by a repelling force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. When the first and second magnetic members are misaligned, the pump is pushed by a second force toward the stationary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL PLASTIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chuang Chin His, Xiao Zheng Yi
  • Patent number: 9417600
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one embodiment includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a rear positioned between a first side and a second side of the housing. The housing has a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A magnet in the reservoir is movable in response to rotation of the shaft. A projection is positioned on an exterior of the top of the housing. The projection is aligned with a point in a path of movement of the magnet in the reservoir. The projection has a front surface that is unobstructed to contact and push a housing in the image forming device supporting a magnetic sensor to an operating position of the magnetic sensor during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Scott Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9411302
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet receiving portion configured to receive a sheet, a drum unit including a photosensitive drum configured to carry a developer image to be transferred onto the sheet, a contact member configured to contact the sheet fed from the sheet receiving portion toward the photosensitive drum, a roller configured to contact the contact member, an elastic member configured to exert an elastic force to press the contact member toward the roller, and a frame supporting the roller, the frame receiving the elastic force from the elastic member via the roller and the contact member when the roller is in contact with the contact member. The drum unit includes a restriction portion configured to restrict the frame from moving in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, the restriction portion being disposed on a side of the frame opposite to the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9405267
    Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a developing unit having a developing member, a photosensitive unit hinge-connected to the developing unit and having an image carrier, and a pushing unit disposed below the photosensitive unit and configured to selectively push a lower portion of the developing unit, wherein the pushing unit includes a pushing member disposed to move linearly in a base and having an end configured to be in contact with the lower portion of the developing unit, a link member having a first end connected to the pushing member, a crank arm rotatably connected to a second end of the link member, an elastic member disposed on the link member and that elastically supports the pushing member, and a rotation shaft rotatably disposed in the base and connected to the crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han-jun Lee, Jin-ho Park
  • Patent number: 9395680
    Abstract: In a developer cartridge, a base portion may be fixed to a surface of one side of a frame, and extend from one end thereof to another end thereof in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A first portion may extend from one end thereof to another end thereof in the first direction. The one end of the first portion is connected to the other end of the base portion. A second portion may extend from one end thereof to another end thereof in a direction opposite to the second direction. The one end of the second portion is connected to the other end of the first portion. An electrode for the cartridge is deformable such that a distance between the base portion and the second portion can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Kato
  • Patent number: 9389584
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, and a supporting member capable of supporting a plurality of developing rollers and a plurality of photosensitive drums, with the supporting member being movable substantially linearly between an inside position inside of the main assembly and an outside position outside of the main assembly while supporting the developing rollers and the photosensitive drums. In addition, a plurality of developing cartridges each have the developing roller and are mountable to and dismountable from the supporting member which supports the plurality of photosensitive drums when the supporting member is in the outside position. The developing cartridges each include an upper surface facing upward when mounted to the supporting member and a projection projecting upwardly from the upper surface and having a shape providing a space through a middle portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Wataru Uchida, Takeshi Niimura
  • Patent number: 9383681
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller that is rotatable about a developing roller axis line, which extends in a predetermined direction; a supply roller, which is rotatable about a supply roller axis line, which extends in the predetermined direction, and which supplies developer to the developing roller; a developing roller driving gear that is connected to the developing roller; a supply roller driving gear that is connected to the supply roller; and a driving force transmission gear, which is rotatable about a gear axis line extending in the predetermined direction, and which includes: a first gear part meshed with the developing roller driving gear; and a second gear part meshed with the supply roller driving gear. The driving force transmission gear transmits driving force to the developing roller driving gear and the supply roller driving gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeyuki Takagi, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 9377746
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises: a casing including a side wall having an opening; a drawer member configured to support a plurality of cartridges in such a manner as to allow the cartridges to be detachably attached thereto, and to be movable through the opening from an inside position in which the drawer member is located inside the casing to an outside position in which the drawer member is located outside the casing in a moving direction; and a leg portion configured to support the casing. In this image forming apparatus, the leg portion includes a portion located downstream from the opening in the moving direction of the drawer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Kato, Seiichi Senda, Atsushi Kato, Masanari Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 9366991
    Abstract: A developing cartridge is provided for use with an image forming apparatus and may include a housing, a developing roller rotatably provided in the housing, and a developing roller gear configured to rotate integrally with the developing roller. Further, the developing cartridge can include a driving input gear configured to receive an external driving force and apply the received driving force to the developing roller gear. The driving input gear can be meshed with the developing roller gear or an intermediate gear can be provided to mesh with the developing roller gear and the driving input gear. Such an intermediate gear can be configured to apply the received driving force to the developing roller gear. Also, the developing cartridge can include a receiving member which is disposed between the housing and the developing roller gear and between the housing and the driving input gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukamachi, Hideshi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 9354549
    Abstract: A developer supply container, the developer supply container includes a developer accommodating chamber; a rotatable feeding portion; a developer discharging chamber including a discharge opening; a driving force receiving portion for receiving a rotational force for rotating the feeding portion; an pump capable of changing an inside volume of the accommodating chamber in a longitudinal direction of the container to apply a pressure to the discharge opening; a driving force converter for converting the rotational force into a feeding driving force for feeding the developer by an operation of the pump in a longitudinal direction of the container; and wherein an expansion and contraction stroke of the pump provided by the converter in a initial predetermined number of rotations in a initial stage is different from that in a subsequent stage after the initial stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ayatomo Okino, Toshiaki Nagashima, Katsuya Murakami, Fumio Tazawa
  • Patent number: 9348299
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing having first and second sidewalls through which respective end portions of a developing roller shaft are rotatably inserted; a developing gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which is fixed to the end portion of the developing roller shaft; a transmission gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which transmits driving force to the developing gear; a first cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the transmission gear; and a second cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the developing gear from an outer side in the axis line direction. The second cover member is formed separately from the first cover member and is arranged side by side with the first cover member outside of the first sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Handa, Hiroki Mori
  • Patent number: 9342042
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier unit, a developing device, a unit support frame, a retainer, and a developing device moving mechanism. The retainer swings in a first direction, in which the image carrier unit and the developing device are mounted in the unit support frame, to perform positioning of an image carrier, and swings in a second direction, in which the image carrier unit and the developing device are drawn out from a main body of the image forming apparatus, to unlock a positioned state of the image carrier. The developing device moving mechanism associates with the swing of the retainer in the first direction to dispose the developing device at a developing position, and associates with the swing of the retainer in the second direction to dispose the developing device at a separation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ohashi, Masahiro Kashimoto
  • Patent number: 9335728
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes process units and developer cartridges; a process unit supporting member; a cartridge supporting member; and a moving mechanism. Each developer cartridge includes a transporting member configured to transport developer to a corresponding process unit. The moving mechanism is configured to move each transporting member between a communicated position, in which developer is transported to the corresponding process unit, and an interrupted position, in which transporting of developer to the corresponding process unit is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Hiroshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9335723
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes an image forming apparatus main body, and first and second toner containers mounted in the image forming apparatus main body, wherein the first and second toner containers are respectively mounted in first and second toner container mounting grooves that are concavely formed from a housing portion of the image forming apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang-hyuck So, Young-soo Ko
  • Patent number: 9335725
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body; a photosensitive drum rotatably supported in the main body; a developing unit detachably accommodated in the main body in a direction along an axis of the photosensitive drum in a state where the photosensitive drum is disposed in the main body. The developing unit includes: a developer carrying member configured to carry developer for supplying the developer to the photosensitive drum; a developing frame supporting the developer carrying member; and a supporting assembly configured to support the developing frame such that, in a state where the developing unit is accommodated in the main body, the developing frame is movable between a proximity position where the developer carrying member and the photosensitive drum being positioned adjacent to or in contact with each other and a separation position where the developer carrying member and the photosensitive drum being separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Hirotaka Mori, Makoto Souda
  • Patent number: 9329567
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a developing unit; a casing; and a supporting member. The developing unit includes a developing agent bearing member. The developing agent bearing member has an axis extending in an axial direction and defines a first side and a second side opposite to the first side in the axial direction. The casing is configured to support the photosensitive drum and the developing unit. The casing has a sidewall at a position corresponding to the first side. The developing unit is detachable from and attachable to the casing along the axial direction. The supporting member is configured to guide a movement of the developing unit in the axial direction and protrudes outward from the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Igarashi, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9329568
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing roller and a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the developing roller between a contact position where the developing roller is in contact with a photosensitive drum and a separate position where the developing roller is away from the photosensitive drum. The transfer mechanism includes a bearing unit supporting a rotary shaft of the developing roller to allow rotation of the rotary shaft, a pressing member pressing the bearing unit, a shaft member, an urging member, and a wire member. The wire member connects the bearing unit and the shaft member and is configured to experience an urging force of the urging member to urge the bearing unit toward moving away from the photosensitive drum and, upon release of the urging force of the urging member, move the bearing unit close to the photosensitive drum under a pressing force of the pressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kashimoto, Hirofumi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 9323174
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing cartridge arranged below the photosensitive body and having a developing roller configured to supply a developing agent to the photosensitive body and to be rotatable about an rotation shaft of the developing roller; a support body configured to removably support the developing cartridge; and a pressing member configured to press the rotation shaft of the developing roller so as to press the developing roller against the photosensitive body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Kato
  • Patent number: 9323213
    Abstract: A cartridge that is attached to or detached from a main body of an image forming apparatus, including: a memory unit that includes a contact portion via which the cartridge is connected to the main body and that is connected to the main body to transmit information of the cartridge to the main body; and a moving member on which the contact portion is mounted, wherein the moving unit is moved to a second position where the contact portion is protruded out of the cartridge in order to be connected to a connection portion provided in the main body and a first position that is hidden inside the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-won Moon, Joon-hee Kim, Ho-jin Jang, Yun-kyu Sim
  • Patent number: 9316946
    Abstract: There are provided a toner cartridge capable of suppressing generation of an aggregation or a lump of toner which may occur near a toner discharging port depending on toner keeping situation as well as capable of discharging a stable quantity of toner from the toner discharging port, and an image forming apparatus including the same. In a toner cartridge, a cover member is disposed so as to cover a part of an outer circumferential part of a spiral blade in an auger screw disposed inside a toner container. This cover member is able to move between a first position around the spiral blade and a second position, which is separated from the first position, on the opposite side to a toner discharging port across the spiral blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshihide Ohgoshi
  • Patent number: 9317003
    Abstract: An apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of rotation portions provided each rotatably, in alignment with each other. A lever is provided to integrally swing with one of rotation portions or one of coupling portions that is disposed at one end in alignment direction of rotation portions and coupling portions. An opening/closing mechanism is provided to open and close a toner discharge outlet, which is formed on a housing of a toner container, as the coupling portion, which is disposed at one end in the alignment direction, rotates. An interlocking mechanism, which causes adjacent coupling portions to rotate in conjunction with each other, and an interlocking mechanism, which causes adjacent rotation portions to rotate in conjunction with each other, are disposed alternately on coupling portions side and on rotation portions side, from one end to the other end in the alignment direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 9310758
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a cartridge including an image bearing member is detachably mountable to a main assembly thereof includes a cartridge mounting portion, a transfer device contactable to the image bearing member, a feeding mechanism, and a guiding member. The guiding member is movable between a first position where the image bearing member and the transfer device are spaced from each other when the cartridge is in the cartridge mounting portion and a second position where when the cartridge is in the cartridge mounting portion, the image bearing member and the transfer device are permitted to contact each other and the recording material is guided toward the downstream side with respect to the feeding direction. When the guiding member is in the first position, the guiding member is positioned between the transfer device and the cartridge and covers the transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Oba, Masahiro Tambo
  • Patent number: 9304484
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium includes an image-bearing-unit support member, a developing unit support member, a plurality of light exposure units, and a light-exposure-unit operating member. The image-bearing-unit support member is movable between the inside and the outside of the image forming apparatus while supporting a plurality of image bearing units which each include an image bearing member. The developing unit support member is movable independently of the image-bearing-unit support member. The plurality of light exposure units each cause a corresponding one of the image bearing members to be exposed to light so as to form an electrostatic latent image. The light-exposure-unit operating member moves the light exposure units relative to the developing unit support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Ogino, Tomonori Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 9285764
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a supporting frame movable relative to the main casing in a first direction between an internal position and an external position, and a developer container supported in the supporting frame. The main casing includes first and second walls extending in the first direction and opposing each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The supporting frame includes first and second plates opposing the first and second walls in the second direction respectively. The developer container includes: a first chamber disposed between the first plate and the second plate; a second chamber for storing developer and disposed between the first wall and the first plate; a third chamber for communicating between the first chamber and the second chamber; and a conveying portion for conveying the developer in the second chamber to the first chamber via the third chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9285763
    Abstract: A cap is configured to be attached to a developer container that discharges developer contained in the container body out of the container body through a discharge port defined in a portion of the container body. The cap includes a first attaching member and a second attaching member that are detachably assembled into one piece. When the first attaching member or the second attaching member receives a rotary force, the first attaching member and the second attaching member are separated from each other, and only the first attaching member is released from the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Komatsu, Tsukuru Kai, Tadashi Hayakawa, Hiroshi Hosokawa, Daichi Yamaguchi, Junichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9280084
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a replaceable unit having a toner reservoir, a rotatable shaft positioned within the reservoir and a magnet in the reservoir movable in response to rotation of the shaft. A magnetic sensor is supported by a housing that is mounted to a stationary frame of the image forming device. The housing is movable relative to the stationary frame between an operating position of the magnetic sensor and a home position. In the operating position, the magnetic sensor is positioned to sense the magnet during rotation of the shaft. In the home position, the housing is positioned in a path of insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device and the replaceable unit contacts and moves the housing from the home position to the operating position during installation of the replaceable unit into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Scott Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9280126
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises: a casing including a side wall having an opening; a drawer member configured to support a plurality of cartridges in such a manner as to allow the cartridges to be detachably attached thereto, and to be movable through the opening from an inside position in which the drawer member is located inside the casing to an outside position in which the drawer member is located outside the casing in a moving direction; and a leg portion configured to support the casing. In this image forming apparatus, the leg portion includes a portion located downstream from the opening in the moving direction of the drawer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Kato, Seiichi Senda, Atsushi Kato, Masanari Yoshikawa