Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus prevents deformation of a pressing roller and to improves printing quality. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a case and a developing unit removably installed in the case. The developing unit includes a housing and toner contained in the housing. A fixing unit fixes a toner image formed by transferring toner to paper received from the developing unit. The fixing unit includes a heating device that heats the paper on which the toner image is formed and a pressing roller that presses the toner image on the paper. A lever is pivotally fixed between the developing unit and the fixing unit. A first end portion of the lever supports the developing unit and a second end portion presses the pressing roller toward the heating device when the developing unit is installed in the case.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes an image-forming section, a detection section, and a controller. The image-forming section has an image-bearing body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image. The detection section generates an output indicative of a remaining amount of toner in the developing unit. The controller drives the drive section to cause the image-forming section to move from one position to another, and determines a position of the image-forming section based on the output of the detection section. The detection section is mounted to a toner cartridge within the developing unit. When the image-forming section is moved from one position to another, the detection section receives light reflected by a high-reflectivity area and a low-reflectivity area, thereby detecting the position of the image-forming section.

Abstract: A printer cartridge for electrographic printing (dry or liquid) is provided with two chambers connected by a developer transportation system that traverses a development zone in a first direction. As the toner (developer) from a first of the two compartments is fed through the development zone, excess or unused toner is transported by the developer transportation system into a second of the two compartments. When the first compartment has exhausted its supply of toner, there will be sufficient toner captured in the second compartment to allow for printing capability to be maintained in the system, without any replenishment. The direction of flow of developer during printing is reversed from the second compartment to the first compartment, passing through the development zone.

Abstract: A carrier and a dummy toner are stored in a developing unit of a process cartridge in a brand new status. A plurality of process cartridges corresponding to a plurality of color toners is used in common. The color toners are respectively supplied to the developing unit from toner supply units after the process cartridges in the brand new status are installed in installation sections in a main unit of an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: The developer replenishment apparatus includes a first developer container for accommodating the developer for replenishment, a first conveyance member disposed in the first developer container to discharge the developer for replenishment through a first opening of the first developer container, a second developer container for receiving the developer for replenishment discharged from the first opening, an agitating member disposed in the second developer container to agitate the developer for replenishment, a second conveyance member disposed in the second developer container to discharge the developer for replenishment through a second opening of the second developer container toward the developing apparatus, and a driving device which does not drive the second conveyance member but drives the agitating member when driving the first conveyance member. The bulk density of the developer is thereby stabilized to make possible replenishment with the developer at high accuracy.

Abstract: An improved circuit board mounting system for use with a toner cartridge. The first circuit board mounting pad holds a circuit board with large electrical contacts that mate with printer-mounted contacts in numerous positions. A second circuit board mounting pad is positioned on a vertical wall of the waste bin and holds a circuit board with electrical contacts that mates with printers that mate with electrical contact pads positioned near the front left edge of the waste bin. The second circuit board mounting pad also accommodates a larger circuit board that supports larger components or a greater number of components.

Abstract: A universal adapter for a toner cartridge enables a single toner cartridge to be used with printers made by different manufacturers and differing printer models made by a common manufacturer. The toner cartridge includes a waste bin having a leading end that is sculpted to mate with the cartridge-receiving cavities of a large number of printers. Additional improvements include an improved planar having a common thickness along its extent, the elimination of a pivotal motion between the waste bin and the hopper, an enhanced interconnection between the waste bin and the hopper, improved ergonomics along a trailing edge of the waste bin to facilitate its handling, a structure that prevents mounting of a circuit board over a host circuit board, reduced friction media guide ribs, an improved circuit board mounting pad, and a microswitch actuating tab that functions even in a printer with worn hinges and latches.

Abstract: A developer container of the present invention includes a container main body and a supporting member. The container main body is used to contain a developer. The supporting member supports the container main body in such a manner that the container main body is freely rotatable. Further, the container main body includes an inwardly depressed recess portion on its outer peripheral surface. In that recess portion, a discharging opening is provided to discharge the developer into that recess portion opposite the direction in which the container main body rotates around the axis of rotation. Further, a regulating member having a tube-like shape is provided which surrounds the discharging opening to regulate the discharged amount of the developer.

Abstract: A developing cartridge removably set in a laser printer includes a drive gear that inputs a drive force thereto, a detection gear that irreversibly moves from a unused position where the detection gear does not engage with the drive gear, to a used position where the detection gear does not engage with the drive gear, through a drive force transmitting position where the detection gear engages with the drive gear, and a contact member formed on the detection gear. Provided in a main frame of the laser printer is an actuator that moves the detection gear from the unused position to the drive force transmitting position as the contact member contacts the actuator when the developing cartridge is set in the main frame of the laser printer.

Abstract: An image forming device that forms images by electrophotographic processes and includes a toner cartridge loading part in which three or more toner cartridges for housing toners used to form the images are loaded, wherein the toner cartridges are juxtaposed in two or more rows in a length direction or lateral direction in a toner cartridge insertion face of the toner cartridge loading part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toner replenisher and method for an electrographic imaging machine, including flow of toner through a toner replenisher and sealing between a toner replenisher and a toner bottle. According to the numerous aspects of the invention, a toner replenisher and method for an electrographic imaging machine are provided, including improved flow of toner through a toner replenisher and/or improved sealing between a toner replenisher and a toner bottle.

Abstract: A toner cartridge having a more robust planar wing design having a uniform thickness along its extent so that the leading end thereof is no thinner than the trailing end thereof. Each planar wing is adapted to slidingly engage an associated guide groove formed in opposite sides of the printer. The uniform thickness along each wing's extent provides structural integrity and prevents the planar wing from flexing when the waste bin is being installed into the printer. The reduction in rearward sloping angle of the planar wing allows for easier installation and removal of the cartridge from the printer.

Abstract: A printing device is capable of externally detecting: (a) a toner concentration in a developing unit; and (b) a reduction in the usable amount of toner. This eliminates the conventional need of disposing the toner concentration sensor in a narrow developing unit or the need of disposing the toner remaining amount detection sensor in the toner supply unit. Further, it is possible to detect reduction in the amount of toner every time the toner in the developing unit is out, thereby detecting reduction in the usable amount of toner stepwise and issuing an adequate warning whose level is changed depending on the detection result. Thus, the printing device meets the need for miniaturization and is capable of favorably performing printing operation and maintenance work.

Abstract: A developer reservoir is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus and holds developer discharged from a developer discharging section of the image forming apparatus. The developer reservoir includes a developer inlet, a developer chamber, and a transport mechanism. The developer inlet receives the developer discharged from the developer discharging section. The developer chamber holds the developer delivered through the developer inlet. The transport mechanism takes the form of a screw conveyor that transports the developer from the developer inlet into the developer chamber. The developer-transporting member serves as a partition that divides the waste toner reservoir into the toner inlet and the toner chamber so that the developer is prevented from moving straight from the developer inlet into the developer chamber.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an electrostatic latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a main frame which supports the electrostatic latent image carrier, and a developing unit which is inserted removably in the main frame. The developing unit includes a developer carrier which supplies a developer to the electrostatic latent image carrier and a replenish chamber which replenishes the developer to the developer carrier.

Abstract: A cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus and includes a first container, which contains a developer to be supplied into the image forming apparatus and a second container, which is rotatable to feed the developer toward the discharge opening. A developer discharge opening is provided at one longitudinal end of the first container. The second container accommodates a developer collected from the image forming apparatus. The first container is rotatably supported, at the other longitudinal end thereof, by the second container, which is unrotatably engageable with the image bearing member.

Abstract: An improved seal-insert and seal for a toner hopper as used in toner cartridge assemblies for printers, copiers and facsimile machines. In one embodiment, the seal has two slotted, rectangular outer pieces joined together with slot alignment and joined by an inner layer of two-sided tape. The two-sided tape is made with a long u-shape which does not interfere with the slots in the outer pieces. The open end of the u-shaped tape configuration allows a seal to be inserted or removed from between the outer pieces to close or open the slots. The seal-insert is applied over the passage from the toner hopper. The outer pieces are made from an antistatic and/or a conductive material, such as an aluminum laminate or plastic imprefnated with conductive particles. Alternately, the outer pieces may be made from plastic covered with an antistatic and/or conductive spray or coating.

Abstract: A method of remanufacturing an imaging cartridge comprising toner hopper not including a toner hopper access port comprises forming an access hole in a surface of the toner hopper, inserting toner into the toner hopper through the access hole, and adhering a hopper cap over the access hole to seal the access hole, the hopper cap comprising apparatus for facilitating removal of the hopper cap.

Abstract: A toner cartridge has a housing for containing carbon powder therein. The housing has a tip end at which an outlet is provided. The housing further has a through hole in which a filter is mounted. An output device is mounted in the outlet of the housing. Accordingly, the toner cartridge smoothes the movement of the carbon powder out of the housing via the outlet to be recyclable and economical.

Abstract: A hopper engagement device includes a base member having an orifice releasably engaging with a toner container. The orifice is provides an interference fit with an opening of the container. The engagement device includes a sealing member on the container wherein the sealing member includes an adhesive portion configured to engage an outer surface of a lid. When the lid is opened, the sealing member is peeled off from an opening of the container. A toner refilling kit includes a hopper engagement device having an orifice and a toner hopper container having a removable sealing member having an adhesive portion. The adhesive portion engages an outer surface of a hopper cover when the container engages the hopper engagement device. A toner container includes an opening and a sealing member attached to the opening. A refill kit includes a base member having an orifice and a toner container.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an electrostatic latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, a main frame which supports the electrostatic latent image carrier and a developing unit. The developing unit includes a developer carrier for supplying a developer to the electrostatic latent image carrier and a replenish chamber for replenishing the developer in the developer carrier. The developing unit is inserted removably in the main frame. A pressing mechanism is provided on the main frame and presses a bottom surface of the developing unit in a pressing direction along a straight line orthogonal to a rotational center shaft of the electrostatic latent image carrier and a rotational center shaft of the developer carrier. The developing unit includes a guide member which is fit into one end part of the rotational shaft of the electrostatic latent image carrier and guides the developing unit to move along the straight line.

Abstract: A developer container includes a container body, a supporting member, a leading-out member and a spring member. The container body has a first concavity and a discharge hole. The container body is rotated about its axis to convey developer toward the discharge hole. The supporting member supports the container body rotatably about its axis by covering the part including the first concavity and the discharge hole. The supporting member has a leading through hole for leading developer from discharge hole to outside. The leading-out member extends from the leading through hole on an upstream side in the rotation direction. The leading-out member leads developer from the discharge hole to the leading through hole. The spring member loads the leading-out member with a resilient force that tends to bring its upstream side end in the rotation direction into elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first concavity.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of forming images on both sides of a recording medium of the present invention includes a first image carrier on which a toner image to be formed, and a second image carrier to which the toner image is transferred from the first image carrier. The toner image transferred from the image carrier to the second image carrier is transferred to one side of the recording medium while a toner image is transferred from the first image carrier to the other side of the recording medium. After the toner image has been transferred from the first image carrier to the second image carrier, the running condition of the second image carrier is varied.

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: An apparatus for assisting in the removal or waste or excess ink and a method for disposal of ink from electrophotographic printers comprises providing electrophotographic ink from a source, combining the ink with an absorbable material in a container to form a solid within the container, and closing the container so that the container with the solid inside may be disposed of without ink flowing from the container.

Abstract: A developing device having a plurality of developing devices for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member by a developer including a toner and a carrier, a rotary member carrying the plurality of developing devices therein and rotated in a route including a developing portion, a discharging port provided in each of the plurality of developing devices for discharging any excess developer therethrough with the supply of the developer to the developing device located in the developing portion, a collecting pipe provided in the rotary member for collecting therethrough the excess developer discharged from the plurality of developing devices, and a communicating tube for linking the discharging port and the collecting pipe together, the communicating tube being made into a slope shape from the discharging port toward the collecting pipe, wherein when the developing devices are located in the developing portion, the discharging port is located above the collecting pipe.

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: An image formation apparatus contains a first and second unit. The first unit, which is a self-contained first module, contains a photo-sensitive body and structure for removing residue toner from the photo sensitive body. The second unit, which is a self-contained developer module, provides toner to the first unit and receives the residue toner from the first unit. The residue toner in the second unit is received in a self contained container and does not mix with fresh toner. The modules are detachably mounted in the apparatus. The second module cannot be mounted in the apparatus until the first module is mounted. The two units have different lives of interchange.

Abstract: An image forming unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, includes an image forming device that forms a toner image. A mounting device is provided in the image forming unit for mounting a toner supply container that supplies toner to the image forming device. The mounting device is such that the toner supply container is mountable to and dismountable from the image forming unit which is mounted in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A driving force receiving member for receiving a driving force from an image forming apparatus includes a driving force receiving portion for receiving the driving force from a driving force applying portion of the image forming apparatus. The driving force receiving portion is movable relative to the driving force applying portion to permit engagement and disengagement relative to the driving force applying portion. The driving force receiving portion is provided with a surface fastener for engaging a surface fastener provided on the driving force applying portion.

Abstract: A toner container 40 includes a fresh toner chamber 46 and a waste toner chamber 47 separated by a partition wall 45. A width “a” of the interior of the fresh toner chamber 46 at an arbitrary vertical position VP along the partition wall 45 is substantially equal to or less than a corresponding width “b” at another position below the vertical position VP. The waste toner chamber 47 has a waste toner collection opening 55 through which a toner discharging mechanism 32 is inserted. A guide member 56 guides a discharging lid 57 for opening and closing the waste toner collection opening 55. The guide member 56 extends inwardly from the vicinity of an upper periphery of the waste toner collection opening 55, so that the toner discharging mechanism 32 that has entered in the waste toner chamber 47 is covered by the guide member 56 from above.

Abstract: A developing apparatus is equipped with a developing container accommodating a developer including a toner and a carrier to develop at a developing position an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member, a rotor for rotating the developing container in a path including the developing position, and a developer replenishing container for replenishing the developing container situated at the developing position by said rotor with the developer. An opening is provided on a side surface of the developing container, which allows surplus developer to spill out of said developing container situated at said developing position by said rotor. The apparatus is further equipped with a recovering container and a member for opening/closing the opening mentioned above. The recovering container recovers the surplus developer discharged from said opening utilizing a rotational motion of said rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in the removal or waste or excess ink and a method for disposal of ink from electrophotographic printers comprises providing electrophotographic ink from a source, combining the ink with an absorbable material in a container to form a solid within the container, and closing the container so that the container with the solid inside may be disposed of without ink flowing from the container.

Abstract: A toner cartridge has a first chamber that holds fresh, toner and a waste toner chamber that holds waste toner. The toner cartridge includes a partition that divides an inner space of the toner cartridge into the fresh toner chamber and the waste toner chamber. The partition is such that the fresh toner chamber and the waste toner chamber extend substantially in parallel with each other and are partially adjacent to each other horizontally. The partition operates in such a way that the fresh toner chamber decreases in volume and the waste toner chamber increases in volume with increasing amount of the waste toner in the waste toner chamber. The movable portion may be a deformable bag-shaped member. The fresh toner chamber may have a resilient flap therein to agitate the fresh toner.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus, a development cartridge, and an electrophotographic printer having the coupling apparatus. The coupling apparatus transfers a rotation force in a connected state. The coupling apparatus has a first coupler having a cylindrical-type connection portion at an end and a spiral rib spirally protruded at an outer circumference of the connection portion; and a second coupler having a circular-type main hole depressed at an end corresponding to the connection portion, and a spiral groove formed at an inner circumference of the main hole corresponding to the spiral rib. The connection portion and the spiral rib are relatively connected with the main hole and the spiral groove by being pressed, and transmit a rotation force by being rotated together.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging waste toner, including a housing temporarily storing waste toner separated from a surface of a photosensitive medium; a waste toner discharge port formed at a bottom of the housing; a shutter rotatably disposed at a side of the housing to open and cover the waste toner discharge port; a pinion gear to rotate the shutter; and a fixed gear, disposed on a frame to which the housing is mounted, engaging the pinion gear, the pinion gear rotating along the fixed gear when the housing is mounted to the frame, to rotate the shutter away from the waste toner discharge port. The shutter includes a latch to hold the shutter in place when the shutter covers the waste toner discharge port.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body. The apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing device, a cleaning device that removes a waste toner on the image carrier, a developer supply device that supplies a developer to the developing device, a developer discharging device that discharges an excess developer from the developing device, and a developer containing device. The developer containing device includes an opening facing the developer supply device, a developer storing section that stores the developer supplied to the developer supply device through the opening, and a waste developer storing section that stores the excess developer and waste toner. The developer containing device is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and when the developer containing device is detached from the main body for replacement, the waste developer storing section is detached from the main body together with the developer containing device.

Abstract: A liquid image forming apparatus includes a waste developing agent container in which a developing agent removed by the cleaning blade from a photosensitive body is stored. The waste developing agent container is provided in a developing container.

Abstract: A developer supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the developer supply container includes a main body for accommodating a developer; a discharge opening, provided in the main body, for permitting discharge of the developer; a shutter member for opening and closing the discharge opening; a rotatable member which is rotatable relative to the main body to effect opening and closing movement of the shutter member; a regulating member for limiting a rotation of the rotatable member in a direction of opening the shutter member, wherein the regulating member includes an extended portion integral with the rotatable member and extended substantially along the opening rotational direction of the rotatable member and a limiting projection, projected from the extended portion toward the main assembly, for abutment to a stopper projection of the main body, wherein the regulating member has an abutting portion for abutment to an image forming apparatus in a mounting operation of the developer

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and associated method is provided and includes plural image forming mechanisms. Each forming mechanism includes an image carrying member, a development mechanism, and a toner storage. The image carrying member carries an electrostatic latent image. The development mechanism develops the electrostatic latent image into a visual image. The intermediate transfer member sequentially receives toner images into a composite toner image and transfers the composite toner image to a recording sheet. The toner storages have an approximately rectangular shape having a rectangular transverse section. At least one of the toner storages has a greater toner capacity than others of the toner storages, and a length of a short side of the rectangular transverse section of the toner storages having the greater toner capacity is approximately equal to lengths of long sides of the rectangular transverse sections of the others of the toner storages.

Abstract: A toner cartridge assembly corresponding to a photosensitive drum cartridge disposed at a printing apparatus body. The toner cartridge assembly develops toner on the photosensitive drum and collects used toner and includes a toner cartridge corresponding to the photosensitive drum cartridge at the body, the toner cartridge having a developing roller to develop the stored toner on the photosensitive drum; and a used toner chamber movably connected with one side of the toner cartridge to store used toner collected from the photosensitive drum cartridge. The used toner chamber is fixed at a predetermined position on the printing apparatus body, and the toner cartridge adjusts a developing nip between the photosensitive drum and the developing roller by being connected with the used toner chamber in a way that the toner cartridge can reciprocate and rotate in a direction of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is detachably loaded in a predetermined loading portion of an electrophotographic apparatus and has a new toner containing space where new toner is contained, and a waste toner containing space where waste toner is contained. The toner cartridge includes a main body, a supply hole supplying the new toner and a receiving hole for receiving waste toner, which are installed at a predetermined position of the main body of the toner cartridge, and an open and shut mechanism having a single shutter opening and shutting the supply hole and the receiving hole. The electrophotographic apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes the loading portion where the toner cartridge is detachably installed, and the toner cartridge.

Abstract: When a sensor in an image forming device detects fog on the photosensitive belt, the CPU of the image forming device controls the shutter in each toner hopper unit to open and drives a discharging auger to rotate, causing degraded toner to be discharged from the developing chamber into a waste toner accommodating chamber. After this discharging operation is completed, the CPU closes the shutter and begins driving a supply auger to rotate in order to supply new toner from the accommodating chamber into the developing chamber, thereby replacing most of the old toner in the developing chamber with new toner.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a developing unit for developing latent image, and a reserve tank that temporarily stores developer ejected from a first cartridge and a second cartridge and that discharges the developer to the developing unit. The reserve tank is provided with a storage amount sensor for sensing storage amount of the developer in the first reserve tank. The image formation apparatus further includes a controller for controlling ejection of developer from at least the first cartridge and the second cartridge into the first reserve tank in accordance with output from the storage amount sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a latent image forming unit for forming a latent image on an image carrying body and a developing unit for visualizing the latent image formed on the image carrying body by using a developer. In the image forming apparatus, for the developing unit, a developer replenishment box is communicatively connected to a developing housing in which a developer is contained, and the developer replenishment box is disposed in an upstream of a latent image writing position P on the image carrying body. The developer replenishment box is contained in a process cartridge.

Abstract: A developer container of the present invention includes a flexible bag whose volume decreases in accordance with the decrease in pressure inside the bag. An outlet forming member forms an outlet for discharging a developer stored in the bag. When the volume of the bag decrease due to the drop of the pressure, a deformation assisting member helps the bag deform to a preselected shape. A developer conveying device and an image forming apparatus practicable with the developer container are also disclosed.

Abstract: A collection vessel 124 has a shutter 138 for opening and closing collection ports 136. A rotation shaft 140 of the shutter 138 is provided with an opening/closing piece 144. The opening/closing piece 144 abuts a protrusion on an image formation apparatus main unit and opens the shutter 138 largely so that a discharge section inserted into the collection port 136 does not abut. The collection port 136 is made a long hole so as to allow the discharge section to move. Further, the shutter 138 is formed integrally with a plurality of door parts 142 so as to open or close the collection ports 136 by one operation.

Abstract: A first developer storage unit 116a is provided under a horizontal line which is extended from a latent image writing position “P” where a latent image is written in an image carrier 44, and a developer-storing housing unit 70 is provided above the horizontal line extended from the latent image writing position of the image carrier. Since a stirring/transporting member is rotatably supported in a stirring/transporting member hole 115a which is formed in this developer-storing housing unit 70, a second developer storage unit is constructed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body. The apparatus includes an image carrier, a developing device, a cleaning device that removes a waste toner on the image carrier, a developer supply device that supplies a developer to the developing device, a developer discharging device that discharges an excess developer from the developing device, and a developer containing device. The developer containing device includes an opening facing the developer supply device, a developer storing section that stores the developer supplied to the developer supply device through the opening, and a waste developer storing section that stores the excess developer and waste toner. The developer containing device is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and when the developer containing device is detached from the main body for replacement, the waste developer storing section is detached from the main body together with the developer containing device.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus to transfer a rotation force in a connected state. The apparatus has a first coupler having a first sloping rib formed at one end thereof and sloped in a rotation direction, and a second coupler having a second sloping rib formed at an inner circumference of the second coupler and sloped to correspond to the first sloping rib. The sloping ribs are connected by being pressed as the first coupler and the second coupler are relatively rotated, and rotation axes of the couplers coincide when the sloping ribs are completely connected.