Abstract: A toner replenishing device includes a toner conveyance path for connecting a toner storing device with a developing device, a toner conveying device for conveying the toner from the toner storing device to the developing device along the toner conveyance path, and an air supplying device connected to the toner conveyance path vie an air supply path for supplying the toner storing device with air from a bottom of the toner storing device so as to agitate the toner pooling in the toner storing device.

Abstract: An image apparatus includes a cartridge with two separate accommodating portions. The first accommodating portion for accommodating unused developer and is formed in a housing. A second accommodating portion for accommodating transfer residual developer is arranged adjacent to the first accommodating portion. A conveying member extending over the first and second accommodating portions, when an amount of transfer residual developer to be stored in the second accommodating portion exceeds a predetermined level, conveys the transfer residual developer from the second accommodating portion to the first accommodating portion. Each one of the accommodating portions includes an agitator.

Abstract: A component for an electrophotographic device having an intermediate transfer device includes a hopper configured for association with a toner cartridge. The hopper is configured to store residual toner collected from the intermediate transfer device. The hopper includes an opening configured to receive the residual toner.

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 developer 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 hollow, cylindrical toner bottle of the present invention discharges toner stored therein when mounted to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a substantially horizontal position and then rotated about its axis. The toner bottle is made up of a mouth including a toner outlet and a cylindrical wall, and a body including a circumferential wall and a bottom. The mouth is formed by injection molding. The outer circumference of the toner outlet has circularity of 0.7 mm or below.

Abstract: A component for an electrophotographic device having an intermediate transfer device includes a hopper configured for association with a toner cartridge. The hopper is configured to store residual toner collected from the intermediate transfer device. The hopper includes an opening configured to receive the residual toner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toner cartridge cap with a cylindrical base portion with preferably at least one opening in its upper sidewalls and at least one collection fin extending into the toner bottle, the base portion being attached to a standard toner supply cartridge, a cylindrical top portion containing at least one opening in its sidewalls which rotates along a fixed plane inside the base portion, and the top portion being secured to the base portion so as to prevent separation and loss of toner.

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: A developer 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 toner container has a partitioning wall disposed therein for partitioning the toner container while allowing communication between partitioned compartments. A waste toner collecting port for receiving the waste toner collected by the cleaning unit of an image forming apparatus is formed in a waste toner collection department. A toner agitating element for mixing waste toner with unused toner is located inside the partitioned waste toner collection compartment.

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 process cartridge includes a toner unit including a toner containing space and a toner supply space. A development unit including rollers. There is a holding frame having a fixture section for the development unit and an accepting section for the toner unit. The process cartridge is constructed arrangement in which the toner is fixed in a predetermined position in the accepting section of the holding frame or which the toner unit is detachably installed in a predetermined position in the accepting section of the holding frame.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes: a toner storage chamber; a toner collecting chamber; a partitioning wall for separating these chambers; a cylindrical return pipe penetrating through the partitioning wall with a conveyer screw arranged therein and is configured so that when the amount of untransferred toner collected into the toner collecting chamber exceeds the height of the return pipe, the untransferred toner is conveyed by the rotation of the conveyer screw to be returned into the toner storage chamber.

Abstract: A unit detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a developer accommodating portion having a developer inlet hole; a first opening and closing member for opening and closing the inlet hole; and a second opening and closing member for opening and closing the inlet hole, the second opening and closing member being movable above the first opening and closing member.

Abstract: A toner cartridge which is detachably loaded in a predetermined loading portion 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 including a supply hole for supplying new toner and a receiving hole for receiving waste toner, which are installed at a predetermined position of a main body of the toner cartridge, and an open and shut mechanism for opening and shutting the supply hole and the receiving hole by a single shutter. An electrophotographic apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by adhering toner to a photoreceptive body where an electrostatic latent image is formed and transferring the toner to the recording medium from the photoreceptive body, in which the electrophotographic apparatus includes a loading portion where the toner cartridge is detachably installed the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A toner container includes a deformable toner bag for containing a toner, and a case which has an inner space large enough to house the toner bag and which has higher rigidity than the toner bag. The case is provided with an opening through which the inner bag is attached to and detached from the case.

Abstract: The powder container includes a powder discharging outlet at one end portion of one side wall of the powder container. The powder replenishing device further includes a reciprocating motion device that reciprocates the powder container between forward and backward directions with respect to a moving direction of the powder toward the powder discharging outlet so as to move the powder in the powder container toward the powder discharging outlet in a state that the powder discharging outlet is directed downward in substantially a vertical direction.

Abstract: A toner cartridge having toner agitating and mixing properties. The structure insures image quality without increasing in complexity of the structure as well as capable of being compacted. A used toner recycling opening for dropping used toner by gravity is formed in an upper wall of a cartridge main body storing fresh toner. A toner agitator and a toner supply device with an opening for supplying mixed toner to a developing apparatus are arranged within the cartridge main body. The toner can be sufficiently mixed and agitated on a cartridge main body side without depending on a developing apparatus side, and the toner cartridge is prevented from being large-sized. In particular, since the used toner drops by gravity, a taking-in structure of this used toner is simplified, and a mixing work of the used toner with fresh toner is made irrespective of a moving direction of the toner agitator. Also, there are two film sealing members for sealing the used toner recycling and toner supply openings.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, the image bearing member including a protective layer on a surface thereof, a developing device configured to develop the electrostatic latent image with toner to which an external additive is added to form a toner image, and a toner replenishing device configured to contain the toner and to supply air to the toner to replenish the developing device with the toner.

Abstract: A toner cartridge extending in a longitudinal direction thereof has a fresh toner chamber and a water toner chamber. The fresh toner chamber and waste toner chamber extend parallel to each other so that the fresh toner chamber and the waste toner chamber are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The waste toner chamber incorporates a toner-conveying member such as a screw conveyor. The screw conveyor extends between the opposed longitudinal ends, and causes the waste toner to move further into the waste toner chamber. The waste toner chamber has an entrance formed therein through which waste toner is received from a print process cartridge. The entrance opens yieldably when a waste toner exit enters the waste toner chamber through the entrance and closes when the waste toner exit moves out of the enters the waste toner chamber.

Abstract: A toner container is detachably mountable on an image forming apparatus and includes a container body that contains toner therein. An agitating member is disposed within the container body and agitates the toner within the container body. First and second rotating portions rotate together with a rotary shaft of the agitating member at both end sides of the rotary shaft. The first and second rotating portions are exposed to the exterior of the container body, wherein the container body includes a first mark at a position corresponding to a predetermined position of the first rotating portion and a second mark at a position corresponding to a predetermined position of the second rotating portion.

Abstract: A toner container has a partitioning wall disposed therein for partitioning the toner container whilst allowing communication between partitioned compartments. A waste toner collecting port for receiving the waste toner collected by the cleaning unit of an image forming apparatus is formed in the waste toner collection compartment. A toner agitating element for mixing waste toner with unused toner is arranged inside the partitioned waste toner collection compartment partitioned in the toner container.

Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning systems for electrographic processes and, in particular, to detecting leaks in such processes. A process and apparatus for sensing leaks is provided in an electrographic process cleaning system of the type configured to have a particle collection container. According to an aspect of the invention, a pressure is sensed that is indicative of pressure inside the particle collection container.

Abstract: A printing machine is provided which includes a body 1 having an opening 5, a drum support member 2 located in the body and having a head section 9 formed with an ink receptor port 8, and a turn table 11 mounted on the drum support member 2 for rotating movement and having a bottle guide to receive an ink bottle. The turn table 11 is freely rotatable between a bottle exchange position to allow an ink bottle 12 to be inserted into the bottle guide 14 through the opening 5 and a bottle receiving position to allow the ink bottle 12 set up in the bottle guide 14 to be received in an inner space of the opening 5.

Abstract: A developer container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes a first accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be supplied to the image forming apparatus, the first accommodating portion having an opening at one longitudinal end thereof; a second accommodating portion for accommodating a material collected from the image forming apparatus; wherein the first accommodating portion is provided with a driving force receiving portion for receiving from the image forming apparatus a driving force for rotating the first accommodating portion to feed the developer in the first accommodating portion toward the opening; wherein the first accommodating portion its supported by the image forming apparatus at the one longitudinal end and rotatably supported by the second accommodating portion at the other longitudinal end.

Abstract: A service unit for an electrographic apparatus has a reservoir for storage of fresh toner or developer and a reservoir for storage of waste or depleted toner or developer. The fresh toner reservoir is separable from the waste toner reservoir and detachable from the service unit. The fresh toner reservoir has a wall which, in use, is in contact with a wall of the waste toner reservoir. Both contacting walls are flexible whereby the combined volume of the two reservoirs is less than the sum of the volumes which may be used to store the fresh and waste toner at different stages in the duty cycle of the service unit.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes: a toner storage chamber; a toner collecting chamber; a partitioning wall for separating these chambers; a cylindrical return pipe penetrating through the partitioning wall with a conveyer screw arranged therein and is configured so that when the amount of untransferred toner collected into the toner collecting chamber exceeds the height of the return pipe, the untransferred toner is conveyed by the rotation of the conveyer screw to be returned into the toner storage chamber.

Abstract: A toner cartridge extending in a longitudinal direction thereof has a fresh toner chamber and a water toner chamber. The fresh toner chamber and waste toner chamber extend parallel to each other so that the fresh toner chamber and the waste toner chamber are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The waste toner chamber incorporates a toner-conveying member such as a screw conveyor. The screw conveyor extends between the opposed longitudinal ends, and causes the waste toner to move further into the waste toner chamber. The waste toner chamber has an entrance formed therein through which waste toner is received from a print process cartridge. The entrance opens yieldably when a waste toner exit enters the waste toner chamber through the entrance and closes when the waste toner exit moves out of the enters the waste toner chamber.

Abstract: A container assembly for storing material for delivery to or from a printing machine, the assembly including a container having a chamber for storing the material and a first mouth member, the container releasably co-operable with a conduit device having a second mouth member projecting therefrom and a screw-on mating mechanism positioned on the second mouth member, the container including a plurality of bump-like projections adapted to lift the mating mechanism so as to easily permit the container to be inserted into or removed from the machine and easily permit the first mouth member to be in contiguous relation to second mouth member, whereby the screw-on mating mechanism is adapted to screw onto the first mouth member and secure the container to the device permitting the material to flow between the container and the device.

Abstract: An exemplified object of the present invention is to provide a toner collection device that may effectively, easily and inexpensively utilize a storage space for waste toner. The toner collection device is provided with a displaceable partition in the storage space, and the partition may contact an agitator that may displace the partition.

Abstract: A replenishing container has a first chamber for containing a toner to be replenished to a developing device, and a second chamber for containing magnetic particles to be replenished to a charging device.

Abstract: A toner cartridge having excellent toner agitating and mixing properties, capable of ensuring improved image quality without increasing in complexity of the structure as well as capable of being compacted. A used toner recycling opening for dropping used toner by gravity is formed in an upper wall of a cartridge main body storing fresh toner. A toner agitator and a toner supply device for supplying mixed toner to a developing apparatus are arranged within the cartridge main body. The toner can be sufficiently mixed and agitated on a cartridge main body side without depending on a developing apparatus side, and the toner cartridge is prevented from being large-sized. In particular, since the used toner drops by gravity, a taking-in structure of this used toner is simplified, and a mixing work of the used toner with fresh toner is efficiently made irrespective of a moving direction of the toner agitator.

Abstract: A shutoff lid of a toner hopper is formed with locking elements for locking the lid and a fixing element for fixing the locking elements. In the front face of a bottle slider, a pair of projected abutments abutting the fixing element are arranged on the left and right sides and a pair of switching portions for moving the locking elements are formed. The rear face of the fixing element is shaped with a stepped face which corresponds to the projected abutments. As the bottle slider moves forwards, each projected abutment abuts the stepped face of the fixing element and moves the fixing element, to thereby cancel restraint of the fixing element on the locking elements. A further advancement of the bottle slider causes the locking elements to move and release the locked state. If a projected abutment does not match the fixing element, the fixing element cannot be moved thus making release of the lock impossible.

Abstract: A toner container for containing toner has a container main body portion, a container end portion, an aperture portion, and an extendable portion connecting the container main body portion and the container end portion. The extendable portion renders the portion capable of a relative rocking motion. The toner is discharged from the aperture portion by the relative rocking motion of the container main body portion and the container end portion.

Abstract: A toner replenishing container which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of a toner replenishing apparatus, the toner replenishing container includes a container body, having an opening for supplying toner into the main assembly, for containing toner; an opening and closing member, slidable in a first direction, for opening and closing the opening; wherein the opening and closing member is is slidable relative to the main assembly in a second direction which is different from the first direction, and when the opening and closing member is at a closing position for closing the opening, the opening and closing member is prevented from sliding in the first direction before sliding in the second direction.

Abstract: A remanufacturing method of a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus includes disassembling the process cartridge into a first frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer and a second frame having a developer carrying member for carrying the developer supplied from the developer accommodating portion toward an image bearing member, thus exposing an opening of the first frame for permitting movement of the developer from the first frame to the second frame; removing residual which is resulted from a covering member having been used for sealing the opening and which remains around the opening, wherein the covering member has a sealing portion for sealing the opening and an extension for permitting the sealing portion to be torn with a part thereof remaining around the opening to open the opening, by pulling the extension, wherein the residual is a part of the sealing portion; mounting a fresh covering member to seal the opening; then supplying the d

Abstract: A toner supply device includes: a toner cartridge having a cylindrical container with a spiral protruding portion therein, and a cap having a toner discharging hole; and a drive unit for supplying a toner from the toner discharging hole while gripping and rotating the cap of the toner cartridge. A positioning portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end side of the cylindrical container, and a recessed portion engaging the positioning portion is formed in an inlet holder. The drive unit includes: a holder and a holder cover, which are disassembled vertically; a cup-shaped holder guide, rotatably provided in the holder and holder cover, for gripping the cap at a position, at which the holder guide is communicated with the toner discharging hole; a motor for applying torque to the holder guide; and a drive gear for transmitting torque of the motor to the holder guide.

Abstract: A toner accommodating container part usable with 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 port for discharging the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion, wherein the toner supply port is positioned by the main assembly of the apparatus when the toner supply container is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus; (c) a positioning portion to be positioned by the main assembly of the apparatus when the toner supply container is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, wherein the positioning portion is provided at a lower surface of the toner accommodating container part when the toner supply container is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, and is disposed at a side opposite from a side having the toner supply port in a longitudinal direction of the toner accommodating container part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit having a photoreceptor, for making an electrostatic latent image on a surface of the photoreceptor visible as a toner image. A toner hopper stores toner to be supplied to the developing unit and a cleaning device removes and recovers the toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor after the toner image has been transferred onto a recording material. A toner transporting passage is connected between the cleaning device and the toner hopper, through which the toner recovered by the cleaning device is returned to the toner hopper. A toner exhausting port is disposed at a part of the toner transporting passage, from which the toner being returned from the cleaning device side is exhausted outside the toner transporting passage. An opening and closing member selectively opens or closes the toner exhausting port, wherein an inner diameter of the toner exhausting port is made larger than that of the toner transporting passage.

Abstract: A toner supply device includes a toner cartridge comprising a cylindrical container having a spiral protruding portion therein, and a cap having a toner discharging hole; and a drive unit for supplying a toner from the toner discharging hole while gripping and rotating the cap of the toner cartridge. A positioning portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end side of the cylindrical container, and a recessed portion engaging the positioning portion is formed in an inlet holder. The drive unit includes a holder and a holder cover, which are disassembled vertically; a cup-shaped holder guide, rotatably provided in the holder and holder cover, for gripping the cap at a position, at which the holder guide is communicated with the toner discharging hole; a motor for applying torque to the holder guide; and a drive gear for transmitting torque of the motor to the holder guide. A gripping handle is provided on the bottom of the cylindrical container of the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A developer replenishing container includes a container body, and a plurality of clamping strips selectively used with the container body for mounting in a copier, wherein the container body has a slide moved in and out of a frame at a bottom neck thereof for developer output control, and two locating blocks at two opposite sides of the bottom neck above the frame; the clamping strips each have a mouth adapted to receive the bottom neck of the container body, two recessed receiving portions disposed at two opposite lateral sides and facing each other and adapted to receive the locating blocks of the bottom neck, two flat positioning ribs respectively disposed in the recessed receiving portions at a bottom side and adapted for engaging into the gaps between the top side wall of the frame and the locating blocks of the bottom neck, and at least one stop rod disposed outside the mouth for positioning in a copier.

Abstract: A toner cartridge extending in a longitudinal direction thereof has a fresh toner chamber and a water toner chamber. The fresh toner chamber and waste toner chamber extend parallel to each other so that the fresh toner chamber and the waste toner chamber are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The waste toner chamber incorporates a toner-conveying member such as a screw conveyor. The screw conveyor extends between the opposed longitudinal ends, and causes the waste toner to move further into the waste toner chamber. The waste toner chamber has an entrance formed therein through which waste toner is received from a print process cartridge. The entrance opens yieldably when a waste toner exit enters the waste toner chamber through the entrance and closes when the waste toner exit moves out of the enters the waste toner chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrophotographic production of images on a printing medium, such as a printer or copier, has a printing unit fed with toner from a toner storage tank. Toner can be refilled into the tank through a closable opening without interrupting the printing operation.

Abstract: A developer unit is arranged with a replenish port for adding developer compound to the developer pan. The replenish port is arranged so that developer compound added to the replenish port falls through the port to an inclined ramp at one end of the developer pan. Further, the inclined ramp's angle of incline is arranged to exceed the developer compound's angle of repose. As a result, the added developer compound flows down the ramp and towards the agitator. The agitator, in turn, propels the developer compound towards the donor roll.

Abstract: A developer cartridge is used with an image forming apparatus. The developer cartridge has a groove which formed in a longitudinal end surface of thereof and extends in an insertion direction of the cylinder. A strip-shaped projection formed in the image forming apparatus projects extends in the insertion direction. When the developer cartridge is fully inserted into the image forming apparatus, the groove receives the projection so that the projection is at a predetermined position relative to the developer cartridge. Two first walls define the groove which is progressively wide as the circumference is approached. A second wall rises from the longitudinal end surface of the developer cartridge and is continuous with one of the two first opposed walls. The second wall smoothly guides the projection into the groove.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes an outer pipe, inner pipe inserted into the outer pipe, and cap fitted over the inner pipe. The outer pipe and inner pipe are of a long, hollow cylinder shape and are formed with a plurality of first and second openings, respectively, therein aligned longitudinally thereof. The inner pipe has at one end thereof a toner-filling opening and an annular flange eccentric with respect to the hollow cylinder, and at the other end thereof a knob that closes the longitudinal end of the hollow cylinder and abuts the outer pipe. The first openings are not aligned with the second openings when the inner pipe is at a first rotational position arid are aligned when the inner pipe is at a second rotational position. A sealing member is mounted to the inner pipe encircling the second openings and has third openings aligned with the second openings.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a container body for holding toner therein, at least one rotatable member including a rotation center shaft, for discharging the toner outside from the container body, disposed in the container body, the container body having an opening at one end thereof in the axial direction of rotation of the rotatable member, and a cap member for opening and closing the opening formed in the container body, which is capable of serving as a bearing member for the rotatable member thereon and is detachable through the opening in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotatable member. This toner cartridge is available with toner loaded therein, and can be recycled when the toner is used up. A method of recycling this toner cartridge is provided. In addition, an image formation apparatus including this toner cartridge is proposed.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrostatic latent image carrying body, an electric charger for uniformly electrifying the carrying body, an optical exposure unit to form an electrostatic latent image on the carrying body, a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image on the carrying body, a transfer unit for transferring the toner image from the carrying body onto a printing sheet, a fixing unit for fixing the toner image to the printing sheet, a cleaner for cleaning to remove residual toner from the carrying body and a toner returning mechanism for returning the residual toner removed by the cleaner to the developer. The developer includes a housing in which a toner chamber is defined, a developing roller rotatably mounted in the housing, an agitator rotatably mounted in the housing so as to be positioned in the toner chamber, a partitioning member provided in the housing for defining a carrier chamber adjacent to the developing roller.

Abstract: An ink supply apparatus for a wet electrophotographic printer. The ink supply apparatus includes a housing having an installation portion, an ink cartridge installed in the housing, for supplying ink to a developing unit, a detachable refill cartridge loaded in the installation portion, for supplying ink to the ink cartridge, and an ink supply device for supplying ink to the ink cartridge from the refill cartridge.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a hollow outer body, hollow inner body, and partition. The inner body is inserted into an outer body and slidably rotatable relative to the outer body. A partition is supported in the outer body and is slidable relative to the outer body in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge. The partition is at a first position substantially adjacent a longitudinal end when the inner body is at a closing position. The partition is moved to a second position after the inner body has been rotated to the opening position, thereby defining a residual toner accommodating space between the partition and the longitudinal end of the outer body. An agitating member may be provided in which a residual toner accommodating space is formed therein. The residual toner removed from a photoconductive drum is collected in a first toner receiving section. The residual toner is then carried by a screw conveyor to one side of the print process cartridge.