New And Waste Toner Container Patents (Class 399/120)
-
Patent number: 8112013Abstract: An image forming device includes a frame, a subunit detachably attached to the frame, a frame-side positioning portion, a subunit-side positioning portion, the subunit being positioned relative to the frame by making the subunit-side positioning portion contact the frame-side positioning portion, a contact regulating member attached to the frame movably between a location to contact the subunit before the subunit-side positioning portion comes into contact with the frame-side positioning portion in process of the subunit being attached to the frame from a detached state and a location to be kept from contacting the subunit, a pressing member attached to the frame movably between a position to press the subunit such that the subunit-side positioning portion is made contact the frame-side positioning portion and a position to be kept from pressing the subunit, and an interlocking member interlocking movements of the contact regulating member and the pressing member.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshiyuki Ikezaki
-
Publication number: 20120027459Abstract: An image forming device includes photosensitive drums, developer cartridges, an endless belt, first collecting units, first conveying units, a second collecting unit, a second conveying unit and communication portions. The photosensitive drums form a drum array including a leading photosensitive drum. Each developer cartridge has a waste developer accommodating chamber. Each first collecting unit collects waste developer on the corresponding photosensitive drum. Each first conveying unit conveys the waste developer toward the waste developer accommodating chamber. The second collecting unit collects waste developer on the endless belt. The second conveying unit conveys the waste developer toward the waste developer accommodating chamber. Each communication portion allows fluid communication between the first conveying unit and the waste developer accommodating chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shougo SATO
-
Patent number: 8103187Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a housing; a partition wall which is provided in the housing along a substantially vertical direction, the partition wall partitioning an inner space of the housing into a first space and a second space; developing units which are disposed in parallel along the substantially vertical direction in the first space, each of the developing units comprising a first reception opening and a return opening; and developer cartridges which correspond to the plurality of developing units, the developer cartridges being disposed in parallel along the substantially vertical direction in the second space, each of developer cartridges comprising a supply opening and a second reception opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shougo Sato
-
Patent number: 8103196Abstract: A developer containing device includes: a developer container configured to contain developer and to be inserted into a receptacle defined in an image forming apparatus main body; a developer feed inlet provided in a forward end of the developer container which is inserted into the receptacle in an insertion direction and for feeding the developer contained in the developer container into the image forming apparatus main body; and an opening and closing member that opens the developer feed inlet with movement of the developer container in the insertion direction when the developer container is inserted into the receptacle and closes the developer feed inlet with movement of the developer container in opposition to the insertion direction when the developer container is removed from the receptacle, when the opening and closing member moves to open the developer feed inlet, the forward end of the opening and closing member in the insertion direction and at least one side of the opening and closing member beingType: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazunori Koshimori, Hirokazu Murase
-
Patent number: 8099027Abstract: A developer containing device includes: a developer container configured to contain developer and to be inserted into a receptacle defined in an image forming apparatus main body; a developer feed inlet provided in a forward end of the developer container which is inserted into the receptacle in an insertion direction and for feeding the developer contained in the developer container into the image forming apparatus main body; and an opening and closing member that opens the developer feed inlet with movement of the developer container in the insertion direction when the developer container is inserted into the receptacle and closes the developer feed inlet with movement of the developer container in opposition to the insertion direction when the developer container is removed from the receptacle, the opening and closing member having a protrusion formed to protrude inward of the opening and closing member and allowed to engage with a recess provided in the developer container and being arranged to be allowedType: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., LtdInventors: Kazunori Koshimori, Hirokazu Murase
-
Patent number: 8095038Abstract: An imaging cartridge includes an image carrier, a developing device, a cleaning device, a waste toner box, a communication section and transporter means. A communication section formed by positioning a first joint section of the cleaning device and a second joint section of the waste toner box in overlapping positions. Opposed faces of the first joint section and the second joint section are formed such that the first extended regions are gradually extended toward the image carrier and the second extended regions are gradually extended toward the opposed side of the image carrier.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hiroshi Mizuno, Isamu Kugimiya, Takeshi Hashimoto, Naoto Yoshida, Nozomu Kondo
-
Publication number: 20110305482Abstract: A process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge having a photosensitive drum, a developer roller, a conductive electrode and a rectifier. The photosensitive drum and the developer roller are contacted with each other. The conductive electrode is contacted with a power supply electrode in the image forming apparatus to receive a developing bias. The rectifier converts an alternating current bias voltage into a direct current bias voltage. The rectifier is electrically connected between the conductive electrode and the developer roller. A rectifier converting an alternating current bias voltage into a direct current bias voltage is added into a contact process cartridge in the present invention. Therefore, the contact process cartridge can be applied to a printer using a jumping development method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: PRINT-RITE UNICORN IMAGE PRODUCTS CO., LTD. OF ZHUHAIInventor: Kin Keung So
-
Patent number: 8078087Abstract: A toner carrying device includes a flexible sheet, and a sheet moving mechanism for allowing the flexible sheet to move back and forth by pulling the flexible sheet. In the flexible sheet, a toner passage hole for leaving a first opening section of a toner carrying pipe to open is provided. In a case where the toner passage hole is divided into first through three areas in such a manner that (i) the first area is provided on a side of one end of the flexible sheet in a direction orthogonal to a moving direction of the flexible sheet; (ii) the second area is provided on a side of the other end of the flexible sheet in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction; and (iii) the third area is provided between the first area and the second area, the third area extends broader in the moving direction than respective of the first and second areas. This allows the flexible sheet partially having the toner passage hole in its area to move smoothly.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuhsuke Yoshimoto, Masanobu Deguchi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Kohichi Takenouchi, Kiyofumi Morimoto, Hiroo Naoi
-
Patent number: 8073361Abstract: A developing apparatus has: a developer container including a developer transportation unit that transports, while mixing, a developer containing a toner and a carrier along an axis of rotation by a rotatable mixing transportation member; and a cover member provided in part of the developer transportation unit so as to cover an upper portion of the mixing transportation member. A preset case disposed on top of the developer transportation unit has: a developer feed port provided on that bottom surface of the preset case which lies on a side of the developer container; and a sealing member that seals a developer feed port, the sealing member being mounted so as to be removable, when putting the preset case to use, longitudinally of the mixing transportation member. The developer feed port is provided except for a position that lies opposite to the cover member.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Wakako Oshige
-
Patent number: 8064815Abstract: An apparatus for moving waste toner within a printer cartridge includes an auger having a radially inward facing surface, the radially inward facing surface defining an opening having an inner diameter. An elongated drive shaft has an outer surface defining an outer diameter, the outer diameter of the drive shaft being greater than the inner diameter of the auger. The radially inward facing surface of the auger engages the outer surface of the drive shaft with a first pressure when the drive shaft is rotated within the opening of the auger in a first direction with a first load applied on the auger.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2010Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Fenley Gibson, David Lee Merrifield
-
Publication number: 20110280623Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in an image forming apparatus which includes a paper feeding unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit is provided. The toner cartridge may include a fresh toner storage to accommodate therein a fresh toner before use, a waste toner storage to accommodate therein a waste toner introduced through a waste toner inlet, and a waste toner moving device to move the waste toner introduced through the waste toner inlet of the waste toner storage away from the waste toner inlet. The waste toner storage may be arranged under the fresh toner storage in a manner in which an upper portion of the waste toner storage may be formed of a bottom of the toner storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Gun Heo, Se-il Kwon
-
Patent number: 8052781Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device that can include a waste collector, a system that transports waste stream of particle matter from a housing, a system that transports a waste stream of effluent and particle matter from the housing, and a separator that receives the waste streams and collects the particle matter into the waste collector.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jonathan B. Hunter, Keith M. Wasula, James J. Spence
-
Patent number: 8041265Abstract: An image forming unit includes an image forming unit main body; and a developer storage unit detachably attached to the image forming unit main body. The image forming unit main body includes a developer retaining space for retaining developer and a supply opening for supplying developer to the developer retaining space. The developer storage unit includes a discharge opening for discharging developer to the developer retaining space. The image forming unit main body further includes a movable member moving relative to the discharge opening and the supply opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Oki Data CorporationInventor: Tatsuhiko Shimomura
-
Patent number: 8036579Abstract: A developing device and a developer cartridge are provided. The developing device includes a first housing that receives a developing roller; a second housing that is disposed adjacent to and detachable from the first housing and stores developer; first and second communication paths that allow an inside of the first housing to communicate with an inside of the second housing and an agitator that is provided within the second housing and conveys the developer from the first communication path toward the second communication path. The developing cartridge includes a housing that stores developer and an agitator including a rotational shaft that is disposed in one direction and a first blade that is provided at a midpoint in the axial direction of the rotational shaft and conveys the developer from the midpoint in the axial direction of the rotational shaft to both end portions of the rotational shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideshi Nishiyama, Ryuya Yamazaki
-
Patent number: 8027621Abstract: A developer supply case which is detachably attachable to an inserted portion of an image forming apparatus body includes a case body which stores a developer in its inside; an engaging portion which causes an inserting load W when engaged with an engaged portion provided in the image forming apparatus at completion of insertion of the developer supply case into the inserted portion; and a load causing portion which is provided so as to abut part of the inserted portion in insertion of the developer supply case into the inserted portion and causes an inserting load P1 before the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, wherein the inserting load W and the inserting load P1 satisfy the following relation: P1?W.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsuo Isomura, Teruaki Tsurusaki, Yukihiro Kitozaki
-
Patent number: 8023855Abstract: A development device includes a developer carrier configured to carry developer and disposed in a development case, partly exposed from an opening of the development case facing an image carrier, a developer-transporting member configured to transport the developer to the developer carrier, and a discharging member housing a discharging space including a communicating path connecting to an area where the developer carrier faces the developer-transporting member, from which air is discharged into the discharging space, and a discharging port that opens in a longitudinal direction of the developer-transporting member, from which air is discharged from the discharging space.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company LimitedInventors: Yoshio Hattori, Keiichi Yoshida, Hiroyuki Uenishi
-
Patent number: 8019254Abstract: A toner conveying device includes a toner hopper for containing unused toner, a waste-toner hopper for containing waste toner, and waste-toner conveying screws that convey waste toner in the waste-toner hopper. The waste-toner hopper is separated from the toner hopper by a flexible partition made of elastic material. The flexible partition is located near the conveying member, and includes a rigid body.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Kenzo Tatsumi, Koji Kato, Hirobumi Ooyoshi, Tomofumi Yoshida, Yoshihiro Kawakami, Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Tomohiro Kubota
-
Patent number: 8000636Abstract: A particle supply apparatus for supplying particles to a supply destination is disclosed that includes a particle supply apparatus main frame, a particle accommodating unit that accommodates the particles, a gas spouting unit that is arranged at a bottom portion of the particle accommodating unit and is configured to spout gas toward the particles, and a conveying mechanism that applies suction to the particles accommodated in the particle accommodating unit and conveys the particles toward the supply destination. The particle accommodating unit is installed in the particle supply apparatus main frame and is arranged to rest on a face at the bottom portion side during operation, and the particle accommodating unit is detached from the particle supply apparatus main frame and is arranged to rest on a face other than the face at the bottom portion side during transportation.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Sano
-
Patent number: 7995961Abstract: A waste developer collecting device comprising: a collecting container; a collecting opening; a conveying unit; a filter; a partition wall; and an air inlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukihiro Ichiki, Junichiro Sameshima, Shigeru Tanaka, Tomokazu Kurita
-
Patent number: 7995934Abstract: An information attaching unit attaches either one of carrier density information of initial developer and loose apparent density information of toner in the initial developer to a housing of a developing device. A density-information storage unit stores therein either one of the carrier density information and the loose apparent density information as electronic data. At least one of the information attaching unit and the density-information storage unit is provided before shipment of the developing device.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventor: Yuji Suzuki
-
Patent number: 7991344Abstract: A recovery port, through which waste powder is recovered, is formed at one end of a waste powder recovery container. A conveying member for conveying the waste powder, which has been recovered through the recovery port, from one end to the other end is disposed inside the waste powder recovery container. The conveying member includes a first conveying portion positioned on a side of the recovery port, for conveying the waste powder to the other end, and a second conveying portion for dispersing in a widthwise direction the waste powder conveyed by the first conveying portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Akira Naruse
-
Patent number: 7983592Abstract: A toner container for replenishing toner to an image forming apparatus including: a container main body which comprises a toner storage section and a toner outlet; a cap that covers the toner outlet; and a seal member that is interposed between the container main body and the cap to prevent toner leakage, wherein the container main body has a step portion formed between the toner storage section and the toner outlet, and the seal member is fixed on the step portion to be interposed between the step portion and the cap.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kiyotaka Naito, Yoshihiko Toyoizumi, Tatsuo Nakanishi
-
Patent number: 7978989Abstract: A toner cartridge counts the number of times the toner cartridge has been shaken by a counting unit. A control unit of an image forming apparatus acquires the counting result of the counting unit, and controls each unit of the apparatus such that a display unit displays a message encouraging the worker to shake the toner cartridge since the shaking of the toner cartridge is insufficient if the acquired counting result is smaller than a predetermined value, and the toner contained in the toner cartridge is supplied to a developing unit of the image forming apparatus since the toner cartridge is sufficiently shaken and the toner in the toner cartridge is stirred and dissolved if the acquired counting result is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yusuke Nagano, Shigeru Watase, Hiroshi Takatani
-
Patent number: 7970313Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a housing having a first opening and a second opening which are directed in a same direction; a plurality of developing units which are disposed in parallel with each other in the housing along an oblique direction inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the developing units which are configured to be attached to and detached from the housing along the oblique direction through the first opening; and a plurality of developer cartridges which correspond to the plurality of developing units, each of the developer cartridges being disposed in parallel with each other in the housing to be opposite to an end of a respective one of the developing units along a substantially horizontal direction in a longitudinal direction of the developing units, the developer cartridges which are configured to be attached to and detached from the housing through the second opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shougo Sato
-
Patent number: 7970336Abstract: A powder housing unit includes a plate-shaped agitating unit that is horizontally arranged inside of a casing to accommodate a powder, a rotating shaft that causes the agitating unit to slide back and forth, and a powder conveying unit that conveys the powder in a horizontal direction during the sliding. The rotating shaft is supported by a shaft supporting unit in a rotatable manner such that a space is formed between the rotating shaft and the shaft supporting unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Takeshi Sakashita, Tomofumi Inoue, Takeru Muramatsu, Kohji Hatayama, Mitsutoshi Kichise, Yuuji Meguro
-
Patent number: 7965957Abstract: A developing device configured such that the developing device or the like can be easily inserted and removed without increasing the size of the apparatus, and an image forming apparatus that uses this developing device as well as a process cartridge. The developing device is provided with a first rib formed projecting from a first main wall surface, which is the side surface with the maximum area in the chassis of the developing device, and a second rib formed projecting from a second main wall surface, which is the side surface in opposition to the first main wall surface, the first rib being disposed in a position higher than the second rib in the height direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Tomohiro Kubota, Kenzo Tatsumi, Yoshihiro Kawakami, Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Hirobumi Ooyoshi, Tomofumi Yoshida, Koji Kato
-
Patent number: 7962064Abstract: A hollow cylindrical cap is rotatably attached to a container body opening provided in one end of a hollow cylindrical container body. A seal member around the container body opening forms a seal between the container body and the cap. Once the cap is attached to the container body, pressing chips are circumferentially slidably engaged with a flange, and the seal member is pressure-sealed to a pressure-seal portion. A toner container identification is contiguous with the rear edge of one of the pressing chips. The toner container identification is formed by denting one part of the cap so its outer surface radially protrudes outward, and has a predetermined cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Kengo Asai
-
Patent number: 7962063Abstract: A toner bottle for use in a marking device with a feed mechanism. The toner bottle includes first and second compartments for holding fresh and waste toner, respectively. The feed mechanism allows fresh toner to be delivered to the marking engine from the bottle and waste toner to be returned to the bottle from the marking engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Daryl Joel d'Entrecasteaux
-
Patent number: 7962071Abstract: A developing device which can stably supply a developer to a latent image carrier by preventing the scattered developer from being discharged and thereby preventing the developer from being discharged despite that the amount of developer within the developing device does not increase, and an image forming apparatus using the developing device. A block member serving as a scattered developer discharge prevention member is provided so as to block a path through which the developer scattered as a result of a conveyance operation of a supply screw serving as a developer conveying member moves toward a developer discharge port. Accordingly, the scattered developer is prevented from reaching the developer discharge port and being discharged therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kiyonori Tsuda, Koichi Kato, Yuki Oshikawa, Yasufumi Takahashi, Eriko Maruyama, Koichi Sakata, Hitoshi Ishibashi, Kentaroh Tomita, Mugijirou Uno, Keiko Matsumoto, Kohichi Utsunomiya
-
Patent number: 7957679Abstract: If a user is not familiar with the operation for the developer supply container, the rotating operation for the developer supply container may be insufficient, so that developer supply container does not reach a predetermined operating position, with the result of abnormal developer supply. by increasing a rotation load of a second gear 6 which is in an operable connection with a drive gear member 12 of the developer receiving apparatus 10 by a function of a locking member 7, the developer supply container 1 mounted to the developer receiving apparatus 10 is rotated toward the supply position. After the developer supply container 1 rotates to the supply position, the locking by the locking member 7 is released, by which the rotation load applied to the second gear 6 is reduced, so that drive transmission, thereafter, to the feeding member 4 for developer supply is smooth.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2010Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuo Nakajima, Ayatomo Okino, Katsuya Murakami, Toshiaki Nagashima, Yutaka Ban
-
Patent number: 7957681Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container in which a developer is contained; a developer carrying member for carrying the developer and feeding the developer by rotation thereof to a developing zone in which the developer carrying member opposes an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed and develops the latent image with the developer; and an electrode, disposed opposed to the developer carrying member, to which a bias for forming an electric field for moving regular-charge toner in the developer container toward the developer carrying member is to be applied. The electrode is provided downstream of the developing zone with respect to a rotational direction of the developer carrying member and is provided vertically above the developer carrying member. At least a part of the electrode is located downstream of a rectilinear line connecting a rotation center and top point of the developer carrying member with respect to the rotational direction of the developer carrying member.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Shigehiro
-
Patent number: 7953351Abstract: A developer supply case which is detachably attachable to an inserted portion of an image forming apparatus body includes a case body which stores a developer in its inside; an engaging portion which causes an inserting load W when engaged with an engaged portion provided in the image forming apparatus at completion of insertion of the developer supply case into the inserted portion; and a load causing portion which is provided so as to abut part of the inserted portion in insertion of the developer supply case into the inserted portion and causes an inserting load P1 before the engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion, wherein the inserting load W and the inserting load P1 satisfy the following relation: P1?W.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsuo Isomura, Teruaki Tsurusaki, Yukihiro Kitozaki
-
Patent number: 7953347Abstract: The present application is directed to retainers and methods of retaining a developer unit within an image forming device. One embodiment may include positioning a retainer attached to a frame at a first position with a second end of the retainer positioned away from the developer unit. A toner cartridge may be inserted into the image forming device in a vertical direction and contact against retainer. The toner cartridge may laterally move the retainer relative to the frame from the first position to a second position with the second end positioned to prevent removal of the developer unit from the frame. Another embodiment features a system to retain a developer unit in an image forming device. The system may include a frame configured to receive the developer unit and the toner cartridge. A retainer may be movably attached to the frame and include a first end with a ramped surface, and a second end spaced away from the first end.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Jedediah Taylor Dawson, Matthew Thomas Kerley
-
Patent number: 7941073Abstract: The toner cartridge is provided with: a toner storing container of a rectangular shape having a toner feeding opening in an angular portion of the toner storing container; a stirring conveying member that is disposed so as to rotate in a predetermined rotation direction in the toner storing container and stirs and conveys toner in the toner storing container toward the toner feeding opening; a waste toner storing container that stores reclaimed toner; and a partition member that is held by the toner storing container, partitions between the toner storing container and the waste toner storing containers and has a bearing portion axially supporting a rotating shaft of the stirring conveying member and extending into inside of the waste toner storing container. The toner stored in the toner storing container has an average value of a shape factor (SF1) of about 130 or less.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiichi Takagi, Yasushige Nakamura, Takashi Hino, Tsutomu Uezono, Masanori Murase, Koichi Tanaka, Kazuhiro Saito
-
Patent number: 7929900Abstract: A waste toner cartridge includes a housing and a plug. The housing has a recessed bottom wall and a periphery wall integrally connected with the bottom wall to define an accommodation recess therebetween and provided with a flange having an arc section and two restricting portions respectively extending from two ends of the arc section. The plug has a body portion received in the accommodation recess, and an anchor portion extending axially from the body portion. The body portion of the plug has an outer diameter larger than a distance between the restricting sections of the flange, and the anchor portion of the plug has a radius larger than a radius of curvature of the arc section of the flange such that the plug can be firmly retained in the accommodation recess of the housing when the plug is not in use.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: General Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kuan-Tung Li, Han-Ju Wu
-
Patent number: 7929898Abstract: A tandem type image forming apparatus drives an agitation paddle when the waste toner defecated from a plurality of image forming units and flowed and collected in a single waste toner containing member by way of the first collection port thereof gets to a predetermined level in order to level the height of the waste toner in the waste toner containing member. The quantity of waste toner flowed by way of the first collection port is estimated from the quantity of the toners supplied from the toner cartridges of the development apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenichiro Shishikura
-
Patent number: 7925184Abstract: A developer supply container (1) detachably mountable to a hollow portion of a rotatable photosensitive member (100) provided in a electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the container including a rotatable container body having an inner space for containing a developer; a feeding portion (5) for feeding the developer in the container body with a rotation of the container body to discharge the developer out of the container body; and a engageable portion (3a) which is engageable with the photosensitive member so that container body is rotated integrally with the photosensitive member by a rotational driving force received from a driving member (104) provided in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yusuke Yamada
-
Publication number: 20110076056Abstract: A developer container includes a casing, a conveying member, a conveying-member accommodating unit, and a supporting member. The casing extends in a longitudinal direction and has a developer accommodating chamber and a waste-developer accommodating chamber and a first opening. The developer accommodating chamber accommodates developer therein. The waste-developer accommodating chamber accommodates waste developer therein. The first opening provides fluid communication between the developer accommodating chamber and outside of the casing. The casing has a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction. The conveying member is configured to convey the waste developer in a conveying direction defined to be directed from the first end to the second end. The conveying-member accommodating unit is configured to accommodate the conveying member therein. The conveying-member accommodating unit has an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion in the conveying direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shougo SATO
-
Patent number: 7917078Abstract: A waste collecting device includes a first box including a top surface having a first opening, a bottom surface opposed to the top surface, and side surfaces connecting the top surface and the bottom surface and having a second opening, wherein the top surface, the bottom surface, and the side surfaces define a space allowing waste to be accommodated therein; a second box including a top surface, a bottom surface opposed to the top surface, and side surfaces connecting the top surface and the bottom surface and having a third opening, the third opening being in communication with the second opening; and a sending unit disposed in the first box and configured to send the waste in a direction away from the second box.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shusaku Tsusaka, Yoshiyuki Okazaki, Koichi Kubo, Takeshi Yamanaka
-
Patent number: 7904006Abstract: A toner replenishing device that provides a container and a device having a high toner volumetric efficiency and a low cost, suppresses vibration during replenishment to a minimum, and stores recovered toner without impairing the volumetric efficiency of unused toner is constituted by a developer replenishing device which is provided with a developer container storing a developer used in an image forming apparatus and replenishes a developing device of the image forming apparatus with the developer in the developer container. The developer container is rectangular in a horizontal direction, and comprises an outside container storing unused developer and a deformable inside container enveloped by the outside container.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Satoshi Muramatsu
-
Patent number: 7899371Abstract: This invention provides a buffering block with a Mylar bonded on the upper surface of an urethane rubber made base material on the bottom surface of the inserting port of an inserting side frame to support a toner bottle. When a toner bottle is slid and taken out from a copying machine, its inclined portion and cap portion run against the buffering block. Thus, a shock given to the toner bottle when taken out from the copying machine is eased and toner adhered around the cap portion is prevented from dropping to and contaminating the periphery of the inserting side frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2010Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Noriyuki Takuwa
-
Patent number: 7899368Abstract: A development device includes a developer carrying member, developer supply, developer collection and developer agitation conveyance paths, transfer and communication openings, and partition. The developer carrying member bears a two-component developer. The developer supply and developer collection conveyance paths respectively convey the two-component and collected developers in the first direction. The developer agitation conveyance path conveys excess and collected developers in a second direction while agitating to supply the agitated developers to the developer supply conveyance path. The partition separates the developer collection, developer supply, and developer agitation conveyance paths. The transfer opening transfers the collected developer from the first to the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoru Yoshida, Hiroya Hirose, Kiyonori Tsuda
-
Patent number: 7890022Abstract: A developing unit includes a developer cartridge containing developer and a developing cartridge with a developing cartridge body comprising a mounting portion and a cover member. The mounting portion accepts the developer cartridge for replenishing developer consumed by the developing cartridge. The cover member closes an opening of the mounting portion when the developer cartridge is not inserted into the mounting portion. When a developing unit is initially constructed, printing is performed using developer contained in the developing unit. A developer cartridge containing developer can be inserted into the developing unit, allowing the supply of developer in the developing unit to be replenished.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dae-Seob Kweon, Joo-Hwan Noh, Jong-Moon Eun, Jean-Man Sur
-
Patent number: 7890044Abstract: A powder conveyance device capable of removing toner (powder) stuck to a conveyor belt easily and reliably comprises a powder conveyor belt having a plurality of concavo-convex portions formed continuously on a conveyance surface thereof, driving means for driving the conveyor belt, and a scraping member that contacts the conveyor belt. At least one of the scraping member and a convex portion of the conveyor belt deforms elastically such that a tip end of the scraping member enters a concave portion and scrapes away the powder stuck to the conveyor belt.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Kenzo Tatsumi, Yoshihiro Kawakami, Tomohiro Kubota, Koji Kato, Hirobumi Ooyoshi, Tomofumi Yoshida
-
Patent number: 7885582Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image holder; a developing device that develops a latent image formed on the image holder with developing material; a developing material cartridge that has a supply developing material container to contain developing material; and a developing material conveyance unit, having a connection portion connected to the developing device, that conveys the developing material from the supply developing material container to the developing device. The developing material cartridge is provided in a direction approximately orthogonal to the developing device. At least a part of the connection portion is provided within a heightwise directional width of the developing material cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naomasa Okimura, Atsuna Saiki, Takeshi Okoshi, Kazuhiro Saito, Kiyoshi Sakoh, Hideyuki Ohtani
-
Patent number: 7881642Abstract: This is a thumper assembly that is positioned in a developer station of a xerographic marking system. A waste container connected to a drop tube collects waste developer from this station. A magnet prevents magnetic developer from moving through the tube when the container is removed. Once a new container is installed, the magnet is moved away from the tube thereby allowing magnetic developer lodged therein to again move through the tube. A thumper is moved striking the tube to further dislodge developer and allow this developer to move through the tube into the waste container.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: James D. Walsh, Timothy P. Foley
-
Publication number: 20100322666Abstract: A developer storing vessel includes a supplied developer storing portion including: a first supply storing portion which is stored a developer to be supplied to a developer unit; a second supply storing portion which is provided under the first supply storing portion and formed with a horizontal width narrower than that of the first supply storing portion; and a supply outlet from which the developer stored in the second supply storing portion flows out; and a recovered developer storing portion including: a recovery inlet which is disposed above the supply outlet in a direction of gravity, in a position displaced therefrom horizontally and within the horizontal width of the first supply storing portion, and from which recovered developer flows in, and a recovery storing portion which is provided under the recovery inlet and in which the developer flowing from the recovery inlet is stored.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Mitsugu INOMATA, Naomasa OKIMURA, Atsuna SAIKI, Kazuhiro SAITO
-
Patent number: 7856198Abstract: A toner cartridge includes: a cartridge main body having an opening; a toner chamber that is provided inside the cartridge main body and contains toner; an open-close member that opens/closes the opening by moving; and a regulation part that regulates movement of the open-close member in an opening/closing direction when the cartridge main body is moved in a direction where it is removed/attached to/from an image forming apparatus, wherein the opening enables movement of the toner between a position inside the toner chamber and a position outside the cartridge main body.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Atsuna Saiki
-
Patent number: RE42796Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Ishii
-
Patent number: RE42797Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yuichi Makino