Metering (regulating, Gate, Discharge Ports) Patents (Class 399/260)
  • Publication number: 20130243477
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a holder, photosensitive drums, developing units, and toner cartridges. Each toner cartridge includes a case, shutter, and operation member. The case contains the toner therein and has an opening at a position confronting the corresponding developing unit in a state that the toner cartridge is attached to the holder. The shutter is movable between a block position and an open position. The shutter is located at the open position when the operation member is located at a first position. The shutter is located at the block position when the operation member is located at a second position. The operation member has: a base end fixed to the shutter; and a distal end configured to move from a lower position to a position higher than the lower position when the operation member is moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya KAMIMURA, Shougo SATO, Masashi IMAI, Nao ITABASHI, Hideshi NISHIYAMA, Ryuya YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20130243445
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an upper cover, an image forming unit including an image carrier and a developing device, a toner container detachably connectable to the developing device to supply toner to the developing device through an opening in the toner container, a shutter provided to the toner container and biased by a first elastic member in a direction to close the opening of the toner container, a link member integrated with the shutter, a shutter switching member to switch a position of the shutter to an open position by moving the link member to a pressing position, and an interlock mechanism to retract the shutter switching member from the pressing position in conjunction with opening of the upper cover. The opening is closed with the shutter by switching the shutter switching member to a retracted position in conjunction with the opening of the upper cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi TAKAHIRA, Haruo HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20130243491
    Abstract: A powder container includes a powder chamber for containing powder for forming images, a powder outlet formed in a face of the powder container, and a shutter assembly to open and close the powder outlet and including first and second shutters. The first shutter is movable between a sealing position to close the powder outlet and an open position to open the powder outlet and includes a pressed member to cancel retention of the first shutter at the sealing position. The second shutter includes a pressing projection that interferes with the pressed member of the first shutter and is movable between a shielding position to cover the pressed member without interference between the pressing projection and the pressed member and a releasing position to press the pressed member with the pressing projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Kentaro NODERA, Emi Kita, Akihiro Takayama, Susumu Tateyama, Shinnosuke Koshizuka, Tatsuya Kubo, Teppei Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8532541
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detachably mountable cartridge having a developing unit, and a developer receiving opening is provided on the developing unit for receiving developer. The image forming apparatus also includes a detachably mountable developer supplying container that includes a discharge opening for discharging developer. A developer supplying mechanism is provided for supplying developer to the developer receiving opening through the discharge opening. The developer supplying mechanism is provided such that the developer receiving opening is disposed below the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Yahagi
  • Patent number: 8526862
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a developer container, an agitating member, a first shutter, and a first rotatable member. The developer container includes a first arc-shaped wall having an arc shape that is concave inward in a cross-sectional view. A first opening is formed in the first arc-shaped wall. The agitating member is positioned in the developer container and configured to agitate the developer. The first shutter has an arc shape in the cross-sectional view and is configured to rotate along a periphery of the first arc-shaped wall between a first position to open the first opening and a second position to close the first opening. The first rotatable member is positioned at at least one axial end of the first shutter. The first shutter is configured to rotate in response to rotating of the first shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8515316
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer supply part and a developer collecting part, wherein the developer supply part has a developer inlet port for introducing a developer supplied from a reservoir into the developer supply part and a developer extraction port provided on the side of the developer inlet port to remove a portion of the developer so as to define a quantity of the developer to be introduced in the developer supply part, and wherein the developer extraction port and the developer collecting part are connected to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Tomoya Ohmura, Natsumi Matsue, Yasuo Takuma, Hiroshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8509637
    Abstract: A metering skive for a dry electrophotographic (EP) printer is mounted on a retractable skive mount. The skive mount is spring-loaded to a mounting block, and a stop pin sets the distance between the skive mount and the mounting block. A movable spacer with a plurality of laterally-separated regions of respective, different thicknesses is mounted between the head of the stop pin and the mounting block. A retractor can be operated to pull the skive mount towards the mounting block so the spacer can be moved to select a desired spacing between the mounting block and the skive mount, and thus a desired gap between the metering skive and the toning member in the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Dobbertin, David James Cornell, Henry Paul Mitchell, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130195511
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner container and a development device. The toner container includes a container main body being provided with a discharge port configured to discharge a toner. The development device includes a development device main body being provided with a replenishment port configured to receive a toner discharged from the discharge port and a shutter configured to open/close the replenishment port. The shutter opens/closes the replenishment port by turning along the outside face of the development device main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
  • Patent number: 8490893
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dispensing toners. In one aspect, a toner dispensing system includes a toner container; a cap and valve assembly coupled to the toner container, the cap and value assembly including: a movable valve assembly, the movable valve assembly having a first position and a second position, a toner path, and an air inlet path, where in a first valve assembly position the toner path and the air inlet path are closed, and in a second valve assembly position the toner path and the air inlet path are open; an air assembly including a first air supply coupled to the air path of the cap and valve assembly and a second regulated air supply coupled to the toner container; and a control assembly for controlling the second air supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Charles A. Centofante, Brian S. Boothman
  • Patent number: 8494417
    Abstract: An opening/closing member is movable between an open position in which a passage opening through which developer passes is open and a closed position in which the passage opening is closed. The opening/closing member includes a protrusion that protrudes toward an edge of the passage opening with respect to a scrape limiting portion, the protrusion being disposed on each of two sides with respect to a direction that is perpendicular to directions of movement between the open position and the closed position. A front end of the opening/closing member in a closing direction from the open position to the closed position is disposed so as to be separated from a surface of the edge of the passage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Murase, Atsushi Funada
  • Publication number: 20130183066
    Abstract: An image-forming device may include a casing and a developing unit that is detachably mounted in the casing and formed with a first opening. The developer unit may have a developer carrying member carrying a developer, wherein the developing unit includes one end. The image-forming device may also include a first shutter configured to open and close the first opening and a developer cartridge that is configured to be detachably mounted in the casing, accommodate the developer, and is formed with a second opening. The second opening may be in alignment with the first opening when the developing unit and the developer cartridge are mounted in the casing. The image-forming device may also include a second shutter configured to open and close the second opening. The image-forming device may also include an alignment member between the developing unit and the developer cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8489002
    Abstract: A method for delaying the start of a gage for tracking the life of a consumable item for an imaging device according to one exemplary embodiment includes counting the number of revolutions of a rotating imaging component having a correlation with the life of the consumable item and determining whether a predetermined delay threshold is satisfied based on the number of revolutions of the imaging component counted. Until the predetermined delay threshold is satisfied, starting the gage and tracking the remaining life of the consumable item are delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Alan Stirling Campbell, David Lee Merrifield
  • Patent number: 8483599
    Abstract: A powder container includes an open/close lid that closes an opening partly formed in a container body corresponding to a powder opening of a container receiver; a first restricting portion that, upon attachment of the container body to the container receiver, contacts a contact surface formed upstream of the powder opening to restrict a position of the lid in an open/close operation direction thereof; a flexible sealing member that protrudes from an opening-side edge of an open position, and closes an opening-side portion of a gap between the contact surface and the first restricting portion; and a second restricting portion that, upon detachment of the container body, when a press member restricts movement of the lid, restricts a posture of the sealing member so as to be pressed against an edge portion of the powder opening at a position where the first restricting portion contacts the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Okuma, Takashi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20130170871
    Abstract: An shutter having an overmolded seal for use in controlling the flow of toner through a port in a toner containing supply items for an imaging apparatus. In one form the shutter is overmolded with a seal comprised of a sleeve and one or more integrally molded angled endless ribs projecting outwardly from the sleeve. With the shutter installed in the supply item, the ribs deflect creating an sealing interface with the housing of the supply item to prevent toner leakage between the shutter and the housing of the supply item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: John Andrew Buchanan, James Anthany Carter, II, Benjamin Keith Newman, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Patent number: 8478171
    Abstract: A toner bottle includes a toner accommodating container, an inner lid including an inner discharge port, a measurement shutter member movable between an accumulation position where toner is accumulated in space formed between the measurement shutter member and the inner discharge port, and a discharge position where the toner accumulated in the space is discharged, an inner discharge port sealing member, and an outer lid for rotatably supporting the toner accommodating container in a state that the outer lid surrounds the inner discharge port. The outer lid has a shutter opening and closing inner peripheral surface where a restraint portion for restraining the measurement shutter member at the accumulation position, and a non-restraint portion capable of moving the measurement shutter member to the discharge position so that an outer surface of the measurement shutter member is abutted with the non-restraint portion are arranged in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tatsuyuki Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20130164041
    Abstract: A developer storage container includes a storage portion for storing a developer therein, an opening for ejecting the developer stored in the storage portion, and an opening-and-closing member for opening and closing the opening. A concave portion is formed on the opening-and-closing member so that the concave portion faces the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Oki Data Corporation
  • Patent number: 8472847
    Abstract: Provided is a developing device capable of, with a simple structure, preventing occurrence of image degradation ascribable to a distribution of an amount of fall in a longitudinal direction due to developer replenishment within a developer container. An upper rim portion of a developer regulating wall for adjusting an amount of a developer falling along a developer transport direction of a developer transport path is inclined so as to become low in height in the developer transport direction of the developer transport path. A width of a surface in the developer transport direction of the developer transport path is enlarged along the developer transport direction of the developer transport path. A wall is formed by the developer transported on the developer transport path, and the developer transported in a longitudinal direction is transported in the longitudinal direction while breaking a wall of the developer itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.
    Inventor: Yasufumi Kayahara
  • Patent number: 8453891
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed comprising an elongate body comprising a lumen and an output aperture near a distal portion thereof, a plunger positioned in the lumen and movable to a first position and a second position, and a toner path formed at least partially within the lumen and extending from a toner input to a toner path end located proximate the output aperture. When the plunger is in the first position, the output aperture is not fluidly coupled to the toner path. When the plunger is in the second position, the outlet aperture is fluidly coupled to the toner path such that a toner in the toner path can exit the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Charles A. Centofante, Brian S. Boothman
  • Publication number: 20130136505
    Abstract: A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus and settable in a developer receiving apparatus by a setting operation including at least a rotation toward a setting position, includes a containing portion for containing the developer; a rotatable discharging member for discharging the developer out of said containing portion; drive transmitting means, engageable with a driving gear provided in said developer receiving apparatus and rotatable in a direction opposite the setting direction, for transmitting a rotating force from said driving gear to said discharging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8422920
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a cylindrically-shaped feed portion that is fed with toner from above; a transport path including an inlet through which the toner transported from the feed portion enters and transporting the toner therethrough; and a transporting member including a rotary shaft provided to extend from the feed portion to the transport path, the rotary shaft being provided with a small-diameter portion on an upstream side thereof and a large-diameter portion on a downstream side thereof in the toner transport direction, and transports the toner along the transport path, the large-diameter portion being provided inside the transport path, the large-diameter portion having an end portion on the upstream side thereof in the toner transport direction to be connected to the small-diameter portion, the end portion being provided on a side of the feed portion of the inlet of the transport path in the toner transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8422921
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developing units respectively including developer inlets, the developing units are arranged side by side in a first direction, a plurality of developer containers to contain developers to be supplied to the plurality of developing units and respectively including developer outlets, the developer units are arranged side by side in the first direction to face the plurality of developing units, and a plurality of developer supplying paths respectively to connect the developer inlets to the developer outlets, wherein the plurality of developer containers include first and second developer containers, and a position of the developer outlet of the second developer container is different from position of the developer outlet of the first developer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Su-in Lee
  • Patent number: 8417158
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a feed portion that is fed with toner from above; a transport path that includes an inlet through which the toner fed to the feed portion enters, that allows the toner to be transported therethrough, and that is in a cylindrical shape; and a transporting member including: a rotary shaft provided to extend in the feed portion and the transport path; and a moving portion pressing toner with rotation of the rotary shaft to move the toner, and that transports along the transport path the toner fed to the feed portion, a part of the rotary shaft of the transporting member located in the transport path having a larger diameter than a part of the rotary shaft located in the feed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130078004
    Abstract: A developer container includes a container body having an inner space capable of containing a developer and an opening communicating with the inner space; an opening and closing portion that is disposed on the container body and that opens and closes the opening; and a pair of restraining portions that are disposed on the opening and closing portion and that each restrain the opening and closing portion from being moved from a closed position to an open position. The opening and closing portion is permitted to be moved to the open position if the restraint on the movement of the opening and closing portion by each of the pair of restraining portions is independently removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO, LTD.
    Inventor: Takuji MATSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 8401436
    Abstract: A developer container is provided with a container body. An opening is formed through the container body. An opening/closing lid closes the opening. A lid holding frame holds the opening/closing lid in such a manner that the opening/closing lid can move between an open position and a closed position. A stopper stops the opening/closing lid and thereby preventing it from moving toward the open position in a state that the opening/closing lid is located at the closed position. A contact portion comes into contact with a hook portion provided in a container receiving portion when the developer container is inserted into the container receiving portion. A deformable portion deforms the stopper to such an extent that the stopping of the opening/closing lid by the stopper is canceled when the developer container is inserted into the container receiving portion and the contact portion comes into contact with the hook portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sakamoto, Ryuji Hattori, Toshikazu Tsumita
  • Patent number: 8391753
    Abstract: A powder container includes: a powder containing portion that has an opening formed thereon and contains powder inside thereof, the powder containing portion being attached to an image forming apparatus; a closing member, when the powder containing portion is attached to the image forming apparatus, whose movement is regulated by striking against a regulation member provided to the image forming apparatus to relatively move against the powder containing portion to open the opening, and the closing member, when the powder containing portion is detached from the image forming apparatus, whose movement is regulated by moving and making contact with the image forming apparatus to relatively move against the powder containing portion to close the opening; and a moving portion that moves the regulation member when the powder containing portion is detached from the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Takashima, Hideki Kuge, Kouji Fukumuro
  • Publication number: 20130051863
    Abstract: A toner supply device including a casing and a shutter member. The casing includes a toner container for containing toner, a discharge aperture for discharging the toner from the toner container, and an aperture. The shutter member includes an elastic part having at least one bending portion and the elastic part is elastically deformable. The shutter member is insertable into the casing through the aperture to be movable between a closed position at which the discharge aperture is closed and an opened position at which the discharge aperture is opened while the elastic part is kept elastically deformed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Shinnosuke KOSHIZUKA, Hiroyuki Uenishi, Susumu Tateyama, Tatsuya Kubo, Akihiro Takayama, Kentaro Nodera, Emi Kita
  • Patent number: 8380102
    Abstract: A toner container system includes a reservoir for containing toner having a rotatable member positioned within an opening through the reservoir and a skiving seal for blocking toner from entering a gap between the opening and the rotatable member. The skiving seal is positioned along the length of the rotatable member and is adhesively affixed adjacent to the rotatable member along the gap in the skiving direction of rotation of the rotatable member. The skiving seal includes a flexible sheet having a length corresponding to the length of the gap and a tubular portion adjacent to the gap formed by folding the flexible sheet over itself from an edge extending along the length of the flexible sheet, without creasing the fold, and adhering a portion of the folded portion of the flexible sheet to the surface of the flexible sheet along the length of the flexible sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lee Merrifield, Royden Thomas Kern
  • Patent number: 8374528
    Abstract: A developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus, include at least one developing roller. A plurality of transport members with screw and shaft portions, transport developing agent housed within the device in a longitudinal direction, and form a circulation path. A discharge aperture, formed in a transport path wall of one transport member, discharges developing agent to the outside when a surface of the developing agent transported by one of the plurality of transport members exceeds a predetermined height. The one transport member is adjacent to the developing roller that supplies the developing agent and includes, in a part in the longitudinal direction, an area on which the screw portion is not formed. The discharge aperture is disposed opposite to the area on which the screw portion is not formed, and the length of the discharge aperture is formed smaller than that of the area in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kubo, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Susumu Tateyama
  • Patent number: 8374527
    Abstract: A developer storing body is detachably attached to an image forming unit main body of an image forming unit. The developer storing body includes a cartridge main body for storing a developer. The cartridge main body has a developer outlet opening through which the developer is ejected. The developer storing body includes an outlet shutter member movable with respect to the cartridge main body so as to open and close the developer outlet opening. A movable direction of the outlet shutter member is substantially the same as a direction in which the developer storing body is attached to or detached from the image forming unit main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Ohta, Yukiyoshi Oda, Ken Nozawa
  • Patent number: 8369752
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a development apparatus that includes: a developer storing part; a developer supply mechanism; and a surplus developer removing section; wherein the developer supply mechanism includes: a toner storing part; a carrier storing part; a developer conveying path and a conveying mechanism, both are arranged between the toner storing part and the developer storing part, and between the carrier storing part and the developer storing part; wherein the developer conveying path includes a toner ejection outlet through which a toner stored in the toner storing part is ejected and a carrier ejection outlet through which a carrier stored in the carrier storing part is ejected, and a supplying developer ejection outlet through which a supplying developer is ejected to the developer storing part; and wherein the conveying mechanism is adapted to convey the toner and the carrier while stirring them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Furuta, Toshiki Masuda, Hiroyuki Tokimatsu, Hiroshi Akita
  • Patent number: 8346135
    Abstract: A powder conveyance device includes a powder conveyance pipe having a first conveyance section communicating with the powder container section and having a supply inlet to receive powder from a powder container. A second conveyance section is provided in the powder conveyance pipe to communicate downstream with the first conveyance section via a first bending section. The second conveyance section downwardly extends to the conveyance destination being inclined from a horizontal at a larger angle than the first conveyance section. A third conveyance section is also provided in the powder conveyance pipe to communicate downstream with the second conveyance section via a second bending section. The third conveyance section extends toward the conveyance destination being inclined from the horizontal at a smaller angle than the second conveyance section. The third conveyance section has a replenishment outlet for replenishing the powder from the powder conveyance pipe to the powder conveyance destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kenji Kikuchi, Eisuke Hori, Hideki Kimura
  • Patent number: 8346134
    Abstract: A developing device that can discharge developer by an amount of developer in the developing device increased by a carrier supplemented into the developing device includes a supply transport screw and a receiving transport screw in a top and bottom positional relationship, the rotational axes of the supply transport screw and the receiving transport screw are mutually parallel in relation to an image support member. The developing device also includes an inclined transport screw arranged at an incline between one end of the supply transport screw and an other end of the receiving transport screw. The developing device also includes a supply unit for supplying new carrier into a casing and a discharge port and discharge unit for discharging part of the developer housed in the casing to the outside, the discharge port provided on a part of the casing corresponding to an upper part of the inclined transport screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nakayama, Yoshitaka Fujinuma, Susumu Takeyama, Tatsuya Kubo
  • Patent number: 8331828
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first conveying passage (developer conveying passage) through which a developer containing a toner and a magnetic carrier is conveyed; a first conveying member (developer conveying member) provided in the first conveying passage for agitating and conveying the developer in a predetermined direction; and a toner supply pipe for leading supplementary toner to the first conveying passage. The developing device further includes electromagnets for forming a magnetic field inside the toner supply pipe to create a magnetic brush shutter by means of the electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tanisawa
  • Patent number: 8320800
    Abstract: An image forming device has: a developing cartridge for developing an electrostatic latent image on an image carrying member and a toner cartridge. The developing cartridge contains a developing roller and a single auger. The toner cartridge is detachably attached to the developing cartridge and containing toner. The toner cartridge has an agitation mechanism that agitates the toner, a conveyance mechanism that conveys the toner to the agitation mechanism, and two ports, the two ports being aligned in the axial direction and communicated with the developing cartridge, respectively. The toner cartridge and the developing cartridge are arrayed side by side in a horizontal direction. The toner cartridge has a shape having a vertical cross section in which a horizontal length is greater than a vertical length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8320799
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image formation unit that forms a black toner image, and a detachable second image formation unit that forms a color toner image. A first toner supply unit is provided to supply the black toner to the first image formation unit. A second toner supply unit is provided to supply one of a black and component color toner to the first and second image formation units in accordance with a color mode. A first conveyance path is provided to convey the black toner to the first image formation unit. A second conveyance path is also provided to convey the component color toner stored in the second toner container section to the second image formation unit. The second toner supply unit is selectively connected to one of the first and second conveyance paths in accordance with the color mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuji Yoshida, Mikio Ishibashi, Nobuyuki Koinuma, Hideki Zenba, Naoyuki Ozaki, Hiroaki Maeda, Mugijirou Uno, Shunichi Hashimoto, Yoshinori Nakagawa, Tomoko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8295739
    Abstract: A development device includes a development mechanism, an agitation unit connected to the development mechanism, to agitate and mix together developer collected from the development mechanism and fresh toner, and a transport member to transport the agitated developer from the agitation unit to a development portion. The development mechanism includes a developer carrier to carry developer, multiple supply ports disposed at different positions in an axial direction of the developer carrier, through which the agitated developer is supplied to the development mechanism, a discharge port, a developer supply member to supply developer to the developer carrier while transporting the developer in the direction parallel to the axial direction of the developer carrier, and a developer collection member to collect the developer from the developer carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Natsumi Matsue, Junichi Matsumoto, Tomoya Ohmura
  • Patent number: 8295741
    Abstract: A developer accommodating container is structured such as to be provided with a first accommodating portion in which the first feeding member is arranged, a second accommodating portion in which the second feeding member is arranged, a first communication portion communicating the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion in one end side, a second communication portion communicating the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion at the other end side, a developer replenishing portion arranged in the other end side rather than the second communication portion, in the other end side of the first accommodating portion, a developer discharge portion arranged in the other end side rather than the second communication portion, in the other end side of the second accommodating portion, and a flow rate regulating portion arranged between the second communication portion and the developer discharge portion, and regulating an amount of the passing developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroto Kido
  • Patent number: 8295737
    Abstract: A developing device capable of preventing scattered developer from being discharged and of stably supplying a developer to a latent image carrier by preventing the developer from being discharged despite that the amount of developer within the developing device is not increased, and an image forming apparatus including the developing device. When the bulk of the developer existing in the vicinity of the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the supply conveyance path exceeds the height level of the developer discharge port, the developer that has reached the height level of the developer discharge port is discharged to the outside of the developing device by the developer discharge port and developer conveyance path serving as the developer discharge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyonori Tsuda, Junichi Terai, Keiko Matsumoto, Kentaroh Tomita, Kohichi Utsunomiya
  • Publication number: 20120251186
    Abstract: An image forming structure includes an image holding member holding a latent image and an image obtained by developing the latent image, a developing device developing the latent image on the image holding member with a powder to form an image on the image holding member, a container mounting section demountably mounted with a container storing a powder to be supplied to the developing device, a shutter member that is disposed in a supply path including a powder introducing portion of the developing device and that blocks the supply path, and a supply member that is disposed at a position where the supply member engages with the shutter member and that rotates to supply the powder in a direction of a rotation shaft, wherein the supply member rotates to move the shutter member to an open position where the supply path is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi ARAI
  • Patent number: 8275284
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly thereof. The cartridge includes a developer carrying member for carrying a developer, a conductive member contactable to the carrying member, a developing chamber for holding the carrying member and the conductive member, a developer accommodating chamber for accommodating the developer, and a seal member for sealing an opening between the developing chamber and the developer accommodating chamber. The apparatus further includes a seal member removing device, and a control device. The control device controls concurrently performing seal member removal and driving of the carrying member when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly and then sends a detection signal signaling failure of removal of the seal member when a potential difference is provided between the carrying member and said conductive member during the execution of the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Kihara, Motonari Ito
  • Patent number: 8260169
    Abstract: A developer storing container includes a developer storing body having a first opening, and a shutter member capable of taking a closing position and an opening position to close and open the first opening. The shutter member includes a first seal member including a seal portion provided along the first opening and an extending portion extending from the seal portion in the opening direction of the shutter member. A distance from an end portion of the first opening in the opening direction to an end of the extending portion when the shutter member is in the closing position is longer than a distance of an end portion of an exposable portion of the first seal member (exposed via the first opening when the shutter member is in the closing position) when the shutter member moves from the closing position to the opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Shigenori Koido
  • Publication number: 20120219328
    Abstract: A developer cartridge is detachably mounted to a main apparatus, and includes a storage portion storing a developer, an ejection opening for ejecting the developer from the storage portion, and a first opening-and-closing member for opening and closing the ejection opening. The first opening-and-closing member is able to take a first position where the first opening-and-closing member opens the ejection opening and causes the developer cartridge to be fixed to the main apparatus, a second position where the first opening-and-closing member closes the ejection opening and makes the developer cartridge detachable from the main apparatus, and a third position where the first opening-and-closing member closes the ejection opening and causes the developer cartridge to be fixed to the main apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Yukiyoshi ODA, Ken Nozawa
  • Patent number: 8229329
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a casing, a shutter, a first lock mechanism, and a second lock mechanism. The casing accommodates a developing agent therein and is formed with a supply opening. The shutter is movable between a closed position to close the supply opening and an open position to open the supply opening. The first lock mechanism locks the shutter at the closed position and unlocks the shutter to open the supply opening. The second lock mechanism is configured to lock the shutter at the closed position and be incapable of unlocking the shutter to maintain the closed position of the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Imai
  • Patent number: 8213841
    Abstract: A container includes: a container body that is to be inserted into the device, and that has a port; and a pair of support members arranged so that the support members face each other across the port, that supports a cover for covering the port, the cover including: a covering portion that covers the port; a pair of supported members that are supported by the support members; and a pair of connecting portions arranged so that the connecting portions face each other, that connects the covering portion and the supported members, and at least one of the connecting members being configured so that the connecting member becomes narrow as an outside surface of the connecting member tapers towards its inside surface at an end of the container body inserted into the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kitagawa, Kei Hirata, Kouji Fukumuro
  • Patent number: 8213840
    Abstract: A developer material holding apparatus holds a developer. A body holds a developer material and includes a first opening through which the developer material is discharged. A shutter is assembled to the body, and is movable either to an opening position where the developer material is discharged from the body or to a closing position where the developer material is not discharged from the body. The shutter includes a second opening such that when the shutter is at the opening position, the second opening is in alignment with the first opening. At least one of the first opening and the second opening is in the form a mesh including a plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Oki Data Corporation, Oki (UK) Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Koido, Junichi Itou, Alan Davidson, Peter Barnes
  • Patent number: 8204402
    Abstract: A shutter mechanism is provided in a supply port through which powder is supplied to a second device from a first device. The shutter mechanism includes a shutter that opens and closes the supply port in conjunction with attaching and detaching operation of the second device with respect to the first device and a guide groove that is provided in a recess manner so as not to be exposed from the supply port as viewed from the second device and guides the opening and closing operation of the shutter. A space is formed between the guide groove and an end portion of the supply port making contact with the shutter when the shutter closes the supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hideo Yoshizawa, Yukinori Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8190040
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor with a toner; and a developing tank for storing the toner to be supplied to the developing roller, the developing tank including: a toner receiving port for receiving the toner to be stored; a shutter having a function for sliding to open and close the toner receiving port, the shutter being adapted to be maintained in a closed state by an electrically-releasing adhesive; and a pair of conductive member for supplying an electric current to the electrically-releasing adhesive to open the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Mimura
  • Patent number: 8180260
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a vibration applying member for vibrating a developer containing unit in a state where a conveying member for conveying a developer is stopped in a developer cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuya Yanagi
  • Patent number: 8180262
    Abstract: A process cartridge comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with developer. The cartridge further comprises a receiving side developer accommodating portion, a developer receiving opening, a receiving side shutter portion, a receiving side rotatable portion, and a regulating member. When the regulating member takes a regulating position and a first receiving side operating portion takes an operating position, the regulating member engages with the first receiving side operating portion. When the regulating member takes the regulating position and a second receiving side operating portion takes the operating position, the regulating member engages with the second receiving side operating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tachio Kawai
  • Publication number: 20120114385
    Abstract: A developer container includes a containing portion that is capable of containing a developer therein, the containing portion having an opening through which the developer passes; a first opening/closing member that is movable between a first open position at which the opening is open and a first closed position at which the first opening/closing member closes the opening; and a second opening/closing member that is movable between a second closed position at which the second opening/closing member doubly closes the opening by covering an outside of the first opening/closing member and a second open position at which the first opening/closing member is exposed to the outside, wherein a direction in which the second opening/closing member moves between the second open position and the second closed position is different from a direction in which the first opening/closing member moves between the first open position and the first closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshikazu TSUMITA