Cartridge Patents (Class 399/262)
  • Publication number: 20140126934
    Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a cap for a toner cartridge. In one example, the cap may be configured to close a toner supply opening of the toner cartridge. According to one or more aspects, the cap may include a sealing or covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening and a shaft portion for rotatably supporting a to-be-detected rotary member. The to-be-detected rotary member 56 is rotatably supported around and fitted onto the shaft portion. Therefore, even if a toner supply opening of a cartridge is provided in a sidewall of the housing on a side where the to-be-detected rotary member is provided, e.g., a left sidewall, the toner supply opening and the to-be-detected rotary member can be provided in such a manner as to overlap each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoaki Mushika, Tsutomu Suzuki, Yasuo Fukamachi, Fumikazu Sato, Hikaru Yoshizumi, Takahiro Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 8718512
    Abstract: In an image forming device, a process cartridge is detachably insertable in a process frame. The developing coupling is provided in the one end of the developing unit for transmitting an external rotation force to the developing unit. The developing coupling has: a rotation axis; and a drum shutter to be pivotally moved between a first position at which the drum shutter covers the photosensitive drum and a second position at which the drum shutter does not cover the photosensitive drum. A shutter portion covering the part of the photosensitive drum at the first position. The shutter portion is in direct confrontation with the developing unit at the second position. When the process cartridge is inserted in the process frame, the drum shutter is positioned at the second position whereas when the process cartridge is not inserted in the process frame, the drum shutter is positioned at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8718517
    Abstract: A toner cartridge that makes it possible to prevent outflow of a large amount of toners at any other time but supplying of a toner, and an image forming apparatus are provided. A toner cartridge includes a container having an outlet; a conveyance member for conveying a toner inside the container toward the outlet by rotation motion of a conveyance blade associated with rotation of a conveyance shaft; and an opening/closing member disposed so as to have a distance from an inner wall of the container, the opening/closing member being fixed to the conveyance shaft and opening or closing at least a part of the outlet in conjunction with the rotation of the conveyance shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Okuda
  • Patent number: 8718511
    Abstract: An imaging unit of an image forming apparatus is provided including a handle mechanism. The imaging unit includes at least one of a photoconductor unit and a developer unit for developing a toner on the photoconductor unit. The handle mechanism is mounted on a frame portion of the housing and is configured to pivot between a collapsed position and an extended position. When in the collapsed position, the handle mechanism is substantially flush with a surface of the housing to accommodate a toner cartridge. When in the extended position, the handle mechanism automatically returns to the collapsed position by gravity when released from a user's grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Paul Hale, Matthew Lee Rogers, Keith Seaman, Katrina Lactuan
  • Publication number: 20140119780
    Abstract: A toner container includes a cylindrical container body, a cap having a toner outlet, and a shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Eisuke HORI, YUJI SUZUKI, HIDEKI KIMURA, KENJI KIKUCHI, NORIYUKI KIMURA, NOBUO TAKAMI
  • Patent number: 8712295
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a developing unit; a toner cartridge; a shutter drive member; and a second gear. The toner cartridge is mountable on or detachable from the developing unit and includes a casing defining an internal space for accommodating a developing agent and formed with a communication hole for supplying the developing agent to the developing unit, and a shutter movable between an open position in which the communication hole is open and a closed position in which the communication hole is closed. The shutter drive member includes a first gear that extends in the moving direction of the shutter. The shutter drive member is engageable with the shutter to be movable together with the shutter when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing unit. The second gear is meshingly engageable with the first gear to transmit a drive force to the first gear. The first gear is disengaged from the second gear when the shutter is in at least one of the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 8712293
    Abstract: Disclosed is a toner cartridge including a gear for rotating a rotatable member, for example, an agitator, of the toner cartridge and a support for rotatably supporting the gear. The gear includes a gear body, a coupling portion coupled to an end of the rotational shaft of the rotating member and a first position determining portion. The support includes a second position determining portion having a shape that corresponds to the shape of the first position determining portion so that the first and second position determining portions are capable of being coupled to each other. The gear is rotatable with the first and second position determining portions coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sam-seok Choi
  • Patent number: 8706010
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including an image developer to develop an electrostatic latent image and a toner provider to provide a toner from a toner container to the image developer in a direction of gravitational force. The toner container is capable of taking a first position of directing a toner outlet in a horizontal direction; a second position of directing the toner outlet in a direction of gravitational force; and a position of being removed, directing the toner outlet upward relative to the horizontal direction when further rotating from the first position. The toner container includes a main cap member to close the toner outlet when taking the first position and the position of being removed; and a sub-cap member to cover the main cap member while the toner container is displaced from the first position to the position of being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Takehara, Tomohiro Kubota, Naoki Nakatake, Sho Tsuritani
  • Publication number: 20140105651
    Abstract: A powder accommodation container includes an accommodation container body, a regulation member, and a transport member. The accommodation container body has a hole portion to outside and accommodates powder. The regulation member is provided in the hole portion to regulate a passage of the powder accommodated in the accommodation container body. The transport member is arranged in an inside of the accommodation container body to rotate about a rotating shaft and to transport the powder in the inside of the accommodation container body. The transport member has one end side in a short direction that is arranged on the rotating shaft and the other end side that is a free end, the free end includes a flexible member that is in contact with the accommodation container body to be flexed. The flexible member is locatable to face the hole portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuji MATSUMOTO, Iori TOGU, Naofumi MURAYAMA, Shigemasa NAKAYA, Takuya IWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20140105652
    Abstract: A powder accommodation container includes an accommodation container body, a regulation member, and a transport member. The accommodation container body has a hole portion to outside and accommodates powder. The regulation member is provided in the hole portion to regulate a passage of the powder accommodated in the accommodation container body. The transport member is arranged in an inside of the accommodation container body to rotate about a rotating shaft and to transport the powder in the inside of the accommodation container body. The transport member has one end side in a short direction that is arranged on the rotating shaft and the other end side that is a free end, the free end includes a flexible member that is in contact with the accommodation container body to be flexed. The flexible member is locatable to face the hole portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuji MATSUMOTO, Iori TOGU, Naofumi MURAYAMA, Shigemasa NAKAYA, Takuya IWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20140106275
    Abstract: An electrostatic-image developing toner contains an amorphous polyester resin that has repeating units having a backbone derived from dehydroabietic acid in a main chain thereof and that has a weight average molecular weight of about 30,000 to about 80,000; and at least one of a crystalline polyester resin containing a dicarboxylic acid (C10) and a diol (C9) as polymerization components and a crystalline polyester resin containing a dicarboxylic acid (C9) and a diol (C10) as polymerization components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru SEITOKU
  • Patent number: 8699917
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a cartridge for use therewith are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body; a cartridge that stores a developer; a supporting member that receives the cartridge; and a side cover that covers the supporting member, where the supporting member is rotatably supported by the main body. The supporting member pivots between a reception position at which the cartridge is received into the main body and an exposure position at which the cartridge is exposed from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 8699890
    Abstract: An image forming agent storage container includes a container body and at least two container-side protruding portions. The container body is configured to be detachably attached in an image forming apparatus body. The container body forms a storage chamber in which an image forming agent is stored. At least two container-side protruding portions protrude toward an outside of the container body and have cavities on a storage-chamber side thereof. The cavities are configured to store the image forming agent. The at least two container-side protruding portions are configured so that a body-side protruding portion is formed on the image forming apparatus body is fitted between the at least two container-side protruding portions, which are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaya Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20140099579
    Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles having a core that includes a block copolymer of a crystalline polyester block and an amorphous polyester block, and a shell that covers the core and includes an amorphous polyester resin having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond, and of which a surface layer part includes a crosslinked product of the amorphous polyester resin having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Shinpei TAKAGI, Soichiro KITAGAWA, Shinya SAKAMOTO, Tomohiro SHINYA
  • Patent number: 8693924
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a developer container, an opening and a first projection. The developer container holds a developer. The opening, which is formed on the developer container, extends in a longitudinal direction of the developer container. The first projection is formed in the vicinity of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Fujii
  • Patent number: 8693925
    Abstract: A powder container includes a containing portion having an opening and including: an opening/closing member movable between an open position and a closed position, an opening restrained portion on one of the opening/closing member and the containing portion, an opening restraining portion on the other of the opening/closing member and the containing portion at a position corresponding to the opening restrained portion when the opening/closing member is at the closed position, the opening restraining portion restraining movement of the opening/closing member toward the open position by contacting the opening restrained portion, an urged portion on one of the containing portion and the opening/closing member, and an urging portion on the other of the containing portion and the opening/closing member at a position corresponding to the urged portion when the opening/closing member is at the closed position, the urging portion making the opening restraining portion contact the opening restrained portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyohito Horii, Masaaki Tokunaga, Akihiko Terao
  • Patent number: 8693927
    Abstract: A developer case that contains developer and supplies the developer to another device in a specified replenishing position includes a main body and a rotating unit. The main body includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and first and second side walls. The rotating unit includes a rotation shaft, a transportation member, and a drive input member. The first and second side walls respectively have first and second linear inner surfaces. When the developer case is in the replenishing position, when a line perpendicular to a horizontal line that passes through an axis of the rotation shaft is defined as a reference line, a first angle ?1 formed between the reference line and the first linear inner surface is less than a second angle ?2 formed between the reference line and the second linear inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Morita
  • Patent number: 8693926
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nagashima, Katsuya Murakami, Ayatomo Okino
  • Patent number: 8688004
    Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a coupling member provided at an axial end portion of a photosensitive drum and rotatable about a coupling axis thereof so as to transmit a driving force to the photosensitive drum. The coupling member is capable of inclining relative to the photosensitive drum so that the coupling axis inclines relative to a drum axis, with the coupling member having a first end portion connected to the photosensitive drum, a second end portion, and a connecting portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. A maximum distance from the coupling axis to an outermost surface of the connecting portion along a line perpendicular to the coupling axis is less than a maximum distance from the coupling axis to an outermost surface of the second end portion along a line perpendicular to the coupling axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoya Asanuma, Masanari Morioka, Ryosuke Nakazawa, Teruhiko Sasaki, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 8682213
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner and an exit port in fluid communication therewith. A movable shutter is positioned at the exit port. A linkage is operatively connected to the shutter to open the shutter upon being actuated by a first engagement feature in the image forming device. The linkage includes a first linkage member positioned to receive the first engagement feature and a second linkage member connected to the shutter. An interlock is operatively engaged with the linkage and biased toward a locked position preventing the second linkage member from opening the shutter but permitting the first linkage member to move relative to the second linkage member. The interlock is movable to an unlocked position upon being actuated by a second engagement feature in the image forming device that permits the second linkage member to open the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Anthany Carter, Matthew Lee Rogers, Benjamin Keith Newman, Gary Neal Hackney, Keith Seaman, Gregory Alan Cavill, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Publication number: 20140079438
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging apparatus having a housing including two opposed end walls and an elongated body therebetween and an exit port. An inner surface of the body defines a toner reservoir that is communication with the exit port. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing. A toner platform is provided in slidable contact with the inner surface of the body and is nonrotatable relative to the housing. A drive shaft coupling couples the toner platform to the drive shaft. An exit paddle is positioned adjacent the exit port and is rotatable by the drive shaft. Rotation of the drive shaft translates the toner platform toward the exit port and rotates the exit paddle. As the toner platform moves, toner within the reservoir moves toward the exit paddle and exit port and rotation of the exit paddle moves toner through the exit port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Abler, Jonathan Murray Hill, Benjamin Erich Kant, Matthew Thomas Martinkovic, Robert Watson McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20140079439
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging apparatus having a housing including two opposed end walls and an elongated body therebetween and an exit port. An inner surface of the body defines a toner reservoir that is in communication with the exit port. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing. A translatable toner platform is provided in slidable contact with the inner surface of the body and is nonrotatable relative to the housing. A toner platform stop is also provided. A detachable drive shaft coupling couples the toner platform to the drive shaft and upon the toner platform hitting the stop, the coupling detaches from the platform. The detachable coupling may be provided in a frangible portion of the toner platform or be frictionally engaged with a recess therein. Rotation of the drive shaft translates the toner platform toward the exit port and rotates an exit paddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Abler, Jonathan Murray Hill, Benjamin Erich Kant
  • Publication number: 20140079441
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging device having a housing having a toner reservoir and an exit port in fluid communication with the toner reservoir. A drive shaft rotatably mounts within the toner reservoir. A toner platform is movably coupled to the drive shaft and is nonrotatable but slidable relative to the housing. A resilient arm is positioned within the reservoir and biased toward an initial position in the path of the toner platform. When the drive shaft rotates, the toner platform translates toward the exit port. When the toner platform contacts the resilient arm, the resilient arm moves to permit the toner platform to pass and when the toner platform moves further toward the exit port the resilient arm returns to the initial position. The resilient arm may mount on the inner surface, the toner to platform or the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Abler, Jonathan Murray Hill, Benjamin Erich Kant, Robert Watson McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20140079440
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic device including a housing having a reservoir that is in fluid communication with an exit port. A first end wall has a recess on an inner surface thereof in fluid communication with the reservoir and the exit port. A partially threaded drive shaft has an end received in the second end wall. An exit paddle having a drive hub is detachably mounted on the drive shaft near an unthreaded portion. Arms on the drive hub are received in the recess. A drive hub axial extension is received in the first end wall. The housing rotatably supports the drive shaft and exit paddle. A translatable toner platform rotatably connects to the drive shaft. When the drive shaft rotates the toner platform translates for moving toner toward the exit port and rotates the exit paddle for delivering toner from the exit port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Abler, Benjamin Erich Kant, Jonathan Murray Hill, Taig Singh Rajpal
  • Patent number: 8676096
    Abstract: A powder container includes a body and a pair of walls that block one end of the body and the other end. The powder container is mountable in an apparatus. The body has an opening in a location closer to the one end to supply the powder to the apparatus. The powder container includes a shutter, a guide portion and a boss. The shutter is situated in a closed location before the powder container is mounted in the apparatus and is moved to an opened location to open the opening when the powder container is mounted in the apparatus. The guide portion maintains the shutter on the body and guides the shutter. The boss is located between the shutter and an outer wall surface of the one of walls and next to the end of the shutter at the closed location in a movement direction of the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Koshimori
  • Patent number: 8676095
    Abstract: A toner container includes a main casing, a shutter, and a seal member. The main casing accommodates toner and is formed with a communication hole through which an interior and an exterior of the casing communicate. The shutter is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing the communication hole, respectively, and in either one of an opening direction and a closing direction. A shutter base portion includes edges, one positioned downstream of the other in the closing direction; and a folded portion. The seal member, configured to encircle the communication hole, is disposed between the casing and the shutter in the closed shutter position. The base portion slidingly contacts the seal member when the shutter moves between the open and closed positions. The folded portion is folded at one edge to be positioned opposite to the seal member relative to the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 8676093
    Abstract: A developing device includes a first developer containing chamber, a second developer containing chamber, a first inflow section, a second inflow section, a first conveyance member and a second conveyance member. The first inflow section allows the developer to flow from the second developer containing chamber into the first developer containing chamber. The second inflow section allows the developer to flow from the first developer containing chamber into the second developer containing chamber. The first conveyance member conveys the developer contained in the first developer containing chamber in a first developer conveyance direction. The second conveyance member conveys the developer contained in the second developer containing chamber in a second developer conveyance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sakamoto, Kei Hirata, Akihide Kawamura, Naoya Iwata
  • Publication number: 20140072347
    Abstract: A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer for image formation, comprising: a first flexible member having a three-dimensional shape; a second flexible member for forming a space for accommodating the developer by covering a part of the first flexible member; wherein the developer accommodating container is constituted by bonding the first flexible container and the second flexible container to each other, and an injection opening, provided between the first flexible container and the second flexible container, for permitting injection of the developer into the developer accommodating container. An adjacent portion adjacent to the injection opening in the three-dimensional shape has a folded shape. When the injection opening is opened, the adjacent portion expands in a direction including, a directional component perpendicular to an injection direction of the developer at the injection opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Furutani, Junichi Matsumura
  • Publication number: 20140072346
    Abstract: A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer for image formation, includes a first flexible member having a three-dimensional shape; a second flexible member for forming a space for accommodating the developer by covering a part of the first flexible member; wherein the developer accommodating container is constituted by bonding the first flexible member and the second flexible member to each other, and an injection opening, provided between the first flexible member and the second flexible member, for permitting injection of the developer into the developer accommodating container. An adjacent side, which is one of sides constituting an outer configuration of the three-dimensional shape and which is adjacent to the injection opening, has an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to an injection direction of the developer at the injection opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Furutani, Kojiro Yasui, Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Koji Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20140072329
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer includes: a flexible container, provided with an opening for permitting discharge of the developer, for accommodating the developer; and a frame. The flexible container is provided with a fastening hole for fastening said flexible container in said frame. The frame includes a fixing shaft portion fixed in the fastening hole by being inserted into the fastening hole and includes a retaining portion for preventing the fixing shaft portion from being disengaged from the fastening hole. The fastening hole is locked by fitting the fastening hole around the fixing shaft portion while an edge of the fastening hole rides over the retaining portion by elastic deformation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuo Uesugi, Masaki Furutani, Kojiro Yasui, Hiroomi Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20140072345
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit includes: a flexible container, provided with an opening for permitting discharge of a developer, for accommodating the developer; and a frame for accommodating the flexible container and for accommodating the developer discharged from the flexible container. The flexible container includes a projected, portion projected from a part of a side forming the flexible container toward an outside of or toward an inside of the flexible container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomonori Matsunaga, Tetsuo Uesugi, Junichi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8670691
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided including 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: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20140064794
    Abstract: A developer container removably installable in an apparatus body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body to contain developer, a cap connectable to the container body, the cap including a supply opening, and a flange projecting beyond an outer circumferential surface of the cap in a radial direction extending from a center of a cross section of the container body. The flange is formed along a circumference of the container body and provided between the container body and the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Masaki TAKAHASHI, Kunihiro OHYAMA, Hideki KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20140064795
    Abstract: A powder material container is disclosed, including an elongated tubular container body; and a cap which has formed a temporary containing space which is communicably connected in the longitudinal direction of the container body to an opening of the container body to temporarily contain a powder material conveyed from the opening and which has formed on a side face in the longitudinal direction of the container body a discharging hole which discharges the powder material within the temporary containing space. The powder material container includes a blocking member which can switch between a blocking state in which the powder material within the temporary containing space is blocked from passing through an inlet face of the discharging hole facing the temporary containing space and a non-blocking state in which the powder material within the temporary containing space is not blocked from passing through the inlet face of the discharging hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Seiji Terazawa, Tadashi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8666291
    Abstract: A developer container 1 includes (i) a developer vessel 2, having a cylindrical shape, that carries and discharges toner contained therein through its first discharge opening 31 while the developer vessel 2 is being driven to rotate, and (ii) a developer supply section 3 which (a) supports the developer vessel 2 such that the developer vessel 2 can rotate, (b) temporarily stores the toner discharged from the first discharge opening 31, and (c) discharges the toner outside of the developer supply section 3 from a second discharge opening 5. The first discharge opening 31 is formed in an inclined surface 31a of an edge part of the developer vessel 2. The inclined surface 31a inclines, upstream of a direction in which the toner is carried along a shaft line L1, so as to be at angles with a surface perpendicular to the shaft line L1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihide Ohgoshi, Koichi Mihara
  • Patent number: 8666277
    Abstract: A developer supply container includes a cover plate mounted on an outer surface of a container body and provided with an opening corresponding to a developer supply port of the container body, which is sealed by a seal tape. The seal tape has a folded section extending through a gap between the container body and the cover plate and a through hole of the cover plate such that an end portion of the seal tape is exposed. A seal piece is mounted on an outer surface of the cover plate. On the outer surface of the container body a door member is slidably mounted. The developer supply container can prevent developer from leak out and has a good manufacturing yield rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Hsiung Huang, Ching-Ho Huang
  • Patent number: 8666282
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus is provided, to which developing devices, each having an opening, and developer cartridges for respectively supplying a developing agent to the openings of the developing devices are mountable. The apparatus includes developing device shutters, each configured to open and close a respective one of the openings of the developing devices mounted to the apparatus; and a link mechanism configured to move the developing device shutters linked with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8666264
    Abstract: In a new printer, a toner cartridge is mounted in the state where there is no toner in a reserve tank, and toner of the amount of filling toner D therein is supplied with the amount of full accommodation toner E for filling up the reserve tank by a toner supply mechanism. The toner of the amount of remaining surplus toner F remains in the toner cartridge. The amount of toner consumption G is measured by a dot counter during a printing execution. In the case where a toner density sensor detects a toner decreasing, the toner is supplied to a developing unit from the reserve tank. When it becomes G>F, it display-informs a user of “toner cartridge exchange is allowed”. Hereby, it enables to exchange the toner cartridge without stopping operation of the main body of the image forming apparatus using a two-component developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Casio Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Shimazu, Tetsuya Abe, Hideki Ando, Hiroaki Ootsubo, Chihiro Toyama, Yuichiro Iegaki
  • Patent number: 8666293
    Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a cap for a toner cartridge. In one example, the cap may be configured to close a toner supply opening of the toner cartridge. According to one or more aspects, the cap may include a sealing or covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening and a shaft portion for rotatably supporting a to-be-detected rotary member. The to-be-detected rotary member 56 is rotatably supported around and fitted onto the shaft portion. Therefore, even if a toner supply opening of a cartridge is provided in a sidewall of the housing on a side where the to-be-detected rotary member is provided, e.g., a left sidewall, the toner supply opening and the to-be-detected rotary member can be provided in such a manner as to overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoaki Mushika, Tsutomu Suzuki, Yasuo Fukamachi, Fumikazu Sato, Hikaru Yoshizumi, Takahiro Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 8660468
    Abstract: A developing device is refilled with an initial developer while the developing device and a photoreceptor are maintained within an image forming apparatus in the same state as in an image forming process. When refilling the developing device, a control unit of the image forming apparatus first drives a stirring feed member (screw) to feed the initial developer into the developing device, and then drives a developer carrier (developing roller) and a latent image carrier (photoreceptor) to supply the developer onto the developer carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiko Matsumoto, Makoto Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20140050508
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Takeyuki Takagi, Naoya Kamimura
  • Publication number: 20140051021
    Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles that have a core containing polyester, a release agent, and a colorant in which the polyester does not have an ethylenically unsaturated bond, and a shell coating the core and containing a polymer of vinyl monomers, and the toner particles satisfy the following Expression (1): Expression (1): 0.1?B/(A+B)?0.7, wherein in Expression (1), A represents a proportion (atom %) of atoms constituting the polyester in the entire atoms, that is obtained by analyzing surfaces of the toner particles by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; and B represents a proportion (atom %) of atoms constituting the polymer of vinyl monomers in the entire atoms, that is obtained by analyzing the surfaces of the toner particles by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Shinya SAKAMOTO, Shinpei TAKAGI, Soichiro KITAGAWA, Tomohiro SHINYA
  • Publication number: 20140050509
    Abstract: A toner container and an image forming apparatus are disclosed. The toner container includes a guiding member formed at a part surrounding a toner outlet to be protruded from a circumferential surface of the toner container for guiding an opening or closing operation of a shutter member in a circumferential direction of the toner container. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus main body includes a main body side shutter for opening or closing a toner supplying opening to be connected to the toner outlet. When the shutter member is opened, an end surface of the guiding member pushes the main body side shutter together with the opening operation of the shutter member, and the toner supplying opening is opened and is connected to the toner outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Ichiro KADOTA, KUNIHIRO OHYAMA, MASAYUKI YAMANE, TAKESHI UCHITANI, NOBUYUKI TAGUCHI, SATORU YOSHIDA, TAKUYA SESHITA
  • Patent number: 8655235
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes: a main body; a shutter; a toner seal; and a shift member. The main body defines an internal space for accommodating toner and formed with a communication hole, through which an interior and an exterior of the main body communicate. The shutter is movable between an open position in which the communication hole is open and a closed position in which the communication hole is closed. The shutter is also shiftable between a first position in which the shutter is positioned away from the main body and a second position in which the shutter is positioned close to the main body. The toner seal is disposed between the main body and the shutter when the shutter is in the closed position. The shift member is configured to shift the shutter from the first position to the second position when the shutter is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 8655236
    Abstract: A developer storage body includes a housing in which a developer is stored, a shutter portion mounted to the housing and having a hole portion through which the developer is replenished into the housing, and a cap portion covering the hole portion. The cap portion includes a structural portion that constitutes an enclosure body enclosing a hollow portion. The structural portion is formed of a first material. The cap portion further includes a seal portion that covers the structural portion to seal the hollow portion. The seal portion is formed of a second material having a lower flexural modulus than the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Ushikubo
  • Patent number: 8655232
    Abstract: The invention discloses a processing cartridge, which includes a powder tube, a sliding member and a mechanism for holding the sliding member, wherein the powder tube is used for receiving toner and the sliding member is capable of freely sliding in the powder tube. The mechanism for holding the sliding member is driven to close a powder outlet under the non-use state and a powder outlet portion is arranged on the powder tube. The powder outlet is arranged on the powder outlet portion and the sliding member closes the powder outlet under the action of the mechanism for holding the sliding member under the non-use state, and moves under the action of an external force to open the powder outlet under the use state. An internal member provided with an internal powder feeding opening is also arranged inside the powder outlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Zhuhai Seine Technology Limited
    Inventors: Lianjun Wu, Jinlian Liu, Qingfei Peng
  • Patent number: 8649711
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuo Nakajima, Ayatomo Okino, Katsuya Murakami, Toshiaki Nagashima, Yutaka Ban
  • Patent number: 8649713
    Abstract: A toner container includes a cylindrical container body, a cap having a toner outlet, and a shutter. The cap includes a primary positioning hole, formed in an upper front surface perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the toner container, extending in the longitudinal direction, to determine an installation position of the cap relative to the image forming apparatus, a secondary positioning hole, formed in a lower front surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner container, extending in the longitudinal direction forward the toner outlet, to subsidiary determine the installation position of the cap, and a first restriction member to position the cap in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, projecting vertically upward from an outer circumferential surface of the cap and symmetrical about a virtual perpendicular line passing through a cross-sectional center position of the primary positioning hole perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Eisuke Hori, Yuji Suzuki, Hideki Kimura, Kenji Kikuchi, Noriyuki Kimura, Nobuo Takami
  • Patent number: 8649710
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A cover is mounted on an exterior portion of the housing that is pivotable between a closed position blocking the exit port and an open position unblocking the exit port. The cover is biased toward the closed position. An actuation mechanism is operatively connected to the cover to open the cover upon being actuated by an engagement feature in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Andrew Buchanan, James Anthany Carter, Keith Seaman, Michael Leemhuis, Gregory Alan Cavill, Jonathan David Kelley, Matthew Lee Rogers, Tyler Frederick Williams, Mark Foster
  • Publication number: 20140037341
    Abstract: A toner container is configured to be insertable into an image forming device. The toner container comprises a toner container body including a toner chamber in which toner is stored and a toner discharge port provided at one end portion, a cover portion configured to cover the toner container body, a first projection provided at one end in a length direction of the cover portion to be orthogonal to a top surface of the cover portion, and a second projection projecting along an inserting direction into the image forming device at the other end in the length direction of the cover portion or a length direction of the toner container body. A surface of the first projection directed to the other end in the length direction along the inserting direction into the image forming device is an inclined portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicants: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tsutomu Sato