Cartridge Patents (Class 399/262)
  • Patent number: 8644739
    Abstract: A toner cartridge comprising: a cartridge body that has a toner discharge port on an one end side in its longitudinal direction; a shutter for opening and closing the toner discharge port; a screw-shaped shaft for conveying a toner in the cartridge body to the toner discharge port; a paddle member for conveying the toner in the cartridge body toward the screw-shaped shaft; and a toner inflow block member coupled to a portion of the paddle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8644738
    Abstract: A developer transporting device includes a transporting device body including a transporting portion in which developer is transported and which has an opening; a developer container that is detachably supported on the transporting device body and includes a containing portion for that contains the developer and has a connection hole connected to the opening, an opening-closing member that opens or closes the connection hole, and an opening-closing-member support unit that includes a guide portion that guides the opening-closing member; a movement restraining member supported on the transporting device body and restraining the opening-closing member from moving relative to the transporting device body when the developer container is attached to the transporting device body; and a releasing portion provided on the opening-closing-member support unit and releasing the opening-closing member when the opening-closing member is moved a position for closing the connection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Takashima
  • Publication number: 20140029960
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing a quantity of toner. An insertion alignment guide is positioned on the housing. The insertion alignment guide has a magnet for detection by a magnetic sensor in the image forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Adam Jude Ahne, William George Goff, III, Matthew Lee Rogers
  • Publication number: 20140029985
    Abstract: A developer cartridge according to one aspect of the invention is attachable to a photoconductor unit that comprises a photoconductive drum. The developer cartridge may comprise a developing frame defining a developer container configured to contain developer, the developing frame having a first side and a second side; a developing roller located at the first side of the developing frame so as to receive developer conveyed from the developer container in a first direction; a contact terminal located at the second side of the developing frame; and a memory electrically connected to the contact terminal, wherein the first side is downstream in the first direction from the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Ishii, Fumio Morita
  • Patent number: 8639163
    Abstract: A toner box, for being detachably mounted in a developing unit of an image-forming device, includes: a main body; and a shutter. The main body is configured to accommodate toner therein and has a main-body-side communication through-hole, through which an interior and an exterior of the main body communicate. The shutter is disposed so as to be capable of moving between an open position in which the shutter opens the main-body-side communication through-hole, and a closed position in which the shutter closes the main-body-side communication through-hole. The shutter is formed of a film and has a shutter drive opening, a shutter drive protrusion provided on the developing unit being capable of being engaged in the shutter drive opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 8639164
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a toner cartridge includes a container body, a first cover, and a second cover. The container body contains toner and that has an opening portion provided on an outer face of the container body and a guide piece provided on the outer face. The first cover opens and closes the opening portion. The second cover is supported by the guide piece and that is movable in an noncontact state with a bottom portion of the first cover to cover the first cover when the container body is pulled out from an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kuge, Yoshiyuki Takashima
  • Patent number: 8639165
    Abstract: A powder container includes a containing portion that is capable of containing powder therein, the containing portion having an opening through which the powder passes; an opening/closing member that is supported by the containing portion so as to be movable between an open position at which the opening is open and a closed position at which the opening/closing member closes the opening; and an engaged portion disposed on a side surface of the opening/closing member with respect to an installation direction, the installation direction being a direction in which the containing portion is removably installed into an apparatus, the engaged portion restraining a movement of the opening/closing member by being engaged with an engaging portion of the apparatus when the containing portion is installed in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshikazu Tsumita
  • Publication number: 20140023406
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first conveying unit provided within a developing agent storage chamber and that is configured to convey a developing agent from one end of the developing agent storage chamber to another end of the developing agent storage chamber in a longitudinal direction of a developing agent carrier that is disposed with in a developing chamber and to supply the developing agent from the developing agent storage chamber to the developing chamber; a second conveying unit provided within the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the other end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing chamber in the longitudinal direction and to supply the developing agent toward a developing agent carrier; and a third conveying unit provided between the one end of the developing agent storage chamber and the one end of the developing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20140023405
    Abstract: A developing device is provided that facilitates developing agent delivery upward. A cartridge includes a developing roller, a supply roller, and a container disposed below the supply roller. The container can have an upper portion formed with an opening having upper and lower edges. A conveying member can be rotatably disposed and in rotational contact with an inner surface of the container for delivering the developing agent upward. The developing agent container can include a first wall portion for receiving the developing agent through the opening. The first wall portion extends from the lower edge in a downstream direction with respect to a rotational direction of the conveying member toward a bottommost portion of the supply roller. The container also includes a second wall portion extending from the upper edge in an upstream direction. The conveying member can be in simultaneous sliding contact with the first and the second wall portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20140023407
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a drum unit which holds photosensitive drums in parallel, a developing cartridge which is detachably mounted in the drum unit, a translation member which is provided in the apparatus body to be movable linearly, a shaft which is provided on the tandem photosensitive drum unit for each developing cartridge; and a pivoting member which is rotatably supported by the shaft. The pivoting member includes an abutting portion which is provided on one side to abut the translation member, a pressing portion which is provided on the other side, and is configured to press a predetermined portion of the developing cartridge in a direction in which the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum; and a spring portion which applies a biasing force in a direction in which the pressing portion is separated from the predetermined portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8634748
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a top cover a top surface of the apparatus body, a container-installation section in which a replaceable container is removably installable, a first holder, and a second holder. The container includes a container body to contain consumables, having a transparent portion that makes the color of the consumables contained in the container body is viewed from outside thereof, and a connecting portion connectable to the container-installation section, to supply the consumables from the container to the apparatus body. The first holder holds the connecting portion and cover the connecting portion so that the connecting portion is not visible when the top cover is opened; and the second holder holds the container body, such that the color of the consumables in the container body are visible through the transparent portion of the container body when the top cover is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kanae Amemiya
  • Patent number: 8634744
    Abstract: An image forming device includes: a main casing; a retaining member; a plurality of developing units; a plurality of toner cartridges; and an operation unit. The retaining member is configured to be movable in a first direction between an accommodated position and a pulled-out position. The retaining member includes a first side plate and a second side plate extending in the first direction and disposed in confrontation with and spaced apart from each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The developing units are retained in the retaining member. The toner cartridges have one-on-one correspondence to the developing units and are configured to be mountable in or detachable from the retaining member when the retaining member is located at the pulled-out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideshi Nishiyama, Naoya Kamimura, Nao Itabashi, Ryuya Yamazaki, Masashi Imai
  • Publication number: 20140016967
    Abstract: In the case that a developer supply container is provided with a feeding portion for feeding a developer by receiving a rotational force and a pump portion for discharging the developer by reciprocation, and the rotational force and a reciprocating force are received from a main assembly side of an image forming apparatus, there is a liability that a driving connection is not properly established between a portion of the developer supply container for receiving the reciprocating force and a portion of the main assembly side for applying the reciprocating force. The developer supply container is provided with a drive converting mechanism for converting the rotational force received from the main assembly side to a force for operating a volume changing type pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Katsuya Murakami, Toshiaki Nagashima, Fumio Tazawa, Ayatomo Okino, Yusuke Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140017607
    Abstract: An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles, and silica composite particles that contain silicon oxide and from 0.001% by weight to 10% by weight of titanium, and have an average particle size of from 30 nm to 500 nm, a particle size distribution index of from 1.10 to 1.50, and an average circularity of from 0.50 to 0.85.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi IIDA, Takeshi IWANAGA, Yuka ZENITANI, Daisuke TOMITA
  • Patent number: 8626035
    Abstract: A powder container includes a containing portion that has an opening; 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 opening is closed; and a second opening/closing member that is movable between a second closed position at which the second opening/closing member covers an outside of the first opening/closing member and a second open position at which the first opening/closing member is exposed, wherein a direction in which the second opening/closing member moves from the second open position to the second closed position is different from a direction in which the first opening/closing member moves from the first open position to the first closed position, and wherein the second opening/closing member contacts the first opening/closing member and pushes the first opening/closing member into the first closing position when the second/closing member moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ozawa, Takeshi Okoshi, Kiyohito Horii, Akihiko Terao
  • Patent number: 8626037
    Abstract: A powder container that includes a container body, a drive transmitting unit which engages with an image forming apparatus, and an opening at an end of the container body. There is a conveying unit that conveys powder in the container body to the opening, and an information storage unit on the outer peripheral surface of the container body. The outer peripheral surface of the container body near the opening on which the information storage unit is to be mounted includes resin and is formed by injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Daichi Yamaguchi, Makoto Komatsu, Tadashi Hayakawa, Tsukuru Kai, Hiroshi Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8626036
    Abstract: A powder container includes a containing portion having an opening; an opening/closing member that is movable between an open position and a closed position and supported with play; an opening restraining portion provided on the containing portion; an opening restrained portion provided on the opening/closing member; an urging member that urges the opening/closing member; and an opening/closing contact portion provided on the opening/closing member and contactable with an opening/closing contacted portion of an apparatus into which the containing portion is installed, wherein the opening restrained portion is disposed such that a direction of force generated when the containing portion is installed into the apparatus is inclined with respect to the direction in which the opening/closing member moves, and the opening restrained portion is disposed downstream of an imaginary line extending from a contact position at which the opening/closing contact portion contacts the opening/closing contacted portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyohito Horii, Masaaki Tokunaga, Takeshi Okoshi, Hideaki Ozawa, Akihiko Terao
  • Patent number: 8620196
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toner cartridge with a locking mechanism, including a body provided with a top cover and used for receiving a developer, wherein the locking and unlocking mechanism used for locking the toner cartridge into an image forming apparatus is arranged on the body. The locking mechanism includes a handle hinged with the top cover, a gear fixedly connected with the handle, a locking lever capable of reciprocating and a torsion spring used for realizing the automatic reset of the handle. A rack engaged with the gear is arranged on the locking lever. Moreover, the handle is driven to be close to the top cover under the action of a torque force of the torsion spring under the locking state, and the gear is engaged with the rack to drive the locking lever to be extended out of the top cover so as to lock the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Zhuhai Seine Technology Limited
    Inventors: Lianjun Wu, Geming Ding, Qingfei Peng
  • Publication number: 20130343785
    Abstract: A developer accommodating unit for accommodating a developer for image formation includes a flexible container provided with an opening 35a for permitting discharge of the developer, a frame for accommodating the flexible container and for accommodating the developer to be discharged from the flexible container, and an urging member 21 for urging a developer accommodating bag toward the frame for accommodating the developer accommodating bag 16. By this, it is possible to satisfactorily effect discharge of the developer from the flexible developer accommodating bag 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroomi Matsuzaki, Masaaki Malsushita, Tatsuo Fujisaki, Masaki Furutani, Tetsuo Uesugi, Kojiro Yasui, Tomonori Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20130343777
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for an imaging forming device having a retainer for holding a circuit board having processing circuitry with a plurality of contacts. A reference datum point in the retainer aligns the circuit board with the retainer while an alignment device aligns the retainer with respect to the supply item that is inserted into a frame within the image forming device having an electrical connector with a plurality of connecting pins. When the retainer and circuit board are mounted on the supply item and the supply item is inserted into the frame, a pair of cam surfaces and a corresponding pair of supports spaced apart and extending from an outer surface of the housing, align the connector with the retainer with the retainer aligning the connecting pins of the connector with corresponding contacts of the circuit board for electrical interconnection therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Amann, James Anthany Carter, II, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, Matthew Jeremy Litman, Matthew Lee Rogers, Keith Seaman
  • Patent number: 8611788
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a developing device provided movably in a direction in which the developing device is to be moved away from the image bearing member; a supplying device, provided with a supply port through which a developer is to be supplied, for supplying the developer; a shutter member provided so that the supply port can be covered and uncovered; a first interrelating mechanism for moving the shutter member from an opposing position in which the shutter member opposes the supply port to a retracted position in interrelation with a mounting operation of the developing device; and a second interrelating mechanism for moving the shutter member from the retracted position to the opposing position in interrelation with a demounting operation of the developing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuyuki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20130330106
    Abstract: A toner container includes a cylindrical container body, having a first opening in a first end thereof and a notch in a circumferential surface thereof continuous with the first opening in the first end, a flange member to engage the first opening and the notch in the container body and having a toner outlet therein through which toner in the container body is discharged, a shutter member disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the container body, a conveyance member, rotatably installed inside the container body to convey the toner from a second end of the container body opposite the first end to the toner outlet in the flange member, and a recessed portion in the container body that projects inward into the interior of the toner container 5 mm or less from an inner surface of the container body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Kaori MITSUISHI, Seiji TERAZAWA, Atsushi INOUE, Tomoji ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20130330105
    Abstract: A powder container includes a rotatable powder chamber for containing powder used for forming images, having an opening on a first side in an axial direction of the powder container, a conveyor to transport powder contained in the powder chamber to the first side from a second side in the axial direction, a protrusion radially projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the powder chamber, disposed in a circumferential area of the powder chamber, and a facing member disposed facing the outer circumferential surface of the powder chamber. The protrusion contacts the facing member as the powder chamber rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Makoto KOMATSU, Tsukuru KAI, Hiroshi HOSOKAWA, Junichi MATSUMOTO, Tadashi HAYAKAWA, Yuzuru OZAWA
  • Patent number: 8606140
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a main casing, a support member, a plurality of image bearing members supported on the support member, a plurality of developing units supported on the support member, a plurality of toner cartridges detachably mounted on the support member, and a shutter closing mechanism. Each toner cartridge includes a casing formed with an opening through which toner accommodated in the casing is supplied to the developing unit and a shutter movable between an opening position at which the shutter opens the opening and a closing position at which the shutter closes the opening. The shutter closing mechanism moves the shutter of one of the toner cartridges to be replaced from the opening position to the closing position while maintaining the shutters of the remaining toner cartridges at the respective opening positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoya Kamimura
  • Publication number: 20130322928
    Abstract: There is provided a developer transport member including a rotatable member, a main body configured to transport the developer by being rotated in accordance with rotation of the rotatable member, and a metal spring configured to bias the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiichi Senda, Shuichi Kato, Hiroshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8600269
    Abstract: A powder container includes a powder containing compartment having a powder outlet connectable to a horizontally extending tube of an apparatus in conjunction with installation of the powder container in the apparatus, a removably insertable plug member to open and close the powder outlet in conjunction with installation of the powder container, and at least one discrimination protrusion projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the powder container. The powder contained in the powder containing compartment is discharged from the powder outlet thereof to the tube. A downstream end of the discrimination protrusion is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the powder outlet of the powder containing compartment in an installation direction in which the powder container is installed in the apparatus, and at least one of shape, arrangement, and quantity of the discrimination protrusion is unique to the type of powder contained in the powder container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Oshikawa, Emi Kita
  • Patent number: 8600244
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a housing and a detection gear having a detection protrusion detectable by detecting device of an image forming apparatus. The detection gear is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the detection protrusion is detectable by the detecting device and a gear toothed portion opposes an agitator gear. In the second position, the detection protrusion is undetectable by the detecting device and a toothless portion opposes the agitator gear. When the detection gear is in the first position, an urging portion of the housing contacts the detection gear and applies rotational force to urge the gear toothed portion toward the agitator gear. When in the second position, the urging portion contacts the detection gear and regulates the position of the detection gear in the rotational direction to cause the toothless portion and the agitator gear to oppose each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8600250
    Abstract: An image forming cartridge comprises a developing unit configured to hold toner including a developing section configured to use the toner for developing and a supplying section configured to provide the toner to the developing section and a toner cartridge attachable to the developing unit, wherein the toner cartridge contains toner and supplies toner to the developing unit and the toner cartridge includes a stand-by charging unit configured to perform stand-by charge to the toner in the toner cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Niijima
  • Patent number: 8600262
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Kadota, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Nobuyuki Taguchi, Satoru Yoshida, Takuya Seshita
  • Publication number: 20130315634
    Abstract: Disclosed is a packing structure of a developer container, including a developer container that contains a developer and is formed with a supply port for supply of the developer, a transport member that is provided in the developer container and transports the developer to the supply port while stirring the developer, a packing member that packs the developer container from an end portion of the transport member in an axial direction thereof to a central portion of the transport member in the axial direction, and a unit that moves the transport member by an operation of detaching the packing member from the developer container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke UCHIYAMA, Makoto KANNO, Yuji SAKODA, Keisuke KUBO, Shinichiro FUJIMORI
  • Patent number: 8594539
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an inlet connected to an outlet of a container body for developer; a leakage preventing member arranged in the surroundings of the inlet and preventing leakage of the developer; and recesses that are arranged on an upstream side and a downstream side of the outlet with reference to the direction of movement that the developer container body moves when the developer container body is moved in a state that the developer container body is supported by a container support section and that are formed in a shape depressed in a direction of departing relative to an opening and closing member for opens and closes the outlet, the recesses collecting developer having adhered to the leakage preventing member when the developer container body is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Sakai
  • Publication number: 20130308986
    Abstract: A toner container includes a toner container body having a toner chamber for housing a toner inside, a toner discharge port provided at one end of the toner container body, a cover portion having front edge and rear edge. The toner container also includes a projection provided near the discharge port and at one end of a top surface of the cover portion in a longitudinal direction, wherein a height of a surface of the projection facing the rear edge is declined towards the rear edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Tsutomu Sato
  • Patent number: 8588656
    Abstract: A developer tank of a developing device is partitioned into a first conveyance path, a second conveyance path, a first communicating path and a second communicating path with a partition. A first developer conveying member that conveys a developer in a first developer conveying direction is provided in the first conveyance path. A second developer conveying member that conveys the developer in a second developer conveying direction is provided in the second conveyance path. In the first developer conveying member, a double spiral blade is provided on a downstream side in the first developer conveying direction from a first conveying blade of the first developer conveying member, the double spiral blade including an inner spiral blade that conveys the developer in a first direction and an outer spiral blade that conveys the developer in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Mihara, Takafumi Nagai
  • Patent number: 8588645
    Abstract: A multi-function printer includes an image forming unit and a scanner unit. The image forming unit includes a body casing, a developing unit having a developing roller extending in a lateral direction, a developer cartridge provided on one side of the axis of the developing roller and detachably attached to the body casing, a discharge tray, a side cover, a support unit for supporting the developer cartridge such that the developer cartridge is detachably attached to a front side of the body casing, a sheet feeding tray detachably attachable to the front side of the body casing, and a discharge unit provided on the front side of the body casing and discharging sheet on which an image is formed to the rear side of the body casing. The scanner unit is provided above the image forming unit having a predetermined space opened on the one side therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuya Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8588659
    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: November 19, 2013
    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
  • Patent number: 8583014
    Abstract: A powder holding container includes: a tubular shaped section that is formed in a tubular shape with a hole formed in a tube wall for letting powder pass through; an opening and closing member that moves in a straight line inside the tubular shaped section to open and close the hole; a projection portion that projects out from the opening and closing member and enters the hole; and a resilient tab that is formed by a cutout provided in the opening and closing member, and is resiliently deformable in directions in which the projection portion enters or exits the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Ninomiya, Kazuhiro Saito, Satoru Hori
  • Publication number: 20130294797
    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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Shih-Hsiung HUANG, Ching-Ho Huang
  • Patent number: 8577226
    Abstract: A detachable body includes: a detachable body main body that is to be attached to an attachment/detachment subject apparatus in a detachable manner, the detachable main body having an internal space and a connection hole which connects the internal space and an external space; and an opening/closing member that is attached to the detachable body main body, the opening/closing member being movable between an opening position where the connection hole is exposed and a closing position where the connection hole is closed. The opening/closing member includes: an opening/closing member main body that is curved parallel with a movement direction of the opening/closing member between the opening position and the closing position; and a plane portion that has a flat surface, the plane portion being formed in an outer surface of the opening/closing member main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Ozaki, Masaru Furuoya, Toru Hamuro
  • Publication number: 20130287447
    Abstract: A unit for use with a removable toner cartridge of an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An inlet port is positioned to receive toner from the toner cartridge. The inlet port is connected to the reservoir to allow the toner received from the toner cartridge to enter the reservoir. A shutter is slidably movable between a closed position and an open position. A biasing member biases the shutter toward the closed position. The shutter includes a first engagement surface positioned to receive a first engagement member of the toner cartridge to begin to open the shutter as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device. The shutter also includes a second engagement surface positioned to receive a second engagement member of the toner cartridge to move the shutter a remaining distance to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald Willard Baker, Stephen Andrew Brown, David Francis Carter, Michael Craig Leemhuis
  • Publication number: 20130287448
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An outlet port is positioned on the front of the housing for transferring toner from the reservoir to the developer unit through an inlet port on the developer unit. A first engagement member projecting from the front of the housing is positioned to provide an initial force to begin to open a shutter on the inlet port of the developer unit as the toner cartridge is inserted in the image forming device. A second engagement member projecting from the front of the housing is spaced toward one of the sides of the housing from the first engagement member and positioned to provide a force to continue to open the shutter on the inlet port of the developer unit as the toner cartridge is inserted further in the image forming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald Willard Baker, Stephen Andrew Brown, Michael Craig Leemhuis, David Lee Merrifield
  • Patent number: 8571448
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first conveying unit provided within a developing agent storage chamber and that is configured to convey a developing agent from one end of the developing agent storage chamber to another end of the developing agent storage chamber in a longitudinal direction of a developing agent carrier that is disposed with in a developing chamber and to supply the developing agent from the developing agent storage chamber to the developing chamber; a second conveying unit provided within the developing chamber and that is configured to convey the developing agent from the other end of the developing chamber to the one end of the developing chamber in the longitudinal direction and to supply the developing agent toward a developing agent carrier; and a third conveying unit provided between the one end of the developing agent storage chamber and the one end of the developing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8568950
    Abstract: There is provided a polyester resin for a toner, including: a polycondensate of a polyvalent carboxylic acid component and a polyhydric alcoholic component, wherein the polyhydric alcoholic component contains a rosin diol represented by the following Formula (1) and a content of the rosin diol is 80 mole % to 100 mole % based on the total polyhydric alcoholic component. wherein, each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; L1 represents a divalent linking group having the following Formula (I); each of L2 and L3 independently represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of carbonyl groups, carboxyl groups, ether groups, sulfonyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted chained alkylene groups, substituted or unsubstituted cyclic alkylene groups, substituted or unsubstituted arylene groups, and combinations thereof; and each of A1 and A2 independently represents a rosin ester group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Shiozaki, Sumiaki Yamasaki, Satoshi Hiraoka, Yuki Sasaki, Susumu Yoshino, Hirotaka Matsuoka, Emi Miyata
  • Patent number: 8571441
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a casing, and a plurality of image carriers arranged in parallel along one direction in the casing and formed with an electrostatic latent image. The apparatus can further include a plurality of developing agent carriers opposed to the image carriers, for visualizing the electrostatic latent image by feeding a developing agent to the image carriers, and a plurality of developing agent cartridges, arranged in parallel in the one direction to be opposed to the developing agent carriers in the longitudinal direction of the developing agent carriers, and configured to be together attachable/detachable to/from the casing along the one direction, for accommodating the developing agent fed to the developing agent carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Publication number: 20130279944
    Abstract: An electrophotographic toner contains an electron donating color former compound, an electron accepting color developing agent, and a binder resin, wherein a toluene insoluble content in the electrophotographic toner is 10% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less, and the toner is decolorized by heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Takayasu Aoki, Yasuhito Noda, Koji Imamiya, Tsuyoshi Itou, Noboru Furuyama
  • Publication number: 20130279943
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner case and an installed part. The toner case includes a discharge port discharging a toner. To the installed part, the toner case is detachably installed. On the circumference of the toner case, a locking piece is provided. The installed part includes a locking member covering at least a part of the circumference of the toner case. The locking member has an insertion depression, an engaging piece and a biasing member. The insertion depression is arranged along an installing direction of the toner case and is capable of insertion of the locking piece. The engaging piece moves between a protrusive position protruded to the insertion depression at predetermined length and a withdrawn position withdrawn further than the protrusive position from the insertion depression in intersecting directions with the installing direction. The biasing member biases the engaging piece to the protrusive position side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Atsuhiro WAKIMOTO
  • Patent number: 8565649
    Abstract: In the case that a developer supply container is provided with a feeding portion for feeding a developer by receiving a rotational force and a pump portion for discharging the developer by reciprocation, and the rotational force and a reciprocating force are received from a main assembly side of an image forming apparatus, there is a liability that a driving connection is not properly established between a portion of the developer supply container for receiving the reciprocating force and a portion of the main assembly side for applying the reciprocating force. The developer supply container is provided with a drive converting mechanism for converting the rotational force received from the main assembly side to a force for operating a volume changing type pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuya Murakami, Toshiaki Nagashima, Fumio Tazawa, Ayatomo Okino, Yusuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 8565638
    Abstract: A unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus including an openable member capable of opening and closing a unit mounting and demounting opening includes: a grip portion, provided rotatably about a rotational shaft on a side wall of a frame of the unit, being rotatably moved to a projected position in which the grip portion is projected from the side wall and to a retracted position in which the grip portion is retracted in a longitudinal direction so as to be closer to the side wall than the projected position; and a force receiving portion at which the grip portion located at the projected position receives a force from the openable member when the openable member is closed in a state in which the unit is mounted in the main assembly, the force receiving portion being configured to receive the force for rotating the grip portion from the projected position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Kikuchi, Tsutomu Nishiuwatoko, Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 8565651
    Abstract: A toner supply device configured to be detachably attached into an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus and supplying a toner to a developing device, the toner supply device being: provided with a container main body configured substantially in a rectangular solid shape and configured to be inserted into the apparatus main body along a longitudinal direction of the container main body, having a toner containing part communicating with a developing device, and a barrel part that moves downward upon receipt of a biasing force from a direction of the apparatus main body when being inserted into the apparatus main body and a lock part arranged at a rear of the barrel part; the handle member being inserted into said apparatus main body side according to the downward movement of said barrel part and fixing said toner supply device in said apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Documents Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Fujii
  • Publication number: 20130272750
    Abstract: Provided is a powder container having a new structure capable of stable discharge and transport of a powder contained in a container by enabling the powder to be reliably discharged to the outside of the package while preventing the powder from spilling and flying out of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Tsukuru Kai, Hiroshi Hosokawa, Makoto Komatsu, Tadashi Hayakawa, Yuzuru Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8559855
    Abstract: There is provided an image forming agent holding container having a container body that is installable into and removable from an image forming device body and in which an ejection hole for use in ejection of image forming agent is formed, an opening/closing part that is shiftably mounted on the container body so as to open and close the ejection hole, and a manipulating part turnably supported by the container body to be used for shifting the opening/closing part relative to the container body, the manipulating part shifting to and from an open position to place the ejection hole in an open state, a sealing position to place the ejection hole in a sealed state, and a fitting position to fit the manipulating part to the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kota Furuhata