Abstract: A cartridge unit is for use with a toner cartridge assembly of an image developing device. The cartridge unit has a cartridge including a toner bottle coupled with a cap assembly, where the toner bottle includes an elongate cylindrical structure which has a central axis. The cap assembly is coupled with the toner bottle and includes a mouth portion. At least one scoop is coupled within the mouth portion of the cap assembly, where the scoop is adapted for drawing developer from the toner bottle through the mouth portion as the toner bottle is rotated about the central axis.

Abstract: A developer cartridge includes a cylindrical body for accommodating a developer with a discharge opening, provided in a cylindrical portion of the cylindrical body, for permitting discharge of the developer. A sealing member seals the discharge opening. A stirring member is provided in the cylindrical body and includes a shaft for receiving a driving force to rotate the stirring member and elastic stirring blades provided on the shaft. The stirring blades have free end portions bent in a radial direction.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner; (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (c) a toner feeding member for feeding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion toward the toner supply opening; (d) a sealing member including: a sealing portion for openably sealing the toner supply opening; and a driving portion for driving the toner feeding member.

Abstract: An image-forming method uses an assembly having a first toner replenishing hopper, a toner storage room, a nonmagnetic cylindrical rotating member provided with a first mixed magnetic field-generating device, a first magnetic blade, a nonmagnetic cylindrical development sleeve provided with a second fixed magnetic field generating device, a second magnetic blade, an electrostatic image holding member, a cleaning device and a second toner-replenishing hopper. At least certain of the foregoing components are set to have specific positional relationships with one another so that the recovered magnetic toner is efficiently reused together with the fresh magnetic toner.

Abstract: A support part attached to a developer container used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a support portion for supporting one end of an agitating member for agitating developer contained in the developer container, a fitting portion fitted into a through hole formed in a frame of the developer container, a detent portion for preventing the support part from disengaging from the through hole, a seal member contacting portion for contacting a seal member for preventing developer from leaking from between the frame and the support part, and a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for rotating the support part. In a direction intersecting with an axis of the support part, the detent portion is positioned inwardly of an outer peripheral surface of the seal member contacting portion.

Abstract: A cartridge unit is for use with a toner cartridge assembly of an image developing device. The cartridge unit has a cartridge including a toner bottle coupled with a cap assembly, where the toner bottle includes an elongate cylindrical structure which has a central axis. The cap assembly is coupled with the toner bottle and includes a mouth portion. At least one scoop is coupled within the mouth portion of the cap assembly, where the scoop is adapted for drawing developer from the toner bottle through the mouth portion as the toner bottle is rotated about the central axis.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a supporting member rotating around a rotation shaft thereof. A plurality of developing devices are arranged on the supporting member, each developing device including a developer supplying device. A plurality of cylindrically-shaped developer containers containing developer are provided, each developer container having an opening and a guide, and each developer container being detachably mounted on the developer supplying device. A container rotating device rotates the developer container, in which the guide is arranged that when one of the developing devices needs to be filled with the developer, the container rotating device rotates the developer container to transfer the developer in the developer container to the opening in accordance with a rotation movement of the developer container.

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

Abstract: A developing apparatus having a developer containing portion including an opening portion for supplying a developer to a developer bearing member, a sheet member for unsealably sealing the opening portion, and a partition wall for partitioning a space of a developer containing portion into a first space and a second space more remote from the developer bearing member than the first space. The partition wall has an angle of 30 degrees or less with respect to a surface on which the sheet member is supported, and has an angle of 40 degrees or more with respect to a horizontal plane when the developing apparatus is attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus. A first carrying and a second carrying member are disposed in the first space and the second space respectively to carry the developer to the opening portion.

Abstract: A toner supply container detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes (a) a toner accommodating portion for accommodating toner; (b) a toner supply opening for discharging toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (c) a toner feeding portion for feeding the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion toward the toner supply port; (d) a first driving force receiving portion for receiving driving force for driving the toner feeding portion from the main assembly of the apparatus; (e) a toner stirring portion for stirring the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion; (f) a second driving force receiving portion for receiving driving force for driving the toner stirring portion from the main assembly of the apparatus; wherein the first driving force receiving portion and the second driving force receiving portion is disposed outside the toner accommodating portion and at a free end portion in a direction of mounting the tone

Abstract: A toner container mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a toner containing portion for containing toner; a rotatable toner stirring member for stirring the toner contained in the toner containing portion; a helical gear for receiving driving force for rotating the stirring member, the helical gear being movable in a thrust direction which is substantially crossing with a direction of rotation thereof; an opposite member opposed to an internal surface of the toner containing portion with a gap therebetween, the opposite member being notable together with the helical gear; wherein thrust force produced when the helical gear is rotated with the opposite member being spaced from the internal surface of toner containing portion, is oriented in a direction from outside to inside of the toner containing portion.

Abstract: A developing device having a container including a pair of side walls disposed with spacing, an entry port and a delivery port defined between the side walls, and a main wall extending between the entry port and the delivery port. A rotating shaft is rotatably mounted between the pair of side walls of the container, and agitator/conveyor means is mounted on the rotating shaft. A blind hole circular in cross section is formed at an inner surface of one of the side walls, and one end portion of the rotating shaft is rotatably inserted into the blind hole. At least one discharge groove is formed at an outer peripheral surface of the one end portion of the rotating shaft. The agitator/conveyor means is composed of a flexible agitating/conveying member extending from the rotating shaft in a radial direction of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A toner cartridge removably mounted to an image forming apparatus including a developing device. The toner cartridge includes a plurality of toner outlet openings for replenishing toner to the developing device and a plurality of toner collection openings for collecting the toner from the developing device. Further, the plurality of toner outlet openings and the plurality of toner collection openings are arranged substantially in a single array.

Abstract: A device for feeding toner of a laser beam printer includes a plurality of minute feeding holes formed in a toner hopper and supplying toner therethrough, an agitator installed in the toner hopper and rotated to stir the toner to be supplied through the feeding holes; and a toner disintegrating member shaken by the rotation of the agitator, supplying a limited amount of toner and giving a limited amount of the toner stained on a feeding roller.

Abstract: A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image with a two-component developer comprises a developer container (46) including a developer-accumulating chamber (50), and a developer-agitating chamber (56) provided above the developer-accumulating chamber. A communication passage (64) is provided between the developer-agitating chamber and the developer-accumulating chamber, and is opened to the developer-agitating chamber to define an overflow opening for the developer. The device also comprises a developer-carrying body (48) provided in the developer-accumulating chamber of the developer container, and the developer-carrying body is exposed to face an electrostatic latent image carrying body, and brings the developer from the developer-accumulating chamber to a facing zone therebetween for development of an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrying body.

Abstract: The invention is characterized by efficiently and quickly loosening an aggregation of toner material formed in a toner cartridge. A toner cartridge has an L-shaped toner agitating member disposed in a main body thereof having a discharge port for feeding toner at the front surface of the main body. Since the toner agitating member is supported so as to pivot like a conical pendulum, a support pin fixed to a bottom surface of the main body passes through a through hole having a greater diameter than that of the support pin. The support pin has an engagement portion attached thereto for prevention of disengagement of the toner agitating member therefrom. A plate-like portion of the toner agitating member defines an agitating plate, a distal end of which extends toward the discharge port of the main body.

Abstract: A developer dispensing container includes a container body covered with a container cap, a dispensing nozzle suspended in the container body with a nozzle tube extended out of the center hole on the container cap, a nozzle cap mounted around the nozzle tube and moved along longitudinal sliding grooves at the nozzle tube to close/open the nozzle tube, a rotary driving member coupled to the nozzle cap and driven to move the nozzle cap along the longitudinal sliding grooves of the nozzle tube, and a stirrer revolvably supported on an axle bearing inside the container body and rotated with the dispensing nozzle when the nozzle cap is opened from the nozzle tube and the rotary driving member is continuously rotated.

Abstract: A developing device for use with an image forming apparatus can properly detect a residual toner level by adjusting the toner diffusion in a toner cartridge. The developing device stirs toner in the toner cartridge by rotating an agitator in the toner cartridge, and supplies the stirred toner from a toner introduction port. The image forming apparatus then forms images by electrophotographic processes. The agitator has at least two elastic film members and is formed so that the first film member is rotated first, then the second film member is rotated by following the first film member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner bank that is configured to hold a large-volume of toner that is ultimately used to develop a latent image formed on a latent image carrier. A developing apparatus develops the latent image into a visible image. The toner is supplied to the toner bank, which need not be located adjacent to the developing apparatus, using a mechanism that prevents the toner from becoming clogged while being transported to the developing apparatus from the toner bank. In the toner bank, more than one toner bottles are vertically set. The toner bottles are individually opened and closed at respective opening portions thereon with an opening/closing mechanism and are rotated so as to discharge toner therefrom. Toner discharged from the toner bottles is dropped into the toner bank and is supplied to a developing apparatus by a flexible toner delivering mechanism having a powder pump unit and a flexible toner supplying pipe.

Abstract: A toner container for use in an image forming apparatus having a toner receiving section, includes a cylindrical container body in which toner is stored, the cylindrical container body having a toner discharging end and provided with a spiral rib provided on its inner circumferential surface so that toner is conveyed toward the toner discharging end by the spiral rib when the cylindrical container body is rotated, the cylindrical container body further having a cylindrical portion with a discharging port on the toner discharging end; and a sleeve member mounted around the cylindrical portion so that the discharging port is closed by the sleeve member, the sleeve member movable in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion so that when the toner container is attached to the toner receiving section of the image forming apparatus, the sleeve member is moved so as to open the toner discharging port.

Abstract: A toner cartridge (1) has a cylindrical toner hopper (61) with a rear wall (61a) defining an output opening well above the lower part of the hopper. A paddle (63) is rotated in the hopper. The exit surface (61aaa) declines downward to form a chamber for the toner adder roller (45) and developer roller (43). This configuration discourages toner from returning to the hopper after it has been electrically charged.To improve movement of toner past the opening an agitator bar (65) extends across the cartridge near the exit surface. The bar is pivoted at both ends and has a portion (65a) which extends into the path of the paddle. As the paddle rotates, it moves the agitator upward until the curved paths of the two members reach separation, at which time the bar drops by gravity. The bar jars toner loose and eliminates jams of toner. The flat surface of the bar, when it has been moved up, partially blocks the exit opening, which desirably limits toner flow.

Abstract: An improved stirrer for being positioned in a toner cartridge or developer hopper of an electrophotographic printer is disclosed. The toner cartridge or developer hopper is a container having toner disposed therein for being supplied from the container to the printer. The container has first and second longitudinal ends, a generally curved interior wall extending therebetween, and a longitudinal axis. The stirrer has a rotatable driven member, first and second stirring arms, and a bridge member. The rotatable driven member is disposed adjacent the first end of the container, and has an axis of rotation generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. The first and second stirring arms are rotatably fixed to the driven member and extend within the container longitudinally from the driven member.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a toner storing unit having two flexible stirring rods disposed therein. Two tapered bearing portions disposed on a first side wall of the toner storage unit extend partially into the first side wall without piercing the first side wall, and two bearing portions on a second side wall extend completely through the second side wall. First ends of each of the stirring rods is tapered and fits into the tapered bearing portions on the first side wall of the toner storage unit. Second ends of the stirring rods extend through the bearing portions of the second side wall of the toner storage unit. Flange members are disposed on the second ends of the stirring rods, and a seal is interposed between each flange member and the second side wall. In another embodiment of the present invention, two of the bearing portions on the first side wall are generally square, and the first ends of the stirring rods have a generally spherical tip.

Abstract: A toner container comprises a toner storage section for providing a developer unit with a supply of toner, and a residual toner collect section integrally formed with the toner storage section and adapted to collect residual toner after an image has been developed. The present invention is intended to facilitate positioning, loading and unloading of the toner container, and also enable the toner to be smoothly supplied without being scattered from the toner container.The toner storage section includes a longitudinally extending rotary shaft and a resiliently deformable blade mounted to the rotary shaft. The toner storage section has a bottom, a first side wall, and the other or second side wall. A portion of the blade at a location corresponding to the first side wall is curved larger than a portion of the blade at a location corresponding to the second side wall.

Abstract: A removable, sealable, magnet-less cartridge for use in a reproduction apparatus of the type having a control device to control the apparatus, a photoreceptor to receive toner through a photoreceptor path and to transfer the toner onto imaged portions of the photoreceptor, and a developer transporter of the magnetic type to carry toner in a magnetic brush to the imaged portions of the photoreceptor and to return unspent toner therefrom.

Abstract: A toner cartridge comprising a container having a toner discharge port, a toner contained in the container and a stirrer for stirring the toner existing in the container. The stirrer includes a rotary shaft rotatably mounted between both side walls of the container, not less than four arms extending in the radial direction from the rotary shaft at fixed distances in the axial direction and not less than three paddles disposed among the ends of the arms. The paddles are arranged at not less than three angular positions having angles different from each other and spaced at a distance apart in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A toner cartridge including a container having a toner discharge port, a toner contained in the container and a stirrer for stirring the toner existing in the container. The stirrer includes a rotary shaft rotatably mounted between both side walls of the container, not less than two arms extending in the radial direction, from the rotary shaft at fixed intervals in the axial direction and not less than one paddle disposed between the ends of the arms. Each paddle has a plate piece made of a synthetic resin film extending in a direction to separate away from the rotary shaft. The plate piece has one or more holes formed therein.

Abstract: A conveyer device includes a container containing a toner therein and having a bottom wall and two side walls, a toner discharge port formed in the bottom wall, and a conveyance mechanism for conveying the toner in the container toward the discharge port. The conveyance mechanism includes a rotary shaft that is supported across both side walls to rotate and is positioned to pass above the discharge port, and a pair of spiral vanes formed on the rotary shaft. The vanes have their spiral directions opposite to each other. The discharge port has a first side edge and a second side edge opposed to each other at a distance in the axial direction of the rotary shaft. One of the spiral vanes extends from the first side edge toward the second side edge of the discharge port, above the toner discharge port. The other spiral vane extends from the second side edge toward the first side edge of the discharge port.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus using dry toner, a toner replenishing device includes cleaning means for cleaning the sensing surface of remaining toner sensing means. The cleaning means is driven by the same drive source as agitating means for agitating the toner. To clean the sensing surface, the cleaning means is driven in a particular manner different from a manner for usual toner replenishment. While the cleaning means cleans the sensing surface, the output signal of the remaining toner sensing means is detected. The device achieves highly accurate toner concentration control and toner end detection at the same time.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus is provided with a toner stirring member, which is mixed in with the toner in the toner cartridge. Blocking of the toner is prevented and fluidity of the toner is improved by the movement of the toner stirring member in the toner cartridge, and stable toner flow to a developing device of is accomplished. The toner stirring member is provided with toner scratching portions for scratching off the toner from the internal surface of the cartridge, and thereby a quantity of toner remaining in the toner cartridge is reduced.

Abstract: A device is provided for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine. The device includes an open ended container defining a chamber in communication with the open end of the container with the particles being stored in the chamber of the container. The container defines an aperture in the container spaced from the open end and an air permeable cover closely conforming to the aperture for containing the particles within the container.

Abstract: An endless toner transport which connects a developing device with a cleaning device is disposed so as to pass through these devices in their respective longitudinal directions. The mixing of toner can be enhanced by returning recovered toner to the developing device and by supplying fresh toner to the cleaning device by using the toner transport itself, whereby the reuse of recovered toner and the reduction of the quantity of fresh toner used can be conducted more effectively. In the processes of transporting toner from the developing device to the cleaning device and from the cleaning device to the developing device, toner can effectively be stirred and mixed by utilizing oscillation or the like generated in the endless toner transport which can be in the form of a coil spring so that an additional stirring member is not required, thereby allowing the developing device, and hence the entire image forming apparatus, to be greatly reduced in size.

Abstract: A developer transporting device for electrophotographic copiers has a pair of walls, a rotating shaft supported between the pair of walls, a first transporting member provided on the rotating shaft, a rotating cylindrical screw concentrically sheathing the rotating shaft and having a second transporting member provided on an exterior surface thereof and apertures provided at both ends thereof, an inflow pipe mounted on one wall of the pair of walls and extending into one end of the cylindrical screw and provided with a developer inflow opening facing an aperture of the cylindrical screw, and an outflow pipe mounted on the other wall of the pair of walls and extending into the other end of the cylindrical screw and provided with a developer outflow opening facing an aperture of the cylindrical screw.

Abstract: A toner containing device includes a toner body having a toner exhaust port, a shaft rotatably mounted to rotate within the toner body, an agitating blade on each end of the shaft on opposite sides of the toner exhaust port and a central agitating blade arranged on the shaft and disposed in substantial alignment with the toner exhaust port, wherein the central agitating blade is flexible such that a free end of the central agitating blade extends outside the toner body to flick toner through the toner exhaust port upon rotation of the central agitating blade past the toner exhaust port.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a rotary developing device has a developing unit in which a plurality of developing chambers are arranged around an axis of rotation. The developing unit is rotated about the axis to bring one of the chambers to a developing position where an image carrier is located. In each of the chambers, part of a developer removed by a doctor blade is received by a guide and then released from the guide into the chamber. This part of the developer is agitated in the vertical direction and conveyed together with the developer existing in the chamber by the rotation of the device. As a result, the developer is agitated, conveyed and charged in a desirable manner.

Abstract: In a developing device included in an image forming apparatus, a toner cartridge has a body and a replenishing member disposed in the body. The cartridge makes it needless to adhere or otherwise affix an elastic piece to the edge of the base of the replenishing member that slidably contacts the inner periphery of the body. The replenishing member is capable of scooping up toner while being held in sliding contact with the inner periphery of the body under a constant pressure.

Abstract: A rotary element is rotatably attached to a cartridge main body, which is attachable to and detachable from a developing apparatus. The rotary element has an opening/closing portion for a toner outlet formed in the main body, a toner-collecting portion for collecting the toner housed in the main body, and a joint connectable to a rotation driving element provided on the developing apparatus. When the main body is detached from the developing apparatus, the outlet opening/closing portion is pressed against the periphery of the outlet. By rotation of the rotary element, the toner-collecting portion collects the toner in the main body. The toner collected is supplied to the developing apparatus via the outlet.

Abstract: A processing part mounted in a carriage for effecting printing when translated in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which recording paper is transported includes a developing unit, the developing unit including a toner chamber and a toner cartridge detachably coupled to the toner chamber.

Abstract: A device for use with a copying machine, printer or the like transports toner from a toner storage means into the developing unit of the copying machine or printer by way of a toner transporting path including a shaft with a spiral. A toner lump loosening arrangement for loosening toner lumps before delivery to the developing unit is also positioned along the toner transporting path.

Abstract: A developing device incorporating a developer supply unit and a developer discharge section, in which a supply developer including a mixture of toner and carrier is successively supplied to a developer container from the developer supply unit and a deteriorated developer in the developer container is discharged through the developer discharge section. The developer supply unit has a sponge roller for selectively attracting toner to a surface thereof, a magnet roller for selectively attracting carrier to a surface thereof, and a member for scraping and bringing the toner and carrier attracted to these rollers into the developer container. The developer including toner and carrier in a predetermined ratio is thus stably supplied to the developer container. In another example of the developer supply unit, agitating of the developer is performed while shovelling the developer deposited in a lower part of the unit by a transport screw.

Abstract: A plurality of electrostatic recording units (Y, C, M and B) are arranged in series along a recording medium moving path. Each electrostatic recording unit includes an electrostatic latent image carrier (48), a developing unit (54, 54') arranged on the upstream side of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and a cleaning unit (60) arranged on the downstream side. The developing unit includes a developer holding container (66) having a developer storage portion (70) and a developer agitating portion (76) located above the developer storage portion. The developer agitating portion is communicated with the developer storage portion via a communicating path (82). The cleaning unit (60) of one of the adjacent electrostatic recording units is disposed adjacent to the developer storage portion (70) of the developer holding container (66) composing a portion of the developing unit (54, 54') of the other electrostatic recording unit.

Abstract: A device is provided for storing a supply of particles for use in a developer unit of an electrophotographic printing machine. The device includes an open ended container which has a chamber in communication with the open end of the container. The particles are stored in the chamber of the container. The device also includes a feature associated with the container which extends substantially the length of the container, for urging the marking particles in the chamber toward the center of the chamber.

Abstract: A partition wall for separating a developing chamber from a toner agitating chamber in an electrostatic developing device includes a high wall portion confronting a toner discharge opening of a toner cartridge, and low wall portions formed on either side of the high wall portion. Toner is discharged from the toner discharge opening of the toner cartridge into the agitating chamber. Toner is then sent over the partition wall and into the developing chamber by rotation of an agitator in the agitating chamber. Toner in the central portion of the agitating chamber goes over the high wall portion, and toner in the side portions of the agitating chamber goes over the low wall portions. Accordingly, a uniform amount of toner is supplied to all points along the length of a developing sleeve in the developing chamber, and hence to all points along the length of a photosensitive drum confronting the developing sleeve.

Abstract: A developing device is provided with a supporting device for removably and rotatably supporting a toner cartridge containing a toner therein and having a toner supplying opening portion and toner discharge device for discharging the toner in the toner cartridge through the opening portion, driving device for driving the toner discharge device, and cut-off device for cutting off the drive transmission of the driving device during the rotation of the toner cartridge.