G03G2215/066

Toner supply device and image forming apparatus
10317820 · 2019-06-11 · ·

A toner supply device includes a toner container, a detector, and a determiner. The toner container is configured to contain toner to be supplied to a developing device. The toner container is capable of discharging a prescribed amount of toner contained therein. The detector is configured to detect an amount of toner to be supplied to the developing device. The determiner is configured to estimate a timing at which toner remaining in the toner container is completely consumed, based on a driving amount applied for discharging toner from the toner container during a time period from when the prescribed amount of toner is discharged from the toner container until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to the prescribed amount of toner.

TONER SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20190171133 · 2019-06-06 ·

A toner supply device includes a toner container, a detector, and a determiner. The toner container is configured to contain toner to be supplied to a developing device. The toner container is capable of discharging a prescribed amount of toner contained therein. The detector is configured to detect an amount of toner to be supplied to the developing device. The determiner is configured to estimate a timing at which toner remaining in the toner container is completely consumed, based on a driving amount applied for discharging toner from the toner container during a time period from when the prescribed amount of toner is discharged from the toner container until when the detector detects an amount of toner equal to the prescribed amount of toner.

Image forming apparatus
10310411 · 2019-06-04 · ·

An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge storage portion that is installed in an image forming apparatus main body, and a toner cartridge that is configured so as to be able to be inserted into and removed from the cartridge storage portion. The cartridge storage portion has a storage opening that receives the toner cartridge, and has a gap between an end part of the toner cartridge and the storage opening, through which the end part of the toner cartridge is not able to be held, when the toner cartridge is stored in the cartridge storage portion.

DEVELOPER REPLENISHMENT CONTAINER
20240210855 · 2024-06-27 ·

A developer replenishment container configured to be detachably attachable to a developer replenishment device and replenish via the developer replenishment device is disclosed. The developer replenishment container including: a developer replenishment portion with a replenishment port; a developer accommodation portion having accommodate a developer; and an annular seal member for sealing a gap between the developer replenishment portion and the developer accommodation portion. The developer accommodation portion has an annular abutment portion provided at an end portion on a developer replenishment portion side in a direction of an axis which is a rotation center of the developer accommodation portion and provided to be in contact with the seal member in the direction of the axis; and a projecting portion provided near the abutment portion and provided to project toward the developer replenishment portion further than the abutment portion in the direction of the axis.

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC CONTROL IN IMAGING DEVICES, INCLUDING SENSING CURRENT BETWEEN A DEVELOPER ROLL AND DRUM PERTAINING TO CURRENT OF A LATENT IMAGE AND A PASCHEN BREAKDOWN

An imaging device has a developer roll to provide toner to a photoconductive drum to develop a latent image on the drum for direct transfer to media or an intermediate transfer member. A power supply in communication with a controller sets relative voltages on the developer roll and drum. During transfer of the toner, the imaging device determines a current between the developer roll and drum. In turn, the controller determines a charge and mass of the toner for setting with the power supply an operating voltage on the drum or developer roll. Preventing and reporting toners with insufficient charge are other embodiments.

Toner container, image forming unit, and image forming apparatus
10295934 · 2019-05-21 · ·

A toner container includes containing chambers, a shaft member, rotary members, and stirring members. The containing chambers are arrayed in a first direction and partitioned from each other. The containing chambers contain respective toners of different colors. The shaft member extends in the first direction, passes through the containing chambers, and is rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the first direction. The rotary members are disposed in the respective containing chambers and each have a through-hole extending in the first direction. The rotary members are rotatable in response to rotation of the shaft member in an inserted state of the shaft member in the through-holes. The stirring members are supported by the respective rotary members and each extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The stirring members are pivotable in response to rotation of the respective rotary members. The stirring members have different pivoting positions upon pivoting.

TONER CARTRIDGE HAVING A BIASING ASSEMBLY FOR BIASING A MEDIA FEED ROLL IN AN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING DEVICE

A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner and an outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir for exiting toner from the toner cartridge. A resiliently deflectable cam is positioned on an exterior portion of the housing to contact a media feed roll assembly when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device for biasing the media feed roll assembly into contact with a corresponding media feed roll in the image forming device to form a media feed nip in the image forming device.

Powder container, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
10254680 · 2019-04-09 · ·

A powder container is removably mountable in one of a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus. The powder container includes a discharge port to discharge powder stored inside the powder container, a collection port to correct the powder from outside of the powder container, a first shutter to open and close the discharge port, a first opening and closing member to open and close the first shutter, a second shutter to open and close the collection port, a second opening and closing member to open and close the second shutter, and a shaft portion to link the first opening and closing member and the second opening and closing member.

TONER CONTAINER, IMAGE FORMING UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20190064702 · 2019-02-28 · ·

A toner container includes containing chambers, a shaft member, rotary members, and stirring members. The containing chambers are arrayed in a first direction and partitioned from each other. The containing chambers contain respective toners of different colors. The shaft member extends in the first direction, passes through the containing chambers, and is rotatable about a rotational axis extending in the first direction. The rotary members are disposed in the respective containing chambers and each have a through-hole extending in the first direction. The rotary members are rotatable in response to rotation of the shaft member in an inserted state of the shaft member in the through-holes. The stirring members are supported by the respective rotary members and each extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The stirring members are pivotable in response to rotation of the respective rotary members. The stirring members have different pivoting positions upon pivoting.

Disassemblable imaging apparatus
10185282 · 2019-01-22 · ·

A disassemblable imaging apparatus includes a photo sensing assembly, a toner cartridge, and at least one torsion spring. The photo sensing assembly includes a casing and a photosensitive drum. The casing has an accommodating space. The photosensitive drum is installed on the casing and located at a side of the accommodating space. The toner cartridge is detachably located in the accommodating space. The at least one torsion spring is located in the accommodating space. A part of the at least one torsion spring is installed on the casing, and another part of the at least one torsion spring presses a side of the toner cartridge facing away from the photosensitive drum for pushing the toner cartridge toward the photosensitive drum.