Patent classifications
G03G2215/085
DEVELOPER REPLENISHING DEVICE, DEVELOPER DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE
A device that replenishes developer to a developer unit and includes a storage for storing developer, an agitation member, and a vibration plate. The agitation member has a blade shape and is rotationally driven to agitate the developer in the storage. The vibration plate extends from a top portion towards a bottom portion of the storage along a rotation direction of the agitation member, and includes a vibration portion that vibrates due to contact with the agitation member undergoing rotation. A top end of the vibration plate is fixed and a bottom end of the vibration plate is a free end, and there is a gap between the vibration portion and an inner wall of the storage. The vibration plate is provided with an engagement protrusion towards the free end that engages with the agitation member and causes the agitation member undergoing rotation to deform then spring back.
Replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device having a retractable electrical connector
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example includes a housing having a toner reservoir. An electrical connector mounted on the housing is movable between a retracted position and an operative position. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical contact is electrically connected to processing circuitry on the housing. In the retracted position, the electrical connector is tucked into a portion of the housing. In the operative position, the electrical connector is exposed to permit the electrical contact to contact the corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. A linkage is operatively connected to the electrical connector and includes an engagement surface accessible on an exterior of the housing to receive an actuation force. Movement of the linkage moves the electrical connector between the retracted position and the operative position.
Developer cartridge provided with casing and developer accommodating unit detachably supported thereto
A developer cartridge includes a casing; and a sub-unit. The casing has a first opening and a developer chamber. The sub-unit is detachably attached to the developer chamber through the first opening. The sub-unit includes a cap; a developer container; and an agitation member. The cap seals the first opening. The developer container is disposed in the developer chamber and hermetically accommodating developer therein. The agitation member is disposed in the developer chamber. The agitation member has a first end portion and a second end portion. The agitation member is rotatable relative to the casing about an axis. The axis extends between the first end portion and the second end portion in an axial direction.
DEVELOPER SUPPLY CONTAINER
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.
Toner cartridge attachable to image forming apparatus
Toner cartridge includes a housing, an agitator, an auger, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The housing includes a first toner accommodating portion having and a second toner accommodating portion. The auger is rotatable about a second axis extending in a first direction and is configured to convey toner from a first toner accommodating portion to the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion is positioned at a first side of the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion extends in the first direction. The second protrusion is positioned at a second side of the second toner accommodating portion and extends in the first direction.
Toner cartridge having shutter opened and closed in accordance with pivoting of toner cartridge casing and shutter cover
A cartridge includes a shutter that opens and closes when the cartridge is attached and detached to a developing unit or image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a casing having a chamber with a first opening at one end portion allowing toner to flow out of the casing. The cartridge includes a cover that covers the first opening, movable with the casing and having a second opening allowing toner to flow out of the cover. The shutter is located at the one end portion and has a protrusion further from the one end portion than the cover. The developing unit supports the protrusion when the cartridge is mounted thereon, and the casing pivots with the cover relative to the developing unit between a first position where the shutter closes the second opening and a second position where a third opening of the shutter overlaps the second opening.
Drum cartridge and developing cartridge capable of suppressing variation in position of electrical contact surface
A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is detachably attachable; a photosensitive drum; a transfer roller; and a conveying roller. The drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one end portion of the frame in a second direction. The transfer roller is rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction and in contact with the drum. The conveying roller is rotatable about a third axis extending in the first direction and separated from the transfer roller in the second direction. A first opening of the frame is positioned between the transfer roller and the conveying roller in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is exposed to an outside through the first opening in a case where the developing cartridge is attached to the frame.
DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THEREWITH
A developing device includes a developer container, a developer carrier, and a stirring/conveying member. The developer container includes: a lower housing having a first accommodating portion and a first edge portion formed in a top end portion of it; and an upper housing having a second accommodating portion and a second edge portion formed in a bottom end portion of it. The first edge portion has a depression extending along the first edge portion, a first contact face formed inward of the depression, and a first opposite face formed outward of the depression. The second edge portion has an elevation inserted in the depression, a second contact face making contact with the first contact face, and a second opposite face facing the first opposite face. When the first and second contact faces are in contact, the first and second opposite faces face each other across a predetermined interval.
DEVELOPING DEVICE
A developing device includes a developer moving unit that circularly moves a developer, the developer moving unit including a one-direction transport member that transports the developer in one direction, and an opposite-direction transport member that is disposed below the one-direction transport member and that transports the developer in a direction opposite to the one direction; a facing member that is disposed at a location facing an image carrier and that supplies the image carrier with the developer supplied from the one-direction transport member; a lower transport member that is disposed below the facing member and that transports the developer that has separated from the facing member in the one direction to cause the developer to be supplied to one end portion side of the opposite-direction transport member; and a movement restricting portion that is disposed between the lower transport member and the opposite-direction transport member and that restricts a movement of the developer from the opposite-direction transport member to the lower transport member.
Toner cartridge attachable to image forming apparatus
Toner cartridge includes a housing, an agitator, an auger, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The housing includes a first toner accommodating portion having and a second toner accommodating portion. The auger is rotatable about a second axis extending in a first direction and is configured to convey toner from a first toner accommodating portion to the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion is positioned at a first side of the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion extends in the first direction. The second protrusion is positioned at a second side of the second toner accommodating portion and extends in the first direction.