G03G2215/085

Developer cartridge and developing unit provided with the same
09753400 · 2017-09-05 · ·

A developer cartridge assembled to a developing device defining therein a developing chamber. The developer cartridge includes a first accommodating portion, and a first agitator. The first accommodating portion accommodates therein a developing agent and is positioned beside the developing device. The first accommodating portion includes a first wall part neighboring the developing device. The first wall part is formed with a first through-hole and a second through-hole. The first through-hole is open diagonally downward from the first accommodating portion to the developing device. The second through-hole is open diagonally upward from the first accommodating portion to the developing device. The first through-hole and the second through-hole allow communication between an interior of the first accommodating portion and the developing chamber. The first agitator is rotatably disposed in the first accommodating portion and in sliding contact with the first wall part in a vertical direction.

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.

Toner cartridge having an expandable toner agitator

A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable drive shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A partition is mounted on the drive shaft and axially movable along the drive shaft when the drive shaft rotates. The partition divides the reservoir into a first compartment for storing fresh toner and a second compartment for storing waste toner. An expandable agitator is positioned within the second compartment and rotatable with the drive shaft. When the drive shaft rotates and the partition moves along the drive shaft expanding a volume of the second compartment, the agitator expands along a length of the drive shaft and rotates with the drive shaft for agitating waste toner in the second compartment.

TONER CARTRIDGE HAVING AN EXPANDABLE TONER AGITATOR

A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable drive shaft is positioned within the reservoir. A partition is mounted on the drive shaft and axially movable along the drive shaft when the drive shaft rotates. The partition divides the reservoir into a first compartment for storing fresh toner and a second compartment for storing waste toner. An expandable agitator is positioned within the second compartment and rotatable with the drive shaft. When the drive shaft rotates and the partition moves along the drive shaft expanding a volume of the second compartment, the agitator expands along a length of the drive shaft and rotates with the drive shaft for agitating waste toner in the second compartment.

TONER CARTRIDGE HAVING AN AXIALLY MOVABLE MEMBER IN A TONER RESERVOIR THEREOF

A toner cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has a threaded portion. A thread follower mounted on the threaded portion of the shaft moves axially along the threaded portion of the shaft when the shaft rotates. A magnet is movable with the thread follower axially along the shaft for detecting an axial position of the thread follower along the shaft by magnetic sensors when the toner cartridge is installed in the electrophotographic image forming device.

Toner container

A toner container installed in an image forming apparatus includes a toner container main body having a predetermined length and in which toner is accommodated, a discharge port through which the toner is discharged from the toner container main body, a shutter which opens and closes the discharge port, a handle provided on the toner container main body, and a pressed portion provided on the toner container main body and which is pressed by the image forming apparatus to project the handle out from the image forming apparatus.

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.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20170146928 · 2017-05-25 · ·

An image foiining apparatus includes a housing, a conveyance member, and a sheet member. The housing forms a conveyance path along which toner is conveyed. The conveyance member is supported by the housing. The conveyance member rotates about a rotation axis thereof to convey the toner. The sheet member is disposed on a contact region of the housing where the conveyance member comes in contact with the housing.

Cartridge including agitator therein

A cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller, and an agitator. The casing is configured to accommodate developing agent. The casing has a first wall and a second wall disposed away from the first wall in a first direction. The agitator includes a rotational shaft and an agitating blade. The rotational shaft extends in the first direction and has a first end portion. The first end portion defines a circumferential surface and is supported to the first wall. The rotational shaft is configured to rotate in a rotating direction about a rotational center. The first wall has a concave portion having a plurality of protruding portions extending toward the circumferential surface and arranged at intervals from each other in the rotating direction. The agitating blade is positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion in the first direction and extending in the radial direction.

Developer container, image forming unit, and image forming apparatus
09588463 · 2017-03-07 · ·

A developer container includes: a housing having at least one storage chamber for storing developer; a first rotating member extending from a first end portion to a second end portion through at least one of the at least one storage chamber; a first gear connected to the first end portion; and a second gear connected to the second end portion, the first rotating member being configured to transmit driving force from the first gear to the second gear.