Patent classifications
G03G15/0887
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
An image forming apparatus includes a main body that includes a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a development unit configured to develop the photosensitive member with toner. The main body is configured to discharge a recording material on which an image is formed with the toner onto a discharge tray. The image forming apparatus also includes a toner supply port on which a supply container is mounted to supply toner to a toner containing portion of the development unit. The image forming apparatus further includes a non-contact communication portion including an antenna and configured to receive a signal for user authentication. The discharge tray, the toner supply port, and the non-contact communication portion are provided at an upper portion of the main body. The non-contact communication portion is provided outside the discharge tray when the main body is viewed from above.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a developer that performs development with toner, the image forming apparatus including a vibrator that applies vibrations to a vibrated portion of the developer, and a hardware processor that controls the vibrator. The hardware processor determines a toner leakage level based on a result of detecting toner leakage adhering to a sheet caused by the image forming apparatus, settles a vibrating condition of the vibrator in accordance with the toner leakage level, and causes the vibrator to perform a vibrating operation under the settled vibrating condition.
TONER STORAGE CASE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
A toner storage case includes a case main body, a rotary member, a support shaft portion, a bearing portion, and a toner returning portion. The case main body is configured to store toner therein. The rotary member is provided in the case main body and configured to move the toner by being rotated. The support shaft portion rotatably supports the rotary member. The bearing portion includes a bearing hole that rotatably supports the support shaft portion in a state where the support shaft portion is inserted in the bearing hole. The toner returning portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft portion and configured to return the toner that has entered the bearing hole, in an outward direction toward an outside of the bearing hole as the rotary member is rotated.
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developing housing, a developing unit, and a transport unit. The developing housing includes a container chamber containing a developer. The developing unit rotates around a first rotation axis while carrying the developer on a surface thereof to deliver the developer. At least a partial region of the developing unit is exposed from the developing housing in a developing region below the first rotation axis such that the developing unit faces an image carrier. The developing unit develops an electrostatic latent image. The transport unit is disposed in the container chamber. The transport unit rotates around a second rotation axis to transport the developer. A part of an inner wall surface of the container chamber on a developer lifting side in which the surface of the developing unit moves toward the transport unit is located between a first plane and a second plane.
Developer supply container and developer supplying system
A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus and settable in a developer receiving apparatus by a setting operation including at least a rotation toward a setting position, includes a containing portion for containing the developer; a rotatable discharging member for discharging the developer out of said containing portion; drive transmitting means, engageable with a driving gear provided in said developer receiving apparatus and rotatable in a direction opposite the setting direction, for transmitting a rotating force from said driving gear to said discharging member.
CARTRIDGE USED IN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
A cartridge configured to be attachable to an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus includes a first unit including a photosensitive drum, a second unit attached to the first unit and including a developing roller, and a second frame member including a toner storage portion and including a toner reception port, the toner storage portion including a first end portion and a second end portion in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, the toner reception port provided in the first end portion, a toner container configured to be attachable to the second unit, the toner container including a toner discharge port configured to discharge the toner to the toner storage portion through the toner reception port, and a memory, the memory provided in an end portion of the cartridge on the same side as the second end portion of the toner storage portion.
Imaging system with a developing chamber having a developer roller and multiple air passages
An imaging system includes a developing chamber, a first conveyance path, a second conveyance path, a first air passage and a second air passage. A developing roller located in the developing chamber carries a developer to a developing region where the developing roller is closest to an image carrier. A first stirring-conveying portion is located in the first conveyance path adjacent the developing roller to supply the developer to the developing roller. A second stirring-conveying portion is located in the second conveyance path adjacent the first conveyance path to circulate the developer between the second conveyance path and the first conveyance path. The first air passage has an inlet coupled to the developing chamber and an outlet coupled to the second conveyance path, and the second air passage has an inlet coupled to the second conveyance path and an outlet coupled to the developing chamber.
Toner container including a rotatable container body, a gear, and a held portion
A toner container includes a container body, a gear, a held portion, an information storage device, a holding portion, and a connecting portion. The container body is rotatable around a rotation axis. The gear is disposed on a leading end of the toner container in the attaching direction of the toner container. The held portion is disposed such that the gear is exposed on the leading end in the attaching direction. The information storage device communicates with the body of the image forming apparatus. The holding portion is held by the held portion via the connecting portion. The information storage device, the holding portion, and the connecting portion are disposed at oblique positions excluding positions on a horizontal line and a vertical line. The connecting portion covers a part of the gear in a rotation direction and includes a rib-shaped portion that connects the held portion and the holding portion.
Developer supplying apparatus that communicates with wireless tag, image forming apparatus, and developer storage container
A developer supplying apparatus includes an attaching portion, an antenna, and a positional relationship changing portion. A developer storage portion including a wireless tag is attached to the attaching portion. The antenna is used for performing wireless communication with the wireless tag of the developer storage portion attached to the attaching portion using a radio wave method. The positional relationship changing portion changes a positional relationship between the wireless tag and the antenna.
Image forming apparatus and image forming system
An image forming apparatus including: a first door rotatable about a first rotation axis extending in a width direction within a first rotation range between a first open position and a first closed position; a second door provided below the first door and rotatable about a second rotation axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the first rotation axis within a second rotation range between a second open position and a second closed position, a part of the first rotation range making inroads into the second rotation range; and a retracting portion configured to rotate the first door to a retracted position to allow a rotation of the second door in conjunction with the second door being rotated to the second closed position from a state in which the first door is in the first open position and the second door is in the second open position.