G03G2215/0673

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20210109460 · 2021-04-15 ·

An image forming apparatus includes a storage container in which toner is stored, a replenishment port configured to allow replenishment of toner from the replenishment container outside the image forming apparatus to the storage container therethrough, a replenishment restriction portion, a drive source configured to supply a driving force, and a drive transmission portion configured to take a first operation state, in which the drive transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive source to the replenishment restriction portion to switch the replenishment restriction portion between a restricting state and an allowing state, and a second operation state, in which the drive transmission portion transmits the driving force of the drive source to a toner conveyance portion to cause the toner conveyance portion to convey toner.

STRUCTURE FOR SELECTIVELY LOCKING TONER INLET SHUTTER OF TONER REFILL PORTION

A printer includes a main body including a communicating portion, a development cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body, the development cartridge to supply toner contained in a toner container to an electrostatic latent image formed on a photoconductor, to form a visible toner image, and a toner refilling portion connected to the toner container. The toner refilling portion includes a mounting portion into which a toner cartridge insertable from outside the main body through the communicating portion to be mountable, a toner inlet portion provided in the mounting portion to receive toner from the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion, and an inlet shutter switchable between a blocking position where the toner inlet portion is blocked from receiving toner, and an inlet position where the toner inlet portion is open to receive toner. The printer includes a first latch member switchable between a first position where the inlet shutter is locked from switching between the blocking position and the inlet position and a second position where switching of the inlet shutter is allowed to switch between the blocking position and the inlet position, and a switching unit to switch between the first latch member between the first position and the second position.

Image forming apparatus capable of applying appropriate voltage to developing roller irrespective of deviation in pressing force of pressing member

An image forming apparatus includes: a casing; a toner cartridge; a drum cartridge; a main electrode; a first reading portion; and a controller. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and includes: a developing roller; and a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller. The drum cartridge is attachable to the casing and includes: a photosensitive drum; a pressing member; and a drum memory. The pressing member presses the toner cartridge toward the photosensitive drum so that an outer circumferential surface of the developing roller contacts an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The drum memory stores a pressing force value indicating a pressing force to be applied by the pressing member. The controller is configured to perform: reading, through the first reading portion, the pressing force value from the drum memory; and applying a voltage to the main electrode based on the pressing force value.

TONER CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM

An image forming system includes a toner container and an image forming apparatus to which the toner container is mountable. The toner container includes a projection that includes an inner peripheral surface centered on a central axis of the toner container. When the toner container is oriented in a predetermined direction, the projection has a downward guide surface facing downward and an upward guide surface facing upward. When the toner container is moved downward in a direction of the central axis toward a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus, (i) the downward guide surface is configured to guide a guided member of the image forming apparatus so that the guided member is rotated in a rotational direction about the central axis, and (ii) the upward guide surface is configured to guide the guided member so that the guided member is moved up after the guided member is rotated in the rotational direction by the downward guide surface.

Print particle supply valves

Examples described herein relate to a supply valve consistent with the disclosure. For instance, a supply valve to supply print particles to a receptacle, the supply valve may comprise a print particle exit, a print particle entrance perpendicular to the print particle exit, and a liner adjacent to the print particle exit, where the liner is to wipe print particles, when present, from the supply valve responsive to the transition of the supply valve between a closed position and an open position.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20240061369 · 2024-02-22 ·

An image forming apparatus, to which a supply container storing a developer is detachably attachable and which forms an image on a recording material, includes a photosensitive member that rotates, an optical box, a developer bearing member, and a developer container including a supply port for receiving the developer to be supplied from the supply container. The optical box irradiates the photosensitive member with light and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member. The developer bearing member bears the developer and develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying the developer to the photosensitive member. The developer container stores the developer to be borne by the developer bearing member. When viewed in a rotation axial direction of the photosensitive member, a region where the optical box is located and at least a part of a region where the supply port is located overlap each other in a horizontal direction.

Structure for driving toner inlet shutter of developing cartridge by using motor

An example image forming apparatus includes a main body, a driving motor, a developing cartridge, and a clutch. The developing cartridge includes a toner container, a mounting portion to receive a toner refill cartridge, a toner inlet portion to connect the mounting portion to the toner container, and a toner inlet shutter to be switched between a blocking location for blocking the toner inlet portion and an inlet location for opening the toner inlet portion. The clutch is to selectively transmit a driving force of the driving motor to the toner inlet shutter.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF APPLYING APPROPRIATE VOLTAGE TO DEVELOPING ROLLER IRRESPECTIVE OF DEVIATION IN PRESSING FORCE OF PRESSING MEMBER

An image forming apparatus includes: a casing; a toner cartridge; a drum cartridge; a main electrode; a first reading portion; and a controller. The toner cartridge is attachable to the drum cartridge and includes: a developing roller; and a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller. The drum cartridge is attachable to the casing and includes: a photosensitive drum; a pressing member; and a drum memory. The pressing member presses the toner cartridge toward the photosensitive drum so that an outer circumferential surface of the developing roller contacts an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The drum memory stores a pressing force value indicating a pressing force to be applied by the pressing member. The controller is configured to perform: reading, through the first reading portion, the pressing force value from the drum memory; and applying a voltage to the main electrode based on the pressing force value.

IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM

An attached portion of an image forming apparatus includes a rotating member of which at least a part is exposed outside the image forming apparatus when the developer container is attached, and a rotation restricting mechanism that is movable between a restricting position to restrict rotation of the rotating member and an allowable position to allow rotation of the rotating member, and includes a restricting member that is at the restricting position when the developer container is not attached. The developer container is attached to the attached portion so that the discharging portion engaging portion and the shutter engaging portions are engaged with the frame engaged portions and the rotating member engaged portions respectively when the container shutter is in the close state, and the restricting member moves from the restricting position to the allowable position when the developer container is attached to the attached portion.

Image forming system for use with an attachable developer container

An attached portion of an image forming apparatus includes a rotating member of which at least a part is exposed outside the image forming apparatus when the developer container is attached, and a rotation restricting mechanism that is movable between a restricting position to restrict rotation of the rotating member and an allowable position to allow rotation of the rotating member, and includes a restricting member that is at the restricting position when the developer container is not attached. The developer container is attached to the attached portion so that the discharging portion engaging portion and the shutter engaging portions are engaged with the frame engaged portions and the rotating member engaged portions respectively when the container shutter is in the close state, and the restricting member moves from the restricting position to the allowable position when the developer container is attached to the attached portion.