Patent classifications
G03G15/0874
Plunger locking structure in syringe type toner refill cartridge
A toner cartridge includes a hollow body having an inner space in which toner is received and a toner discharge portion through which the toner is discharged, a plunger accommodated in the inner space to be movable in a longitudinal direction along the inner space and configured to push the toner through the toner discharge portion to outside of the body, a first hook provided on the body, and a second hook. The second hook has a shape complementary to a shape of the first hook, is provided on the plunger, and is elastically coupled to the first hook when the plunger reaches a bottom dead position.
Conveyance unit, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A conveyance mechanism which includes a rotation shaft extending in a direction along a first direction connecting first and second discharge ports that is rotatable with a rotation axis extending in the first direction. Wherein, a first rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the first discharge port, and a second rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the second discharge port. The second rotation conveyance unit is configured to provide a larger amount of conveyance than the first rotation conveyance unit.
TONER CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
A cartridge includes a casing including a toner storage chamber storing toner and a toner discharge chamber having an outlet, a conveyance member conveying the toner from the toner storage chamber to the toner discharge chamber, an action member attached to the conveyance member and repeating an action of shifting between an entering state of entering the outlet and a retraction state of retracting from the outlet, and a pump expanding and contracting to be shifted between a first state and a second state in which the internal space is smaller in volume than in the first state, the pump putting air into the toner discharge chamber by being shifted from the first state to the second state, thereby discharging the toner from the toner discharge chamber through the outlet, and the pump taking in air by being shifted from the second state to the first state.
DEVELOPER SUPPLYING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
A pump portion 21 which is variable in volume, a feeding path portion 24 including a connection opening connected to the pump portion 21 at one end and including a discharge opening 23 at the other end, and a toner accommodating portion 22 connected to an intermediate portion between the one end and the other end of the feeding path portion 24 and for accommodating the toner are provided, and a volume change amount of the pump portion 21 is larger than a total volume from the connection opening to the discharge opening 23 of the feeding path portion 24.
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.
Structure to refill toner to development cartridge mounted in main body
A printer may include a main body and a development cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body. The development cartridge may comprise a developing portion in which a photoconductive drum and a developing roller are provided, a waste toner container to receive waste toner removed from the photoconductive drum, a toner container connected to the developing portion and to receive toner, and a toner refilling portion connected to the toner container and to refill toner through the toner refilling portion into the toner container. The printer may include a communicating portion provided in the main body to be connected to the toner refilling portion to provide an access the toner refilling portion from outside of the main body when the development cartridge is attached to the main body.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
An image forming apparatus includes a developer bearing member, a frame having a storage member, and a first temperature detection unit. The storage member is for storing a developer for the developer bearing member to record an image on a recording material. The storage member includes an attachment part in which a supply container enclosing a developer is removably attachable to the attachment part. With reference to a recording material conveyance path having a center in a width direction of the recording material that is orthogonal to a recording material conveyance direction and in a case where an area on one side of the conveyance path center is a first area and the area on the other side of the conveyance path center is a second area, the attachment part is arranged in the first area and the first temperature detection unit is arranged in the second area.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
An image forming apparatus is configured to allow a replenishment container to be detachably attached thereto. The image forming apparatus includes a drum unit including a photosensitive drum, and a development unit. The development unit includes a development roller, a reception portion configured to receive the replenishment container. The development unit is movable relative to the drum unit. The image forming apparatus further includes a housing including an opening/closing member movable between a cover position, at which the opening/closing member covers the reception portion, and an exposing position, at which the reception portion is exposed, and a support member configured to be movable between a support position, at which the support member supports the development unit, and a retracted position, at which the support member is retracted from the support position, in conjunction with the movement of the opening/closing member.
TONER CONTAINER
A toner container for use with an image forming apparatus is provided with a toner accommodating portion in which toner is accommodated; a base portion including a receiving opening for receiving the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating portion, a discharge opening for permitting discharge of the toner, received through the receiving opening, to an outside of the toner container, and a passage which is a passage extending from the receiving opening to the discharge opening and which is for permitting passing of the toner; and a shutter constituted so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis relative to the base between an open position where the discharge opening is exposed to the outside and a closed position where the shutter covers the discharge opening, wherein the passage extends in a direction in which the passage is inclined relative to the rotational axis so that the receiving opening is in a position where the receiving opening crosses the rotational axis and so that the discharge opening is in a position where the discharge opening does not cross the rotational axis.
Developer cartridge being capable of adjusting inside volume thereof
A developer cartridge including a housing to contain a developer and including a developer outlet from which the developer is dischargeable. A transport member is arranged inside the housing to rotate to transport the developer to the developer outlet. A volume adjustment member is insertable inside the transport member opposite to the developer outlet to adjust an inside volume of the housing.