Image forming apparatus with simplified developer replenishment structure and that is user-friendly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12443129-B2
Application number	US-202418596287-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 5, 2024
Priority date	Nov 14, 2018
Publication date	Oct 14, 2025
Grant date	Oct 14, 2025

Abstract

A mechanism that enables developer replenishment by a simpler structure and a mechanism that enables more user-friendly developer replenishment are provided. An attachment port to which a developer supply bottle containing a developer stored therein is detachably attachable is disposed in an interior of an image forming apparatus. The developer supply bottle can be attached when the cover is in an open state. According to this image forming apparatus, when the developer supply bottle is attached to the attachment port, the developer inside the developer supply bottle moves into a developer housing chamber by its own weight.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An image forming system comprising:
a developer supply container configured to contain developer; and
an image forming apparatus that includes an image bearing member, a developer bearing member, a frame that supports the developer bearing member and constitutes a developer receiving container, and a stirring member that is rotatable in the developer receiving container,
wherein the developer receiving container is configured to contain a developer to be supplied to the developer bearing member, and the developer receiving container has an attachment port to which a developer supply container is detachably attached and through which the developer contained in the developer supply container is supplied to the developer receiving container;
a cover movable between a first position in which the cover covers the attachment port and a second position in which the cover does not cover the attachment port to allow the developer supply container to be attached to the attachment port, the cover being prevented from being moved from the second position to the first position by the developer supply container attached to the attachment port; and
a detecting unit for detecting whether the developer supply container is attached to the attachment port,
wherein in a case where the detecting unit detects that the developer supply container is attached to the attachment port, an execution of an image forming operation is unallowable.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the developer supply container includes a developer housing portion that is bag-shaped and is formed by a flexible sheet, and
wherein, when the bag is deformed by force applied to the developer supply container by user, the developer contained in the bag is supplied to the developer receiving container through the attachment port.

3. The image forming system according to claim 2 , wherein a thickness of the flexible sheet is from 0.03 millimeter (mm) to 1 mm.

4. The image forming system according to claim 2 , wherein the flexible sheet is a paper.

5. The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment port is provided in a protruding portion protruding upward with respect to an upper surface of the developer receiving container.

6. The image forming system according to claim 5 , wherein the protruding portion is provided in an end portion of the developer housing portion in a direction of a rotational axis of the image bearing member.

7. The image forming system according to claim 6 , wherein the protruding portion of the developer housing portion is overlapped with the developer bearing member when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the rotational axis of the image bearing member.

8. The image forming system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the developer supply container is attached to the attachment port with an opening of the developer supply container facing downward, and
wherein the opening is provided for discharging of developer to an outside of the developer supply container.

9. The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming operation includes a driving of the image bearing member.

10. The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the image bearing member is a photosensitive drum, and the developer bearing member is a developing roller.

11. The image forming system according to claim 10 , wherein the stirring member includes a rotating shaft and a sheet.

12. The image forming system according to claim 10 , wherein the stirring member is only one in an area between the attachment port and the image bearing member in the developer receiving container.

13. The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming apparatus includes a memory reading unit, and wherein the detecting unit is a memory unit including an electrical contact which contacts the memory reading unit when the developer supply container is attached to attachment port.

Assignees

• Canon Kk

Inventors

• Funatani Kazuhiro
• Tanaka Masatake
• Yamawaki Kentaro
• Iida Kenichi
• Kobayashi Shinsuke
• Umeda Kensuke
• Watanabe Takanori
• Suzuki Ai

Classifications

• G03G15/0889

  for agitation or stirring · CPC title

• G03G15/0877

  Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit · CPC title

• G03G15/0856

  Detection or control means for the developer level · CPC title

• G03G9/09328

  obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds · CPC title

• G03G9/0821

  characterised by physical parameters (magnetic parameters G03G9/083) · CPC title