Toner container and image forming apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016342109-A1
Application number	US-201615226709-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 2, 2016
Priority date	Mar 1, 2010
Publication date	Nov 24, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A toner container that is detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus such that a longitudinal direction of the toner container is parallel to a horizontal direction includes: a cylindrical container body that has an opening on one end thereof in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to convey toner contained therein toward the opening; a cap portion into which the opening of the container body is inserted, and which includes a toner outlet at a bottom portion thereof for discharging toner discharged from the opening of the container body to the outside of the toner container in a vertically downward direction; and a shutter member that is held on the bottom portion of the cap portion, and moves along an outer periphery of the cap portion to thereby open and close the toner outlet, wherein the cap portion is formed by integral molding.

First claim

1 . (canceled)

2 . A toner container, comprising:
a toner outlet at a bottom portion of the toner container for discharging toner to an outside of the toner container in a vertically downward direction; and a shutter to open and close the toner outlet, wherein the shutter includes:
a shutter main section that moves to open and close the toner outlet, and
a shutter sub-section that is integrally formed with the shutter main section,
wherein the toner container includes a containing portion for holding and containing therein the shutter sub-section after the toner outlet is open by the shutter, wherein the shutter sub-section includes a stopper which contacts a contact portion of the toner container, and when the shutter closes the toner outlet, the stopper is exposed to a space which is exterior to the toner container, and the stopper contacts the contact portion of the toner container to thereby regulate movement of the shutter.

3 . The toner container according to claim 2 , wherein the containing portion includes a notch.

4 . The toner container according to claim 2 , further comprising a cap including:
a cylindrical cavity inside of the cap and extending in a longitudinal direction which is perpendicular to the vertically downward direction, and a toner fall path that has a columnar shape with a flow passage area from a lower circumferential surface of the cylindrical cavity to the toner outlet.

5 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
the toner container according to claim 2 that is set in a main body of the image forming apparatus.

6 . The toner container according to claim 2 , wherein the shutter sub-section includes a stopper releasing section which protrudes downwardly and displaces the stopper upon reception of an external force, the stopper releasing section being disposed between the stopper and a connection position.

7 . The toner container according to claim 2 , wherein the shutter sub-section is elastically deformable in a vertical direction by using a connection portion.

8 . The toner container according to claim 2 , wherein the shutter sub-section extends obliquely downward from the shutter main section.

9 . The toner container according to claim 2 , wherein the shutter main section engages rails of the toner container and moves along the rails.

Assignees

• Hori Eisuke
• Kimura Noriyuki
• Takami Nobuo
• Suzuki Yuji
• Kimura Hideki
• Kikuchi Kenji
• Yamabe Junji
• Suzuki Masato

Inventors

• Hori Eisuke
• Kimura Noriyuki
• Takami Nobuo
• Suzuki Yuji
• Kimura Hideki
• Kikuchi Kenji
• Yamabe Junji
• Suzuki Masato

Classifications

• G03G15/0863

  provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory · CPC title

• G03G15/0872

  the developer cartridges being generally horizontally mounted parallel to its longitudinal rotational axis · CPC title

• G03G15/0886 Primary

  by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug · CPC title

• G03G15/0881

  Sealing of developer cartridges · CPC title

• G03G2215/0668

  Toner discharging opening at one axial end · CPC title