Patent · US Active

Image forming apparatus with a plurality of developer container each having an engagement portion

US10996587B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
2References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 27, 2020
Grant dateMay 4, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 27, 2040

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G15/0896
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of developer containers to contain different types of developers and a container mount in which the plurality of developer containers is removably installed and arranged adjacent to each other. Each of the developer containers includes an engagement portion. The engagement portion of one of the developer containers engages the engagement portion of another of the developer containers adjacent to the one of the developer containers when the developer containers are installed in the container mount in a predetermined order, to allow the developer containers to be installed. Further, the engagement portion of one of the developer containers interferes with the engagement portion of another of the developer containers adjacent to the one of the developer containers when the developer containers are installed in the container mount in a different order from the predetermined order, to prevent the developer containers from being installed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.