Developing unit having interlocking mechanism
US5587777A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 24, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0877
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A developing unit includes a developing tank and a toner hopper. The developing tank is disposed to oppose a recording medium rotatably mounted to an image forming apparatus utilizing electrophotography. A developing member conveys a developer and attaches toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the recording medium to develop the electrostatic latent image. The toner hopper has a toner supply port for supplying toner to the developing tank through a toner replenishing port formed in the developing tank. The developing tank is detachable in a direction of a rotating shaft of the recording medium, and is movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotating shaft of the recording medium so as to separate from or oppose the recording medium. The toner hopper has a shutter for opening/closing an opening of the toner supply port. A moving mechanism mounted on the developing tank simultaneously provides movement of the developing tank in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotating shaft of the recording medium and movement of the toner hopper shutter to open/close the toner supply port when manipulated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.