Image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming stations including devices and receiving sections for detachably receiving the devices
US6023594A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0665
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus such as color electrophotographic printer has a plurality of image forming stations. Each image forming station includes an image forming cartridge and a toner cartridge mounted therein. The toner cartridge has a corresponding first engagement portion. The image forming cartridge has a receiving section with a corresponding second engagement portion. The receiving section detachably receives the corresponding toner cartridge therein with the second engagement portion fittingly engaging the first engagement portion. The first and second engagement portions are of a construction that they can be polarized such that the first engagement portions engage the second engagement portions in different engagement relations when the devices are received in the receiving sections, each of the toner cartridges being received in a corresponding one of the receiving sections. Such an engagement construction may also be applicable to the image forming cartridge and the receiving section formed in the body of the printer which receives the image forming cartridge. The image forming cartridges and the receiving sections are polarized such that they are fittingly engaged wi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.