Developing unit equipped with a toner replenishing device configured with a conveying sheet and rotator
US6385422B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0877
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A developing unit includes a developing hopper, a toner reserve container that incorporates a replenishing roller and a replenishing port forming a toner replenishing portion, arranged adjacent to the developing hopper in order to supply the toner to the developing hopper. The toner reserve container further includes an agitator rotatable about a rotary shaft and a conveying sheet attached to the agitator for conveying the toner to the replenishing roller. The conveying sheet has a bent portion where the conveying sheet is bent in the rotational direction of the agitator at a halfway point thereof with a predetermined angle &agr;. Deformation of the conveying sheet during rotation is absorbed around the position of the bent portion, so that the conveying sheet will not be plastically deformed at the attached part of the conveying sheet joined to the attachment edge of the agitator, whereby long stable toner conveyance by the conveying sheet can be maintained.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.