Toner supply device with rotatable agitating element
US6421517B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0877
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The length of a conveying sheet is set to be greater than the rotational radius of an agitating element so that the distal end of the conveying sheet will slide over the inner wall of the toner container. A slider element having a low frictional resistance is attached at the distal end of the conveying sheet. The slider element preferably has a low coefficient of dynamic friction and is preferably made of a soft resilient material having a thickness smaller than the conveying sheet. Cutouts or openings may be preferably formed at the distal part. A multiple number of ribs are attached to the wall surface of the toner container at the highest position at which the wall and the top plate meet. The ribs are arranged apart from each other in the direction parallel to the agitating shaft of the agitating element. Each rib is a plate-like element projected inward from the wall surface in the toner container with its width put in the direction of the spacing. Further the end portions of the ribs on the interior side of the toner container are adapted to form a curved surface smoothly connecting the top plate surface and the wall surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.