Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same
US8326187B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/0685
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A toner cartridge includes a toner reservoir for storing toner and a toner conveyor portion. The toner conveyor portion includes a toner discharge port for discharging toner stored in the toner reservoir to the outside and a toner conveying member for conveying toner to the toner discharge port. The toner conveyor portion includes an airtight cover that encloses the upper part of the toner conveying member located over the toner discharge port, a communication opening arranged near the toner discharge port to connect between the toner conveyor portion and the toner reservoir and a pressure relieve valve that opens and closes the communication opening in accordance with the pressure of the toner in the space enclosed by the airtight cover.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.