Image forming apparatus and developer container removably connected thereto
US8862036B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S222/01
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image forming apparatus has a developer container removably connected thereto, a developer feeding mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a torque limiter. The developer container includes a cylindrical container body having a developer discharge port, and a shutter fitted to be rotatable to open and close the developer discharge port. When the drive mechanism rotates the developer container in the developer feeding direction, while the torque limiter keeps the shutter stationary, the container body rotates through a predetermined angle to open the developer discharge port, and as the developer container continues to be rotated, the developer is fed through the developer discharge port. When the developer container is rotated in the direction reverse to the developer feeding direction, while the torque limiter keeps the shutter stationary, the container body rotates through a predetermined angle in the reverse direction to close the developer discharge port.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.