Developer container and image forming apparatus including the same
US9268260B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 2015 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G15/0893
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A developer container includes a container body, a shaft, a movable wall, and a stirring member. The container body is formed with a developer discharge port. The developer discharge port lies at a position higher than a lowest part of the container body by a predetermined amount. The movable wall includes an outer surface slidably in close contact with an inner surface of the container body, and a conveying surface defining a storage space for the developer in cooperation with the inner surface of the container body. The movable wall moves along the shaft in the internal space while conveying the developer in the storage space to the developer discharge port. The stirring member is rotated around an axis of the shaft in a specified rotational direction to stir the developer, the specified rotational direction proceeding from the lowest part of the container body to the developer discharge port.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.