Developer container, developer replenisher, and image forming apparatus
US9471009B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 2015 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/085
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A developer container includes a container body, a rotary shaft, a rotary stirrer, and a flexible blade. The container body contains developer and has a discharge port. The rotary stirrer includes a rotary support and rotates about the rotary shaft to stir and transport the developer. The rotary support includes a base end rotatable integrally with the rotary shaft, a free end spaced away from an inner wall of the container body, and a holding surface provided at the free end or at a position shifted toward the rotary shaft away from the free end. The holding surface is parallel to or inclined relative to a rotation direction of the rotary support. The flexible blade includes a base end portion held on the holding surface and a distal end to contact the inner wall and transport the developer to the discharge port.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.