Nozzle insertion member, powder container, and image forming apparatus
First Claim
1. A powder container attachable to an image forming apparatus in a longitudinal direction, the powder container comprising:
- a powder storage to store therein powder for image formation;
a nozzle receiver, attached to the powder storage, to receive a conveying nozzle of the image forming apparatus;
a conveyor to convey the powder from one end of the powder storage in the longitudinal direction to an opposite end of the powder storage at which the nozzle receiver is disposed; and
a gear to rotate the conveyor with an external driving force,wherein the nozzle receiver includes;
a shutter to open an opening of the nozzle receiver to an open position when the shutter is pressed by the nozzle of the image forming apparatus, and to close the opening to a closed position when not being pressed by the nozzle of the image forming apparatus, the shutter having a front end surface, anda seal, at the front end surface of the shutter, including a surface that is lower friction than other portions of the seal and that faces outwardly away from the front end surface of the shutter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A nozzle insertion member arranged in a powder container includes a nozzle insertion opening; an opening/closing member opening/closing the nozzle insertion opening; a supporting member supporting the opening/closing member; and a biasing member provided to the supporting member to bias the opening/closing member toward a closing position. When the powder is supplied to the conveying nozzle along with rotation of a rotary conveyor arranged inside the powder container, the supporting member rotates with the rotation of the conveyor. The opening/closing member is rotated by a drive transmitting mechanism with rotation of the supporting member. The mechanism includes an elongated member arranged on the opening/closing member and penetrating through an opening formed on the supporting member; and a drive transmitted portion formed on the elongated member; and a drive transmitting portion formed on an inner surface of the opening and configured to come into contact with the drive transmitted portion.
92 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A powder container attachable to an image forming apparatus in a longitudinal direction, the powder container comprising:
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a powder storage to store therein powder for image formation; a nozzle receiver, attached to the powder storage, to receive a conveying nozzle of the image forming apparatus; a conveyor to convey the powder from one end of the powder storage in the longitudinal direction to an opposite end of the powder storage at which the nozzle receiver is disposed; and a gear to rotate the conveyor with an external driving force, wherein the nozzle receiver includes; a shutter to open an opening of the nozzle receiver to an open position when the shutter is pressed by the nozzle of the image forming apparatus, and to close the opening to a closed position when not being pressed by the nozzle of the image forming apparatus, the shutter having a front end surface, and a seal, at the front end surface of the shutter, including a surface that is lower friction than other portions of the seal and that faces outwardly away from the front end surface of the shutter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification