IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
- a casing;
an image carrier unit configured to move in a first direction between a first position and a second position in the casing, the image carrier unit configured to hold a plurality of image carriers, each image carrier configured to carry an electrostatic latent image thereon;
a plurality of developing cartridges configured to be removably mounted in the image carrier unit; and
an exposure unit disposed in the casing;
wherein each developing cartridge includes;
a developer carrier configured to supply developer to the image carrier;
a case configured to contain the developer, the case having a support portion for supporting the developer carrier at one side of the case; and
a handle made of elastic material and connected to at least an opposite side of the case, the handle being configured to contact the exposure unit and to deform when the image carrier unit is in the first position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A handle for a toner cartridge is described. The handle may include an opening and be constructed of one or elastically deformable materials. The handle may deform when inside of an image forming device to provide at least some force to press an image carrier against a developer carrier.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
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a casing; an image carrier unit configured to move in a first direction between a first position and a second position in the casing, the image carrier unit configured to hold a plurality of image carriers, each image carrier configured to carry an electrostatic latent image thereon; a plurality of developing cartridges configured to be removably mounted in the image carrier unit; and an exposure unit disposed in the casing; wherein each developing cartridge includes; a developer carrier configured to supply developer to the image carrier; a case configured to contain the developer, the case having a support portion for supporting the developer carrier at one side of the case; and a handle made of elastic material and connected to at least an opposite side of the case, the handle being configured to contact the exposure unit and to deform when the image carrier unit is in the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A developing cartridge configured to be installed in an image forming apparatus, comprising:
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a developer carrier configured to supply developer to an image carrier of the image forming apparatus; a case configured to contain the developer, the case having a support portion for supporting the developer carrier at one side of the case; and a handle made of elastic material and disposed at least on an opposite side of the case, the handle being configured to deform when the developing cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for pressing and separating a developer carrier of a developing cartridge from an image carrier in an image forming apparatus comprising:
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deforming a deformable handle of the developing cartridge from an undeformed state to a first deformed state upon insertion of the developing cartridge into the image forming apparatus, the deformation resulting in pressing the developer carrier of the developing cartridge against the image carrier; separating the developer carrier from the image carrier by lifting the developing cartridge away from the image carrier, the deformable handle continuing to be deformed in at least in the first deformed state. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification