Powder container having a lower part with a trapezoid-shaped cross-section

• US 7,515,855 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Katsuyama, Goro, Takami, Nobuo, Kita, Emi
• Primary Examiner(s): Brase; Sandra L
• Application Number:
  US11/529,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20070077098A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 399/119, 399/252, 399/258, 399/262, 222/DIG.1
• US Class Current: 399/262
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0855 the concentration being measured by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0865 Arrangements for supplying new developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0874 non-rigid containers, e.g. foldable cartridges, bags
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0879 for dispensing developer from a developer cartridge not directly attached to the development unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0886 by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0682 Bag-type non-rigid container

Abstract

An image forming apparatus including a development mechanism for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member into a visual image, a toner storage detachably installed and provided for storing toner therein, a toner transporting mechanism for transporting the toner from the toner storage to the development mechanism, and a supporting device for detachably supporting the toner storage therein and moving between a set position at which the toner storage is engaged with the toner transporting mechanism and a tilt position at which the toner storage is disengaged from the toner transporting mechanism.

Claims

1. A powder container, comprising:

an upper section configured to store powder;

a lower section, connected to the upper section, configured to discharge powder, the lower section having a trapezoid-shaped cross-section, a width of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section at an upper portion being greater than a width of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section at a lower portion, the lower section including an opening in the trapezoid-shaped cross-section which discharges powder in a direction perpendicular to the trapezoid-shaped cross-section; and

a shutter for sealing and unsealing said opening.

2. A powder container according to claim 1, wherein:

both sides of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section have an indentation.

3. A powder container according to claim 2, wherein:

the indentation of each side of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section is semi-circular in shape.

4. A powder container according to claim 2, further comprising:

toner.

5. A powder container according to claim 1, wherein:

said shutter has a cylindrical shape.

6. A powder container according to claim 1, wherein the lower section comprises:

an opening which faces the upper section configured to receive powder from the upper section.

7. A powder container according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second opening disposed opposite to said opening.

8. A powder container according to claim 1, further comprising:

toner.

9. A powder container according to claim 1, wherein:

the upper section comprises a flexible bag.

10. A powder container, comprising:

an upper section configured to store powder;

a lower section, connected to the upper section, configured to discharge powder, the lower section having a trapezoid-shaped cross-section, a width of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section at an upper portion being greater than a width of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section at a lower portion, the lower section comprising;

an inner unit; and

an outer unit which at least partially surrounds the inner unit.

11. A powder container according to claim 10, wherein:

the inner unit has an opening at a top thereof and an opening at a side thereof.

12. A powder container according to claim 11, wherein:

the outer unit includes an opening at a top thereof and an opening at a side thereof.

13. A powder container according to claim 12, wherein:

the opening at the top of the inner unit corresponds to the opening of the top of the outer unit; and

the opening at the top of the inner unit corresponds to the opening of the top of the outer unit.

14. A powder container according to claim 13, further comprising;

an o-ring disposed between the inner and outer units at the opening of the side of the outer unit.

15. A powder container according to claim 14, further comprising:

a shutter which is slidably disposed inside the o-ring.

16. A powder container, comprising:

an upper section configured to store powder;

means for dispensing powder and for sealing the powder container, connected to the upper section, configured to discharge powder, the means having a trapezoid-shaped cross-section, a width of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section at an upper portion being greater than a width of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section at a lower portion, the means including an opening in the trapezoidal-shaped cross-section which discharges powder in a direction perpendicular to the trapezoidal-shaped cross-section; and

a shutter for sealing and unsealing said opening.

17. A powder container according to claim 16, wherein:

both sides of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section have an indentation.

18. A powder container according to claim 17, wherein:

the indentation of each side of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section is semi-circular in shape.

19. A powder container according to claim 17, further comprising:

toner.

20. A powder container according to claim 16, wherein:

said shutter has a cylindrical shape.

21. A powder container according to claim 16, wherein the means comprises:

an opening which faces the upper section configured to receive powder from the upper section.

22. A powder container according to claim 16, further comprising:

a second opening disposed opposite to said opening.

23. A powder container according to claim 16, further comprising:

toner.

24. A powder container according to claim 16, wherein:

the upper section comprises a flexible bag.

25. A powder container, comprising:

an upper section configured to store powder; and

means for dispensing powder and for sealing the powder container, connected to the upper section, configured to discharge powder, the means having a trapezoid-shaped cross-section a width of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section at an upper portion being greater than a width of the trapezoid-shaped cross-section at a lower portion, the means including;

an inner unit; and

an outer unit which at least partially surrounds the inner unit.

26. A powder container according to claim 25, wherein:

the inner unit has an opening at a top thereof and an opening at a side thereof.

27. A powder container according to claim 26, wherein:

the outer unit includes an opening at a top thereof and an opening at a side thereof.

28. A powder container according to claim 27, wherein:

the opening at the top of the inner unit corresponds to the opening of the top of the outer unit; and

the opening at the top of the inner unit corresponds to the opening of the top of the outer unit.

29. A powder container according to claim 28, further comprising;

an o-ring disposed between the inner and outer units at the opening of the side of the outer unit.

30. A powder container according to claim 29, further comprising:

a shutter which is slidably disposed inside the o-ring.

31. A powder container, comprising:

an upper section configured to store powder;

a lower section configured to discharge powder, the lower section having a cross-section with a shape such that a width of an upper edge of the cross-section is greater than a width of a lower edge of the cross-section, the lower section including an opening in the cross-section which discharges powder in a direction perpendicular to the cross-section; and

a shutter for sealing and unsealing said opening.

32. The powder container according to claim 31, further comprising:

indentations on two sides of the cross-sectional shape, the two sides being opposite to one another.

33. The powder conatiner according to claim 32, further comprising:

an opening in a side between the two sides with indentations.

34. The powder container according to claim 31, wherein:

the shutter has a cylindrical shape.

35. The powder container according to claim 31, further comprising:

a powder discharging path for discharge the powder through the opening; and

a powder supplying path for supplying powder from the upper section to the powder discharging path,

wherein the powder supplying path is vertical and connected with the powder discharging path which is horizontal.