Conveyor device and image forming apparatus

• US 7,734,230 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2008
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Takami, Nobuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen; Sophia S
• Application Number:
  US12/323,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20090074471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 399/258, 399/260, 399/262, 222/DIG.1
• US Class Current: 399/258
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0849 Detection or control means for the developer concentration
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0853 the concentration being measured by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0877 Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
• 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 2215/0119 Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0682 Bag-type non-rigid container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 222/01 Xerography

Abstract

A toner-conveying device includes a movable plate. The movable plate is movable between a holding position such as to couple a cap of a toner container to a nozzle when the toner container is supported by a container holder, and a retreating position such as not to hinder loading and unloading of the toner container in the container holder. The movable plate is placed in the holding position by a cam when the nozzle is coupled to the cap, and is released and moved to the retreating position while the toner container is being loaded or unloaded. In this structure, the cap can be properly positioned in the conveyor device while ensuring the rigidity of a bag of the container within a practically preferable range, without reducing the convenience for the operator.

Claims

1. A toner container for use in am image forming apparatus, comprising:

a toner accommodation member configured to accommodate toner; and

a cap member configured to cap the toner accommodation member, said cap member including;

a cylindrical valve room,

a toner reception opening formed on a ceiling of the valve room and configured to receive the toner,

a toner discharging opening located at one end of the valve room,

an engaging section configured to engage with the toner accommodation member by a deformable ring,

a communication hole located between the toner reception opening and the toner accommodation member and configured to guide the toner from the toner accommodation member to the toner reception opening, and

a valve member configured to open and close the toner reception opening when moved away from the valve room by a nozzle of the image forming apparatus inserted into the valve room in a valve room axis direction.

2. The toner container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an O-shape elastic ring arranged at the toner discharging opening, said O shape elastic ring air-tightly contacting the nozzle when the nozzle is inserted into the valve room.

3. A developing apparatus including the toner container as claimed in claim 1.

4. A developing apparatus including the toner container as claimed in claim 2.

5. An image forming apparatus including the toner container as claimed in claim 1.

6. The toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the valve member has a cylindrical shape.

7. The toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the toner accommodation member has a bag-like shape.

8. The toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap member further comprises:

a circuit board.

9. The toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap member comprises:

a main portion having an exposed exterior; and

a cap portion which is engaged with an interior of the main portion.

10. The toner container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the toner accommodation member comprises:

a welding portion welded to the main portion of the cap.