Developer container and image forming device

• US 9,207,572 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2014
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Sato, Shougo
• Primary Examiner(s): BOLDUC, DAVID J
• Application Number:
  US14/570,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20150098732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 358 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0865 Arrangements for supplying new developer
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0868 Toner cartridges fulfilling a continuous function within the electrographic apparatus during the use of the supplied developer material, e.g. toner discharge on demand, storing residual toner, acting as an active closure for the developer replenishing opening
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0886 by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/105 Arrangements for conveying toner waste
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/12 Toner waste containers

Abstract

A developer container includes a casing having a developer accommodating chamber and a waste-developer accommodating chamber, conveying member, a conveying-member accommodating unit, and a supporting member. The conveying member conveys waste developer in a longitudinal direction of the waste-developer accommodating chamber. The conveying-member accommodating unit accommodates the conveying member therein and has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is provided in an upstream end portion and allows the waste developer to move from outside of the conveying-member accommodating unit to the inside of the conveying-member accommodating unit. The second opening allows the waste-developer to move from the inside of the conveying-member accommodating unit to the waste-developer accommodating chamber. The supporting member is provided on the casing. The supporting member supports the conveying-member accommodating unit such that the conveying-member accommodating unit is movable in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction relative to the casing.

Claims

1. A developer container comprising:

a frame accommodating developer therein, the frame having a first end part and a second end part opposite to the first end part in a prescribed direction;

a pipe extending in the prescribed direction and configured to convey a waste developer therein, the pipe being formed in a cylindrical shape and having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the prescribed direction, the first end portion of the pipe penetrating through the first end part of the frame; and

a packing member disposed between the first end part of the frame and the first end portion of the pipe such that the frame and the pipe move relative to each other;

wherein the frame has a pair of first protrusions protruding toward the pipe, and the pipe has a second protrusion protruding toward the frame in a radial direction of the pipe and being disposed between the pair of the first protrusions.

2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the first end part of the frame has a support section configured to support the first end portion of the pipe.

3. The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the support section is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an inner surface.

4. The developer container according to claim 3, wherein the packing member is made of elastic material.

5. The developer container according to claim 4, wherein the packing member includes a first packing member configured to be affixed to the inner surface of the support section and a second packing member configured to be affixed to an outer surface of the first end portion of the pipe.

6. The developer container according to claim 5, wherein the first packing member is formed in a circular ring shape and has an inner peripheral surface;

wherein the second packing member is formed in a circular ring shape and has an outer peripheral surface.

7. The developer container according to claim 5, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the first packing member is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second packing member.

8. The developing according to claim 5, wherein the first packing member and the second packing member are made of sponge.

9. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a developer accommodating chamber and a waste-developer accommodating chamber, the developer accommodating chamber accommodating the developer therein, the waste-developer accommodating chamber being immovable relative to the developer accommodating chamber and configured to accommodate waste developer therein.

10. The developer container according to claim 9, wherein the pipe is configured to allow the waste developer to move from an outside of the frame to the waste-developer accommodating chamber in the prescribed direction.

11. The developer container according to claim 9, wherein the pipe accommodates a conveying member therein, the conveying member being configured to convey the waste developer in the prescribed direction.

12. The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the support section supports the first end portion and the second end portion.

13. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the first end portion is formed with a first opening, the first opening allowing the waste developer to move from an outside of the pipe to an inside of the pipe.

14. The developer container according to claim 13, wherein the frame has a second opening;

wherein the developer container further comprises;

a first shutter member provided on the frame and movable between a first position and a second position, the second opening being covered by the first shutter member when the first shutter member is positioned at the first position, the second opening being uncovered by the first shutter member when the first shutter member is positioned at the second position;

a second shutter member provided on the pipe and movable between a third position and a fourth position, the first opening being covered by the second shutter member when the second shutter member is positioned at the third position, the first opening being uncovered by the second shutter member when the second shutter member is positioned at the fourth position;

an interlocking unit configured to interlock the first shutter member and the second shutter member with each other such that the second shutter member is positioned at the third position when the first shutter member is positioned at the first position and that the second shutter member is positioned at the fourth position when the first shutter member is positioned at the second position.

15. The developer container according to claim 14, wherein the frame is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the prescribed direction, the frame having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a first circumferential wall connecting the first side wall and the second side wall, the first side wall having the first end part, the second side wall having the second end part,

wherein the second opening penetrates through the first circumferential wall,

wherein the first shutter member is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner surface formed along an outer surface of the first circumferential wall, the first shutter member being rotatably supported by the frame,

wherein the pipe has a third side wall, a fourth side wall, and a second circumferential wall connecting the third side wall and the fourth side wall,

wherein the first opening penetrates through the second circumferential wall,

wherein the second shutter member is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner surface formed along an outer surface of the second circumferential wall, the second shutter member being rotatably supported by the first end portion.

16. A developing device comprising:

a developing roller to which developer is supplied; and

a developer container comprising;

a frame accommodating developer therein, the frame having a first end part and a second end part opposite to the first end part in a prescribed direction;

a pipe extending in the prescribed direction and configured to convey a waste developer therein, the pipe being formed in a cylindrical shape and having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the prescribed direction, the first end portion of the pipe penetrating through the first end part of the frame; and

a packing member disposed between the first end part of the frame and the first end portion of the pipe such that the frame and the pipe move relative to each other;

wherein the frame has a pair of first protrusions protruding toward the pipe, and the pipe has a second protrusion protruding toward the frame in a radial direction of the pipe and being disposed between the pair of the first protrusions.