Image-forming apparatus provided with urging member for urging process cartridge
First Claim
1. An image-forming apparatus comprising:
- a main body;
a toner cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body, the toner cartridge accommodating toner therein and having a first opening;
a process cartridge including a photosensitive drum configured to carry a toner image thereon, the photosensitive drum defining an axis extending in an axial direction, the process cartridge being attachable to and detachable from the main body in the axial direction, the process cartridge having a second opening, the process cartridge further comprising;
a cleaning member configured to collect waste toner on the photosensitive drum; and
a discharge tube having a third opening and configured to discharge the waste toner collected by the cleaning member out of the process cartridge through the third opening;
a positioning part positioned above the process cartridge attached to the main body, the positioning part being configured to fix the process cartridge in position relative to the main body when the process cartridge is attached to the main body;
a transfer unit positioned above the process cartridge attached to the main body, the toner image on the photosensitive drum being configured to be transferred to the transfer unit when the process cartridge is attached to the main body;
an urging member configured to urge the process cartridge toward the positioning part when the process cartridge is attached to the main body, the urging member being configured to urge the process cartridge such that the toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge to the process cartridge through the first opening and the second opening when the toner cartridge and the process cartridge are attached to the main body;
a waste toner container configured to accommodate the waste toner discharged out of the process cartridge through the third opening;
a waste toner conveying tube for conveying the waste toner discharged out of the process cartridge through the third opening to the waste toner container, the waste toner conveying tube including;
a connector tube connectable to the discharge tube, the connector tube having a fourth opening configured to communicate with the third opening; and
a conveying cylindrical part having a general cylindrical shape and extending from the connector tube toward the waste toner container; and
a conveying screw configured to convey the waste toner discharged through the third opening and the fourth opening to the waste toner container, the conveying screw being rotatably supported in the conveying cylindrical part,wherein the waste toner conveying tube is movable between a communication position where the fourth opening communicates with the third opening and a non-communication position where communication between the third opening and the fourth opening is interrupted.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image-forming apparatus includes: a main body; a toner cartridge having a first opening; a process cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a second opening; a positioning part; a transfer unit; and an urging member. The toner cartridge and process cartridge are attachable to and detachable from the main body in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The positioning part and transfer unit are positioned above the process cartridge attached to the main body. The positioning part fixes the attached process cartridge in position relative to the main body. The urging member urges the attached process cartridge toward the positioning part and urges the process cartridge such that such that the toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge to the process cartridge through the first opening and the second opening when the toner cartridge and the process cartridge are attached to the main body.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An image-forming apparatus comprising:
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a main body; a toner cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body, the toner cartridge accommodating toner therein and having a first opening; a process cartridge including a photosensitive drum configured to carry a toner image thereon, the photosensitive drum defining an axis extending in an axial direction, the process cartridge being attachable to and detachable from the main body in the axial direction, the process cartridge having a second opening, the process cartridge further comprising; a cleaning member configured to collect waste toner on the photosensitive drum; and a discharge tube having a third opening and configured to discharge the waste toner collected by the cleaning member out of the process cartridge through the third opening; a positioning part positioned above the process cartridge attached to the main body, the positioning part being configured to fix the process cartridge in position relative to the main body when the process cartridge is attached to the main body; a transfer unit positioned above the process cartridge attached to the main body, the toner image on the photosensitive drum being configured to be transferred to the transfer unit when the process cartridge is attached to the main body; an urging member configured to urge the process cartridge toward the positioning part when the process cartridge is attached to the main body, the urging member being configured to urge the process cartridge such that the toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge to the process cartridge through the first opening and the second opening when the toner cartridge and the process cartridge are attached to the main body; a waste toner container configured to accommodate the waste toner discharged out of the process cartridge through the third opening; a waste toner conveying tube for conveying the waste toner discharged out of the process cartridge through the third opening to the waste toner container, the waste toner conveying tube including; a connector tube connectable to the discharge tube, the connector tube having a fourth opening configured to communicate with the third opening; and a conveying cylindrical part having a general cylindrical shape and extending from the connector tube toward the waste toner container; and a conveying screw configured to convey the waste toner discharged through the third opening and the fourth opening to the waste toner container, the conveying screw being rotatably supported in the conveying cylindrical part, wherein the waste toner conveying tube is movable between a communication position where the fourth opening communicates with the third opening and a non-communication position where communication between the third opening and the fourth opening is interrupted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification