Toner cartridge having shutter opened and closed in accordance with pivoting of toner cartridge casing

• US 10,838,320 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2020
• Issued: 11/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Nishiyama, Hideshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Beatty, Robert B
• Application Number:
  US16/734,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20200142332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 316 Days
• Field of Search: 399258, 399262, 399263, 222DIG 1
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/087 Developer cartridges having a longitudinal rotational axis, around which at least one part is rotated when mounting or using the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0877 Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/0886 by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0663 having a longitudinal rotational axis, around which at least one part is rotated when mounting or using the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0668 Toner discharging opening at one axial end
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/067 Toner discharging opening covered by arcuate shutter
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0692 using a slidable sealing member, e.g. shutter
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/0802 Arrangements for agitating or circulating developer material
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/085 Stirring member in developer container

Abstract

A cartridge includes a shutter that opens and closes when the cartridge is attached and detached to a developing unit or image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes a casing having a chamber with a first opening at one end portion allowing toner to flow out of the casing. The cartridge includes a cover that covers the first opening, movable with the casing and having a second opening allowing toner to flow out of the cover. The shutter is located at the one end portion and has a protrusion further from the one end portion than the cover. The developing unit supports the protrusion when the cartridge is mounted thereon, and the casing pivots with the cover relative to the developing unit between a first position where the shutter closes the second opening and a second position where a third opening of the shutter overlaps the second opening.

Claims

1. A toner cartridge comprising:

a casing extending in a predetermined direction and storing toner therein, the casing having a first opening allowing the toner to flow out of the casing, the first opening being located at one end portion of the casing in the predetermined direction; and

a shutter located at the one end portion of the casing and having a second opening,

wherein when the toner cartridge is mounted on a developing unit, the casing is pivotable relative to the developing unit between a first position and a second position that are defined relative to the developing unit,

when the casing is at the first position, the shutter closes the first opening, and

when the casing is at the second position, at least a portion of the second opening overlaps at least a portion of the first opening.

2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shutter includes a first protrusion, and

the toner cartridge further comprising:

a cover at least partially covering and rotatably supporting a distal end portion of the first protrusion, the cover having a third opening from which at least a portion of the first protrusion is exposed.

3. The toner cartridge according to claim 2, wherein when the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing unit, the casing is pivotable together with the cover relative to the developing unit between the first position and the second position relative to the first protrusion and the shutter.