摘要:
A developer detection apparatus comprises a detection member for detecting the developer contained in the developer container detachably mountable on the main body of an image forming apparatus, a biasing member for biasing the detection member to the developer container side, and interlocking means for being interlocked with the open and close operations of the opening and closing cover for attaching the developer container to or detaching it from the main body of the apparatus. In this developer detection apparatus, when the opening and closing cover is in the open state, the detection member is positioned by the interlocking means in a location not to be in contact with the developer container against the biasing force of the biasing member, and when the opening and closing cover is in the closed state, the detection member is in contact with the developer container by the biasing force of the biasing member. With the structure thus arranged, the detection member and the developer container are in contact with each other with an extremely stable contacting force, thus making it possible to perform a highly reliable detection of the presence and absence of developer or its remainders.
摘要:
A sealing member for sealing a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer includes (a) a sealing portion for openably sealing an opening of said developer accommodating portion; (b) an extended portion extended from said sealing portion, said extended portion having a width, measured in a direction of extension, which is smaller than that of said sealing portion; (c) a connecting edge for connecting an edge of said sealing portion adjacent said extended portion and a side edge of said extended portion extending in the direction of the extension; (d) a tearable portion capable of being torn to open said opening sealed by said sealing portion, wherein an end of said tearable portion is provided in said sealing portion, and the other end thereof continues to said connecting edge, wherein said tearable portion extends between said one end and said other end substantially parallel with the extension direction.
摘要:
A developer container (Y) having an opening for discharging a developer contained therein and a sealing surface (S) portion surrounding the opening, is sealed with a sealing member (X) having a sealant layer and applied onto the sealing surface portion of the developer container with the sealant layer. The sealant layer contains a dispersed material therein and the sealing surface portion of the developer container contains a dispersed material which is mutually soluble with the dispersed material in the sealant layer. The dispersed material in the sealant layer preferably comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. The resultant sealed developer container may be provided with a sound seal structure even at a relatively low sealing pressure causing a smaller sealing surface depression of the developer container, which allows a re-sealing of the container.
摘要:
A toner fixing device 10 is described for use in an electro-photographic apparatus. A self-contained fixing cartridge is formed from a unitary support 18 in which are mounted a heating roll 26, a pressure roll 22 and a pair of springs 20 which bias the pressure roll 22 and heating roll 26 into contact with one another. The fixing cartridge is mounted in a frame 12.
摘要:
A toner supply container (8) for supplying toner into a toner accommodating container (3a) for accommodating the toner (T) usable for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member (1), wherein the toner accommodating container (30) is detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, including a guide portion for guiding the toner supply container (8) into the toner accommodating container (3a) with engagement with the toner accommodating container; a first portion and a second portion which are opposed to each other; a third portion connecting one longitudinal ends of the first portion and second portion, wherein the third portion are foldable; a fourth portion connecting the other longitudinal ends of the first portion and second portion, wherein the fourth portion are foldable; a toner supply opening (8a), provided along a longitudinal direction between the first portion and the second portion, for supplying into the toner accommodating container the toner accommodated in the toner accommodation portion (U) structured by the first portion, second portion, third portion and fourth portion; a sealing member (12) for openably sealing the toner supply opening; wherein a volume of the toner accommodation portion is reduced in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the first portion and the second portion by the folding of the third portion and the fourth portion.
摘要:
The present invention provides a support part attached to a developer container used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising a support portion for supporting one end of an agitating member for agitating developer contained in the developer container, a fitting portion fitted into a through hole formed in a frame of the developer container, a detent portion for preventing the support part from disengaging from the through hole, a seal member contacting portion for contacting with a seal member for preventing developer from leaking from between the frame and the support part, and a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for rotating the support part. In a direction intersecting with an axis of the support part, the detent portion is positioned inwardly of an outer peripheral surface of the seal member contacting portion.
摘要:
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; charging means for charging the photosensitive drum; developing means for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum into a toner image; transfer means for transferring the toner image onto the recording material; fixing means for fixing the toner image on the recording material; a motor (161); a main assembly side gear (34) for receiving driving force from the motor; a recess formed (139A) substantially at a center of the gear, the recess having a polygonal cross-section; a projection (137A) provided at a longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum (107), wherein when the main assembly side gear (34) rotates with the recess (139A) and projection (137A) engaged with each other, rotational driving force is transmitted from the gear to the photosensitive drum through the recess and the projection with the projection being pulled into the recess, wherein a free end (137A1) of the projection and a bottom surface (139A1) of the recess are contacted to each other so that the process cartridge is positioned in place in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum relative to the main assembly; and moving means for imparting relative movement between the recess and the projection in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum to engage the projection with the recess.