Electrophotography – Image formation – Development
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-10
2001-02-27
Grimley, Arthur T. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Image formation
Development
C222SDIG001, C399S120000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195521
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a developer cartridge which is cylindrical in shape and fits to a projection formed on a cartridge receiving section, thereby being received in an image forming apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
A developer cartridge is a consumable item which is loaded into an image forming apparatus and supplies toner to the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 10A
illustrates a conventional cylindrical developer cartridge when it is attached to the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 10B
is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a cartridge receiving section.
A cylindrical developer cartridge
100
holds developer toner, not shown, therein, and supplies toner to an image forming apparatus when the developer cartridge
100
is loaded in a cartridge-receiving section of the image forming apparatus
200
. The cartridge
100
is formed with a groove
100
a
in a longitudinal end surface thereof. A cartridge receiving section
200
a
has a tapered projection
200
b.
When loading the cartridge
100
into the cartridge receiving section
200
a
, the cartridge
100
is lowered in a direction shown by arrow A so that the projection
200
b
enters the groove
100
a
. The tapered shape of the projection
200
b
serves to properly guide the projection
200
b
into the groove
100
a
so that the cartridge
100
is smoothly received into the cartridge receiving section
200
a.
The width of the groove
100
a
is only slightly greater than that of the projection
200
b
. Therefore, if the cartridge
100
is inserted into the cartridge receiving section with the groove
100
a
laterally offset from the projection
200
b
, the tapered shape of projection
200
b
is not effective enough in guiding the cartridge
100
into the cartridge receiving section
200
a.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a developer cartridge and an image forming apparatus where the developer cartridge can be loaded without difficulty.
A developer cartridge is used with an image forming apparatus. The cartridge is in the shape of a cylinder. The cylinder extends in a longitudinal direction and has a groove formed in a longitudinal end surface of the cylinder. The groove generally extends in an insertion direction of the cylinder in which the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus, and receives a projection formed in the image forming apparatus when the cartridge is inserted into the image forming apparatus. The projection projects in the longitudinal direction and extends in the insertion direction. The groove guides the projection to a predetermined position relative to the cartridge when the cartridge is fully inserted into the image forming apparatus. Two first walls define the groove therebetween so that the groove tapers in width towards the center of the cylinder. The first walls oppose each other and are at an angle with the insertion direction of the cartridge so that the groove is progressively wide with increasing distance from a center of the cylinder. A second wall rises from the longitudinal end surface of the cartridge and is continuous with one of the two first opposed walls.
The cartridge has a circumferentially curved wall. The projection extends in the insertion direction and has a forward end and rearward end. The rearward end is substantially configured to the inner surface of the circumferentially curved wall.
The cartridge includes a third wall which rises from the longitudinal end surface and is continuous with said second wall. The third wall extends substantially parallel to the insertion direction and slidingly engaging the projection when the cartridge is fully inserted into the image forming apparatus.
The projection tapers at its forward half to correspond to the width of the groove at a distance away from the center of the cylinder since the groove tapers in width toward the center of the cylinder. In this way, the projection will not completely project into the groove unless it is a predetermined distance away from the center of the cylinder.
The groove has a bottom surface beveled so that the groove is deeper near the circumference of the cylinder at its forward half with decreasing distance from a center of the cylinder. The projection projects less with decreasing distance from a center of the cylinder.
The groove has a bottom surface beveled so that the groove is progressively deep with increasing distance from a center of the cylinder or as the circumference is approached.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5078303 (1992-01-01), Kikuchi et al.
patent: 5722019 (1998-02-01), Kakajima
patent: 5761586 (1998-06-01), Kawashima et al.
patent: 0 435 596 A2 (1991-07-01), None
patent: 0 744 671 A2 (1996-11-01), None
patent: 0 786 706 A1 (1997-07-01), None
Kurabayashi Atsushi
Momiyama Yoshiharu
Nozawa Ken
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Grimley Arthur T.
Ngo Hoang
Oki Data Corporation
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