Electrophotography – Image formation – Development
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-24
2004-07-20
Tran, Hoan (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Image formation
Development
C399S261000, C399S262000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06766134
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a photocopier and multifunction printer of a type able to record data using toner media supplied from a toner bottle.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, multifunction printers which includes both facsimile and printing functions have been introduced. Conventionally, toner replenishment is required in cases where photocopiers equipped with multifunction printers employ a toner-based photoelectric image recording method. Toner replenishment is conducted through a toner-containing bottle attached to the photocopier. When toner within the toner bottle is completely consumed, the depleted toner is replenished through the installation of a new bottle of toner.
The toner bottle incorporates an orifice at one extremity, and a spiral rib formed on the internal wall. Rotation of the toner bottle causes the spiral rib to transport toner to the extremity orifice from where toner falls into the printing apparatus to replenish the toner supply.
This conventional technology, however, exhibits the following shortcomings.
The length and weight of the toner bottle increase when the bottle is made larger for the purpose of holding a larger volume of toner. The increased length of the toner bottle, however, makes it more difficult to discharge all of the toner from the bottle.
As shown in the cross sectional view of toner bottle
1200
in
FIG. 12
, an attempt has been made to solve the problem by incorporating protruding shock rib
1201
on the external circumference of toner bottle
1200
, and providing flange
1202
on the photocopier side to make opposing contact with shock rib
1201
. The purpose of flange
1202
is to aid in the transport of toner within toner bottle
1200
by applying a shock to the toner bottle during each rotation.
This structure forces shock rib
1201
to ride up onto and over flange
1202
with each rotation of toner bottle
1200
with the result that toner bottle
1200
is pushed off of its rotational axis. While this eccentric rotation has no adverse effect at times when toner bottle
1200
is of relatively light weight, in cases where toner bottle
1200
is heavier, the action whereby shock rib rises on flange
1202
increases the load on the motor that powers the rotation of toner bottle
1200
. This additional load can lead to, at worst, motor stoppage and/or breakdown of the drive mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the shortcoming described above through a photocopier equipped with a multifunction printer that uses a toner bottle apparatus structured to minimize the amount of toner remaining in the bottle at depletion, to reduce the load applied to the motor that provides power for toner bottle rotation, and to prevent breakdown of the toner bottle drive mechanism, regardless of the length and weight of the toner bottle or the amount of toner contained therein.
The present invention specifies a protruding member formed on the external circumference of a rotating toner bottle of a type able to discharge, through an orifice, toner contained therein, and a contacting part able to move downward when in opposing contact with the passing protruding member, and conversely able to maintain a fixed position when in opposing contact with the protruding member.
This mechanism makes it possible for the contacting part to be depressed downward when in opposing contact with the protruding member, thus allowing the protruding member to pass over the depressed contacting part as means of avoiding the application of vibration to the toner bottle. Conversely, this mechanism also makes it possible for the contacting part to maintain a fixed position when in opposing contact with the protruding member, thus forcing the protruding member to ride up onto and then off of the contacting part as means of applying vibration to the toner bottle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5528349 (1996-06-01), Satake
patent: 5970290 (1999-10-01), Yoshiki et al.
patent: 6259877 (2001-07-01), Taniyama et al.
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Panasonic Communications Co. Ltd.
Tran Hoan
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