Cap configuration for a toner cartridge
Aspects described herein relate to a cap for a toner cartridge. In one example, the cap may be configured to close a toner supply opening of the toner cartridge. According to one or more aspects, the cap may include a sealing or covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening and a shaft portion for rotatably supporting a to-be-detected rotary member. The to-be-detected rotary member 56 is rotatably supported around and fitted onto the shaft portion. Therefore, even if a toner supply opening of a cartridge is provided in a sidewall of the housing on a side where the to-be-detected rotary member is provided, e.g., a left sidewall, the toner supply opening and the to-be-detected rotary member can be provided in such a manner as to overlap each other.
1. A cap configured to be attached to a toner supply opening provided in a housing having thereinside a space for storing toner, the cap comprising:
a covering portion comprising a surface, the covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening;
a shaft portion around which a rotary member is to be fitted, the shaft portion configured to rotatably support the rotary member; and
a projection portion projecting from the surface, the projection portion partially surrounding the shaft portion,
wherein the projection portion comprises:
a first projection part, wherein a length of the first projection part from the surface increases gradually.
2. The cap according to claim 1 , further comprising a fit-in portion configured to fit into the toner supply opening,
wherein the covering portion is configured to cover the toner supply opening when the fit-in portion is in the toner supply opening, and
wherein the shaft portion extends from the covering portion and away from the housing when the fit-in portion is in the toner supply opening.
3. The cap according to claim 2 , further comprising a rotation-restricting portion provided on the covering portion and configured to restrict rotation of the rotary member.
4. The cap according to claim 1 ,
wherein the covering portion is configured to cover the toner supply opening from an outer side of the housing, and
wherein the cap further includes a fit-in portion configured to fit into the toner supply opening, the fit-in portion having a cylindrical shape, the fit-in portion including:
a base end connected to the covering portion; and
a tip end, the tip end being an open end.
5. The cap according to claim 4 , wherein the fit-in portion includes an engaging portion projecting toward an outside of the housing in a radial direction of the fit-in portion, wherein the engaging portion is configured to engage the housing when the fit-in portion is in the toner supply opening.
6. The cap according to claim 4 , further comprising a handle portion continuous with the covering portion and extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the shaft portion.
7. The cap according to claim 6 , further comprising a breaking portion configured to be broken when the handle portion is moved away from the covering portion and the fit-in portion is removed from the toner supply opening.
8. The cap according to claim 1 , further comprising a cam portion including the projection portion, the cam portion configured to move the rotary member along the first projection part in a direction in which the shaft portion extends.
9. The cap according to claim 8 , further comprising a contact portion provided around the covering portion and configured to contact an outer surface of the housing when a fit-in portion is in the toner supply opening,
wherein the cam portion extends from the contact portion.
10. The cap according to claim 8 , further comprising a positioning portion configured to align the cam portion relative to the housing in a circumferential direction of a fit-in portion.
11. The cap according to claim 1 , further comprising a contact portion configured to contact the housing when a fit-in portion is in the toner supply opening,
wherein the shaft portion extends from the covering portion and beyond the contact portion.
12. The cap according to claim 1 , wherein the projection portion further comprises:
a second projection part continuing from the first projection part; and
a third projection part continuing from the second projection part, wherein a length of the third projection part from the surface decreases gradually.
13. A cartridge comprising:
a housing having a space therein for storing toner, the housing having a toner supply opening for supplying toner into the space;
a cap configured to close the toner supply opening, the cap comprising:
a shaft portion;
a covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening; and
a projection portion projecting from the surface, the projection portion partially surrounding the shaft portion;
wherein the projection portion comprises:
a first projection part, wherein a length of the first projection part from the surface increases gradually;
a rotary member configured to be fitted around the shaft portion and to be rotatably supported by the shaft portion.
14. The cartridge according to claim 13 , wherein the cap includes a rotation restricting portion configured to restrict rotation of the rotary member.
15. The cartridge according to claim 13 , further comprising a driven member rotatably provided on the housing and configured to receive a driving force from a drive-outputting member,
wherein the rotary member is configured to be rotated by the driving force received by the driven member.
16. The cartridge according to claim 13 , wherein the rotary member is configured to indicate whether the cartridge is new or used.
17. The cartridge according to claim 13 , further comprising a cover provided on the housing and configured to cover the rotary member,
wherein a tip end of the shaft portion is configured to be held by the cover.
18. The cartridge according to claim 13 , wherein the projection portion further comprises:
a second projection part continuing from the first projection part; and
a third projection part continuing from the second projection part, wherein a length of the third projection part from the surface decreases gradually.
19. A cap for a toner cartridge, the cap comprising:
a covering portion comprising a surface;
a shaft portion extending from the surface; and
a projection portion projecting from the surface, the projection portion partially surrounding the shaft portion;
wherein the projection portion comprises:
a first projection part, wherein a length of the projection part from the surface increases gradually.
20. The cap according to claim 19 , wherein the projection portion further comprises:
a second projection part continuing from the first projection part; and
a third projection part continuing from the second projection part, wherein a length of the third projection part from the surface decreases gradually.