IP Library Granted Patent US 10,670,988
Granted Patent B2
US 10,670,988 · App. 16/287,481 · Granted Jun 2, 2020

Developer container, image forming unit, and image forming apparatus

Inventors: Masashi Fujii (Tokyo, JP); Junichi Ushikubo (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
G03G15/0875G03G15/0886G03G15/0898G03G21/1647
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,670,988
App. No.
16/287,481
Granted
Jun 2, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A developer container includes: a body in which a plurality of developer chambers that store developer are arranged, each developer chamber having an opening; and a plurality of covers that seal the openings of the plurality of developer chambers, the plurality of covers being separately provided to correspond to the openings of the plurality of developer chambers.

Claims (34)

1. A developer container comprising:

a body in which a plurality of developer chambers that store developer are arranged, each developer chamber having a first opening configured to allow the developer to pass therethrough and a second opening; and

a plurality of covers that are fixed to the body and seal the second openings of the plurality of developer chambers, the plurality of covers being separately provided to correspond to the second openings of the plurality of developer chambers.

2. The developer container of claim 1 , wherein

each second opening has an engaged portion;

each cover has a welding portion that engages with the engaged portion of the second opening corresponding to the cover; and

each welding portion is welded to the engaged portion corresponding to the welding portion so that each cover seals the second opening corresponding to the cover.

3. The developer container of claim 2 , wherein each welding portion is a projection having a substantially isosceles triangular cross-section.

4. The developer container of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of developer chambers include at least three developer chambers.

5. An image forming unit comprising the developer container of claim 1 .

6. An image forming apparatus comprising the developer container of claim 1 .

7. The developer container of claim 1 , wherein for each developer chamber, the first opening and the second opening are formed on different sides of the body.

8. The developer container of claim 1 , further comprising a shutter that closes or opens the first openings of the plurality of developer chambers.

9. A developer container comprising:

a body in which a plurality of developer chambers that store developer are arranged, each developer chamber having an opening; and

a plurality of covers that seal the openings of the plurality of developer chambers, the plurality of covers being separately provided to correspond to the openings of the plurality of developer chambers, wherein

the plurality of developer chambers include at least a first developer chamber and a second developer chamber that are arranged adjacent to each other; and

the opening of the first developer chamber and the opening of the second developer chamber are formed on different sides of the body.

10. The developer container of claim 9 , wherein the opening of the first developer chamber and the opening of the second developer chamber are formed on opposite sides of the body.

11. The developer container of claim 10 , wherein

each opening has an engaged portion;

each cover has a welding portion that engages with the engaged portion of the opening corresponding to the cover; and

each welding portion is welded to the engaged portion corresponding to the welding portion so that each cover seals the opening corresponding to the cover.

12. The developer container of claim 11 , wherein each welding portion is a projection having a substantially isosceles triangular cross-section.

13. The developer container of claim 9 , wherein

each opening has an engaged portion;

each cover has a welding portion that engages with the engaged portion of the opening corresponding to the cover; and

each welding portion is welded to the engaged portion corresponding to the welding portion so that each cover seals the opening corresponding to the cover.

14. The developer container of claim 13 , wherein each welding portion is a projection having a substantially isosceles triangular cross-section.

15. A developer container comprising:

a body in which a plurality of developer chambers that store developer are arranged, each developer chamber having an opening; and

a plurality of covers that seal the openings of the plurality of developer chambers, the plurality of covers being separately provided to correspond to the openings of the plurality of developer chambers, wherein

the openings have different shapes; and

each cover has a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening corresponding to the cover.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Mar 14, 2022
From: OKI DATA CORPORATION
To: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 059365/0145 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2019
From: FUJII, MASASHI; USHIKUBO, JUNICHI
To: OKI DATA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048462/0702 →