EP0262640A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image-forming machine
Assignee: Kyocera Mita Industrial Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1987-09-28
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2007-09-28
Abstract
Abstract Various improvements are made in various parts of an image-forming machine, typically an electrostatic copying machine. (1) Display means (200) for displaying a toner cartridge (179) loaded in the main body (166) of a developing device (34) is provided. (2) Image-forming condition adjusting means is provided for adjusting the image-forming conditions in relation to a toner cartridge loaded in the main body of the developing device. (3) Life signal producing means for notifying the end of the service life of an electrostatographic material (29) is provided which produce a life signal on the basis of a cartridge replacement signal and a final cartridge signal. (4) The life signal producing means produces the life signal on the basis of the final cartridge signal and the final cartridge signal or a predetermined rotation signal whichever is produced earlier. (5) A toner removing means in a cleaning device (36) is held at a non-operating position when a process unit (16) is detached from the image-forming machine and held in a unit holding box (135). (6) When a predetermined number of toner cartridges have been selectively loaded and detached into and from the main body (166) of the developing device (34), loading of a new toner cartridge becomes substantially impossible. (7) When a cartridge has been loaded and detached into and from the main body of the developing device, loading of the same type of a toner cartridge as the one detached from it becomes substantially impossible.
Inventors
- 👤 Junichi Takamatsu
- 👤 Kazunori Akiyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:37
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/16; G03G21/18; G03G21/1875; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0855; G03G15/0865; G03G15/55; G03G15/553; G03G15/556; G03G21/0005; G03G21/0011; G03G21/0029; G03G21/1642; G03G21/1647; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00987; G03G2221/00; G03G2221/16; G03G2221/1618; G03G2221/1651; G03G2221/1654; G03G2221/1663; G03G2221/18; G03G2221/1807; G03G2221/183; G03G2221/1838; G03G2221/1846; G03G2221/1853; G03G2221/1869
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 62
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An image-forming machine comprising a developing device (34) including a main body (166) and a plurality of toner cartridges (179) to be selectively loaded into the main body, cartridge discriminating means (198) for discriminating the toner cartridge loaded in the main body of the developing device, and display means (200) for displaying one of said toner cartridges (179) which is loaded in the main body (166) of the developing device (34), on the basis of a discrimination signal from the cartridge discriminating means (198).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An image-forming machine comprising a developing device (34) including a main body (166) and a plurality of toner cartridges (179) to be selectively loaded into the main body, cartridge discriminating means (198) for discriminating the toner cartridge loaded in the main body of the developing device, and display means (200) for displaying one of said toner cartridges (179) which is loaded in the main body (166) of the developing device (34), on the basis of a discrimination signal from the cartridge discriminating means (198).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image-forming machine of claim 1 wherein the cartridge discriminating means (198) comprises detection means provided in each of said toner cartridges (179) and detecting (202) means for detecting said detection means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The image-forming machine of claim 2 wherein the main body of the developing device (34) has a developing chamber (176) having applicator means (180) disposed therein and a toner holding chamber (178) communicating with the developing chamber (176) through a toner discharge opening; the toner cartridges (179) are adapted to be selectively loaded into the toner holding chamber (178); and the detection means (206a,206b,206c) of the cartridge discriminating means is disposed in the main body (166) of the developing device (34).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The image-forming machine of claim 3 wherein the detecting means (206a,206b,206c) of the cartridge discriminating means includes a plurality of terminals (204a,204b,204c) provided in the main body (166) of the developing device, (34) and the detection means provided in each of said toner cartridges (179) is comprised of a linking member (208a,208b,208c) for linking the plurality of terminals (204a,204b,204c).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The image-forming machine of claim 1 wherein the display means (200) includes a plurality of lamps (222,224,226) corresponding to the toner cartridges (179) and that lamp which corresponds to the toner cartridge loaded in the main body (166) of the developing device (34) is turned on based on a discrimination signal from the cartridge discriminating means (198)
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
134 words
An image-forming machine comprising image-forming means including image-bearing means having an electrostatographic material on its surface, means for forming a latent electrostatic image on the surface of the electrostatographic material and a developing device (34) for developing the latent electrostatic image, said developing device comprising a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body for applying a toner to the latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges (179) to be selectively loaded into the main body; wherein said machine further comprises cartridge discriminating means (198) for discriminating the toner cartridge loaded in the main body of the developing device (34) and means for adjusting the image-forming conditions, and the image condition adjusting means adjusts the image-forming conditions on the basis of a discrimination signal from the cartridge discrimination signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
An image-forming machine comprising image-forming means including image-bearing means having an electrostatographic material on its surface, means for forming a latent electrostatic image on the surface of the electrostatographic material and a developing device (34) for developing the latent electrostatic image, said developing device comprising a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body for applying a toner to the latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges (179) to be selectively loaded into the main body; wherein said machine further comprises cartridge discriminating means (198) for discriminating the toner cartridge loaded in the main body of the developing device (34) and means for adjusting the image-forming conditions, and the image condition adjusting means adjusts the image-forming conditions on the basis of a discrimination signal from the cartridge discrimination signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The image-forming machine of claim 6 wherein the main body (166) of the developing device (34) has a developing chamber (176) having the applicator means (180) disposed therein and a toner holding chamber (178) communicating with the developing (176) chamber through a toner discharge opening, and the toner cartridges are adapted to be selectively loaded into the toner holding chamber (178).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The image-forming machine of claim 6 wherein the cartridge discriminating means (198) comprises detection means provided in each of said toner cartridge (179) and detection means (202) provided in the main body (166) of the developing device (34) for detecting the detection means in each toner cartridge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The image-forming machine of claim 8 wherein the detecting means (202) of the cartridge discriminating means (198) includes a plurality of terminals (204a,204b,204c) provided in the main body (166) of the developing device (34), and the detection means provided in each toner cartridge (179) is comprised of a linking member (208a,208b,208c) for linking the terminals to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image-forming machine of claim 6 wherein the image-forming condition adjusting means adjusts a development bias voltage applied to the applicator means (180) in the developing device (34).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The image-forming machine of claim 6 wherein the latent electrostatic image forming means is provided with a charging corona discharger (32) for applying a charge to the surface of the electrostatographic material (29) and a document illuminating lamp (46) for projecting the image of a document onto the surface of the electrostatographic material, and the image-forming condition adjusting means adjusts the intensity of light projected onto the surface of the electrostatographic material from the document illuminating lamp (46).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image-forming machine of claim 11 wherein the image-forming condition adjusting means adjusts a voltage applied to the document illuminating lamp (46).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
198 words
An image-forming machine comprising image-bearing means having an electrostatographic material on its surface, means for forming a latent electrostatic image on the surface of the electrostatographic material (29) and a developing device (34) for developing the latent electrostatic image, said developing device (34) comprising a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body for applying a toner to the latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges (179) to be selectively loaded into the main body (166); wherein said machine further comprises first detecting means (187) for producing a cartridge replacement signal when the amount of the toner for applying to the latent electrostatic image becomes excessively small, second detecting means (198,204,208) for detecting the final one of the toner cartridges and producing a final cartridge signal, and life signal producing means (250) for informing that the life of the electrostatographic material substantially comes to an end, and wherein when the first detecting means (187) produces a cartridge replacement signal and the second detecting means (198,204,208) produces a final cartridge signal, the life signal producing means (250) produces a life signal on the basis of the cartridge replacement signal and the final cartridge signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
198 words
An image-forming machine comprising image-bearing means having an electrostatographic material on its surface, means for forming a latent electrostatic image on the surface of the electrostatographic material (29) and a developing device (34) for developing the latent electrostatic image, said developing device (34) comprising a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body for applying a toner to the latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges (179) to be selectively loaded into the main body (166); wherein said machine further comprises first detecting means (187) for producing a cartridge replacement signal when the amount of the toner for applying to the latent electrostatic image becomes excessively small, second detecting means (198,204,208) for detecting the final one of the toner cartridges and producing a final cartridge signal, and life signal producing means (250) for informing that the life of the electrostatographic material substantially comes to an end, and wherein when the first detecting means (187) produces a cartridge replacement signal and the second detecting means (198,204,208) produces a final cartridge signal, the life signal producing means (250) produces a life signal on the basis of the cartridge replacement signal and the final cartridge signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image-forming machine of claim 13 wherein when the life signal producing means (250) produces the life signal, a life display lamp (254) is turned on based on the life signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image-forming machine of claim 13 wherein when the life signal producing means (250) produces the life signal, the entire machine stops on the basis of the life signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
The image-forming machine of claim 13 wherein the main body (166) of the developing device (34) has a developing chamber (176) having the applicator means (180) disposed therein and a toner holding chamber (178) communicating with the developing chamber through a toner discharge opening, and the toner cartridges (179) are adapted to be selectively loaded into the toner holding chamber (178).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image-forming machine of claim 16 wherein the first detecting means (187) detects the concentration of the toner in the developing chamber (176), and produces the cartridge replacement signal when the concentration of the toner is excessively small.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image-forming machine of claim 16 wherein the first detecting means (187) detects the amount of the toner in the developing chamber (176) and produces the cartridge replacement signal when the amount of the toner is excessively small.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The image-forming machine of claim 13 wherein the second detecting means (198) includes cartridge detection means (260) provided in the final toner cartridge (179c) and cartridge detecting means (262) provided in the main body (166) of the developing device (34) for detecting the cartridge detection means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image-forming machine of claim 13 wherein the final toner cartridge (179c) is constructed such that when it is loaded into the main body (166) of the developing device (34), it cannot substantially be detached therefrom.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
The image-forming machine of claim 20 wherein locking means (230) for holding the final toner cartridge (179c) into a holding position at which it is held in the toner holding chamber (178) is provided in the main body (166) of the developing device (34) and the final toner cartridge (179c) and when the locking means (230) is in the locked state, cancellation of the locked state becomes substantially impossible.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
83 words
The image-forming machine of claim 21 wherein the locking means (230) is provided with an engagement portion (234) provided in the main body (166) of the developing device (34) and a first engaging portion (232) provided in the final toner cartridge (179c) and when the final toner cartridge (179c) is loaded into the main body (166) of the developing device (34) and held at the holding position, the first engaging portion (232) engages the engagement portion (234) and they cannot substantially be disengaged.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
79 words
The image-forming machine of claim 22 wherein a second engaging portion (236) releasably engageable with the engagement portion (234) provided in the main body (166) of the developing device (34) is provided in each of the toner cartridges (179) excepting the final one, and when each of such toner cartridges (179) is loaded into the main body (166) of the developing device (34) and held at the holding position, the second engaging portion (236) releasably engages the engagement portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
264 words
An image-forming machine comprising image-bearing means having an electrostatographic material (29) on its surface, means for forming a latent electrostatic image on the surface of the electrostatographic material and a developing device (34) for developing the latent electrostatic image, said developing device (34) comprising a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body for applying a toner to the latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges (179) to be selectively loaded into the main body (166); wherein said machine further comprises first detecting means (187) for producing a cartridge replacement signal when the amount of the toner to be applied to the latent electrostatic image becomes too small, second detecting means (198,204,208) for detecting the final toner cartridge and producing a final cartridge signal, third detecting means (278) for producing a predetermined rotation signal when the number of rotation of the image-bearing member exceeds a predetermined value, and life signal producing means (250) for producing a life signal to inform that the life of the electrostatographic material (29) of the image-bearing means substantially comes to an end, and wherein when the second detecting means (198) produces a final cartridge signal and the first detecting means (187) produces a cartridge replacement signal or when the second detecting means (198) produces a final cartridge signal and the third detecting means (278) produces a predetermined rotation signal, the life signal producing means (250) produces the life signal on the basis of both the final cartridge signal and the cartridge replacement signal or both the final cartridge signal and the predetermined rotation signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
264 words
An image-forming machine comprising image-bearing means having an electrostatographic material (29) on its surface, means for forming a latent electrostatic image on the surface of the electrostatographic material and a developing device (34) for developing the latent electrostatic image, said developing device (34) comprising a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body for applying a toner to the latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges (179) to be selectively loaded into the main body (166); wherein said machine further comprises first detecting means (187) for producing a cartridge replacement signal when the amount of the toner to be applied to the latent electrostatic image becomes too small, second detecting means (198,204,208) for detecting the final toner cartridge and producing a final cartridge signal, third detecting means (278) for producing a predetermined rotation signal when the number of rotation of the image-bearing member exceeds a predetermined value, and life signal producing means (250) for producing a life signal to inform that the life of the electrostatographic material (29) of the image-bearing means substantially comes to an end, and wherein when the second detecting means (198) produces a final cartridge signal and the first detecting means (187) produces a cartridge replacement signal or when the second detecting means (198) produces a final cartridge signal and the third detecting means (278) produces a predetermined rotation signal, the life signal producing means (250) produces the life signal on the basis of both the final cartridge signal and the cartridge replacement signal or both the final cartridge signal and the predetermined rotation signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
62 words
The image-forming machine of claim 24 wherein the main body (166) of the developing device (34) has a developing chamber (176) having the appicator means (180) disposed therein and a toner holding chamber (178) communicating with the developing chamber (176) through a toner discharge opening, and the toner cartridges (179) are adapted to be selectively loaded into the toner holding chamber (178).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
133 words
An image-forming machine of the type having detachably mounted thereon a process unit provided with image-bearing means having an electrostatographic material (29) on its surface, a developing device (34) for developing a latent electrostatic image formed on the surface of the electrostatographic material and a cleaning device (36) for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatographic material; wherein the cleaning device (36) has toner removing means (146) adapted to be selectively held at an operating position at which it acts on the electrostatographic material (29) and a non-operating position at which it does not substantially act on the electrostatographic material; and when the process unit (16) is detached from the machine and held in a unit holding box (135) the toner removing means (146) is held at the non-operating position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
133 words
An image-forming machine of the type having detachably mounted thereon a process unit provided with image-bearing means having an electrostatographic material (29) on its surface, a developing device (34) for developing a latent electrostatic image formed on the surface of the electrostatographic material and a cleaning device (36) for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the electrostatographic material; wherein the cleaning device (36) has toner removing means (146) adapted to be selectively held at an operating position at which it acts on the electrostatographic material (29) and a non-operating position at which it does not substantially act on the electrostatographic material; and when the process unit (16) is detached from the machine and held in a unit holding box (135) the toner removing means (146) is held at the non-operating position.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
70 words
The image-forming machine of claim 26 wherein the toner removing means (146) is comprised of a cleaning blade (146) and the cleaning blade is mounted so as to be free to pivot between said operating position at which the cleaning blade acts on the surface of the electrostatographic material (29) and said non-operating position at which the cleaning blade (146) moves away from the surface of the electrostatographic material (29).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
The image-forming machine of claim 27 wherein the cleaning blade (146) is held at the non-operating position when the process unit (16) is held in the unit holding box (135) and the operating position when the process unit (16) is taken out from the holding box (135).
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
89 words
The image-forming machine of claim 28 wherein the cleaning blade (146) is mounted on a rotatably supported rotating shaft (147) and an actuation member (152) is mounted on the rotating shaft (147) and on the other hand, an actuation protrusion capable of acting on the actuating member (152) is provided in the unit holding box (135), and when the process unit (16) is held in the unit holding box (135), the actuation protrusion acts on the actuation member (152) to hold the cleaning blade (146) in the non-operating position.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image-forming machine of claim 27 wherein elastic biasing means (156) is provided for elastically biasing the cleaning blade (146) toward the operating position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
142 words
A developing device for an image-forming machine, said developing device (34) comprising a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body for applying a toner to a latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges (462) to be selectively loaded detachably into the main body (166) of the developing device (34); wherein the developing device further comprises loading hampering means (492) to be actuated in relation to the loading and/or detachment of each of the toner cartridges (462), and the loading hampering means (492) is held at a hampering position by loading and detaching a predetermined number of toner cartridges into and from the main body of the developing device (34), and at the hampering position, the loading hampering means (492) hempers loading of the toner cartridge (179) into the main body (166) of the developing device (34).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
142 words
A developing device for an image-forming machine, said developing device (34) comprising a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body for applying a toner to a latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges (462) to be selectively loaded detachably into the main body (166) of the developing device (34); wherein the developing device further comprises loading hampering means (492) to be actuated in relation to the loading and/or detachment of each of the toner cartridges (462), and the loading hampering means (492) is held at a hampering position by loading and detaching a predetermined number of toner cartridges into and from the main body of the developing device (34), and at the hampering position, the loading hampering means (492) hempers loading of the toner cartridge (179) into the main body (166) of the developing device (34).
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
99 words
The developing device of claim 31 wherein the loading hampering means (492) includes a hampering plate (495) adapted to be moved a predetermined amount in relation to the loading and/or detachment of each of the toner cartridges (462), and the hampering plate (495) is held at the hampering position by loading and detaching a predetermined number of toner cartridges (462) into and from the main body (166) of the developing device (34) and by the action of the hampering plate (495) loading of the toner cartridge (462) into the main body (166) of the developing device (34) is hampered.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
76 words
The developing device of claim 32 wherein the hampering plate (495) is rotatably mounted and adapted to rotate through a predetermined angle in relation to the loading and/or detachment of each of the toner cartridges (462), and when the hampering plate (495) is rotated to the hampering position, part of the toner cartridge (462) abuts against the hampering plate (495) at the time of loading it into the main body (166) of the developing device (34).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
114 words
The developing device of claim 33 wherein a projecting portion (490) is provided in each of the toner cartridges, and circumferentially spaced cuts corresponding in number to the toner cartridges to be loaded into the main body of the developing device are provided in the hampering plate (495) and wherein each of the toner cartridges (462) is loaded into the main body (166) of the developing device (34) by the passing of the projecting portion (490) through the corresponding cut (528) in the hampering plate and when the hampering plate (495) is held at the hampering position, the projecting portion (490) in the toner cartridge abuts against part of the hampering plate during loading.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
59 words
The developing device of claim 34 wherein the projecting portions (490) of the toner cartridges (462) are of different types, cuts corresponding to the projecting portions of the toner cartridges are formed in the hampering plate (495) and the projecting portion in each of the toner cartridges can pass through only the corresponding cut formed in the hampering plate.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
The developing device of claim 33 wherein locking means (506) is further provided which releasably holds the hampering plates (495) at a position to which the hampering plate is rotated through a predetermined angle in relation to the loading and/or detachment of each of the toner cartridges (462).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The developing device of claim 32 wherein cartridge loading display means (532) is provided in the hampering plate.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
The developing device of claim 37 wherein the cartridge loading display means (532) displays the number of loadings of the cartridge into the main body (166) of the developing device (34).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
The developing device of claim 37 wherein the cartridge loading display means (532) displays the toner cartridge (462) to be loaded next to the toner cartridge loaded in the main body (166) of the developing device (34).
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
94 words
A developing device for an image-forming machine, said developing device comprising a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body (166) of the developing device (34) for applying a toner to a latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges (462) selectively loaded detachably into the main body of the developing device (34); wherein a moving member is also provided which is to be moved in relation to the loading and/or detachment of each of the toner cartridges, and cartridge loading display means (532) is provided in the moving member.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
94 words
A developing device for an image-forming machine, said developing device comprising a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body (166) of the developing device (34) for applying a toner to a latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges (462) selectively loaded detachably into the main body of the developing device (34); wherein a moving member is also provided which is to be moved in relation to the loading and/or detachment of each of the toner cartridges, and cartridge loading display means (532) is provided in the moving member.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
The developing device of claim 40 wherein the cartridge loading display means (532) displays the number of loadings of the toner cartridges (462) into the main body (166) of the developing device (34).
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
The developing device of claim 40 wherein the cartridge loading display means (532) displays the toner cartridges (462) to be loaded next to the toner cartridge loaded in the main body (166) of the developing device (34).
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
The developing device of claim 40 wherein the final one of the toner cartridges (462) is so constructed that when it is loaded into the main body (166) of the developing device (34), it cannot substantially be detached therefrom.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
115 words
A developing device for an image-forming machine, said developing device comprises a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body (166) of the developing device (34) for applying a toner to a latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges to be selectively loaded into the main body of the developing device; wherein the toner cartridges (462) are of differenct types, and when each of the toner cartridges (462) of different types is loaded into the main body (166) of the developing device (34) and then detached therefrom, the same type of cartridge as the one detached cannot substantially be loaded into the main body (166) of the developing device (34).
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
115 words
A developing device for an image-forming machine, said developing device comprises a main body (166), applicator means (180) mounted on the main body (166) of the developing device (34) for applying a toner to a latent electrostatic image and a plurality of toner cartridges to be selectively loaded into the main body of the developing device; wherein the toner cartridges (462) are of differenct types, and when each of the toner cartridges (462) of different types is loaded into the main body (166) of the developing device (34) and then detached therefrom, the same type of cartridge as the one detached cannot substantially be loaded into the main body (166) of the developing device (34).
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
103 words
The developing device of claim 44 wherein each of the toner cartridges (662) has a loading hampering member (692) which remains in the main body (166) of the developing device (34) when the cartridge has been detached from it, and when each of the toner cartridges (662) is loaded into, and then detached from, the main body (166)of the developing device (34) loading of the same type of a toner cartridge as the one detached from the main body of the developing device is hampered by the action of the loading hampering member (692) remaining in the main body of the developing device.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
115 words
The developing device of claim 45 wherein the loading hampering members (692) in the toner cartridges (662) are disposed at different sites; a plurality of receiving portions corresponding to said loading hampering members are provided in the main body of the developing device; and when each of the toner cartridges is loaded into, and then detached, from the main body of the developing device, the loading hampering member (692) in said toner cartridge is received in the corresponding receiving portion and thus remains in the main body of the developing device, whereby loading of the same type of a toner cartridge as the one detached from the main body of the developing device is hampered.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
100 words
The developing device of claim 46 wherein each of the toner cartridges (662) is provided with a holding receptacle (688) for holding a toner, and said loading hampering member (692) is provided integrally in the holding receptacle (688); and when each toner cartridge (662) is detached from the main body (635) of the developing devices, part of the loading hampering member is broken in relation to the movement of the holding receptacle (688) in the detaching direction and therefore, the loading hampering member (692) remains received in the corresponding receiving portion in the main body (635) of the developing device.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
68 words
The developing device of claim 47 wherein the loading hampering member (692) has a connecting portion connected to the holding receptacle (688) and an engagement portion (696) provided at the end of the connecting portion; the receiving portion (712) is defined by an engaging portion (696) capable of engaging the engagement portion; and a weakened portion is provided in the connecting portion of the loading hampering member (692).
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
82 words
The developing device of claim 44 wherein the main body (635) of the developing device is provided with re-loading hampering means in correspondence to each of the toner cartridges (662), and when each toner cartridge (662) is detached from the main body (635) of the developing device, the re-loading hampering means (692) is held in a hampering state and thus hampers re-loading of the same type of a toner cartridge as the one detached from the main body of the developing device.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
61 words
The developing device of claim 49 wherein guided portions (890) are provided at different sites respectively in the toner cartridges (864); a plurality of guiding portions (890) are provided corresponding to said guided portions are provided in the main body (888) of the developing device; and the re-loading hampering means is disposed in relation to each of the guiding portions (890).
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
99 words
The developing device of claim 49 wherein each of said re-loading hampering means (902) is provided with a loading hampering member (904) which is free to move between a non-operating position at which it does not substantially act on the corresponding toner cartridge (864) and a hampering position at which it acts on the corresponding toner cartridge and hampers its re-loading into the main body (835) of the developing device; and the loading hampering member (904) is held at the hampering position when the corresponding toner cartridge (864) is detached from the main body (835) of the developing device.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
31 words
The developing device of claim 51 wherein first locking means (917,920) for locking the loading hampering member (904) into the hampering position is annexed to each of the re-loading hampering means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
62 words
The developing device of claim 51 wherein second locking means (928,908,906) for releasably locking the loading hampering member (904) at the non-operating position is annexed to each of the re-loading hampering means, and when the corresponding toner cartridge (864) is loaded into the main body (835) of the developing device, the second locking means releases the loading hampering member (904) from locking.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
62 words
The developing device of claim 44 wherein the main body (835) of the developing device has a developing chamber and a toner holding chamber (862) communicating with the developing chamber through a toner discharge opening; the applicator means is disposed in the developing chamber; and each of the toner cartridges is adapted to be selectively loaded into the toner holding chamber (862).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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