US5121168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus having a used toner storage portion
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1991-01-14
•
Granted: 1992-06-09
•
Expires: 2011-01-14
Abstract
Abstract In an image forming apparatus, a latent image on a photosensitive body is developed by a developing device and is transferred onto a sheet of paper and remaining toner on the photosensitive body is removed therefrom by a cleaner. The image forming apparatus has a used toner storing portion for collecting the removed remaining toner thereinto and integral with the developing container; a conveyor for conveying the removed remaining toner to the used toner storing portion; and a driving force transmitting device for connecting the conveyor to a rotary shaft of an agitator disposed in the developing device so as to transmit driving force therebetween. When the developing device is replaced by a new one, the used toner storing portion integral with this developing device is also replaced by a new one. The conveyor may have an auger and the driving force transmitting device may have pulleys for the agitator and the auger.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Aoki
- 👤 Toshiro Sahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:54
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G21/00; G03G21/10; G03G21/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An image forming apparatus in which a latent image on a photosensitive body is developed by a developing device and is transferred onto a sheet of paper and remaining toner on the photosensitive body is removed therefrom by a cleaner, said image forming apparatus comprising: a used toner storing portion for collecting the removed remaining toner thereinto and integral with said developing device; conveying means for conveying the removed remaining toner to the used toner storing portion; and driving force transmitting means contained in the used toner storing portion and connecting the conveying means to a rotary shaft of an agitator disposed in said developing device for transmitting a driving force therebetween, said rotary shaft being adapted to rotate independently of a developing roller of the developing device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An image forming apparatus in which a latent image on a photosensitive body is developed by a developing device and is transferred onto a sheet of paper and remaining toner on the photosensitive body is removed therefrom by a cleaner, said image forming apparatus comprising: a used toner storing portion for collecting the removed remaining toner thereinto and integral with said developing device; conveying means for conveying the removed remaining toner to the used toner storing portion; and driving force transmitting means contained in the used toner storing portion and connecting the conveying means to a rotary shaft of an agitator disposed in said developing device for transmitting a driving force therebetween, said rotary shaft being adapted to rotate independently of a developing roller of the developing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the developing device is replaced by a new one, the used toner storing portion integral with this developing device is also replaced by a new one.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveying means comprises an auger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the driving force transmitting means comprises pulleys for the agitator and the auger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the used toner storing portion is arranged on a side of one of developing frames of the developing device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the used toner storing portion extends in a direction in which the sheet of paper is conveyed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the conveying means is disposed within the used toner storing portion and extends in the direction in which the sheet of paper is conveyed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
USRE33484E
Cited
US4768055A
Cited
US4724459A
Cited
US4894688A
Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-12-09 | 1996-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-09 | 1999-12-09 | 2000-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-09 | 2003-12-09 | 2004-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |