US5325162A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Color image forming apparatus and toner container
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1992-06-12
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Granted: 1994-06-28
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Expires: 2012-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A toner container has three chambers for holding three different color toners. The container is receivable by a receiving structure having a pair of opposing slots for receiving flanges on the base of the toner container. The receiving mechanism is part of a development device which includes a movable carriage for moving a plurality of development units into alignment with a development position. A portion, for example, an applicator of each development unit is movable with respect to the rest of the unit into toning relation with an image member at the development position.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur S. Kroll
- 👤 Michael L. DeCecca
- 👤 Arthur E. Dunn
- 👤 Jerry E. Livadas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:53
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/0126; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0865; G03G15/0867; G03G15/0868; G03G15/0875; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/066; G03G2215/068; G03G2215/0685; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A development device for applying different color toners to electrostatic images carried on an image member as said electrostatic images are moved through a development position, said development device comprising: a movable carriage, a plurality of developing units arranged in side-by-side relation and supported by said carriage, and movable by said carriage through alignment with said development position, each unit including an applicator movable toward said development position when aligned therewith to position said applicator in toning relation with an electrostatic image carried by said image member, and means supported by said carriage, for receiving toner container means at an end of said developing units, means associated with each developing unit for receiving toner from a toner container means so received, said means for receiving the toner container means being movable with said carriage but not movable with said applicator when said applicator moves toward said development position and said means for receiving toner container means including means for receiving a single unitary container containing a plurality of toners in a plurality of chambers, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A development device for applying different color toners to electrostatic images carried on an image member as said electrostatic images are moved through a development position, said development device comprising: a movable carriage, a plurality of developing units arranged in side-by-side relation and supported by said carriage, and movable by said carriage through alignment with said development position, each unit including an applicator movable toward said development position when aligned therewith to position said applicator in toning relation with an electrostatic image carried by said image member, and means supported by said carriage, for receiving toner container means at an end of said developing units, means associated with each developing unit for receiving toner from a toner container means so received, said means for receiving the toner container means being movable with said carriage but not movable with said applicator when said applicator moves toward said development position and said means for receiving toner container means including means for receiving a single unitary container containing a plurality of toners in a plurality of chambers, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A development device according to claim 1 wherein said receiving means includes a plurality of toner sumps arranged in aligned side-by-side relation with openings at the tops of the sumps and wherein said receiving means includes means for receiving said single unitary container on the tops of said openings with each of said chambers over a respective opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A development device according to claim 1 wherein said receiving means includes means defining a plurality of aligned toner sumps, a top surface adjacent said sumps and means defining opposing slots facing each other with said plurality of sumps between said slots, said slots being positioned to receive flanges of a unitary toner container in a position over said plurality of sumps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
A development device for applying different color toners to a series of electrostatic images carried on an image member, said development device including: means for receiving a unitary toner container having a plurality of chambers, each chamber containing a toner of color different from the other chambers, said receiving means including a plurality of aligned toner sumps, a top surface adjacent said sumps, and means for defining opposing slots facing each other with said plurality of sumps between said slots, said slots being positioned and shaped to receive flanges of such a unitary toner container as said toner container fits over said plurality of sumps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
A development device for applying different color toners to a series of electrostatic images carried on an image member, said development device including: means for receiving a unitary toner container having a plurality of chambers, each chamber containing a toner of color different from the other chambers, said receiving means including a plurality of aligned toner sumps, a top surface adjacent said sumps, and means for defining opposing slots facing each other with said plurality of sumps between said slots, said slots being positioned and shaped to receive flanges of such a unitary toner container as said toner container fits over said plurality of sumps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
A toner container suitable for insertion into an image forming apparatus to replenish toner used by the apparatus, said container comprising: means defining at least first and second chambers, positioned alongside each other and containing toners of first and second colors, means for attaching said container to a receiving apparatus with the chambers in a predetermined orientation, the chambers having a bottom when in the predetermined orientation, means defining openings to said chambers at the bottom of said chambers, and openable means closing said openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
A toner container suitable for insertion into an image forming apparatus to replenish toner used by the apparatus, said container comprising: means defining at least first and second chambers, positioned alongside each other and containing toners of first and second colors, means for attaching said container to a receiving apparatus with the chambers in a predetermined orientation, the chambers having a bottom when in the predetermined orientation, means defining openings to said chambers at the bottom of said chambers, and openable means closing said openings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A toner container according to claim 5 including a base, said base including means defining said at least first and second openings and a pair of oppositely facing flanges positioned on opposite sides of said openings and extending away from said openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
95 words
A toner container suitable for insertion into an image forming apparatus to replenish toner used by the apparatus, said container comprising: means defining at least first, second and third aligned chambers positioned alongside each other and containing toners of first, second and third colors, means for attaching said container to a receiving apparatus with the chambers in a predetermined orientation, the chambers having a bottom when in the predetermined orientation, means defining openings to each of said chambers at the bottom of said chambers, and openable mean closing said openings to contain said toners therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
A toner container suitable for insertion into an image forming apparatus to replenish toner used by the apparatus, said container comprising: means defining at least first, second and third aligned chambers positioned alongside each other and containing toners of first, second and third colors, means for attaching said container to a receiving apparatus with the chambers in a predetermined orientation, the chambers having a bottom when in the predetermined orientation, means defining openings to each of said chambers at the bottom of said chambers, and openable mean closing said openings to contain said toners therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A toner container according to claim 5 wherein said means closing said openings includes a plurality of web seals, each having a tab graspable by an operator for removing said seal, there being a separate seal for each of said openings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the means for receiving the toner container is positioned to receive a container directly above the means for receiving toner, to permit supply of toner from a received container to each developing unit by gravity.
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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) | 1997-06-27 | 1997-12-27 | 1998-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-27 | 2001-12-27 | 2002-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-27 | 2005-12-27 | 2006-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |