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US6304739B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Toner container and image forming apparatus using the same
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1999-10-19
•
Granted: 2001-10-16
•
Expires: 2019-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A toner container for powdery toner for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from the toner discharging surface, and a slanted side surface facing the side surface and extending outwardly from the toner discharging surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Goro Katsuyama
- 👤 Masaaki Kabumoto
- 👤 Kanae Nomura
- 👤 Seiji Terazawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:56
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0865; G03G15/0874; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0855; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/066; G03G2215/068; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A toner container for powdery toner for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner; a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface; and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A toner container for powdery toner for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner; a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface; and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said toner container has a polygonal configuration including said toner discharge surface, said side surface and said slanted side surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said side surface and said slanted side surface are connected by two flat surfaces extending parallel to each other from said discharge surface and having an identical size and an identical shape, said two flat surfaces each having a greater surface area than other surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 1 , where said toner container comprises a flexible material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said toner container comprises at least one paper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said toner container is configured to collapse after the powdery toner has been used up.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said toner container is configured to fold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein: said side surface and said slanted side surface are connected by two flat surfaces extending parallel to each other from said toner discharge surface; and said two flat surfaces have a same surface area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said two flat surfaces have a trapezoidal shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus body; a toner container configured to be set on the apparatus body and store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface; a developing device configured to receive the powdery toner from said toner container to replenish the powdery toner in said developing device as needed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus body; a toner container configured to be set on the apparatus body and store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface; a developing device configured to receive the powdery toner from said toner container to replenish the powdery toner in said developing device as needed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said apparatus body includes a receptacle configured to receive said toner container with said toner outlet facing downward.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said receptacle includes a recess having a shape complementary to said toner container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein: said receptacle has an opening in a top thereof; and said toner container is inserted into said receptacle via said opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said receptacle includes a penetrating member configured to penetrate into said toner container via said toner outlet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein said penetrating member has a pointed end at a top thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said developing device receives the powdery toner from the toner container via said penetrating member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
111 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus body; a toner container configured to be set on the apparatus body and store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface; a developing device configured to receive the powdery toner from said toner container to replenish the powdery toner in said developing device and inject air into said toner container to discharge the powdery toner from said toner container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
111 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus body; a toner container configured to be set on the apparatus body and store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface; a developing device configured to receive the powdery toner from said toner container to replenish the powdery toner in said developing device and inject air into said toner container to discharge the powdery toner from said toner container.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein: said apparatus body includes a receptacle configured to receive said toner container; and said toner container is inserted into said receptacle with said toner outlet facing downward.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said receptacle includes a recess having a shape complementary to said toner container.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein: said receptacle has an opening in a top thereof; and said toner container is inserted into said receptacle via said opening.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said receptacle includes a penetrating member configured to penetrate into said toner container via said toner outlet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 , wherein said penetrating member has a pointed end at a top thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the developing device receives the powdery toner from the toner container via said penetrating member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
98 words
A toner container for powdery toner for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner; a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface; a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface; and two opposite surfaces connecting said side surface and said slanted side surface and adjoining said toner discharge surface, said two opposite surfaces each having a same trapezoidal shape and being asymmetric to each other with respect to a center portion of said toner outlet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
98 words
A toner container for powdery toner for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner; a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface; a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface; and two opposite surfaces connecting said side surface and said slanted side surface and adjoining said toner discharge surface, said two opposite surfaces each having a same trapezoidal shape and being asymmetric to each other with respect to a center portion of said toner outlet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 24 , wherein one of said two opposite surfaces extends perpendicular to said toner discharge surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 24 , wherein: said two opposite surfaces are flat; and said two opposite surfaces each are inclined by a particular angle relative to said toner discharge surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 26 , wherein one of said two opposite surfaces is perpendicular to said toner discharge surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 24 , wherein said toner container comprises a flexible material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 28 , wherein said toner container comprises at least one paper.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 24 , wherein said toner container is configured to collapse after the powdery toner has been used up.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 30 , wherein said toner container is configured to fold.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 24 , wherein said two opposite surfaces have a same surface area.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
A toner container as claimed in claim 24 , wherein said two opposite surfaces comprises a trapezoidal shape.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
147 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus body; a toner container configured to be set on the apparatus body and store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface, and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface, and two opposite surfaces connecting said side surface and said slanted side surface and adjoining said toner discharge surface, said two opposite surfaces each having a same trapezoidal shape and being asymmetric to each other with respect to a center portion of said toner outlet; and a developing device configured to receive the powdery toner from said toner container to replenish the powdery toner in said developing device from said toner container as needed.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
147 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus body; a toner container configured to be set on the apparatus body and store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface, and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface, and two opposite surfaces connecting said side surface and said slanted side surface and adjoining said toner discharge surface, said two opposite surfaces each having a same trapezoidal shape and being asymmetric to each other with respect to a center portion of said toner outlet; and a developing device configured to receive the powdery toner from said toner container to replenish the powdery toner in said developing device from said toner container as needed.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 34 , wherein: said apparatus body includes a receptacle configured to receive said toner container; said toner container is inserted into said receptacle with said toner outlet facing downward.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 35 , wherein said receptacle includes a recess having a shape complementary to said toner container.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 35 , wherein: said receptacle has an opening in a top thereof; and said toner container is inserted into said receptacle via said opening.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 35 , wherein said receptacle includes a penetrating member configured to penetrate into said toner container via said toner outlet.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 38 , wherein said penetrating member has a pointed end at a top thereof.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 39 , wherein the developing device receives the toner from the toner container via said penetrating member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
154 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus body; a toner container configured to be set on the apparatus body and store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface, and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface, and two opposite surfaces connecting said side surface and said slanted slide surface and adjoining said toner discharge surface, said two opposite surfaces each having a same trapezoidal shape and being asymmetric to each other with respect to a center of said toner outlet; and developing device configured to receive the powdery toner from said toner container to replenish the toner in said developing device and inject air into said toner container to discharge the powdery toner from said toner container.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
154 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus body; a toner container configured to be set on the apparatus body and store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface, and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface, and two opposite surfaces connecting said side surface and said slanted slide surface and adjoining said toner discharge surface, said two opposite surfaces each having a same trapezoidal shape and being asymmetric to each other with respect to a center of said toner outlet; and developing device configured to receive the powdery toner from said toner container to replenish the toner in said developing device and inject air into said toner container to discharge the powdery toner from said toner container.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 41 , wherein: said apparatus body includes a receptacle configured to receive said toner container; and said toner container is inserted into said receptacle with said toner outlet facing downward.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 42 , wherein said receptacle includes a recess having a shape complementary to said toner container.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 42 , wherein: said receptacle has an opening in a top thereof; and said toner container is inserted into said receptacle via said opening.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 42 , wherein said receptacle includes a penetrating member configured to penetrate into said toner container via said toner outlet.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 45 , wherein said penetrating member has a pointed end at top thereof.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 46 , wherein the developing device receives the powdery toner from the toner container via said penetrating member.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
106 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner container configured to store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner; an apparatus body including a receptacle configured to receive the toner container such that the toner outlet faces downward; a developing device to which the powdery toner is replenished from said toner container; and a penetrating device provided in said receptacle and configured to penetrate into the toner container, inject air into the toner container and transfer the powdery toner from the toner container to the developing device as needed.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
106 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner container configured to store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner; an apparatus body including a receptacle configured to receive the toner container such that the toner outlet faces downward; a developing device to which the powdery toner is replenished from said toner container; and a penetrating device provided in said receptacle and configured to penetrate into the toner container, inject air into the toner container and transfer the powdery toner from the toner container to the developing device as needed.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 48 , wherein said penetrating device has a pointed end at a top thereof.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 49 , wherein said penetrating device comprises a hollow cylindrical body having at least one air inlet and at least one toner outlet on a surface thereof and at least one air passage and at least one toner passage inside the hollow cylindrical body.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
99 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner container configured to store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner; an apparatus body including a receptacle configured to receive the toner container such that the toner outlet faces downward; a developing device to which the powdery toner is replenished from said toner container; and penetrating means for penetrating into the toner container, injecting air into the toner container and transferring the powdery toner from the toner container into the developing device as needed.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
99 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner container configured to store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner; an apparatus body including a receptacle configured to receive the toner container such that the toner outlet faces downward; a developing device to which the powdery toner is replenished from said toner container; and penetrating means for penetrating into the toner container, injecting air into the toner container and transferring the powdery toner from the toner container into the developing device as needed.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 51 , wherein said penetrating means has a pointed end at a top thereof.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 52 , wherein said penetrating means comprises a hollow cylindrical body having at least one air inlet and at least one toner outlet on a surface thereof and at least one air passage and at least one toner passage inside the hollow cylindrical body.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
133 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner container configured to store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface; an apparatus body including a receptacle configured to receive the toner container such that the toner outlet faces downward; a developing device to which the powdery toner is replenished from said toner container; and a penetrating device provided in said receptacle and configured to penetrate into the toner container, inject air into the toner container and transfer the powdery toner from the toner container to the developing device as needed.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
133 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner container configured to store powdery toner for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface; an apparatus body including a receptacle configured to receive the toner container such that the toner outlet faces downward; a developing device to which the powdery toner is replenished from said toner container; and a penetrating device provided in said receptacle and configured to penetrate into the toner container, inject air into the toner container and transfer the powdery toner from the toner container to the developing device as needed.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 54 , wherein said penetrating device has a pointed end at a top thereof.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 55 , wherein said penetrating device comprises a hollow cylindrical body having at least one air inlet and at least one toner outlet on a surface thereof and at least one air passage and at least one toner passage inside the hollow cylindrical body.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
167 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner container configured to store powdery toner to for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface; and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface, two opposite surfaces connecting said side surface and said slanted side surface and adjoining said toner discharge surface, said two opposite surfaces being asymmetric to each other with respect to said toner outlet; an apparatus body including a receptacle configured to receive the toner container such that the toner outlet faces downward; a developing device to which the powdery toner is replenished from said toner container; and a penetrating device provided in said receptacle and configured to penetrate into the toner container, inject air into the toner container and transfer the powdery toner from the toner container to the developing device as needed.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
167 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner container configured to store powdery toner to for the image forming apparatus, the toner container including a toner discharge surface having a toner outlet configured to discharge the powdery toner, a side surface perpendicularly extending from said toner discharge surface; and a slanted side surface facing said side surface and extending outwardly from said toner discharge surface, two opposite surfaces connecting said side surface and said slanted side surface and adjoining said toner discharge surface, said two opposite surfaces being asymmetric to each other with respect to said toner outlet; an apparatus body including a receptacle configured to receive the toner container such that the toner outlet faces downward; a developing device to which the powdery toner is replenished from said toner container; and a penetrating device provided in said receptacle and configured to penetrate into the toner container, inject air into the toner container and transfer the powdery toner from the toner container to the developing device as needed.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 57 , wherein said penetrating device has a pointed end at a top thereof.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 58 , wherein said penetrating device comprises a hollow cylindrical body having at least one air inlet and at least one toner outlet on a surface thereof and at least one air passage and at least one toner passage inside the hollow cylindrical body.
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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) | 2004-10-15 | 2005-04-16 | 2005-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-15 | 2009-04-16 | 2009-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-15 | 2013-04-16 | 2013-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |