US6519436B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toner powder container for storing toner applicable to an electrographic image forming apparatus, a method at assembling the same, and a method of reducing the volume of the same
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
•
Filing: 2001-02-27
•
Granted: 2003-02-11
•
Expires: 2021-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A powder container of the present invention is made up of a flexible or deformable bag storing powder therein and a box for accommodating the bag. A seal valve is fitted in an outlet portion formed in the bag while a cap removably closes the outlet portion. When the bag is pressed in the collapsing direction, the powder is prevented from flying about via the seal valve. The powder container is easy to assemble.
Inventors
- 👤 Goro Katsuyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:58
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; B; B65; B65D; B65D77/00; B65D77/04; B65D77/06; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0855; G03G15/0865; G03G15/0874; G03G15/0877; G03G15/0881; G03G15/0886; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/066; G03G2215/0682
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A powder container comprising: a deformable, powder storing body storing powder therein; a box more rigid than a bag for accommodating said powder storing body; a powder outlet portion included in said powder storing body and partly showing itself at an outside of said box when said powder storing body is accommodated in said box; a self-closing valve fitted in said powder outlet portion and opening when an insertion member is inserted or closing when said insertion member is pulled out; and closing means removably attached to said powder outlet portion for closing said self-closing valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A powder container comprising: a deformable, powder storing body storing powder therein; a box more rigid than a bag for accommodating said powder storing body; a powder outlet portion included in said powder storing body and partly showing itself at an outside of said box when said powder storing body is accommodated in said box; a self-closing valve fitted in said powder outlet portion and opening when an insertion member is inserted or closing when said insertion member is pulled out; and closing means removably attached to said powder outlet portion for closing said self-closing valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a mouth member mounted on said powder storing body and formed with said powder outlet portion, wherein said self-closing valve is fitted in said mouth member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said insertion member comprises a nozzle in which a powder passage is formed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said closing means, said mouth member and a connecting portion connecting said closing means to said mouth member are formed of resin and molded integrally with each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising a fitting portion included in said box for fitting said closing means when said closing means is removed from said powder outlet portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said closing means removed from said powder outlet portion and said connecting portion are fitted in said fitting portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising an opening/closing portion included in said box and openable when said powder storing body is to be inserted into said box, said fitting portion being formed on said opening/closing portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said closing means comprises a cap removably fitted on said powder outlet portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said insertion member comprises a nozzle in which a powder passage is formed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said closing means, said mouth member and a connecting portion connecting said closing means to said mouth member are formed of resin and molded integrally with each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising a fitting portion included in said box for fitting said closing means when said closing means is removed from said powder outlet portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said closing means removed from said powder outlet portion and said connecting portion are fitted in said fitting portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising an opening/closing portion included in said box and openable when said powder storing body is to be inserted into said box, said fitting portion being formed on said opening/closing portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said closing means comprises a cap removably fitted on said powder outlet portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said closing means is connected to said powder storing body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising a mouth member mounted on said powder storing body and formed with said powder outlet portion, said closing means being connected at one end thereof to said mouth member via a connecting portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 16 , wherein said connecting portion is formed with grooves in the vicinity of opposite ends thereof for connection in order to determine folding positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said closing means, said mouth member and a connecting portion connecting said closing means to said mouth member are formed of resin and molded integrally with each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising a fitting portion included in said box for fitting said closing means when said closing means is removed from said powder outlet portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said closing means removed from said powder toner outlet portion and said connecting portion are fitted in said fitting portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 20 , further comprising an opening/closing portion included in said box and openable when said powder storing body is to be inserted into said box, said fitting portion being formed on said opening/closing portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 21 , wherein said closing means comprises a cap removably fitted on said powder outlet portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a mouth member mounted on said powder storing body,and formed with said powder outlet portion, said closing means being connected at one end thereof to said mouth member via a connecting portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 23 , wherein said connecting portion is formed with grooves in the vicinity of opposite ends thereof for connection in order to determine folding positions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 24 , wherein said closing means, said mouth member and a connecting portion connecting said closing means to said mouth member are formed of resin and molded integrally with each other.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 25 , further comprising a fitting portion included in said box for fitting said closing means when said closing means is removed from said powder outlet portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 26 , wherein said closing means removed from said powder outlet portion and said connecting portion are fitted in said fitting portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 27 , further comprising an opening/closing portion included in said box and openable when said powder storing body is to be inserted into said box, said fitting portion being formed on said opening/closing portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 28 , wherein said closing means comprises a cap removably fitted on said powder outlet portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a connecting portion is formed with grooves in the vicinity of opposite ends thereof for connection in order to determine folding positions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 30 , wherein said closing means, a mouth member and a connecting portion connecting said closing means to said mouth member are formed of resin and molded integrally with each other.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 31 , further comprising a fitting portion included in said box for fitting said closing means when said closing means is removed from said powder outlet portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 32 , wherein said closing means removed from said powder outlet portion and said connecting portion are fitted in said fitting portion.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 33 , further comprising an opening/closing portion included in said box and openable when said powder storing body is to be inserted into said box, said fitting portion being formed on said opening/closing portion.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 34 , wherein said closing means comprises a cap removably fitted on said powder outlet portion.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said closing means, a mouth member and a connecting portion connecting said closing means to said mouth member are formed of resin and molded integrally with each other.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 36 , further comprising a fitting portion included in said box for fitting said closing means when said closing means is removed from said powder outlet portion.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 37 , wherein said closing means removed from said powder outlet portion and said connecting portion are fitted in said fitting portion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 38 , further comprising an opening/closing portion included in said box and openable when said powder storing body is to be inserted into said box, said fitting portion being formed on said opening/closing portion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 39 , wherein said closing means comprises a cap removably fitted on said powder outlet portion.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a fitting portion included in said box for fitting said closing means when said closing means is removed from said powder outlet portion.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 41 , wherein said closing means removed from said powder outlet portion and said connecting portion are fitted in said fitting portion.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
41 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 42 , further comprising an opening/closing portion included in said box and openable when said powder storing body is to be inserted into said box, said fitting portion being formed on said opening/closing portion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 43 , wherein said closing means comprises a cap removably fitted on said powder outlet portion.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The powder container as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said closing means comprises a cap removably fitted on said powder outlet portion.
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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) | 2006-02-10 | 2006-08-12 | 2007-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-10 | 2010-08-12 | 2011-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-10 | 2014-08-12 | 2015-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |