Matsushita Graphic Communication Systems, Inc.

Katsumi Yawata

Eiji Kurosawa

Takashi Naito

Minoru Endo

Kenji Shioya

A toner cartridge of the present invention is provided with toner storage box,having opening,to supply toner particles stored therein outside, and toner supply roller,provided at a position such that the roller covers opening,in the vicinity of opening,of which a surface is made of a soft porous material.

Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus

Toner cartridge

A toner cartridge is provided that includes an agitator provided in a toner hopper. An agitator gear is coupled with the agitator in such a way that the agitator always has the same positional relationship with the agitator gear. The agitator gear is provided with a mark indicating the orientation of the agitator and an agitation blade fixed thereto. A method of feeding toner using the toner cartridge is also provided, in which the agitator and the agitation blade are withdrawn from the vicinity of a toner feeding hole by turning the agitator gear by hand while watching this mark, and toner is refilled through the toner feeding hole. Feeding toner in this manner enables feeding a predetermined amount of toner.

Toner cartridge and method using the toner cartridge for feeding a predetermined amount of toner

The toner cartridge includes a coupling plate provided with a first support section that supports the axis of a photosensitive drum and a seconds support section that supports the axis of the magnet roller. The toner cartridge mounts this coupling plate so that the first support section supports the axis of the photosensitive drum provided in a first part of the toner cartridge and the second support section supports the axis of the magnet roller provided in the second part of the toner cartridge, thus maintaining a predetermined distance between the axis of the photosensitive drum and the axis of the magnet roller.

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Ueda, Japan

Katsumi Yawata