Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Corporation

Yoshinori Otsuka

Yasuyuki Ishiguro

Toshio Nishino

Tsutomu Nagata

Hiroshige Araki

Jun Yamaguchi

Hiroshi Tanisawa

Haruko Yoneda

Hiroshi Kubota

Yoshiaki Sanada

Masatoshi Kaneshige

Yoshiki Ichikawa

Keiji Katou

Kouichi Mihara

Hiroshi Ishii

Takahiko Kimura

Eiichi Kido

Toshihide Ohgoshi

Fumito Mizoguchi

Naotaka Funayama

Shigeyuki Wakada

Provided is an image forming apparatus which displays display information regarding product liability, which is read out from a storage medium of a processing unit, the image forming apparatus carrying out judgment as to whether or not the processing unit is a genuine/recommended product based on the information read out from the storage medium. The image forming apparatus carries out a series of image forming process when the processing unit is a genuine or a recommended product. On the other hand, when the processing unit is an unauthorized product, the image forming apparatus displays the display information and/or the comparison result. On this account, the user can easily and securely confirm display information regarding product liability of the processing unit, and/or information regarding compatibility of the processing unit with the image forming apparatus, while ensuring superior security and reliability.

Image forming apparatus and processing unit used for the same

A packing case for an image forming apparatus that includes: a first packing memberfor packing an image forming apparatus main bodyincluding a reading sectionhaving a scanner unit, an image forming sectionhaving an image forming unit, and a sheet feed unitfor feeding a sheet to the image forming unit, and a sheet storage space, formed to be open to outside between the reading sectionand the image forming section, for storing a sheet transported from the image forming unit; and a second packing memberfor packing a toner cartridgeand capable of being inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body, in which the second packing memberis inserted and fixed in the sheet storage space

Packing case and packing method for packing image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus

A packing case for an image forming apparatus that includes: a first packing memberfor packing an image forming apparatus main bodyincluding a reading sectionhaving a scanner unit, an image forming sectionhaving an image forming unit, and a sheet feed unitfor feeding a sheet to the image forming unit, and a sheet storage space, formed to be open to outside between the reading sectionand the image forming section, for storing a sheet transported from the image forming unit; and a second packing memberfor packing a toner cartridgecapable of being inserted into and removed from the image forming apparatus main body, in which the second packing memberis inserted and fixed in the sheet storage space.

Toner cartridge

An object of the invention is to transport safely and reliably a unit such as a developing cartridge in which toner is used, and toner, and to reduce the dimensions and cost of an apparatus for packaging such a unit. Two buffer members are fixed to two opposite widthwise end sides of a developing cartridge, and the resultant combination is accommodated in a packaging box. Each buffer member has a hollow structure formed by blow molding a thermoplastic resin material. The toner is inserted into the interior of each buffer member from an opening thereof, and the buffer members and a non-toner-charged developing cartridge can be packaged together and transported. When the toner in each buffer member is supplied via the opening thereof to the interior of the developing cartridge after the transportation of these parts is completed, a structure in the developing cartridge for preventing the coagulation and leakage of the toner being transported can be simplified, and cost reduction can be effected. Since dead space in the packaging box is effectively utilized for the transportation of the toner, the safety of the transportation and a decrease in cost can be attained.

Apparatus and method for packaging unit having toner storage

A toner reserve container provided with a toner replenishing roller and a replenishing port which constitute a toner replenishing portion is arranged adjacent to a developing hopper and is provided with a toner conveying unit. The conveying unit includes an agitator rotated about a rotary shaft and a conveying sheet fixed to the agitator and scooping up and conveying toner to the toner replenishing roller. The conveying sheet has a plurality of slits formed close to the end portion where it is fixed to the agitator and extending in the direction from the end portion to the tip end of the conveying sheet. When the conveying sheet is rotated and deformed, the plurality of slits absorb rotational load to keep toner conveyed by the conveying sheet stable for a long period of time.

Developing unit with agitator and conveying sheet for toner

A developing unit includes a developing hopper, a toner reserve container that incorporates a replenishing roller and a replenishing port forming a toner replenishing portion, arranged adjacent to the developing hopper in order to supply the toner to the developing hopper. The toner reserve container further includes an agitator rotatable about a rotary shaft and a conveying sheet attached to the agitator for conveying the toner to the replenishing roller. The conveying sheet has a bent portion where the conveying sheet is bent in the rotational direction of the agitator at a halfway point thereof with a predetermined angle &agr;. Deformation of the conveying sheet during rotation is absorbed around the position of the bent portion, so that the conveying sheet will not be plastically deformed at the attached part of the conveying sheet joined to the attachment edge of the agitator, whereby long stable toner conveyance by the conveying sheet can be maintained.

Developing unit equipped with a toner replenishing device configured with a conveying sheet and rotator

A developing unit includes a developer hopper, a toner reserve container that incorporates a replenishing roller and a replenishing opening forming a toner replenishing portion, arranged adjacent to the developer hopper in order to replenish the toner to the developer hopper. The toner reserve container further includes an agitator rotatable about a rotary shaft with a conveying sheet for conveying the toner to the replenishing roller. The conveying sheet is attached to the agitator so that it becomes close to the rotary shaft of the agitator. By this configuration, an adequate space can be secured between the top plate, i.e., an operable/closable lid, constituting the toner reserve container and the conveying sheet so that the distal part of the conveying sheet can efficiently retain the toner, thus making it possible to improve the conveyance performance to the replenishing roller and realize an uniform amount of conveyance.

Developing unit and toner replenishing device with conveying apparatus

A developer cartridge capable of being fitted to the toner replenishing opening of a developer storage hopper has a sealing member for sealing the toner therein that is bonded to the rim of its replenishing opening to be opposed to the opening of the developer storage hopper. The bottom face of this developer cartridge which constitutes the bottom for supporting the toner stored therein is inclined upwards in the stripping direction of the sealing member, whereby the supplied amount of the toner at the stripping start of the sealing member is regulated when the sealing member is stripped so that the toner can be uniformly supplied across the full length of the developer storage hopper with respect to the stripping direction of the sealing member.

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Tenri, Japan

Yoshinori Otsuka