The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 07, 1992
Filed:
May. 24, 1990
Kiyotaka Shibata, Takatsuki, JP;
Seiichi Shirasaki, Neyagawa, JP;
Mita Industrial Co. Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A developing unit of an image forming apparatus is for developing a latent image formed on a photoconductive drum. The developing unit comprises a developing device attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus body in a direction crossing the axis of the photoconductive drum, and a hopper fixed to the body of the image forming apparatus for supplying toner to the developing device connected to the body of the image forming apparatus. The hopper has a toner supply pipe which can assume a supply position, in which it is inserted in a connecting opening of the developing device, and a drawn position, in which it is drawn out from the developing device. The developing unit may have a lever to move the toner supply pipe to the drawn position. The lever can assume a first position not to allow the developing device to be withdrawn when the end of the toner supply pipe is in the supply position, and a second position to allow the developing device to be withdrawn when the end of the toner supply pipe is in the drawn position.