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:
Dec. 12, 1995
Filed:
Mar. 16, 1994
Soichiro Nishimura, Nagoya, JP;
Eiji Tanaka, Nagoya, JP;
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya, JP;
Abstract
A developing unit has an initial developer container containing an initial developer composed of toner and carrier, joined pivotally with a pin to a toner container having an initial developer inlet opening and defining a developing chamber. Provided in one wall of the developer container is an initial developer outlet opening. In an initial state, the initial developer outlet opening is closed by one wall of the toner container, so that the mixed toner contained in the initial developer container will not spill. When a toner supply cartridge is inserted in the developing unit, the toner supply cartridge turns the initial developer container downward on the pin to a position where the initial developer outlet opening of the initial developer container coincides with the initial developer inlet opening of the toner container. This allows the initial developer contained in the initial developer container to flow into the developing chamber. Thus, the initial developer can be supplied into the developing chamber by a simple action without soiling the operator's hands.