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:
Aug. 03, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 19, 1997
Kazuo Johroku, Osaka, JP;
Mita Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A toner cartridge according to the present invention ensures easy replacement thereof and assuredly prevents a user from failing to claim its toner fall aperture. When a shutter is located in a position where the toner fall aperture is closed, a claw of a lock portion does not project outward. When the toner cartridge is inserted in an insertion direction, a right holding portion of the shutter abuts against an engagement side wall of an engagement portion, and prohibits the shutter from moving in the direction of the insertion so that the toner fall aperture is opened. When the toner cartridge is withdrawn, the lock portion of the claw is locked to a return portion provided on a side wall thereby to prohibit the shutter from moving in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. Thus, the shutter is slid in the insertion direction with respect to a flange to close the toner fall aperture.