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. 13, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 28, 2000
Hiroshige Araki, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Toshihide Ohgoshi, Nara, JP;
Shigeyuki Wakada, Nara, JP;
Yoshinori Otsuka, Tenri, JP;
Eiichi Kido, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
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.