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. 21, 2003
Filed:
May. 22, 2001
Fumito Mizoguchi, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Hiroshi Kubota, Osaka, JP;
Takeshi Wakabayashi, Kyoto, JP;
Hisashi Kunihiro, Nara, JP;
Takahiko Kimura, Ikoma, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A toner cartridge having toner agitating and mixing properties. The structure insures image quality without increasing in complexity of the structure as well as capable of being compacted. A used toner recycling opening for dropping used toner by gravity is formed in an upper wall of a cartridge main body storing fresh toner. A toner agitator and a toner supply device with an opening for supplying mixed toner to a developing apparatus are arranged within the cartridge main body. The toner can be sufficiently mixed and agitated on a cartridge main body side without depending on a developing apparatus side, and the toner cartridge is prevented from being large-sized. In particular, since the used toner drops by gravity, a taking-in structure of this used toner is simplified, and a mixing work of the used toner with fresh toner is made irrespective of a moving direction of the toner agitator. Also, there are two film sealing members for sealing the used toner recycling and toner supply openings.