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:
Apr. 08, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 29, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
Fumito Mizoguchi, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Kiyoshi Morimoto, Osaka, JP;
Arihiro Tsunoda, Higashiosaka, JP;
Hisashi Kunihiro, Nara, JP;
Takeshi Wakabayashi, Kyoto, JP;
Hiroshi Tanizawa, Nara, JP;
Assignee:
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03G 1/508 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G03G 1/508 ;
Abstract
A flexible element for converting an opening port of a toner supply container in an openable and closable manner is provided so that, when the toner supply container is joined to a developing unit, an external force acting on the developing unit or toner supplying container, deforms the flexible element to uncover the opening and when the toner supply container and developing unit are separated one from another, the opening port is covered by the flexible element.