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. 15, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 03, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
Assignee:
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03G 1/508 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G03G 1/508 ;
Abstract
A powder container for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a deformable bag and a powder discharging portion made up of a tapered portion and a toner outlet. A buckling reducing device reduces the buckling of part of the bag adjoining the tapered portion and toner outlet. The toner container prevents the discharge of powder from being deteriorated by buckling, thereby reducing the amount of powder to be left in the container. Further, a device is provided for maintaining the upright position of the bag. A toner discharging device for discharging the toner from the toner container is also disclosed.