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:
Oct. 21, 2008
Filed:
Sep. 12, 2006
Developing apparatus and image forming apparatus with toner supply portion opening/closing mechanism
Hiroshi Kubota, Kadoma, JP;
Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Higashiosaka, JP;
Jun Yamaguchi, Ikoma, JP;
Hiroshi Kawahito, Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP;
Yusuke Yoshimoto, Yamatotakada, JP;
Hiroshi Kubota, Kadoma, JP;
Yasuyuki Ishiguro, Higashiosaka, JP;
Jun Yamaguchi, Ikoma, JP;
Hiroshi Kawahito, Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP;
Yusuke Yoshimoto, Yamatotakada, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
In the developing apparatus including a developing bath and a toner transport pipe for supplying toner to the developing bath, a toner supply portion opening/closing mechanism is provided, that includes a shutter member for opening and closing a toner supply port of the toner transport pipe that is contained in a base portion of the toner transport pipe, a shaft for moving the shutter member back and forth in a longitudinal direction of the developing bath, a second spring member provided such that the shaft is inserted therein, a first spring member for supporting the shaft detachably to the shutter member through its extension and contraction, and a lever member for extending and contracting the first spring member through its releasing and closing.