# US 10,503,098 B2 · Seal configuration for a toner cartridge of an image forming apparatus

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,503,098 B2
- Document ID: US10503098B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/356,411
- Filed: 2019-03-18
- Published: 2019-07-11
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2015-10-15
- Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Shougo Sato
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10503098B2

## CPC

- G03G 15/0881: {Sealing of developer cartridges}
- G03G 15/0877: {Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit}
- G03G 15/0886: {by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes: a frame; a photosensitive drum that is supported by the frame; a developing unit that is rotatable around a rotating shaft supported by the frame and includes a developing frame having a toner receiving port and a developing roller; a toner cartridge that has a toner supply port; and a seal member that positioned a circumference of the toner receiving port and is deformable, wherein the seal member has a communication opening, which communicates between the toner receiving port and the toner supply port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the frame, and the seal member has a first end and a second end, wherein when the developing unit rotates to approach the toner cartridge, the first end of the seal member and the second end of the seal member are configured to be compressed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process cartridge comprising:
a drum cartridge including:
a photosensitive drum;
a frame;
a developing roller;
a developing frame having a toner receiving port, the developing frame being movable with respect to the frame; and
a seal member that is positioned at a circumference of the toner receiving port; and
a toner cartridge having a toner supply port,
wherein the seal member is positioned between the developing frame and the toner cartridge in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the frame, and
wherein the frame includes a partition wall that is positioned between the seal member and the toner cartridge in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the frame.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the partition wall has a toner communication opening to communicate between the toner receiving port and the toner supply port.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the seal member has a communication opening, which communicates between the toner receiving port and the toner supply port in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the frame.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The process cartridge according to claim 3,
wherein the partition wall has a toner communication opening to communicate between the toner supply port and the communication opening.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The process cartridge according to claim 3,
wherein the developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction,
wherein the seal member has a first end and a second end positioned opposite to the first end with respect to the communication opening in the first direction, and
wherein the first end of the seal member and the second end of the seal member are configured to be compressed when the developing frame moves to approach the toner cartridge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the developing frame is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction with respect to the frame.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The process cartridge according to claim 6,
wherein the developing frame includes a rotating shaft extending in the first direction, the rotating shaft being positioned above the photosensitive drum and the developing roller.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction, and
wherein the seal member is deformable along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and a mounting and demounting direction of the toner cartridge with respect to the frame.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the toner cartridge is configured to compress the seal member in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the frame.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the frame includes a contact wall which comes in contact with the toner cartridge in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the frame, and
wherein the contact wall is positioned above the seal member and the toner cartridge in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted to the frame.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The process cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:
a spring being configured to press the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum.