# US 10,768,549 B2 · Toner container and 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 10,768,549 B2 - Document ID: US10768549B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/550,339 - Filed: 2019-08-26 - Published: 2020-03-05 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-28 - Assignees: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc. - Applicants: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc. - Inventors: Riku Minamoto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768549B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/0868: {Toner cartridges fulfilling a continuous function within the electrographic apparatus during the use of the supplied developer material, e.g. toner discharge on demand, storing residual toner, acting as an active closure for the developer replenishing opening} - G03G 15/0889: {for agitation or stirring} - G03G 15/0872: {the developer cartridges being generally horizontally mounted parallel to its longitudinal rotational axis} - G03G 15/0877: {Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A toner container includes a container body having a discharging port discharging a toner, a rotating member, a moving member, a transmitting member transmitting rotation to the rotating member, an agitating member agitating the toner in the container body, and a connecting member transmitting rotation to the agitating member. At least a part of the rotating member is at least partly installed in the container body. At least a part of the transmitting member is arranged outside the container body. The rotating member includes a following coupling facing to the outside of the container body. The transmitting member includes a transmitting coupling connected to the following coupling. The agitating member includes an agitating coupling facing to the outside of the container body. The connecting member includes a connecting coupling connected to the agitating coupling. The agitating coupling is arranged outside the outer circumference of the following coupling. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A toner container comprising: a container body having a discharging port discharging a toner and containing the toner; a rotating member rotated around a rotation axis extended in one direction, wherein at least a part of the rotating member being installed in the container body; a moving member attached to the rotating member, moved in the one direction in accordance with rotation of the rotating member, and conveying the toner in the container body to the discharging port; a transmitting member connected to the rotating member, and transmitting rotation to the rotating member, wherein at least a part of the transmitting member being arranged outside the container body; an agitating member rotated around the rotation axis, and agitating the toner contained in the container body; and a connecting member connected to the agitating member, and transmitting rotation to the agitating member, wherein the rotating member includes a following coupling facing to the outside of the container body, the transmitting member includes a transmitting coupling connected to the following coupling, the agitating member includes an agitating coupling facing to the outside of the container body, the connecting member includes a connecting coupling connected to the agitating coupling, the agitating coupling is arranged outside the outer circumference of the following coupling, in an engaging part of the rotating member and the transmitting member, a restricting mechanism is provided for allowing rotation of the rotating member in a first rotating direction and restricting rotation of the rotating member in a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction, the restricting mechanism is composed of the following coupling and the transmitting coupling, the following coupling includes: a first following face extended in the one direction; and a second following face inclined relative to the one direction, the transmitting coupling includes: a first transmitting face extended in the one direction; and a second transmitting face inclined relative to the one direction, when the transmitting member is rotated in the first rotating direction, the first transmitting face pushes the first following face, and then, the rotating member is rotated in the first rotating direction together with the transmitting member in a body, when the transmitting member is rotated in the second rotating direction, the second transmitting face pushes the second following face, and then, the transmitting member is raced with respect to the rotating member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the following coupling includes a fitting gap, the transmitting coupling includes a fitting protrusion fitted to the fitting gap, when the transmitting member is rotated in the first rotating direction, the first transmitting face pushes the first following face in a state that the fitting protrusion is fitted to the fitting gap, when the transmitting member is rotated in the second rotating direction, the second transmitting face pushes the second following face, and then fitting of the fitting protrusion and the fitting gap is released. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An image forming apparatus comprising: the toner container according to claim 2; and an attached member to which the toner container is detachably attached. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The toner container according to claim 1, further comprising: a cover attached to the container body, wherein the following coupling and the agitating coupling are covered by the cover. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An image forming apparatus comprising: the toner container according to claim 4; and an attached member to which the toner container is detachably attached. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting member includes: a transmitting piece on which a transmitting gear is provided; and a ratchet mechanism connecting the transmitting piece and the rotating member, the ratchet mechanism transmits rotation of the transmitting piece to the rotating member in a case where the transmitting piece is rotated in the first rotating direction, and intercepts transmission of rotation of the transmitting piece to the rotating member in a case where the transmitting piece is rotated in a second rotating direction opposite to the first rotating direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An image forming apparatus comprising: the toner container according to claim 6; and an attached member to which the toner container is detachably attached. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the moving member partitions a space inside the container body into a first space at one end side in the one direction and a second space at the other end side in the one direction, the discharging port is provided at the one end side in the container body, the moving member is moved to the one end side in accordance with rotation of the rotating member in a first rotating direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An image forming apparatus comprising: the toner container according to claim 8; and an attached member to which the toner container is detachably attached. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An image forming apparatus comprising: the toner container according to claim 1; and an attached member to which the toner container is detachably attached. ### Claim 11 A toner container comprising: a container body having a discharging port discharging a toner and containing the toner; a rotating member rotated around a rotation axis extended in one direction, wherein at least a part of the rotating member is installed in the container body; a moving member attached to the rotating member, moved in the one direction in accordance with rotation of the rotating member, and conveying the toner in the container body to the discharging port; a transmitting member connected to the rotating member, and transmitting rotation to the rotating member, wherein at least a part of the transmitting member is arranged outside the container body; an agitating member rotated around the rotation axis, and agitating the toner contained in the container body; and a connecting member connected to the agitating member, and transmitting rotation to the agitating member, wherein the rotating member includes a following coupling facing the outside of the container body, the transmitting member includes a transmitting coupling connected to the following coupling, the agitating member includes an agitating coupling facing the outside of the container body, the connecting member includes a connecting coupling connected to the agitating coupling, the agitating coupling is arranged outside the outer circumference of the following coupling, and wherein the agitating coupling is protruded from the following coupling in the one direction relative to the outer face of the container body, and the agitating coupling covers the following coupling from an outer circumferential side of the following coupling. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An image forming apparatus comprising: the toner container according to claim 11; and an attached member to which the toner container is detachably attached.