# US 10,871,731 B2 · Developing unit having guide that stably supports toner cartridge > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,731 B2 - Document ID: US10871731B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/940,971 - Filed: 2020-07-28 - Published: 2020-11-12 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2009-06-30 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa; Masashi Imai; Shougo Sato - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871731B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/0889: {for agitation or stirring} - G03G 15/0844: {Arrangements for purging used developer from the developing unit} - G03G 15/0865: {Arrangements for supplying new developer} - 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 15/0872: {the developer cartridges being generally horizontally mounted parallel to its longitudinal rotational axis} - G03G 15/0875: {cartridges having a box like shape} - 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 15/0896: {Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894} - G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means} - G03G 21/1676: {for the developer unit} - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A developing device includes a developer cartridge and a developing unit. The developer cartridge, in some instances, may include a shutter. This shutter may have a wall for closing a developer supply hole, and be movable, with respect to a developer cartridge casing, between an open position where the supply hole is opened by the wall and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall. The shutter may further include a protrusion that is movable with respect to the wall of the shutter between a first position and a second position in an axial direction. The protrusion, in the first position, is engageable with a developing unit and, in the second position, would be disengaged from the developing unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process cartridge comprising: a developing unit comprising: a developing casing including a wall having an opening; a developing roller accommodated in the developing casing; and a cartridge accommodating part; and a toner cartridge configured to store toner therein and detachably attached to the cartridge accommodating part of the developing unit, the toner cartridge comprising: a first casing defining an internal space therein and having a supply hole for allowing the toner to pass therethrough toward the developing unit; and a second casing defining an internal space in communication with the internal space of the first casing, wherein the toner cartridge is pivotable about the first casing relative to the developing unit between a first position and a second position, the toner cartridge being in the first position when the toner cartridge is attached to the cartridge accommodating part of the developing unit, wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the first position, the supply hole and the opening face each other, and wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the second position, the supply hole is offset from the opening such that the supply hole faces the wall of the developing casing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, when the toner cartridge is attached to the cartridge accommodating part of the developing unit and the toner cartridge is in the first position, the developing roller and the first casing are arranged in a first direction, and the first casing and the second casing are aligned in line in the first direction, and wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the second position, the first casing and the second casing are aligned in line in a second direction crossing the first direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the second position, a part of the second casing is positioned outside the cartridge accommodating part of the developing unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge comprises a first agitator disposed in the internal space of the first casing, and wherein the toner cartridge is pivotable about an axis of the first agitator between the first position and the second position relative to the developing unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first casing is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge further comprises an inner casing disposed in the internal space of the first casing, the inner casing comprising a wall for closing the supply hole, and wherein the inner casing is rotatable relative to the first casing between an open position where the supply hole is open and a closed position where the supply hole is closed by the wall of the inner casing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the first position, the inner casing is disposed at the open position, and wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the second position, the inner casing is disposed at the closed position. ### Claim 8 A toner cartridge detachably attachable to a cartridge accommodating part of a developing unit, the developing unit comprising: a developing casing including a wall having an opening; and a developing roller accommodated in the developing casing, the toner cartridge being configured to store toner therein and comprising: a first casing defining an internal space therein and having a supply hole for allowing the toner to pass therethrough toward the developing unit; and a second casing defining an internal space in communication with the internal space of the first casing, wherein the toner cartridge is pivotable about the first casing relative to the developing unit between a first position and a second position, the toner cartridge being in the first position when the toner cartridge is attached to the cartridge accommodating part of the developing unit, wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the first position, the supply hole and the opening face each other, and wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the second position, the supply hole is offset from the opening such that the supply hole faces the wall of the developing casing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein, when the toner cartridge is attached to the cartridge accommodating part of the developing unit and the toner cartridge is in the first position, the developing roller and the first casing are arranged in a first direction, and the first casing and the second casing are aligned in line in the first direction, and wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the second position, the first casing and the second casing are aligned in line in a second direction crossing the first direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the second position, a part of the second casing is positioned outside the cartridge accommodating part of the developing unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the toner cartridge comprises a first agitator disposed in the internal space of the first casing, and wherein the toner cartridge is pivotable about an axis of the first agitator between the first position and the second position relative to the developing unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the first casing is cylindrical in shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein, the toner cartridge further comprises an inner casing disposed in the internal space of the first casing, the inner casing comprising a wall for closing the supply hole, and wherein the inner casing is rotatable relative to the first casing between an open position where the supply hole is open and a closed position wherein the supply hole is closed by the wall of the inner casing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The toner cartridge according to claim 13, wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the first position, the inner casing is disposed at the open position, and wherein, when the toner cartridge is in the second position, the inner casing is disposed at the closed position.