# US 2017/0285532 A1 · Developer Cartridge > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0285532 A1 - Document ID: US20170285532A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/472,869 - Filed: 2017-03-29 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-31 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Junichi Hashimoto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285532A1 ## CPC - G03G 15/0882: {by a peelable sealing film (resealing used developer units before refilling: G03G15/0894)} - G03G 15/087: {Developer cartridges having a longitudinal rotational axis, around which at least one part is rotated when mounting or using the cartridge} - G03G 15/0898: {for preventing toner scattering during operation, e.g. seals (sealing the donor member G03G15/0817; sealing the magnetic brush G03G15/0942)} - G03G 15/0896: {Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894} - G03G 2215/0687: using a peelable sealing film - G03G 2221/1657: transmitting mechanical drive power - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A developer cartridge includes a developer container, a casing, a sealing member, and a drive input. The developer container is configured to sealingly contain developer therein. The developer container has an outlet through which the developer flows out of the developer container. The casing is configured to accommodate the developer container therein. The casing supports the developer container to allow the developer container to rotate about an axis thereof in a rotating direction. The sealing member is configured to seal the outlet. The drive input is configured to transmit rotational driving force to the developer container. The sealing member is fixed to the casing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A developer cartridge, comprising: a developer container configured to sealingly contain developer therein, the developer container having an outlet through which the developer flows out of the developer container; a casing configured to accommodate the developer container therein, the casing supporting the developer container to allow the developer container to rotate about an axis thereof in a rotating direction; a sealing member configured to seal the outlet; and a drive input configured to transmit rotational driving force to the developer container; wherein the sealing member is fixed to the casing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member includes: a sealing portion configured to seal the outlet; and an attachment portion extending from a downstream end portion of the sealing portion with respect to the rotating direction of the developer container, the attachment portion being attached to the casing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The developer cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member is configured to elastically deform into a “U” shape, and an outer surface of a portion of the U-shaped sealing member defining the sealing portion is attached to the developer container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developer container has a circular shape when viewed along the axis of the developer container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The developer cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the developer container has a radius equal to or greater than two-thirds of a shortest distance from the axis of the developer container to an inner wall surface of the casing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developer container has a polygonal shape when viewed along the axis of the developer container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developer container includes metal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developer container includes resin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developer container includes silica gel disposed therein. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member has a sheet-like shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member includes metal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member includes resin. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The developer cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the sealing portion is adhered to the developer container by a first adhesive, and the attachment portion is adhered to the fixing portion by a second adhesive, and wherein the second adhesive has an adhesive strength greater than the first adhesive. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The developer cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the attachment portion is fixedly adhered to the fixing portion by the second adhesive. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The developer cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the sealing member has resilient restoring force, and the sealing member is configured to elastically deform into a “U” shape when the sealing portion is adhered to the developer container by the first adhesive, and configured to entirely extend straightly after the sealing portion has been completely separated from the developer container. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The developer cartridge according to claim 15, wherein the sealing portion is configured to extend along and be adhered to an inner surface of the casing after the sealing portion has been completely separated from the developer container.