# US 2018/0024467 A1 · Developer case and image forming apparatus including the same

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- Number: US 2018/0024467 A1
- Document ID: US20180024467A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/549,184
- Filed: 2015-12-11
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2015-02-17
- Assignees: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
- Applicants: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
- Inventors: Tatsuhiko YOSHII
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180024467A1

## CPC

- G03G 15/0887: {Arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing unit, e.g. agitating, removing impurities or humidity}
- G03G 15/0875: {cartridges having a box like shape}
- G03G 15/0891: {for conveying or circulating developer, e.g. augers}
- G03G 15/0896: {Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894}
- G03G 15/0879: {for dispensing developer from a developer cartridge not directly attached to the development unit}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A developer case (10) according to the present invention includes a case main body (30), a conveyer (33), a first tube (34), and a second tube (35). The case main body (30) contains developer and has a discharge port (30a) to discharge the developer toward an outside of the case main body (30). The conveyer (33) conveys the developer in the case main body (30) toward the discharge port (30a). The first tube (34) is arranged in the case main body (30) so as to cover the discharge port (30a). The second tube (35) communicates with an inside of the first tube (34) at a downstream side of the discharge port (30a) in a conveying direction of the developer and extends in a direction crossing to the conveying direction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A developer case comprising:
a case main body containing developer and having a discharge port to discharge the developer toward an outside of the case main body;
a conveyer conveying the developer in the case main body toward the discharge port;
a first tube arranged in the case main body so as to cover the discharge port; and
a second tube communicating with an inside of the first tube at a downstream side of the discharge port in a conveying direction of the developer and extending in a direction crossing to the conveying direction,
wherein the conveyer includes:
a rotation shaft rotatably supported by the case main body;
a first blade arranged on a circumferential face of the rotation shaft and exerting conveying force on the developer toward a downstream side of the conveying direction; and
a second blade arranged on the circumferential face of the rotation shaft at the downstream side of the discharge port in the conveying direction and exerting conveying force on the developer toward an upstream side of the conveying direction,
wherein the first blade is fixed between one end of the rotation shaft and the discharge port,
wherein the first tube extends in a horizontal direction, and
the second tube extends upward from a circumferential face of the first tube,
wherein a storing room in which the developer is stored is arranged inside the case main body, and
an evacuation room communicating with the inside of the first tube is arranged inside the second tube, and
the second tube is provided with a through opening to directly communicate the storing room and the evacuation room,
wherein the case main body includes:
a storing case formed in a box shape with an opened upper face; and
a lid sealing the upper face of the storing case, and
the through opening is formed between an upper end of the second tube and a lower face of the lid.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The developer case according to claim 1,
wherein the conveying force of the first blade is set to be larger than the conveying force of the second blade.

### Claim 3

(canceled)

### Claim 4

(canceled)

### Claim 5

(canceled)

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The developer case according to claim 1,
wherein a protrusion protruding from the lower face of the lid engages with the upper end of the second tube.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The developer case according to claim 1,
wherein the second tube is formed integrally with the case main body.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The developer case according to claim 1, further comprising a conveying coupling member which rotates integrally with the rotation shaft,
wherein the rotation shaft includes:
a rotation shaft part formed integrally with the first blade; and
a fitting shaft part to which the conveying coupling member fits, the fitting shaft part being formed integrally with the second blade,
wherein a connection part of the rotation shaft part and the fitting shaft part is positioned above the discharge port.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The developer case according to claim 1,
wherein the second tube communicates with the first tube at a position at which the second tube overlaps with the discharge port.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The developer case according to claim 1,
wherein the first blade and the second blade are not provided above the discharge port,
wherein the second blade is fixed between another end of the rotation shaft and the discharge port.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

An image forming apparatus comprising the developer case according to claim 1.