US 5,845,182 A · Toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus having stirring rod with bearing

Abstract

A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a toner storing unit having two flexible stirring rods disposed therein. Two tapered bearing portions disposed on a first side wall of the toner storage unit extend partially into the first side wall without piercing the first side wall, and two bearing portions on a second side wall extend completely through the second side wall. First ends of each of the stirring rods is tapered and fits into the tapered bearing portions on the first side wall of the toner storage unit. Second ends of the stirring rods extend through the bearing portions of the second side wall of the toner storage unit. Flange members are disposed on the second ends of the stirring rods, and a seal is interposed between each flange member and the second side wall. In another embodiment of the present invention, two of the bearing portions on the first side wall are generally square, and the first ends of the stirring rods have a generally spherical tip. The second ends of the stirring rods also include generally spherical portions which are in contact with the two bearing portions on the second side wall.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus comprising:

a toner storage unit which includes a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein said first side wall includes at least one first bearing portion, said second side wall includes at least one second bearing portion, said first bearing portion being open to an interior of said toner storage unit but being closed to an exterior of said toner storage unit, and said second bearing portion extends through said second side wall;
at least one flexible stirring rod disposed within said toner storage unit, said stirring rod including a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion rotatably supported by said first bearing portion, and said second end portion rotatably supported by said second bearing portion and extending through said second side wall;
wherein said first end portion of said stirring rod is tapered to an angle .theta..sub.2, and interior walls of said first bearing portion are tapered to an angle of .theta..sub.1, said angle .theta..sub.2 being greater than said angle .theta..sub.1 such that engagement between said interior walls and said first end portion of said stirring rod is in generally radial directions with respect to said flexible stirring rod.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus having stirring rod with bearing

Life of this patent

Toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus having stirring rod with bearing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20