Toner cartridge having shutter that selectively opens and closes toner-supply hole of the toner cartridge
AssigneeBrother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorShougo Sato
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A developer cartridge includes a casing, which accommodates a developer and is formed with an opening through which the developer is discharged. A shutter is movable between a first position to close the opening and a second position to open the opening. A first engaging part is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position. The first engaging part at the advance position allows the shutter to move between the first and second positions, and the first engaging part at the retracted position prevents the shutter from moving between the first and second positions. A maintaining member maintains the first engaging part at the retracted position in a condition where the shutter is at the first position.
Claims15
A developer cartridge comprising:
- a casing accommodating a developer and formed with an opening through which the developer is discharged;
- a shutter that is configured to move between a first position to close the opening and a second position to open the opening;
- a first engaging part that is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position with respect to the casing, wherein the first engaging part at the advanced position allows the shutter to move between the first position and the second position, and the first engaging part at the retracted position prevents the shutter from moving between the first position and the second position;
- and
- a maintaining member mounted on the casing to maintain the first engaging part at the retracted position in a condition where the shutter is at the first position.
A developing device detachably attachable to an image forming device, comprising:
- a developer cartridge accommodating a developer;
- and
- a body configured to detachably mount the developer cartridge therein, the body including an engaged part, wherein;
- the developer cartridge includes:
- a casing accommodating the developer and formed with an opening through which the developer is discharged;
- a shutter that is movable between a first position to close the opening and a second position to open the opening;
- a first engaging part that is movable between an advanced position and a retracted position with respect to the casing, wherein the first engaging part at the advanced position allows the shutter to move between the first position and the second position, and the first engaging part at the retracted position prevents the shutter from moving between the first position and the second position;
- and
- a maintaining member mounted on the casing to maintain the first engaging part at the retracted position in a condition where the shutter is at the first position, the maintaining member being detachable from the casing to enable the first engaging part to move to the advanced position;
- and
- the first engaging part at the advanced position engages with the engaged part when the developer cartridge is mounted in the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.