US 9,429,871 B1Granted

Toner supply container and applications of same

AssigneeGeneral Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.

InventorsChuang Chin His, Xiao Zheng Yi

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Abstract

A releasing mechanism usable for a toner supply container includes a rotatable structure, a stationary structure engaged with the rotatable structure, and a pump movably connected to the stationary structure. The rotatable structure has a first magnetic member. The stationary structure has an opening for releasing toner and a second magnetic member. The pump has a pumping portion that is expandable. A first force drives the rotatable structure to rotate relative to the stationary structure, such that the first magnetic member is alternatively aligned and misaligned with the second magnetic member. When the first and second magnetic members are aligned, the pump is pushed away from the stationary structure by a repelling force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. When the first and second magnetic members are misaligned, the pump is pushed by a second force toward the stationary structure.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A toner supply container for supply toner to an apparatus, comprising:

a container body having a first end and an opposite, second end defining an inner space therebetween for accommodating the toner;
a releasing mechanism, comprising:
a gear having a first end and an opposite, second end that is fixed to the first end of the container body;
a first magnetic member fixed to the gear;
a releasing member having a first end and an opposite, second end, an opening in fluid communication with the inner space of the container body, and a sliding sheet slidable to cover or to expose the opening, wherein the first end of the gear is rotatably fixed to the second end of the releasing member;
a pump movably connected to the first end of the releasing member;
a second magnetic member fixed to the pump;
an elastic member urging against the pump;
a housing configured to accommodate a part of the gear, the first magnetic member, the releasing member, the second magnetic member, the pump, and the elastic member;
and
a first fixing member for fixing the second magnetic member, and a second fixing member for fixing the elastic member, wherein the pump has a first end in a plate shape, the first fixing member is disposed at one side of the first end of the pump, the second fixing member is disposed at the other side of the first end, and a protrusion hook of the second fixing member passes through a through hole of the pump and a through hole of the first fixing member, and fixes the first fixing member, the pump and the second fixing member together,
wherein when a driving force from the apparatus drives the gear to rotate, the rotation of the gear causes the first magnetic member to rotate so that the first magnetic member is alternatively aligned and misaligned with the second magnetic member,
when the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are aligned at an aligned position, the pump is pushed away from the releasing member by a repelling force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, or pulled toward the releasing member by an attracting force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and
when the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are misaligned at a misaligned position, the pump is pushed toward the releasing member by the elastic member, or pulled away from the releasing member by the elastic member.

11 more elements

A releasing mechanism usable for a toner supply container, comprising:

a rotatable structure having a first magnetic member;
a stationary structure engaged with the rotatable structure, and having an opening for releasing toner;
a pump movably connected to the stationary structure, and having at least one pumping portion that is expandable;
a second magnetic member connected to the at least one pumping portion;
and
a housing configured to accommodate a part of the rotatable structure, the first magnetic member, the stationary structure, the second magnetic member, and the pump, wherein the housing is fixed to the stationary structure, and the rotatable structure is rotatable relative to the housing,
wherein when driving by a first force, the rotatable structure rotates relative to the stationary structure, such that the first magnetic member is alternatively aligned and misaligned with the second magnetic member,
when the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are aligned, the pump is pushed away from the stationary structure by a repelling force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, or pulled toward the stationary structure by an attracting force generated between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, and
when the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member are misaligned, the pump is pushed by a second force toward the stationary structure, or pulled by the second force away from the stationary structure;
and
wherein the second force is provided by an elastic member, one end of the elastic member urges the pump, and the other end of the elastic member urges the housing.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/946,878Filed 20 Nov 2015
Granted: 30 Aug 2016
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G03G 15/0867
Arrangements for supplying new developer: cylindrical developer cartridges, e.g. toner bottles for the developer replenishing opening
G03G 15/087
Cylindrical developer cartridges, e.g. toner bottles for the developer replenishing opening: developer cartridges having a longitudinal rotational…
G03G 15/0877
Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer: arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer…
G03G 15/0886
Sealing of developer cartridges: by mechanical means, e.g. shutter, plug