Patent Publication Number: US-2021165346-A1

Title: Refill dispenser for refilling developer cartridge

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     An image forming apparatus uses a developer such as ink or toner to print an image on a recording medium such as paper. Since the ink or toner is used every time an image forming operation proceeds, the ink or toner is exhausted after a predetermined number of operations. In that case, a component storing the ink or toner may be replaced or refilled with ink or toner. In considering whether to replace or refill the component, issues such as convenience and costs may be considered. For example, when considering whether to replace or refill a cartridge containing toner, the cost of the cartridge and the ease with which the cartridge is refilled with toner may be considered. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Certain examples of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view illustrating an image forming apparatus, according to an example; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus, according to an example; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of an image forming apparatus, according to an example; 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a printing engine, according to an example; 
         FIG. 5  is a view illustrating a developer refill dispenser, according to an example; 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a more specific configuration of a developer refill dispenser, according to an example; and 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a more specific configuration of a refill dispenser, according to another example. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, parts, components, and structures. It should also be noted that the figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES 
     Various examples now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples described hereinafter may be modified in many different forms. To more clearly describe features of examples, matters well known to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the below examples pertain will not be described in detail. 
     Throughout the description, when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or can be connected or coupled to the other element with one or more intervening element interposed therebetween. 
     In the following description, a singular expression includes a plural expression, unless otherwise specified. It is also to be understood that terms such as “comprises” or “includes” are used herein to designate a presence of a characteristic, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a component, or a combination thereof, and not to preclude the presence or the possibility of adding one or more of other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or a combination thereof. 
     The term “image forming apparatus” refers to any device that is able to print data that is generated by a terminal device such as a computer on a recording medium such as paper. Examples of an image forming apparatus include a copier, a printer, a scanner, a facsimile, or a multi-function peripheral (MFP) that combines two or more functions of the copier, the printer, the scanner, or the facsimile through a single device. 
     The term “image forming job” as used herein may mean any of various jobs or processes related to an image (e.g., printing, copying, scanning, or faxing), such as forming an image or generating/storing/transmitting an image file, and “job” may mean not only an image forming operation but also a series of processes which are necessary for performing an image forming operation. 
     The term “user” may mean a person who performs an operation related to an image forming operation using an image forming apparatus or a device connected with an image forming apparatus by wire or wirelessly. The term “administrator” may mean a person who has authority to access all the functions and systems of the image forming apparatus. The “administrator” and the “user” may be the same person. 
     An image forming apparatus uses a developer such as ink, toner, or the like to print an image on a recording medium such as paper. To provide the developer during an image forming job, a cartridge is provided within the image forming apparatus, the cartridge having the developer therein. Because the developer is supplied from the cartridge for each image forming job and because the amount of developer included in the cartridge is limited, the developer is exhausted after a predetermined number of image forming jobs. In that case, rather than replace the cartridge, it may be desired to refill the cartridge with developer as refilling the cartridge may be a lower cost alternative to replacing the cartridge. Further, refilling the cartridge may be a quicker, easier, and cleaner process for a user as opposed to replacing the cartridge and thus reduce the amount of time or effort as compared with that needed for replacing the cartridge. Accordingly, a dispenser or canister for refilling a developer cartridge may be provided. 
     In the following description, the terms “developer,” “ink,” “toner,” or the like may be used interchangeably in reference to a developing agent used for image processing. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an image forming apparatus that may be coupled to a refill dispenser for providing toner to a toner cartridge of the image forming apparatus, according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an image forming apparatus  10  may include a main body  1  and a developer cartridge (not shown) that is removable from the main body  1 . The image forming apparatus  10  may further include one or more display that may provide information to a user. For example, the image forming apparatus  10  may include a first display  15   a  to provide information regarding a status of the image forming apparatus  10  such as an amount of remaining paper, an error state of the image forming apparatus  10 , or the like, and may include a second display  15   b  to provide information regarding an amount of remaining developer. In another example, the image forming apparatus  10  may include a single display to provide information such as an amount of remaining developer, an amount of remaining paper, an error state of the image forming apparatus  10 , or the like. 
     The main body  1  may be provided with a door  3  and the door  3  may open and close a portion of the main body  1 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , the door  3  is illustrated for opening an upper portion of the main body  1 . However, this is merely an example and a door for opening a side or the whole of the main body  1  may be employed if necessary. The developer cartridge may be mounted in the main body  1  or removed from the main body  1 . 
     The main body  1  may be provided with a coupling portion  8  such that a developer refill dispenser  20  may be coupled to the main body  1 . The coupling portion  8  may be provided on an upper surface  11  of the main body  1  such that the developer refill dispenser  20  may be coupled to the upper surface  11  through the coupling portion  8 . The coupling portion  8  may be coupled with the developer cartridge to provide a path through which toner from the developer refill dispenser  20  may be provided to the cartridge. In an example, the coupling portion  8  may be provided at a position close to a front portion  12  of the main body  1 . However, the coupling portion  8  may be located at other positions of the main body  1 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus, according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an image forming apparatus  100  may include a display  110 , a printing engine  120 , and a processor  130 . 
     The display  110  may display various kinds of information provided by the image forming apparatus  100 . For example, the display  110  may display information on an amount of remaining paper, an error state of the image forming apparatus  10 , an amount of toner in a toner cartridge  200  in the image forming apparatus  100 , or the like. Further, the display  110  may indicate that the toner in the toner cartridge  200  needs to be refilled when the toner is below a preset amount. 
     The printing engine  120  may form an image. For example, the printing engine  120  may perform printing using toner contained in the toner cartridge  200 . The printing engine  120  may include various consumable devices which are directly or indirectly involved in an image forming job. For example, in the case of a laser image forming apparatus, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transferring device, a fixing device, various rollers, a belt, an organic photo conductor (OPC) drum, and the like can be consumable devices. In addition, various types of devices requiring replacement, such as a developing device, may be defined as a consumable device. One of such consumable devices is a toner cartridge, and the toner cartridge can perform the function as the developing device as described above. An example configuration and operation of a printing engine will be described later with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The toner cartridge  200  provides toner to a developing device and toner in the toner cartridge  200  can be refilled by a developer refill dispenser, such as the developer refill dispenser  20  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The processor  130  may control components in the image forming apparatus  100 . For example, the processor  130 , when receiving print data from a printing control terminal device (not shown), may control the printing engine  120  so that the received print data is printed, or the like. Here, the printing control terminal device may be an electronic device which provides the printing data and may be a personal computer (PC), a notebook, a tablet PC, a smartphone, a server, and the like. 
     The processor  130  may be configured as a single device such as a central processing unit (CPU), or may be configured as a plurality of devices such as a clock generation circuit, a CPU, and a graphic processor. 
     The processor  130  may determine an amount of toner in the toner cartridge  200  and control the display  110  so that the determined toner amount is displayed. In an example, the processor  130  may control the display  110  to illuminate a light-emitting area corresponding to the amount of toner. 
     In an example, when the image forming apparatus  100  is capable of performing color printing, the printing engine  120  may include a plurality of toner cartridges of different toner colors. For example, a toner cartridge for each of a cyan/magenta/yellow/black color may be included. In this way, when the printing engine  120  has a plurality of toner cartridges, the processor  130  may control the display  110  to display a toner amount of each of the plurality of toner cartridges. Furthermore, if a toner cartridge for each of the cyan/magenta/yellow/black colors is included, the image forming apparatus may be provided with a corresponding coupling portion (such as coupling portion  8  of  FIG. 1 ) for each toner cartridge. 
     The processor  130 , when displaying a toner amount of each of the aforementioned plurality of toner cartridges, may control the display  110  so that the light-emitting area and the background area have a color corresponding to the toner color of the toner cartridge  200  which is currently displayed. Accordingly, a user may intuitively see colors that are displayed on the display  110  and recognize an amount of toner for a corresponding toner cartridge. 
     When the user connects a developer refilling device, such as the developer refill dispenser  20  of  FIG. 1 , to the image forming apparatus  100 , the processor  130  may determine whether the connected developer refilling device is usable (e.g., genuine, authorized, etc.). In an example, the processor  130  may not only confirm whether the connected developer refilling device is a genuine device or a device having a usage history, but may also determine whether a developer (e.g., toner) color of the developer refilling device and a toner color of the toner cartridge  200  that needs to be refilled coincide with each other. 
     The processor  130  may control the toner cartridge  200  so that the developer (e.g., toner) in the developer refilling device is injected into the toner cartridge  200  if it is confirmed that the developer refilling device is usable. Here, the toner cartridge  200  may include a hole through which the toner can be injected and a locking member that electrically opens and closes the hole. Further, the toner cartridge  200  may be coupled with a coupling portion (such as coupling portion  8  of  FIG. 1 ) for receiving the toner from a developer refilling device coupled to the image forming apparatus  100  using the coupling portion. 
     When the toner in the toner cartridge  200  is refilled using the developer refilling device, the processor  130  may control the display  110  to indicate the status of the toner cartridge  200 , such as that the toner cartridge  200  has been filled. 
     An example of an image forming apparatus has been described. However, various configurations may be added additionally. Examples of such various configurations will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of an image forming apparatus, according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the image forming apparatus  100  may include the display  110 , the printing engine  120 , the processor  130 , a communication device  140 , a memory  150 , and an inputter  160 . 
     The display  110  and the printing engine  120  have been described with reference to  FIG. 2 , and a redundant description will be omitted. The processor  130  has been described with reference to  FIG. 2  and thus, the contents described in  FIG. 2  are not again described but only the contents related to the configuration added in  FIG. 3  will be described below. 
     The communication device  140  may be connected to a print control terminal device (not shown), and can receive print data from the print control terminal device. In an example, the communication device  140  is formed to connect the image forming apparatus  100  to an external device, and may be connected to the external device (e.g., a print control terminal device) via a local area network (LAN) or the Internet network, a universal serial bus (USB) port or a wireless communication (e.g., WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n, NFC, Bluetooth, etc.) port. Such a communication device  140  may be referred to as a transceiver. 
     The communication device  140  may communicate with a developer refilling device, such as a developer refill dispenser  20  of  FIG. 1 . In an example, when the developer refilling device is connected to one or more of the toner cartridge  200 , a toner box (not shown), a toner container (not shown), or the developing device (not shown), the communication device  140  may communicate with the developer refilling device. 
     If it is determined that the amount of toner in the toner cartridge  200  is less than or equal to a predetermined amount and the toner cartridge  200  needs to be replaced or refilled, the communication device  140  may transmit information about the toner cartridge  200  to a management server (not shown) or an administrator (e.g., the terminal device of the administrator). In addition, the processor  130  may perform communication with the developer refilling device using the communication device  140 . The processor  130  may perform an authentication procedure to determine whether the developer refilling device is a legitimate device based on information provided from the toner refiling device. 
     The memory  150  may store print data received through the communication device  140 . The memory  150  may store history information of a printing job which is performed by the image forming apparatus  100 . 
     The memory  150  may store information regarding a toner refill history of the toner cartridge  200 . The memory  150  may be implemented as a storage medium in the image forming apparatus  100 , or an external storage medium, for example, a removable disk including a USB memory, a web server through a network, or the like. 
     The memory  150  may be composed of a plurality of memory elements. For example, the memory may include a first memory for storing data necessary for the operation of the image forming apparatus and a second memory for storing information related to a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM) device (not shown) or a toner refilling device. In an example, the second memory may be a non-transitory memory such as an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM). 
     The inputter  160  may receive a control command to select a function from a user. For example, the function may include a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, a fax transmission function, etc. The inputter  160  may be implemented as one or more touch keys, a touch screen, or the like. If implemented as a touch screen, functions of the display  110  may be performed by the inputter  160 . 
     As described above, a user of the image forming apparatus  100  may refill the toner cartridge  200  without replacing the toner cartridge  200 . In addition, the image forming apparatus  100  may indicate the amount of toner in the toner cartridge  200  through the display  110 , so that the user can intuitively determine the amount of toner and more easily determine whether the toner needs to be refilled. 
       FIG. 4  is a view illustrating a printing engine, according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a printing engine may include a photosensitive drum  121 , a charger  122 , an exposure device  123 , a developing device  200 , a transfer device  125 , and a fixing device  128 . 
     An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum  121 . The photosensitive drum  121  may be referred to as a photosensitive drum, a photosensitive belt, or the like depending on its form. 
     The charger  122  charges the surface of the photosensitive drum  121  to a uniform potential. The charger  122  may be implemented in the form of a corona charger, a charging roller, a charging brush, or the like. 
     The exposure device  123  changes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum  121  according to the image information to be printed, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum  121   
     The developing device  200  (e.g., toner cartridge) accommodates a developer therein, and supplies the developer to the electrostatic latent image to develop the electrostatic latent image into a visible image. In various examples, the developer may be referred to as ink, toner, or the like and the use of one term versus another is not intended to limit application, use, or applicability of the developing device  200  or a developer refilling device (e.g., developer refill dispenser  20  of  FIG. 1 ) The developing device  200  may include a developing roller  127  for supplying the developer to the electrostatic latent image. 
     The visible image formed on the photosensitive drum  121  is transferred to a recording medium P by the transfer device  125  or an intermediary transfer belt (not shown). 
     The fixing device  128  fixes the visible image on the recording medium P by applying heat and/or pressure to the visible image on the recording medium P. The printing operation is completed by this series of processes. 
     The developer contained in the aforementioned developing device  200  is used whenever an image forming job is performed. Thus, it is exhausted if more than a predetermined number of image forming jobs are performed. In that case, it may be desired to refill the developer (e.g., toner) using a developer refill dispenser, thus eliminating the need to replace the developing device  200  (e.g., toner cartridge). 
       FIG. 5  is a view illustrating a developer refill dispenser, according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a developer refill dispenser  500  may include a container  510 , a diaphragm  520 , and a valve  530 . The diaphragm  520  may be movably coupled to the container  510  to establish a first section  540  and a second section  550  by being interposed therebetween. Though not shown, the first section  540  may include developer (e.g., ink, toner, etc.) therein. The second section  550  provides a pressure greater than an atmospheric pressure on a first or top surface the diaphragm  520 . A second or bottom surface of the diaphragm  520  is exposed to the first section  540  such that the pressure from the second section  550  is applied on the first section  540 . Based on the applied pressure from the second section  550 , developer included in the first section  540  may be removed from the first section  540  through the valve  530  upon an opening of the valve  530 . 
     The container  510  may have any of various shapes to provide a desired configuration and/or volume of the refill dispenser  500 . For example, the container  510  may be shaped as one or more of a sphere, a cylinder, a cone, a cube, a tetrahedron, another three-dimensional (3D) shape, or a combination of 3D shapes to provide a desired configuration and/or volume. The container  510  may have a top surface  511  and a bottom surface  512 . To couple the valve  530  to the container  510 , the bottom surface  512  may include an opening in which the valve  530  is located. Further, a seal  560  may be provided between the bottom surface  512  and the valve  530  to couple the valve  530  to the container  510 . Still further, the bottom surface  512  may include a flange or other orifice (not shown) extending away from the container  510  to provide a mechanical coupling to an image forming apparatus. For example, the bottom surface  512  may include a flange for coupling to a coupling portion of an image forming apparatus. In another example, the valve  530  may be provided with a flange or orifice for coupling to an image forming apparatus such as to a coupling portion of an image forming apparatus. 
     In an example, the bottom surface  512  of the container  510  may have a conical shape. In that case, the valve  530  may be coupled to an opening in the conical shaped bottom surface  512  and the seal  560  may be provided between the opening and the valve  530 . In another example, the bottom surface  512  may have a flat shape while the valve  530  may have a conical shape. In that case, the seal  560  may again be provided between the valve  530  and an opening in the bottom surface  512  of the container  510 . In other examples, the bottom surface  512  may be shaped as a sphere, a tetrahedron, a pyramid, a combination of 3D shapes, or the like. 
     The source of pressure provided by the second section  550  may be achieved by at least one of a spring or an ambient pressure that is greater than an atmospheric pressure. Upon an opening of the valve  530 , the pressure provided by the second section  550  is exerted by the diaphragm  520  to the first section  540  such that developer contained in the first section  540  is forced through the valve  530 . In that case, when the developer refill dispenser  500  is coupled to an image forming apparatus, such as by a coupling portion  8  of the image forming apparatus  10  of  FIG. 1 , the developer contained in the first section  540  is provided to a developer cartridge located within the image forming apparatus through the coupling portion. 
     In various examples, the volume and shape of the container  510  as well as the pressure applied by the second section  550  may be changed to address different needs of a user. For example, a volume of the first section  540  of the container  510  may be designed corresponding to an amount of developer that is desired to be provided to a developing cartridge of an image forming apparatus. As another example, the pressure applied by the second section  550  may similarly be designed corresponding to the amount of developer that is to be provided upon an opening of the valve  530  without asserting unnecessary pressure on the diaphragm  520  or the first section  540  prior to the opening of the valve  530 . 
     For example, to avoid compacting of developer contained in the first section  540  prior to the opening of the valve  530 , it is desired to minimize or prevent movement of the diaphragm  520  while maintaining the pressure from the second section  550 . Thus, the coupling of the diaphragm  520  to the container  510 , the seal  560 , the valve  530 , and the top surface  511  are provided to minimize or prevent a reduction of pressure of the second section  550 . For example, the coupling of the diaphragm  520  to the container  510  is provided to minimize a leakage of air and/or developer from the first section  540  to the second section  550  and to minimize a movement of the diaphragm  520  before the valve  530  is opened. 
     Similarly, the valve  530  and the seal  560  are provided to minimize or prevent a leakage of air and/or developer from the first section  540  prior an opening of the valve  530 . The top surface  511  is provided to maintain the pressure applied from the second section  550  to the diaphragm  520 . In various examples, the top surface  511  may be provided to reduce or prevent air leakage from the second section  550  through the top surface  511  or through a coupling of the top surface  511  to the container  510 , or may be provided to maintain a spring pressure applied against the diaphragm  520 . 
     Although not shown, the top surface  511  may include an opening to allow for applying the pressure to the first section  540 . For example, the top surface  511  may include an opening such as a valve through which a compressed gas such as air may be provided to the first section  540 . Further, the top surface  511  may be removable from the container  510 . In that case, a flange or other connection may be provided on each of the top surface  511  and the container  510  to accommodate removal of the top surface  511  from the container  510 . As an example, the flanges of the top surface  511  and the container  510  may be secured using a stud, a bolt, or another mechanical fastener. Further, a gasket or other seal may be provided between the container  510  and the top surface  511  to prevent or minimize a reduction in the pressure provided by the second section  550 . 
     The diaphragm  520  may be coupled with the container  510  to reduce or prevent a reduction in the pressure of the second section  550  while the valve  530  remains closed. For example, the diaphragm  520  may be coupled to the container  510  to reduce or otherwise prevent the leakage of air and/or developer from the first section  540  to the second section  550 . In that regard, the container  510  may include a first dimension such as a first cross-section that corresponds to a second dimension such as a second cross-section of the diaphragm  520 . As an example, if the container  510  is implemented having a cylindric section in which the diaphragm  520  is located, an outer diameter of the diaphragm  520  may correspond to an inner diameter of the cylindric section of the container  510 . 
     Similarly, the valve  530  may be coupled to the container  510  to reduce or otherwise prevent the leakage of air and/or developer from the first section  540  through the coupling of the valve  530  to the container  510 . Moreover, in the closed position, the valve  530  is provided to reduce or otherwise prevent the leakage of air and/or developer from the first section  540  through the valve  530 . 
     In an example, the valve  530  provides on/off flow of developer from first section  540  through the valve  530 . Examples of the valve  530  may include a ball valve, a gate valve, a knife valve, a plunger valve, or the like. 
       FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a more specific configuration of a developer refill dispenser, according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a developer refill dispenser  600  includes a container  610 , a diaphragm  620 , and a valve  630 . The diaphragm  620  movably separates the container  610  into a first section  640  and a second section  650 . The first section  640  includes a developer (e.g., toner) therein and the second section  650  provides a pressure on the diaphragm  620 . 
     The container  610  includes a top surface  611 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , the top surface  611  includes a cover  611   a,  a flange  611   b,  a seal  611   c,  and a mechanical fastener  611   d.  The cover  611   a,  the flange  611   b,  the seal  611   c,  and the mechanical fastener  611   d  are provided so the top surface  611  may be removable from the container  610 . For example, the seal  611   c  may include a gasket and the mechanical fastener  611   d  may include a bolt, a stud, or the like that couples with the flange  611   b  to secure the top surface  611  to the container  610 . In another example in which it is not necessary for the top surface  611  to be removable, the seal  611   c  may include an adhesive material to seal and mechanically couple the cover  611   a  to the flange  611   b  such that the mechanical fastener  611   d  may not be necessary and may be selectively removed. In yet another example, the top surface  611  may include a cover  611   a  provided as a cap having a threaded surface and a flange  611   b  also having a threaded surface. In that example, the threaded surfaces of the cover  611   a  and the flange  611   b  may engage as the cover  611   a  is rotated against the flange  611   b.  Further, the seal  611   c  may be provided as a gasket between the threaded cover  611   a  and the threaded flange  611   b.    
     In the example of  FIG. 6 , a bottom surface  612  of the container  610  has a conical shape with an opening. The opening of the bottom surface  612  is provided to receive the valve  630  and a seal  660  is provided between the bottom surface  612  and the valve  630 . The valve may include a ball valve, a gate valve, a knife valve, a plunger valve, or the like. Furthermore, although the bottom surface  612  is illustrated as having a conical shape with an opening to receive the valve  630 , in another example, the bottom surface  612  may be flat while a body of the valve  630  has a conical shape. In that example, the seal  660  would again be provided between the opening of the bottom surface  612  and the body of the valve  630 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 6 , the pressure applied by the second section  650  is provided by a spring  670 . In various examples, the spring  670  may include a helical compression spring, a conical compression spring, a bow spring, a diaphragm, or the like. The spring  670  may have a first end coupled to the diagraph  620  and a second end coupled to the top surface  611 . 
     The diaphragm  620  is movably coupled to the container  610  such that, upon an opening of the valve  630 , the pressure applied by the spring  670  to the diaphragm  620  causes the developer in the first section  640  to be moved through the valve  630 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , the container  610  is illustrated as having a cylindric form. In that example, an outer diameter of the diaphragm  620  is provided to couple to an inner diameter of the container  610  to minimize or prevent a leakage of air and/or developer from the first section  640  past the diaphragm  620 . The diaphragm  620  may include a rubber or other elastic material that is movable against the container  610  while minimizing or preventing leakage of air and/or developer from the first section  640  into the second section  650 . Further, a top or first surface of the diaphragm  620  and a bottom or second surface of the diaphragm  620  may include a rigid material to maintain a shape of the diaphragm  620  during its movement. In another example, the diaphragm  620  may include a sufficiently rigid material having an outer diameter that provides a seal during movement within the container  610 . 
     A size and pressure of the spring  670  may be selected based on a volume of the first section  640 , a distance between the top surface  611  and the diaphragm  620 , a volume of developer to be provided from the first section  640 , or the like. Furthermore, although only a single spring  670  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , two or more springs  670  may be provided. 
       FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a more specific configuration of a developer refill dispenser, according to another example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a developer refill dispenser  700  may include a container  710 , a diaphragm  720 , and a valve  730 . In the example of  FIG. 7 , the diaphragm  720  is provided as a deformable bag within the container  710 . A developer such as toner is provided in a first section  740 , which is within the deformable bag. A second section  750  is provided as an exterior of the deformable bag within the container  710 . The second section  750  provides a pressure  770  against the diaphragm  720  using a gas such as air at a pressure greater than an atmospheric pressure. 
     In the example of  FIG. 7 , a top surface  711  of the container  710  includes a valve  713 . The valve  713  allows for compressed gas (e.g., air, etc.) to be introduced into the second section  750  to provide the pressure  770 . 
     A bottom  712  of the container  710  includes an opening in which the valve  730  may be located. A seal  760  is provided between the opening of the bottom surface  712  and the valve  730 . In the example of  FIG. 7 , the valve  730  includes an orifice  730   a  and a plunger  730   b.  The orifice  730   a  provides a discharge path for developer when the valve  730  is opened and may provide a coupling mechanism when the developer refill dispenser  700  is coupled to an image forming apparatus. In another example, the bottom surface  712  may include a flange (not illustrated) surrounding the opening to provide a coupling to an image forming apparatus during a developer refill operation. Also, the orifice  730   a  is sealed or otherwise coupled to the diaphragm  720  to prevent the leakage of air and/or developer from the first section  740  into the second section  750 . 
     The valve  730  also includes the plunger  730   b.  During an opening operation of the valve  730 , the plunger  730   b  may be moved into the first section  740 , which may assist in aerating developer that is moved past the plunger  730   b  as the developer is expelled through the valve  730 . In other examples, the valve  730  may be implemented as any of a ball valve, a gate valve, a knife valve, or the like. In any of these examples, the valve  730  may be provided with the orifice  730   a  which may be used for coupling with an image forming apparatus. 
     The amount of pressure  770  provided in the second section  750  may be selected based on various factors such as an amount of developer desired be expelled from the first section  740  through the valve  730 , a volume of air and developer in the first section  740 , a comparative size of a volume of the first section  740  to a volume of the container  710 , a size of the opening of the valve  730 , or the like. 
     In implementation, when a user couples the developer refill dispenser  700  to an image forming apparatus to refill a developer cartridge, such as the developer cartridge  200  of  FIG. 2 , the valve  730  may be opened by a user&#39;s manipulation or may be automatically opened based on the coupling. Upon an opening of the valve  730 , the pressure  770  of the second section  750  causes developer in the first section  740  to be expelled through the opened valve  730 . Furthermore, deformation of the diaphragm  720  may assist in aerating the developer as it is expelled through the valve  730 , which in turn reduces packing of the developer. 
     Although the examples have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various changes and modifications may be made therein. For example, the relevant results may be achieved even when the described components such as systems, structures, and devices are coupled or combined in a different form than those described above or are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents. 
     Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should be defined not by the described examples alone, but by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.