Patent Description:
In the following description, with reference to the drawings, the same reference numbers are assigned to the same components or to similar components having the same function, and overlapping description is omitted. An imaging system may be an imaging apparatus such as a laser printer according to some examples, or a device within an imaging apparatus such as a developing device according to other examples.

With reference to <FIG>, the example imaging apparatus <NUM> includes a conveying device <NUM>, a cartridge compartment <NUM>, an image carrier <NUM>, an exposure device <NUM>, a developing device <NUM>, a transfer device <NUM>, a cleaning device <NUM>, a fixing device <NUM>, and a discharge device <NUM>.

The conveying device <NUM> conveys a sheet P which is a recording medium having an image formed thereon on a conveying route R. The conveying device <NUM> of an example includes a pickup roller <NUM>, a separation roller <NUM>, and a registration roller <NUM> on the conveying route R. In an example, the sheets P are accommodated in a cassette K in a stacked state. The sheets P are picked up by the pickup roller <NUM> and are conveyed to the conveying route R. The sheets P conveyed to the conveying route R are separated into one sheet by the separation roller <NUM>. The separated sheet P is conveyed to a transfer region which will be described further below, at a predetermined timing by the registration roller <NUM>.

The cartridge compartment <NUM> accommodates an example toner cartridge <NUM>. The example cartridge compartment <NUM> rotatably supports the accommodated example toner cartridge <NUM>. The cartridge compartment <NUM> may include a driving device for rotating the accommodated toner cartridge <NUM>. The example toner cartridge <NUM> is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape which extends in a longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the cartridge compartment <NUM> may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the longitudinal direction of the cartridge compartment <NUM> corresponds to the direction of the Y-axis of the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system (or the Y direction).

The image carrier <NUM> may include an electrostatic latent image carrier, a photosensitive drum, or the like. The image carrier <NUM> is formed in a columnar shape extending in an axial direction in the Y direction. The image carrier <NUM> has a circumferential surface to form an electrostatic latent image. A charging roller <NUM> located adjacent the image carrier <NUM>, uniformly charges the surface of the image carrier <NUM> to a predetermined potential. The charging roller <NUM> can rotate in accordance with the rotation of the image carrier <NUM>.

The exposure device <NUM> exposes the surface of the image carrier <NUM> charged by the charging roller <NUM> in response to the image to be formed on the sheet P. Accordingly, a potential of a portion exposed by the exposure device <NUM> in the circumferential surface of the image carrier <NUM> changes so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the circumferential surface of the image carrier <NUM>. In some examples, the exposure device <NUM> emits a laser beam on the circumferential surface of the image carrier <NUM>, for example, by reflecting a laser beam output from a laser beam source using a polygonal mirror.

The developing device <NUM> develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier <NUM> by the toner supplied from the toner cartridge <NUM> so that a toner image is generated on the surface of the image carrier <NUM>. The developing device <NUM> of an example includes a developing roller <NUM>, a supply auger (screw conveyor) <NUM>, and a mixing auger (screw conveyor) <NUM>.

The developing roller <NUM>, the supply auger <NUM>, and the mixing auger <NUM> are accommodated in a casing <NUM>. The casing <NUM> is provided with a conveying path 51a in which the mixing auger <NUM> is disposed and a conveying path 51b in which the supply auger <NUM> is disposed. The developing roller <NUM> is disposed at a position higher than the supply auger <NUM> with respect to the conveying path 51b. A part of the developing roller <NUM> in the circumferential direction is exposed from the casing <NUM>. The developing roller <NUM>, the supply auger <NUM>, and the mixing auger <NUM> are rotationally driven by a driving device which responds to a control signal from a control device.

The mixing auger <NUM>, the supply auger <NUM>, and the developing roller <NUM> extend substantially parallel to each other, each having a parallel axis which defines an axial direction. The casing <NUM> may be filled with a developer containing a carrier and a toner. The mixing auger <NUM> conveys a developer in the conveying path 51a along the axial direction while mixing the developer. The developer which is conveyed to one end of the mixing auger <NUM> is conveyed to the conveying path 51b adjacent to the conveying path 51a by a predetermined mechanism. The supply auger <NUM> conveys a developer in the conveying path 51b in the axial direction. The developer conveyed through the conveying path 51b is picked up by the developing roller <NUM>. The toner contained in the picked-up developer is supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier <NUM>.

In some examples, the developing device <NUM> is provided with a sensor which measures toner concentration in the developer. For example, when it is determined via the sensor, that the toner concentration has decreased, the control device controls the toner cartridge <NUM> so that the toner is supplied to the developing device <NUM>.

The transfer device <NUM> includes a transfer roller <NUM>. The transfer roller <NUM> has an axis which is parallel to the axis of the image carrier <NUM>. The circumferential surface of the transfer roller <NUM> contacts the circumferential surface of the image carrier <NUM> to form a transfer region (a nip region). The transfer roller <NUM> applies an electric field (a transfer electric field) to the sheet P conveyed to the transfer region so that the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier <NUM> is electrically transferred to the sheet P. The toner image is transferred to the sheet P conveyed to the transfer region by the action of the transfer roller <NUM>.

The cleaning device <NUM> collects residual toner (or untransferred toner) remaining on the image carrier <NUM> after the toner image formed on the image carrier <NUM> is transferred to the sheet P. The cleaning device <NUM> includes a blade <NUM> and a collecting auger (screw conveyor) <NUM>. In an example, the collecting auger <NUM> is accommodated in a conveying path <NUM> formed in a casing <NUM>. The blade <NUM> removes the residual toner from the outer circumferential surface by scraping off the toner (the residual or untransferred toner) remaining on the outer circumferential surface of the image carrier <NUM>. The blade <NUM> is fixed to the casing <NUM> so as to contact the outer circumferential surface of the image carrier <NUM>.

The scraped residual toner (or untransferred toner) is accommodated in the casing <NUM>. The collecting auger <NUM> rotates about an axis along the Y direction so as to convey the residual toner accommodated in the casing <NUM> in the Y direction. The collecting auger <NUM> is rotationally driven by the driving device responsive to the control signal from the control device.

The fixing device <NUM> conveys the sheet P to pass through a fixing nip region for heating and pressing the sheet so that the toner image transferred from the image carrier <NUM> to the sheet P is fixed to the sheet P. The fixing device <NUM> includes a heating roller <NUM> which heats the sheet P and a pressing roller <NUM> which is rotationally driven while pressing against the heating roller <NUM>. The heating roller <NUM> and the pressing roller <NUM> are formed in a cylindrical shape and the heating roller <NUM> has a heat source such as a halogen lamp provided therein. The fixing nip region is formed between the heating roller <NUM> and the pressing roller <NUM>.

The discharge device <NUM> includes discharge rollers <NUM> and <NUM> which discharge the sheet P having the toner image fixed thereto by the fixing device <NUM> to the outside of the apparatus.

An example printing process using the example imaging apparatus <NUM>. When an image signal of a target recording image is input to the imaging apparatus <NUM>, the control device of the imaging apparatus <NUM> rotates the pickup roller <NUM> so that the sheets P stacked on the cassette K are picked up and conveyed. Then, the surface of the image carrier <NUM> is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging roller <NUM> (a charging operation). Subsequently, the exposure device <NUM> irradiates a laser beam to the surface of the image carrier <NUM> based on the received image signal so that an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the image carrier <NUM> (an exposure operation).

The developing device <NUM> develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier <NUM> so that a toner image is formed on the surface of the image carrier <NUM> (a developing operation). The formed toner image is transferred from the image carrier <NUM> to the sheet P in a transfer region in which the image carrier <NUM> faces the transfer roller <NUM>.

The sheet P to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device <NUM>. Then, the fixing device <NUM> melts and fixes the toner image to the sheet P when the sheet P passes through the fixing nip region (a fixing operation). The discharge device <NUM>, then discharges the sheet P to the outside of the imaging apparatus <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the example toner cartridge <NUM> is used to supply a toner to the developing device <NUM> of the imaging apparatus <NUM>. Further, the toner cartridge <NUM> can receive the residual toner discharged from the cleaning device <NUM> as recycled toner (e.g., excess toner or residual toner) to be reused.

The example toner cartridge <NUM> is replaceable and is loaded into the cartridge compartment <NUM> formed in the imaging apparatus <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, the example toner cartridge <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> to accommodate toner. The housing <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction (the Y direction in <FIG>). In some examples, an inlet port 120a and an outlet port 120b are formed in the housing <NUM>. The inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b are located at one end of the housing <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. The inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction. The outlet port 120b is an opening for supplying a toner to the developing device <NUM>. The inlet port 120a is an opening for receiving residual toner (an untransferred toner) removed from the image carrier <NUM> into the housing <NUM>, as a recycled toner to be reused. The inlet port 120a is formed in the housing <NUM> so as to be separated from the outlet port 120b.

With reference to <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes a toner container <NUM>, a cap member <NUM>, and a conveying member <NUM>. The toner container <NUM> is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape which extends in a longitudinal direction (the Y direction) and includes a closed end 110a, an opening end 110b opposite the closed end 110a, and a circumferential wall <NUM> connecting the closed end 110a and the opening end 110b. The opening end 110b of the toner container <NUM> is provided with a flange <NUM> having an annular plate shape and surrounding an opening.

The circumferential wall <NUM> is provided with a spiral groove 111a which extends from the closed end 110a to the opening end 110b. Accordingly, the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall <NUM> includes a convex portion 111b continuous in a spiral shape and formed by the groove 111a. The toner container <NUM> may rotate about an axis (a rotational axis) along the longitudinal direction, to move the toner accommodated in the toner container <NUM> along the axial direction by the action of the convex portion 111b. The toner container <NUM> may rotate in a direction indicated by the rotation arrow in <FIG>, to urge the toner to move from the closed end 110a toward the opening end 110b. Additionally, in an example, a driving device for rotating the toner container <NUM> may be provided in the cartridge compartment <NUM> of the imaging apparatus <NUM>. For example, the driving device may engage with the closed end 110a so as to rotate the toner container <NUM>.

With further reference to <FIG>, the example cap member <NUM> is a member that covers the opening end 110b of the toner container <NUM>. the cap member <NUM> is schematically illustrated in <FIG>, with a first paddle and a second paddle of the conveying member being omitted. The cap member <NUM> includes a closing wall <NUM> which forms one end in the longitudinal direction (the Y direction) and a peripheral wall, e.g., a circumferential wall <NUM>, which extends from the closing wall <NUM> to the opposite end in the longitudinal direction. In the example cap member <NUM>, the closing wall <NUM> is formed in a circular plate shape. The circumferential wall <NUM> includes a base end wall <NUM> which is close to the closing wall <NUM> and a front end wall <NUM> which is distal to the closing wall <NUM> in relation to the base end wall <NUM>. The base end wall <NUM> and the front end wall <NUM> of the circumferential wall <NUM> are formed in a cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the front end wall <NUM> is larger than the inner diameter of the base end wall <NUM> and the outer diameter of the flange <NUM>. The inner diameter of the base end wall <NUM> is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange <NUM>. The base end wall <NUM> and the front end wall <NUM> are connected to each other by a step portion <NUM> having a annular plate shape that is oriented parallel to the closing wall <NUM>.

The cap member <NUM> engages with the flange <NUM> of the toner container <NUM>, for example, via a plurality of engagement claws 125a formed in the circumferential direction. An engagement claw 125a of an example is formed at a position separated from the step portion <NUM> in the inner circumferential surface of the front end wall <NUM> of the cap member <NUM>. In a state in which the cap member <NUM> engages with the toner container <NUM>, a ring member <NUM> having an annular plate shape is disposed between the step portion <NUM> of the cap member <NUM> and the flange <NUM> of the toner container <NUM>.

The outer diameter of the ring member <NUM> is smaller than the inner diameter of the front end wall <NUM> of the circumferential wall <NUM> and is larger than the inner diameter of the base end wall <NUM>. The inner diameter of the ring member <NUM> may be substantially the same as, for example, the inner diameter of the flange <NUM>. The ring member <NUM> adheres to the flange <NUM> via an adhesive material such as double-sided adhesive tape and adhesive. The ring member <NUM> is formed of an elastic member such as a sponge made of urethane resin. In a state in which the cap member <NUM> engages with the toner container <NUM>, the ring member <NUM> is compressed in the axial direction by the step portion <NUM> and the flange <NUM>. For example, the cap member <NUM> may rotatably support the toner container <NUM> while sealing the opening end 110b of the toner container <NUM>.

In an example, the inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b are formed in the base end wall <NUM> of the cap member <NUM> (cf. The outlet port 120b is provided at a position close to the closing wall <NUM> in relation to the inlet port 120a. In some examples, the outlet port 120b is provided closer to the closing wall <NUM> in relation to the center of the base end wall <NUM> in the longitudinal direction (the Y direction), and the inlet port 120a is provided closer to the front end wall <NUM> in relation to the center of the base end wall <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the inlet port 120a is offset from the outlet port 120b in the circumferential direction. In some examples, an angular offset between the inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b in the circumferential direction may be approximately <NUM>° or less. In some examples, the inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b are formed in a substantially rectangular shape.

The inlet port 120a is provided with a shutter 120c. The shutter 120c is formed to be larger than the inlet port 120a and slides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the inlet port 120a so as to open and close the inlet port 120a. Similarly, the outlet port 120b is provided with a shutter 120d. The shutter 120d is formed to be larger than the outlet port 120b and slides in the longitudinal direction so as to open and close the outlet port 120b. The shutters 120c and 120d are illustrated in an opened configuration in <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, the conveying member <NUM> conveys the toner having been conveyed to the opening end 110b of the toner container <NUM>, to the closing wall <NUM> of the cap member <NUM> while mixing the toner. The conveying member <NUM> extends in a range including (to align with) at least a gap between the inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b in the axial direction (the Y direction). The conveying member <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> having a plate shape and a second portion <NUM> having a cylindrical shape. In some examples, the first portion <NUM> includes a narrow portion 141b having a smaller size in the width direction intersecting the axial direction and a wide portion 141a having a larger size in the width direction relative to the narrow portion 141b. In the width direction, the center positions of the narrow portion 141b and the wide portion 141a match each other. In an example, the narrow portion 141b and the wide portion 141a have a rectangular shape. The size of the width of the wide portion 141a is set to be equal to or less than, for example, the size of the inner diameter of the flange <NUM>. Additionally, the size of the width of the wide portion 141a may be larger than the size of the inner diameter of the flange <NUM>.

The narrow portion 141b may be sized so that the narrow portion can be inserted from the opening end 110b of the toner container <NUM> into the inner space of the toner container <NUM>. In some examples, the size of the width of the narrow portion 141b may be equal to or less than a gap formed between the convex portions (or the inward protrusions) 111b that face each other near the opening of the toner container <NUM>. In the example illustrated in the drawings, the narrow portion 141b is fixed between the convex portions 111b facing each other, to drive the conveying member <NUM> into rotation together with the toner container <NUM>. That is, when the toner container <NUM> rotates, the conveying member <NUM> also rotates. A boundary position between the wide portion 141a and the narrow portion 141b in the axial direction may coincide, for example, with the position of the flange <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> may have a plate shape and include a first flat surface and a second flat surface opposite the first flat surface. Each of the first and second flat surfaces may include a conveying paddle <NUM> (cf. <FIG> and <FIG>). In some examples, the conveying paddle <NUM> is erected on the first portion <NUM> so as to be orthogonal to the first and second flat surfaces of the first portion <NUM>. The conveying paddle <NUM> is formed so that the front end side in the axial direction is inclined toward the rear side of the toner container in the rotation direction when the toner is conveyed. Additionally, the front end side of the axial direction indicates the side of the closing wall <NUM> in the Y direction. Each conveying paddle <NUM> is formed in a plate shape having a substantially semi-elliptical shape. Accordingly, the pair of conveying paddles <NUM> has a substantially circular shape as viewed from the axial direction (cf.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the conveying paddle <NUM> is formed from the narrow portion 141b to the wide portion 141a in the axial direction. In some examples, a portion (a small diameter portion 142a) erected from the narrow portion 141b in the conveying paddle <NUM> is formed in a quarter elliptical shape having a short diameter (radius of minor axis) that is about half the width of the narrow portion 141b. Further, a portion (a large diameter portion 142b) erected from the wide portion 141a in the conveying paddle <NUM> is formed in a quarter elliptical shape having a short diameter that is about half the width of the wide portion 141a. The small diameter portion 142a is inserted into the opening of the toner container <NUM> and has a function of conveying the toner in the toner container <NUM> from the opening to the outside.

The large diameter portion 142b is provided with the first paddle <NUM>. The first paddle <NUM> is formed in an arc shape along the circumferential edge of the large diameter portion 142b and is provided in the circumferential edge of the large diameter portion 142b. In a state in which the toner cartridge <NUM> is assembled, the first paddle <NUM> may contact the inner surface of the base end wall <NUM> of the cap member <NUM>. The first paddle <NUM> is formed by, for example, an elastic film including urethane rubber or the like.

The second portion <NUM> may extend continuously from the wide portion 141a of the first portion <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and the inner diameter of the second portion <NUM> is substantially the same as the width of the wide portion 141a of the first portion <NUM>, so that a part of the wide portion 141a of the first portion <NUM> is inserted into the inner space of the second portion <NUM> (cf. The outer circumferential surface of the second portion <NUM> is provided with a plurality of second paddles <NUM>. In some examples, eight second paddles <NUM> are arranged at substantially equal distances along the circumferential direction (cf. For example, the second paddle <NUM> may be an elastic film formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and adheres to a pedestal (or protruding step) 145a that protrudes from the circumferential surface of the second portion <NUM>.

The pedestal 145a is inclined radially outwardly toward the rear side (e.g., the upstream side) in the rotation direction when viewed from the axial direction. Accordingly, a rear side of the second paddle <NUM> in the rotation direction is spaced away from the outer circumferential surface of the second portion <NUM>. The second paddle <NUM> may contact the inner surface of the base end wall <NUM> of the cap member <NUM>. Further, the pedestal 145a is formed so that the front end side in the axial direction is inclined toward the rear side of the toner container <NUM> in the rotation direction when the toner is conveyed. Accordingly, the second paddle <NUM> is arranged so that the front end side in the axial direction is inclined toward the rear side of the rotation direction.

In some examples, the second portion <NUM> is provided with a plurality of window portions <NUM>, which communicate the inside with the outside of the second portion <NUM> (cf. The window portions <NUM> are formed between pedestals 145a in the circumferential direction. In some examples, eight pedestals 145a are formed and four window portions <NUM> are formed at the same interval in the circumferential direction. The number of the window portions may vary. For example, there may be three or less window portions in some examples, or five or more window portions in other examples.

With reference to <FIG>, the first paddle <NUM> is positioned to align with the inlet port 120a in the axial direction so as to mix the fresh toner in the toner container <NUM> with the recycled toner (excess or residual toner to be reused) supplied from the inlet port 120a. The second paddle <NUM> is positioned to align with the outlet port 120b so as to convey the mixed toner to the outlet port 120b. Two notches 148a are formed at the free end side of the second paddle <NUM> along the rotation direction. The two notches 148a are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. Accordingly, the free end of the second paddle <NUM> is divided into three sections 149a, 149b, and 149c in the axial direction, including a center section 149c and two side sections 149a and 149b.

In an example, the center section 149b is longer than the side sections 149a and 149b, such that the center section 149b has a length from the base end that is greater than the length of the side sections 149a and 149c. In the other sections 149a and 149c, the front end side of the axial direction is inclined backward in the rotation direction at the rear side of the rotation direction similarly to the pedestal 145a. The rear side of the center section 149b is formed along the axial direction in the rotation direction. When the toner container <NUM> and the conveying member <NUM> rotate with respect to the cap member <NUM>, the center section 148b can be pushed out from the outlet port 120b.

The toner cartridge <NUM> which is loaded into the cartridge compartment <NUM> receives the recycled toner from the cleaning device <NUM> and discharges the mixed toner obtained by mixing the fresh toner with the recycled toner to the developing device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the toner cartridge <NUM>, the cleaning device <NUM>, the image carrier <NUM>, and the developing device <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view for describing the recycled toner path connected to the cleaning device. In <FIG>, each component is cut at the position of the recycled toner path. <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view for describing the toner supply path connected to the developing device. In <FIG>, each component is cut at the position of the toner supply path. With reference to <FIG>, the cleaning device <NUM>, the image carrier <NUM>, and the developing device <NUM> may be supported by the pair of side plates <NUM> and <NUM> to be positioned.

A recycled toner path <NUM> having a substantially elongated shape is connected to the cleaning device <NUM>. The recycled toner path <NUM> conveys the recycled toner collected by the cleaning device <NUM> to the inlet port 120a of the toner cartridge <NUM>. The inlet port 120a is located lower than the cleaning device in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the recycled toner path <NUM> is inclined from a first end toward the cleaning device <NUM> to a second end connected with the inlet port 120a, such that the second end is lower than the first end, in the vertical direction. The recycled toner path <NUM> in an example is connected to one end of the conveying path <NUM> (cf. <FIG>) accommodating the collecting auger <NUM>. In some examples, an outlet port 75a is formed in the casing <NUM> constituting the cleaning device <NUM>. The outlet port 75a is located at a downstream end of the conveying path <NUM> and communicates the inside with the outside of the casing <NUM>. The side plate <NUM> is provided with an opening 7a formed at a position corresponding to the outlet port 75a and the inlet of the recycled toner path <NUM> is connected to the opening 74a (cf. A rotation shaft 73a of the collecting auger <NUM> protrudes from the opening 7a of the side plate <NUM> into the recycled toner path <NUM>.

The inner space of the recycled toner path <NUM> is provided with a conveyor belt <NUM> which conveys the recycled toner. The conveyor belt <NUM> is suspended between a fixed shaft 77a and the rotation shaft 73a of the collecting auger <NUM> in the recycled toner path <NUM>. For example, the conveyor belt <NUM> may be driven in accordance with the rotation of the collecting auger <NUM>. The fixed shaft 77a is formed in the vicinity of the outlet of the recycled toner path <NUM>. A plurality of fins (upright portions) 77b are formed at the same interval in the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt <NUM>. When the conveyor belt <NUM> is rotationally driven in accordance with the driving of the collecting auger <NUM>, the fin 77b moves while contacting the inner surface of the recycled toner path <NUM>.

The outlet of the recycled toner path <NUM> is connected to the inlet port 120a of the toner cartridge <NUM> that is loaded into the cartridge compartment <NUM>. In an example, the outlet of the recycled toner path <NUM> is provided with a collar portion 72a. When the toner cartridge <NUM> is loaded into the cartridge compartment <NUM>, the collar portion 72a slides open the shutter 120c provided in the inlet port 120a of the toner cartridge <NUM> and is connected to the inlet port 120a so as to cover or overlap the inlet port 120a.

The developing device <NUM> is provided with a cylindrical toner supply path <NUM>. The toner supply path <NUM> is a portion which receives the toner discharged from the outlet port 120b of the toner cartridge <NUM> and introduces the toner into the developing device <NUM>. The inlet of the toner supply path <NUM> is connected to the outlet port 120b of the toner cartridge <NUM> that is loaded into the cartridge compartment <NUM>. The toner supply path <NUM> is inclined so that a connection side to the outlet port 120b is directed upward. For example, the toner supply path <NUM> may be inclined from a first end that is connected to the outlet port 120b to a second end that is connected to the developing device, such that the second end is positioned lower than the first end, in the vertical direction. In an example, the inlet of the toner supply path <NUM> is provided with a collar portion 57a. When the toner cartridge <NUM> is loaded into the cartridge compartment <NUM>, the collar portion 57a slides open the shutter 120d provided in the outlet port 120b of the toner cartridge <NUM> and is connected to the outlet port 120b so as to cover (or overlap with) the outlet port 120b. The outlet of the toner supply path <NUM> communicates with the conveying path 51a in which the mixing auger <NUM> is disposed. In some examples, the outlet of the toner supply path <NUM> communicates with the upstream end of the conveying path 51a.

An example operation of supplying and circulating the toner will be described. As described in the examples above, the developing device <NUM> develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier <NUM> so that the toner image is formed on the surface of the image carrier <NUM> (a developing operation). At this time, the developing device <NUM> supplies the toner to the image carrier <NUM>. After the toner image formed on the image carrier <NUM> is transferred to the sheet P, the residual toner (or untransferred toner) remaining on the image carrier <NUM> is collected by the cleaning device <NUM>. The collected residual toner is conveyed by the collecting auger <NUM> to the inlet of the recycled toner path <NUM> as the recycled toner to be reused. The conveyed recycled toner is conveyed by the conveyor belt <NUM> in the recycled toner path <NUM> and is supplied into the toner cartridge <NUM>, via the inlet port 120a of the toner cartridge <NUM>.

When the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge <NUM> to the developing device <NUM>, the toner container <NUM> is rotated by the driving device. When the toner container <NUM> rotates, the fresh toner in the toner container <NUM> is conveyed toward the opening end 110b by the action of the convex portion 111b. The fresh toner is discharged to the outside of the toner container <NUM> by the action of the small diameter portion 142a of the conveying member <NUM>. The discharged fresh toner is conveyed to the front end side in the Y direction while being mixed by the action of the large diameter portion 142b and the first paddle <NUM>. At this time, the recycled toner supplied from the inlet port 120a is also conveyed to the front end side while being mixed by the action of the large diameter portion 142b and the first paddle <NUM>. Accordingly, the fresh toner discharged from the toner container <NUM> and the recycled toner input from the inlet port 120a are mixed by the action of the large diameter portion 142b and the first paddle <NUM> to form the mixed toner, and the mixed toner is conveyed to the front end side. The conveyed mixed toner is discharged from the outlet port 120b while being further mixed by the second paddle <NUM>. At this time, the mixed toner conveyed into the second portion <NUM> can be moved to the outer circumferential side of the second portion <NUM> through the window portion <NUM>. The discharged mixed toner is supplied from the toner supply path <NUM> into the developing device <NUM>. The supplied mixed toner is used in the developing operation as described further above.

As described above, in the example toner cartridge <NUM>, the housing <NUM> accommodating the fresh toner is provided with the outlet port 120b and the inlet port 120a, and the fresh toner is mixed with the recycled toner in the housing <NUM> to produce mixed toner. Accordingly, a same device may be used for mixing the fresh toner and the recycled toner, so as to reduce the size and complexity of the imaging apparatus.

Further, the housing <NUM> includes the toner container <NUM> with the closed end 110a and the opening end 110b opposite the closed end 110a, and the cap member <NUM> covering the opening end 110b of the toner container <NUM>. The inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b are formed in the cap member <NUM>. In an example, the cap member <NUM> includes the closed wall <NUM> which forms one end in the longitudinal direction (the Y direction) and the circumferential wall <NUM> which extends from the closed wall <NUM> to the other end side of the longitudinal direction and the inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b are formed in the circumferential wall <NUM>. Accordingly, since the recycled toner is mixed with the fresh toner discharged from the toner container <NUM>, the ratio between the fresh toner and the recycled toner in the mixed toner remains more stable.

Further, the example toner cartridge <NUM> includes the conveying member <NUM> located between the inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b inside the cap member <NUM>, to more easily mix the toner via the conveying member <NUM>, in a range of conveyance of the recycled toner input from the inlet port 120a to the outlet port 120b.

Further, the toner container <NUM> and the conveying member <NUM> relatively rotate with respect to the cap member <NUM>. In this configuration, the toner container <NUM> can be rotated while the cap member <NUM> is fixed in the imaging apparatus <NUM>. Accordingly, the alignment and/or connection of the inlet port 120a with the recycled toner path <NUM>, and of the outlet port 120b with the toner supply path <NUM> can be more easily achieved.

The first paddle <NUM> is positioned to align with the inlet port 120a so as to convey the fresh toner in the toner container <NUM> and to mix the conveyed fresh toner with the recycled toner that is input or supplied from the inlet port 120a. Further, the second paddle <NUM> is positioned to aligned with the outlet port 120b so as to convey the mixed toner to the outlet port 120b.

The first paddle <NUM> is disposed so as to contact the inner surface of the circumferential wall <NUM> of the cap member <NUM>. In this configuration, the first paddle <NUM> can rotate with respect to the cap member <NUM> while contacting the inner surface of the circumferential wall <NUM> of the cap member <NUM>. Since no gap is formed between the first paddle <NUM> and the inner surface of the circumferential wall <NUM>, the toner is inhibited from remaining stagnant within the cap member <NUM>.

The conveying member <NUM> is disposed in the opening end 110b of the toner container <NUM> from the inside and the outside of the toner container <NUM>, to more easily convey the fresh toner in the toner container <NUM>, from the inside of the toner container <NUM> to the outside through the opening end 110b.

The housing <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction (the Y direction) and the inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction. The recycled toner supplied from the inlet port 120a is mixed with the fresh toner accommodated in the toner cartridge <NUM> until the recycled toner is conveyed to the outlet port 120b. In some examples, the conveying member <NUM> is located between the inlet port 120a and the outlet port 120b in the longitudinal direction and the conveying member <NUM> is configured to mix the recycled toner with the fresh toner in the housing <NUM>, in order to more reliably mix the recycled toner with the fresh toner in the housing <NUM>.

Further, the example imaging apparatus <NUM> includes the toner supply path <NUM> which receives the toner from the outlet port 120b of the toner cartridge <NUM> and the recycled toner path <NUM> which conveys the recycled toner to the inlet port 120a of the toner cartridge <NUM>. The toner supply path <NUM> is inclined so that a connection side to the outlet port 120b is directed upward and the recycled toner path <NUM> is inclined so that a connection side to the inlet port 120a is directed downward, so that the toner is conveyed downward, and more easily conveyed along the path.

Further, the recycled toner path <NUM> includes the conveyor belt <NUM> which conveys the recycled toner, to suppress or inhibit the stagnation of the toner in the recycled toner path <NUM>. Since the conveyor belt <NUM> includes the plurality of fins 77b (convex portions) erected on the surface of the conveyor belt <NUM>, the toner can be more efficiently conveyed by the action of the fin 77b.

It is to be understood that not all aspects, advantages and features described herein may necessarily be achieved by, or included in, any one particular example. Indeed, having described and illustrated various examples herein, it should be apparent that other examples may be modified in arrangement and detail is omitted.

Claim 1:
A replaceable toner cartridge (<NUM>) for an imaging apparatus (<NUM>) including a developing device (<NUM>) having an image carrier (<NUM>), the replaceable toner cartridge comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) to accommodate toner;
an outlet port (120b) formed in the housing to supply the toner to the developing device; and
an inlet port (120a) formed in the housing and spaced apart from the outlet port, to receive a residual toner removed from the image carrier of the developing device, as a recycled toner; wherein:
the housing includes a toner container including a closed end (110a) and an opening end (110b) opposite the closed end, and a cap member (<NUM>) to cover the opening end of the toner container,
the inlet port and the outlet port are formed in the cap member,
the housing extends in a longitudinal direction (Y), characterized in that
the inlet port and the outlet port of the cap member are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction, when the cap member is coupled to the housing, and
the toner cartridge comprises a conveying member (<NUM>) that is located between the inlet port and the outlet port in the longitudinal direction to mix the recycled toner received from the developing device with the toner in the housing.