Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A toner cartridge and an image forming apparatus. According to one embodiment, in a toner cartridge, an engaging member includes a first engaging section and a sealing tape is fixed to the engaging member. A shutter includes a second engaging section and moves between a shutter first position where the shutter overlaps a toner supply port in plan view and a shutter second position where the shutter does not overlap the toner supply port in plan view. A lever includes a third engaging section and a fourth engaging section. The lever is present in a lever first position where the third engaging section and the first engaging section are disengaged. According to movement of the shutter, the lever moves in a first direction from the lever first position to a lever second position where the third engaging section engages with the first engaging section. Thereafter, the lever moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the lever second position to move the engaging member and the sealing tape in the second direction.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 326,595, filed April 21, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. technical field [0003] Embodiments described in this specification relate to a technique for removing an enclosing tape that clogs a toner supply port. Background technique [0004] Figure 12 It is a perspective view of a conventional toner cartridge 2A. [0005] Conventionally, a toner cartridge 2A (hereinafter referred to as a cartridge) used in an image forming apparatus is known. The toner supply port 31A of the cartridge 2A is sealed by the sealing belt 4A so that the toner does not scatter, and is closed by the shutter 6A from the sealing belt 4A. [0006] The user pulls the sealing tape 4A in a predetermined direction with the shutter 6A closed, peels the sealing tape 4A from the cartridge 2A, ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0007] However, in the above-mentioned conventional cartridge 2A, the shutter 6A can be opened and closed before the cartridge 2A is mounted on the image forming apparatus, so the shutter may exist before the cartridge 2A is mounted on the image forming apparatus. 6A When opening due to manual operation or impact

When the sealing tape 4A is peeled off in the state where the shutter 6A is opened, the toner is scattered and the user or the surroundings of the user may be soiled.

[0008] Furthermore, in the conventional cartridge, when the cartridge 2A is installed in the image forming apparatus without removing the sealing tape 4A, only the toner is transported in the cartridge 2A, and the toner cannot be supplied from the cartridge 2A to the image forming apparatus. status

Therefore, the toner is compressed and sticks, and there is a case where the cartridge 2A is locked.

In addition, the toner itself cannot be reused, and new toner needs to be prepared, which may cause failure of the toner conveying engine

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