A powder container includes a powder containing compartment having a powder outlet connectable to a horizontally extending tube of an apparatus in conjunction with installation of the powder container in the apparatus, a removably insertable plug member to open and close the powder outlet in conjunction with installation of the powder container, and at least one discrimination protrusion projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the powder container. The powder contained in the powder containing compartment is discharged from the powder outlet thereof to the tube. A downstream end of the discrimination protrusion is positioned downstream from a downstream end of the powder outlet of the powder containing compartment in an installation direction in which the powder container is installed in the apparatus, and at least one of shape, arrangement, and quantity of the discrimination protrusion is unique to the type of powder contained in the powder container.

Claims

9 · 1 independent · depth 3

9 granted claims

›1.independentA powder container, removably installable horizontally in an apparatus, the powder container comprising:na powder containing compartment for containin…+8

A powder container, removably installable horizontally in an apparatus, the powder container comprising:na powder containing compartment for containing a powder, having a powder outlet connectable to a powder inlet of a horizontally extending tube of the apparatus in conjunction with installation of the powder container in the apparatus, the powder outlet from which the powder contained in the powder containing compartment is discharged to the tube through the powder inlet thereof;a tube inlet for receiving the tube of the apparatus;a removably insertable plug member to open and close the powder outlet of the powder containing compartment in conjunction with installation of the powder container in the apparatus; andat least one discrimination protrusion projecting from an outer circumferential surface of the powder container and positioned such that a downstream end of the discrimination protrusion is disposed downstream from a downstream end of the powder outlet of the powder containing compartment in an installation direction in which the powder container is installed in the apparatus,at least one of shape, arrangement, and quantity of the discrimination protrusion being unique to the type of powder contained in the powder container,the powder container further comprising:a horizontally extending tube connection compartment into which the tube of the apparatus is inserted horizontally after passing through the tube inlet, and in which the plug member is contained, the tube connection compartment communicating with the powder outlet of the powder containing compartment,wherein the plug member prevents discharge of the powder from the powder container when the plug member is in a closed position,wherein the powder containing compartment comprises:a container body having an opening in an upstream end portion thereof, the opening facing in the installation direction of the powder container; anda cap to cover the opening of the container body,wherein the powder outlet and the tube connection compartment are formed in the cap, andwherein the tube inlet faces in an opposite direction as the opening of the container body.

›2.↳ 1The powder container according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic data storage unit for storing data relating to the powder container, commu…d2

›3.↳ 1The powder container according to claim 1, further comprising a rotatable powder conveyance member inside the container body for conveying the powder …d2

›4.↳ 1The powder container according to claim 1, wherein the cap is retained stationary in the apparatus at a fixed position relative to the apparatus upon …d2+1

›6.↳ 1The powder container according to claim 1, further comprising a rotatable powder conveyance member inside the powder containing compartment for convey…d2

›7.↳ 1The powder container according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic data storage unit for storing data relating to the powder container, commu…d2

›8.↳ 1The powder container according to claim 1, incorporated in an image forming apparatus.d2

›9.↳ 1The powder container according to claim 1, wherein:nthe plug member prevents discharge of the powder from the powder container when the plug member is…d2

Classifications

3 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section G — Physics

G03G15/08

USPC · US Patent Classification

399/262399/12

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Pendency

2.7 y

979 days filing → grant

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1 RCE

Examiner

G. M. Hyder

art unit 2852 · TC 2800

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Citations: 32 back · 0 forward

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1 priority documents

›Priority documents — 1

Type	Document	Date
related publication	US 20110243579 A1	6 Oct 2011

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