`GENERAL PLASTIC v. CANON
`IPR2015-01954
`
`1
`
`
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`ofapplication No. 12/981,785, filed on Dec. 30, 2010,
`now Pat. No. 8,045,901, which is a division of
`application No. 12/615,012, filed on Nov. 9, 2009, now
`Pat. No. 7,890,027, which is a division of application
`No. 12/169,895, filed on Jul. 9, 2008, now Pat. No.
`7,647,012, which is a division of application No.
`11/200,179, filed on Aug. 10, 2005, now Pat. No.
`7,430,384, which is a division of application No.
`10/429,741,
`filed on May 6, 2003, now Pat. No.
`~
`~
`~
`which is
`6,990,301,
`a
`continuation in part of
`application No. 10/076,430, filed on Feb. 19, 2002,
`now Pat. No. 6,879,789.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,342,282
`4,821,875
`4,878,603
`4,902,045
`4,917,237
`4,937,628
`4,941,022
`4,971,193
`4,979,645
`4,981,218
`4,990,964
`5,068,496
`5,089,854
`5,154,212
`5,177,539
`5,177,540
`5,200,787
`5,218,407
`5,235,389
`5,248,847
`5,268,722
`5,296,900
`5,351,728
`5,383,502
`5,455,662
`5,495,323
`5,513,679
`5,515,143
`5,528,349
`5,557,382
`5,579,101
`5,593,224
`5,598,254
`5,609,101
`5,630,570
`5,655,180
`5,692,652
`5,765,079
`5,785,545
`5,794,108
`5,812,915
`5,822,663
`5,823,814
`5,828,935
`5,852,760
`5,853,814
`5,857,129
`5,870,652
`5,890,040
`5,903,806
`5,907,756
`5,909,609
`5,909,610
`5,915,155
`5,918,090
`5,918,095
`5,953,567
`
`D>>>>>D>>>>>>D>>>>>>D>D>>>>>D>D>>>>>D>>>D>D>D>D>D>>D>D>D>D>D>>>D>D>D>D>>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>
`
`8/1982
`4/1989
`11/1989
`2/1990
`4/1990
`6/1990
`7/1990
`11/1990
`12/1990
`1/1991
`2/1991
`11/1991
`2/1992
`10/1992
`1/1993
`1/1993
`4/1993
`6/1993
`8/1993
`9/1993
`12/1993
`3/1994
`10/1994
`1/1995
`10/1995
`2/1996
`5/1996
`5/1996
`6/1996
`9/1996
`11/1996
`1/1997
`1/1997
`3/1997
`5/1997
`8/1997
`12/1997
`6/1998
`7/1998
`8/1998
`9/1998
`10/1998
`10/1998
`10/1998
`12/1998
`12/1998
`1/1999
`2/1999
`3/1999
`5/1999
`5/1999
`6/1999
`6/1999
`6/1999
`6/1999
`6/1999
`9/1999
`
`.............. .. 399/106
`
`Yamashita et al.
`Groves et al.
`Ikesue et al.
`McGugan et al.
`Groves et al.
`Cipona er a1.
`Ohmura et al.
`Groves et al.
`Groves et al.
`B“ e‘ 31*
`Kmeh“
`Favalora
`Kaieda et al.
`Weber
`Tsuji
`Honda et al.
`Nishiguchi
`Matsushita et al.
`Kikuchi et al.
`Aoyama
`Ikkatai et al.
`Saijo et al.
`
`Fisk et al.
`Ichikawa et al.
`Meetze, Jr.
`Ymmda
`Shiotani
`
`Tatsumi et al.
`Omata et al.
`Ruckeit
`Ikesue et al.
`acro1x e a .
`gym ettali
`Yasuda et al.
`Wise
`Yoshiki et al.
`H0“
`Yoshizawa et al.
`Farkash
`Ichikawa et al.
`Alwine
`Tatsumi et al.
`Harris et al.
`Mmvhy
`Harris
`Kanamori et al.
`Matsuoka et 31.
`Matsuoka et al.
`Shirota et al.
`Yahata et al.
`Yoshiki et al.
`Shoji et al.
`Ichikawa et al.
`Huang
`Muramatsu et al.
`
`5,966,010
`5,966,574
`5,970,290
`6,003,675
`6,027,097
`6,032,013
`6,040,523
`6,049,685
`6,056,577
`6,064,846
`6,067,432
`6,075,963
`6,079,593
`6,091,912
`6,097,903
`6,118,951
`6,128,453
`6,131,008
`6,131,961
`6,137,972
`6,151,432
`6,151,471
`
`6’185’401
`6’199’913
`6’224’270
`6’249’501
`6’259’874
`6’266’505
`’
`’
`
`6,292,644
`6,298,208
`’
`’
`
`6,412,163
`’
`’
`
`6’533’468
`6’648’715
`6’659’680
`’
`’
`
`’
`’
`21:31:33
`6’879’789
`6’920’298
`6’944’417
`6,950,621
`’
`’
`21333532:
`6’993’273
`7’127’193
`’
`’
`
`7,376,369
`
`7,430,384
`7’433’633
`7,469,113
`7’474’866
`7,505,718
`7’647’012
`7,890,027
`7’965’963
`’
`’
`3835883333?
`2004/0009017
`2005/0169674
`
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`A
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B1
`B2
`B1
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B1
`B2
`B1
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2 *
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2 *
`B2 *
`B2
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`
`10/1999
`10/1999
`10/1999
`12/1999
`2/2000
`2/2000
`3/2000
`4/2000
`5/2000
`5/2000
`5/2000
`6/2000
`6/2000
`7/2000
`8/2000
`9/2000
`10/2000
`10/2000
`10/2000
`10/2000
`11/2000
`11/2000
`11/2000
`1/2001
`2/2001
`3/2001
`5/2001
`6/2001
`7/2001
`7/2001
`9/2001
`9/2001
`9/2001
`10/2001
`11/2001
`12/2001
`7/2002
`7/2002
`12/2002
`3/2003
`11/2003
`12/2003
`3/2004
`7/2004
`3/2005
`4/2005
`4/2005
`7/2005
`9/2005
`9/2005
`1/2006
`1/2006
`1/2006
`10/2006
`7/2007
`1/2008
`5/2008
`6/2008
`6/2008
`9/2008
`10/2008
`12/2008
`1/2009
`3/2009
`1/2010
`2/2011
`6/2011
`7/2001
`4/2002
`1/2004
`8/2005
`
`Loy et al.
`Ui et al.
`Yo shiki et al.
`Maiuyama et al.
`Humphreys
`Niizawa
`Cunningham
`Murakami et al.
`Blanchet
`Wang et al.
`Huang
`Ichikawa et al.
`Konrad
`Kitajima et al.
`Yahata et al.
`Kato et al.
`Ban et al.
`Kanamori et al.
`Heilmarm
`Playfair et al.
`Nakajima et al.
`Yahata et al.
`Hikita et al.
`Chiou
`Kanamori et al.
`Wang
`Nakajima et al.
`Nakamura et al.
`Murakami et al.
`Ban et al.
`Ban et al.
`Ichikawa et al.
`Goto et al.
`Kawamura et al.
`Omata et al.
`Ise
`Russell
`Ichikawa et al.
`Sundberg et al.
`Nakajima et al.
`Wiens et al.
`Wyer
`Hilton et al.
`Ban et al.
`Sasaki et al.
`Jones
`Yamada et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Himes
`Yamada et al.
`Toba et al.
`Yamada
`Yamada et al.
`Takawa
`Yamada et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Doi et al.
`Kawamura et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Yamada et al.
`Tsuji et al.
`Kato
`Yo shino et al.
`Yo shino et al.
`
`............. .. 399/106
`
`............. .. 399/262
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`
`0 853 260 A2
`0 897 137 A1
`0 897 138 A1
`0 905 577 A2
`1 006 415 A1
`
`7/1998
`2/1999
`2/1999
`3/1999
`6/2000
`
`2
`
`
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`Page 3
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`1 041454 A1
`1 041455 A2
`0796405 B1
`2 287 100 A
`63-135359
`1-29745
`3-256058
`4-112474
`5-75768
`8-211719
`9-222786
`9-274366
`10-48936
`10-63076
`10-63084
`10-68076
`11-2744
`11-73000
`11-73001
`11-73002
`11-102109
`2002-42384
`2002-318490
`
`10/2000
`10/2000
`2/2001
`9/1995
`6/1988
`9/1989
`11/1991
`9/1992
`3/1993
`8/1996
`8/1997
`10/1997
`2/1998
`3/1998
`3/1998
`3/1998
`1/1999
`3/1999
`3/1999
`3/1999
`4/1999
`2/2002
`10/2002
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Defendant General Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.’s Invalidity Conten-
`tions Pursuant to Local Patent Rule 4.3, dated May 8, 2012, in Case
`No. 1: 11-cv-03855-RLV in the United States District Court, North-
`ern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division.
`Notice ofAcceptance dated May 21, 2012, in Australian Application
`No. 2010201088.
`Notice ofAcceptance dated May 21, 2012, in Australian Application
`No. 2010201089.
`Notice ofAcceptance dated May 21, 2012, in Australian Application
`No. 2010201091.
`Konica Parts Catalog, Model 7020, 1st Edition, Feb. 2000, CMPC-
`7020, Konica Business Technologies, Inc., and seven (7) sheets of
`armotated illustrations and photographs of Konica 7020 and 8050
`toner bottles along with a cover sheet.
`European Search report dated Nov. 17, 2008 in European Application
`No. 08163935.3-2209/1993003.
`Austrian Patent Office Written Opinion dated Nov. 21, 2008, for-
`warded in Singapore Application No. 200602933-4 on Dec. 18, 2008.
`European Search report dated Mar. 24, 2009 in European Application
`No. 09151710.2-2209.
`Search and Examination Report from the Intellectual Property Office
`of Singapore, dated Jul. 23, 2009, for Singapore Patent Application
`No. 200604752-6, which forwards Austrian Search Report and Writ-
`ten Opinion, both dated Jun. 22, 2009, prepared by the Austrian
`Patent and Trademark Office.
`Search and Examination Report from the Intellectual Property Office
`of Singapore, dated Apr. 26, 2007, for Singapore Patent Application
`No. 200602934-2, which forwards Danish Search and Examination
`Reports, both dated Apr. 1 1, 2007, prepared by the Danish Patent and
`Trademark Office.
`Invitation to Respond to Written Opinion from the Intellectual Prop-
`erty Office of Singapore, dated Apr. 17, 2007, for Singapore Patent
`Application No. 200407942-2, which forwards Australian Search
`Report and Written Opinion, both dated Mar. 15, 2007, prepared for
`the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore.
`Australian Patent OFfice Examiner’s First Report, for Australian
`Patent Application No. 2005201134, dated Sep. 18, 2006.
`Letter from the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, dated Apr.
`18, 2006, for Singapore Patent Application No. 20020 1079- 1, which
`forwards Austrian Patent Office Supplementary Search Report, dated
`Mar. 9, 2006.
`Invitation to Respond to Written Opinion from the Intellectual Prop-
`erty Office of Singapore, dated Jan. 14, 2008, for Singapore Patent
`
`Application No. 200602933-4, which forwards Austrian Search
`Report and Written Opinion, both dated Dec. 14, 2007, prepared by
`the Austrian Patent and Trademark Office.
`Third-Party Observation filed in corresponding Japanese Laid-Open
`Publication No. 2002-318490, laid open Oct. 31, 2002 (Application
`No. 2002-42384).
`Canadian Patent Office Search Report, dated Feb. 20, 2004, for
`Canadian Application No. 2,372,419.
`Search and Examination Report from the Intellectual Property Office
`of Singapore, dated Jan. 31, 2004, for Singapore Patent Application
`No. 200201079-1, which forwards Austrian Patent Office Search
`Report and Written Opinion, both dated Dec. 22, 2003, prepared by
`the Austrian Patent Office.
`Notification of the First Office Action from the State Intellectual
`Property Office of the People’s Republic of China, dated Jul. 13,
`2007, for Chinese Application No. 2005100702734.
`Notification of the First Office Action from the State Intellectual
`Property Office of the People’s Republic of China, dated Jul. 13,
`2007, for Chinese Application No. 2005100702749.
`Notification of the First Office Action from the State Intellectual
`Property Office of the People’s Republic of China, dated Jul. 13,
`2007, for Chinese Application No. 2005100702753.
`Japanese Office Action, dated Mar. 17, 2007, issued in Japanese
`Application No. 2006-211509 (English excerpt translation pro-
`vided).
`European Search Report, dated Jan. 18, 2006, issued in European
`Application No. 02 003 651.3-2209.
`European Search Report, dated Sep. 3, 2007, issued in European
`Application No. 02 003 651.3-2209.
`Examination Report dated Dec. 10, 2009, prepared by the Austrian
`Patent Office and forwarded with a Search and Examination Report
`dated Jan. 8, 2010,
`in counterpart Singapore Application No.
`200602933-4.
`Extended European Search Report dated Feb. 18, 2010, in counter-
`part European Application No. 08163934.6-2209/1993002.
`Rejection Decision dated Feb. 12, 2010,
`in counterpart Chinese
`Application No. 200510070274.9.
`Communication dated Dec. 10, 2010, forwarding a European Search
`Report dated Dec. 6, 2010, in counterpart European Patent Applica-
`tion No. 10162683.6-2209/2216690.
`Communication dated Dec. 15, 2010, forwarding a European Search
`Report dated Dec. 6, 2010, in counterpart European Patent Applica-
`tion No. 10182966.1-2209/2270607.
`Court Order dated Jan. 9, 2014, in Case No. 1:11-cv-03855-RLV in
`the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Divi-
`s1on.
`
`Special Master’ s Claims Construction Report and Recommendations
`dated Nov. 8, 2013, in Case No. 1:11-cv-03855-RLV in the U.S.
`District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division.
`Defendant’ s Amended Invalidity Contentions Pursuant to Local
`Patent Rule 4.3, dated Apr. 9, 2014, in Case No. 1: 11-cv-03855-RLV
`in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta
`Division.
`Expert Report of D. B.E. Springett Regarding Invalidity of U.S.
`Patent No. 7,647,012, dated May 12, 2014, in Case No. 1:11-cv-
`03855-RLV in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia,
`Atlanta Division.
`Brazilian Office Action dated Sep. 9, 2014, in related Brazilian Patent
`Application No. P10216075-7 (with English translation.
`Brazilian Office Action dated Sep. 5, 2014, in related Brazilian Patent
`Application No. P10200483 -6 (with English translation.
`Brazilian Office Action dated Sep. 9, 2014, in related Brazilian Patent
`Application No. P10216078-1 (with English translation.
`Brazilian Office Action dated Sep. 9, 2014, in related Brazilian Patent
`Application No. P10216077-3 (with English translation.
`Brazilian Office Action dated Sep. 9, 2014, in related Brazilian Patent
`Application No. P10216076-5 (with English translation.
`Brazilian Office Action dated Sep. 9, 2014, in related Brazilian Patent
`Application No. P10216074-9 (with English translation.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`3
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`4
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`5
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`6
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`7
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 5 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`(B)
`(C)
`
`8
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 6 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`9
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 7 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`
`
`F!G. 9
`
`10
`
`10
`
`
`
`11
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 9 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`12
`
`*3
`31113‘?!nficfi
`
`.“““uvun.u 1
`
`
`
`1“:
`
`12
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 10 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`(C)
`
`FIG. I2
`
`13
`
`13
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 11 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`2b
`
`
`
`
`
`"I
`
`EI
`
`I I
`
`» , I
`.,
`1.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F i G. I3
`
`14
`
`
`
`a/I114
`II1.-.-::I//
`i....
`
`I.'—|
`.
`
`2d 2c
`5 (1111
`
`
`
`r.,,.,,,,
`
`
`14
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 12 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`15
`
`15
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 13 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`¥ j
`
`
`\‘ .,.,.__T. 3,
`'l_‘n‘)’i
`
`9
`
`
`
`(A)
`
`‘III
`
`
`
`
`
`V;l_-‘.‘_1__--’
`
`:
`
`j
`
`«
`
`<0)
`
`
`5
`A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`:>b
`
`16
`
`16
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 14 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`FIG.I6
`
`17
`
`17
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 15 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`18
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2a
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LR’!
`
`18
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 16 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`19
`
`19
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 17 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`20
`
`20
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 18 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`F’lG.20
`
`21
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 19 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`»
`’-'4?
`
`
`9
`
`(B)
`
`(C) 3'
`
`
`
`
`
`
`22
`
`22
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 20 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`
`
`‘SI’ 1
`
`§‘..
`
`
`
`‘
`
`‘I...
`
`I
`
`23
`
`
`
`
`
`20
`
`
`
`
`
`23
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 21 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`24
`
`24
`
`
`
`25
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 22 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`A§‘;\\\\‘L\“_'
`
`
`
`
`9:.-.-;:z.., ill"
`
`
`
`
`
`-.
`
`'.'£&z«-
`.\\\\\\\\\‘.!
`
`25
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 23 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`.K““‘.““\
`
`
`
`f’.
`
`‘.1;
`
`‘M
`
`
`A\\\\\\\\\\\‘L“ F - "
`‘
`rid
`I
`
`
`.=..=.,.7A
`_
`-|.\\*L_¢q I
`A“_§““““§\ '3'
`
`‘L
`
`26
`
`$/\—-A
`
`
`
`.
`- _ _ .u'i"i‘i'
`"",’f_7/1,
`
`
`in
`- =~'.—:—;v5../{gfl
`‘CTDC‘
`
`
`
`
`(A)
`
`(B)
`
`(C)
`
`26
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 24 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`2 S
`
`">""";_’,‘:"
`
`
`
`fifi
`
`
`
`
`
`1b
`
`
`
`27
`
`27
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 25 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`FEG. 27
`
`28
`
`28
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 26 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`2
`
`9.9
`I
`
`_
`
`
`
`Li‘
`II"?
`1 nuufimuuwo’
`‘I
`
`
`
`
`(A)
`
`(C)
`
`
`
`A
`
`.
`
`:3%C/”-’r .
`
`
`2
`
`9:
`
`.........i
` ---fi,
`
`
`
`
`2 =-
`
`
`________’
`_.x\‘N-;—::z_s'--5;
`
`1--
`J//////////.r
`-\\\‘%1‘=1:
`
`
`
`
` ~1E.
`20h
`
`
`
`I L21‘LICK‘?
`
`29
`
`29
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 27 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`;
`
`
`
`
`
`,____
`,
`
`-\\‘%**- ‘
`
`21
`‘:1
`
`
`
`(A)
`
`
`
`
`
`(B)
`
`30
`
`1
`
`
`
`I)//I/114444.? :>
`7’‘O
`4.!
`
`I LCCCCTZ?
`=l
`
`
`(c)
`
`30
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 28 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`31
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`ceD
`
`1029,
`
`h
`
`t
`
`43pl0
`
`00SU
`
`2B490,909,
`
`sG
`
`W3
`
`W35
`
`4F.
`
`E
`
`32
`
`32
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 30 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`
`9/1 A.
`
`2e
`
` :;_____
`
`al. 1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`33
`
`33
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`DDDDDDDD 14
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`FIG.33
`
`34
`
`34
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 32 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`FEG. 348
`
`35
`
`35
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 33 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`36
`
`36
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 9, 2014
`
`Sheet 34 of 34
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`20b
`
`200
`
`
`
`
`F G.
`
`
`
`37
`
`37
`
`
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`1
`SEALING MEMBER, TONER
`ACCOMMODATING CONTAINER AND
`IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED
`ART
`
`This application is a divisional application of application
`Ser. No. 13/231,388, filed Sep. 13, 201 1, which issued as U.S.
`Pat. No. 8,290,394 on Oct. 16, 2012, which is a divisional
`application of application Ser. No. 12/981,785, filed Dec. 30,
`2010, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,045,901 on Oct. 25,
`2011, which is a divisional application of application Ser. No.
`12/615,012, filed Nov. 9, 2009, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.
`7,890,027 on Feb. 15, 201 1 ; which is divisional application of
`application Ser. No. 12/169,895, filed Jul. 9, 2008, which
`issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,647,012 on Jan. 12, 2010; which is
`a divisional application of application Ser. No. 11/200,179,
`filed Aug. 10, 2005, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,430,384
`on Sep. 30, 2008; which is a divisional application of appli-
`cation Ser. No. 10/429,741 filed May 6, 2003, which issued as
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,301 on Jan. 24, 2006; and which is a
`continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No.
`10/076,430 filed Feb. 19, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.
`6,879,789 on Apr. 12, 2005.
`The present invention relates to a toner accommodating
`container, a sealing member therefor and an image forming
`apparatus, suitably usable with an image forming apparatus
`such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine.
`In a conventional electrophotographic image forming
`apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or
`a printer, fine particle toner is used as a developer. When the
`toner in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image
`forming apparatus is used up, the toner is supplied into the
`main assembly of the image forming apparatus using a toner
`accommodating container (toner supply container).
`Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is
`an apparatus which forms images on a recording material
`through an electrophotographic image formation type pro-
`cess. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus
`includes an electrophotographic copying machine, an elec-
`trophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, for
`example), a facsimile machine, word processor or the like.
`Since the toner is a very fine powder, it is known to place,
`upon toner supplying operation, a toner supply container
`inside the main assembly ofthe image forming apparatus and
`to gradually supply the toner through a small opening to avoid
`scattering of the toner.
`Any one of the above-described toner supply containers
`receives a driving force from the main assembly of an image
`forming apparatus to drive the feeding member in the toner
`supply container or the main body itselfto discharge the toner.
`As for such a drive transmitting means, there are some meth-
`ods. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Appli-
`cation Hei 05-75768 discloses that a gear portion is provided
`on an outer surface of the toner bottle (toner supply con-
`tainer), and the gear is engaged with a driving gear, by which
`the toner bottle is rotated.
`
`Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Hei 10-63084 dis-
`closes that an end surface of the toner bottle is provided with
`a projection, which is engaged with a recess formed in a
`driving portion of the main assembly of the image forming
`apparatus, thus transmitting the driving force.
`Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Hei 10-63076 dis-
`closes another type. A rotating force transmitting portion of a
`main assembly of an image forming apparatus has an inner
`diameter which is provided with a plurality of engaging
`
`2
`
`grooves, and the toner container is provided with projections
`engageable with the engaging grooves. The rotational driving
`force is transmitted through the engagement therebetween.
`As described, various drive transmission methods are pro-
`posed for driving the toner supply container.
`However, the conventional structures involve some prob-
`lems.
`In the case of Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Applica-
`tion Hei 05 -75768, when the toner bottle is inserted into the
`main assembly ofthe image forming apparatus, it is necessary
`to make the gear portion on the outer surface of the toner
`bottle properly engage with the driving gear portion in the
`main assembly of an image forming apparatus. This requires
`the user to be careful for the proper engagement. In addition,
`since the toner bottle is rotated through the meshing engage-
`ment between gears, the toner bottle receives forces tending
`to deviate the bottle in a direction perpendicular to the axis.
`Therefore, there is a possibility that the toner bottle is raised
`or is laterally deviated with a result of improper rotation. In
`order to avoid such a deviation, it is required that the entire
`outer circumference of the toner bottle be enclosed. This
`
`imposes difficulty in the toner bottle mounting and demount-
`ing operations. Additionally, the supplying system becomes
`complicated and expensive.
`In the methods disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent
`Application Hei 10-63084 and Japanese Laid-open Patent
`Application Hei 10-63076, when the toner bottle is inserted
`such that projection (or recess) provided at the end surface of
`toner bottle is properly engaged with the basis (or projection)
`of the main assembly side driving portion (main assembly
`driving portion), an indexing operation in the rotational direc-
`tion is required. This degrades the developer supplying oper-
`ativity, and even a slight deviation may result in inoperability.
`In order to avoid such an improper engagement,
`it is
`required that toner bottle is provided on its outer surface with
`a guiding rib so as to determine the position ofthe toner bottle
`in the rotational direction upon the insertion thereof, or that a
`rotating operation of the engaging recess of the main assem-
`bly driving portion is controlled to stop at a predetermined
`rotational position whenever it stops. This also results in
`complications and a cost increase.
`In most of the coupling drive transmissions using projec-
`tion/recess engagement, when the phase deviation occurs
`between the toner bottle and the main assembly driving por-
`tion, it is required that the main assembly driving portion is
`retracted against a spring force, and the engaging position is
`established when the phase becomes aligned. With such a
`structure, even if there is a phase difference when the toner
`bottle is inserted,
`the main assembly driving portion is
`retracted, and when the bottle is rotated in this state, the phase
`differences are eliminated sooner or later, and therefore, the
`engagement is established. However, the structure ofthe main
`assembly driving portion is complicated. In addition, the
`main assembly driving portion has to be movable toward the
`rear side, which requires additional space and therefore hin-
`ders downsizing of the main assembly of the apparatus.
`In the conventional example, it is not disclosed as to how to
`disengage the projection from the recess. Assuming that the
`operator uses force to pull the toner supply container out, or
`the operator pushes the small projection with a finger, the
`usability is not good, or the driving portion of the image
`forming apparatus or the toner supply container may be dam-
`aged.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, it is a principal object ofthe present invention
`to provide a sealing member in which a sealing member is
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`38
`
`38
`
`
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`3
`locked with an image forming apparatus in order to open or
`unseal a toner discharge opening of a toner accommodating
`container, and yet the sealing member can be released from
`the image forming apparatus with a simple structure.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`toner accommodating container in which a locking portion of
`the toner accommodating container is locked with an image
`forming apparatus, and the locking of the locking portion
`with the image forming apparatus can be released with a
`simple structure.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
`toner accommodating container in which a sealing member is
`locked with an image forming apparatus to open or unseal a
`toner discharge opening of the toner accommodating con-
`tainer, and yet the sealing member can be released from the
`image forming apparatus with a simple structure.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`image forming apparatus in which a locking portion of a toner
`accommodating container is engaged with a portion to be
`locked of a mounting means, and the locking portion can be
`released from the portion to be locked with a simple structure.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an
`image forming apparatus in which a locking portion of a
`sealing member is engaged with a portion to be locked of the
`mounting means to open or unseal a toner discharge opening
`of a toner accommodating container, and yet the locking
`portion can be released from the portion to be locked with a
`simple structure.
`These and other objects, features and advantages of the
`present invention will become more apparent upon a consid-
`eration of the following description of the preferred embodi-
`ments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofthe image forming apparatus
`shown in FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of a toner
`supply container into an image forming apparatus.
`FIG. 4 is a front view of an image forming apparatus of
`FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 5 is a side view of the image forming apparatus of
`FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the image forming apparatus in
`which a toner container front cover is shown as being in an
`open position.
`FIGS. 7(A) through 7(C) are sectional views illustrating a
`toner supply container mounting operation, wherein FIG.
`7(A) shows an initial stage of the mounting operation, FIG.
`7(B) shows the state in the process ofmounting operation, and
`FIG. 7(C) shows the state after the completion of the mount-
`ing operation.
`FIG. 8 is a partly broken perspective view of a toner supply
`container according to an embodiment of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 9 is a partly enlarged sectional view of a drive trans-
`mitting portion according to an embodiment of the present
`invention in which a driving shaft is provided on the main
`body side of the toner supply container.
`FIG. 10 is a partly broken perspective view of a toner
`supply container according to another embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`4
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`FIG. 11 is a partly enlarged sectional view of a drive trans-
`mitting portion according to another embodiment of the
`present invention in which a driving shaft is provided on a
`sealing member side.
`FIGS. 12(A) through 12(C) are side views of a sealing
`member according to an embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, wherein FIG. 12(A) is a front view, FIG. 12(B) is a side
`view as seen in the direction X of FIG. 12(A), and FIG. 12(C)
`is a side view as seen in the directionY of FIG. 12(A).
`FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a sealing member taken along
`a line Z-Z of FIG. 12(B).
`FIG. 14 is a perspective view ofa driving force transmitting
`portion and a driving force receiving portion according to an
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 15(A) through 15(C) are partially sectional views
`illustrating engaging action of a drive transmitting portion of
`a toner bottle, in which FIG. 15(A) shows a state before
`insertion of a toner bottle, FIG. 15(B) shows a state in the
`process of insertion, and FIG. 15(C) shows a state after the
`completion of an inserting operation.
`FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a driving force receiving
`portion according to another embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`25
`
`FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the sealing member of FIG.
`16.
`
`FIGS. 18(A) through 18(C) are illustrations ofphase align-
`ment when the toner bottle is inserted into the main assembly
`ofthe apparatus wherein FIG. 18(A) shows a state in which an
`engaging rib and an engaging projection are aligned with each
`other, FIG. 18(B) shows a state in which they are not aligned
`after rotation to a certain extent, and FIG. 18(C) shows a state
`in which the engaging rib is abutted to the engaging projec-
`tion to enable drive transmission.
`
`FIGS. 19(A) through 19(C) show a sealing member
`according to an embodiment ofthe present invention, wherein
`FIG. 19(A) is a left side view, FIG. 19(B) is a front view, and
`FIG. 19(C) is a right-hand side view.
`FIG. 20 is a perspective view ofa driving force transmitting
`portion and a driving force receiving portion according to a
`further embodiment of the present invention, in which phase
`control operation is not necessary.
`FIGS. 21(A) through 21(C) illustrate the drive transmitting
`portion of FIG. 20 during a toner bottle inserting operation,
`wherein FIG. 21 (A) shows a state before insertion ofthe toner
`bottle, FIG. 21(B) shows a state in the process ofthe inserting
`operation, and FIG. 21(C) shows a state after completion of
`the inserting operation.
`illustrate disengagement
`FIGS. 22(A)
`through 22(C)
`action at the drive transmitting portion of the toner bottle,
`wherein FIG. 22(A) is before disengagement, FIG. 22(B) is in
`the process of disengagement, and FIG. 22(C)
`is after
`completion of the disengagement action.
`FIGS. 23(A) through 23(C) are sectional views of a sealing
`member according to a further embodiment of the present
`invention, wherein FIG. 23 (A) is a side view, FIG. 23 (B) is a
`front view, and FIG. 23(C) is a sectional view.
`FIG. 24 is a sectional view illustrating engagement of the
`sealing member of FIG. 23 with a driving portion.
`FIGS. 25(A) through 25(C) are illustrations of disengage-
`ment action at the drive transmitting portion of the toner
`bottle, wherein FIG. 25(A) is before disengagement, FIG.
`25(B) is in the process of disengagement, and FIG. 25(C) is
`after the completion of the disengagement action.
`FIGS. 26(A) and 26(B) illustrate a sealing member accord-
`ing to a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein
`FIG. 26(A) is a side view, and FIG. 26(B) is a sectional view
`taken along a line X-X.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`39
`
`39
`
`
`
`US 8,909,094 B2
`
`5
`FIGS. 27(A) through 27(D) show a driving portion engage-
`able with the sealing member of FIGS. 26(A) and 26(B)
`according to a further embodiment of the present invention,
`wherein FIG. 27(A) is a front view, FIG. 27(B) is a side view,
`FIG. 27(C) is a sectional View taken along a line C-C of FIG.
`27(B), and FIG. 27(D) is a sectional View taken along a line
`D-D of FIG. 27(A).
`FIGS. 28(A) through 28(C) illustrate engaging action
`between the sealing member of FIGS. 26(A) and 26(B) and
`the driving portion of FIGS. 27(A) through 27(D), wherein
`FIG. 28(A) shows a state in which the toner bottle is being
`inserted, FIG. 28(B) shows a state in the process of insertion,
`and FIG. 28(C) shows a state after the completion of inser-
`tion.
`
`illustrate disengagement
`through 29(C)
`FIGS. 29(A)
`action after the engagement shown in FIGS. 28(A) through
`28(C), wherein FIG. 29(A) is before the disengagement, FIG.
`29(B) is in the process of the disengagement, and FIG. 29(C)
`is after completion of the disengagement action.
`FIGS. 30(A) and 30(B) are sectional views of a sealing
`member according to a further embodiment of the present
`invention, wherein FIG. 30(A) is before disengagement, and
`FIG. 30(B) is in the process of disengagement.
`FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a toner supply container
`according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 32(A) through 32(C) show a sealing member
`according to a modified embodiment of Embodiment 2.
`FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a drive transmis-
`sion for a photosensitive drum according to a further embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 34(A) and 34(B) schematically show the sealing
`member which is rotating.
`FIGS. 35(A) through 35(C) illustrate another example in
`which the phase alignment is not required.
`FIG. 36(A) shows the sealing member shown in FIGS.
`35(A) through 35(C) and the driving portion, and FIG. 36(B)
`shows a sectional view of the sealing member engaged with
`the driving portion.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`A sealing member, a toner accommodating container and
`an image forming apparatus according to the preferred
`embodiments of the present invention will be described in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`Embodiment 1
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, a description will first be made as to an
`electrophotographic image forming apparatus which is an
`exemplary image forming apparatus which is mounted with a
`toner supply container (toner accommodating container)
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`(Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus)
`FIG. 1 shows an electrophotographic copying machine. An
`original 101 in a main assembly (main assembly of the appa-
`ratus) 100 is placed on an original supporting platen glass
`102. A light image corresponding to the image information of
`the original 101 is an image on an electrophotographic pho-
`tosensitive drum (image bearing member) 104 through a plu-
`rality ofmirrors M and a lens Ln of an optical portion 103. On
`the basis of selection b