United States Patent [19]
`United States Patent [19]
`Matsuoka et ai.
`Matsuoka et ai.
`
`
`
`111111 111111
`
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`US005903806A US005903806A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,903,806
`5,903,806
`May 11, 1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`[54] DEVELOPING AGENT REPLENISHING
`[54] DEVELOPING AGENT REPLENISHING
`APPARATUS AND CARTRIDGE
`APPARATUS AND CARTRIDGE
`
`[75]
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Isao Matsuoka; Yozo Fujii, both of
`Inventors: Isao Matsuoka; Yozo Fujii, both of
`Hachioji, Japan
`Hachioji, Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Konica Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
`[73] Assignee: Konica Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/902,898
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/902,898
`
`[22] Filed:
`[22] Filed:
`
`
`
`Jul. 30, 1997 Jul. 30, 1997
`
`[30]
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Aug. 7, 1996
`Aug. 7, 1996
`Aug. 21, 1996
`Aug. 21, 1996
`
`[JP]
`[JP]
`[JP]
`[JP]
`
`Japan .................................... 8-208287
`Japan .................................... 8-208287
`Japan .................................... 8-219810
`Japan .................................... 8-219810
`
`Int. CI.6
`Int. CI.6
`..................................................... G03G 15/08
`[51]
`..................................................... G03G 15/08
`[51]
`[52] U.S. CI. ..................... 399/258; 399/262; 222/DIG. 1
`[52] U.S. CI. ..................... 399/258; 399/262; 222/DIG. 1
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 399/258, 262,
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 399/258, 262,
`399/263; 222/DIG. 1, 444, 449, 518, 633,
`399/263; 222/DIG. 1, 444, 449, 518, 633,
`549, 559; 220/348, 350, 380
`549, 559; 220/348, 350, 380
`
`[56]
`[56]
`
`
`
`References Cited References Cited
`
`
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`3,446,403 3,446,403
`3,971,493
`3,971,493
`4,271,986
`4,271,986
`4,719,949
`4,719,949
`5,074,342
`5,074,342
`5,154,212
`5,154,212
`5,248,847
`5,248,847
`
`
`5/1969 Serio. 5/1969 Serio.
`7/1976 Williams.
`7/1976 Williams.
`6/1981 Stecker .................................... 222/151
`6/1981 Stecker .................................... 222/151
`1/1988 Mears ...................................... 141/301
`1/1988 Mears ...................................... 141/301
`
`12/1991 Kraehn. 12/1991 Kraehn.
`10/1992 Weber.
`10/1992 Weber.
`9/1993 Aoyama .................................. 399/238
`9/1993 Aoyama .................................. 399/238
`
`5,481,344
`5,481,344
`5,495,323
`5,495,323
`5,500,719
`5,500,719
`5,557,382
`5,557,382
`5,589,919
`5,589,919
`5,620,434
`5,620,434
`5,765,079
`5,765,079
`
`1/1996 Yasuda et al. .......................... 399/120
`1/1996 Yasuda et al. .......................... 399/120
`2/1996 Meetze, Jr ..
`2/1996 Meetze, Jr ..
`3/1996 Ichikawa et al. ....................... 399/238
`3/1996 Ichikawa et al. ....................... 399/238
`9/1996 Tatsumi et al. ......................... 399/262
`9/1996 Tatsumi et al. ......................... 399/262
`12/1996
`lkunami et al. .
`12/1996
`lkunami et al. .
`4/1997 Erony ...................................... 604/406
`4/1997 Erony ...................................... 604/406
`6/1998 Yoshiki et al.
`......................... 399/258
`6/1998 Yoshiki et al.
`......................... 399/258
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0604999 A2
`0604999 A2
`8708034
`8708034
`19541680 A1
`19541680 A1
`3-87864
`3-87864
`7-295356
`7-295356
`
`7/1994
`7/1994
`6/1987
`6/1987
`5/1996
`5/1996
`4/1991
`4/1991
`11/1995
`11/1995
`
`European Pat. Off ..
`European Pat. Off ..
`
`Germany. Germany.
`Germany.
`Germany.
`
`Japan. Japan.
`Japan.
`Japan.
`
`Primary Examiner-Robert Beatty
`Primary Examiner-Robert Beatty
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman, Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman,
`Langer & Chick
`Langer & Chick
`
`[57]
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`ABSTRACT
`
`A developing agent replenishing apparatus includes a devel(cid:173)
`A developing agent replenishing apparatus includes a devel(cid:173)
`oping agent receiving port for receiving a developing agent
`oping agent receiving port for receiving a developing agent
`from a replenishment cartridge which stores developing
`from a replenishment cartridge which stores developing
`agent when the cartridge is mounted and a conveyor for
`agent when the cartridge is mounted and a conveyor for
`conveying the developing agent received in the receiving
`conveying the developing agent received in the receiving
`
`port to a developing device. The developer agent receiving port to a developing device. The developer agent receiving
`port has a receiving opening and the replenishment cartridge
`port has a receiving opening and the replenishment cartridge
`
`has a replenishment opening. Cylindrical expandable covers has a replenishment opening. Cylindrical expandable covers
`
`are provided at the receiving and replenishment openings for are provided at the receiving and replenishment openings for
`
`opening or closing these openings. opening or closing these openings.
`
`39 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`39 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`
`, ,
`V
`
`GPI EXHIBIT 1006
`GENERAL PLASTIC v. CANON
`IPR2015-01966
`
`1
`
`CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA EXHIBIT 2005
`General Plastic Indus. Co. v. Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
`IPR2016-01357
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`u.s. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 19
`Sheet 1 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`5,903,806
`
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`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 2 of 19 Sheet 2 of 19
`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
`
`
`
`FIG.2 FIG.2
`
`
`
`20Y 20Y
`
`
`
`28M 28M
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`
`
`.....---I4-t- 20M .....---I4-t- 20M
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`
`
`22 23 22 23
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`3
`
`

`
`May 11, 1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 19
`Sheet 3 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`5,903,806
`
`lI.S. Patent
`lI.S. Patent
`
`FIG. 3
`FIG. 3
`
`43
`43
`
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`
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`20Y
`20M
`20M
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`20C
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`20K
`
`4
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`u.s. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 4 of 19 Sheet 4 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`5,903,806
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`FIG. 5 (b) FIG. 5 (b)
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`FIG. 5 (a) FIG. 5 (a)
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`6
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 6 of 19 Sheet 6 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`5,903,806
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`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 7 of 19 Sheet 7 of 19
`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
`
`
`FIG. 7 (a) FIG. 7 (a)
`
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`FIG. 8 (a)
`FIG. 8 ( a)
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`FIG. 8 (b)
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`FIG. 8 (c)
`FIG. 8 (c)
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`9
`
`

`
`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 9 of 19 Sheet 9 of 19
`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
`
`
`
`FIG. 9 (a) FIG. 9 (a)
`
`
`
`40 T 40 T
`
`
`
`44 44
`
`
`30 30
`
`32 T 32 T
`
`
`
`FIG. 9 ( b ) FIG. 9 ( b )
`
`
`40 40
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`T T
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`
`30 30
`
`331 32 T 331 32 T
`
`
`
`44 44
`
`10
`
`

`
`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 10 of 19 Sheet 10 of 19
`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
`
`
`
`FIG.10(a) FIG.10(a)
`
`
`40 40
`
`T T
`
`
`446 446
`
`(331) 32 (331) 32
`
`
`30 30
`
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`
`FIG.10(b) FIG.10(b)
`
`40 40
`
`T T
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`
`446 446
`
`(331) 32 (331) 32
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`
`30 30
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`T T
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`
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`44 44
`
`
`
`324 324
`
`11
`
`

`
`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 11 of 19 Sheet 11 of 19
`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
`
`
`
`40 T 40 T
`
`
`328 328
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`44 46 45 44 46 45
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`44432 44432
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`30 30
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`321 321
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`33 33
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`FIG. 11 FIG. 11
`
`
`
`441 441
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`
`
`445 445
`
`12
`
`

`
`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 12 of 19 Sheet 12 of 19
`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
`
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`13
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`

`
`u.s. Patent
`u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 13 of 19
`Sheet 13 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`5,903,806
`
`FIG. 13 (a)
`FIG. 13 (a)
`
`40
`40
`~
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`44
`44
`
`FIG.13(b)
`FIG.13(b)
`
`32
`32
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`31
`31
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`
`INSERTING INSERTING
`DIRECTION OF
`DIRECTION OF
`CARTRIDGE
`CARTRIDGE
`
`14
`
`

`
`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 14 of 19 Sheet 14 of 19
`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
`
`
`
`FIG. 14 (a) FIG. 14 (a)
`
`
`
`40 --r 40 --r
`
`
`
`44 44
`
`
`
`FIG. 14 ( b ) FIG. 14 ( b )
`
`
`
`33 33
`
`
`
`31 31
`
`
`
`33 33
`
`15
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 15 of 19 Sheet 15 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`5,903,806
`
`
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`----------
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`

`
`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 16 of 19 Sheet 16 of 19
`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
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`17
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`

`
`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 17 of 19 Sheet 17 of 19
`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
`
`
`
`FIG. 17 (a) FIG. 17 (a)
`
`
`
`314 314
`
`
`FIG.17(b) FIG.17(b)
`
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`
`18
`
`

`
`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 18 of 19
`Sheet 18 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`5,903,806
`
`
`
`FIG. 18 (a) FIG. 18 (a)
`
`314
`314
`
`321 ( 't~~....IJ ~c:c:1...-~L.-__ - - ' "L ___
`321 ( 't~~...../I ~::::c:1..----L....)I.L.-__ --J 1 __ --....
`329
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`FIG. 18 (b)
`FIG. 18 (b)
`
`
`
`FIG. 18 (c) FIG. 18 (c)
`
`324
`
`31
`
`19
`
`

`
`
`
`u.s. Patent u.s. Patent
`
`
`
`May 11, 1999 May 11, 1999
`
`
`
`Sheet 19 of 19 Sheet 19 of 19
`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
`
`
`
`FIG. 19 (a) FIG. 19 (a)
`
`
`
`A A
`
`
`342 342
`
`329 329
`
`(341) 32 (341) 32
`
`
`
`FIG.19(b) FIG.19(b)
`
`
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`
`
`345 345
`
`20
`
`

`
`
`
`5,903,806 5,903,806
`
`
`1 1
`
`DEVELOPING AGENT REPLENISHING DEVELOPING AGENT REPLENISHING
`
`APPARATUS AND CARTRIDGE APPARATUS AND CARTRIDGE
`
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a powder storing con(cid:173)The present invention relates to a powder storing con(cid:173)
`
`tainer containing powder, a developing agent cartridge tainer containing powder, a developing agent cartridge
`
`which rotates to replenish a developing agent, a developing which rotates to replenish a developing agent, a developing
`
`agent replenishing apparatus on which the developing agent agent replenishing apparatus on which the developing agent
`
`cartridge is attached to supply a developing agent to a cartridge is attached to supply a developing agent to a
`
`developing agent receiving port, and a color image forming developing agent receiving port, and a color image forming
`
`apparatus loaded with a plurality of developing agent car(cid:173)apparatus loaded with a plurality of developing agent car(cid:173)
`
`tridges. tridges.
`
`Heretofore, as a means to replenish a developing agent to Heretofore, as a means to replenish a developing agent to
`
`a developing agent storing section of an image forming a developing agent storing section of an image forming
`
`apparatus from a developing agent cartridge containing a apparatus from a developing agent cartridge containing a
`
`developing agent, there has been known a device of a type developing agent, there has been known a device of a type
`
`wherein a developing agent cartridge is set in a main body wherein a developing agent cartridge is set in a main body
`
`when replenishing a developing agent, then developing when replenishing a developing agent, then developing
`
`agents in the developing agent cartridge are supplied to a agents in the developing agent cartridge are supplied to a
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`developing agent receiving port, and after supplying is developing agent receiving port, and after supplying is
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`finished, the developing agent cartridge is removed from the finished, the developing agent cartridge is removed from the
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`main body. However, there has been a possibility in the main body. However, there has been a possibility in the
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`replenishing method of the above-mentioned type that the replenishing method of the above-mentioned type that the
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`developing agents are excessively supplied and overflow the developing agents are excessively supplied and overflow the
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`developing agent receiving port because developing agents developing agent receiving port because developing agents
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`are supplied to the developing agent receiving port in a are supplied to the developing agent receiving port in a
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`manner, which has required a means to prevent excessive manner, which has required a means to prevent excessive
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`replenishment of a developing agent. However, it is difficult replenishment of a developing agent. However, it is difficult
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`to prevent excessive replenishment, and the conventional to prevent excessive replenishment, and the conventional
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`apparatus has been required to be high in cost and large in apparatus has been required to be high in cost and large in
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`size, even if a means to prevent excessive replenishment can size, even if a means to prevent excessive replenishment can
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`be installed on the apparatus. With the foregoing as a be installed on the apparatus. With the foregoing as a
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`background, there has been developed a replenishing background, there has been developed a replenishing
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`method of a type (Japanese Patent Application No. 088807/ method of a type (Japanese Patent Application No. 088807/
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`1994) published as Japanese Tokkai-Hei 7-295356 wherein 1994) published as Japanese Tokkai-Hei 7-295356 wherein
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`a developing agent cartridge having therein a spiral-shaped a developing agent cartridge having therein a spiral-shaped
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`protrusion is set in the apparatus main body, the developing protrusion is set in the apparatus main body, the developing
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`agent cartridge is rotated around its central axis, developing agent cartridge is rotated around its central axis, developing
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`agents are ejected from a developing agent outlet of the agents are ejected from a developing agent outlet of the
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`developing agent cartridge, and the developing agents are developing agent cartridge, and the developing agents are
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`replenished to a developing agent receiving port. Since a replenished to a developing agent receiving port. Since a
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`developing agent cartridge is always loaded on the apparatus developing agent cartridge is always loaded on the apparatus
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`main body in the replenishing method of this type, it is main body in the replenishing method of this type, it is
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`possible to replenish developing agents to the developing possible to replenish developing agents to the developing
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`agent receiving port by rotating the developing agent agent receiving port by rotating the developing agent
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`cartridge, when developing agents in the developing agent cartridge, when developing agents in the developing agent
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`receiving port are reduced, which makes it unnecessary to receiving port are reduced, which makes it unnecessary to
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`prevent aforesaid excessive replenishment of a developing prevent aforesaid excessive replenishment of a developing
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`agent. agent.
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`However, the developing agent cartridge and the devel- 50 However, the developing agent cartridge and the devel- 50
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`oping agent replenishing apparatus which is loaded with the oping agent replenishing apparatus which is loaded with the
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`developing agent cartridge have the following problems. developing agent cartridge have the following problems.
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`(1) In the developing agent cartridge wherein it is mounted (1) In the developing agent cartridge wherein it is mounted
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`on or dismounted from a rotating force transmission member on or dismounted from a rotating force transmission member
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`which transmits rotating force to the developing agent which transmits rotating force to the developing agent
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`cartridge, while the developing agent cartridge is rotated, cartridge, while the developing agent cartridge is rotated,
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`and an opening/closing cover provided at a developing agent and an opening/closing cover provided at a developing agent
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`replenishment opening is opened and closed respectively replenishment opening is opened and closed respectively
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`when the developing agent cartridge is mounted and when the developing agent cartridge is mounted and
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`dismounted, the opening is opened and closed when a dismounted, the opening is opened and closed when a
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`cartridge fixing cover for the developing agent cartridge and cartridge fixing cover for the developing agent cartridge and
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`a cartridge opening/closing cover are slid, but it is difficult a cartridge opening/closing cover are slid, but it is difficult
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`that an entire circumferential surface of one cover comes in that an entire circumferential surface of one cover comes in
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`contact with that of the opponent cover. Therefore, there is contact with that of the opponent cover. Therefore, there is
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`a possibility that a developing agent exists in a clearance 65 a possibility that a developing agent exists in a clearance 65
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`between both covers, which makes sealing of the opening/ between both covers, which makes sealing of the opening/
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`closing cover to be problematic. closing cover to be problematic.
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`2 2
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`(2) In the developing agent cartridge wherein it is mounted (2) In the developing agent cartridge wherein it is mounted
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`on or dismounted from a driving and rotating force trans(cid:173)on or dismounted from a driving and rotating force trans(cid:173)
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`mission member by moving the developing agent cartridge mission member by moving the developing agent cartridge
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`horizontally, and an opening/closing cover of the developing horizontally, and an opening/closing cover of the developing
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`5 agent cartridge or the like is opened and closed respectively 5 agent cartridge or the like is opened and closed respectively
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`when the developing agent cartridge is mounted and when the developing agent cartridge is mounted and
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`dismounted, when the outlet of the developing agent car(cid:173)dismounted, when the outlet of the developing agent car(cid:173)
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`tridge is closed, a recessed portion of the developing agent tridge is closed, a recessed portion of the developing agent
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`cartridge is engaged with a protrusion of the cartridge cartridge is engaged with a protrusion of the cartridge
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`10 opening/closing cover. Under this structure, a part of the 10 opening/closing cover. Under this structure, a part of the
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`protrusion touches a circumferential surface of the develop(cid:173)protrusion touches a circumferential surface of the develop(cid:173)
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`ing agent cartridge when the opening/closing cover opens or ing agent cartridge when the opening/closing cover opens or
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`closes, and therefore, considerable amount of force is closes, and therefore, considerable amount of force is
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`required for opening/closing operations. required for opening/closing operations.
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`(3) Some of developing agent replenishing apparatuses are (3) Some of developing agent replenishing apparatuses are
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`15 represented by one wherein an opening/closing cover which 15 represented by one wherein an opening/closing cover which
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`opens or closes a developing agent outlet is provided on a opens or closes a developing agent outlet is provided on a
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`developing agent cartridge, and the opening/closing cover developing agent cartridge, and the opening/closing cover
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`opens or closes when the developing agent cartridge is opens or closes when the developing agent cartridge is
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`loaded on or unloaded from the apparatus, with the opening/ loaded on or unloaded from the apparatus, with the opening/
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`20 closing cover and a developing agent cartridge loading 20 closing cover and a developing agent cartridge loading
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`section both being in contact with each other. However, if section both being in contact with each other. However, if
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`the position of this contact is not appropriate, the opening/ the position of this contact is not appropriate, the opening/
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`closing cover can not be opened or closed smoothly in the closing cover can not be opened or closed smoothly in the
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`course of an operation to load or unload the developing course of an operation to load or unload the developing
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`25 agent cartridge, resulting in the problem that an action to 25 agent cartridge, resulting in the problem that an action to
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`replenish to the apparatus main body can not be conducted, replenish to the apparatus main body can not be conducted,
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`or developing agents overflow when the developing agent or developing agents overflow when the developing agent
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`cartridge is removed. cartridge is removed.
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`(4) In a plurality of detachable cartridges which can be (4) In a plurality of detachable cartridges which can be
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`30 loaded on and unloaded from the developing agent replen(cid:173)30 loaded on and unloaded from the developing agent replen(cid:173)
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`ishing apparatus provided on a color image forming ishing apparatus provided on a color image forming
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`apparatus, it is necessary to prevent a disadvantage that apparatus, it is necessary to prevent a disadvantage that
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`developing agent cartridges containing developing agents developing agent cartridges containing developing agents
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`used for different apparatuses or developing agent cartridges used for different apparatuses or developing agent cartridges
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`containing developing agents of different colors are loaded, containing developing agents of different colors are loaded,
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`35 resulting in existence of different developing agents in the 35 resulting in existence of different developing agents in the
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`developing agent replenishing apparatus. developing agent replenishing apparatus.
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`Further, in some of developing agent cartridges for Further, in some of developing agent cartridges for
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`replenishing developing agents by rotating, there is provided replenishing developing agents by rotating, there is provided
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`an opening/closing cover which opens and closes a devel-an opening/closing cover which opens and closes a devel-
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`40 oping agent outlet of the developing agent cartridge. 40 oping agent outlet of the developing agent cartridge.
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`In such a cartridge, the opening/closing cover is required In such a cartridge, the opening/closing cover is required
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`to be closed to cover the developing agent outlet so that to be closed to cover the developing agent outlet so that
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`developing agents remaining in the cartridge do not over(cid:173)developing agents remaining in the cartridge do not over(cid:173)
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`flow when the cartridge is dismounted from an image flow when the cartridge is dismounted from an image
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`45 forming apparatus. 45 forming apparatus.
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`However, it has also been a problem that poor sealing of However, it has also been a problem that poor sealing of
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`the opening/closing cover caused developing agents to over(cid:173)the opening/closing cover caused developing agents to over(cid:173)
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`flow and soil user's hands despite the closed opening/closing flow and soil user's hands despite the closed opening/closing
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`cover when the cartridge was removed. cover when the cartridge was removed.
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`Therefore, it has been necessary to design the structure of Therefore, it has been necessary to design the structure of
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`the cartridge by taking the sealing characteristics of the the cartridge by taking the sealing characteristics of the
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`opening/closing cover into consideration. opening/closing cover into consideration.
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`With regard to the cartridge mentioned above, there has With regard to the cartridge mentioned above, there has
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`been a possibility that the opening/closing cover is acciden-been a possibility that the opening/closing cover is acciden-
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`55 tally opened during transportation to cause developing 55 tally opened during transportation to cause developing
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`agents to overflow. agents to overflow.
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`Accordingly, it has also been necessary to design the Accordingly, it has also been necessary to design the
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`structure of a cap member to be attached to the cartridge so structure of a cap member to be attached to the cartridge so
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`that the opening/closing cover is not accidentally opened that the opening/closing cover is not accidentally opened
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`60 during transportation. 60 during transportation.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`An object of the invention is to solve the aforesaid An object of the invention is to solve the aforesaid
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`problems in a developing agent cartridge or in a developing problems in a developing agent cartridge or in a developing
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`agent replenishing apparatus which supplies developing agent replenishing apparatus which supplies developing
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`agents from the developing agent cartridge to a developing agents from the developing agent cartridge to a developing
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`means. means.
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`21
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`

`
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`3 3
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`The object mentioned above can be attained by a devel(cid:173)The object mentioned above can be attained by a devel(cid:173)
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`oping agent replenishing apparatus having the following oping agent replenishing apparatus having the following
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`structure: structure:
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`a developing agent receiving port which is a cylindrical a developing agent receiving port which is a cylindrical
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`expandable covering member and receives developing expandable covering member and receives developing
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`agents from a cartridge when the cartridge containing agents from a cartridge when the cartridge containing
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`developing agents is attached; and developing agents is attached; and
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`a conveyor for conveying developing agents from the a conveyor for conveying developing agents from the
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`developing agent receiving port to a developing unit. developing agent receiving port to a developing unit.
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`Or the above-mentioned object can be attained by a 10 Or the above-mentioned object can be attained by a 10
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`developing agent cartridge having the following struc(cid:173)developing agent cartridge having the following struc(cid:173)
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`ture: ture:
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`a replenishment opening in which a cylindrical expand(cid:173)a replenishment opening in which a cylindrical expand(cid:173)
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`able covering member is arranged. able covering member is arranged.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 sectional structure view of a color printer that is an FIG. 1 sectional structure view of a color printer that is an
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`example of a color image forming apparatus equipped with example of a color image forming apparatus equipped with
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`a plurality f developing units of the invention. a plurality f developing units of the invention.
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`FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the
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`developing apparatus equipped with a plurality of develop- 20 developing apparatus equipped with a plurality of develop- 20
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`ing units. ing units.
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`FIG. 3 is perspective view showing a cartridge, a devel(cid:173)FIG. 3 is perspective view showing a cartridge, a devel(cid:173)
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`oping agent receiving port and a part of a developing unit. oping agent receiving port and a part of a developing unit.
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`FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) respectively represent a top FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) respectively represent a top
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`view, a left side view, a right side view and an exploded top 25 view, a left side view, a right side view and an exploded top 25
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`view, all of the cartridge. view, all of the cartridge.
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`FIGS. 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) respectively represent a partial FIGS. 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) respectively represent a partial
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`section of a cartridge, a sectional view of a fixed cover taken section of a cartridge, a sectional view of a fixed cover taken
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`on line 5b-5b, and another section of the cartridge. on line 5b-5b, and another section of the cartridge.
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`FIG. 6 represents a sectional view of a developing agent 30 FIG. 6 represents a sectional view of a developing agent 30
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`receiving port that is under the state where a cartridge is receiving port that is under the state where a cartridge is
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`attached on a cartridge attachment section and a sectional attached on a cartridge attachment section and a sectional
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`view of a developing agent conveying section. view of a developing agent conveying section.
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`FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) respectively represent an exploded FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) respectively represent an exploded
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`sectional view of a cartridge and an exploded sectional view 35 sectional view of a cartridge and an exploded sectional view 35
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`of a rotation power transmission member to be connected to of a rotation power transmission member to be connected to
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`the cartridge. the cartridge.
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`FIGS. 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c) respectively represent a top FIGS. 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c) respectively represent a top
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`view, a front view and a side view of the rotation power view, a front view and a side view of the rotation power
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`transmission member. transmission member.
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`FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) respectively represent a sectional FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) respectively represent a sectional
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`view of the state right before the attachment of a cartridge view of the state right before the attachment of a cartridge
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`on a developing agent replenishing apparatus and a sectional on a developing agent replenishing apparatus and a sectional
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`view of the state of the start of the attachment. view of the state of the start of the attachment.
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`FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) respectively represent a sectional FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) respectively represent a sectional
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`view showing the intermediate process of the attachment of view showing the intermediate process of the attachment of
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`a cartridge on a developing agent replenishing apparatus. a cartridge on a developing agent replenishing apparatus.
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`FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing that a cartridge has FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing that a cartridge has
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`just been attached on a developing agent replenishing appa- 50 just been attached on a developing agent replenishing appa- 50
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`ratus. ratus.
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`FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing another example of FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing another example of
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`a cartridge of the invention. mission member. a cartridge of the invention. mission member.
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`FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) respectively represent a sectional FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) respectively represent a sectional
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`view of primary parts of a cartridge whose replenishment view of primary parts of a cartridge whose replenishment
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`opening of the fixed cover is about to be opened and of a opening of the fixed cover is about to be opened and of a
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`developing agent replenishing apparatus, and an enlarged developing agent replenishing apparatus, and an enlarged
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`sectional view of part A. sectional view of part A.
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`FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) respectively represent a sectional FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) respectively represent a sectional
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`view of primary parts of a cartridge whose replenishment view of primary parts of a cartridge whose replenishment
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`opening of the fixed cover is being closed and of a devel(cid:173)opening of the fixed cover is being closed and of a devel(cid:173)
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`oping agent replenishing apparatus, and an enlarged sec(cid:173)oping agent replenishing apparatus, and an enlarged sec(cid:173)
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`tional view of part B. tional view of part B.
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`FIG. 1