Canon kabushiki kaisha (20240176283). IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS simplified abstract

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Organization Name

canon kabushiki kaisha

Inventor(s)

Yuichiro Okawa of Tokyo (JP)

Noritomo Yamaguchi of Kanagawa (JP)

Kazuhiro Hosohara of Kanagawa (JP)

Takeo Kawanami of Kanagawa (JP)

Shinichi Nishida of Kanagawa (JP)

Hiroyuki Munetsugu of Kanagawa (JP)

Masahiro Suetsugu of Kanagawa (JP)

Goshi Ozaki of Kanagawa (JP)

Sohta Sugimoto of Kanagawa (JP)

Mitsuhiro Sato of Tokyo (JP)

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240176283 titled 'IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes an image forming apparatus with two toner containers and a moving unit that includes two developing units. The moving unit can move between internal and external positions and is configured to replenish the developing units with toner from the containers when in the external position.

• The image forming apparatus has a moving unit that includes a first developing unit and a second developing unit.
• The moving unit can move between an internal position and an external position with respect to the apparatus body.
• The first developing unit and the second developing unit can be replenished with toner from the first toner container and the second toner container, respectively, when the moving unit is in the external position.
• The moving unit is not movable from the external position to the internal position when the toner containers are mounted on the apparatus.

Potential Applications

This technology can be applied in various printing and copying machines to improve toner replenishment processes and enhance image quality.

Problems Solved

1. Efficient toner replenishment process. 2. Enhanced image quality and consistency.

Benefits

1. Reduced downtime for toner replacement. 2. Improved image quality. 3. Simplified maintenance process.

Potential Commercial Applications

Optimized for use in high-volume printing environments, such as offices, print shops, and commercial printing facilities.

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art could be a similar image forming apparatus with a single toner container and developing unit, which may not offer the same level of efficiency and convenience as the described technology.

Unanswered Questions

How does the moving unit differentiate between the first and second toner containers for replenishment?

The abstract does not provide details on how the moving unit identifies and replenishes the correct developing unit with toner from the respective containers.

What is the expected lifespan of the toner containers and developing units in this apparatus?

The abstract does not mention any information regarding the durability or expected lifespan of the toner containers and developing units used in this image forming apparatus.

Original Abstract Submitted

an image forming apparatus on which a first toner container and a second toner container are mountable, includes an apparatus body, and a moving unit including a first developing unit and a second developing unit, the moving unit being configured to move with respect to the apparatus body between an internal position and an external position. the first developing unit and the second developing unit are configured to be replenished with the toner from the first toner container and the second toner container mounted on the image forming apparatus, respectively, in a state in which the moving unit is at the external position and supported by the apparatus body. the moving unit is configured not to be movable from the external position to the internal position in a state in which the first toner container and the second toner container are mounted on the image forming apparatus.