Toner Cartridge

Exchangeable toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus

Toner Cartridge Abstract
An improved exchangeable toner cartridge installed on a developing unit of an image forming apparatus includes a first seal detachably attached to the bottom thereof for closing off a toner supplying opening formed at the bottom, and a second sealing means disposed to the outside of the first seal for preventing the leakage or spread of toner due to the poor attachment of the first seal. Alteratively, the second seal is disposed between the bottom of the toner cartridge and the first seal.

Toner Cartridge Claims
What is claimed is:

1. An exchangeable toner cartridge installed on a developing unit having a flange upwardly extended from a lower edge of each side thereof, said toner cartridge comprising discrete first and second sealing means, said first sealing means removably attached to the bottom of said toner cartridge for selectively closing off a toner supplying opening formed at the bottom; and second sealing means removably disposed on said first sealing means for preventing leakage or spread of toner due to poor attachment or excess movement during removal of said first sealing means.

2. The toner cartridge of claim 1 wherein said second sealing means includes a sealing portion and a tab portion, said tab portion being adhered to a corresponding tab of the first sealing means.

3. The toner cartridge of claim 1, wherein said second sealing means is made of synthetic resin and has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm-0.15 mm.

4. A toner cartridge exchangeable installed on a developing unit having a flange upwardly extended from a lower edge of each side thereof, said toner cartridge comprising discrete first and second sealing means, said first sealing means removably attached to the bottom of said toner cartridge for selectively closing off a toner supplying opening formed at the bottom; and second sealing means removably disposed between the bottom of said toner cartridge and said first sealing means.

5. The toner cartridge of claim 4, wherein said second sealing means is made of synthetic resin and has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm-0.15 mm.

6. A toner cartridge having a toner supply opening defining an opening periphery, said cartridge adapted to be installed on a developing unit for supplying toner through the opening, the opening being closed off by a reinforced seal structure, said seal structure comprising;

first sealing means adhesively attached to the periphery of the opening having a tab portion for facilitating removal of said first sealing means; and

second sealing means detachably attached to said first sealing means to reinforce said seal structure to prevent leakage of toner due to inadequate attachment; said second sealing means having a tab portion for facilitating removal thereof.

Toner Cartridge Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exchangeable toner cartridge for an image forming apparatus and more particularly to an improvement in the sealing structure for removably closing a toner supply opening of the toner cartridge to prevent the leakage of toner therefrom.