Oki Electric Industry has been granted a patent for a developer container featuring a rotatable agitating member, a swing member with multiple segments, and a projecting support. This design enhances developer agitation and interaction within the container, improving operational efficiency. GlobalData’s report on Oki Electric Industry gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s company profile on Oki Electric Industry, Virtual banking assistant was a key innovation area identified from patents. Oki Electric Industry's grant share as of July 2024 was 37%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Developer container with agitating and swinging mechanism

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Oki Electric Industry Co Ltd

The granted patent US12066770B2 describes a developer container designed for use in image forming units and apparatuses. The container features a body that holds developer material and includes an agitating member that rotates to mix the developer. A unique aspect of the design is the inclusion of a swing member, which is activated by the agitating member's rotation. This swing member is divided into multiple segments by slits, allowing for enhanced movement and contact with the agitating member. The configuration ensures that the center of rotation of the agitating member is positioned below the swing member, optimizing the agitation process.

Additionally, the patent outlines a second swing member that operates in conjunction with the first. Both swing members are suspended from fixed ends located on the container's ceiling, with their free ends positioned strategically to facilitate interaction with the agitating member. The design incorporates projecting supports that interact with the swing members, further enhancing their functionality. The claims also specify that the contact portions of the swing members are designed to protrude, ensuring effective engagement with the agitating member. This innovative structure aims to improve the efficiency of developer agitation in image forming technologies.

To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Oki Electric Industry, buy the report here.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.