AU2006200980B2 - Sealing member, toner accommodating container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

S&FRef: 587538D3

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, of 3-30-2, Shimomaruko Ohtaku, Tokyo, 146, Japan Yutaka Ban Hironori Minagawa Katsuya Murakami Fumio Tazawa Yusuke Yamada Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Sealing member, toner accommodating container and image forming apparatus The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845c r -1- SEALING MEMBER, STONER ACCOMMODATING CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART: SThe present invention relates to a toner accommodating container, a sealing member therefor and San image forming apparatus, suitably usable with an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, facsimile machine.

In a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, fine particles 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 process. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer,

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printer, for example), a facsimile machine, word -2-

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processor or the like.

SSince the toner is very fine powder, it is known to place, upon toner supplying operation, a toner supply container inside the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and to gradually supply the 00 toner through a small opening to avoid scattering of I the toner.

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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 itself to discharge the toner. As for such a drive transmitting means, there are some methods.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Hei 05-75768 discloses that gear portion is provided on an outer surface of the toner bottle (toner supply container), and the gear is engaged with a driving gear, by which the toner bottle is rotated.

Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Hei 63084 discloses that end surface of the toner bottle is provided with a projection, which is engaged with a recesses 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 63076 discloses another type. A rotating force transmitting portion of the main assembly of image Sforming apparatus has an inner diameter which is Sprovided with a plurality of engaging grooves, and the toner container is provided with projections engageable with the engaging grooves. The rotational 0 5 driving force is transmitted through the engagement Stherebetween.

k\ As described, various drive transmission methods are proposed for driving the toner supply container.

1 0 However, the conventional structures involve some problems.

In the case of Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Hei 05-75768, when the toner bottle is inserted into the main assembly of the 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 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 engagement 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 toner bottle is raised or is laterally deviated with a result of improper rotation. In other to avoid such a deviation, it is required that entire outer

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;circumference of the toner bottle is enclosed. This imposes difficulty in the toner bottle mounting and mounting operation. Additionally, the supplying system becomes complicated and inexpensive.

00 5 In the methods disclosed in Japanese Laidopen Patent Application Hei 10-63084 and Japanese (N Laid-open Patent Application Hei 10-68076, when the IND 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 direction is required. This degrades the developer supplying operativity, and even a slight deviation may result in an 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 of the toner bottle in the rotational direction upon the insertion thereof, or that rotating operation of the engaging recess of the main assembly driving portion is controlled to stop at a predetermined rotational position whenever it stops This also result in complication and cost increase.

In most of the coupling drive transmission using projection/recess engagement, when the phase deviation occurs between the toner bottle and the main 0 assembly driving portion, it is required that main assembly driving portion is retracted against a spring force, and the engaging position is established when the phase becomes Saligned. 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 with the state, the face differences is eliminated sooner or later, and therefore, the engagement is established. However, the structure of the main assembly driving portion 00 is complicated. In addition, the main assembly driving portion has to be movable toward the rear side, which requires an additional space and therefore hinder downsizing of the main assembly of the apparatus.

In the conventional example, it is not disclosed as to how to disengage the IC projection from the recess. Assuming that operator forces to pull the toner supply container out, or the operator pushes the small projection by the finger, the usability is not good, or the driving portion of the image forming apparatus or the toner supply container may be damaged.

[R:\LIBLL] I 8237.doc:Izv SSummary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a toner supply container detachably Smountable to an image forming apparatus, said toner supply container comprising: t a container body having a toner containable inner space, said container body being rotatable about a rotation axis; a feeding portion for feeding the toner in said container body with rotation of 00oO said container body to discharge the toner from said container body; and a multifunction coupling member including: N, an engageable portion which is displaceable substantially radially outwardly to establish a hooking engagement with a hole formed in a hollow cylindrical member provided in the image forming apparatus by a relative movement between the cylindrical member and said multifunction coupling member in a direction so as to cause an overlapping relationship therebetween; an opening force receiving portion for receiving an opening force substantially in a direction parallel with the rotation axis to open said container to permit discharge of the toner from said container body; a feeding force receiving portion for receiving a feeding force substantially in a circumferential direction of rotation about the rotation axis to rotate said container body; and a displacing force receiving portion for receiving, from said image forming apparatus, a displacing force for displacing said engageable portion substantially radially inwardly to permit a relative movement between said cylindrical member and said multifunction coupling member in a direction opposite to the direction so as to cause the overlapping relationship.

[R:\LIBLL] I 8237.doc:lzv r 1 Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of a toner supply container into an image forming apparatus.

00 Figure 4 is a front view of an imaging forming apparatus of Figure 1.

SFigure 5 is a side view of the image forming apparatus of Figure 1.

CN Figure 6 is a top plan view of the image

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0 [R:\LIBLL] 18237.doc:lzv ;forming apparatus in which a toner container exchange Scover is shown as being in an open position.

Figure 7 is sectional views illustrating a toner supply container mounting operation, wherein (A) 00 5 shows an initial stage of the mounting operation, (B) shows the state in the process of mounting operation, O and shows the state after the completion of the Smounting operation.

Figure 8 is a partly broken perspective view of a toner supply container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a partly enlarged section of view of a drive transmitting 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.

Figure 10 is a partly broken perspective view of a toner supply container according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a partly enlarged section of view of a drive transmitting portion according to another embodiment of the present invention in which a driving shaft is provided on a sealing member side.

Figure 12 is a side view of a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein is a front view, is a side view as seen in the direction X of and is a side view IN -9as seen in the direction Y of Figure 13 is a sectional view of a sealing O member taken along a line X-X of of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a driving 00 005 force transmitting portion and a driving force receiving portion according to an embodiment of the IND present invention.

Figure 15 is a partially sectional view illustrating engaging action of a drive transmitting portion of a toner bottle, in which shows a state before insertion of toner bottle, shows a state in the process of insertion, shows a state after the completion of inserting operation.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a driving force receiving portion according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a sectional view of the sealing member of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is an illustration of phase alignment when the toner bottle is inserted into the main assembly of apparatus wherein shows a state in which an engaging rib and an engaging projection are aligned with each other, shows a state in which they are not aligned after rotation to a certain extent, and shows a state in which the engaging rib is abutted to the engaging projection to enable drive transmission.

Figure 19 shows a sealing member according to San embodiment of the present invention, wherein is a left side view, is a front view, and is a right-hand side view.

00 5 Figure 20 is a perspective view of a driving force transmitting portion and a driving force receiving portion according to a further embodiment of

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0 the present invention, in which phase control operation is not necessary.

Figure 21 illustrates the drive transmitting portion of Figure 20 during a toner bottle inserting operation, wherein shows a state before insertion of the toner bottle, shows a state in the process of the inserting operation, and shows a state after completion of the inserting operation.

Figure 22 illustrates disengagement action at the drive transmitting portion of the toner bottle, Swherein is before disengagement, is in the process of disengagement, is after completion of the disengagement action.

Figure 23 is a sectional view of a sealing member according to a further embodiment of the present convention, wherein is a side view, is a front view, and is a sectional view.

Figure 24 is a sectional view illustrating engagement of the sealing member of Figure 23 with a driving portion.

-11- Figure 25 is an illustration of disengagement action at the drive transmitting portion of the toner o bottle, wherein is before disengagement, is in the process of disengagement, and is after the 00 5 completion of the disengagement action.

Figure 26 illustrates a sealing member k\ according to a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein is a side view, and is a sectional view taken along a line X-X.

Figure 27 shows a driving portion engageable with the sealing member, of Figure 26 according to a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein is a front view, is a side view, is a sectional view taken along a line C-C of is a sectional view taken along a line D-D of Figure 28 illustrates engaging action between the sealing member of Figure 26 and the driving portion of Figure 27, wherein shows a state in which the toner bottle is being inserted, shows a state in the process of insertion, and shows a state after the completion of insertion.

Figure 29 illustrates disengagement action after the engagement shown in Figure 28, wherein (A) is before the disengagement, is in the process of the disengagement, and is after completion of the disengagement action.

Figure 30 is a sectional view of a sealing -12member according to a further embodiment of the Spresent invention, wherein is before disengagement, and is in the process of disengagement.

00 5 Figure 31 is a perspective view of a toner Ssupply container according to a further embodiment of O the present invention.

Figure 32 shows a sealing member according to a modified embodiment of Embodiment 2.

Figure 33 is a perspective view illustrating a drive transmission for a photosensitive drum according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

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 Figure 1, the description will first be made as to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which is an exemplary image forming apparatus to which a toner supply container (toner accommodating container) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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-13- (Electrophotographic image forming apparatus) SFigure 1 shows an electrophotographic copying O machine. An original 101 in a main assembly (main assembly of apparatus) 100 is placed on an original 00 5 supporting platen glass 102. A light image corresponding to the image information of the original IND 101 is image on an electrophotographic photosensitive ^C drum (image bearing member) 104 through a plurality of mirrors M and a lens Ln of an optical portion 103.On the basis of selection by the user on an operating portion 100a shown in Figure 2 or on the basis of automatic selection in accordance with the paper size of the original 101, an optimum sheet P is selected from the cassettes 105, 106, 107, 108. The recording material is not limited to the sheet of paper, but may be an OHP sheet, for example.

A single sheet P supplied from one of separating devices 105A, 106A, 107A, 108A, is fed to registration rollers 110 by way of a feeding portion 109, and the sheet P is fed to the transfer portion by the registration rollers 110 in synchronism with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning timing of the optical portion 103. In the transfer portion, a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer discharger 111. The sheet P now having the transferred toner image is separated from -14the photosensitive drum 104 by a separation discharger S112.

0 The sheet P is fed into a fixing portion 114 by a feeding portion 113. In the fixing portion 114, 00 005 the toner image is fixed on the sheet P by heat and pressure. Thereafter, the sheet P is passed through a IND discharged sheet reversing portion 115 and discharged to a sheet discharge tray 117 by sheet discharging rollers 116 in the case of a one sided copy mode. In the case of a duplex copy mode, the sheet P is refed to the registration rollers 110 through sheet refeeding paths 119, 120, under the control of a flapper 118 provided in the discharged sheet reversing portion 115. Then, the sheet is fed similarly to the case of the one-sided copy mode, and is finally discharged to the sheet discharge tray 117.

In the case of a superimposed copy mode, the sheet P is temporarily and partly discharged by the sheet discharging rollers 116 through the discharged sheet reversing portion 115. Thereafter, at the timing when the trailing edge of the sheet passes by the flapper 118 while it is still nipped by the sheet discharging rollers 116, the flapper 118 is controlled, and the sheet discharging roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that it is refed into the main assembly 100. Thereafter, the sheet is fed to the registration rollers 110 through the sheet

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refeeding portions 119, 120, and then the sheet is processed similarly to the case of the one-sided copy O mode. It is finally discharged to the sheet discharge tray 117.

00 00 5 In the main assembly 100 of apparatus, there Sare provided a developing device 201 (developing ND means), a cleaning device 202, the primary charger 203 and so on, around the photosensitive drum 104.

An electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing the photosensitive drum 104 uniformly to double to the image light corresponding to the image information of the original 101. The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by a developing device 201. In order to supply the toner (developer) into the developing device 201, a toner supply container 1 is detachably mountable by the user into the main assembly 100 of apparatus. The present S. invention needs applicable to the case in which only the toner is supplied into the image forming apparatus from the toner supply container and to the case in which the toner and carrier are supplied therefrom.

In this embodiment, the former is the case.

The developing device 201 comprises a toner hopper 201a (accommunodating means) and a developing device 201b. The toner hopper 201a is provided with a stirring member 201c for stirring the toner supply designated from the toner supply container 1. The -16toner stirred by the stirring member 201c is supplied Sinto the developing device 201b by a magnet roller 201d. The developing device 201b comprises a developing roller 201f and a feeding member 2 01e. The toner fed from the toner hopper 201a by the magnet 00 roller 201d is fed to the developing roller 201f by \0 the feeding member 201e, and it supplied to the Sphotosensitive drum 104 by the developing roller 201f.

The cleaning device 202 functions to remove the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 104.

The primary charger 203 functions to electrically charge the photosensitive drum 104.

When the user opens a front cover 15 for exchange of the toner supply container (front cover) which is a part of an outer casing shown in Figure 2, a container receiving tray 50 which is a part of mounting means is drawn out to a predetermined position by an unshown driving system. The user places the toner supply container 1 on the container receiving tray 50. When the user takes the toner supply container 1 out of the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, the container receiving tray 15 is drawn out, and the toner supply container 1 is taken out of the tray The front cover 15 is provided exclusively for mounting and demounting (exchange) of the toner supply container 1, and therefore, it is opened and -17- Sclosed only for the purpose. When the maintenance Soperation for the main assembly 100 of the apparatus is to be carried out, the front cover l00c is opened.

The toner supply container 1 may be directly 00 5 mounted to the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, and Smay be taken out.

\0 (Toner supply operation) SReferring to Figure 7, Figure 7, the toner supply operation from the toner supply container (toner bottle) in this embodiment, will be described. Figure 7, illustrates the process of toner supply in which the toner bottle 1 of this embodiment is inserted into the main assembly 100 of the apparatus.

As shown in the Figure, the main assembly 100 of the its apparatus is provided with a toner supply device 400, and the toner supply device 400 is provided with a driving portion (driving force transmitting portion) 20 for collecting with and rotating the toner bottle 1 The driving portion is rotatably supported by bearings 23, and is rotated by an unshown driving motor provided in the main assembly 100 of the apparatus.

The main assembly 100 of apparatus is further provided with a partition 25 constituting a toner supply path 24 connecting with a hopper 201a, and to the partition 25, inner and outer bearing 26a, 26b as -18for rotatably bearing a part of the toner bottle 1 and Sfor sealing the toner supply path 24, are fixed.

Furthermore, a screw member 27 is disposed in the toner supply path 24 to feed the toner to the hopper 00 5 201a.

Figure 7, illustrates insertion of the O toner bottle 1 into the main assembly 100 of the

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apparatus. One end of the toner bottle 1 is provided with a toner supply opening la, which will be called simply "opening", formed by a cylindrical member in this embodiment, the opening la sealed by a sealing member 2 at the free end of the cylinder.

Figure 7, shows a state in which the toner bottle 1 has been further inserted, and an engaging projection 3 (locking projection) provided at a free end portion of the sealing member 2 is engaged with a locking hole (retaining) with the driving _portion 20 provided in the main assembly. The engagement between the driving portion 20 and the sealing member 2 is accomplished in the following manner. The user inserts the toner bottle 1 into the main assembly, and by this, the driving portion 20 is brought into contact with an upper surface (locking force receiving portion) of the engaging projection.

By further inserting the toner bottle 1, the driving portion 20 presses down the engaging projection to displace it. Thereafter, when the pressing action by -19the driving portion 20 is released, the portion Ssupporting the locking projection restores by its own elastic force, so that engagement is accomplished.

Thus, in this embodiment, the engagement is a 00 5 soul-called "snap fit" type.

O Since the locking surface 3b (locking \O portion) provided in the engaging projection 3 is locked with a locking hole (portion to be locked) against a thrust direction (axial direction) motion, and therefore, as long as the locking is maintained, the sealing member 2 is retained at the fixed position by the driving portion 20, although small play is permissible.

As will be understood from Figure 7, after the sealing member 2 and the driving portion are engaged, a slidable member 300 is retracted in a direction indicated by an arrow b in interrelation with a closing operation of the front cover 15 for exchange of the bottle. By this, the toner bottle 1 is retracted, too, but the sealing member is locked with the main assembly side of the image forming apparatus, and therefore, the sealing member 2 is away from the toner bottle i, thus opening the opening la to enable toner supply.

At the time, the driving shaft Ib fixed to the main body IA of the toner bottle 1, is not completely disengaged from the sealing member 2 even in the state of the opening la being sealed by the Ssealing member and evening the state of the opening being opened, and the engaging portion (hole portion) of the sealing member is kept engaged with the driving shaft lb (portion to be engaged). The driving shaft O ilb has a non-circular cross-sectional configuration, Cqsuch as rectangular or triangular shape shape to

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permit driving force transmission. Correspondingly, the hole (engaging portion) has a complementary configuration for slidable fitting.

When an unshown motor is driven in this state, the rotational driving force is transmitted to a driving force receiving surface (driving force receiving portion) of the engaging projection of the sealing member 2 from the main assembly driving portion 20 (the driving portion provided in the main assembly), and the driving force is transmitted from the sealing member 2 to the driving shaft lb, which rotates the toner bottle 1 to feed and discharge the toner.

Thus, the sealing member 2 has a function of sealing the opening la, a function of receiving the rotational driving force from the main assembly side of image forming apparatus, as a function of transmitting the rotational driving force to the toner bottle 1 side.

The toner bottle 1 is rotatably supported by -21bottle receiving roller 23 provided on a container Sreceiving Table 50, and therefore, can be smoothly rotated by a small driving torque. The bottle receiving roller 23 is disposed at each of four oo 5 positions forming a saddle with respect to the main body IA of the bottom. The bottle receiving rollers 23 are rotatably supported on the toner supply device

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400 of the main assembly 100 of the apparatus. By the Cl.

rotation of the toner bottle 1, the toner accommodated in the toner bottle 1 is discharged through the opening la gradually, and the screw member 27 provided in the toner supply path 24 feeds the toner into the hopper 201a provided in the main assembly 100 of apparatus, thus accomplishing the toner supply.

(Exchanging method for toner supply container) The description will be made as to an exchanging method of the toner bottle.

With the image forming operation, the toner in the toner bottle 1 is consumed. When substantially all the toner therein is used up, the "no toner" is detected by a detecting means (unshown) provided in the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, and the event is notified to the user by displaying means 100b (Figure 2) such as liquid crystal display.

In this embodiment, the toner bottle 1 easy exchange by the user, through the following steps.

First, the front cover 15 which is in the -22close state is rotated about a hinge 18 to an open position indicated by broken lines in Figure 6. In interrelation with the action of opening the front cover 15, the main body IA of the bottle which takes 00 5 the position indicated in of Figure 7 is moved in Sa direction indicated by an arrow an in of Figure 7 which is opposite from the direction of arrow b, by

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Sopening and closing means for the toner supplying portion which will be described hereinafter. By this, the sealing member 2 which is at an open position (away from the main body 1A of the bottle to open the toner supply opening la) is press-fitted into the toner supply opening la, so that toner supply opening la is plugged (Figure 7, At this time, the sealing member still maintains engagement with the main assembly of the image forming apparatus.

Thereafter, a releasing ring applies a releasing force to a releasing projection, by which the releasing projection is depressed together with the engaging projection, so that engagement is released. By retracting the main body 1A of the bottle in a longitudinal direction of the bottle, the releasing operation between the sealing member and the main assembly of the image forming apparatus is completed.

Then, the user draws the vacant toner bottle 1 which has been released from the main assembly 100 of the apparatus out of the main assembly 100 of the 1 -23apparatus in the direction of arrow b (Figure 7 (C) Swhich is opposite from the direction of arrow a (Figure 7 arrow a).

The user then inserts a new toner bottle 1 00 5 into the main assembly 100 of the apparatus in the direction of arrow a, and then close the front cover O 15. In interrelation with the front cover 15 closing Saction, the sealing member 2 locked with the main assembly of the image forming apparatus is moved away from the main body of the container by the toner supplying portion opening and closing means, so that toner supply opening la is unsealed (Figure 7, The foregoing is the exchanging process of the toner supply container.

(Toner bottle) Referring to Figure 8 and Figure 9, the toner bottle will be described.

The toner bottle 1 is generally cylindrical, and one end thereof is provided substantially at a center with an opening la by a projected portion. The diameter of the opening la is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical portion IA which is the main body of the bottle. The opening la is plugged with a sealing member 2 for sealing the opening la, and as will be understood from the description in conjunction with Figure 7, the opening la is unsealed and resealed automatically by the sliding -24motion of the sealing member 2 relative to the toner Sbottle 1 in the longitudinal direction (arrow b) of the toner bottle 1.

At the free end portion of the sealing member 00 5 2, there is formed a cylindrical portion having an O engaging projection 3 and a releasing force receiving portion 4 for disengaging from the driving portion

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provided in the main assembly of apparatus, and such a portion of the cylindrical portion as supports the engaging projection and the releasing projection is elastically deformable (in order to enhance or assist the elastic information, slits are formed at lateral sides'of the region so as to extend to the free end of the cylindrical portion, as will be described hereinafter).

The engaging projection 3 is engaged with the driving portion 20 and functions to transmit the rotation to the toner bottle i. The structures of the engaging projection 3 and the releasing force will be described in detail hereinafter.

The internal structure of the toner bottle 1 will be described.

As described in the foregoing, the toner bottle 1 is generally cylindrical in shape and is disposed generally horizontally in the main assembly 100 of apparatus. It is rotated by the main assembly 100 of apparatus. An inside of the toner bottle 1 has 1 a projection ic in the form of a rib which extends Shelically. When the toner bottle 1 rotates, the toner is fed in the axial direction along the helical projection Ic, and the toner is discharged through the opening la formed at an end of the toner bottle i.

0 The internal structure of the toner bottle 1 Ocaccording to the present invention is not limiting, IND and the configuration or the structure may be any as long as the toner can be discharged by rotation of the toner bottle 1. The main body of the toner bottle is not limited to that described in the foregoing. For example, it may have a rotation screw or the like for feeding the toner, and the rotation screw is driven by a rotational driving force received by the sealing member from the image forming apparatus, while the main body is fixed (not rotatable) on the main assembly of the image forming apparatus.

kThe feature this embodiment is in the structure of the drive transmitting portion for connection with the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, and therefore, the internal structure of the toner bottle 1 may be any, and the bottle may have a helical projection lc on the inner surface of the bottle.

For example, the internal structure of the bottle may be modified as shown in Figure 10. In this modified example, there is provided in the main body -26of the bottle is buffle member 40 generally in the Sform of a plate. The surface of the buffle member has, on a surface, a plurality of inclined projections which are inclined with respect to the direction of the axis of the toner bottle 1.One end of one of the inclined projection 40a extends to a neighborhood O oof the opening la. The toner is finally discharged from the inclined projection 40a through the opening la. By the rotation of the toner bottle 1, the toner is scooped by the buffle member 40 and then falls sliding on the surface of the buffle member Because of the inclination of the inclined projection the toner is advanced toward the front side of the toner bottle 1. By repeating this operation, the toner in the toner bottle is gradually fed to the opening la while being stirred, and is discharged therethrough.

The driving type of this invention is not

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limited to the rotational driving type such as the type of this embodiment or modification. The toner bottle may be vibrated, swung or may be moved in another fashion to supply the toner. In other words, the driving may be rotation, swing, vibration or another as long as the toner is discharged from the bottle by the toner bottle is moved by the main assembly 100 of apparatus.

In the above-described modified example, the -27buffle member 40 in the form of the plate is a C separate member from the toner bottle 1, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the buffle member 40 through the sealing member 2 to indirectly 00 5 rotate the toner bottle 1.

O In the manner, the present invention is \0 applicable when the toner bottle 1 is directly or indirectly driven through a sealing member 2.

In Figures 8 and 9, the main body IA of the bottle is provided with the opening la at the one longitudinal end surface thereof, and a driving shaft Ib (portion to be engaged) is projected out of the opening la, the driving shaft Ib being integral with the main body LA of the bottle and being provided in the opening la. The driving shaft Ib is disposed substantially coaxially with the opening la, and is slidably engaged with an engaging hole 2a (engaging portion) formed in the sealing member 2. The engaging hole, as shown in Figure 9, is closed at an end remote from the driving shaft, so that toner leakage through the engaging.hole is prevented.

The driving shaft Ib functions to transmit the rotational driving force from the main assembly 100 of the apparatus to the main body lA of the bottle through the sealing member 2, the cross-sectional configuration of the driving shaft lb is non-circular, for example, rectangular configuration, H shape, D -28t U shape or the like to transmit the rotational driving Sforce. The driving shaft Ib is fixed on the main body 1A of the bottle by proper means.

The driving shaft Ib may not be fixed on the main body 1A of the bottle but is integral with the 00 sealing member 2 as shown in Figure 11. In this case, C-i the engaging hole 2a for transmitting the driving Sforce from the driving shaft Ib is provided in the toner bottle 1 side, and that opening is formed so that they are its maintained engaged with each other after the toner bottle is unsealed. In the modified example, the member defining the engaging hole 2a its supported by a member Ic provided inside the opening la, but the discharge of the toner is permitted.

In this embodiment, the driving shaft Ib is fixed on the main body 1A of the bottle.

(Sealing member) Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the description will be made as to the sealing member 2 (drive receiving member).

In Figures 12 and 13, the sealing member 2 comprises a sealing portion 2b for unsealably sealing the opening la of the toner bottle 1, and a coupling engagement portion 2c (cylindrical portion) in the form of a cylinder engageable with the driving portion of the main assembly of apparatus. An outer diameter of a large diameter portion of the sealing -29portion 2b is larger than the inner diameter of the Sopening la by a proper degree. The sealing portion 2b is press-fitted into the opening la, by which the opening la (toner supply opening) is sealed by the O 5 sealing member 2.

O As described in the foregoing, the sealing member 2 has an engaging hole 2a for transmitting the driving force received from the main assembly 100 of the apparatus to the driving shaft Ib by engagement with the driving shaft lb. The engaging hole 2a extended continuously in the sealing portion 2b and the engaging portion 2c. The engaging hole 2a has a cross-sectional configuration which is complementary with the driving shaft Ib and which is slightly larger than the cross-section of the driving shaft lb.

Because of this, the driving shaft Ib is loosely fitted in the engaging hole 2a. The engaging hole 2a and the driving shaft Ib have complementary polygonal configurations. In this embodiment, it is square.

Because of the loose fitting of the driving shaft Ib in the engaging hole 2a having such crosssections, the main body IA of the bottle and the sealing member 2 are slidable relative to each other in the axial direction while being prevented from relative rotational motion therebetween. With this structure, when the toner bottle 1 is mounted (locked) on the toner supply device 400, the sealing member 2 is movable relative to the main body lA of the bottle, Sthat is, the unsealing of the opening la (toner supply opening) is enabled.

The engagement length between the engaging hole 2a and the driving shaft lb is determined such 00 that they are not this engaged from each other upon CI the relative movement between the sealing member 2 and

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the main body lA of the bottle for the unsealing. By doing so, the driving shaft lb can receive the driving force through the sealing member 2 even if the sealing member 2 is moved away relatively from the main body 1.

The description will be made as to the engaging projection 3 (locking projection) which is one of the features of the present invention.

The coupling engagement portion 2c of the sealing member 2 has an engaging projection 3 for Freceiving the driving force from the main assembly 100 of apparatus. The engaging projection 3 is projected radially outwardly from the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the coupling engagement portion 2c. The engaging projection comprises a drive receiving surface 3a (driving force receiving portion) for receiving the rotational driving force from the main assembly of the apparatus; and a locking surface 3b (locking portion) for snap fit type locking of the sealing member 2 into a locking hole (portion to be -31locked) provided in the main assembly of apparatus Swhen the sealing member 2 and the toner bottle 1 are moved away from each other (from the closed state to the open state). Thus, by the drive receiving surface 5 3a, the engaging hole 2a and the locking surface 3b, the engaging projection 3 performs three different ~functions, namely, a coupling function for receiving

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the rotational driving force from the main assembly of apparatus, a transmitting function of transmitting the rotation to the toner bottle 1, and a locking function (retention function) for permitting relative sliding motion between the sealing member 2 and the main body of the toner bottle 1 so as to automatically open and close the opening.

When the driving force is transmitted with the locking surface 3b locked with the main assembly driving portion 20, the surface 3b is effective to maintain a constant distances between the sealing member 2 and the toner bottle 1. This assures the formation of the path of the toner between the toner bottle 1 and the sealing member 2, so that toner discharging amount is maintained constant. Thus, a toner bottle having an excellent constant amount discharging property can be accomplished. In addition, the sealing member 2 is assuredly locked with the main assembly driving portion 20 of the apparatus, and therefore, the sealing member 2 is not -32likely to disengage from the driving shaft during the Stoner discharging operation, thus further assuring the toner discharging.

According to such a structure, the automatic opening and closing operation of the sealing member 2 00 and the driving force transmitting operation can be accomplished by a single sealing member, so that

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inexpensive and compact toner supply container can be provided.

The engaging projection 3 is preferably in general with the sealing member 2 from this standpoint of reduction of the number of constituent parts, but a separate member for the engaging projection 3 may be mounted to the sealing member 2. Such an example will be described in conjunction with a fourth embodiment.

The engaging projection 3 has a driving force receiving function as well as the locking function, and therefore, it has a certain degree of rigidity.

In view of this, slits 2e or the like are formed at lateral ends of the engaging projection 3, so that only the part of the coupling engagement portion 2c where the engaging projection 3 is provided, can relatively freely deformable elastically toward the inside. This is because the engaging projection 3 is displaced by the main assembly 100 of apparatus to effect the engagement and disengagement relative to the main assembly of apparatus, as will be described -33hereinafter.

SIn this embodiment, the engaging projection 3 is integral with the sealing member 2 in this embodiment.

5 The free end portion of the engaging 00 projection 3 is provided with a taper (locking force C receiving portion) so as to permit smooth insertion

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when the sealing member 2 is inserted into the driving portion 20 of the main assembly 100 of apparatus. The tapered surface 3c receives a locking force from an inner surface of the driving portion 20 so that engaging projection 3 (locking portion) is displaced inwardly to lock into the locking hole when the tapered surface 3c approaches relatively to the locking hole 20h of the driving portion 20. When the locking surface further approaches to the locking hole to such an extent that contact of the tapered portion 3c to the inner surface of the driving portion that is, the locking force is released, the portion supporting the engaging projection (locking portion) restores from the displaced position, thus completing the locking between the sealing member (locking portion) and the main assembly (portion to be locked) of the image forming apparatus.

After the completion of the locking action, the relative motion between the sealing member and the main body of the bottle is automatically imparted in -34u the direction away from each other, by which the topening is unsealed to enable the toner discharge. In this embodiment, the sealing member is engaged with the main assembly of apparatus such that movement in the sliding direction is prevented, and in this state, 00 the main body of the bottle is retracted or advanced C to automatically open or close the opening.

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SReferring to Figures 12 and 13, the description will be made as to the structure of a releasing force receiving portion which is another one of the features of the present invention.

The engaging projection 3 described above is provided at each of two positions which are diametrically opposed to each other, and the two engaging projections 3 are connected by a connecting portion which functions as a releasing force receiving portion 4. When the releasing force receiving portion (releasing portion) 4 receives a force from the main assembly old apparatus in the direction indicated by an arrow b, the engaging projections 3 are elastically deformed as indicated by chain lines in Figure 13. If the force application is stopped, the original position is restored. The releasing portion 4 has a relatively small thickness to permit the elastic deformation, and the material is selected in consideration of such an elastic deformation.

It is preferable that sealing member 2 is manufactured through an injection molding from a Splastic resin material or the like, but another material, or another manufacturing method is usable.

They may be provided by connecting separate members.

The sealing member 2 desirably has a proper elasticity since it is press-fitted into the opening la to seal O iit. The best material is low density polyethylene material, and preferable materials are polypropylene, normal chain polyamide, Nylon (tradename), high density polyethylene, polyester, ABS, HIPS (shockresistant polystyrene) or the like.

By employing an elastically deformable elastic member for the parts supporting the engaging projection 3 and for the releasing portion 4, the locking and releasing between the driving portion and the engaging projection 3 can be accomplished with a simple structure, utilizing the elastic deformation and restoration. The above-described materials have proper elasticities, and therefore, the engagement and disengagement of the driving portion 20 and the engaging projection 3 are easily effected with sufficient durability.

The releasing portion 4 is in the form of a bridge connecting the engaging projections 3, so that such a plurality of engaging projections 3 can be uniformly displaced by pushing one releasing portion.

It is not inevitable to integrally connect -36the engaging projections, but releasing portions may Sbe provided for the respective engaging projections, as shown in Figures 16 and 17.

(Driving force receiving portion) 00 5 Referring to Figure 14, the description will O be made as to the structure of the coupling engagement Cqportion 2c provided in the sealing member 2, which is another one of the features of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the sealing member 2 is provided with the coupling engagement portion 2c in the form of a cylinder. As described in the foregoing, it also functions as a drive receiving member to receive the driving force from the driving force transmitting portion 20 provided in the toner supply device 400.

In the cylindrical coupling engagement portion 2c of the sealing member 2, the two parts provided with the respective engaging projections 3 are elastically deformable, such that parts are easily and elastically deformed by the tapered portion 3c of the engaging projection 3 being pressed by the driving portion 20. The releasing portion 4 is provided so as to connect the engaging projections 3, and the engaging projection 3 and the releasing portion 4 are integral with each other.

On the other hand, the locking hole 20h of the driving portion 20 provided in the main assembly -37- 100 side of the apparatus is constructed so as to be Slocked with the engaging projection 3 (locking surface) of the sealing member 2. When the sealing member 2 is inserted into the driving portion 20, the 00 5 smooth insertion is accomplished by providing the Sdriving portion 20 with a tapered surface 20b defining gradually decreasing inner diameter at the free end of

IND

Sthe driving portion 20. The sealing member 2 is smoothly inserted into the driving portion 20 because of the provision of the tapered surface The driving portion 20 is provided with an engaging rib 20a for rotating the toner bottle 1, and the engaging rib 20a abuts the drive receiving surface 3a to transmit the rotational driving force to the sealing member after the engaging projection is engaged with the locking hole Referring to-Figure 15, the engagement between the driving portion 20 and the sealing member 2 in this embodiment will be described.

In Figure 15, shows a state when the user is setting a new toner bottle 1 in the direction indicated by an arrow an in order to install it into the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, in which the toner'bottle 1 is not yet been engaged with the driving portion 20 in the main assembly of apparatus.

When the toner bottle 1 is further inserted, the tapered portion 3c of the engaging projection 3 of -38the sealing member 2 is brought into contact with the Stapered surface 20b of the driving portion 20, as S shown in in Figure 15, and the engaging projection 3 is being guided by the tapered surface 20b while 5 being elastically deformed toward inside.

00 With the further insertion of the toner Cqbottle 1, the engaging projection 3 passes by the IND straight portion 20g containing from the tapered surface 2Qb, the engaging projection 3 restores because of the provision of the space portion (locking hole) not having the engaging rib 20a, by which the engaging projection 3 is locked with the driving portion 20, as shown in in Figure 15. In the state, the engaging projection 3 is firmly locked relative to the driving portion 20, and the position of the sealing member 2 in the thrust direction (axial direction) is substantially fixed relative to the main assembly of apparatus.

Therefore, even if the toner bottle 1 is retracted in the direction indicated by an arrow arrow b, as shown in in Figure 7, the sealing member 2 does not move in the same direction, but is firmly fixed to the driving portion 20.On the other hand, since the toner bottle 1 is instructed, the sealing member 2 is separated away from the toner bottle 1 with certainty, so that opening la is unsealed or opened. The sliding retracting operation of the toner -39bottle 1 may be interrelated with the opening and Sclosing operation of the front cover 15 provided in S the main assembly 100 of the apparatus.

As for the sliding operation, the toner bottle 1 may be slid with the sealing member 2 fixed, O or the sealing member 2 may be slid with the toner O bottle 1 fixed, or both of them may be slid away from

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each other.

When the toner is used up from the toner bottle, the empty toner bottle is taken out to exchange it with a new toner bottle. The dismounting operation is carried out by the above-described steps in a reverse order.

In detail, when the operator opens the front cover, the following occurs. First, the main body of the toner bottle advances toward the sealing member while'the sealing member is locked in the main assembly of the apparatus, by which the sealing member of the opening is automatically sealed. By a pushing member 21 which will be described hereinafter, a releasing projection is actuated to release the engaging projection from the locking hole. Then, the main body of the toner bottle is retracted together with the sealing member re-press-fitted into the opening, so that sealing member is disengaged from the main assembly of the apparatus. By this, the toner bottle is prepared for being removed from the main assembly of the apparatus.

S(Structure eliminating necessity of phase alignment) The description will be made as to the structure eliminating the necessity of phase alignment 5 when the toner bottle 1 is brought into engagement 00 with the main assembly driving portion I In a conventional drive transmitting means

IND

using a combination of projection and recesses type coupling drive, it is necessary to engage a recess and a projection with phase alignment. This is not necessary according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 18, this will be described.

Figure 18 shows a positional relation in the rotational direction between the engaging projection 3 and the engaging rib 20a when the sealing member 2 is inserted into the driving portion 20. The engaging rib 20a is provided at one position, and the engaging projection 3 is provided at two positions (3A, 3B).

Assuming that engaging rib 20a and the engaging projection 3 are not aligned with each other when the user inserts the toner bottle 1, when the toner bottle 1 is inserted into the predetermined position, the sealing member 2 is locked with the driving portion 20, and when the toner bottle 1 is retracted, the sealing member 2 is away from the toner bottle 1 tO establish the toner dischargeable state.

However, depending on the position in the

I

-41rotational direction of the toner bottle 1 upon the Sinsertion of the toner bottle, the engaging projection S 3A is aligned with the engaging rib 20a as shown in of Figure 18. In this case, even if the toner bottle 1 is inserted into the predetermined position, O the engaging projection 3A interfere with the engaging rib 20a so that it is not released outwardly. Then,

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the locking is incomplete. If the toner bottle 1 is retracted with the state, the toner bottle 1 is retracted together with the sealing member 2 since the locking with the main assembly driving portion 20 is' incomplete. The opening la cannot be unsealed or opened.

In order to avoid this, the number of engaging projections 3 is larger than that of the engaging ribs 20a by at least one, by which not all of the engaging rib and engaging projection are aligned.

In the case of of Figure 18, one of the engaging projections 3A interferes with the engaging rib 20a, and therefore, is not locked with the main assembly driving portion 20. However, the other one of the engaging projections 3B does not interfere with the engaging rib 20a, and therefore, it is correctly locked with the driving portion 20. Thus, even if one of the engaging projections 3A is not locked correctly, the other engaging projection 3B is -42- Scorrectly locked, and therefore, the toner bottle 1 is Sseparated away from the sealing member 2 without problem, so that opening la is unsealed. After the opening la is unsealed, the incompletely engaged 00 5 engaging rib 20a is brought out of the interference Ssooner or later by the rotation of the main assembly \O driving portion 20 in the direction indicated by an

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arrow c, and therefore, correct locking of the engaging projection 3A is established. With further rotation, as shown in of Figure 18, the engaging rib 20a is engaged with the engaging projection 3B, so that rotation is transmitted to rotate the toner bottle 1.

By providing the number of engaging projections 3 which is at least one larger than the number of engaging ribs 20a, at least one of the engaging projections is engaged with the locking hole without an interference with the engaging rib irrespective of the position of the toner bottle 1 in the rotational direction. In this manner, the toner bottle 1 can be assuredly set in the apparatus.

The number of the engaging projections 3 may be four rather than two as in this embodiment. In that case, the number of the engaging ribs is not more than three.

In this case, even if the number of the engaging ribs and the number of the engaging -43projections are the same, the distance (phase) between Sthe engaging rib may be made different from the S distance (phase) between the engaging projections, by which at least one engaging projections is not the 5 line with the engaging rib upon the insertion of the 00 bottle, so that correct looking can be accomplished there.

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IND

When a plurality of engaging ribs are provided at different circumferential position, it is preferable that engaging ribs are disposed at regular intervals in consideration of the drive transmission property.

Figure 20 shows another example which also eliminates the necessity for the phase alignment. In this modified example, a shallow locking groove 20e is extended in the entire inner circumference of the engaging portion 20d of the main assembly driving portion 20, and an engaging hole 20d for engagement with the engaging projection 3 is formed in the locking groove 20e. The locking groove 20e is not as deep as to completely engaged with the engaging projection 3, but is so shallow as to permit half engagement to permit automatic unsealing action.

Referring to Figure 21, the operation upon the engagement in this modified example will be described.

In Figure 21, shows a state in which the -44toner bottle 1 has not yet been inserted into the main C assembly driving portion 20, and the engaging hole of the main assembly driving portion 20 and the engaging projection 3 sealing member 2 are not aligned 00 5 in the positions in the rotational direction, as 0 indicated in X-X cross-section. With the insertion of IND the toner bottle 1, the state shown in of Figure S21 is reached, in which the engaging projection 3 is half-engaged with the locking groove 20e. With the state, when the toner bottle 1 is retracted, only the toner bottle 1 is retracted in the direction indicated by the arrow b since the sealing member 2 is locked with the locking groove 20e, so that sealing member 2 and the toner bottle 1 are spaced apart with certainty to unseal the opening la. When the main assembly driving portion 20 rotates in the direction indicated by an arrow c, the engaging hole 20d and the engaging projection 3 are aligned as shown in of Figure 21, and the engaging projection 3 is now completely engaged with the engaging hole 20d to permit transmission of the rotational driving f6rce.

In this manner, according to this embodiment, the toner bottle 1 can be properly set in the main assembly 100 of the apparatus simply by inserting the toner bottle 1 into the main assembly 100, without the necessity of adjusting the position of the bottle 1 in the rotational direction. Therefore, the exchange operation is simple and easy.

SAdditionally, since the opening and closing operation for the opening of the toner supply container is automatically executed in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus, and therefore, Sthe user is not required to open or close the opening.

qThis eliminates the possibility of contaminating the

IND

hands of the user.

(Releasing method) Referring to Figure 22, the description will be made as to releasing between the engaging projection 3 and the main assembly driving portion When the toner supply is completed, and the toner bottle 1 becomes empty, the current toner bottle 1 is removed, and a new toner bottle is set.

At this time, it is necessary to release the sealing member 2 from the driving portion As shown in Figure 22, the inside of the main assembly of the apparatus, more particularly, the inside of the driving portion 20 is provided with a pushing member 21. The pushing member 21 is movable in the same direction as the direction of the axis of the driving shaft lb of the toner bottle i.

In Figure 22, shows a state in which the toner supply is completed, and the opening la of the toner bottle 1 is in an open state.

When the locking between the driving portion -46and the sealing member 2 is released, the pushing Smember 21 is announced in a direction indicated by an arrow a to the releasing portion 4 at the free end of the sealing member 2, by which the releasing portion 4 is elastically deformed in the same direction, and O correspondingly, the engaging projection 3 integral Cqwith the releasing portion 4 the forms toward inside. IND By this, the engaging projection 3 is disengaged from the main assembly driving portion The pushing member 21 further advances in the direction of arrow a, by which the sealing member 2 is press-fitted into the opening la, thus resealing the opening la of the toner bottle 1. The pushing member 21 is even further advanced in the direction of arrow a, by which the toner bottle 1 per se is -retracted to slide the toner bottle 1 to a position to facilitate the user who is going to remove it.

As for the driving structure for the pushing member 21, it hay be interrelated with the opening and closing operation of the front cover 15 of the main assembly 100 o;f apparatus such that when the front cover 15 is opened, the pushing member 21 moves in the direction of arrow a to effect disengagement between the sealing member 2 of the toner bottle 1 and the driving portion 20, and when the front cover 15 is closed, it is advanced in the direction of arrow b.

Alternatively, a driving motor or the like is used to -47effect the disengaging operation independently. In Sanother alternative, it is not interrelated with the front cover 15 of the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, but a manual lever is provided, which is 00 5 manipulated by the user and is interrelated with the *pushing member.

\0 As described in the foregoing, according to the embodiments, the toner supply container can be locked in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus by a snap fit type engagement with certainty by inserting the toner supply container. When it is to be taken out, the snap fit type locking is easily released by pushing the releasing portion. Thus, the supplying operation from the toner supply container is accomplished with a very simple operation. Accordingly, a toner supply container of high operativity can be provided.

In addition, the disengagement of the drive f transmission for the toner supply container is simultaneously effected, and also the opening and closing operation for the opening can be simultaneously effected.

These advantageous effects can be provided by very simple action at low cost with compact structure and reliable drive transmission.

In the toner dischargeable state, it is not necessary to provide means for rotatably supporting -48- Sthe driving shaft Ib at the main body side of the Stoner bottle. This simplify the structure and avoids the problem of toner leakage, torque increase, production of coarse particles and so on.

00 5 (Embodiment 2) Referring to Figures 23-25, 32, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

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The same reference numeralsas with the first embodiment are assigned to the elements having the corresponding functions, and the detailed description of the common structure is omitted for simplicity.

As shown in Figure 23, in this embodiment, the releasing projection 4 (releasing portion) is provided on an outer surface not inside the cylindrical coupling engagement portion 2c of the sealing member 2 as in the first embodiment.' In this embodiment, engaging projection 3 and the releasing portion 4 are provided at each of four circumferentially equidistant positions so as to constitute pairs. The structures of the driving portion 20 for locking engagement with the engaging projection of the sealing member is the same as with the Embodiment 1.

Correspondingly, the pushing member 21 is in the form of a cylinder covering the outside periphery of the driving portion 20 as shown in Figure 24 and is slidable for engagement with the releasing portion 4, -49rather than a slidable rod as in the first embodiment.

SThe inner surface of the free end portion of the pushing member 21 (cylindrical member) is tapered such that inner diameter increases, that is, the thickness of the cylinder reduces, toward the free end, by which the tapered portion 21a is engaged with the apex of q the releasing portion 4 upon the engagement. Slits 2e IND Sare formed at the lateral sides of the supporting portion 2f for the engaging projection 3 and the releasing portion 4 to facilitate inward elastic deformation of the engaging projection 3 and the releasing portion 4 and restoration.

According to this embodiment, the entire sealing member can be integrally molded, and therefore, the production property of the sealing members is drastically improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In Figure 25, shows a state in which the

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toner supply is completed, and the opening la of the toner bottle 1 is still open.

When the engagement between the main assembly driving portion 20 and the sealing member 2 are to be released, the pushing member 21 is advanced to the releasing portion 4, as shown in in Figure 25; so that releasing portion 4 is pressed inwardly by the inner surface of the pushing member 21. This displaces the releasing portion 4 inwardly (arrow d) by the elastic deformation of the supporting portion S2f, and simultaneously, the engaging projection 3 is displaced inwardly together with the releasing portion 4. By this, the engaging projection 3 is disengaged from the main assembly driving portion 20. The 00 releasing steps are carried out in interrelation with the opening operation of the exchange cover by the

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operator.

Thereafter; the pushing member 21 is advanced in the direction of arrow a, so that sealing member 2 is returned to the sealing position of the toner bottle i, as shown in of Figure 25. Subsequently, the pushing member 21 is further advanced to slide the toner bottle 1 per se to a position facilitating the user who is going to take the toner bottle 1 out.

As. described in the foregoing, according to this embodiment, by the provision of the releasing portion 4 on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 2c, the same advantageous effects as with the first embodiment described in the following can be provided. According to this embodiment, when the sealing member 2 is produced by injection molding of a resin material, the mold can be easily removed, and thus improving the production property.

A width of the engaging projection is larger than the width of the releasing projection, so that when the main body of the bottle is retracted for -51automatic unsealing of the opening, the engagement between the engaging projection (locking surface) and the driving portion 20 is maintained. The releasing projection does not have such a function, and 00 5 therefore, the width is reduced to minimize the resin material cost in the manufacturing.

IND It is a possible alternative that thin portion 2y is provided as shown in Figure 32 to make the base portions of the supporting portion 2f (supporting the engaging projection and the releasing projection) easy todeform. With this structure, the disengagement action is made sure while maintaining a sufficient rigidity of the sealing member including the engaging projection which receives the rotational driving force.

(Embodiment 3) Referring to Figures 26 through 29, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 24, the engaging projection 3 and the releasing portion (releasing projection) 4 for the sealing member 2 are provided at the outer surface of the engaging portion 2b. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 26, the engaging projection 3 and the releasing projection 4 are provided at each of four circumferentially equidistant positions on an inner surface of the engaging portion 2b.

-52- Corresponding to such a structure of the E sealing member 2, the main assembly driving portion has a configuration shown in Figure 27. The main assembly driving portion 20 comprises a cylindrical 00 5 portions including a free end portion 20b, a small O diameter portion 20c, a large diameter portion 20d and k\ a rear end 20e which have different outer diameters.

It also comprises a through-hole 20f through which the pushing member 21 is penetrated. The inner diameter of the through-hole 20f is constant. The small diameter portion 20c has a minimum outer diameter and is provided with an engaging rib 20a extending in the longitudinal direction of the driving portion 20 at each of the diametrically opposite positions.

Referring to Figure 28, the description will be made as to engagement between the driving portion and the sealing member 2 in this embodiment.

In Figure 28, shows a state.in which the toner bottle 1 is inserted in a direction indicated by an arrow b for a user to install a new toner bottle 1 into the main assembly of apparatus, in which the toner bottle 1 is not yet been locked with the driving portion 20 provided in the main assembly of apparatus.

As shown in of Figure 28, when the toner bottle 1 is further inserted, the engaging projection 3 provided in the sealing member 2 is brought into contact with the main assembly driving portion 20 and -53is guided by the tapered surface 3c formed at the free end portion of the engaging projection 3, and is gradually and elastically deformed.

With further insertion, the engaging 00 oo 5 projection 3 having passed by the straight portion as shown in of Figure 28, the forced O deformation is released by the space portion 20h not Shaving the engaging rib 20a, and the engaging projection 3 is firmly locked with the main assembly driving portion In the state shown in of Figure 28, the engaging projection 3 is firmly engaged with the main assembly driving portion 20 such that position of the sealing member 2 in the thrust direction (axial direction) is fixed relative to main body of the toner bottle i. Therefore, when the toner bottle 1 is retracted thereafter, the sealing member 2 is not retracted together with the toner bottle 1 but is firmly fixed to the main assembly driving portion 20.On the other hand, only the toner bottle 1 is destructive, the sealing member 2 becomes away from the toner bottle 1 the unseal or open the opening la.

The retracting operation of the toner bottle 1 may be such that toner bottle 1 is slid in interrelation with the opening and closing operation of the front cover (Figure 2).

Referring to Figure 29, the releasing or -54disengaging action in this embodiment will be Sdescribed.

O When the sealing member 2 is to be disengaged from the main assembly driving portion 20, the pushing 00 5 member 21 disposed at the central portion of the main assembly driving portion 20 is slid in the direction I\D of arrow a, and only by which it is disengaged from Sthe main assembly driving portion By advancing the pushing member 21 in the direction of arrow a relative to the releasing portion 4 provided in the inside of the sealing member 2, the part supporting the releasing portion 21, as shown in of Figure 29, deforms outwardly so that releasing portion displaces outwardly, and therefore, the engaging projection 3 displaces outwardly. By this, the engaging projection 3 is disengaged from the main assembly driving portion With further advancement of the pushing member 21 in the direction of arrow a, the sealing member 2 is press-fitted into the opening la as shown in of Figure 29. In this position, the sealing member 2 unnseals the opening la of the toner bottle 1. By further advancement of the pushing member 21 in the direction of arrow a, the toner bottle 1 per se is slid backward to a position where the user can easily take the toner bottle 1 out.

As for the driving structure for the pushing member 21, it may be interrelated with the opening and Sclosing operation of the front cover 15 of the main assembly 100 of apparatus such that when the front cover 15 is opened, the pushing member 21 moves in the 00 5 direction of arrow a to effect disengagement between the sealing member 2 of the toner bottle 1 and the \0 driving portion 20, and when the front cover 15 is Sclosed, it is advanced in the direction of arrow b.

Alternatively, a driving motor or the like is used to effect the disengaging operation independently. In another alternative, it is not interrelated with the front cover 15 of the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, but a manual lever is provided, which is manipulated by the user and is interrelated with the pushing member.

In this embodiment, not releasing portion is not exposed to outside, and therefore, in case that toner supply container is unintentionally let fall, the releasing portion is not damaged, and therefore, the shock resistant property is high during the transportation.

In addition, by a very simple sliding of the *using member in the forward and backward directions, the drive transmission of the toner bottle can be aS ily disengaged, and simultaneously, the opening and closing of the opening of the toner bottle can be accomplished.

-56- These advantageous effects can be provided by Svery simple action at low cost with compact structure O and reliable drive transmission.

(Embodiment 4) 00 05 Referring to Figure 30, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

D In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 30, a sealing member 2, an engaging projection 3 and a releasing portion 4 mounted to the opening la of the toner bottle 1 are manufactured separately with respective to each other, and then they are assembled.

As shown in this Figure, two movable arms 3e are mounted by hinge portions 3h on the end surface of the sealing member 2 such that they are opposed to each other. Each of the movable arm 3e is provided at its free end portion with an engaging projection 3 for effect with the engagement which is similar to that in the first embodiment.

The engaging projections 3 are connected with each other by a link 3g through hinge portions 31.

The link 3g includes two members connected by a hinge which function as a releasing portion 4.

From an inside of the movable arm 3e fixed projections 3f are projected opposed to each other at a central portion. A spring 3j compressed between the fixed projections 3f. By the urging force provided by the spring 3j, the movable arm 3e urged outwardly, so -57that engaging projection 3 is engageable with the main Sassembly driving portion 20 as shown in of Figure O 30. The main assembly driving portion 20 suitable in this embodiment is for example that shown in Figure 00 5 14.

With such a structure, when the toner bottle IND 1 is to be engaged with the main assembly driving portion 20 by the engaging projection 3, it is enough to insert the toner bottle 1 into the main assembly of apparatus, similarly to Embodiment 1. More particularly, when the toner bottle 1 is inserted, the engaging projections 3 are brought into contact with the main assembly driving portion 20, by which the movable arms 3e are tilted inwardly against the spring force of the spring 3j together with the engaging projections 3. With further insertion, the engaging projection 3 are engaged with the main assembly driving portion 20 at a predetermined position by the spring force of the spring 3j, and simultaneously, the movable arms 3e restore the original position shown in of Figure On the other hand, when they are to be disengaged from each other, as shown in of Figure the pushing member 21 is pushed against the releasing portion 4 in a direction indicated by an arrow a, the engaging projections 3 are easily tilted, so that they are disengaged.

-58- Similarly to the following embodiments, the structure of this embodiment also provides the same advantageous effects.

In this embodiment, theelastic deformation 00 5 is not use, the engaging projection 3 may be made of any material not exhibiting elastic deformation per ND se, and therefore, the choice of the material is very big. For example, various materials such as aluminum, a steel or magnesium, or wood, hard resin material or the like is usable. A higher engagement strength can be maintained, and the durability is improved.

The parts are connected with linking mechanism, which provides larger movable range than the elastic deformation, and therefore, a larger engagement area is usable. Therefore, the engagement is very firm with high reliability.

In this embodiment, the elastic deformation of the sealing member is not utilize unlike Embodiments 1-3, but a link type is employed.

Therefore, the durability is better, but the structure is rather complicated with the possible result of cost increase.

(Embodiment The present invention is not limited to the foregoing Embodiments. In Embodiment 5, the structures are the same as that of said embodiment (Figure 20) except for the portions which will be -59described.

For example, as shown in Figure 31, the opening la of the toner bottle 1 may be provided in the cylindrical surface Id adjacent the longitudinal 00 5 end surface. In such a case, the coupling engagement portion 2c is not provided in the sealing member 2 and I\D may be mounted rotatably in an end surface of the main body 1A of the toner bottle. In this case, the opening la is unsealably sealed by a shutter member S.

The coupling engagement portion 2c as a function of locking the main body LA of the toner bottle with the main assembly (driving portion shown in Figure 20) of the image forming apparatus by a locking portion (locking surface of the engaging projection .a function of receiving a rotational driving force from the main assembly side of the image forming apparatus by a driving force receiving portion (a drive receiving surface of the engaging projection a function of disengaging the main body LA of the toner bottle from the main assembly (driving portion of the image forming apparatus by a releasing portion 4, and a function of transmitting the driving force received by the driving force receiving portion to the coupling engagement portion 2c and the toner feeding member fixed in the toner bottle. With this structure, a force of separating the toner bottle from the driving portion 20 of the main assembly of apparatus for some reason or another, while the rotation is received from the main assembly of O apparatus, they are maintained engaged with each other, and therefore, it is avoided that transmission 00 5 of the rotational driving force to the toner bottle is unintentionally disengaged.

IND (Embodiment 6) SReferring to Figure 33, a sixth embodiment will be described.

In the foregoing embodiment, the locking mechanism, the releasing mechanism and the drive transmission mechanism are used between an image forming apparatus and a toner supply container (sealing member). In this embodiment, the use is made between an image forming apparatus and an electrophotographic photosensitive member detachably mountable relative to the main assembly of the image S- forming apparatus, in which the photosensitive drum is exchanged with a new one after the service life. In the other aspects, the structures are the same as with Embodiment i.

In Figure 33, the coupling engaging portion 2c provided at an end of a photosensitive drum 104 is engaged with a driving portion 20 of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus similarly to Embodiment i, so that rotational driving force is transmitted from the driving portion 20 to the photosensitive -61- Smember. The structures for the disengagement therebetween is similar to that of Embodiment i.

O As will be understood, the drive transmission mechanism of this invention is not limited to the 00 00 5 toner supply container or the image forming apparatus, but is applicable to a structure for transmitting ND rotational, swing or reversing motion about a rotation axis.

The automatic sealing operation for the opening may be accomplished in the following manner.

In interrelation with and opening operation of the exchange cover by the operator, the main body of the toner bottle is advanced toward the sealing member with the engagement between the sealing member and the driving portion 20 maintained, by which the sealing member is press-fitted into the opening, thus accomplishing automatic sealing.

Thereafter, the pushing member 21 slides to be contacted into the releasing portion, and the engaging projection is disengaged from the driving portion 20. Furthermore, the pushing member 21 pushes the main body of the toner bottle together with the sealing member toward the change cover to a position where the operator can easily take the toner bottle out.

In this manner, the sliding movement (retraction, advancement) of the main body of the ND -62bottle used for unsealing the opening can be used for resealing the open with a simple structure. In O addition, the slide movement distance of the pushing member can be made shorter than in the foregoing 00 00 5 embodiments, and therefore, complication of the apparatus at the main body side can be avoided.

ND The structure for the engagement and disengagement between the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and the toner bottle or the photosensitive member may be used in Embodiments 2, 3 and 4.

In Embodiments 1-6, only by the movement of the releasing projection of the main assembly of apparatus in a direction (axial direction, for example) of relative motion of the sealing member relative to the main body, the engaging projection or projections are moved in a direction or directions substantially perpendicular to the direction (radial

K.

direction, for example), and therefore, the structure for the disengagement is simple. Even when a plurality of engaging projections are provided, all the engaging projections are brought into disengaging positions by a force applied substantially at one position, and therefore, the structure for the disengagement is simple. In Embodiments 1, 4, 5 and 6, the releasing force receiving portion of the sealing member is disposed substantially at the free I

I

-63end portion of the sealing member, so that releasing force receiving portion can be engaged with the main assembly at a relatively early stage after the start of insertion of the toner bottle.

00 5 In embodiments 1-4, the driving portion provided in the main assembly of the image forming IND apparatus is provided with a locking hole and an Sengaging rib, and the sealing member 2 is provided with an engaging projection portion 3 engageable with the locking hole and the engaging rib of the driving portion 20, but the projection and recess relationship may be reverse. In other words, the driving portion of the main assembly of the apparatus is provided with the engaging projection and the releasing portion (releasing projection), and the sealing member 2 is provided with the locking hole and the engaging rib.

With such a structure, the same advantageous effects are provided.

As described in the foregoing, according to these embodiments, the toner accommodating container and the main assembly of the image forming apparatus are locked in a snap fit type engagement, and the sealing member can be automatically engaged into or disengaged from the opening of the toner accommodating container, wherein the locking engagement can be released with a simple structure without load on the user.

-64- Therefore, the toner supply operation can be carried out by the user with much less load.

O Such a sealing member, a toner accommodating container and an image forming apparatus can be 00 5 provided at low cost.

SWhile the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is IND Snot confined to the details set forth and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the purpose of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.

Claims (16)

1. A toner supply container detachably mountable to an image forming Sapparatus, said toner supply container comprising: a container body having a toner containable inner space, said container body being rotatable about a rotation axis; a feeding portion for feeding the toner in said container body with rotation of 00 said container body to discharge the toner from said container body; and a multifunction coupling member including: San engageable portion which is displaceable substantially radially 00 outwardly to establish a hooking engagement with a hole formed in a hollow cylindrical C1 member provided in the image forming apparatus by a relative movement between the cylindrical member and said multifunction coupling member in a direction so as to cause an overlapping relationship therebetween; an opening force receiving portion for receiving an opening force substantially in a direction parallel with the rotation axis to open said container to permit discharge of the toner from said container body; a feeding force receiving portion for receiving a feeding force substantially in a circumferential direction of rotation about the rotation axis to rotate said container body; and a displacing force receiving portion for receiving, from said image forming apparatus, a displacing force for displacing said engageable portion substantially radially inwardly to permit a relative movement between said cylindrical member and said multifunction coupling member in a direction opposite to the direction so as to cause the overlapping relationship.

2. A toner supply container according to Claim 1, wherein said engageable portion is displaceable by said displacing force receiving portion irrespective of a stop position of said engageable portion in the circumferential direction.

3. A toner supply container according to Claim 1, wherein said displacing force receiving portion receives the displacing force from a hollow member which is provided in the image forming apparatus outside the cylindrical member, and wherein said engageable portion is disposed at a position more remote from said container body than said displacing force receiving portion with respect to the direction so as to cause the overlapping relationship. [R:\LIBLL] 18237.doc:lzv

4. A toner supply container according to Claim 3, wherein a radially Soutermost part of said displacing force receiving portion is more remote from the rotation t. axis than a radially-outermost part of said engageable portion.

A toner supply container according to Claim 3, wherein said engageable 00portion includes a projection engageable with the hole of the cylindrical member, and said 0 engageable portion has a surface functioning as said opening force receiving portion and a N surface functioning as said feeding force receiving portion. 1 0 \O N

6. A toner supply container according to Claim 1, wherein said multifunction coupling member includes a plurality of engageable portions which are arranged discretely in the circumferential direction. Is

7. A toner supply container according to Claim 6, wherein said coupling multifunction member includes a plurality of displacing force receiving portions corresponding to said plurality of engageable portions.

8. A toner supply container according to Claim 6, wherein said displacing force receiving portion connects said plurality of engageable portions with each other.

9. A toner supply container according to Claim 1, wherein said multifunction coupling member further includes a transmitting portion for transmitting the feeding force to said container body.

A toner supply container according to Claim 1, wherein said multifunction coupling member is made of a plastic material, and wherein said engageable portion is elastically restorable in a direction of the hooking engagement.

11. A toner supply container according to Claim 1, wherein said multifunction coupling member further includes a link mechanism and an urging member for urging said link mechanism in a direction of the hooking engagement. [R:\LII3LL] I 8237.doc:Izv

12. A toner supply container according to Claim 1, wherein said engageable Sportion includes said opening force receiving portion and said feeding force receiving Sportion.

13. A toner supply container according to Claim 1, wherein said feeding portion includes a projection extending helically on an inner surface of said container 00 body. CI

14. A toner supply container according to Claim 1, wherein said feeding 0 10 portion includes a plate-like member extending in the direction parallel with the rotation CN axis, and a plurality of projections inclined relative to the rotation axis on the plate-like member to feed the toner.

A toner supply container according to Claim 14, wherein said plate-like member extends substantially along a full length of said container body.

16. A toner supply container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one embodiment, as that embodiment is depicted in the accompanying drawings. Dated 1 March 2006 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [R:\LIBLL I 8237.doc:lzv