BRPI0216078B1 - TONER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND IMAGE FORMATION DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

a sealing member for sealing a toner discharge opening of a detachably mountable toner accommodating container in an imaging apparatus, the sealing member including a locking portion for locking with a lockable portion provided in the imaging apparatus, the locking portion being adapted to move with a close relative movement relative to the portion to be locked, wherein the toner discharge aperture is brought into an open state from a closed state relative movement of the sealing member relative to the toner accommodating container with the locking portion engaging with the portion to be locked; and a release force receiving portion for receiving from the imaging apparatus a release force for releasing the engagement between the locking portion and the portion to be locked by displacement of the locking portion.

Description

“TONER SUPPLY CONTAINER AND IMAGE TRAINING EQUIPMENT” [0001] Divided from Pl 0200483-6, deposited on 02/19/2002

Technical and prior art field [0002] The present invention relates to a toner accommodating container, a respective sealing member and an image forming apparatus, usable properly with an image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, a printer and facsimile machine.

[0003] In a conventional electrophotographic imaging device, such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, fine particle toner is used as a developer. When the toner in the main assembly of the electrophotographic imaging apparatus is finished, the toner is supplied to the main assembly of the imaging apparatus using a toner-accommodating container (toner supply container).

[0004] Here, the electrophotographic image formation device is a device that forms images on a material for recording through a process of the type of electrophotographic image formation. The electrophotographic imaging apparatus includes an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, for example), a facsimile machine, word processor or similar.

[0005] Since the toner is a very fine powder, it is known to place, in the toner supply operation, a toner supply container inside the main assembly of the image machine and gradually supply the toner through a small opening to prevent toner from spreading.

[0006] Any of the toner supply containers described above receives an activation force from the main assembly of an imaging device to activate the feed member in the toner supply container or the main body itself to discharge the toner . For such means of transmission of activation there are some methods. For example, the open Japanese utility model order Hei 05-75768 reveals that portion of

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2/42 gear is provided on an outer surface of the toner bottle (toner supply container), and the gear is attached to a drive gear, whereby the toner bottle is rotated.

[0007] Japanese open patent application Hei 10-63084 discloses that the end surface of the toner bottle is provided with a projection, which is fitted with a recess formed in a driving portion of the main assembly of the forming machine. image, thereby transmitting the driving force.

[0008] Japanese open patent application Hei 10-63076 reveals another type. A rotating force transmitting portion of the main assembly of the imaging apparatus has an internal diameter that is provided with a plurality of notch grooves, and the toner container is provided with projections interlockable with the grooves. The rotating actuation force is transmitted through the fit between them.

[0009] As described, several drive transmission methods are proposed to drive the toner supply container.

[0010] However, conventional structures involve some problems.

[0011] In the case of the Japanese open order for utility model Hei 0575768, when the toner bottle is inserted into the main assembly of the imaging device, it is necessary to make the gear portion on the outer surface of the toner bottle fitting fit appropriately with the drive gear portion in the main assembly of the imaging apparatus. This requires the user to be careful about the proper fit. In addition, once the toner bottle is rotated by engaging the gears, the toner bottle receives forces tending to deflect the bottle in a direction perpendicular to the axis. Therefore, there is a possibility that the toner bottle will be raised or deflected laterally, resulting in improper rotation. In order to avoid this deviation, it is necessary that the entire outer circumference of the toner bottle is involved. This imposes difficulty in assembling the toner bottle and assembly operation. Additionally, the supply system becomes

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3/42 complicated and cheap.

[0012] In the methods disclosed in Japanese open patent applications Hei 10-63084 and Hei 10-68076, when the toner bottle is inserted so that the projection (or recess) provided on the end surface of the toner bottle is properly fitted with the base (or projection) on the drive portion side of the main assembly (drive portion of the main assembly), an indexing operation in the direction of rotation is required. This degrades the developer supply operability, and even a slight deviation can result in an operational inability.

[0013] In order to avoid such improper fitting, it is necessary that the toner bottle is provided, on its outer surface, with a guide rib to determine the position of the toner bottle in the direction of rotation when it is inserted, or that the rotation operation of the recess of the actuation portion of the main assembly is controlled to stop at a predetermined rotation position whenever it stops. This also results in complications and increased costs.

[0014] In most coupling drive transmissions using projection / recess fitting, when phase shift occurs between the toner bottle and the drive portion of the main assembly, it is necessary that the drive portion of the main assembly be retracted by a spring force, and the locking position is established when the phase becomes aligned. With this structure, even if there is a phase difference when the toner bottle is inserted, the drive portion of the main assembly is retracted, and when the bottle is rotated with the state, the face differences are eliminated sooner or later and therefore the fit is established. However, the structure of the drive portion of the main assembly is complicated. In addition, the actuation portion of the main assembly must be movable towards the rear side, which requires additional space and therefore impairs the miniaturization of the main assembly of the device.

[0015] In the conventional example, it is not revealed how to undock the projection

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4/42 of the recess. Assuming that the operator forces to pull the toner supply container out, or that the operator pushes the small projection with his finger, the ease of use is not good, either the drive portion of the image machine or the container toner supply may be damaged.

Summary of the invention [0016] Consequently, it is the main objective of the present invention to provide a sealing member in which a sealing member is locked with an image forming apparatus in order to open or unseal a toner discharge opening. a accommodating toner container, and the sealing member can be released from the imaging apparatus with a simple structure.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a toner accommodating container in which a locking portion of the toner accommodating container is locked with an image forming apparatus, and that the locking portion locking with the forming apparatus image can be released with a simple structure.

[0018] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a toner accommodating container in which a sealing member is locked with an image forming apparatus to open or remove the seal of a toner discharge opening from the toner accommodating container, and yet the sealing member can be released from the image forming apparatus with a simple structure.

[0019] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the locking portion of a toner accommodating container is fitted with a lockable portion of the mounting means, and the locking portion can be released from the portion to be locked with a simple structure.

[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in which a locking portion of a sealing member is engaged with a portion to be locked from the mounting means for

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5/42 opening or removing the seal of a toner discharge opening from a toner accommodating container, and, in addition, the locking portion can be released from the portion to be locked with a simple structure.

[0021] These and other objectives, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by considering the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings [0022] Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of a toner supply container in an image forming apparatus.

[0025] Fig. 4 is a front view of an image-forming apparatus of Fig. 1.

[0026] Fig. 5 is a side view of the imaging apparatus of Fig. 1. [0027] Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the imaging apparatus in which an exchange cover for the imaging container toner is shown in an open position.

[0028] Fig. 7 are seen in section illustrating a toner supply container assembly operation, where (A) shows an initial stage of the assembly operation, (B) shows the status in the assembly operation process, and (C) shows the status after finishing the assembly operation.

[0029] Fig. 8 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a toner supply container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged section of the view of a drive transmission portion according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a transmission shaft is provided on the side of the main body

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6/42 of the toner supply container.

[0031] Fig. 10 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a toner supply container according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 11 is a partially enlarged section of the view of a drive transmission portion according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a drive shaft is provided on one side of the sealing member [0033 ] Fig. 12 is a side view of a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a front view, (B) is a side view seen in the X direction of (A) , and (C) is a side view seen in the Y direction of (A).

[0034] Fig. 13 is a sectional view of a sealing member taken along line X-X of (B) of Fig. 12.

[0035] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a driving force transmitting portion and a driving force receiving portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Fig. 15 is a partial section view illustrating the fitting action of a drive transmitting portion of a toner bottle, where (A) shows a state before inserting the toner bottle, (B) shows a state in the insertion process, (C) shows a state after the insertion operation is finished.

[0037] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a driving force receiving portion according to another embodiment of the present invention. [0038] Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the sealing member of Fig. 16.

[0039] Fig. 18 is an illustration of phase alignment when the toner bottle is inserted into the main assembly of the machine, where (A) shows a state in which a groove and a groove are aligned in relation to each other. the other, (B) shows a state in which they are not aligned after rotation for a certain length, and (C) shows a state in which the groove is confined to the groove projection to enable transmission of

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7/42 activation.

[0040] Fig. 19 shows a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a left side view, (B) is a front view, and (C) is a view of the side of the right hand.

[0041] Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a driving force transmitting portion and a driving force receiving portion according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the phase control operation is not needed.

[0042] Fig. 21 illustrates the drive transmitting portion of Fig. 20 during toner bottle insertion operation, where (A) shows a state before the toner bottle insertion, (B) shows a state in the process of inserting the toner bottle. insert operation, and (C) shows a status after the insert operation is complete.

[0043] Fig. 22 illustrates the detaching action of the transmission transmitting portion of the toner bottle, where (A) is before detachment, (B) is in the detachment process, and (C) is after the end of the action detachment.

[0044] Fig. 23 is a sectional view of a sealing member according to another embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a side view, (B) is a front view, and (C) it is a sectional view.

[0045] Fig. 24 is a sectional view illustrating the fitting of the sealing member of Fig. 23 with a drive portion.

[0046] Fig. 25 is an illustration of the detaching action on the transmitting drive portion of the toner bottle, where (A) is before detachment, (B) is in the detachment process, and (C) is after termination of the undocking action.

[0047] Fig. 26 illustrates a sealing member according to another embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a side view, and (B) is a sectional view taken along line X-X.

[0048] Fig. 27 shows a drive portion interlockable with a sealing member of Fig. 26 according to another embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a front view, (B) is a side view , (C) is a sectional view taken along the CC line of (B), (C) is a sectional view

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8/42 taken along a D-D line from (A).

[0049] Fig. 28 illustrates the fitting action between the sealing member of Fig. 26 and the driving portion of Fig. 27, where (A) shows a state in which the toner bottle is being inserted, (B ) shows a status in the insertion process, and (C) shows a status after the insertion is finished.

[0050] Fig. 29 illustrates the undocking action after the fitting shown in Fig. 28, where (A) is before undocking, (B) is in the undocking process, and (C) is after the end of the undocking action. detach.

[0051] Fig. 30 is a sectional view of a sealing member according to another embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is before undocking, and ((B) is in the undocking process.

[0052] Fig. 31 is a perspective view of a toner supply container according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Fig. 32 shows a sealing member according to a modified embodiment of Embodiment 2.

[0054] Fig. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a drive transmission for a photosensitive drum according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the preferred embodiments [0055] 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) [0056] With reference to Fig. 1, a description will be made first of an electrophotographic imaging apparatus which is an example of an imaging apparatus with a toner supply container (accommodating container toner) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(Electrophotographic image forming device) [0057] Fig. 1 shows an electrophotographic copying machine. An original 101 in the main assembly (main device assembly) 100 is placed on a

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9/42 original holder print cylinder glass 102. An image of light corresponding to the image information of the original 101 is converted into an image on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (image carrying member) 104 via a plurality of M mirrors and a Ln lens of an optical portion 103. Based on user selection over an operational portion 100a shown in Fig. 2, or based on automatic selection according to 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 it can be an OHP sheet, for example.

[0058] A single sheet P supplied by one of the separator devices 105A, 106A, 107A, 108A, is fed to the registration rollers via a feeding portion 109, and the sheet P is supplied to the transfer portion by the registration rollers 110 in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning delay 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 unloader 111. The daughter P now having the transferred toner image is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by a separation discharger 112.

[0059] The sheet P is fed to a fixation portion 114 by a feed portion 113. In the fixation portion 114, the toner image is fixed to the sheet P by heat and pressure. Then, sheet P is passed through an unloaded sheet reversing portion 115 and discharged to a sheet unloading tray 117 by sheet unloading rollers 116 in the case of a one-sided copy mode. In the case of a duplex copy mode, the sheet P is fed back to the registration rollers 110 through the feedback paths of the sheet 119, 120, under the control of a hanging flap 118 provided in the inverted portion of the unloaded sheet 115. Then, the sheet is similarly fed for the one-sided copy mode case and is finally discharged to the sheet unloading tray 117.

[0060] In the case of a superimposed copy mode, sheet P is temporary and

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10/42 partially discharged by the sheet unloading rollers 116 through the unloaded sheet reversing portion 115. Then, at the moment when the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the drop tab 118 while it is still clamped by the unloading rollers of sheet leaf 116, the drop tab 118 is controlled, and the leaf discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that it is supplied again to the main assembly 100. Then the leaf is fed to the registration rollers 100 through the feed portions of sheet 119, 120, and then the sheet is processed similarly to the one-sided copy mode. It is finally discharged to the 117 sheet discharge tray.

[0061] In the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, a developing device 201, (developing means), a cleaning device 202, the primary loader 203 and so on, around the photosensitive drum 104, are provided.

[0062] An electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing the photosensitive drum 104 evenly to duplicate the light image corresponding to the image information of the original 101. The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by a 201 developing device. In order to supply the toner (developer) for developer device 201, a toner supply container 1 is detachably mountable by the user to the main assembly 100 of the machine. The present invention is applicable to the case where only the toner is supplied to the imaging device from the toner supply container and to the case where the toner and carrier are supplied from it. In this embodiment, the first is the case.

[0063] The developer device 201 comprises a toner hopper 201a (accommodation means) and a developer device 201b. The toner hopper 201a is provided with a mixing member 201c for mixing the designated toner supply from the toner supply container 1. The toner mixed by the mixing member 201c is supplied to the developing device 201b by a magnetic roller 201 d. The developing device 201b comprises a developing roller 201 f and a feeding member 201 e. The toner fed from the toner hopper 201a by the magnetic roller 201 d is fed to the developer roller 201 f by the

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11/42 feed 201 e, and supplied to the photosensitive drum 104 by the developer roller 201 f. [0064] The cleaning device 202 works to remove the remaining toner on the photosensitive drum 104. The primary charger 203 works to electrically charge the photosensitive drum 104.

[0065] When the user opens a front cover 15 to change the toner supply container (front cover) that is part of an outer coating shown in Fig. 2, a toner receiving tray 50 that is part of the mounting medium is withdrawn to a predetermined position by an actuation system not shown. The user places the toner supply container 1 on top of the toner receiving tray 50. When the user removes the toner supply container 1 out of the main assembly 100 of the machine, the container receiving tray 15 is removed, and the container toner supply 1 is removed from tray 1.

[0066] The front cover 15 is provided exclusively for the assembly and disassembly (exchange) of the toner supply container 1 and, therefore, it is opened and closed only for the purpose. When the maintenance operation of the main assembly 100 of the device has to be carried out, the front cover 100c is opened.

[0067] The toner supply container 1 can be directly mounted to the main assembly 100 of the machine, and can be removed.

(Toner supply operation) [0068] Referring to Fig. 7, (A), Fig. 7, (C), the toner supply operation of the toner supply container (toner bottle) in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 7, (A) - (C) illustrates the toner supply process in which the toner bottle 1 of this embodiment is inserted into the main assembly 100 of the apparatus.

[0069] As shown in the Figure, the main assembly 100 of your device is provided with a toner supply device 400, and the toner supply device 400 is provided with a drive portion (drive force transmitting portion) 20 to collect and rotate the toner bottle 1. The

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12/42 drive portion 20 is pivotally supported by bearings 23, and is rotated by a drive motor not shown provided in the main assembly 100 of the apparatus.

[0070] The main assembly 100 of the apparatus is further provided with a divider 25 constituting a toner supply path 24 connecting with a hopper 201a, and to divider 25, inner and outer bearing 26a, 26b to rotatively support part of the toner bottle 1 and to seal the toner supply path 24, are fixed. In addition, a screw member 27 is disposed in the toner supply path 24 to feed the toner to the hopper 201 a.

[0071] Fig. 7, (A) illustrates the insertion of the toner bottle 1 in the main assembly 100 of the device. One end of the toner bottle 1 is provided with a toner supply opening 1a, which will simply be called an opening formed by a cylindrical member in this embodiment, the opening 1a sealed by a sealing member 2 at the free end the cylinder.

[0072] Fig. 7, (B) shows a state in which the toner bottle 1 has already been inserted, and a slot projection 3 (locking projection), provided in a free end portion of the sealing member 2, it is fitted with a locking (retention) hole with the drive portion 20 provided in the main assembly. The fit between the drive portion 20 and the sealing member 2 is carried out as follows. The user inserts the toner bottle 1 into the main assembly, and thus, the driving portion 20 is brought into contact with an upper surface (portion receiving the driving force) of the joint projection. By additional insertion of the toner bottle 1, the drive portion 20 presses down on the slot projection to displace it. Then, when the pressing action by the driving portion 20 is released, the portion supporting the locking projection is restored by its own elastic force, so that the engagement is carried out.

[0073] In this way, the fitting is of a type called pressure adjustment.

[0074] Since the locking surface 3b (locking portion)

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13/42 provided in the slot projection 3 is locked with a locking hole (portion to be locked) against movement in the thrust direction (axial direction) and, therefore, while the locking is maintained, the sealing member 2 is retained in the fixed position by the drive portion 20, although a small gap is permissible.

[0075] As will be understood by Fig. 7, (C), after the sealing member 2 and the driving portion 20 are engaged, a slide member 300 is retracted in a direction indicated by an arrow b in relation to a closing operation of the front cover 15 for bottle exchange. In this way, the toner bottle 1 is retracted, too, but the sealing member is locked with the main assembly side of the imaging device and therefore the sealing member 2 is far from the toner bottle 1, thereby opening aperture 1a to enable toner supply.

[0076] At the moment, the drive shaft 1b fixed to the main body 1A of the toner bottle 1, is not completely detached from the sealing member 2 even in the state of opening 1a being sealed by the sealing member and even in the state of the opening being open, and the engaging portion (hole portion) of the sealing member is kept engaged with the driving shaft 1b (portion to be engaged). The drive shaft 1b has a non-circular cross-sectional configuration, such as a rectangular or triangular shape to allow transmission of force and drive. Correspondingly, the hole (fitting portion) has a complementary configuration for sliding adjustment.

[0077] When a motor not shown is driven in this state, the rotary drive force is transmitted to the drive force receiving surface (drive force receiving portion) of the sealing member 2 projection of the mounting drive portion main 20 (the driving portion provided in the main assembly), and the driving force is transmitted from the sealing member 2 to the transmission shaft 1b, which rotates the toner bottle 1 to feed and discharge the toner.

[0078] In this way, the sealing member 2 has a function of sealing the

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14/42 aperture 1a, a function of receiving the rotating drive force on the side of the main assembly of the imaging apparatus, as a function of transmitting the rotating driving force next to the toner bottle 1.

[0079] The toner bottle 1 is rotatably supported by the bottle receiving roller 23 provided on a container receiving table 50 and, therefore, can be rotated smoothly by a small driving torque. The vial receiving roller 23 is arranged in each of the four positions forming a saddle with respect to the main body 1A of the bottom. The vial take-up rollers 23 are rotatably supported on the toner supply device 400 of the main assembly 100 of the apparatus. By rotating the toner bottle 1, the toner accommodated in the toner bottle 1 is gradually discharged through opening 1a, and the screw member 27 provided in the toner supply path 24 supplies the toner to the hopper 201a provided in the main assembly 100 of the device, thus performing the toner supply.

(Method of changing the toner supply container) [0080] The description will be made of a method of changing the toner bottle.

[0081] With the image forming operation, the toner in the toner bottle 1 is consumed. When substantially all of the toner has been used, no toner is detected by a detection means (not shown) provided in the main assembly 100 of the device, and the event is notified to the user by the visual display means 100b (Fig. 2), as a liquid crystal display.

[0082] In this embodiment, the toner bottle 1 is easily replaced by the user, using the following steps.

[0083] First, the front cover 15, which is in the closed state, is rotated around an articulation 18 to an open position indicated by broken lines in Fig. 6. In relation to the action of opening the front cover 15 , the main body 1A of the bottle that takes the position indicated in (C) of Fig. 7, is moved in a direction indicated by an arrow a in (A) of Fig. 7, which is opposite the direction of arrow b, for means for opening and closing the toner feed portion which will be described below. In this way, the sealing member 2, which is in a

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15/42 open position (away from the main body 1A of the bottle to open the toner supply opening 1a) is pressure-adjusted to the toner supply opening 1a, so that the toner supply opening 1a is plugged (Fig 7, (B)). At this time, the sealing member still retains the fit with the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. Then, a releasing ring applies a releasing force to a releasing projection, whereby the releasing projection is depressed together with the groove projection, so that the groove is released. By retracting the main body 1A of the vial in a longitudinal direction of the vial, the release operation between the sealing member and the main assembly of the imaging apparatus is completed.

[0084] Then, the user removes the empty toner bottle 1 that was released from the main assembly 100 of the device out of the main assembly 100 of the device, in the direction of the arrow b (Fig. 7 (C)) which is opposite to the direction arrow a (Fig. 7 (A), arrow a).

[0085] The user then inserts a new toner bottle 1 in the main assembly 10 of the device, in the direction of the arrow a, and then closes the front cover 15. In relation to the action of closing the front cover 15 , the sealing member 2 locked with the main assembly of the imaging apparatus is moved away from the main body of the container by the opening and closing means of the toner feed portion, so that the toner supply opening 1a remains without seal (Fig. 7, (C)). What is described is the process of changing the toner supply container.

(Toner bottle) [0086] With reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 8, the toner bottle will be described.

[0087] The toner bottle 1 is generally cylindrical, and one end thereof is substantially provided, in a center, with an opening 1a by a projected projection. The diameter of the opening 1a is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 1A which is in the main body of the bottle. Opening 1a is plugged with a sealing member 2 to seal opening 1a and, as will be understood by

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16/42 description in conjunction with Fig. 7, (A) - (C), the opening 1a is (de) sealed and sealed automatically by the sliding movement of the sealing member 2 in relation to the toner bottle 1 in the longitudinal direction ( arrow b) from the toner bottle 1.

[0088] In the free end portion of the sealing member 2, a cylindrical portion is formed having a locking projection 3 and a release force receiving portion 4 to disengage from the driving portion 20 provided in the main assembly of the apparatus, and a certain portion of the cylindrical portion as a support for the fitting projection and the release projection is elastically deformable (in order to enhance or help the elastic information, cracks are formed on the sides of the region in order to extend to the free end of the cylindrical portion, as will be described below).

[0089] The slot projection 3 is fitted with the drive portion 20 and works to transmit the rotation of the toner bottle 1. The structures of the slot projection 3 and the release force will be described in detail below.

[0090] The internal structure of the toner bottle 1 will be described.

[0091] As described above, the toner bottle 1 is generally cylindrical in shape and generally arranged horizontally in the main assembly 100 of the apparatus. It is rotated by the main assembly 100 of the device. An inner side of the toner bottle 1 has a projection 1c in the form of a rib extending helically. When the toner bottle 1 rotates, the toner is supplied in the axial direction along the helical projection 1c, and the toner is discharged through the opening 1a formed at the end of the toner bottle 1.

[0092] The internal structure of the toner bottle 1 according to the present invention is not limiting, and the configuration or structure can be any as long as the toner can be discharged by rotating the toner bottle 1. The main body of the bottle toner is not limited to that described above. For example, it may have a rotation screw or the like to feed the toner, and the rotation screw is driven by a rotating 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 training device

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17/42 picture.

[0093] The characteristic of this embodiment is in the structure of the drive transmission portion for connection with the main assembly 100 of the apparatus and, therefore, the internal structure of the toner bottle 1 can be any one, and the bottle can have a helical projection 1c on the inner surface of the bottle.

[0094] For example, the internal structure of the bottle can be modified, as shown in Fig. 10. In this modified example, a buffer member 40 generally in the form of a plate is provided in the main body of the bottle. The surface of the buffer member 40 has, on a surface, a plurality of inclined projections 40a inclined with respect to the axis direction of the toner bottle 1. One end of one of the inclined projections 40a extends to a vicinity of the opening 1a. By rotating the toner bottle 1, the toner is dumped by the damping member 40 and then falls, sliding over the surface of the damping member 40. Due to the inclination of the inclined projection 40a, the toner is advanced towards the front side from the toner bottle 1. By repeating this operation, the toner in the bottle is gradually supplied to opening 1a, at the same time as it is mixed, and is discharged through it.

[0095] The type of drive of this invention is not limited to the type of rotary drive, as the type of this embodiment or modification. The toner bottle can be shaken, rocked, or moved in another way to feed the toner. In other words, the drive can be by rotation, oscillation, vibration or whatever, as long as the toner is discharged from the bottle due to the toner bottle being moved by the main assembly 100 of the device.

[0096] In the modified example described above, the damping member 40 in the form of a plate is a separate member of the toner bottle 1, and the rotating driving force is transmitted to the damping member 40 via sealing member 2 for, indirectly, rotate the toner bottle 1.

[0097] Thus, the present invention is applicable when the toner bottle 1

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18/42 is directly or indirectly activated via a sealing member 2.

[0098] In Figs. 8 and 9, the main body 1A of the bottle is provided with an opening 1a in its longitudinal final surface, and a drive shaft 1b (portion to be fitted) is projected out of the opening 1a, the drive shaft 1b being integral with the main body 1A of the bottle and being provided in the opening 1a. The drive shaft 1b is arranged substantially co-axially with the opening 1a, and is slidably engaged with a locking hole 2a (locking portion) formed in the sealing member 2. The locking hole, as shown in Fig. 9, it is closed at a remote end of the drive shaft, so that toner leakage through the plug hole is prevented.

[0099] The drive shaft 1b works to transmit the rotating drive force from the main assembly 100 of the apparatus to the main body 1A of the bottle, through the sealing member 2, the configuration of the cross section of the drive shaft 1b being non-circular , for example, a rectangular configuration, in the form of H, D, or similar, to transmit the rotating drive force. The drive shaft 1b is fixed on the main body 1A of the bottle by appropriate means.

[00100] The drive shaft 1b may not be fixed on the main body 1A of the bottle, but be integral with the sealing member 2, as shown in Fig.

11. In this case, the plug hole 2a for transmitting the driving force of the drive shaft 1b is provided on the side of the toner bottle 1, and that opening is formed so that they are fitted with each other after the bottle of toner. toner has been removed.

[00101] In the modified example, the drive shaft 1b is fixed on the main body 1A of the bottle.

(Sealing member) [00102] With reference to Figs. 12 and 13, the description will be made for the sealing member 2 (Drive receiving member) [00103] With reference to Figs. 12 and 13, the sealing member 2 comprises

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19/42 a sealing portion 2b for removably sealing the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1, and a coupling fitting portion 2c (cylindrical portion) in the form of a pluggable cylinder with the driving portion 20 of the assembly main device. An outer diameter of a large diameter portion of the sealing portion 2b is greater than the inner diameter of opening 1a by a suitable degree. The sealing portion 2b is pressure-adjusted in the opening 1a, whereby the opening 1a (toner supply opening) is sealed by the sealing member 2.

[00104] As described above, the sealing member 2 has a locking hole 2a for transmitting the driving force received from the main assembly 100 of the apparatus to the driving shaft 1b by the fitting with the driving shaft 1b. The plug hole 2a is continuously extended in the sealing portion 2b and the plug portion 2c. The slot bore 2a has a cross-sectional configuration which is complementary to that of the drive shaft 1b and which is slightly larger than the cross section of the drive shaft 1b. Because of this, the drive shaft 1b is loosely adjusted in the slot 2a. The slot bore 2a and the drive shaft 1b have complementary polygonal configurations. In this embodiment, it is square.

[00105] Due to the loose fit of the drive shaft 1 b in the socket hole 2a with these cross sections, the main body 1A of the bottle and the sealing member 2 are slidable in relation to each other in the axial direction, while being prevented from relative rotational movement between them. With this structure, when the toner bottle 1 is mounted (locked) on the toner supply device 400, the sealing member 2 is movable in relation to the main body 1A of the bottle, that is, the seal removal from the opening 1a (opening of toner supply) is possible.

[00106] The engagement length between the engagement hole 2a and the drive shaft 1b is determined so that they are not engaged with each other when relative movement between the sealing member 2 and the main body 1A of the bottle for removing the seal. In doing so, the axis of

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The drive 1b can receive the drive force via the sealing member 2, even if the sealing member 2 is moved relatively away from the main body 1.

[00107] The description will be made for the slot projection 3 (locking projection) which is one of the features of the present invention [00108] The docking portion 2c of the sealing member 2 has a slot projection 3 to receive the actuation force of the main assembly 100 of the device. The socket projection 3 is projected radially outwardly from the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the coupling socket portion 2c. The plug-in projection comprises a drive receiving surface 3a (driving force receiving portion) for receiving the rotating driving force of the main assembly of the apparatus; and a locking surface 3b (portion and locking) for quickly adjusting the sealing member 2 in a locking hole (portion to be latched) provided in the main assembly of the apparatus when the sealing member 2 and the toner bottle 1 are moved away from each other (from closed to open state). In this way, through the actuation receiving surface 3a, the locking hole 2a and the locking surface 3b, the projection 3 performs three different functions, that is, a coupling function to receive the rotating actuation force of the main assembly of the device, a transmission function to transmit the rotation to the toner bottle 1, and a locking function (holding function) to allow relative sliding movement between the sealing member 2 and the main body of the toner bottle 1 in order to open and automatically close the opening.

[00109] When the driving force is transmitted with the locking surface 3b locked with the driving portion of the main assembly 20, the surface 3b is effective to maintain a constant distance between the sealing member 2 and the toner bottle 1. This ensures the formation of the toner path between the toner bottle 1 and the sealing member 2, so that the amount of toner discharged is kept constant. In this way, a toner bottle having

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21/42 an excellent property of unloading constant quantity can be realized. In addition, the sealing member 2 is securely locked with the drive portion of the main assembly 20 of the apparatus and, therefore, the sealing member 2 is unlikely to disengage from the drive shaft during the unloading operation of the device. toner, additionally ensuring toner discharge.

[00110] According to this structure, the automatic opening and closing of the sealing member 2 and the drive force transmission operation can be carried out by a single sealing member, so that the compact and inexpensive toner supply container can be provided.

[00111] The plug-in projection 3 is preferably in general with the sealing member 2 from this point of view of reducing the number of constituent parts, but a separate member for the plug-in projection 3 can be mounted to the sealing member 2. Such an example will be described together with a fourth embodiment.

[00112] The slot projection 3 has an actuation force receiving function, as well as the locking function and, therefore, has a certain degree of rigidity. In view of this, slits 2e or the like are formed at the side ends of the socket projection 3, so that only the part of the coupling socket portion 2c, where the socket projection 3 is provided, can be elastically deformable relatively freely towards the interior. This is due to the groove projection 3 being displaced by the main assembly 100 of the apparatus to make the fitting and disengagement in relation to the main assembly of the apparatus, as will be described below.

[00113] In this embodiment, the slot projection 3 is integral with the sealing member 2.

[00114] The free end portion of the locking projection 3 is provided with a taper (locking force receiving portion) so as to allow smooth insertion when the sealing member 2 is inserted into the driving portion 20 of the main assembly 10o the device. The tapered surface 3c

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22/42 receives a locking force from an internal surface of the drive portion 20, so that the locking projection 3 (locking portion) is moved inward, to lock in the locking hole when the tapered surface 3c approaches with respect to the locking hole 20h of the driving portion 20. When the locking surface is even closer to the locking hole, to such an extent that the contact of the tapered portion 3c with the inner surface of the driving portion 20, or that is, that the locking force is released, the portion supporting the locking projection (locking portion) is restored 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.

[00115] After the end of the locking action, the relative movement between the sealing member and the main body of the bottle is automatically communicated in the opposite direction from each other, whereby the opening loses the seal to enable the toner to be discharged. In this embodiment, the sealing member is fitted with the main assembly of the apparatus, so that movement in the sliding direction is prevented and, in this state, the main body of the bottle is retracted or advanced to automatically open or close the opening .

[00116] With reference to Figs. 12 and 13, the description will be made in relation to the structure of a release force receiving portion than another of the characteristics of the present invention.

[00117] The socket projection 3 described above is provided in each of the two positions that are diametrically opposite to each other, and the two socket projections 3 are connected by a connection portion that functions as a release force receiving portion 4. When the release force receiving portion (release portion) 4 receives a force from the main assembly of the old appliance in the direction indicated by an arrow b, the socket projections 3 are elastically deformed as indicated by chain lines in Fig 13. If the application of force is interrupted, the original position is restored. The release portion 4 is relatively small in thickness to allow for

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23/42 elastic deformation, and the material is selected considering this elastic deformation.

[00118] It is preferable that the sealing member 2 is manufactured by an injection molding of a plastic resin material or the like, but another material, or another method of manufacture can be used. It can be provided by connecting separate members. The sealing member 2 desirably has an appropriate elasticity, since it is adjusted by pressure in the opening 1a to seal it. The best material is low density polyethylene, with preferred materials being polypropylene, normal chain polyamide, Nylon (registered trademark), high density polyethylene, polyester, ABS, HIPS (impact resistant polystyrene) or similar.

[00119] By employing a deformable sealing member for the parts supporting the joint projection 3 and for the release portion 4, the locking and release between the drive portion 20 and the joint projection 3 can be performed with a structure simple, using elastic deformation and restoration. The materials described above have appropriate elasticities and, therefore, the engagement and disengagement of the drive portion 20 and the engagement projection 3 are easily carried out with sufficient durability.

[00120] The release portion 4 is in the form of a bridge connecting the socket projections 3, so that a plurality of socket projections 3 can be uniformly displaced by pushing a release portion.

[00121] It is not unavoidable to connect the plug-in projections integrally, but release portions can be provided for the respective plug-in projections, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17.

(Actuating force receiving portion) [00122] With reference to Fig. 14, the description will be made in relation to the structure of the coupling fitting portion 2c provided in the sealing member 2, which is another characteristic of the present invention.

[00123] In this embodiment, the sealing member 2 is provided with a coupling fitting portion 2c in the form of a cylinder. As described

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24/42 above, it also functions as a drive receiving member for receiving the driving force from the driving force transmitting portion 20 provided in the toner supply device 400.

[00124] In the cylindrical coupling fitting portion 2c of the sealing member 2, the two parts provided with the respective fitting projections 3 are elastically deformable, so that the parts are easily and elastically deformed by the tapered portion 3c of the fitting projection 3 being pressed by the drive portion 20. The release portion 4 is provided so as to connect the socket projections 3, and the socket projection 3 and the release portion 4 are integral with each other.

[00125] On the other hand, the locking hole 20h of the drive portion 20 provided on the side of the main assembly 100 of the apparatus is constructed in such a way as to be locked with the projection 3 (locking surface) of the sealing member 2. When the sealing member 2 is inserted into the drive portion 20, smooth insertion is accomplished by providing the drive portion 20 with a tapered surface 20b defining a gradual decrease in the inner diameter at the free end of the driving portion 20. The seal 2 is inserted smoothly into the drive portion 20 due to the provision of the tapered surface 20b.

[00126] The drive portion 20 is provided with a locking rib 20a to rotate the toner bottle, and the locking rib 20e rests on the drive receiving surface 3a to transmit the rotating drive force to the sealing member after the plug-in projection is inserted into the locking hole 20h.

[00127] With reference to Fig. 15, the fit between the drive portion 20 and the sealing member 2 in this embodiment will be described.

[00128] In Fig. 15, (A) shows a state when the user is adjusting a new toner bottle 1 in the direction indicated by an arrow, in order to install it in the main assembly 100 of the device, where the toner bottle 1 is not yet engaged with the drive portion 20 in the main assembly of the

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25/42 apparatus.

[00129] When the toner bottle 1 is inserted further, the tapered portion 3c of the socket projection 3 of the sealing member 2 is brought into contact with the tapered surface 20b of the drive portion 20, as shown in (B) on Fig. 15, and the groove projection 3 is being guided by the tapered surface 20b while being elastically deformed towards the interior.

[00130] With the additional insertion of the toner bottle 1, the groove projection 3 passes through the straight portion 20g of the tapered surface 20b, the groove projection 3 is restored due to the provision of the space portion 20h (locking hole ) not having the locking rib 20a, so the locking projection 3 is locked with the drive portion 20, as shown in (C) in Fig. 15. In the state, the locking projection 3 is locked firmly in relation to the drive portion 20, and the position of the sealing member 2 in the pushing direction (axial direction) is substantially fixed in relation to the main assembly of the apparatus.

[00131] Therefore, even if the toner bottle 1 is retracted in the direction indicated by an arrow b, as shown in (C) in Fig. 7, the sealing member 2 does not move in the same direction, but remains firmly attached to the drive portion 20. On the other hand, once the toner bottle 1 is instructed, the sealing member 2 is separated from the toner bottle 1 for sure, so that the opening 1a is unsealed or opened. The sliding retraction operation of the toner bottle 1 can be interrelated with the operation of opening and closing the front cover 15 provided in the main assembly 100 of the apparatus.

[00132] As for the sliding operation, the toner bottle 1 can be slid with the sealing member 2 fixed, or the sealing member 2 can be slid with the toner bottle 1 fixed, or both can be slid away one from the other.

[00133] When the toner is depleted in the toner bottle, the empty toner bottle is removed for exchange with a new one. The disassembly operation is carried out by the steps described above in reverse order.

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26/42 [00134] In detail, when the operator opens the front cover, the following occurs. First, the main body of the toner bottle advances towards the sealing member, while the sealing member is locked in the main assembly of the device, whereby the sealing member of the opening is automatically sealed. By a pushing member 21 which will be described below, a release projection is actuated to release the locking projection from the locking hole. Then, the main body of the toner bottle is retracted together with the sealing member readjusted by pressure in the opening, so that the sealing member is detached from the main assembly of the device. For this reason, the toner bottle is prepared to be removed from the main assembly of the machine.

(Structure eliminating the need for phase alignment) [00135] The description will be made in relation to the structure eliminating the need for phase alignment when the toner bottle 1 is fitted with the drive portion of the main assembly 20.

[00136] In a conventional drive transmission medium using a combination of projection and recess type coupling drive, it is necessary to fit a recess and a projection with phase alignment. This is not necessary according to this embodiment. With reference to Fig. 18, this will be described.

[00137] Fig. 18 shows a positional relationship in the direction of rotation between the groove projection 3 and the groove rib 20a when the sealing member 2 is inserted in the drive portion 20. The groove rib 20a is provided in a position, and the slot projection 3 is provided in two positions (3A, 3B).

[00138] Assuming that the groove 20a and the groove projection 3 are not aligned with each other when the user inserts the toner bottle 1, when the toner bottle 1 is inserted in the predetermined position, the sealing member 2 it is locked with the drive portion 20, and when the toner bottle 1 is retracted, the sealing member 2 is away from the toner bottle 1 to establish the unloadable toner state.

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27/42 [00139] However, depending on the position in the direction of rotation of the toner bottle 1 when inserting the toner bottle, the slot projection 3A is aligned with the slot rib 20a, as shown in (A) in Fig 18. In this case, even if the toner bottle 1 is inserted in the predetermined position, the slot projection 3A interferes with the slot rib 20a, so that it is not released outward. So, the crash is incomplete. If the toner bottle 1 is retracted together with the sealing member 2, since the locking with the driving portion of the main assembly 20 is incomplete. Opening 1a cannot be removed or opened.

[00140] In order to avoid this, the number of groove projections 3 is greater than that of groove ribs 20a by at least one, so that not all groove grooves and groove projections are aligned.

[00141] In the case of (A) of Fig. 18, one of the locking projections 3A interferes with the locking rib 20a and, therefore, is not locked with the drive portion of the main assembly 20. However, the other of the locking projections 20a and therefore is correctly locked with the drive portion 20. Thus, even if one of the locking projections 3A is not locked correctly, the other locking projection 3B will be locked correctly and therefore the toner bottle 1 is separated from the sealing member 2 without problem, so that opening 1a is unsealed. After the opening 1a has the seal removed, the plug rib 20a incompletely engaged is removed from the interference sooner or later by the rotation of the driving portion of the main assembly 20 in the direction indicated by an arrow c, therefore, correct locking of the projection plug 3A is established. With additional rotation, as shown in (C) in Fig. 18, the engagement rib 20a is engaged with the engagement projection 3B, so that the rotation is transmitted to rotate the toner bottle 1.

[00142] By providing the number of locking projections 3, which is at least greater than one in relation to the number of locking ribs 20a, at least one of the locking projections is fitted with the locking hole without a

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28/42 interference with the locking rib, regardless of the position of the toner bottle 1 in the direction of rotation. In this way, the toner bottle 1 can be securely placed in the machine.

[00143] The number of slot projections 3 can be four instead of two as in the embodiment. In this case, the number of locking ribs is not more than three.

[00144] In this case, even if the number of locking ribs and the number of locking projections is the same, the distance (phase) between the locking rib can be different from the distance (phase) between the locking projections, at least that at least one of the fitting projections is not aligned with the fitting rib when inserting the bottle, so that the correct locking can be performed.

[00145] When a plurality of locking ribs are provided in a different circumferential position, it is preferable that the locking ribs are arranged at regular intervals in consideration of the drive transmission property.

[00146] Fig. 20 shows another example that also eliminates the need for phase alignment. In this modified example, a shallow groove 20e is extended across the entire circumference of the groove portion 20d of the drive portion of the main assembly 20, and a groove hole 20d for groove with groove projection 3 is formed in the groove groove. locking 20e. The locking groove 20e is not deep in order to fully fit with the groove projection 3, but it is shallow enough to allow half groove to allow automatic seal removal action.

[00147] With reference to Fig. 21, the operation during fitting in this modified example will be described.

[00148] In Fig. 21, (A) shows a state in which the toner bottle 1 is not yet inserted in the drive portion of the main assembly 20, and the slot 20d of the drive portion of the main assembly 20 and the notch projection 3 and sealing member 2 are not aligned in positions in the direction of

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29/42 rotation, as indicated in cross section X-X. With the insertion of the toner bottle 1, the state shown in (B) of Fig. 21 is reached, in which the groove projection 3 is half engaged with the groove 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 the limb sealer 2 and the toner bottle 1 are spaced with certainty to remove the seal from opening 1a. When the drive portion of the main assembly 20 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow c, the slot 20d and the slot projection 3 are aligned as shown in (C) in Fig. 21, and the slot projection 3 is now completely fitted with the slot 20d to allow the transmission of the rotating drive force.

[00149] In this way, according to this embodiment, the toner bottle 1 can be properly adjusted in the main assembly 100 of the device, simply by inserting the toner bottle 1 in the main assembly 100, without the need to adjust the position of bottle 1 in the direction of rotation. Therefore, the exchange operation is simple and easy.

[00150] Additionally, since the operation of opening and closing the opening of the toner supply container is automatically performed on the main assembly of an image forming apparatus and, therefore, the user does not need to open or close the opening. This eliminates the possibility of contaminating the user's hands.

(Release method) [00151] With reference to Fig. 22, the description will be made in relation to the release between the slot projection 3 and the drive portion of the main assembly

20.

[00152] When the toner supply is finished, and the toner bottle 1 is empty, it is removed and a new toner bottle is adjusted.

[00153] At this time, it is necessary to release the sealing member 2 from the drive portion 20.

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30/42 [00154] As shown in Fig. 22, the interior of the main assembly of the apparatus, more particularly, the interior of the drive portion 20 is provided with a pushing member 21. The pushing member 21 is movable in the same direction of the axis direction of the drive shaft 1 b of the toner bottle 1.

[00155] In Fig. 22, (A) shows a state in which the toner supply is finished, and the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1 is in an open state.

[00156] When the lock between the drive portion 20 and the sealing member 2 is released, the pushing member 21 is announced in a direction indicated by an arrow a, for a release portion 4 at the free end of the sealing member 2, whereby the release portion 4 is elastically deformed in the same direction and, correspondingly, the integral projection 3 with the release portion 4 deforms towards the interior. Thus, the locking projection 3 is detached from the driving portion of the main assembly 20.

[00157] The pushing member 21 advances further in the direction of the arrow a, whereby the sealing member 2 is adjusted by pressing on the opening 1a, thereby re-sealing the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1. The member of pushing 21 is even more advanced in the direction of arrow a, so that the toner bottle 1, per se, is retracted to slide the toner bottle 1 into a position that facilitates its removal by a user.

[00158] As for the drive structure of the pushing member 21, it can be interrelated with the operation of opening and closing the front cover 15 of the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, so that, when the front cover 15 is open, the push member 21 moves in the direction of arrow a to disengage between the sealing member 2 of the toner bottle 1 and the drive portion 20, and when the front cover 15 is closed, it is advanced in the direction of the arrow B. Alternatively, a drive motor or the like is used to perform 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 hand lever is provided, which is manipulated by the user and is interrelated with the pushing member.

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31/42 [00159] As described above, according to the embodiments, the toner supply container can be locked in the main assembly of the electrophotographic imaging apparatus by a pressure adjustment type fitting for sure, by inserting the toner supply container. When it has to be removed, the pressure adjustment type lock is easily released by pushing the release portion. In this way, the supply operation of the toner supply container is performed by a very simple operation. Consequently, a highly operational toner supply container can be provided.

[00160] In addition, the detachment of the drive transmission for the toner supply container is simultaneously carried out, and the opening and closing operation can also be carried out simultaneously.

[00161] These advantageous effects can be provided by the very simple action at low cost with compact structure and reliable drive transmission.

[00162] In the unloadable toner state, it is not necessary to provide means to rotatively support the drive shaft 1b on the side of the main body of the toner bottle. This simplifies the structure and avoids the problem of toner leakage, torque increase, production of coarse particles and so on.

(Embodiment 2) [00163] With reference to Figs. 23-25, 32, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numbers of the first embodiment were assigned to the elements with corresponding functions, and the detailed description of the common structure is omitted for simplicity.

[00164] As shown in Fig. 23, in this embodiment, the release projection 4 (release portion) is provided on a non-internal outer surface of the cylindrical coupling fitting portion 2c of the sealing member 2 as in the first mode of achievement. In this embodiment, the slot projection 3 and the release portion 4 are provided in each of the four

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32/42 circumferentially equidistant in order to form pairs. The structures of the locking drive portion 20 with the locking projection of the sealing member are the same as in Embodiment 1.

[00165] Correspondingly, the pushing member 21 is in the form of a cylinder covering the outer periphery of the drive portion 20 as shown in Fig. 24 and is slidable to engage with the release portion 4, instead of a sliding rod such as in the first embodiment. The inner surface of the free end portion of the pushing member 21 (cylindrical member) is tapered, so that the inner diameter increases, that is, the thickness of the cylinder decreases, towards the free end, whereby the tapered portion 21a is fitted with the apex of the release portion 4 upon fitting. Slots 2e are formed on the sides of the support portion 2f for the socket projection 3 and the release portion 4 to facilitate the elastic deformation into the socket projection 3 and the release portion 4 and restoration.

[00166] 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.

[00167] In Fig. 25, (A) shows a state in which the toner supply is finished, and the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1 is still open.

[00168] When the fit between the drive portion of the main assembly and the sealing member 2 is to be released, the push member is advanced to the release portion 4, as shown in (B) in Fig. 25, of so that the release portion 4 is pressed inwardly by the inner surface of the pushing member 21. This moves the release portion 4 inward (arrow d) by the elastic deformation of the support portion 2f, and, simultaneously, the locking projection 3 is moved inwards together with the release portion 4. Thus, the locking projection 3 is disengaged from the drive portion of the main assembly 20. The release steps are performed in conjunction with the operation of opening the cover for exchange by the operator.

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33/42 [00169] Then, the pushing member 21 is advanced in the direction of the arrow a, so that the sealing member 2 is returned to the sealing position of the toner bottle 1, as shown in (C) on Fig. 25. Subsequently, the pushing member 21 is further advanced to slide the toner bottle 1 per se into a position that facilitates the user when removing the toner bottle 1.

[00170] As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing the release portion 4 on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 2c, the same advantageous effects with the first embodiment described below can be provided. According to this embodiment, when the sealing member 2 is produced by injection molding a resin material, the mold can be easily removed and, thus, improve the production property.

[00171] A width of the slot projection is greater than the width of the release projection, so that when the main body of the bottle is retracted for automatic removal of the seal from the opening, the slot between the slot projection (surface of locking) and the drive portion 20 is maintained. The release projection does not have this function and, therefore, the width is reduced to minimize the cost of resin material in manufacturing.

[00172] There is a possible alternative in which the thin portion 2y is provided as shown in Fig. 32 to make the base portions of the support portion 2f (supporting the joint projection and the release projection) easy to deform. With this structure, the detaching action is ensured, while maintaining sufficient rigidity of the sealing member including the joint projection that receives the rotating actuation force.

(Embodiment 3) [00173] With reference to Figs. 26 to 29, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[00174] In the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 24, the groove projection 3 and the release portion (release projection) 4 for the sealing member 2 are provided on the outer surface of the groove portion 2b.

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34/42

In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 26, the slot projection 3 and the release projection 4 are provided in each of the four circumferentially equidistant positions on an internal surface of the slot portion 2b.

[00175] Corresponding to this structure of the sealing member 2, the driving portion of the main assembly 20 has a configuration shown in Fig. 27. The driving portion of the main assembly 20 comprises cylindrical portions including a free end portion 20b, a small diameter portion 20c, a large diameter portion 20d and a rear end 20e that has different outside diameters. It also comprises a through hole 20f through which the pushing member 21 is penetrated. The internal diameter of the through hole 20f is constant. The small diameter portion 20c has a minimum outside diameter and is provided with a locking rib 20a extending in the longitudinal direction of the driving portion 20 in each of the diametrically opposite positions.

[00176] With reference to Fig. 28, the description will be made in relation to the fit between the drive portion 20 and the sealing member 2 in this embodiment.

[00177] In Fig. 28, (A) 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 in the main assembly of the device, in which the toner bottle 1 is not yet locked with the drive portion 20 provided in the main assembly of the device.

[00178] As shown in (B) of Fig. 28, when the toner bottle 1 is inserted further, the groove projection 3 provided on the sealing member 2 is brought into contact with the driving portion of the main assembly 20 and it is guided by the tapered surface 3c formed at the free end portion of the socket projection 3, and is gradually and elastically deformed.

[00179] With additional insertion, the slot projection 3 having passed through the straight portion 20g, as shown in (C) of Fig. 28, the forced deformation is

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35/42 released by the space portion 20h without the locking rib 20a, and the locking projection 3 is firmly locked with the driving portion of the main assembly 20.

[00180] In the state shown in (C) of Fig. 28, the socket projection 3 is firmly engaged with the actuation portion of the main assembly 20, so that the position of the sealing member 2 in the pushing direction (axial direction ) is fixed in relation to the main body of the toner bottle 1. Therefore, when the toner bottle 1 is then retracted, the sealing member 2 is not retracted together with the toner bottle 1, but is firmly fixed to the portion main assembly drive 20. On the other hand, only the toner bottle 1 is destructive, the sealing member 2 moves away from the toner bottle 1 to remove the seal or open the opening 1 a. The retraction operation of the toner bottle 1 can be such that the toner bottle 1 is slid in interrelation with the operation of opening and closing the front cover 15 (Fig. 2), [00181] With reference to Fig. 29, the action of releasing or disengaging in this embodiment will be described.

[00182] When the sealing member 2 is to be detached from the driving portion of the main assembly 20, the pushing member 21 is arranged in the central portion of the driving portion of the main assembly 20 is slid in the direction of the arrow a, and only by the that it is detached from the drive portion of the main assembly 20.

[00183] By advancing the pushing member 21 in the direction of arrow a in relation to the release portion 4 provided inside the sealing member 2, the part supporting the release portion 21, as shown in (B) of Fig. 29 , deforms outwardly, so that the release portion moves outward and therefore the locking projection 3 moves outwardly. Thus, the locking projection 3 is detached from the driving portion of the main assembly 20.

[00184] With the additional advance of the pushing member 21 in the direction of the arrow a, the sealing member 2 is adjusted by pressure in opening 1a, as shown in (C) of Fig. 29. In this position, the sealing member 2 is removed from the opening

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36/42

1a of the toner bottle 1. By further advancing the pushing member 21 in the direction of arrow a, the toner bottle 1, per se, is slid backwards to a position where the user can easily remove the toner bottle 1 .

[00185] When the drive structure for the pushing member 21, it can be interrelated with the operation of opening and closing the front cover 15 of the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, so that when the front cover 15 is opened , the push member 21 moves in the direction of arrow a to disengage between the sealing member 2 of the toner bottle 1 and the drive portion 20, and when the front cover 15 is closed, it is advanced in the direction of the arrow B. Alternatively, a drive motor or the like is used to independently perform the disengagement operation. In another alternative, it is not interrelated with the front cover 15 of the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, but a hand lever is provided, which is manipulated by the user and is interrelated with the pushing member.

[00186] In this embodiment, the non-release portion is not exposed to the outside and, therefore, in the event that the toner supply container is dropped inadvertently, the release portion is not damaged and, therefore, the property of impact resistance is high during transport.

[00187] In addition, by a very simple sliding of the pushing member in the forward and backward directions, the drive transmission of the toner bottle can be easily detached and, simultaneously, the opening and closing of the opening of the toner bottle can be carried out.

[00188] These advantageous effects can be provided by very simple action at low cost, with compact structure and reliable drive transmission. (Embodiment 4) [00189] With reference to Fig. 30, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[00190] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 30, a sealing member 2, a slot projection 3 and a release portion 4 mounted on the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1 are manufactured separately one with respect to

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37/42 another and then are assembled.

[00191] As shown in this figure, two movable arms 3e are assembled by hinged portions 3h on the end surface of the sealing member 2, so that they are opposite each other. Each of the movable arms 3e is provided in its free end portion with a locking projection 3 to make the locking, similar to that of the first embodiment.

[00192] The socket projections 3 are connected to each other by a connection 3g via the articulated portions 31. The connection 3g includes two members connected by an articulation that function as a release portion 4.

[00193] From an internal side of the movable arm 3e, fixed projections 3f are projected opposite each other in a central portion. A spring 3j, compressed between the fixed projections 3f. By the force of force provided by the spring 3j, the movable arm 3e is requested outwards, so that the joint projection 3 is interlockable with the driving portion of the main assembly 20, as shown in (A) of Fig. 30. A drive portion of the main assembly 20 suitable in this embodiment is, for example, that shown in Fig. 14.

[00194] With this structure, when the toner bottle 1 is to be fitted with the drive portion of the main assembly 20 by the slot projection 3, it is sufficient to insert the toner bottle 1 in the main assembly of the device, similarly to the Mode of implementation 1. More particularly, when the toner bottle 1 is inserted, the locking projections 3 are brought into contact with the driving portion of the main assembly 20, whereby movable arms 3e are angled inward against the spring force of the spring 3j together with the locking projections 3. With additional insertion, the locking projections 3 are fitted with the actuation portion of the main assembly 20 in a position predetermined by the spring force of the spring 3j and, simultaneously, the movable arms 3e restore the original position shown in (A) of Fig. 30.

[00195] On the other hand, when they have to be detached from each other, as shown in (B) of Fig. 30, the pushing member 21 pushed against the release portion 4 in a direction indicated by the arrow a, the projections in

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38/42 socket 3 are easily tilted so that they can be detached.

[00196] Similar to the following embodiments, the structure of this embodiment also provides the same advantageous effects.

[00197] In this embodiment, the elastic deformation is not in use, the plug projection 3 can be made of any material without presenting elastic deformation per se and, therefore, the choice of material is very important. For example, various materials, such as aluminum, steel or magnesium, or wood, hard resin material or the like are usable. Higher snap resistance can be maintained, and durability is improved.

[00198] The parts are connected with a connection mechanism, which provides moving bands greater than the elastic deformation, and therefore, a larger fitting area is usable. Therefore, the fit is very firm, with high reliability.

[00199] In this embodiment, the elastic deformation of the sealing member is not used, unlike other Modes 1-3, but a type and connection is employed. Therefore, durability is better, but the structure is more complicated, with the possible result of increased costs.

(Embodiment 5) [00200] The present invention is not limited to the above Embodiments. In Embodiment 5, the structures are the same as in the mentioned embodiment (Fig. 20), except for the portions that will be described.

[00201] For example, as shown in Fig. 31, the opening 1a of the toner bottle 1 can be provided on the cylindrical surface 1d adjacent to the longitudinal end surface. In this case, the coupling fitting portion 2c is not provided in the sealing member 2 and can be rotatably mounted on an end surface of the main body 1A of the toner bottle. In this case, opening 1a is removably sealed by a plug member S.

[00202] The coupling fitting portion 2c as a function of locking the main body 1A of the toner bottle with the main assembly (drive portion 20 shown in Fig. 20) of the imaging apparatus by a locking portion ( locking surface of the socket projection 3), a

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39/42 function of receiving a rotating actuation force on the main assembly side of the imaging apparatus by an actuating force receiving portion (an actuation receiving surface of the projection 3), a function and undocking the main body 1A of the toner bottle of the main assembly (actuation portion 20) of the imaging apparatus by a release portion 4, and a function of transmitting the actuation force received by the actuation receiving portion to the fitting portion of coupling 2c and the toner feed member attached to the toner bottle. With this structure, a force of separating the toner bottle from the drive portion 20 of the main assembly of the apparatus for some reason or another, while the rotation is received from the main assembly of the apparatus, they are kept engaged together and therefore , it is prevented that the transmission of the rotating drive force to the toner bottle is inadvertently disengaged.

(Embodiment 6) [00203] With reference to Fig. 33, a sixth embodiment will be described. [00204] In the above embodiment, the locking mechanism, the release mechanism and the drive transmission mechanism are used between an image forming apparatus and a toner supply container (sealing member). In this embodiment, use is made between an image-forming device and an electrophotographic photosensitive member that can be detachable in relation to the main assembly of the image-forming device, in which the photosensitive drum is replaced with a new one after life useful. In other respects, the structures are the same as for Embodiment 1.

[00205] In Fig. 33, the coupling fitting portion 2c provided at one end of the photosensitive drum 104 is fitted with a driving portion 20 of the main assembly of the imaging apparatus, similarly to Embodiment 1, so that the rotating driving force is transmitted from the driving portion 20 to the photosensitive member. The structures for disengaging between them are similar to the

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40/42 achievement 1.

[00206] As will be understood, the drive transmission mechanism of this invention is not limited to the toner supply container or the image forming apparatus, but is applicable to a structure to transmit rotary, oscillatory or inversion movement around a rotation axis.

[00207] The automatic sealing operation for the opening can be performed as follows.

[00208] In connection with an operation of opening the cover for exchange by the operator, the main body of the toner bottle is advanced towards the sealing member with the fit between the sealing member and the driving portion 20 maintained, whereby the sealing member is adjusted by pressing on the opening, thereby effecting automatic sealing.

[00209] Then, the pushing member 21 slides to be in contact with the release portion, and the locking projection is detached from the driving portion 20. In addition, the pushing member 21 pushes the main body of the vial toner together with the sealing member towards the replacement cover to a position where the operator can easily remove the toner bottle.

[00210] In this way, the sliding movement (retraction, advance) of the main body of the bottle used to remove the seal from the opening can be used to reseal the opening with a simple structure. In addition, the sliding movement of the pushing member can be made shorter than in the above embodiments and, therefore, complication of the apparatus on the side of the main body can be avoided.

[00211] The structure for fitting and unhooking between the main assembly of the imaging device and the toner bottle or the photosensitive member can be used in Modes 2, 3 and 4.

[00212] In Modes 1-6, only by moving the projection of the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction (axial direction, for example) of relative movement of the sealing member relative to the main body,

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41/42 the projection or projections of fit are moved in one direction or directions substantially perpendicular to the direction (radial direction, for example) and, therefore, the structure for disengagement is simple. Even when a plurality of interlocking projections are provided, all interlocking projections are put in disengaging positions by a force applied substantially in one position and, therefore, the structure for disengaging is simple. In Embodiments 1, 4, 5 and 6, the release force receiving portion of the sealing member is substantially disposed on the free end portion of the sealing member, so that the release force receiving portion can be engaged with the main assembly at a relatively early stage after starting to insert the toner bottle.

[00213] In embodiments 1-4, the drive portion 20 provided in the main assembly of the imaging apparatus is provided with a locking hole and a locking rib, and the sealing member 2 is provided with a portion plug-in projection 3 pluggable with the locking hole and plug-in rib of the drive portion 20, but the projection and recess ratio can be reversed. In other words, the driving portion 20 of the main assembly of the apparatus is provided with a locking projection and a release portion (releasing projection), and the sealing member 2 is provided with a locking hole and a locking rib. . With such a structure, the same advantageous effects are provided.

[00214] As described above, according to these embodiments, the toner accommodating container and the main assembly of the image forming device are locked in a quick type fitting, and the sealing member can be automatically attached or disengaged from the opening of the accommodating toner container, where the locking slot can be released with a simple structure without effort for the user.

[00215] Therefore, the toner supply operation can be performed by the user with much less effort.

[00216] Such a sealing member of a accommodating toner container and a

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42/42 image forming apparatus can be provided at low cost.

Although the invention has been described with reference to structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details presented and this report is intended to cover such modifications or changes that may be within the scope of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.

Claims (4)

1. Toner supply container (1), which can be detachable in an assembly of an electrophotographic image forming device (100) having a hollow cylindrical drive member (20) that has a slot (20h) formed in it, the slit extending in a circumferential direction and defining a plurality of interior surfaces of the hollow cylindrical drive member, comprising: i) a container body (1A) configured to contain a toner and rotatable about an axis thereof, the container body including an opening provided at an axial end portion thereof and configured to allow the discharge of the toner contained in the container body; and ii) a sealing member (2) provided in an axial end portion of the container body, the sealing member being movable with respect to the container body in an axial direction of the container body, the sealing member including: ii-i) a sealing portion (2b) provided on one side adjacent to the container body and configured to seal the opening when the sealing member and the container body are in a first position relative to each other, the opening becoming unsealed by the relative movement of the sealing member and the container body away from each other from the first position to a second position relative to each other; and characterized by ii-ii) a coupling portion (2c) provided on a distant side of the container body and configured and positioned to receive a rotating driving force, the coupling portion including: ii-ii-i) a support portion (2f) provided in the coupling portion, the support portion being elastically displaceable in an inward direction towards the container body axis and resiliently restorable in an outward direction away from the axis the container body; and ii-ii-ii) a fitting portion (3) provided at a free end of the Petition 870190008273, of 01/25/2019, p. 49/51 2/2 support portion, the engaging portion being configured and positioned to (a) move in an inward direction with the supporting portion as the engaging portion enters the hollow cylindrical drive member and (b) engage with the slot of the hollow cylindrical drive member when the support portion restores elastically in an outward direction, the engagement portion including: ii-ii-ii-i) a rotational force receiving portion (3a) capable of being delimited in a circumferential direction of the hollow cylindrical drive member by at least a portion of a first inner surface of the hollow cylindrical drive member defined by the slot to receive a rotational drive force from the hollow cylindrical drive member; and ii-ii-ii-ii) a locking portion (3b) capable of being delimited in an axial direction of the hollow cylindrical drive member by at least a portion of a second inner surface of the hollow cylindrical drive member defined by the slot for preventing the sealing member from moving in the axial direction of the container body when the container body moves away from the hollow cylindrical drive member, thereby causing relative movement of the sealing member and the container body from the first position, in which the opening is sealed, to the second position, in which the opening is opened. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling portion (2c) includes a plurality of fitting portions. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sealing member (2), including the sealing portion (2b) and the coupling portion (2c), is integrally molded. An image forming apparatus (100) characterized in that it comprises the developer supply container of the type defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, the image forming apparatus comprising a hollow cylindrical drive member (20) having a slot (20h) formed therein, the slot extending in a circumferential direction and defining a plurality of interior surfaces of the hollow cylindrical drive member.