CN101609287A - Developer reservoir, developer supply and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

Developer reservoir (32) has the main body of receiving photographic developer therein and is removably mounted on the main body of imaging device (100).Described developer reservoir comprises the escape hole that is arranged on developer reservoir one side with from developer reservoir discharging developer.Input media (37) is arranged near the escape hole and has small diameter portion, the internal diameter of this part is less than the diameter of container body, when developer reservoir was installed on the imaging device, the drive motor of described input media and imaging device (41) engagement was to receive the drive motor rotating force.(33a, 90Y) rotation by developer reservoir moves to escape hole outside the input media small diameter portion with the developer of developer reservoir inside to the developer guidance unit.

Description

Developer reservoir, developer supply and imaging device

The application be that February 20, application number in 2004 are 200480005457.6 the applying date, denomination of invention divides an application for the application for a patent for invention of " developer reservoir, developer supply and imaging device ".

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of developer reservoir of receiving photographic developer, and a kind of be the developer receiving device, the visual image that for example forms visual image on such as the image bearing medium of optical conductor forms the unit developer supply as the developer of toner is provided.In addition, the present invention relates to a kind of imaging device that uses described developer reservoir and developer supply, as duplicating machine, printer, facsimile recorder etc.

Background technology

Traditionally, known with the cylindricality toner bottle as being arranged on the developer reservoir of developer supply inside, described developer supply is an imaging device, provides for example developer of toner as the developing apparatus of duplicating machine, printer, facsimile recorder.

Toner bottle is furnished with one and is arranged on the bottle gear that spiral salient and on the toner bottle inwall is used to rotate described toner bottle.The developer in the toner bottle is discharged in the rotation of being undertaken by gear by toner bottle from toner bottle, as toner, and the developer of discharging is transferred into developing apparatus, so that described developing apparatus is supplied with developer.

; even the toner guiding piece is set in developer reservoir; wherein said gear is arranged on the side of developer reservoir near the toner bottle opening, also has the problem that can not carry out the toner discharging by developer reservoir along the smooth rotation ground of its circumferencial direction.

A bottle gear that is arranged on the toner bottle inside that is used as developer reservoir is configured to annular, wherein forms central opening in gear on the perimeter surface.When the diameter of opening during less than the internal diameter of the toner bottle inwall that cogged position is set, the inwall of described toner bottle is furnished with from the bossing of bottle gear position projection.

Because toner bottle flatly is placed in the imaging device, if arrive pars intermedia office before, toner discharging port position so the bossing of inwall is positioned at the toner of bottle, then the toner in the bottle can not be sent to outside the bossing, thereby can not arrive toner discharging port.Therefore, existence can not be carried out the situation of toner discharging swimmingly.

A kind of is to make that the diameter of bottle gear opening is bigger than the internal diameter of toner bottle inwall in order to the method for expecting that overcomes described problem.For example, the diameter of gear opening can be formed to such an extent that equate with the internal diameter of toner bottle inwall.

, in this case, there is a certain amount of distance in the tooth root of (gear teeth) from the gear opening to the gear teeth, and the gear teeth protrude perpendicular to the direction of bottle circumferential surface from the circumferential side surface edge of toner bottle.Therefore, the imaging device of wherein being furnished with toner bottle is except that need be device context is received the space of toner bottle, also the space that need rotatably hold bottle gear in device.This makes the size of imaging device become big.

Therefore, in order to make the imaging device miniaturization, even expectation during less than the internal diameter of toner bottle inwall, also can be carried out the supply of toner at the diameter of gear opening swimmingly.

Japan early stage publication application No.10-063084, No.07-020705 and No.09-251240 have disclosed some as developer reservoir and along the toner bottle on the toner feed device that vertically is removably mounted on the imaging device main body of imaging device.In the conventional apparatus of above-mentioned file, described toner bottle is removably installed from the front side of described imaging device, perhaps wherein holds the print cartridge of toner bottle and removably installs from the front side of apparatus main body.

In addition, for the rotation of carrying out toner bottle drives, the conventional apparatus in the above-mentioned file has with lower device.

In the device of Japan early stage publication application No.10-063084, the bottom of toner bottle is connected with driver element on being arranged on the apparatus main body back side panel, drives so that carry out the rotation of toner bottle.

In the device of Japan early stage publication application No.07-020705, the driver element in being arranged near the joint unit of toner bottle shoulder (shoulder) and being arranged on apparatus main body is connected, and drives so that carry out the rotation of toner bottle.

In the device of Japan early stage publication application No.09-251240, the bottle gear is arranged near the relative end of the other end with being formed with toner discharging port of toner bottle, and the bottle gear is meshed with driven wheel, drives so that carry out the rotation of toner bottle.

As mentioned above, in the device of above-mentioned file, toner bottle or the print cartridge that holds toner bottle are removably installed from the front side of apparatus main body, and at the front end of device the operating space required with removal need be installed, and must take a lot of erection spaces of device.

In addition, at developer reservoir from the structure that removably install the front side of apparatus main body, the operator must lean in the front of device and carry out toner bottle and change, perhaps for the developer reservoir that removal was used from apparatus main body under the toner discharging port opening, the operator must consider and not allow residual toner spill the front that does not besmirch device from opening.

Based on above reason, must consider to carry out the method for developer reservoir installation/removal from the front side of device.

In addition,, need the operator can carry out developer reservoir at an easy rate and change, and be necessary to make that installation/removal operation of developer reservoir becomes easy along with popularizing of color image forming apparatus in recent years.

If be different from above-mentioned classic method from device front removal and installation developer reservoir, can developer reservoir removably be installed from the top of apparatus main body, then when developer reservoir installation and removal, the required thing of doing is exactly the top cover of device for opening main body, and change from top and to remove the developer reservoir of required color, and place new developer reservoir.

Therefore, no longer needing provides the operating space as the classic method from installation of device front and removal developer reservoir in the Unit Installation zone, can reduce erection space.

In addition, because when the operator stands, can carry out installation/removal operation of changing developer reservoir and can see developer reservoir, leak so can prevent the toner of developer reservoir opening at an easy rate, and make the operation of installation/removal become easy.

Based on above reason, developer reservoir installation and the removal carried out from device body upper can also make operation become easily, and can reduce the Unit Installation area.This is desirable.

In addition, although advocate the miniaturization of device in recent years always, in order to make equipment miniaturization, the thing of being considered also all is about seeking the configuration of the driver element that drives developer reservoir.

; in the device of Japan early stage publication application No.10-063084; the joint unit that engages with the driver element of described apparatus main body side in the toner bottle is arranged on the length direction end of toner bottle, and the position of formation driver element is positioned at more rear with respect to this bottle on the toner bottle length direction.

For this reason, the degree of depth of described device need consider vertically to go up the total length of the degree of depth of the length of toner bottle and driver element, and then has increased the length of device.

Adjacency if the outer circumferential side surface of toner bottle resembles in the device of Japan early stage publication application No.07-020705 and No.09-251240, and the input block of driving force is set, then need not on the length direction of bottle, to be disposed in order and to provide driver element and bottle, and can prevent the increase of the locking apparatus degree of depth.Described device can be miniaturized, and this is desirable.

If the input block of driving force is arranged on the side of developer reservoir rather than the length direction end from the top of device, allow simultaneously from device top installation/removal developer reservoir, space in the time of then can saving installation and removal, improve the operation of installation/removal, and further realize so-called equipment miniaturization, thereby realize higher availability.

In addition, in traditional device, the developer reservoir of for example toner is arranged so that developer reservoir is removably mounted on the container installation unit of developer supply.

In traditional device, from the container installation unit, removing because developer exhaustion and after the empty developer reservoir of using, can be by new developer reservoir be set, offering developer for example by imaging device, visual image forms in the developer receiving apparatus of unit.

Disclosed in Japan early stage publication application No.2002-357945, in above-mentioned developer supply, use the feed drive assembly, as be arranged on the stirrer of container body inside, the developer in the developer reservoir is transported to escape hole by above-mentioned developer supply.

In addition, disclosed in Japan early stage publication application No.2000-338758, portion holds on the inwall of elongate body of container of described developer and forms spiral salient within it, and inner developer is delivered to escape hole by the main body of rotary container, make the central shaft that extends in the vertical be called centre rotational axis.

In the developer supply in the unsettled patented claim No.2000-338758 of Japan, the rotation of the main body by container is moved the spiral salient on the main body inner wall that is formed on container, and by moving of spiral salient inner developer is moved to escape hole.

Be similar to the developer supply among the early stage publication application 2000-338758 of Japan, disclosed as Japan early stage publication application No.2002-276466, applicant as the assignee of the present invention has proposed a kind of imaging device that is provided with developer supply, wherein the main body of container is rotated, and by the rotation of container body inner developer is moved to escape hole.

In above-mentioned imaging device, use the toner bottle shown in Figure 32 A as developer reservoir.In the toner bottle 632 of Figure 32 A, be set at the front end of the main body 633 of toner bottle 632 as the cap body portion 634 of rotary unit.

In addition, the toner discharging port (not shown) is opened on the part outer circumferential side surface of cap body portion 634, and this toner discharging port is closed by gate 636 under the state of Figure 32 A.This gate 636 is installed on the outer circumferential side surface of cap body portion 634, and it can be slided on the outer circumferential side surface of cap body portion 634.

In addition, in order to make cap body portion 634 form the handles of controlling by the operator 635 with cap body portion 634 integral body around the central shaft rotation of cap body portion 634.When being placed on toner bottle 632 on the bottle stand shown in broken lines among Figure 32 A 631, described toner bottle 632 with shown in state be placed on the bottle stand 631.

If press the direction rotary handle 635 of arrow N among Figure 32 A, although 634 rotations such as the cap body portion that constitutes by handle 635 grades, for the contacted gate 636 of gate blocking unit 631a of bottle stand 631, can not begin rotation from this state.

Therefore, gate 636 has been realized slide moving with respect to the outer circumferential side surface of cap body portion 634 by rotation, and toner discharging port moves, make its on direction (downside of Figure 32 A) vertically downward face-to-face to bottle stand 631.Therefore, be in by the toner discharging port of gate 636 closing state and open to the downside vertical direction.

On the other hand, when when bottle stand 631 removes toner bottle 632, handle 635 along with Figure 32 A in arrow N side be rotated in the opposite direction.

And then toner discharging port is along with cap body portion 634 oppositely moves simultaneously according to the direction opposite with arrow N among Figure 32 A.And the excitation force that gate 636 is applied according to the energiser unit (not shown) slides mobile with respect to the external all side surfaces of cap.And toner discharging port is closed by gate 636.

Therefore, if handle toner bottle 632, just can not leak toner from toner discharging port.

Figure 32 B is the sectional view along the circumference of the central shaft O cap body portion 634 intercepting and that pass toner discharging port of toner bottle 632.

Shown in Figure 32 B, when cap body portion 634 was inserted in the open C part of main body 633 of bottle, it was installed on the main body 633 of bottle.

And when being arranged on toner bottle 632 on the bottle stand 631, this cap body portion is locked on the bottle stand.Therefore, when it is meshed with the driven wheel of drive motor, and when the rotary driving force of drive motor was transferred into bottle main body 633 by bottle gear 637, the main body 633 of bottle was rotated along the direction of arrow Q among Figure 32 A, simultaneously bottle gear 637 and cap body portion 634 friction slip.

, the operator operates handle 635 in the cap body portion 634 for convenience, and cap body portion 634 can be locked on the bottle stand 631 with relative more weak power.

Therefore, if the bottle main body 633 of rotation and the friction force between the cap body portion 634 surpass the power of locking cap body portion 634, then cap body portion 634 will be rotated with the rotation of bottle main body 633.

Therefore, also move to the direction of arrow Q among Figure 32 A, and be in by gate 636 closing state towards the toner discharging port that the vertical direction downside is opened.And then even revolving bottle main body 633 is carried out the toner supply operation, also the existence generation can not the actual problem of carrying out toner supply.

In addition, if the sense of rotation (direction of Figure 32 A) of the main body 633 of bottle is inverted, then according to the friction force between bottle main body 633 and the cap body portion 634, toner discharging port can not closed, and the problems referred to above can not take place.

, the rotation driving direction of bottle main body 633 is inverted, and forces the change design relevant, and adopt such structure perhaps relatively more difficult with the structure of toner conveyer and whole imaging device.

In addition, must be inverted according to design variation, so also there is the defective that to use design variation toner bottle before owing to be formed on the direction of the spiral toner guiding piece 633a on bottle main body 633 inwalls in this case at present.

On the other hand, if gate 636 is inverted with respect to the direction (direction of arrow N among Figure 32 A) of cap body portion 634 skews when toner discharging port become closed condition, then the problems referred to above can not take place.

, must change the toner conveyer structure relevant in this case, and may be difficult to adopt above structure with gate.

In addition, because the structure variation also takes place in cap body portion 634 in this case, so also there is the defective that to use design variation toner bottle before.

In addition, if toner bottle 632 is designed so that cap body portion (rotary unit) 634 can be along first direction (second party of opening toner discharging port with gate 636 in the opposite direction) rotation, then when being installed in toner bottle 632 on the bottle stand 631, the operator may be by way of parenthesis along first direction turncap body portion (rotary unit) 634.In this case, exist cap body portion 634 that incorrect possibility is set.

In addition, if design toner bottle 632, make when being installed in toner bottle 632 on the bottle stand 631, can be by operator's correct rotation to cap body portion 634 on second direction, after gate 636 is opened toner discharging port, be further rotated cap body portion 634, then cap body portion 634 can excessively be rotated.In this case, the possibility that exists generation gate 636 to come off.

Summary of the invention

In order to overcome the problems referred to above, a first aspect of the present invention provides a kind of improved developer reservoir that can carry out toner supply swimmingly that is used in the imaging device, realize the improvement of developer reservoir simultaneously for the installation/removal operation of imaging device main body, and the miniaturization of imaging device.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a kind of developer reservoir and uses the developer supply of this developer reservoir, and it can prevent that gate from along with the rotation of container body causes the toner discharging port sealing, need not simultaneously to change design, and avoiding the problems referred to above.

A third aspect of the present invention provides employed developer reservoir in a kind of imaging device, wherein can prevent the non-correct setting of developer reservoir, and can overcome the problem of the excessive rotation of cap body portion that takes place when making gate open toner discharging port.

Above-mentioned purpose of the present invention has one wherein the main body of receiving photographic developer and the cylindrical developer reservoir that is removably mounted on the imaging device realizes that described developer reservoir comprises: one is arranged on described developer reservoir one side to discharge the escape hole of the developer in the described developer reservoir by a kind of; One is arranged near the described escape hole and the input block with small diameter portion, the diameter of described small diameter portion is less than the diameter of described container body, wherein, when described container is installed on the described imaging device, described input block is meshed with a drive motor of described imaging device, to receive the revolving force of described drive motor; And a developer guidance unit, its rotation by described developer reservoir makes the developer in the described developer reservoir move to the described escape hole place beyond the small diameter portion of described input block.

Above-mentioned purpose of the present invention realizes that by a kind of imaging device described imaging device comprises: an image bearing medium; One visual image that forms visual image on described image bearing medium forms the unit; One forms the developer supply that the unit provides developer for described visual image; One developer reservoir; One installs the container installation unit of described developer reservoir on it; Rotate the driver element of described developer reservoir with one along described developer reservoir circumferencial direction, wherein said developer reservoir comprises: one holds the main body of described developer therein; One is arranged on described developer reservoir one side to discharge the escape hole of the developer in the described developer reservoir; One is arranged near the described escape hole and the input block with a small diameter portion, the diameter of described small diameter portion is less than the diameter of described container body, wherein, when described container is installed on the described imaging device, described input block is meshed with the drive motor of imaging device, to receive the revolving force of described drive motor; And a developer guidance unit, its rotation by described developer reservoir makes the developer in the described developer reservoir move to the escape hole place beyond the small diameter portion of described input block.

Above-mentioned purpose of the present invention realizes by a kind of developer supply of developer reservoir that comprises, described developer reservoir comprises a main body and a rotary unit, described main body wherein and in an end of described container body has an opening with described developer-accommodating, described rotary unit is installed on the described container body to cover described opening, and have on the circumferential surface that is arranged on described rotary unit and with an escape hole of described open communication, wherein the described container body on being installed in described container installation unit is when the longitudinal axis of described container body rotates, developer in the described container body moves to described opening and discharges from described escape hole, so that described developer supply will offer a developer receiving apparatus from the developer that described developer reservoir is discharged, wherein said developer reservoir comprises a gate, this gate is arranged on the described rotary unit, be used for opening or closing described escape hole with respect to described rotary unit moving on the sense of rotation of described container body by described gate, described developer supply is provided in the rotary course of described container body, apply a friction force to described gate or rotary unit, thereby cause that described gate and rotary unit closing relatively moving on the described escape hole direction, and described developer supply comprises a limiting unit, it limits described gate and rotary unit and is closing relatively moving on the direction of described escape hole by utilizing the described container body of rotation with when described escape hole is discharged developer and the friction force between the described container body.

Above-mentioned purpose of the present invention realizes that by a kind of imaging device described imaging device comprises: a visual image that forms visual image on image bearing medium forms the unit; With a developer supply that comprises developer reservoir, described developer reservoir comprises a main body and a rotary unit, described main body wherein and in an end of described container body has an opening with described developer-accommodating, described rotary unit is installed on the described container body to cover described opening, and have on the circumferential surface that is arranged on described rotary unit and with an escape hole of described open communication, wherein the described container body on being installed in described container installation unit is when the longitudinal axis of described container body rotates, developer in the described container body moves to described opening and discharges from described escape hole, so that described developer supply will offer the developer receiving apparatus that described visual image forms the unit from the developer that described developer reservoir is discharged, wherein said developer reservoir comprises a gate, this gate is arranged on the described rotary unit, be used for opening or closing described escape hole with respect to described rotary unit moving on the sense of rotation of described container body by described gate, described developer supply is provided in the rotary course of described container body, apply a friction force to described gate or rotary unit, thereby cause that described gate and rotary unit closing relatively moving on the described escape hole direction, and described developer supply comprises a limiting unit, it limits described gate and rotary unit and is closing relatively moving on the direction of described escape hole by utilizing the described container body of rotation with when described escape hole is discharged developer and the friction force between the described container body.

Above-mentioned purpose of the present invention realizes that by a kind of cylindrical developer reservoir that has the main body of receiving photographic developer wherein and be removably mounted on the imaging device described developer reservoir comprises: one with respect to described container body rotatable rotary unit; One is arranged on the described rotary unit to discharge the escape hole of the developer in the described developer reservoir; One be arranged on the described rotary unit, be used for when described container is installed on the described imaging device Unscrew by described rotary unit or close the gate of described escape hole; And an engaging element that is arranged on the described rotary unit outer circumferential side part, described engaging element is meshed to prevent the rotation of described rotary unit with described imaging device.

Above-mentioned purpose of the present invention realizes that by a kind of cylindrical developer reservoir that has the main body of receiving photographic developer wherein and be removably mounted on the imaging device described developer reservoir comprises: one with respect to described container body rotatable rotary unit; One is arranged on the described rotary unit to discharge the escape hole of the developer in the described developer reservoir; One be arranged on the described rotary unit, be used for when described container is installed on the imaging device Unscrew by described rotary unit or close the gate of described escape hole; One first rotation stopping unit, it is arranged on the described rotary unit, is used for stoping described rotary unit to rotate along a first direction when described container is installed on the described imaging device; With one second rotation stopping unit, it is arranged on the described rotary unit, be used for described rotary unit by described container on described imaging device installation and along a second direction opposite rotation with described first direction, and cause that described gate opens after the described escape hole by the rotation of described rotary unit, stop described rotary unit to be further rotated along described second direction.

According to developer reservoir of the present invention, a kind of imaging device that wherein can carry out toner supply swimmingly can be provided, it can realize that developer reservoir is for the installation/improvement of removal operation of imaging device and the miniaturization of imaging device.

In addition, image-forming apparatus according to the present invention, it can be carried out toner supply swimmingly, realize that toner container is for the installation/improvement of removal operation of imaging device and the miniaturization of imaging device.

In addition,, need not to change design, overcome the problems referred to above simultaneously so that the sense of rotation of container body is inverted or the opening and closing direction of developer reservoir inner gate is inverted according to developer supply of the present invention and imaging device.In addition, under the situation that does not cause the problems referred to above, can prevent because gate stops up with the toner discharging port that the container body rotation causes.

In addition, according to developer reservoir of the present invention, can prevent the incorrect setting of developer reservoir and when gate is opened toner discharging port, avoid taking place the excessively problem of rotation of cap body portion.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the sectional view of the printer of an embodiment of application developer reservoir of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the enlarged drawing of Y handle box in the first preferred embodiment of the invention (process cartridge).

Fig. 3 is the skeleton view of Y toner bottle in the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is the skeleton view of bottle stand and toner bottle in the present embodiment.

Fig. 5 is the skeleton view of Y, M in the present embodiment, C and K toner feed device.

Fig. 6 is the skeleton view of handle box and toner feed device.

Fig. 7 A is the skeleton view of an embodiment of the toner bottle that wherein removed resin-case, and Fig. 7 B is for wherein having removed the front elevation of the toner bottle of resin-case.

Fig. 8 A and 8B are the side view of the toner bottle of present embodiment.

Fig. 9 is the side view of a kind of distortion of toner bottle in this embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B for bottle be installed on the support before the sectional view of toner bottle and bottle stand.

Figure 11 is the sectional view of the bottle stand of installation toner bottle.

Figure 12 is the sectional view of toner bottle bottle stand just when rotated.

Figure 13 is used to illustrate the diagrammatic sketch of driven wheel with respect to the change in location of the bottle gear of toner bottle.

Figure 14 is the skeleton view of an embodiment of toner bottle in the second preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 15 is the sectional view of the toner bottle of present embodiment.

Figure 16 is the skeleton view of bottle stand and toner bottle in the present embodiment.

Figure 17 A and 17B are the sectional view of toner bottle and bottle stand before described bottle is installed on the support.

Figure 18 is the sectional view that the bottle stand of toner bottle is installed.

Figure 19 is the toner bottle sectional view of bottle stand just when rotated.

Figure 20 A is the bottle rotation sectional view of toner bottle before, and Figure 20 B is the sectional view of toner bottle after bottle rotates.

Figure 21 is the skeleton view of Y, M in the present embodiment, C and K toner feed device.

Figure 22 A is the sectional view of bottle stand before folding lid (open/close cover) is closed, and the sectional view of Figure 22 B bottle stand after to be the folding lid close.

When Figure 23 closes for the folding lid, the incorrect sectional view that bottle stand under the situation is set of toner bottle.

Figure 24 is the sectional view of another embodiment of folding lid and bottle stand in the second preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 25 A is the sectional view of bottle stand before the folding lid of another embodiment is closed, and Figure 25 B closes the sectional view of bottle stand afterwards for the folding lid of this embodiment.

Figure 26 A is the sectional view of another embodiment of toner bottle and bottle stand after toner bottle is installed on the bottle stand, and Figure 26 B is the toner bottle sectional view of bottle stand just when rotated.

Figure 27 is the sectional view of another embodiment of folding lid and bottle stand under the incorrect placement situation of toner bottle.

Figure 28 A and Figure 28 B are the sectional view of folding lid and bottle stand before folding lid is closed and afterwards.

Figure 29 A is the skeleton view of another embodiment of toner bottle in the second preferred embodiment of the invention, and Figure 29 B is the sectional view of the toner bottle of present embodiment.

Figure 30 A is the sectional view that the bottle stand of toner bottle is installed, and Figure 30 B is the toner bottle sectional view of bottle stand just when rotated.

Figure 31 closes the sectional view of bottle stand afterwards for the folding lid.

Figure 32 A is the skeleton view of conventional toner bottle, and Figure 32 B is the sectional view of the cap body portion of conventional toner bottle.

Embodiment

Provide the explanation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention referring now to figure.

As an example of the imaging device of using the embodiment of the invention (below be called first preferred embodiment), the printer of realization electrophotographic printer method will be described below., the present invention is not limited to the printer in the following description, but can be applied to other imaging devices.In addition, according to handle box (process cartridge) image-generating unit is described.

At first, provide the explanation of printer configuration.Fig. 1 is the sectional view of the printer of an embodiment of application developer reservoir of the present invention.

Printer 100 is provided with four handle box 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K that produce yellow, magenta, cyan and black toner image (being called Y, M, C and K toner image).Y, M, C and the K toner that described handle box will have different colours respectively each other forms matrix as image, but four handle boxes have identical construction, and replaceable when each toner replenishing be new handle box.

The handle box 6Y that produces the Y toner image is considered as a representative illustration of four handle boxes.As shown in Figure 2, handle box 6Y comprises drum type optical conductor 1Y, drum cleaning device 2Y, discharger (not shown), charging device 4Y and developing apparatus 5Y.

Handle box 6Y is removably mounted on the main body of printer 100, and these parts can disposablely be changed.

Above-mentioned charging device 4Y is for charging equably along the surface of the optical conductor 1Y of dextrorotation veer rotation by the driver element (not shown).

By the laser L scanning that exposes, and make the surface bears electrostatic latent image of optical conductor 1Y of uniform charging thus.

The Y electrostatic latent image is by using the developing apparatus 5Y of Y toner to develop to the Y toner image.And intermediate transfer is carried out on intermediate transfer belt 8.After handling by intermediate transfer, drum cleaning device 2Y removes and remains in the lip-deep toner of optical conductor 1Y.

In addition, discharger is put residual charge except that optical conductor 1Y after cleaning.By the surface of discharge initialization optical conductor 1Y, this prepares for ensuing imaging.

Equally, in other handle boxes 6M, 6C and 6K, M, C and K toner image are formed on optical conductor 1M, 1C and the 1K similarly, and in intermediate transfer belt 8 enterprising interline transfer printings.

Exposure device 7 is arranged in the bottom of each handle box 6Y, 6M, 6C and the 6K shown in Fig. 1.Exposure device 7 each optical conductor in handle box 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K that forms the unit as sub-image shines the laser L that sends based on image information.Carry out the exposure of laser L to each optical conductor.About exposure, on optical conductor 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K, form the electrostatic latent image of Y, M, C and K.

In addition, exposure device 7 is by two or more optical lenses and catoptron irradiates light conductor, the laser (L) that sends from light source by the multi-angle mirror scanning by the rotary drive motor rotation.

In the bottom of exposure device 7, be provided with and comprise and receive the paper feed unit of carton 26, be provided with paper-feed roll 27 in the carton and to supporting roller (resist roller pair) 28 described receiving.Receiving in the carton 26, hold a large amount of copy paper P, and paper-feed roll 27 contacts with the copy paper P at volume copying paper top.

When paper-feed roll 27 was rotated counterclockwise owing to the driver element (not shown), top copy paper P was transferred into supporting roller to the position between 28 the roller.Although to supporting roller 28 rotations of carrying out roller are driven, to clamp copy paper P, rotation drives and stops immediately.And copy paper P is sent to secondary transfer printing clamping-extruding region to 28 at reasonable time to supporting roller.

In above-mentioned paper feed unit, paper-feed roll 27 and to supporting roller the combination of (timing roller to) is used for constructing delivery unit to 28.This delivery unit is sent to the secondary transfer printing clamping-extruding region with copy paper P from receiving carton 26.

The intermediate transfer unit 15 that utilizes annular intermediate transfer belt 8 (intermediate transfer medium) to carry out the intermediate image transfer printing is arranged on the top of each handle box 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K.This intermediate transfer unit 15 is furnished with four primary transfer biasing roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K, cleaning device 10 and intermediate transfer belts 8.

In addition, intermediate transfer unit 15 comprises secondary transfer printing backing roll 12, cleaning backing roll 13, jockey pulley etc.Along with being rotated counterclockwise of intermediate transfer belt 8, carry out annular transfer printing by the rotation driving of at least one roller in these three rollers.

The intermediate transfer belt 8 that primary transfer biasing roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K will carry out annular transfer printing in this manner places between optical conductor 1Y, 1M, 1C and the 1K, and forms primary transfer clamping-extruding region (transfer nip) respectively.In this transfer printing, toner is pressed to intermediate transfer belt 8 back sides (inside surface of ring) with the transfer printing biasing member of opposite polarity (for example, positive pole).All rollers except that primary transfer biasing roller 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K all electrical ground.

Along with annular transfer printing, the process that intermediate transfer belt 8 experience is passed through Y, M, C and K primary transfer clamping-extruding region one by one, the Y of optical conductor 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K, M, C, K toner image are stacked, and it is by the one-level transfer printing.Therefore, on intermediate transfer belt 8, form the toner image (being called 4 colour toners images) of four kinds of colors of stack.

Between above-mentioned secondary transfer printing backing roll 12 and the secondary transfer roller 19 intermediate transfer belt 8 is set, and forms the secondary transfer printing clamping-extruding region therein.The 4 colour toners images that are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred on the copy paper P by the secondary transfer printing clamping-extruding region.Behind the secondary transfer printing clamping-extruding region, the remaining toner that is not transferred on the copy paper P sticks on the intermediate transfer belt 8.Remove described remaining toner by cleaning device 10.

In the secondary transfer printing clamping-extruding region, it is inserted between intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 19, wherein copy paper P carry out forwards to the surface shift, and above-mentionedly 28 sides are transmitted along opposite direction supporting roller.When the copy paper P that sends from the secondary transfer printing clamping-extruding region passes through between the roller of fixing device 20, utilize heat and pressure to come 4 colour toners images of photographic fixing surface transfer.

Subsequently, copy paper P transmission is passed through the discharging roller to 29, and is discharged into the printer outside.Overlapped section 30 is set on the upper surface of printer major part.From distributing roller the 29 copy paper P that are discharged to the printer outside are stacked on the overlapped section 30 one by one.

Below provide the structure of developing apparatus 5Y among the above-mentioned handle box 6Y.

The developing apparatus 5Y that wherein is provided with the magnetic field generation unit is furnished with developing cylinder 51Y and scraping blade 52Y.Described scraping blade 52Y goes up the developer limiting member of the thickness of the developer that carries and transmit for restriction developing cylinder 51Y.Developing cylinder 51Y is a developer carrier, and it provides the developer of two kinds of compositions that comprise toner and magnetic and is transmitted on the developing cylinder surface.

Hold be not transferred into optical conductor 1Y and relative developing regional, by first side developer-accommodating part 53Y of the developer of scraping blade 52Y restriction, be formed on the developer direction of transfer upstream side of scraping blade 52Y.

In addition, the part place at contiguous first side developer-accommodating part 53Y forms second side developer-accommodating part 54Y, and toner is supplied to it.Two developers that are used for stirring and transmit developer transmit each that screw rod 55Y are separately positioned on first side developer-accommodating part 53Y and second side developer-accommodating part 54Y.

Below, the operation of developing apparatus is described.

In above-mentioned developing apparatus 5Y, on developing cylinder 51Y, form developer layer.In addition, developer transmits the toner that is supplied with of screw rod 55Y, and stirs and transmits, and makes toner sneak in the developer.

The mixing of carrying out toner makes the toner concentration in the developer fall in the scope of predetermined toner concentration.Join in the developer toner owing to and carrier between frictional electrification be recharged.The developer that will comprise charged toner is applied on the surface of developing cylinder 51Y, and described developing cylinder portion within it has magnetic pole and supported by magnetic force.By the rotation of developing cylinder 51Y, transmit the developer layer that is carried on the developing cylinder 51Y according to direction shown in the arrow among Fig. 2.

After the thickness of scraping blade 52Y restriction developer layer, developer is transferred into the developing regional relative with optical conductor 1Y.In developing regional, carry out based on the development that is formed on the sub-image on the optical conductor 1Y.Rotation by developing cylinder 51Y is gone up upstream portion on the developer direction of transfer that residual toner is sent to first side developer-accommodating part 53Y with developing cylinder 51Y.

With reference to as described in Fig. 1, bottle stand 31 is arranged on intermediate transfer unit 15 and is arranged between the stacked components 30 on the intermediate transfer unit 15 as before.Bottle stand 31 holds as Y, the M, C and K toner bottle 32Y, 32M, 32C and the 32K that wherein hold the developer reservoir of Y, M, C and K toner.

Toner bottle 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K are arranged on the bottle stand 31, and it is stacked from the top.Y among toner bottle 32Y, 32M, 32C and the 32K, M, C and K toner are suitably offered the developing apparatus of handle box 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K respectively by toner feed device.

Toner bottle 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K can be independent of on the main body that handle box 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K be installed in printer 100 respectively and removal from it.

Fig. 3 is the skeleton view of toner bottle 32Y in the present embodiment.Fig. 4 is when further toner bottle 32K being installed, and the skeleton view of the bottle stand 31 of toner bottle 32Y, 32M, 32C is installed.

As shown in Figure 3, the front end of the main body 33Y of toner bottle 32Y is furnished with cap body portion 34Y, its rotary unit for being rotated with respect to the main body 33Y of toner bottle 32Y.In addition, handle 35Y and described cap body portion 34Y are whole forms.In addition, bottle gear 37Y, as with the input gear of the integrally formed input block of toner bottle main body 33Y, be set near the position that cap body portion 34Y is installed of toner bottle main body 33Y.

In the time of on the main body that toner bottle 32Y is installed in printer 100, at first open the overlapped section 30 shown in Fig. 1, exposed bottle stand 31.As shown in Figure 4, after toner bottle 32Y is placed on the bottle stand 31, rotate above-mentioned handle 35Y.And then, rotation and the integrally formed cap body portion of handle 34Y, cap body portion 34Y and bottle stand 31 mesh together and are fixing, and gate 36Y (lid member) moves along the circumferencial direction of cap body portion 34Y simultaneously, outwards to open the toner discharging port (not shown) of toner bottle.Below will provide more detailed description according to toner bottle of the present invention.

On the other hand, when when printer 100 main bodys remove toner bottle 32Y, handle 35Y rotates in opposite direction, the engagement of cancellation cap body portion 34Y and bottle stand 31, and gate 36Y closes the escape hole of toner bottle simultaneously.

Under the situation that handle 35Y keeps intact, can remove toner bottle 32Y from the main body of printer 100.Thereby toner bottle 32Y can be installed in printer 100 main body tops and removal from it, and can carry out more changing jobs of toner bottle 32Y at an easy rate.In addition, handle 35Y is formed on the cap body portion 34Y, and cap body portion 34Y can rotate by handle 35Y and be fixed on the bottle stand 31 at an easy rate.

In addition, under the state that toner bottle 32Y removes from printer 100 main bodys, even the handle 35 of turncap body portion 34Y, thus gate 36Y can not move yet and can open toner discharging port.This can prevent that gate 36Y accident from opening, and can prevent that when changing toner bottle 32Y, inner toner is poured out.

Below provide description to toner feed device.Fig. 5 is the skeleton view of Y, M in the present embodiment, C and K toner feed device.It shows toner feed device 40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K and toner bottle 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K.Fig. 6 is the skeleton view of Y, M in the present embodiment, C and K handle box and Y, M, C and K toner feed device.The view of Fig. 5 and the view of Fig. 6 are observed from different perspectives.

Toner feed device 40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K are arranged on intermediate transfer unit 15 1 sides, and are arranged in the main body of printer 100.For this reason, needn't be as conventional apparatus, in handle box 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K or toner bottle 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K, toner conveying unit is set, thereby can realizes the miniaturization of handle box 6Y, 6M, 6C and 6K or toner bottle 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K.

In addition, in traditional device, handle box and toner bottle are arranged in close proximity to each other, and have the restriction of design., according to the present invention, the setting that is separated from each other of handle box and toner bottle.Therefore, can improve the degree of freedom of design and can realize the miniaturization of printer.

In addition, according to present embodiment, second side developer-accommodating part 54Y, 54M, 54C and the 54K of the toner discharging port of toner bottle 32Y, 32M, 32C and 32K, toner feed device 40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K and developer device 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5K are being arranged on the roll axial direction near intermediate transfer unit 15 distolateral.Therefore, can shorten the toner transmitting range of toner feed device 40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K, this helps to carry out the miniaturization of printer and prevents that toner stops up in the transport process.

Toner feed device 40Y, 40M, 40C and 40K have identical construction, below only provide the structure explanation of the toner feed device 40Y that is used to supply with the Y toner.

As shown in Figure 5, toner feed device 40Y mainly is made of drive motor 41Y, driven wheel 42Y and toner dispatch tube 43Y.At the inner coil (not shown) of installing of toner dispatch tube 43Y.When drive motor 41Y rotation driven wheel 42Y, driven wheel 42Y is meshed with the bottle gear 37 of toner bottle 32Y, and it is as the output gear of revolving bottle main body 33Y, the bottle gear 37 whole rotations of described bottle main body and toner bottle 32Y.

When the concentration detection sensor (not shown) in being arranged on developing apparatus 5Y detected the toner concentration deficiency of second side developer-accommodating part 54Y, drive motor 41Y was rotated according to the toner supply signal of control assembly 57Y output.

On the inwall of the main body 33Y of toner bottle, form spiral toner guiding piece 33a, and transmit inner toner from the rear portion of main body 33Y to the leading section that is provided with cap body portion 34Y by the rotation of toner bottle.And the toner in the toner bottle main body 33Y drops down onto the toner receiving unit (not shown) of toner feed device 40Y from the toner discharging port (not shown) of cap body portion 34Y.

The toner receiving unit links to each other with toner dispatch tube 43Y, and if drive motor 41Y rotation, then the coil (not shown) in the toner dispatch tube 43Y is rotated in the main body 33Y of toner bottle rotation.The toner that offers the toner receiving unit by the coil rotation transmits by the inside of toner dispatch tube 43Y, and provides it to the toner inlet (not shown) of second side developer-accommodating part 54Y of developing apparatus 5Y.Thereby, the toner concentration in the restriction developing apparatus 5Y.

In addition, can revise the foregoing description of working concentration detecting sensor, be formed on the picture element quantity of the image on the optical conductor 1Y, or use the CCD camera to measure the image color that forms among the optical conductor 1Y with reference to image so that utilize optical sensor to calculate.Can be when detecting the toner concentration deficiency based on the measurement result of using optical sensor or CCD camera to obtain, supplying toner.

Above-mentioned discussion relates to an example of the printer of using one embodiment of the invention.

As mentioned above, even toner guiding piece 33a is arranged in the inwall of main body 33Y of toner bottle, can not discharge toner from toner discharging port by toner bottle 32Y smooth rotation ground in a circumferential direction.The main cause of this problem is: because it is littler than the diameter of toner bottle 32Y inwall to be arranged on the opening diameter of the bottle gear 37Y the toner discharging port opening near, so the inwall of bottle protuberance, toner is difficult for the part by this protuberance.

Expectation forms bottle gear 37Y and makes the gear teeth can not protrude too much from the peripheral surface of toner bottle 32Y.Same time acknowledger miniaturization.And the expectation toner supply is stable, and promptly bottle gear 37 is arranged near the toner discharging port.For this reason, even, still expecting toner less than the internal diameter of the toner bottle 32Y at place, bottle gear 37Y present position, the diameter of described opening can pass through the bump of toner bottle inwall swimmingly.

Below, provide toner bottle 32Y and use this toner bottle 32Y, allow the toner explanation of the toner feed device of the bump by the toner bottle inwall swimmingly.

Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B are skeleton view and the front elevation of the embodiment of the toner bottle 32Y that wherein removed resin-case.Fig. 7 A is the skeleton view that has wherein removed the present embodiment toner bottle 32Y of resin-case, and Fig. 7 B is for wherein having removed the front elevation of the present embodiment toner bottle 32Y of resin-case.

When the resin-case that the toner discharging port place is set when toner bottle 32Y is removed, a bottle gear 37Y will appear near the opening of toner bottle 32Y.This is because of bottle gear 37Y and toner bottle 32Y is Unitarily molded forms.

Shown in Fig. 7 B, when from bottle opening unilateral observation toner bottle 32Y, the bottle opening has opening (the be called gear opening) 37Yi of the part of minimum diameter for bottle gear 37Y.

Shown in Fig. 7 B hacures, the toner bottle of present embodiment is furnished with two toner leader 90Y near gear opening 37Yi, and when the rotation of bottle main body, each toner leader 90Y is used for the toner in the toner bottle is shifted out bump and arrives toner discharging port.

Toner leader 90Y is the developer guidance unit, and it is set in the developer reservoir of the present invention, makes the toner in the toner bottle move to bottle gear small diameter portion toner discharging port place in addition with the rotation by toner bottle.

The part of gear opening 37Yi and near toner bottle 32Y wall is stretched out and become in the shoulder ring side of part, it forms from diameter and extend out to the edge of opening that comprises gear opening 37Yi greater than the shoulder ring lateral parts of gear opening 37Yi, the spiral salient that formation is stretched out, it is called toner leader 90Y.

Fig. 8 A and Fig. 8 B are the side view of toner bottle 32Y in the present embodiment.In Fig. 8 A and 8B, show side surface when toner bottle when the circumferencial direction that differs from one another is watched.

Be used for the toner guiding piece 33a that toner transmits and begin to form from the end, and toner bottle 32Y becomes the form of stretching out along container rotation centerline direction rather than gear opening 37Yi edge at two guiding pieces arrival gear opening 37Yi places by double helix.

That is, toner guiding piece 33a is furnished with two toner leader 90Y.Shown in Fig. 7 B, removing under the state of resin-case, when when open front side is observed, toner leader 90Y looks like it is bump on bottle opening.

In addition, in the toner bottle 32Y shown in Fig. 8 A and Fig. 8 B,, the shoulder S of bottle is set, and it have two bump S1 and S2 at the contiguous part place that is provided with the bottle gear 37Y of toner bottle 32Y.

Bump S1 and S2 are two formed toner drive access of toner guiding 33a, and when seeing toner bottle 32Y from the outside, they are described two projection S1 and S2.Above-mentioned two toner guidance unit 90Y are provided with along projection S1 and S2 respectively.

Owing to use the toner leader 90Y among the toner guiding 33a, the rotation by toner bottle can move to the toner of toner bottle inside the toner discharging port place outside bottle gear small diameter portion.

Even be provided with respect near the bottle opening diameter the toner discharging port under the situation of bottle gear 37Y of path, also can be by bottle rotation in a circumferential direction, inner toner is sent to toner opening part outside the gear opening 37Yi.

Fig. 9 is observed for carrying out from the side surface of toner bottle 32Y, the side view of a kind of distortion of toner bottle 32Y this embodiment of the invention.

In this distortion, the shoulder edge of two bump S1 and S2 has the inclined-plane among the shoulder S of the toner bottle 32Y shown in Fig. 8 A and the 8B, and it is considered to be the shape of oblique shoulder.

Except that shoulder S with inclined-plane, its also have with Fig. 8 A and 8B in identical construction, its explanation of Therefore, omited.

Toner bottle does not need to have projection S1 and the S2 that is similar in the foregoing description, and it can be the oblique shoulder shape among Fig. 9.

Cross geared parts and with its discharge in order to make toner, shown in Fig. 7 B, the toner leader should be just like shown in Fig. 9 at the overhang of gear open centre inboard, and toner can be lifted from main body side gradually by the shoulder form of Fig. 7 B, can cross gear unit simultaneously.

Then, provide and be used for explanation that toner bottle 32Y is positioned at the structure on the bottle stand 31 and is used to open and close the structure of toner discharging port.

Figure 10 A to Figure 12 is respectively the sectional view of bottle stand 31Y and toner bottle 32Y.

As the engagement wall 38Y of the positioning unit that bends to complex form, be caught cam nose side foundation by the cap body portion 34Y of toner bottle 32Y.

Toner bottle 32Y is in this situation, and wherein handle 35Y is gone to the bottom of vertical direction, and places bottle stand 31Y to go up (Figure 10).

This situation also is the situation that the opening that bends to the engagement wall 38Y of complex form goes to the vertical direction bottom.

As the engaging plate 39Y of the engaging element of bottle stand 31Y, enter in the ring (Figure 11) by the opening among the engagement wall 38Y of the toner bottle 32Y that arranges according to this situation.

At this moment, be not in the state that toner bottle 32Y still normally is provided with, and the toner discharging port of unshowned cap body portion 34Y is closed by gate 36Y.

Operator's control places the handle 35Y of the toner bottle 32Y on the bottle stand 31Y, and is rotated counterclockwise about 45 degree of this handle 35Y.Subsequently, although being rotated counterclockwise among the corresponding Figure 12 of cap body portion 34Y is rotated, the gate 36 of cap body portion 34Y is blocked in the bottom of bottle stand 31Y.For this reason, can only prevent the rotation (Figure 12) of gate 36Y.

The toner opening (not shown) of being closed by gate 36Y is exposed, and rotates to direction vertically downward.

In addition, the engagement wall 38Y of cap body portion 34Y is meshed with the engaging plate 39Y of bottle stand 31Y, and then toner bottle 32Y is fixed on the bottle stand 31Y.

In Fig. 4, when making toner bottle 32Y carry out circumferencial direction when rotation, between the wall of bottle stand 31Y and toner bottle outer wall, produce friction force, and then difficultly be rotated swimmingly.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, form as the roller 60 that rotates accessory in the bottom of bottle stand 31Y.And then, can make the smooth rotation of toner bottle 32Y.

In addition, in the present embodiment, utilize roller 60 to make the rotation of toner bottle 32Y become smooth and easy.Perhaps, exist other to make the method for toner bottle smooth rotation.For example, can adopt the belt that will have good sliding properties to stick to method on the toner bottle.Described belt is by fluorine-containing resin material, and as special teflon (registered trademark), or it is made to comprise the material of ultra high molecular polyethylene etc.

Along band ground, when installing from the top of the apparatus main body of above-mentioned printer and during removal toner bottle 32Y, being that the driving force input block that is arranged on toner bottle 32Y side is imported driving force from other position that is different from top.

At this moment, when the driven wheel of apparatus main body when being in unsuitable position as the input gear of input block, with the rotation of toner bottle 32Y, it is unstable that rotation becomes gradually, and have the possibility of toner bottle 32Y and input block disengagement.

For fear of above-mentioned fault takes place, make following creative work in the present embodiment.

Figure 13 is used for the diagrammatic sketch of key drawing 5 driven wheel 42Y for the change in location of the bottle gear 37Y of toner bottle 32Y.

As shown in figure 13, the pressure angle of gear (pressure angle) is formed 20 degree.If driven wheel 42Y (a) is positioned at bottle next door of gear 37Y just, make the turning axle of bottle gear 37Y and the turning axle of driven wheel 42Y be horizontal, and make driven wheel 42Y carry out shown in Figure 13 being rotated counterclockwise, then the revolving force of driven wheel 42Y puts on a bottle gear 37Y along direction shown in the arrow a among Figure 13, and above-mentioned direction is spent from direction deflection left 20 vertically downward.This is because the pressure angle of gear is 20 degree.

In addition, if driven wheel 42Y (b) is positioned at the axis of driven wheel 42Y and is positioned at bottle deflected position place of gear 37Y axis below, then along the direction shown in the arrow b among Figure 13 bottle gear 37Y is applied the revolving force of driven wheel 42Y, described direction is from the further deflection left of direction of arrow a.

In addition, if driven wheel 42Y (c) is positioned at the more position of deflection, then bottle gear 37Y is applied the revolving force of driven wheel 42Y along the left-hand horizontal direction shown in the arrow c among Figure 13.If driven wheel 42Y is positioned at the position of below more than 42Y (c), then the revolving force of the driven wheel 42Y that bottle gear 37Y is applied will make progress, in the case, and the possibility that exists toner bottle 32Y to float.

In order to overcome the problems referred to above, in the present embodiment, location bottle gear 37Y and driven wheel 42Y make the revolving force direction of driven wheel 42Y that bottle gear 37Y is applied always towards level or downward direction.Particularly, the position of the driven wheel 42Y that is meshed with bottle gear 37Y in the present embodiment falls in the position range from Figure 13 driven wheel 42Y (a) to driven wheel 42Y (c) scope of horizontal level to 70 degree (or from).

Therefore, broad arrow a and the c along each position applies revolving force respectively, and do not apply power upwards to bottle gear 37Y at least, and this makes toner bottle 32Y can not float, but keeps stable and rotation.

As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, be provided with one as the developer guidance unit, be used to make developer movement to cross the toner leader 90Y that gear opening 37Yi arrives the toner opening, make the edge projection of toner leader 90Y along the centerline direction of toner bottle rotation from gear opening 37Yi.Described leader can be lifted to the toner in the bottle from the gear opening 37Yi of toner bottle internal projection, and toner can be moved out of small diameter portion and arrive toner discharging port.

In the present embodiment, the counterrotating cap body portion of the main body 34Y of toner bottle 32Y relatively is set, and is provided as the engagement wall 38Y of the positioning unit that is meshed with engaging plate 39Y at cap body portion 34Y place.

Owing at this moment toner bottle 32Y is placed in the bottle stand 31, and turncap body portion 34Y, can easily carry out the location of the relative apparatus main body of toner bottle 32Y, so availability is good by main body top from printer.

In addition, in the present embodiment, be provided with the gate 36Y of the toner discharging port that opens and closes cap body portion 34Y, and this gate is fixed on bottle stand 31Y with toner bottle 32Y and goes up and open synchronously, and remove and close synchronously with it.

In addition, prevented that the toner of not expecting from leaking, simultaneously thus, making does not need to open and close the specific operation of gate, and availability uprises.

In addition, toner bottle 32Y in the present embodiment and Unitarily molded the forming of bottle gear 37Y.Therefore, than bottle gear 37Y is compared with the situation that toner bottle 32Y forms split, can reduce number of spare parts, and reduce cost.

In addition, can save the time and efforts that toner bottle 32Y and bottle gear 37Y are installed, and need not to worry the accuracy of installing between toner bottle 32Y and the gear.

In addition, owing to needn't separate toner bottle 32Y and gear, so the characteristic of good cycling and reutilization can be provided.And in the present embodiment, roller 60 is formed on the bottom of bottle stand 31Y.Therefore, it can be stabilized, and toner bottle 32Y can rotate.

In the present embodiment, driven wheel is set, makes driven wheel 42Y be gone to horizontal direction or below horizontal to the pressure angle direction that bottle gear 37Y provides.This can make toner bottle 32Y can not float, and can make spin stabilization.

In addition, identical discussion is equally applicable to M, C, the K toner bottle of other toner colors in the printer, and not only is confined to the Y toner bottle.These toner bottles have and Y toner bottle identical construction, and have same advantage.

Below, provide the description of second preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the present embodiment, the essential structure of printer basically with embodiment before in identical, omit its explanation at this.

As follows, provide description to an example of toner feed device of the present invention.

Figure 14 is the skeleton view of toner bottle 132.Except that the toner color difference that inside holds, because it has identical construction, thus hereinafter toner bottle 132Y is described as an example, and each toner bottle 132Y, 132M, 132C and 132K are described.

Toner bottle 132Y is furnished with portion's receiving photographic developer within it and as the bottle main body 133Y of the long figure main body of container.

Bottle main body 133Y has opening length direction distolateral, and is installed into as the cap body portion 134Y of rotary unit and makes it possible to cover described opening.

Cap body component 134Y has the toner discharging port (not shown), its for along with above-mentioned vertically vertical direction be opened in toner bottle 132Y outer surface (below, outer surface on this direction is called " outer surface ", and the end face vertically is called " end face ") escape hole going up, the opening of bottle main body 133Y is opened wide.

In the state of Figure 14, toner discharging port is closed by gate 136Y, but this is not shown.

Bottle main body 133Y is the cylindrical member by the unlimited hollow of above-mentioned opening.133Y impresses processing to the bottle main body, and making changes peripheral surface in the lateral and outstanding spiral toner guiding piece 133a can be along the circumference side.

In addition, the bottle gear 137Y with the engagement of the driven wheel of toner feed device forms with bottle main body 133Y is whole.

Bottle gear 137Y has several gear teeth on the whole circumference zone of bottle main body 133Y.When the revolving force of the driven wheel of toner feed device is passed to bottle gear 137Y, the bottle gear in Figure 14 the direction of arrow around central shaft A rotation along bottle main body 133Y longitudinal extension as centre rotational axis.Therefore, the Y toner among the bottle main body 133Y is moved to cap body portion 134Y by toner guiding piece 133a.Toner from bottle main body 133Y inside moves to cap body portion 134Y by above-mentioned opening.

Figure 15 is the sectional view of toner bottle 132Y in the present embodiment.In Figure 15,, show the circumferential section of the cap body portion 134Y of toner bottle to intercept and to pass through the cross section of the toner bottle 132Y of toner discharging port along the central shaft A of toner bottle 132Y.

Mesh bulge 133b is formed on bottle part outer surface of main body 133Y formation opening.On the other hand, on cap body portion 134Y, form bump bonding 134a in the recessed portion be coupled between bump bonding 133b and the bottle gear 137Y.

When cap body portion 134Y was installed on bottle main body 133Y, the open C of bottle main body 133Y was covered by cap body portion 134Y, made the bump bonding 134a of cap body projection 134Y be coupled in the female part.

Cap body portion 134Y has diameter to be slightly less than bottle hollow cylindrical member of main body 133Y diameter, and forms as the handle 135Y of shifting part and the outer surface integral body of cap body portion 134Y.

In addition, along the guide rail 134b of bottle main body 133Y sense of rotation (it doesn't matter forward or reverse rotation) guiding gate 136Y, be arranged on the outer surface of cap body portion 134Y for the relative displacement of cap body portion 134Y.

When gate 136Y is guided by guide rail 134B, can slide according to the sense of rotation of bottle main body 133Y outer surface along cap body portion 134Y.In the state of Figure 15, gate 136Y is placed in the off-position place that toner discharging port D on the outer surface that is arranged on cap body portion 134Y is in closed condition.

In addition, if gate 136Y opens when the operator handles toner bottle 132Y, then the toner discharging port D that open C is opened opens, and the Y toner is poured out.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as the spring 144 of energiser unit shown in Figure 14 along towards the direction of off-position to gate 136 application of forces, make the Y toner be not easy to fall because of the operator.

Next, the structure of the bottle stand of the toner feed device of putting each toner bottle 132Y, 132C, 132M and 132K respectively is described.

Figure 16 is the skeleton view of the bottle stand 31 of toner feed device in the present embodiment.

As the bottle stand 31 of container installation unit, be fixed for installing four bottle stand 31Y, 31C, 31M and the 31K of four toner bottle 132Y, 132C, 132M and 132K respectively.

In Figure 16, show the intermediateness of the toner bottle 132Y that in four toner bottle 132Y, 132C, 132M and 132K, is mounted thereon.

When being seated in toner bottle 132Y on the bottle stand 31Y, the operator is placed on toner bottle 132Y on the bottle stand 31Y, and described toner bottle is in the state with respect to the direction of vertical direction inclination towards cap body portion handle 135Y.

Subsequently, can along shown in clockwise direction rotary handle 135Y, and other toner bottles 132M, the 132C shown in being similar to and 132K go to direction vertically upward with described handle 135Y.

Cap body unit 134Y is rotating along with above-mentioned handle 135Y also rotating integratedly.Although when mounting cap body portion 134Y and bottle main body 133Y bottle main body 133Y also together rotation and this moment condition strong, also it doesn't matter even bottle main body 133Y rotates this moment together, and it can not carry out.

On the other hand, be installed in the gate blocking unit (not shown) that gate 136Y on the cap body portion 134Y is set at bottle stand 31Y inside and stop, can't rotate with the rotation of cap body portion 134Y.

If the operator operates the handle 135Y in the present embodiment, then the toner discharging port D of cap body portion 134Y is set to open mode, and opening surface is to the bottom side, inside of bottle stand 31Y (vertical downward direction) simultaneously.In addition, toner bottle 132M, the 132C of other colors and 132K also are arranged on each bottle stand 31M, 31C and the 31K by same operation.

Then, provide and be used for toner bottle 132Y is arranged on the structure on the bottle stand 31Y and the explanation of operation.

Figure 17 to Figure 19 is the sectional view of bottle stand 31Y, wherein shows the front elevation when from cap body component 134Y unilateral observation toner bottle 132Y, and has wherein removed the wall of the bottle stand 31Y of cap body portion 134 sides.

As shown in the figure, the engagement wall 138Y that bends to complicated shape is set on the end face of cap body portion 134Y.Toner bottle 132Y is in the state with respect to the direction of vertical direction inclination along handle 135Y, and is placed on the bottle stand 31Y according to the direction of arrow E among Figure 18.

Described situation also is the stop member (break) that bends to the engagement wall 138Y of the complicated shape situation when going to the vertical direction bottom.

In the engagement wall 138Y of the toner bottle 132Y that places with this situation, the fish plate 139Y of bottle stand 31Y moves along above-mentioned stop member, and enters in the space that engagement wall 138Y centered on (Figure 18).

At this moment, toner bottle 132Y is not in the situation of normal setting yet, and the toner discharging port D (not shown) of cap body portion 134Y is owing to gate 136Y is in closed condition.

In the state of Figure 18, operator's operation places the handle 135Y of the toner bottle 132Y on the bottle stand 31Y, and makes handle 135Y be gone to vertical downward direction along direction rotation (turning clockwise) this handle of arrow F among Figure 18.

Subsequently, cap body portion 134Y or bottle main body 133Y are along the direction rotation of arrow F among Figure 18.Although be arranged on gate 136Y among the cap body component 134Y along with the direction rotation of arrow F in Figure 18, the gate blocking unit 31a of gate 136Y contact bottle stand 31Y are also tended in this rotation.Thereby, having stoped the rotation of gate 136Y, spring 144 application of forces have realized that relative displacement with respect to cap body portion 134Y is to be rotated counterclockwise.

At this moment, by gate 136Y, the toner discharging port D that is in closed condition will rotate to the vertical direction bottom and be exposed.

In addition, as shown in figure 19, by the rotation of cap body portion 134Y along arrow F direction among Figure 19, the engagement wall 138Y of cap body portion 134Y is meshed with the engaging plate 139Y of bottle stand 31Y.And then, finish the setting of toner bottle 132Y on bottle stand 31Y.

Figure 20 A and Figure 20 B are the sectional views of the toner bottle 312Y of transversely direction intercepting, and described horizontal direction is perpendicular to central shaft A and pass toner discharging port D.Figure 20 A shows the toner bottle 132Y of situation shown in Figure 18, and Figure 20 B shows the toner bottle 132Y of situation shown in Figure 19.

Shown in Figure 20 A and Figure 20 B, when handle 135Y when arrow F direction is rotated, the toner discharging port D that is in closed condition owing to gate 136Y opens, and it is positioned at the position towards vertical downward direction.Therefore,, toner delivery pipe (not shown) is set, makes its toner receive opening towards direction vertically upward below the toner discharging port D of vertical downward direction.And then, make the Y toner of discharging fall into the toner delivery pipe by action of gravity from toner discharging port D.

Below, provide the structure of toner feed device and the description of operation.

Figure 21 is the skeleton view of Y, M in the printer 100, C, K toner feed device 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K.

Except that the toner color of toner feed device differed from one another, toner feed device 40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K had identical construction.Hereinafter, provide explanation as the Y toner feed device 40Y of a typical case of four toner feed devices in the printer 100.

As shown in figure 21, toner feed device 40Y is as being furnished with drive motor 41Y, driven wheel 42Y, toner delivery pipe etc. in described first preferred embodiment before.In addition, although omitted explanation, toner feed device 40Y also is furnished with above-mentioned bottle stand 31Y.

In the time of on as mentioned above toner bottle 132Y correctly being arranged on bottle stand 31Y, driven wheel 42Y is meshed with the bottle gear 137 of bottle main body 133Y.And when drive motor 41Y rotation driven wheel 42Y, by bottle gear 137Y revolving force is sent to a bottle main body 133Y, and bottle main body 133Y is along the direction rotation of arrow G among Figure 21.

By rotation, the Y toner that is contained among bottle main body 133Y is transferred into opening A (front side of Figure 21), and enters the inner space of cap body portion 134Y.Discharge toner from the toner discharging port D of cap body portion 134Y, and make it fall into toner delivery pipe 43Y.

In toner delivery pipe 43Y, the coil (not shown) that is formed from a resin is installed in inside as above-mentioned first preferred embodiment, realizes the rotation of toner delivery pipe 43Y simultaneously by drive motor 41Y.

Inwall along toner delivery pipe 43Y is carried the Y toner that receives from toner discharging port D, and the coil that is formed from a resin offers Y toner developing device (not shown) in the printer 100 with this toner.

In second preferred embodiment, as shown in figure 15, be coupled to by mesh bulge 134a in the mesh bulge 133b and the recessed portion between the bottle gear 137 of bottle main body 133, and cap body portion 134 is installed on bottle main body 133 cap body portion 134.When the rotary driving force of drive motor 41Y was reached bottle main body 133Y, bottle main body 133 produced friction slip simultaneously along the direction rotation of arrow G shown in Figure 20 B or Figure 21 between cap body portion 134 and bottle main body 133.

When toner bottle 132Y is arranged on bottle stand 31Y and goes up, by the relative less power locking cap body portion 134Y that engagement produced of fish plate 139Y among engagement wall 138Y and the bottle stand 31Y.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when gate 136Y had relative displacement about cap body portion 134Y on the direction opposite with the bottle main body 133Y sense of rotation (direction of arrow G among Figure 20 B) shown in Figure 20 B, gate 136Y was arranged so that toner discharging port D is in closed condition.Therefore, when the friction force between bottle main body 133Y and the cap body portion 134Y surpassed the power of locking cap body portion 134Y, cap body portion 134Y rotated with the rotation of bottle main body 133Y.

Therefore, be in the toner discharging port D of opening owing to gate 136Y is in closed condition before.Even this makes when driving toner feed device with revolving bottle main body 133Y, also can have been avoided toner supply.

Figure 22 A and Figure 22 B are for the operator closes before the described folding lid 50 and the sectional view of bottle stand 31Y afterwards.

Overlapped section 50a is made of the upper surface that is arranged on the folding lid 50 in print enclosure 51 tops.The operator opens folding lid 50 exposing toner bottle 132Y, 132C, 132M and the 132K on the bottle stand 31, and carries out more changing jobs of toner.

When closing, folding lid 50, is formed in the inside surface of folding lid 50 in the recessed portion I of the handle 135Y that wherein holds toner bottle 132Y.In addition, although in Figure 22 A and Figure 22 B, only show the top of Y toner bottle 132Y, but not the Zone Full of folding lid 50, each toner bottle 132M, 132C of other colors and the recessed portion I of 132K are respectively formed at folding and cover in 50 inside surfaces.

When toner bottle 132Y was set on the bottle stand 31Y, folding lid 50 directions along arrow H among Figure 22 A moved, and installation/removal opening J is closed shown in Figure 22 B.

As mentioned above, when the rotary driving force of drive motor 41Y is reached bottle main body 133Y, if the power of locking cap body portion 134Y surpasses the friction force between bottle main body 133 and the cap body portion 134, then cap body portion 134Y tends to rotate with the rotation of bottle main body 133Y.

, by making cooperating of folding lid 50 and recessed portion I, the handle 135Y that rotates with cap body portion 134Y one is restricted (regulate).That is to say that even handle 135Y tends to be rotated counterclockwise with the rotation of cap body portion 134Y, handle 135Y does not contact the left-hand side surface (limiting wall) of recessed portion I in the folding lid 50 yet, and no longer mobile.Therefore can stop simultaneously the rotation of the cap body portion 134 of rotating with handle 135Y one.

Therefore, be in by spring 144 its gate 136Y that is pushed against the state on the gate blocking unit 31a of bottle stand 31Y, 134Y can not relatively move with respect to the cap body portion.Therefore, place the toner discharging port D in the cap body portion 134Y can not be in closed condition.

In addition, identical discussion also is applicable to toner bottle 132M, 132C and 132K, and not only at Y toner bottle 132Y.

In the above-described embodiments, the skew of direction when restriction skew arrives handle 135Y so that gate 136Y carries out relativity shift and is shown in an open position, the toner discharging port D that is in open mode can be faded to closed condition, described handle has the recessed portion I of handle 135Y and 50 formation is covered in the folding of cap body portion 134Y, and the relative position of gate 136Y when the corresponding toner discharging port D of described open position is in open mode, promptly present embodiment comprises limiting unit.(04-004668[0063] in counterpart: the handle 135Y that realizes cap body portion 134Y has constituted the displacement restraint device with the structure that cooperates between the recessed portion of folding lid 50, and wherein is positioned at the handle 135Y of open position that makes toner discharging port become the relative position of open state corresponding to gate 136Y and limits gate 136Y towards making toner discharging port D be in the relatively moving of direction of closed condition.)

It plays limiting unit (regulation unit), is used for the friction between basis and the bottle main body, limits these structures and with respect to cap body portion 134Y displacement relatively takes place towards the direction that gate 136Y makes toner opening D become closed condition.

According to the friction of bottle main body 133Y, cap body portion 134Y plays the relative displacement that is used for assembly is carried out and transfers to such direction,, toner discharging port D is changed over the effect of the direction of closed condition with respect to gate 136Y that is.

On the other hand, even when the operator forgets rotary handle 135Y, will close folding lid 50 as shown in Figure 23, can prevent that also handle 135 from covering 50 inside surfaces for folding and moving and close folding lid 50.

Therefore, the operator can find to close the situation that folding lid 50 and toner bottle 132Y not have correct setting.

In addition, same discussion is applicable to that also toner bottle 132M, 132C and the 132K of other colors also use, and not only at Y toner bottle 132Y.

Below, provide the explanation of the toner feed device of another embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, only the inside surface of folding lid 50 constitutes different with embodiment before, and other of present embodiment constitute the identical of basic and embodiment before, and save its explanation.

Figure 24 is the sectional view of bottle stand 31Y, wherein said bottle stand is in front view (FV) (elevation) state when cap body portion 134Y one side is watched and is removed near the wall of the bottle rack 31Y of cap body portion 134Y one side, the figure shows out the sectional view of the folding lid 150 of printer 100.

When folding lid 150 is closed, be arranged on folding and cover the handle 135Y of the limiting wall K restriction toner bottle 132Y on 150 inside surfaces and do being rotated counterclockwise of Figure 24 indication.

, even tending to be offset to by the handle 135Y of rotation and cap body portion 134Y one rotation is rotated counterclockwise the position among Figure 24, handle 135Y does not contact the limiting wall K of folding lid 50 yet, and no longer mobile.

Therefore, can not one rotary handle 135Y and cap body portion 134.And then, be arranged on the no longer the same closed condition that is in of toner discharging port D in the cap body portion 134Y with the foregoing description.

In addition, same discussion also is applicable to toner bottle 132M, 132C and the 132K of other colors, and not only at Y toner bottle 132Y.

Even cap body portion 134Y tends to move along the reverse rotation and the handle 135Y of arrow G direction in the present embodiment, be not present in the limiting wall that is in contact with it on the handle 135Y moving direction yet., the friction between cap body portion 134Y basis and the revolving bottle main body 133Y does not produce moment of torsion on described direction.

Because block piece 134c is arranged among the guide rail 134b of guiding gate 136Y, so can not surpassing stop member 134c, gate 136Y with respect to cap body portion 134Y relativity shift does not take place.Therefore, even can not limit the skew of handle 135Y dextrorotation veer, also all be gratifying in all cases.

By removing the part of the displacement that restriction handle 135Y turns clockwise, the handle 135Y that has reduced to be in suitable open position is hung in the possibility in the bight of recessed portion I.

Therefore, the handle 135Y that is in suitable open site no longer is easy to cause the fault of the opening and closing operation of folding lid 150.

In addition, although the toner bottle 132Y of Y toner has only been explained in above-mentioned explanation, be applicable to toner bottle 132M, 132C and the 132K of other colors too.

Then, provide the explanation of another example of toner feed device of the present invention.

In addition, except the form difference of recessed portion in 50 inside surfaces was covered in folding, present embodiment was basic identical with aforesaid enforcement, will omit the description with the previous embodiment similar elements here.

Figure 25 is the sectional view of bottle stand 31Y, described bottle stand is in the front elevation state when cap body portion 134Y one side is watched, and the wall of the bottle stand 31Y of close cap body portion 134Y one side is removed, and the figure shows out the sectional view of the folding lid 250 of printer 100.

Although embodiment was formed in the inner surface of folding lid 250 before the recessed portion I of present embodiment was similar to, be formed in the intake section of recessed portion I as the guiding side M of guidance unit.

In the operating process of closing folding lid 250, guiding side M is from the handle 135Y of contact toner bottle 132Y, and D is not in the state of opening fully according to this handle toner discharging port, and described handle is not set fully, shown in Figure 25 A.When further closing folding when covering 250, handle 135Y slides and enters recessed portion I along guiding side M.

And then handle 135Y goes to vertical direction top, shown in Figure 25 B, suitably be provided with toner bottle 132Y, and toner discharging port D is in the state of opening fully.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, toner discharging port D may not be in the state of opening fully, even but being provided with of toner bottle 132Y is undesirable, by the operation of closing folding lid 250 suitably is set, can make that also toner discharging port D is in the state of opening fully automatically.

In addition, same discussion also is applicable to toner bottle 132M, 132C and the 132K of other colors, and not only at Y toner bottle 132Y.

Below, provide the explanation of another example of toner feed device of the present invention.

Figure 26 A and 26B are the sectional view of toner bottle 332Y and bottle stand 31Y in the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, toner bottle 332Y is in handle 335Y and goes to direction vertically upward, and shown in Figure 26 A, it is placed on the state on the bottle stand 31Y.

Operator's operation is placed on the handle 335Y of the toner bottle 332Y on the bottle stand 31Y, and with it according to the direction of arrow F shown in Figure 26 A rotation (turning clockwise) and make it towards such direction, promptly handle 335Y is with respect to the tilt directions of about 45 degree of vertical direction.

Therefore, according to described embodiment before, when cap body portion 334Y in figure during the rotation of arrow F direction, the gate blocking unit 31a of bottle stand 31Y inside stops described gate 336Y.

And then shown in Figure 26 B, the toner discharging port D of cap body portion 334Y is in open mode and towards the interior bottom side (vertical downward direction) of bottle stand 31Y.

Figure 27 is the sectional view of bottle stand 31Y, described bottle stand is in when the front elevation state when cap body portion 134Y one side is watched, and the wall of the bottle stand 31Y of close cap body portion 134Y one side is removed, and the figure shows out the sectional view of the folding lid 350 of printer 100.

In the present embodiment, on the lower surface of folding lid 350, be provided with towards the guide hump 352Y of the handle 335Y projection of toner bottle 332Y.

Although only show the top of Y toner bottle 332Y in the whole zone of folding lid 350, folding lid 350 also is furnished with the guide hump of the toner bottle of respectively corresponding other colors.

Guide hump 352Y is the form with cam-like circularity.In the present embodiment, if toner bottle 332Y is placed on the bottle stand 31Y, then the handle 335Y of cap body portion 334Y is gone to direction vertically upward.

If the operator along above-mentioned dextrorotation veer rotary handle 335Y, although toner discharging port D is owing to gate 336Y is in closed condition, along having closed folding lid 350 with being with.

Thereby shown in Figure 28 A, the guide hump 352Y of folding lid 350 contacts this handle 335Y, and it goes to vertical direction with handle 335Y.

Along with the folding lid 350 of closing is further closed, handle 335Y slides along protruding 352Y, and about 45 degree that turn clockwise.

Therefore, handle 335Y is set in this state, and promptly handle, suitably is provided with toner bottle 332Y and makes toner discharging port D be in open mode shown in Figure 28 B towards the state of the directions of about 45 degree that tilt with respect to the vertical direction that makes progress.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, guide hump 352Y is as guidance unit, and toner discharging port may not be in open mode, even being provided with of toner bottle is undesirable, also can correctly close folding lid 350, make toner discharging port D automatically be in full open position.

In addition,, folding closes fully, shown in Figure 28 B, even handle 335Y tends to along being rotated counterclockwise the direction skew among the figure, because it is pushed among the guide hump 352Y of folding lid 350, so handle 335Y can not be shifted if covering 350.

That is to say that even handle 335Y tends to make toner discharging port D will fade to the direction displacement of open mode towards it, it also is used as the displacement limiting unit that is made of folding lid 350 and guide hump 352Y as limiting unit, and limits described skew.

Therefore, as mentioned above, even cap body portion 334Y according to and along the friction between the bottle main body 333Y of the direction of arrow G among figure rotation, also tend to according to rotating with arrow G direction in scheming, toner discharging port D can not be in closed condition yet.

In addition, identical discussion also is applicable to M, C, the K toner bottle of other colors in the printer, and is not only applicable to the Y toner bottle.

Below, provide the explanation of another example of toner feed device of the present invention.

Figure 29 A is the skeleton view of toner bottle 432Y in the present embodiment.Figure 29 B is for along the central shaft A of toner bottle 432Y intercepting and pass the sectional view of circumference of the cap body portion 434Y of toner discharging port D.

Although the toner bottle 432Y in the present embodiment aspect the structure of bottle main body 433Y with before basic identical among the described embodiment, the structure difference of cap body component 434Y.

In the present embodiment, except being used for from the opening of toner discharging port D discharging Y toner, gate 436Y is arranged to the outer surface of covering cap body 434Y.The handle 435Y that is controlled by the operator is arranged on the gate 436Y.

In addition, the engagement wall 438Y that is meshed with the engaging plate 139Y of bottle stand 31Y is set in the end face of cap body portion 434Y, makes engaging plate 139Y be engaged wall 438Y and centers on.

Figure 30 A and Figure 30 B are front elevation and the sectional view of the bottle stand 31Y of present embodiment when from cap body portion 434Y unilateral observation toner bottle 432Y, when wherein having removed the bottle stand 31Y wall portion of cap body portion 434Y side.

Under the situation that handle 435Y tilts with suitable direction with respect to vertical direction, toner bottle 432Y is placed on the bottle stand 31Y, shown in Figure 30 A.This situation also is that the stop member (break) with the integrally formed engagement wall 438Y of cap body 434Y is rotated to the situation towards vertical downward direction.

At this moment, the toner discharging port D that is formed on the cap body portion 434Y is closed by gate 436Y, and wherein said escape hole D is towards vertical downward direction.

In the engagement wall 438Y of the toner bottle 432Y that places with above-mentioned situation, the engaging plate 139Y of bottle stand 31Y moves along above-mentioned stop member, and enter be parallel to each other and relative two engagement wall between.

Operator's operation places the handle 435Y of the toner bottle 432Y on the bottle stand 31Y, and rotates this handle (turning clockwise) according to the direction of arrow F among Figure 30 B, makes handle 435Y can be threaded to direction vertically upward.Thereby gate 436Y also rotates according to the direction of arrow F among Figure 30 B.

Although cap body portion 434Y is because the direction rotation along arrow F among Figure 30 B is also tended in above-mentioned rotation, the engagement of engagement wall 438Y and engaging plate 139Y has stoped the rotation of cap body portion 434Y.

Therefore, corresponding cap body portion 434Y turns clockwise and carries out the relativity shift of gate 436Y.And,, be in the toner discharging port D of closed condition because gate 436Y and opening between gate 436Y when opening, expose toner discharging port D when as shown in Figure 30 B.Thereby, finished the setting of the bottle stand 31Y of toner bottle 432Y.

The sectional view of bottle stand 31Y after closing the folding lid 50 of printer 100 that Figure 31 obtains for from cap body portion 434Y unilateral observation toner bottle 432Y the time has wherein removed the wall portion of the bottle stand 31Y of cap body portion 434Y side.

In addition, the structure of folding lid 50 and described embodiment's before is identical.

In the present embodiment, be similar to previous described embodiment, if transmit from the drive motor rotary driving force, then bottle main body 433Y is rotated, friction slip between while and the cap body portion 434Y.

In the present embodiment because engaging plate 139Y blocks by cap body portion 434Y between engagement wall 438Y, so can not rotate, and, cap body portion 434Y not can along with and bottle main body 433Y between friction be rotated.

, in the present embodiment, when bottle main body 433Y rotates, with the side surface of the integrally formed bottle of bottle main body 433Y gear 437Y and gate 435Y friction slip can take place.

In addition, in the present embodiment, if gate 436Y carries out displacement relatively along the direction identical with respect to the sense of rotation (direction of arrow G among Figure 31) of cap body portion 434Y with bottle main body 433Y, as shown in figure 31, then toner discharging port D is in closed condition.Therefore, gate 435Y can be rotated along with the rotation of bottle main body 433Y, the possibility that exists the toner discharging port D be in open mode to be closed by gate 436Y.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, if toner bottle 432Y is set on the bottle stand 31Y, and folding lid 50 closes, and then handle 435Y enters the recessed portion I of folding lid 50, and is coupled among the recessed portion I.

Therefore, even gate 435Y tends to be rotated counterclockwise displacement along with the rotation of bottle main body 433Y, can not contact with the integrally formed handle 435Y of gate 435Y with the wall surface (limiting wall) of the recessed portion I of folding on the left-hand side among Figure 31 lid 50, and no longer skew.And then the toner discharging port D of cap body portion 434Y can not be in closed condition.

In addition, identical discussion also is applicable to the toner bottle of other toner colors, and is not only applicable to Y toner bottle 432Y.

As mentioned above, the printer of present embodiment is furnished with handle box 6, exposure device 7 and optical conductor 1, and described optical conductor is used to form the toner image into visual image for form the image bearing medium of unit as visual image.

In addition, form as the toner feed device 40 that toner bottle 132,332,432 is used as the developer supply of developer reservoir, it is stored in internal tank with toner as developer, described developer reservoir provides the bottle main body 133,333,433 of long size main body as bottle for printer, and has opening (can omit equally in the following explanation about the coding according to the classification of color) on the end of length direction

Form as the cap body portion 134,334,434 that escape hole is used as the rotary unit of toner D escape hole, the open C of wherein said escape hole on the side surface (outer surface) on the direction on the main body 133,333,433 that is installed to bottle in toner bottle opened wide, so that cover above-mentioned open C, and perpendicular in the longitudinal direction intersecting.

Toner feed device 40 rotations are installed in the bottle main body 133,333,433 as the toner bottle on the bottle stand 31 of container installation unit, so that the central shaft A that prolongs at length direction can become centre rotational axis, it moves to open C with the toner in the bottle main body, and the toner discharging port D by cap body portion 134,334,434 discharges toner, and provides it to the developing apparatus 5 as the developer replenishing spare unit.

By along the sense of rotation of bottle main body 133,333,433 with respect to the relatively moving of cap body portion 134,334,434, the gate 136,336,436 that opens and closes toner discharging port D is formed in the printer.

In addition, bottle main body 133,333,433 is configured to make it to apply friction force to cap body portion 134,334,434 and gate 136,336,436 in rotation, makes toner discharging port D realize displacement relatively with respect to cap body portion or gate towards the direction that enters closed condition.

Therefore, rotation along with bottle main body 133,333,433, cap body portion 134,334,434 rotation in the previous embodiment, perhaps gate 436 rotations in the present embodiment, the possibility that exists the toner discharging port D that is in open mode to be closed by gate 136,336,436.

In the printer of present embodiment, for revolving bottle main body 133,333,433 o'clock, discharge toner bottle main body swimmingly from toner discharging port D, be provided with a limiting unit, it is used to limit the friction between cap body portion 134,334,434 and gate 136,336,436 bases and the bottle main body, and displacement relatively takes place the direction that fades to closed condition along toner discharging port D.

Some examples of limiting unit have below been described in the aforementioned embodiment.As mentioned above, even gate 136,336,436 is carried out with respect to cap body portion 134,334,434 to relatively move, and bottle main body 133,333,433 is by above-mentioned structure during about cap body portion or gate implementation friction slip, do not changing under the situation about constituting, can stop toner discharging port D yet owing to the rotation of bottle main body is in closed condition.

Especially, in the aforementioned embodiment, when being installed on the bottle stand 31, a gate blocking unit 31a is set to toner bottle 132,332, it is as the rotation stopping unit that prevents that the sense of rotation of gate 136,336 along bottle main body 133,333 is rotated.Carry out relatively moving between cap body portion and the gate 136,336, and open or close toner discharging port D by sense of rotation turncap body portion 134,334 along bottle main body 133,333.

In above-mentioned structure, when 133,333 rotations of bottle main body,, and exist toner discharging port D to be in the possibility of closed condition owing to the friction force with the bottle main body makes cap body portion 134,334 also rotate., by using above-mentioned blocking unit, even 133,333 rotations of bottle main body, cap body portion 134,334 can not rotated yet.Therefore, toner discharging port D can not be in closed condition in the toner supply process.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, when toner bottle 432 was installed on the bottle stand 31, setting was used as the engaging plate 139Y of rotation stopping unit and the engagement wall 438Y that prevention cap body portion 434 is rotated along the sense of rotation of bottle main bodys 433.

And present embodiment has the structure that can realize the gate and the relative displacement of cap body portion 434, and toner opening D opens and closes by the rotation of gate 436 along the sense of rotation of toner bottle main body 433.

In above-mentioned structure, when 433 rotations of bottle main body, gate 436 also is rotated by the friction force with the bottle main body, and exists toner discharging port D to be in the possibility of closed condition.

, utilize the limiting unit in the foregoing description, even 433 rotations of bottle main body, gate 436 can not rotate yet.Therefore, toner discharging port D can not be in closed condition in the toner supply process.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, developer supply is set, makes it according to as the displacement of the handle 135,335,435 of displacement member and by interlocking, and realize relatively moving of cap body portion 134,334,434 and gate 136,336,436.

By handle 135,335,435 is set, the operator can open and close toner discharging port by simple operations.And used the displacement limiting unit in the above-described embodiments, its restriction is in and corresponding is in handle 135,335,435 displacements of open position of the relative position of the cap body portion 134,334,434 of open mode and gate 136,336,436 with making toner discharging port, and then the displacement limiting unit has avoided cap body portion and gate along relative displacement of direction that toner discharging port D is become closed condition.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, limiting wall K, recessed portion I and guide hump 352 are used separately as the displacement limiting unit.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the configuration visual image forms unit and toner feed device in housing 51.And housing 51 has as the folding of the lid member that opens and closes installations/removal opening J and covers 50,150,350, and described opening J is provided for being installed to toner bottle 132,332,432 on the bottle stand 31 and removal from it.

In the above-described embodiments, because be formed on limiting wall in folding lid 50,150,250,350 inside surfaces under the handle that is shown in an open position 135,335, the 435 contact closed conditions, so limited the displacement of handle.

Limiting wall is inwall, limiting wall or the guide hump 352 of recessed portion I in the foregoing description.According to this structure, when changing toner bottle, the operator always carries out folding lid 50,150,250,350 opening operations, and can prevent that according to this operation toner discharging port D is along with the rotation of bottle main body is in closed condition.

Therefore,, can prevent that toner discharging port D is in closed condition along with the rotation of bottle main body, and increase operator's work load more changing jobs of toner bottle not increased under the situation of new work.

Especially, when handle 135 is in the open position that is similar in the previous embodiment, think that these structures are in the position of handle towards installation/removal opening J projection.

Only by on the inside surface of folding lid, adding the structure that wherein forms recessed portion I, can prepare the simple construction that recessed portion in 50 inside surfaces is covered in folding, close and handle 135 enters open position by folding lid 50, can stop toner discharging port D to be in the generation of closed condition along with the rotation of toner bottle main body.

In addition,, guidance unit is set,, the operating period of the handle 135 that the inside surface contact of the lid of folding simultaneously is not shown in an open position, handle is guided to open position so that folding lid 250,350 is being closed to housing 51 according to the foregoing description.

Even without correctly setting toner bottle 132 and toner discharging port D is not in full open position, toner bottle 132 can suitably be set automatically by shutoff operation by the usual folding lid of carrying out 50 of operator.

Therefore, even without toner bottle 132 suitably is set, also can toner bottle correctly be set, and improves operator's facility by the operator who closes folding lid 50.

In addition, toner bottle 132,332,432 of the present invention has the cap body portion 134,334,434 as rotary unit, and it is rotated with respect to the toner bottle main body.The cap body portion is furnished with escape hole D, and the toner in the toner bottle discharges by this escape hole; With gate 136,336,436, when toner bottle was installed on the printer main body, its rotation by the cap body portion opened or closed escape hole D.

As the engaging element that engages with printer main body and prevent the handle 135,335,435 that the cap body portion is rotated, formed along the lateral parts of the circumferencial direction of cap body portion 134,334,434.

Therefore, when toner bottle 132,332,432 was arranged on the main body of printer, cap body portion 134,334,434 can not be rotated.And then, can stop the cap body portion to be rotated inadequately or gate 136,336,436 disengaging (fall out) when being provided with along the opposite way round.Especially, toner bottle 132,332,432 of the present invention is set, it can be installed and removal from the top of printer main body.Expect above-mentioned handle the 135,335, the 435th, the projection that is meshed with folding lid 50,150,250,350 inside as the main body top cover of printer.

In addition, the toner bottle 132,332,432 of present embodiment has the cap body portion 134,334,434 as rotary unit, and its main body with respect to container is rotated.The developer of escape hole D amount discharge container inside, gate 136,336,436 opens and closes escape hole D.

Be furnished with toner bottle and cap body portion along when the opposite second direction of first direction is rotated in the main body of printer opening the sluices after 136,336,436, when printer main body is furnished with toner bottle, can stop the cap body portion to be rotated along first direction as the handle 135,335,435 of the first rotation stopping unit.

Be provided as the engagement wall 138 of the second rotation stopping unit, use it can make the cap body portion stop being further rotated on the second direction.

In the incorrect setting that stops toner bottle, when gate is opened escape hole, the problem that produces in the time of can stoping the cap body portion excessively to be rotated.

In addition, although in the above-described embodiments, as the example of the developer reservoir of a receiving photographic developer, described the toner bottle that holds toner, the present invention also is suitable for being included in other developers in the developer reservoir.That is, they can be the developer that comprises two kinds of compositions of toner and magnetic carrier, the liquid developer that comprises toner and liquid-carrier, magnetic carrier, liquid-carrier etc.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, although the imaging device that uses electrophotographic printer has been described, the present invention also is applicable to and uses other formation methods, as direct recording method, forms other imaging devices of image.

Described direct recording method is not based on the sub-image supporting body, but it utilizes the some type toner discharging of printhead, toner directly can be sticked on recording medium or the intermediate record medium by described discharging, and forms the image of picture element.

Further, the invention is not restricted to the foregoing description, and can carry out variations and modifications without departing from the present invention.

Claims (20)

1. toner container, this toner container comprises:

Bottle, this bottle comprise cylinder-shaped body longitudinally and at the circular open of the end of this bottle, this bottle is configured to hold toner;

The cap body, this cap body comprises cylindrical part, and this cap body covers the end of the bottle with described circular open, and this cap body also comprises escape hole, and this escape hole is configured to discharge with the toner that will receive from the circular open of described bottle; And

Gear, this gear are surrounded and are exposed to the outside of described cap body at least in part by described cap body,

The diameter of the circular open of wherein said bottle is less than the internal diameter of described vertical cylinder-shaped body and less than the internal diameter of described cap body.

2. toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cap body comprises cylindrical part and is hollow.

3. toner container as claimed in claim 1, the rotation of wherein said gear cause the rotation of described bottle.

4. toner container as claimed in claim 1 also comprises slidably gate, this slidably gate be configured to close the escape hole of described cap body.

5. toner container as claimed in claim 1, the escape hole of wherein said cap body is in the cylindrical part of described cap body.

6. toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottle is rotatable with respect to described cap body.

7. toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gear make described bottle rotation.

8. toner container as claimed in claim 1 also comprises:

Toner leader, this toner leader are configured to so that described toner moves to the outside of described bottle from the inside of described bottle by the circular open of described bottle.

9. toner container as claimed in claim 8, wherein said toner leader are included in the protuberance that the spiral in the described bottle raises, and this protuberance is configured to so that described toner is moved in the described bottle.

10. toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottle comprises:

Bump bonding, this bump bonding are positioned at the circumferential surface place of the bottle at described circular open place, and this bump bonding is configured to hold described cap body.

11. as the toner container of claim 10, wherein said bottle also comprises:

Recessed portion, this recessed portion is between described bump bonding and described gear.

12. as the toner container of claim 11, wherein said cap body comprises:

Bump bonding, this bump bonding are arranged in the recessed portion of described bottle so that described cap body is remained on the described bottle.

13. toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottle comprises:

The gear that bump bonding, this bump bonding are positioned at the direction of discharging along the longitudinal axis of described bottle from described bottle over there part bottle the circumferential surface place.

14. toner container as claimed in claim 1 wherein also comprises the toner in the described bottle.

15. toner container as claimed in claim 1 wherein also comprises the carrier in the described bottle.

16. imaging device that comprises the toner container of claim 1.

17. a toner container comprises:

Storage facilities, this storage facilities is used to hold toner, and this storage facilities is included in the circular open at its place, end;

Be used to seal the equipment of the end of described storage facilities, the equipment that is used to seal comprises cylindrical part, and the equipment that is used to seal also comprises escape hole, and this escape hole is configured to discharge with the toner that will receive from the circular open of storer; And

Gear, this gear are surrounded and are exposed to the outside of the equipment that is used to seal at least in part by the equipment that is used to seal,

The diameter of the circular open of wherein said storage facilities is less than the internal diameter of the main body of described storage facilities.

18., also comprise the toner in the described storage facilities as the toner container of claim 17.

19. a toner container comprises:

Bottle, this bottle comprise cylinder-shaped body longitudinally and at the circular open of the end of this bottle, this bottle is configured to hold toner;

Discharger, this discharger comprises cylindrical part, and this discharger covers the end of the bottle with described circular open, and this discharger also comprises escape hole, and this escape hole is configured to discharge with the toner that will receive from the circular open of described bottle; And

Gear, this gear are surrounded and are exposed to the outside of described discharger at least in part by described discharger,

The diameter of the circular open of wherein said bottle is less than the internal diameter of described vertical cylinder-shaped body and less than the internal diameter of described discharger.

20., also comprise the toner in the described bottle as the toner container of claim 19.

Images