CN111796500A - Toner container and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Toner container and image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- CN111796500A CN111796500A CN202010261548.7A CN202010261548A CN111796500A CN 111796500 A CN111796500 A CN 111796500A CN 202010261548 A CN202010261548 A CN 202010261548A CN 111796500 A CN111796500 A CN 111796500A
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- closing member
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0887—Arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing unit, e.g. agitating, removing impurities or humidity
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Abstract
The invention provides a toner container, comprising: a first accommodating portion; a second accommodating portion; an opening/closing member having a receiving opening and disposed in the second housing section so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction between an open position and a closed position; and a closing member that is displaceable relative to the second housing portion between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being a position in which a closed-position overlapping region in which a part of the receiving port and a part of the supply port overlap each other is closed when the opening-closing member is in the closed position, and the open position being a position in which at least a part of the closed-position overlapping region is opened when the opening-closing member is in the open position.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a toner container and an image forming apparatus.
Background
Conventionally, a toner container that can be attached to and detached from a container receiving portion of an image forming apparatus is known. For example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2014-119704 discloses a toner replenishing device (toner container) for replenishing toner to a developing device of an apparatus main body. The toner replenishing device includes a toner storage portion for storing toner, a toner conveying portion for conveying the toner received from the toner storage portion, a partition plate for partitioning the toner storage portion and the toner conveying portion, and a conveying screw provided in the toner conveying portion. The toner conveying portion is disposed below the toner storage portion. The partition plate is provided with a toner supply port for supplying toner from the toner storage portion to the toner conveying portion, and the toner conveying portion is provided with a toner replenishment port for replenishing the developing device with toner supplied from the toner storage portion. The transport screw transports the toner supplied from the toner storage portion into the toner transport portion toward the toner replenishment port through the toner supply port. The toner supply device has a shutter capable of opening and closing the toner supply port. In a state before the toner supply device is attached to the apparatus main body, the shutter is held at a position for closing the toner supply port.
Disclosure of Invention
Although the shutter is closed in the state before the toner container described in japanese patent application laid-open No. 2014-119704 is attached to the apparatus main body, toner may leak from the toner supply port when the shutter is opened when the toner container is attached to the apparatus main body because toner may exist in the toner conveying portion.
The invention aims to provide a toner container and an image forming apparatus capable of inhibiting toner leakage when the toner container is mounted on a container bearing part.
In order to solve the above problem, it is conceivable to provide an opening/closing member in the toner conveying portion, the opening/closing member closing the toner supply port before the toner container is attached to the container receiver and opening the toner supply port when the toner container is attached to the container receiver. For example, the opening and closing member is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the conveying screw shaft, and has a receiving port that receives the toner supplied through the toner supply port. The opening/closing member is configured to be slidable in the axial direction relative to the toner conveying portion between a closed position where the toner supply port is closed by the receiving port being spaced apart from the toner supply port in the axial direction of the opening/closing member and an open position where the toner supply port is opened by the entire area of the receiving port coinciding with the toner supply port.
By setting the opening/closing member to the closed position before the toner container is mounted on the container receiver and setting the opening/closing member to the open position when the toner container is mounted on the container receiver, the toner is prevented from entering the toner conveying unit from the toner storage unit before the toner container is mounted on the container receiver, and therefore, the toner is prevented from leaking from the toner replenishment port when the toner container is mounted on the container receiver.
However, in the case of the above configuration, the opening/closing member slides between a closed position where the inlet port is spaced apart from the toner supply port in the axial direction of the opening/closing member and an open position where the entire area of the inlet port overlaps the toner supply port, that is, a stroke for sliding the opening/closing member between the open position and the closed position needs to be secured to be equal to or larger than the size of the inlet port in the axial direction, and therefore, the toner container inevitably becomes large in the axial direction. In contrast, it is also conceivable to reduce the stroke required for sliding the shutter by shortening the size of the inlet in the axial direction, but in this case, the fluidity of the toner passing through the toner supply port and the inlet is reduced.
Therefore, a toner container is required which can realize both of: ensuring the fluidity of the toner passing through the toner supply port and the receiving port, and avoiding the remarkable enlargement in the axial direction; both toner leakage and leakage are suppressed when the toner is mounted on the container receiving portion.
One aspect of the present invention provides a toner container that is attachable to and detachable from a container receiving portion of an image forming apparatus, the toner container including: a first accommodating portion that accommodates toner; a second housing portion that communicates with the first housing portion through a supply port for supplying the toner, and that has a replenishment port for replenishing the toner to a developing device; an opening/closing member that is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a receiving opening capable of receiving the toner, the opening/closing member being disposed in the second housing portion so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction of the opening/closing member with respect to the second housing portion between an open position where an entire region of the receiving opening overlaps the supply opening and a closed position where a part of the receiving opening overlaps a part of the supply opening; a closing member that is displaceable relative to the second housing portion between a closed position that closes a closed-position overlapping region where a part of the receiving port and a part of the supply port overlap when the opening-closing member is in the closed position, and an open position that opens at least a part of the closed-position overlapping region when the opening-closing member is in the open position.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a toner container that is detachable from a container receiving portion of an image forming apparatus, the toner container including: a first accommodating portion that accommodates toner; a second housing portion that communicates with the first housing portion through a supply port for supplying the toner, and that has a replenishment port for replenishing the toner to a developing device; a feed screw disposed in the second housing section and configured to feed the toner supplied from the supply port to the replenishment port; an opening/closing member having a receiving port capable of receiving the toner, the opening/closing member being disposed in the second housing portion so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction of the feed screw with respect to the second housing portion between an open position where the opening position overlaps the supply port over an entire region of the receiving port and a closed position where a part of the receiving port overlaps a part of the supply port; a closing member that is displaceable relative to the second housing portion between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being a position that closes a closed-position overlapping region where a part of the receiving port and a part of the supply port overlap when the opening-closing member is in the closed position, and the open position being a position that opens at least a part of the closed-position overlapping region when the opening-closing member is in the open position.
In addition, an aspect of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: the toner container; the developing device receives the toner supplied from the toner container.
The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus including a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a view schematically showing the image forming unit and its periphery.
Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the toner container shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a state where the opening/closing member is in the closed position and the closing member is in the closed position.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a range surrounded by a solid line V in fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a state where the opening/closing member is in the open position and the closing member is in the open position.
Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the closing member is in the closed position in the comparative example to the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the closing member is in the open position in the comparative example shown in fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is a view showing a modified example of the toner container, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening/closing member is at the closed position and the closing member is at the closed position.
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening/closing member is in the open position and the closing member is in the open position in the modification shown in fig. 9.
Detailed Description
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.
Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus including a toner container according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP (multi functional Peripherals) having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a print function, and a scanner function.
As shown in fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 and an image reading section 3. Hereinafter, the main scanning direction of the image forming apparatus 1 is referred to as the Y axis, the sub-scanning direction is referred to as the Z axis, and a direction orthogonal to both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is referred to as the X axis.
The image reading section 3 includes an automatic Document Feeder 4 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and a Document image scanner (scanner) 5. The automatic document feeder 4 feeds a document placed on a document tray by a feeding mechanism and feeds the document to the document image scanner 5. The automatic document feeder 4 can continuously read images (including both sides) of a large number of documents placed on the document tray at once.
The original image scanning device 5 optically scans an original conveyed from the automatic original feeder 4 onto the contact glass or an original placed on the contact glass. The document image scanning device 5 forms an image of reflected light from the document on a light receiving surface of a ccd (charge coupled device) sensor, and reads the document image.
The apparatus main body 2 is provided below the image reading unit 3. The apparatus main body 2 includes: image forming units 10(10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K), an intermediate transfer belt 20, a secondary transfer roller 21, a fixing device 22, a paper feed tray 23, a paper discharge tray 24, and a toner supply unit 50.
Fig. 2 is a view schematically showing the image forming unit and its periphery. As shown in fig. 2, the image forming unit 10 has: a photosensitive drum 11, a charging device 12, an exposure device 13, a developing device 14, and a primary transfer roller 15. The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K form toner images having colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively, on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20.
The toner images of the respective colors are superposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20. After that, the intermediate transfer belt 20 conveys the color toner image to a secondary transfer portion between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the secondary transfer roller 21.
The paper feed tray 23 is provided as a storage portion for storing the sheets S as recording media. A plurality of sheets S are stored in the paper feed tray 23. In the present embodiment, the paper feed tray 23 is provided in three stages in the vertical direction. However, the sheet feed tray 23 may be provided in one or two stages in the vertical direction.
The sheet S accommodated in the sheet feed tray 23 is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the secondary transfer roller 21 by various rotating rollers. The color toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the surface of the sheet S at the secondary transfer portion. The color toner image is fixed on the surface of the sheet S by the fixing device 22. The sheet S on which the image has been formed through the above steps is discharged to the discharge tray 24.
The toner supply unit 50 is a unit that supplies toner (developer) to the developing device 14 of the image forming unit 10. The toner supply unit 50 is provided between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the paper discharge tray 24 in the vertical direction. However, the arrangement of the toner supply unit 50 of the image forming apparatus 1 is not particularly limited. The toner supply unit 50 includes a container receiving portion 52, a side wall 54, a press-fitting portion 56 (see fig. 6), and toner containers 100(100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K).
The container receiving portion 52 is configured to be able to attach and detach the toner container 100. In the present embodiment, the toner container 100 is received by the container receiving portion 52 by being inserted from the front surface toward the rear surface (in the positive direction of the Y axis) of the apparatus main body 2, and is removed from the container receiving portion 52 by being pulled out in the reverse direction. The container receiving portion 52Y, the container receiving portion 52M, the container receiving portion 52C, and the container receiving portion 52K are provided corresponding to the toner container 100Y, the toner container 100M, the toner container 100C, and the toner container 100K, respectively. Each container receiving portion 52 is disposed above the intermediate transfer belt 20 of the image forming apparatus 1.
The side wall 54 is connected to an end portion on the back surface side (the front end side in the insertion direction of the toner container 100) of the container receiving portion 52. The side wall 54 is orthogonal to the insertion direction of the toner container 100.
The press-fitting portion 56 has a shape protruding from the side wall 54 toward the front surface of the apparatus main body 2. In the present embodiment, the press-fitting portion 56 is formed in a rod shape. In fig. 1, the press-fitting portion 56 is not shown.
The toner container 100 contains toner (developer) for replenishing the developing device 14. The toner container 100Y, the toner container 100M, the toner container 100C, and the toner container 100K are provided corresponding to the developing devices 14 of the image forming unit 10Y, the image forming unit 10M, the image forming unit 10C, and the image forming unit 10K, respectively. That is, the toner container 100Y, the toner container 100M, the toner container 100C, and the toner container 100K contain toner of colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).
The toner container 100 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the container receiving portion 52. When the remaining amount of toner in the toner container 100 becomes small, the toner container 100 is removed from the container receiver 52, and a new toner container 100 containing sufficient toner is attached to the container receiver 52.
Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the toner container shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 3, the toner container 100 includes a container 110, a feed screw 120, a drive gear 130, an opening/closing member 140, a closing member 150, a biasing member 160, and a seal 170.
The accommodating body 110 is a member that accommodates toner. The receiving body 110 has a first receiving portion 112 and a second receiving portion 114.
The first accommodating portion 112 is a portion that accommodates toner. The first receiving portion 112 is formed at an upper portion in the receiving body 110. The first housing portion 112 is provided with a biasing member supporting portion 115 that supports the biasing member 160.
The second receiving portion 114 is formed below the first receiving portion 112. Specifically, a partition wall 113 that partitions the two housing portions 112 and 114 is provided between the first housing portion 112 and the second housing portion 114. The partition wall 113 is provided with a supply port 110h1 for supplying toner from the first accommodating portion 112 to the second accommodating portion 114. That is, the second container 114 communicates with the first container 112 through the supply port 110h 1. The second receiving portion 114 is formed in a cylindrical shape.
A replenishment port 110h2 for replenishing toner to the developing device 14 is provided at a lower portion of the second housing portion 114. The replenishment port 110h2 is provided at a position distant from the supply port 110h1 in the axial direction of the second container 114 (a position not overlapping with the supply port 110h1 in the vertical direction). Before the toner container 100 is mounted on the container receiver 52, the replenishment port 110h2 is closed by a shutter 180 slidable relative to the second container 114.
An insertion hole 110h3 through which the press-fitting portion 56 is inserted is provided in a side portion of the second housing portion 114.
The feed screw 120 is disposed in the second housing portion 114. The feed screw 120 feeds the toner supplied to the second housing portion 114 through the supply port 110h1 toward the replenishment port 110h 2. The feed screw 120 has a shaft portion 122, and the shaft portion 122 has a shape linearly extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the second housing portion 114.
The drive gear 130 drives the feed screw 120 to rotate. The drive gear 130 is connected to the shaft portion 122 of the feed screw 120. The drive gear 130 is driven by a drive source not shown.
The opening and closing member 140 is disposed in the second accommodation portion 114. Opening/closing member 140 includes surrounding portion 142, first wall portion 144, second wall portion 146, and locking portion 148.
The surrounding portion 142 is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the feed screw 120. In the present embodiment, the surrounding portion 142 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The surrounding portion 142 has a receiving opening 140h1 capable of receiving toner and a discharge opening 140h2 through which toner is discharged. The receiving opening 140h1 is formed in the upper portion of the surrounding portion 142. The discharge port 140h2 is formed in the lower portion of the surrounding portion 142. The discharge port 140h2 is provided at a position distant from the receiving port 140h1 in the axial direction of the surrounding portion 142. The surrounding portion 142 may be formed in a half-split shape in the upper half.
The first wall portion 144 is connected to one end of the surrounding portion 142. The first wall portion 144 supports one end portion of the shaft portion 122 of the feed screw 120 in a state where the one end portion is inserted therethrough.
The second wall portion 146 is connected to the other end portion of the surrounding portion 142. The second wall portion 146 supports the other end portion of the shaft portion 122 of the feed screw 120.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a state where the opening/closing member is in the closed position and the closing member is in the closed position. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a range surrounded by a solid line V in fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a state where the opening/closing member is in the open position and the closing member is in the open position.
The opening/closing member 140 is disposed in the second housing section 114 so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction (the left-right direction in fig. 4 and 6) of the opening/closing member 140 or the feed screw 120 with respect to the second housing section 114 between an open position (the position shown in fig. 6) in which the entire region of the receiving port 140h1 overlaps the supply port 110h1 and a closed position (the position shown in fig. 4) in which a part of the receiving port 140h1 overlaps a part of the supply port 110h 1. When the shaft portion 122 of the feed screw 120 is pushed in the axial direction of the feed screw 120 by the push-in portion 56, the opening/closing member 140 is displaced from the closed position to the open position along the axial direction together with the feed screw 120. When the opening/closing member 140 is in the open position, the discharge port 140h2 vertically overlaps the refill port 110h 2. At this time, the shutter 180 is retracted from the replenishment port 110h 2. When the toner container 100 is attached to the container receiving portion 52 along the insertion direction, the press-fitting portion 56 presses the shaft portion 122.
The locking portion 148 is a portion for locking the closing member 150. The locking portion 148 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the surrounding portion 142. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the locking portion 148 is disposed above the portion of the surrounding portion 142 that surrounds the inlet 140h 1.
The closing member 150 is a member that is displaceable relative to the second housing portion 114 between a closed position (the position shown in fig. 4) and an open position (the position shown in fig. 6). The closed position is a position where the closed-position overlap region R where a part of the receiving port 140h1 and a part of the supply port 110h1 overlap is closed when the opening/closing member 140 is in the closed position. The open position is a position where at least a part of the closed-position overlap region R is opened when the opening-and-closing member 140 is in the open position. In the present embodiment, the closing member 150 opens the entire region of the closed position overlapping region R in the open position. In addition, in the present embodiment, the moving direction of the closing member 150 with respect to the second housing portion 114 is parallel to the direction in which the opening and closing member 140 moves between the open position and the closed position.
The closure member 150 has a first cover portion 152 and a second cover portion 154.
The first lid 152 is a portion that closes the upper portion of the closed position overlapping region R. The first cover 152 is formed in an arc shape along the outer peripheral surface of the second receiving portion 114.
The second cover 154 has a shape extending from an end of the first cover 152 toward the opening/closing member 140. The lower end of the second lid 154 is close to or in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the surrounding portion 142 of the opening/closing member 140.
The biasing member 160 biases the closing member 150 from the closing position to the opening position (to the right in fig. 4). One end of the biasing member 160 is supported by the biasing member supporting portion 115. The other end of the urging member 160 is connected to the closing member 150. A coil spring or the like is used as the biasing member 160.
As shown in fig. 5, a locked portion 156 is provided in the second lid portion 154 of the closing member 150. The engaged portion 156 engages with the locking portion 148 while overcoming the biasing force of the biasing member 160 when the opening/closing member 140 is at the closed position, and is disengaged from the locking portion 148 (rides over the locking portion 148) while the opening/closing member 140 is displaced from the closed position to the open position. The locked portion 156 is disengaged from the locking portion 148, and the closing member 150 is thereby positioned at the open position by the biasing force of the biasing member 160. As shown in fig. 6, the closing member 150 is located at a position not overlapping the receiving opening 140h1 in the up-down direction in the open position, i.e., a position overlapping the entire area of the region R in the open-closed position.
The sealing member 170 seals a gap between the closing member 150 and the opening and closing member 140. Specifically, as shown in fig. 5, the seal 170 is provided between the locking portion 148 of the opening/closing member 140 and the locked portion 156 of the closing member 150.
Here, a comparative example according to the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 7 and 8. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the closing member is in the closed position in the comparative example to the present invention. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the closing member is in the open position in the comparative example shown in fig. 7.
The comparative example shown in fig. 7 and 8 is set such that the stroke required for the movement of the opening/closing member 140 between the open position and the closed position is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and the closing member 150 and the biasing member 160 are not provided. In this comparative example, as shown in fig. 7, the opening/closing member 140 is located at the closed position before being attached to the container receiving portion 52. In this state, since the second containing portion 114 communicates with the first containing portion 112 through the closed position overlapping region R, in conveying the toner container of this comparative example or the like, the toner flows from the first containing portion 112 into the second containing portion 114. Then, as shown in fig. 8, when the opening/closing member 140 is displaced to the open position by attaching the toner container of the comparative example to the container receiver, toner present in the second housing portion 114 may leak through the discharge port 140h2 and the replenishment port 110h 2.
In contrast, the toner container 100 of the present embodiment includes the closing member 150, and the closing member 150 closes the closed position overlapping region R when the opening/closing member 140 is at the closed position, and opens at least a part of the closed position overlapping region R when the opening/closing member 140 is at the open position. Therefore, the following requirements can be met: in the toner container 100 of the present embodiment, the stroke required for the movement of the opening/closing member 140 is shortened, and the inflow of toner into the opening/closing member 140 when the opening/closing member 140 is at the closed position is suppressed; the area where the inlet port 140h1 and the supply port 110h1 overlap each other when the opening/closing member 140 is in the open position is ensured. This enables the following: in the present toner container 100, while ensuring the fluidity of the toner passing through the supply port 110h1 and the receiving port 140h1, the toner is prevented from being significantly enlarged in the axial direction; the leakage of toner when the toner is mounted on the container receiving portion 52 is suppressed.
Further, since the toner container 100 includes the biasing member 160, the opening/closing member 140 includes the locking portion 148, and the closing member 150 includes the engaged portion 156, the closed-position overlapping region R is automatically opened by the opening/closing member 140 moving from the closed position to the open position. At this time, since the closing member 150 opens the entire region of the closed position overlapping region R, that is, since the entire region of the receiving port 140h1 overlaps the supply port 110h1 when the opening and closing member 140 is in the open position, the fluidity of the toner passing through the supply port 110h1 and the receiving port 140h1 is ensured.
Further, since the moving direction of the closing member 150 with respect to the second housing portion 114 is parallel to the direction in which the opening/closing member 140 moves between the open position and the closed position, the direction of the load acting on the opening/closing member 140 when the opening/closing member 140 is moved from the closed position to the open position is limited to one direction. Therefore, the operability of the opening and closing member 140 is improved.
Further, since discharge port 140h2 of shutter 140 is axially distant from refill port 110h2 when shutter 140 is in the closed position, toner leakage through refill port 110h2 when shutter 140 is in the closed position is suppressed.
Further, since the sealing member 170 is provided to seal the gap between the closing member 150 and the opening/closing member 140, the toner is prevented from flowing into the opening/closing member 140 through the gap between the closing member 150 and the opening/closing member 140.
It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above description but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.
For example, in the above embodiment, the closing member 150 may be formed in a shape that covers the entire area of the supply port 110h1 when the opening/closing member 140 is in the closed position.
The end of the first lid portion 152 of the closing member 150 opposite to the side to which the second lid portion 154 is connected may be formed in a shape inclined so as to gradually approach the partition wall 113 with increasing distance from the second lid portion 154. Accordingly, when the closing member 150 moves from the closed position to the open position, the toner deposited on the partition wall 113 can be pushed up.
As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the closing member 150 may be configured to rotate around a rotation axis that is orthogonal to both the direction (vertical direction in fig. 9) in which the first housing portion 112 and the second housing portion 114 are coupled and the direction (horizontal direction in fig. 9) in which the opening/closing member 140 moves. In this example, the engaged portion 156 has a shape protruding from the second lid portion 154 in a direction in which the opening/closing member 140 moves from the closed position to the open position, and the locking portion 148 has a shape that restricts the engaged portion 156 from above. The biasing member 160 biases the closing member 150 upward. A torsion spring or the like is used as the urging member 160 in this case.
In this embodiment, in the process of moving the opening/closing member 140 from the closed position (the position shown in fig. 9) to the open position (the position shown in fig. 10), since the engagement portion 148 releases the restriction of the engaged portion 156, the closing member 150 rotates around the rotation axis from the closed position to the open position, thereby opening the closed position overlapping region R. The same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained also in this embodiment.
The structure of the above exemplary embodiment and the effects achieved thereby are as follows.
In one aspect of the above embodiment, there is provided a toner container that is attachable to and detachable from a container receiving portion of an image forming apparatus, the toner container including: a first accommodating portion that accommodates toner; a second accommodating section which communicates with the first accommodating section through a supply port for supplying the toner and has a supply port for supplying the toner to a developing device; an opening/closing member that is formed in a tubular shape and has a receiving opening capable of receiving the toner, the opening/closing member being disposed in the second housing section so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction of the opening/closing member with respect to the second housing section between an open position where an entire region of the receiving opening overlaps the supply opening and a closed position where a part of the receiving opening overlaps a part of the supply opening; and a closing member that is displaceable relative to the second housing portion between a closed position that closes a closed-position overlapping region where a part of the receiving port and a part of the supply port overlap when the opening/closing member is in the closed position, and an open position that opens at least a part of the closed-position overlapping region when the opening/closing member is in the open position.
In the toner container, the opening/closing member moves between an open position where the entire area of the receiving port overlaps the supply port and a closed position where a part of the receiving port overlaps a part of the supply port, so that a stroke required for movement between the open position and the closed position of the opening/closing member is small, and the closing member closes a closed position overlapping area where a part of the receiving port overlaps a part of the supply port when the opening/closing member is in the closed position and opens at least a part of the closed position overlapping area when the opening/closing member is in the open position. Thus, the present toner container can realize both of the following: ensuring the fluidity of the toner passing through the supply port and the receiving port, and avoiding the remarkable enlargement in the axial direction; the leakage of toner is suppressed when the toner is mounted on the container receiving portion.
Further, the toner container may further include a biasing member that biases the closing member from the closed position to the open position. In this case, it is preferable that the opening/closing member has a locking portion that locks the closing member, and the closing member has a locked portion that is engaged with the locking portion against the biasing force of the biasing member when the opening/closing member is in the closed position, and that is disengaged from the locking portion while the opening/closing member is moving from the closed position to the open position.
Accordingly, at least a part of the overlapping region of the closed position is automatically opened by the opening/closing member moving from the closed position to the open position.
In addition, it is preferable that the closing member opens the entire area of the closed position overlapping area in the open position.
Accordingly, since the entire area of the receiving port overlaps the supply port when the opening and closing member is in the open position, the fluidity of the toner passing through the supply port and the receiving port is ensured.
Further, it is preferable that a moving direction of the closing member with respect to the second housing portion is parallel to a moving direction of the opening/closing member between the open position and the closed position.
Accordingly, when the opening/closing member is moved from the closed position to the open position, the direction of the load acting on the opening/closing member is limited to one direction, and therefore, the operability of the opening/closing member is improved.
Further, it is preferable that the opening/closing member is provided with a discharge port for discharging the toner, and the discharge port is spaced apart from the replenishment port in the axial direction when the opening/closing member is in the closed position and overlaps with the replenishment port when the opening/closing member is in the open position.
Accordingly, toner leakage through the replenishment port when the opening-closing member is in the closed position is suppressed.
Further, it is preferable that the toner container further includes a sealing member for sealing a gap between the closing member and the opening/closing member.
Accordingly, the toner is prevented from flowing into the opening/closing member through the gap between the closing member and the opening/closing member.
In addition, another aspect of the above embodiment provides a toner container that is attachable to and detachable from a container receiving portion of an image forming apparatus, the toner container including: a first accommodating portion that accommodates toner; a second accommodating section which communicates with the first accommodating section through a supply port for supplying the toner and has a supply port for supplying the toner to a developing device; a feed screw disposed in the second housing section and configured to feed the toner supplied from the supply port to the replenishment port; an opening/closing member having a receiving port capable of receiving the toner, the opening/closing member being disposed in the second housing portion so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction of the feed screw with respect to the second housing portion between an open position where an entire region of the receiving port overlaps the supply port and a closed position where a part of the receiving port overlaps a part of the supply port; and a closing member that is displaceable relative to the second housing portion between a closed position that closes a closed-position overlapping region where a part of the receiving port and a part of the supply port overlap when the opening/closing member is in the closed position, and an open position that opens at least a part of the closed-position overlapping region when the opening/closing member is in the open position.
In the toner container, both of the following can be realized: ensuring the fluidity of the toner passing through the supply port and the receiving port, and avoiding the remarkable enlargement in the axial direction; the leakage of toner is suppressed when the toner is mounted on the container receiving portion.
The image forming apparatus according to the above embodiment includes the toner container and the developing device that receives the toner supplied from the toner container.
In the image forming apparatus, leakage of toner is suppressed when the toner container is attached to the container receiving portion.
Claims (8)
1. A toner container that is attachable to and detachable from a container receiving portion of an image forming apparatus, the toner container comprising:
a first accommodating portion that accommodates toner;
a second housing portion that communicates with the first housing portion through a supply port for supplying the toner, and that has a replenishment port for replenishing the toner to a developing device;
an opening/closing member that is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a receiving opening capable of receiving the toner, the opening/closing member being disposed in the second housing portion so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction of the opening/closing member with respect to the second housing portion between an open position where an entire region of the receiving opening overlaps the supply opening and a closed position where a part of the receiving opening overlaps a part of the supply opening;
a closing member that is displaceable relative to the second housing portion between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being a position that closes a closed-position overlapping region where a part of the receiving port and a part of the supply port overlap when the opening-closing member is in the closed position, and the open position being a position that opens at least a part of the closed-position overlapping region when the opening-closing member is in the open position.
2. The toner container according to claim 1,
further comprises a biasing member for biasing the closing member from the closing position to the opening position,
the opening/closing member has a locking portion for locking the closing member,
the closing member has a locked portion that is engaged with the locking portion against the urging force of the urging member when the opening/closing member is in the closed position, and that is disengaged from the locking portion when the opening/closing member is displaced from the closed position to the open position.
3. The toner container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,
the closing member opens the entire area of the closed position overlapping area when in the open position.
4. The toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,
a moving direction of the closing member with respect to the second housing portion is parallel to a direction in which the opening and closing member moves between the open position and the closed position.
5. The toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein,
a discharge port for discharging the toner is formed in the opening/closing member,
the discharge port is spaced apart from the refill port in the axial direction when the opening/closing member is in the closed position, and overlaps with the refill port when the opening/closing member is in the open position.
6. The toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,
the sealing member is provided with a sealing member for sealing a gap between the closing member and the opening/closing member.
7. A toner container that is attachable to and detachable from a container receiving portion of an image forming apparatus, the toner container comprising:
a first accommodating portion that accommodates toner;
a second housing portion that communicates with the first housing portion through a supply port for supplying the toner, and that has a replenishment port for replenishing the toner to a developing device;
a feed screw disposed in the second housing section and configured to feed the toner supplied from the supply port to the replenishment port;
an opening/closing member having a receiving port capable of receiving the toner, the opening/closing member being disposed in the second housing portion so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction of the feed screw with respect to the second housing portion between an open position where an entire region of the receiving port overlaps the supply port and a closed position where a part of the receiving port overlaps a part of the supply port;
a closing member that is displaceable relative to the second housing portion between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being a position that closes a closed-position overlapping region where a part of the receiving port and a part of the supply port overlap when the opening-closing member is in the closed position, and the open position being a position that opens at least a part of the closed-position overlapping region when the opening-closing member is in the open position.
8. An image forming apparatus includes:
the toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
the developing device receives the toner supplied from the toner container.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2019074205A JP7183927B2 (en) | 2019-04-09 | 2019-04-09 | Toner container and image forming apparatus |
| JP2019-074205 | 2019-04-09 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN111796500A true CN111796500A (en) | 2020-10-20 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202010261548.7A Pending CN111796500A (en) | 2019-04-09 | 2020-04-02 | Toner container and image forming apparatus |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP7183927B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN111796500A (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2009115885A (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2009-05-28 | Sharp Corp | Toner cartridge and image forming device using the same |
| JP2015004924A (en) * | 2013-06-24 | 2015-01-08 | シャープ株式会社 | Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same |
| CN107003633A (en) * | 2014-12-25 | 2017-08-01 | 京瓷办公信息系统株式会社 | Toner container and image processing system |
| CN109683454A (en) * | 2017-10-19 | 2019-04-26 | 柯尼卡美能达株式会社 | Toner container and image forming apparatus |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4343622B2 (en) * | 2002-09-25 | 2009-10-14 | キヤノン株式会社 | Developer supply container |
| JP4862911B2 (en) * | 2009-03-26 | 2012-01-25 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Toner cartridge mounting structure and image forming apparatus |
| US9869949B2 (en) * | 2014-01-20 | 2018-01-16 | Ninestar Corporation | Toner cartridge with a toner switch assembly |
-
2019
- 2019-04-09 JP JP2019074205A patent/JP7183927B2/en active Active
-
2020
- 2020-04-02 CN CN202010261548.7A patent/CN111796500A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2009115885A (en) * | 2007-11-02 | 2009-05-28 | Sharp Corp | Toner cartridge and image forming device using the same |
| JP2015004924A (en) * | 2013-06-24 | 2015-01-08 | シャープ株式会社 | Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same |
| CN107003633A (en) * | 2014-12-25 | 2017-08-01 | 京瓷办公信息系统株式会社 | Toner container and image processing system |
| CN109683454A (en) * | 2017-10-19 | 2019-04-26 | 柯尼卡美能达株式会社 | Toner container and image forming apparatus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2020173312A (en) | 2020-10-22 |
| JP7183927B2 (en) | 2022-12-06 |
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