EP1220050A2

EP1220050A2 - Toner replenishing device and image forming apparatus using the same

Info

Publication number: EP1220050A2
Application number: EP01130525A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shuji Tanaka
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-12-25
Filing date: 2001-12-21
Publication date: 2002-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-21
Also published as: CN100390676C; CN1567100A; TWI269946B; CN1365030A; EP1220050B1; EP1220050A3; CN1241073C; DE60141113D1

Abstract

A toner replenishing device of the present invention includes a casing for accommodating a toner. The casing is made up of a lower case formed with an opening for receiving the toner container, and an upper case for covering the opening of the lower case. A locking member locks the upper case closing the opening to the lower case. The locking member is configured to loose the function of locking the upper case to the lower case when unlocking the former from the latter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a copier, facsimile apparatus, printer or similar image forming apparatus and more particularly to a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a developing device included in the image forming apparatus.

Description of the Background Art

Today, a toner replenishing device of the type using a toner cartridge is extensively used with an image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge stores fresh toner, or developer, to be replenished to a developing device included in the image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge usually has a double-wall structure made up of a toner bottle or toner container storing toner and a case encasing the toner bottle. The double-wall structure protects the toner from heat and moisture. A toner cartridge with this configuration is disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open publication Nos. 6-194950 and 10-69160.

The toner cartridge has a sophisticated configuration and is expensive and is therefore often reused or recycled when it runs out of toner. The replacement of the toner cartridge should preferably be performed by an expert as distinguished from the user. If the user replaces the toner bottle, then it is likely that the body of the toner replenishing device is damaged due to inadequate assembling or that the toner flies about when the case of the toner cartridge is disassembled. The toner cartridge is therefore configured on the assumption that the user does not replace the toner bottle; that is, the entire toner cartridge is replaced when the toner bottle runs out of toner.

However, in the conventional toner cartridge, the case formed with an opening for receiving the toner bottle and a cover for closing the opening are simply snap-fitted on each other and therefore easy to disassemble. This configuration tempts the user to disassemble the case and replace only the toner bottle or to refill the empty toner bottle. It is therefore impossible to fully solve the problems discussed above.

The case and cover snap-fitted on each other are easy to assemble, i.e., surely connectable to each other. However, in the event of disassembly for recycling, it is likely that the lugs of the case or those of the cover are broken off or that the case is scratched or otherwise damaged. Of course, the case and cover may be lightly snap-fitted on each other to facilitate disassembly. Light snap-fitting, however, obstructs the sure connection of the case and cover and is apt to cause the cover to be released from the case due to a shock or an impact during transport. In these circumstances, there is an increasing demand for a case realizing both of easy disassembly and sure connection and solving the problems ascribable to disassembly by the user.

As for the material of the toner bottle, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is predominant over PE (polyethylene) from the cost standpoint. However, PET is lower in mechanical strength than PE although the former is lower in cost than the latter. It follows that the toner bottle formed of PET is easy to deform or break when subjected to a shock or an impact.

Laid-Open Publication Nos. 6-194950 and 10-69160 mentioned earlier disclose toner bottles configured to deform or break little when subjected to a shock or an impact. The toner bottles each are of screw type and encased in a rectangular case. The screw type toner bottle is rotated about its axis to discharge toner stored therein via a mouth. To rotate the toner bottle, a gear is mounted on the circumference of the toner bottle. A drive gear mounted on the body of an image forming apparatus is brought into mesh with the above gear. However, rotation transferred to the toner bottle via such a gear train is apt to cause the toner bottle to oscillate, resulting in unstable toner replenishment.

Another drive transmission system proposed in the past uses a drive member that engages with the bottom of the toner bottle and rotates coaxially with the toner bottle. This drive transmission system causes the toner bottle to oscillate less than the drive transmission system that transfers rotation to the circumference of the toner bottle. However, the drive member scheme directly applies the oscillation of a drive source to the toner bottle, failing to stabilize toner replenishment.

Technologies relating to the present invention are also disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 9-288413, 10-104905 and 2001-75348.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a casing, a locking, member, a toner replenishing device capable of solving the problems ascribable to recycling by the user, and an image forming apparatus using the same and a corresponding method. The afore-mentioned problem is solved by the subject malte of the

independent claims

1, 9, 10, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, and 27. Dependent claims are directed to embodiments of advantage.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toner replenishing device facilitating the disassembly of the a case and a cover accommodating toner bottle therebetween, while insuring connection of the case and cover, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toner replenishing device capable of transferring rotation to a toner bottle while causing it to oscillate little, and thereby insuring stable toner replenishment, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

An image forming apparatus using the toner replenishing device described above is also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a section showing an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section showing a photoconductive drum included in the illustrative embodiment together with members surrounding it;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing a toner replenishing section forming part of a toner replenishing unit, which replenishes toner to a developing unit included in the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view showing the configuration of the toner replenishing unit;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a specific configuration of part of a locking member included in the toner replenishing unit;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing another specific configuration of the locking member;

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view showing a specific manner in which the locking member is used;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view showing the toner replenishing unit in an assembled condition;

FIGS. 9 through 17 are isometric views demonstrating a procedure for replacing a toner bottle accommodated in the toner replenishing device;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view showing how the rear portion of the locking member engages with a cover included in the toner replenishing unit;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view showing a positional relation between the locking member and a shutter for obstructing the optical path of a laser beam;

FIG. 20 is a section showing a copier representative of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary section showing a developing unit included in the alternative embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an isometric view showing a toner replenishing unit included in the alternative embodiment;

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the toner replenishing unit;

FIG. 24A is an exploded view showing a toner bottle, a relay plate and a drive shaft included in the alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 24B is a section showing how the toner bottle, relay plate and drive shaft engage with each other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an image forming apparatus embodying the present invention is applied is shown and implemented as a copier by way of example. As shown, the copier includes a photoconductive element or image carrier implemented as a drum 7. The drum 7 has an OPC (Organic PhotoConductor) or similar photoconductive layer and rotates counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1. Arranged around the drum 7 are a charge roller or charging means 102, an optical writing unit or exposing means 103, a developing unit or developing means 1, an image transfer roller or image transferring means 110, a cleaning blade or cleaning means 105, and a discharge lamp or discharging means 106.

The charge roller 102, to which a high voltage is applied, uniformly charges the surface of the drum 7 to negative polarity. An ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 120 is mounted on the top of a printer body 100. A scanner 130 includes optics 131 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) array or similar image sensor 132. When the ADF 120 feeds a document to a glass platen, the image sensor 132 reads image information out of the document via the optics 131. The optical writing unit 103 scans the charged surface of the drum 7 with a laser beam L in accordance with image data output from the scanner 130, thereby forming a latent image on the drum 7. The image data may alternatively be output from a personal computer, facsimile apparatus or similar image data outputting means not shown.

The developing unit 1 stores a developer made up of toner and carrier and includes a developing sleeve 5. The developer is deposited on the developing sleeve 5 in the form of a magnet brush. The developing sleeve 5 in rotation conveys the developer to a developing position where it faces the drum 7. As a result, the toner contained in the developer is transferred from the developing sleeve 5 to the drum 7, developing the toner image to thereby produce a corresponding toner image. The drum 7 in rotation conveys the toner image to a nip or image transfer position where the drum 7 and image transfer roller 110 contact each other.

A sheet cassette 109 is positioned below the printer body 100 and loaded with a stack of sheets or recording media P. A pickup roller 109a in rotation pays out the top sheet P from the sheet cassette 109 to a registration roller pair 107. The registration roller pair 107 once stops the sheet P and then drives it at such a timing that the leading edge of the sheet meets the leading edge of the toner image formed on the drum 7 at the image transfer position.

A bias for image transfer is applied to the image transfer roller 110 before the leading edge of the sheet P enters the nip for image transfer. The bias charges the roller 110 to polarity opposite to the polarity of the toner image for thereby forming an electric field at the nip. As a result, the toner is transferred from the drum 7 to the sheet P under the action of the electric field and nip pressure.

Discharge needles, not shown, are positioned downstream of the above nip in the direction of sheet conveyance and discharges the sheet P for allowing it to easily part from the drum 7. The discharge needles are applied with a bias or connected to ground. The sheet P parted from the drum 7 is conveyed to a fixing device 108 including a heat roller 108a and a press roller 108b. The heat roller 108a, which accommodates a heater, and press roller 108b are pressed against each other. The heat roller 108a and press roller 108b nip the sheet P being conveyed to thereby fix the toner image on the sheet P with heat and pressure.

The cleaning blade 105 removes the toner left on the drum 7 after the image transfer. A toner conveying device, not shown, returns the toner removed from the drum 7 to the developing unit 1 and again used for development. The discharge lamp 106 illuminates the entire surface of the drum 7 cleaned by the cleaning blade 105, thereby dissipating charge left on the drum 7. In this manner, the drum 7 is prepared for the next image formation.

Arrangements around the drum 7 will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. 2. As shown, a toner replenishing unit or device 200 embodying the present invention replenishes fresh toner to the developing unit 1 via a hole 2 formed in the casing of the developing unit 1. The toner replenishing unit 200 will be described in detail later. A first and a

second screw

3 and 4 are disposed in the casing and convey the replenished toner toward the developing sleeve 5 while mixing it with magnetic carrier grains existing in the casing.

The developing sleeve 5 accommodates magnets, not shown, therein. The magnets cause the carrier of the developer to form a magnet brush on the developing sleeve 5. The toner conveyed toward the developing sleeve 5 and charged by the

screws

3 and 4 electrostatically deposit on the carrier. The developing sleeve 5 in rotation conveys the toner deposited on the magnet brush or carrier toward the drum 7. At this instant, a doctor blade 6 regulates to the toner to a preselected thickness. The toner then deposits on the latent image formed on the drum 7 for thereby forming a toner image, as stated earlier.

A toner sensor 8 is positioned beneath the first screw 3 for monitoring the toner content of the developer existing in the developing unit 1. The toner sensor 8 is implemented as, e.g., a magnetism sensor responsive to the permeability of the developer, which varies in accordance with the toner content of the developer 1. When the permeability of the developer decreases to a preselected value, i.e., when the toner content of the developer falls, the toner sensor 8 outputs a signal representative of such a condition. In response, a controller, not shown, included in the copier body 100 sends a replenishment command to the toner replenishing unit 200. On receiving the command, the toner replenishing unit 200 replenishes toner to the casing of the developing unit 1 via the hole 2. It is to be noted that the toner sensor 8 senses a toner end condition and a toner near-end condition as well.

The toner replenishing unit 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 through 4. As shown, the toner replenishing unit 200 includes a casing 201 for storing a toner bottle 10 packed with fresh toner. The casing 201 is generally made up of an upper case or case cover 11, a lower case or case body 12, and a locking member or locking means 13. The lower case 12 plays the role of a case body for supporting the toner bottle 10 and is formed with an opening 12b for receiving the toner bottle 10. The upper case 11 is mounted to the lower case 12 for closing the opening 12b. The locking member 13 locks the upper case 11 mounted to the lower case 12 to the lower case 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner bottle 10 is formed with a spiral groove 10a in its circumferential wall. When the toner bottle 10 is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2, the spiral groove 10a conveys the toner stored in the toner bottle 10 toward a mouth 10b. As a result, the toner is driven out of the toner bottle 10 via the mouth 10b. A cap 14 is removably fitted on the mouth 10b and received in the lower case 12 together with the toner bottle 10. More specifically, the cap 14 is received in a cap holder 15 formed integrally with the lower case 12.

The cap holder 15 is formed with a toner outlet 15a. A toner guide member 16 is formed with a hole 16a and fitted on part of the cap holder 15 formed with the toner outlet 15a. A plurality of Mylar sheets 17 are fitted on the toner outlet end of the cap 14 and extend in the radial direction of the cap 14. A slider 18 is mounted on the toner guide member 16 for selectively opening or closing the hole 16a. A spring, not shown, constantly biases the slider 18 such that the slider 18 tends to block the hole 16a. More specifically, when the toner replenishing unit 200 is mounted to the copier body 100, the slider 18 automatically moves to the position where it unblocks the hole 16a.

In operation, when the toner content of the developer in the developing unit 1 becomes short, as sensed by the toner sensor 8, the controller sends a replenishment command to the toner replenishing unit 200. In response, a driveline, not shown, arranged in the copier body 100 causes the toner bottle 10 to rotate. The driveline transfers rotation to the toner bottle 10 via a coupling that automatically couples when the toner replenishing unit 200 is mounted to the copier body 100.

When the toner bottle 10 is rotated, the spiral groove 10a conveys the toner in the bottle 10 to the mouth 10b. The toner is therefore delivered to the cap holder 15 via the mouth 10b, which is rotating integrally with the toner bottle 10. The Mylar sheets 17 fitted on the cap 14 scoop up the toner with the result that the toner is introduced in the toner guide member 16 via the toner outlet 15a. Consequently, the toner is replenished to the developing unit 1 via the hole 16a of the toner guide member 16 and the previously mentioned hole 2 formed in the casing of the developing unit 1.

The configuration of the casing 201 characterizing the illustrative embodiment will be described more specifically hereinafter. As best shown in FIG. 7, the upper case 11 is formed with a plurality of hooks 11a while the lower case 12 is formed with a plurality of lugs 12a. The hooks 11a mate with the lugs 12a by light snap fitting, connecting the upper case 11 to the lower case 12. Subsequently, the locking member 13 locks the upper case 11 to the lower case 12.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper case 11 and lower case 12 are respectively formed with

rail portions

22 and 23 extending in the lengthwise direction of the

cases

11 and 12. As shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, the locking member 13 is formed with a

parallel channel portions

13a and 13b such that the

channel portions

13a and 13b extend in the lengthwise direction of the

cases

11 and 12. To lock the case 11 to the case 12, the locking member 13 is slid onto the

cases

11 and 12 from the end opposite to the toner replenishing end with the

channel portions

13a and 13b respectively mating with the

rail portions

22 and 23. In this condition, the locking member 13 surely locks the case 11 to the case 12.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the locking member 13 is formed with grooves 20 extending over the entire length of the member 13. When the casing 201 is to be disassembled for recycling the toner replenishing unit 200, the grooves 20 allow the locking member 13 to be easily broken. The grooves 20 therefore promote easy separation of the upper case 11 and lower case 12. Subsequently, a new locking member 13 is used to again lock the upper case 11 to the lower case 12. In this manner, the casing 201 can have the two

cases

11 and 12 surely locked to each other and easily separated from each other.

FIG. 6 shows another specific configuration of the locking member 13 that promotes easy disassembly of the casing 201. As shown, the locking member 13 includes a thin wall 21 extending over the entire length of the member 13. In the event of disassembly, the thin wall 21 also allows the locking member 13 to easily break thereat.

The prerequisite with the grooves 20 or the thin wall 21 is that they or it prevents the locking member 13 from accidentally breaking when subjected to a shock or an impact during transport of the toner replenishing unit 200, while allowing the member 13 to easily break at the time of assembly. To meet this prerequisite, the walls of the locking member 13 where the grooves 20 are formed or the thin wall 21 should preferably be 1 mm thick or below, more preferably 0.7 mm. The walls with the grooves 20 or the thin wall 21 should preferably be formed of hard, fragile resin, e.g., polystyrol. In any case, the grooves 20 or the thin wall 21 reduces a period of time necessary for recycling the toner replenishing unit 200.

To protect the upper case 11 and lower case 12 from damage at the time of disassembly, the

rail portions

22 and 23 of the

cases

11 and 12, respectively, should preferably be sufficiently strong. Further, it is necessary to distinguish the recycled toner replenishing unit 200 from a new toner replenishing unit 200. For the distinction, the locking member 13 of a particular color should preferably be used for each of the recycled casing 201 and new casing 201. This kind of scheme facilitates the distinction.

FIG. 8 shows the toner replenishing unit 200 in an assembled condition. Reference will be made to FIGS. 9 through 17 for describing a procedure for disassembling the toner replenishing unit 200 for the recycling purpose. First, as shown in FIG. 9, the locking member 13 is nipped by finger and then pushed in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the locking member 13 is slid onto the case 201. As a result, the locking member 13 breaks off and causes the rail portions 23 of the lower case 12 to be released from the locking member 13.

Subsequently, the hook portions 11a of the upper case 11 lightly engaged with the lugs 12a of the lower case 12 by snap fitting are released from the lugs 12a. Consequently, as shown in FIG. 10, the upper case 11 is removed from the lower case 12, uncovering the used toner bottle 10 positioned on the lower case 12. As shown in FIG. 11, the broken locking member 13 is further folded to be removed from the upper case 11.

As shown in FIG. 12, the used toner bottle 10 is picked up from the lower case 12 together with the cap 14. At the same time, a coupling 30 intervening between the driveline of the copier body 100 and the toner bottle 10 is also removed. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13, the cap 14 is removed from the toner bottle 10. The cap 14 removed from the toner bottle 10 and the lower case 12 are cleaned to remove the toner deposited thereon (see FIG. 14).

After the disassembly described above, a new toner bottle 10 is put on the lower case 12. Subsequently, the procedure described above is executed in the reverse order to reuse the toner replenishing unit 200.

As shown in FIG. 7, the locking member 13 and lower case 12 should preferably be formed with a catch 24 and a hole 25, respectively. The locking member 13 is mounted to the case 201 with the catch 24 mating with the hole 25. This prevents the locking member 13 from being easily released from the case 201 when subjected to a shock or an impact during transport. Alternatively, the locking member 13 may be locked to the upper case 11. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15 through 18, the locking member 13 may be formed with a catch 24 and lugs 26 while the upper case 11 may be formed with a hole 25 and catches 27. In such a configuration, the catch 24 mates with the hole 25 while the lugs 26 engage with the catches 27. In this condition, the locking member 13 is locked to the upper case 11.

In the illustrative embodiment, the optical writing unit 103 is positioned below the toner replenishing unit 200, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 19, the writing unit 103 includes a shutter 40 pivotable about a shaft 41. The shutter 40 is usually positioned to block the optical path of the laser beam L, as shown in FIG. 19. An arm 42 is also mounted on the shaft 41 and extends to a path along which the toner replenishing unit 200 is mounted and dismounted from the copier body 100. When the toner replenishing unit 200 is mounted to the copier body 100, the arm 42 is brought into contact with and caused to angularly move by the locking member 13 mounted on the casing 201. Therefore, only when the toner replenishing unit 200 is mounted to the copier body 100, the shutter 40 unblocks the optical path of the laser beam L.

As stated above, the illustrative embodiment has various unprecedented advantages, as enumerated below.

(1) The locking member 13 removed from the case 201 cannot be reused. This frees the copier body from troubles to occur when the user intends to reuse the case 201 without the locking member 13. There is also implemented a method of storing the toner bottle 10 in the case 201 that obviates the above problem.

(2) The upper case 11 and lower case 12 are implemented as separate parts. This, coupled with the locking member 13 attached to the upper case, 11, allows the case 201 to be reused only if the upper cover 11, which is comparatively low cost, is replaced with new one. In addition, the locking member 13 itself is separate from the

cases

11 and 12 and even lower in cost than the upper case 11.

(3) The

channel portions

13a and 13b of the locking member 13 receive the

rail portions

22 and 23 of the two

cases

11 and 12 when the locking member 13 is slid onto the case 201. This insures connection of the

cases

11 and 12.

(4) When the locking member 13 locks the

cases

11 and 12 to each other, the mating portions of the

cases

11 and 12 are concealed. This provides the case 201 with attractive appearance and prevents the user from disassembling the case 201.

(5) The locking member 13 is mounted to part of the

cases

11 and 12 remote from the mouth 10a of the toner bottle 10. It follows that the locking member 13 and therefore a worker at a recycling cite is smeared little.

(6) When the

channel portions

13a and 13b of the channel member 13 are engaged with the

rail portions

22 and 23 of the

cases

12 and 11, the catch 24 and hole 25 mating with each other prevent the locking member 13 from sliding in the opposite direction. The locking member 13 is therefore prevented from easily parting from the case 201 when subjected to a shock or an impact during transport of the toner replenishing unit 200.

(7) The locking member is mounted to the

cases

11 and 12 in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the case 11 is mounted to the case 12, i.e., in the direction in which the former is dismounted from the latter 12. Therefore, even when the hooks 11a of the case 11 and the lugs 12a of the case 12 are engaged by relatively light snap fitting for easy disassembly, the locking member 13 can surely connect the two

cases

11 and 12 to each other.

(8) Assume that the locking member 13 is subjected to an extraneous force in the direction (vertical in the illustrative embodiment) perpendicular to the direction (horizontal in the illustrative embodiment) in which the

channel portions

13a and 13b slide onto the

rail portions

22 and 23. Then, the locking member 13 looses its function of locking the

cases

11 and 12 to each other. This surely prevents the user from inadvertently recycling the case 201.

(9) Particularly, the mechanical strength of the locking member 13 is small enough for the member 13 to break into at least two between the

channel portions

13a and 13b when subjected to the above extraneous force. The locking member 13 therefore easily breaks when it is nipped by finger and then pushed. Specifically, the locking member 13 breaks at the grooves 20d extending along the

channel portions

13a or 13b or at the wall 21 as thin as 1 mm or less. This promotes easy, sure disassembly of the case 201.

(10) At least the breakable part of the locking member 13 is formed of polystyrol and allows the locking member 13 to break more easily.

(11) The locking member 13 has an exclusive configuration applicable only to the casing 201. It is therefore difficult for the user to replace the locking member 13 with another commercially available part with the intention of reusing the case 201.

(12) The toner replenishing means is constructed integrally with the lower case 12. It is therefore possible to perform maintenance of the toner replenishing means in the event of replacement of the toner bottle 10.

(13) A new locking member 13 for recycling the toner replenishing unit 200 is different in color from the used locking member 13. This allows whether or not the toner replenishing unit 200 is new to be readily determined by eye, facilitating maintenance.

(14) The slider 18 automatically block or unblocks the hole 16a of the toner replenishing unit 200 when the toner replenishing unit 200 is dismounted from or mounted to the copier body 100. Therefore, after the toner replenishing unit 200 has been taken out of the copier body 100, toner is prevented from leaking via the hole 16a.

(15) The locking member 13 moves the shutter 40, which is used to obstruct of the optical path the laser beam L, in interlocked relation to the mounting/dismounting of the toner replenishing unit 200. When the toner replenishing unit 200 is absent in the copier body 100, the shutter 30 blocks the above optical path. This inhibits image formation from being executed in the absence of the toner replenishing unit 200 in the copier body 100.

(16) The toner bottle 10 has the spiral groove 10a and is rotated by the copier body 100 when the toner replenishing unit 200 with the toner bottle 10 is mounted to the copier body 100. The toner replenishing unit 200 therefore does not need a drive source and is therefore simple and light weight.

Referring to FIG. 20, an image forming apparatus representative of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and also implemented as a copier. It is to be noted that the reference numerals used in this embodiment are independent of the reference numerals used in the previous embodiment and therefore do not always designate identical reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 20, the copier is generally made up of a scanner section 100 for reading a document, an image forming section 200 for forming an image on the sheet P, and a sheet feed section for feeding the sheet P to the image forming section 200. A controller, not shown, controls the various sections of the copier. The image forming section 200 includes a laser writing unit 200A including a laser diode and a polygonal mirror although not shown specifically.

The scanner reads a document laid on a glass platen, not shown, with an image sensor 101 and delivers image data to the controller. The controller controls a laser diode, a polygonal mirror and so forth included in the laser writing unit 200A in accordance with the image data. The laser diode scans a photoconductive drum 1, which is included in a process cartridge 200B, in accordance with the image data. As a result, a latent image corresponding to the document image is formed on the drum 1. The latent image is transformed to a toner image by development. The image forming section 200 additionally includes an image transferring device 200C, a fixing device 200D, a sheet discharging device 200E,

doors

200F and 200G, and a toner replenishing device not shown. The door 200F is openable about a shaft 214 in a direction indicated by an arrow G. Likewise, the door 200G is openable about a shaft 215 in the front-and-rear direction, i.e., the direction perpendicular to the sheet surface of FIG. 20.

The sheet feed section 300 includes four

sheet cassettes

301a, 301b, 301c and 301d, four

pickup rollers

302a, 302b, 302c and 302d, and four

roller pairs

303a, 303b, 303c and 303d. The sheet cassettes 301a through 301d each are loaded with a sheet stack P of particular size and movable into and out of the copier body in the front-and-rear direction with respect to FIG. 2. The pickup rollers 302a through 302d are respectively assigned to the sheet cassettes 301a through 301d, and each pays out the top sheet P from the associated sheet cassette. The sheet P is then conveyed via a sheet path on which the roller pairs 303a through 303d are arranged.

More specifically, the controller drives one of the pickup rollers 302a through 302d while effecting laser writing and development in accordance with the image data to thereby form a toner image on the drum 1. One of the pickup rollers 302a through 302d driven by the controller pays out the top sheet P from associated one of the sheet cassettes 301a through 301d. The sheet P is then conveyed to an image transfer position between the process cartridge 200B and the image transferring device 200 via one or more of the roller pairs 303a through 303d.

The image transferring device 200 includes an image transfer roller, not shown, to which a bias is applied from bias applying means, not shown, at the time of image transfer. The image transfer roller is pressed against the drum 1, forming a nip for image transfer. The toner image formed on the drum 1 is brought into register with the sheet P entered the nip. The toner image is transferred from the drum 1 to the sheet 1 under the action of an electric field formed by the bias and nip pressure acting between the drum 1 and the image transfer roller.

The sheet P with the toner image is conveyed to the fixing unit 200D. The fixing unit 200D fixes the toner image on the sheet P with heat and pressure. The sheet P coming out of the fixing unit 200D is driven out of the copier body via an outlet roller pair included in the sheet discharging device 200.

A developing unit included in the process cartridge 200B will be described specifically with reference to FIG. 21. As shown, toner is replenished into the developing unit via a hole A. A first and a

second screw

4 and 5 convey the replenished toner toward a developing sleeve 2 while mixing it with magnetic carrier grains existing in the developing unit.

The developing sleeve 2 accommodates magnets, not shown, therein. The magnets cause the carrier of the developer to form a magnet brush on the developing sleeve 2. The toner conveyed toward the developing sleeve 2 and charged by the

screws

4 and 5 electrostatically deposits on the carrier. The developing sleeve 2 in rotation conveys the toner deposited on the magnet brush or carrier toward the drum 1. At this instant, a doctor blade 3 regulates the toner to a preselected thickness. The toner then deposits on the latent image formed on the drum 1 for thereby forming a toner image.

A toner sensor 6 is positioned beneath the first screw 4 for monitoring the toner content of the developer existing in the developing unit. When the toner content of the developer decreases to a preselected value, the toner sensor 6 outputs a signal representative of such a condition. In response, the controller outputs a replenishment command and thereby causes a toner bottle or toner container 10 (see FIG. 20) to rotate. As a result, toner is replenished from the toner bottle 10 to the developing unit via the hole A. It is to be noted that the toner sensor 6 senses a toner end condition and a toner near-end condition as well.

A toner replenishing unit or device characterizing the illustrative embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 21 through 23. As shown in FIG. 23, when the toner content of the developer in the developing unit becomes short, as sensed by the toner sensor 6, the controller sends a replenishment command to the toner replenishing unit. In response, the toner replenishing unit rotates the toner bottle 10. A spiral screw formed in the circumferential wall of the toner bottle 10 drives the toner in the bottle 10 out of the bottle 10. A cap 11 is rotated integrally with the toner bottle 10. Mylar sheets 7 (see FIG. 22) fitted on the cap 11 scoop up the toner to a toner outlet 13. The toner is therefore replenished to the developing unit via the toner outlet 13 and a toner guide member 14. A shutter is mounted on the toner guide member 14 and selectively opened or closed when the toner replenishing unit is mounted to or dismounted from, respectively, the copier body.

The toner replenishing unit additionally includes an upper case 9, a lower case 8, a locking member 12, and a relay plate 15. To assemble the toner replenishing unit, the toner bottle 10, upper case 9 and relay plate 15 are set on the lower case 8, as shown in FIG. 23. subsequently, the locking member 12 is mounted to the upper case 9 and lower case 8 to thereby lock them to each other. In this condition, a driven portion included in the relay plate 15 is exposed to the outside of the cases 8 and 9, which constitute the casing of the toner replenishing unit in combination.

The lower case 8 and upper case 9 encase the toner bottle 10, as stated above. Therefore, even when the major component of the toner bottle 10 is PET lower in mechanical strength than PE, the two cases 8 and 9 protect the bottle 10 from, e.g., the tip of a screwdriver; otherwise, a hole would be formed in the bottle 10 and cause the toner to leak. In addition, the cases 8 and 9 protect the toner bottle from deformation during transport. Moreover, PET is lower in cost than PE.

Assume that the relay plate 15 has a diameter D1, and that the toner bottle has an outside diameter D2. Then, the illustrative embodiment sets up a relation of D1 < D2. The relay plate 15 is therefore positioned inside the toner bottle 10 when engaged with the bottle 10, as seen in the axial direction of the bottle 10. It follows that during drive transmission the circumference of the relay plate 15 does not slide on the lower case 8 or the upper case 9, preventing a load torque from increasing. The difference between the diameter D1 and the outside diameter D2 should preferably be 1.0 mm or above. The copier body imparts rotation to the toner bottle 10 via the relay plate 15 in the axial direction of the bottle 10.

FIGS. 24A and 24B show a relation between the toner bottle 10, the relay plate 15, and a drive shaft 16. As shown in FIG. 24B, the drive shaft 16 includes a cam-like projection 15 that mates with a recess, or previously mentioned driven portion, included in the relay plate 15. The relay plate 15 additionally includes a cam-like projection or drive portion that mates with a recess formed in the toner bottle 10. Even if such portions of the drive shaft 16, relay plate 15 and toner bottle 10 are not accurately engaged with each other, accurate engagement can be set up on the rotation of the drive shaft 16.

As stated above, a torque is transmitted from the drive shaft 16 to the toner bottle 10 via the relay plate 15. The illustrative embodiment therefore allows the toner bottle 10 to rotate about an axis that substantially does not move, compared to a conventional gear scheme that transfers rotation to the circumference of a toner bottle. This frees the toner bottle 10 from oscillation. Further, the relay plate 15 between the drive shaft 16 and the toner bottle 10 reduces the oscillation of the shaft 16 to thereby further reduce the oscillation of the bottle 10. The illustrative embodiment therefore insures stable toner replenishment from the toner bottle 10 to the developing unit.

Assume that the axis of the drive shaft 16 and that of the toner bottle 10 are slightly shifted from each other. Then, the relay plate 15 moves in the direction perpendicular to the axes of the shaft 16 and toner bottle 10 and plays the role of a free joint. It follows that the rotation of the drive shaft 16 can be smoothly transferred to the toner bottle 10, protecting the bottle 10 from damage.

A plurality of relay plates 15 each having a particular width in the axial direction may be prepared beforehand. In such a case, a relay plate 15 whose thickness matches with the axial length (capacity) of the toner bottle 10 can be used to insure the smooth transfer of drive transfer. Further, a plurality of relay plates 15 of different colors maybe prepared in order to indicate how many times the toner bottle 10 is recycled. For example, a white relay plate 15 may be fitted on the toner bottle 10 when it is new, a blue replay plate 15 may be attached to the bottle 10 when it is recycled one time, or a yellow relay plate 15 may be fitted on the bottle 10 when it is recycled two times.

As stated above, the illustrative embodiment achieves the following advantages (1) through (3).

(1) Rotation is transferred to the toner bottle or toner container 10 via the relay plate or relay member 15 in the axial direction of the bottle 19. This reduces the oscillation of the toner bottle 10 and thereby stabilizes toner replenishment, compared to a conventional system that transfers rotation to the circumference of a toner container via a gear. This successfully enhances image quality.

(2) The relay plate 15 member whose thickness in the axial direction matches with the axial length (capacity) of the toner bottle 10 can be selected. Rotation can therefore be transferred to the toner bottle 10 without regard to the length of the toner bottle.

(3) Assume that a plurality of image forming apparatuses each using particular toner share a single toner replenishing unit. Then, the relay plate 15 is so configured as not to engage with the drive source of an unexpected kind of image forming apparatus.

Preferably, according to the invention, the locking means is configured to allow a locking of a releasable connection or locking between the upper case and lower case in particular such that the locking or connection cannot be released. Preferably, the upper case is connectable by the releasable connection or the releasable locking with the lower case and/or vice versa. Preferably, this releasable locking or connection is performed by actuating or operating at least one of the upper case and the lower case. Preferably, the upper case and the lower case comprise engaging members in order to allow for the releasable locking or connection. Preferably, the engaging members are integral with the upper case and the lower case, respectively. Preferably, the upper case and the lower case and/or the engaging members are configured such that a locking is achieved if the upper case and/or the lower case is operated or actuated in a predetermined direction.

Preferably, the locking means is configured to fix or secure or lock the aforementioned releasable locking or connection or link of the upper case and the lower case such that a release of the locking or connection or link is blocked by the locking means. Preferably, this blocking may be made undone by actuating or operating the locking means. Preferably, this is performed by actuating or operating the locking means in a predetermined direction. Preferably, this predetermined direction is at a predetermined angle to the predetermined direction of actuating and operating the upper and/or lower case for connecting or locking the upper case and lower case. Preferably, this angle is 90° or in a range of 45° to 125° or close to 90° in order to decouple the movement of the releasable locking by means of the upper case and lower case or engaging members and the movement of the locking by means of the locking means.

As mentioned before, the locking means is preferably configured to unblock the releasable connection or locking between the upper case and the lower case. Preferably, the locking means is provided for this purpose with a predetermined breaking and/or deforming portion, point or region. Preferably, this predetermined portion, point or region allows for a more easy braking or deforming as in remainder portions of the locking means. Preferably, this braking or deforming is at best achievable, if a force or pressure is applied in a predetermined direction which is at an angle to the direction of movement for locking the releasable locking or connection. Preferably, this angle is 90° or around 90° or at least in a range between 45° and 125°.

Preferably, the locking or connection between the upper case and the lower case is a releasable formfit and/or snap connection.

Preferably, both the upper case and the lower case extent parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing and/or a toner container.

Preferably, the present invention is also directed to a casing which includes a toner container.

Preferably, the line of transition between the upper case and the lower case extends at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the casing and/or toner container. The lower case represents one part of the casing and the upper case represents another part of the casing. The terms "lower" and "upper" in particular refer to the location of the cases in case of mounting the case in an image forming apparatus. Preferably, a casing is mounted horizontally, i.e. the axis of the casing extends in the horizontal direction, at least approximately.

Preferably, the casing comprises a relaying member which relays a driving force external to the casing to a toner container in the casing. Preferably, this relay member has a diameter which is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the casing, at least in the case the casing has a cylindrical shape. Preferably, the casing is configured such that the relay member or relay plate cannot fall out of or leave the casing, in particular cannot leave the casing in case the upper case and the lower case are connected or locked together.

Preferably, the relay member is constituted such that it represents a part of a gearing which is used for driving a toner bottle into rotation by applying a rotational force to the relay member. Preferably, the relay member is constituted such that there is a clearance which allows an offset between the driven axis of the relay member and the drive axis of the relay member. In other words, preferably, there is an axial play of shaft and/or an internal slackness provided by means of the relay member.

Preferably, the locking member, in particular the undeformed and/or unbroken locking member is configured to unblock an operation of the toner replenishing means and/or image forming apparatus by properly mounting the casing in the toner replenishing device or the image forming apparatus and in particular by contacting or interacting engaging the locking member with an unblocking mechanism or unblocking device (e.g. comprising a locking member position sensor for sensing proper position and/or shape of the locking member and a controller for unblocking the image forming apparatus) during the mounting operation and/or when properly mounted. Preferably, portions or elements engaging or mating with the locking member are provided in the toner replenishing device or image forming apparatus in order to achieve an unblocking of a formerly blocked image forming operation and/or toner replenishing operation. For instance, the blocking of a laser beam is unblocked and/or the blocking of a toner replenishment opening is unblocked by providing an unblocking mechanism which interacts with the locking means or locking member when mounted to the toner replenishing device. Preferably, this unblocking is only performed in case the locking means or locking member is unbroken or undeformed, i.e. is in proper shape.

Claims

A casing for accommodating a toner container, comprising:

a lower case formed with an opening for receiving the toner container;

an upper case configured to be mounted to said lower case to thereby cover said opening of said lower case; and

locking means for locking said upper case closing said opening to said lower case;

wherein said locking means is configured to loose a function of locking said upper case to said lower case when unlocking said upper case from said lower case and/or is configured to allow a locking of a releasable connection a locking between the upper case and lower case.
The casing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking means unlocks said upper case from said lower case or allows an unlocking of said releasable connection or locking when permanently deformed and/or when broken to a shape unable to lock said upper case to said lower case or unable to lock said releasable connection or locking, respectively.
The casing as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said upper case and said lower case comprise respective members separate from each other, and
said locking means is positioned on said upper case or said lower case.
The casing as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said locking means comprises a locking member separate from said upper case and said lower case.
The casing as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said upper case and said lower case include respective engaging portions that face each other when said upper case closes said opening of said lower case, and
said locking member includes engaging portions configured to engage with said engaging portions of said upper case and/or said lower case to thereby lock said upper case to said lower case.
The casing as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said locking member is configured to conceal, when locking said upper case to said lower case, said engaging portions of said upper case and said lower case.
The casing as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said lower case includes a toner outlet for delivering toner stored in said toner container, and
said engaging portions of said upper case and said lower case are remote from said toner outlet.
The casing as claimed in claim 7, wherein said engaging portions of said upper case and said lower case face in parallel to each other when said upper case closes said opening of said lower case,
said engaging portions of said locking member are slid onto said engaging portions of said upper case and said lower case from one end in a preselected direction to thereby lock said upper case to said lower case, and
said locking member includes a catch for preventing, after said engaging portions of said locking member have engaged with said engaging portions of said upper case and said lower case, said engaging portions of said upper case and said lower case from being slid in a direction opposite said preselected direction.
A casing for accommodating a toner container, in particular as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

a lower case formed with an opening for receiving the toner container;

an upper case configured to be mounted on said lower case to thereby cover said opening of said lower case; and

a locking member for locking said upper case closing said opening to said lower case;

wherein said upper case and said lower case have respective engaging portions for causing said upper case to engage with said lower case and engaging portions for causing said locking member to engage with said upper case and said lower case; and
a direction in which said upper case is brought into engagement with said lower case and a direction in which said locking member is brought into engagement with said upper case and said lower case are perpendicular to each other.
A casing for accommodating a toner container in particular as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:

a lower case formed with an opening for receiving the toner container;

an upper case for covering said opening of said lower case; and

a locking member for locking said upper case closing said opening to said lower case;

wherein said locking member looses a function of locking said upper case to said lower case when subjected to a pressure in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which said locking member is brought into engagement with an engaging portion of said lower case .
The casing as claimed in claim 10, wherein said locking member has a strength that allows said locking member to be broken at least into two at a position between a portion engageable with said engaging portion of said lower case and a portion engageable with an engaging portion of said upper case when subjected to the force or the pressure.
The casing as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein said locking member has a wall thickness smaller at a portion breakable when subjected to the force or the pressure than the other portion.
The casing as claimed in claim 12, wherein the wall thickness of said portion breakable is 1 mm or less.
The casing as claimed in one of claims 11 to 13, wherein at least said portion breakable is formed of polystyrol.
The casing as claimed in claim, wherein said portion breakable comprises a groove extending along said portions of said locking member.
A locking member, in particular for a casing in accordance with claims 1 to 15, for locking an upper case configured to close an opening formed in a lower case for receiving a toner container to said lower case, said locking member is configured to loose a function of locking said upper case to said lower case when unlocking said upper case from said lower case.
A locking member, in particular for a casing in accordance with claims 1 to 15, for locking an upper case configured to close an opening formed in a lower case for receiving a toner container to said lower case, said locking member is configured to loose a function of locking said upper case to said lower case when subjected to a pressure in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which said locking member is brought into engagement with an engaging portion of said lower case.
The locking member as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein said locking means unlocks said upper case from said lower case when permanently deformed and/or when broken to a shape unable to lock said upper case to said lower case.
A toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a developing device for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier, said toner replenishing device comprising:

the casing of one of claims 1 to 15; and

toner replenishing means for replenishing the toner discharged from the toner container to the developing device.
The device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said toner replenishing means is constructed integrally with said lower case.
A method of recycling a toner replenishing device comprising:

a casing in particular in accordance with one of claims 1 to 15 comprising a lower case formed with an opening for receiving a toner container, an upper case for covering said opening of said lower case and locking means for locking said upper case closing said opening to said lower case; and

toner replenishing means for replenishing toner discharged from the toner container to a developing device to thereby develop a latent image formed on an image carrier;

said method replacing the toner container run out of toner with a new toner container by comprising:

an unlocking step of unlocking said upper case and said lower case locked to each other by said locking means;

a removing step of removing said upper case from said lower case and removing the toner container from said lower case via said opening uncovered; and

a setting step of setting the new toner container in said lower case; and

a locking step of locking said new toner container to said lower case by using a new locking means exclusive for recycling.
The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said locking means for recycling comprises a locking member different in color from a locking member fitted on the toner container replaced with the new toner container.
An image forming apparatus comprising:

an image carrier configured to form a toner image thereon;

latent image forming means for forming a latent image on said image carrier;

developing means for developing the latent image; and

the toner replenishing device in accordance with one of claims 19, 20, 26 to 32 for replenishing toner to said developing means for developing the latent image.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said toner replenishing device is removably mounted to a body of said apparatus and further comprises a hole for replenishing the toner to said developing means with said toner replenishing means and a slider for selecting blocking or unblocking said hole, and
said body of said apparatus includes moving means for moving, when said toner replenishing device is mounted to said body, said slider to an unblocking position or moving, when said toner replenishing device is dismounted from said body, said slider to a blocking position.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or 24, further comprising:

latent image writing means for writing the latent image on said image carrier with a light beam; and

a shutter for selectively blocking an optical path of the light beam to issue from said latent image writing means;

wherein said locking means moves said shutter to an unblocking position when said toner replenishing device is mounted to said body of said apparatus or moves said shutter to a blocking position when said toner replenishing device is dismounted from said body.
A toner replenishing device in accordance with claim 19 or 20,
said toner container comprises a screw type toner bottle that is rotated, when said toner replenishing device is mounted to a body of an image forming apparatus, by rotation transferred from said body to thereby discharge the toner to said toner replenishing means.
A toner replenishing device in particular in accordance with claim 19 or 20, for replenishing toner to a developing section including an image forming apparatus, said toner replenishing device comprising:

a toner container storing the toner and rotatable to discharge said toner via a mouth thereof; and

a relay member including a driven portion for receiving rotation from a drive source and a drive portion engaged with said toner container in an axial direction of said toner container to thereby transfer said rotation to said toner container.
The device as claimed in claim 27, further comprising a casing configure to accommodate said toner container
The device as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein said relay member and said toner container are substantially circular and substantially cylindrical, respectively, and
assuming that said relay member and said toner container have a diameter D1 and an outside diameter D2, respectively, a relation of D1 < D2 holds.
The device as claimed in one of claims 27 to 29, wherein when said toner container is reused, said relay member is replaced with a relay member different in color from said relay member.
The device as claimed in one of claims 27 to 30, wherein said toner container is mainly formed of polyethylene terephthalate.
The device as claimed in one of claims 27 to 31, wherein said toner container and said relay member are movable relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said toner container.