JP2000075648A - Sealing device, developing device, developer supply device, blowing device and image forming device equipped with those - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sealing device which can seal a liquid or powder for a long time at a low cost and which has easy disassembling property and high maintenance property, and to provide an image forming device equipped with the sealing device. SOLUTION: In the developing device, a toner is sealed by pressing a sealing member 131 to the sealing wall of a container 105m consisting of a resin member which houses the toner. The container 105m has irregularities 109ma on the contact face with the sealing member 131. The sealing member 131 is preferably made of foamed EPDM rubber material.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a sealing device, a developing device, a developer supply device, a blowing device, and an image forming apparatus provided with these devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A developing device provided in an image forming apparatus will be described as an example of a conventional sealing device.

In such a developing device, a container for accommodating a developer is composed of a plurality of members made of resin. In order to prevent the leakage of the developer at the mating portion of the above members, a plurality of resin members are formed by applying urethane foam to one member surface with a double-sided tape and pressing and compressing the flat member on the other member. Let me.

[0004]

However, urethane foam deteriorates due to hydrolysis over a long period of use and loses elasticity. Eventually, there is a possibility that the sealability may be impaired, the developer may leak, or a part of the urethane foam may be lost, and the urethane foam may enter the inside of the apparatus and cause problems such as image streaks.

Further, the urethane-based member is also deteriorated by ozone, and its progress is remarkable in a high humidity and ozone environment such as inside an image forming apparatus.

Further, when disassembling the apparatus, if the urethane-based member pressed and compressed by the resin member is to be peeled off for a long period of time, the urethane-based member adheres to the resin surface of the resin member and is prevented from the middle of the seal in the thickness direction. May be damaged and may not be reassembled, or may hinder the separation of materials during recycling.

On the other hand, there is a foamed EPDM rubber as an elastic sealing member which is hardly hydrolyzed even when used for a long period of time and has an ozone resistance. However, foamed EDPM
Although the rubber itself is less deteriorated, when pressed and compressed by the resin member for a long period of time, the rubber adheres strongly to the resin member and becomes difficult to disassemble. There is a possibility that the disassembly may be hindered or the disassembly work at the time of disposing of the main body of the apparatus may become difficult, thereby hindering the recycling.

[0008] The foam seal member has little adhesion even if it is pressed and compressed against metal for a long period of time. Therefore, it is possible to use a metal member, but there is a problem that the cost is greatly increased.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a sealing device which can seal liquids and powders at low cost for a long period of time, and has high ease of disassembly and high maintenance, and an image forming apparatus provided with this sealing device. With the goal.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present application, the above object is attained by pressing a sealing member against a sealing wall surface of a container formed of a resin member for storing the powder and the liquid. In the sealing device for sealing, the resin member is achieved by the first invention in which irregularities are formed on the contact surface with the seal member.

According to the present application, the above object is also achieved by the second invention in which the sealing member is a foamed EPDM rubber-based material in the first invention.

Further, according to this embodiment, the above object is
A third aspect of the present invention is a developing device that visualizes the latent image by applying a developer to the latent image on the latent image carrier, and includes the seal device of the first invention.

According to this embodiment, the above object is also achieved by the fourth invention in the third invention, wherein the sealing member is a foamed EPDM rubber-based material.

Further, according to this embodiment, the above object is
A developer supply device that supplies a developer to the development device,
The present invention is also achieved by the fifth invention including the sealing device of the first invention.

According to this embodiment, the above object is also achieved by the sixth invention in which the sealing member is a foamed EPDM rubber-based material in the fifth invention.

Further, according to this embodiment, the above object is
The present invention is also achieved by a seventh aspect of the present invention, which is a blower in which an air passage for sending gas is formed, and which includes the seal device of the first invention.

Further, according to this embodiment, in the seventh invention, the above object is also achieved by the eighth invention in which the sealing member is a foamed EPDM rubber-based material.

Further, according to this embodiment, the above object is
An image forming apparatus for recording an image formed by a series of image forming processes on a recording medium, wherein the sealing device according to the first invention, the developing device according to the third invention, or the developer according to the fifth invention The present invention is also achieved by a ninth invention that includes the supply device or the blower of the seventh invention.

According to this embodiment, the above object is also achieved by the tenth invention in which the sealing member is a foamed EPDM rubber-based material in the ninth invention.

That is, in the first invention according to the present application, the seal member is pressed against the contact surface with the resin member having the unevenness to seal the powder and liquid contained in the container. I do.

In the second invention according to the present application, a sealing member made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material is pressed against a contact surface with a resin member having irregularities, and is housed in a container. Seal powder and liquid.

Further, in the third invention according to the present application, the seal member is pressed against the contact surface with the resin member having the unevenness to seal the developer contained in the container.

In the fourth invention according to the present application, a sealing member made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material is pressed against a contact surface with a resin member having irregularities, and is housed in a container. Seal the developer.

Further, in the fifth invention according to the present application, the seal member is pressed against the contact surface with the resin member having the unevenness to seal the developer contained in the container.

In the sixth invention according to the present application, a sealing member made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material is pressed against a contact surface with a resin member having irregularities, and is housed in a container. Seal the developer.

Further, in the seventh invention according to the present application, the seal member is pressed against the contact surface with the resin member having the unevenness to seal the gas contained in the container.

In the eighth invention according to the present application, a sealing member made of a foamed EPDM rubber material is pressed against a contact surface with a resin member having irregularities, and is housed in a container. Sealed gas.

Further, according to the ninth invention of the present application, the seal member is pressed against the contact surface with the resin member having the unevenness to seal the powder and liquid contained in the container. I do.

In the tenth invention according to the present application, a sealing member made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material is pressed against a contact surface with a resin member having irregularities, and is housed in a container. Seal powder and liquid.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

A full-color image forming apparatus as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The image forming apparatus has a color image reader unit (hereinafter, referred to as "color image reader unit") for reading image information from an original.
A digital image printer unit (hereinafter, referred to as a printer unit) that records an image on a recording medium in accordance with image information from the color image reader unit.

In the reader section, as shown in FIG. 1, an original 30 placed on an original platen glass 31 is exposed and scanned by an exposure lamp 32 so that the original 30 condensed by a lens 33 is scanned. Full-color C reflected light image
The CD sensor 34 obtains a color separation image signal.
The color separation image signal is processed by a video processing unit (not shown) through an amplifier circuit (not shown) and sent to a printer unit.

In the printer section, as shown in FIG. 1, a photosensitive drum 1 as a latent image carrier is rotatably supported in the direction of the arrow, and a pre-exposure lamp 11 is provided around the photosensitive drum 1.
Corona charger 2, laser exposure optical system 3, different colors 4
Developing devices 4y, 4c, 4m, and 4Bk, which are individual developing devices, on-drum light amount detecting means 13, transfer device 5, and cleaning device 6 are arranged.

The laser exposure optical system 3 reflects a laser beam from a laser output unit (not shown) corresponding to an image signal from the reader unit on a polygon mirror 3a,
The light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 1 through the mirror b and the mirror 3c.

At the time of image formation in the printer section, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and the photosensitive drum 1 on which the charge has been removed by the pre-exposure lamp 11 is uniformly charged by the charger 2 so that an optical image Irradiate E to form a latent image.

Next, a developing device corresponding to each of the separated colors is operated to develop the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, and a developer is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 as a powder based on a resin and a pigment. A toner image is formed. The developing units 4y, 4c, 4m, 4
Bk are eccentric cams 24y, 24c, 24m, 2 respectively.
By the operation of 4Bk, the photosensitive drum 1 is selectively approached in accordance with each separation color.

On the other hand, a recording material as a recording medium accommodated in the recording cassette 7 is supplied to a transfer section formed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer device 5 by a transport system, and is transferred onto the photosensitive drum 1 by the transfer device 5. Is transferred. In the present embodiment, the transfer device 5 includes a transfer drum 5a,
A recording material carrying sheet 5f made of a dielectric material is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape on the peripheral opening area of the transfer drum 5a which has an inner charger 5d and an outer charger 5e and is rotatably supported. It is stretched. In the present embodiment, the recording agent carrying sheet 5f uses a dielectric sheet such as a polycarbonate film.

The transfer device 5 has a drum-shaped transfer drum 5a.
Is rotated, the transfer charger 5b transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 to the recording material carried on the recording material carrying sheet 5f. Thus, the recording material supporting sheet 5f
A desired number of color images are transferred onto the recording material that is electrostatically attracted and conveyed to form a full-color image.

In this image forming apparatus, in the case of forming a full-color image, after the transfer of the four color toner images onto the recording material is completed in this way, the recording material is separated from the separation claw 8a, the separation push-up roller 8b and the separation charging member 8b. The toner is separated from the transfer drum 5 a by the action of the device 5 h, subjected to a fixing process by a heat roller fixing device 9, and discharged to a discharge tray 10.

On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 1 is cleaned by a cleaning device to remove the residual toner remaining on the surface after the transfer process, and is again subjected to the image forming process.

In the image forming apparatus, when images are formed on both sides of the recording material, the conveyance path switching guide 19 is driven immediately after the recording material passes through the fixing device 9 and is subjected to the fixing process. The recording material is transferred to a transfer path 21 via a transport vertical path 20.
After having been guided to the position a, the reversing roller 21b reversely moves the sheet so that the rear end of the sheet is fed, and the sheet is retracted in the direction opposite to the direction in which the sheet is sent. Thereafter, an image is formed on the other surface of the recording material again by the above-described image forming step.

In this embodiment, the transfer drum 5a
And a backup brush 15 facing the fur brush 14 via the recording material supporting sheet 5f in order to prevent scattering and adhesion of powder such as toner on the recording material supporting sheet 5f, and adhesion of oil on the recording material. A backup brush 17 is provided opposite to the oil removing roller 16 via the recording material carrying sheet 5f to perform cleaning before or after image formation, and to perform cleaning as needed in the event of a jam (paper jam).

In this embodiment, the gap between the recording material supporting sheet 5a and the photosensitive drum 1 is reduced by operating the eccentric cam 5 at a desired timing and operating the cam follower 5i integrated with the transfer drum 5f. It can be set arbitrarily. For example, during standby or when the power is off, the transfer drum 5a and the photosensitive drum 1 are separated.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic structure of the magenta developing device 4m.

The developing device 4m is provided with a developing sleeve 101 in a developing container 105m which is a container for storing magenta toner.
m, developing screw 102m, stirring screw 103m
Are rotatably supported, and the developing screw 102m and the stirring screw 103m rotate in the direction of the arrow to stir the toner in the developing container 105m and to convey the toner in the direction of the developing sleeve 101m.

The developing sleeve 101 is moved from an opposing portion (hereinafter referred to as a developing portion) between the developing sleeve 101m and the photosensitive drum 1.
On the upstream side in the rotation direction of m, a blade 107m that regulates the toner carried on the developing sleeve 101m and keeps the coating amount constant is provided.

Further, further upstream of the blade 107 in the rotation direction, a density detecting means 110m for detecting the toner density in the developing container 105m is provided.

The density detecting means 110m includes a holder 111m.
Has a reflection type optical sensor 112m inside, and a transparent window 113m
The toner density is detected by detecting the reflected light of the toner in the developing container 105m via the.

The cover member 106m covers the upper part of the stirring screw 103m and the side of the concentration detecting means 110m to prevent scattering, and integrally forms the developer rectifying part 120m. As a result, the toner is transferred to the developing sleeve 10.
1m pumping pole 101ma to concentration detector 110m,
It can be properly transported to the blade 107.

Further, the sleeve cover 109 which is a resin member
The symbol m covers the downstream side in the rotation direction from the developing portion of the developing sleeve 101m to prevent toner from scattering.

Next, the mating portion between the developing container 105m as the container and the sleeve cover 109m as the resin member will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A.

The developing container 105m is made of resin, and is generally made of AS (acrylonitrile styrene) resin, ABS
(Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin, PS
(Styrol) resin or the like is used.

The sleeve cover 109 of the developing container 105m
A sealing member 13 made of foamed EPDM rubber is provided on the m-side surface.
1 is stuck with double-sided tape.

The seal member 131 has a thickness of 2 in its natural state.
mm, and is set so that the thickness is reduced to 1 mm when the sleeve cover 109m is attached and pressed and pressed to １ ／. Due to the restoring force of the above-mentioned compression, a state of being pressed against the sleeve cover 109m side is maintained so that the toner is sealed so as not to leak out of the developing container 105m.

On the other hand, the sleeve cover 109m is made of resin, and is made of a material such as AS, ABS, PS and the like, like the developing container 105m.

On the surface facing the seal member 131, an uneven portion 109ma, which is a triangular mountain shape in the axial direction of the developing sleeve 101m, is formed. The part is a non-contact part.

Thus, by reducing the area where the seal member 131 contacts the sleeve cover 109m, the seal member 131 is prevented from being in close contact with the sleeve cover 109m.

The peak of the chevron is the seal member 131.
By making it harder, the force of pressing locally along the peak of the mountain is increased, and the sealing property is improved.

Further, the uneven portion 131 is substantially perpendicular to the toner leakage direction (arrow in the drawing). Therefore, even if toner leakage occurs at the top of the innermost first row, the following second row Can be prevented from leaking at the top of the ridge, and since the ridges are arranged in a plurality of rows, the sealing effect is enhanced.

Next, a description will be given of a joining portion of the holder 111m provided in the density detecting means 110m and the cover member 106m as a resin member with reference to FIG.

[0062] Holder 111m and cover member 106m
Are made of a resin such as ABS or PS, and a sealing member 132 made of foamed EPDM rubber is attached to the holder 111m with a double-sided tape. In addition, this sealing member 13
The thickness of 2 is also set to be 2 mm in a natural state and 1 mm in a state of being pressed against the cover member 106m.

The cover member 1 facing the seal member 132
On the surface of 06m, a triangular uneven portion 106ma is provided in the toner leakage direction (arrow in the figure), similarly to the sleeve cover 109m.
And formed over the entire width in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction. Here also, at the peak of the mountain shape, the sealing member 132 is locally pressed against the surface to improve the sealing performance, and at the valley, it becomes a non-contact portion.
To prevent adhesion.

When a 2-3 mm foamed EPDM sealing member is compressed to about 1/2 and used in a thickness of 1.5 to 2 mm, the height of the projections and depressions of the mountain is about 1 to 2 mm, and the angle of the peak of the mountain is used. Conditions of 60 to 120 ° and an angle of R 0.5 or less are preferable conditions for achieving both sealing performance and prevention of adhesion.

Next, a toner supply device (hopper) as a developer supply device for supplying the developer to the developing device will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The toner supply device 200 serving as a container for storing toner includes a lower container 201 and an upper container 20 serving as resin members.
And a lid member 203. The stirring blade 211 and the toner screw 212 are rotatably supported inside, and are rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown). 201a
More toner is supplied to the toner supply port of the developing device.

The lower container 201, the upper container 202, and the lid member 203 are made of a resin material such as AS, ABS, and PS, and foamed EPDM is formed on the upper container 202 side of the lower container 201 and the lid member 203 side of the upper container 202. Rubber seal member 20
No. 4,205 is attached with double-sided tape over the entire circumference of the container.

On the surface of the upper container 202 and the surface of the lid member 203 facing the seal members 204 and 205, triangular mountain-like irregularities are provided over the entire periphery of the container, as described above. And prevention of close contact with the seal members 204 and 205.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a blower duct as a blower used for exhaust heat and exhaust provided in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

A first duct 302 as a resin member is fixed to a rear plate 301 of the main body of the image forming apparatus.
A second duct 305 as a resin member extends from 02.

Inside the second duct 305, the blower fan 3
03 and a filter 304 are provided.

The surface of the rear plate 301 on the first duct 302 side,
A foamed EPD is provided on the surface of the first duct 302 on the second duct 305 side and on the entire periphery of the filter 304 on the second duct side.
M rubber seal members 306, 307, and 308 are attached with double-sided tape.

The surface of the first duct 302 and the surface of the second duct 305 facing the sealing members 306, 307, 308 are provided with the same triangular mountain-like unevenness as described above over the entire surface to improve the sealing performance. And sealing members 306, 307, 3
08 is prevented.

Here, since the filter 304 is detached and replaced in the direction of arrow K shown in FIG. 5, the angle of the slope of the uneven portion is formed so as to be gentle in the filter 304 insertion direction and tight in the filter 304 removal direction. Filter 30
4 is easy to insert and hard to fall off.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the sealing member 131 is pressed against the uneven portion 109 ma, and the developing container 10
Since the toner contained within 5 m is sealed, the seal member 131 is used to seal the toner developing container 105.
In addition to preventing leakage outside the m for a long period of time, the uneven portion 109ma formed on the sleeve cover 109m is prevented from being peeled off from the seal member 131, so that the device can be easily disassembled, and the maintainability can be improved. .

According to the present embodiment, the sealing member 13
2 is pressed against the uneven portion 106ma, and the developing container 105m
Since the toner housed inside is sealed, the seal member 132 prevents the toner from leaking out of the developing container 105m for a long time, and the uneven portion 106ma formed on the sleeve cover 106m seals the toner. Member 1
32 can be prevented from peeling off, the device can be easily disassembled, and the maintainability can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the sealing member 2
04 and 205 are pressed against the contact surfaces of the lower container 201, the upper container 202, and the lid member 203, on which the unevenness is formed, to seal the toner contained in the toner supply device. , 205 prevent the toner from leaking out of the toner replenishing device for a long time,
The unevenness formed on the lower container 201, the upper container 202, and the lid member 203 is prevented from being peeled off from the seal members 204 and 205, so that the device can be easily disassembled and the maintainability can be improved.

According to the present embodiment, the sealing member 30
6, 307, 308 are the rear side plates 30 on which the irregularities are formed.
1, the first duct 302 is pressed against the contact surface of the filter 304 to seal the gas in the air duct, so that the sealing members 306, 307, and 308 prevent the gas from leaking out of the air duct for a long time. At the same time, prevents the irregularities formed on the rear plate 301, the first duct 302, and the filter 304 from being peeled off from the seal members 306, 307, and 308, thereby facilitating disassembly of the apparatus and improving maintainability. be able to.

[0079]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the seal member is pressed against the contact surface of the resin member having the unevenness and is housed in the container. Since the powder and the liquid are sealed, the seal member prevents the powder and the liquid from leaking out of the container for a long time, and the irregularities formed on the resin member are not separated from the seal member. This makes it easier to disassemble the device and enhance maintainability.

According to the second invention of the present application,
Since a sealing member made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material is pressed against a contact surface of a resin member having irregularities, the powder and liquid contained in the container are sealed.
The sealing member prevents the powder and liquid from leaking out of the container for a long time, prevents the irregularities formed on the resin member from peeling off from the sealing member, facilitates disassembly of the device, and facilitates maintenance. Can be higher.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the seal member is pressed against the contact surface of the resin member having the unevenness to seal the developer contained in the container. Therefore, the seal member prevents the developer from leaking out of the container for a long time, prevents the irregularities formed on the resin member from being peeled off from the seal member, and facilitates disassembly of the apparatus. Maintainability can be improved.

According to the fourth invention of the present application,
A sealing member made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material is pressed against a contact surface of a resin member having irregularities so as to seal the developer contained in the container. Of the resin member over a long period of time, prevents the irregularities formed on the resin member from peeling off from the seal member, and facilitates disassembly of the device, thereby improving maintainability.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the seal member is pressed against the contact surface of the resin member having the unevenness, and seals the developer contained in the container. Therefore, the seal member prevents the developer from leaking out of the container for a long time, prevents the irregularities formed on the resin member from being peeled off from the seal member, and facilitates disassembly of the apparatus. Maintainability can be improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention,
A sealing member made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material is pressed against a contact surface of a resin member having irregularities so as to seal the developer contained in the container. Of the resin member over a long period of time, prevents the irregularities formed on the resin member from peeling off from the seal member, and facilitates disassembly of the device, thereby improving maintainability.

Further, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the seal member is pressed against the contact surface of the resin member having the unevenness to seal the gas contained in the container. Therefore, the seal member prevents gas from leaking out of the container for a long period of time, and prevents the unevenness formed on the resin member from being peeled off from the seal member,
The disassembly of the device is facilitated, and the maintainability can be improved.

According to the eighth invention of the present application,
A sealing member made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material is pressed against a contact surface of a resin member having irregularities so as to seal gas contained in the container. In addition to preventing leakage to the outside for a long period of time, it is possible to prevent the unevenness formed on the resin member from being peeled off from the seal member, thereby facilitating disassembly of the device and improving maintainability.

Further, according to the ninth invention of the present application, the seal member is pressed against the contact surface of the resin member having the unevenness to seal the powder and liquid contained in the container. The sealing member prevents the powder and liquid from leaking out of the container for a long time, and prevents the unevenness formed on the resin member from being peeled off from the sealing member. And maintenance can be improved.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
Since a sealing member made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material is pressed against a contact surface of a resin member having irregularities, the powder and liquid contained in the container are sealed.
The sealing member prevents the powder and liquid from leaking out of the container for a long time, prevents the irregularities formed on the resin member from peeling off from the sealing member, facilitates disassembly of the device, and facilitates maintenance. Can be higher.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a developing device provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a schematic configuration of a seal portion of the developing device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
It is the longitudinal section.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 4y, 4c, 4m, 4Bk Developing device (developing device) 105m Developing container (container) 109m Sleeve cover (resin-made member) 109ma Uneven portion (unevenness) 106m Sleeve cover (resin-made member) 106ma Uneven portion ( (Unevenness) 131 seal member 132 seal member 201 lower container (resin member) 202 upper container (resin member) 203 lid member (resin member) 204, 205 seal member 301 rear plate (resin member) 302 first duct ( Resin member) 304 Filter (resin member) 306, 307, 308 Seal member

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A sealing device for sealing a powder and a liquid by pressing a sealing member against a sealing wall surface of a container formed of a resin member for accommodating a powder and a liquid. Characterized in that irregularities are formed on the contact surface of the sealing device. 2. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is a foamed EPDM rubber-based material. 3. A developing device for visualizing the latent image by applying a developer to the latent image on the latent image carrier, comprising a sealing device according to claim 1. . 4. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the seal member is made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material. 5. A developer supply device for supplying a developer to a development device, the developer supply device comprising the seal device according to claim 1. 6. The developer supply device according to claim 5, wherein the seal member is a foamed EPDM rubber-based material. 7. An air blower having an air passage for sending a gas, the air blower including the seal device according to claim 1. 8. The blower according to claim 7, wherein the seal member is made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material. 9. An image forming apparatus for recording an image formed by a series of image forming processes on a recording medium, wherein the sealing device according to claim 1, the developing device according to claim 3, or An image forming apparatus comprising: the developer supply device according to claim 5; or the blower device according to claim 7. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the seal member is made of a foamed EPDM rubber-based material.