JP2001194884A - Toner replenishing container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner replenishing container capable of preventing a gasket member from being turned up and broken at the time of unsealing the container shutter for sealing a toner discharge aperture. SOLUTION: This toner replenishing container 1 for supplying toner to an electrophotographic image forming device main body is provided with a toner container (toner replenishing container main body) 11 for storing the toner to be supplied to the electrophotographic image forming device main body, a toner discharge aperture 11a formed on the container 11 in order to discharge the toner stored in the container 11, a container shutter 16 for sealing the aperture 11a so that it can be unsealed, and a gasket member 35 fixed around the aperture 11a and compressed between the aperture 11a and the shutter 16 so as to maintain sealing. The edge of the aperture part of the member 35 crossing with the opening/closing direction of the shutter 16 does not come in contact with at least the shutter 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a toner supply container for supplying toner to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a laser beam printer forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum by selectively exposing a uniformly charged photosensitive drum. The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner to form a toner image. Then, every time the toner runs out,
You must supply toner. Here, a toner replenishing container for replenishing toner to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a collective replenishment type container for replenishing all the stored toner to the toner receiving container of the image forming apparatus main body at one time, and After the container is mounted, the container is roughly classified into a stationary container in which the container is kept. The stationary container is for gradually replenishing the developing device with toner until the toner is used up.

In recent years, in order to reduce the size of an image forming apparatus, a stationary toner supply container has been used. A shutter member is provided to prevent toner remaining in the container from being scattered from the discharge opening when the toner supply container is replaced.

[0004]

However, in order to maintain the sealing property between the shutter member and the toner discharge opening,
Further, in order to prevent toner leakage in the toner supply container main body due to a drop impact or the like, a packing member made of a soft elastic body as a sealing member is attached to the outer surface of the toner supply container main body so as to surround the toner discharge opening. In this case, the edge of the opening of the packing member, which intersects with the opening and closing direction of the shutter member, may be turned up by the rubbing with the shutter member when opening and closing the toner discharge opening, and the opening strength of the shutter member may be increased. In such a case, the packing member may be damaged.

The outer edge of the packing member, which intersects with the opening and closing direction of the shutter member, is turned up by the sliding of the shutter member when the toner discharging opening is opened or closed or when the shutter member is incorporated into the toner supply container main body. May rise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a toner supply container capable of preventing the packing member from being turned up and damaged when the container shutter for sealing the toner discharge opening is opened. Is to provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner supply container for supplying toner to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. A toner supply container main body for storing toner to be supplied, a toner discharge opening provided in the toner supply container main body for discharging the toner stored in the toner supply container main body, and the toner discharge opening capable of being opened. A container shutter for sealing, and a packing member fixed around the toner discharge opening to maintain a sealing property by being compressed between the toner discharge opening and the container shutter; Wherein the edge of the opening crossing the opening and closing direction of the container shutter does not contact at least the container shutter.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the fixing surface of the packing member on the main body of the toner supply container is a cylindrical surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the fixing surface of the packing member near the edge of the toner discharge opening that intersects the opening and closing direction of the container shutter faces the toner discharge opening. It is characterized by being inclined so as to fall.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a sealing member having a low frictional resistance material disposed on a surface thereof is provided on a surface of the container shutter facing the packing member. And

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the material of the packing member is a rubber or sponge such as silicon, urethane, foamed polyethylene or the like.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the material of the packing member has a hardness of 20 ° or more.
70 °, compression set 10% or less, cell size 60-3
It is characterized by being a low-foam polyurethane having a thickness of 00 µm and a density of 0.15 to 0.50 g / cm ³ .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the packing member is provided with a slit-like cut from the inside of the opening.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, an outer edge of the packing member intersecting the opening and closing direction of the container shutter does not contact at least the container shutter. I do.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the packing member is prevented from rolling up due to sliding friction with the container shutter when opening and closing the container shutter, the opening strength of the container shutter is improved and the packing member is rolled up. And damage is prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the opening edge of the packing member easily projects toward the container shutter, the effect of the first aspect of the present invention is further enhanced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since a material having a constant thickness can be used as the packing member, cost reduction and ease of assembly can be achieved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the sliding friction resistance of the container shutter with the packing member can be suppressed low, the opening strength of the container shutter can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a suitable packing member having both high sealing properties and appropriate sliding properties.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the most suitable packing member having both high sealing properties and appropriate sliding properties, and to reduce the thickness of the packing member even if it is compressed. Therefore, the opening edge of the packing member tends to protrude toward the container shutter side, and the effect of the first aspect of the present invention is further enhanced.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the packing member can be fixed while reliably following the inclined portion inclined toward the inside of the toner discharge opening.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, when the container shutter is retracted to a position where it does not contact the packing member when the container shutter is opened, the packing member slides with the container shutter when the container shutter is opened and closed. Since rolling up due to rubbing is suppressed, the opening strength of the container shutter is improved, and rolling up and breakage of the packing member are prevented. The same effect can be obtained when the container shutter is incorporated in the container body.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Each of the embodiments described below relates to a toner supply container for supplying toner to the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The toner supply container includes a toner storage unit for storing toner, A toner discharge opening for discharging the toner stored in the toner storage portion, an opening / closing member for sealing the toner discharge opening so that the toner discharge opening can be opened, and a toner discharge opening when the toner discharge opening is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. And a driving force receiving portion for receiving a driving force for moving the opening / closing member in order to open the door.

<Embodiment 1> (Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus) FIG. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with a toner supply container according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 28, an original 101 is placed on an original platen glass 102 by an operator, and an optical image of the original 101 is placed on a photosensitive drum 104 by a plurality of mirrors and lenses of an optical unit 103. Is imaged.

On the other hand, among the recording media (sheets, OHP sheets, etc., hereinafter referred to as sheets) P loaded on the feed cassettes 105 to 108, information inputted by an operator from an operation unit (not shown) is stored. The paper P having the size based on the selected size is selected. Then, among the feed rollers 105A to 108A, the rollers (105A to 108A) corresponding to the selected feed cassettes (105 to 108) rotate. And
One sheet P sent from the sheet cassettes 105 to 108 is transported between the registration rollers 110 via the transport unit 109. The registration roller 110 is used for the photosensitive drum 10.
The paper P is conveyed to the photosensitive drum 104 by synchronizing the rotation of 4 with the scanning timing of the optical unit 103. Then, the paper P is transferred to the photosensitive drum 10 by the transfer unit 111.
The sheet P to which the toner image on the sheet 4 has been transferred and the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the separating means 112. Then, the sheet P is transported by the transport unit 113 to reach the fixing unit 114, where the toner image is fixed on the sheet P by heat and pressure. Thereafter, 1) in the case of single-sided copying, the paper P passes through the reversing unit 115 and is discharged to the tray 117 by the discharge roller 116. 2) In the case of multiple copying, the paper P is transported to the transport units 119 and 120 by the flapper 118 of the reversing unit 115,
It reaches the registration roller 110. Thereafter, the sheet P is transferred to the image forming unit, the conveying unit 113 and the fixing unit 114 in the same manner as described above.
Through the tray 117. 3) In the case of double-sided copying, part of the sheet P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge roller 116 once through the reversing unit 115. Then, after the end of the sheet P has passed through the flapper 118, the discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction. Then, the sheet P is transported into the apparatus again. The sheet P
The sheet P is conveyed to the registration rollers 110, and reaches the registration roller 110. The sheet P is discharged to the tray 117 through the image forming unit, the conveying unit 113, and the fixing unit 114 in the same manner as described above.

In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the above configuration, the developing device 20 is provided around the photosensitive drum 104.
1, a cleaning unit 202 and a primary charging unit 203 are arranged. The developing device 201 develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 using toner, and a toner supply container 1 for supplying toner to the developing device 201 is detachably mounted on the main body 124 of the device. Have been.

Here, the developing device 201 includes the photosensitive drum 1
A developing roller 201a is provided with a minute gap (about 300 μm) between the developing roller 201a and the developing roller 201a. When developing, a thin toner layer is formed on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 201a by the developing blade 201b. And developing roller 2
By applying a developing bias to 01a, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is developed.

The charging means 203 is connected to the photosensitive drum 104
The cleaning means 202 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 104.
Then, when the toner is reduced by the development, the toner is sequentially supplied from the toner supply device 100.

Here, the replacement of the toner supply container 1 will be described.

First, the notification unit 124a shown in FIG. 29 is notified that the toner in the toner supply device 100 has run out. Then, the operator operates the apparatus main body 124 shown in FIG.
The opening / closing member 121 that covers the opening 122 that opens to the side is opened. Behind the opening 122, the holder 31 (specifically, the main body 54 of the toner replenishing device) for removably mounting the toner replenishing container 1 is provided. The toner supply container 1 is inserted into the holder 31 along the longitudinal direction.
At this time, the toner supply container 1 is guided to a guide provided along the longitudinal direction of the holder 31 and is inserted to a predetermined position. When the operator rotates the handle 15 of the toner supply container 1 after inserting the toner supply container 1, the toner in the toner supply container 1 is supplied to the developing device 201. When the operator closes the opening / closing member 121, the power switch is turned on and the image forming apparatus can be driven.

That is, when a sensor (not shown) in the developing device 201 issues a signal indicating that the amount of toner in the developing device 201 has decreased, the toner conveying screws 46 and 47 shown in FIG. Gradually developing device 201
Supplied to When the amount of toner in the developing device 201 reaches a predetermined amount, the toner conveying screws 46 and 47
Stops. This operation is repeated.

When the amount of toner in the case 48 decreases, a sensor (not shown) in the case 48 issues a signal indicating that the amount of toner has decreased, and the conveying member 29 in the toner supply container 1 rotates to send the toner into the case 48. However, when the toner amount in the case 48 reaches a predetermined amount, the conveying member 29 stops. This operation is repeated. If the toner is not supplied even if the sensor in the case 48 issues the signal, the notification unit 124a (see FIG. 29) supplies the toner supply container 1 with the toner.
Is displayed to indicate the replacement.

(Toner Replenishing Container) The toner replenishing container 1 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) according to the present embodiment is mounted on the toner replenishing device 100 in the image forming apparatus. This toner supply container 1 is of a so-called stationary type (built-in type) which is kept as it is, and gradually supplies toner to the developing unit until the stored toner is used up. The present invention is not limited to the stationary type toner supply container, but may be applied to a so-called batch supply type toner supply container.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner supply container 1 includes a toner container 11 serving as a toner container, a first flange 12 attached to both ends of the toner container 11 in the longitudinal direction, and a 2 flange 13, cap 14 fitted into first flange 12, first flange 12
And a handle 15 which is rotatably fitted with the handle 15. Further, a container shutter 16 for opening and closing the toner discharge opening 11a of the toner container 11 is provided. In the toner container 11, a toner conveying member 2 as a toner conveying unit is provided.
9 are provided (see FIG. 5).

(Toner Container) Toner Container 11
As shown in FIG. 4, the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction has a shape in which a rectangular portion 11h is connected to an arc portion 11g close to a semicircle, and the inside thereof is a hollow cylindrical member formed of one space. Then, the toner is stored therein. The toner discharge opening 1 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the arc portion 11g.
A shutter support member 11e is provided around both sides of the toner discharge opening 11a in the longitudinal direction. The container shutter 16 includes the shutter support member 11.
e, a closed position (see FIG. 11) for closing the toner discharge opening 11a and an open position (see FIG. 12) for retracting from the closed position to open the toner discharge opening 11a.

A linear guide portion 11k is provided in the longitudinal direction on both sides of the toner container 11, and this guide portion 11k is used to attach / detach the toner supply container 1 to / from the toner supply device 100 provided in the apparatus main body 124. In this case, the toner supply container 1 is regulated so as to move straight forward and backward.

In the present embodiment, the toner container 1
Although the shape of No. 1 is a cylindrical shape having a semicircular lower section and a rectangular upper section, the shape is not limited to this. For example, a cross section that intersects the longitudinal direction may be a circle, an ellipse, a shape having a corner, or the like. Further, the configuration and the number of parts of the toner container 11 are not particularly limited.

By the way, the toner container 11 is filled with powdered toner. As the toner, for example, a black toner, a color toner, a one-component magnetic toner or a one-component non-magnetic toner is appropriately selected.

(Structure of First and Second Flanges) The first flange 12 and the second flange 13 are each formed into a hollow cylindrical shape just fitted to the inner periphery of the end of the toner container 11. The toner container 11 is sealed by being fitted and fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 11.

Here, the first flange 12 is connected to the end plate 12b.
And a cylindrical peripheral wall 12e having the same center as the center of the arc portion 11g of the toner container 11 following the end plate 12b, and a toner filling port is provided in the first flange 12 through the peripheral wall 12e. 12a is provided. or,
The second flange 13 has an end plate 13a.

The first flange 12 and the second flange 13
May be integrated with the toner container 11 or a part of the toner container 11. That is, the first flange 12 and the second flange 13 constitute a part of the toner container 11, and constitute one toner container main body.

Further, the first flange 12 is provided with a toner filling port 12a for filling toner at a position which is an end portion (upstream side) in the container insertion direction, and is provided inside the toner filling port 12a. Are provided with radial ribs 12c (see FIGS. 36 and 37). At the center thereof, a shaft hole 12d for pivotally supporting a toner conveying member 29 described later is provided. A handle 15 to be described later is fitted to a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 12e around the toner filling port 12a.
4 is fitted and sealed. And the first flange 1
2 is joined to and integrated with the toner container 11.

The end plate 13a of the second flange 13 has
A driving force receiving portion (for example, a driving force receiving portion that supports the toner conveying member 29 from the outside of the toner container 11 and transmits the driving force.
A hole 13c for inserting a coupling is formed, and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 13d (see FIGS. 4 and 5) for supporting the outer peripheral surface of the driving force receiving portion is formed around the hole 13c. Is provided.

(Handle) The handle 15 has a cylindrical shape. One end of the handle 15 has a thick single-character handle 15e, and the other end has a two-stage cylindrical shape with a hollow inside. The side to go is open. This handle 15
The inner periphery 15h of the intermediate portion is rotatably fitted by hand to a handle support portion 12f which is a part of a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 12e provided at one end of the toner container 11 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). ). An engaging portion 15a for transmitting a driving force is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the handle 15.

When the toner supply container 1 is inserted into the toner supply device 100, the engaging portion 15a
As shown in (1), it has a segment gear shape that can be engaged with the engaging portion 21a of the driving force transmitting member 21 provided in the toner supply device 100. The engaging portion 15a is engaged with the engaging portion 21 by a series of operations for inserting the toner supply container 1.
a.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the driving force transmitting member 21 has a driving force receiving side engaging portion 21a and a driving force transmitting side engaging member 21a at both ends of a shaft 21s rotatably supported by the toner replenishing device 100. It has a joint 21b. Here, the engaging portion 21
Reference numerals a and 21b denote gears having a plurality of teeth.
In the present embodiment, the driving force receiving side engaging portion 21a
Is composed of one gear. However, as long as a driving force receiving mechanism is provided, there is no particular limitation on the configuration and the number of gears.

In this embodiment, the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21b meshes with the driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d which is a segment gear via an idler gear serving as the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g. ing. In the present embodiment, the driving force transmitting member 21 (that is, the shaft 21s, the engaging portions 21a, 2
1b and the engaging portion 21g) are provided on the apparatus main body 124 side.

(Toner Conveying Member) As shown in FIG. 5, the conveying shaft 27 supporting the toner conveying member 29 has one end rotatably supported by the shaft hole 12d (see FIG. 37). The transport shaft 27 is rotatably supported by a coupling 26a fixed to the other end so that the rotational force is transmitted. The toner transport member 29 has a transport wing 28 made of a flexible member fixed to the transport shaft 27.
The coupling 26a is rotatably supported by the toner container 11.

The transport wing 28 is provided with a plurality of wings which rub against the inner peripheral surface of the toner container 11 and have claw portions 28a whose leading ends are inclined in the rotation direction with respect to the toner transport discharge opening 11a. Therefore, the toner in the toner container 11 can be sent toward the toner discharge opening 11a.

The toner discharge opening 11a is provided on the near side (upstream side) when viewed from the direction in which the toner supply container 1 is inserted into the apparatus main body 124. Therefore, the claw 28
a are all in the same direction. The toner discharge opening 11
Depending on the arrangement position of a, the orientations of the claws 28a are not all the same, but may be appropriately oriented in each direction. When the toner replenishing container 1 is mounted on the toner replenishing device 100, the coupling 26a engages with a drive-side coupling 44 (see FIG. 19) provided on the toner replenishing device 100 to obtain a driving force to obtain toner. The transport member 29 is driven to rotate.

The toner conveying member 29 is not necessarily required if the toner in the toner container 11 can be conveyed to the toner discharge opening 11a. However, by providing the toner conveying member 29, the toner can be reliably supplied.

Next, FIG. 9 shows the end of the toner supply container 1 on the side receiving the driving force. A coupling 26a as a driving force receiving member is rotatably supported on an end surface of the toner container 11, and both ends in the axial direction of the coupling 26a constitute a shaft coupling. Then, in the toner container 11, the coupling 26a is
9 is connected to one end of the transport shaft 27.

A rotational force receiving portion is provided outside the toner container 11, and this rotational force receiving portion is
When the toner supply container 1 is mounted on the toner supply device 24, the toner supply container 1 is connected to a coupling 44 provided in the toner supply device 100 for transmitting a rotational force. As shown in FIG. 9, the rotational force receiving portion is constituted by a radial projection 26a1, and the driving side coupling 4 is provided in a concave portion 26a2 between the projections 26a1.
The four projections 44a (see FIG. 19) are engaged and connected.

(Container Shutter) As shown in FIG. 4, slide portions 16f are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the container shutter 16, and the slide portions 16f are provided on both longitudinal sides of the toner discharge opening 11a. It engages with a shutter support member 11e as a guide member. The container shutter 16 slides in the circumferential direction of the toner container 11 so as to open and close the toner discharge opening 11a. That is, the section of the container shutter 16 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner supply container 1 has an arc shape, and the toner container 1
1 has a shape along the outer peripheral surface. In addition, slide part 1
6f and the shutter support member 11e
The cross section taken along a plane including the center line of the arc has a hook shape (see FIG. 6), and the shutter support member 11e has a hook-shaped cross section and is continuous over the entire length.

The sliding portion 16f is provided with the parts shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 39, 40 and 44, hook tips 16 u are formed as protruding pieces corresponding to the plurality of through holes 16 t provided in the circumferential direction of the container shutter 16. This hook point 1
The surface in contact with the shutter support member 11e of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, an H or T-shaped projection 16u1 is provided, and the hook 16u has a function as a spring member so that the container shutter 16 comes into contact with the elastic packing member 35 at a constant pressure. . Therefore, even if the pressing force received from the elastic packing member 35 changes depending on the position at which the container shutter 16 is opened and closed, the pressing force is compensated by the deformation of the plurality of hooks 16u (see FIG. 21).

When the toner supply container 1 is mounted on the toner supply device 100, the container shutter 16
As shown in FIG. 5, the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g has a driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d as a receiving portion that is capable of engaging with a gear as a driving force transmitting side engaging portion. The driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d has a plurality of teeth, and can be engaged with the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g by a series of operations of inserting the toner supply container 1 into the toner supply device 100. is there.

The driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d is formed on the outer surface 16m of the container shutter 16. Here, the segment gear-shaped tooth tip circle diameter of the driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d and the container shutter 16 other than the engaging portion 16d.
The outer diameter is set to be substantially the same as that of the above to save space in the height direction. Since the driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d is disengaged from the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g, the engaging portion 16d is provided on the outer surface near the edge of the container shutter 16 near the coupling 26a. ing. As a result, the driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d is disengaged from the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g when the container shutter 16 is located at the closed position.

The toner supply device 1 of the toner supply container 1
In a series of operations of insertion into the toner supply device 00, the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g and the driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d provided in the toner supply device 100 are engaged. Therefore, the slide portion 1 on the side of the container shutter 16 on which the coupling 26a is provided.
6f (16f1) is set shorter than the driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d (see the A portion in FIGS. 4, 10, and 44).
That is, when the toner replenishing container 1 is inserted into the toner replenishing device 100, the slide portion 16f1 is engaged with the driving force receiving side engaging portion 21g by the longitudinal end face 16h of the container shutter 16 side. It is desirable that the portion 16d is disposed so as to coincide with the tooth flank end face of the tooth. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a notch 16g is provided in order to shorten the slide portion 16f1, and the notch 1g is provided.
The end face viewed from the inner longitudinal direction of the end face generated by 6g is the end face 16h. As a result, interference between the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g and the container shutter 16 can be avoided.

When the thickness of the container shutter 16 is large, the slide portion 16f1 is provided over the entire length of the container shutter 16 along the arc. And the notch 16
The portion corresponding to g may be a recess through which the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g can pass.

As shown in FIG. 11, the container shutter 16 engages with a concave portion 34c between the surfaces 34b1 of the main body shutter 34 that opens and closes a toner supply opening 33 provided in the toner supply device 100. Then, the main body shutter 34 can be slid in conjunction with the sliding movement of the container shutter 16 provided in the toner supply container 1.

The apparatus main body 124 according to the present embodiment
The driving force transmitting side engaging portions 21b and 21g provided in the motor are shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, it is constituted by two gears. However, as long as it has a driving force transmission mechanism, there is no particular limitation on the configuration and the number of gears. As shown in FIG. 3, the container shutter 16 is provided with an arm-shaped spring portion 16b so as to always push the handle 15 in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 11, and the tip of the spring portion 16b is
Is pressed against the flange 15b.

(Toner Replenishing Device) Toner replenishing device 100
As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the toner supply device main body 54 has a semi-cylindrical lower portion 54 a and a rectangular upper portion 54 b having a cross section in the longitudinal direction following the toner container 11. ing. On the inner periphery of the upper portion 54b, protrusions 54c for guiding the guide portion 11k of the toner supply container 1 are provided on both sides of the guide portion 11k. The protruding pieces 54c are provided at the mouth of the toner replenishing device main body 54 separately in the upper and lower portions in the insertion direction of the toner replenishing container 1 inside the pair.

Then, the lower portion 5 of the toner supply device main body 54
A guide rail 55 is provided on the inner periphery of 4a in the circumferential direction, and the guide 34a of the main body shutter 34 is engaged with the guide rail 55. The guide rail 55 and the guide 34a have a hook-shaped cross section in the longitudinal direction, and hold each other. The guide rail 55 and the guide 34a are provided two in parallel. Accordingly, the main body shutter 34 is held by the toner replenishing device main body 54, and the radius of the inner circumference of the protruding edge 34 b of the main body shutter 34 is equal to or substantially equal to the radius of the inner circumference of the container shutter 16.

The main body shutter 34 has protruding edges 34b on both sides perpendicular to the moving direction along the longitudinal direction. The main body shutter 34 has a main body shutter opening 34d. However, since the main body shutter opening 34d only needs to be able to open and close the toner supply opening 33, only one edge 34d1 of the opening 34d may be used. Since the length between the protruding edges 34b along the inner periphery of the main body shutter 34 is substantially equal to the length of the arc of the inner periphery of the container shutter 16, when the toner supply container 1 is inserted into the toner supply device 100, the container shutter 16
The edges on both sides along the longitudinal direction are the protruding edges 3 of the main body shutter 34.
4b is fitted into the concave portion 34c between the radially protruding surfaces 34b1. Therefore, when the container shutter 16 is opened and closed, the main body shutter 34 is interlocked.

If the toner discharge opening 11a and the toner supply opening 33 are opposed to each other, the toner is stirred and fed by opening the container shutter 16.
5, the developer is supplied to the developing device 204. The main body shutter opening 34d is adjacent to the concave portion 34c with a protruding edge 34b therebetween in the circumferential direction of the main body shutter 34.

(Seal Member) When the toner supply container 1 is mounted on the toner supply device 100, the container shutter 16 engages with the concave portion 34c of the main body shutter 34. This recess 34c
Extends through the main body shutter 34 in the longitudinal direction, and the surface 34
b1 serves as a guide for the container shutter 16. At this time, the surface on the container side of the projecting edge 34b of the edge of the main body shutter opening 34d of the container shutter 16 and the surface on the container side of the main body shutter 34 form substantially the same surface. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 17, a sealing member 41 is provided on the surface of the container shutter 16 on the container side.
The sealing member 41 is provided in the closing direction of the container shutter 16 so as to cover the container-side surface of the projecting edge 34b that opens and closes the toner discharge opening 11a and the toner supply opening 33 of the main body shutter 34. It extends to the downstream side.
The seal member 41 prevents toner from entering the gap g between the container shutter 16 and the main body shutter 34. If this object can be achieved, the material, shape, dimensions,
The mounting method can be set as appropriate.

In the present embodiment, a polyester (PET) sheet having a thickness of 125 μm is preferably attached to the container shutter 16 with a double-sided tape (# 5000 NC manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation) 43 (see FIG. 20) to form a sealing member 41. And

Since the sealing member 41 is configured to cover the protruding edge 34b of the main body shutter 34 as described above, the sealing member 41 is caught or bumped when the toner supply container 1 is attached or detached, thereby preventing the toner supply container 1 from being attached or detached. It is desired not to. Further, the surface of the main body shutter 34 on the container side is not necessarily smooth, but it is necessary to follow and adhere to the surface. From these requirements, the seal member 41 is preferably a flexible sheet or a sheet made of an elastic material.

Regarding the method of attaching the seal member 41, the attachment / detachment of the toner supply container 1 and the container shutter 16
It is necessary that the adhesive does not peel off even if the opening and closing operations are repeated, and if this is satisfied, various known bonding and joining means including the double-sided tape 43 can be used.

Most preferably, the seal member 41 is made of an elastomer, and the seal member 41 and the container shutter 16 are formed.
Is preferably integrally formed by two-color molding. In this case, it is preferable that the elastomer constituting the sealing member 41 and the material of the container shutter 16 be compatible with each other. Alternatively, the sealing member 41 and the container shutter 16 may be made of the same material, and may be completely integrally formed.

(Operation of Seal Member) Next, the seal member 4
1 will be described.

When the toner supply container 1 is removed and the container shutter 16 is not engaged with the main body shutter 34, the toner supply device 100 is configured as shown in FIG. Here, the main body shutter 34 is located at a position where the toner supply opening 33 is sealed, and is configured to prevent dust and other foreign substances from entering the toner supply opening 33.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which the toner supply container 1 is mounted and toner supply is performed. Here, the container shutter 16 is retracted from the toner discharge opening 11a of the container, and the toner discharge opening 11a communicates with the main body shutter opening 34d and the toner supply opening 33. At this time, since the container-side surface of the container shutter 16 and the container-side surface of the protruding edge 34b of the main body shutter 34 on the opening 34d side form substantially the same surface, the protruding edge 34b of the main body shutter 34 and the sealing member 41 is kept in contact with the outside of the toner passage to keep the airtightness. At the same time, adhesion of toner to the surface of the protruding edge 34b of the main body shutter 34 is also prevented. Then, by the action of the toner conveying member 29 built in the toner supply container 1, the toner contained in the toner supply container 1 communicates with the openings 11a and 34 which communicate with each other.
The toner is supplied to the toner agitating / feeding device 45 as a receiving device through d and 33.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, which are partially enlarged views of FIGS. 11 and 12, the seal member 41 moves the shutters 16 and 34 slightly in the opening direction from the state shown in FIG. In the state shown, even if the end of the seal member 41 is sandwiched between the protruding edge 34b of the main body shutter 34 and the packing member 35, the sealability at this portion is not impaired because the seal member 41 is a thin PET sheet. For this reason, it is desirable that the thickness of the sealing member 41 be 50 μm or more and 300 μm or less. More preferably 75 μm or more and 200 μm
m or less, and most preferably 125 μm. If the sealing member 41 is too thick, the sealing property between the main body shutter 34 and the toner supply container 1 is impaired. If the thickness of the toner supply container 1 is too small, the function of preventing the toner from entering the space between the container shutter 16 and the main body shutter 34, which is a function of the main body of the seal member 41, becomes insufficient. There is also a problem that the seal member 41 is turned up, wrinkled, or bent when it is attached to or detached from the toner supply device 100.

If the seal member 41 is retracted to a position where it does not come into contact with the packing member 35, the thickness of the seal member 41 is not restricted, but the movement stroke of the main body shutter 34 becomes longer by that amount, and the toner is replenished. It becomes difficult to design the apparatus 100 and the toner supply container 1 compactly.

Next, the situation when the toner supply container 1 is taken out before the notification of the absence of toner on the notification section 124a and the operation of the seal member 41 will be described.

A considerable amount of toner is still contained in the toner supply container 1, and the toner discharge opening 11a, the main body shutter opening 34d, and the toner supply opening 33 of the toner supply container 1 are provided.
In any case, the toner replenishing container 1 is taken out from the state where the inside is filled with the toner. First, it is necessary to seal the opening.

When the container shutter 16 is moved in the closing direction, the main body shutter 34 engaged therewith also moves integrally in the container closing direction. At this time, as shown in FIG.
The toner filled in the main body shutter opening 34d moves in the closing direction as it is, and is separated from the toner in the toner supply container 1 and the toner in the toner stirring and feeding device 45.
During the closing operation, as shown in FIG.
The gap g between the shutter 4 and the container shutter 16 is the toner discharge opening 11a.
17 and at this time, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, without the seal member 41, the toner in the toner supply container 1 rushes toward the gap g. However, in the state shown in FIG. 16, since the seal member 41 covers the gap g, the intrusion of the toner into the gap g is prevented.

During this time, the sealing member 41 and the container shutter 16 are constantly subjected to a downward biasing force in the figure due to the restoring force of the packing member 35. As a result, the extension 41a of the sealing member 41 from the container shutter 16 is also It is pressed against the surface of the shutter 34 on the container side to obtain higher sealing properties, and also prevents toner from adhering to the surface of the protruding edge 34b of the main body shutter 34.

FIG. 14 shows a state in which the main body shutter 34 and the container shutter 16 are completely closed. As the toner supply container 1, the toner supply container 1 has an extended portion 41 a of the sealing member 41 on the toner supply container 1 side. However, the toner is prevented from adhering to the outer surface of the container shutter 16 and the outer surface of the toner container 11. Extension 4 of the sealing member 41
Since the amount of toner attached to the inside of the toner container 1a is very small and is in a pocket-like shape formed between the toner container 11 and the toner, the toner hardly comes out and scatters outside. There is very little to do.

The extension length of the extension portion 41a of the seal member 41 is determined by the protruding edge 34 of the main body shutter 34 for the reason described later.
It is preferable that the width is substantially equal to the width of b.
mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 4 m
It is good to set it to m or more and 8 mm or less, most preferably to 6 mm. If the extension 41a is too short, the action of preventing the toner from entering the gap g is insufficient, and the pocket-like shape formed by the seal member 41 and the toner container 11 becomes shallow, The function of retaining the attached toner cannot be obtained. Further, the main body shutter 34
No effect of preventing toner from adhering to the surface of the protruding edge 34b can be obtained.

On the other hand, if the extension 41a is too long,
When the toner replenishing container 1 is attached and detached, this portion becomes an obstacle, and there is a problem that the toner replenishing device 100 may hit various parts on the inner surface of the toner replenishing device 100. Further, the urging force from the packing member 35 cannot be transmitted to the foremost portion of the extending portion 41a, and the sealing performance is rather deteriorated. If the rigidity of the seal member 41 is increased, the urging force is transmitted even if the extension portion 41a is long,
The followability to the main body shutter 34 cannot be obtained, and the airtightness also deteriorates. In addition, the main body shutter opening 34d may be narrowed to prevent the toner from passing therethrough.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show examples in which no seal member is provided.

If the main body shutter 34 is closed before the notification section 124a indicates that no toner is present, the gap g between the container shutter 16 and the main body shutter 34 is exposed to toner as shown in the figure, and the toner enters there. To go. Then, the toner adhering to the outer surface of the container shutter 16 is contaminated by the intruded toner. The toner that has entered the concave portion 34c between the surfaces 34b1 of the main body shutter 34 accumulates because there is no outlet. Unless cleaning is performed at the time of maintenance of the image forming apparatus or the like, the toner supply container 1 becomes increasingly dirty. To go. Further, toner adheres to the protruding edge 34b of the main body shutter 34, and the container shutter 16 and the main body shutter 3
After the toner supply container 4 is closed, the toner is transferred to the opposite outer surface of the toner supply container 1 and the toner supply container 1 is contaminated.

[Another Embodiment 1 of Seal Member] A low friction resistance material is disposed on the surface of the seal member.

The compression of the packing member 35 desirably increases the compression ratio and the compression stress in order to maintain high sealing performance. That is, if the compression ratio is small, the packing member 3
The compression stress of No. 5 also becomes small, and sufficient sealing properties cannot be obtained, and toner leakage occurs due to a drop impact or the like. On the other hand, if the compression ratio becomes too large, the compression pressure of the packing member 35 also increases, and the sealing performance is improved.
The sliding load increases and the driving force for opening and closing the container shutter 16 also increases.

Therefore, in order to simultaneously realize a high sealing property and a low shutter opening / closing driving force, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the surface of the sealing member 41 on the side facing the packing member 35 is made of a low friction resistance material. A flexible film 42 is attached, and the packing member 35 of the sealing member 41 is attached.
The sliding friction resistance with the surface is reduced. In particular,
As a material of the flexible film 42, a single layer of polyester, biaxially-rolled polypropylene (OPP), polyamide, polyethylene, or fluororesin or a composite layer thereof is used as a base material and silicon oil, silicone wax, silicone paint or the like is coated on the surface. Use the coated one.

Preferably, the thickness of the silicone oil coating layer on the flexible film 42 is 0.5
The thickness of the silicone oil coating layer is more preferably 0.1 μm to 0.2 μm.
One having a thickness of 5 μm is used. If the thickness of the coating layer of the silicone oil is too thick, the toner in the toner container 11 is adversely affected. If the thickness is too thin, a sufficient effect of lowering the shutter opening / closing strength cannot be obtained.

The toner supply container 1 constructed as described above
Was mounted on the toner replenishing device 100, and the operation of taking out the toner replenishing container 1 before the toner-out detection was turned on was repeated. However, as in the case shown in FIG. There was no toner adhesion and contamination to the surroundings, and no accumulation was observed. Container shutter 1
The sealing performance could be improved without increasing the opening / closing driving force of No. 6.

[Other Embodiment 2 of Sealing Member] In the present embodiment, the extending portion 41a of the sealing member 41 is provided with the projecting edge 34b of the main body shutter 34 when the toner supply container 1 is inserted into the toner supply device 100. Main body shutter 3 from the longitudinal end
4 enters the projection 34b.

Therefore, in order to make it easier for the container shutter 16 to enter the concave portion 34c between the surfaces 34b1 of the main body shutter 34, both sides in FIG. 27 (the right side in FIG. 27 is shaded by the lower portion 54b of the supply device main body 54). ) A chamfer 34b2 is formed at the front corner of the surface 34b1 and the container shutter 1
6 are also chamfered 16p and 16q (FIG. 3).
9 and FIG. 40).

As shown in FIG. 27, an introduction portion 34e is provided at the front corner of the protruding edge 34b of the main body shutter 34 to allow the extension portion 41a of the seal member 41 to smoothly enter. The introduction portion 34e is a slope which is gradually inclined from the surface of the protruding edge 34b facing the container to the end surface at the longitudinal end of the protruding edge 34b.

By providing such an introduction portion 34e, the extension portion 41a of the seal member 41
4 can be prevented from being damaged at the longitudinal end of the extending portion 41a when entering the protruding edge 34b.

FIGS. 22 to 26 show a state in which the sealing member 4 is moved from the introduction portion 34e of the projecting edge 34b of the main body shutter 34 onto the projecting edge 34b.
The structure for making the one extension part 41a penetrate more smoothly is shown.

In FIG. 22, the extension 41a of the seal member 41 is shown.
Are perforated 41b along the longitudinal direction at the base. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the seal member 41 provided with perforations 41b. Instead of the perforations 41b, as shown in FIG. 26, on the side facing the toner container 11, a groove 41c is formed in the longitudinal direction at the base of the extension 41a of the seal member 41.
May be provided. In this example, the cross section of the groove 41c is V-shaped, but may be U-shaped.

With the above configuration, the extension 41a of the seal member 41 is
When entering the main body 4b, the extension 41a is bent at the perforation 41b or the groove 41c by contacting the introduction portion 34e of the main body shutter 34, so that the longitudinal end of the extension 41a is prevented from being damaged. can do.

Although the sealing member 41 has an arc shape including the extending portion 41a, as shown in FIG. 23, the entire extending portion 41a of the sealing member 41 is bent toward the toner container 11 at the base thereof. Is also good. When the extension portion 41a is provided in this manner, the extension portion 41a can enter above the protruding edge 34b of the main body shutter 34 as shown by a chain line in FIG. Even when the extension 41a of the seal member 41 is bent as described above, when the container shutter 16 and the main body shutter 34 open the toner discharge opening 11a and the main body shutter opening 34d,
Since both ends in the longitudinal direction of the extending portion 41a are narrowed between the packing member 35, the projecting edge 34b of the main body shutter 34, and the projecting edge in the right angle direction, the projecting edge 34b and the extending portion 41a are in close contact with each other. In the example shown in FIG. 23, since the extension portion 41a is bent, the leading edge strongly comes into sliding contact with the packing member 35 when the container shutter 16 is opened and closed, and this may be damaged. The example shown in FIG. 24 solves such a concern, and the extending portion 41a of the seal member 41 is replaced with the toner supply container 1
This is provided with a protruding portion 41d of an extending protruding piece provided downstream of the mounting direction, and this portion is bent. In this example, the protrusion 41d
Is a position not in contact with the packing member 35, and the above problem does not occur, which is the most preferred embodiment.

(Locking Member) A locking member 51 is provided so that the handle 15 is locked to the toner container 11 side before and after the toner supply container 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 124 (FIG. 7 and FIG. 7). See FIG. 8).

The lock member 51 is rotatable on the tight cylindrical lock member fitting portion 12g of the end plate 12b of the first flange 12 and is attached to and detached from the toner supply device 100 of the toner supply container 1 in the direction shown in FIG. (In both directions indicated by arrows).

The lock member 51 is connected to the lock member fitting portion 12.
A concave portion 51b is provided at an edge of the circular ring portion 51a fitted to the end of the circular ring portion 51a facing the end plate 12b. This recess 5
1 b is fitted with a lock projection 12 h provided on the first flange 12. The lock member 51 is integrally provided with an arm-shaped spring portion 51c so as to press the end face 15i of the handle 15. Due to the spring force of the spring portion 51c, the handle 15 provides the cylindrical peripheral wall portion 12e of the first flange 12, and the tip of a stopper 15j (see FIG. 3) provided by cutting and raising a part of the handle 15 protrudes. 12i. Further, the lock member 51 is pressed against the end plate 12b of the first flange 12 by the spring portion 51c.

The spring portion 51c is formed so as to become thinner toward the tip so as to bend as a whole, so that the deflection is not concentrated at the root of the spring portion 51c and the root is whitened. And prevents whitening at the root. For this reason, when the cross section of the spring portion 51c is square, the width and thickness of the cross section are reduced toward the tip. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the spring portion 51c gradually decreases from the root toward the tip.

The engaging ribs 51j provided on the outer periphery of the lock member 51 are loosely fitted in the grooves 15k and 15m provided on the handle 15 in the attaching / detaching direction of the toner supply container 1 so as to be movable in the attaching / detaching direction of the toner supply container 1. I agree. Also, the engagement between the engagement rib 51j of the lock member 51 and the groove 15j (see FIG. 3) of the handle 15 allows the handle 15 and the lock member 51 to be engaged.
Are incapable of rotating with each other, but are relatively movable (see FIGS. 37 and 38).

The height of the lock projection 12h provided on the first flange 12 in the attaching / detaching direction of the toner supply container 1 is set smaller than the stroke length of the engagement rib 51j moving in the grooves 15k and 15m of the handle 15. ing. Also, handle 1
The height of the lock projection 12h in the mounting / removing direction of the toner supply container 1 is set to be smaller than the stroke length in which the engagement rib 51j of the lock member 51 moves in the groove 15j (see FIG. 7).

With the above configuration, the concave portion 5 of the lock member 51
1b is engaged with the lock projection 12h of the first flange 12 by the spring force of the spring portion 51c of the lock member 15, so that the toner supply container 1 is inserted into the toner supply device 100.
The handle 15 is not rotated with respect to the toner container 11 during the retreat or in the detached state. However, when the handle 15 described later is set at a fixed position,
First flange 1 provided as means for insertion into
Handle 15 due to backlash due to a dimensional difference provided in the circumferential direction between the second protrusion 12h and the concave portion 51b of the ring member 51.
Is designed to run 6 ° in this example.

The lock member 51 has another engaging rib 5.
There is provided a thin piece pull-out stopper 51e which protrudes from 1j toward the outer peripheral direction.

(Operation of Lock Member) Next, the lock member 5
1 will be described.

When the guide portion 11k of the toner replenishing container 1 is fitted between the projecting pieces 54d of the toner replenishing device main body 54 and inserted into the toner replenishing device 100, the container shutter 16 and the main body shutter 34 are engaged with each other. , The driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d of the container shutter 16 partially meshes with the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g, and immediately thereafter, the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 15a of the handle 15 comes into contact with the driving force receiving side engaging portion. Partially meshes with 21a. When the container shutter 16 is partially engaged with the main body shutter 34, the extension 4
1a enters the projection 34b through the introduction portion 34e of the main body shutter 34 (see FIGS. 39 and 40).

When the handle 15 is pressed in the mounting direction, the projection 51d1 provided on the projection 51d contacts the contact surface 54e of the toner replenishing device main body 54 as shown in FIG. It comes into contact with the contact surface 54f (see FIGS. 37 and 33). When the handle 15 is further pushed in, the handle 15 and the first flange 1
2. The toner container 11, the second flange 13 and the like further advance in the same direction as the arrow in FIG. 7, and the lock projection 12h of the first flange 12 comes out of the concave portion 51b as shown in FIG.

Here, the handle 15 is connected to the toner supply container 1
Can be rotated clockwise (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8) when viewed from the mounting direction. Then, the lock member 51 rotates together with the handle 15, and as soon as it starts to rotate, the pull-out stop 5
1e is a contact surface 5 of the lower portion 54a of the toner supply device main body 54.
4f (FIGS. 39 and 4).
0). The groove 54g is provided in the toner supply device main body 5
4 is a groove extending in an arc shape along the peripheral wall of the lower portion 54a.

After that, in the process of opening and closing the toner discharge opening 11a and the main body shutter 34, the pull-out stopper 51e is
It still fits in 4g. Therefore, the toner supply container 1
Is mounted on the toner supply device 100 and the toner supply operation is performed,
It cannot be pulled out of 00 immediately. Therefore, only when the container shutter 16 and the main body shutter 34 are closed, the pull-out stopper 51e comes out of the arc groove 54g, so that the toner supply container 1 can be removed from the toner supply device 100.

At this time, if the lock release projection is provided at one place or a plurality of lock release projections are arranged in a certain direction, a moment acts on the lock member 51 or the lock member 51 is deformed. It is desirable to arrange a plurality of unlocking projections at equal intervals on the circumference so that the sliding will not be performed smoothly. In the present embodiment,
The two projections are arranged at positions facing each other by approximately 180 °.
In this example, the pull-out stopper 51e also functions as a lock release projection, and the distance between the projection 51d1 and the center of the pull-out stopper 51e and the center of the lock member 51 in the radial direction is about 150.
It forms a central angle of °.

As for the timing of releasing the lock of the lock member 51, as shown in FIG. 38, the lock protrusion 12h for preventing the lock member 51 from rotating is projected in the radial direction so that the protrusion 12h1 engageable with the handle 15 is provided. A groove 1 having an engaging rib 51d of the handle 15 (a side on which the pull-out stopper 51e is provided) from the contact surface 15c of the handle 15
One groove wall 1 extending toward the 5 m end wall 12b side
The rotation angle B of the handle 15 until the protrusion 12h1 abuts on 5n is about 90 °. Also, the lock member 51
The relationship between the concave portion 51b and the lock protrusion 12h
The center angle A of the concave portion 51b has a play so that 5 rotates idly by 6 °.

When the toner supply container 1 is replaced because the toner inside the toner supply container 1 has been consumed, the direction opposite to that when the handle 15 is mounted (from the direction in which the toner supply container 1 is inserted into the toner supply device 100). (In a counterclockwise direction when viewed), the pull-out stopper 51
e is disengaged from the arc-shaped groove 51e, the lock member 51 slides on the lock member fitting portion 12g by the spring force of the spring portion 51c, and the lock member 51 is also returned to its original position (ie, the protrusion 12h and the ring of the lock member 51). (A position where the concave portion 51b of the portion 51a is engaged).

As described above, the lock member 51 is
c, the toner container 11 is urged toward the toner container 11 side.
The lock protrusion 12h and the concave portion 51b of the lock member 51 are slid so as to engage with each other, and the lock state is established again.

(Toner Replenishing Operation Method) Next, a toner replenishing operation using the toner replenishing container 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

(1) Installation of Toner Replenishment Container 1
Open in the ° direction. Next, the guide portion 11 of the toner supply container 1
k is a groove 54h between the projecting pieces 54c of the toner supply device 100.
(See FIG. 11). And coupling 2
The toner replenishing container 1 is inserted into the toner replenishing device 100 with the side provided with 6a as the head. Then, first, the container shutter 16 of the toner supply container 1 and the toner supply device 100
The main body shutter 34 is engaged. Then, the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g and the driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d of the container shutter 16 are engaged. Finally, the driving force receiving side engaging portion 21a of the toner supply device 100 and the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 15a of the handle 15 are engaged.

(2) Installation of Toner Replenishment Container / Toner Replenishment With the toner replenishment container 1 mounted on the toner replenishing device 100, the operator manually operates the handle 15 clockwise 9
Rotate 0 °. Then, the driving force due to the rotation is transmitted from the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 15 a of the handle 15 to the toner replenishing device 1.
The driving force is transmitted to the transmitting member 21 via the driving force receiving side engaging portion 21a of the second driving force. Further, the driving force is transmitted from the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 21g to the driving force receiving side engaging portion 16d of the container shutter 16.
The container shutter 1 is driven by the driving force transmitted in this manner.
Numeral 6 slides in the circumferential direction while engaging with the shutter support member 11e of the toner container 11. At this time, the main body shutter 34 is interlocked with the sliding movement of the container shutter 16. Therefore, the toner discharge opening 11a of the toner supply container 1, the main body shutter opening 34d, and the toner supply device 1
The toner supply opening 33 in 00 is opened at the same time. Then, the toner conveying member 29 is driven by the coupling 26 a receiving the driving force from the coupling 44 of the apparatus main body 124.
Is rotated to start toner supply.

During these operations, the toner container 11
Does not rotate, the toner supply container 1 is fixed in the toner supply device 100 without interlocking with the rotation of the handle 15.

(3) Removal of Toner Supply Container When the operator rotates the handle 15 counterclockwise by 90 °, a reverse driving force is transmitted in the same order as in (2). Then, the container shutter 16 opens the toner discharge opening 11a,
Further, the main body shutter 34 closes the main body shutter opening 34d and the toner supply opening 33, respectively, and a series of toner supply operations is completed.

Incidentally, the toner supply device 1 of the toner supply container 1
The mounting to 00 is performed with the coupling 26a side at the top. Therefore, the engaging portion 16d of the container shutter 16 passes through the engaging portion 21a on the apparatus main body 124 side and engages with the engaging portion 21g on the back side. Therefore, it is more preferable that the tooth tip circle diameter of the segment gear-shaped engagement portion 16d is smaller than the tooth base circle diameter of the segment gear-shaped engagement portion 15a of the handle 15.

With this configuration, the toner container 11 does not move during a series of toner supply operations. Therefore, there is no restriction on the shape of the toner container 11. Therefore, a container shape with higher space efficiency can be adopted. Further, since the container shutter 16 is a separate member from the handle 15, the toner discharge opening 11
There is no restriction that the position of “a” should be near the handle 15. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the toner supply container 1 is increased.

Further, the toner supply container 1 according to the present embodiment
Are the engaging portion 15a of the handle 15, the engaging portion 21a of the drive transmission member 21, and the engaging portion 16 of the container shutter 16.
The rotational drive of the handle 15 is transmitted to the driving force receiving engagement portion 16d of the container shutter 16 via a plurality of engagement portions d. Therefore, the engagement ratio (gear ratio) of these engagement portions 15a, 16d, and 21a can be freely designed.

Thus, when the sliding movement distance for opening and closing the container shutter 16 is long, the handle 1
By increasing the engagement ratio (gear ratio) of the handle 5, the operation (rotation) distance of the handle 15 can be shortened. When the opening / closing torque of the container shutter 16 is high, the engagement ratio (gear ratio) of the handle 15 is reduced to operate (rotate) the handle 15.
The torque can be kept low.

For example, the rotation angle of the handle 15 for opening and closing the container shutter 16 is set to 90 °. Then, when inserting the toner supply container 1 into the toner supply device 100, the handle 15e is positioned in the vertical direction. When the handle 15 is rotated clockwise by 90 ° to discharge the toner, the handle 15e is positioned horizontally. In this way, the operator can easily operate and the operator can easily recognize the state of the toner supply container 1. In addition, handle 1
The rotation angle for opening and closing the container shutter 16 of 5 is preferably in the range of 60 ° to 120 ° for operation.

(Toner stirring and conveying device) Toner replenishing device 1
00 is provided with a toner stirring and feeding device 45. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the case 48 covers the toner supply device main body 5 so as to cover the toner supply opening 33 from below.
4 is fixed. The case 48 includes the toner replenishing device 10.
0, and a stirring screw 4 as a toner conveying member is provided in the case 48 in the longitudinal direction.
The case 48 is disposed so as to be driven to rotate.
It is supported by.

The stirring screws 46 and 47 are provided with partition walls 48.
a chamber provided with an obliquely upper stirring screw 46 and a chamber provided with a lower stirring screw 47 by an opening provided in a partition wall 48a on the side opposite to the toner supply opening 33 in the longitudinal direction. 48B is communicated. The case 48 is provided with a toner discharge port 48b communicating with the developing device 201 on the same side as the toner supply opening 33 in the longitudinal direction.

In the above, when toner is supplied from the toner supply opening 33, the rotating toner stirring screw 46 sends toner from the toner supply opening 33 side to the opposite side of the chamber 48A in the longitudinal direction from the toner supply opening 33 side. This is stirred, and the toner is dropped into the chamber 48B through an opening (not shown) provided in the partition wall 48a on the opposite side of the chamber 48A. The lower toner stirring screw 47 is the toner stirring screw 4
6 while agitating the toner in the opposite direction to the toner feeding direction of the developing device 20 through the toner discharge opening 48b.
1 is supplied with toner.

(Fixed Position Attaching Means) If the driving force transmission path from the rotation of the handle to the opening / closing of the shutter does not use high-precision parts and does not increase the cost, backlash of gears and the like may occur. It is unavoidable that the drive system rattles and distorts in other parts. Therefore, the output stroke with respect to the input stroke does not correspond to 1: 1, and the shutter may not return to the original position even if the shutter is opened and then closed again. When the toner replenishing container in such a state is pulled out of the apparatus main body, and the toner replenishing container 1 is mounted again and the shutter is opened and closed, an amount that does not return the shutter is accumulated, and the amount that does not return increases. To go.

In the configuration in which the main body shutter and the container shutter are integrally engaged, the toner replenishing container cannot be pulled out of the apparatus main body due to the positional deviation of the shutter, or a new (shutter is not used) due to the positional deviation of the main body shutter. May be unable to be mounted.

Such a problem is caused by rotating the handle in the opening direction by a predetermined angle before the handle and the shutter engage with the relay gear on the apparatus body side, and by rotating the handle in the closing direction by this amount. This is solved by absorbing the stroke loss due to backlash, backlash, etc., by returning the shutter to the original position.

Next, such means will be specifically described.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 33 and 34, a handle projection 61 is provided on the handle 15. FIGS. 41 to 43 show the shape of the handle projection 61 in a plan view (a bottom view as viewed from below to above).
A cam follower is formed as shown in FIG.
41 to 43 are narrow in the vertical direction, and can contact a main body projection 62 which is a cam provided on the lower surface of the top plate of the upper portion 54b of the toner supply device main body 54. The protrusion 6
Reference numerals 1 and 62 constitute a cam pair.

The main body projection 62 has a mountain-shaped cam surface, and the lift of this cam surface is such that the center angle generated with respect to the center of the toner replenishing device main body 54 (the center of the radius of the lower part 54a) is equal to that of the toner replenishing container 1. The play in the rotation direction between the toner replenishing devices 100 is removed, and the toner replenishing container 1 is removed from the toner replenishing device 10.
This is an amount necessary for setting the insertion position at a predetermined angle with respect to 0. This central angle is 6 ° or more,
In the present embodiment, it is set to 6 °.

Next, the handle projection 61 and the main body projection 6 will be described.
The relation position 2 will be described together with the operation.

[0137] The toner supply container 1 is
33 and 43, the handle projection 61 comes to the engagement start position at the position where the lift of the main body projection 62 is zero. At this time, the driving force transmission engaging portion 15a of the handle 15 and the driving force receiving side engaging member 21a of the main body are separated by a distance L1 in the direction of inserting the toner supply container 1 into the toner supply device 100. This distance L1 is equal to the stroke L2 that causes the handle projection 61 to generate the maximum lift at the main body projection 62.

When the toner supply container 1 is inserted into the toner supply device 100 from the state shown in FIGS. 33 and 43, the handle projection 61 slides on the main body projection 62 to rotate the handle 15. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Is rotated by 6 ° so that the handle projection 61 is in contact with the cam top of the main body projection 62 and the engaging portion 1 of the handle 15 is
5a coincides with the tooth end of the engaging portion 21a of the toner supply device 100. Since the tooth ends of the engaging portion 16d of the container shutter 16 coincide with the main body side engaging portion 21g slightly before the tooth ends of the engaging portions 15a and 21a coincide with each other, the engaging portion The engagement of the engaging portion 16d with 21g is very slightly advanced.

When the toner supply container 1 is further inserted into the toner supply device 100, as shown in FIG.
5 and the toner replenishing device 100
Are engaged with each other.

On the other hand, the driving force transmitting side engaging portion 2 shown in FIG.
When the toner supply container 1 moves from the state shown in FIG. 42 to the state shown in FIG. 41 from the state shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 41, the handle projection 61 is at a position corresponding to the cam top of the main body projection 62.

As described above, when the handle projection 61 is displaced by the main body projection 62, the handle 15 is rotated by 6 °. For this reason, the engagement portion provided between the handle 15 and the first flange 12 is provided with play. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, between the concave portion 51 b of the lock member 51 and the lock protrusion 12 h of the first flange 12 and between the grooves 15 k and 15 m of the handle 15 and the engagement rib 51 d of the first flange 12. Is provided with a play in the circumferential direction that allows the handle 15 to rotate 6 °.

The handle 15 is connected to the handle projection 61.
Before the container shutter 16 is engaged with the main body shutter 34 at a predetermined position before the container shutter 16 is rotated by the main body projection 62, FIG.
9 and FIG. 40, the toner supply device main body 100
A positioning projection 63 is provided on the inner periphery of the lower part 54a of the container shutter 16 so as to slide on the edge (end face) of the container shutter 16 in the longitudinal direction. The convex portion 63 has a mountain-shaped cam surface, and the cam top is located at a predetermined fixed position at one end surface 34b1 of the concave portion of the main body shutter 34 into which the container shutter 16 fits in the circumferential direction of the lower portion 54a of the toner replenishing device main body 54. At the same position as

[0143] The toner supply container 1 is
When the container shutter 16 is inserted, the chamfered portion 16q of the container shutter 16 comes into contact with the projection 63, and the position of the container shutter 16 is regulated to a fixed position. The side edge 16r1 on one side of the container shutter 16 and the convex portion 63 slide toward the main body shutter 34, and the chamfered portion 34b at the end of one surface 34b1 of the main body shutter 34
2, the chamfered portion 16p of the container shutter 16 contacts the container shutter 16, the position of the main body shutter 34 is regulated with respect to the container shutter 16, and the container shutter 16 further advances to change the chamfered portion 16q of the container shutter 16 to the chamfered portion 34b3 of the main body shutter 34.
39, the container shutter 16 enters between the surfaces 34b1 on both sides of the main body shutter 34, and the toner supply container is engaged with the engagement portions 21a and 21g on the toner supply device 100 side as shown in FIG. The container shutter 16 and the main body shutter 34 are in the state shown in FIG. 40 in a state where the engaging portions 15a and 16d on the first side are engaged and the predetermined width in the tooth width direction is engaged, and the mounting direction of the side edge 16r of the container shutter 16 is set. The rear chamfered portion 16s is located at a position separated from the convex portion 63.

In this operation, the resistance for opening and closing the toner discharge opening 11a of the toner container 11 of the container shutter 16 is compared with the opening and closing resistance of the main body shutter 34 because the packing member 35 presses the container shutter 16. It is big enough. Therefore, the projection 63 determines the position of the container shutter 16, and the container shutter 16 positions the main body shutter 34.

With the above configuration and operation, the main body shutter 3
4 and the container shutter 16 are in a fixed position when engaged, and in this state, the user rotates the handle 15 by 84 ° clockwise as viewed from the direction of insertion of the toner supply container 1 into the toner supply device 100. Then, each shutter 16, 34
Also rotates 50 ° in the opening direction and fully opens.

[0146] The toner supply container 1 is
When the user removes the handle 15 from the shutter 16 by rotating the handle 15 counterclockwise by 90 ° in the opposite direction,
34 rotates 50 ° in the closing direction and returns to the original position.

Here, the turning angle of the handle 15 does not correspond to the turning angle of each of the shutters 16 and 34 between the open and closed positions.
6, 34, the shaft is distorted or bent, and the toner replenishing container 1 is rotated with respect to the toner replenishing device 100. Thus, the shutters 16 and 34 can be returned to their original positions.

[0148] The toner supply container 1 is
The handle protrusion 61 and the main body protrusion 62
As a result, a pre-rotation of 6 ° in the opening direction is performed in the same manner as in the mounting, so that the toner replenishing container 1 can be used again. In the event that the toner supply container 1 is to be removed without turning the handle 15 counterclockwise by 90 ° (for example, by turning by 84 °), the container shutter 16 and the main body shutter 34 will be It may not be able to return to the position.

However, when the toner supply container 1 is pulled out, the chamfered portion 16s of the container shutter 16 and the convex portion 63 of the toner supply device 100 are engaged, so that the container shutter 16
And the main body shutter 34 is forcibly returned to the original position.

FIG. 45 shows an enlarged cross section of the toner discharge opening 11a in a state where the container shutter 16 is closed. As shown, a packing member 35 is provided on the outer surface of the toner container 11 so as to surround the toner discharge opening 11a. Affixed.

The packing member 35 is preferably made of a soft elastic material. Specific examples of the material include rubber and sponge such as silicon, urethane and foamed polyethylene, preferably having a hardness of 20 ° to 70 ° and a compression set of 10% or less. , Cell size 60-300 μm, density 0.15-0.50
g / cm ³ of low foam polyurethane is used. In addition, the thickness of the packing member 35 is preferably 1 to 5 mm in consideration of the sealing property and the opening strength of the container shutter 16,
More preferably, it is 2 to 4 mm. The packing member 35 is preferably used after being compressed by 5 to 50%, for example, by shortening the distance between the container shutter 16 and the packing member 35 in order to maintain a high sealing property, and more preferably 30%.
Use by compressing 40%. In the present embodiment, the thickness is 3 m
m low-polyurethane was used by compressing 33% by setting the distance between the container shutter 16 and the packing member 35 to 2 mm.

The toner discharge opening 11a of the packing member 35
The opening edge 35a along the longitudinal edge of the container shutter 1
6 is not contacted. Open edge 35a
The gap distance between the shutter 16 and the container shutter 16 is preferably 0.1
２2 mm, more preferably 0.3-1 mm. In the present embodiment, the gap interval is 0.5 mm. Further, in the present embodiment, the sticking surface of the packing member 35 is inclined toward the inside of the toner discharge opening 11a so that the opening edge 35a does not contact the container shutter 16, but the inclination angle is preferably 10
傾斜 15 °, more preferably 20-40 °, and in the present embodiment, the inclination angle is 30 °. In addition, from the beginning, the opening edge 35a is configured so as not to contact the container shutter 16,
You may stick it.

Incidentally, the packing member 35 is connected to the toner discharge opening 1.
At this time, if a slit-like cut 35b is made from the opening hole side of the packing member 35 as shown in FIG. 46, the toner discharge opening 11a is fixed.
It is easy to follow the slope portion of the edge in the longitudinal direction. It is more preferable that the toner container 11 and the packing member 35 can be integrally formed by two-color molding.

The toner replenishing container 1 having the above configuration is mounted on the toner replenishing device 100, and the operation of opening and closing the container shutter 16 by rotating the handle 15 is repeated several times. No rolling or breakage occurred.

As a comparative example, FIG. 47 shows an example in which the container shutter 16 and the sealing member 41 are brought into contact with the opening edge 35a. The toner replenishing container 1 having such a configuration is mounted on the toner replenishing device 100, and the operation of opening and closing the container shutter 16 by rotating the handle 15 is repeated several times. As a result, the opening edge 35a of the packing member 35 and the sealing member 41 are obtained. Rolled up and damaged.

<Embodiment 2> FIG. 48 shows a container shutter 1.
6 shows an enlarged cross section of the toner discharge opening 11a in a state in which the toner discharge opening 6 is closed. The sticking surface of the packing member 35 on the toner supply container main body 11 has a cylindrical surface. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The toner replenishing container 1 having the above configuration is mounted on the toner replenishing device 100, and the operation of opening and closing the container shutter 16 by rotating the handle 15 is repeated several times. No rolling or breakage occurred.

When the sticking surface of the packing member 35 is constituted by a cylindrical surface, the opening edge 35
a is easy to protrude toward the outer circle direction, and the opening edge 35a and the container shutter 16
And the seal member 41 is easily contacted. This embodiment has solved such a concern as shown in FIG. 23, and is the most preferred embodiment for obtaining the effects of the present invention.

<Embodiment 3> FIG. 49 shows a container shutter 1.
6 shows an enlarged cross section of the toner discharge opening 11a in a state in which the toner discharge opening 6 is closed. The container shutter 16 is provided in the toner supply container main body 11, and the surface on which the packing member 35 is attached on the toner supply container main body 11 has a concave surface. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The toner replenishing container 1 having the above configuration is mounted on the toner replenishing device 100, and the operation of opening and closing the container shutter 16 by rotating the handle 15 is repeated several times. No rolling or breakage occurred.

<Embodiment 4> FIG. 50 shows a container shutter 1.
6 shows an enlarged cross section of the toner discharge opening 11a in a state in which the toner discharge opening 6 is closed. The outer peripheral edge 35 c of the packing member 35 in the longitudinal direction is configured so as not to contact the container shutter 16. In the present embodiment, the attachment surface of the packing member 35 is set to about 30
By tilting the container shutter 16 to the outer edge 3.
5c is prevented from contacting, but the outer edge 35c is configured so as not to contact the container shutter 16 from the beginning,
You may stick it. Other configurations are described in Embodiment 1.
Is the same as

The toner replenishing container 1 having the above configuration is mounted on the toner replenishing device 100, and the operation of opening and closing the container shutter 16 by rotating the handle 15 is repeated several times. No rolling or breakage occurred.

With the above configuration, the container shutter 1
When the container shutter 16 and the seal member 41 are retracted to a position where they do not contact the packing member 35 when the container shutter 16 is opened or when the container shutter 16 is opened, the packing member 3
5 and the seal member 41 can be prevented from being turned up and broken.

[0164]

As apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a toner supply container for supplying toner to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body is provided for supplying the toner to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. A toner supply container main body for storing toner, a toner discharge opening provided in the toner supply container main body for discharging the toner stored in the toner supply container main body, and the toner discharge opening is openably sealed. And a packing member fixed around the toner discharge opening to maintain a sealing property by being compressed between the toner discharge opening and the container shutter, wherein the container shutter of the packing member has The opening edge crossing the opening / closing direction of the container shutter is configured not to contact at least the container shutter. There is an advantage that it is possible to prevent curling and damage to the member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toner supply container as viewed from a front side in a mounting direction.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner supply container as viewed from a side opposite to the mounting direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toner supply container when the toner supply container is turned over.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the toner supply container.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the toner supply container.

FIG. 6 is a developed side view showing a drive system of the container shutter.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the handle lock (locked state).

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the handle lock (released state).

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the toner supply container.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a driving force transmitting member of the toner supply container.

FIG. 11 is a front sectional view of the toner supply container (shutter closed).

FIG. 12 is a front sectional view of the toner supply container (shutter open).

FIG. 13 is a front sectional view of the toner supply container (during opening and closing of a shutter).

FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

17 is a front sectional view of a toner supply container showing a comparative example corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 18 is a front sectional view of a toner supply container showing a comparative example corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 19 is a front sectional view of the toner supply device without the toner supply container attached.

FIG. 20 is a front sectional view of the container shutter.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from a direction perpendicular to FIG. 20 (a).

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a container shutter (perforation).

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the container shutter (bent).

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a container shutter (projecting piece).

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a seal member of the container shutter (perforation).

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a seal member of the container shutter (groove).

FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating a main body shutter portion of the toner supply device.

FIG. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the handle lock member.

FIG. 31 is a front view of a handle lock member.

FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the handle lock member.

FIG. 33 is a front view illustrating an operation of attaching a toner supply container to the toner supply device.

FIG. 34 is a front view illustrating an operation of attaching a toner supply container to the toner supply device.

FIG. 35 is a front view illustrating an operation of attaching a toner supply container to the toner supply device.

FIG. 36 is a front view showing a state where the toner supply container with the handle removed is mounted on the toner supply device.

FIG. 37 is a front view showing a state where the toner supply container with the handle removed is inserted into the toner supply device.

FIG. 38 is a front sectional view of the toner supply container at the position of the handle lock member.

FIG. 39 is a horizontal sectional view of the toner supply device.

FIG. 40 is a horizontal sectional view of the toner supply device.

FIG. 41 is a schematic view showing the operation of the fixed position mounting means.

FIG. 42 is a schematic view showing the operation of the fixed position mounting means.

FIG. 43 is a schematic view showing the operation of the fixed position mounting means.

FIG. 44 is a plan view of the container shutter.

FIG. 45 is an enlarged sectional view of a toner discharge opening (shutter closed).

FIG. 46 is a horizontal sectional view of a toner discharge opening with a shutter removed.

FIG. 47 is an enlarged sectional view of a toner discharge opening (shutter closed).

FIG. 48 is an enlarged sectional view of a toner discharge opening (shutter closed).

FIG. 49 is an enlarged sectional view of a toner discharge opening (shutter closed).

FIG. 50 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a toner discharge opening (shutter closed).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Toner supply container 11 Toner container (toner supply container main body) 11a Toner discharge opening 16 Container shutter 35 Packing member 35a Opening edge 35b Cut 41 Seal member 42 Flexible film (low friction resistance material) 124 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A toner supply container for supplying toner to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, wherein the toner supply container main body stores toner to be supplied to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, and the toner supply container main body. A toner discharge opening provided in the main body of the toner supply container for discharging the toner stored in the container, a container shutter for sealing the toner discharge opening so as to be openable, and fixed around the toner discharge opening. A packing member that maintains a sealing property by being compressed between the toner discharge opening and the container shutter; and an opening edge of the packing member that intersects the opening and closing direction of the container shutter has at least the container shutter. A toner replenishing container characterized in that the toner replenishing container is configured not to come into contact with the toner supply container. 2. The toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein the fixing surface of the packing member on the toner supply container main body is a cylindrical surface. 3. A fixing surface of the packing member in the vicinity of an edge of the toner discharge opening that intersects the opening and closing direction of the container shutter is inclined so as to descend into the toner discharge opening. Item 4. The toner supply container according to Item 1. 4. The toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein a seal member having a low friction resistance material disposed on a surface thereof is provided on a surface of the container shutter facing the packing member. 5. The material of the packing member is silicon,
2. The toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein the toner supply container is a rubber or sponge such as urethane or foamed polyethylene. 6. The packing member has a hardness of 20 °.
~ 70 °, compression set 10% or less, cell size 60 ~
2. The toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein the low-expansion polyurethane is 300 [mu] m and has a density of 0.15 to 0.50 g / cm < ³ >. 7. The toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein the packing member has a slit-like cut from the inside of the opening. 8. The toner supply container according to claim 1, wherein an outer edge of the packing member, which intersects the opening and closing direction of the container shutter, does not contact at least the container shutter.