JP2001222157A - Shutter member and developer replenishing container, developing cartridge and process cartridge, and developer replenishing container and electrophotographic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of a multicolor image forming device in/from which a process cartridge or a developing cartridge can be loaded/ unloaded. SOLUTION: The shutters 9b of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K are formed in the same color of the same system as toner to be used. The shutters 14 of toner replenishing containers 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12K are formed in the same color of the same system as the toner to be used. Then, the process cartridges and the toner replenishing containers easily cope with the respective colors when they are loaded in an image forming device main body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge or a developing cartridge used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or an electrophotographic printer, and a developer for supplying toner to these cartridges. The present invention relates to a supply container and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same. Further, the present invention relates to a shutter member provided in a process cartridge or a developing cartridge and a developer supply container.

Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming process, and includes, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (LED printer, laser beam printer, etc.). ), An electrophotographic facsimile machine, and an electrophotographic word processor.

Here, a process cartridge is a unit in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7 serving as an image carrier are integrally formed into a cartridge. It should be removable. The developing cartridge is a cartridge in which the toner storage unit and the developing unit are integrally formed as a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The present invention is applied to a process cartridge having a developing unit.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been adopted a process cartridge system in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit and the like are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body.

The operability is further improved by the cartridge system, and the maintenance of the process means can be easily performed by the user himself. Therefore, this cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

[0006] In addition, a cartridge configuration in which the process means are divided into those having a long life and those having a short life, each of the process means is formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be used in accordance with the life of the main process means has been realized. For example, a developing cartridge in which a toner container and a developing unit are integrally configured, or a process cartridge in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit are integrally configured, are employed.

[0007]

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image. (1) Low running cost (2) Small space (3) Low power (4) High image quality (5) High speed (6) Improvement in operability It is expected that a color image forming apparatus that can achieve the six items of (1) will be introduced.

In order to cope with the low running cost (1), for example, it is conceivable to further extend the life of the above-mentioned process means.

However, the toner amount of the developer corresponding to the life of the process means is an amount proportional to the life. For example, when the life of the process unit is 50,000 sheets, the required toner amount is 1.25 to 1.5 kg. When a large amount of toner is integrally stored in the cartridge, the weight and volume of the entire cartridge become extremely large, and there is a concern that operability may be reduced.

Further, since the space occupied by the entire cartridge increases, there is a possibility that it is difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus main body. Furthermore, a frame structure or the like for supporting a heavy-weight cartridge with high accuracy is required, which may increase the cost as a whole.

In order to solve such a problem, an independent toner supply container containing toner and a cartridge (a process cartridge or a developing cartridge) connectable to the toner supply container are respectively provided for the image forming apparatus main body. Some are configured so that they can be mounted independently.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a color image forming apparatus in which cartridges (process cartridges or developing cartridges) which can be connected to a toner supply container are mounted independently of each other. A shutter member that can improve operability by discriminating colors from the appearance when installing and replacing the cartridge, prevent installation errors, and reduce visual discomfort due to toner adhesion around the shutter when replacing the cartridge. An object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a toner supply container and a process cartridge or a developing cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0013]

The main aspects of the present invention are as described below with reference to the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply container detachably mountable on a main body of an image forming apparatus for forming a plurality of color images independently of each other at a predetermined position corresponding to each color, and performs development. A developing cartridge or a process cartridge, or a shutter member used for a developing device installed at a predetermined position corresponding to each color, wherein an opening for supplying a developer formed in a developer supply container; and a developing cartridge Alternatively, in a shutter member that seals each of the openings for receiving the developer formed in the process cartridge or the developing device from the developer supply container, the shutter member is a developer supply container in which the respective shutter members are disposed. And the same color as the developer used in the developing cartridge or process cartridge or developing device. A shutter member, characterized in that was similar colors.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, development is performed with a developer supply container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body that forms a plurality of color images independently at predetermined positions corresponding to respective colors. In the developing cartridge, the developer replenishing container has an opening for replenishing the developer and a shutter member for sealing the developer, and the developing cartridge has an opening for receiving the developer from the developer replenishing container. A developer supply container and a developing cartridge, each having a shutter member for sealing the same, and each shutter member having the same color or the same color as the developer used in each of the developer container and the developing cartridge. is there.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge and a developer supply container which are detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body for forming a plurality of color images independently at predetermined positions corresponding to respective colors. , An electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
Process cartridge having developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum using a developer, and a shutter member for opening and closing an opening for receiving a developer supplied to the developing means, and developing. In a developer supply container having a shutter member that stores a developer and opens and closes an opening communicating with an opening of the process cartridge, each shutter member is the same color or similar color as the developer used in each process cartridge and the developer supply container. And a developer supply container.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of developer supply containers accommodating developers of different colors, and a developing cartridge using the same color developer one-to-one corresponding to the developer supply container are provided. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming a plurality of color images which can be detachably mounted independently at a plurality of positions according to colors, an opening for supplying a developer to the developer supply container and sealing the opening. The developing cartridge has an opening for receiving the developer from the developer supply container, and a shutter member for sealing the opening. Each shutter member is connected to the respective developer supply container and the developing device. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized in that the same color or similar color as the developer used in the cartridge is used.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of developer supply containers accommodating developers of different colors, and a developing means using the same color developer one-to-one corresponding to the developer supply containers and an electrophotographic apparatus. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which can detachably attach a process cartridge having a photoreceptor drum at a plurality of positions according to each color and form a plurality of color images, a developer is supplied to the developer supply container. The process cartridge has an opening for supplying the developer and a shutter member for sealing the same, and the process cartridge has an opening for receiving the developer from the developer supply container, and a shutter member for sealing the same. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized in that members have the same color or similar color as the developer used in each developer supply container and process cartridge.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of developer replenishing containers accommodating developers of different colors can be detachably attached to different positions, and the same color corresponding to the developer replenishing containers on a one-to-one basis. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming a plurality of color images by installing a developing device using a developer, the developer supply container has an opening for supplying a developer and a shutter member for sealing the opening. The developing device has an opening for receiving the developer from the developer supply container and a shutter member for sealing the opening, and the respective shutter members are used in the respective developer supply containers and the developing devices. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized in that the color is the same as or similar to the colorant.

[0020]

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

[Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following description, the longitudinal direction is a direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction, and is the same direction as the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The left and right are the left and right as viewed from above in the transport direction of the recording medium. Further, upper and lower are upper and lower in the mounted state of the cartridge.

[Overall Description of Image Forming Apparatus] First, the overall configuration of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the overall configuration of a color laser beam printer which is an embodiment of a color toner image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a process cartridge.

The image forming section of the color laser beam printer includes four process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) each having a photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier. , Above the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K,
Exposure means 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K (laser beam optical scanning system) corresponding to each color are arranged in parallel.

Below the image forming section, a feeding means for feeding the recording medium 2 and a photosensitive drum 7 (7Y, 7M, 7) are provided.
C, 7K), and an intermediate transfer belt 4a for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 4a, and a secondary transfer roller 4d for transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4a to the recording medium 2. Further, a fixing unit for fixing the recording medium 2 onto which the toner image has been transferred, and a discharging unit for discharging the recording medium 2 out of the apparatus and stacking the recording medium 2 are provided.

Here, as the recording medium 2, for example, paper,
An OHP sheet, cloth, or the like.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a cleaner-less system apparatus, and the transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is taken into developing means, and a dedicated cleaner for collecting and storing the transfer residual toner is a process. Not located in cartridge.

Next, the configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail sequentially.

[Sheet Feeding Unit] The sheet feeding unit feeds the recording medium 2 to the image forming unit, and includes a feeding cassette 3a in which a plurality of recording media 2 are stacked and stored, a feeding roller 3b, and a heavy It mainly comprises a retard roller 3c for feeding prevention, a feeding guide 3d, and a registration roller 3g.

The feed roller 3b is driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation, and separates and feeds the recording media 2 in the feed cassette 3a one by one. The recording medium 2 is guided by a feed guide 3d, and is conveyed to registration rollers 3g via conveyance rollers 3e and 3f.

Immediately after the recording medium 2 is conveyed, the registration rollers 3g stop rotating, and the recording medium 2 is corrected for skew by hitting the nip portion.

During the image forming operation, the registration roller 3g
A non-rotating operation of keeping the recording medium 2 stationary and a rotating operation of transporting the recording medium 2 toward the intermediate transfer belt 4a are performed in a predetermined sequence, and the toner image and the recording medium in the next transfer step, the next step, are performed. 2 is aligned.

In the above, the feeding cassette 3a, the feeding roller 3b, the retard roller 3c, the feeding guide 3d, the conveying rollers 3e and 3f, the registration rollers 3g, and the discharging rollers 3
The feeding means 3 is constituted by h and 3i.

[Process Cartridge] The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K are integrally formed by arranging charging means and developing means around the photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier. The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K can be easily removed from the apparatus main body 100 by the user, and are replaced when the photosensitive drum 7 reaches the end of its life.

In the present embodiment, for example, the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 7 is counted, and when the count exceeds a predetermined count, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9
K informs that the life has expired.

The photosensitive drum 7 of the present embodiment is a negatively charged organic photosensitive member, and has a photosensitive member layer usually used on an aluminum drum base having a diameter of about 30 mm. Is provided. Then, it is rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed, about 117 mm / sec in this embodiment.

The charge injection layer uses a coating layer of a material in which, for example, SnO2 ultrafine particles are dispersed as conductive fine particles in a binder of an insulating resin.

As shown in FIG. 16, a drum flange 7b is fixed to the rear end of the photosensitive drum 7, and a non-drive flange 7d is fixed to the front end. Drum flange 7
The drum shaft 7a penetrates through the center of b and the non-drive flange 7d, and the drum shaft 7a, the drum flange 7b, and the non-drive flange 7d rotate integrally. That is,
The photosensitive drum 7 is rotated around a drum shaft 7a.

The front end of the drum shaft 7a is rotatably supported by a bearing 7e, and the bearing 7e is fixed to a bearing case 7c. The bearing case 7c is fixed to the frame 9d of the process cartridge.

[Charging Means] The charging means uses a contact charging method. In the present embodiment, a magnetic brush charging device 8 using magnetic particles as a charging member is used.

More specifically, the charging member has a magnetic brush portion formed by magnetically constraining conductive magnetic particles. The magnetic brush portion is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 7, and the photosensitive drum 7 is exposed to light by applying a voltage thereto. The body is charged.

Such a charging method (charging of a member to be charged by direct injection of charges) is referred to as "injection charging". By using this injection charging method, a cleaning mechanism (cleaning blade, cleaning roller, etc.) for mechanically scraping and removing the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 becomes unnecessary. This cleanerless system will be described later.

In addition, the injection charging method of the present embodiment does not use a discharge phenomenon in which the charged object is charged using a corona charger, so that the applied charging bias required for charging is not desired. This is a completely ozone-less, low-power-consumption type charging that only has the surface potential of the object to be charged and generates no ozone.

Next, the magnetic brush charging device 8 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[Magnetic Brush Charging Apparatus] The magnetic brush charging apparatus 8 forms a magnetic brush layer of magnetic particles on a charging sleeve 8a containing a magnet roller 8b. The drum 7 is charged to a desired potential.

In FIG. 2, the charging sleeve 8a is arranged so that the substantially right half circumferential surface thereof protrudes into the opening 8h of the charging container 8e containing the magnetic particles, and the left substantially half circumferential surface is exposed to the outside. are doing. On the surface of the charging sleeve 8a, the surface is appropriately roughened and irregularities are formed in order to carry the magnetic particles well.

The non-rotating magnet roller 8b provided inside the charging sleeve 8a is magnetized four poles in the circumferential direction. In order to prevent the magnetic particles from adhering to the photosensitive drum 7 and being taken along with the rotation, one magnetic pole,
Specifically, the magnet roller 8b is fixed so that the S1 pole faces the center direction of the photosensitive drum 7.

A non-magnetic plate-shaped regulating blade 8c is arranged at a predetermined gap from the surface of the charging sleeve 8a. The magnetic particles are held by the magnet roller 8b and conveyed in the direction of the arrow by the rotation of the charging sleeve 8a. Then, the magnetic particles form a magnetic brush portion on the charging sleeve 8a with a predetermined thickness by the regulating blade 8c.

The charging sleeve 8a is opposed to the photosensitive drum 7 with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the magnetic brush contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 to form a charging nip. The width of the charging nip has an effect on the charging property to the photosensitive drum 7, and in the present embodiment, the width of the nip is about 6 mm.
The gap is adjusted so that

The charging sleeve 8a is rotated by a motor (not shown) in the direction of arrow B in the figure so that the peripheral surface moves in the counter direction at the opposing portion with respect to the photosensitive drum 7, which is the member to be charged. In this embodiment, the charging sleeve 8a rotates in the counter direction at a speed ratio of V221.5 × V1 with respect to the rotation speed V1 of the photosensitive drum 7. As the relative rotation speed between the photosensitive drum 7 and the magnetic brush portion increases, the chance of contact increases, so that the charging uniformity becomes better and the transferability of the transfer residual toner to the magnetic brush tends to be improved.

A predetermined charging bias is applied to the magnetic brush unit from a charging bias power supply (not shown) via a charging sleeve 8a, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is contact-charged to a predetermined polarity and potential at a charging nip. .

As the conductive magnetic particles constituting the magnetic brush portion, magnetic metal particles such as ferrite and magnetite, and those obtained by binding these conductive magnetic particles with a resin can be used.

The stirring member 8f is substantially parallel to the charging sleeve 8a, and is rotatably supported between the wall surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the charging container so as to be disposed above the charging sleeve 8a.

The charging brush 8g is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum surface with an intrusion amount of about 1 mm, and applies a predetermined voltage. By the contact of the charging brush 8g, the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly scattered, and further the charge is removed, so that the charging in the next step is performed uniformly.

Next, a description will be given of a cleanerless system in a reversal developing system for negatively charging the photosensitive member and developing the negatively charged toner on the low potential portion of the exposed portion.

[Cleanerless system] First, of the transfer residual toner slightly remaining on the photoreceptor after the transfer, the toner having a particularly positive charge is once taken into the magnetic brush charging device 8 electrostatically, and Others are recovered by forced scraping by. Then, the toner is charged to a negative polarity by friction with magnetic particles in the magnetic brush charging device 8 and then discharged onto the photosensitive drum 7.

On the other hand, the negatively charged toner of the transfer residual toner is hardly taken into the magnetic brush charging device 8 but is collected by the developing device 10 together with the toner discharged from the magnetic brush charging device 8. (Development simultaneous cleaning).

The toner is taken into the developing device 10 during the simultaneous development cleaning by using a fogging bias (a fog removing potential difference which is a potential difference between the DC voltage applied to the developing device and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7) during development. I have.

According to this method, the transfer residual toner is partially collected via the magnetic brush charging device, and the remainder is directly collected by the developing device and used for the next and subsequent steps.
Maintenance work can be reduced. In addition, the cleaner-less system has a great advantage in terms of space, and can greatly reduce the size of the image forming apparatus.

[Exposure Means] In the present embodiment, the exposure to the photosensitive drum 7 is performed using laser exposure means. That is, when an image signal is sent from the apparatus main body 100, the laser beam L modulated according to this signal is scanned and exposed on the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 7. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is selectively formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7.

Laser exposure means 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K
Is a solid-state laser element (not shown) as shown in FIG.
Polygon mirror 1a, imaging lens 1b, reflection mirror 1c
And so on. On / off light emission control of the solid-state laser element is performed at a predetermined timing by a light emission signal generator (not shown) based on the input image signal. Laser light L emitted from the solid-state laser element is converted into a substantially parallel light beam by a collimator lens system (not shown), and scanned by a polygon mirror 1a rotating at high speed. Then, a spot image is formed on the photosensitive drum 7 via the imaging lens 1b and the reflection mirror 1c.

As described above, on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, exposure in the main scanning direction by laser beam scanning and exposure in the sub-scanning direction by rotating the photosensitive drum 7 are performed, and an exposure distribution corresponding to an image signal is obtained. can get.

That is, by the irradiation and non-irradiation of the laser beam L, a light portion potential whose surface potential is lowered and a dark portion potential which is not so are formed. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed by the contrast between the light portion potential and the dark portion potential.

[Developing Unit] The developing device serving as the developing unit includes:
This is a two-component contact developing device (two-component magnetic brush developing device), in which a developer including a carrier and a toner is held on a developing sleeve 10a which is a developer carrier including a magnet roller 10b. A regulating blade 10c is provided on the developing sleeve 10a with a predetermined gap, and a thin layer of developer is formed on the developing sleeve 10a as the developing sleeve 10a rotates in the direction of arrow C.

The developing sleeve 10a is arranged so as to have a predetermined gap from the photosensitive drum 7. At the time of development, the developer formed on the developing sleeve 10a removes the developer from the photosensitive drum 7.
It is set so that development can be performed in a state of contact with. The developing sleeve 10a is provided on the photosensitive drum 7 in the developing section.
2 is rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed in a counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow C in FIG. 2 so that the peripheral surface of the facing portion moves in the counter direction with respect to the moving direction of the peripheral surface.

The toner used in the present embodiment is a negatively charged toner having an average particle diameter of 6 μm. The magnetic carrier has a saturation magnetization of 205 emu / cm ^{3 and} an average particle diameter of 35 μm.
A μm magnetic carrier was used. A mixture of toner and carrier at a weight ratio of 6:94 is used as a developer.

The developer accommodating section 10h in which the developer is circulated
Are divided into two by a longitudinal partition 10d except for both ends. Then, the stirring screws 10eA, 10e
B is arranged with the partition 10d interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 16, the stirring screws 10eA and 10eB are rotatably supported on the cartridge frame by bearings 10j.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
The toner supplied from 12K is supplied to the stirring screw 10e.
B falls to the near side, is stirred while being sent to the far side in the longitudinal direction, and passes through the portion 10d1 without the partition 10d at the far side end. Then, it is further sent to the near side in the longitudinal direction by the stirring screw 10eA, and the portion 10 without the partition 10d on the near side is fed.
Through d2, the mixture is stirred while being sent by the stirring screw 10eB, and the circulation is repeated.

Here, the developing step of visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by a two-component magnetic brush method using a developing device and the circulating system of the developer will be described.

With the rotation of the developing sleeve 10a, the developer in the developing container is pumped up by the N3 pole of the magnet roller 10b to the surface of the developing sleeve 10a and transported.

In the course of the transport, the thickness of the developer is regulated by a regulating blade 10c arranged perpendicular to the developing sleeve 10a, and a thin layer developer is formed on the developing sleeve 10a. When the thin layer developer is conveyed to the developing pole N1 corresponding to the developing section, a spike is formed by magnetic force. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is developed as a toner image by the toner in the developer formed in the spike shape. In this example, the electrostatic latent image is reversely developed.

The thin layer developer on the developing sleeve 10a which has passed through the developing section continuously enters the developing container with the rotation of the developing sleeve 10a, and is separated from the developing sleeve 10a by the repelling magnetic field of N2 pole and N3 pole to develop. It is returned to the developer reservoir in the container.

A direct current (DC) voltage and an alternating current (AC) voltage are applied to the developing sleeve 10a from a power supply (not shown). In the present embodiment, a DC voltage of -500 V and an AC voltage of a peak-to-peak voltage of 1500 V at a frequency of 2000 Hz are applied to selectively develop only the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 7.

In general, in the two-component developing method, when an AC voltage is applied, the developing efficiency is increased and the quality of the image is high, but on the contrary, there is a risk that fogging is likely to occur. For this reason, fog is generally prevented by providing a potential difference between the DC voltage applied to the developing sleeve 10a and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7. More specifically, a bias voltage having a potential between the potential of the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 7 and the potential of the non-exposed portion is applied.

The potential difference for preventing fogging is called a fogging removal potential (Vback). This potential difference prevents toner from adhering to a non-image area (non-exposed portion) on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 during development, and The cleaner-less system apparatus also collects transfer residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 (simultaneous development cleaning).

When the toner is consumed by the development, the toner concentration in the developer decreases. In the present embodiment, a sensor 10g for detecting the toner concentration is arranged at a position close to the outer peripheral surface of the stirring screw 10eB. When the sensor 10g detects that the toner density in the developer has dropped below a predetermined density level, the toner supply containers 12Y and 12Y
M, 12C, and 12K issue a command to supply toner into the developing device 10. By this toner replenishing operation, the toner concentration of the developer is constantly maintained at a predetermined level.

[Toner Supply Container] Next, the toner supply container according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 8, and 14. FIG.

The toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C,
12K is the process cartridge 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9
They are arranged in parallel above K, and are mounted for each color from the front of the apparatus main body 100. Toner supply container 12Y, 1
2M, 12C, and 12K have toners TY, TM, TC, and TK of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively.
Is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 14, the toner supply container main body 1
A stirring plate 12b and a screw 12a fixed to a stirring shaft 12c are arranged inside 2r, and a discharge opening 12f for discharging toner is formed on the bottom surface of the container. Stir plate 12
b is made of a flexible material such as a plastic thin plate. Both ends of the screw 12a and the stirring shaft 12c are rotatably supported by bearings 12d, respectively, and a drive coupling (concave) 12e is arranged at one of the extreme ends. The drive coupling (concave) 12 e receives drive transmission from the drive coupling (convex) 24 of the apparatus main body 100 and is driven to rotate.

The outer shape of the screw 12a has a spiral rib shape, and the twist direction of the spiral is reversed around the discharge opening 12f. By the rotation of the drive coupling (convex) 24, the screw is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction. Then, the toner is conveyed toward the discharge opening 12f, and the toner is allowed to freely fall through the opening of the discharge opening 12f, and the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9
Supply toner to C and 9K.

The tip of the stirring plate 12b in the rotational radius direction is inclined, and when it comes into sliding contact with the wall surface of the toner supply container main body 12r, the tip comes into contact with a certain angle.
Specifically, the distal end side of the stirring plate 12b is twisted to be in a spiral state. As described above, the tip side of the stirring plate 12b is twisted and inclined, so that a conveying force in the axial direction is generated,
The toner is fed in the longitudinal direction.

The toner supply container according to the present embodiment is
The toner can be supplied not only to the two-component developing method but also to a process cartridge or a developing cartridge using the one-component developing method.
It goes without saying that the toner is not limited to the toner, and may be a so-called two-component developer in which a toner and a magnetic carrier are mixed.

[Transfer Means] The intermediate transfer unit 4 serving as a transfer means transfers a plurality of toner images, which are sequentially primary-transferred and superimposed sequentially from the photosensitive drum 7, to the recording medium 2 in a batch. is there.

The intermediate transfer unit 4 has an intermediate transfer belt 4a running in the direction of the arrow, and runs at a peripheral speed substantially equal to the outer peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 7 in the clockwise direction of the arrow. The intermediate transfer belt 4a is an endless belt having a peripheral length of about 940 mm, and is stretched over three rollers: a driving roller 4b, a secondary transfer facing roller 4g, and a driven roller 4c.

Further, in the intermediate transfer belt 4a, transfer charging rollers 4fY, 4fM, 4fC and 4fK are rotatably arranged at positions facing the photosensitive drum 7, respectively.
Is pressed in the center direction.

The transfer charging rollers 4fY, 4fM, 4fC,
4fK is supplied with power from a high-voltage power supply (not shown), charges the toner with a polarity opposite to that of the toner from the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 4a, and sequentially transfers the toner images on the photosensitive drum 7 to the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4a sequentially.

At the secondary transfer portion, a secondary transfer roller 4d as a transfer member is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 4a at a position facing the secondary transfer opposing roller 4g. Secondary transfer roller 4
d can swing up and down in the figure and rotate. At this time, a bias is simultaneously applied to the transfer belt 4a, so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 9 is transferred to the recording medium 2.

Here, the intermediate transfer belt 4a and the secondary transfer roller 4d are each driven. When the recording medium 2 enters the secondary transfer section, a predetermined bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 4d.
, And the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4 a is secondarily transferred to the recording medium 2.

At this time, the recording medium 2 sandwiched between the two
Is carried at a predetermined speed to the left in the figure at the same time as the transfer process is performed, and is carried to the fixing device 5 which is the next process.

At a predetermined position on the intermediate transfer belt 4a, which is the most downstream side of the transfer step, a cleaning unit 11 is provided which can be brought into contact with and separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4a. The remaining transfer toner is removed.

In the cleaning unit 11, a cleaning blade 11a for removing untransferred toner is disposed. The cleaning unit is swingably mounted around a rotation center (not shown), and the cleaning blade 11a is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 4a in a direction to bite. The transfer residual toner taken into the cleaning unit 11 is transported and stored in a removed toner tank (not shown) by the feed screw 11b.

Here, as the intermediate transfer belt 4a, a belt made of a polyimide resin can be used. Other materials are not limited to polyimide resins, such as polycarbonate resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, polyethylene naphthalate resin, polyetheretherketone resin, polyethersulfone resin, and polyurethane resin. Alternatively, a fluorine-based or silicon-based rubber can be suitably used.

[Fixing Section] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by the developing means is transferred onto the recording medium 2 via the intermediate transfer belt 4a. And the fixing device 5
The toner image transferred to the recording medium 2 is fixed on the recording medium 2 using heat and pressure.

As shown in the figure, the fixing device 5
And a pressure roller 5b for pressing the recording medium 2 against the fixing roller 5a, and each roller is a hollow roller. Each of them has a heater (not shown) therein. Then, the recording medium 2 is simultaneously conveyed by being driven to rotate.

That is, the recording medium 2 holding the toner image is conveyed by the fixing roller 5a and the pressing roller 5b, and the toner image is fixed on the recording medium 2 by applying heat and pressure. The recording medium 2 after fixing is discharged by discharge rollers 3h and 3i, and is stacked on a tray 6 on the apparatus main body 100.

[Mounting of Process Cartridge and Toner Supply Container] Next, the mounting procedure of the process cartridge and the toner replenishing container will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 14, 16, and 17. As shown in FIG. 17, a front door 27 that can be freely opened and closed is disposed on the front of the apparatus main body 100. When the front door 27 is opened to the front, the process cartridge 9 is opened.
Y, 9M, 9C, 9K and toner supply containers 12Y, 12
Openings 100a, 100 for inserting M, 12C, 12K
b is exposed.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
A centering plate 25 rotatably supported is disposed in the opening 100b into which the 9K is inserted (see FIG. 16). When the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K are taken in and out, the centering plate 25 is used. 25 after opening and closing.

As shown in FIG. 12, a guide rail 21 for guiding the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K is provided in the apparatus main body 100, and a toner supply container 12 is provided.
A guide rail 20 for guiding the mounting of Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K is fixed. On the other hand, the process cartridges 9 </ b> Y, 9 </ b> M, 9 </ b> C, and 9 </ b> K are provided with guide portions 9 i in parallel with the photosensitive drum 7. Process cartridge 9Y,
When the 9M, 9C, and 9K are attached to and detached from the apparatus main assembly 100, the guide portions 9i are engaged with the guide rails 21 so that the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9
Press or pull C, 9K. The guide portion 12r2 of the toner supply container main body 12r is attached to and detached from the guide rail 20.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
9K and toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12
The mounting direction of K is a direction parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 7, and the guide rails 21 and 20 are also arranged in the same direction. Process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9
K and toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K
Is once slid from the near side to the far side inside the apparatus main body 100 along the guide rails 21 and 20, and inserted.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
When 9K is inserted to the innermost part, the inner end of the drum shaft 7a is moved to the centering shaft 26 of the apparatus main body 100 as shown in FIG.
And the rotation center position on the back side of the photosensitive drum 7 is determined with respect to the apparatus main body 100. At the same time, the drum flange 7b and the drive coupling (convex) 24 are connected, so that the photosensitive drum 7 can be driven to rotate. Further, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9
A support pin 22 for positioning C and 9K is disposed, and this support pin 22 is used for the process cartridges 9Y and 9K.
M, 9C, 9K is inserted into the hole 9d1 of the frame 9d,
The positions of the frames of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K are fixed.

A rotatable centering plate 25 is arranged on the front side of the apparatus main body 100, and the bearing cases 7c of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K are supported and fixed to the centering plate 25. You. By these series of insertion operations, the photosensitive drum 7 and the process cartridges 9Y, 9
M, 9C, and 9K are positioned with respect to the apparatus main body 100.

On the other hand, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 1
When 2C and 12K are inserted to the innermost portion, as shown in FIG. 14, the holes 12r1 of the container main body 12r are fitted into the support pins 28 protruding from the rear plate 23, and the toner supply containers 12Y and 12K are fitted.
12M, 12C, and 12K are fixed to the apparatus main body 100. At the same time, the drive coupling (concave) 12
e and the drive coupling (convex) 24 are connected, and the screw 12a and the stirring shaft 12c can be rotationally driven.

[Opening and Closing Member of Process Cartridge and Toner Replenishing Container] Next, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 1.
This will be described with reference to FIG. However, FIG. 8 is used to describe only the opening and closing configuration of the opening and closing member.

As shown in FIG.
Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 1 are provided on the upper surface of the frame 9d.
A supply opening 9c, which is a hole for supplying toner from 2K, is provided. The guide rib 9 is provided on the frame 9d.
The cartridge opening / closing member 9b is slidably engaged with the guide rib 9e. The guide rib 9e is provided in the left-right direction in parallel with the paper surface of FIG. Then, as shown in FIG.
The gear (large) 13b provided at 00 is engaged with the rack 9g to open and close the opening / closing member 9b.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
Before use of 9K, the supply opening 9c is sealed with the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and the opening 9c is closed. The replacement of the process cartridge is performed in a state where the opening 9c is closed. A seal member 9a is attached around the opening 9c. The seal member 9a is annular and can be in close contact with the cartridge opening / closing member 9b.

The cartridge opening / closing member 9b includes the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9 in which the opening / closing member is disposed.
It is composed of the same and similar colors as the toners used in C and 9K (for example, a hatched portion 9bA in FIG. 5).

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a part of the bottom of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12K is
A discharge opening 12f for discharging the toner to the outside of the container is arranged, and an opening 12f1 is formed at the center thereof.
In the present embodiment, the discharge opening 12f is the container body 12r on which the screw 12a is to be transmitted with the driving force.
It is arranged on the back side of. An annular seal member 12g is attached around the opening 12f1 (see FIG. 15).

Below the discharge opening 12f, a toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is openably and closably engaged. The opening / closing member 14 can move to a first position for opening the discharge opening 12f and a second position for sealing the discharge opening 12f. The opening / closing member 14 is in close contact with the sealing member 12g (see FIG. 13).

The toner supply container opening / closing member 14 includes toner supply containers 12Y, 12M,
It is composed of the same color or a similar color as the toner used in 12C and 12K (for example, a hatched portion 14 in FIG. 9). In this embodiment, the guide portion main body 12i further having an engaging portion 12h for engaging and guiding the opening / closing member 14 is formed of the same color or the same color as the toner.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
9K and toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K
The first cartridge engaging portion (concave) 9h of the opening / closing member 9b (which is orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 12 and FIG.
b) through the first opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex)
14a is fitted. When the rotating lever 13c (see FIG. 14) fixed to the rotating shaft 13a is turned in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 12, the gear 13b fixed to the rotating shaft 13a drives the rack 9g to open and close the opening / closing members 9b, 14 13, the openings 9c, 9f, and 12f1 are made to coincide with each other as shown in FIG. 12, so that toner can be supplied from the toner supply container to the process cartridge. The opening / closing member 14 is a first toner supply container engaging portion (convex) 1 provided on a guide portion main body 12i fixed to the container main body 12r as shown in FIGS.
The opening / closing member 14 is engaged with the second toner container engaging portion (recess) 12j and is guided in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. These engaging portions 12h and 12j are orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and are horizontal.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the opening / closing member of the process cartridge and the toner supply container will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 1.
3, and will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG.
Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 1 are provided on the upper surface of the frame 9d.
A supply opening 9c, which is a hole for supplying toner from 2K, is provided. The guide rib 9 is provided on the frame 9d.
The cartridge opening / closing member 9b is slidably engaged with the guide rib 9e. The guide rib 9e is the same as in the first embodiment.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
Before use of 9K, the supply opening 9c is sealed with the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and the opening 9c is closed. The replacement of the process cartridge is performed in a state where the opening 9c is closed.

[0115] As shown in FIG.
The part 9bB of b is the same color and similar color as the toner used in the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K in which the opening / closing member 9b is arranged (for example, reference numeral 9bB in FIG. 6).
Shaded area). The portion 9bB is a portion where the opening / closing member 9b closes the opening 9c. This 9bB
The part is formed by two-color molding, painting or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a part of the bottom surface of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12K is
A discharge opening 12f for discharging the toner to the outside of the container is arranged, and an opening 12f1 is formed at the center thereof.
In the present embodiment, the discharge opening 12f is the container body 12r on which the screw 12a is to be transmitted with the driving force.
It is arranged on the back side of. An annular seal member 12g is attached around the opening 12f1 (FIG. 15).
reference).

A toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is openably and closably engaged below the discharge opening 12f. The opening / closing member 14 can move to a first position for opening the discharge opening 12f and a second position for sealing the discharge opening 12f. The opening / closing member 14 is in close contact with the sealing member 12g (FIG. 1).
3).

Part 14b of toner supply container opening / closing member 14
Represents the toner supply container 12 in which the opening / closing member 14 is disposed.
Same color or similar color as the toner used in Y, 12M, 12C, 12K (example: hatched portion 14b in FIG. 10)
It is composed of The portion denoted by reference numeral 14b is the opening / closing member 1.
The part which is always outside and visible through opening / closing of 4 is preferable. In this embodiment, in addition to the part 14b of the opening / closing member 14, a guide main body 12i for guiding the opening / closing member 14 is given the same color or a similar color as the toner color.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the opening / closing member for the process cartridge and the toner supply container will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 1.
3, and will be described with reference to FIGS.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
A supply opening 9c, which is a hole for supplying toner from the toner supply container, is arranged on the upper surface of the frame 9d constituting a part of 9K. A guide rib 9e is formed on the frame 9d, and a cartridge opening / closing member 9b is slidably engaged with the guide rib 9e. The guide rib 9e is the same as in the first embodiment.

The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C,
Before use of 9K, the supply opening 9c is sealed with the cartridge opening / closing member 9b, and the opening 9c is closed. The replacement of the process cartridge is performed in a state where the opening 9c is closed.

The external appearance of the cartridge opening / closing member 9b shows the process cartridge 9 in which the opening / closing member 9b is disposed.
A seal member 9bC of the same color and similar color as the toner used in Y, 9M, 9C, 9K is arranged (example: a hatched portion 9bC in FIG. 7). The portion 9bC is a part of a closing member for the opening / closing member 9b to close the opening 9c.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a part of the bottom of the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12K is
A discharge opening 12f for discharging the toner to the outside of the container is arranged, and an opening 12f1 is formed at the center thereof.
In the present embodiment, the discharge opening 12f is the container body 12r on which the screw 12a is to be transmitted with the driving force.
It is arranged on the back side of.

A toner supply container opening / closing member 14 is openably and closably engaged below the discharge opening 12f. The opening / closing member 14 can move to a first position for opening the discharge opening 12f and a second position for sealing the discharge opening 12f.

As shown in FIG. 11, the toner supply containers 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K in which the opening / closing member 14 is disposed are provided at portions visible from the outside of the guide main body 12i for guiding the toner supply container opening / closing member 14. A seal member 12fA of the same color and similar color as the used toner is arranged.

Although the embodiment has been described with respect to the process cartridge and the developer replenishing container for replenishing the developer to the process cartridge, the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. The same applies to a developing cartridge for developing using a developer and a developer replenishing container for replenishing the developing cartridge with the developer.

Further, the present invention is similarly applied to a developing device installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus and a developer supply container for supplying a developer to the developing device. In the embodiment of the present invention, the shutter member that opens and closes the opening for receiving the toner of the process cartridge and the shutter member that opens and closes the toner discharge opening of the toner supply container are engaged with each other. Since the same color is immediately found, the operability when mounting the process cartridge and the toner supply container is greatly improved. If the two shutters are different, a determination can be made immediately.

[0128]

As described above, the shutter member, the developer replenishing container, the developing cartridge, the process cartridge, the developer replenishing container and the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention have a plurality of parts. At the time of installation of the developer supply container, the development cartridge or the process cartridge or in a state where the developer cartridge or the process cartridge is already installed, the entire or a part of the developer supply container, the whole or a part which can be visually recognized from the outside of each opening and closing member of the development cartridge or the process cartridge,
The same color and similar color as the toner used in each cartridge itself improves the operability and the setting error by discriminating the colors at the time of installation work and replacement work, and also around the opening where the developer is discharged or received. The effect of reducing visual discomfort due to toner adhesion is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a color laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the toner supply container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the outer appearance of a process cartridge and an opening / closing member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of a process cartridge and an opening / closing member according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the external appearance of a process cartridge and an opening / closing member according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the toner supply container according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the outer appearance of a toner supply container and an opening / closing member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the appearance of a toner supply container and an opening / closing member according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the appearance of a toner supply container and an opening / closing member according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view (open state) of the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view (sealed state) of the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view (open state) of the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 14 showing details of an open state of the opening / closing member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of an external appearance of an image forming apparatus main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

L ... Laser light 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K ... Exposure means 1a ... Polygon mirror 1b ... Imaging lens 1c ... Reflection mirror 2 ... Recording medium 3 ... Supply means 3a ... Supply cassette 3b ... Supply roller 3c ... Retard roller 3d: feeding guide 3e, 3
f: conveyance roller 3g: registration roller 3h, 3i ...
Discharge roller 4 ... Intermediate transfer unit 4a ... Intermediate transfer belt 4b ...
Driving roller 4c: driven roller 4d: secondary transfer roller 4fY, 4fM, 4fC, 4fK: transfer charging roller
4g: Secondary transfer facing roller 5: Fixing device 5a: Fixing roller 5b: Pressure roller 6: Tray 7: Photosensitive drum 7a: Drum shaft 7b: Drum flange 7c: Bearing case 7d: Non-drive flange 7e: Bearing 8: Magnetic Brush charging device 8a ... Charging sleeve 8b ...
Magnet roller 8c ... Regulator blade 8e ... Charging container 8f ... Stirring member 8g ... Charging brush 8h ... Opening 9 ... Intermediate transfer member 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K ... Process cartridge 9a ... Seal member 9b ... Cartridge opening / closing member 9bA ... Cartridge opening / closing 9bB: Part of the cartridge opening / closing member 9bC: Seal member for color discrimination
9c: replenishment opening 9d: frame 9d1: hole 9e
... Guide rib 9f ... Opening 9g ... Rack 9h ... First
9i: Guide portion 10: Developing device 10a: Developing sleeve 10b: Magnet roller 10c: Restriction blade 10d: Partition wall
10d1, 10d2: Part without partition 10eA, 10
eB stirring screw 10g sensor 10h developer storage unit 10j bearing 11 cleaning unit 11a cleaning blade 11b feed screw 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K toner supply container 1
2a Screw 12b Stirring plate 12c Stirring shaft
12d: Bearing 12e: Drive coupling (concave) 12
f: discharge opening 12f1: opening 12fA: seal member for color discrimination 12g: seal member 12h: first toner supply container engaging portion (convex) 12i: guide portion main body 12
j: second toner supply container engaging portion (concave) 12r: container body 12r1: hole 12r2: guide portion 13a: rotary shaft 13b: open / close gear (large) 13c: rotary lever 14: toner supply container open / close member 14a: first 1 toner supply container opening / closing driving force receiving portion (convex) 14b part of toner supply container opening / closing member 20, 21 guide rail 22 support pin (process cartridge) 23 rear plate 24 drive coupling (convex) 25 Centering plate 26 Centering shaft 27 Front door 28 Support pin (toner supply container) 100 Main unit 100 a, 100 b Opening

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yujun Isobe 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2H030 AA04 AC07 AD01 BB38 BB63 2H071 BA13 BA37 DA08 EA18 2H077 AA09 AA18 EA24 GA04 GA12

Claims (24)

[Claims] A developer supply container detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus for forming a plurality of color images independently at a predetermined position corresponding to each color; Or a shutter member used in a developing device installed at a predetermined position corresponding to each color, an opening for replenishing the developer formed in the developer replenishing container, a developing cartridge or
In a shutter member that seals each of the openings for receiving the developer formed in the process cartridge or the developing device from the developer supply container, the shutter member includes a developer supply container in which the respective shutter members are disposed and a developing device. A shutter member characterized in that it has the same color or similar color as the developer used in the cartridge, the process cartridge, or the developing device. 2. The shutter member according to claim 1, wherein a part or all of the shutter member has the same color or a similar color as the developer used. 3. The shutter member according to claim 1, wherein the shutter member is provided with a seal member having the same color or a similar color as a developer used on a surface of the shutter. 4. A developer supply container and a developing cartridge for receiving the developer from the developer supply container, a process cartridge, or a shutter provided in each of the developing devices are engaged with each other to be integrally movable. The shutter member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. A developer supply container detachably attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus for forming a plurality of color images independently at a predetermined position corresponding to each color, and a developing cartridge for performing development. The supply container has an opening for supplying the developer and a shutter member for sealing the opening. The developing cartridge has an opening for receiving the developer from the developer supply container, and a shutter member for sealing the opening. And a developer supply container and a developing cartridge, wherein each shutter member has the same color or the same color as the developer used in each of the developer container and the developing cartridge. 6. The developer supply container and the developing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein each of the shutter members is partially or entirely of the same color or similar color as the developer to be used. 7. The developer supply container and the developing cartridge according to claim 5, wherein each shutter member is provided with a seal member having the same color or similar color as the developer used on the shutter surface. . 8. The developer supply container according to claim 5, wherein shutters provided in the developer supply container and a shutter provided in the developer cartridge for receiving the developer from the developer supply container are engaged with each other and are integrally movable. A developer supply container and a developing cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims. 9. A process cartridge and a developer supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body for forming a plurality of color images independently at predetermined positions corresponding to respective colors, wherein an electrophotographic photosensitive drum is provided. A process cartridge having: a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using a developer; and a shutter member that opens and closes an opening that receives the developer supplied to the developing unit. In a developer supply container having a shutter member that stores a developer and opens and closes an opening communicating with an opening of a process cartridge, each shutter member has the same color or similar color as the developer used in each process cartridge and the developer supply container. A process cartridge and a developer supply container characterized by being colored. 10. The process cartridge and the developer supply container according to claim 9, wherein each of the shutter members is partially or entirely of the same color or a similar color as the developer used. 11. The process cartridge and the developer replenisher according to claim 9, wherein each shutter member is provided with a seal member having the same color or similar color as the developer used on the shutter surface. container. 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein shutters provided in the developer supply container and a process cartridge for receiving the developer from the developer supply container are engaged with each other and are integrally movable. A process cartridge and a developer supply container according to any one of the preceding claims. 13. A plurality of developer supply containers each containing a developer of a different color and a developing cartridge using the same color developer corresponding to the developer supply container on a one-to-one basis at a plurality of positions corresponding to the respective colors. In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming a plurality of color images independently and detachably, the developer supply container has an opening for supplying developer, and a shutter member for sealing the opening. The developing cartridge has an opening for receiving the developer from the developer supply container and a shutter member for sealing the opening, and each of the shutter members is used for the developer supply container and the developer used in the developing cartridge. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the same or similar colors. 14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein each of the shutter members disposed in the developer supply container and the developing cartridge is the same color or similar color as a part or all of the developer used. Photographic image forming device. 15. The shutter according to claim 13, wherein each of the shutter members disposed on the developer supply container and the developing cartridge is provided with a seal member of the same color or a similar color as the developer used on the shutter surface. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus as described in the above. 16. The developer supply container according to claim 13, wherein shutters provided in the developer supply container and a developing cartridge for receiving the developer from the developer supply container are engaged with each other and are integrally movable. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 17. A process cartridge having a plurality of developer supply containers each containing a developer of a different color, a developing unit using the same color developer corresponding to the developer supply container on a one-to-one basis, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which is independently detachable at a plurality of positions according to each color and forms a plurality of color images, an opening for supplying a developer to the developer supply container; An opening for receiving the developer from the developer supply container,
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising a shutter member for sealing the same, wherein each shutter member has the same color or a similar color as the developer used in each developer supply container and process cartridge. 18. The electronic device according to claim 17, wherein each of the shutter members provided in the developer supply container and the process cartridge has the same color or a similar color as a part or all of the developer used. Photographic image forming device. 19. The shutter member provided in the developer supply container and the process cartridge is provided with a seal member of the same color or similar color as the developer used on the shutter surface. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus as described in the above. 20. The developer supply container according to claim 17, wherein shutters provided in the developer supply container and a process cartridge for receiving the developer from the developer supply container are engaged with each other and are integrally movable. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 21. A developing device using the same color developer, wherein a plurality of developer supply containers each containing a developer of a different color can be detachably attached to a different position, and one-to-one corresponding to the developer supply containers. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming a plurality of color images, the developer supply container has an opening for supplying a developer, and a shutter member for sealing the opening. An opening for receiving the developer from the developer supply container, and a shutter member for sealing the opening, each shutter member having the same color or similar color as the developer used in each developer supply container and the developing device. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus characterized in that: 22. The electronic device according to claim 21, wherein each of the shutter members disposed in the developer supply container and the developing device has the same color or the same color as a part or all of the developer used. Photographic image forming device. 23. The shutter member according to claim 21, wherein each of the shutter members provided in the developer supply container and the developing device is provided with a seal member of the same color or similar color as the developer used on the shutter surface. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus as described in the above. 24. The developer supply container according to claim 21, wherein shutters provided in the developer supply container and a developing device for receiving the developer from the developer supply container are engaged with each other and are integrally movable. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.