JP2001356579A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent error in replenishing of developer. SOLUTION: In the device, a developer receiving container 1 is attached to an image forming device main body and the developer consumed by a developing means is contained. When the developer in the developer receiving container 1 is finished, the developer is replenished by opening and closing lids 2 and 4 respectively after a developer replenishing container 3 is loaded. A lever member 80 is functioned so that the opening and closing lid 2 is not opened and replenishing error is prevented in a state where there is sufficient developer inside the developer receiving container 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with a developer supply device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various proposals have been made for a developer replenishing device for supplying a developer to a developing means and an image forming apparatus provided with the developer replenishing device.

A conventional structure of such a developer replenishing device will be described with reference to FIGS.

Here, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an outline before the developer replenishing container is mounted on the developer replenishing device, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the developer replenishing device mounted with the developer replenishing container. is there. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the developer supply operation. FIG.
(a), (b), (c) is an operation explanatory view of a lock mechanism for fixing a developer replenishing container to the developer replenishing device. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the opening / closing lid is closed with the developer remaining in the developer replenishing container.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a developer receiving container provided on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus side, and a developing device provided with a developing roller for supplying a developer to an electrostatic image carrier to form a developed image. The developer is conveyed from the developer receiving container 1 by a screw or the like.

Since the developer in the developer receiving container 1 is consumed as the image forming process proceeds,
It is necessary to replenish the developer appropriately, but the replenishment of the developer
Generally, this is performed by transferring the developer in the developer replenishing container 3 to the developer receiving container 1 of the image forming apparatus main body.

Further, an upper opening is formed in the container 1, and the upper opening is covered with a sliding type opening / closing lid (opening / closing means) 2 (FIG. 7). A slit 21 is formed on the upper surface of the opening / closing lid 2. On the other hand, a concave portion 14 into which the projecting portion 3b is inserted when the developer replenishing container 3 is mounted, and a guide 1a for guiding the insertion are formed in the upper portion of the developer receiving container 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the developer receiving container 1 has an engaging portion (fixing means) 1.
01 is provided, and the lock member 7 is engaged with the protrusion 33 of the developer replenishing container 3 to lock the developer replenishing container 3 at a predetermined position on the developer receiving container 1. . The detailed structure of the engagement portion 101 will be described later.

On the other hand, an appropriate amount of developer for replenishment is accommodated in the container main body 3a of the developer replenishing container 3, and its lower end opening is covered with a slide-type opening / closing lid (second opening / closing means) 4. Have been done. At the tip of the opening / closing lid 4, the tip 2 of the opening / closing lid 2 is attached.
2 is provided with a projection 41 which is hooked on the opening / closing lid 2.
The opening / closing lid 4 is also pushed in with the pushing in of. A thin hollow portion 42 having openings at both ends in the sliding direction (left and right ends in FIG. 7) is provided inside the opening / closing lid 4.

A sheet pull-out member 6 is fixed to the flange portion of the container body 3a, for example, by means such as pinching or click patching. 62 are formed. The lower end of the projection 62 is located in the slit 21 of the opening / closing lid 2. When the opening / closing lid 2 is pulled out, the lower end of the projection 62 is engaged with the end 23 of the slit 21 of the opening / closing lid 2 in the sliding direction. It has become. Further, the mounting strength of the sheet pull-out member 6 is not easily detached before the developer replenishing container 3 is mounted on the developer receiving container 1, and when the opening / closing lid 2 is pulled out, the end 23 in the sliding direction is used. The projection 62 is released by being pressed.

Further, a flexible sealing sheet 5 in the form of a film is adhered to the peripheral edge 31 at the lower end of the container body 3a by heat welding or the like. Prevents leaks. Note that the bonding strength of the sheet 5 is sufficient to enable peeling and prevent leakage of the developer.

Also, in the sliding direction of the opening / closing lid 2,
The total length of the sheet 5 is set to be at least twice the length of one side in the direction of the portion attached to the periphery of the lower end opening,
The remaining portion of the sheet 5 that is not stuck to the lower end opening of the container body 3a is folded back and disposed so as to pass through the hollow portion 42 of the opening / closing lid 4, as shown in FIG. .

Further, the end of the sheet 5 is stuck to the position 61 of the sheet pull-out member 6 with such strength that the sheet 5 does not easily come off, so that the sheet 5 does not come out of the container body 3a. The surplus part is the opening / closing lid 4 and the sheet drawer member 6
It is stored in a folded state. In addition,
The length of the surplus portion is set so that when the sheet pull-out member 6 is detached from the container body 3a, the operator can grasp and pull it.

By the way, the upper part of the developer receiving container 1 is opened.
Opening length K at the mouth₁Is the lower end of the developer supply container 3
Opening length K at opening₂Is set to be larger
(FIG. 7) Also, the opening width W of the developer receiving container 1₁Is
Opening width W of developer supply container 3 ₂Set to be larger
(Figure 8). That is, the developer receiving container
The opening area of the upper opening on one side is
Make it as large as possible than the opening area of the bottom opening
At the time of transfer of the developer,
Drail (sliding surface 32, etc.) is contaminated by developer splash
Is prevented. Further, the sheet 5 is adhered.
The peripheral edge 31 of the lower end opening of the container body 3a has a step.
(FIG. 8), and the opening / closing lid 4 slides along the sliding surface 32.
No sliding resistance occurs due to contact with the sheet 5
It has become.

Next, a procedure for supplying the developer will be described.

When supplying the developer to the developer receiving container 1, the developer replenishing container 3 is first mounted on a predetermined position of the developer receiving container 1 as shown in FIG. That is, the developer replenishing container 3 is placed on the developer receiving container 1 while the projecting portion 3b of the developer replenishing container 3 is inserted into the concave portion 14 of the developer receiving container 1. In this state, the protrusion 3b of the developer replenishing container 3 is restricted by the guide 1a and is prevented from moving upward.

On the other hand, the engaging portion 10 of the developer receiving container 1
14 is provided with a lock member 7 as shown in FIG. The lock member 7 is configured to rotate together with the lock member 72 about a rotation center axis 74, and an elastic member (a leaf spring or the like) 9 attached to the developer receiving container 1 is attached to the lock member 72. It is biased counterclockwise based on the contact. The lock member 7 has a claw 73 and is configured to engage with the protrusion 33 of the developer replenishing container 3 to lock the developer replenishing container 3.

The locking member 72 has a claw portion 71. The claw portion 71 is provided on the opening / closing lid 2 when the developer replenishing container 3 is not mounted on the developer receiving container 1. Engagement with the stop hole 24 prohibits sliding opening and closing of the opening / closing lid 2 (FIG. 14A).

When the developer replenishing container 3 is lowered in this state, the lock member 7 is moved to the projecting portion 33 of the developer replenishing container 3.
, And rotates clockwise against the urging force of the elastic member 9. When the developer replenishing container 3 is placed on the developer receiving container 1, the claw 73 of the lock member 7 engages with the protrusion 33 as shown in FIG. The container 3 is locked so that it cannot be removed. On the other hand, the claw portion 71 also rotates together with the lock member 7,
The engagement with the locking hole 24 is released, and the opening / closing lid 2 is slidable.

When the open / close lid 2 is pulled out in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 9, a slit provided in the upper part of the open / close lid 2 is provided shortly before the open / close lid 2 fully opens the upper opening of the developer receiving container 1. The terminal end 23 of 21 is engaged with the protrusion 62 of the sheet pull-out member 6, and the sheet pull-out member 6 starts to be detached from the container body 3a by the movement of the opening / closing lid 2 in the opening direction,
When the opening / closing lid 2 is fully opened, as shown in FIG. 10, the sheet pull-out member 6 is detached from the container main body 3a, and is pulled out to a position where an operator can grasp and pull it.

Next, when the operator holds the sheet pull-out member 6 and pulls the sheet 5 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 10, the portion of the sheet 5 attached to the lower end opening of the container body 3a is folded back. The sheet 5 is sequentially peeled off from the side, and as shown in FIG. 11, the folded position of the sheet 5 moves in the pull-out direction, and the folded portion of the sheet 5 pushes the open / close lid 4 and moves in the opening direction. Then, the lower end opening of the developer replenishing container 3 is gradually opened, and the developer contained in the container main body 3a is dropped and supplied to the developer receiving container 1.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the lower end opening of the developer replenishing container 3 is fully opened and all the developer has dropped into the developer receiving container 1, ie, the sheet 5 is completely pulled out. Even in the opened state, the surface 5 a of the sheet 5 to which the developer is attached is stored in the hollow portion 42 of the opening / closing lid 4, so that the worker can touch the developer attached to the sheet 5. Therefore, the hands, clothes and surroundings of the worker are not contaminated by the developer. Therefore, a cleaning pad for scraping off the developer adhering to the sheet 5 becomes unnecessary, and the size and cost of the developer supply device can be reduced. Opening / closing lid 2
When the sheet 5 starts to be peeled from the container body 3a, it is in the fully opened state in advance, so that the developer falling from the developer replenishing container 3 does not contaminate the top surface of the front end of the opening and closing lid 2.

After the developer is replenished as described above, when the lid 2 is pushed and closed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 12, the tip 22 of the lid 2 engages with the projection 41 of the lid 4, and 4 is pushed and closed, and the opening / closing lid 4 closes while pulling in the sheet 5 and the sheet pull-out member 6 drawn out of the container body 3a. At this time, even if the developer in the developer replenishing container 3 is biased and the developer is in the mountain in the developer replenishing container 3, the developer is leveled and the opening / closing lids 2 and 4 are opened. Closed. In such a case, the distal end of the opening / closing lid 2 is engaged with the projection 41 of the opening / closing lid 4, and the gap between the opening / closing lid 2 and the opening / closing lid 4 is closed by the projection 41, so that the developer enters the gap. Never. Then, when the upper opening of the developer receiving container 1 is closed by the opening / closing lid 2 and the lower opening of the developer replenishing container 3 is completely closed by the opening / closing lid 4, the sheet 5 and the sheet pull-out member 6 are moved to the state shown in FIG. As shown in (2), the sheet drawer member 6 is stored in a state slightly protruding from the container body 3a.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 14 (c), when the cover 2 is further pushed in the direction of the arrow, the cam surface 25 of the cover 2 pushes the claw 71 of the lock member 7, and the lock member 7 is elastic. Rotating clockwise (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) against the member 9, the engagement between the claw 73 and the protrusion 33 of the developer replenishing container 3 is released. Therefore, the developer replenishing container 3 can be removed from the developer receiving container 1 by pulling out the protrusion 3b from the concave portion 14.

Next, when the operator stops the pushing operation of the opening / closing lid 2, the pawl portion 71 of the locking member 7, which is elastically urged in the counterclockwise direction by the elastic member 9, engages the cam surface 25. , The opening / closing lid 2 starts sliding again in the lid opening direction. Immediately thereafter, the claw portion 71 is fitted into the locking hole 24 of the opening / closing lid 2 by the urging force of the elastic member 9. Is stopped and locked in the release prohibition state.

[0025]

According to the prior art, however, the developer replenishing apparatus which transfers the developer in such a closed system cannot directly check the remaining amount of the developer. Therefore, the developer receiving container 1
In some cases, the developer is unnecessarily replenished even though a sufficient amount of the developer remains inside.

In such a case, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the peaks of the developer are separated by the projections 41 of the opening / closing lid 4, that is, while the excess amount of the developer is pushed back to the developer replenishing container 3, And the cover 4 is closed.

However, when the opening / closing lid 2 is closed, the developer is compacted because it is easy to aggregate in the form of ultrafine particles.
5 becomes jammed, and comes off before the opening / closing lid 4 of the developer replenishing container 3 is closed, or
A situation occurs in which the developer replenishing container 3 does not come off.

On the other hand, some models use a plurality of developer replenishing containers for one developer replenishment. Therefore, although it is sufficient to use one developer replenishing container, a plurality of developer replenishing containers are used, and the same problem as described above may occur.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which solves these problems.

[0030]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first invention is directed to a developing method in which an upper opening is formed and developer is supplied from a developer supply container. A developer supply device having a developer receiving container and a sliding opening / closing means for covering the upper opening, a replenishing position for performing an operation for replenishing the developer, and a non-replenishing position when the developer is not replenished Supporting means for movably supporting the developer replenishing device, wherein the developer replenishing device is moved to the replenishing position, and in the developer receiving container in a state where the opening / closing means is opened. In an image forming apparatus which replenishes the developer and forms an image with the opening / closing means closed and the developer replenishing device returned to the non-replenishing position, after the opening / closing means is once opened / closed, the opening / closing of the opening / closing means Prohibit And closing prohibiting means, wherein the developer receiving container is provided with a reset member for releasing the operation of the opening and closing prohibiting means by being returned to the unsupplemented position.

In this case, the remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the developer, the locking means for fixing the developer replenishing device at the non-replenishing position, and the lock receiving the signal from the remaining amount detecting means. Control means for releasing the means and enabling the developer replenishing device to move to the replenishing position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer receiving container having an upper opening formed therein and receiving replenishment of developer from a developer replenishing container, and a slidable opening / closing means for covering the upper opening. A developer replenishing device having a replenishing position for performing an operation for replenishing the developer, and a supporting means for movably supporting the developer replenishing device at a non-replenishing position when the developer is not replenished. Moving the developer replenishing device to the replenishing position, and replenishing the developer in the developer receiving container with the opening / closing means opened, closing the opening / closing means and closing the developer replenishing device. In an image forming apparatus that performs image formation in a state where the developer is returned to the non-replenishment position, a remaining amount detection unit that detects a remaining amount of developer, a lock unit that fixes the developer supply device to the non-replenishment position, Quantity detection hand In response to a signal from and releasing the locking means, characterized in that said developer supplying apparatus and a control means which can be moved in the refill position.

[0033]

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

First, regarding the first embodiment of the first invention,
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the developer receiving container 1 is rotatably supported by the main body of the image forming apparatus by the support means S. When supplying the developer into the developer receiving container 1, the developer receiving container 1 is rotated at a predetermined position (replenishing position) in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. Is not stored in the image forming apparatus at a non-replenishing position.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the lock mechanism of the developer replenishing container 3, similarly to FIG. 14, and is functionally substantially the same as that shown in FIG.

That is, the lock member 600 is connected to the open / close lid 2.
The opening / closing lid 2 is locked by the slit 210 so that the opening / closing of the opening / closing lid 2 cannot be performed. The lock member 60
Numeral 0 is rotatably supported around a rotation center 601, and is urged counterclockwise by an elastic member (plate spring) 604. Further, the elastic member 604 can be omitted by making the lock member 600 itself an elastic member.

When the developer replenishing container 3 is mounted, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the elastic member 604 attached to the developer receiving container 1 by the projection 34 of the developer replenishing container 3. Is pushed down to disengage the end portion 602 of the lock member 600 from the slit 210. Therefore, in such a state, the opening / closing lid 2 can be slid.

Further, when the replenishment of the developer is completed by the above-described procedure and the opening / closing lid 2 is pushed in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 2C, the projection 703 of the lock member 7 is pushed by the cam surface 25. Accordingly, the lock member 7 rotates clockwise to disengage from the projection 33.

Next, along FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (e),
The lever member (opening / closing prohibiting means) 80 and the like in the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the developer replenishing container is placed on the developer receiving container.
Is a lever member that can lock and regulate the opening and closing of the opening / closing lid 2 in relation to the latch mechanism. Reference numeral 2a denotes a protrusion protruding downward from the opening / closing lid 2;
When in the locked state, it functions as a stopper for preventing the opening / closing lid 2 from opening due to interference with the lever member 80.

FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (e) are views seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, and show the operation of the lever member 80 and the like. It should be noted that the developer replenishing container 3 has been removed for the sake of simplicity, and only the portion of the opening / closing lid 2 related to the lever member 80 is indicated by a dashed line.

In FIG. 4A, a lever member 80 includes a pin member 84 fixed to the developer receiving container 1,
With the round elongated hole 80e formed in the lever member 80,
It can slide in the directions of arrows C and D in the figure. The lever member 80 is constantly urged in the directions B and A by the compression spring 82 and the leaf spring 83. In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the lock claw 80a of the lever member 80 The lock claw receiving portion 81 fixed to the agent receiving container 1 is caught by the lock claw receiving portion 81 and cannot slide in the direction of arrow B in the drawing.

In this state, when the cover 2 is to be opened in the direction of arrow E in the figure, the projection 2a projecting from the cover 2 passes through the groove 80d of the lever member 80, as shown in FIG. Can be opened. Here, the operator can set the developer replenishing container 3 and then open the opening / closing lid 2 to replenish the developer according to the above-described procedure.

After the replenishment of the developer is completed, FIG.
As described in the description of (c), when the opening / closing lid 2 is pushed in the closing direction, the projection 2a returns to the original state through the groove 80d, but as shown in FIG. The projection 2b fixed to the lid 2 pushes the portion 80c of the lever member 80 in the direction of arrow A in the figure. In this state, the engagement between the lock claw portion 80a of the lever member 80 and the lock claw receiving portion 81 is released, so that the lever member 80 is actuated by the compression spring 82 as shown in FIGS. 4 (d) and 4 (e). It is pushed down in the direction of arrow B in the figure.

In this state, the position of the groove 80d is shifted from the sliding position of the protrusion 2a, so that the slide of the protrusion 2a is prevented by the lever member 80. Therefore, even if the user tries to open the opening / closing lid 2 again, it cannot be opened.

Next, the developer receiving container 1 in which the supply of the developer has been completed is returned to a predetermined position of the main body of the image forming apparatus by rotating in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A in FIG. Then
As shown in FIG. 4A, the lever return member (reset member) 85 attached to the apparatus main body has its distal end portion entering the developer receiving container 1 and the lever member 80.
Is pushed back in the direction of arrow C in the figure. Therefore, the lock claw portion 80a is locked again in a state of being caught by the lock claw receiving portion 81, and the position of the groove portion 80d is changed to the protrusion portion 2a.
, The opening / closing lid 2 can be opened and closed.

Thus, even if an operator attempts to replenish the developer in another developer replenishing container 3 after replenishing the developer in one developer replenishing container 3, the developer receiving container 1 is kept in a predetermined state. Unless it is returned to the position once, the opening / closing lid 2 does not open, so that such erroneous supply can be prevented.

Further, it is possible to prevent the device main body from being stained due to excessive replenishment of the developer.

In this embodiment, after the opening / closing lid 2 is once opened / closed, it cannot be opened / closed continuously. The opening / closing lid 2 can be opened and closed by returning the developer receiving container 1 to a predetermined position in the apparatus main body. Although an example of such a latch mechanism has been described, it is needless to say that the object of the present invention can be achieved even if another similar configuration is used.

In the present embodiment, the lever member 80 is pushed back in conjunction with returning the developer receiving container 1 to a predetermined position of the apparatus main body. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operability is not limited to this. Although falling, the worker may push the lever member 80 back using another lever or the like.

Next, the second invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of the developer receiving container 1 stored at a predetermined position (non-replenishing position) in the main body of the image forming apparatus as viewed from the lateral direction. As described above, the developer is supplied at a predetermined position (replenishment position) where the developer receiving container 1 is rotated from such a position.

In this embodiment, in addition to the latch mechanism of the above-described embodiment, the developer receiving container 1 is locked at the non-replenishing position of the apparatus main body.
Cannot be drawn out to replenish the developer. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the developer receiving container 1 is stored in the non-replenishing position of the apparatus main body and is locked, and FIG. 5B shows a state in which the lock is released. Is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the developer receiving container 1 is provided with a claw 214 for locking. Further, a member denoted by reference numeral 210 in the drawing is engaged with the claw portion 214 of the developer receiving container 1 so that the developer receiving container 1 cannot be pulled out when it is pulled out to a predetermined position for replenishing the developer. Lever member. This lever member 210 is rotatably supported by a shaft 211 fixed to the apparatus main body, and based on the other end of a tension spring 212 having one end fixed to the apparatus main body fixed to the lever member 210, The lever member 210 is constantly urged in a clockwise direction (the direction of arrow A in the figure).

The operating shaft of a solenoid (locking means) 213 is locked to the lever member 210, and the solenoid 213 is activated to move the operating shaft of the solenoid 213 to the arrow B shown in FIG. , The lever member 210 rotates counterclockwise against the urging force of the tension spring 212. The solenoid 213 is activated based on a signal from a developer remaining amount detecting sensor (remaining amount detecting means), and is unlocked only when the developer is exhausted. Also, such a developer remaining amount detection sensor is
It is provided in the developer receiving container 1 or in a developing device (not shown).

Further, the lever member 210 has a round oblong hole 21.
5 is provided, and a shaft 216 fixed to the apparatus main body is locked in the elongated hole 215. The range in which the lever member 210 can rotate is restricted based on the engagement between the round hole 215 and the shaft 216.

Thus, even if the worker tries to replenish the developer in the state shown in FIG. 5A, the developer receiving container 1 cannot be rotated because the lock is locked. Therefore, in such a case, the developer cannot be replenished, and it is possible to prevent the developer from being replenished when unnecessary.

On the other hand, when the developer is consumed along with the image formation and the developer remaining amount detecting sensor detects that the developer has run out, as shown in FIG.
Is turned on, the engagement between the lever member 210 and the claw portion 214 is released, the developer receiving container 1 can be rotated, and the developer can be replenished.

Although the present embodiment can be used in combination with the above-described embodiment, it is possible to completely prevent erroneous operation by an operator. However, this embodiment alone can prevent erroneous operation by an operator. Needless to say, it is effective.

In FIG. 5B, the developer is replenished,
The solenoid 213 must be turned on until the developer remaining amount detection sensor detects the presence of the developer, but the solenoid 213 is turned on and off once using a latch mechanism.
Then, the lock of the rotation of the developer receiving container 1 is released,
Further, it is also possible to lock the solenoid 213 when the solenoid 213 is turned on and off again.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention,
After the opening / closing means is once opened / closed for replenishing the developer, the opening / closing prohibiting means prohibits the opening / closing again, so that an excessive supply of the developer can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a structure for attaching a developer receiving container to an image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation of a lock mechanism of a developer replenishing container.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a developer replenishing container is placed on a developer receiving container.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the operation of the opening / closing prohibiting means of the opening / closing lid 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a means for locking a developer receiving container at a non-replenishing position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an outline before a developer replenishing container is mounted on a developer receiving container.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a developer receiving container equipped with a developer replenishing container.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a developer supply procedure.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a developer supply procedure.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a developer supply procedure.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a developer supply procedure.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a developer supply procedure.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a lock mechanism of the developer replenishing container.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the opening / closing lid is closed when the developer remains in the developer replenishing container.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 developer receiving container 2 opening / closing means (opening / closing lid) 3 developer replenishing container 4 second opening / closing means (opening / closing lid) 5 sheet 6 sheet pull-out member 80 opening / closing prohibiting means (lever member) 85 reset member (lever return member) 200 Buffer space (buffer) 213 Locking means (solenoid) 500 Third opening / closing means (lid) 502 Urging means (torsion coil spring)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Ota 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Hiura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kia Non-corporation F term (reference) 2H077 AA02 AA06 AA09 AA35 BA08 DA15 GA04

Claims (3)

[Claims] A developer receiving container having an upper opening formed therein and receiving developer from a developer replenishing container;
And a developer replenishing device having a slide-type opening / closing means for covering the upper opening, a replenishing position for performing an operation for replenishing the developer, and a non-replenishing position when the developer is not replenished. Supporting means for movably supporting the developer replenishing device, wherein the developer replenishing device is moved to the replenishing position, and the developer is loaded into the developer receiving container with the opening / closing means opened. In an image forming apparatus for performing image formation in a state in which the replenishment unit is closed and the developer replenishing device is returned to the non-replenishment position, the opening and closing of the opening and closing unit is prohibited once the opening and closing unit is opened and closed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a prohibition unit; and a reset member that releases the operation of the opening / closing prohibition unit when the developer receiving container is returned to the non-replenishment position. 2. A developer receiving container having an upper opening formed therein and receiving developer supply from a developer supply container.
And a developer replenishing device having a slide-type opening / closing means for covering the upper opening, a replenishing position for performing an operation for replenishing the developer, and a non-replenishing position when the developer is not replenished. Supporting means for movably supporting the developer replenishing device, wherein the developer replenishing device is moved to the replenishing position, and the developer is loaded into the developer receiving container with the opening / closing means opened. An image forming apparatus for forming an image while replenishing and closing the opening / closing means and returning the developer replenishing device to a non-replenishing position; a remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the developer; Lock means for fixing the apparatus at the non-replenishment position; control means for releasing the lock means in response to a signal from the remaining amount detection means and enabling the developer replenishment device to be movable to the replenishment position. Having prepared An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. A remaining amount detecting unit for detecting a remaining amount of the developer, a locking unit for fixing the developer replenishing device at the non-replenishing position, and a receiving unit for receiving the signal from the remaining amount detecting unit. 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to release the developer and move the developer replenishing device to the replenishing position.