JP2002221855A - Toner container, developing device equipped with the same and reproduction method of process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove a toner cap without deforming a toner container in the case of reproducing the toner container. SOLUTION: By cutting the bottom A4 of the toner cap 11f which is fitted to the toner container 11A so that the cap may not fall off by a cutter, thereafter, inserting a bar 102 into the opening and pulling up in a direction shown by an arrow, the toner cap is broken, but, the toner container is not deformed, then, the toner container is usable as it is. After filling the container with toner, a toner feeding port is sealed by a new toner cap 11f.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for refilling a toner container, a developing device, and a process cartridge used for supplying toner from a filling port of the toner container.

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

Further, as a process cartridge, a charging means, a developing means, a developer accommodating means or a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and
This cartridge is detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. In addition, at least one of the charging means, the developing means, the developer accommodating means, and the cleaning means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachably mountable to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a laser beam printer has a photosensitive drum, for example. Then, known processes such as charging, exposure, and development are sequentially performed on the photosensitive drum,
A toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum, and the image is transferred to a recording medium such as transfer paper. Thereafter, a process of cleaning and removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum with a cleaning device is performed, and an image is formed.

[0005] The developing device of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses a developer (hereinafter, referred to as toner).
A toner container (hereinafter, referred to as a toner container) that stores toner is used for the developing device.

Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and this cartridge is formed into an electrophotographic image forming device. A process cartridge system detachable from the apparatus main body is employed. According to this process cartridge system, maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person, so that operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, the process cartridge system is widely used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

In the toner container and the process cartridge described above, a filling port for filling the toner container with the toner is provided.

The filling port is sealed by a toner cap. As such a toner cap, a low-density polyethylene (hereinafter, referred to as LDPE) injection molded is generally used. , Several ribs provided on the body of the toner cap 11f, and the toner container 1
The inner surface of the filling port of 1A is tightly sealed (see FIG. 31).

Further, the toner container body is filled with toner in order to increase the internal pressure in the toner container or the container during distribution of the process cartridge or to improve the reliability of floating of the toner cap due to toner powder pressure at the time of a drop impact. A convex edge (notch A2) is formed at a fitting portion where a part of the cap 11f slides and rubs when the cap is press-fitted into the formed filling port to make the cap fit. Cap 11f that is press-fitted to seal the filling port
A groove A1 is formed on the outer surface of the cap, and the groove A1 is made to bite into the edge (see FIG. 32).
A structure having a significantly improved sealing property has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-104925).

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, there is a problem that it is difficult to remove the toner cap when refilling the toner container with the toner. If the toner cap is forcibly removed, the toner container may be deformed or damaged.

Therefore, the present invention is intended to remove the toner cap easily by intentionally breaking the inexpensive toner cap without damaging the toner container, refill the toner, and then attach a new toner cap. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for reproducing a toner container, a developing device, or a process cartridge.

[0012]

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, a filling port for filling toner is formed in a container body for storing toner, and a cap is press-fitted into the filling port to seal the filling port. A toner container body having a convex edge formed at a fitting portion where a part of the cap is rubbed when the cap is press-fitted to bring the cap into a fitted state. On the outer surface, a used toner container in which a cap forming a groove for cutting into the edge portion is press-fitted and a used toner container is empty, and a tool is prepared, and after using the toner container, A method for remanufacturing a toner container, characterized in that a toner cap is broken and removed with a tool to secure a toner filling port when remanufacturing, and a new toner cap is attached after refilling.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a filling port for filling toner is formed in a container body for storing toner, and a cap is press-fitted into the filling port to seal the filling port. A method for remanufacturing a developing device having a toner storage container that is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body,
A developing member that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner, and a toner filling port, in which a part of the cap is rubbed when pressed in to fit the cap into the fitted state. The toner container body having a convex edge portion formed therein, and a used toner container having an empty toner container into which a cap forming a groove for cutting into the edge portion on the outer surface is used. Prepare a developing device and a tool that have the following.After using the developing device, make sure that the toner cap is broken and removed with a tool to secure the toner filling port when using it for reproduction, and that a new toner cap is attached after refilling. This is a method for reproducing a developing device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a filling port for filling toner is formed in a container body for storing toner, and a cap is press-fitted into the filling port to seal the filling port. A method for remanufacturing a process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body, comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner. The developing member to be developed and the toner filling port are formed in a toner container body having a convex edge at a fitting portion where a part of the cap is rubbed when the cap is press-fitted to make the cap into a fitted state. A used toner container having an empty toner storage container into which a cap forming a groove for cutting into an edge portion is press-fitted,
Prepare a process cartridge with a tool and a tool.After using the developing device, break and remove the toner cap with a tool when using it for reproduction, secure the toner filling port, and attach a new toner cap after refilling. A method for reproducing a process cartridge, characterized in that:

[0016]

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the process cartridge B
The short direction means that the process cartridge B is
4, which is the same as the direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. The longitudinal direction of the process cartridge B is
This is a direction intersecting (substantially perpendicular to) the direction in which the process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 14, a direction parallel to the surface of the recording medium, and intersecting (substantially perpendicular to) the conveying direction of the recording medium. . The left and right of the process cartridge are right or left when the recording medium is viewed from above according to the recording medium transport direction.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view thereof. 3 to 8 are drawings relating to a process cartridge to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied. 3 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge, FIG. 4 is an external perspective view schematically showing the external appearance, FIG. 5 is a right side view thereof, FIG. 6 is a left side view thereof, and FIG. ), And FIG. 8 is a perspective view when the process cartridge is turned over and viewed from above. Further, in the following description, the upper surface of the process cartridge B is a surface located above when the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, and the lower surface is a surface located below.

(Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus A and Process Cartridge B) First, a laser beam printer A as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam printer A forms an image on a recording medium (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth, etc.) by an electrophotographic image forming process. Then, a toner image is formed on a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive drum).
More specifically, the photoconductor drum is charged by a charging unit, and then the photoconductor drum is irradiated with laser light corresponding to image information from the optical unit to form a latent image corresponding to the image information on the photoconductor drum. Then, the latent image is developed by a developing unit to form a toner image. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 set in the sheet feeding cassette 3a is picked up by the pickup roller 3b and the conveying roller pair 3
It is reversed and conveyed by c, 3d and a pair of registration rollers 3e.

Next, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 of the process cartridge B is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to a transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit. Thereafter, the recording medium 2 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 by the conveyance guide 3f. The fixing unit 5 includes a driving roller 5c and a fixing roller 5b including a heater 5a. Then, heat and pressure are applied to the passing recording medium 2 to fix the transferred toner image.
Then, the recording medium 2 is transferred to the discharge roller pairs 3g, 3h, 3i
And discharged to the discharge tray 6 through the reversing path 3j. The discharge tray 6 is used for the apparatus main body 1 of the image forming apparatus A.
4 is provided on the upper surface.

It is also possible to operate the swingable flapper 3k and discharge the recording medium 2 by the discharge roller pair 3m without passing through the reversing path 3j. In the present embodiment, the pickup roller 3b, the transport roller pair 3c, 3d, the registration roller pair 3e, the transport guide 3
f, discharge roller pair 3g, 3h, 3i and discharge roller pair 3
The transport means 3 is constituted by m.

On the other hand, in the process cartridge B, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, a photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer is rotated and its surface is made uniform by applying a voltage to a charging roller 8 as charging means. Charge. Next, a laser beam light corresponding to the image information from the optical system 1 is applied to the exposure opening 1.
The latent image is formed by irradiating the photosensitive drum 7 through the e.
Then, the latent image is developed by developing means 9 using toner. That is, the charging roller 8 is provided in contact with the photosensitive drum 7 and charges the photosensitive drum 7.
The charging roller 8 is driven and rotated by the photosensitive drum 7. The developing unit 9 supplies toner to a developing area of the photoconductor drum 7 to develop a latent image formed on the photoconductor drum 7. The optical system 1 includes a laser diode 1a,
It has a polygon mirror 1b, a lens 1c, and a reflection mirror 1d.

Here, the developing means 9 includes the toner container 1
The toner in 1A is rotated by rotation of the toner feeding member 9b.
It is sent to the developing roller 9c. Then, the developing roller 9c containing the fixed magnet is rotated and the developing blade 9c is rotated.
A toner layer provided with a triboelectric charge by d is formed on the surface of the developing roller 9c, and the toner is supplied to the developing area of the photosensitive drum 7. Then, the toner image is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image, thereby forming a toner image and visualizing the toner image. Here, the developing blade 9d
Defines the amount of toner on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 9c and imparts a triboelectric charge. A toner stirring member 9e for circulating toner in the developing chamber is rotatably mounted near the developing roller 9c.

After applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 4 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2, the cleaning means 1
By 0, the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed.
Here, the cleaning means 10 scrapes off the toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 7 by an elastic cleaning blade 10a provided in contact with the photoconductor drum 7 and collects it in the removed toner reservoir 10b.

In the process cartridge B, a toner frame 11 having a toner container (toner storage section) 11A for storing toner and a developing frame 12 for holding developing means 9 such as a developing roller 9c are connected. A cleaning means 10 such as a photosensitive drum 7, a cleaning blade 10a, and the like, and a cleaning frame 13 to which a charging roller 8 is attached are combined with the photosensitive drum 7. The process cartridge B is loaded into the image forming apparatus main body 1 by an operator.
4 is detachable.

The process cartridge B is provided with an exposure opening 1e for irradiating the photosensitive drum 7 with light corresponding to image information and a transfer opening 13n for facing the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2. is there. More specifically, the exposure opening 1e is provided in the cleaning frame 13, and the transfer opening 13n is formed between the developing frame 12 and the cleaning frame 13.

Next, the configuration of the housing of the process cartridge B according to the present embodiment will be described.

The process cartridge B according to the present embodiment has a housing in which a toner frame 11 and a developing frame 12 are connected and a cleaning frame 13 is rotatably connected thereto. A cartridge is formed by accommodating the drum 7, the charging roller 8, the developing means 9, the cleaning means 10, and the like. Then, the process cartridge B is detachably mounted on a cartridge mounting means provided on the image forming apparatus main body 14.

(Configuration of Housing of Process Cartridge B) The process cartridge B according to the present embodiment is
As described above, the housing is formed by combining the toner frame 11, the developing frame 12, and the cleaning frame 13. Next, the structure will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the toner frame 1
1, a toner feeding member 9b is rotatably mounted. A developing roller 9c and a developing blade 9d are mounted on the developing frame 12, and a stirring member 9e for circulating toner in the developing chamber is rotatably mounted near the developing roller 9c. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, an antenna rod 9h is attached to the developing frame body 12 so as to be opposed to the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c and substantially parallel to the developing roller 9c. Then, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are welded (in this embodiment, ultrasonic welding), and FIG.
The developing unit D as an integral second frame as shown in FIG.

When the process cartridge B is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 14, the drum shutter member 18 that covers the photosensitive drum 7 and protects the photosensitive drum 7 from being exposed to light for a long time or from contact with foreign matter is used. Attached to.

As shown in FIG. 6, the drum shutter member 18 has a shutter cover 18a for opening and closing the transfer opening 13n (see FIG. 3) and links 18b and 18c for supporting the shutter cover 18a. This shutter cover 1
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, holes 40 in the developing holder 40 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the recording medium 2 in the longitudinal direction of the recording medium 2.
g, one end of the right link 18c is pivotally connected, and FIGS.
One end of the left link 18c is connected to the toner frame 1 as shown in FIG.
It is pivotally attached to a boss 11h provided on one lower frame 11b. The other end of each link 18c is a shutter cover 18a.
Is mounted on the upstream side with respect to the mounting direction of the process cartridge B.

The link 18c is a metal wire, and a portion pivotally connected to the shutter cover 18a is connected between both sides of the process cartridge B, and the left and right links 18c are integrated. The link 18b is connected to the shutter cover 18a.
The position at which the link 18c is pivotally connected is one end pivotally attached to the shutter cover 18a at the downstream end in the conveying direction of the recording medium 2, and the other end is a dowel 12d provided at the developing frame 12. Is pivoted to. This link 18b
Is a synthetic resin.

The links 18b and 18c have different lengths, and form a four-bar chain mechanism in which the shutter cover 18a and the frame including the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are linked. The side projections 18c1 provided on the links 18c on both sides come into contact with a fixed member (not shown) provided near the cartridge mounting space S of the image forming apparatus 14,
The movement of the process cartridge B operates the drum shutter member 18 to open the shutter cover 18a.

The shutter cover 18a and the link 18
b, 18c, the drum shutter member 18
The shutter cover 18a is biased so as to cover the transfer opening 13n by a not-shown torsion coil spring inserted into 2d and locked at one end by the link 18b and at the other end by the developing frame 12.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, the cleaning frame 13 is provided with a photosensitive drum 7, a charging roller 8 and a cleaning means 10 to constitute a cleaning unit C as a first frame. ing.

Then, the developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are rotatably connected to each other by a connecting member 22 of a round pin, thereby forming a process cartridge B. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, a round rotating hole 20 is provided at the tip of an arm portion 19 formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction (axial direction of the developing roller 9c) of the developing frame 12 in parallel with the developing roller 9c. It is.

On the other hand, two concave portions 2 for entering the arm portion 19 are provided at two locations on both sides of the cleaning frame 13 in the longitudinal direction.
1 is provided (see FIG. 12). The arm portion 19 is inserted into the concave portion 21, the coupling member 22 is press-fitted into the mounting hole 13e of the cleaning frame 13, and is fitted into the pivot hole 20 at the end of the arm portion 19 and further press-fitted into the inner hole 13e. By attaching the developing unit D and the cleaning unit C, the developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are rotatably connected around the connecting member 22. At this time, a compression coil spring 22a inserted and attached to a dowel (not shown) standing upright at the root of the arm portion 19 hits the upper wall of the concave portion 21 of the cleaning frame 13, and the compression coil spring 22a lowers the developing frame 12 downward. By pressing the developing roller 9c, the developing roller 9c is reliably pressed against the photosensitive drum 7.

The upper wall of the concave portion 21 of the cleaning frame 13 is inclined so that the compression coil spring 22a gradually increases the compression from the non-compression state when the developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are assembled. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, by attaching spacer rollers 9i having a diameter larger than that of the developing roller 9c to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c, the rollers 9i are pressed against the photosensitive drum 7, and the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 9c oppose each other at a constant interval (about 300 μm). Therefore,
The developing unit D and the cleaning unit C are connected to the connecting member 2.
2 can rotate around each other, and the elastic force of the compression coil spring 22a can maintain the positional relationship between the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 7 and the peripheral surface of the developing roller 9c.

As described above, since the compression coil spring 22a is attached to the developing frame 12 at the root side of the arm portion 19, the pressing force of the compression coil spring 22a does not reach the portion other than the root of the arm portion 19, so that the developing frame 12 is Even if the circumference of the spring seat is not particularly strengthened so that the attached member is used as a spring seat, the root side of the arm portion 19 is a portion having high strength and rigidity, which is effective in maintaining accuracy.

(Toner Frame) FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9,
The toner frame will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a perspective view after the toner is filled.

As shown in FIG. 3, the toner frame 11 is composed of two parts, an upper frame 11a and a lower frame 11b. The upper frame 11a bulges upward so as to occupy the space to the right of the optical system 1 of the main body 14 of the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, and without increasing the size of the image forming apparatus A, The amount of toner in the process cartridge B is increased.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, a concave portion 17 is provided from the outside in the center of the upper frame 11a in the longitudinal direction, and has a handle function. So the operator
By hand, the concave portion 17 of the upper frame 11a and the lower frame 11b
Hold the lower side of. The longitudinal ribs 11c provided on one side of the recess 17 and below the lower frame 11b are non-slip when the process cartridge B is held.

Then, as shown in FIG.
The flange 11a1 of 1a is fitted to the flange 11b1 with a peripheral edge of the lower frame 11b, and is fitted at the welding surface U, and the welding ribs are melted by ultrasonic welding to form the two frames 11a,
11b are integrated. However, the joining method is not limited to the ultrasonic welding, but may be, for example, heat welding, forced vibration, adhesion, or the like. When the two frames 11a and 11b are ultrasonically welded, the two frames 1
In addition to supporting the flanges 1a and 11b, a step 11m is provided substantially on the same plane as the flange 11b1 above the outside of the opening 11i. The configuration for providing this step 11m will be described later.

Prior to joining the two frames 11a and 11b, the toner feeding member 9 is placed inside the lower frame 11b.
b. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the coupling member 11 is engaged with the end of the toner feeding member 9b.
e is assembled from the hole 11e1 in the side plate of the toner frame 11.
The hole 11e1 is provided at one longitudinal end of the lower frame 11b.

A substantially right triangular toner filling port 11d for filling the toner is provided on the same side as the hole 11e1. The edge of the toner filling port 11d has one side on a right angle side near the joint of the upper and lower toner frames 11a and 11b, one side in the vertical direction perpendicular to the one side, and a hypotenuse along the lower side of the lower frame 11b. . For this reason, the maximum size of the toner filling port 11d can be adopted. By setting the toner filling port 11d to the maximum size, the time required for filling the toner can be reduced.

Therefore, the hole 11e1 and the toner filling port 11d are provided side by side. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the longitudinal direction of the toner frame 11, an opening 11 of the toner frame 11 for sending toner from the toner frame 11 to the developing frame 12 is provided.
i is provided, and a seal (described later) is welded so as to cover the opening 11i. Then, the toner filling port 11
Then, the toner is filled from d, and the toner filling port 11d is covered with a toner cap 11f as shown in FIG. 14 to complete a toner unit J (toner container).

As shown in FIGS. 3, 9, and 15, an opening 11i for sending toner from the toner frame 11 to the developing frame 12 is formed at the joint of the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12. Is provided. A concave surface 11k is provided around the opening 11i. A groove 11n is provided in parallel on both longitudinal sides of the upper and lower flanges 11j, 11j1 of the concave surface 11k. Note that this concave surface 11
The flange 11j above k has a gate shape, and the lower flange 11j1 is in a direction crossing the concave surface 11k. As shown in FIG. 15, the bottom 11n2 of the groove 11n is located at a position protruding outward (toward the developing frame 12) from the concave surface 11k. It should be noted that the flange 11j of the opening 11i may be framed so as to be one plane.

As shown in FIG. 10, the surface of the developing frame 12 facing the toner frame 11 is a flat surface 12u.
A flange 12e parallel to this plane 12u is provided in a closed shape like a picture frame at a position retracted from the plane 12u on the upper and lower sides and both sides in the longitudinal direction of 2u. Protrusions 12v that fit into the eleven grooves 11n are provided. A triangular ridge 12v1 for ultrasonic welding is provided on the top surface of the ridge 12v (see FIG. 15). Therefore, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 after the parts are assembled are respectively connected to the toner frame 1
The one groove 11n and the ridge 11v of the developing frame 12 are fitted and ultrasonically welded along the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 14, a cover film 51 which is easily torn in the longitudinal direction is attached to the concave surface 11k so as to cover the opening 11i of the toner frame 11. The cover film 51 has the opening 1 on the concave surface 11k.
1i is attached to the toner frame 11 along the four edges. A tear tape 52 for tearing the cover film 51 is welded to the cover film 51 to open the opening 11i.

The tear tape 52 is connected to the opening 11.
i is folded back at one longitudinal end 52b of the developing frame 12
An elastic sealing material 5 such as felt, which is attached to a longitudinal end of a plane facing the toner frame 11 of FIG.
4 (see FIG. 10) and the toner frame 11, and is drawn out to the outside of the tear tape 52, and the end 5
2a is provided with a handle 11t serving as a handle (see FIGS. 6, 9, and 14).

The handle member 11t is formed integrally with the toner frame 11, so that the portion connected to the toner frame 11 is particularly thin so that it can be cut off.
Is attached to the handle member 11t. A tape 55 of a synthetic resin film having a small coefficient of friction is attached to the inside of the surface of the sealing material 54.
Further, an elastic seal member 56 is attached to the flat surface 12e at the end opposite to the position where the elastic seal member 54 is attached and in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 10).

The above-described elastic sealing members 54 and 56 are attached to the flange 12e at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the flange 12e over the entire width in the transverse direction. The elastic sealing members 54 and 56 coincide with the flanges 11j at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the concave surface 11k, and further overlap the ridges 12v over the entire width of the flange 11j in the lateral direction.

Further, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 1
In order to facilitate the alignment of the two frames 11 and 12 when joining the two, the cylindrical dowel 12w1 and the square dowel 12w2 provided on the developing frame 12 are fitted to the flange 11j of the toner frame 11. A matching round hole 11r and square hole 11q are provided. Here, the round hole 11r fits tightly with the dowel 12w1, the square hole 11q closely engages with the dowel 12w2 in the short direction and roughly in the long direction. Toner frame 11 and developing frame 12
Are combined, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are independently assembled as a finished product. After that, the developing frame 1
Positioning cylindrical dowels 12w1 and square dowels 12w
2 is a round hole 11r for positioning the toner frame 11 and a square hole 1
Insert into 1q. Also, the ridges 12v of the developing frame 12 are fitted into the grooves 11n of the toner frame 11, respectively.

When the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 are pressed against each other, the sealing members 54 and 56
The protrusions 12z of the toner frame 11 are compressed in contact with the flanges 11j at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner frame 11 and serve as spacers integrally formed in the transverse direction on both longitudinal sides of the plane 12u of the developing frame 12. It approaches the flange 11j. here,
To allow the tear tape 52 to pass through, the ridge 12z
Are provided only on both sides of the tear tape 52 in the width direction (transverse direction).

In the above state, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12
And ultrasonic vibration is applied between the ridge 12v and the groove 11n, and the triangular ridge 12v1 is melted by frictional heat and welded to the bottom of the groove 11n. Thereby, the toner frame 1
The edge 11n1 of the groove 11n and the ridge 12z for the spacer of the developing frame 12 are in close contact with the mating member, and are located between the opposing flat surfaces 12u of the developing frame 12 facing the concave surface 11k of the toner frame 11. A space where the periphery is closely attached is created. The cover film 51 and the tear tape 52 fit in this space.

In order to send out the toner stored in the toner frame 11 to the developing frame 12, the end 52 of the tear tape 52 projecting outside the process cartridge B is used.
a (see FIG. 6), the root side of the handle member 11t is separated from the toner frame 11, or the handle member 11t is torn off.
When the operator pulls t by hand, the cover film 51
Is torn, the opening 11i of the toner frame 11 is opened, and the toner can be sent from the toner frame 11 to the developing frame 12. The elastic sealing members 54 and 56 are deformed so that only the thickness is reduced at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the flange 11j of the toner frame 11 while maintaining the flat band-like six cubic shape, so that the sealing property is good.

As described above, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12
When the force to tear the cover film 51 is applied to the tear tape 52, the tear tape 5
2 can be smoothly pulled out from between the two frame bodies 11 and 12.

Further, the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12
When ultrasonic welding is performed, frictional heat is generated, and the triangular ridge 12v1 is melted by the frictional heat. Due to this frictional heat,
The toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 may be thermally deformed due to thermal stress. However, according to the present embodiment, the groove 11n of the toner frame 11 and the ridge 12v of the developing frame 12 are fitted over substantially the entire range in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the periphery of the welded portion is strengthened, so that thermal deformation due to thermal stress hardly occurs.

The material for forming the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 is a plastic such as polystyrene or AB.
S resin acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the toner frame 11 used in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a coupling surface JP where the toner frame 11 is coupled to the developing frame 12 in a substantially vertical direction.

The toner frame 11 used in the present embodiment will be described in more detail. In order to efficiently drop the one-component toner stored in the toner container 11A in the direction of the opening 11i, the toner container has two slopes K and L. The slopes K and L are both provided over the entire width of the toner frame 11 in the longitudinal direction. The slope L is arranged above the opening 11i, and the slope K is arranged on the back side of the opening 11i (in the short direction of the toner frame 11). The slope L is formed on the upper frame 11a, and the slope K is formed on the lower frame 11a.
b.

When the process cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus main body 14, the slope L is oriented vertically or downward in the vertical direction. The angle K3 of the slope K with respect to a line m orthogonal to the joint surface JP between the toner frame 11 and the developing frame 12 is about 20 to 40 degrees. In other words,
In this embodiment, when the lower frame 11b is coupled to the upper frame 11a, the shape of the upper frame 11a is defined so that the lower frame 11b can be installed at the installation angle. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the toner container 11A containing the toner efficiently stores the toner in the opening 11.
It can be supplied in the i direction.

(Toner Cap) Next, the toner cap 1
1f will be described.

FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18 are a perspective view, a sectional view, and a top view of the toner cap 11f according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Here, in the embodiment, the projected shape of the toner cap 11f and the filling port 11d is a substantially right triangle. The toner cap 11f includes a groove A1, a notch A2, a notch slope A3, a cap bottom A4, a reinforcing rib A5, a cap knob A6, an outer slope A7, a cap flange A8, and an inner slope A9 which are seal portions.
And so on. Further, the groove portion A1 is formed by
a, a groove bottom portion A1b, and a groove lower portion A1c.

The width h1 of the groove bottom A1b is smaller than the thickness h3 of the edge (edge) B1 of the toner filling port 11d formed on one side of the container body 11A1 of the toner container 11A shown in FIG. Filling port 1 when toner cap is fitted
By sealing the edge B1 of 1d and the groove A1 of the toner cap 11f, the toner cap 11f is sealed.

Here, the protrusion amount d of the notch A2
(See FIG. 17) is preferably 0.4 to 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.45 to 0.9 mm, and most preferably 0.5 to 0.8 in relation to the amount of cap penetration described later.
mm, and in this embodiment, 0.7 mm.

The notch slope A3 is necessary for smooth insertion of the toner cap 11f at the time of capping, and the notch angle related thereto is desirably at least 30 ° and less than 90 °, more desirably at least 45 °, and most desirably. Is greater than or equal to 60 ° and less than 80 °, and is 75 ° in this embodiment.
(FIG. 17). In FIG. 21, θ is close to 90 °.

Further, the thickness h2 of the cap bottom A4 is
The basic thickness of the toner cap 11f is set to be smaller than the basic thickness h0 of the toner cap 11f (FIG. 1).
7) 1.5 mm, and the thickness h2 of the cap bottom A4 was 1.0 mm. Here, the basic thickness is a thickness between the groove bottom 1b and the back side A1d. The reason for this is to minimize the deformation of the toner cap 11f at the time of capping and to prevent whitening that easily enters the back side of the groove A1.

The reinforcing rib A5 is provided on the toner cap 11
f After fitting, in order to prevent a decrease in sealing performance due to bending of the straight portion of each side of the substantially right-angled triangle, two or more per direction,
In the present embodiment, three reinforcing ribs A5 are provided on each side, and the reinforcing rib A5 is formed so as to extend in the cap outer peripheral direction from a cap knob A6 provided at the center of the toner cap 11f. Here, the height h4 of this reinforcing rib A5
Is preferably 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less, more preferably 1.5 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less, most preferably 1.8-2.2 mm, and in this embodiment, 2 mm. If the height h4 is less than 1.0 mm, the reinforcing rib A
The function of No. 5 deteriorates and cannot be used due to a decrease in sealing property. On the other hand, if it exceeds 3 mm, sink marks on the back surface occur during injection molding, and the required dimensions cannot be obtained.

Further, the outer slope portion A7 and the inner slope portion A9
Is provided to minimize the deformation of the toner cap 11f during capping and to prevent whitening that easily enters the back side A1d of the groove portion A1.

As the material of the toner cap 11f, low-density polyethylene is used for sealing stability and preventing whitening at the time of capping when the toner cap 11f is bitten and sealed as in the present invention. Used HIPS for impact resistance during distribution.

On the other hand, the toner filling port 1 of the container body 11A1
1d, as shown in FIG. 19, an edge B1 of the toner filling port 11d and a cap guide B2 serving as an insertion guide at the time of capping are provided. Also, the toner filling port 11
d was formed integrally with the container body 11A1.

The edge B1 is 0.3 mm apart from the upper edge B1a provided with a C chamfer so that fitting can be performed smoothly.
It consists of the lower edge B1b on which the following rounding is performed. Further, a linear inclined portion A1c1 is provided in the groove lower portion A1c of the toner cap 11f as shown in FIG.
By completely penetrating the lower edge B1b into 1c1, the sealing performance is greatly improved. In the present embodiment, the radius of the lower edge B1b is set to 0.3 mm.

In FIG. 20, K is the amount by which the toner cap is digged, and the digging amount K is preferably 0.2 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 0.9 mm or less. It is preferably 0.7 mm, and most preferably 0.7 mm in the present embodiment.
7 mm.

The sealing performance of the toner cap 11f is ensured by making the so-called toner cap 11f bite, but in order to prevent the other portion of the toner cap 11f from contacting the toner filling port 11d and impairing the sealing performance. , The toner cap 11f as shown in FIG.
Groove gap G between edge B1 and groove bottom A1b during fitting
Was provided as appropriate. Here, the clearance G is 0.1 m
m and less than 2.0 mm, preferably 0.2 mm in the present embodiment.

Further, the gap S between the cap guide B2 and the toner cap 11f shown in FIG.
m is desirable, and in this embodiment, it is 0.3
mm.

The toner cap 11 according to the present embodiment
The main dimensions of f and the filling port 11d are described below (see FIGS. 17, 18, and 19).

First toner cap outer dimension (L1): 39.14 mm Second toner cap outer dimension (L2): 49.56 mm Third toner cap outer dimension (L3): 63.15 mm Toner cap height (L4): 4.50 mm Toner cap brim width (L5): 2.60 mm Toner cap guide height (L6): 2.80 mm

(Method of Reproducing Toner Container) Next, a method of reproducing the toner container will be described in detail. In this embodiment, there are four steps of destruction of the toner cap attached to the used toner container, removal of the toner cap, refilling of the toner, and attachment of a new toner cap. The description will be made in order.

Destruction of the Toner Cap Attached to the Used Toner Container The toner cap 11f attached to the toner container 11A is sufficient to make a notch in the toner cap 11f as shown in FIG. A cut is made using a cutting member 101 having hardness. Here, various kinds of cutting members 101 can be selected, and for example, a cutter knife is used. The locations where the cuts are made are the portions from the bottom A4 of the cap to the inner and outer surfaces A9 and A7.

The notched toner cap 11f is easily deformed, and the dropout strength is reduced.

Removing the Toner Cap Inserting the rod-shaped removing member 102 into the cut (see FIG. 24), the insertion of the removing member 102 is performed so that the tip reaches the cap bottom A4.

Next, the removing member 102 is lifted to the side opposite to the toner storage side of the toner container 11A (upward in FIG. 24), and the toner cap 11f is removed.

Next, a method of filling the toner into the toner container 11A in the process cartridge B will be described with reference to FIG.

Using the developer hopper 97, the toner container 11
The refilling of the toner T is performed via the toner filling port 11d of A.

The toner T is provided above the funnel-shaped main body 97a.
A supply port 97b for replenishing the toner is provided, and an adapter 97c that fits the toner filling port 11d of the toner container 11A is mounted at the lower end. Further, a rotatable auger 97d is arranged inside the main body 97a,
By appropriately controlling the rotation of the auger 97d, the filling speed of the toner is adjusted. When the friction coefficient is reduced by, for example, performing a fluorine treatment on the inner surface of the main body 97a, the toner can be efficiently filled into the toner frame 11 from the developer hopper 97. .

In this embodiment, the case where a filling device is used as the method of refilling the toner T has been described. However, in the case of refilling a small lot, it is cheaper to perform manual refilling by hand.

Attaching a New Toner Cap A new toner cap 11f (FIG. 26) is inserted into the toner filling port 11d of the toner container 11A after the refilling of the toner.
Refer to).

The toner cap is easily removed without intentionally breaking the inexpensive toner cap and damaging the toner container, refilling the toner, and attaching a new toner cap. Reproduction of the cartridge can be performed.

Incidentally, when the toner cap attached to the used toner container is destroyed, the toner cap 1
The description has been given of making a cut using the cutting member 101 having sufficient hardness to make a cut in 1f.
A method of providing a cut while melting the toner cap 11f with heat may be used. Alternatively, the toner cap may be softened by heat and then cut by the cutting member 101.

Further, in removing the toner cap, the rod-shaped removing member 102 is inserted, and the toner in the toner container 11A is lifted to the side opposite to the storage side (upward in FIG. 24).
Although the toner cap 11f has been removed, the pliers 103 or the like may be inserted into the cut portions, and the toner cap 11f may be lifted and removed while sandwiching the toner cap 11f (see FIG. 27).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the members used for destroying the toner cap attached to the used toner container and for removing the toner cap are selectively used, but the material of the toner cap 11f is made of low-density polyethylene. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 28, it is possible to easily cut the outer slope portion A7 near the bottom portion A4 with the pliers 103 or the like (see FIG. 28).

As shown in FIG. 29, pliers 103 and the like are inserted into the cuts, and the toner cap 11f is attached to the toner container 1.
The toner cap 11f can be removed by lifting up the toner storage side of 1A to the side opposite to the toner storage side (upward in FIG. 29), and destruction and removal can be performed with one tool.

In the above-described embodiment, the projected shape of the toner cap 11f is substantially triangular. However, the projected shape of the toner cap 11f may be the circular shape shown in FIGS.
And other substantially polygonal and other non-circular shapes as shown in FIG.

The material of the toner cap 11f is made of low-density polyethylene, and the material of the container body 11A1 is made of impact-resistant polystyrene.
There is no specific material limitation as long as f is smaller than the container body 11A1.

Although the embodiment has been described with respect to a process cartridge having a toner storage container, a developing device in which a toner storage container and a developing member are integrally formed, and a toner storage device used for replenishing toner to an image forming apparatus. It also applies to containers.

(Other Embodiments) As a developing method, various developing methods such as a known two-component magnetic brush developing method, a cascade developing method, a touch-down developing method, and a cloud developing method can be used. .

The electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to the photosensitive drum, and includes, for example, the following. First, a photoconductor is used as a photoconductor. Examples of the photoconductor include amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and an organic photoconductor (OP).
C) and the like. The shape on which the photosensitive member is mounted includes, for example, a rotating member such as a drum or a belt, and a sheet. In general, a drum-shaped or belt-shaped one is used. For example, in the case of a drum type photoreceptor, a photoconductor is deposited or coated on a cylinder of aluminum alloy or the like. It is.

In the structure of the charging means, the so-called contact charging method is used in the first embodiment, but as another structure, a metal shield such as aluminum is provided around three sides of a conventionally used tungsten wire. It is a matter of course that a configuration may be used in which positive or negative ions generated by applying a high voltage to the tungsten wire are moved to the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the surface of the drum is uniformly charged.

The charging means may be a blade type (charging blade), a pad type, a block type, a rod type, a wire type, or the like, in addition to the roller type.

As a method of cleaning the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum, a cleaning means may be constituted by using a brush other than the cleaning blade, such as a fur brush or a magnetic brush.

The material for forming the toner housing frame and the toner developing frame is a plastic such as polystyrene, A
BS resin (acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene copolymer), modified PPE resin (polyphenylene ether), modified PPO resin (polyphenylene oxide),
Polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene and the like.

The process cartridge described above is
For example, it has an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing means, and at least one of the processing means. Therefore, as an aspect of the process cartridge, in addition to the embodiment described above, for example, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit, and a charging unit are integrally formed as a cartridge so as to be detachable from the apparatus. An electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developing means are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus. There is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing unit and a cleaning unit which are integrally formed into a cartridge, which can be attached to and detached from the apparatus.

That is, the above-described process cartridge is one in which charging means or cleaning means, developing means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from the image forming apparatus. . In addition, at least one of the charging unit and the cleaning unit, the developing unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed as a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. Further, at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed as a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the apparatus.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a laser beam printer is exemplified as an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, a facsimile machine, or another image Naturally, it can also be used for forming equipment.

[0109]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The toner cap can be easily removed without intentionally breaking the inexpensive toner cap and damaging the toner container, refilling the toner, and attaching a new toner cap. Production can be performed inexpensively and many times.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (laser beam printer) to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a process cartridge of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the process cartridge when it is turned over and viewed from above.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a toner frame of the process cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a developing frame of the process cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a developing unit of the process cartridge.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit of the process cartridge.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a side plate of the developing frame and a toner frame.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the toner frame.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of a toner seal portion of the toner frame.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a toner cap of the toner container.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the toner cap.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the toner cap.

FIG. 19 is a partial sectional view of a filling port of a container body of the toner container.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a fitting portion of the toner cap.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the fitting of the toner cap.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing another shape of the toner cap.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation of making a cut in the toner cap.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of removing the toner cap.

FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a method for refilling toner.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of inserting a toner cap.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of removing the toner cap.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing an operation of making a cut in the toner cap.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of making a cut in the toner cap.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing another shape of the toner cap.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical system 1a ... Laser diode 1b ... Polygon mirror 1c ... Lens 1d ... Reflection mirror 1e ... Exposure opening part 2 ... Recording medium 3 ... Conveying means 3a ... Paper feed cassette 3b ... Pickup roller 3c ... Conveying roller pair 3d ... Conveying roller versus
3e: registration roller pair 3f: transport guide 3g, 3h, 3i: discharge roller pair 3j: reversing path 3
k: Flapper 3m: Discharge roller pair 4: Transfer roller 5: Fixing means 5a: Heater 5b: Fixing roller 5c
.., Driving roller 6, discharge tray 7, photosensitive drum 8, charging roller 9, developing means 9 b, toner feeding member 9 b 1, journal 9 c, developing roller 9 d, developing blade 9 e,
Toner stirring member 9h Antenna rod 9i Spacer roller 10 Cleaning means 10a Elastic cleaning blade 10b Waste toner reservoir 11 Toner frame 11A Toner container 11a Upper frame 11a1 Flange 11b Lower frame (container body) 11b1 ... flange 11c ... rib 11d, 1
1da, 11db: toner filling port 11e: coupling member 11e1: hole 11f, 11fa, 11fb ...
Toner cap 11fa1 brim 11fa2 fitting part 11fa3 introduction part 11g concave part 11h boss 11i opening 11j, 11j1 flange 1
1k: concave surface 11m: step 11n: groove 11n1 ...
Edge 11n2 ... Bottom 11q ... Square hole 11r ... Round hole 11
t: Handle member 11v: Protrusion 12: Developing frame 12A, 12B: Side plate 12b: Through hole 12c: Female screw 12d: Dowel 12e: Flange 12u: Flat surface 12
v ... ridge 12v1 ... triangle ridge 12w1 ... cylindrical dowel 12w2 ... square dowel 12x ... hole 12z ... ridge 13 ... cleaning frame (drum frame) 13aR, 1
3aL, 13bR, 13bL: guide 13e: mounting hole 13i: upper surface 13j: regulating contact portion 13L: guide member 13n: transfer opening 13p: right end 13
q: Left end 13R: Guide member 14: Image forming apparatus main body 17: Recess 18: Drum shutter member 18a: Shutter cover
18b, 18c Link 18c1 Projecting portion 19 Arm portion 20 Rotating hole 21 Depressed portion 22 Joining member 22a Compression coil spring 35 Opening / closing member 35a Supporting point 40 Developing holder 40g Hole 51 Cover film 52 Tear tape for drawing 52a ... End (hand)
52b One end 54 Elastic sealing material 55 Tape 56 Elastic sealing material A Laser beam printer (electrophotographic image forming apparatus)
A11 ... rib A12 ... retaining A13 ... cylindrical part
A14 ... Inner wall A21 ... Groove A21a ... Groove upper part A2
1b Groove bottom A21c Groove bottom A21c1 Inclined part A21d Backside A22 Notch A23 Notch slope A24 Cap bottom A25 Reinforcing rib A26
... Cap knob A27 ... Outside slope part A28 ... Flange part A29 ... Inner slope part B ... Process cartridge B1 ... Edge of toner filling port B1a ... Top edge B1b ... Bottom edge B2 ... Cap guide C ... Cleaning unit D ... Development unit d … Projection amount of notch G… Groove gap h11… Fitting length of toner cap h12… Length of inner wall h21… Width of groove bottom h22… Width of cap bottom
h23: Edge thickness J: Toner unit JP: Coupling surface L: Slope L11: Rib diameter L12: Outer diameter of retaining L13: Inner diameter of toner filling port L21, L22, L
23: outside dimension of toner cap L24: height of toner cap L25: flange width of toner cap L26
... Guide height of toner cap K ... Slope surface k ... Amount of toner cap biting S ... Cartridge mounting space U ... Welding surface Y ... Dryer m ... Line g ... Gap θ3 ... Angle A1 ... Groove A1a ... Groove top A1b ... Groove bottom A1c
... groove lower part A1c1 ... inclined part A1d ... back side A2 ... notch A3 ... notch slope A4 ... cap bottom part A5 ... reinforcement rib A6 ... cap knob part A7 ... slope part A8 ...
Cap brim A9: Inside slope B: Process cartridge B1: Filling rim B1a ...
Upper edge B1b ... Lower edge B2 ... Cap guide d ... Notch protrusion amount G ... Groove clearance h0 ... Basic thickness h1 ... Groove bottom width h2 ... Cap bottom thickness h3 ... Edge thickness H4 ... Reinforcement rib height K ... Cap biting amount S: Cap guide clearance T: Toner θ: Notch angle 11A: Toner container 11a: Upper frame 11A1: Container body 11b: Lower frame 11b: Filling port 11f
Toner cap 97: developer hopper 97a: funnel-shaped main body 97b
... Supply port 97c ... Adapter 97d ... Auger 101 ... Cut member 102 ... Removal member 103 ... Pliers

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A toner container, in which a filling port for filling toner is formed in a container body for storing toner, and a cap is press-fitted into the filling port to seal the filling port. In the method, when the toner filling port is press-fitted to make the cap into a fitted state, a part of the cap slidably rubs on the toner container main body having a convex edge formed on the fitting portion. A toner storage container and a tool are prepared in which a used toner is used, into which a used cap is formed, and a toner cap is formed. Wherein the toner filling port is secured by destroying and removing the toner with a tool, and a new toner cap is attached after refilling. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the shapes of the toner cap and the filling port are substantially polygonal. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the shapes of the toner cap and the filling port are substantially circular. 4. A method for destroying a toner cap, wherein a notch is formed, and a method for removing a toner cap comprises inserting a removing member into the notch and removing the toner cap from a side opposite to a toner storage portion of a toner filling port. 4. The method for reproducing a toner storage container according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein 5. A method for breaking a toner cap is to form a cut, and a method for removing a toner cap is to insert a removing member into the cut and take it out of the toner filling port on the side opposite to the toner storage section while holding the toner cap. The method for reproducing a toner container according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein a notch is formed in the toner cap. 7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the method of forming the cuts in the toner cap is to melt the toner cap by heat. 8. The toner storage container according to claim 4, wherein a portion where the toner cap is broken when the toner cap is broken is a portion other than a fitting portion with the toner storage container. Reproduction method. 9. A toner container which has a filling port for filling toner in a container main body for containing toner and has a cap press-fitted into the filling port to seal the filling port. A method of reproducing a developing device detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, wherein a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner is fitted with a toner filling port. A groove is formed in the toner container main body having a convex edge formed on a fitting portion where a part of the cap is rubbed when the cap is press-fitted in order to make the container into the container. Prepare a developing device having a used toner container with an empty cap and pressurized toner, and a tool. After using the developing device, destroy and remove the toner cap with a tool when using the developing device for reproduction. Secure filling port , Remanufacturing method of a developing device and wherein the attaching the toner cap new after refilling. 10. A toner container which has a filling port for filling toner in a container body for storing toner and has a cap press-fitted into the filling port to seal the filling port. A method for reproducing a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum using toner; The filling port is formed so that a part of the cap is rubbed when the press-fitting is performed to press the cap into the fitted state. Prepare a process cartridge having a used toner container in which the used cap is press-fitted with the cap forming the groove, and a process cartridge having the following. The toner cap to break and remove a tool to ensure a toner filling opening, remanufacturing method of a process cartridge after refilling, characterized in that mounting the toner cap new.