JP2002258595A - Image forming apparatus, developer supplying device, reproducing method for developer replenishing device, storage casing of developer container, storage method of developer container and locking member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device, a developer replenishing device, a storage casing of a developer container and a locking member with which a problem to be caused due to reuse by a user is solved and satisfactory disassembling property and coupling property is obtained between a developer container storage body and an opening/closing cover of the storage casing of the developer container. SOLUTION: A bottle storage case 201 of a toner replenishing unit 200 is constituted of a toner bottle case 12 to which a toner bottle 10 is mounted, a case cover 11 to cover its opening part 12b and the locking member 13 to lock the case cover 11 into the toner bottle case 12. And the locking member 13 is constituted so that reuse of it is disabled when it is once detached. Thus, the problem is solved of a failure of a main body device to be caused when a user intends to reuse the bottle storage case 201 of the toner replenishing unit 200.

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 such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer, a developer replenishing apparatus for replenishing a developing device of the image forming apparatus with a developer, and a used developer replenishing apparatus. Of the developer container, the housing of the developer container mounted on the developer supply device, the method of storing the developer container in the developer container housing of the housing, and the developer container housing of the housing. The present invention relates to a locking member for locking an opening / closing lid to an opening for attaching and detaching a developer container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As this type of image forming apparatus, a toner replenishing device as a developer replenishing device using a screw type toner bottle as a developer container for accommodating a developer as disclosed in JP-A-6-194950. Are known. In general, a developer container of this type of toner replenishing device includes a toner bottle that stores the toner and a housing (housing) that stores the toner bottle in order to protect the stored toner from heat and humidity. It has a double structure consisting of: Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-6916
In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 0-200, a storage housing (case) outside a developer storage unit having a double structure is formed in a square shape, and cases as the storage housing are fitted by snap fitting. The improvement of the detachability of the toner bottle is aimed at.

Such a toner container having a double structure in which the toner as a developer is stored in a toner bottle as a developer container and the toner bottle is stored in the storage housing is generally called a toner cartridge. Have been. This kind of toner cartridge is complicated and expensive,
When the toner in the toner bottle is consumed, the used toner bottle is often replaced with a new toner bottle and reused (recycled).

Here, when recycling the toner cartridge, it is desirable that the replacement of the toner bottle be performed by a specialized company having specialized knowledge without depending on the user's hand. In the event that the user replaces the toner bottle, the assembly of the toner replenishing device may fail due to an improper assembly, or problems such as toner scattering may occur when the housing of the toner cartridge is disassembled. This is because the possibility is high. Thus, this type of toner cartridge is configured on the assumption that the user does not replace the toner bottle, and when the toner in the toner bottle is consumed, the toner cartridge is replaced and used. It is configured to be.

[0005]

However, the conventional housing of a developer container for storing a developer such as a toner cartridge or a developer case has a developer having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container. The container housing and the lid for covering the opening of the developer container housing were relatively easily disassembled as if they were fitted by the snap fit. Therefore, this type of conventional container housing of a developer container is disassembled, and the user can replace only the developer container or refill the empty developer container with new toner. It was also possible. For this reason, in the conventional housing case of the developer container, problems such as failure of the apparatus main body and developer scattering caused by the user disassembling the housing case cannot be prevented.

Further, as described above, when the developer container housing of the housing is fitted to the opening / closing lid by snap fitting, assemblability (the developer container housing, the opening / closing lid and Is excellent, but there is still a problem that the nail may be broken or the external surface may be damaged when the snap fit is removed in the disassembling operation at the time of recycling. Here, in order to improve the decomposability of the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid, there is a method of reducing the hook amount of the snap fit claw. Since the connectivity between the container housing and the opening / closing lid is reduced, the opening / closing lid may be detached from the developer container housing due to vibration or impact during transportation or the like, and the housing may be disassembled.

As described above, this type of housing for the developer container satisfies the conflicting conditions of decomposability and connectivity between the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid, and the user disassembles the housing. It is desired that at least one of the problems caused by the failure can be prevented from being damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of solving a problem caused by reuse by a user, and a developing device of the image forming apparatus. Replenishing device for replenishing the developer, a method of regenerating a used developer replenishing device, a housing of a developer container mounted on the developer replenishing device, and a developer container housing of the housing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for storing a developer container, and a locking member for locking an opening / closing lid at an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container to and from the developer container storage body of the storage housing. Further, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, a developer replenishing device, a developer container storage housing, and a locking member that have good disassembly and connectivity between the developer container storage body and the opening / closing lid of the developer container storage housing. It is.

[0009]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing for accommodating a developer container, wherein an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container is provided. A developer container housing, an opening / closing lid for covering an opening of the developer container housing, and the developer container with the opening / closing lid covering the opening of the developer container housing. In a housing case for a developer container provided with locking means for locking to a container storage body, the locking means releases the locking of the open / close lid with respect to the developer container storage body, It has a configuration in which the locking function of locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing is lost. In the housing for the developer container, when the locking of the opening / closing lid with respect to the developer container housing by the locking means is released, the opening / closing lid of the locking means is engaged with the developer container housing. The locking function to stop is impaired. That is,
Once the housing of the developer container is disassembled, the opening / closing lid cannot be locked to the developer container housing using the disassembled locking means. As described above, the locking means in the housing of the developer container is configured not to be reused, so that, for example, the locking portion may be damaged when disassembled. Therefore, in the housing of the developer container, the decomposability and the coupling between the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid can be improved. Further, since the locking means cannot be reused, it is possible to solve the problem of a failure of the apparatus main body which occurs when a user attempts to reuse the locking means. According to a second aspect of the invention, in the developer container housing of the first aspect, the locking means is permanently deformed into a shape in which the opening / closing lid cannot be locked to the developer container storage body. A feature is provided in which the opening / closing lid is unlocked from the developer container housing. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the developer container housing of the first aspect, the locking means is broken into a shape in which the opening / closing lid cannot be locked to the developer container housing. The locking of the opening / closing lid with respect to the agent container housing is released. The invention according to claim 4 is a developer container housing having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container,
An opening / closing lid for covering the opening of the developer container housing; and a locking means for locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing while covering the opening of the developer container housing. In the method for storing a developer container in which the developer container is stored in a storage housing provided with: a locking means for unlocking the opening and closing lid with respect to the developer container storage body as the locking means. The opening / closing lid is locked to the developer container housing using locking means having a configuration that loses a locking function of locking the lid to the developer container housing. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the developer container housing of the first, second or third aspect, the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid are formed as separate components, and the locking means is attached to the opening / closing lid. It is characterized by having been provided. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the housing for storing a developer container according to the first, second or third aspect, the locking means is constituted by a locking member separate from the developer container storage body and the opening / closing lid. It is characterized by having. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the housing of the developer container according to the sixth aspect, the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid include:
Each of the engaging portions has a fitting portion facing each other in a state where the opening of the developer container housing is covered with the opening / closing lid, and the locking member includes:
It is characterized in that it has a fitted portion that fits into each of the fitting portions and locks the opening / closing lid with the developer container housing. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the developer container housing of the seventh aspect, the locking member locks the developer container storage body and the opening / closing lid, and the developer container storage body and the opening / closing lid. It is characterized in that it is formed in a shape that covers each fitting part of the lid. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the developer container housing of the seventh or eighth aspect, the developer container housing has a developer discharge port for discharging the developer stored in the developer container. Each of the fitting portions of the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid is provided in a portion of the housing housing that is separated from a portion where the developer discharge port is provided. . According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the housing of the developer container according to the seventh, eighth, or ninth aspect, each of the fitting portions of the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid has an opening of the developer container housing. In the state covered by the opening / closing lid, each of the engaging members has a configuration in which they are opposed to each other while maintaining a posture parallel to each other. The opening / closing lid is locked to the developer container housing by sliding and fitting, and the engagement portion of the locking member includes the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid. And a locking claw that prevents sliding in a direction opposite to a fitting direction in which the locking member is fitted to each fitting portion in a state where the locking claw is fitted to each fitting portion. Is what you do. The invention of claim 11 is a housing housing for housing the developer container, wherein the developer container housing has an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container, and an opening of the developer container housing. And a locking member for locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing with the opening / closing lid covering the opening of the developer container housing. In the housing of the developer container, the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid are provided with an engaging portion for engaging the opening / closing lid with the developer container housing, and the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid. An engaging direction for engaging the opening / closing lid with the developer container housing of the engaging portion; The fitting direction in which the locking member is fitted to the agent container housing and the opening / closing lid is orthogonal to each other. That it is configured in which the features. The invention according to claim 12 is a housing housing for housing the developer container, the developer container housing having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container, and an opening of the developer container housing. And a locking member for locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing with the opening / closing lid covering the opening of the developer container housing. In the container housing of the developer container, the locking member applies an external pressure in a direction orthogonal to a fitting direction in which the locking member is fitted to the fitting portion of the developer container housing, so that It has a configuration in which the function of locking the agent container housing and the opening / closing lid is lost. The invention of claim 13 is the invention of claim 12
In the housing of the developer container of the above, the locking member is, by the external pressure, a portion that fits into the fitting portion of the developer container housing and a portion that fits into the fitting portion of the opening / closing lid. It is characterized in that it has a strength to be broken into at least two parts between the two. Claim 14
According to the invention, in the housing for a developer container according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the locking member is formed such that the thickness of a damaged portion broken by the external pressure is smaller than the thickness of other portions. It is characterized by the following. According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage case of the developer container according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the damaged portion is formed by a groove along the fitted portion of the locking member. It is. According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the housing of the developer container according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, the thickness of the damaged portion is 1 mm or less. According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the housing for a developer container according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, at least a material of the damaged portion is polystyrene. The invention according to claim 18 is to cover an opening of the developer container housing in a housing housing for housing the developer container, the developer container housing having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container. A locking member for locking the opening / closing lid, wherein the locking member releases the locking of the opening / closing lid with respect to the developer container housing so that the opening / closing lid is stored in the developer container housing. It has a configuration in which the locking function of locking the body is lost. The invention according to claim 19 is that the housing for housing the developer container is fitted to the fitting portion of the developer container housing having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container,
A locking member for locking an opening / closing lid for covering an opening of the developer container housing, wherein the locking member is provided with a locking member with respect to a fitting portion of the developer container housing. By applying an external pressure in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction in which the developer container is fitted, the locking function of the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid is lost. Claim 2
The invention according to claim 0 is the locking member according to claim 19, wherein the locking member is permanently deformed to a shape in which the opening / closing lid cannot be locked to the developer container storage body, so that the developer container housing is formed. It has a configuration for releasing the locking of the opening / closing lid to the body. The invention of claim 21 is claim 1
9. The locking member according to 9, wherein the locking member is broken into a shape in which the opening / closing lid cannot be locked to the developer container housing, thereby locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing. It is characterized by being released. The invention of claim 22 is based on claims 18, 19,
20. The locking member according to 20 or 21, wherein the locking member has a unique configuration unique to the storage housing. According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing unit for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier with a developer for developing the latent image. A housing housing for housing a developer container containing the developer, and a developer replenishing means for replenishing the developing device with the developer discharged from the developer container,
Claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7,
It is characterized by using 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17 storage housings. According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developer replenishing device of the twenty-third aspect, the developer replenishing means is formed integrally with a developer container housing of the housing. According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer container housing having an opening for attaching and detaching a developer container, an opening / closing lid for covering the opening of the developer container housing, and the developer provided by the opening / closing lid. A container housing for the developer container having locking means for locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container container while covering the opening of the container container, and the developer container is discharged from the developer container. A developer replenishing unit for replenishing a developer to the developing device, and a developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing device for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier with a developer for developing the latent image A method for regenerating a developer replenishing device for replacing a used developer container stored in a storage housing with a new developer container and recycling the developer replenishing device. The above-mentioned opening and closing lid and the above-mentioned developer by the used connecting member as An unlocking step of releasing the lock with the container housing, removing the opening / closing lid to open an opening of the developer container housing, and removing the used developer container from the developer container housing. The developer container take-out step to be taken out, the developer container storage step of storing a new developer container in the developer container storage body, and the opening / closing lid and the developer container storage body by a new coupling member for regeneration. And a locking step of locking. According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method for regenerating a developer replenishing apparatus according to the twenty-fifth aspect, the used coupling member is different in color from the used coupling member. It is. According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer replenishing apparatus for replenishing a developing means for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier with a developer for developing the latent image. Item 25 is characterized in that the toner is regenerated by the method for regenerating a developer replenishing device according to item 25 or 26. The invention according to claim 28, wherein an image carrier for carrying a latent image, a latent image forming means for forming the latent image on the image carrier, and a developing means for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier 24. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developer supply device that supplies a developer for developing the latent image to the developing unit.
It is characterized in that 24 or 27 developer supply devices are used. According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the twenty-eighth aspect, the developer replenishing device is configured to be detachable from the image forming device main body, and the developer replenishing unit supplies the developer to the developing unit. A developer supply port for replenishment, and an opening and closing member for opening and closing the developer supply port,
The image forming apparatus main body moves the opening / closing member to a portion where the developer supply port is opened in a state where the developer replenishing device is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. An opening / closing member moving means for moving the opening / closing member to a position for closing the developer supply port in a state of being taken out from the main body is provided. The invention according to claim 30 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the latent image writing means for outputting irradiation light for writing the latent image on the image carrier, and the latent image writing means irradiating light from the latent image writing means. A shutter for blocking an irradiation optical path of irradiation light, and a coupling member for locking a developer container housing of the developer container of the developer supply device and an opening / closing lid, wherein the developer supply device is the image forming apparatus. The shutter is retracted to a position where the irradiation light path is opened while being attached to the main body, and the shutter advances to a position where the irradiation light path is closed when the developer supply device is removed from the image forming apparatus main body. It is characterized in that it also serves as a shutter advance / retreat means. The invention of claim 31 is the invention of claims 28 and 29
Alternatively, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirtieth aspect, the developer contained in the developer container of the developer supply device is a toner. The invention according to claim 32 is the developer supply device according to claim 23, 24 or 27, wherein the developer container of the developer supply device is constituted by a screw-type toner bottle, and the developer supply device is provided with the image supply device. The apparatus has a configuration in which the developer is discharged to the developer replenishing means by being rotated by a driving force transmitted from the image forming apparatus main body in a state of being mounted on the forming apparatus main body. is there.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine as an image forming apparatus will be described below. First, a basic configuration of the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, this copying machine has a photoconductor 7 as an image carrier having a photoconductive layer such as OPC. The photoreceptor 7 is constituted by a drum-shaped rotating body that is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the figure. Around the photoreceptor 7, a charging roller 102 as a charging unit, an exposure device 103 as an exposure unit, a developing unit 1 as a developing unit, a transfer roller 110 as a transfer unit, a cleaning blade 105 as a cleaning unit, and a charge removing unit The static elimination lamp 106 and the like are arranged.

In this copying machine, a high voltage is applied to the charging roller 102 to apply a charge to the surface of the photoreceptor 7 to uniformly charge it to a negative polarity. And the copying machine body 1
The automatic document feeder (AD
F) When a document (not shown) is fed onto the contact glass by 120, the image information of the document is
Imaging device (CCD) 1 through 30 reading optical systems 131
32. Based on the image information of the document read by the scanner 130, the surface of the charged photoconductor 7 is exposed by the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 103. The exposure of the laser light L forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 7. Here, the image information may be image information output from image information output means such as a personal computer or a facsimile (not shown).

The developing unit 1 contains a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier (hereinafter simply referred to as "developer"). The developer is supplied to the developing unit 1
Is carried on the developing sleeve 5 in the form of a magnetic brush. Then, by the rotation of the developing sleeve 5, the toner in the magnetic brush is supplied to the surface of the photoconductor 7. This allows
The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 7 is developed, and a toner image is formed on the photoconductor 7. The toner image formed by this development is conveyed to a transfer nip, which is a transfer position formed by the contact between the photoconductor 7 and the transfer roller 110, as the photoconductor 7 rotates.

On the other hand, a paper feed cassette 109 is provided below the copying machine main body 100. This paper feed cassette 10
In 9, transfer paper P as a transfer material is stored. The transfer paper P is sandwiched between the pair of registration rollers 107 by the rotation of the paper feed roller 109a. The registration roller 107 is rotated at a timing at which the toner image on the photoconductor 7 and the transfer paper P overlap at the transfer position. As a result, the transfer paper P sandwiched between the registration rollers 107
Is sent to the transfer nip.

A transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller 110 before the leading end of the transfer paper P enters the transfer nip. By applying the transfer bias, a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied to the transfer roller 110, and a transfer electric field is formed in the transfer nip. As a result, the toner image on the photoconductor 7 is transferred onto the transfer paper P by the action of the transfer electric field and the nip pressure of the transfer nip.

A discharging needle (not shown) is provided downstream of the transfer nip in the direction of transfer of the transfer paper P to remove the charge of the transfer paper P to enhance the separation of the transfer paper P from the photoreceptor 7. . A bias voltage is applied (or grounded) to this static elimination needle. The transfer paper P that has been neutralized by the neutralization needle and separated from the photoconductor 7 is sent to the fixing device 108. The fixing device 108 includes a fixing roller 108 having a heater.
a, and a pressure roller 108b which comes into contact with the fixing roller 108a at a predetermined pressure. By being sent to the fixing device 108, the toner image on the transfer sheet P sandwiched between the fixing roller 108a and the pressure roller 108b is fixed on the transfer sheet P by pressing force, heat or the like.

On the other hand, the residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 7 after passing through the transfer nip is removed by the cleaning blade 105. The residual toner removed from the surface of the photoreceptor 7 is returned into the developing unit 1 by a toner transport device (not shown) and is used again for development. The surface of the photoconductor 7 cleaned by the cleaning blade 105 is placed on the charge removing lamp 10.
6 exposes the entire surface. Thus, residual charges on the surface of the photoconductor 7 are erased. After that, the surface of the photoconductor 7 is subjected to the next image forming step.

Next, a specific configuration around the photoconductor of the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described. As mentioned above,
Around the photoconductor 7, a charging roller 102, an exposure device 10
3, a developing unit 1, a transfer roller 110, a cleaning blade 105, a neutralizing lamp 106, and the like are arranged (see FIG. 2).

Toner is supplied to the developing unit 1 from a toner supply unit 200 described later through a toner supply port 2 provided in the developing casing. The toner supplied to the developing unit 1 is supplied to the first transport screw 3,
The toner is conveyed to the vicinity of the developing sleeve 5 by the second conveying screw 4 while being agitated with the magnetic carrier accommodated in the developing casing.

The developing sleeve 5 of the developing unit 1 contains a magnet (not shown). A magnetic brush made of the carrier is formed on the developing sleeve 5 by the magnetic force of the magnet. The toner conveyed to the vicinity of the developing sleeve 5 is charged by the stirring, and adheres to the carrier by an electric force. Then, the toner attached to the magnetic brush (carrier) by the rotation of the developing sleeve 5 is regulated by the doctor blade 6 to be equalized to a predetermined thickness, and then supplied to the surface of the photoconductor 7. As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 7 is developed, and a toner image is formed on the photoconductor 7.

Here, the amount of toner in the developing unit 1 is monitored by a T sensor 8 disposed immediately below the first transport screw 3. The T sensor 8 is composed of, for example, a magnetic sensor, and detects a magnetic permeability of the developer that changes according to a mixing ratio (toner density) between the carrier and the toner in the developing unit 1. The T sensor 8 outputs a detection signal when the magnetic permeability of the developer reaches a predetermined value, that is, when the toner concentration of the developer decreases. As a result, the toner supply instruction is issued from the control system of the copying machine main body 100 to the toner supply unit 200. In response to this instruction, the toner replenishing unit 200 is driven to pass through the toner supply port 2 of the developing unit 1 and
The toner is supplied into the developing casing of the developing unit 1. The T sensor 8 also monitors toner end and toner near end in the developing unit 1.

Next, the configuration of the toner supply unit 200 will be described. This toner supply unit 200
As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, a bottle storage case 201 as a storage housing for storing the toner bottle 10 that stores the toner as a developer is provided. The bottle storage case 201 includes a toner bottle case (lower case) 1 as a case body to which the toner bottle 10 is mounted.
2, a case cover (upper case) 11 as an open / close lid for covering an opening 12b of the toner bottle case 12 for attaching and detaching the toner bottle 10 to and from the toner bottle case 12, and a toner cover formed by the case cover 11. A locking member 13 as locking means for locking the case cover 11 to the toner bottle case 12 while covering the opening 12b of the bottle case 12 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner bottle 10 has a spiral screw groove 10a formed along the peripheral surface thereof. When the toner bottle 10 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, the screw groove 10a functions as a toner conveying screw. As a result, the toner contained in the toner bottle 10 is
Is discharged from the toner discharge port 10b on one end side of the toner. A toner bottle cap 14 is attached to the toner discharge port 10b of the toner bottle 10. The toner bottle cap 14 is housed in the toner bottle case 12 together with the toner bottle 10 while being attached to the toner bottle 10. At this time, the toner bottle cap 14 is housed in a cap holder 15 formed integrally with the toner bottle case 12.

The cap holder 15 is provided with a toner outlet 15. Also, this cap holder 1
A toner guide member 16 provided with a toner supply port 16a is attached to the fifth toner discharge port 15. Further, a plurality of toner replenishing mylars 17 are radially attached to the toner discharge side end of the toner bottle cap. The toner guide member 16 is provided with an opening / closing member 18 for opening and closing the toner supply port 16a so as to be movable. The opening / closing member 18 is provided with a movement behavior to move to a position where the toner supply member 16a of the toner guide member 16 is closed due to the elasticity of a spring (not shown). This opening / closing member 18
Is moved to a position where the toner supply port 16a of the toner guide member 16 is opened in conjunction with the operation of attaching the toner supply unit 200 to the copying machine main body 100.

As described above, when the T sensor 8 detects that the toner concentration of the developer in the developing unit 1 has decreased, the control system of the copier main body 100 sends the toner supply unit 200 a signal. An instruction to supply toner is issued. As a result, the toner bottle 10 is rotated by the drive system of the copying machine main body 100. The drive system is a copier main body 1
The toner bottle 1 is connected via a coupling which is detached by attaching and detaching the toner supply unit 200 to and from the toner bottle 1.
It is configured to transmit the driving force to zero.

When the toner bottle 10 rotates, the toner in the toner bottle 10 is transferred to the toner discharge port 10b by the toner conveying action of the screw groove 10a of the toner bottle 10.
From the cap holder 15. And
The toner discharged into the cap holder 15 is scooped up by the rotation of the toner supply mylar of the toner bottle cap 14 that rotates together with the toner bottle 10, and is discharged into the toner guide member 16 through the toner discharge port 15a of the cap holder 15. (See FIGS. 2 and 3). The toner discharged into the toner guide member 16 is supplied into the developing unit 1 through the toner supply port 16a of the toner guide member 16 and the toner supply port 2 of the developing casing.

Next, the structure of the bottle storage case 201 of the toner supply unit 200, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described. As described above, the bottle storage case 201 includes the toner bottle case 12 in which the toner bottle 10 is mounted, and the opening 1 of the toner bottle case 12.
2b, and a locking member 13 for locking the case cover 11 to the toner bottle case 12 with the case cover 11 covering the opening 12b of the toner bottle case 12. are doing.

The toner supply unit 20 according to the present embodiment
0, after the toner bottle 10 is mounted in the bottle storage case 201 and the opening 12b of the toner bottle case 12 is covered with the case cover 11 as described above,
3, the case cover 11 and the toner bottle case 1
2 are locked. In this example, first, the hook portion 11a of the case cover 11 and the claw portion 12a of the toner bottle case 12 are fitted by a weak snap fit, and the case cover 11 is attached to the toner bottle case 12. Thereafter, the case cover 11 and the toner bottle case 12 are locked by using the locking member 13.

As shown in FIG. 7, the case cover 11 and the toner bottle case 12 are formed with rail-shaped fitting portions 22 and 23 along the longitudinal direction thereof. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the locking member 13 has grooves parallel to each other which are fitted into the fitting portions 22 and 23 of the case cover 11 and the toner bottle case 12.
a, 13b are formed along the longitudinal direction of the case cover 11 and the toner bottle case 12. Then, while being slid from the direction opposite to the toner replenishing portion side of the bottle storage case 201, the fitted portions 13a and 13b of the locking member 13 are moved to the respective fitting portions 22 of the case cover 11 and the toner bottle case 12, 23. Thus, the case cover 11 and the toner bottle case 12 are locked by the locking member 13 with high connectivity.

As shown in FIG. 5, the locking member 13 of the toner supply unit 200 according to the present embodiment has a groove 20 formed in a part thereof over the entire width in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, when the bottle storage case 201 is disassembled in order to recycle the toner supply unit 200, the locking member 13 can be easily broken. As a result, the disassembly of the case cover 11 of the bottle storage case 201 and the toner bottle case 12 is improved. Then, the bottle storage case 201 of the toner supply unit 200 to be recycled is
3, the case cover 11 and the toner bottle case 12 are locked. As described above, the bottle storage case 201 of the toner supply unit 200 according to the present embodiment
Has high binding properties and decomposability.

Here, as means for improving the decomposability of the locking member 13, as shown in FIG.
When disassembling the bottle storage case 201 by forming the thin portion 21 over the entire width in the longitudinal direction, the locking member 1
3 may be configured to be easily broken. The groove 2 as a means for improving the disassembly of the locking member 13
0 or the thin portion 21 is
It is desirable that the device be constructed so as not to be damaged or deformed by vibration or impact during transportation, and to be relatively easy to be broken during disassembly for recycling. Accordingly, the thickness of the groove portion 20 or the thin portion 21 is 1 m
m or less (preferably 0.7 mm). As a material of the groove 20 or the thin portion 21, a hard and brittle resin, for example, polystyrene is suitable.

As described above, when disassembling the bottle storage case 201 of the toner replenishing unit 200, the locking member 13 is broken by the groove 20 and the thin portion 21 of the locking member 13 so that the locking member 13 is disassembled. Can be easily removed. Thereby, the toner supply unit 2
This makes it possible to shorten the operation time of the 00 recycling process.

In order to prevent the case cover 11 and the toner bottle case 12 from being broken at the time of disassembling the bottle storage case 201, sufficient fitting portions 22, 23 for the case cover 11 and the toner bottle case 12 are provided. It is preferable to have strength. Also, in the toner supply unit 200, it is important to easily identify whether the toner supply unit 200 is a new product or a recycled product. Therefore, the color of the locking member 13 used for the recycled bottle storage case 201 and the color of the locking member 13 used for the new bottle storage case 201 are changed to different colors to determine whether the toner supply unit 200 is new. Preferably, it is easy to identify whether the product is a product.

FIG. 8 shows the toner supply unit 200 in a state where the case cover 11 is locked to the toner bottle case 12 by the locking member 13. The recycling process of the toner supply unit 200 is described in FIGS.
It is shown in FIG. In the recycling process of the toner replenishing unit 200, first, as shown in FIG. 9, the locking member 13 is gripped, and an external force in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction (longitudinal direction) (here, the gripping direction) is applied. Applied to the locking member 13. Thereby, as described above, the locking member 13 is broken, and the fitting portion 23 of the toner bottle case 12
The engagement of the locking member 13 with the fitted portion 13b is released.

Next, the hook portion 11a of the case cover 11 and the claw portion 12a of the toner bottle case 12
Release the lock by the weak snap fit. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10, the case cover 11 is removed from the toner bottle case 12 and the toner bottle case 12 is removed.
The used toner bottle 10 attached to the printer is exposed. Note that, as described above, the broken locking member 13
Is further bent and removed from the case cover 11 as shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the used toner bottle 1 mounted on the toner bottle case 12 is used.
0 is taken out of the toner bottle case 12 together with the toner bottle cap 14. At this time, the coupling 30 for detaching the drive system of the copying machine main body 100 from the toner bottle 10 is also removed. After taking out the toner bottle 10 from the toner bottle case 12 in this way, as shown in FIG. 13, the toner bottle cap 14 attached to the toner bottle 10 is removed.

Then, the toner adhering to the toner bottle cap 14 removed from the toner bottle 10 and the toner bottle case 12 is removed by cleaning (FIG. 1).
4). Thus, the disassembling operation in the recycling process of the toner supply unit 200 is completed. The toner replenishing unit 200 disassembled in this manner is recycled as a recycle product through a procedure reverse to the disassembly operation after a new toner bottle 10 is mounted on the toner bottle case 12.

By the way, the toner supply unit 200
As shown in FIG. 7, a claw 24 locked by the engagement between the locking member 13 and the toner bottle case 12 is provided.
And the hole 25 are provided, and the locking member 13 is
It is preferable that the device is configured so as not to be easily detached due to vibration or impact at the time of transport when the device is mounted on the device.
In this case, the locking member 13 is locked to the toner bottle case 12 of the bottle storage case 201 by the claw 24 and the hole 25.
It may be configured to be locked to the case cover 11 of FIG.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the locking member 13 is provided with a claw 24 and a projection 26, and the case cover 11 is provided.
Are provided with a hole 25 and a claw 27, so that the claw 24 and the hole 25 are engaged, and the protrusion 26 and the claw 27 are engaged. Thereby, the locking member 13 is connected to the bottle storage case 2.
01 is locked to the case cover 11.

On the other hand, the exposure device 103 of the copying machine according to the present embodiment is disposed below the toner supply unit 200 as shown in FIGS. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a shutter 40 pivotally supported by a support shaft 41 is arranged in the exposure apparatus 103 so as to block the irradiation light path of the laser beam L in a flat state. The support shaft 41 of the shutter 40 has a toner supply unit 20
An arm 42 is provided near the attachment / detachment path for the main body 100 of the copying machine. The arm is linked to the attachment / detachment operation of the toner supply unit 200 to / from the copying machine main body 100, and the bottle storage case 201
It is configured to be engaged with the locking member 13 attached to and to swing. Thus, the irradiation optical path of the laser beam L of the exposure device 103 is opened only when the toner supply unit 200 is mounted on the copying machine main body 100.

As described above, in the inventions of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 17, for example,
Once the locking member 13 is removed, it cannot be reused. Therefore, the problem of failure of the apparatus main body that occurs when a user attempts to reuse the bottle storage case 201 of the toner supply unit 200 is solved. Storage case 201 of toner supply unit 200 capable of
There is an effect that can be provided. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, it is possible to solve the problem of failure of the apparatus main body that occurs when a user attempts to reuse the bottle storage case 201 of the toner supply unit 200. There is an effect that a method for storing the bottle 10 can be provided. In particular, in the invention of claim 5, for example, the bottle storage case 201
The toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11 are formed as separate components, and the locking member 13 is
1, the toner supply unit 20
When the 0 bottle storage case 201 is reused, there is an effect that only the relatively inexpensive case cover 11 needs to be replaced with a new one. Further, in the invention according to claim 6, the locking member 13 is provided with the toner bottle case 12.
And the case cover 11 is a separate component, so that when the bottle storage case 201 of the toner supply unit 200 is reused, only the cheaper locking member 13 needs to be replaced. There is. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the fitting portions 13a and 13b of the locking member 13 slide from the one end side into the fitting portions 22 and 23 of the toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11. Since the fitting is performed, there is an effect that the connectivity between the toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11 is improved. In the invention of claim 8, the locking member 1
3, the toner bottle case 1 and the toner cover 11 are locked with the toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11 locked.
2 and the case cover 11 are covered and hidden, so that the toner replenishing unit 20 is exposed by exposing the respective fitting portions.
This has the effect of reducing the risk of the appearance of the bottle storage case 201 being damaged and the possibility of the user disassembling the bottle storage case 201 by mistake. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the locking member 13 is fitted to the toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11 at a position separated from a position where the toner discharge port 10a of the toner bottle 10 is provided. Therefore, contamination of the locking member 13 by toner is small, and the toner replenishing unit 20
There is an effect that the toner contamination of the worker in the recycling process for recycling the 0 bottle storage case 201 can be reduced. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the engagement portions 13a and 13b of the locking member 13 are engaged with the engagement portions 22 and 23 of the toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11, respectively. Since the sliding of the stopper member 13 in the direction opposite to the fitting direction is prevented by the engagement between the claw 24 and the hole 25, the engagement member 13 is
There is an effect that the bottle storage case 201 is not easily detached due to vibration or impact during transportation. According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the case cover 11 is attached to the toner bottle case 12 of the bottle storage case 201.
Direction and the toner bottle case 12
And the fitting direction in which the locking member 13 is fitted to the case cover 11 is orthogonal to each other. That is, the fitting direction of the locking member 13 is a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the case cover 11 is removed from the toner bottle case 12. Thus, in order to improve the disassembly of the bottle storage case 201, the hook 11a of the case cover 11 and the claw 12a of the toner bottle case 12 are engaged with each other by a relatively weak snap fit, that is, the disassembly. Even if the configuration is good, the locking member 13
Accordingly, there is an effect that the toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11 can be locked with high connectivity. In the twelfth aspect, the fitting direction (the horizontal direction in the embodiment) in which the fitted portions 13a and 13b of the locking member 13 are fitted to the fitting portions 22 and 23 of the toner bottle case 12, respectively. ) Is applied to the locking member 13 so that the toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11 are perpendicular to the direction (vertical direction in the embodiment).
Since the locking function of the locking member 13 for the toner supply unit 200 is lost, it is possible to prevent a problem that occurs when a user erroneously regenerates the bottle storage case 201 of the toner supply unit 200. In particular, claim 13
In the present invention, the locking member 13 has such strength that it is broken by the external pressure into at least two parts between the fitted parts 13a and 13b. Applying an external pressure while holding the locking member 13 has an effect that the locking member 13 can be relatively easily broken. In the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the thickness of a portion of the locking member 13 that is broken by the external pressure is formed smaller than the thickness of other portions. It can be more easily destroyed, and the bottle storage case 2 of the toner supply unit 200
Case cover 1 for toner bottle case 12 of No. 01
There is an effect that the decomposability and bonding property of No. 1 can be improved. Further, in the invention according to claim 15, the damaged portion is formed by the fitted portions 13a, 13a of the locking member 13.
b, the locking member 1
3 can be more easily and reliably destroyed.
Further, in the invention of claim 16, since the thickness of the damaged portion is 1 mm or less, there is an effect that the locking member 13 can be more easily and reliably broken. In the invention of claim 17, at least, since the material of the broken portion is polystyrene, there is an effect that the locking member 13 can be more easily broken. In the invention of claim 18, the toner bottle case 1
The locking function of the locking member 13 between the case 2 and the case cover 11 is lost, so that the locking member 13 can be provided which can prevent a problem caused by the user regenerating the bottle storage case 201 of the toner supply unit 200 by mistake. is there.
In the invention of claim 19, the bottle storage case 2
By applying an external pressure to the fitting portion 01 in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction in which the locking member 13 is fitted, the function of locking the toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11 is lost. Thus, the locking member 1 can prevent a problem caused by a user erroneously reproducing the bottle storage case 201 of the toner supply unit 200.
3 can be provided. In particular, in the invention of claim 20, the external pressure causes the case cover 11 to be permanently deformed into a shape in which the case cover 11 cannot be locked to the toner bottle case 12, and the toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11 are locked. There is an effect that the locking member 13 whose function is lost can be provided. Further, in the invention according to claim 21, the external pressure causes the case cover 11 to be broken into a shape in which the case cover 11 cannot be locked to the toner bottle case 12, and the function of locking the toner bottle case 12 and the case cover 11 is achieved. There is an effect that it is possible to provide the locking member 13 that loses. In the invention of claim 22, since the locking member 13 has a unique configuration unique to the bottle storage case, it is difficult to substitute the locking member 13 with a commercially available part. Has the effect that the possibility that the bottle storage case 201 of the toner supply unit 200 is erroneously reproduced can be more reliably prevented. According to the twenty-third aspect, the toner replenishing unit 200 is less likely to be reused by a user by mistake.
There is an effect that can be provided. In particular, in the invention according to claim 24, since the toner agent replenishing means is formed integrally with the toner bottle case 12 of the bottle storage case 201, the maintenance of the toner agent replenishing means is performed when the toner bottle 10 is replaced. Can be performed simultaneously. According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that a method of reproducing the toner replenishing unit 200 in which the user is less likely to reuse the toner by mistake can be provided. In particular, according to the twenty-sixth aspect, in the above-mentioned reproducing method, the used replenishing member 13 and the replenishing coupling member 13 having a different color are used as the regenerating coupling member 13, so that the toner supply unit 200 is new. It is easy to visually determine whether the product is a recycled product or not and it is possible to improve workability during maintenance. According to the twenty-seventh aspect, there is an effect that the toner replenishing unit 200 reproduced by the above-mentioned reproducing method can be provided. In the invention according to claim 28, the toner replenishing unit 20 is less likely to be reused by a user by mistake.
There is an effect that an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine provided with 0 can be provided. In particular, in the invention of claim 29, the toner supply port 16a of the toner supply unit 200 can be opened and closed by the opening / closing member 18 in conjunction with the attachment / detachment operation of the toner supply unit 200 with respect to the copying machine main body 100. Thus, there is an effect that the toner can be prevented from scattering from the toner supply port 16a when the toner supply unit 200 is taken out from the copying machine main body 100. Further, in the invention according to claim 30, the shutter 40 for blocking the irradiation light path of the laser light L irradiated from the exposure device 103 is linked with the attachment / detachment operation of the toner replenishing unit 200 to / from the copying machine main body 100. The toner supply unit 20 is swung by the locking member 13 also serving as a shutter advance / retreat means for opening and closing the
Since the irradiation of the laser beam L by the exposure device 103 in a state where 0 is not mounted is prevented, it is possible to prevent an occurrence of an image formation error due to forgetting to mount the toner supply unit 200. Further, in the invention of claim 31, since the user is less likely to replace the toner bottle 10 of the toner replenishing unit 200 by mistake, there is an effect that the damage caused by the toner scattering of the user can be reduced. In the invention of claim 32, the toner bottle 10 of the toner supply unit 200
Is formed by a screw type toner bottle, and in a state where the toner supply unit 200 is mounted on the copying machine main body 100, the toner supply unit 200 is rotated by a driving force transmitted from the copying machine main body 100 to discharge toner. Therefore, there is no need to provide a drive source in the toner replenishing unit 200, and the toner replenishing unit 200 can be simply and lightly configured.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the disassembly and coupling of the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid, and to reuse the locking means once removed. Therefore, there is an excellent effect that the problem of failure of the apparatus main body which occurs when the user attempts to reuse the developer container housing can be solved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to solve the problem of failure of the apparatus main body which occurs when the user attempts to reuse the housing of the developer container of the developer supply device. There is an excellent effect that it is possible to provide a method of storing a developer container for storing the developer.

In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the engaging direction in which the opening / closing lid is engaged with the developer container housing, and the locking member is fitted to the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid. Since the fitting directions to be combined are orthogonal to each other, in order to improve the disassembly of the housing, the disassembly is performed by engaging the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid with a relatively weak snap fit. Even when the configuration is good, there is an excellent effect that the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid can be locked with high connectivity by the locking member.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the external pressure in a direction orthogonal to a fitting direction in which the fitting portion of the locking member is fitted to each fitting portion of the developer container housing. By adding to the locking member, the locking function of the locking member with respect to the developer container storage body and the opening / closing lid is lost, so that it is generated when a user erroneously regenerates the storage housing of the developer supply device. There is an excellent effect that defects can be prevented.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to provide a locking member that is less likely to be reused by a user by mistake.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that a developer replenishing device which is less likely to be reused by a user can be provided.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to provide a method of regenerating a developer replenishing apparatus in which a user is less likely to reuse the developer by mistake.

According to the twenty-third aspect, there is an excellent effect that a developer replenishing device regenerated by the above-mentioned regenerating method can be provided.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to provide a regenerating method of the developer replenishing device which is less likely to be reused by the user.

According to the twenty-seventh aspect, there is an excellent effect that a developer replenishing device regenerated by the regenerating method can be provided.

According to the twenty-eighth aspect, there is an excellent effect that an image forming apparatus having a developer replenishing device which is less likely to be reused by a user by mistake can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a configuration example around a photoconductor of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a toner supply unit of a toner supply unit that supplies toner to a developing unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the toner supply unit.

FIG. 5 is a partially broken perspective view showing a shape of a locking member for locking a case cover to a toner bottle case of the toner supply unit.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another shape of the locking member.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a usage example of the locking member.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the toner supply unit showing a state where the case cover is locked to the toner bottle case by the locking member.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a step of removing the locking member in the step of replacing the toner bottle in the toner supply unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a step of removing the case cover from the toner bottle case in a step of replacing the toner bottle in the toner supply unit.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a step of removing the locking member from the case cover in the step of replacing the toner bottle in the toner supply unit.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a step of removing the toner bottle from the toner bottle case in a step of replacing the toner bottle in the toner supply unit.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a step of removing a toner bottle cap from the toner bottle in a step of replacing the toner bottle in the toner supply unit.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a step of cleaning a toner supply section of the toner bottle case in a step of replacing a toner bottle in the toner supply unit.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a fitted state of the toner bottle cover and the locking member.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where the locking member is fitted to the toner bottle cover.

FIG. 17 is an essential part cutaway perspective view showing a fitting state of a near side portion between the toner bottle cover and the locking member.

FIG. 18 is a cutaway perspective view of a main part showing a fitting state of a part on the back side between the toner bottle cover and the locking member.

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view for explaining a relationship between a shutter that blocks an irradiation light path of irradiation light for writing a latent image on a photoconductor of the copying machine and the locking member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Development unit 2 Toner supply port 3 1st conveyance screw 4 2nd conveyance screw 5 Developing sleeve 6 Doctor blade 7 Photoconductor 8 T sensor 10 Toner bottle 10a Toner bottle screw groove 10b Toner bottle toner discharge port 11 Case cover (top) Case) 11a Hook portion 12 Toner bottle case (lower case) 12a Claw portion 13 Locking member 13a, 13b Fitted portion 14 Toner bottle cap 15 Cap holder 15a Toner discharge port of cap holder 16 Toner guide member 16a Toner supply port 17 Toner replenishing mylar 18 Opening / closing member 20 Groove portion 21 Thin portion 22, 23 Fitting portion 24 Claw 25 Hole 30 Coupling 40 Shutter 41 Shutter support shaft 42 Support shaft arm 100 Copier main body 102 Charging roller 103 Exposure device 05 a cleaning blade 106 removing lamp 107 registration rollers 108 fixing device 109 the sheet feeding cassette 110 transfer roller 120 automatic document feeder 130 scanner 131 reading optical system 132 imaging device 200 toner replenishing unit 201 bottle storage case P transfer paper

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H071 BA03 BA16 CA01 CA05 DA08 DA26 EA10 2H076 AA60 AB02 AB12 AB81 2H077 AA02 AA03 AA09 AA11 AA34 AB02 AB13 AB14 AB15 AB18 AC02 AD06 AD13 AD18 BA01 CA11 FA00 GA01 GA04

Claims (32)

[Claims] A container housing for storing a developer container, the developer container having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container; and a cover for covering the opening of the developer container housing. And a locking means for locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing with the opening / closing lid covering the opening of the developer container housing. Wherein the locking means loses the locking function of locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing by releasing the locking of the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing. A housing for a developer container, comprising: 2. The developer container storage case according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is permanently deformed to a shape in which said opening / closing lid cannot be locked to said developer container storage body. A housing for housing the developer container, wherein the housing for releasing the opening / closing lid from the developer container housing is released. 3. The developer container housing according to claim 1, wherein said locking means is broken into a shape in which said opening / closing lid cannot be locked to said developer container housing. A housing for a developer container, wherein the locking of the opening / closing lid with respect to the housing is released. 4. A developer container housing having an opening for attaching and detaching a developer container, an opening / closing lid for covering the opening of the developer container housing, and an opening of the developer container housing. A housing housing provided with locking means for locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container storage body in a state of covering the developer container. As means, by unlocking the opening / closing lid with respect to the developer container storage body, using a locking means having a configuration of losing a locking function of locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container storage body, A method for storing a developer container, wherein the opening / closing lid is locked to the developer container storage body. 5. The housing for a developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid are formed as separate components, and the locking means is provided on the opening / closing lid. A housing for a developer container, characterized in that: 6. The housing for a developer container according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said locking means comprises a locking member separate from said developer container storage body and said opening / closing lid. A housing for a developer container. 7. The housing for a developer container according to claim 6, wherein the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid are opposed to each other with the opening of the developer container housing being covered by the opening / closing lid. Each having a mating portion, wherein the locking member has a fitted portion that fits into each of the fitting portions and locks the opening / closing lid with the developer container housing. Housing for the developer container. 8. The housing for a developer container according to claim 7, wherein the locking member locks the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid, and holds the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid. A housing for a developer container, wherein the housing is formed so as to cover each fitting portion. 9. The housing for a developer container according to claim 7, wherein the developer container housing has a developer discharge port for discharging the developer stored in the developer container. The developer container accommodating body and the respective fitting portions of the opening / closing lid are provided in a part of the accommodating housing separated from a part where the developer discharge port is provided. Housing. 10. The housing for a developer container according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein each fitting portion of the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid opens and closes the opening of the developer container housing. In a state covered by the lid, each of the engagement members of the locking member slides from one end side of each of the engagement portions with respect to each of the engagement portions. The opening / closing lid is locked to the developer container housing, and the locking member is configured such that a fitting portion of each of the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid is Developing having a locking claw for preventing sliding in a direction opposite to a fitting direction in which the locking member is fitted to each of the fitting portions in a state fitted to the fitting portions. Storage housing for agent container. 11. A housing for housing a developer container, the developer container housing having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container, and a cover for covering the opening of the developer container housing. And a locking member for locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing with the opening / closing lid covering the opening of the developer container housing. Wherein the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid are provided with an engaging portion that engages the opening / closing lid with the developer container housing, and the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid are formed with the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid. An engagement direction for engaging the opening / closing lid with the developer container housing of the engagement portion, and a developer container of the engagement portion having a fitting portion for fitting a locking member; The fitting direction in which the locking member is fitted to the housing and the opening / closing lid is orthogonal to each other. A housing for a developer container, characterized in that: 12. A housing for housing a developer container, the developer container having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container, and covering the opening of the developer container housing. And a locking member for locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing with the opening / closing lid covering the opening of the developer container housing. Wherein the locking member applies an external pressure in a direction orthogonal to a fitting direction in which the locking member is fitted to the fitting portion of the developer container housing, so that the developer container A housing for a developer container, wherein the housing has a configuration that loses a function of locking the housing and the opening / closing lid. 13. The housing for a developer container according to claim 12, wherein said locking member is fitted to a fitting portion of said developer container housing by said external pressure, and said opening / closing lid is fitted. A housing for a developer container, wherein the housing has a strength to be broken into at least two parts between a part fitted to the part. 14. A housing for a developer container according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said locking member is formed such that a thickness of a damaged portion destroyed by said external pressure is smaller than a thickness of another portion. A housing for a developer container. 15. The developer container according to claim 12, wherein the damaged portion is formed by a groove along a fitting portion of the locking member. Storage case. 16. The housing for a developer container according to claim 14, wherein the thickness of the damaged portion is 1 mm or less. 17. The housing for a developer container according to claim 14, wherein at least the material of the damaged portion is polystyrene. 18. A container housing for accommodating a developer container, a developer container accommodating member having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container, an opening and closing cover for covering the opening of the developer container accommodating member. A locking member for locking the lid, wherein the locking member releases the locking of the opening / closing lid with respect to the developer container housing, so that the opening / closing lid is attached to the developer container housing. A locking member having a configuration that loses a locking function of locking. 19. A developer housing for housing the developer container, wherein the housing for housing the developer container is fitted to a fitting portion of a developer container housing having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container. A locking member for locking an opening / closing lid for covering an opening of the body, wherein the locking member fits the locking member into a fitting portion of the developer container housing. A housing case for a developer container, characterized in that a structure for losing a function of locking the developer container housing and the opening / closing lid by applying an external pressure in a direction perpendicular to the joining direction is provided. 20. The locking member according to claim 19, wherein said locking member is permanently deformed to a shape in which said opening / closing lid cannot be locked to said developer container storage body, thereby storing said developer container. A locking member having a configuration for releasing locking of the opening / closing lid with respect to a body. 21. The locking member according to claim 19, wherein the locking member is broken into a shape in which the opening / closing lid cannot be locked to the developer container storage body, so that the locking member is fixed to the developer container storage body. A locking member for releasing the locking of the opening / closing lid. 22. The locking member according to claim 18, 19, 20 or 21, wherein said locking member has a unique configuration unique to said storage housing. 23. A developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing means for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier with a developer for developing the latent image, the developer replenishing device comprising: 2. A storage case for storing a developer container containing a developer, and a developer replenishing means for replenishing the developer discharged from the developer container to the developing device, wherein the storage case is provided. 2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,1
A developer replenishing device, wherein 2, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17 housings are used. 24. The developer replenishing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said developer replenishing means is formed integrally with a developer container housing of said housing. 25. A developer container housing having an opening for attaching and detaching the developer container, an opening / closing lid for covering the opening of the developer container housing, and a housing for storing the developer container by the opening / closing lid. A developer container housing provided with a locking means for locking the opening / closing lid to the developer container housing while covering the opening of the body; and a developer discharged from the developer container. And a developer supply device for supplying a developer for developing the latent image to a developing device for developing a latent image formed on the image carrier. A method of regenerating a developer replenishing device for replacing a used developer container stored in a housing with a new developer container and recycling the developer replenishing device. The opening / closing lid and the developer container are collected by a used connecting member. An unlocking step of unlocking the container, removing the open / close lid, opening the opening of the developer container housing, and taking out the used developer container from the developer container housing. A developer container take-out step, a developer container storage step of storing a new developer container in the developer container storage body, and a connection between the open / close lid and the developer container storage body by a new coupling member for regeneration. Locking process to stop,
A method for regenerating a developer replenishing device, comprising: 26. A method of regenerating a developer supply device according to claim 25, wherein the used coupling member and a coupling member of a different color from the used coupling member are used as the regeneration coupling member. How to play the device. 27. A developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing means for developing a latent image formed on an image carrier with a developer for developing the latent image, wherein the developer replenishing device comprises: Or a developer replenishing device regenerated by the regenerating method of the developer replenishing device of 26. 28. An image carrier for carrying a latent image, a latent image forming means for forming the latent image on the image carrier, a developing means for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier, 28. An image forming apparatus comprising: a developer replenishing device for replenishing the developing unit with a developer for developing the latent image; wherein the developer replenishing device is used as the developer replenishing device.
An image forming apparatus using the developer supply device of (1). 29. An image forming apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said developer replenishing device is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body, and replenishes developer to said developing means by said developer replenishing means. A developer supply port, and an opening / closing member that opens and closes the developer supply port. The image forming apparatus main body includes the developer supply port attached to the image forming apparatus main body when the developer supply port is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. An opening / closing member moving means for moving the opening / closing member to a site to be opened, and moving the opening / closing member to a site for closing the developer supply port when the developer supply device is taken out of the image forming apparatus main body; An image forming apparatus comprising: 30. An image forming apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said latent image writing means for outputting irradiation light for writing said latent image on said image carrier, and irradiation emitted from said latent image writing means. A coupling member that locks a developer container housing of the developer container of the developer supply device and an opening / closing lid, the shutter including a shutter that blocks a light irradiation optical path; and the developer supply device is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. A shutter that retracts the shutter to a position where the irradiation light path is opened in a mounted state, and advances the shutter to a position that closes the irradiation light path when the developer supply device is removed from the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus, which also serves as a reciprocating unit. 31. The image forming apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the developer contained in the developer container of the developer supply device is a toner. 32. The developer replenishing device according to claim 23, wherein the developer replenishing device has a developer container formed of a screw-type toner bottle, and the developer replenishing device includes the image forming device. By being rotated by the driving force transmitted from the image forming apparatus main body while being attached to the main body,
A developer replenishing device comprising a structure for discharging the developer to the developer replenishing means.