JP2002268346A - Toner-replenishing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner-replenishing device, in which the toner inside a container is moved to an exist side and surely discharged with no residue toner quantity and a toner replenishing device, in which transportation of the toner is carried out by having elliptic movement or circular movement applied to the container as a whole and having the toner gradually moved to the exit side. SOLUTION: In a flexible toner-storing container 20 for storing developer 41 such as toner and carrier used in an electrophotographic device inside and having its horizontal bottom surface constituted of a rigid body, a reciprocating motion whose the accelerated speed is different in the forward and backward directions in approximately horizontal direction within the horizontal plane connecting the central part of the container and the exit part, is applied to the toner-storing container 20 and the toner inside is made to gradually move gradually and toner discharge is carried out from the exit port.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for replenishing toner or a carrier, which is used in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, from a storage container to an image portion, or a method in which a developer is transported in one direction in the storage container portion. To a toner replenishing device having a powder transferring means for transferring the toner to the other storage section from the outlet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic apparatus, an image is created by forming a toner image with a developing device using a developer generally called a toner or a carrier. Since toner is consumed together with image formation, it is common to supply toner to the main unit as a toner cartridge containing toner in a container, and replace the toner with a new toner container when the toner in the container runs out, and replenish the toner. is there.

[0003] Since the toner is a powder, it is an important issue to reliably discharge the remaining toner from the container in a small amount. A method which is usually used as a method of transporting the toner from the inside of the container toward the outlet of the container is not well known. A method called auger is known in which a screw called an auger is provided in a container, and the screw is rotated to send the toner to one side (see FIG. 11), or a screw bottle, which is a helical projection on an inner surface of a cylindrical portion of a cylindrical container. There is a system (see FIG. 12) in which toner is conveyed little by little to the outlet by rotating this container.

[0004] In the auger transport system, it is necessary to provide a member inside the container and rotate it, and there is a disadvantage that the structure becomes complicated. Providing a member inside the container to be replaced has a disadvantage of increasing the cost of consumables. The transfer method using a screw bottle is simple because there is no need to provide a member inside the container, but the container is shaped to have an outlet on one side of a cylindrical container body (normal bottle) in order to rotate and use. ), Which has the disadvantage that the amount of toner that can be held is smaller than that of a rectangular parallelepiped container, and that the hand is slippery and difficult to hold during handling during replacement.

A conventional toner storage (supply) container is
Since it is made of a hard bottle such as a cartridge or a bottle, there is a big problem in recycling used toner storage (supply) containers accompanying replacement of toner storage (supply) containers. Used toner storage (supply) containers are taken from the user to the manufacturer for recycling, reuse, and incineration. However, toner storage (supply) containers are bulky, and collection, transportation and distribution costs from the user to the manufacturer are high. It was expensive. Further, when the collected toner storage (supply) container is refilled with toner and the container is to be reused, it is difficult to clean the collection container and the toner filling efficiency is low, so that the toner storage container needs to be re-used. There is a problem that the cost required for use is also high.

Conventionally, there has been a proposal that the volume of a toner storage (supply) container can be reduced. However, the discharge of toner from the container whose volume is reduced is very unstable, and the transfer of the discharged toner is difficult. There are also many restrictions, and there is a problem in that the toner replenishing device stabilizes and maintains the toner replenishing performance and that the toner is contaminated when the toner storage (replenishment) container is replaced, and that the toner replenishing device is installed at a limited position. In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors provide a reciprocating motion to the toner storage container of a flexible material capable of reducing the volume, to move the toner in the container in one direction,
There has been proposed a toner supply device that discharges toner from a discharge port provided below the container and supplies toner to a developing device and the like. In this toner replenishing device, the toner is transferred only by using the inertia force of the toner. Therefore, there is no need to provide a screw or a spiral projection inside the toner container, and the cost is low. Even in this case, the toner can be reliably transferred in one direction without using a complicated device, and the toner in the container can be reliably discharged without remaining. Further, since the flexible member is used, the volume can be easily reduced after use, and the collection cost can be reduced as well as the container cost. By the way, the replenishing device is based on the principle that the container gives reciprocating motion with asymmetrical acceleration to move the toner in one direction by using the inertia of the toner. (Acceleration in the opposite direction), the flexible member may be deformed or moved by the acceleration, etc., and the acceleration may not be sufficiently transmitted to the contained toner, and the toner may not easily move with respect to the container. If the flexible member is made of a soft material, it is disadvantageous because it is more easily deformed.

Further, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-29300
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 9 (1999) -1972 also discloses a method in which a container or a container receiver is vibrated to discharge the toner in the container little by little. In this example, a vibrating device is provided in the container supporting portion (toner hopper setting portion). However, in this embodiment, an opening is provided in substantially the entire longitudinal direction of the lower surface of the container. This is to give the toner fluidity by vibration and discharge the toner. However, the structure becomes complicated, it is difficult to reduce the cost, and furthermore, there is a problem that the vibration may adversely affect other parts.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a toner replenishing apparatus which moves toner in a container to an outlet side and discharges the toner without residual toner. It is to provide. Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner replenishing device capable of improving operability of a storage container, reducing collection costs, and reducing the cost of a replenishing device.
Further, the present invention is an improvement of the above, and even if it is a simple container having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the toner can be surely transferred in one direction and the toner in the container can be surely discharged without remaining. It is to provide a device.

Further, according to the present invention, the transfer of the toner imparts an elliptical motion or a circular motion to the entire container, whereby the toner is gradually moved to the outlet side by utilizing a change in the frictional force between the toner and the bottom of the container. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner supply device to be moved.

[0010]

According to one aspect of the present invention, a container for storing a developer such as a toner and a carrier used in an electrophotographic apparatus is provided in a horizontal position of the container. A flexible toner storage container having a lower surface formed of a rigid body, and the toner storage container is provided with a reciprocating motion having different accelerations in a forward direction and a return direction in a substantially horizontal direction in a horizontal plane connecting a central portion of the container and an outlet portion, sequentially. A toner supply device that moves the toner inside and discharges the toner from the outlet. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a container for storing a developer such as a toner and a carrier used in an electrophotographic apparatus is a sealed flexible container, and a part or the whole of a horizontal lower surface of the flexible container is rigid. A toner storage container that is adhered or adhered to a body member.The toner storage container is provided with a reciprocating motion having different accelerations in a forward direction and a return direction in a substantially horizontal direction in a horizontal plane connecting a central portion of the container and an outlet portion, sequentially. A toner supply device that moves the toner inside and discharges the toner from the outlet. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the first or second aspect, a part of the rigid body is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container.
The toner supply device has at least one groove.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the toner replenishing device according to the first to third aspects, wherein a part of the rigid body collides with the main body to make the reciprocating acceleration different. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the flexible member and the rigid body are made of the same material.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying a developer from a container for storing a developer called a toner or a carrier used in an electrophotographic apparatus to a developing device or another developer storing section. In the body supply means, an elliptical motion or a circular motion is applied to a member constituting the container, so that the powder moves in one direction on the bottom surface of the container and is supplied from the outlet. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the toner replenishing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the direction of the elliptical motion or the circular motion is defined as an axis perpendicular to a vertical plane connecting the center portion and the outlet portion of the container with the rotation center. The toner replenishing device has an elliptical motion or a circular motion, and a rotational direction in which the elliptical motion or the circular motion moves from the center to the outlet side at the upper portion of the elliptical motion or the circular motion. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the toner replenishing apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the biasing means for the elliptical movement or the circular movement to the container is performed by rotation of the drive means and the eccentric shaft. I do. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the toner replenishing apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the biasing means for the elliptical motion or the circular motion to the container rotates the unbalanced rotor provided on the container support. And a toner replenishing device.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire configuration when used in a toner supply unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 90 denotes a photoconductor, similarly to a general electrophotographic process, which is provided with a uniform charge by a charging device (not shown), and is exposed to an image corresponding to an image formed by an exposure device (not shown). An image is formed.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a developing unit, which is a unit for developing an electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image.
The toner image formed on the photoreceptor is transferred onto a transfer sheet as in a general electrophotographic process, and is fixed and fixed on the transfer sheet by a fixing device to output an image. The developing device shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called two-component developing device,
A developer 41 in which a toner and a carrier are mixed is stored in the inside, and 13 a and 13 b are two conveying screws for stirring the developer 41. Reference numeral 12 denotes a developing roller which develops a latent image to form a toner image while holding the stirred developer on the roller surface by magnetic force. Reference numeral 14 denotes a doctor blade for regulating the developer on the developing roller to a fixed height.

In the developing device 10, toner is consumed as an image is formed. The portion for replenishing toner is a toner replenishing portion shown above the developing device. Reference numeral 15 denotes a toner receiving portion for guiding the toner to the developing device. 2A and 2B show a flexible toner container according to the present invention. Reference numeral 21 denotes a bag-like toner storage member, which is made of a flexible sheet having a thickness of about 80 to 200 μm made of a resin such as polyethylene or nylon or paper and having a thickness of about 80 to 200 μm. Reference numeral 22 denotes a rigid body such as a resin, which has a base 23 provided with a toner discharge port, and is adhered or adhered to a flexible member as shown in FIG. 2B. Further, if the same material is used for the flexible material and the rigid member, it is not necessary to separate the used container as a single material when reusing the same, so that the recyclability can be improved.

There is a case where the used toner container is picked up by the user from the user and recycled / reused. In such a case, if the container is flexible, the volume can be reduced (folded), and the container can be transported. Good handling at the time of storage is possible, the storage space can be reduced, and the cost of collection and distribution can be reduced. Further, if the rigid body is provided with cuts 24 (grooves) as shown in FIG. 2B in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container, the rigid body can be easily folded along the groove, as shown in FIG. (See (c)) The space is greatly reduced.

New toner is stored in the toner storage container 20, and when consumed, the toner container is replaced with a new one. Reference numeral 30 denotes a toner container receiver, which serves as a receiver for setting the toner container. Reference numeral 31 denotes a support base for supporting the toner supply unit, which is fixedly mounted on the apparatus main body. This support also has an opening through which toner can pass. The principle of toner discharge according to the present invention is to reciprocate the toner container to sequentially move the toner in the exit direction (rightward in the figure) and discharge the toner. The operation is as described below. The toner container 20 is the toner container receiver 3
0 is fixedly supported by the base 23. Rollers 34a and 34b are arranged between the toner container receiver 30 and the support table 31, and the toner container receiver is positioned on the support table by an arrow B in the drawing.
It is movably supported in the direction of -C. It is assumed that it is held by general means so as not to move or dislodge in other directions.

A pressure spring 33 is fixed to the toner container receiver 30 and the support table 31, and urges the container receiver to the right in the drawing. The pressure spring 33 can use not only a coil spring as shown in the figure, but also an elastic body. The elastic body has a space-saving and moderate elasticity, has an appropriate viscous resistance, and has an effect of reducing noise. There is. The cam 32 is a main body (not shown) or
It is supported on the support base 31 by general means.

When the cam 32 rotates in the direction of arrow A, the cradle 30 moves leftward (in the direction of arrow B in the figure) by the cam as a first step, and the pressing spring 33 is pressed. When the zenith of the cam passes, it is opened, and the cradle 30 moves while accelerating in the right direction of the arrow C by the force of the pressure spring 33. As a third step, the receiving table 30 collides with a stopper 35 provided on the supporting table 31 at a certain speed and is deformed and stopped. The stopper causes the container to rapidly decelerate, and the difference in acceleration between the C direction and the B direction of the toner container is greatly different, so that the toner moves (in the C direction) due to the inertial force of the toner. If an elastic member such as rubber or sponge is used for the stopper 35, an appropriate acceleration (deceleration) due to a damper effect (by viscous force) can be obtained, and at the same time, vibration and noise of the device can be prevented. The toner inside, which has moved to the right, is discharged from the outlet 23 and supplied to the developing device.

However, when the pedestal 30 abuts against the stopper, the flexible container 20 is fixed to the pedestal 30 only by the base 23, so that when the container is formed of only flexible members, It slightly deforms and moves in the C direction. That is, the acceleration obtained by the contact is not completely transmitted to the toner. In such a case, the transfer efficiency of the toner is reduced, and an excessive acceleration is required to reliably discharge the toner. Excessive acceleration is not preferable because there is a concern that the image may be affected by an increase in impact sound and vibration.

Therefore, if the horizontal lower surface of the container is made of a rigid body as in the present invention, it is not deformed at the time of contact, and the acceleration can be efficiently transmitted to the toner. FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the principle of toner discharge is the same as the above-described configuration. However, in the third step, the rigid body of the container is in direct contact with the main body. Then, the acceleration obtained by the contact can be more efficiently transmitted to the toner.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the toner storage container. The toner container 20 is a sealed flexible container 2
1, and the horizontal lower surface of the flexible container is tightly fixed to the rigid body 22 by adhesion or adhesion. This object is the same as that of the first aspect, but even if the entire surface of the container is a flexible container, acceleration can be reliably transmitted since the container is tightly fixed by a rigid body. Further, in the container configuration of the first aspect, since the container secures the inside of the container by using a flexible member and a rigid member, a gap may be opened due to deterioration with time or the like at the joint. Further, when the rigid body and the flexible container are separated in the disassembling operation after collection after use of the container, it is conceivable that a small amount of the remaining toner leaks to the outside air and is contaminated. Therefore, there is no such concern if the flexible container is used to secure the seal and the lower surface is prevented from being deformed by the rigid body attached from the outside.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the overall configuration when the present invention is used in a toner supply section. 1 is a toner container,
The toner 2 is stored in the inside. Reference numeral 4 denotes an outlet of the container. The toner inside is sequentially discharged from the outlet and supplied to a toner replenishing unit of a developing device (not shown).
Reference numeral 3 denotes a shutter, which is a lid for preventing toner from leaking from the outlet when handling the toner container.
The shutter is manually or automatically opened when the toner container is set in the main body. Reference numeral 5 denotes a toner container receiver, and the toner container is set in the toner container receiver. Further, the toner container receiver performs an elliptical motion or a circular motion, and transmits this motion to the toner container to move / discharge the toner. Reference numeral 6 denotes a support base, which is a support member fixed to the main body device, and may be configured as a part of the main body frame. The support 6 is provided with a toner outlet 7 for guiding the toner discharged from the container to a developing unit (not shown), and the 7 is connected to a toner supply unit of the developing unit. 8
Reference numerals a and 8b denote eccentric shafts, which are crank-shaped shafts as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2, which are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the container and serve to give an elliptical motion or a circular motion to the container support. I do. 9a and 9b are pulleys and 10 is a toothed belt, which is a mechanism for synchronously rotating two eccentric shafts. Reference numeral 11 denotes a sealing material, which is made of a flexible rubber material such as bellows, and includes a support 6 and a toner container receiver 5.
Is a member for performing relative motion, but for preventing toner discharged at this time from scattering around.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toner supply unit having the configuration shown in FIG. Reference numeral 12 denotes a stopper member which is engaged with the eccentric shaft and the toner container receiver in a state where the eccentric shaft can rotate.
The eccentric shaft and the toner container receiver are provided at four locations. Reference numeral 13 denotes a motor for rotating and driving the eccentric shaft. This rotation is also transmitted to the eccentric shaft on the opposite side via a pulley and a toothed belt, and the two eccentric shafts rotate synchronously, whereby the toner container performs an elliptical motion or a circular motion.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the overall configuration when used in a toner supply section according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
Similarly, 1 is a toner container in which toner 2 is stored. Reference numeral 4 denotes an outlet of the container. The toner inside is sequentially discharged from the outlet and supplied to a toner replenishing unit of a developing device (not shown). Reference numeral 3 denotes a shutter, which is a lid for preventing toner from leaking from the outlet when handling the toner container. The shutter is manually or automatically opened when the toner container is set in the main body. is there. Reference numeral 20 denotes a toner container receiver A (having a different shape from FIG. 6), and the toner container is set in the toner container receiver A. The toner container receiver A performs an elliptical motion or a circular motion, and transmits this motion to the toner container to move / discharge the toner.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a support base A, which is a support member fixed to the main body device, and may be configured as a part of the main body frame. The support stand A21 is provided with a toner outlet for guiding the toner discharged from the container to a developing unit (not shown), and the outlet is connected to a toner supply unit of the developing unit. Reference numeral 22 denotes a compression spring, which is provided at four locations and is
0 and the toner container are freely supported. 23
Reference numerals a and 23b denote rotating shafts, on which unbalanced rotors 24a and 24b are fixed. The rotation shafts are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner container receiver A20. 25a, 25
Reference numeral b denotes a pulley, and reference numeral 10 denotes a toothed belt, which is a mechanism for transmitting rotation so that the unbalanced rotors at both ends rotate synchronously in the same direction. The configuration is such that the toner container receiver A and the toner container are moved in an elliptical motion or a circular motion by an exciting force generated by rotationally driving the unbalanced rotor.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the configuration of FIG. 7, and 27 is a motor for driving the rotating shaft. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a relationship between the elliptical motion or the circular motion of the container and the movement of the toner in the container. The rotational motion is an elliptical motion about the axis (= the axis of B or C in FIG. 9) perpendicular to the vertical plane (= the plane corresponding to the paper in FIG. 9) connecting the center of the container and the outlet of the container. Or a circular motion. The direction of rotation is set so that the upper half of the elliptical motion or the circular motion is directed from the center of the toner container to the outlet (arrows D and E in FIG. 9). By giving the movement to the container in this manner, the toner inside the container is directed toward the outlet in the direction of the inside of the container as indicated by arrow F in the figure by the inertia force of its own weight and the frictional force between the toner and the bottom surface of the container. Move.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the state of the movement of the ellipse. In the case of the ellipse movement, the angle between the major axis of the ellipse (G in the figure) and the direction toward the outlet side of the container bottom (H in the figure). (Α in the figure)
It is efficient to move so that the angle is 0 to 90 degrees.

[0028]

As described above, in the toner replenishing apparatus of the present invention, the powder is transferred only by the reciprocating motion using the inertia force of the powder, so that a transporting member is not required inside the container. In addition, the flexible container is foldable, and a part thereof is made of a rigid body, so that it is easy for the user to handle, and the space for transportation and storage is reduced, so that the cost is reduced. Further, since the lower surface of the container is formed of a rigid body, the acceleration motion of the container can be transmitted to the toner reliably and without loss. Furthermore, after using the container, the disassembling operation of the rigid body and the flexible container becomes easy. further,
After the toner is used, the container can be easily bent along the groove of the rigid body, so that the container can be folded smaller. Therefore, the storage space is reduced. Further, since the main body directly contacts the rigid body, the acceleration can be transmitted to the toner without loss. Further, the case where the toner container is constituted by a plurality of members. Although it takes time to separate, if the materials are unified, there is no need to separate and the recyclability is improved.

Further, in the toner replenishing apparatus of the present invention, since the powder is transferred in the container by using the frictional force and inertia force of the powder by the elliptical motion or the circular motion, a conveying member is required inside the container. In addition, since a simple and high-container container shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped can be adopted, a low-cost and compact powder conveying mechanism can be realized. Further, by performing an elliptical or circular motion in such a rotational direction, the frictional force between the container and the developer when the container moves upward and the frictional force between the container and the developer when the container moves downward are determined. Due to the difference and the inertia force of the developer, the developer inside the container can be transported and discharged to the container outlet side in order. Furthermore, by rotating the eccentric drive shaft by supporting the container with the eccentric drive shaft,
A uniform circular motion can be given to the whole container. Further, by providing an elliptical motion or a circular motion to the container by the rotation of the unbalanced rotor, a simple drive with less frictional portions can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration when used in a toner supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flexible toner container.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration when used in a toner supply unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner storage container.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration when used in a toner supply unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toner supply unit having the configuration of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration when used in a toner supply unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a perspective view of the configuration shown in FIG. 7, and reference numeral 27 denotes a motor for driving a rotating shaft.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a relationship between the elliptical motion or the circular motion of the container and the movement of the toner in the container.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of an elliptical motion.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a toner replenishing method in which a screw is provided inside a toner storage container and the toner is rotated by rotating the screw.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a toner replenishing method in which toner is conveyed little by little to an outlet by rotating a toner storage container.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Developing device 12 Developing roller 13 Conveyor screw 14 Doctor blade 15 Toner receiving part 20 Toner storage container 21 Flexible container 22 Rigid body 23 Cap part 24 Cut 30 Toner container receiving 31 Support base 32 Cam 33 Pressure spring 34a, 34b Roller 35 Stopper DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Toner storage container 102 Toner 103 Shutter 104 Container outlet 105 Toner container receiver 106 Support stand 107 Toner outlet 108 Cam 109a, 109b Pulley 110 Toothed belt 111 Seal member 112 Stopper member 120 Toner container receiver A 121 Support base A 122 Compression spring 123a, 123b Rotary shaft 124a, 124b Unbalanced roller 125a, 125b Pulley 127 Motor

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Muramatsu 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Ricoh Co., Ltd. (reference) 2H077 AA02 AA39 BA01 BA04 CA02 EA01 FA21

Claims (9)

[Claims] A container for storing a developer such as a toner and a carrier used in an electrophotographic apparatus is a flexible toner storage container having a rigid lower surface on a horizontal lower surface of the container. A toner replenishing apparatus characterized in that reciprocating motions having different accelerations are provided in a forward direction and a return direction in a substantially horizontal direction in a horizontal plane connecting a center portion and an outlet portion of a container, and the toner inside is sequentially moved to discharge the toner from an outlet. 2. A container for accommodating a developer such as a toner and a carrier used in an electrophotographic apparatus is a hermetically sealed flexible container, and a part or the entire horizontal lower surface of the flexible container is adhered to a rigid member. Or, the toner container is bonded to the toner container, and the toner container is subjected to reciprocating motions having different accelerations in the forward and backward directions in a substantially horizontal direction in a horizontal plane connecting the central portion of the container and the outlet portion, thereby sequentially discharging the internal toner. A toner replenishing device which moves and discharges toner from an outlet. 3. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein one or more grooves are formed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a part of the rigid body. 4. The toner replenishing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part of the rigid body collides with the main body to vary the reciprocating acceleration. 5. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member and the rigid body are made of the same material. 6. A powder supply means for supplying a developer from a container for storing a developer called a toner or a carrier used in an electrophotographic apparatus to a developing device or another developer container. A toner replenishing apparatus characterized in that powder is moved in one direction on a bottom surface of a container and supplied from an outlet by giving an elliptical motion or a circular motion to constituent members. 7. The toner supply device according to claim 6, wherein the direction of the elliptical motion or the circular motion is the elliptical motion or the elliptical motion about an axis orthogonal to a vertical plane connecting the center portion and the outlet portion of the container. A toner replenishing apparatus characterized in that the toner replenishing device is a circular motion, and has a rotational direction in a direction of moving from a central portion to an outlet side above the elliptical motion or the circular motion. 8. The toner replenishing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the means for urging the container to move in an elliptical motion or a circular motion is performed by driving means and rotation of an eccentric shaft. . 9. The toner replenishing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the means for biasing the container in an elliptical motion or a circular motion is performed by rotation of an unbalanced rotor provided on the container support. A toner supply device.