JP2003255684A - Developer storing container and developer replenishing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer replenishing device whose developer discharge port can be opened/closed with a simple constitution, which is compact, inexpensive, and very reliable, whose operation by a user is simplified, and to/from which a developer storing container is attached/detached intuitively, and to provide a developer storing container. <P>SOLUTION: The developer storing container has a cap capable of moving between an opening position where a developer discharge aperture is opened and a closing position where the developer discharge aperture is closed, and a stopper abutting on the abutting part of the cap at the opening position and preventing the cap from moving further with respect to the developer storing container. The developer replenishing device has a supporting means for rotatably supporting the developer storing container, and a driving means engaged with the cap and rotating the cap in a direction from the closing position toward the opening position. The cap is moved from the closing position to the opening position by the rotation of the driving means and opens the developer discharge aperture. By the further rotation of the driving means, the stopper receives driving from the cap moved to the opening position so as to drive to rotate the developer storing container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer replenishing device for replenishing a developing device of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile using an electrophotographic process with a developer.

Further, the present invention relates to a developer accommodating container used by being mounted on the developer replenishing device.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a means for supplying a developer to a developing device of an image forming apparatus, a developer accommodating container accommodating the developer is always attached to the main body of the apparatus so as to respond to the decrease of the developer by the operation of the main body. Thus, there is known a developer replenishing device that replenishes the developer in the developer container to the developing device.

Further, in the developer accommodating container mounted on the developer replenishing device as described above, in order to prevent the developer from unnecessarily leaking into and out of the main body of the apparatus when the developer accommodating container is attached and detached. Is provided with a sealing member for sealing the developer discharge port of the developer storage container, and the developer storage container is attached to the image forming apparatus with the sealing member sealing the developer discharge port. Known is a developer replenishing device and a developer accommodating container in which the developer discharge port is opened inside so that the developer can be replenished and the developer discharge port is sealed inside the main body when the developer accommodating container is taken out. Has been.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views for explaining the structures of a conventional developer replenishing device and a developer accommodating container disclosed in JP-A-7-5759.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of the developer replenishing device with the developer accommodating container 120 mounted. 120 in the figure
Is a substantially cylindrical developer accommodating container in which the developer is accommodated, a developer discharge port 123 is provided at one end surface thereof, and a spiral guide is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the developer accommodating container 120. A groove 127 is formed. In the figure, reference numeral 125 denotes a stopper for sealing the developer discharge port, and a knob portion 126 is formed at substantially the center of the outer surface of the stopper 125. 121 is a container holder for holding the developer accommodating container 120,
With the developer container 120 held and fixed, the drive source 13
It is rotatably supported around the rotating shaft 110 by receiving the driving force from the shaft 7. In the figure, reference numeral 118 denotes a developer carrying screw for carrying the developer into the developing device.
It is provided at the bottom of 16.

The developer accommodating container 120 is attached to the container holder 12.
1 is set to a predetermined position, the developer discharge port 1
23 has entered the hopper 116, and the developer dropped from the developer discharge port 123 into the hopper 116 is carried into the developing device while being agitated by the developer carrying screw 118.

Reference numeral 130 in the figure is a collet chuck for attaching and detaching the stopper 125 to and from the developer accommodating container 120, and is constructed so that it can be moved forward and backward in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2 by a forward and backward moving means (not shown). Reference numeral 132 denotes a collar for opening and closing the collet chuck 130, which is urged by the spring 151 in the arrow Y1 direction. In the free state shown in FIG. 12, the collet chuck 130 is urged so that the holding portion 133 at the tip end expands.

The developer accommodating container 120 is attached to the container holder 12.
In the state of being set to the predetermined position of No. 1, the picking portion 126 of the stopper 125 is in a state of entering the expanded holding portion 133, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. After that, the forward / backward moving means of the collet chuck 130 is operated by operating a lever (not shown) or the like to move the collet chuck 130 in the direction of the arrow Y.
When moving in two directions, the slope 1 of the collet chuck 130
31 is pushed by the inner peripheral surface of the collar 132, the holding portion 133 is closed, and the holding portion 126 of the stopper 125 is held. By further movement of the collet chuck 130 in the direction of the arrow Y2, the stopper 125 is pulled out from the developer accommodating container 120 while being held by the collet chuck 130, and the developer discharge port 123 is formed.
Opens.

As described above, by rotating the container holder 121 with the developer discharge port 123 open,
The developer accommodating container 120 rotates about the rotation shaft 110, and the action of the guide groove 127 causes the developer to be conveyed toward the developer discharge port and drop into the hopper 116 to be replenished.

When the developer in the developer accommodating container 120 becomes empty, the advancing and retracting moving means of the collet chuck 130 is operated by operating a lever (not shown) or the like to move the collet chuck 130 in the arrow Y1 direction. At this time, the collar 132 moves in the arrow Y1 direction together with the collet chuck 130 by the action of the spring 151. This allows
The stopper 125 is attached to the developer accommodating container 120 while being held by the collet chuck 130, and the developer discharge port is sealed. After that, the collar 132 contacts the stopper 125,
Only the collet chuck 130 moves in the arrow Y1 direction. As a result, the inclined surface 131 of the collet chuck 130 is separated from the collar 132 and is in a free state, and the holding portion 133 of the collet chuck 130 is opened and the grip portion 126 is opened. As described above, the developer discharge port is sealed by the plug 125, and the developer accommodating container 120 can be taken out.

Further, a conventional example disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-207207 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the structure of the developer accommodating container in the above conventional example. Reference numeral 215 in the drawing denotes a substantially cylindrical developer accommodating container that accommodates the developer inside, and a developer discharge port 219 is provided on the side surface near one end of the developer accommodating container 215. A spiral guide groove 245 is formed on the surface. A guide protrusion 242 is formed on the outer surface of the developer container 215.

Reference numeral 216 in the drawing is a ring-shaped shutter for sealing the developer discharge port 219, and an opening 220 is formed on the side surface of the shutter 216. The shutter 216 is rotatably provided in the developer accommodating container 215, and the developer discharge port 219 and the opening 220 are normally displaced from each other, and the developer discharge port 219 is sealed by the shutter 216. By rotating the shutter 216 with respect to the developer container 215 and aligning the developer discharge port 219 and the opening 220, the developer in the developer container 215 can be discharged to the outside. Reference numeral 241 is an engagement protrusion formed on the shutter 216.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the essential parts of the developer replenishing device with the developer accommodating container 215 attached. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 217 denotes a container holder for holding the developer accommodating container 215, which receives the driving force from the driving source 201 while the developer accommodating container 215 is held and fixed.
It is rotatably supported around 00. On the inner surface of the container holder 217, a substantially L-shaped guide groove 243 that engages with and guides the guide protrusion 242, and the engaging protrusion 2
A recess 244 that engages with 41 is formed. 23 in the figure
Reference numeral 7 denotes a developer carrying screw for carrying the developer into the developing device, which is provided at the bottom of the hopper 218.

The developer container 215 is attached to the container holder 21.
7 is set at a predetermined position, the developer discharge port 2
19 has entered the hopper 218, and the developer dropped from the developer discharge port 219 into the hopper 218 is conveyed into the developing device while being stirred by the developer conveying screw 237.

When the guide projection 242 of the developer accommodating container 215 is inserted into the container holder 217 in the direction of arrow Y3 while guiding the guide projection 242 to the guide groove 243, the engaging projection 241 is recessed.
Engage with 4. After that, the guide protrusion 242 is attached to the guide groove 24.
By rotating the developer accommodating container 215 in the direction of the arrow Y4 while guiding it to 3, the developer accommodating container 215 rotates relative to the shutter 216, and the developer discharge port 219.
And the opening 220 coincide with each other, and the developer in the developer container 215 can flow out to the outside.
The mounting of the toner on the developer replenishing device is completed.

As described above, by rotating the container holder 217 with the developer discharge port 219 opened,
The developer accommodating container 215 rotates around the rotation shaft 200, and the action of the guide groove 245 causes the developer to be discharged to the developer discharge port 2.
The sheet is conveyed toward 19 and drops into the hopper 218 to be replenished.

When the developer in the developer accommodating container 215 becomes empty, the developer accommodating container 215 is rotated relative to the shutter 216 by rotating the developer accommodating container 215 in the direction opposite to the arrow Y4. Rotate to the developer outlet 219
The opening 220 is displaced, and the developer discharge port 219 is sealed by the shutter 216. After that, the developer container 215 is pulled out in the direction opposite to the arrow Y3 to complete the removal of the developer container 215.

[0020]

However, in the conventional example disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-5759, the mechanism for opening and closing the developer discharge port 123 is complicated, which reduces the reliability of the operation and increases the size of the apparatus. And increase costs.

Further, in the conventional example disclosed in JP-A-10-207207, although the developer discharge port 219 can be opened and closed with a simple structure, the operation is troublesome because the user has to make many operations. , There is a problem that it is difficult to understand. That is, when the cylindrical developer accommodating container 215 is inserted into the apparatus main body, the guide protrusion 242 is used.
Is required to be aligned in the rotational direction so as to align with the guide groove 243. Furthermore, it is necessary to manually rotate the developer storage container 215 after inserting the developer storage container 215. If the user forgets the rotation operation,
Since the developer discharge port 219 remains sealed, the developer is not replenished.

Furthermore, even when the developer container 215 is taken out, it is necessary to manually rotate the developer container 215. If the user forgets to rotate the developer container, the developer discharge port 219 remains open. Therefore, the developer may be scattered inside and outside the apparatus main body. In the above-mentioned conventional example, the guide groove 243 is formed in a substantially L shape so that the developer storage container 215 can be used when the rotation operation is forgotten.
However, since the developer cannot be pulled out, it is possible to prevent the developer from scattering due to an operation mistake as described above. However, a user who does not notice the rotation operation may be confused that the developer storage container 215 cannot be pulled out.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present application is to open and close the developer discharge port with a simple structure, to be small in size, low in cost and highly reliable. Another object of the present invention is to provide a developer replenishing device and a developer accommodating container that allow the user to simplify the operation procedure and intuitively attach and detach the developer accommodating container.

[0024]

In order to achieve the above object, a first invention according to the present application provides a developer replenishing device with a developer accommodating container having a developer discharge opening and accommodating a developer. In a developer accommodating container and a developer replenishing device which are used while being rotated in a mounted state, the developer accommodating container is provided between an open position for opening the developer discharge opening and a closed position for closing the developer discharge opening. Movably attached to the cap, and a stopper that abuts an abutting portion provided on the cap in a state where the cap is moved to the open position and prevents the cap from further moving with respect to the developer accommodating container. And the developer replenishing device, in a state in which the developer accommodating container is mounted, a support unit that rotatably supports the developer accommodating container, and engages with the cap,
The cap has drive means for rotationally driving the cap in the direction from the closed position to the open position, the cap has drive transmission means for receiving drive from the drive means, and the cap is rotated by the rotation of the drive means. The developer discharging opening is opened by moving from the closed position to the open position, and the stopper is driven by the cap moved to the open position by further rotation of the driving means to rotate the developer container. To do.

In the above structure, by rotating the cap, the cap moves from the closed position to the open position, and then the developer accommodating container rotates together with the cap.

In order to achieve the above object, a second invention of the present application is the developer container according to the first invention, wherein the cap is provided at the center of rotation of the developer container rotated by the driving means. The rotation torque required to move the developer storage container from the closed position to the open position is smaller than the rotation torque of the developer storage container that is rotated by being driven by the cap.

In the above structure, when the rotational drive is transmitted to the cap, the cap rotates independently before the developer accommodating container rotates.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a third aspect of the present invention is the developer replenishing device according to the first aspect, wherein a resistance imparting force is applied in a direction of increasing a rotation torque of the developer accommodating container. The rotation torque of the developer accommodating container having the means including the resistance force from the resistance applying means is greater than the rotation torque required to move the cap from the closed position to the open position with respect to the developer accommodating container. Characterized by being large.

In the above structure, when the rotational drive is transmitted to the cap, the cap rotates independently before the developer accommodating container rotates.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a fourth invention according to the present application is to rotate a developer accommodating container having a developer discharge opening and accommodating a developer, mounted in a developer replenishing device. In the developer accommodating container and the developer replenishing device used while being used, the developer accommodating container is movably attached between an open position that opens the developer discharge opening and a closed position that closes the developer discharge opening. A cap, and a stopper that abuts an abutting portion provided on the cap in a state where the cap is moved to the open position and prevents the cap from further moving with respect to the developer accommodating container. The developer replenishing device has a support means for rotatably supporting the developer accommodating container in a state where the developer accommodating container is mounted, and engages with the developer accommodating container to open the cap from the closed position. Rank Has a driving means for rotationally driving the developer accommodating container in a direction opposite to the direction toward, and a resistance imparting means for imparting a resistance force in a direction in which the rotational torque of the cap increases at the rotation center of the developer accommodating container. However, the developer accommodating container has drive transmission means for receiving the drive from the driving means, and the rotation of the driving means causes the developer accommodating container to relatively rotate with respect to the cap whose rotation is blocked by the resistance applying means. The cap is moved from the closed position to the open position to open the developer discharge opening by rotating the cap to the open position, and further rotation of the driving unit causes the cap to be driven by the stopper to counter the load torque of the resistance applying unit. It rotates with the developer container.

In the above structure, when the rotational drive is transmitted to the developer accommodating container, the developer accommodating container rotates relative to the cap to move the cap from the closed position to the open position, and then, together with the cap. The developer container rotates.

In order to achieve the above object, a fifth invention according to the present application is the developer container according to the fourth invention, wherein the cap is provided at the center of rotation of the developer container rotated by the driving means. The rotational torque required to move the developer storage container from the closed position to the open position is smaller than the load torque received by the resistance applying unit by the cap.

In the above structure, when the rotational drive is transmitted to the developer accommodating container, the developer accommodating container rotates independently before the cap rotates together with the developer accommodating container.

To achieve the above object, a sixth invention according to the present application is the developer replenishing device according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the operation of the driving means is completed or the developer container is developed. In the operation of removing from the agent replenishing device, the driving means reversely drives in a direction opposite to the driving direction to move the cap from the open position to the closed position.

In the above structure, the cap is moved from the open position to the closed position relative to the developer accommodating container by driving the driving means in the reverse direction.

In order to achieve the above object, a seventh invention according to the present application is that in the developer container according to the first to fifth inventions, at least the engagement between the cap and the driving means is released. In the state, a biasing means for moving the cap from the open position to the closed position is provided.

In the above structure, when the engagement between the cap and the driving means is released, the cap moves from the open position to the closed position.

In order to achieve the above object, the eighth invention of the present application is, in the developer accommodating container according to the seventh invention, a biasing force which acts when the biasing means moves the cap to the closed position. Is larger than the resistance force that acts when the cap is moved from the open position to the closed position with respect to the developer accommodating container.

In the above structure, when the engagement between the cap and the driving means is released, the cap surely moves from the open position to the closed position.

To achieve the above object, a ninth invention according to the present application is the developer replenishing device according to the eighth invention, wherein the rotation torque of the developer accommodating container including the resistance force from the resistance applying means is The urging means is larger than the urging force that acts when the cap is moved to the closed position.

In the above structure, by rotating the cap, the developer storage container rotates together with the cap after the cap moves from the closed position to the open position against the urging force of the urging means.

In order to achieve the above object, a tenth aspect of the present invention is the developer container according to the sixth aspect, wherein the cap is moved to a closed position,
It is characterized in that it has a stopper that abuts on an abutting portion provided on the cap and prevents the cap from further moving with respect to the developer accommodating container.

In the above structure, when the driving means is driven in the reverse direction, the cap moves relative to the developer accommodating container from the open position to the closed position, and then the developer accommodating container rotates together with the cap.

In order to achieve the above object, the eleventh invention of the present application is the developer replenishing device and the developer accommodating container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the developer accommodating container is replenished with the developer. The amount of movement of the developer accommodating container when the developer accommodating container is moved from the state where the developer accommodating device is mounted on the apparatus to the position where the engagement between the drive transmitting means of the cap and the driving means is released is It is characterized in that it is smaller than the distance between the developer discharge opening and the wall surface of the developer receiving portion when mounted on the replenishing device.

In the above structure, in the process of pulling the developer accommodating container away from the drive transmission means, the drive transmission means and the drive means of the cap are engaged with the developer discharge port inside the developer receiving portion. The engagement is released, and the cap is moved to the closed position by the urging force of the urging means.

In order to achieve the above object, the twelfth invention of the present application is the developer replenishing device according to any one of claims 1 and 3 and claim 4 and claim 6 and claim 9. The drive means is capable of retracting in the mounting direction when mounting the developer accommodating container on the developer replenishing device, and from the retracted position to an engagement position capable of transmitting rotational drive to the drive transmission means, It is characterized by having a moving means for moving the driving means.

In the above structure, when the developer accommodating container is mounted in a phase in which the drive means and the drive transmission means do not engage with each other, the drive means moves to the retracted position. After that, when the drive means and the drive transmission means are in the engageable phase, the drive means moves to the engagement position.

To achieve the above object, a thirteenth invention of the present application is the developer replenishing device according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the moving means is provided with the driving means from the retracted position toward the engagement position. It is characterized by being a biasing means for biasing.

In the above structure, when the developer accommodating container is mounted in a phase in which the drive means and the drive transmission means do not engage with each other, the drive means moves to the retracted position against the urging force of the urging means. After that, when the drive means and the drive transmission means are in the engageable phase, the drive means is moved to the engagement position by the biasing force of the biasing means.

To achieve the above object, the fourteenth invention of the present application is the developer replenishing device according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the urging means for urging the driving means includes the driving means and the drive transmission means. In the combined state, the developer accommodating container is biased to be pressed against the resistance applying member.

In the above structure, when the developer accommodating container is attached to the developer replenishing device, the developer accommodating container is pressed against the resistance giving member by the biasing means for biasing the driving means.

[0052]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) As a first embodiment according to the present invention, an example applied to an electrophotographic copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. To do.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the schematic arrangement of the electrophotographic copying machine according to the first embodiment.

A document table glass 2 for placing a document is provided on an upper part of a main body 1 of an electrophotographic copying machine, and a document reading unit 3 for reading a document on the document table glass 2 is provided below the document table glass 2. Is provided.

A photosensitive drum 4 is provided below the document reading unit 3, and a charging device 5, a developing device 6, a transfer device 7, and a cleaning device 8 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 4. Above the developing device 6, a developer replenishing device 9 for replenishing the developing device 6 with a developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) is provided.

Below the photosensitive drum 4, there is arranged a sheet feeding section 10 for accommodating a sheet material and feeding and conveying the sheet material toward the photosensitive drum 4. A transfer device is provided downstream of the photosensitive drum 4 in the sheet material conveying direction. A fixing device 11 for fixing the toner image formed on the sheet material, and a paper discharge unit 12 for discharging the sheet material on which the toner image is fixed from the apparatus main body 1 are provided. An optical unit 13 exposes the photosensitive drum 4 based on image information from the document reading unit 3.

Since the operation of the entire image forming apparatus and the image forming process by the electrophotographic process are well known,
The description is omitted.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an essential part for explaining the schematic structure of the developing device 6. The developing device 6 is a general developing device using a one-component developer, and includes a developing roller 14 provided adjacent to the photosensitive drum 4 with a minute gap,
A doctor blade 19 for regulating the layer thickness of the toner on the developing roller 14, a stirring blade 16 for stirring and frictionally charging the toner in the developing chamber 15 and sending it to the developing roller 14 side,
It has a first conveying screw 17 for uniformly spreading the toner in the developing chamber 15 in the longitudinal direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). On the bottom surface of the developing chamber 15, the developing chamber 15
A toner sensor 18 for detecting the amount of toner inside is provided.

The structure of the developer replenishing device 9 will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows the toner bottle 4.
It is a figure explaining the structure of the developer replenishment apparatus 9 which mounted | worn 0, Comprising: It is a principal part sectional view which looked at the developer replenishment apparatus 9 from the arrow Y5 direction in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a coupling for rotating the toner bottle 40.

Above the developing device 6, a developer replenishing device 9 for replenishing the developing device 6 with toner is arranged. Reference numeral 20 in the drawing denotes a toner hopper that is an introduction portion of toner replenished from a toner bottle 40, which will be described later, and is provided at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing device 6 (in the first embodiment, the back side of the device body 1). ing. At the bottom of the toner hopper 20, there is provided a toner conveyance path 21 that is provided substantially in parallel with the first conveyance screw 17 and across the width of the developing chamber 15 in the longitudinal direction. Inside the toner conveyance path 21, the second conveyance path 21 is provided. A screw 22 is provided. A plurality of openings 23 are provided on the bottom surface of the toner transport path 21 in the longitudinal direction.
A toner replenishing roller 24 for feeding the toner into the developing chamber 15 is provided below the sheet 3 in the longitudinal direction of the toner conveying path 21. The toner that has flowed in from the toner hopper 20 is sent through the second transport screw 22 in the transport path 21 in the longitudinal direction, falls from the opening 23, and is supplied over the toner replenishing roller 24 in the longitudinal direction.

When the toner sensor 18 detects that the amount of toner in the developing chamber 15 is insufficient, the control means (not shown) rotates the toner replenishing roller 24 to replenish the developing chamber 15 with toner.

As shown in FIG. 3, the toner hopper 20 is in the shape of a box whose upper part is closed, and openings 25 and 26 into which the toner bottle can enter are formed in the upper side wall.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a coupling which is a driving means for rotationally driving the toner bottle 40, and the opening 2
It is provided adjacent to No. 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling 27 is attached to the rotary shaft 28 so as to be movable in the directions Y6 and Y7 in the figure and non-rotatable, and is biased in the direction Y6 by a spring 29 which is a biasing means. ing.
Reference numeral 30 denotes a gear fixedly provided on the rotary shaft 28. The gear train 31 receives a driving force from a drive source (not shown) to rotationally drive the rotary shaft 28 and the coupling 27. 27
Reference numeral a is an engagement protrusion fixedly provided on the coupling 27.

The structure of a developer accommodating container (hereinafter referred to as a toner bottle) mounted on the developer replenishing device will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5 to 7. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the cap 44 that opens and closes the opening 43 of the toner bottle 40. 6 and 7 show the cap 4
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an opening / closing operation of No. 4;

Toner bottle 40 in the first embodiment
Has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a toner discharge port 43 is provided on the side wall near one end. A plurality of baffle plates 42 are fixedly provided on a plane passing through the central axis 41 of the toner bottle 40 as shown in FIG.
The baffle plate 42 is integrally formed with an inclined surface 42a that is substantially perpendicular to the baffle plate 42 and has a predetermined height.

When the toner bottle 40 having the above-described structure is rotated about the central axis 41 in the substantially horizontal posture shown in FIG. 3, the toner accumulated downward due to gravity is removed from the toner bottle 40 as the toner bottle 40 rotates. The portion is scooped up by the baffle plate 42, and by further rotation of the toner bottle 40, it slides down on the inclined surface 42a by the action of gravity,
It is configured to be gradually conveyed toward the toner discharge port 43 side.

Reference numeral 44 in the drawing denotes a cap for opening and closing the toner discharge port 43, which is rotatably provided with respect to the toner bottle 40. An opening 45 is provided on the side surface of the cap 44. The end surface of the cap 44 is provided with a hole 48 into which the rotary shaft 28 of the coupling is inserted, a recess 49 into which the engaging protrusion 27a of the coupling 27 is inserted, and a rib 50 that divides the recess 49 into two. is there. Reference numeral 44a denotes a snap-fit portion integrally provided on the cap 44, and engages with a flange portion 40a integrally provided on the toner bottle 40 to prevent the cap 44 from coming off the toner bottle 40. 47 is a cap 44 and a toner bottle 40
It is a seal member that prevents the toner from entering the gap between and, and is attached around the toner discharge port 43 outside the toner bottle 40. Reference numeral 46 denotes an abutting portion integrally provided on the cap 44, which is configured to abut a stopper 40b integrally provided on the toner bottle 40 to prevent further rotation of the cap.

The opening / closing operation of the cap 44 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. 6 and 7, (a) is a view of the cap 44 seen from the end face direction,
(B) is a cross-sectional view of the toner discharge port 43, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the stopper 40b.

As shown in FIG. 6, when one end 46a of the contact portion 46 is in contact with the stopper 40b,
As shown in (b), the toner discharge port 43 and the opening 45 are displaced from each other, and the toner discharge port 43 is not covered by the cap 4
Shielded by 4. The relative position of the cap 44 with respect to the toner bottle 40 in this state is defined as the closed position. The cap 44 is rotated from the closed position in the direction of the arrow Y8 in FIG.
7 is brought into contact with the stopper 40b, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the toner discharge port 43 and the opening 45 are aligned with each other, and the toner in the toner bottle 40 can flow out from the toner discharge port 43. In this state,
The relative position of the cap 44 with respect to the toner bottle 40 is defined as the open position.

When the cap 44 in the closed position is rotated in the direction of the arrow Y8, the cap 44 is attached to the end portion 46b of the contact portion 46.
The toner bottle 40 until it contacts the stopper 40b.
Rotate relative to. After the end portion 46b of the contact portion 46 comes into contact with the stopper 40b and the cap 44 is in the open position, when the cap 44 is further rotated in the arrow Y8 direction, the end portion 46b of the toner bottle 40 has the end portion 46b of the stopper 40b.
By pressing, the cap 44 and the cap 44 rotate in the direction of the arrow Y8. At this time, the toner bottle 40 rotates while keeping the open position of the cap 44.

On the other hand, the cap 44 in the open position is indicated by the arrow Y.
When rotated in the 9 direction, the cap 44 rotates relative to the toner bottle 40 until the end portion 46a of the contact portion 46 contacts the stopper 40b. End part 4 of abutting part 46
6a abuts on the stopper 40b, and after the cap 44 reaches the closed position, when the cap 44 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow Y9, the end portion 46b of the toner bottle 40 pushes the stopper 40b so that the cap 44 and the arrow Y9.
Rotate in the direction. At this time, the toner bottle 40 rotates while keeping the closed position of the cap 44.

Toner bottle 40 constructed as described above
Is a substantially cylindrical toner bottle housing chamber 5 of the apparatus body 1.
1 and is attached to the developer replenishing device 9. When the toner bottle 40 is attached to the developer replenishing device 9 (FIG. 3), the tip of the cap 44 is located in the toner hopper 20.
Through the hole 26 provided in the side wall of the
The rotary shaft 28 is inserted into the hole 48 of the cap 44. On the other hand, in the toner bottle 40, the side surface of the toner bottle 40 is supported by a wall surface 51 a of a toner bottle storage chamber 51 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and is rotatably supported about a central shaft 41. At this time, the engagement protrusion 27 a of the coupling 27 is inserted into the recess 49 of the cap 44. The toner discharge port 43 is located inside the toner hopper 20.

A drive source (not shown) is driven in the above state,
When the coupling 27 is rotated in the arrow Y10 direction, the rib 50 of the cap 44 causes the engagement protrusion 2 of the coupling 27 to move.
When driven by 7a, it rotates in the direction of arrow Y8 in FIG.
As described above, first, the cap 44 moves from the closed position to the open position to open the toner discharge port 43, and then the toner bottle 4
0 itself rotates. As a result, the toner is sent toward the toner discharge port 43 by the action of the baffle plate 42, and the toner hopper 20 is fed each time the toner discharge port 43 faces downward.
Toner drops inside and is replenished.

In the process of moving the cap 44 from the closed position to the open position, a frictional force acts between the seal member 47 attached to the toner bottle 40 and the cap 44, so that the toner bottle 40 is caused by the frictional force. Cap 44
Try to rotate with. At this time, the toner bottle 40
The frictional force acts on the wall surface 51a of the toner bottle housing chamber 51 in a direction to prevent the toner bottle 40 from rotating. Around the rotary shaft 41, the seal member 47 and the cap 44
If the rotational torque of the toner bottle 40 generated by the frictional force between the toner bottle 40 and the wall surface 51a is larger than the rotational torque of the cap 44 generated by the frictional force between the cap 44, the cap 44 is surely opened from the closed position. Move to position. Therefore, the seal member 47 and the toner bottle 4
0, the cap 44, and the wall surface 51a, the distance from the rotary shaft 41 to the contact surface between the seal member 47 and the cap 44, and the distance from the rotary shaft 41 to the toner bottle and the wall surface 51a. May be appropriately selected so as to satisfy the above-described rotational torque relationship.

The operation of mounting the toner bottle 40 on the developer replenishing device 9 will be described below. Toner bottle 4
For the mounting operation of 0, the door 52 of the apparatus main body 1 is opened, and the toner bottle 40 with the cap 44 in the closed position is replaced with the cap 44.
With the side first, it is inserted into the toner bottle storage chamber 51, and the door 52 is closed to complete the process. By the above operation, the toner bottle 40 is rotatably supported by the shaft 28 and the toner bottle accommodating chamber 51, and the cap 44 and the coupling 27 are engaged with each other so that the drive can be transmitted.

In the process of inserting the toner bottle 40, the engagement protrusion 27a of the coupling 27 and the cap 44 are inserted.
If the phases of the ribs 50 of the
7a is pushed by the rib 50, and the coupling 27 is spring 29.
Since it retracts in the direction of the arrow Y7 against the urging force of No. 3, there is no hindrance to the insertion of the toner bottle 40. Then, when the coupling 27 rotates during the operation of the developer replenishing device 9, the engagement protrusion 27a and the rib 50 are out of phase, and the coupling 27
Is moved in the direction of arrow Y6 by the urging force of the spring 29, and the engagement protrusion 27a enters into the recess 49 of the cap to enable drive transmission to the cap 44.

As described above, in the first embodiment, in the mounting process, the user aligns the toner bottle 40 with the developer replenishing device 9 so that the toner bottle 40 is in phase with the cap 44. It is not necessary to perform a special operation such as a lever operation for opening the door or rotating the bottle, and the door 52 is opened, and the toner bottle 40 is inserted into the toner bottle accommodating chamber 51 with the cap 44 side at the top, and the door 52 is opened. Just close the. In addition, since the cap 44 is kept in the closed position during the mounting process, there is no possibility that toner will flow out during mounting and stain the inside and outside of the apparatus.

When the mounting of the toner bottle 40 is completed and the developer replenishing device 9 is operated, after the cap 44 is automatically moved from the closed position to the open position in the process of transmitting the rotational drive to the toner bottle 40 as described above. , Toner bottle 4
0 rotates to replenish toner. Toner bottle 4
During the rotation of 0, the cap 44 rotates together with the toner bottle 40 while keeping the open position, so that the seal member 47 slides with respect to the cap 44 only when the cap 44 is opened and closed. Therefore, the seal member 47 does not need to be a material having excellent slidability and high durability, and an inexpensive material such as urethane foam can be used.

Next, the process of taking out the toner bottle 40 from the apparatus main body 1 will be described below. In the first embodiment, before the toner bottle 40 is pulled out from the toner bottle storage chamber 51, the coupling 27 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the cap 44 is moved to the closed position. That is, when the user opens the door 52 during the replacement of the toner bottle 40, the detection means (not shown) detects that the door 52 has been opened, and the control means drives the drive source (not shown) in reverse to drive the cup. The ring 27 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow Y10 in FIG.

As a result, the rib 50 of the cap 44 is driven by the engaging projection 27a of the coupling 27 and rotates in the direction of arrow Y9 in FIG. 7, and the cap moves from the open position to the closed position as described above. The toner outlet 43 is blocked. After that, the reverse rotation of the driving means is stopped and the toner bottle 4
Preparation for taking out 0 is completed. After that, the user only has to pull out the toner bottle 40 in the direction of the arrow Y6 and take it out.

In the process in which the cap 44 moves from the open position to the closed position, a frictional force acts between the seal member 47 attached to the inside of the cap 44 and the cap 44, but the cap 44 described above is in the closed position. Similarly to the description of the process of moving from the open position to the open position, between the toner bottle 40 and the wall surface 51a against the rotation torque of the cap 44 generated by the frictional force between the seal member 47 and the cap 44 around the rotation shaft 41. Since the rotation torque of the toner bottle 40 generated by the frictional force of
The cap 44 reliably moves from the open position to the closed position.

Since the frictional force between the toner bottle 40 and the wall surface 51a changes depending on the weight of the toner bottle 40, the frictional force also decreases as the remaining amount of toner in the toner bottle 40 decreases. As a result, when the rotation torque of the toner bottle 40 becomes smaller than the rotation torque of the cap 44, a resistance applying unit for increasing the rotation torque of the toner bottle 40 may be provided.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a friction member 53 is provided as a resistance applying means on the door 52 side, and the toner bottle 4 is urged by a coupling 27 urged by a spring 29.
It may be configured such that 0 is pressed against the friction member 53.
By rotating the toner bottle in the above state, the friction member 53 comes into contact with the toner bottle 40 to apply a frictional force,
The rotation torque of the toner bottle 40 increases. As a result, even when the toner bottle 40 is empty, the rotating shaft 4
In one rotation, the toner bottle 40, the wall surface 51a, and the friction member 5 against the rotational torque of the cap 44 generated by the frictional force between the seal member 47 and the cap 44.
The rotational torque of the toner bottle 40 generated by the frictional force between the cap 4 and the toner 3 is kept large, and the cap 44 is reliably opened and closed.

When the drive means is reversed, the cap 4
Even after 4 is moved to the closed position, the toner bottle 40 itself rotates with the cap 44 kept in the closed position even if the drive means continues to rotate in reverse, so that the drive means is not damaged. Further, the toner bottle 40 can be taken out anywhere regardless of the stop position of the toner bottle 40. Therefore, it is not necessary to strictly control the reverse rotation amount of the driving means, and a margin is added to the amount of play between the engagement protrusion 27a and the recess 49 and the amount of movement of the cap 44 from the open position to the closed position. Just reverse it.

As described above, in the first embodiment, in the taking-out process, the user aligns the toner bottle 40 with the developer replenishing device 9 so that the toner bottle 40 is in phase, or the cap 44. No special operation such as lever operation to close the bottle or rotation of the bottle is required. Further, when the toner bottle 40 is pulled out, the cap 44 is kept in the closed position, so that there is no possibility that the toner will flow out and stain the inside and outside of the apparatus when taken out.

In the first embodiment, the toner bottle 4
Although the reverse rotation drive of the coupling 27 is performed when the door 52 is opened when 0 is taken out, the reverse rotation drive may be performed when it is determined that the toner in the toner bottle 40 is empty. Good. That is, when a toner sensor (not shown) detects that the toner in the toner bottle 40 is empty, or when the developer replenishing device 9 is operated for a predetermined time or more, the toner is not supplied into the developing chamber 15. In such a case, it may be determined that the toner bottle 40 is empty, the reverse rotation drive is performed, and a message indicating that the toner bottle 40 is replaced may be displayed.

Further, when the toner replenishing operation of the developing image replenishing device 9 is stopped, the reverse driving may be continuously performed. That is, during the toner replenishing operation, it is determined that the toner amount in the developing chamber 15 has reached a sufficient amount.
When detected by 8, the arrow Y of the coupling 27
It is also possible to stop the rotation operation in the ten directions to stop the toner replenishment, and then perform the reverse rotation operation.

(Second Embodiment) As a second embodiment of the present invention, an example in which a biasing means for moving the cap from the open position to the closed position is provided will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. .

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the cap in the second embodiment. The toner conveying means in the toner bottle 40 in the first embodiment is composed of the baffle plate 42 and the inclined surface 42a.
In the embodiment, the toner bottle 40 has a spiral groove 55 formed in a spiral shape on the inner surface, and is configured to convey the toner to the toner discharge port 43 side by the rotation of the toner bottle itself. Reference numeral 56 in the drawing denotes a torsion coil spring which is a biasing means for biasing the cap 44 in a direction of rotating from the open position to the closed position. Torsion coil spring 56
Is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the toner bottle 40, one end of which is inserted into a groove 57 provided in the toner bottle 55, and the other end of which is inserted into a groove 58 provided in the cap 44. The cap 44 is configured to be in the closed position by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 56 when no external force is applied to the cap 44.

FIG. 9A is a view showing the standby position of the coupling 27 when the toner bottle 40 is not completely attached, and FIG. 9B is the state where the toner bottle 40 is attached. It is a figure which shows the engagement state of the cap 44 and the coupling 27. When the toner bottle 40 is mounted, the distance between the toner outlet 43 and the wall surface 20a of the toner hopper 20 is L1, and the toner bottle 4 is
When the amount of movement of the coupling 27 from the standby position when 0 is attached is defined as L2, and the penetration length of the engagement protrusion 27a of the coupling 27 into the cap 44 is defined as L3, L1> L
2 + L3.

The other configurations of the developer replenishing device 9 and the toner bottle 40 in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.
It is similar to the embodiment.

Toner bottle 4 in the second embodiment
The operation of attaching / detaching the toner to / from the developer supply device 9 and the operation of supplying toner will be described below.

The mounting of the toner bottle 40 on the developer replenishing device 9 is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the door 52 of the apparatus main body 1 is opened, the toner bottle 40 with the cap 44 in the closed position is inserted into the toner bottle storage chamber 51 with the cap 44 side first, and the door 52 is closed.

When the mounting of the toner bottle 40 is completed and the developer replenishing device 9 is operated, the coupling 27 is rotated in the direction of the arrow Y12 in FIG. 9, and the cap 44 is driven by the engaging protrusion 27a of the coupling 27. It rotates relative to the toner bottle 40 until the end 46b of the contact portion 46 contacts the stopper 40b against the biasing force of the receiving and torsion coil springs 56. As a result, after the cap moves from the closed position to the open position to open the toner discharge port 43, the toner bottle 40 itself rotates as in the first embodiment.

In the process in which the cap 44 moves from the closed position to the open position, a frictional force acts between the seal member 47 attached to the toner bottle 40 and the cap 44, and at the same time, as described above, the torsion coil spring 56. The urging force of. Therefore, the toner bottle 40 tends to rotate together with the toner cap 44 due to the frictional force and the biasing force. At this time, a frictional force acts on the toner bottle 40 between the wall surface 51 a of the toner bottle storage chamber 51 and the friction member 53 in a direction to prevent the rotation of the toner bottle 40. Around the rotary shaft 41, the seal member 47 and the cap 44
Against the rotational torque required to rotate the cap 44 from the closed position to the open position against the frictional force between the toner bottle 40 and the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 56. If the rotational torque required to rotate the toner bottle 40 against the frictional force is large, the cap 44 rotates independently when the cap 44 is rotationally driven, and the cap 44 reliably moves from the closed position to the open position.

After the cap 44 is moved to the open position, the toner bottle 40 is further rotated by further rotation of the coupling 27.
Rotates with the cap 44, the toner is sent toward the toner discharge port 43 by the action of the spiral groove 55, and the toner hopper 20 is moved every time the toner discharge port 43 faces downward.
Toner drops inside and is replenished.

Next, the process of taking out the toner bottle 40 from the apparatus main body 1 will be described below. In the first embodiment, the coupling 27 is rotated in the reverse direction and the cap 44 is moved to the closed position before the toner bottle 40 is pulled out from the toner bottle storage chamber 51. In the form, the reverse rotation operation of the coupling is not necessary, and it is sufficient to open the door 52 and pull out the toner bottle 40.

Immediately before the operation of pulling out the toner bottle 40, the cap 44 is in the open position (FIG. 9 (b)). When the toner bottle 40 is pulled out from this state, when the toner bottle 40 is pulled out by L2 + L3, the cap 44
Is disengaged from the engagement protrusion 27a of the coupling 27 (see FIG. 9).
(C)). When the cap 44 is disengaged from the engagement protrusion 27 a of the coupling 27, the cap 44 is moved to the closed position by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 56. In the second embodiment, as described above, the toner discharge port 43
And the distance L1 between the wall surface 20a of the toner hopper 20 and L
The cap 44 is larger than 2 + L3.
When the toner is disengaged from the engaging protrusion 27 a of the coupling 27, the toner discharge port 43 is inside the toner hopper 20. Therefore, in the toner hopper 20, the cap 44
Since the toner bottle 40 is pulled out from the toner hopper 20 after blocking the toner discharge port 43, there is no possibility that the toner will flow out when the toner bottle 40 is taken out and the inside and outside of the apparatus will be contaminated.

During the process of moving the cap 44 from the open position to the closed position, a frictional force acts between the seal member 47 attached to the toner bottle 40 and the cap 44.
In order to move the cap 44 from the open position to the closed position against the frictional force, with respect to the rotational torque of the cap 44 generated by the frictional force between the seal member 47 and the cap 44 around the rotation shaft 41, Torsion coil spring 5
By configuring the rotational torque generated by the biasing force of 6 to be large, the cap 44 reliably moves from the open position to the closed position.

The second embodiment is configured as described above, and the cap 44 is automatically moved to the open position by the rotation of the coupling 27 during the operation of the developer replenishing device 9 and then the toner bottle. The toner itself is rotated and toner is supplied to the developer supply device 9. When the toner bottle 40 is taken out, the cap 44 automatically moves to the closed position when the engagement with the coupling 27 is released. Therefore, in addition to the effects similar to those of the first embodiment, it is not necessary to reversely rotate the coupling in advance, so that energy consumption is smaller than that of the first embodiment,
Since the means for rotating the coupling 27 in the reverse direction is unnecessary, the same effect as the first embodiment can be realized with a simpler configuration.

Further, since the cap 44 is constantly biased by the torsion coil spring 56 so as to take the closed position, even if the user accidentally rotates the cap 44 to the open position when the toner bottle 40 is attached, Since the cap 44 returns to the closed position when the user releases the hand,
There is little risk that toner will be accidentally scattered.

In the second embodiment, the toner bottle 4
The toner bottle 40 is pressed against the friction member 53 by utilizing the action of the coupling 27 returning to the standby position by the urging force of the spring 29 when 0 is attached. Therefore, there is a movement amount L2 of the coupling 27 from the standby position when the toner bottle 40 is attached, but the position of the coupling 27 does not change between the standby state and the state where the toner bottle 40 is attached. In this case, L2 = 0 above,
That is, it may be configured such that L1> L3.

(Third Embodiment) In the second embodiment, the rotational drive is transmitted to the cap 44 to move the cap to the open position and rotate the toner bottle 40. An example of moving the cap to the open position by transmitting the rotational drive to the toner bottle 40 will be specifically described below as the third embodiment according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 10, 60 is the toner bottle 40.
The gear teeth are fixedly provided on the side wall of the toner bottle 40, and are driven by the gear 61 to rotate the toner bottle 40. Reference numeral 62 is a friction member that is brought into pressure contact with the end surface of the cap 44 and gives friction resistance to the cap 44.

The spiral groove 55 provided on the inner surface of the toner bottle 40 of the third embodiment is twisted in the opposite direction to the spiral groove of the second embodiment, and the toner bottle 4
The rotational drive direction of 0 is configured in the arrow Y13 direction, which is opposite to the rotational direction of the coupling 27 (the arrow Y9 direction in FIG. 9) in the second embodiment.

The other structure of the third embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment.

When the toner bottle 40 is rotationally driven by the rotation of the gear 61, the cap 44 tries to rotate together with the toner bottle 40 due to the frictional force between the seal member 47 and the cap 44, but the cap 44 due to the frictional force with the friction member 62. Is blocked, the cap 44 moves from the closed position to the open position as the toner bottle 40 rotates. When the cap 44 moves to the open position, the end portion 46a of the contact portion 46 contacts the stopper 40b and prevents further relative rotational movement of the toner bottle 40 and the cap 44, so the cap 44 is opened. While maintaining the above condition, the toner rotates with the toner bottle 40 against the frictional force with the friction member 62.

The third embodiment is configured as described above, and also in the developer replenishing device for transmitting the drive to the toner bottle to rotate the toner bottle, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be realized. In the first embodiment, as a configuration in which the toner in the toner bottle is conveyed toward the toner discharge port by the rotation of the toner bottle, a configuration including a baffle plate having an inclined surface in the first embodiment and a second configuration are provided.
In the embodiment described above, the form having the spiral groove on the inner surface of the toner bottle has been described as an example, but the present invention is not directly related to the configuration for conveying the toner in the toner bottle, and the toner bottle itself rotates. As a result, any form can be applied as long as the toner in the toner bottle is conveyed toward the toner discharge port.

Further, in the first to third embodiments, the toner discharge port 43 is located on the side surface of the toner bottle 40.
However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the toner outlet may be provided on the end surface of the toner bottle, or the toner outlet may be provided at a plurality of locations.

Furthermore, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the developing device using the one-component developer has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a toner may be used. A developing device using a two-component developer using a carrier may be used.

[0111]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by rotating the cap,
Since the toner outlet is opened and the toner bottle is driven to rotate, there is no need for means for opening the toner outlet separately from the toner bottle rotating means, and a compact, low-cost and highly reliable developer replenishing device is provided. Can be provided. Also, the user does not need to perform an operation to open the toner outlet,
User convenience is improved. Further, since the toner bottle can be attached to the developer replenishing device with the toner discharge port closed, the toner does not scatter inside and outside the device. Further, when the seal member is provided between the toner bottle and the cap, it is not necessary to use a material of the seal member as a material having excellent slidability and high durability, and a low-cost toner bottle can be provided.

According to the second invention, since the rotation torque of the cap is smaller than that of the toner bottle,
The cap rotates independently before the toner bottle rotates,
In addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the toner discharge port can be surely opened.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the resistance applying means for increasing the rotation torque of the toner bottle is provided, the rotation torque of the cap can be kept smaller than the rotation torque of the toner bottle regardless of the amount of toner in the toner bottle. Possible,
In addition to the effect of the first invention, the toner discharge port can be surely opened regardless of the amount of toner in the toner bottle.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in the structure for rotationally driving the toner bottle, the resistance imparting means for imparting a rotational torque in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the toner bottle to the cap is provided, so that the toner bottle is rotationally driven. Also in the developer supplying device of the type, the same effect as that of the first invention can be realized.

According to the fifth invention, since the rotation torque of the cap is made smaller than the load torque received from the resistance applying means, the toner bottle rotates independently before the cap rotates, which brings about the effect of the fourth invention. In addition, the toner discharge port can be surely opened.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the driving means is reversely driven before the toner bottle is taken out to close the toner discharge port. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, the toner bottle rotating means is rotated. In addition to this, it is possible to provide a small-sized, low-cost and highly reliable developer replenishing device that does not require a means for closing the toner discharge port. Further, the user does not need to perform an operation for closing the toner discharge port, and the toner bottle can be taken out only by opening the door and pulling out the toner bottle, which improves convenience for the user. Furthermore, since the toner bottle can be removed from the developer replenishing device with the toner discharge port closed, the toner does not scatter inside and outside the device.

According to the seventh invention, since the biasing means for moving the cap from the open position to the closed position is provided, it is not necessary to reversely drive the driving means to close the toner discharge port.
In addition to the effect of the sixth invention, energy consumption can be reduced with a simple structure. Further, it is not necessary to wait for taking out the toner bottle until the reverse driving is completed, which improves the convenience of the user.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the rotational torque by the biasing means when the biasing means moves the cap to the closed position is larger than the rotational torque required to move the cap to the closed position. The action of the biasing means can surely close the toner discharge port.

According to the ninth invention, in the eighth invention, the rotation torque required to rotate the toner bottle is the rotation torque required to move the cap to the open position against the improper force of the biasing means. Configured to be larger than torque. Therefore, the cap rotates independently before the toner bottle rotates, and in addition to the effect of the eighth aspect, the toner discharge port can be surely opened.

According to the tenth invention, in the sixth invention, a stopper is provided which comes into contact with the cap in a state where the cap has moved to the closed position and prevents the cap from further moving with respect to the toner bottle. It was Therefore, even if the reverse rotation of the drive unit is performed for a long time, the cap that has moved to the closed position rotates together with the toner bottle while maintaining the closed position, so that the drive unit is not damaged and the reverse drive amount is strictly controlled. No need to control.

According to the eleventh aspect, when the toner bottle is taken out from the developer replenishing device, the toner discharge port is located inside the toner hopper when the engagement between the cap and the coupling is released. The dimensions of each part are configured as follows. Therefore, the toner discharge port is closed in the toner hopper, and there is no possibility that the toner will be scattered inside or outside the device in the subsequent take-out operation.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, when the toner bottle is mounted in a state where the engagement engagement projection of the coupling and the recessed portion of the cap are out of phase, the coupling is retracted and the coupling is retracted. Since it has a moving means that moves the retracted position from the retracted position to the position where it engages with the cap, when the engagement projection of the coupling and the recess of the cap are in phase by the rotation of the driving means, the coupling engages with the cap. Since it is not necessary to match the phase in the rotation direction when mounting the toner bottle, the mounting operation of the toner bottle is easy and the convenience for the user is improved.

According to the thirteenth invention, since the moving means in the twelfth invention is the urging means for urging the coupling from the retracted position to the engagement position, the twelfth invention has a simple structure. The effect of can be realized.

According to the fourteenth invention, the urging means in the thirteenth invention has a function of pressing the toner bottle against the resistance applying means, so that the twelfth invention has a simple structure.
Invention and the above-mentioned third invention, eighth invention and ninth invention
The effects of any one of the inventions can be achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an essential part for explaining a schematic configuration of a developing device 6.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts for explaining the configuration of a developer replenishing device 9 with a toner bottle 40 attached.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a coupling for rotationally driving the toner bottle 40.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cap 44.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the opening / closing operation of the cap 44.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the opening / closing operation of the cap 44.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cap according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state of a process of attaching and detaching the toner bottle 40 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a toner bottle 4 according to the third embodiment.
Sectional view for explaining the structure of the developer replenishing device 9 in which 0 is mounted.

FIG. 11 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-5759.
The figure explaining the structure of the conventional developer replenishment apparatus and a developer storage container.

FIG. 12 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-5759.
The figure explaining the structure of the conventional developer replenishment apparatus and a developer storage container.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional developer accommodating container disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-207207.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts of a conventional developer replenishing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-207207.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Device main body, 2: Original plate glass, 3: Original reading unit, 4: Photosensitive drum, 5: Charging device, 6: Developing device, 7: Transfer device, 8: Cleaning device, 9: Developer replenishing device, 10 : Paper feeding unit, 11: fixing device, 12: paper discharging unit, 13: optical means, 14: developing roller, 15: developing chamber, 16: stirring blade, 17: first conveying screw, 18:
Toner sensor, 19: doctor blade, 20: toner hopper, 21: toner conveying path, 22: second conveying screw, 23: opening, 24: toner replenishing roller, 2
5: opening, 26: opening, 27: coupling, 27
a: engagement protrusion, 28: rotating shaft, 29: spring, 30: gear, 31: gear train, 40: toner bottle, 40a: flange portion, 40b: stopper, 41: central shaft, 42: baffle plate, 42a: Inclined surface, 43: toner outlet, 4
4: cap, 44a: snap fit portion, 45: opening portion, 46: contact portion, 46a: one end portion of the contact portion 46, 46b: the other end portion of the contact portion 46, 47: seal member, 48: hole, 49: concave portion, 50: rib, 51: toner bottle storage chamber, 51a: wall surface of toner bottle storage chamber 51, 52: door of apparatus body 1, 53: friction member, 55: spiral groove, 56: twist Coil spring, 57: groove of toner bottle 55, 58: groove of cap 44, 60: gear tooth, 6
1: gear, 62: friction member, arrow Y6: coupling 2
7 moving direction, arrow Y7: moving direction of coupling 27, arrow Y8: rotating direction of cap 44, arrow Y9: rotating direction of cap 44, arrow Y10: coupling 27
Rotation direction, arrow Y10: reverse rotation direction of coupling 27, arrow Y12: rotation direction of coupling 27, arrow Y
13: rotation direction of the toner bottle 40, L1: distance between the toner outlet 43 and the wall surface 20a of the toner hopper 20 with the toner bottle 40 attached, L2: coupling 27 with the toner bottle 40 attached Amount of movement from the standby position, L3: Cap 4 of the engagement protrusion 27a
4 penetration depth (conventional example) 110: rotating shaft, 116: hopper, 11
8: developer conveying screw, 120: developer container,
121: Container holder, 123: Developer outlet, 12
5: stopper, 126: knob, 127: spiral guide groove,
130: collet chuck, 131: slope of collet chuck 130, 132: collar, 133: sandwiching part of collet chuck 130, 137: drive source, 151: spring,
Arrow Y1: Forward / backward direction of collet chuck 130, arrow Y
2: advance / retreat direction of collet chuck 130, 200: rotating shaft, 201: drive source, 215: developer container, 21
6: Shutter, 217: Container holder, 218: Hopper, 219: Developer discharge port, 220: Opening part, 23
7: developer conveying screw, 241: engaging protrusion, 24
2: guide protrusion, 243: guide groove, 244: recess, 24
5: spiral guide groove, arrow Y3: developer container 21
5, insertion direction, arrow Y4: direction of rotation of developer container 215

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A developer accommodating container and a developer replenishing device, wherein a developer accommodating container having a developer discharge opening and accommodating a developer is used while being rotated while being mounted on a developer replenishing device. The developer container is a cap that is movably attached between an open position that opens the developer discharge opening and a closed position that closes the developer discharge opening, and a state in which the cap moves to the open position, A state in which the developer accommodating container is attached, the stopper including a stopper that abuts on an abutting portion provided on the cap and prevents the cap from further moving with respect to the developer accommodating container. At a support means for rotatably supporting the developer accommodating container, a developer receiving portion for receiving the developer discharged from the developer discharge opening, and the cap, and the cap is opened from the closed position. Drive means for rotationally driving in a direction toward, the cap has drive transmission means for receiving a drive from the drive means, and rotation of the drive means moves the cap from the closed position to the open position. Then, the developer discharge opening is opened, and further rotation of the driving means causes the stopper to be driven by the cap moved to the open position to rotationally drive the developer accommodating container and the developing device. Agent supply device. 2. The rotational torque required to move the cap from the closed position to the open position with respect to the developer accommodating container at the center of rotation of the developer accommodating container rotated by the driving means is the developer replenishment. The developer accommodating container according to claim 1, wherein the developer accommodating container is smaller than a rotational torque required to rotate the developer accommodating container by being driven by the cap when the developer accommodating container is mounted on the device. 3. A rotation torque of the developer accommodating container, which has resistance imparting means for imparting a resistance force in a direction of increasing the rotation torque of the developer accommodating container, and which includes the resistance force from the resistance imparting means,
The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation torque required to move the cap from the closed position to the open position with respect to the developer storage container is larger. 4. A developer accommodating container and a developer replenishing device, wherein a developer accommodating container having a developer discharging opening and accommodating a developer is used while being rotated while being mounted on a developer replenishing device. The developer container is a cap that is movably attached between an open position that opens the developer discharge opening and a closed position that closes the developer discharge opening, and a state in which the cap moves to the open position, A state in which the developer accommodating container is attached, the stopper including a stopper that abuts on an abutting portion provided on the cap and prevents the cap from further moving with respect to the developer accommodating container. In, there is a supporting means for rotatably supporting the developer accommodating container, and the developer accommodating container is engaged with the developer accommodating container so that the developer accommodating container is moved in a direction opposite to the direction from the closed position to the open position. rotation A drive means for moving the developer storage container, and a resistance imparting means for applying a resistance force in the direction of increasing the rotation torque of the cap at the rotation center of the developer storage container, wherein the developer storage container is driven by the drive means. A drive transmission means for receiving the drive means is provided, and the rotation of the drive means causes the developer accommodating container to rotate relative to the cap whose rotation is blocked by the resistance applying means, whereby the cap moves from the closed position to the open position. Then, the developer discharge opening is opened, and by further rotation of the driving means, the cap is driven by the stopper and rotates together with the developer container against the load torque of the resistance applying means. Storage container and developer supply device. 5. The rotational torque required to move the cap from the closed position to the open position with respect to the developer accommodating container at the center of rotation of the developer accommodating container rotated by the driving means, The developer accommodating container according to claim 4, wherein the load accommodating torque is smaller than a load torque received by the resistance applying unit. 6. When the normal rotation drive of the drive means is completed, or
When it is determined that the developer storage container is empty, or when the developer storage container is detached from the developer replenishing device, the drive means reversely drives in a direction opposite to the drive direction. The developer supply device according to claim 1, wherein the cap is moved from the open position to the closed position. 7. The urging means for moving the cap from the open position to the closed position at least when the engagement between the cap and the drive means is released, according to claim 1. 5. The developer container according to any one of 5 above. 8. A biasing force applied by the biasing means when moving the cap to the closed position is a resistance force acting when moving the cap from the open position to the closed position with respect to the developer accommodating container. 7. It is larger than
The developer container according to item 1. 9. The rotation torque of the developer accommodating container including the resistance force from the resistance applying means is the rotation torque of the cap when the cap is moved from the closed position to the open position against the urging force of the urging means. The developer replenishing device according to claim 8, wherein the developer replenishing device is larger than the above. 10. A stopper which abuts against an abutment portion provided on the cap in a state where the cap is moved to a closed position and prevents the cap from further moving with respect to the developer accommodating container. The developer container according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein: 11. When the developer accommodating container is moved from a state where the developer accommodating container is attached to the developer replenishing device to a position where the drive transmission means of the cap is disengaged from the drive means, The amount of movement of the developer storage container is smaller than the distance between the developer discharge opening and the wall surface of the developer receiving portion when the developer storage container is attached to the developer supply device. Or the developer replenishing device and the developer container according to item 8. 12. The drive means is capable of retracting in the mounting direction when the developer storage container is mounted in the developer replenishing device, and is capable of transmitting rotational drive from the retracted position to the drive transmitting means. The moving means for moving the driving means to the combined position, the method according to claim 1, 3, 4,
6. The developer replenishing device according to any one of 6, 9, and 10. 13. The developer replenishing device according to claim 12, wherein the moving means is an urging means for urging the driving means from the retracted position toward the engagement position. 14. The developing device according to claim 13, wherein the urging means for urging the driving means urges the developer accommodating container at the engagement position so as to press-contact the resistance applying member. Agent supply device.