JP2003287944A - Developer replenishing container, developer replenishing device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To necessitate a mechanism of preventing/suppressing the outflow of developer only when the developer replenishing container at the initial installation is flushed with the developer, without interrupting the discharge of the developer at the normal developer discharge time. <P>SOLUTION: As for the developer replenishing container 1 attachable/ detachable to/from an image forming apparatus body, and for carrying/ discharging the developer stored inside the container with at least the rotation of a developer carrying means while receiving the drive from the image forming apparatus body, a checking member 5 for checking the outflow of the flushing (liquidized) developer when the developer replenishing container is loaded is arranged near a discharge port 1a for discharging the developer from a cylindrical developer storing part 1A, at least a developer carrying path passing through a developer sending part 1d is secured by the checking member 5 so as not to interrupt the discharge of the developer in the case the developer is discharged from the developer replenishing container 1 with the reception of the drive from the image forming apparatus body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer supply container for supplying a developer to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, fine powder developers have been used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines and printers. Then, when the developer of the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is consumed, the developer is supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus using a developer supply container.

Since the developer is an extremely fine powder, the developer supply container is installed inside the main body of the image forming apparatus to prevent the developer from scattering during replenishment of the developer.
A method of discharging the developer little by little through a small opening has been proposed and put into practical use.

In the developer replenishing system as described above, the main body of the image forming apparatus is provided with a sub hopper for receiving the developer discharged from the discharge opening of the developer replenishing container. The developer discharged from the replenishing container is temporarily stored in the sub hopper, and a method in which the developer is quantitatively sent to the developing section from the sub hopper by a conventionally known means such as a screw is adopted.

In the image forming apparatus as described above, when all the developer in the developer supply container is discharged into the sub hopper and becomes empty, the image forming apparatus detects this and prompts the user. Prompt to replace with a new developer supply container. The user accordingly removes the empty old developer supply container from the image forming apparatus and installs a new developer supply container instead, so that the image forming apparatus continues to be used for the image forming operation.

On the other hand, in recent years, the main body of the image forming apparatus has become more compact, and all parts of the main body of the image forming apparatus have
There is also a demand for further space saving in the mechanism. This is not an exception in the developer replenishing mechanism section for replenishing the developer, and there is an increasing demand for space saving in the sub hopper and the like that receives the developer discharged from the developer replenishing container.

However, if the sub hopper has a very small capacity, a large amount of developer is discharged from the developer replenishing container at a time, and when the capacity exceeds the capacity of the sub hopper and flows into the sub hopper, the development is performed. The developer overflows from the sub hopper and flows back into the developer supply container, or the developer enters the drive transmission part that transmits the drive to the developer supply container. When the action of pulling out the replenishing container is performed, the problem that the developer replenishing container mounting part in the main body of the image forming apparatus may become soiled occurs. In order to prevent excessive supply of the developer, a configuration is adopted in which the developer transport / discharge mechanism of the developer supply container is controlled.

[0008]

In the above-mentioned conventional example, the developer replenishment container is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus so that a certain amount of time has elapsed and the developer discharge amount can be controlled to some extent. When the state of the developer in the container had settled down, it was a very effective means and sufficient.
However, for example, although it is a rare case, when the user mounts a new developer supply container in the main body of the image forming apparatus, the developer supply container is shaken excessively, the developer inside is sufficiently released, and flushing is performed. If the cap member that seals the discharge opening is opened immediately after mounting in the (liquefied) state, regardless of the control of the image forming apparatus body, the A large amount of developer may flow out into the hopper, and the above-mentioned harmful effects may occur.

[0009] As means for solving the above problem, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-1850
No. 28-57, and a method for reducing the opening area of the discharge opening of the developer supply container, as disclosed in JP-A-7-57.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-2980, which discloses a method for reducing the distance between the sealing member and the developer supply container when opening the sealing member for sealing the opening of the developer supply container.
There is an example in which a rib-shaped bridging portion as a support portion is provided in the discharge opening region as illustrated in Japanese Patent No. 60574. However, none of them can be expected to have the effect of blocking the developer that has been liquefied by flushing, and that the discharge opening is simply made smaller or the separation distance of the sealing member is made smaller. On the contrary, the amount of developer that should be discharged from the developer supply container decreases, making it difficult to supply the required amount of developer in the main body of the image forming apparatus, or reducing the discharge opening. As a result, there is a concern that the developer may be easily clogged at the discharge opening, and the like, so there is a limit to the reduction of the discharge opening.

Therefore, when the developer is normally discharged, the developer is not prevented from being discharged, and the developer is prevented from flowing out only when the developer is flushed at the initial installation of the developer supply container as described above. -A mechanism to reduce is needed.

[0011]

A typical constitution of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is to provide a container main body for accommodating a developer, a discharge opening for discharging the developer, and an image forming apparatus main body. Transports the developer by receiving the drive of
A developer replenishing container having a developer transporting means for discharging the developer, wherein the developer transporting means transports the developer toward the discharge opening, and a developer near the discharge opening. And a developer feeding section for feeding the developer to the discharge opening by sliding the scooped developer. A shielding part for preventing excessive discharge of the developer from the discharge opening,
In order not to hinder the developer discharge by the developer conveying means,
It is characterized in that it has a shielding portion provided in the vicinity of the discharge opening so as to secure a flow path of the developer which is fed to the discharge opening by at least the developer feeding portion.

In the above structure, a simple and inexpensive structure prevents a large amount of developer from flowing out at the time of initial mounting of the developer supply container without affecting the developer discharge during normal developer supply. Since it is possible to prevent the inflow of the developer into the drive system of the main body due to the outflow of the developer and the contamination of the developer due to the overflow of the developer, the reliability against the contamination of the developer is improved and the main body of the image forming apparatus is improved. It is possible to reduce the load of and to improve the operability of the user.

Further, since it is possible to reduce the volume of the hopper portion provided on the image forming apparatus main body side that receives the developer discharged from the developer supply container, the image forming apparatus main body can be made compact. Also, the cost can be reduced.

Further, the effect of suppressing the packing of the developer in the opening when the vibration of the physical distribution is applied or when the user stores it for a long period of time can be obtained, so that a reliable discharge property can be obtained. Like

In another configuration according to the present invention, the developer carrying means has a spiral protrusion as the developer carrying portion formed on the inner wall surface of the developer replenishing container, and at least the developer replenishing container is discharged. The developer feeding portion provided at one end on the opening side, and the developer accommodated in the developer supply container is conveyed toward the developer discharge opening, and further conveyed to the vicinity of the developer discharge opening. The developer is sent to the discharge opening.

In the above structure, good developer discharge performance can be obtained with a simple structure, and even in the developer supply container having such a structure, the shielding effect of the developer can be sufficiently exerted. It is possible to provide a highly reliable developer replenishing container that can do so.

In another invention according to the present invention, the developer carrying means is continuously provided inside the container body so as to extend in the direction of the rotation axis, and is provided so as to divide the inside of the container body into a plurality of parts. A partition wall, the partition wall is arranged at a position passing through the opening cross section, and the partition wall is provided with a projection as the developer carrying section having a surface inclined with respect to a rotation axis. One or a plurality of the protrusions are provided, and at least one end of the protrusion serves as the developer feeding portion to feed the developer to the developer discharge opening.

In the above-mentioned structure, a better developer discharging performance can be obtained with a simple and low-cost member without using a complicated structure such as a rotating member inside, and a developing device having such a structure can be obtained. Also in the developer replenishment container, it is possible to provide a highly reliable developer replenishment container that can sufficiently exert the developer blocking effect by the shielding portion.

In another structure according to the present invention, the shielding portion is
It is provided in the container body.

In the above structure, since the shielding portion is provided integrally with the developer supply container body,
It is possible to reduce the number of parts, and at the time of assembling the developer replenishing container, it is not necessary to attach the shielding portion to the developer replenishing container. An agent supply container can be provided.

In another configuration according to the present invention, the shielding portion is
It is characterized in that it is provided integrally with the developer conveying means.

In the above structure, since the shielding portion is provided integrally with the developer conveying means, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, and at the time of assembling the developer supply container, Since it is not necessary to attach the shielding portion to the developer transporting means, the number of assembling steps can be reduced, and a lower cost developer supply container can be provided.

In another structure according to the present invention, the developer supply container has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a discharge opening provided in the developer supply container is provided on one end surface of the container main body having a substantially cylindrical shape. It is characterized in that it has a cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of the container body protruding from the substantially central portion.

In the above structure, even in the developer replenishing container that discharges the developer by rotating the developer replenishing container with a simple structure, the position of the developer discharging opening does not move greatly, It is possible to reduce the developer stain due to the scattering of the developer at the time of discharging the developer, and even in the developer replenishing container having such a structure, the shielding effect of the developer can be sufficiently exerted. It is possible to provide a developer replenishing container having high property.

In another structure according to the present invention, the shielding portion is
The small-diameter cylindrical portion provided with the discharge opening is disposed at an end portion on the container body side or at a position within 1/2 of the axial length of the small-diameter cylindrical portion in the discharge opening direction from the end portion. Is characterized by.

In the above-mentioned structure, regarding the blockage at the discharge opening of the developer replenishing container, without complicated and special structure, when the vibration of physical distribution is applied or when the developer is stored for a long time, Since the effect of suppressing the packing of the developer in the opening can also be obtained, a reliable discharge property can be obtained.

In another configuration according to the present invention, the developer carrying means has a spiral protrusion as the developer carrying section formed on the inner wall surface of the developer supply container, and at least the developer supply container is discharged. The developer feeding portion provided at one end on the opening side, and the developer accommodated in the developer supply container is conveyed toward the developer discharge opening, and further conveyed to the vicinity of the developer discharge opening. A developer is supplied to the discharge opening, and the shielding part rotates the developer supply container from an upstream end of the developer supply part at the discharge opening side end in the developer supply container rotation direction. Direction toward the downstream side, at least a central angle of 40 ° around the container rotation axis
It is characterized in that it is not provided in the small-diameter cylindrical portion within.

In the above structure, even in the developer replenishing container having the above-mentioned developer transporting means, the shielding portion prevents the flushing developer from flowing out when the developer replenishing container is initially mounted by the shielding portion. It is possible to provide a highly reliable developer replenishing container that can sufficiently exert the effect and does not hinder the developer discharge (flow of the developer) during normal developer replenishment. .

In another structure according to the present invention, the developer carrying means is provided continuously inside the container body so as to extend in the direction of the rotation axis and divides the inside of the container body into a plurality of parts. A partition wall, the partition wall is arranged at a position passing through the opening cross section, and the partition wall is provided with a projection as the developer carrying section having a surface inclined with respect to a rotation axis. One or a plurality of the protrusions are provided, and at least one end of the protrusion is configured to feed the developer to the developer discharge opening as the developer feeding portion, and the shielding portion is The small-diameter cylindrical portion having a central angle of 40 ° or less centered on the container rotation axis from the connecting portion of the end portion of the developer feeding portion with the partition wall toward the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developer supply container. Characterized in that is not provided.

In the above structure, even in the developer replenishing container having the developer conveying means, the flushing developer is prevented from flowing out at the time of initial mounting of the developer replenishing container by the shielding portion with a simple structure. It is possible to provide a highly reliable developer replenishing container that can sufficiently exert the effect and does not hinder the developer discharge (flow of the developer) during normal developer replenishment. .

Another structure according to the present invention is characterized in that an area shielded by the shield portion is 1/3 or more and 8/9 or less of an opening area of the developer discharge opening.

In the above structure, the effect of preventing the outflow of the flushing developer at the time of initial mounting of the developer replenishing container by the shielding portion can be sufficiently exerted with a simple structure, and at the time of normal developer replenishment. Developer discharge (flow of developer)
It is possible to provide a highly reliable developer replenishing container that does not hinder the above.

Another structure according to the present invention is characterized in that the developer carrying means rotates integrally with the developer supply container.

In the above structure, since no rotating member is provided inside the developer replenishing container, a seal mechanism for the shaft is not required, the number of parts can be reduced, and the assemblability is improved. Therefore, it is possible to provide a low-cost developer supply container. In addition, if a developer conveying means that rotates with respect to the container is provided inside the container, when the developer is packed inside the developer supply container, the resistance due to the developer increases and the torque for rotating the developer is increased. Therefore, the developer conveying means must be formed of a durable material, and the load applied to the drive unit of the image forming apparatus main body also increases. Both the developer supply container and the main body of the image forming apparatus need to have a configuration capable of generating high torque and capable of withstanding the high torque, but in the system in which the container rotates as in the present invention, the developer supply container Although there is a slight torque increase due to the segregation of the developer in, the high torque required to rotate the packed developer as described above is not required. It can be configured based on the image forming apparatus main body, and cost of the developer supply container is possible therefore.

[0035]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However,
The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in the following embodiments should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the present invention is applied, and are particularly specific. Unless otherwise stated, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto.

[First Embodiment] First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the structure of an electrophotographic copying machine, which is an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a developer supply container according to the first embodiment is mounted, will be described. explain.

[Electrophotographic image forming apparatus] The main body of the electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter also referred to as "apparatus main body") 100 shown in FIG.
In the above, when the document 101 is placed on the platen glass 102, an optical image corresponding to the image information of the document 101 is generated by the optical unit 1.
An image is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter, referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 104 by the plurality of mirrors 03 and the lens Ln. Cassette 105, 106, 107, 108
Among the recording media (hereinafter, referred to as “paper”) P stacked on the sheet, the operation unit 100a illustrated in FIG.
The optimum paper P is selected from the paper size information of the cassettes 105 to 108 based on the information input by the user or the paper size of the original 101. Here, the recording medium is not limited to paper, and an OHP sheet or the like can be appropriately selected.

The feeding / separating devices 105A and 106
A sheet of paper P conveyed by A, 107A, 108A
Is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveyance unit 109, and further, the registration roller 110 conveys the paper P to the transfer unit in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103. In the transfer section,
The transfer discharger 111 transfers the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 to the paper P. Then, the separation discharge device 112 separates the paper P on which the developer image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 104.

Thereafter, the fixing unit 114 is fixed by the transport unit 113.
The paper P conveyed to the fixing unit 114 fixes the developer image on the paper P by heat and pressure in the fixing unit 114, and then passes through the discharge reversing unit 115 in the case of one-sided copying to discharge the paper P.
The sheet 16 is discharged to the discharge tray 117. In the case of double-sided copy, the flapper 118 of the discharge reversal unit 115 controls the flapper 118 to convey the sheet to the registration rollers 110 via the re-feeding / conveying paths 119 and 120. The traced sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 117.

Further, in the case of multiple copy, the paper P passes through the discharge reversal unit 115 and is partially discharged by the discharge roller 116 to the outside of the apparatus. Then, after that, the trailing edge of the paper P passes through the flapper 118, and the flapper 118 is controlled at the timing when it is still nipped by the discharge roller 116, and the discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the sheet P is conveyed again into the apparatus main body 100. To be done. After this, the sheet is further conveyed to the registration rollers 110 via the re-feeding / conveying units 119 and 120, and then is ejected to the ejection tray 117 along the same route as in the case of single-sided copying.

By the way, in the apparatus main body 100 having the above-mentioned structure, the developing section 201, the cleaner section 202, the primary charger 203 and the like are arranged around the photosensitive drum 104.

The developing section 201 develops the electrostatic latent image of the information of the original 101 formed on the photosensitive drum 104 by the optical section 103 using a developer. The developer replenishing container 1 for replenishing the developing section 201 with the developer is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 100 by the user.

Further, the developing section 201 includes a developer hopper 20.
It has 1a and a developing device 201b. The developer hopper 201 a has a stirring member 201 c for stirring the developer supplied from the developer supply container 1. The developer agitated by the agitating member 201c is
It is sent to the developing device 201b by the magnet roller 201d. The developing device 201b has a developing roller 201f and a conveying member 201e. The developer sent from the developer hopper 201a by the magnet roller 201d is sent to the developing roller 201f by the carrying member 201e, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 104 by the developing roller 201f.

The cleaner section 202 is the photosensitive drum 1
It is for removing the developer remaining in 04. The primary charger 203 is for charging the photosensitive drum 104.

When the user opens the developer supply container replacement front cover 15 (hereinafter referred to as "replacement front cover"), which is a part of the exterior cover shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG.
The container cradle 50 is pulled out to a predetermined position by a drive system (not shown). Then, the developer supply container 1 is placed on the container receiving table 50. When the user takes out the developer supply container 1 from the apparatus main body 100, the container receiving base 50 is pulled out, and the developer supply container 1 placed on the container receiving base 50 is taken out. Here, the replacement front cover 15 is a dedicated cover for attaching / detaching (replacing) the developer supply container 1, and is opened / closed only for attaching / detaching the developer supply container 1. The maintenance of the apparatus main body 100 is performed by opening and closing the front cover 100c, but other configurations may be used.

The developer replenishing container 1 may be directly attached to the apparatus main body 100 or removed from the apparatus main body 100 without the intermediary of the container pedestal 50.

[Developer Supply Container] Next, the developer supply container according to the first embodiment will be further described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer supply container according to the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a front view (a) of the developer supply container,
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the developer discharge opening, and FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example of the drive transmission portion when the drive shaft is provided on the developer supply container body side.

The developer replenishing container 1 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and an opening 1a having a diameter smaller than that of the developer replenishing container main body, that is, the developer accommodating portion (cylindrical portion) 1A is provided at substantially the center of one end surface thereof. . The opening 1a is provided with a sealing member 2 that closes the opening 1a, and as will be understood from the description related to FIGS. 14A to 14C, this sealing member 2 is the developer supply container 1. The opening 1a is opened and closed by sliding in the axial direction (arrow ab direction). An elastically deformable engagement projection 3 is provided at the tip of the sealing member 2.
And a releasing portion 4 for releasing the engagement of the engagement protrusion 3 with the drive portion 20 on the apparatus main body side, and the engagement protrusion 3 engages with the drive portion 20 and the developer supply container 1 It is configured to perform the function of transmitting rotational drive to. The configurations of the engagement protrusion 3 and the release portion 4 will be described in detail later.

Next, the internal structure of the developer supply container 1 will be described. As described above, the developer replenishing container 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape, is arranged substantially horizontally within the apparatus main body 100, and is configured to rotate upon being rotationally driven by the apparatus main body 100. And, in this developer supply container 1,
A developer transport unit for transporting the developer toward the discharge opening 1a, and scooping up the developer near the discharge opening 1a to discharge the developer from the discharge opening 1a,
Further, there is provided a developer transporting means including a developer feeding portion for feeding the developer scooped up to the discharge opening 1a. That is, on the inner surface of the developer replenishing container 1, there is provided a spiral projection 1c as the developer carrying portion. As the developer supply container 1 rotates, the developer is axially conveyed along the spiral protrusion 1c, and the developer conveyed to the vicinity of the opening 1a provided at the end face of the developer supply container is After being pumped up to a position higher than the opening 1a by a developer feeding portion 1d for feeding the developer to 1a, the inclined portion on the surface of the developer feeding portion 1d is slid down to be provided on the small diameter cylindrical portion 1f. It is configured to be guided to the discharged discharge opening 1a and discharged from the opening 1a.

Further, in the vicinity of the opening 1a, a shielding member 5 is provided so as to protrude inside the opening 1a so as to reduce the opening area of the opening 1a provided in the developer supply container 1 when viewed from the mounting axis direction. Therefore, the developer is prevented from flowing out when the developer supply container is installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Details of the shielding member 5 will be described later in the section of [Developer outflow prevention mechanism].

4 to 6, as described above, the developer replenishing container body 1A has an opening 1a substantially at the center of one end surface thereof.
Is provided, and the drive shaft 1b integrally provided with the developer replenishing container body 1A in the opening 1a projects from the opening 1a. The drive shaft 1b is located substantially on the central axis of the opening 1a and engages with the engagement hole 2a provided in the sealing member 2. Since the drive shaft 1b is for transmitting the rotational drive force from the apparatus main body 100 to the developer supply container main body 1A via the sealing member 2, the sectional shape of the drive shaft 1b can transmit the rotational drive force. It has a rectangular shape, an H-cut shape, a D-cut shape, or the like. The drive shaft 1b is fixed to the developer supply container main body 1A by an appropriate means.

The drive shaft 1b is the developer supply container body 1A.
It may be provided integrally with the sealing member 2 as shown in FIG. In that case, the engaging hole 2a for transmitting the driving force from the driving shaft 1b needs to be provided on the developer supply container 1 side. In this modification, the engaging hole 2a is provided in the component member of the small diameter cylindrical portion 1f provided with the opening 1a.

In this embodiment, the drive shaft 1b is fixed to the developer supply container body 1A.

[Sealing Member] Next, the sealing member 2 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. 8. Here, FIG. 8 shows an example of a sealing member used in the developer supply container according to the present embodiment (A) front view, (B) side view, (C).
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sealing member is engaged with the drive unit.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the sealing member 2 is a sealing portion 2 for sealing the opening 1a of the developer supply container 1 so as to be opened.
b, and a cylindrical coupling engagement portion (driving force receiving portion) 2c that engages with the drive portion 20 of the apparatus body. The outer diameter of the sealing portion 2b is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the opening 1a by an appropriate amount. Then, the sealing member 2 seals the developer discharge opening, which is the opening 1a, by press-fitting the sealing portion 2b into the opening 1a.

As described above, the sealing member 2 includes the drive shaft 1b.
The driving force received from the apparatus main body 100 by engaging with the driving shaft 1
It has an engagement hole 2a for transmitting to b. The engagement hole 2a is formed over the sealing portion 2b and the engagement portion 2c. The engaging hole 2a has a polygonal shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the drive shaft 1b (a square is adopted in this embodiment), and is formed slightly larger than the drive shaft 1b. As a result, the drive shaft 1b is loosely fitted in the engagement hole 2a.

Then, in this way, the drive shaft 1b engages with the engagement hole 2
By being loosely fitted in a, the developer supply container main body 1A and the sealing member 2 are locked to each other in the rotation direction of the developer supply container main body 1A, while being mutually movable in the axial direction. It is designed to be composed. Thereby, when the developer replenishing container 1 is attached to the developer replenishing device 400, the sealing member 2 and the developer replenishing container body 1A can be separated from each other as described later, and the developer supply port, that is, the opening 1a is opened ( (Opening) is possible.

By the way, the engagement length between the engagement hole 2a and the drive shaft 1b is such that it does not come off when the sealing member 2 and the developer supply container body 1A are separated. . Thereby, even if the sealing member 2 is separated from the developer supply container main body 1, the drive shaft 1b can receive the driving force via the sealing member 2.

Next, the engaging projection 3 will be described in detail. The sealing member 2 is provided with an engagement protrusion 3 on the driving force receiving portion 2c for receiving the driving force from the apparatus main body 100. The engagement projection 3 projects outward in the radial direction from the cylindrical surface 2d of the sealing member 2, and has a drive receiving surface 3a for transmitting a driving force in the rotation direction, the developer supply container 1, and the seal. It has a locking surface 3b for locking the sealing member 2 to the main body drive portion side when the stopper member 2 is separated. That is, the engagement protrusion 3 performs two different functions, that is, rotational driving of the developer supply container 1 and regulation of the position of the developer supply container 1, by the drive receiving surface 3a and the locking surface 3b, respectively.

According to the above-mentioned constitution, since the opening / closing operation of the sealing member 2 and the driving force transmission operation can be performed by one sealing member, it is possible to provide a developer replenishing container having a compact and inexpensive structure.

Incidentally, it is basically preferable that the engaging projection 3 is provided integrally with the sealing member 2 from the viewpoint of reducing the number of parts, but only the engaging projection 3 is incorporated into the sealing member 2 as a separate part. However, it does not matter even if it is configured.

When the engaging projection 3 is provided integrally with the sealing member 2, the slit grooves 2e are formed on both drive receiving surfaces 3a of the engaging projection 3.
And the like, so that only the engaging projection 3 is allowed to elastically deform freely. The reason is that the engagement projection 3 is displaced by the action of the apparatus main body 100 to perform a drive transmission canceling operation described later.

In this embodiment, the engaging projection 3 is formed integrally with the sealing member 2. Further, the tip end portion of the engagement protrusion 3 has a tapered surface 3c so that the sealing member 2 can be smoothly inserted when the sealing member 2 is inserted into the drive unit 20 of the apparatus main body 100.

Next, the structure of the releasing section 4 will be described again with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In the present embodiment, the engagement protrusion 3
Are provided at four positions in the facing direction, and the elastically deformable support portion 2f provided with the engagement protrusions 3 is provided with the disengagement portions 4 by the same number as the engagement protrusions 3. The disengagement portion (hereinafter referred to as “release portion”) 4 is provided on the support portion 2f provided with the engagement protrusion 3 and the release portion 4, and the slit grooves 2e are formed on both sides of the support portion 2f. Therefore, the engaging projection 3 and the releasing portion 4 are elastically deformed inward by the slit groove 2e.
When the force is removed, it will return to its original shape.
Therefore, it is preferable that the releasing portion 4 is made relatively thin so as to be easily elastically deformed, and is made of a material suitable for it.

The sealing member 2 is preferably manufactured by injection-molding a resin such as plastic, but other materials and manufacturing methods may be used, and the members may be arbitrarily divided and joined. Further, the sealing member 2 is required to have appropriate elasticity in order to press-fit and fit into the opening 1a and seal it. Low density polyethylene is the most preferable material, followed by polypropylene, linear polyamide such as nylon, high density polyethylene, polyester, ABS, HI.
PS (impact-resistant polystyrene) and the like can be preferably used.

As described above, by making the driving force receiving portion 2c and the releasing portion 4 elastically deformable elastic members, it is possible to easily disengage the driving portion 20 and the driving force receiving portion 2c from each other by utilizing the elastic deformation. Can be done In addition, since the above materials have appropriate elasticity, the driving unit 20 and the driving force receiving unit 2
c can be easily engaged and disengaged and has sufficient durability.

Further, since the releasing portions 4 are provided corresponding to the number of the engaging protrusions 3, it is possible to evenly displace the engaging protrusions 3.

[Driving Force Receiving Section] Next, the structure of the driving force receiving section 2c provided in the sealing member 2 used in the developer supply container according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the image forming apparatus main body side driving force transmitting portion and the driving force receiving portion.

In this embodiment, the sealing member 2 has a driving force receiving portion 2c formed in a cylindrical shape, and receives the driving force from the main body driving portion (driving force transmitting portion of the developer replenishing device 400) 20. I am supposed to receive it.

The cylindrical driving force receiving portion 2c of the sealing member 2 has a flexible engaging projection 3 which is elastically deformable as described above.
Are provided so as to face each other at four locations, and the engagement projections 3 are in a state where they can be easily elastically deformed by being pressed.

On the other hand, the drive unit 2 provided on the apparatus main body 100 side
0 is configured to engage with the engagement protrusion 3 of the sealing member 2, and the inner diameter of the distal end of the drive unit 20 is an inner diameter so that the sealing member 2 can be smoothly inserted when inserted into the drive unit 20. The tapered surface 20b is provided so that the diameter gradually decreases. The taper surface 20b allows the sealing member 2 to be smoothly driven.
Inserted at 0. Further, the drive portion 20 is provided with an engagement rib 20a for rotating the developer supply container 1. The engaging ribs 20a are for hooking the engaging protrusions 3 after the sealing member 2 is inserted and transmitting the rotational drive.

Next, how the drive section 20 and the sealing member 2 are engaged in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 11A shows the arrow a for the user to set a new developer supply container 1 in the apparatus main body 100.
3 illustrates a state when the developer replenishing container 1 is inserted in the direction, that is, a state before being engaged with the drive unit 20 in the apparatus main body.

As the insertion of the developer supply container 1 progresses, FIG.
As shown in (B), the engagement projection 3 provided on the sealing member 2 comes into contact with the tapered surface 20b of the drive unit 20, and the tapered surface 20b.
While being gradually guided inward, it is elastically deformed and inserted.

As shown in FIG. 11C, the insertion of the developer replenishing container 1 progresses further, and the engaging projection 3 passing through the straight portion 20g following the tapered surface 20b is a space portion 20h without the engaging rib 20a. The flexure is released, where the engaging projection 3
Becomes engaged with the drive unit 20. In this state, the engagement protrusion 3 is firmly engaged with the drive unit 20, and the position of the sealing member 2 in the thrust direction (axial direction) is fixed.

Therefore, thereafter, as shown in FIG. 14C, which will be described later, even if the developer supply container 1 is retracted in the direction of arrow b, the sealing member 2 is pulled together with the developer supply container 1. It is firmly fixed to the drive unit 20 without moving backward. On the other hand, since only the developer supply container 1 is retracted, the sealing member 2 and the developer supply container 1 are reliably separated, and the opening 1a is opened. The developer replenishing container 1 may be retracted so that the developer replenishing container 1 is slid in association with the opening / closing operation of the front cover 15 of the apparatus main body 100.

[Disengagement Method] Next, the engagement disengagement between the engagement projection 3 and the main body drive section 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12A shows a state in which the developer supply is completed and the opening 1a of the developer supply container 1 is opened.

When the engagement between the main body drive unit 20 and the sealing member 2 is released, as shown in FIG.
By inserting 1 into the releasing portion 4 provided at the tip of the sealing member 2 in the direction of the arrow b, the releasing portion 4 is pressed inward by the inner peripheral surface of the pushing member 21 and bent in the direction of the arrow d. The engagement protrusion 3 integrated with the release portion 4 also falls inward.
As a result, the engagement between the engagement protrusion 3 and the main body drive unit 20 is released.

Thereafter, by further pushing the pushing member 21 in the direction of the arrow b, the sealing member 2 is returned to the sealing position of the developer supply container 1 as shown in FIG. Next, the pushing member 21 further retracts the developer supply container 1 itself, and slides the developer supply container 1 to a position where the user can easily take it out.

With respect to the driving configuration of the pushing member 21, the pushing member 21 moves in the direction of arrow b when the front cover 15 is opened in association with the opening / closing operation of the front cover 15 of the apparatus main body 100, so that the driving unit 20 is driven. Alternatively, the sealing member 2 of the developer supply container 1 may be separated, and when the front cover 15 is closed, the developer supply container 1 may be moved in the direction opposite to the arrow b direction.
Alternatively, a separate drive motor or the like may be used to perform an independent separating operation. Alternatively, the device body 10
Instead of the interlocking operation with the front cover 0 of 0, a separate manual lever is provided and the separating operation is performed in conjunction with this, and any method may be used.

[Developer Replenishing Operation] Next, FIG. 14 (A)
The developer replenishing operation of the developer replenishing container in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 (A)
14 (C) is a developer supply container 1 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing, for each stage, a state of a process of inserting the developer into the apparatus main body 100 to supply the developer.

As shown in the figure, a developer replenishing device 400 is provided in the apparatus main body 100, and the developer replenishing device 4 is further provided.
Reference numeral 00 denotes a drive unit (driving force transmission unit) 20 that is connected to the developer supply container 1 and rotationally drives the developer supply container 1. The drive unit 20 is rotatably supported by a bearing 23, and is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 100.

Further, the apparatus main body 100 is provided with a hopper 201.
A partition wall 25 is provided which forms a developer replenishment path (sub hopper) 24 communicating with a. The partition wall 25 rotatably supports a part of the developer replenishment container 1 and also has a developer replenishment path (sub hopper). Inner and outer bearings 26 that seal the hopper 24
a and 26b are fixed. Further, a screw member 27 for transporting the replenished developer to the hopper 201a is arranged in the developer replenishing path (sub hopper) 24.

FIG. 14A shows a state in which the developer supply container 1 is inserted into the apparatus main body 100. On one end surface of the tip of the developer supply container 1, a developer supply opening 1a which is cylindrical in this embodiment is provided, and the opening 1a is
The tip opening is sealed by the sealing member 2.

In FIG. 14B, the developer replenishing container 1 is further inserted, and the engaging protrusion 3 as a locking portion provided at the tip of the sealing member 2 is connected to the drive unit 20 on the apparatus main body side. The engaged state is shown. The engagement between the drive unit 20 and the sealing member 2 is performed by the insertion force when the user inserts the developer supply container 1. At this time, the sealing member 2 has the engagement protrusion 3
Since it is locked in the thrust direction (axial direction) with the drive unit 20 by the locking surface provided on the sealing member 2, the sealing member 2 remains in the positionally fixed state to the drive unit 20 unless the locking is released. is there.

FIG. 14C shows the sealing member 2 and the drive unit 2.
After the engagement of 0, the slide member 300 retracts in the direction of arrow b in conjunction with the closing operation of the replacement front cover 15, whereby the developer supply container 1 also retracts, and the sealing member 2 relatively develops. The state where the opening 1a is opened apart from the developer supply container 1 and the developer can be supplied is shown. At this time, the drive shaft 1b fixed to the main body 1A of the developer supply container 1 has the sealing member 2
Does not come off completely, and a part of the drive shaft 1b remains in the sealing member 2. The drive shaft 1b has a non-circular cross-sectional shape such as a quadrangle or a triangle that allows transmission of rotational drive.

When a motor (not shown) is driven in this state, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the main body drive unit 20 to the sealing member 2 and further from the sealing member 2 to the drive shaft 1b, whereby the developer replenishing container 1 is configured to rotate. That is, the sealing member 2 has two functions of sealing the developer and at the same time transmitting the rotational driving force of the developer supply container 1.

Further, since the developer supply container 1 is rotatably supported by the developer supply container receiving roller 23 provided on the container receiving stand 50, the developer supplying container 1 can smoothly rotate even with a slight driving torque. . The developer supply container receiving roller 23 is provided at four positions which are saddles with respect to the developer supply container main body 1A. The developer supply container receiving roller 23 is rotatably provided on the developer supply device 400 of the apparatus main body 100. As the developer supply container 1 rotates in this manner, the developer contained in the developer supply container 1 is sequentially discharged from the opening 1a, and the developer supply path 2
The main body 1 of the apparatus by the screw member 27 provided on the No. 4
The toner is conveyed to the hopper 201a on the 00 side and the developer is replenished.

[Method for Replacing Developer Replenishing Container] Next, a method for replacing the developer replenishing container in this embodiment will be described.

When the developer in the developer replenishing container 1 is almost completely consumed in the image forming process, the apparatus main body 100
The developer replenishment container empty detection means (not shown) provided at the end detects that the developer in the developer replenishment container 1 has run out, and the user is informed by the display means 100b (see FIG. 2) such as a liquid crystal display. Be informed.

In this embodiment, the developer replenishing container 1 is replaced by the user himself, and the procedure is as follows.

First, the replacement front cover 1 in the closed state.
5 is rotated about the hinge 18 to open it to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. In conjunction with the operation of opening the front cover 15 for replacement, the developer replenishing portion opening / closing means described later causes
The developer replenishing container body 1A in the state of FIG.
The sealing member 2 that has moved to the direction of arrow a shown in (A) and is separated from the developer replenishing container body 1A and has opened the developer replenishing opening 1a is press-fitted into the developer replenishing opening 1a. And the developer replenishing opening 1a is closed,
The state shown in FIG.

Next, the user installs the developer replenishing container 1 in the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, which runs out of the developer, as shown in FIG.
4A is pulled out in the direction opposite to the arrow a direction, and is removed from the apparatus main body 100. After this, the user inserts the new developer supply container 1 into the apparatus main body 100 in the direction of arrow a shown in FIG. 14A, and then closes the replacement front cover 15. Then, as described above, the sealing member 2 is separated from the container body 1A by the developer replenishing section opening / closing means in conjunction with the operation of closing the replacement front cover 15, and the developer replenishing opening 1
a is opened (FIG. 14 (C)). The above is the procedure for replacing the developer supply container.

[Developer Outflow Prevention Mechanism] Next, the mechanism for preventing excessive developer outflow, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. here,
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer supply container according to the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a front view (a) of the developer supply container, and (b) a cross-sectional view near the developer discharge opening.

Regarding the replacement of the developer replenishing container in order to replenish the consumed developer by the user's request from the image forming apparatus main body 100, the replenishing operation procedure, the operation at the time of replenishing, etc. have been explained. As described above, normally, when the user performs the above operation, the developer supply container 1 is subjected to vibration due to physical distribution until reaching the user, and is further stored as stock at the user's destination. As described above, the developer filled in the developer supply container 1 is in a state of being packed (packed) to some extent because the air contained in the powder is released. Therefore, when the developer replenishing container replacement work is performed and the sealing member 2 that seals the opening 1a of the developer replenishing container 1 is opened in the image forming apparatus main body 100 (the state of FIG. 14C). ), A large amount of developer did not flow out of the developer supply container 1 at a time to the sub hopper of the developer supply device 400 (the developer supply path 24 in FIG. 14).

However, although it is a rare case, the developer filled in the developer replenishing container 1 due to, for example, that the user shakes the developer replenishing container 1 well before replacing the developer replenishing container. Is fully solved,
In the case of flushing with a large amount of air, the developer is liquefied, and as soon as the sealing member 2 is unsealed by the above operation, a large amount of the developer is discharged into the developer supply container 1. There is a risk that the toner will be discharged from the opening 1a of the above and will flow out to the sub hopper portion (developer supply path 24 in FIG. 14) that temporarily receives the developer. Here, the sub hopper portion (developer supply path 24 in FIG. 14)
As described above, with the downsizing of the image forming apparatus main body 100, it is necessary to improve the space efficiency from the component level, so that the volume thereof has been kept extremely small. Therefore, when a large amount of the developer flushed as described above flows out to the sub hopper portion (developer supply path 24 in FIG. 14) at once, it overflows immediately and the developer supply container of the developer supply device. It is said that the inside of the receiving portion may be contaminated, or the developer may invade and be damaged by a drive system or the like provided in the image forming apparatus main body 100 for transmitting the rotational force to the developer supply container 1. There was a risk of problems.

The most effective method for avoiding the outflow of the developer is to reduce the opening area of the opening 1a of the developer supply container 1.
With this method, although the effect of reducing the outflow of the flushed developer can be obtained, the amount of developer discharged during normal replenishment is reduced, or the opening 1a and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f due to vibration during distribution are used. Packing of the developer in the inside easily occurs, the developer is blocked at the opening 1a, and the replenishment of the developer cannot be performed. Therefore, it cannot be a decisive means.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to effectively prevent the outflow of the flushed developer while avoiding the above-mentioned adverse effects, the developer replenishing container 1 is provided as shown in FIGS. Small-diameter cylindrical portion 1 forming a discharge opening 1a
f and the developer accommodating portion of the developer supply container 1 (container body)
A shield member 5 is provided in the vicinity of the connecting portion with the portion 1A toward the inside of the discharge opening 1a so as to reduce the opening area of the discharge opening 1a. Further, the shielding member 5 is a developer for feeding the developer to the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f provided with the opening 1a so as not to interfere with the discharge of the developer due to the rotation of the developer supply container 1 at a normal time. The developer that has slid down on the feeding portion 1d is guided to the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f having the opening 1a, that is, the rotation direction of the developer replenishing container at the discharge opening side end portion of the developer feeding portion 1d. From the upstream end portion toward the downstream side in the developer supply container rotation direction, since it is not provided in the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f within a central angle of at least 40 ° about the container rotation axis,
Since the developer scooped up by the developer feeding unit 1d slides down on the feeding unit 1d and passes under the shielding member 5 so as to pass under it, it is hardly affected by the shielding member 5. It does not hinder the discharge of the developer.

As described above, the shielding member 5 is arranged such that the developer replenishing container is rotated from the upstream end of the developer feeding portion 1d at the discharge opening side in the direction of rotation of the developer replenishing container. As to the fact that it is not provided in the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f at least within a central angle of 40 ° around the container rotation axis toward the downstream side in the direction, the above-mentioned angle of 40 °
If it is provided in a smaller area, the damming effect of the developer sliding down on the developer feeding portion 1d becomes large, and there is a possibility that a predetermined amount of developer discharge cannot be obtained. Since it is not preferable in terms of properties, it is desirable to be provided in a region other than the above region. In the present embodiment, the container rotation axis extends from the upstream end of the developer supply unit 1d at the discharge opening side end in the developer supply container rotation direction toward the downstream side in the developer supply container rotation direction. An example is shown in which the shielding member 5 is provided in a region outside the range of 45 ° around the center.

Further, the area where the developer discharge opening 1a is shielded by the shielding member 5 is preferably within the range of ⅓ to 8/9 of the developer discharge opening area, and more preferably. It is preferably ½ or more and 8/9 or less. When the area shielded by the shielding member 5 is smaller than the above range, the developer is blocked when the developer supply container is mounted (when the sealing member is opened) when the internal developer is flushing. If the effect is not sufficiently obtained and conversely the shielded area is larger than the above range, the discharge of the developer at the time of discharging the developer from the developer supply container 1 is hindered, and a desired discharge amount is difficult to obtain. However, this is not preferable because there is a possibility that adverse effects such as increasing the number of rotations of the developer supply container 1 may occur. In the present embodiment, the example in which the area of the developer discharge opening 1a shielded by the shield member 5 is about 1/2 is shown.

Regarding the arrangement position of the shielding member 5, for example, when the developer supply container 1 is left for a long time with the small diameter cylindrical portion 1f side facing downward, the developer in the small diameter cylindrical portion 1f is However, since it is compacted by the developer above it, it may be more easily packed than the developer in other parts and may lead to blockage of the discharge opening 1a. 1
Since the load of the developer above f is less likely to be applied, the degree of compaction of the developer in the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f can be reduced, so that the small diameter provided with the discharge opening 1a can be reduced. It may be arranged at the end of the cylindrical portion 1f on the container body side or at a position within 1/2 of the length of the small diameter cylindrical portion 1f in the rotation axis direction from the end of the container body side in the direction of the discharge opening 1a. desirable.

The shielding member 5 is, as described above,
Although it is arranged at a position where the flow of the developer is not obstructed as much as possible during the normal developer discharge, not all the developers are completely affected by the shielding member 5, and a certain amount of the developer is The shielding member 5 may be affected even when the normal developer is discharged. In such a case, since the shielding member 5 is provided at the position as described above, the developer feeding unit 1
Even if the developer that has slid down on d receives the discharge inhibiting effect by the shielding member 5, the influence can be suppressed to a minimum. That is, if the shielding member 5 is arranged at the position as described above, the moving speed of the developer that has slid down the developer feeding portion 1d due to the rotation of the developer supply container during the normal discharge is the highest. In this state, the shielding member 5 receives the discharge inhibiting effect, so that the developer flow can be discharged from the discharge opening 1a without completely stopping the flow of the developer. However, if the arrangement position of the shielding member 5 deviates from the above range of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f and is provided closer to the discharge opening 1a side, the developer that has slid down the developer feeding portion 1d can be removed. The moving speed is slower than in the case where the shielding member 5 is within the above range, and if the discharge inhibiting effect of the shielding member 5 is received in that state, the developer is discharged from the discharging opening 1a. The movement of the developer is stopped before the operation, and the possibility that the developer is clogged in the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f increases. From the above points as well, the arrangement position of the shielding member 5 is preferably within the above range.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the example provided at the end portion on the container body side is shown.

Next, in order to confirm the effects and harmful effects of the developer replenishing container as described above, a conventional developer replenishing container (hereinafter referred to as "conventional container") not provided with the above-mentioned shielding member 5, Using the developer supply container of the present embodiment provided with the above-mentioned shielding member 5 (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment container”), the developer outflow amount measurement when the sealing member 2 is opened in the flushing state, Also, a developer discharge characteristic confirmation test by rotation of the developer supply container, which is performed during normal developer supply, was performed, and will be described in detail.

First, regarding the developer outflow amount measurement at the time of flushing, the above-mentioned measurement is performed on the assumption that the developer supply container 1 is shaken sufficiently by the user when the developer supply container is replaced. The containers are shaken back and forth 15 times so that the discharge opening 1a side and the opposite side are alternately turned downward, the developer inside is charged and decomposed (flushing), and the container is immediately laid horizontally for 10 seconds. When the sealing member was opened after being placed, the outflow amount of the developer was measured. In this test, a developer supply container having an inner diameter of about 100 mm, a length in the longitudinal direction of about 350 mm, an inner volume of about 2700 cc, and an inner diameter of the discharge opening of about φ30 mm is about 15 mm.
The one filled with 00 g of the one-component developer was used. As a result, the outflow amount of the flushed developer was about 100 to 150 g in the conventional container, but it was significantly reduced to about 40 to 50 g in the container of the present embodiment. It could be confirmed.

In the discharge test assuming the normal discharge (the rotation number of the developer supply container is 30 rpm), there is no significant difference in the discharge characteristics (transition of the discharge amount with respect to the container rotation time) between the conventional container and the container of the present embodiment. There was no problem, and the minimum developer replenishment amount required in the main body of the image forming apparatus was sufficiently satisfied.

Further, regarding the amount of developer remaining in the container after the discharge test (developer remaining amount), there is no significant difference between the conventional container and the container of the present embodiment, and both are in a weight ratio with respect to the amount of the initially filled developer. It was about 2.5 to 3.5%. Further, in order to confirm the discharge characteristics in a situation that is disadvantageous to discharge, the vibrations (acceleration: 9.8 m / s2, vibration directions: x, y) assuming physical distribution in this embodiment and the conventional developer supply container are confirmed. , Z 3
Direction, frequency: 10 to 100 Hz, sweep time (reciprocation): 5 minutes, vibration time: 1 hour in each direction, and the packing state of the developer in the discharge opening 1a of the developer supply container 1 is simulated. When the discharge test was performed in the mode reproduced in the above, the developer storage unit 1 for both the conventional container and the present implementation container
Regarding the packing of the developer in part A, it was observed that the developer was gradually unraveled with the rotation of the container.
There was no problem with the remaining amount of developer, and there was no significant difference between the two containers. However, for the developer packed in the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f forming the opening 1a of the developer supply container 1, in the conventional container, the sealing member 2 is opened and the developer supply container 1 starts to rotate. In about 10 rotations, the developer collapses and the discharge opening 1a is completely closed, whereas in the container of the present embodiment, when the sealing member 2 is opened and the developer supply container 1 starts to rotate. At the same time, it was observed that the developer in the discharge opening 1a began to collapse and the blockage immediately disappeared. From this, by disposing the shielding member 5 as in the present embodiment, the pressure due to the vibration of the developer in the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f having the opening 1a due to the physical distribution is reduced, and the developer is packed. On the other hand, it was also confirmed that there is an effect of softening the degree. Regarding this effect, for example, when the user stores the developer supply container 1, even if the discharge opening 1a is left downward and left for a long time, the same reproduction test is effective. It has been confirmed.

Next, as a further comparative example, as a method for suppressing the developer discharge amount, as in the conventional example, the verification result in the case where the discharge opening area is simply reduced without using the shielding member Briefly explained.

In the verification here, in the developer replenishing container of the present embodiment, since the shielding member 5 is provided so that the area of the developer discharge opening 1a is about 1/2, In order to match the area of the agent discharge opening 1a,
The small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f provided with the discharge opening 1a has an inner diameter of approximately φ20 mm and an opening area of approximately 3.1 cm 2 (in the present embodiment, the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f has an inner diameter of approximately φ30 mm and is shielded by the shielding member 5). The area of the part that does not exist is about 3c
m2), the shape and size of the developer feeding portion 1d were adjusted according to the reduction of the opening 1a, and the same test as described above was performed. For other parts,
This is the same as the developer supply container 1 of this embodiment.

First, when the sealing member 2 is opened in the flushing state, the developer outflow amount is about 80 to 120 g, and although a slight reduction effect was observed, it is not possible to simply reduce the discharge opening 1a. However, a sufficient damming effect was not obtained. Next, in a test assuming normal discharge of developer, the amount of the developer finally remaining in the developer supply container is about 2.5 by weight ratio with respect to the amount of the initially filled developer.
Although a performance equivalent to that of the present embodiment was obtained, which is ~ 3.5%,
Regarding the discharge characteristics (transition of developer discharge amount with respect to the rotation time of the developer supply container), it was confirmed that the discharge amount per unit time was significantly reduced. In order to compensate for this decrease in the discharge amount per unit time, the number of rotations of the developer supply container must be increased, which significantly increases the load on the drive system of the image forming apparatus main body. ,
The result was not favorable. Finally, in a test in which the state where the developer in the developer supply container is packed is reproduced, the packed developer is not easily released because the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f is thinner, and the developer is clogged. It has happened.

For the reasons described above, the developer supply container of this embodiment has a simple and inexpensive structure and does not affect the developer discharge amount during normal developer supply. It is possible to prevent a large amount of developer from flowing out when the developer replenishing container is attached (when the sealing member is opened) due to flushing, and the developer may leak into the drive system of the main body due to the developer outflow or the developer may overflow. Since the developer contamination can be prevented, the reliability is improved, the load on the main body of the image forming apparatus can be reduced, and the operability for the user can be improved.

Further, the volume of the sub hopper portion (developer supply path 24 in this embodiment) provided on the image forming apparatus main body side for temporarily receiving the developer discharged from the developer supply container is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the image forming apparatus main body.

Further, the effect of suppressing the packing of the developer in the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f when the vibration of the physical distribution is applied or when it is stored for a long time at the user's site can be obtained, so that the reliable discharging property can be obtained. Has come to be obtained.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 15 is a sectional perspective view of the developer supply container according to the second embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container, and FIG. 17 is a view of the developer supply container as seen from the discharge port side.

Here, as the developer conveying means provided in the developer supply container, a developer conveying member (hereinafter, baffle member 40) as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is provided, and the shielding member 5 is provided. Developer storage portion 1A of the developer supply container 1
The developer replenishing container 1 is provided integrally with the connection portion between the small diameter cylindrical portion 1f and the discharge opening 1a, but the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, FIG. 15 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a baffle member 40 in the form of a plate (partition wall) that divides the developer accommodating portion 1A into the developer replenishing container main body 1 is divided into two.
The baffle member 40 is provided with a plurality of inclined projections (developer carrying section) 40a having a surface inclined with respect to the rotation axis direction of the developer supply container 1 on one surface thereof. Has reached the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f forming the opening 1a. Here, of the inclined projections 40a, a portion of the inclined projections 40a closest to the discharge opening 1a and closest to the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1f is particularly referred to as a developer feeding portion 40b for feeding the developer to the discharge opening 1a. To do. The developer is finally slid down on the inclined projection 40a and the developer feeding portion 40b, and is discharged through the opening 1a.

The principle that the developer is discharged is that the developer scraped up by the baffle member 40 by the rotation of the developer supply container 1 slides down on the surface of the baffle member 40, and the inclined projection 40a causes the developer supply container 1 to move. It is transported forward.
By repeating this operation, the developer in the developer supply container 1 is sequentially stirred and conveyed, and finally discharged like the first embodiment through the opening 1a.

As for the shielding member 5 for preventing the flushing developer from flowing out when the developer supply container is attached, the inclined projection 40a provided on the baffle member 40 and the developer as in the first embodiment. It is provided at a position that secures a passage for the developer that slides down on the feeding portion 40b. Specifically, in FIG. 16, the inclined protrusion 40a
The developer that slides down passes through the arrow in the figure, so
To prevent the flow of the developer from being disturbed, the container rotation is performed from the upstream end of the developer supply container in the rotation direction upstream side of the discharge opening side end of the developer supply unit toward the downstream side of the developer supply container rotation direction. The shielding member 5 is integrally provided with the developer replenishing container 1 in such an arrangement that it does not overlap the small-diameter cylindrical portion having a central angle of 40 ° or less around the axis.

Using the developer replenishing container having the baffle member 40 provided inside the developer replenishing container 1 as described above, the effect / defect confirmation depending on the presence / absence of the shielding member 5 is performed similarly to the first embodiment. went.

First, when the developer replenishing container 1 was attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the flushed developer flow rate was tested under the same conditions as described above. About 1 in the agent supply container
The amount of flushing developer flowed out was about 40 in the developer supply container according to the present embodiment.
It was about 50 g, and it was confirmed that the effect of the shielding member 5 was also large and the flushing developer outflow amount was significantly reduced.
In the discharge test, there is no significant difference in discharge characteristics (change in discharge amount with respect to container rotation time) regardless of the presence or absence of the shielding member 5, and the minimum amount of developer required in the image forming apparatus main body is used. The replenishment amount was also sufficiently satisfied, and there was no significant difference in the amount of developer remaining in the container after the discharge test (remaining amount of developer) due to the presence or absence of the shielding member 5. 0.8-2.0 in ratio
%, Which was a very good discharge performance. Also,
Similarly to the first embodiment, in the discharge test in the case of reproducing the packed state of the developer as in the first embodiment, the small-diameter cylindrical portion forming the opening 1a of the developer supply container 1 by the shielding member 5 is also used as in the first embodiment. The effect of reducing the pressure applied to the developer within 1f is seen, and in the developer supply container 1 provided with the shielding member 5, the small-diameter cylindrical portion 1 is promptly provided after the container starts to rotate.
It was confirmed that the developer in f was collapsing.

As described above, even in the developer replenishing container in which the baffle member 40 which is the developer conveying means is provided in the main body of the developer replenishing container 1, like the developer replenishing container of the present embodiment. By providing the shielding member 5, as compared with the developer supply container having the spiral projection on the inner wall surface shown in the first embodiment, the discharge performance is improved, and as described above. It has become possible to effectively suppress the outflow of such flushed developer.

Further, since the shielding member 5 is provided integrally with the developer supply container 1, it is possible to obtain the effects described above without increasing the cost.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In addition, in the present embodiment, the shielding member 5 is provided integrally with the baffle member 40 as a developer conveying means which is internally provided in the developer replenishing container 1, and the second embodiment. Since they are the same, the description of the same components will be omitted.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a baffle member 40 in this embodiment, and FIGS. 19 and 20 are a perspective view and a sectional view showing a developer supply container with the baffle member 40 in this embodiment attached. is there.

Also in the present embodiment, the effect of reducing the outflow amount of the flushing developer was obtained while maintaining a good discharge property, and the same effect as that of the second embodiment was obtained.

When it is attempted to integrally form the shielding member 5 on the developer replenishing container body as in the second embodiment, it is necessary to provide the mold parting on the portion of the shielding member 5. Although there was no degree of freedom in designing the mold of the agent supply container main body, by providing the baffle member 40 integrally as in the present embodiment, the mold structure of the baffle member 40 is not restricted, and the developer is not restricted. The parting position of the replenishing container body can be freely designed, and the flexibility of mold design can be increased.

Further, when the shielding member 5 is integrally provided on the developer replenishing container 1 as in the second embodiment, when the baffle member 40 is assembled into the developer replenishing container 1, the shielding member 5 is shielded. Since the members 5 interfere with each other, it is necessary to be careful during the assembling. However, since the members 5 are integrally provided on the baffle member 40 as in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned problems are eliminated and the assembling property is improved. The improvement and the shortening of the assembly tact can be achieved, and the cost can be further reduced.

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment,
An example of a single-color image forming apparatus including one image forming unit including a photosensitive drum has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a multi-color image forming apparatus including a plurality of the image forming units may be used. The number of image forming units used is not limited, and may be appropriately set as necessary.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the photosensitive drum, the developing means (developing section 201) as the process means acting on the photosensitive drum, and the cleaning means (cleaner section 20).
2), the configuration in which the respective constituent members of the image forming unit including the charging unit (primary charger 203) and the like are separately arranged has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, a photosensitive drum, a process unit. It is also possible to adopt a structure in which the process cartridge in which the above are integrated is detachable, or a structure in which each component is detachable.

As the process cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of the image forming apparatus, a process cartridge integrally including a photosensitive drum and a charging means, a developing means and a cleaning means as a process means acting on the photosensitive drum. The process cartridge is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, a process cartridge integrally including any one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit in addition to the photosensitive drum.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the copying machine is exemplified as the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a recording medium carrier. An image forming apparatus that uses a transfer / transport belt as a body and sequentially transfers the developer images of the respective colors onto a recording medium such as a sheet carried on the transfer / transport belt, or a developer image of each color on an intermediate transfer body. May be an image forming apparatus that sequentially and sequentially transfers the transferred developer images to a recording medium, and the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to the image forming apparatus. .

[0133]

As described above, according to the present invention,
With a simple and inexpensive configuration, it is possible to prevent a large amount of developer from flowing out at the time of initial installation of the developer supply container without affecting the developer discharge amount during normal developer supply.
Since it is possible to prevent the developer from invading the main body drive system due to the developer outflow and the developer contamination due to the developer overflow, the reliability against the developer contamination is improved and the load on the image forming apparatus body can be reduced. In addition, the operability of the user can be improved.

Further, since it is possible to reduce the volume of the hopper portion provided on the image forming apparatus main body side that receives the developer discharged from the developer supply container, the image forming apparatus main body can be made compact. And it has become possible to reduce costs.

Furthermore, the effect of suppressing packing of the developer in the opening when vibration of the physical distribution is applied or when the product is stored for a long time at the user's end can be obtained, so that a reliable discharge property can be obtained. It became so.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how a developer supply container is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer supply container according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a front view of the developer supply container according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view near the developer discharge opening.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of a drive transmission unit when a drive shaft is provided on the developer supply container body side.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing another example of the drive transmission unit when the drive shaft is provided on the sealing member side.

8A is a front view, FIG. 8B is a side view, and FIG. 8C is a sectional view showing an example of a sealing member used in a developer supply container.

9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sealing member of FIG. 8 is engaged with the drive unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a driving force transmission unit and a driving force receiving unit on the image forming apparatus main body side.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state at the time of engagement with the drive transmission portion of the developer supply container, that is, (A) before insertion of the developer supply container, (B) during insertion, and (C) at completion of insertion. .

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of disengagement in the drive transmission portion of the developer supply container, that is, (A) before releasing, (B) during releasing, and (C) when releasing is completed.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the image forming apparatus showing a state where the developer supply container replacement cover is opened.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting operation of the developer supply container, that is, (A) when mounting is started, (B) during mounting, and (C) when mounting is completed.

FIG. 15 is a sectional perspective view of the developer supply container according to the second embodiment.

16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply container of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of the developer supply container of FIG. 15 viewed from the outlet side.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a baffle member according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a sectional perspective view of the developer supply container according to the third embodiment.

20 is a cross-sectional view of the developer supply container of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

Ln ... Lens M ... Mirror P ... Paper 1 ... Developer replenishment container 1A ... Developer storage unit (developer replenishment container body) 1a ... Opening 1b ... Drive shaft 1c ... Spiral projection 1d ... Developer feeding unit 1f ... Small diameter cylinder Part 2 ... Sealing member 2a ... Engaging hole 2b ... Sealing part 2c ... Engaging part (driving force receiving part) 2d ... Cylindrical surface 2e ... Slit groove 2f ... Supporting part 3 ... Engaging projection 3a ... Drive receiving surface 3b ... Locking surface 3c ... Tapered surface 4 ... Release portion 5 ... Shielding member 15 ... Replacement front cover 18 ... Hinge 20 ... Drive portion 20a ... Engaging rib 20b ... Tapered surface 20g ... Straight portion 20h ... Space portion 21 ... Extruding member 23 ... Developer supply container receiving roller 24 ... Developer supply path (sub hopper) 25 ... Partition walls 26a, 26b ... Bearings 27 ... Screw member 40 ... Baffle member 40a ... Inclined projection 40b ... Developer sending section 0 ... Container cradle 100 ... Device body 100a ... Operation part 100b ... Display means 100c ... Front cover 101 ... Original document 102 ... Original plate glass 103 ... Optical part 104 ... Photosensitive drum 105, 106, 107, 108 ... Cassette 105A, 106A , 107A, 108A ... Feeding / separating device 109 ... Conveying unit 110 ... Registration roller 111 ... Transfer discharging device 112 ... Separation discharging device 113 ... Conveying unit 114 ... Fixing unit 115 ... Discharging reversing unit 116 ... Discharging roller 117 ... Discharging tray 118 ... flappers 119, 120 ... re-feeding and conveying path 201 ... developing section 201a ... developer hopper 201b ... developing device 201c ... stirring member 201d ... magnet roller 201e ... conveying member 201f ... developing roller 202 ... cleaner section 203 ... primary charger 300. … Sliding member 400… Image replenishing device

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Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A container main body for accommodating a developer, a discharge opening for discharging the developer, and a developer transporting unit for transporting and discharging the developer by being driven by the image forming apparatus main body and rotating. A developer replenishing container having: a developer transporting unit that transports the developer toward the discharge opening; and a developer transporting unit that scoops the developer near the discharge opening, and further scoops the developer. In a developer replenishment container that is detachably mountable in the main body of the image forming apparatus, comprising a developer feeding portion that feeds the developer to the discharge opening by sliding the raised developer. A shielding portion for preventing excessive discharge, so as not to hinder the developer discharge by the developer conveying means,
A developer replenishing container comprising a shielding portion provided in the vicinity of the discharge opening so as to secure a flow path of the developer fed into the discharge opening by at least the developer feeding portion. 2. The developer carrying means is provided on a spiral protrusion as the developer carrying portion formed on the inner wall surface of the developer supply container, and at least at one end of the developer supply container on the discharge opening side. And a developer feeding portion, which conveys the developer accommodated in the developer supply container toward the developer discharge opening, and further conveys the developer near the developer discharge opening to the discharge opening. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container is sent to the developer supply container. 3. The developer transporting means is provided continuously inside the container main body so as to extend in the direction of the rotation axis, and has a partition wall provided so as to divide the inside of the container main body into a plurality of partitions. The partition wall is arranged at a position passing through the opening cross section, and further, on the partition wall, one or more protrusions as the developer transporting portion having a surface inclined with respect to the rotation axis project from the partition wall. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the protrusions are provided, and at least one end of the protrusion serves as the developer feeding portion to feed the developer to the developer discharge opening. 4. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the shielding portion is provided on the container body. 5. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the shielding portion is provided integrally with the developer transporting means.
The developer supply container according to any one of 1. 6. The developer supply container has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a discharge opening provided in the developer supply container comprises:
The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container has a cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of the container body protruding from a substantially central portion of one end surface of the container body having a substantially cylindrical shape. 7. The shielding portion has an end portion of the small diameter cylindrical portion provided with the discharge opening on the side of the container body, or an axial length of the small diameter cylindrical portion from the end portion toward the discharge opening.
7. The developer replenishing container according to claim 6, wherein the developer replenishing container is disposed at a position within / 2. 8. The developer carrying means is provided on a spiral protrusion as the developer carrying portion formed on the inner wall surface of the developer supply container, and at least at one end of the developer supply container on the discharge opening side. And a developer feeding portion, which conveys the developer accommodated in the developer supply container toward the developer discharge opening, and further conveys the developer near the developer discharge opening to the discharge opening. In the configuration, the shielding portion, from the upstream end of the developer supply container rotation direction upstream end of the discharge opening side end of the developer supply portion toward the developer supply container rotation direction downstream side, 7. The developer replenishing container according to claim 6, wherein the developer replenishing container is not provided in the small-diameter cylindrical portion having a central angle within 40 ° about the container rotation axis. 9. The developer transporting means is continuously provided inside the container body so as to extend in a rotation axis direction, and has a partition wall provided so as to divide the inside of the container body into a plurality of partitions. The partition wall is arranged at a position passing through the opening cross section, and further, on the partition wall, one or more protrusions as the developer transporting portion having a surface inclined with respect to the rotation axis project from the partition wall. A plurality of protrusions are provided, and at least one end of the protrusion is configured to feed the developer to the developer discharge opening as the developer feed portion, and the shielding portion is configured to discharge the developer from the developer feed portion. It is not provided in the small-diameter cylindrical portion within a central angle of at least 40 ° about the container rotation axis from the connection portion of the opening side end portion with the partition wall toward the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developer supply container. The developer supply container according to claim 6. 10. The area covered by the shield is
The developer replenishing container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening area of the developer discharge opening is 1/3 or more and 8/9 or less. 11. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the developer transport unit rotates integrally with the developer supply container. 12. A developer replenishing device for replenishing the image forming apparatus main body with the developer by attaching and detaching a developer replenishing container for replenishing the developer to the image forming apparatus main body. A developer replenishing device, wherein the developer replenishing container according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is attachable / detachable. 13. An image forming apparatus having a developer replenishing device for replenishing the developer to the main body of the image forming apparatus by attaching and detaching a developer replenishing container for replenishing the developer, wherein the developer replenishing container is An image forming apparatus, wherein the developer supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is removable.