JP2003337466A - Toner replenishing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner replenishing device in which toner dropping-down and peripheral soiling are prevented when it is attached and detached and the constitution is simple. <P>SOLUTION: In the toner replenishing device to replenish a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image with toner from a slit-like aperture part while the toner replenishing device is freely attachably/detachably coupled, the aperture part of the toner replenishing device is covered with and closed by a flexible member whose one end is fixed and bent at an outside wall before coupling and is opened by changing the curvature of the flexible member by external force applied by the developing device or the toner replenishing device at the time of coupling, and a toner absorbing member possessing small recessed parts on a surface is interposed in space between the flexible member and the outside wall of the toner replenishing device. <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 toner replenishing device for removably replenishing toner to a developing device provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile machine, and more particularly to replenishing toner to the developing device. The present invention relates to a toner replenishing device that prevents the occurrence of contamination of the surroundings due to toner falling and leaking when the device is attached and detached, and an image forming apparatus equipped with the toner replenishing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile machine, when the developing apparatus in an empty state is filled with toner at the time of installing the apparatus or as a result of repeating the image forming work, Toner is exhausted,
If it is determined that the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage unit is almost zero, a technician or user can use a toner replenishing device such as a toner bottle or toner cartridge to pre-store these containers. A method of replenishing a developing device with a toner filled with a predetermined amount according to a predetermined procedure has become mainstream.

However, in these toner replenishing devices,
There is a concern that toner may fall, leak, or scatter due to vibrations and shocks that occur when attaching and detaching to and from the developing device. Therefore, in these toner replenishing devices, the following method is proposed in order to prevent the occurrence of the surrounding contamination due to the toner drop / leakage and the scattering at the connecting portion between the toner replenishing device and the developing device. Has been done. For example,
In the developing device disclosed in JP-A-8-76578, a shutter mechanism that rotates along the outer peripheral surface of the toner replenishing roller is provided, and the opening can be opened and closed at a predetermined rotation angle position. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of contamination of the surroundings due to toner drop / leakage and scattering at the time of toner replenishment and attachment / detachment work. However, such a device in which a shutter mechanism is incorporated in the connection portion between the toner replenishing device and the developing device is not preferable because the structure is generally complicated, the device is upsized, and the number of constituent parts is increased.

There is also known a device for closing the opening connected to the developing device from the bottom of the toner replenishing device by extending the tip of the flexible sheet member used for stirring the toner in the toner replenishing device. There is. In such a device, after the toner replenishing device is attached to the developing device, the agitating member starts rotating at the start of use, whereby the tip end of the flexible sheet member is pulled out from the opening and the opening is opened. To be done. Although the structure of the device configured to extend the leading end of the flexible sheet and close the toner replenishing opening is simple, the leading end of the sheet is pulled out from the toner replenishing means when the toner replenishing device is activated. Requires great power to
Since the leading edge of the sheet rubs against the inner wall of the toner replenishing device even after it is ejected, it is not preferable because it causes an increase in the driving force of the device and a deterioration in toner characteristics due to sliding friction. In addition, it is possible to prevent toner from dropping or leaking when it is attached to the developing device,
No consideration is given to spills.

The applicant of the present invention has previously attached a toner replenishing container, which is detachable to a developing device for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum, to the developing device. In the state, in the toner replenishing device configured to supply the toner to the developing device from the slit-shaped opening formed in the toner replenishing container, a flexible member that covers the opening in an openable and closable manner. And the opening is opened by deforming the flexible member by an external force given by the developing device or the toner replenishing container when the toner replenishing container and the developing device are coupled to each other. Toner replenishment method characterized by
00-313878).

According to this structure, a shutter operating mechanism or an opening / closing operation member having a complicated structure for closing the opening of the toner replenishing device becomes unnecessary, and the structure can be remarkably simplified. In addition, since the opening can be opened by deforming the flexible member by combining the developing device and the toner supply container, the operation at the time of attachment / detachment of the device can be performed without the need for a separate drive source or additional member. Remarkably improved. However, this invention does not consider effective measures for preventing toner leakage from both ends of the flexible member when the toner replenishing device is attached and detached. In order to prevent this, a film-shaped material is newly attached to both ends of the flexible member, so that the shutter made of the flexible member is formed into a pocket shape to prevent leakage from both ends.

[0007]

A toner replenishing device in which a flexible member is provided in the opening of the toner replenishing device as described above, or a flexible member having a pocket at both ends thereof is provided. In the toner replenishing device, when the toner replenishing device is tilted when the toner replenishing device is attached or detached, the toner accumulated in the toner storage pocket portion due to toner spillage moves in the longitudinal direction of the toner replenishing container, It had the drawback of overflowing at the edges and leaking. Therefore, in view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a toner replenishing device having a simple configuration that prevents the occurrence of surrounding contamination due to toner drop / leakage or scattering when the toner replenishing device is attached to or detached from the developing device. To aim.

[0008]

As a result of various studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that when the toner replenishing device is attached to or detached from the developing device, the movement of the toner in the toner containing pocket is The present invention has been completed by finding that it can be prevented by installing a toner absorbing member. That is, the toner replenishing device of the present invention is configured such that the toner replenishing device is detachably coupled to the developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum from the slit-shaped opening. Is a toner replenishing device for supplying the toner to the developing device, and the opening of the toner replenishing device is covered with a flexible member whose one end is fixed to the outer wall and curved before closing, and the developing device is connected to the developing device at the time of combining. In the toner replenishing device configured to open the opening by deforming the degree of curvature of the flexible member by an external force applied by the device or the toner replenishing device, an outer wall of the flexible member and the toner replenishing device. The toner absorbing member is interposed in the space between the toner absorbing member and.

According to the present invention, since the toner absorbing member absorbs the toner leaked by the opening and closing operation of the flexible member of the opening when the toner replenishing device is attached to and detached from the developing device, the leaked toner is leaked. To prevent pollution from occurring in the surrounding area. Further, even if the toner replenishing device is tilted, the toner in the gap between the flexible member and the outer wall of the toner replenishing device does not move, does not collect at both ends of the gap of the flexible member, and the toner does not end up. There is no need to worry about leakage.

As the above-mentioned toner absorbing material, a material having small dents on its surface is desirable. A particularly preferable example is a foamed resin sheet. If the thickness of the sheet is too thick, the amount of toner that can be absorbed increases, but it is not preferable because a gap may be formed when the toner supply container is connected to the developing device. On the other hand, if it is too thin, the toner replenishing container is better coupled to the developing device, but the amount of toner that can be absorbed is reduced. The preferred thickness is 1 mm to 3 mm.

A preferable toner absorbing member to be interposed in the gap between the flexible member and the outer wall of the toner supply container in the present invention is a foaming ratio (number of cells) of 30 to 50.
Pieces / inch of foamed resin sheet, particularly preferably urethane foam sheet. When this urethane foam sheet is used, the bubble portion of the urethane foam sheet effectively absorbs the toner leaked by the opening / closing operation of the opening by the flexible member. When the foaming rate is less than 30 cells / inch, there arises a problem that bubbles cannot be effectively absorbed by the toner. On the other hand, when the foaming rate is 50 cells / inch or more, even if the bubbles absorb the toner, they cannot hold it and spill out.

It is desirable that the back surface of the toner absorbing member in the present invention is fixed to the outer wall of the toner replenishing device, and a part of the surface of the toner absorbing member is bonded to the flexible member. As a result, the toner spilled into the gap between the flexible member and the outer wall of the toner supply container is
The toner comes into contact with the toner absorbing member, and reliably absorbs the spilled toner during attachment / detachment.

It is preferable that the upper end surface of the toner absorbing member according to the present invention has a wavy shape in the longitudinal direction. In this way the upper end surface is corrugated (or sawtooth shape)
By doing so, it is possible to increase the surface area of the portion where the toner absorbing member comes into contact with the spilled toner, and the toner can be absorbed more efficiently. As a result, the spilled toner can be reliably absorbed without increasing the thickness of the toner absorbing member.

Further, in the present invention, the upper end surface of the toner absorbing member is cut downward along the longitudinal direction, the back surface side is fixed to the outer wall of the toner replenishing device, and the front surface is adhered to the flexible member. It is desirable that the longitudinal notch of the toner absorbing member is opened and closed from the upper end surface as the flexible member is deformed by the external force of the developing device or the toner replenishing device. As a result, the toner absorbing member is in a state in which the mouth created by the downward cut is opened, and the spilled toner spills into this mouth. Further, it is possible to increase the surface area of the portion where the toner absorbing member comes into contact with the toner, so that the toner can be more efficiently absorbed.

Further, it is possible to absorb spilled toner without thickening the toner absorbing member. Also, due to the external force due to the coupling operation between the developing device and the toner replenishing device,
Due to the deformation of the flexible member, pressure is applied to the toner absorbing member, and the toner that has entered between the notches of the toner absorbing member permeates into the toner absorbing member and can effectively absorb a large amount of toner.

Further, it is preferable that the cut line in the longitudinal direction of the upper end surface of the toner absorbing member according to the present invention is formed in a wavy shape. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the toner spilled from the toner supply container in the notch of the toner absorbing member from moving in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, even if the toner replenishing device is tilted, the toner in the toner storage pocket portion does not move, does not collect at both ends of the gap between the flexible member and the outer wall of the toner replenishing container, and the toner leaks from the end portion. Don't worry.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a toner replenishing device 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as a toner replenishing device) such as a toner bottle or a toner cartridge used in the present invention is connected to a developing device 1 and immediately before being combined with a photoconductor 3. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing a state in which the replenishing device 2 is coupled to the developing device 1 and simultaneously combined with the photoconductor 3. Image forming apparatus 6 in which the developing device 1 is mounted
Then, around the photoconductor drum 4, a charger 5, a developing device 1, a transfer device (not shown), a cleaning device, and the like are arranged along the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 4. An image is formed as follows in the well-known electrophotographic process in the image forming apparatus having the above configuration.

The surface of the photoconductor drum 4 constituting the photoconductor 3 faces the opening surface of the charger 5 provided with a grid, and the diameter of the inside of the charger is 60 μm connected to the power source for the charger.
The surface of the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged while the discharge from a tungsten wire or the like of about m is controlled by the grid. Further, an optical device (not shown) is installed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 4, and light corresponding to the information of the document is exposed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 4 between the charger 5 and the developing device 1 to form a charge pattern. To form an electrostatic latent image. Developing device 1
Has a developing roller 7 at a portion facing the photosensitive drum 4,
The developing roller 7 is composed of a magnet 9 fixed inside and a developing sleeve made of a non-magnetic material which is rotatable outside. A predetermined developing bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeve, and a mixture 8 of toner and carrier charged with opposite polarities on the outer peripheral portion is held in a magnetic brush state. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 4 is developed with toner at the portion of the developing device 1 facing the developing roller 7 to be visualized.

Next, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 4 is visualized by a toner image on a sheet of paper or OHP at a transfer device (not shown).
It is transferred to a transfer material such as a film for fixing and fixed by a fixing device such as a heat roller (not shown). On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 4
The untransferred residual toner that remains on the surface of the cleaning device and is not transferred is scraped off and cleaned by the blade 14 made of urethane or the like of the cleaning device into the cleaning device. Here, the collected toner dropped in the cleaning device is carried by the collecting duct 15 by the conveying rotary blades in the cleaning device. The collecting duct 15 conveys the collected toner by an internal conveying rotary blade or the like, and drops it into the toner replenishing device from a recirculation port 16 of the toner replenishing container 20 at the upper part of the developing device 1.

The recovered toner dropped in the toner supply container 20 is mixed with the unused toner T by the stirring means 17 and is conveyed to the toner supply roller 18 formed of a porous elastic body such as urethane sponge. Then, in accordance with the toner concentration detection signal of the toner concentration detection unit 12, the second toner in the developing device 1 is passed through the opening 19 formed in a slit shape.
It is dropped and supplied to the front side of the stirring shaft 10. Then, the toner T that has been dropped and replenished is mixed and stirred with the carrier by the rotational conveying force of the second stirring shaft 10 and moves while being triboelectrically charged.
It is carried to the stirring shaft 11 and partly adsorbed by the magnetic force of the magnet 9 of the developing roller 7 and used for visualization of the electrostatic latent image. In this way, the toner collected in the cleaner portion is returned to the toner replenishing device 2 above the developing device 1 to efficiently use the toner.

The toner replenishing container 20 forming the toner replenishing device 2 is mounted in the image forming apparatus as described above, not merely as a toner cartridge container for accommodating toner therein and being used for storage and transportation. Toner stirring mechanism (stirring shaft) 17 and toner replenishing means (toner replenishing roller) 18 that can be used by being connected to the developing device 1
It is configured as a multi-functional container that can also be used as a toner hopper container that contains a. Further, by providing the reflux port 16 for returning the collected toner on the upper surface of the container, it also functions as the final stage of the collection duct 15.

In the present invention, before the toner replenishing device 2 is connected to the developing device 1, a slit-shaped opening is provided at the bottom of the toner hopper so as to face the lower surface of the toner replenishing device 2 and communicates with the developing device 1. A flexible member having an appropriate thickness (0.1 mm to 0.25 mm) for the purpose of preventing toner from accidentally falling and leaking through the toner supply port 13 and the toner supply port 13 and scattering and contamination to the surroundings ( As shown in FIG. 3 or 4, a PET film or the like) is formed into a slit-like opening by a flexible member 22 formed by fixing at least one end portion 221 to the outer wall of the container of the toner replenishing device with an adhesive or the like and bending the same. It covers the part 19. Reference numeral 23 is a gap formed between the flexible member 22 and the outer wall of the toner replenishing device. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state before the vicinity of the toner drop opening before the combination, and FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the state after the combination. The thickness and forming material of the flexible member 22 are not limited to the above, and other resin materials may be used as long as they have equivalent functions, and for example, a thin metal plate may be used instead. May be.

The developing device 1 is constructed so that it can be combined with and separated from the toner replenishing device 2. In the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the developing device 1 and the toner replenishing device 2 are separated before being combined. Shows. In the state of FIG. 3, the bending degree of the flexible member 22 is small and the flexible member 22
The leading end 222 of the above will close the toner drop opening of the opening 19. On the other hand, in the state in which the toner replenishing device 2 is connected to the developing device 1, the flexible member 22 is attached to the outer wall of the developing device 1 and the toner replenishing device 2 to be combined, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. When it is sandwiched, the degree of curvature is greatly deformed. As a result, the flexible member 22 has a shape substantially conforming to the outer wall shapes of the developing device 1 and the toner replenishing device 2, and the tip portion 2 of the flexible member 22 that has closed the toner drop opening.
22 is retracted and the toner drop opening is opened.

That is, the closing member made of the flexible member 22 opens or closes the toner drop opening as the developing device 1 and the toner replenishing device 2 are connected / disconnected due to the elastic characteristics of the member itself. When the developing device 1 and the toner replenishing device 2 are connected, the closing member 22 is displaced / moved to the retreat position to open the toner drop opening, and the two are separated from each other to release the combined state. If so, the closing member is displaced / moved to the closing position to close the drop opening. Moreover, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the developing device 1 and the toner replenishing device 2 are connected / disengaged as follows.
Since it is performed simultaneously with the approaching / separating operation to / from the photoconductor 3,
The operability and workability are improved without the need to perform them separately.

That is, in the above configuration, when the toner is supplied to the developing device 1 (or when the toner cartridge is replaced), the developing portion of the developing device 1 is first set to the photoconductor 3
And the toner replenishing device 2 (or the toner cartridge) is pulled out (or pulled out) toward you. Then, after replenishing the toner from the toner bottle or the like in the toner replenishing device 2 pulled out to the front, the toner replenishing device 2 is returned to the original position (or a new toner cartridge is inserted at a predetermined position), and further, The developing device 1 is brought close to the photoconductor 3. In addition to the above configuration, the developing device 1
The toner replenishing device 2 and the toner replenishing device 2 may be coupled to each other outside the image forming apparatus and then mounted inside the apparatus. Further, since the flexible member 22 is deformed by the external force of the flexible member 22 due to the elastic characteristic of the member itself, an opening / closing operation of the flexible member 22 and a complicated opening / closing mechanism for performing the opening / closing operation are unnecessary. .

If the shape of both ends of the flexible member 22 is a straight shape as shown in FIG.
The flexible member 22 is liable to be damaged due to the interference with the frame of the developing device 1 in line contact with the attachment / detachment operation.
As shown in FIG. 5 (B), the shape of 3 is a notch cut in a slanted direction so as to continuously change toward the free end side of the member, or as shown in FIG. 5 (C). In addition, by giving a radius to the arc shape, the contact between the two can be changed from a line contact to a point contact, the impact generated at the time of contact is relieved, and the flexible member is less likely to be damaged, which is preferable. .

The present invention is characterized in that a toner absorbing member is interposed in order to prevent toner leakage from both ends of the flexible member 22 especially when the toner replenishing device 2 is attached to or detached from the developing device 1. When the toner replenishing device (or the toner cartridge) is pulled out (or pulled out) or the toner replenishing device is inserted into a predetermined position, the toner replenishing device 2 is shaken or tilted.
The toner accumulated in the gap region 23 formed at the joint portion between the flexible member 22 and the outer wall of the toner replenishing device 2 moves to the joint portion between the flexible member 22 and the outer wall of the toner replenishing device 2. It moves in the region of the created gap 23 and leaks from both ends of the flexible member 22.

In order to prevent this, according to the conventional proposal, a film-shaped member is newly attached to both ends of the flexible member 22 so that the shutter formed by the flexible member 22 has a pocket shape to prevent leakage from both ends. There is. However, there is a drawback that the toner accumulated in the pocket shape formed by the flexible member 22 moves and accumulates at both ends in the pocket shape formed by the flexible member 22 when repeatedly attached and detached. Therefore, in the present embodiment of the present invention, the toner absorbing member 25 is installed in the area of the gap 23 formed at the joint portion between the flexible member 22 and the outer wall of the toner replenishing device 2 to provide the flexibility. The member 22 prevents the toner from moving inside the pocket and prevents the toner from spilling from both ends.

Here, the toner absorbing member 25 is a foamed resin sheet having a small recess on the surface, preferably a urethane foam sheet. A specific example of the toner absorbing member 25 is shown in FIGS. First, in FIG. 6 (a),
9A and 9B are a front view and a right side view of a rectangular toner absorbing member having substantially the same width in the longitudinal direction as the flexible member 22 and an inclined surface on the bottom surface. FIG. 6B is a front view and a right side view of the toner absorbing member having the same size except that the upper end portion of FIG. In this case, it is preferable to increase the surface area of the portion in contact with the toner as compared with FIG.

FIG. 6C is a front view, a plan view and a right side view of a toner absorbing member having the same size except that a downward cut is linearly formed in the longitudinal direction of the upper end surface of FIG. is there. FIG. 6D is a front view, a plan view, and a right side view of the toner absorbing member having the same size except that a downward cut is formed in a wave shape in the longitudinal direction of the upper end surface of FIG.

Next, FIG. 7A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the toner drop opening in FIG. 1 before the installation in which the toner absorbing member 25 shown in FIG. 6A or 6B is installed, FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the toner drop opening showing the toner replenishing device 2 coupled to the developing device 1. Here, the back surface of the toner absorbing member 25 is fixed to the outer wall of the toner replenishing device with an adhesive, and the lower inclined surface of the facing surface portion and a part of the upper portion are bonded to a part of the flexible member 22. It shows the state. As a result, the toner absorbing member 25 absorbs the toner spilled into the gap between the toner replenishing device 2 and the flexible member 22.

FIG. 8 (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the toner drop opening before coupling in which the toner absorbing member 25 having the notches shown in FIG. 6 (c) or (d) is installed. FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the toner drop opening showing a state in which the toner replenishing device 2 is connected to the developing device 1. Here, a state where the back surface of the toner absorbing member 25 is fixed to the outer wall of the toner replenishing device with an adhesive and the opposite surface portion is bonded to a part of the flexible member 22 from the lower inclined surface to the upper portion. Shows. As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the back surface of the upper end surface with a downward cut along the longitudinal direction of the central portion is fixed to the vertical outer wall of the toner replenishing device, and the other side surface is provided with the flexible member 22. By being joined to the toner absorbing member 2
No. 5 is in a state in which the mouth created by the notch is open, and the spilled toner spills into the mouth and is absorbed.

In FIG. 8B, when the toner replenishing device 2 is also connected to the developing device 1, the flexible member 22 has the developing device 1 (end 71 of the casing) and the toner replenishing container 2 (outer wall). 24) and the curved portion is elastically deformed to a greater degree and curved, and the outer wall 24 of the toner supply container 2 and the flexible member 2 are curved.
The toner absorbing member 25 installed between the two is pressed, and the notch is closed. Due to this pressing force, the toner accumulated in the slit is pinched, and the toner absorbing member 25 is effectively
Absorb into. The cut shape of the toner absorbing member 25 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (d), by making the notch of the central longitudinal line of the upper end surface of the toner absorbing member into a wavy shape, it is possible to more reliably move the toner spilled into the notch of the toner absorbing member 25 in the longitudinal direction. Can be prevented.

[0034]

According to the first aspect of the present invention described above, the toner absorbing member having a small dent on the surface is interposed in the gap between the flexible member and the outer wall of the toner replenishing device. , The toner absorbing member is absorbing toner,
Even if the toner replenishing device is tilted, the toner does not move, does not collect at both ends of the flexible member, and does not leak from the ends. Further, by making a downward cut along the central longitudinal direction of the upper end surface of the toner absorbing member, fixing the back surface to the outer wall of the toner replenishing device, and adhering the front surface to the flexible member, the developing device and toner Due to the external force due to the coupling operation with the replenishing device, the flexible member is deformed, so that pressure is applied to the toner absorbing member, and the toner that has entered between the notches of the toner absorbing member permeates into the toner absorbing member, and a large amount of toner is effective. Can be absorbed by

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a state immediately before a toner replenishing device used in the present invention is connected to a developing device.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the toner replenishing device used in the present invention is connected to a developing device.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of a toner drop opening showing a state before combination.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of a toner drop opening showing a state after combination.

FIG. 5A is a plan view of a flexible member whose both end portions have a straight shape. FIG. 6B is a plan view of a flexible member whose both end portions are notched in the oblique direction. FIG. 6C is a plan view of a flexible member whose both end portions have an arc shape.

FIG. 6A is a front view and a right side view of a toner absorbing member. (B) A front view and a right side view of a toner absorbing member having a corrugated upper end. (C) A front view, a plan view, and a right side view of a toner absorbing member in which a downward cut is linearly formed in a longitudinal direction of an upper end surface. (D) A front view, a plan view, and a right side view of the toner absorbing member in which a downward cut is formed in a wave shape in the longitudinal direction of the upper end surface.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the toner drop opening before the connection in which the toner absorbing member of FIG. 6A or 6B is installed. FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the toner drop port after the connection in which the toner absorbing member of FIG. 6A or 6B is installed.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the toner dropping port before the toner absorbing member provided with the cut lines in FIG. 6C or 6D is joined. FIG. 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the toner dropping port after the toner absorbing member provided with the cut shown in FIG. 6C or 6D is joined.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Development device 2 Toner supply device 3 photoconductor 4 photoconductor drum 5 charger 6 Image forming device 7 developing roller 8 toner 9 magnets 10 Second stirring shaft 11 First stirring shaft 12 Toner density detector 13 Slit-shaped supply port 14 blade 15 Recovery duct 16 Reflux port 17 Stirring means 18 Toner supply roller 19 Slit-shaped opening 20 Toner supply container 21 Flexible sheet member 22 Flexible member 23 Gap 24 Outer wall of toner supply container 25 Toner absorption member

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Mizoguchi, twenty-three             22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka             Inside the company F-term (reference) 2H077 AA02 AA05 AA07 AA09 AA35                       AB03 AB12 BA09 CA12 FA00                       FA22

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A toner is supplied to a developing device through a slit-shaped opening in a detachably connected state to a developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum. A toner replenishing device for use in a toner supply device, wherein the opening of the toner replenishing device is covered with a flexible member whose one end is fixed to the outer wall and curved before closing. In the toner replenishing device configured to open the opening by deforming the degree of curvature of the flexible member by an external force given by, a gap between the flexible member and the outer wall of the toner replenishing device. A toner replenishing device characterized in that a toner absorbing member is interposed in the toner replenishing device. 2. A foaming ratio (the number of cells) of the toner absorbing member is 3
A foam resin sheet of 0 to 50 pieces / inch is used.
The toner replenishing device described in. 3. The back surface of the toner absorbing member is fixed to the outer wall of the toner replenishing device, and a part of the front surface of the toner absorbing member is bonded to the flexible member. 2. The toner replenishing device according to 2. 4. The toner absorbing member has an upper end surface wavy in the longitudinal direction.
4. The toner replenishing device according to any one of 3 above. 5. The developing device is provided with an upper end surface of the toner absorbing member which is cut downward along a longitudinal direction, a rear surface of which is fixed to an outer wall of the toner replenishing device, and a front surface of which is adhered to the flexible member. 5. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein a notch in the longitudinal direction of the toner absorbing member is opened and closed from the upper end surface as the flexible member is deformed by an external force of the toner replenishing device. . 6. The toner replenishing device according to claim 5, wherein the notch in the longitudinal direction of the upper end surface of the toner absorbing member is formed in a wave shape. 7. An image forming apparatus comprising at least one of the toner replenishing devices according to claim 1.