JP2006163374A - Developer replenishing container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer replenishing container capable of wiping developer entering a space between a container and an apparatus shutter when the developer replenishing container is attached or detached. <P>SOLUTION: The developer replenishing container is detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus having a receiving opening for receiving a developer and a shutter for opening and closing the receiving opening. The developer replenishing container includes: a container body 1a in which developer is stored; a replenishing opening 1b provided to the peripheral surface of the container body 1a and used for replenishing the developer to the developing apparatus through the receiving opening; and a sealing member 9 disposed in the periphery of the replenishing opening 1b and used for wiping developer. When the receiving opening is closed by the apparatus shutter from such a state that the developer replenishing opening 1b and the receiving opening communicate with each other by opening the apparatus shutter, the sealing member 9 is moved relative to the apparatus shutter while sliding on the peripheral surface of the apparatus shutter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer supply container for supplying a developer to a developer receiving device used in a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like.

  Conventionally, a fine powder developer is used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer. When the developer in the main body of the image forming apparatus is consumed, the developer is supplied to the image forming apparatus using a developer supply container. However, since the developer is an extremely fine powder, the developer may be scattered during the developer replenishment operation. For this reason, there has been proposed and put to practical use a system in which a developer replenishing container is installed inside the image forming apparatus main body and the developer is replenished little by little from a small opening.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-55103 describes a configuration in which a shutter provided at a developer receiving port of a developing device is opened and closed by rotation of a developer supply container.

  Specifically, when the developer supply container is mounted, both edges of the shutter of the developing device are held by protrusions provided on the peripheral surface of the developer supply container. In this state, the shutter is opened and closed by rotating the developer supply container.

JP-A-10-55103

  In the case of the above-described configuration, there is a possibility that the developer may enter the space generated after the shutter has passed due to the rotation of the developer supply container during the supply of the developer. In the case of the above-described configuration, since the shutter of the developing device rotates with the developer supply container from the beginning of rotation, the outer surface of the developer supply container becomes dirty due to the developer attached to the shutter. There is a fear.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container capable of suppressing developer contamination of a shutter of a developer receiving device.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container that can prevent the outer surface of the developer supply container from becoming dirty with the developer.

  A representative means in the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a developer replenishing container detachably attached to a developer receiving device having a receiving port for receiving a developer and a shutter for opening and closing the receiving port. An engaging portion that is freely engageable with a shutter, an engaging portion that opens and closes the shutter as the developer supply container moves, and a position that allows the developer supply container to be removed from the developer receiving device. And a cleaning member that cleans the shutter when the developer supply container moves relative to the shutter between the developer supply container and the developer supply device. It is characterized by that.

  In the present invention, the developer that has entered between the container and the shutter when the developer supply container is attached and detached can be wiped off, and contamination by the developer can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, before describing a developer supply container according to an embodiment of the present invention, an image forming apparatus that receives supply of developer from the developer supply container will be described.

[First Embodiment]
{Image forming device}
First, the configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine as an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an electrophotographic copying machine main body (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus main body 100”). Reference numeral 101 denotes a document, which is placed on the document table glass 102. A light image corresponding to the image information is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 104 by the plurality of mirrors M and the lens Ln of the optical unit 103. Reference numerals 105 to 108 denote cassettes. Among the recording media (hereinafter referred to as “sheets”) S stacked in these cassettes 105 to 108, the optimum sheet is determined based on information input by the user from the operation unit or the sheet size of the document 101. Is selected from the sheet size information of the cassettes 105-108. Here, the recording medium is not limited to paper, and may be selected as appropriate, such as an OHP sheet.

  Then, one sheet S conveyed by the feeding / separating devices 105A to 108A is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveying unit 109, and the rotation timing of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103 are set. Transport in synchronization. Reference numerals 111 and 112 denote a transfer discharger and a separation discharger. Here, the image formed by the developer formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer discharger 111. Then, the separation discharger 112 separates the sheet S on which the developer image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 104.

  Thereafter, the sheet S conveyed by the conveying unit 113 is fixed on the developer image on the sheet by heat and pressure in the fixing unit 114, and then passes through the discharge reversing unit 115 in the case of single-sided copying. The paper is discharged to the discharge tray 117 by the roller 116. In the case of double-sided copying, the same path as in the case of single-sided copying is performed after the paper is transported to the registration roller 110 via the refeed transporting units 119 and 120 by the control of the flapper 118 of the discharge reversing unit 115. Then, it is discharged to the discharge tray 117.

  In the case of multiple copying, the sheet S passes through the discharge reversing unit 115 and is once discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller 116. Thereafter, the trailing end of the sheet S passes through the flapper 118, and the flapper 118 is controlled at a timing at which the sheet S is still nipped by the discharge roller 116, and the discharge roller 116 is reversely rotated, thereby being conveyed into the apparatus again. . Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the re-feed conveyance units 119 and 120, and then discharged to the discharge tray 117 along the same path as in the case of single-sided copying.

  In the apparatus main body 100 having the above configuration, a developing device 201, a cleaner unit 202, a primary charger 203, and the like are disposed around the photosensitive drum 104. The cleaner unit 202 is for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 104. The primary charger 203 is for charging the photosensitive drum 104.

{Developer}
Here, the developing device 201 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 by the optical unit 103 with the information of the document 101 using a developer. A developer supply container 1 for supplying developer to the developing device 201 is detachably provided on the apparatus main body 100 by a user. Here, the developing device 201 has a developer receiving device and a developing device 201a, which will be described later, which detachably mounts the developer supply container 1, and the developing device 201a further includes a developing roller 201b and a feeding member 201c. Have. The developer replenished from the developer replenishing container 1 is sent to the developing roller 201b by the feeding member 201c, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 104 by the developing roller 201b. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing roller 201b is developed to prevent leakage of the developer between the developing blade 201d as a regulating member that regulates the amount of developer coating on the roller and the developing device 201a. A blowout prevention sheet 201e is provided as a developer leakage prevention member disposed in contact with the roller.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a developer supply container replacement cover 15 which is a part of the exterior cover is provided, and when the user attaches / detaches the developer supply container 1 to / from the apparatus main body 100, FIG. 1. Open the replacement cover 15 in the direction of arrow A.

{Developer supply container}
Next, the configuration of the developer supply container 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The container main body 1a for storing the developer of the developer supply container 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a developer supply port 1b for supplying the developer to the developing device is provided on the peripheral surface of the container main body 1a. . The developer supply port 1b has a slit shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the developer supply container. Further, as the developer supply container 1 rotates, a snap lock portion 6 is provided on the peripheral surface of the container as an engaging portion for engaging and closing the device shutter 8 of the developer receiving device 7 (see FIG. 4). It has been. By providing the snap lock portions on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the container, yawing during the opening / closing movement of the apparatus shutter is prevented. The snap lock portion is integrally formed with the container body and resin, and is configured to be connected to the engagement portion of the apparatus shutter using its elastic force. Further, as will be described later, the snap lock portion is set to have such an elastic force that it can be detached from the engagement portion of the apparatus shutter. In addition, although it has become possible to perform both opening and resealing of the apparatus shutter by adopting a snap lock type as the engaging portion provided in the container body, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a link type configuration using an urging spring or a configuration in which engagement protrusions for opening and resealing the apparatus shutter 8 are provided separately.

  Further, a developer filling port 1c is provided at one end of the container body 1a in the longitudinal direction, and is sealed by a sealing member (not shown) after the developer filling. Further, the developer supply container 1 is provided with handles 2 that are gripped by the user during the replenishment operation of the developer supply container 1 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developer supply container 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the developer supply port 1b is sealed by a container shutter 3 having a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the developer supply container 1. The container shutter 3 is engaged with guide members 1d provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developer supply port 1b, slides along the circumferential direction, and seals the developer supply port 1b so as to be freely opened and closed. To do.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, the developer supply container 1 of the present embodiment is a cleaning member that is slidable with the apparatus shutter in the vicinity of the developer supply port 1b of the container body 1a. A sealing member 9 is provided. The seal member 9 is set to have a length in the longitudinal direction longer than at least the width (length) in the longitudinal direction of the developer supply port 1b. The seal member is attached upstream of the developer supply port 1b in the direction of rotation of the developer supply container from the supply position described later to the take-out position. Further, when the developer supply container 1 is loaded into the developer receiving device 7 and the developer can be supplied, the seal member 9 closes the gap between the developer supply container 1 and the developer receiving device 7. Is provided. As a result, it is possible to prevent the developer from entering the gap between the developer supply container 1 and the developer receiving device 7 during the developer supply.

  Further, the seal member 9 is provided so as to be slidable with the apparatus shutter 8 when the developer supply container is rotated. In order to improve the function of wiping and holding the developer on the seal member 9, it is preferable to increase the installation area of the seal member 9 as much as possible as shown in FIG. However, as shown in FIG. 3A, in consideration of shielding the sealing member 9 with the container shutter 3 in a state where the developer replenishing port 1b is sealed with the container shutter 3, the sealing member has an appropriate size. It is preferable to set this. That is, as will be described later, the dirty seal member can be shielded by the container shutter 3 by wiping off the developer slightly adhered to the apparatus shutter. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from getting dirty with the developer by touching the seal member.

  Further, if the seal member 9 is configured to surround the developer supply port 1b as shown in FIG. 3 (e), it is more preferable to ensure the sealing property when the developer is discharged.

  The material of the seal member 9 is preferably low density in consideration of the rubbing pressure with the device shutter 8, specifically, a foam such as low foam polyurethane, animal fibers such as wool and silk, cotton And woven or non-woven fabrics based on vegetable fibers such as hemp or synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic. The seal member 9 is preferably an elastic body that is compressible with the developer receiving device 7.

  Further, the container body 1a is internally provided with a stirring member 4, and further, the stirring member 4 is disposed at the end of the container body 1a in the longitudinal direction (the end opposite to the end provided with the developer filling port 1c). A drive gear member 5 is provided in conjunction with the. Accordingly, after the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, the driving force from the apparatus main body is received by the stirring member 4 via the drive gear member 5 and rotated to develop the developer in the developer supply container. The developer is supplied from the developer supply port 1b and supplied to the developing device.

{Developer receiving device}
Next, the configuration of the developer receiving device 7 which is a part of the developing device that receives the developer supply container 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the developer receiving device 7, a semi-cylindrical storage portion 7a in which the developer supply container 1 is detachably mounted, and the developer discharged from the developer supply container 1 is received in the developing device 201a (see FIG. 2). A developer receiving port 7b is provided.

  Further, the developer receiving device 7 is provided with a device shutter 8 for sealing the developer receiving port 7b so that it can be opened and closed. The apparatus shutter 8 has a semi-cylindrical shape along the circumferential shape of the developer supply container 1 and the storage portion 7a, and is engaged with a guide member 7c provided at the lower edge of the storage portion 7a. It slides along the circumferential direction and seals the receiving port 7b so that it can be opened and closed.

  When the developer supply container 1 is not mounted in the storage portion 7a, the device shutter 8 has a stopper 7d provided at the end of the device shutter 8 on the developer receiving device 7 as shown in FIG. 4 (c). To close the receiving port 7b so that the developer does not flow backward from the image forming apparatus main body side to the storage portion 7a side. Further, the device shutter 8 is provided with an engaging portion 8 a that engages with the snap lock portion 6 of the developer supply container 1 when the developer supply container 1 is supplied.

{Developer supply operation}
Next, a developer replenishing operation using the developer replenishing container 1 and the developer receiving device 7 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) and FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c). To do.

  First, the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the developer receiving device 7 from the direction of arrow F in FIG. At this time, the developer replenishing port 1b of the developer replenishing container 1 is in a state of being closed by the container shutter 3, and is positioned in a phase away from the receiving port 7b closed by the apparatus shutter 8 (this is Called the take-out position). The developer supply container at the take-out position can be taken out from the developer receiving device. Further, the container shutter 3 is in a state in which the rotational movement in the circumferential direction is restricted by the stopper 7d (see FIGS. 5A and 6A).

  Next, when the user rotates the handle 2 counterclockwise as viewed in the axial direction from the developer filling port 1c side (the arrow G direction in FIG. 5B, the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6), the container shutter 3 is not rotated by the restriction by the stopper 7d, and only the developer supply container 1 is rotated. As a result, the container shutter 3 moves so as to open the developer supply port 1b.

  As the rotation further proceeds, the snap lock portion 6 is engaged with the engaging portion 8a of the apparatus shutter 8 at substantially the same time as the lower edge of the developer supply port 1b is exposed from the lower edge of the container shutter 3 (see FIG. 6B). Engage with.

  That is, the apparatus shutter 8 stops from the time when the rotation of the developer supply container starts (FIG. 6A) to the time when the snap lock portion 6 engages and connects with the apparatus shutter 8 (FIG. 6B). The developer supply container is relatively rotated. As will be described later, the apparatus shutter can be cleaned by the seal member 9 sliding on the surface of the apparatus shutter 8 when the developer supply container is rotated relative to the apparatus shutter.

  When the developer supply container 1 is further rotated, the apparatus shutter 8 rotates in conjunction with the developer supply container 1 by engagement with the snap lock portion 6, so that the receiving port 7b is opened, and finally the developer supply is performed. It communicates with the mouth 1b (see FIG. 5 (b) and FIG. 6 (c)).

  A position where the developer supply port 1b and the receiving port 7b communicate with each other is referred to as a supply position. In this state, the driving force from the main body of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the stirring member 4 through the driving gear member 5, and the developer is discharged.

  After the developer supply in the developer supply container 1 is completed, the developer accumulated during the developer supply from the developer supply container 1 remains on the lower edge of the receiving port 7b (see FIG. 6 (d)).

  In this state, the user rotates the handle 2 in the clockwise direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 6) when viewed from the developer filling port 1c in the axial direction. Then, the apparatus shutter 8 rotates in conjunction with the developer supply container 1 by engagement with the snap lock portion 6 while maintaining a positional relationship in which the upper edge thereof substantially coincides with the lower edge of the developer supply port 1b. The receiving port 7b is sealed.

  At that time, most of the accumulated developer is collected in the apparatus main body or the container main body 1a, but the unrecovered portion enters between the developer supply container 1 and the apparatus shutter 8, and the apparatus shutter 8 There is a possibility that it slightly adheres to the inner surface (see FIG. 6 (e)).

  However, in this embodiment, the accumulated developer is wiped and removed by the seal member 9.

  Specifically, the developer supply container 1 of the present embodiment further rotates the developer supply container 1 from the state shown in FIG. At this time, the apparatus shutter 8 is in a state where the receiving port 7b is completely closed, and further rotation of the upper edge of the apparatus shutter 8 is restricted by the stopper 7d.

  For this reason, when the developer supply container 1 is further rotated from the state of FIG. 6E, the engagement between the apparatus shutter 8 and the snap lock portion 6 is released, and the developer supply container 1 is separated from the apparatus shutter 8. Relative rotation. At that time, the seal member 9 is provided so as to slide (slid) on the inner peripheral surface of the apparatus shutter 8. As a result, the surface of the apparatus shutter 8 is cleaned by rubbing the seal member. That is, the developer adhering to the surface of the apparatus shutter 8 is collected by the seal member 9 (see FIG. 6 (f)).

  When the developer supply container 1 is further rotated, the developer supply container 1 returns to the state shown in FIG. At this time, the developer supply container 1 is in a state where further rotation is restricted.

  At this time, the user can take out the developer supply container 1 from the developer receiving device 7. Thereafter, the user attaches a new developer supply container and performs a setting operation from the take-out position to the supply position, thereby completing a series of developer supply operations.

  When the developer supply container is taken out, the developer is hardly attached to the surface of the apparatus shutter 8. Therefore, even if the apparatus shutter 8 is exposed when the developer supply container 1 is taken out from the developer receiving device 7, the user can remove the developer supply container 1 without worrying about the scattering of the developer. Can be installed. Further, when a new developer supply container is mounted, it is possible to suppress the outer surface of the developer supply container from being contaminated with the developer due to contact with the apparatus shutter.

  That is, in this example, the apparatus shutter is cleaned both in the opening process of rotating the developer supply container from the take-out position to the supply position and in the resealing process of rotating the developer supply container from the supply position to the take-out position. Is possible.

  In this example, since the seal member 9 to which the developer has adhered is completely covered by the container shutter 3, the developer does not adhere to the hand when the user touches the developer supply container after removal.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the phase at which the developer supply port 1b and the receiving port 7b communicate with each other is substantially horizontal (see FIG. 6C), but the communication position is lower than the substantially horizontal direction. May be located. By doing so, the amount of the accumulated developer described above is also reduced, so that an effect of improving the developer contamination can be expected.

  As described above, when the receiving port 7b is closed by the apparatus shutter 8 from the state in which the apparatus shutter 8 is opened and the developer supply port 1b and the receiving port 7b are communicated, the seal member 9 slides on the peripheral surface of the apparatus shutter 8. However, it moves relative to the device shutter 8. As a result, it is possible to avoid as much as possible the situation where the outer surface of the developer supply container 1 and the surface of the apparatus shutter 8 are soiled with the developer.

  Further, since the apparatus shutter 8 is wiped and cleaned by the seal member 9 in conjunction with the resealing operation of the developer supply port 1b and the receiving port 7b, the configuration is simpler than the configuration in which these are performed separately. . That is, it can be said that the usability is high because the user automatically cleans the apparatus shutter only by rotating the developer supply container for opening and resealing.

  Further, when the developer replenishing port 1 b is sealed by the container shutter 3, at least a part of the seal member 9 is covered by the container shutter 3, so that the developer replenishing container 1 from the developer receiving device 7. It is possible to prevent the developer from adhering to the hand as much as possible when the user touches the developer supply container 1 after desorption.

  Further, since the seal member 9 is provided at least on the upstream side in the moving direction for resealing the developer supply container 1 with respect to the developer supply port 1b, the developer that could not be collected in the developing device or the container is also included. The sealing member 9 can be wiped off.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the basic configuration of the apparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and thus a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration that is a feature of this embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which has the same function as embodiment mentioned above.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the developer supply container 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be inserted and attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100 from the front side. Specifically, unlike the first embodiment, the handle 2 is provided at the end in the longitudinal direction of the container body 1a and on the end opposite to the side on which the drive gear member 5 is provided. As shown in FIG. 7B, the developer replenishing container replacement cover 15 has a mechanism for opening and closing the front side of the main body, and the driving gear member 5 is placed at the head of the developer replenishing container 1 along the longitudinal direction. In addition, the handle 2 is held and inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 100.

  Then, after the insertion, the developer 2 is rotated by holding the handle 2 so that the developer replenishing port 1b coincides with the receiving port 7b as described above. The opening 1b and the receiving opening 7b are sealed and taken out by the container shutter 3 and the apparatus shutter 8, respectively.

  Even in the above configuration, when the developer supply container 1 is taken out, the container 1 is rotated so that the seal member 9 rubs the inner peripheral surface of the apparatus shutter 8 and accumulates on the upper edge of the apparatus shutter 8. The developer can be wiped off.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, an apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The basic configuration of the apparatus according to the present embodiment is also the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and a duplicate description is omitted. Here, the configuration that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which has the same function as embodiment mentioned above.

  In the first embodiment described above, the developer replenishing port 1b is sealed only by the container shutter 3. However, in this embodiment, the developer replenishing port 1b is shown in FIG. As described above, the developer replenishing port 1b is sealed with the seal film 14, and the container shutter 3 covers the top. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, the seal member 9 is provided apart from the developer supply port 1b so as to avoid the adhesive portion of the seal film. The seal film 14 has a portion welded around the replenishing port 1b and a portion further extended from this portion. This extended portion is folded back at one end of the seal film and extends to the other end. The seal film can be easily peeled off when the user grasps and pulls the other end of the seal film.

  9A to 9F show a developer replenishing operation using the developer replenishing container 1 and the developer receiving device 7 in the third embodiment. First, after the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the developer receiving device 7, when the user peels off the seal film 14, a gap A is generated at a position where the seal film 14 is provided (see FIG. 9A). ).

  Thereafter, when the developer supply container 1 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 9, as in the first embodiment, the developer supply port 1b and the receiving port 7b are finally communicated (FIG. 9 (b), (see (c)), however, when the developer is supplied from the developer supply container 1 to the developer receiving device 7 in this state, the developer enters the gap A.

  After the developer supply in the developer supply container 1 is completed, the developer accumulated during supply from the developer supply container 1 remains in the gap A in addition to the lower edge of the receiving port 7b. (See FIG. 9 (d)).

  In this state, when the developer supply container 1 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9 in the opposite direction, the unrecovered portion of the accumulated developer on the lower edge of the receiving port 7b is the same as in the first embodiment. Since it enters between the developer supply container 1 and the apparatus shutter 8, the amount adhering to the inner surface of the apparatus shutter 8 increases when combined with the accumulated amount in the gap A, and the developer contamination is further increased than in the first embodiment. May worsen (see FIG. 9 (e)).

  However, also in this embodiment, the seal member 9 is relatively moved so as to be in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the apparatus shutter 8 by separating and rotating relative to the developer supply container 1 and the apparatus shutter 8. The developer adhering to the surface of the apparatus shutter 8 by this rubbing is surely removed by the seal member 9 (see FIG. 9 (f)).

  When the developer replenishing container 1 having the above structure is filled with the developer, mounted on the developer receiving device 7 and desorbed after the developer is replenished, the developer replenishment container 1 and the developer receiving device 7 are almost free of developer contamination. could not. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it has been confirmed that the contamination of the developer when the developer supply container is attached and detached can be suppressed as much as possible.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The basic configuration of the apparatus according to the present embodiment is also the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and a duplicate description is omitted. Here, the configuration that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which has the same function as embodiment mentioned above.

  In the present embodiment, when the developer supply container 1 is mounted on the developer receiving device 7, the developer supply port 1b is mounted with the rotational phase of the developer supply port 1b positioned below the receiving port 7b (see FIG. 10A). The developer replenishing port 1b and the receiving port 7b are rotated in the clockwise direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 10) when viewed in the axial direction from the developer filling port 1c, which is opposite to the first embodiment. Are communicated (see FIGS. 10B to 10C), and a developer replenishment operation is performed.

  After the replenishment of the developer, the developer accumulated during the replenishment remains on the lower edge of the receiving port 7b (see FIG. 10 (d)). In this state, when the developer supply container 1 is rotated counterclockwise to seal the supply port, the unrecovered accumulated developer is removed from the developer supply container 1 and the device shutter 8 as in the first embodiment. May adhere to the surface of the device shutter 8 (see FIG. 10E).

  However, in this embodiment as well, as in the case of the first embodiment, when the developer supply container 1 is further rotated from the state shown in FIG. 10E, the developer supply container 1 rotates relative to the apparatus shutter 8. Thus, the seal member 9 rubs against the peripheral surface of the apparatus shutter 8, and the developer adhering to the surface of the apparatus shutter 8 is surely wiped off by the seal member 9 (FIG. 10 (f)).

  When the developer replenishing container 1 having the above structure is filled with the developer, mounted on the developer receiving device 7 and desorbed after the developer is replenished, the developer replenishment container 1 and the developer receiving device 7 are almost free of developer contamination. could not. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it has been confirmed that the contamination of the developer when the developer supply container is attached and detached can be suppressed as much as possible.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the basic configuration of the apparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and thus a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration that is a feature of this embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which has the same function as embodiment mentioned above.

  The developer supply container 1 of the present embodiment is configured to open and close the developer supply port 1b and the receiving port 7b by linearly moving the developer supply container 1 in the vertical direction. FIGS. 11A to 11D show a developer replenishing operation using the developer replenishing container 1 and the developer receiving device 7 in the present embodiment. First, when the developer supply container 1 is moved downward from the upper portion of the developer receiving device 7 (see FIG. 11B), the developer supply port 1b is finally obtained as in the first embodiment. And the receiving port 7b communicate with each other (see FIG. 11B).

  After the completion of the developer supply in the developer supply container 1, the developer accumulated during the supply from the developer supply container 1 remains on the lower edge of the receiving port 7b (FIG. 11 ( c)).

  In this state, if the developer supply container 1 is moved upward in the opposite direction, the unrecovered portion of the accumulated developer on the lower edge of the receiving port 7b is the developer supply container 1 as in the first embodiment. And the device shutter 8 (see FIG. 11 (d)).

  However, also in this embodiment, the seal member 9 moves relative to the inner peripheral surface of the apparatus shutter 8 by sliding relative to the developer supply container 1 and the apparatus shutter 8. The developer adhering to the surface of the apparatus shutter 8 by this rubbing is surely removed by the seal member 9.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, an apparatus according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the basic configuration of the apparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and thus a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration that is a feature of this embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which has the same function as embodiment mentioned above.

As shown in FIG. 12, the developer supply container 1 of the present embodiment is a rib member as a cleaning member provided slidably with the apparatus shutter in the vicinity of the developer supply port 1b on the peripheral surface of the container main body 1a. 16 is provided integrally with the container body 1a. Like the seal member 9 of the first to fifth embodiments, the rib member 16 is set to have a length in the longitudinal direction that is at least longer than a width (length) in the longitudinal direction of the developer replenishing port 1b. It is attached to the upstream side in the rotational direction when the container is operated after replenishing the developer with respect to the opening 1b. Further, the rib member 16 is configured to rub against the apparatus shutter 8 during the container attaching / detaching operation. Even if the rib member 16 is in the above configuration, the container 1 is rotated when the developer supply container 1 is taken out. The rib member 16 can rub the inner peripheral surface of the apparatus shutter 8 and wipe off the developer accumulated on the upper edge of the apparatus shutter 8.

  Since the rib member 16 has the same rigidity as the container body 1a, the sliding load with the inner peripheral surface of the apparatus shutter 8 increases (deterioration of user operability). As in the fifth embodiment, the cleaning member is more preferably an elastic member.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, an apparatus according to a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the basic configuration of the apparatus of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and thus a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration that is a feature of this embodiment will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which has the same function as embodiment mentioned above.

  The basic configuration of the developer supply container of this example is substantially the same as the developer supply container described with reference to FIG. 7 in the second embodiment except for the following points.

  That is, in this example, after the replenishment, the developer replenishment container is not completely covered by the container shutter 3 when the developer replenishment container is rotated from the replenishment position to the removal position. This is a characteristic configuration.

  The reason why a part of the seal member 9 is exposed when the developer supply container is in the take-out position is that the developer slightly adhered to the vicinity of the upper edge of the apparatus shutter 8 (FIG. 6A). This is for wiping using a slide operation when the developer supply container is taken out.

  This is because the apparatus shutter 8 is configured to be resealed by abutting against the stopper 7d (FIG. 6E), and a slight amount of developer may be sandwiched between the apparatus shutter and the stopper. This is because the vicinity may become dirty.

  That is, in this example, when the developer supply container is taken out, only the portion of the seal member 9 that slides in the vicinity of the area where the apparatus shutter 8 and the stopper 7d abut is exposed. With the configuration of this example, the vicinity of the area where the apparatus shutter 8 and the stopper 7d abut can be wiped off by the seal member 9 even when the developer supply container is attached to the developer receiving device (sliding operation). is there.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the container main body of the developer supply container is exemplified as a substantially cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the shape of the container main body is a substantially cylindrical shape that stores the developer. Any other shape may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the setting operation from the take-out position to the replenishment position is performed by rotating the container body of the developer replenishment container. However, the configuration is not limited thereto.

  For example, the developer supply container has a double structure of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, and this outer cylinder functions as a container shutter, while the inner cylinder functions as a developer accommodating portion in which the stirring member 4 is housed. Specifically, the outer cylinder has the same structure as the container body described in the first to seventh embodiments, and the inner cylinder has an inner cylinder opening that can communicate with the developer supply port 1b provided in the outer cylinder. Provide. That is, the outer cylinder is provided with the developer supply port 1b, the snap lock portion 6, the seal member 9, the handle 2, and the like. When the developer supply container is mounted, the inner cylinder is substantially fixed to the developer receiving device at a rotational load. At this time, the inner cylinder opening faces the receiving port 7b via the apparatus shutter 8 and the outer cylinder. It is in the state. On the other hand, the developer supply container is mounted such that the developer supply port 1b of the outer cylinder faces upward. Thereafter, similarly to the configuration of the container main body described in the first to seventh embodiments, the outer cylinder is rotated to the replenishment position where the developer replenishing port 1b communicates with the receiving port 7b. After the replenishment, the developer replenishing container can be taken out by rotating the outer cylinder to the taking-out position in the opposite direction.

  In the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus is not specifically illustrated, but is an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a developer, and is an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine. Alternatively, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction machine that combines these functions may be used. In addition, a transfer material belt such as a transfer material carrying a transfer material such as a sheet or a transfer material carrier such as a transfer drum is used, and a developer image of each color is sequentially transferred onto the transfer material carried on the transfer material carrier. An intermediate transfer member such as an image forming apparatus, an intermediate transfer belt, or an intermediate transfer drum is used, and developer images of each color are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer member, and the developer image carried on the intermediate transfer member is transferred. It may be an image forming apparatus that collectively transfers to a transfer material, and the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention to a developer supply container that supplies developer to the developing device in the image forming apparatus. .

  The present invention is not limited to the number of developing devices used in the image forming apparatus. For example, an image forming apparatus having one developing device or a plurality of developing devices that perform image formation with different color developers. It may be an image forming apparatus having a developing device, and can be applied in the same manner regardless of the number of developing devices, and can achieve the same effect.

  In addition, the developer supply container of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration in which the image forming apparatus is replenished with the developer that is detachably provided in the image forming apparatus. For example, the developer supply container is detachable from the image forming apparatus. A developer supply container is configured to be detachable from a process cartridge (corresponding to a developer receiving apparatus) as an image forming unit provided, and the developer stored in the process cartridge is supplied. Also good.

  In this process cartridge, the electrophotographic photosensitive member as the image carrier described in the above embodiment and at least one image forming device among a charger, a developing device, and a cleaner acting on the photosensitive member are integrated. It refers to what is provided.

  Although the embodiments to which the present invention can be applied have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various configurations can be changed to other known configurations within the scope of the idea of the present invention. Needless to say.

[Comparative Example]
Next, a comparative example with the above-described embodiment will be exemplified to further verify the effects of the present invention. The developer supply container 1 in this comparative example is not provided with the seal member 9 in the above-described embodiment. The other configuration of the developer supply container 1 and the configuration of the developer receiving device 7 are substantially the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

  After the developer supply container 1 having the above-described configuration was mounted on the developer receiving device 7, the developer was supplied. As a result, the developer enters between the developer supply container 1 and the apparatus shutter 8 and adheres to the respective surfaces. However, even if the developer supply container 1 is rotated after that, in the above-described embodiment. Without the seal member 9, the attached developer could not be wiped off. As a result, when the developer replenishing container 1 is detached, developer stains may remain on the peripheral surfaces of the developer replenishing container 1 and the developer receiving device 7.

  On the other hand, in the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the situation where the outer surface of the apparatus shutter 8 is soiled with the developer can be avoided as much as possible because the seal member 9 wipes off.

1 shows a configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine as an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the composition of the development device of an embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a perspective view, FIG. 2B is a side view, and FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of a portion A (container shutter 3 omitted) showing a developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a perspective view, FIG. 5B is a perspective view when the supply port is opened, and FIG. 5C is a perspective view when the supply port is sealed. In the first embodiment of the present invention, (a) a perspective view showing a state immediately after the developer receiving device is mounted on the developer supply container, and (b) a state after the handle is rotated after the developer receiving device is mounted on the developer supply container. It is a perspective view shown. In the developer supply operation of the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (a) immediately after container installation, (b) during container rotation, (c) during developer supply, (d) completion of developer supply, (e), (f) It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the mode during container rotation. In the second embodiment of the present invention, (a) a perspective view showing a developer supply container, (b) a perspective view showing a developer receiving device. In the third embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a perspective view showing a developer supply container, (c) is an enlarged view of the A section (container shutter 3 omitted). In the developer supply operation of the developer supply container in the third embodiment of the present invention, (a) immediately after container installation, (b) during container rotation, (c) during developer supply, (d) completion of developer supply, (e), (f) It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the mode during container rotation. In the developer supply operation of the developer supply container in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, (a) immediately after container installation, (b) during container rotation, (c) during developer supply, (d) completion of developer supply, (e), (f) It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the mode during container rotation. In the developer replenishment operation of the developer replenishment container according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, (a) immediately after container installation, (b) during developer replenishment, (c) developer replenishment completion, (d) during container movement, It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the mode of this. It is an enlarged view (container shutter 3 omitted) showing a developer supply container in a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a perspective view showing a developer supply container, (b) is a diagram showing a state during the removal of the developer supply container.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Developer supply container 1a ... Container main body 1b ... Developer supply port 1c ... Developer filling port 1d ... Guide member 2 ... Handle 3 ... Container shutter 4 ... Stirring member 5 ... Drive gear member 6 ... Snap lock part 7 ... Development Agent receiving device 7a ... Storage portion 7b ... Developer receiving port 7c ... Guide member 7d ... Stopper 8 ... Device shutter 8a ... Engaging portion 9 ... Seal member

Claims (19)

In a developer supply container detachably attached to a developer receiving device having a receiving port for receiving a developer and a shutter for opening and closing the receiving port,
An engaging part that is freely engageable with the shutter, and an engaging part that opens and closes the shutter in accordance with the movement of the developer supply container;
The developer supply container is positioned relative to the shutter between a position where the developer supply container is allowed to be removed from the developer receiving apparatus and a position where developer is supplied from the developer supply container to the developer receiving apparatus. A cleaning member for cleaning the shutter when moving relative to each other;
A developer supply container characterized by comprising: The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is provided so as to close a gap between the developer supply container and the developer receiving device. The developer supply container according to claim 2, wherein the cleaning member has an elastic body that is compressible with the developer receiving device. The developer supply container according to claim 3, wherein the elastic body includes a nonwoven fabric. 2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion has a snap lock portion that can be connected to the shutter as the developer supply container moves. 2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member cleans the shutter when the developer supply container is attached to and detached from the developer receiving device. The developer supply container according to claim 1, further comprising a shielding member that shields the cleaning member as the developer supply container moves from the supply position to the removal position. 2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the developer supply container is a rotational movement. In a developer supply container detachably attached to a developer receiving device having a receiving port for receiving a developer and a shutter for opening and closing the receiving port,
A container for containing a developer;
A discharge port for discharging the developer in the container;
An engaging part that is freely engageable with the shutter, and an engaging part that opens and closes the shutter in accordance with the movement of the developer supply container;
When the developer supply container moves relative to the shutter between a position allowing the developer supply container to be removed from the developer receiving device and a position where the discharge port communicates with the receiving port; A cleaning member for cleaning the shutter;
A developer supply container characterized by comprising: The developer supply container according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning member is provided on the downstream side of the discharge port in the moving direction of the developer supply container from the take-out position to the supply position. The developer supply container according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning member is provided so as to close a gap between the developer supply container and the developer receiving device. The developer supply container according to claim 11, wherein the cleaning member has an elastic body that is compressible with the developer receiving device. The developer supply container according to claim 12, wherein the elastic body includes a nonwoven fabric. The developer supply container according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning member is provided so as to surround the discharge port. The developer supply container according to claim 9, wherein the engaging portion includes a snap lock portion that can be connected to the shutter as the developer supply container moves. The developer supply container according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning member cleans the shutter when the developer supply container is attached to and detached from the developer receiving device. A container shutter that opens and closes the discharge port as the developer supply container moves is provided, and the container shutter shields the cleaning member when the developer supply container is in the take-out position. The developer supply container according to claim 9. The developer supply container according to claim 9, wherein the movement of the developer supply container is a rotational movement. In a developer supply container detachably attached to a developer receiving device having a receiving port for receiving a developer and a shutter for opening and closing the receiving port,
A container for containing a developer;
A rubbing member that is provided on the outer surface of the container and rubs against the device shutter in accordance with relative movement with the device shutter;
A developer supply container characterized by comprising:

Images