JP2007121776A - Powder container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent toner from leaking out of a sealing member. <P>SOLUTION: The sealing member 4e includes an inserting/removing part 41a, a bent part 41b, an attachment part 41c and an annular ring 41e. The attachment part 41c is a part to be attached near the toner supply port 40a of a developing unit body 4a. The inserting/removing part 41a is formed so that toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C and 13B can be inserted/detached. The inserting/removing part 41a is opened in reply to the insertion of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C and 13B, and the part 41a is closed in reply to the detachment of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C and 13B. The bent part 41b is bent in reply to the insertion of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C and 13B to the inserting/removing part 41a, and the bent part 41b is recovered in reply to the detachment of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C and 13B from the part 41a. The annular ring 41e is engaged with the part 41a so as to enhance the closeness of the part 41a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a powder container, and more particularly to a powder container in which a powder conveying member capable of conveying powder is inserted and removed.

In a conventional image forming apparatus having a toner collection bottle in which a pipe member capable of conveying powder, for example, toner, is inserted and removed, waste toner is collected in the toner collection bottle by the pipe member. The toner collection bottle is formed with an opening for taking in waste toner that is no longer needed, and a shutter member (seal member) for preventing external leakage of the waste toner is attached to the opening. The shutter member is for suppressing scattering of toner from the opening. The shutter member includes an elastic member and a double-sided adhesive tape attached to one surface of the elastic member. This double-sided adhesive tape is cut out in a circular shape in accordance with the opening size of the toner recovery bottle. The shutter member is adhered to the vicinity of the opening of the toner recovery bottle with a double-sided adhesive tape so that the notched portion overlaps the opening. The shutter member has an elastic portion that is bent when the pipe member (toner conveying member) is inserted and restored when the pipe member is taken out, and a slit portion into which the pipe member is inserted. When the pipe member is inserted into the slit portion, the slit portion is opened so that the waste toner is conveyed from the pipe member to the toner recovery bottle. When the pipe member is taken out of the slit portion, the slit surfaces of the slit portion of the shutter member are brought into close contact with each other, so that scattering of the waste toner from the opening portion is suppressed. (Patent Document 1)
JP 2004-198765 A

  In the conventional seal member, when the pipe member is inserted into the slit portion in the close contact state, the elastic portion is bent from the initial posture to the bent posture, and the slit portion is opened. And if a pipe member is taken out from a slit part, an elastic part will return from a bending attitude | position to an initial position, and a slit part will be in a contact | adherence state. In such a seal member, as the number of times the pipe member is inserted into and removed from the slit portion increases, the number of times the elastic portion bends increases. Therefore, depending on the situation, the elastic portion may be plasticized. If the elastic portion becomes plastic, even if the pipe member is taken out from the slit portion, the slit portion cannot return to the close contact state, and there is a possibility that the toner leaks from the slit portion to the outside.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent toner leakage from a seal member.

  The powder container according to claim 1 is a powder container in which a powder conveying member capable of conveying powder is inserted and removed. The powder container includes a housing and a seal member. The housing can accommodate the powder. The housing has a powder conveyance port. The seal member is for preventing leakage of powder from the powder conveyance port of the housing to the outside. The seal member has a mounting portion, an insertion / removal portion, a bent portion, and a closing member. The mounting portion is a portion that is mounted near the powder conveyance port of the housing. The insertion / removal part is formed so that the powder conveying member can be inserted / removed. This insertion / removal portion is opened by inserting the powder conveying member and closed by taking out the powder conveying member. The bent portion is bent by inserting the powder conveying member into the insertion / removal portion, and restored by taking out the powder conveying member from the insertion / removal portion. The blocking member is engaged with the insertion / removal part so as to increase the degree of blockage of the insertion / removal part.

  In this powder container, since the closing member is engaged with the insertion / removal part so as to increase the degree of blockage of the insertion / removal part, the insertion / removal part can be reliably secured when the powder transport member is removed from the insertion / removal part. Can be occluded. Moreover, even if the number of times of bending of the powder conveying member increases and the bent portion becomes plastic, the inserting / removing portion can be reliably closed by the closing member when the powder conveying member is taken out from the inserting / removing portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the seal member when the powder conveying member is taken out. On the other hand, when inserting the powder conveying member, the insertion / removal portion can be securely adhered to the powder conveying member. This makes it difficult for toner to leak from the seal member even when the powder conveying member is inserted.

  In the powder container according to claim 2, in the powder container according to claim 1, the opening / closing member is made of an elastic member. In this case, since the elastic member is used as the opening / closing member that engages with the insertion / removal part, the insertion / removal part can be reliably closed when the powder conveying member is taken out from the insertion / removal part. Moreover, even if the number of times of bending of the powder conveying member increases and the bent portion becomes plastic, the inserting / removing portion can be reliably closed by the closing member when the powder conveying member is taken out from the inserting / removing portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the seal member when the powder conveying member is taken out. On the other hand, when inserting the powder conveying member, the insertion / removal portion can be securely adhered to the powder conveying member. This makes it difficult for toner to leak from the seal member even when the powder conveying member is inserted.

  In the powder container according to claim 3, in the powder container according to claim 1 or 2, the insertion / removal part has one slit or a plurality of slits intersecting each other. In this case, since the insertion / removal unit has one slit or a plurality of slits intersecting with each other, the slit surfaces facing each other are in close contact with each other when the powder conveying member is taken out, and the sealing performance is improved. Can be improved. Thereby, the toner leakage from the seal member can be surely prevented.

  In the powder container according to claim 4, in the powder container according to claim 3, the closing member is an annular ring. The annular ring is attached to the insertion / removal part so as to surround the slit between the attachment part and the insertion / removal part, and is biased in a direction to close the slit of the insertion / removal part. In this case, the annular ring attached to the insertion / removal part so as to surround the slit between the attachment part and the insertion / removal part urges the insertion / removal part in a direction to close the slit of the insertion / removal part. Therefore, the slit surfaces facing each other can be reliably brought into close contact with each other. Thereby, the toner leakage from the seal member can be surely prevented.

  In the powder container according to claim 5, in the powder container according to claim 4, the insertion / removal portion has a groove. This groove portion is for positioning the annular ring at a substantially central portion in the short direction of the slit, and is formed on the mounting portion side of the insertion / removal portion. In this case, since the annular ring is positioned at a substantially central portion in the short direction of the slit by the groove formed on the mounting portion side of the insertion / removal portion, the slit surfaces facing each other can be more reliably adhered to each other. . Thereby, the toner leakage from the seal member can be prevented more reliably.

  In the powder container according to claim 6, in the powder container according to claim 3, the closing member is a spring member. This spring member is mounted between the mounting portion and the insertion / removal portion and biases in a direction to close the slit of the insertion / removal portion. In this case, since the spring member mounted between the mounting portion and the insertion / removal portion urges the insertion / removal portion in a direction to close the slit of the insertion / removal portion, the slit surfaces facing each other can be securely Can be adhered to. Thereby, the toner leakage from the seal member can be surely prevented.

  The powder container according to claim 7 is the powder container according to claim 6, wherein the spring member is mounted between the mounting portion and the insertion / removal portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slit surface of the slit. Has been. In this case, since the spring member is mounted between the mounting portion and the insertion / removal portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the slit surface of the slit, the slit surfaces facing each other can be more closely attached. Thereby, the toner leakage from the seal member can be prevented more reliably.

  According to the present invention, since the closing member is engaged with the insertion / removal part so as to increase the degree of blockage of the insertion / removal part, the insertion / removal part is reliably secured when the powder transport member is removed from the insertion / removal part. Can be occluded. Moreover, even if the number of times of bending of the powder conveying member increases and the bent portion becomes plastic, the inserting / removing portion can be reliably closed by the closing member when the powder conveying member is taken out from the inserting / removing portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the seal member when the powder conveying member is taken out. On the other hand, when inserting the powder conveying member, the insertion / removal portion can be securely adhered to the powder conveying member. This makes it difficult for toner to leak from the seal member even when the powder conveying member is inserted.

{First embodiment}
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a color printer in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted. As shown in FIG. 1, the color printer 100 mainly includes a color printer main body 11, an image forming unit 10, a toner container 8, and a toner supply pipe 13. The image forming unit 10 is provided substantially at the center of the color printer main body 11.

  The image forming unit 10 includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2, a rotary developing device 4, a transfer device 5, a cleaning device 6, and a laser unit 12. The charging device 2, the rotary developing device 4, the transfer device 5, the cleaning device 6, and the laser unit 12 are disposed around the photosensitive drum 1. A fixing device 7 is disposed downstream of the photosensitive drum 1 in the sheet conveyance direction. The fixing device 7 is a device for fixing the transferred toner image to a transfer material. A paper feed unit 20 is provided below the image forming unit 10, and a paper feed roller 9 is provided in the paper feed direction from the paper feed unit.

  The photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably mounted inside the color printer main body 11. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the laser unit 12. The charging device 2 is installed above the photosensitive drum 1 and is a device for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 1.

  The transfer device 5 is a device for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 to a sheet, and includes an intermediate transfer belt 51, primary transfer rollers 52 and 53, a driving roller 55, a secondary transfer counter roller 54, and a secondary transfer. A roller 56 is provided. The intermediate transfer belt 51 is wound around each of the primary transfer rollers 52 and 53, the driving roller 55, and the secondary transfer counter roller 54. The intermediate transfer belt 51 is rotated around the primary transfer rollers 52 and 53, the drive roller 55, and the secondary transfer counter roller 54 by the drive force of the drive roller 55. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 51, and the transferred toner image is temporarily held. The secondary transfer roller 56 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 51 at a position facing the secondary transfer counter roller 54. The secondary transfer roller 56 secondarily transfers the toner image onto the transfer material.

  The cleaning device 6 is a device for removing deposits such as residual developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 1. In the color printer 100, a cleaning blade is provided.

  The laser unit 12 is mounted inside the color printer main body 11. The laser unit 12 scans the photosensitive drum 1 based on image information processed by a controller (not shown) to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1. The laser unit 12 includes a semiconductor laser, various lenses, a polygon mirror, a mirror rotation motor, and the like.

  The toner container 8 is a container for supplying toner to the rotary developing device 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the toner container 8 includes a plurality of containers such as a yellow container 8Y, a magenta container 8M, a cyan container 8C, and a black container 8B. The plurality of containers 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8B are arranged side by side in the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 1, that is, the rotational axis 41 direction of the rotary developing device 4 above the photosensitive drum 1 (upper side in FIG. 1). It is mounted inside the color printer main body 11.

  Each of the plurality of toner supply pipes 13 can be inserted into and removed from the corresponding container (yellow container 8Y, magenta container 8M, cyan container 8C, black container 8B). The plurality of toner replenishment pipes 13 can convey toner, and conveys and replenishes toner from a toner replenishing port 40a of the developing device main body 4a described later into the developing device main body 4a. The toner supply pipe 13 has a toner supply tube 13a. The plurality of toner supply pipes 13 are attached to the toner container 8 through the toner supply tube 13 a and are disposed between the laser unit 12 and the photosensitive drum 1. Here, each of the four toner supply pipes 13 is attached to each of the plurality of containers 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8B via the plurality of toner supply tubes 13a, and is arranged in the direction of the rotation shaft 41 of the rotary developing device 4. Has been placed.

  Each of the four toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B is inserted into the rotary developing device 4 at a predetermined rotational position of the rotary developing device 4, so that each color toner is supplied to the rotary developing device 4. For example, the toner replenishing pipe 13Y attached to the container 8Y replenishes yellow toner to a yellow developing device 4Y of the rotary developing device 4 described later. A toner supply pipe 13M attached to the container 8M supplies magenta toner to a magenta developing device 4M of the rotary developing device 4 described later. A toner replenishing pipe 13C attached to the container 8C replenishes cyan toner to a cyan developing device 4C of the rotary developing device 4 described later. A toner replenishing pipe 13B attached to the container 8B replenishes black toner to a black developing device 4B of the rotary developing device 4 described later.

  The rotary developing device 4 is a device that forms toner images on the photosensitive drum 1 by supplying toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The rotary developing device 4 is rotatably mounted inside the color printer main body 11. The rotary developing device 4 includes a rotary rack 40 and a plurality of developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4B.

  The rotary rack 40 has a rotating shaft 41, and is rotatably mounted on the color printer main body 11 through the rotating shaft 41. The rotary rack 40 sequentially moves each of the plurality of developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B to a developing position facing the photosensitive drum 1 while rotating around a rotating shaft 41 by a rotating unit (not shown).

  The four developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B are arranged adjacent to each other around the rotation shaft 41 and are held by the rotary rack 40. Here, the yellow developing unit 4Y, the magenta developing unit 4M, the cyan developing unit 4C, and the black developing unit 4B are arranged in the order of 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4B in the circumferential direction of the rotary rack 40, that is, the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft 41. Are arranged side by side and held by the rotary rack 40. These four developing units 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4B are arranged at intervals of about 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the four developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B includes a developing device body 4a, a toner stirring member 4b, a toner supply roller 4c, a developing roller 4d, and a seal member 4e. And.

  The developing device body 4a has a toner supply port 40a. The toner replenishing port 40a is an opening through which each of the four toner replenishing pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B is inserted into each developing device main body a at a predetermined rotational position of the rotary developing device 4.

  The toner agitating member 4b is for agitating the toner contained in the developing device main body 4a, and is rotatably mounted in the developing device main body 4a. Here, the toner stirring member 4b is rotatably mounted inside the developing device body 4a on the side away from the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 4c, that is, on the rotary shaft 41 side of the rotary rack 40.

  The toner supply roller 4c is for supplying the toner stirred by the toner stirring member 4b to the developing roller 4d, and is rotatably mounted inside the developing device main body 4a. Here, the toner supply roller 4c is rotatably mounted inside the developing device main body 4a between the toner stirring member 4b and the developing roller 4d.

  The developing roller 4d is for attaching the toner contained in the developing device main body 4a to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The developing roller 4d is rotatably mounted inside the developing device main body 4a. Here, the developing roller 4 d is rotatably mounted inside the developing device main body 4 a on the outer peripheral surface side of the rotary rack 40.

  The seal member 4e is for preventing leakage of toner from the toner supply port 40a of the developing device main body 4a to the outside. The seal member 4e is mounted in the vicinity of the toner supply port 40a of the developing device main body 4a. Here, the seal member 4e is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the developing device main body 4a so as to cover the toner supply port 40a.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the seal member 4e is formed in a rectangular shape. The seal member 4e has an insertion / removal portion 41a, a bent portion 41b, a mounting portion 41c, and a closing member 41e. As a material of the seal member 4e, for example, urethane foam, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like is used. For example, when using urethane foam, it is desirable to use high-density urethane foam. When rubber and thermoplastic elastomer are used, it is desirable to use one having a JIS-A hardness (Hs) in the range of 20 degrees to 80 degrees.

  The insertion / removal portion 41a is formed so that the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B can be inserted and removed. The insertion / removal portion 41a opens when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted, and closes when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are removed.

  The insertion / removal part 41a has a slit part 141a. The slit portion 141a is provided in the central portion of the seal member 4e. The slit portion 141a is formed to project in a cross shape on the inner side of the developing device main body 4a, that is, on the toner supply port 40a side in a state where the seal member 4e is mounted on the developing device main body 4a. In the slit portion 141a formed in this way, slits that intersect each other are formed.

  Until the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are initially inserted into the insertion / removal portion 41a, a part of the slit, for example, the slit part 41f on the toner supply port 40a side is in a non-penetrating state (FIG. 8). When the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are initially inserted into the insertion / removal portion 41a, the non-penetrating slit portion 41f on the toner supply port 40a side is pierced so that the slit penetrates. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the toner stored in the developing device main body 4a from leaking from the developing device main body 4a to the outside when the color printer 100 is conveyed.

  The slit part 141a has a groove part 241a. The groove portion 241a is for positioning a closing member, for example, an annular ring 41e to be described later, in the short direction of the slit, that is, in a substantially central portion in the thickness direction. The groove portions 241a are formed at the four end portions of the slit portion 141a on the mounting portion 41c side, for example, the slit portion 141a formed in a cross shape.

  The bent portion 41b is bent by inserting the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B into the insertion / removal portion 41a, and restored by taking out the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B from the insertion / removal portion 41a.

  The bent portion 41b is formed in the vicinity of the insertion / removal portion 41a, that is, in the vicinity of the slit portion 141a. Here, the bent portion 41b is formed between the insertion / removal portion 41a and the mounting portion 41c. For example, the bent portion 41b is formed so that a part of the bent portion 41b is located on the diagonal line of the seal member between the insertion / removal portion 41a and the mounting portion 41c. Further, the thickness t2 of the bent portion 41b in the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B is smaller than the thickness t1 of the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B in the insertion direction. The bent part 41b is formed. The bent portion 41b has a concave portion 141b formed between the insertion / removal portion 41a and the mounting portion 41c, and the thickness t2 in the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B in this portion 141b. Is smaller than the thickness t1 in the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B in the slit portion 141a.

  For example, the thickness t1 of the insertion / removal portion 41a, that is, the slit portion 141a is set within a range from 2 mm to 4 mm. Further, the thickness t2 of the bent portion 41b, that is, the concave portion 141b is set in a range from 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. Here, the thickness t1 of the slit portion 141a is set to 3 mm, and the thickness t2 of the concave portion 141b is set to 0.3 mm.

  The mounting portion 41c is a portion that is mounted near the toner supply port 40a of the developing device body 4a. The mounting portion 41c is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 4e. An adhesive member 141c for attaching the seal member 4e to the outer peripheral surface of the developing device main body 4a, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape is affixed to the mounting portion 41c.

  The closing member 41e is an elastic member for increasing the closing degree of the insertion / removal portion 41a. The closing member 41e is an annular ring that is elastically expandable. The annular ring 41e, for example, an O-ring, is mounted in the groove portion 241a of the insertion / removal portion 41a, for example, the slit portion 141a, so as to surround the slit between the mounting portion 41c and the insertion / removal portion 41a. The annular ring 41e is formed such that the length connecting the end of the slit portion 141a to which the annular ring 41e is attached, for example, the groove portion 241a, is longer than the inner peripheral length of the annular ring 41e. Thereby, the annular ring 41e can elastically urge the insertion / removal portion 41a in the direction of closing the slit of the insertion / removal portion 41a.

  When the outer surface of the seal member 4e mounted on the developing device main body 4a, that is, when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted into the insertion / removal portion 41a, the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are connected to the seal member 4e. The contact surface 41d that is in contact with the toner is subjected to processing for reducing the frictional resistance between the contact surface 41d and the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B. For example, the contact surface 41d is subjected to a fluororesin coating process, a silicon coating process, a urethane coating process, a fluororesin tape process, a grease process, a quick-drying grease process, and the like.

  In the developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B to which the seal member 4e as described above is attached, the annular ring 41e is fitted in the insertion / removal portion 41a, for example, the groove portion 241a so as to increase the degree of closure of the insertion / removal portion 41a. Therefore, when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are taken out from the insertion / removal portion 41a, the insertion / removal portion 41a can be reliably closed. Further, even if the number of times of bending of the bent portion 41b by the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B increases and the bent portion 41b becomes plastic, the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B are taken out from the insertion / removal portion 41a. The insertion / removal portion 41a can be reliably closed by the annular ring 41e. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the seal member 4e when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are taken out. On the other hand, when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted, the insertion / removal portion 41a can be securely brought into close contact with the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B. Thus, even when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted, toner leakage is less likely to occur from the seal member.

  The insertion / removal portion 41a is formed with slits that intersect each other. Since the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted into and removed from this slit, the slit surfaces that face each other are removed when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are taken out. It will be in the state where it adhered and seal performance can be improved. Thereby, toner leakage from the seal member 4e can be reliably prevented.

  Further, the annular ring 41e attached to the insertion / removal portion 41a so as to surround the slit between the attachment portion 41c and the insertion / removal portion 41a attaches the insertion / removal portion 41a in a direction to close the slit of the insertion / removal portion 41a. As a result, the slit surfaces facing each other can be reliably brought into close contact with each other. Thereby, toner leakage from the seal member 4e can be reliably prevented.

  Furthermore, the annular ring 41e is positioned at the substantially central portion in the short direction of the slit by the groove portion 241a formed on the mounting portion 41c side of the insertion / removal portion 41a, so that the slit surfaces facing each other are more closely adhered to each other. be able to. Thereby, the toner leakage from the seal member 4e can be prevented more reliably.

{Second Embodiment}
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and description of parts similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. Note that members and portions having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same numbers as those in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the seal member 4e is mounted in the vicinity of the toner supply port 40a (see FIG. 2) of the developing device main body 4a. Here, the seal member 4e is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the developing device main body 4a so as to cover the toner supply port 40a.

  The seal member 4e has an insertion / removal portion 41a, a bent portion 41b, a mounting portion 41c, and a closing member 41e.

  The insertion / removal portion 41a is formed so that the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B can be inserted and removed. The insertion / removal portion 41a opens when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted, and closes when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are removed.

  The insertion / removal part 41a has a slit part 141a. The slit portion 141a is provided in the central portion of the seal member 4e. The slit portion 141a is formed to project in a cross shape toward the developing device main body 4a, that is, the toner supply port 40a side in a state where the seal member 4e is mounted on the developing device main body 4a. In the slit portion 141a formed in this way, slits that intersect each other are formed.

  The slit portion 141a has a fitting portion 241b for fitting one end of a spring member described later. The fitting portion 241b is integrally formed with four end portions of the slit portion 141a on the mounting portion 41c side, for example, the slit portion 141a formed in a cross shape. The fitting portion 241b is formed in a concave shape on the surface of the seal member 4e that is separated from the developing device body 4a, that is, the surface that is separated from the toner supply port 40a, in a state where the seal member 4e is attached to the developing device body 4a. Has been.

  The bent portion 41b is bent by inserting the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B into the insertion / removal portion 41a, and restored by taking out the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B from the insertion / removal portion 41a.

  The bent portion 41b is formed in the vicinity of the insertion / removal portion 41a, that is, the slit portion 141a. Here, the bent portion 41b is formed between the insertion / removal portion 41a and the mounting portion 41c. Further, the thickness t2 of the bent portion 41b in the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B is smaller than the thickness t1 of the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B in the insertion direction. The bent part 41b is formed.

  The bent portion 41b has a portion 141b formed in a concave shape between the insertion / removal portion 41a and the mounting portion 41c. The portion 141b is formed between the corner portion of the seal member and the corner portion of the slit portion 141a. The portion 141b is formed in a concave shape on the surface on the developing device main body 4a side of the sealing member 4e, that is, on the surface on the toner supply port 40a side, in a state where the sealing member 4e is mounted on the developing device main body 4a. The thickness of the portion 141b in the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B is smaller than the thickness of the slit portion 141a in the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B.

  The mounting portion 41c is a portion that is mounted near the toner supply port 40a of the developing device body 4a. The mounting portion 41c is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 4e. An adhesive member for attaching the seal member 4e to the outer peripheral surface of the developing device main body 4a, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape is affixed to the mounting portion 41c.

  The closing member 41e is an elastic member for increasing the closing degree of the insertion / removal portion 41a. The closing member 41e is an elastically elastic coil spring. The coil spring 41e is mounted between the mounting portion 41c and the insertion / removal portion 41a in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slit surface of the slit. Here, each of the four coil springs 41e on the surface separated from the developing device main body 4a of the sealing member 4e in a state where the sealing member 4e is mounted on the developing device main body 4a, that is, the surface separated from the toner supply port 40a. It is mounted between the mounting portion 41c and the fitting portion 241b of the insertion / removal portion 41a in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slit surface of the slit. In other words, each of two orthogonal slits on the surface of the seal member 4e in a state where the seal member 4e is mounted on the developer main body 4a is separated from the developer supply body 4a, that is, the surface separated from the toner supply port 40a. Two coil springs 41e facing each other centering on the slit surface are mounted between the mounting portion 41c and the fitting portion 241b of the insertion / removal portion 41a. By mounting the coil spring 41e in this manner, it is possible to bias the slit surfaces in the closing direction.

  In the developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B to which the seal member 4e as described above is mounted, the mounting portion 41c and the fitting portion 241b of the insertion / removal portion 41a are arranged so that the coil spring 41e increases the degree of blockage of the insertion / removal portion 41a. Since the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are taken out from the insertion / removal portion 41a, the insertion / removal portion 41a can be reliably closed. Further, even if the number of times of bending of the bent portion 41b by the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B increases and the bent portion 41b becomes plastic, the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B are taken out from the insertion / removal portion 41a. The insertion / removal portion 41a can be reliably closed by the coil spring 41e. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent toner leakage from the seal member 4e when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are taken out. On the other hand, when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted, the insertion / removal portion 41a can be securely brought into close contact with the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B. Thus, even when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted, toner leakage is less likely to occur from the seal member.

  The insertion / removal portion 41a is formed with slits that intersect each other. Since the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted into and removed from this slit, the slit surfaces that face each other are removed when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are taken out. It will be in the state where it adhered and seal performance can be improved. Thereby, toner leakage from the seal member 4e can be reliably prevented.

  Further, the coil spring 41e mounted between the mounting portion 41c and the insertion / removal portion 41a urges the insertion / removal portion 41a in a direction to close the slit of the insertion / removal portion 41a, so that the slits facing each other The surface can be securely adhered. Thereby, toner leakage from the seal member 4e can be reliably prevented.

  Furthermore, since the coil spring 41e is mounted between the mounting portion 41c and the insertion / removal portion 41a in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slit surface of the slit, the slit surfaces facing each other can be more reliably adhered. . Thereby, the toner leakage from the seal member 4e can be prevented more reliably.

[Other Embodiments]
(A) The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus having a color printing function, such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile.

  (B) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which two slits orthogonal to each other are formed in the insertion / removal portion 41a, that is, the slit portion 141a has been described. The shape of the slit portion 141a and the number of slits are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. It is not limited and any method may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the slit portion 541a may be formed in a cross shape on the seal member, and one slit may be formed in the slit portion 541a. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, slit portions 641a are integrally formed radially in three directions from the center portion of the seal member, and three slits extending radially from the center portion are formed in the slit portion 641a. May be.

1 is a schematic sectional view of a color printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the rotary developing device of the said color printer. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a developing device of the rotary developing device. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a sheet member mounted on the developing device as viewed from above. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a sheet member mounted on the developing device as viewed from below. The cross-sectional perspective view cut along the slit surface of the said sheet member. FIG. 3 is a bottom view and a cross-sectional view of the sheet member (a slit on the toner supply port side: a through state). FIG. 6 is a bottom view and a cross-sectional view of the sheet member (a slit on the toner supply port side: a non-penetrating state). FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a sheet member mounted on a developing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a sheet member mounted on the developing device as viewed from below. The bottom view of the sheet | seat member by other embodiment of this invention, and sectional drawing cut along the AA line of FIG.11 (b). The sectional view cut along the bottom view of the sheet member by other embodiments of the present invention, and the slit surface (the BB line of Drawing 12 (b)) of the sheet member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Color printer 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B Toner replenishment pipe 4 Rotary developing device 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4B Developer 40 Rotary rack 41 Rotary rack rotating shaft 4a Developer main body (powder container)
40a Toner supply port (powder transfer port)
4e Seal member 41a Insertion / removal part 41b Bending part 41c Mounting part 41e O-ring (annular ring, closing member), coil spring (spring member, closing member)
241a Groove 241b Fitting part

Claims (7)

A powder container in which a powder conveying member capable of conveying powder is inserted and removed,
A housing having a powder transfer port and accommodating powder;
A mounting portion that is a portion to be mounted in the vicinity of the powder transport port of the housing, and the powder transport member that is formed so that the powder transport member can be inserted and removed and opened by insertion of the powder transport member An insertion / removal portion that is blocked by the removal of the powder, a bending portion that is bent by the insertion of the powder conveyance member into the insertion / removal portion and is restored by the removal of the powder conveyance member from the insertion / removal portion, and the insertion / removal portion A sealing member that engages with the insertion / removal part so as to increase the degree of closure of the sealing member, and prevents a leakage of powder from the powder conveying port of the housing to the outside,
A powder container. The opening / closing member is made of an elastic member,
The powder container according to claim 1. The insertion / removal part has one slit or a plurality of slits intersecting each other,
The powder container according to claim 1 or 2. The closing member is attached to the insertion / removal part so as to surround the slit between the attachment part and the insertion / removal part, and biases the insertion / removal part in a direction to close the slit of the insertion / removal part. An annular ring
The powder container according to claim 3. The insertion / removal part has a groove part for positioning the annular ring at a substantially central part in the short direction of the slit, and the groove part is formed in the insertion / removal part on the mounting part side,
The powder container according to claim 4. The closing member is a spring member that is mounted between the mounting portion and the insertion / removal portion and biases the insertion / removal portion in a direction to close the slit of the insertion / removal portion.
The powder container according to claim 3. The spring member is mounted between the mounting portion and the insertion / removal portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slit surface of the slit.
The powder container according to claim 6.

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