JP2007178972A - Developer replenishing container and developer supplying system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer supply container capable of improving a discharging property of a developer, while suppressing rotation of the developer replenishing container in a direction opposite the setting direction. <P>SOLUTION: A toner replenishing container is mounted to a toner receiving apparatus, so that the gear 6 of the toner replenishing container is not engaged with the driving gear 12 of the toner receiving apparatus 10. The toner replenishing container rotated to a position where the gear 6 is engaged with the driving gear 12 by a user is automatically rotated to a supply position by using the gear 6. A developing device shutter 11 is moved to open according to the automatic rotation of the toner replenishing container, so that the toner discharge opening of the toner replenishing container and the toner receiving opening of the toner receiving apparatus are open and correspond to each other in position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer supply container for supplying a developer to a developer receiving apparatus, and a developer supply system having the developer receiving apparatus and a developer supply container. Examples of the developer receiving apparatus include an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, and an image forming unit that is detachably provided in such an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer, fine powder toner is used for image formation as a developer. Therefore, as the image forming apparatus consumes toner, the toner is replenished from a toner replenishing container set in the image forming apparatus in a replaceable manner.

  Since the toner is a very fine powder, the toner may be scattered depending on how it is handled during the toner supply operation. For this reason, there has been proposed and put to practical use a method in which a toner replenishing container is placed inside an image forming apparatus and toner is discharged little by little from a small opening.

  In such a conventional toner supply container, after the toner supply container is mounted on the image forming apparatus so that the toner discharge port faces upward in the direction of gravity, the toner supply container is rotated so that the toner discharge port faces sideways. A configuration for setting according to is proposed.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-185034 proposes that the setting operation is performed by rotating the toner supply container about 90 ° after the toner supply container is inserted into the image forming apparatus. As a result of this setting operation, the positions of the toner discharge port of the toner supply container and the toner supply port of the image forming apparatus are matched, and the toner can be supplied.

  With this configuration, when an operator removes a used toner supply container from the image forming apparatus in order to replace it, the residual toner in the toner supply container is prevented from being scattered from the toner discharge port. is doing.

JP-A-8-185034

  However, in the above-described conventional example, the rotation direction associated with the setting operation of the toner supply container is the same as the rotation direction of the agitator built in the toner supply container. Therefore, the agitator has to be configured to rotate from the upper side to the lower side with respect to the toner discharge port directed to the side, and there is a possibility that the toner transportability and the toner discharge performance are deteriorated. As a result, as the amount of toner to be replenished to the image forming apparatus decreases, the image density may become insufficient, or the amount of toner remaining in the toner replenishing container may eventually increase.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container capable of improving developer discharge performance.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container that can improve developer discharge performance while suppressing the developer supply container from rotating in the direction opposite to the setting direction.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a developer replenishment system that can improve developer discharge performance while suppressing the developer replenishment container from rotating in the direction opposite to the set direction. .

  Further objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A representative means in the present invention for solving the above-described problem is a developer supply container that is detachably provided in the developer receiving device and is set in the developer receiving device by a setting operation involving at least rotation in the setting direction. In the above, a storage portion for storing the developer, a rotatable discharge member for discharging the developer in the storage portion to the outside, and a drive gear of the developer receiving device are provided so as to be able to mesh with each other, and the set direction is Drive transmission means for transmitting rotational force from the drive gear rotating in the opposite direction to the discharge member, and drive transmission means for rotating the discharge member in a direction opposite to the set direction. And

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer replenishment system for replenishing a developer from a developer replenishment container to the developer accepting apparatus, wherein the developer replenishment container is detachably mounted on the developer accepting apparatus. A mounting portion that allows a set operation accompanied by rotation of the mounted developer supply container in the setting direction, and a drive gear that rotates in a direction opposite to the setting direction. The developer replenishing container is provided so as to be able to mesh with a storage portion for storing the developer, a rotatable discharge member for discharging the developer in the storage portion to the outside, and the drive gear. Drive transmission means for transmitting a rotational force, wherein the drive transmission means rotates the discharge member in a direction opposite to the set direction.

  According to the present invention, the developer discharge performance can be improved. Further, the developer supply container can be prevented from rotating in the direction opposite to the setting direction.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Various configurations described below can be appropriately changed within the scope of the idea of the present invention, and are not limited to the following specific examples.

[Example 1]
(Image forming device)
As an example of an image forming apparatus equipped with a toner receiving device to which a toner supply container (so-called toner cartridge) according to the first embodiment is mounted, a configuration of a copying machine adopting an electrophotographic method 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. Then, a light image corresponding to the image information is formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 104 as an image carrier by a plurality of mirrors M and lenses 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 toner formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred to the sheet S by the transfer discharger 111. Then, the sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the separation discharger 112.

  Thereafter, the sheet S conveyed by the conveying unit 113 is fixed on the toner 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, 116 is discharged to a discharge tray 117. Further, in the case of multiple copying, the same path as in the case of single-sided copying is carried out after being transported to the registration roller 110 via the refeed transporting units 119 and 120 under 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 double-sided 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-described configuration, an image forming process device such as a developing device 201 as a developing unit, a cleaner unit 202 as a cleaning unit, and a primary charger 203 as a charging unit is installed around the photosensitive drum 104. Yes. The cleaner unit 202 is for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 104. The primary charger 203 is for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum in order to form a desired electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 104.

(Developer)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the developing device 201 and the photosensitive drum 104.

  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 toner. A toner supply container 1 for supplying toner to the developing device 201 is detachably provided on the apparatus main body 100 by a user.

  Further, the developing device 201 includes a toner receiving device 10 that detachably mounts the toner supply container 1 and a developing device 201a, and the developing device 201a further includes a developing roller 201b and a feeding member 201c. Yes. The toner replenished from the toner 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 includes a developing roller in order to prevent toner leakage between the developing blade 201d as a regulating member that regulates the toner coat amount on the roller and the developing device 201a. A blowout prevention sheet 201e as a toner leakage prevention member arranged in contact is provided.

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

(Toner supply container)
Next, the configuration of the toner supply container 1 in this example will be described with reference to FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the toner supply container, and FIG. 3B is a view of the toner supply container as seen from the filling port.

  A container main body 1a as a storage portion (cylindrical portion) for storing toner in the toner supply container 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape. A slit-like toner discharge port 1b extending in the longitudinal direction of the container 1 is provided on the peripheral surface of the container body 1a. The rotation accompanying the setting / removing operation of the toner replenishing container, which will be described later, is performed with the center of the container body 1a, which is a cylindrical container, as the center of rotation.

  As will be described later, when the toner supply container is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus and rotated by a predetermined angle, the toner discharge port 1b (the rotation operation of the toner supply container to the toner supply position where the toner can be supplied is completed). At the time).

  Furthermore, the container main body 1a is required to have a certain degree of rigidity so as to protect the toner inside during distribution before use and to prevent leakage of the toner. In this example, polystyrene is used as the material for injection molding. Are molded.

  A handle 2 is provided on the outer surface of the container main body 1a. The handle 2 is a grip member that a user (operator) holds when the toner supply container 1 is supplied. The handle 2 is required to have sufficient rigidity for the same reason as the container body 1a, and is molded by injection molding using the same material as the container body 1a.

  Note that the container body 1a and the handle 2 may be fixed as long as they can secure sufficient strength that does not come off during replenishment operations, such as mechanical fitting, screwing, bonding, and welding. If possible, it is desirable to integrally mold the container body 1a and the handle 2 from the viewpoint of strength and cost.

  Further, a toner filling port 1c is provided on the end surface of the container body 1a opposite to the side where the first gear 5 is provided (in the longitudinal direction). After the toner filling, the container body 1a is sealed with a cap as a sealing member. Stopped.

  Further, on one end surface of the container main body 1a, a restriction convex portion 100 (FIG. 3) is provided as a restriction member for restricting the mounting posture (angle) of the toner supply container to the toner receiving device. On the other hand, the toner receiving device is provided with a regulating recess 10f (FIG. 5) as a regulated member for guiding the regulating projection to regulate the mounting posture of the toner supply container. The concave portion is provided so as not to interfere with the convex portion when the toner supply container is properly mounted in the toner receiving device.

(Conveying member for toner supply container)
Next, the structure of the conveyance member 4 as a discharge member will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inside of the toner supply container as viewed from the side.

  Inside the container main body 1a, a conveyance member 4 (discharge) for conveying the toner from below to above toward the toner discharge port 1b while stirring the toner in the container by rotating relative to the container main body 1a. Member) is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the conveying member 4 is mainly composed of a stirring shaft 4a and a stirring blade 4b. One end in the longitudinal direction of the stirring shaft 4a is rotatably provided on the container main body 1a, and is provided so as not to move in the stirring shaft direction. On the other hand, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the stirring shaft 4 a is coaxially connected to the first gear 5. Specifically, in the container main body, the shaft portion of the first gear 5 and the other end of the agitation shaft 4a are locked to connect the both.

  Further, in order to prevent toner from leaking out of the container from around the shaft portion of the first gear 5, a seal member is provided around the shaft portion. The first gear 5 and the agitation shaft 4a are not directly connected to each other as described above, and both can be in a coaxial drive connection relationship via a certain member.

  The agitation shaft 4a is required to have a rigidity that can be conveyed and discharged to the developing device side even when the toner in the container is hardened. It is desirable to use polystyrene, polyacetal or the like as the material of the stirring shaft.

  The agitating blade 4b is fixed to the agitating shaft 4a, and is used for releasing and agitating the toner inside the container as the agitating shaft 4a rotates, and conveying it toward the toner discharge port 1b. Further, the stirring blade 4b is configured to slide on the inner surface of the container during operation so as to reduce the amount of toner remaining in the toner supply container. That is, the overhang length of the stirring blade from the stirring shaft is set in consideration of the inner diameter of the container.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the stirring blade has an inclined portion (a in FIG. 4) so that a part thereof is inclined in an L shape, and this inclined portion conveys the toner in the longitudinal direction of the container. Has a function. That is, the inclined portion has a function of conveying the toner contained on the container end side toward the toner discharge port 1b located on the center side. In this example, a polyester sheet was used as a stirring blade.

  The configuration of the conveying member 4 is not limited to the above-described example, and various configurations can be adopted as long as the function of conveying the toner while stirring can be achieved by rotating. For example, it does not matter if the material and shape of the stirring blades described above are changed or a different transport mechanism is employed.

(Shutter of toner supply container)
The container shutter 3 that opens and closes the toner discharge port 1b has a shape having a curvature along the outer peripheral surface of the toner supply container 1 as shown in FIG. The container shutter 3 is engaged with two guide portions 1d provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner discharge port 1b. The guide portion 1d is configured to guide the container shutter to slide along the outer peripheral surface of the container when the toner discharge port 1a is opened and closed. The guide portion 1d is provided with a stopper portion 1d ′ for defining the sealing position of the container shutter 3.

  In addition, the container shutter has its portion on the front end side in the opening direction abutted against a stopper portion of the toner receiving device at the time of a toner replenishing container setting operation, which will be described later. Therefore, when the toner supply container rotates relative to the container shutter in a state where the movement is blocked, the toner discharge port is exposed from the container shutter and opened.

  Further, the container shutter has its portion on the front end side in the blocking direction abutted against a stopper portion of the toner receiving device at the time of taking out the toner replenishing container, which will be described later. Accordingly, when the toner supply container rotates relative to the container shutter in a state where the movement is blocked, the toner discharge port moves to a position shielded by the container shutter and is resealed.

  In order to prevent toner leakage, a seal member is preferably provided on the surface of the container shutter 3 facing the toner discharge port 1b, or conversely, a seal member is provided around the toner discharge port 1b of the container body 1a. It doesn't matter. Of course, you may provide a sealing member in both the container shutter 3 and the container main body 1a. Such a sealing member is configured to be compressed by a predetermined amount between the container shutter and the outer surface of the container main body.

  In this example, a configuration in which a container shutter 3 capable of opening and closing the toner discharge port 1b is used is used. However, without providing the container shutter 3, a resin seal film is disposed around the toner discharge port. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the toner is completely sealed by a method such as heat welding, and is peeled off when the toner is replenished.

  However, in this configuration, after toner replenishment, the toner discharge port 1b cannot be resealed when the container is replaced, and contamination due to toner scattering may occur. It is desirable to configure so that the provided toner discharge port can be resealed.

  Of course, depending on the shape of the container outlet and the amount of toner in the container, if there is a possibility of toner leakage during distribution before toner replenishment, both the container shutter and the above-mentioned seal film are provided, A stronger sealing performance can also be secured. In this configuration, it is preferable that a part of the seal film is attached to the container shutter, and the seal film is removed as the container shutter is opened.

(Developer shutter interlock mechanism of toner supply container)
On the peripheral surface of the container main body 1a, an opening projection 1e (interlocking portion (engagement portion)) for opening and closing the developing device shutter 11 (FIG. 5) and a sealing projection 1f (interlocking) in association with the rotation operation of the toner supply container. Part (engagement part)).

  Specifically, during the setting operation of the toner supply container 1 described later, the opening protrusion 1e pushes down the developing device shutter 11 to open the toner receiving port 10b (FIG. 5). Further, during the operation of taking out a toner replenishing container described later, the sealing protrusion 1f pushes up the developing device shutter 11 to reseal the toner receiving port 10b. Of course, both portions of the developer shutter 11 where the unsealing projection 1e and the sealing projection 1f abut also function to link the rotation operation of the toner supply container and the opening / closing movement operation of the developer shutter.

  When the toner supply container 1 is attached to the toner receiving device 10 (FIG. 5), the unsealing protrusion 1e is on the upstream side with respect to the moving direction when the developing device shutter 11 is unsealed, and the sealing protrusion 1f is on the downstream side. Configured to be located.

(Drive transmission means for toner supply container)
Next, the structure of the drive transmission means of the toner supply container that is drivingly connected to a drive gear 12 (FIG. 5) as a drive member provided in the toner receiving device 10 and that transmits the rotational driving force by the drive gear 12 to the conveying member 4. Will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this example, as will be described later, the drive transmission means has gear trains juxtaposed, and the rotation shafts of the respective gears are directly and rotatably supported on the end surface of the toner supply container.

  The drive transmission means and the drive gear 12 are not driven and connected to each other in the circumferential direction when the toner replenishing container 1 is in a mounting position where the toner replenishing container 1 is mounted on the toner receiving device 10 by a user operation (FIG. 10C). In the unengaged position. The toner supply container in the mounting position is in a state where removal from the toner receiving device is permitted.

  With such a configuration, the drive gear 12 and the drive transmission means (second gear 6 to be described later) of the toner supply container meshing with the drive gear 12 are deteriorated or damaged due to contact with each other when the toner supply container is mounted. Can be suppressed.

  Thereafter, when the toner replenishing container 1 is rotated by a user operation from the mounting position to the set position rotated by a predetermined angle (FIG. 11C), the drive transmission means and the drive gear 12 face each other and are connected to each other. (Engaged state).

  Further, as will be described later, the toner replenishing container is configured such that the rotation operation from the setting position toward the replenishing position where the toner can be replenished is automatically performed using the drive transmission means.

  The drive transmission means of this example has a first gear 5 (second drive transmission member) and a second gear 6 (first drive transmission member) installed on one end surface in the longitudinal direction of the container body 1a. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first gear 5 (also referred to as a reversing member) is pivotally supported on the end surface of the container body in a state where the rotation shaft is coaxial with the conveying member 4 and engaged with the conveying member 4. ing. The rotation center of the first gear 5 is attached so as to substantially coincide with the rotation center of the toner supply container at the time of the setting operation in which the user rotates the toner supply container by a predetermined angle with the handle 2 (mounting position → setting position). ing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second gear 6 (drive transmission member, drive force receiving member) has a rotation shaft at a position away from (centered from) the rotation center of the toner supply container 1. It is rotatably supported on the end face and is installed in a drivingly connected state with the first gear 5. That is, the rotation center of the second gear 6 is decentered from the rotation center of the toner supply container.

  The first gear 5 and the second gear 6 only need to be able to sufficiently transmit the drive from the toner receiving device 10. In this example, polyacetal is used as the material, and the gears are injection-molded. In this example, the first gear 5 has a φ (diameter) of 40 mm and the number of teeth of 40, and the second gear 6 has a φ (diameter) of 20 mm and the number of teeth of 20. The drive gear 12 has a diameter (diameter) of 17 mm and a number of teeth of 17. The set values of the gear (gear) diameter, the module, the number of teeth, and the like may be set as appropriate so that drive transmission is properly performed at the time of meshing, and are not limited to such values.

  An oil seal (seal member) is attached around the shaft portion of the first gear 5 that is rotatably supported by the container body 1a in order to prevent toner leakage from the container body 1a. On the other hand, since the second gear 6 is rotatably supported on the outer surface of the container body 1a, the oil seal described above is not attached.

    Since the second gear 6 is pivotally supported at a position eccentric from the rotation center of the toner supply container 1, the second gear 6 is separated from the drive gear 12 in the circumferential direction when the toner supply container 1 is in the mounting position (see FIG. 10 (c)).

  The second gear 6 is configured to be drivingly connected to a driving gear 12 provided in the toner receiving device 10 as the toner supply container rotates. In other words, the second gear 6 starts driving connection (meshing) with the driving gear 12 when the toner supply container 1 reaches the set position by a user operation (FIG. 11C).

  In this example, the position of the second gear 6 in the rotation direction with respect to the container main body 1a is set so as to satisfy such a configuration.

  Thereafter, when the second gear 6 receives a rotational force from the drive gear 12 in a state where the toner supply container is located at the supply position, the first gear 5 that is in a driving connection relationship with the second gear 6 also becomes. Rotate. As a result, the conveying member 4 rotates relative to the container main body 1a that is substantially non-rotatably fixed by the toner receiving device, and the toner is conveyed and discharged. Note that the second gear 6 is moved in the direction of rotation (FIG. 12), which is the same direction as the rotation direction during the setting operation of the toner supply container 1, by the drive gear 12 that rotates in the direction C in FIG. Rotate.

  In this example, since the shape of the container is substantially cylindrical, the rotation center of the transport member and the rotation center of the container body are substantially coincident, and the rotation center of the first gear 5 directly connected to the transport member 4 is also It substantially coincides with the rotation center of the container body 1a. On the other hand, the second gear 6 has a rotation center different from that of the first gear 5 and revolves around the rotation center of the container main body 1a as the toner supply container 1 rotates, thereby driving the toner receiving device 10. The gear portion 12 is connected to the member.

  Thus, in this example, the second gear 6 is configured to rotate relative to the toner supply container by the driving force received from the drive gear 12 in the toner supply process, that is, to “spin”. Further, the second gear 6 is configured to rotate around the rotation axis of the toner supply container together with the toner supply container by the driving force received from the drive gear 12 in the toner supply container setting step, that is, to “revolve”. ing.

  For such an example, the rotation center of the transport member may be different from the rotation center of the container. For example, the rotation center of the conveying member may be positioned closer to the toner discharge port of the container. In this case, the first gear 5 is also pivotally supported at a position different from the rotation center of the container main body corresponding to the rotation center of the transport member, and the second gear 6 is rotated along with the rotation of the container as in the above example. Is revolved with respect to the rotation center of the container body 1a and is connected to the drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device 10.

  Furthermore, when the rotation center of the conveying member is different from the rotation center of the container main body, the first gear 5 may not be provided, and the drive transmission means may be configured by only the second gear 6. Specifically, the second gear 6 is provided coaxially with the transport member 4, and the shaft portion of the second gear 6 and the shaft portion of the transport member 4 are connected. In the case of this configuration, the rotation direction of the conveying member 4 is opposite to the above-described example, and from above to below toward the toner discharge port facing the side (about 3 o'clock in terms of timepiece). And the toner is transported. That is, there is a possibility that the toner discharge performance may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, in such a case, it is desirable to configure the conveying member as follows. That is, a high-hardness resin plate that lifts the toner in the container upward by its own rotation, and guide protrusions that guide the toner lifted by this resin plate toward the toner discharge port located below are formed on both surfaces of the resin plate. It is desirable to provide a plurality of configurations. In the case of this configuration, the rotation shaft is installed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the resin plate, and one end side of the rotation shaft is directly or indirectly connected to the second gear 6 described above.

  In the case of a conveying member made of such a resin plate, the remaining amount of toner in the container may increase. Therefore, as in this embodiment, the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 are used. It is more desirable to provide both.

  That is, as will be described later, it is desirable to set the rotation direction of the conveying member in the direction opposite to the B direction in FIG.

  On the other hand, as will be described later, in order to achieve the automatic rotation of the toner supply container using the drive transmission means of the toner supply container, the rotation direction of the second gear 6 is the B direction in FIG. It is desirable to set the rotation direction to be opposite to the B direction.

  In this example, in order to satisfy these two functions (toner conveyance / discharge performance and automatic rotation of the toner replenishing container), two gears of the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 are used as drive transmission means. It is provided. That is, the first gear 5 functions as a rotation direction conversion mechanism (reversing mechanism) that converts the rotation force generated by the second gear 6 into the rotation force in the rotation direction of the conveying member.

  In addition, as a rotation direction conversion mechanism (reversing mechanism), not only the structure like the 1st gear 5 mentioned above but the following structures may be sufficient. Specifically, instead of the first gear 5, a drive transmission belt and a pulley (support member) are provided so as to rotate coaxially with the conveying member (the rotation center coincides with the rotation center of the toner supply container). This pulley is in a relationship of being directly or indirectly connected to the conveying member. Then, the rotation shaft of the second gear 6 is extended in the longitudinal direction of the container (to the front side in the drawing in FIG. 10C), and a drive transmission belt is provided between the extended rotation shaft portion and the pulley. Wind in the shape of figure 8.

  In this example, the shape of the container is cylindrical, but the shape of the container is not limited to this form. For example, in order to prevent rolling when the toner replenishing container is placed on a desk or floor, a container having a cross-sectional configuration in which a cylinder shown in FIG. 6 is partially cut may be used. In this case, the rotation center of the toner supply container is a center position with respect to the arc around the toner discharge port, and is substantially the rotation center of each shutter. Thereby, each shutter can be moved with high accuracy when the container is rotated.

(Rotation resistance applying means)
In this example, the second gear is directly or indirectly given a load for automatically rotating the toner supply container from the set position to the supply position when receiving a driving force from the driving gear. Yes. Therefore, a rotation resistance applying means (brake member) that applies a load to the second gear will be described. In this example, the elements constituting the rotation resistance applying means (brake member) are a spring 62, a pressure plate 63, and a ring member 64, which will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the shaft portion 6a of the second gear 6 is fitted into a protruding portion 1a 'protruding from the end surface of the container body 1a. The outer side of the second gear 6 has a bowl shape, and a ring member (sliding member, elastic body) 64 made of silicon rubber is installed in the collar portion with a predetermined amount compressed. Specifically, the silicon rubber ring member 64 is compressed between the bottom surface of the flange portion of the second gear 6 by a spring (biasing member) 62 via a pressure plate 63 (biasing member). It has become. The pressure plate 63 is fixed to the protruding portion 1a '. A cap-like member 61 (biasing member) is fixed to the projecting portion 1a 'so that the spring 62 is compressed between the pressure plate 63 and the spring 62.

  As described above, in this example, the second gear 6 is in surface contact with the ring member 64, and the second gear 6 is configured to be difficult to rotate with respect to the container body 1a. That is, the rotation resistance of the second gear 6 with respect to the container body 1a is set to a sufficiently large value.

  On the other hand, such a rotational resistance applying means is not provided in the first gear 5 portion, and when focusing only on the first gear 5, the rotational resistance with respect to the container body 1a is sufficiently small.

  That is, the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 having a function of transmitting a rotational force to the conveying member are configured to be difficult to rotate with respect to the container body 1a by the rotation resistance applying means. Automatic rotation of the toner supply container is achieved.

  In addition, as rotation resistance provision means, you may employ | adopt not only the structure mentioned above but another well-known structure. For example, urethane rubber may be used instead of silicon rubber. It is also possible to use an elastic resin such as an elastomer instead of silicon rubber. Further, by increasing the rigidity of the stirring blade 4b and making the overhang length sufficiently long (increasing the degree of rubbing between the stirring blade and the inner surface of the container), this may be used as a rotational resistance applying means. In addition, by enhancing the sealing performance of a sealing member that prevents leakage of toner such as an oil seal installed in the first gear 5 described above, this may be used as a rotational resistance applying means.

  Also, the location where the rotation resistance applying means is installed may be installed not in the second gear 6 but in the first gear 5 and the drive transmission means is difficult to rotate relative to the toner supply container. Any configuration can be used. For example, it is also possible to employ a technique such as installing rotational resistance applying means on a portion (bearing) of a container that supports the end of the stirring shaft 4a on the filling port side.

  As described above, the specific configuration and the installation position of the rotation resistance applying unit are not limited to the above-described example as long as the toner supply container described later can be automatically rotated.

  Further, if the rotational resistance generated in the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 by the rotational resistance applying means is too large, the torque required for the drive motor of the apparatus 10 to drive and transport the toner by driving the transport member. May become large. That is, in this example, considering this point, the rotation resistance generated in the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 by the rotation resistance applying means is set so that the automatic rotation of the toner supply container is achieved. ing.

(Assembly method of toner supply container)
The toner supply container 1 of this example is assembled through the following steps.

  First, the container body 1a is prepared. The conveying member 4 is fixed in the container main body 1a. Thereafter, the first gear 5 is assembled to one end surface of the container body 1a, and then the second gear 6 is assembled. Further, the container shutter 3 and the handle 2 are assembled.

  After that, the toner is filled from the filling port 1c, and finally the filling port is sealed with a sealing member.

  The order of filling the toner and assembling the second gear 6, the container shutter 3, and the handle 2 can be appropriately changed to facilitate the assembly.

  In this example, a cylindrical container having a φ (outer diameter) of 60 mm and a length of 320 mm is used as the container body 1a. The volume of this container was about 600 cc, and 300 g of toner was filled in the above example.

(Toner receiving device)
Next, the configuration of the toner receiving apparatus 10 in this example will be described with reference to FIG. The toner receiving device 10 is provided with a mounting portion 10a for detachably mounting the toner supply container 1 and a toner receiving port 10b for receiving the toner discharged from the toner supply container 1. The toner replenished from the toner receiving port is supplied to the above-described developing device and used for image formation.

  Further, a developing device shutter 11 having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape along the peripheral shape of the toner supply container 1 and the mounting portion 10a is provided. The developing device shutter is engaged with a guide portion 10c provided at the lower edge of the mounting portion 10a, and can slide and move along the circumferential direction so that the toner receiving port 10b can be opened and closed.

  Further, the toner receiving device 10 is provided with a stopper 10e (FIG. 11 (b)) for regulating the end position of the opening movement of the developing device shutter 11. As a result, when the developing device shutter 11 is opened, the lower end of the toner receiving port 10b and the upper end of the developing device shutter 11 are precisely matched so that the toner receiving port 10b is completely opened. The stopper 10e also functions as a stop unit that stops the rotation of the container body 1a at a position where the toner discharge port 1b faces the toner receiving port 10b. In other words, the rotation of the toner supply container 1 engaged with the developing device shutter 11 by the opening protrusion as the interlocking portion is stopped as the opening movement of the developing device shutter 11 is stopped by the stopper 10e.

(Developer shutter lock mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 8A, when the toner supply container 1 is not mounted on the mounting portion 10a, the developing device shutter 11 is locked at a position where the toner receiving port 10b is sealed. That is, the developing device shutter 11 has one end abutting against a stopper 10d provided in the toner receiving device 10 and the other end abutting against a lock member 13 as a locking means, and is prevented from moving at a position where the toner receiving port 10b is sealed. It is in the state.

  This prevents dust and foreign matter from entering the developing device 201 and the backflow of toner from the developing device 201 to the mounting portion 10a side.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the lock member 13 regulates the movement of the developing device shutter 11 in the unsealing direction by contacting a part of the developing device shutter 11 with the lock portion 13a. Further, the lock member 13 is configured to be slidable in the A direction (FIG. 9).

  Therefore, in this example, the developing device shutter 11 is unlocked only when the replacement cover 15 is in a closed state.

  That is, with the closing operation of the replacement cover 15 by the user, the lock release member 15a (lock release means) of the replacement cover 15 is engaged with the receiving portion 13b of the lock member 13, and the lock member 13 is moved in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 8 in the direction of arrow A). Then, since the lock portion 13a moves to the unlocking position where it does not interfere with the developing device shutter 11, the developing device shutter 11 can move in the opening direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a spring member 14 (biasing member) is provided on the back side in the longitudinal direction of the lock member 13. The lock member 13 is always urged by the spring member 14 toward the front side in the longitudinal direction (the direction opposite to the arrow A direction in FIG. 9). That is, the lock member is urged so as to return to the lock position as the lock release member 15a is retracted.

(Driving gear for toner receiving device)
As shown in FIG. 5, at one end in the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 10a, a drive gear 12 is provided as a drive member that transmits a rotational drive force from a drive motor installed in the image forming apparatus main body 100. Even if the drive gear 12 interferes with the tooth tip of the second gear 6 of the toner replenishing container and does not mesh, the drive gear 12 is configured to retract from the second gear 6 like a known coupling member. The position is fixed to the toner receiving device.

  Further, as will be described later, the drive gear 12 also has a function of applying a rotational force for automatically rotating the toner supply container during the setting operation to the toner supply container. That is, the rotation direction of the drive gear 12 is configured to rotate in the “c” direction of FIG. 12 (the direction opposite to the rotation direction during the toner supply container setting operation) by the drive motor. In this example, the drive gear 12 is connected to a drive gear train for rotationally driving the developing member feeding member 201c, the developing roller 201b, and the photosensitive drum 104 shown in FIG.

(Toner supply container setting operation)
Next, the toner supply container setting operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 shows the time when the toner supply container is mounted, and FIG. 11 shows the time when the toner supply container is rotated to the set position. FIG. 12 shows the time when the toner supply container is rotated to the supply position (developer discharge position).

  10 to 12, (a) is a schematic diagram showing a toner supply container and a toner receiving device. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view for mainly explaining the relationship among the toner discharge port 1b, the toner receiving port 10b, and the developing device shutter 11. (c) is sectional drawing for demonstrating the relationship of each driving force transmission means mainly. (d) is a cross-sectional view mainly illustrating the relationship between the developing device shutter 11 and the interlocking portion of the container body.

  The setting operation of the toner replenishing container in this example is configured to have both a manual process performed by the user and an automatic process performed by the toner receiving device.

  That is, the operation of mounting the toner supply container to the mounting position of the toner receiving device (position where the toner supply container is allowed to be attached / detached) and the setting position from this mounting position (position where the second gear 6 and the drive gear 12 mesh). The rotating operation of the toner replenishing container is a manual process. This setting position is also a position where the opening protrusion of the toner supply container engages with the developing device shutter. Further, when the rotation operation by the user advances by a predetermined angle (about 2 to 3 °), the interlocking portion (opening protrusion) is restricted by the toner receiving device, so that the toner supply container cannot be taken out. . Therefore, when the toner replenishing container is at the set position or the replenishing position, the removal of the toner replenishing container is prohibited.

  On the other hand, the rotation operation of the toner supply container from the set position to the supply position (position where toner can be supplied) is an automatic process. These toner replenishing containers rotate in the same predetermined rotational direction (direction B in FIG. 10). The toner supply container is restricted so that it cannot be taken out even when the toner supply container is in the supply position.

  In this example, the rotation angle of the toner supply container between the mounting position and the set position is 60 °, and the rotation angle of the toner supply container between the set position and the supply position is 12 °.

  Details will be described below.

(Installation process for set operation)
First, the user opens the replacement cover 15 and inserts and attaches the toner replenishing container 1 to the toner receiving device 10 from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10A (direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner replenishing container).

  At this time, the mounting posture (mounting angle) in the rotation direction of the toner supply container 1 is regulated. That is, the user attaches the toner supply container 1 to the toner receiving device while the positions of the restriction convex portion 100 (FIG. 3) of the toner supply container and the restriction concave portion 10f (FIG. 5) of the toner receiving device match. As a result, the toner supply port of the toner supply container is mounted so as to face upward in the vertical direction (or 12 o'clock in the case of a clock). This is to prevent the toner remaining inside from leaking from between the container main body peripheral surface and the container shutter when the toner supply container is taken out from the toner receiving device as will be described later.

  Note that the orientation of the toner discharge port at the time of attachment (removal) by a user operation is not limited to the upward direction in the vertical direction, and may be any direction as long as it is substantially upward in the vertical direction. That is, the direction of the toner discharge port may be within a range of ± 30 ° with respect to the vertical line (11 to 1 o'clock in terms of a clock). The direction of the toner discharge port refers to a direction along a straight line connecting the center of the toner discharge port in the rotation direction of the toner supply container and the rotation center of the toner supply container, and an angle formed by this straight line and the vertical line. Is within the range of ± 30 °.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the drive gear 12 on the toner receiving device 10 side and the second gear 6 on the toner supply container 1 side do not mesh with each other in the rotational direction of the container 1. It is in a distant positional relationship, and drive transmission is impossible.

(Manual rotation process of set operation)
Next, when the user operates the handle 2, the toner supply container 1 at the mounting position of the toner receiving device 10 is rotated in the direction B (the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the conveying member 4) in FIG. 10. Then, with the rotation of the toner supply container 1, the second gear 6 revolves with respect to the rotation center of the toner supply container 1 (the rotation center of the conveying member 4) and moves toward the drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device 10. Moving. When the toner supply container 1 reaches the set position by this user operation, the toner supply container is prevented from further rotation and stops (FIG. 11). In other words, the unsealing protrusion 1e of the toner replenishing container abuts against the developing device shutter 11 in a state in which the movement is prevented by the lock member 13, thereby preventing further rotation of the toner replenishing container. That is, the opening protrusion 1e functions as a stop portion for stopping manual rotation of the toner supply container.

  Further, the second gear 6 meshes with the drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device as the toner supply container is rotated from the mounting position to the setting position. Thereafter, the drive transmission from the drive gear 12 to the second gear 6 is possible.

  On the other hand, the toner discharge port and the toner receiving port are both unopened when the toner supply container is at the set position. That is, the toner discharge port and the toner receiving port are both closed by the container shutter and the developer shutter.

(Automatic rotation process of set operation)
In this way, the user closes the replacement cover 15 with the toner supply container positioned at the set position. Then, in conjunction with this, the lock of the developing device shutter 11 by the lock member 13 is released. In conjunction with the closing operation of the replacement cover 15, the drive gear 12 starts to rotate by the drive motor.

  As the drive gear 12 rotates, a rotating force (hereinafter also referred to as a pulling force) in two directions (FIG. 12) acts on the toner supply container via the second gear 6 meshed therewith, and the toner. The supply container is automatically rotated from the set position to the supply position. The principle of automatically rotating the toner supply container will be described later.

  Further, when the toner supply container 1 reaches the supply position, the toner supply container is prevented from further rotation and stops. That is, since the developing device shutter 11 comes into contact with the stopper 10e (FIG. 12B) for defining the end position of the opening movement and stops, the toner replenishing container also passes through the opening protrusion 1e that comes into contact with the developing device shutter 11. Is prevented from rotating. That is, the opening protrusion 1e also functions as a stop portion that stops the automatic rotation of the toner supply container.

  In conjunction with the rotation of the toner supply container from the set position to the supply position, the toner discharge opening and the toner reception opening are opened, and the positions of the toner discharge opening and the toner reception opening are completely matched. (FIG. 12 (b)). That is, when the toner supply container is rotated to the supply position, toner can be supplied from the toner supply container to the toner receiving device.

  Specifically, in conjunction with the rotation of the toner replenishing container from the set position to the replenishing position, the container shutter 3 comes into contact with the stopper portion of the toner receiving device 10 and further rotation is restricted, thereby gradually. Will be opened. When the toner supply container is rotated to the supply position, the toner discharge port 1b is completely opened.

  On the other hand, the developer shutter 11 is pushed down by the opening protrusion 1e of the toner supply container 1 in conjunction with the rotation operation (opening operation of the container shutter) from the set position of the toner supply container to the supply position, and the toner receiving port 10b. Is gradually opened. Since the developing device shutter 11 stops by hitting a stopper 10e (see FIG. 12B) for defining the end position of the unsealing movement, the lower end of the toner receiving port 10b and the upper end of the developing device shutter 11 are accurately located. Match. That is, when the toner supply container is rotated to the supply position, the toner receiving port 10b is completely opened.

  As a result, when the toner replenishing container is rotated to the replenishing position, both the toner discharge port and the toner receiving port are opened, and the toner container and the toner receiving port are in contact with each other.

  Thereafter, when the drive gear 12 rotates, the rotational force is transmitted from the second gear 6 to the first gear 5 to the conveying member 4 so that the toner is supplied from the toner supply container to the toner receiving device.

  In this example, the installation positions (circumferential direction) of the toner discharge port 1b, the unsealing protrusion 1e, the second gear 6 and the like with respect to the toner supply container 1 so that various operations are accurately performed in conjunction with the timing described above. Is adjusted.

  Thus, in this example, the final rotation position of the toner supply container, that is, an important supply position in the toner supply process is determined without separately providing a drive system for rotating the toner supply container. Automatic rotation can be performed to guarantee. As a result, usability can be improved while simplifying the configuration of the toner supply container.

  In other words, the final rotation position of the toner supply container, which is an important element in the toner supply process, is determined and guaranteed by automatically rotating the toner supply container using the second gear 6 for driving the conveying member. Can do. In the configuration in which the second gear 6 for driving the conveying member is used for the automatic rotation of the toner replenishing container, the deterioration or breakage of the second gear 6 due to the contact with the driving gear 12 when the toner replenishing container is mounted. It becomes possible to prevent.

  Of course, it is possible to prevent the drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device from causing such problems as deterioration and damage due to tooth contact. In other words, by adopting the configuration of the toner supply container of this example, it is possible to contribute to prevention of deterioration and breakage of the drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device.

  Accordingly, the subsequent toner replenishment is performed smoothly, and the occurrence of image defects such as image density unevenness and insufficient image density due to insufficient toner replenishment amount can be prevented.

  In the configuration of this example, the driving gear 12 rotates in the toner replenishing step, so that the rotational force X (hereinafter also referred to as the pulling force) in the B direction acts on the toner replenishing container through the second gear 6. is doing. Further, in the toner replenishment process, the rotational force Y in the direction opposite to the B direction acts on the toner replenishment container due to the rubbing of the toner replenishment container (the inner surface thereof) with the conveying member. Also, the rotational power X is set to a sufficiently large value.

  Therefore, even if the toner replenishment container stops immediately before it reaches the replenishment position due to a shortage (1-2 °) of the automatic rotation amount of the toner replenishment container, this can be automatically corrected. Is possible. That is, as the toner replenishing process proceeds, the toner replenishing container can be gradually rotated to the replenishing position. That is, it becomes possible to automatically correct the insufficient opening of the developer shutter 11.

(Principle of automatic rotation of toner supply container)
Hereinafter, the principle of automatic rotation of the toner supply container will be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the principle that the toner supply container automatically rotates through the second gear 6 that is drivingly connected to the driving gear 12 as the driving gear 12 rotates.

  In this example, the first gear 5 and the second gear having a function of transmitting a rotational force to the transport member by a silicon rubber ring member compressed by a predetermined amount between the second gear 6 and the container main body 1a. 6 is configured to be difficult to turn with respect to the container body 1a.

  That is, when the drive gear 12 starts to rotate, the rotational force f acts on the shaft portion P of the second gear 6 that is meshed with the drive gear 12. Accordingly, the rotational force f acts on the container body 1a. On the other hand, when the toner replenishing container at the set position tries to rotate toward the replenishing position, the toner replenishing container receives a rotational resistance force F (the outer peripheral surface of the toner replenishing container is in contact with the toner). (Rotational resistance force received by sliding with the receiving device). In this example, since the developing device shutter 11 is slid by the opening protrusion of the toner supply container, this rotational force F includes the sliding movement resistance of the developing device shutter 11 with respect to the toner receiving device.

  In this example, the rotational force f acting on the toner supply container as the drive gear 12 rotates is set to be larger than the rotational resistance force F received by the toner supply container from the toner receiving device.

  Accordingly, the toner supply container at the set position rotates toward the supply position as the drive gear 12 rotates, and is finally located at the supply position.

  As described above, in this example, the magnitude relationship (F <f) between the forces f and F is established in the process of rotating the toner supply container from the set position to the supply position. In the automatic rotation process of the toner replenishing container, even if the relationship of F> f is instantaneously satisfied, if the toner replenishing container finally reaches the replenishing position, such a force relationship is temporarily changed. You may have.

  The rotational force f is measured by an automatic torque measuring instrument (to be described later) when the driving gear 12 in mesh with the second gear 6 is rotated (in the direction shown in FIG. 13). And can be obtained by calculation. Specifically, a measurement shaft is coaxially fixed to the rotation shaft of the drive gear 12, and a torque converter and a drive motor (stepping motor) are connected in series to the measurement shaft to perform measurement. . The measurement conditions at that time are performed in a state in which the energization to the drive motor is controlled so that the rotation speed of the measurement shaft is maintained at 30 rpm. The rotational speed of the shaft for measurement is set to the same value as the rotational speed of the drive gear 12 at the time of automatic rotation of the toner supply container and the toner supply process, and when this value is changed, What is necessary is just to set suitably according to a value. In this example, the rotational torque of the drive gear 12 was 0.29 N · m.

  The rotational torque of the drive gear 12 corresponds to “A” to be described later, and the rotational power f can be obtained by substituting this into an expression to be described later. If the detection data obtained from the torque converter fluctuates periodically, the result of averaging the plurality of detection data so that this fluctuation period can be ignored is finally “A”. Is preferable.

  In the above measurement, a torque converter (PP-2-KCE) manufactured by Kyowa Denki Co., Ltd. was used.

  On the other hand, the rotation resistance force F is the rotation of the rotation center of the toner supply container when the toner supply container (engaged with the developer shutter) at the set position is rotated toward the supply position. The torque can be obtained by measuring and calculating with the torque automatic measuring instrument described above. Specifically, the drive gear 12 is removed from the toner receiving device, and a measurement shaft is coaxially fixed to the rotation center of the toner supply container, and the same torque automatic measuring instrument as described above is attached to the measurement shaft. Measurement is performed by connecting. The measurement conditions at that time are performed in a state in which energization to the drive motor is controlled so that the rotation speed of the measurement shaft is maintained at 6.4 rpm. The number of rotations of the measurement shaft is a value set corresponding to the rotation of the drive gear 12 at 30 rpm during the automatic rotation of the toner supply container. Accordingly, when this value is changed, the number of rotations of the measuring shaft may be appropriately set according to the changed value. In this example, the rotational torque at the rotational center of the toner supply container was 0.58 N · m.

  The rotation torque at the rotation center of the toner replenishing container corresponds to “D” to be described later, and the rotation resistance force F can be obtained by substituting this into an expression to be described later. In addition, when the detection data from a torque converter fluctuate | varies periodically, it is preferable to make "D" what performed the averaging process similarly to the above.

  The principle will be described in detail using the model shown in FIG. The radius of the pitch circle of each of the drive gear 12, the second gear 6, and the first gear 5 is a, b, c, and the torque at the center of each gear axis is A, B, C (the axis of each gear in FIG. 13). The center is also indicated by A, B, and C.). Further, E is the rotational force (retraction force) acting on the toner supply container as the drive gear 12 rotates, and D is the rotation center resistance torque of the toner supply container.

  In order for the toner supply container to automatically rotate, f> F is a necessary condition.

  Rotation resistance force: F = D / (b + c)

Rotation power: f = {(c + 2b) / (c + b)} × E
= {(C + 2b) / (c + b)} × (A / a)
= {(C + 2b) / (c + b)} × (C / c + B / b)

  Therefore,

  (C + 2b) / (c + b) × (C / c + B / b)> D / (b + c)

(C / c + B / b)> D / (c + 2b)
It becomes.

  Accordingly, in order to automatically rotate the toner supply container by the pulling force, it is required to satisfy the above formula. For example, means such as increasing C and B and decreasing D can be considered.

  In other words, the rotational torque of the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 directly connected to the conveying member is increased, and the rotational resistance force of the toner supply container generated between the toner receiving device 10 and the mounting portion 10a is decreased. Then, the toner replenishing container can be automatically rotated.

  Further, the rotational resistance force of the toner supply container can be dealt with by reducing the sliding area of the toner supply container with respect to the mounting portion 10a or by providing a low-sliding member on the outer peripheral surface of the toner supply container. Can do. Note that a method such as providing a low slidable member or a rotating roller as a rotation resistance suppressing member on the inner surface of the storage unit 10a of the toner receiving device can be used.

  It is also an important factor to consider the direction of the force E generated when the second gear 6 receives a rotational force from the drive gear 12.

  The rotational force f generated in the shaft portion P of the second gear 6 corresponds to the component force of the force E received by the second gear 6 from the drive gear 12.

  In the model of FIG. 13, a straight line connecting the rotation center C point of the toner supply container (in this model, coincides with the rotation center of the first gear 5) and the rotation center B point of the second gear 6 is obtained. Use as a reference line. An angle θ (an angle measured in a clockwise direction with the reference line set to 0 °) formed by the reference line and a straight line connecting the point B and the rotation center A point of the drive gear 12 is greater than 90 °. It is preferable to make it smaller than 270 °. In particular, the force E generated by the engagement between the second gear 6 and the drive gear 12 is a component in the f direction of the force E (the container body at the meshing portion between the second gear 6 and the drive gear 12). In order to efficiently use (tangential component force), it is preferable to set θ to 120 ° or more and 240 ° or less. In order to more effectively utilize the f-direction component of the force E, it is preferable to set θ to around 180 °, and in this model, θ is an example of 180 °.

  In this example, the arrangement position of each gear is set in consideration of the above points.

  Actually, there is a loss at the time of driving transmission of each gear, but in this model, this is omitted. Accordingly, it is needless to say that various configurations of the toner replenishing container may be set so that the automatic rotation of the toner replenishing container is appropriately performed by the pulling force in consideration of such a loss.

  Further, as described above, while the toner is replenished by driving the conveying member, a force in the pulling direction (a direction opposite to the D direction) is always applied to the second gear 6. On the other hand, while the toner is replenished by driving the conveying member, the toner replenishing container returns to the return direction (D direction (FIG. 13)) as the conveying member 4 rubs against the inner surface of the toner replenishing container. The force of is acting.

  In this example, since the force in the pull-in direction acting on the toner supply container is set to be larger than the force in the return direction, the toner supply container in the supply position is directed toward the set position during the toner supply process. Can be prevented from rotating.

  That is, during the toner replenishment process, the toner discharge port and the toner receiving port can be maintained in a properly opened state, and can be maintained in a state in which the positions match each other.

  Specifically, during toner replenishment, as shown in FIG. 12C, the drive gear 12 is in the direction (C), the second gear 6 is in the direction (B), and the first gear 5 is ( It is rotating in the direction of b). At this time, a rotational force in the pull-in direction (direction (D) in FIG. 12C) acts on the toner supply container, so that the toner discharge port 1b and the toner receiving port 10b are not displaced, and stable toner is supplied. Replenishment is possible.

(Remove toner supply container)
Next, a process of replacing the toner supply container or removing it from the toner receiving device for some reason will be described.

  First, the user opens the replacement cover 15. Then, the user operates the handle 2 to rotate the toner supply container in the direction opposite to the arrow B direction in FIG. In other words, the toner supply container at the supply position is rotated by the user operation from the set position to the mounting position.

  At this time, the developing device shutter 11 is pushed up by the sealing protrusion 1f of the toner supply container 1, and the toner receiving port 10b is closed. In parallel with this, the toner discharge port 1b is also rotated and closed to a position shielded by the container shutter 3 (FIG. 11 (b)).

  Specifically, the container shutter is prevented from moving against the stopper portion of the toner receiving device, and the toner discharge port is reclosed by the container shutter when the toner supply container rotates in this state. Has been. Further, the rotation of the toner supply container for resealing the developing device shutter is such that the stopper portion provided in the guide portion 1d of the container shutter 3 abuts against the container shutter 3 to prevent further rotation and stop. It is configured.

  Further, as the toner replenishing container rotates, the second gear 6 revolves and the meshing engagement with the drive gear 12 is released and the drive gear 12 cannot mesh with the state shown in FIG. become.

  Next, the toner supply container 1 in the mounting position is taken out from the toner receiving device 10 by a user operation.

  In this way, the operation for taking out the toner supply container is completed. Thereafter, the user mounts the prepared new toner supply container on the mounting portion of the toner receiving device. Then, the user only needs to perform the manual rotation process of the above-described toner supply container setting operation and close the replacement cover 15.

  The toner supply container may be configured to automatically rotate the supply position from the supply position to the set position.

  Specifically, when the toner replenishing container is in the replenishing position, the driving gear 12 is rotated in a direction opposite to that during the setting operation, thereby applying a force in the direction opposite to the above-described pulling force to the toner replenishing container.

  As a result, as the toner supply container is rotated by this force, the developing device shutter moves toward a position where the toner receiving port is resealed. At this time, the toner discharge port is also resealed by the container shutter.

  In this example as well, the force acting on the toner supply container (the force in the direction opposite to the pulling force described above) is set to be larger than the rotational resistance force of the container body 1a.

  As described above, usability can be further improved by automating both the rotation operations between the set position and the replenishment position of the toner replenishment container.

  A replenishment test was performed using the toner replenishing container of this example, but no problem with toner replenishment occurred, and a stable image could be obtained over a long period of time.

  It should be noted that the material, molding method, shape, and the like of each member used in this example are not limited to this example, and it is needless to say that they can be freely changed within the range where the above effects can be obtained.

  Further, the toner receiving device to which the toner supply container of this example is attached may be fixed to the image forming apparatus main body or an image forming unit that can be easily attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Examples of the image forming unit include a process cartridge having an image forming process means such as a photoreceptor, a charger, and a developing device, and a developing cartridge having a developing device.

[Example 2]
Next, a toner supply container 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the basic configuration of the container of this example is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore redundant description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of Embodiment 1 will be described.

  In the first embodiment described above, the opening protrusion and the sealing protrusion are employed as the interlocking portion of the toner supply container, but in this example, a snap-fit type is employed instead. In the first embodiment, the toner supply container is mounted on the toner receiving device substantially along the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. In this example, the toner supply container is substantially aligned with the longitudinal direction. Thus, it is configured to be mounted on the toner receiving device.

  That is, these points are different from the first embodiment, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Accordingly, members having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In this example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, a snap fit portion 1 e as an interlocking portion (engagement portion) that is detachably engaged with the developer shutter 11 is provided on the peripheral surface of the toner supply container 1. It has been. The snap fit portion 1e is configured to engage with the developer shutter 11 in accordance with an overlap operation with the developer shutter 11 accompanying manual rotation from the mounting position of the toner supply container to the set position. At this time, the movement of the developing device shutter 11 is blocked by the lock member 13.

  That is, with the manual rotation of the toner replenishing container, the claw portion at the tip of the snap fit portion 1e is displaced by abutting against the developing device shutter, and then hook-engaged by elastic recovery from the displaced state (FIG. 17 (a) → FIG. 17 (b)).

  Thus, in this example, in order to easily achieve the displacement / return by the snap fit portion 1e, the snap fit portion 1e is made of an elastically deformable resin.

  As the toner replenishing container is automatically rotated during the setting operation, the developer shutter 11 engaged with and integrated with the snap-fit portion 1e is pushed down to open the toner receiving port.

  On the other hand, the developer shutter 11 is pulled up by the snap-fit portion 1e with the manual rotation during the operation of taking out the toner supply container, and the toner receiving port is resealed.

  In this manner, the snap fit portion 1e functions to link the rotation operation of the toner supply container and the opening / closing operation of the developing device shutter 11.

  The portion of the developing device shutter 11 that hooks with the tip claw of the snap fit portion 1e is a snap fit receiving portion 11a, and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the tip claw. Each is configured so that the engagement between the two is not disengaged when the developing device shutter 11 is pulled up.

  On the other hand, after the developer shutter 11 is resealed, the snap-fit portion 1e is easily disengaged from the developer shutter 11 as the toner supply container rotates.

  That is, the snap fit portion 1e is configured to be able to perform these two functions at the same time.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 14, the handle 2 for inserting and mounting the toner supply container to the toner receiving device substantially along the longitudinal direction thereof is provided with gears 5 and 6 of the container main body 1a. It is provided on the end surface opposite to the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the replacement cover 15 for replacing the toner supply container has a mechanism that opens and closes to the front side of the apparatus main body. The toner replenishing container 1 is inserted and attached to the toner receiving device 10 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 with the gears 5 and 6 at the head and the handle 2 along the longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the conveying member). It is said that.

  Further, a positioning guide projection 1g as a regulating member is provided at the front end side in the insertion direction of the toner supply container 1, and a concave guide portion 10g corresponding to the positioning guide projection 1g is provided in the toner receiving device. Is provided. This is for regulating the mounting posture (mounting angle) in the rotation direction of the toner supply container 1.

  The restricting member for restricting the mounting posture of the toner supply container 1 in the rotation direction is not limited to the shape of the guide protrusion 1g as described above. For example, the mounting posture of the toner supply container may be regulated using the snap fit portion 1e as the interlocking portion and the guide portion 1d of the container shutter 3 described above. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the inlet of the toner receiving device may be provided so as to correspond to the shapes of the snap fit portion 1e and the guide portion 1d of the container shutter 3.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the toner receiving device 10 has substantially the same configuration except for a portion that engages with the toner supply container (snap fit portion 1 e) of the developer shutter 11.

  As shown in FIG. 18, even a container having such a shape in which a part of a cylinder is cut out can be applied in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the setting operation and the taking-out operation of the toner replenishing container when this snap fit portion 1e is used will be described.

(Toner supply container setting operation)
Next, the setting operation of the toner supply container 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Also in this example, the rotation operation of the toner supply container 1 from the mounting position to the set position is performed by the user, and the rotation operation of the toner supply container 1 from the set position to the supply position is automatically performed by the toner receiving device. Is called.

  FIG. 19 shows the toner supply container in the mounting position, FIG. 20 shows the toner supply container in the set position, and FIG. 21 shows the toner supply container in the supply position. ing.

  19 to 21 respectively show the positional relationship between the container shutter 3 and the developer shutter 11, the toner discharge port 1b, and the toner receiving port 10b. (B) shows the positional relationship between the second gear 6 and the drive gear 12 on the toner receiving device 10 side. (C) has shown the positional relationship of the snap fitting part 1e and the snap fitting receiving part 11a.

(Installation process for set operation)
First, the user opens the replacement cover 15. Then, the user inserts and mounts the toner supply container 1 into the mounting portion of the toner receiving device so that the positioning guide protrusion 1g and the guide portion 10g are aligned.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 19A, the toner discharge port 1b is closed by the container shutter 3, and the toner receiving port 10b is closed by the developing device shutter 11. Further, the developing device shutter 11 is locked by the lock member 13 and is prevented from opening movement. Further, as shown in FIG. 19B, the drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device 10 and the second gear 6 of the toner supply container 1 are separated from each other, and the drive connection is impossible. Further, as shown in FIG. 19C, the snap-fit portion 1e of the toner replenishing container and the snap-fit receiving portion 11a of the developing device shutter are separated from each other and cannot be engaged.

(Manual rotation process of set operation)
Next, the toner supply container 1 in the mounting position is rotated toward the set position in the direction of arrow R shown in FIG. 19 (the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the conveying member 4) by a user operation.

  As the toner supply container 1 is manually rotated, the second gear 6 is engaged with the drive gear 12 for the first time. As described above, when the toner supply container reaches the set position, the second gear 6 starts to engage with the drive gear 12, and thereafter, drive transmission from the drive gear 12 to the second gear 6 is possible. It becomes a state. FIG. 20 shows the position at the end of the user's handle rotation operation, and shows the state in which the second gear 6 and the drive gear 12 are engaged and the drive can be transmitted in (b).

  As the toner replenishing container 1 is manually rotated, as shown in FIG. 17A, the snap fit portion 1e is deformed in the arrow B direction and enters the snap fit receiving portion 11a to be hooked (FIG. 17). (B)).

  At this time, the snap fit portion 1e further pushes the developing device shutter 11 by a user operation (C portion in FIG. 17B). However, since the developing device shutter 11 is locked by the lock member 13 at this time, further rotation of the toner supply container is prevented, and the user operation is ended (FIG. 20C).

  In this example, as described above, since the developer shutter 11 is locked, the snap fit portion 1e pushes down the developer shutter 11 before the snap fit portion 1e is fitted into the snap fit receiving portion 11a. It is preventing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a malfunction of the toner supply container and the developing device shutter.

  When the toner supply container is in the set position, the toner discharge port 1b and the toner receiving port 10b are still closed (FIG. 20 (a)).

  Next, the user closes the replacement cover 15. On the other hand, since the replacement cover 15 is provided with a protruding lock release member 15a (regulation release member), the developer shutter is unlocked in conjunction with the cover closing operation.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the user closes the replacement cover 15, the lock release member 15 a of the cover member 15 moves the receiving portion 13 b of the lock member 13 of the developing device shutter 11 to the far side in the longitudinal direction. Press. At this time, the spring member 14 is biased to the lock member 13, but since the lock release member 15a pushes the lock member 13 against the biasing force, the lock of the developing device shutter is released. As a result, the developing device shutter 11 can be moved in the opening direction thereafter.

(Automatic rotation process of set operation)
The drive gear 12 starts rotating by the drive motor in conjunction with the closing operation of the replacement cover 15 by the user.

  Then, a pulling force (d in FIG. 21B) acts on the toner supply container at the set position through the second gear 6, and the toner supply container automatically starts rotating toward the supply position.

  With the automatic rotation of the toner supply container, the opening movement of the developer shutter 11 is started by the snap fit portion 1e.

  When the toner replenishing container finally reaches the replenishing position, the toner discharge port 1b is completely exposed from the developing device shutter 11, the toner receiving port 10b is also completely exposed from the container shutter, and the positions of both openings coincide (FIG. 21 (a)).

  The automatic rotation of the toner replenishing container 1 is stopped when the developing device shutter hits the stopper 10e (FIG. 21A) and stops.

  Thereafter, when the drive gear 12 continues to rotate, the conveying member 4 rotates relative to the toner supply container in a state where the rotation is stopped, so that the toner is conveyed and discharged.

(Remove toner supply container)
Next, a process of replacing the toner supply container or removing it from the toner receiving device for some reason will be described.

  First, the user opens the replacement cover 15. Then, the user operates the handle 2 to rotate the toner supply container in the direction opposite to the arrow R direction in FIG. In other words, the toner supply container at the supply position is rotated by the user operation from the set position to the mounting position.

  At this time, the developing device shutter 11 is pulled up by the snap fit portion 1e of the toner supply container 1 and the toner receiving port 10b is closed. In parallel with this, the toner discharge port 1b is also rotated and closed to a position shielded by the container shutter 3 (FIG. 20 (a)). Specifically, the container shutter is prevented from moving against the stopper portion of the toner receiving device, and the toner discharge port is reclosed by the container shutter when the toner supply container rotates in this state. Has been.

  When the toner supply container moves from the setting position to the mounting position, the snap fit portion 1e is disengaged from the hook with the developing device shutter 11, and then the toner supply container rotates relative to the developing device shutter.

  Further, as the toner replenishing container is rotated from the setting position toward the mounting position, the second gear 6 revolves and the meshing engagement with the drive gear 12 is released and the drive gear 12 cannot be meshed. Fig. 19 (b).

  Further, the rotation of the toner replenishing container from the replenishing position to the mounting position is configured such that when the stopper provided in the guide part 1d of the container shutter 3 abuts against the container shutter 3, further rotation is prevented and stopped. Has been.

  Next, the toner supply container 1 in the mounting position is taken out from the toner receiving device 10 by a user operation.

  In this way, the operation for taking out the toner supply container is completed.

  In this example, the toner supply container may automatically rotate from the supply position to the set position.

  Specifically, when the toner replenishing container is in the replenishing position, the driving gear 12 is rotated in a direction opposite to that during the setting operation, thereby applying a force in the direction opposite to the above-described pulling force to the toner replenishing container.

  As a result, as the toner supply container is rotated by this force, the developing device shutter moves toward a position where the toner receiving port is resealed. At this time, the toner discharge port is also resealed by the container shutter.

  In this example as well, the force acting on the toner supply container (the force in the direction opposite to the pulling force described above) is set to be larger than the rotational resistance force of the container body 1a.

  As described above, usability can be further improved by automating both the rotation operations between the set position and the replenishment position of the toner replenishment container.

  As described above, even when the interlocking mechanism between the toner replenishing container and the developing device shutter and the mounting direction of the toner replenishing container are changed, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Example 3]
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. Also in the description of this example, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of the first and second embodiments will be described. Members having the same functions as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. 22A is a perspective view of the entire toner supply container, and FIG. 22B is a perspective view of the inner cylinder. 23A shows the case where the outer cylinder is in the mounting position, FIG. 23B shows the case where the outer cylinder is in the set position, and FIG. 23C shows the case where the outer cylinder is in the supply position.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the container main body 1a that accommodates the toner is rotated. In this example, the portion that does not function as the toner accommodating portion is rotated.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the toner replenishing container has a double cylinder structure constituted by an inner cylinder 800 containing toner and an outer cylinder 300 as a cylinder portion rotatably provided around the inner cylinder. Has been. The outer cylinder is provided with a handle for operation by a user during a setting operation described later.

  The inner cylinder is provided with a toner outlet 900 for discharging toner, and the outer cylinder is also provided with a toner outlet 400 for discharging toner. The inner cylinder is provided with a locking portion that is locked to the toner receiving device so as to be substantially non-rotatable.

  The toner discharge ports provided in the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are at least shifted in position and are not in communication with each other before the toner supply container is mounted (FIG. 23A). That is, in this example, this outer cylinder plays the role of the container shutter 3 described above.

  Further, the toner discharge port 900 of the inner cylinder is sealed with a seal film 600 welded to the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder around the toner discharge port 900. The seal film 600 is configured to be peeled off from the inner cylinder by the user when the toner supply container is in the mounting position (before the toner supply container is rotated).

  Further, an elastic seal member is provided around the toner discharge port 900 of the inner cylinder (inside the welded portion of the seal film) so that the toner does not leak between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The member is compressed by a predetermined amount by the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder.

  And the gears 5 and 6 and the snap fit part 1e as a drive transmission means are provided in the bottomed cylindrical outer cylinder. Specifically, the gears 5 and 6 are provided on one end surface (bottom surface of the cylindrical portion) in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder, and the snap fit portion 1e is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder.

  Further, the container is assembled so that a convex portion 500 as a guided member provided in the inner cylinder fits into a concave portion (long hole) 700 as a guide member provided in the outer cylinder. This is for regulating the position of the outer cylinder with respect to the inner cylinder in the longitudinal direction of the toner supply container. It should be noted that any configuration may be used in which the relationship between the unevenness of the guide member and the guided member is reversed.

  Next, a setting operation and a taking-out operation when this toner supply container is used will be described with reference to FIG.

(Toner supply container setting operation)
The user opens the replacement cover 15 and installs the toner supply container in the toner receiving device.

  When the toner supply container is in the mounting position, the toner discharge port of the inner cylinder is in a position facing the toner reception port via the outer cylinder and the developer shutter, while the toner discharge port of the outer cylinder is the toner reception port. They are not facing each other, and are facing substantially vertically upward. Further, the second gear 6 is located at a position apart from the drive gear 12 as in the first and second embodiments (FIG. 23A).

  Next, the seal film is peeled off by a user operation.

  Thereafter, the outer cylinder is rotated toward the set position by the user operation with respect to the inner cylinder that is locked and fixed to the toner receiving device so as not to rotate.

  When the toner supply container is at the set position, the snap-fit portion of the toner supply container is in a state of being hook-engaged with the developing device shutter. Of course, since the developing device shutter is locked, the toner receiving port is in a closed state. At this time, the toner discharge port of the outer cylinder is not in communication with the toner discharge port of the inner cylinder (FIG. 23B).

  Thereafter, the replacement cover 15 is closed by a user operation.

  When the drive gear 12 starts rotating in conjunction with the closing operation of the replacement cover 15, the outer cylinder (toner discharge port) is locked and fixed to the toner receiving device according to the same principle as in the first and second embodiments. Automatically rotates toward the replenishment position with respect to the inner cylinder. With the automatic rotation of the toner supply container, the developing device shutter is also pushed down by the snap fit portion.

  When the toner supply container (outer cylinder toner discharge port) reaches the supply position, the toner receiving port is opened, and the toner discharge port of the outer cylinder matches the position of the toner discharge port of the inner cylinder. . As a result, the positions of the toner discharge port of the inner cylinder, the toner discharge port of the outer cylinder, and the toner receiving port coincide with each other so that the toner can be supplied (FIG. 23C).

  With respect to the operation of taking out the toner replenishing container, the second gear 6 is separated from the drive gear 12 by rotating the outer cylinder at the replenishing position toward the mounting position by the user operation in the direction opposite to that during the setting operation. Revolve to the position. At this time, the reseal operation of the toner discharge port of the inner cylinder and the toner receiving port is performed in conjunction with each other.

  When the toner supply container moves from the supply position to the mounting position, the toner discharge port 400 of the outer cylinder remains unsealed, but the toner discharge port 900 of the inner cylinder is resealed by the outer cylinder. At this time, since the toner discharge port 400 of the outer cylinder faces vertically upward, the toner scattering that may occur when the toner supply container is taken out is extremely small.

  As described above, even with the configuration of this example, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

  The example in which the outer cylinder rotates with respect to the inner cylinder has been described above. For example, the bottomed cylindrical inner cylinder is rotated with respect to the outer cylinder that is locked and fixed to the toner receiving device so as not to rotate. The configuration may be as follows. Specifically, the snap fit portion 1e is provided on the circumferential surface of the inner cylinder, and the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 are provided on the end surface (bottom surface of the cylindrical portion) of the inner cylinder. On the other hand, the outer cylinder is provided with a guide hole that guides the movement of the snap fit portion while penetrating the snap fit portion 1e. In such a configuration, when the toner supply container is in the mounting position, the toner discharge port of the outer cylinder is aligned with the toner receiving port, and the toner discharge port of the inner cylinder faces vertically upward. Thereafter, after the user manually rotates the toner supply container (inner cylinder), the toner supply container (inner cylinder) is automatically rotated along with the rotation of the drive gear 12, and the toner discharge port of the inner cylinder is changed to the toner discharge port of the outer cylinder. And the toner receiving port coincide with the position. When the toner replenishing container is taken out, the user can turn the toner replenishing container from the replenishing position to the mounting position as in the above-described embodiment.

[Example 4]
Next, a toner supply container 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The basic configuration of the container of the present example is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of the first and second embodiments will be described. Further, members having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 24, unlike the first and second embodiments described above, the second gear 6 is a step gear. That is, a gear 6 ′ is provided below the second gear 6. The gear 6 ′ is fixed so as to rotate coaxially with the second gear 6. The gear 6 ′ is configured to mesh with the first gear 5.

  This is achieved by increasing the diameter (increasing the number of teeth) of the first gear 5 directly connected to the conveying member as compared with the first and second embodiments while maintaining the rotational speed of the drive gear 12. This is because the rotation speed of the member is set slower. On the other hand, the second gear 6 has the same configuration as in the first and second embodiments without reducing the diameter (reducing the number of teeth) in consideration of the automatic rotation amount of the toner supply container during the setting operation. Therefore, in this example, the second gear 6 is converted into a step gear, and a gear 6 ′ for transmitting the rotational force from the second gear 6 to the first gear 5 is provided.

  In this example, the first gear 5 has a diameter (diameter) of 31 mm, the number of teeth is 62, the second gear 6 has a diameter (diameter) of 23 mm, the number of teeth is 23, and the gear 6 ′ has a diameter (φ). 11mm and 22 teeth. The drive gear 12 is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  Thus, even when the configuration as in this example is employed, the same effects as those in the first and second embodiments can be achieved.

[Example 5]
Next, Example 5 will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the description of this example, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of the first and second embodiments will be described. Members having the same functions as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the above-described embodiment, the gear-shaped second gear 6 is used as the drive transmission means of the toner replenishing container that meshes with the drive gear 12, but as shown in FIG. 25, the gear meshes with the drive gear 12 in this example. A drive transmission belt 1000 is used as the drive transmission means. Further, the gears 5 in meshing relation with the drive transmission belt are connected to each other so as to rotate coaxially with the conveying member 4 as in the above embodiment.

  The drive transmission belt 1000 is provided with external teeth that mesh with the teeth of the drive gear 12 on the outer peripheral surface. The drive transmission belt 1000 is suspended by two pulleys 1100 and 1200 as rotation support members so as to have a predetermined tension. The shaft portions of the two pulleys are supported on the end surfaces of the toner supply container so as to be rotatable.

  In addition, a high friction process is applied to at least one of the inner peripheral surface of the drive transmission belt and the outer peripheral surface of each pulley so that no slip occurs between the drive transmission belt and each pulley during the automatic rotation process of the toner supply container. Is preferred. In this example, both the inner peripheral surface of the drive transmission belt and the outer peripheral surface of each pulley are roughened. In order to prevent slippage between the drive transmission belt and each pulley, the drive transmission belt and each pulley may be made of a high friction material that does not need to be subjected to a high friction treatment. In addition, a tooth portion may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drive transmission belt, and a tooth portion may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of each pulley so as to correspond thereto, thereby preventing slippage between the two at a high level. .

  As described above, since the rotation center of the outer pulley 1200 around which the drive transmission belt 1000 is suspended is at a position deviated from the rotation center of the toner supply container, the toner supply container is automatically rotated as in the first and second embodiments. be able to.

  In this example, the gear 5 for reversing the rotational direction of the rotational force of the drive transmission belt is provided in consideration of the toner transport / discharge properties of the transport member, but the gear 5 may be omitted. Specifically, without changing the position (rotation center) of the pulley 1200, the position (rotation center) of the pulley 1100 is matched with the rotation center of the toner supply container. The pulley 1100 is coaxially connected to the conveying member 4, and the drive transmission belt 1000 is suspended in a figure 8 shape by these pulleys.

  Thus, by winding the drive transmission belt 1000 in the shape of a figure 8, it becomes possible to satisfy the toner conveyance / discharge performance without providing the gear 5 (reversing mechanism) separately. That is, as in the first and second embodiments, the toner replenishing container can be automatically rotated while satisfying the toner conveyance / discharge performance.

  In this example, the drive transmission belt 1000 is provided in place of the second gear 6. However, for example, the drive transmission belt 1000 may be provided in place of the first gear 5. In this case, the second gear 6 is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

[Example 6]
Next, a toner supply container according to Embodiment 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The basic configuration of the container of the present example is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of the first and second embodiments will be described. Further, members having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the toner supply container 1 of the present example is obtained by reversing the sizes of the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 with respect to the first and second embodiments. 5 is changed to φ20 mm, and the second gear 6 is changed to φ40 mm.

  Also in this example, the attachment position in the circumferential direction of the container body 1a of the second gear 6 is set so as to achieve the same operation as in the first and second embodiments.

  That is, the second gear 6 does not mesh with the drive gear 12 when the toner supply container 1 is in the mounting position, and the second gear 6 meshes with the drive gear 12 when the toner supply container 1 is in the set position. It is configured as follows.

  In the case of this example, when the second gear 6 receives the rotational force from the drive gear 12 and transmits it to the first gear 5 with respect to the first embodiment, it is transmitted at about twice the rotational speed by the gear ratio. can do. Therefore, since the rotation speed of the conveying member can be increased, the toner discharge speed from the toner supply container 1 can be increased.

  On the other hand, in this example, since the torque for stirring and conveying the toner may increase, the type of toner to be stored (specific gravity difference depending on the type such as magnetic and non-magnetic), the filling amount, and the drive motor It is preferable to select the two gear ratios in consideration of the output and the like.

  In order to further increase the toner discharge speed, the first gear 5 may be made smaller in diameter and the second gear may be made larger in diameter.

  On the contrary, in the case of emphasizing torque, it is preferable to increase the diameter of the first gear 5 and decrease the diameter of the second gear as in the first and second embodiments.

[Example 7]
Next, a toner supply container 1 according to Embodiment 7 will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the description of this example, the basic configuration of the container is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of Embodiments 1 and 2 will be described. Further, members having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  This example is an example in which the number of drive transmission gears as drive transmission means is increased as compared with the first and second embodiments.

  That is, in the first and second embodiments, the driving force is transmitted to the conveying member 4 by the two gears 5 and 6, but as shown in FIG. 27, the four gears 5, 6a, 6b, The driving force is transmitted to the conveying member 4 by 6c.

  Thus, even when the number of gears is increased, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained. Note that the gears 6a, 6b, and 6c are rotatably supported by the container.

  As shown in FIG. 27, since there are an odd number of gears that transmit driving to the first gear 5, the rotational direction of the gear 6a (drive transmitting member, driving force receiving member) that receives rotational driving directly from the driving gear 12 is The direction of rotation of the first gear 5 is opposite. Therefore, the rotation direction of the conveying member 4 can be set counterclockwise in FIG. Accordingly, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the toner is transported from the lower side to the upper side toward the toner discharge port positioned on the side by the transport member 4, so that it is possible to increase the toner transport and discharge efficiency.

  Further, when the toner supply container receives a rotational driving force from the drive gear 12, the rotation direction of the gear 6a that is pivotally supported at a position farthest from the rotation center of the toner supply container among the gears 6a to 6c is the toner supply container. Is set in the same direction as the automatic rotation direction.

  Therefore, also in this example, as in the first and second embodiments, automatic rotation can be appropriately performed during the toner replenishment container setting operation.

  As described above, when three or more drive transmission gears are provided in the toner replenishing container, it is desirable to set the number in consideration of toner conveyance / discharge performance by the conveyance member, that is, the rotation direction of the conveyance member. That is, in this example, it is desirable to set the number of drive transmission gears provided in the toner supply container to an even number.

  From the viewpoint of reducing the manufacturing cost by reducing the number of components of the toner supply container, the configurations of the first and second embodiments in which only one gear for transmitting the driving force is provided to the first gear 5 are used. Is more desirable.

[Example 8]
Next, a toner supply container according to Embodiment 8 will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the description of this example, the basic configuration of the container is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of Embodiments 1 and 2 will be described. Members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the first and second embodiments, gears are used as drive transmission means (first gear 5 and second gear 6). On the other hand, in this example, as shown in FIG. 28, as the drive transmission means, the first friction wheel 5 ′ and the second friction wheel 6 in which the contact surfaces that are driven and connected to each other are made of the material X having high frictional resistance. 'Is used. The drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device is the same as that in the above embodiment.

  As the material X having a high frictional resistance, for example, rubber, rough sandpaper, adhesive tapes and the like can be used. In this example, a rubber material which is an elastic body having a high frictional resistance is used. In addition, a certain pressure or more is applied so that the driving force can be properly transmitted between the friction wheels. Note that the pressure to be applied between the friction wheels to prevent the friction wheels from spinning idle is preferably adjusted as appropriate according to the resistance level of the friction resistance material to be used.

  Since the surface of the second friction wheel 6 'in this example that engages with the drive gear 12 is made of rubber, the teeth of the drive gear 12 bite into the rubber surface, so that the engagement is substantially the same as that of the gear. You can build relationships. Therefore, even with the configuration as in this example, the rotational driving force can be properly transmitted from the toner receiving device to the toner supply container.

  As described above, although the friction wheel is used as the drive transmission means in this example, automatic rotation can be performed during the setting operation of the toner supply container as in the first and second embodiments. Further, it is possible to prevent the friction wheel from being deteriorated or damaged due to the collision with the drive gear 12 when the toner supply container is mounted.

  In addition, it is more preferable to use a gear like Example 1, 2 at the point which can produce the above-mentioned drawing force efficiently.

[Example 9]
Next, a toner supply container according to Embodiment 9 will be described with reference to FIG. The basic configuration of the container of the present example is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of the first and second embodiments will be described. Further, members having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In Embodiments 1 and 2 (FIG. 3) described above, the second gear 6 protrudes from the outer periphery of the container body 1a when the toner supply container is viewed from the longitudinal direction thereof. On the other hand, in this example, as shown in FIG. 29, the second gear 6 is installed so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the toner supply container when the toner supply container is viewed from the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the sizes of the first gear 5 and the second gear are changed.

  On the other hand, the drive gear 12 is configured to enter the inside of the container body 1a from the outer periphery of the container body 1a.

  Also in this example, the rotation center of the second gear 6 is separated from the rotation center of the toner supply container in the radial direction, and is supported by the toner supply container at a position where the shaft portion is eccentric. Therefore, as in the first and second embodiments, the toner supply container can be automatically rotated during the setting operation.

  Thus, if the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 are configured so as not to protrude from the outer periphery of the container main body 1a, the packaging of the toner replenishing container 1 in the packaging material is good, and during distribution and replenishment operations. It is possible to reduce the probability of an accident such as being accidentally dropped and damaged.

[Example 10]
Next, a toner supply container according to Embodiment 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The basic configuration of the container of the present example is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of the first and second embodiments will be described. Further, members having the same functions as those of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the rotation shaft of the second gear 6 is pivotally supported by the container body 1a. However, in this example, as shown in FIG. It is the structure supported by the container main body 1a.

  Specifically, a bearing portion (bearing hole) is provided at the rotation center of the second gear 6, and the cap-shaped member 61 is fitted into the container body 1a in a state where the bearing portion is penetrated.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 30, the bearing portion of the second gear 6 is locked and fixed to a hole provided in the end surface of the container body 1a by a fitting shaft member 65. The second gear 6 has a bowl shape on the outer side, and a silicon rubber ring member (sliding member, elastic body) 64 as a rotational resistance applying means is compressed by a predetermined amount in the collar portion. It is installed at. The silicon rubber ring member 64 is compressed between the bottom surface of the collar portion of the second gear 6 by a spring (biasing member) 62 via a pressure plate 63 (biasing member). ing. The pressure plate 63 is fixed to the fitting shaft member 65. A cap-shaped member 61 (biasing member) is fixed to the fitting shaft member 65 so that the spring 62 is compressed between the pressure plate 63.

  Accordingly, the rotational resistance of the second gear 6 with respect to the container body 1a is set to a sufficiently large value.

  By setting it as such a structure, between the ring member 64 and the 2nd gear 6 is highly slid, and the 2nd gear 6 becomes difficult to rotate with respect to the container main body 1a.

  In addition, the hole part of the container main body 1a in which the fitting shaft member 65 mentioned above fits is provided in the position eccentric from the rotation center of the container main body 1a. That is, the rotation center of the second gear 6 is deviated from the rotation center of the container body 1 a and is supported by the container body 1 a via the fitting shaft member 65. The first gear 5 has the same configuration as in the first and second embodiments. Further, the configuration of the rotation resistance applying means can be appropriately changed as in the first embodiment.

  Even in this example employing such a configuration, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

[Example 11]
Next, a toner supply container 1 according to Embodiment 11 will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the description of this example, the basic configuration of the container is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of the first and second embodiments will be described. Further, members having the same functions as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the second embodiment described above, the toner supply container 1 is inserted into the toner receiving device 10 with the gears 5 and 6 at the head, but in this example, the gears 5 and 6 are in front as shown in FIG. Thus, it is configured to be inserted in the Z direction.

  Specifically, gears 5 and 6 are provided on the rear end side in the insertion direction of the toner replenishing container 1, and the operation handle 2 is attached so that the connecting portion between the gear 6 and the drive gear 12 is exposed. .

  Such a configuration is superior to the configuration of the second embodiment in that the drive transmission means (gears 5 and 6) can be protected by the handle 2.

  Regarding the configuration on the toner receiving device side, the drive gear 12 and the like are provided on the near side in accordance with the change of the toner supply container.

  As described above, also in this example in which the insertion and mounting direction of the toner supply container with respect to the toner receiving device is changed, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[Example 12]
Next, Example 12 will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the description of this example, the basic configuration is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and therefore, a duplicate description is omitted. Here, a configuration different from that of the first and second embodiments will be described. Members having the same functions as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rotation from the mounting position of the toner supply container to the setting position is performed by a user operation. On the other hand, in this example, the toner receiving device automatically rotates from the mounting position of the toner replenishing container to the setting position using a gear train for driving the conveying member. That is, in the case of this example, there is no set position in the above-described embodiment.

  This will be specifically described below.

  In this example, a large gear L is added as a drive transmission member that meshes with the drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device 10. FIG. 32 shows each gear in a partial cross-sectional view so that the state of the drive connection can be seen. Actually, gear teeth are provided on the entire circumference of each gear.

  The large gear L has outer teeth La that mesh with the drive gear 12 on the outer periphery, and inner teeth Lb that mesh with the second gear 6 on the inner periphery, and is rotatably assembled to the container body 1a. . Specifically, since the first gear 5 and the second gear 6 are assembled, and then the large gear L is assembled from above, the large gear L is attached to one end surface of the container body 1a. FIG. 32 shows the inside of the large gear L for easy understanding of the drive transmission state, and shows the meshing and rotating directions of the gears.

  As a result, the second gear 6 is not in direct meshing relationship with the drive gear 12 and is configured to receive a rotational force from the drive gear 12 via the large gear L therebetween.

  Therefore, in this example, when the toner replenishing container 1 is inserted and attached to the toner receiving device 10, the drive transmission means of the toner replenishing container 1 and the drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device 10 are connected.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the large gear L rotates in the opposite direction to the rotational direction of the drive gear 12, and the second gear 6 meshing with the internal teeth of the large gear L is also in the same direction as the large gear L. Since it rotates, the rotation direction of the 2nd gear 6 is the same as the other Example mentioned above.

  Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the toner supply container in the mounting position automatically rotates toward the supply position as the drive gear 12 rotates in conjunction with the closing operation of the replacement cover 15 by the user. To do. At this time, with the automatic rotation of the toner replenishing container, the developing device shutter 11 is moved to open, the toner receiving port is opened, and the toner discharge port is also opened by being exposed from the container shutter. When the toner replenishing container reaches the replenishing position, the positions of the toner discharge port and the toner receiving port coincide with each other, and the toner can be replenished.

  On the other hand, when the toner supply container is taken out, the drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device 10 rotates in the opposite direction to that during the toner supply container setting operation. Then, the rotational force in the direction opposite to that during the setting operation is applied to the toner supply container, and the toner supply container is automatically rotated from the supply position to the mounting position. With the automatic rotation of the toner replenishing container in the reverse direction, the developer shutter is resealed and the container shutter is resealed in an interlocking manner.

  As described above, in this example, the user only needs to perform an operation of inserting and attaching the toner supply container to the toner receiving device, so that it can be said that the usability is further improved.

[Example 13]
Next, Example 13 will be described. Note that the basic configuration of the toner supply container is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In this example, unlike the above-described embodiment, the operator performs a rotation operation from the mounting position of the toner supply container to the final supply position. Therefore, the above-described locking mechanism of the developing device shutter is not provided.

  Even with such a configuration, it is possible to improve the toner discharge performance while preventing the toner supply container at the supply position from rotating backward in the direction of the mounting position during toner supply.

  In addition, although the structure of Examples 1-13 was mentioned above, within the scope of the technical thought of this invention, it is possible to combine the structure of each Example suitably, or to replace the structure of each Example. is there. For example, the toner supply container according to the second embodiment may be mounted from above the toner receiving device as in the first embodiment. Further, the drive transmission means provided in the outer cylinder of the toner supply container of the third embodiment may be replaced with the drive transmission means of the toner supply container of the fourth embodiment.

  Furthermore, it goes without saying that various configurations can be changed in the above-described embodiments as long as they are within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

[Comparative example]
Here, the toner supply container 1 of the first embodiment and the toner supply container (FIG. 33) according to this comparative example in which only the gear 5 is provided without the gear 6 as in the first embodiment will be compared.

  Unlike the first embodiment, this comparative example has a configuration in which the gear 5 is connected to the drive gear 12 on the toner receiving device 10 side when the toner supply container 1 is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body 100 as shown in FIG. It becomes. Further, the rotation direction of the toner supply container necessary for the setting operation of the toner supply container is the B direction in the figure, and the rotation direction of the gear 5 (conveying member 4) is the A direction in the figure.

  In the case of this comparative example, since the gear 5 moves linearly against and abuts against the drive gear 12 of the toner receiving device, the toner replenishing container has a tooth contact phenomenon during the toner replenishing container mounting operation. The gear 5 and the drive gear of the toner receiving device may be deteriorated or damaged.

  In the case of the configuration of this comparative example, the rotation direction B of the toner supply container and the rotation direction A of the gear 5 (conveying member 4) are opposite to each other. For this reason, when the rotation of the toner replenishing container is insufficient by the user, it cannot be dealt with as in the first embodiment.

  Further, even if the user rotates the toner replenishing container properly, in the case of this comparative example, the toner replenishing container is caused by a load caused by the rotation of the conveying member 4 during the toner replenishing step. As a result, the toner supply container rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction during the set operation, and as a result, the amount of toner supply is insufficient and various problems occur. In particular, when the fluidity of the toner is deteriorated due to environmental conditions such as a high-temperature and high-humidity environment or the physical properties of the toner, the toner replenishment amount is significantly reduced. This can be thought of as follows.

  That is, in the case of this comparative example, during the toner replenishment step (when the rotational driving force in the direction of arrow A is transmitted to the gear 5 in FIG. 34), the agitation shaft 4a and the container body 1a for the conveying member 4 and the container body 1a The shaft support (not shown), the sliding frictional force between the stirring blade 4b and the inner surface of the container body 1a, and the gear 5 for transmitting the drive to the conveying member 4 rotate in the same direction as the rotating direction of the conveying member 4 from the driving gear 12. This is considered to be for receiving a force (specifically, in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 34).

  In order to solve this, a mechanism for restricting the rotation of the container main body 1a in the A direction must be provided, which causes an increase in cost.

  Further, in the case of this comparative example, even when the toner discharge port 1b and the toner receiving port 10b are not opened or shifted, it is in a state in which physical drive transmission is possible. Therefore, if drive transmission is performed in this state, the toner receiving device 10 cannot be replenished with toner. Further, since the toner discharge port 1b is sealed by the container shutter 3, there is no place for the toner, and the toner inside the container may rub against the conveying member 4 more than necessary, generating coarse particles. .

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the structure of a developing device. FIG. 5A is a perspective view and FIG. 5B is a side view showing a toner supply container. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a conveying member in a toner supply container. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the toner receiving device, (a) a perspective view showing when the toner receiving port is sealed, and (b) a perspective view showing when the toner receiving port is opened. FIG. 2A is a perspective view and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a toner supply container having a non-cylindrical shape. It is sectional drawing which shows the (a) perspective view of the 2nd gear 6, (b) shaft support structure. FIG. 5A is a perspective view in a locked state and FIG. 5B is a perspective view in an unlocked state showing a lock structure of a developing device shutter. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a lock member of a developing device shutter and a replacement cover. FIG. 4 is a (a) perspective view and (b) to (d) side sectional views showing a state where a toner supply container is in a mounting position. FIG. 4 is a (a) perspective view and (b) to (d) side sectional views showing a state where a toner supply container is in a set position. FIG. 4 is a (a) perspective view and (b) to (d) side sectional views showing a state where a toner supply container is in a supply position. FIG. 6 is a model diagram for explaining the principle of the toner supply container rotating automatically. FIG. 5A is a perspective view and FIG. 5B is a side view showing a toner supply container. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state when a toner supply container is mounted on a toner receiving device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner receiving device. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view in a non-engaged state, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view in an engaged state, showing a snap-fit portion of a toner supply container. FIG. 2A is a perspective view and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a toner supply container having a non-cylindrical shape. 4A and 4C are side cross-sectional views showing a state where the toner supply container is in a mounting position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the toner supply container is in a set position. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a toner supply container is in a supply position. 2A and 2B are a perspective view showing a toner supply container having a double cylinder structure, FIG. The toner supply container having a double cylinder structure is (a) a cross-sectional view showing a state at the mounting position, (b) a cross-sectional view showing a state at the set position, and (c) a cross-sectional view showing a state at the supply position. It is. 4A is a perspective view of a toner supply container provided with a stepped gear, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a toner supply container including a drive transmission belt. FIG. 3A is a perspective view and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a toner supply container in which the magnitude relationship of drive transmission gears is different. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner supply container including four drive transmission gears. It is sectional drawing which shows the toner supply container provided with the friction wheel. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a toner replenishing container in which the size and arrangement of drive transmission gears are different. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a shaft support structure of a second gear 6. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a toner supply container in which most of a drive transmission gear is shielded by a handle. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a rotation direction of gears of a toner supply container. It is a perspective view showing a toner supply container of a comparative example. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a driving force transmission unit after a toner receiving device is mounted on a toner supply container according to a comparative example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a ... Container main body 3 ... Container shutter 4 ... Conveying member 5 ... 1st gear 6 ... 2nd gear
11… Developer shutter
12… Drive gear
100… Regulating protrusion
300 ... outer cylinder

Claims (12)

In the developer replenishment container that is detachably provided in the developer receiving apparatus and is set in the developer receiving apparatus by a setting operation involving at least rotation in the setting direction,
An accommodating portion for accommodating the developer;
A rotatable discharge member for discharging the developer in the housing portion to the outside;
Drive transmission means provided so as to be able to mesh with a drive gear of the developer receiving device and transmitting a rotational force from the drive gear rotating in a direction opposite to the set direction to the discharge member, the set direction Drive transmission means for rotating the discharge member in the opposite direction,
A developer supply container characterized by comprising: The drive transmission means includes a first drive transmission member provided so as to be able to mesh with the drive gear, and a second drive transmission member rotatable coaxially with the discharge member. Item 4. A developer supply container according to Item 1. The first drive transmission member has a gear rotatable around a position eccentric from the rotation center of the developer supply container, and the second drive transmission member is a gear rotatable coaxially with the discharge member. The developer supply container according to claim 2, further comprising: 4. The developer supply container according to claim 3, wherein a rotation center of the second drive transmission member substantially coincides with a rotation center of the developer supply container. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the drive transmission member has a belt that can mesh with the drive gear. The drive transmission member has a plurality of suspension members for suspending the belt, and at least one of the plurality of suspension members is rotatable about a position eccentric from a rotation center of the developer supply container. The developer supply container according to claim 5, wherein 2. The development according to claim 1, wherein a load for rotating the developer supply container toward the developer discharge position in the set direction with rotation of the drive gear is applied to the drive transmission unit. Medicine supply container. 2. The developer replenishment according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting member for restricting a mounting posture of the developer replenishing container to the developer receiving device so that the drive transmission means does not mesh with the drive gear. container. 2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container is attached to the developer receiving device substantially along a longitudinal direction thereof. 2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, further comprising a cylindrical portion rotatable around the housing portion, wherein the rotation of the developer supply container is rotation of the cylindrical portion. A shutter that opens and closes a developer receiving port of the developer receiving device, and is provided with an interlocking unit that interlocks the rotation operation of the developer supply container in the setting direction and the opening operation of the shutter; 2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein In a developer supply system for supplying developer from a developer supply container to a developer receiving device,
The developer receiving device is a mounting portion to which the developer supply container is detachably mounted, and a mounting portion that allows a setting operation with rotation of the mounted developer supply container in a setting direction; And a drive gear that rotates in a direction opposite to the set direction,
The developer replenishing container is provided so as to be able to mesh with a storage portion that stores the developer, a rotatable discharge member that discharges the developer in the storage portion to the outside, and the drive gear. And a drive transmission means for rotating the discharge member in a direction opposite to the set direction.

Images