JP2008009228A - Powder storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent toner from leaking from a powder-storable housing when a powder conveyance member is inserted and when it is detached. <P>SOLUTION: The main body of a developing device includes housings 4a, first sealing members 4e, and deformation restricting seal members 30. Each first sealing member 4e is attached to the toner supply part 4f of the corresponding housing 4a. Each deformation restricting seal member 30 is attached to the corresponding first seal member 4e, and has an elastic deformation restricting member 30a and a second sealing member 30b. The elastic deformation restricting member 30a restricts elastic deformation of the first sealing member 4e, which occurs when a toner supply pipe is inserted into the corresponding toner supply part 4f and when the toner supply pipe is detached from it. The second sealing member 30b is attached to the corresponding elastic deformation restricting member 30a, and prevents toner from leaking from the first sealing member 4e when the toner supply pipe is inserted into the corresponding toner supply part 4f and when the toner supply pipe is detached from it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

In a conventional image forming apparatus having a toner collection bottle into which powder, for example, a pipe member capable of conveying toner is inserted and removed, waste toner is collected into the toner collection bottle or the toner collection apparatus by the pipe member. The toner collection bottle or the toner collection device is formed with an opening for taking in waste toner that is no longer needed, and a shutter member, that is, a seal member for preventing external leakage of the waste toner is attached to the opening. . This seal member is for suppressing scattering of toner from the opening. The seal member is provided with a slit, and when the pipe member is inserted into the slit portion, the slit portion is opened and the waste toner is conveyed from the pipe member to the toner recovery bottle or the toner recovery device. ing. And when a pipe member is taken out from a slit part, the slit part of a sealing member closely_contact | adheres to each other, and scattering from the opening part of a waste toner is suppressed. (Patent Document 1)
JP 2004-198765 A

  In the conventional seal member, when the pipe member is inserted into the slit portion in the close contact state, the slit portion is deformed from the close contact posture in the close contact state to the open posture in the open state, so that the slit portion is opened. . When the pipe member is taken out from the slit portion, the slit portion is restored from the open posture to the close contact posture, and the slit portion is closed.

  In such a seal member, when the slit portion is in a completely contact state, toner leakage of the toner collected in the toner collection bottle can be prevented. However, when the slit portion is in the open state, the slit portion of the seal member is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member, but the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member and the slit portion of the seal member are in close contact with each other. There are some gaps between them. Then, the toner collected in the toner collection bottle from this gap may leak to the outside of the toner collection bottle.

  As described above, in the conventional seal member, it is difficult to prevent toner leakage of the toner collected in the toner collection bottle when the pipe member is inserted into the slit portion. In other words, with the conventional seal member, it is difficult to prevent toner leakage of the toner collected in the toner collection bottle when the pipe member is inserted.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent leakage of toner from a housing capable of storing powder when a powder conveying member is inserted.

  The powder container according to claim 1 is a powder container in which a powder conveying member capable of conveying powder is inserted and removed. The powder container includes a housing, a first seal member, and a deformation restriction seal member. The housing has a powder replenishment section and can accommodate powder. The first seal member is attached to the powder supply portion of the housing so that the powder conveying member can be inserted into and removed from the powder supply portion. The first seal member prevents leakage of powder from the powder replenishment unit to the outside of the housing when the powder transport member is inserted into and removed from the powder replenishment unit. The second seal member is provided on the first seal member, and prevents leakage of powder from the first seal member when the powder transport member is inserted into and removed from the powder supply unit.

  In this powder container, the first seal member is mounted on the powder replenishing portion of the housing, and the second seal member is provided on the first seal member. For this reason, even when toner leakage occurs between the powder transport member and the first seal member when the powder transport member is inserted into the powder supply unit via the first seal member and the second seal member, The second seal member provided on the first seal member can prevent the powder from leaking from the first seal member. Thereby, leakage of powder to the outside of the housing can be prevented both when the powder conveying member is inserted and when the powder conveying member is detached.

In the powder container according to claim 2, in the powder container according to claim 1, the powder conveying member is formed in a cylindrical shape. The second seal member is formed with an insertion / removal hole having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the powder conveyance member, through which the powder conveyance member passes when the powder conveyance member is inserted into and removed from the powder replenishing portion. Yes,
In this case, since the second sealing member has a second insertion / removal hole having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the powder conveying member, the powder conveying member is interposed between the first sealing member and the second sealing member. Even when toner leakage occurs between the powder conveying member and the first seal member when being inserted into or withdrawn from the powder replenishing section, the insertion / removal hole between the powder conveying member and the second seal member Since it is in a close contact state, the leakage of powder from the first seal member can be reliably prevented.

  In the powder container according to claim 3, in the powder container according to claim 1 or 2, the elastic deformation regulating member is attached to the first seal member. The elastic deformation restricting member restricts elastic deformation that occurs in the first seal member due to insertion / removal of the powder conveying member into / from the powder replenishing portion. In this case, the second seal member is attached to the outer surface of the elastic deformation restricting member.

  In this case, since the second seal member is mounted on the outer surface of the elastic deformation restricting member, even if toner leakage occurs between the powder conveying member and the first seal member, the toner leakage is detected in the second outermost layer. This can be reliably prevented by the sealing member.

  In the powder container according to claim 4, in the powder container according to claim 3, the second seal member and the elastic deformation regulating member are bonded to each other by a sheet member thinner than the first seal member. . Further, the elastic deformation regulating member and the first seal member are bonded to each other by a sheet member thinner than the first seal member.

  In this case, the members are bonded to each other by a sheet member thinner than the first seal member, and the members can be easily bonded.

  In the powder container according to claim 5, in the powder container according to claim 1 or 2, the elastic deformation restricting member is attached to the first seal member via the second seal member. The elastic deformation restricting member restricts elastic deformation that occurs in the first seal member due to insertion / removal of the powder conveying member into / from the powder replenishing portion. In this case, the second seal member is attached to the first seal member.

  In this case, since the second seal member is attached to the first seal member, even if the toner leaks between the powder conveying member and the first seal member, the second seal member ensures the toner leak. Can be prevented.

  In the powder container according to claim 6, in the powder container according to claim 5, the elastic deformation regulating member and the second seal member are bonded to each other by a sheet member thinner than the first seal member. . The second seal member and the first seal member are bonded to each other by a sheet member that is thinner than the first seal member.

  In this case, the members are bonded to each other by a sheet member thinner than the first seal member, and the members can be easily bonded.

  In the powder container according to claim 7, in the powder container according to claim 1 or 2, the second seal member is directly attached to the first seal member.

  In this case, since the second seal member is attached to the first seal member, even if the toner leaks between the powder conveying member and the first seal member, the second seal member ensures the toner leak. Can be prevented.

  The powder container according to claim 8 is the powder container according to claim 7, wherein the second seal member and the first seal member are bonded to each other by a sheet member thinner than the first seal member. .

  In this case, the members are bonded to each other by a sheet member thinner than the first seal member, and the members can be easily bonded.

  The powder container according to claim 9 is the powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the powder is a developer used in the image forming apparatus. The housing is a developing device main body of the image forming apparatus. The powder conveying member is a developer conveying pipe. The powder supply part is a developer supply part. The developing device main body contains a developer, and a developer replenishment portion into which the developer transport pipe is inserted and removed is formed. The first seal member is attached to the developing device main body so as to cover the developer supply portion. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained in the image forming apparatus.

  In the present invention, the first seal member is mounted on the powder replenishing portion of the housing, and the second seal member is provided on the first seal member. For this reason, even when toner leakage occurs between the powder transport member and the first seal member when the powder transport member is inserted into the powder supply unit via the first seal member and the second seal member, The second seal member provided on the first seal member can prevent the powder from leaking from the first seal member. Thereby, leakage of powder to the outside of the housing can be prevented both when the powder conveying member is inserted and when the powder conveying member is detached.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Each of the plurality of toner supply pipes 13 can be inserted into and removed from the corresponding container (yellow container 8Y, magenta container 8M, cyan container 8C, black container 8B). The plurality of toner replenishment pipes 13 can convey toner, and conveys and replenishes toner from a toner replenishing port 40a of the developing device main body 4a described later into the developing device main body 4a. The toner supply pipe 13 has a toner supply tube 13a. The plurality of toner supply pipes 13 are attached to the toner container 8 through the toner supply tube 13 a and are disposed between the laser unit 12 and the photosensitive drum 1. Here, each of the four toner supply pipes 13 is attached to each of the plurality of containers 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8B via the plurality of toner supply tubes 13a, and is arranged in the direction of the rotation shaft 41 of the rotary developing device 4. Has been placed. The toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B have openings 13Ya, 13Ma, 13Ca, and 13Ba at the tip, and the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13Ba are formed in the openings 13Ya, 13Ma, 13Ca, and 13Ba, respectively. Is provided with a shutter mechanism that opens when it enters a developing unit 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4B, which will be described later.

  The four toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are provided at the tips of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B by inserting the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B into the rotary development device 4 at predetermined rotational positions of the rotary development device 4, respectively. The shutter mechanism provided in the openings 13Ya, 13Ma, 13Ca, 13Ba thus opened is opened. When the shutter mechanism is opened, the toner in the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B is supplied to the rotary developing device 4. Specifically, the toner supply pipe 13Y attached to the container 8Y supplies yellow toner to a yellow developing device 4Y of the rotary developing device 4 to be described later. A toner supply pipe 13M attached to the container 8M supplies magenta toner to a magenta developing device 4M of the rotary developing device 4 described later. A toner replenishing pipe 13C attached to the container 8C replenishes cyan toner to a cyan developing device 4C of the rotary developing device 4 described later. A toner replenishing pipe 13B attached to the container 8B replenishes black toner to a black developing device 4B of the rotary developing device 4 described later.

  The rotary developing device 4 is a device that forms toner images on the photosensitive drum 1 by supplying toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The rotary developing device 4 is rotatably mounted inside the color printer main body 11. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the rotary developing device 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary developing device 4 includes a rotary rack 40 and a plurality of developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B.

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

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

  FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the first seal member 4e and the deformation regulating seal member 30 are attached to the developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the four developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B includes a developing device body 4a, a toner stirring member 4b, a toner supply roller 4c, a developing roller 4d, and a first seal. A member 4e and a deformation restriction seal member 30 are provided.

  The developing device main body 4a has a developer supply portion having a developer supply port. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the developing device main body 4a has a toner supply portion 4f having a toner supply port 40a. Here, FIG. 5 is a view showing before and after insertion of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B into the developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B. FIG. 5 (a) shows a state before insertion, and FIG. 5 (b) shows a state after insertion. The toner replenishing portion 4f is a portion formed in a concave shape from the outer surface side to the inner side of the developing device main body 4a. A toner supply port 40a is formed in the toner supply unit 4f. The toner supply port 40a is an opening through which each of the four toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B is inserted into each developing device main body a at a predetermined rotational position of the rotary developing device 4.

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

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

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

  The first seal member 4e is for preventing leakage of toner from the toner supply port 40a of the developing device main body 4a to the outside. Specifically, the first seal member 4e is externally connected from the toner supply port 40a when the four toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted into and removed from the toner supply port 40a and when the rotary developing device 4 is rotated. This is to prevent the toner from leaking out. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first seal member 4e is attached to the toner replenishing portion 4f of the developing device main body 4a. Specifically, the first seal member 4e is attached to the toner supply portion 4f so that the four toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B can be inserted into and removed from the toner supply port 40a. More specifically, the first seal member 4e is mounted on the outer surface of the developing device main body 4a so as to cover the toner supply port 40a of the toner supply unit 4f.

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

  The insertion / removal part 41a has a first slit 141a and a second slit 141b so that the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B can be inserted and removed. The first slit 141a and the second slit 141b are provided in the center of the first seal member 4e. The first slit 141a and the second slit 141b are provided to cross each other in a cross shape. Therefore, the insertion / removal portion 41a is opened by inserting the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B, and is closed by taking out the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B.

  The bent portion 41b is integrally formed between the insertion / removal portion 41a and the mounting portion 41c in the vicinity of the insertion / removal portion 41a, that is, in the vicinity of the first slit 141a and the second slit 141b. The bent portion 41b is provided at a location surrounded by the first slit 141a, the second slit 141b, and the mounting portion 41c provided so as to cross each other in a cross shape. Also, the bent portion is such that the thickness in the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B at the bent portion 41b is smaller than the thickness of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B in the insertion / removal portion 41a. 41b is formed. By forming the bent portion 41b in this way, the bent portion 41b is bent by inserting the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B into the insertion / removal portion 41a, and the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13Y from the insertion / removal portion 41a are bent. It is restored by taking out 13M, 13C, and 13B.

  The mounting portion 41c is mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the first seal member 4e in the vicinity of the toner supply port 40a of the developing device main body 4a. The mounting portion 41c is configured such that the rigidity of the mounting portion 41c in the direction crossing the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B is a bent portion 41b in the direction crossing the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B. A recess 241c for lowering the rigidity. The recess 241c is formed in an annular shape so as to surround the outer surface of the mounting portion 41c. For this reason, in the mounting portion 41c, the thickness of the portion where the recess 241c is formed is thinner than the thickness of the portion where the recess 241c is not formed. As a result, the rigidity of the mounting portion 41c in the direction crossing the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B is changed to that of the bent portion 41b in the direction crossing the insertion direction of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B. Lower than stiffness. Further, as shown in FIG. 4 which is an exploded perspective view of the first seal member 4e and the deformation regulating seal member 30, the mounting surface of the mounting portion 41c for mounting the first seal member 4e on the outer peripheral surface of the developing device main body 4a. The 1st double-sided adhesive tape 45 is affixed to. The first seal member 4e is bonded to the developing device body 4a by the first double-sided adhesive tape 45. In addition, although the example in the case of using the double-sided adhesive tape 45 was shown here, you may adhere | attach with an adhesive agent.

  The deformation regulating seal member 30 is attached to the first seal member 4e. The deformation restricting seal member 30 includes an elastic deformation restricting member 30a and a second seal member 30b.

  The elastic deformation restricting member 30a restricts elastic deformation that occurs in the first seal member 4e due to insertion / removal of the toner replenishing pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B into the toner replenishing portion 4f, that is, the toner replenishing port 40a. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the elastic deformation regulating member 30a is formed in a plate shape, and is attached to the outer surface of the first seal member 4e attached to the developing device body 4a. Here, the elastic deformation restricting member 30a is adhered to the outer surface of the first seal member 4e attached to the developing device main body 4a by an adhesive sheet member or an adhesive. The elastic deformation restricting member 30a has a plate-like portion 130a and a protruding portion 130b that protrudes outward from the plate-like portion 130a. The elastic deformation restricting member 30a is formed of a metal having higher rigidity than the first seal member 4e. The elastic deformation regulating member 30a is movable relative to the developing device main body 4a. Specifically, the elastic deformation regulating member 30a is movable relative to the developing device main body 4a when the outer surface of the developing device main body 4a, that is, the first seal member 4e attached to the toner replenishing portion 4f is elastically deformed. It has become.

  The plate-like portion 130a is a rectangular thin plate that covers the outer surface of the first seal member 4e, and has a circular hole 130c through which the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B can pass. The plate-like portion 130a is bonded to the first seal member 4e with a double-sided adhesive tape 46. Further, the plate-like portion 130a has a pair of holes 100 on both sides of the circular hole 130c. By fitting a pair of protrusions 41d provided on the first seal member 4e into the pair of holes, the elastic deformation regulating member 30a is positioned with respect to the first seal member 4e.

  The protruding portion 130b protrudes outward from the plate-like portion 130a and is integrally formed with the plate-like portion 130a. Specifically, the protruding portion 130b protrudes in the axial direction of the developing roller 4c from the plate-like portion 130a on the opposite side of the plate-like portion 130a, and is integrally formed with the plate-like portion 130a. The protruding portion 130b is provided so that the distance A between the tips of the protruding portions 130b facing each other in the protruding direction is longer than the distance B on one side of the toner replenishing portion 4f. Further, when the elastic deformation regulating member 30a moves excessively relative to the developing device main body 4a, the tip end portion of the protruding portion 130b comes into contact with the developing device main body 4a to restrict the deformation of the first seal member 4e.

  The second seal member 30b prevents toner leakage from the first seal member 4e when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted into and removed from the toner supply portions 4f, that is, the toner supply ports 40a.

  As a material of the second seal member 30b, for example, sponge, urethane foam, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like is used. For example, when using a urethane foam, it is desirable to use a high-density microcell urethane foam. When rubber and thermoplastic elastomer are used, it is desirable to use one having a JIS-A hardness (Hs) in the range of 20 degrees to 80 degrees.

  Such a second seal member 30b is attached to the elastic deformation regulating member 30a. Specifically, the second seal member 30 b is bonded to the outer surface of the elastic deformation regulating member 30 a with an adhesive sheet member, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape 47. The elastic deformation restricting member 30a to which the second seal member 30b is thus attached is attached to the first seal member 4e by an adhesive sheet member, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape 47.

  Here, the second seal member 30b is mounted on the outer surface of the elastic deformation restricting member 30a. However, the second seal member 30b is disposed between the first seal member 4e and the elastic deformation restricting member 30a. The elastic deformation regulating member 30a may be attached. In this case, the second seal member 30b is bonded to the inner surface of the elastic deformation regulating member 30a with an adhesive sheet member, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape. In addition, although the example at the time of using a double-sided adhesive tape as an adhesive sheet member was shown here, you may adhere | attach each member with an adhesive agent.

  The second seal member 30b has an insertion / removal hole 230b through which the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B pass when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted into and removed from the toner supply port 40a. Is formed. The inner diameter of the insertion / removal hole 230b is smaller than the outer diameter of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted in a state where the outer surfaces of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion / removal hole 230b. The demotion is performed.

[Operation]
In the color printer 100, for example, when image data is transmitted to the color printer 100 from an externally connected computer or the like, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. Then, the toner is supplied to the photosensitive drum 1 by the developing roller 4d having a toner layer formed on the surface, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to a sheet, and the toner image transferred onto the sheet is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 7. Then, the paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged.

  In such a color printer 100, the toner is replenished from the toner container 8 when the toner in the developing device main body 4a decreases. At this time, each of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B is inserted into the deformation regulating seal member 30 and the first seal member 4e, and is inserted into the inside of the developing device main body 4a from the toner supply port 40a of the developing device main body 4a. The In this state, toner is supplied from the toner container 8 to the inside of the developing device body 4a through the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B inserted into the developing device body 4a. When the toner supply to the inside of the developing device body 4a is completed, the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are drawn out of the developing device body 4a to the outside of the developing device body 4a.

  As described above, when the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted into the developing device main body 4a, the space between the inserted toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B and the first seal member 4e. There is a risk of toner leakage from the gap. However, even if toner leakage occurs from the gap between the inserted toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B and the first seal member 4e, the deformation regulating seal member attached to the first seal member 4e. The 30 second seal member 30b can prevent toner leakage from the first seal member 4e.

  Further, since the inner diameter of the insertion / removal hole 230b of the second seal member 30b is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B, the outer surface of the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B It will be in the state closely_contact | adhered with the internal peripheral surface of the insertion / removal hole 230b. As a result, even if toner leakage occurs from the gaps between the inserted toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B and the first seal member 4e, the deformation regulation seal attached to the first seal member 4e. The second seal member 30b of the member 30 can reliably prevent toner leakage from the first seal member 4e.

  In the four developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B, the toner stirring member 4b rotates to stir the toner. At this time, the internal pressures of the developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B may increase with the rotation of the toner stirring member 4b. In this case, the toner replenishment pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13B are inserted when the internal pressures of the developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4B are inserted through the deformation restriction seal member 30 and the first seal member 4e, respectively. The toner may be ejected from the gaps between the toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B and the first seal member 4e. However, the second seal member 30b of the deformation restricting seal member 30 attached to the first seal member 4e removes the gap between the inserted toner supply pipes 13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B and the first seal member 4e. Toner ejection can be prevented.

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

  (B) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a developing device is used as a powder container has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and a container that can store powder replenished from the outside. Even can be applied.

  (C) In the said embodiment, although the example in case the 2nd seal member 30b was mounted | worn with the outer surface of the elastic deformation control member 30a was shown, the mounting place of the 2nd seal member 30b is not limited to the said embodiment. As long as the second seal member 30b is provided outside the first seal member 4e, any location may be used. For example, the second seal member 30b may be provided between the first seal member 4e and the elastic deformation restricting member 30a. In this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  (D) In the above embodiment, an example in which the elastic deformation regulating member 30a is used has been described. However, the present invention can be applied even when the elastic deformation regulating member 30b is not used. For example, if the second seal member 30b is directly attached to the outer surface of the first seal member 4e using an adhesive sheet member or adhesive, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

1 is a schematic sectional view of a color printer. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a rotary developing device. The figure which mounted | wore the developing device with the 1st seal member and the deformation control seal member. The disassembled perspective view of a 1st seal member and a deformation control seal member. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operations of the first seal member and the deformation restriction seal member during toner supply.

Explanation of symbols

100 Color Printer 4 Rotary Development Device 4a Developer Body (Housing)
4e 1st seal member 4f Toner replenishment part (powder replenishment part)
4Y, 4M, 4C, 4B Developer (powder container)
13Y, 13M, 13C, 13B Toner supply pipe (powder conveying member)
30 Deformation Restriction Seal Member 30a Elastic Deformation Restriction Member 30b Second Seal Member 40 Rotary Rack 40a Toner Supply Port 47 Double-sided Adhesive Tape (Sheet Member)

Claims (9)

A powder container in which a powder conveying member capable of conveying powder is inserted and removed,
A housing having a powder replenishment section and capable of containing powder;
The powder supply member is attached to the powder supply portion of the housing so that the powder supply member can be inserted into and removed from the powder supply portion, and the powder supply member is inserted into and removed from the powder supply portion. A first sealing member for preventing leakage of powder from the portion to the outside of the housing;
A second seal member provided on the first seal member for preventing leakage of powder from the first seal member when the powder transport member is inserted into and removed from the powder replenishing unit;
A powder container. The powder conveying member is formed in a cylindrical shape,
The second seal member has an insertion / removal hole having an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the powder conveyance member, through which the powder conveyance member passes when the powder conveyance member is inserted into and removed from the powder replenishing unit. Is formed,
The powder container according to claim 1. An elastic deformation restricting member that is attached to the first seal member and restricts elastic deformation that occurs in the first seal member due to insertion / removal of the powder conveying member to / from the powder supply unit;
Further comprising
The second seal member is mounted on an outer surface of the elastic deformation regulating member;
The powder container according to claim 1 or 2. The second seal member and the elastic deformation restricting member are bonded to each other by a sheet member thinner than the first seal member, and the elastic deformation restricting member and the first seal member are the first seal member. Bonded to each other by a thinner sheet member,
The powder container according to claim 3. An elastic deformation restricting member that is attached to the first seal member via the second seal member and restricts elastic deformation that occurs in the first seal member due to insertion / removal of the powder conveying member to / from the powder replenishing portion;
Further comprising
The second seal member is attached to the first seal member.
The powder container according to claim 1 or 2. The elastic deformation regulating member and the second seal member are bonded to each other by a sheet member thinner than the first seal member, and the second seal member and the first seal member are the first seal member. Bonded to each other by a thinner sheet member,
The powder container according to claim 5. The second seal member is directly attached to the first seal member.
The powder container according to claim 1 or 2. The second seal member and the first seal member are bonded to each other by a sheet member thinner than the first seal member.
The powder container according to claim 7. The powder is a developer used in an image forming apparatus, the housing is a developing device main body of the image forming apparatus, the powder conveying member is a developer conveying pipe, and the powder replenishing unit is a developer replenishing unit. Department,
The developer main body contains the developer, and the developer replenishment portion into which the developer transport pipe is inserted and removed is formed.
The first seal member is attached to the developing device main body so as to cover the developer supply portion.
The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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