JP2008009394A - Toner cartridge, method for manufacturing toner cartridge, image forming apparatus and unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner cartridge which can inexpensively be attached to a predetermined position, and can be prevented from adversely affecting by unused toner or from adversely affecting by a member arranged adjacently while saving an occupancy space. <P>SOLUTION: The toner cartridge 100 with an unused toner storing part 100A and a waste toner storing part 100B inside is equipped with a partition member 101 partitioning between the unused toner storing part 100A and the waste toner storing part 100B. The partition member 101 is held between the abutting surfaces of a case part 100A1 constituting the unused toner storing part 100A and a case part 100B1 constituting the waste toner storing part 100B, and an engaging part 100A2 in which a positioning part 101A provided on the partition member 101 is fit is provided near the holding position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner cartridge, a manufacturing method thereof, an image forming apparatus and a unit using the same, and more particularly to a waste toner collecting structure.

As is well known, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a printing machine, an electrostatic latent image formed in a photosensitive leaving area used as an image carrier is subjected to visible image processing using toner. It is like that.
A developing device is used for the visible image processing, and the toner supplied from the developing device adheres according to the electrostatic attraction force from the electrostatic latent image. The amount until the amount is saturated is used for visible image processing. For this reason, not all of the toner is consumed for the visible image processing of the electrostatic latent image, and the remaining part may be affected by the background potential of the photoreceptor. In addition to residual toner during development, residual toner may be left on the photoreceptor without being transferred.

  The toner remaining on the photoreceptor must be cleaned and collected to prevent the background of the photoreceptor from being soiled. With regard to such toner processing, toner supply and waste toner Two processes called collection are required, and it is conceivable to provide these processing units in the image forming apparatus.

  However, if the toner supply unit and the waste toner collection unit are provided in the image forming apparatus, the apparatus becomes large.

  Therefore, conventionally, as a configuration in which the developer supply unit and the recovery unit are collectively provided in one place, a configuration in which a toner cartridge used for toner supply also has a waste toner recovery unit has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, the internal space of a toner cartridge is partitioned by an elastic sheet, one of each space is used as a storage space for unused toner, and the other space is used as a storage space for waste toner. There is disclosed a configuration in which unused toner is pushed out by utilizing the shrinkage of the space volume on one side due to deformation of an elastic sheet as the number increases.

  On the other hand, this configuration has a problem that a force for pushing the waste toner against the repulsive force of the elastic sheet is required, and the waste toner may be pushed back by the repulsive force of the elastic sheet.

  Therefore, as a configuration for solving such a problem, a flexible partition member that can be loosened by the weight of the falling waste toner is provided inside the toner cartridge, and an unused toner storage chamber, a waste toner storage chamber, The structure which isolates is proposed (for example, patent document 2). In this configuration, as the waste toner introduced from the upper surface of the toner cartridge increases, the partition member is loosened to increase the amount of waste toner stored. There is a possibility that the toner is pressed and hardened, and there is a possibility that a supply failure of unused toner may occur.

  As a configuration for preventing the occurrence of such a supply failure, an unused toner is formed using a flexible and non-stretchable material at the boundary between the unused toner storage chamber and the waste toner storage chamber. A configuration has been proposed in which a partition wall formed in a shape in which the storage chamber is larger than the volume of the waste toner storage chamber is provided to eliminate the compaction of unused toner due to an increase in the amount of waste toner (for example, Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-184373 (Gazette page 2, upper left column, line 20 to upper right column, line 7) JP-A-11-153901 (paragraph "0016" column) JP 2002-287474 A (paragraph “0049” column)

  In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 3 in which unused toner is prevented from being compacted, the outer peripheral surface of the partition wall is positioned at a predetermined position of the toner cartridge when the partition wall is mounted in the toner cartridge. Although it is integrated by adhesion or adhesion on the top, there is no structure for positioning the partition wall at a predetermined position, not only the accuracy for positioning at the required position is bad, but also the positioning work The nature is bad. In addition, since the inner surface of the toner cartridge is integrated by adhesion or the like, workability and productivity are also poor in this case. In particular, an agitating member for agitating the toner is disposed adjacent to the unused toner and waste toner container, and friction charging is performed by agitation and mixing of the unused toner by the agitating member and the waste toner is leveled. However, the partition member must be arranged so as not to interfere with these stirring members, and therefore, the bending deformation must be reduced, and as a result, the amount of waste toner contained is reduced. It will be constrained.

  In view of the above problems with the conventional toner cartridge, the object of the present invention is that it can be mounted at a predetermined position at a low cost, and also has an adverse effect on unused toner and an adjacent member disposed in a space-saving manner. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner cartridge having a configuration that can be eliminated, a manufacturing method thereof, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention has the following configuration.

(1) A toner cartridge including an unused toner container and a waste toner container inside,
A partition member that partitions the unused toner container and the waste toner container;
The partition member is clamped by a contact surface between a case portion constituting the unused toner accommodating portion and a case portion constituting the waste toner accommodating portion, and provided in the partition member in the vicinity of the clamping position. A toner cartridge comprising an engaging portion into which a positioning portion is fitted.

  (2) A positioning convex portion provided on the partition member side at a position where the partition member is sandwiched between the partition member and the unused toner storage portion and the waste toner storage portion. And a recess into which the positioning protrusion is fitted.

  (3) A pin is provided at a position where the partition member is sandwiched in either the unused toner storage unit or the waste toner storage unit, and a hole that can be fitted to the pin has the above-described hole. The toner cartridge according to (1), wherein the toner cartridge is provided on a partition member.

  (4) The partition member is formed of a resin molded member having flexibility and stretchability in the thickness direction, and is preliminarily thermoformed into a form in which the volume of the unused toner container is increased. The toner cartridge according to any one of (1) to (3).

  (5) The partition member is thermoformed into a concavo-convex shape so as not to interfere with the unused toner container and the member disposed in the toner container (1). The toner cartridge according to any one of (4) to (4).

  (6) The toner cartridge according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the partition member is made of a resin that can be deformed in a thickness direction by receiving pressure.

  (7) The opposing surfaces of the unused toner storage portion and the waste toner storage portion are welded and integrated in a state where the partition member is positioned. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.

  (8) The opposing surfaces of the unused toner storage unit and the waste toner storage unit are welded and integrated in a state where the gap between the clamping surfaces of the partition member is equal to or less than the thickness of the partition member. (7) The toner cartridge according to (7).

  (9) A plurality of welding ribs are provided on the opposing surfaces of the unused toner storage unit and the waste toner storage unit along the outer circumferential direction thereof. Toner cartridge.

  (10) Any one of (7) to (9), wherein the unused toner container and the waste toner container are provided with a see-through part through which the partition member can be seen from the outside. The toner cartridge according to 1.

  (11) The toner cartridge according to (10), wherein a transparent resin material is used for the unused toner container and the waste toner container.

  (12) The see-through portion is constituted by a through hole formed corresponding to an arrangement position of the partition member in the unused toner accommodating portion and the waste toner accommodating portion (10). The toner cartridge according to 1.

  (13) In any one of (7) to (9), the partition member is made of a resin material having a color different from that used for the unused toner storage unit and the waste toner storage unit. The toner cartridge described.

(14) A method of manufacturing a toner cartridge according to any one of (1) to (13),
In the state where the partition member is taught by the unused toner storage portion and the waste toner storage portion, the partition member has a positioning portion fitted in an engagement portion provided in the vicinity of the clamping position. The members are temporarily fixed, and in this state, the unused toner storage unit and the waste toner storage unit are pressed in a direction in which the storage units are brought close to each other, and the storage units are welded and integrated with each other by ultrasonic waves. A method for manufacturing a toner cartridge.

  (15) An image forming apparatus using the toner cartridge according to any one of (1) to (13).

(16) A unit used in the image forming apparatus according to (15),
A unit comprising at least a photoconductor used for image formation, and is detachably provided on an image forming apparatus main body.

(17) A unit used in the image forming apparatus according to (15),
A unit having a space for accommodating at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit used for image formation and a photoconductor, and is detachably provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the partition member that partitions the unused toner container and the waste toner container is engaged with the positioning unit when sandwiched between the unused toner container and the waste toner container. Since the arrangement position can be determined only by fitting with the part, it is not necessary to search for the arrangement position, and the assembling workability can be improved.

  In particular, in the invention according to claim 2, the partition member is arranged at a fixed position at a low cost by a simple configuration of a combination of a convex portion provided as a positioning portion of the partition member and a concave portion into which the convex portion is fitted. be able to.

  In a third aspect of the invention, as a configuration used for positioning the partition member, the arrangement at a fixed position can be achieved at a low cost by a simple configuration using only a pin provided at a position where the partition member is sandwiched. It becomes possible.

  In the invention according to claim 4, since the partition member is flexible and stretchable in the thickness direction, and the volume of the unused toner container is increased in advance, the introduction of the waste toner is prevented. It is possible to prevent the unused toner from being compacted at a short time.

  In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the partition member has a concave and convex shape that does not interfere with the member disposed in the unused toner accommodating portion and the waste toner accommodating portion, and thus the member disposed in each accommodating portion. The amount of toner can be stored by partitioning the two storage portions without hindering the operation of the toner, and by taking a large space between the partition member in each main portion and the member located in the storage portion without interference. Can be more.

  In the invention according to claim 6, since the partition member can be contracted and deformed in the thickness direction by receiving pressure, the thickness of the sandwiched portion and the portion adjacent to the sandwiched portion is different. The thickened portion can function as a sealing portion.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the facing surfaces of the unused toner storage portion and the waste toner storage portion are welded in a state where the partition member is positioned, the storage portions are integrated so as to sandwich the partition member. Can be

  In the invention according to claim 8, since the gap between the holding surfaces of the partition member is less than the thickness of the partition member when the opposing surfaces of the respective housing portions are welded together, Leakage can be reliably prevented, and the pressure acting on the welding can be reduced unlike the case where the entire thickness of the partition member is crushed.

  In the invention described in claim 9, since a plurality of wearing ribs are provided along the outer peripheral direction of the opposing surface of each housing portion so as to be provided for welding, the welding ribs are provided over the entire outer peripheral direction. Unlike the case, the welding work can be performed with a small force.

  According to the tenth to thirteenth aspects of the present invention, since the unused toner container and the waste toner container are provided with a see-through part through which the inside can be seen from the outside, the partition member disposed inside the container is provided. It is possible to optimize the installation by visually checking the installation situation. In particular, in the inventions according to claims 11 and 13, since the relationship between the accommodating portion and the partition member is set, the installation state of the partition member can be easily confirmed.

  In the invention according to the fourteenth aspect, when the partition member is disposed in a state of being sandwiched between the unused toner storage portion and the waste toner storage portion, the positioning position is determined by the positioning portion and the engaging portion fitted thereto. Since the welding is performed in a state where it is positioned and temporarily fixed, the toner cartridge can be manufactured in a state in which the displacement of the partition member by the welding itself is eliminated.

  In the invention of claim 15, when a cartridge in which the unused toner storage unit and the waste toner storage unit are combined and a partition member for partitioning each storage unit is provided, the workability is low and the workability is good. Moreover, a toner cartridge that can be accommodated according to the amount of waste toner can be provided.

  According to the sixteenth and seventeenth aspects of the present invention, since a unit in which at least one of the photosensitive member and the apparatus used for the image forming process is collectively accommodated in the same space is detachable from the apparatus main body, the waste toner is discarded. Work such as processing can be easily performed.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of an image forming apparatus using a toner cartridge according to the present invention. In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, process cartridges as image forming units capable of forming images of a plurality of colors are juxtaposed. This is a tandem color printer. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printing machine in addition to a printer.

The configuration of the color printer shown in FIG. 1 is as follows.
Image forming units 2, 3, 4, and 5 for forming a plurality of color images are juxtaposed inside the housing body 1A of the color printer 1. In FIG. 1, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black images are formed in the order in which the image forming units are assigned with the codes 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively.
The image forming units 2, 3, 4, and 5 are units for forming an image using a toner image having a complementary color relationship with a color based on an original image or image information, and an intermediate transfer having a stretching direction along the juxtaposition direction. The transfer device 6 having the body 6A is disposed to face the transfer device 6.

The image forming units 2, 3, 4, and 5 are detachably provided on the housing body 1A of the color printer 1 and all have the same configuration. Is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, the image forming unit 5 is provided with a photoconductor 5A as an image carrier in the internal space, and around the photoconductor 5A is along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 5A (the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2). The charging device 5B, the developing device 5C, and the cleaning device 5D for performing image forming processing are collectively arranged in the same space. In the vicinity of the charging device 5B, an optical path of writing light from the writing device indicated by reference numeral 11 in FIG. 1 is provided.
As will be described later, the developing device 5B is disposed in a toner cartridge 100 including an unused toner container 100A and a waste toner container 100B, and a developer tank communicating with the unused toner container 100A in the toner cartridge 100. A developing roller 5B1 for supplying the developer to the photoconductor 5A and a supply roller 5C2 for supplying the developer toward the developing roller 5C1.

  On the other hand, in the housing main body 1A of the color printer 1, a transfer device 6 is disposed at a position facing the photoconductor of each of the image forming units 2, 3, 4, and 5. The transfer device 6 includes the image forming unit. An intermediate transfer member 6A having a stretched portion along the juxtaposed direction of 2, 3, 4, and 5 and a transfer bias device 6B provided at a position facing the photoconductor across the intermediate transfer member 6A are provided. .

  Below the transfer device 6, a paper feeding device 7 is provided. The paper feeding device 7 feeds the recording paper S stored in the paper feeding cassette 7A by the feeding roller 7B, and the fed recording paper S is fed out. Is set to a transfer position with respect to each image forming unit after setting the registration timing via the registration roller 8.

A fixing device 9 is disposed at a position where the recording paper passes through a position where the image forming unit and the transfer device 6 are opposed to each other inside the housing main body 1A, and the toner image transferred onto the recording paper is melted by heat and pressure. It comes to wear.
The fixed recording sheet S is discharged through a paper discharge device 10 toward a paper discharge tray 1B provided in the housing main body 1A.

  In FIG. 2, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 5B equipped in the image forming unit 5 is scraped and collected by a blade 5D1 included in the cleaning device 5D, and the collected toner is arranged in the vicinity of the blade 5D1. Then, the toner is transferred toward the toner cartridge 100 by a recovery roller 5D2 used for a waste toner recovery member connected to a waste toner container 100B provided on the toner cartridge 100 side.

  The waste toner transferred to the toner cartridge 100 is evenly shaken off with respect to the waste toner storage unit 100B by a recovery roller 100C which is a waste toner recovery member provided in the waste toner storage unit 100B. .

In the toner cartridge 100, an unused toner container 100 </ b> A and a waste toner container 100 </ b> B are separated from each other by a partition member 101.
As shown in FIG. 3, the partition member 101 that partitions the housing portions 100 </ b> A and 100 </ b> B is a resin-molded member that has a cap-like cross-sectional shape and is stretchable in the thickness direction. Is formed into a convex shape whose bulging amount is set so that the volume of the unused toner container 100A shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows the appearance of the partition member 101 having such a shape.

  As the resin material used for the partition member 101, a resin material that can be displaced in the thickness direction by receiving pressure, and the above-described flexibility and stretchability in the thickness direction is used. Resin is used.

The convex shape is a bulging amount that does not interfere with the collecting roller 100C (see FIG. 2) disposed in the waste toner container 100B (indicated by the symbol L1 in FIG. 2), and is flexible. When the toner is reversed and bulges toward the unused toner container 100A due to the weight of waste toner by utilizing the property and elasticity, it may interfere with the stirring member 100D provided in the unused toner container 100A. The amount of swelling is set to a level that is not present (the state indicated by symbol L2 in FIG. 2).
As a result, in the initial stage or in the process of accumulating waste toner, when the partition member 101 is in the bulging position, the operation of the members provided in the unused toner container 100A and the waste toner container 100B is not hindered. ing.

The partition member 101 is provided with a convex portion 101A at the outer peripheral end, and the inner inner surface 101B of the convex portion 1010A is a flat portion.
The convex portion 101A is a portion that forms a positioning portion of the partition member 101, and as shown in FIG. 4, the cases 100A1 and 100B1 that constitute the unused toner storage portion 100A and the waste toner storage portion 100B contact each other. Among the surfaces, the inner inner surface 101B that is fitted to the concave engaging portion 100A2 formed on the upper surface of the case 100A1 on the unused toner containing portion 100A side is located near the convex portion 101A. Used as a portion sandwiched between opposing surfaces of 100A1 and 100B1.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the fitting relationship is similar to the convex portion 101 </ b> A on the partition member 101 side and the concave engaging portion 100 </ b> A <b> 2 located on the case 100 </ b> A <b> 1 side that constitutes the unused toner containing portion 100 </ b> A. The pin 102 embedded on the case 100A1 side and the engagement hole 101B formed on the partitioning member 101 side through which the pin 102 can be inserted may be provided. In this case, the convex portion 101A for positioning in the partition member 101 is unnecessary, and only the flat surface 101B is formed.

Next, installation of the partition member 101 performed when the toner cartridge 100 having the above-described configuration is manufactured will be described.
FIG. 5 shows a state in which the partition member 101 is mounted on the upper surface of the case 100A1 that forms the unused toner containing portion 100A. In FIG. 5, the partition member 101 has the convex portion 101A in the concave portion 100A2 of the case 100A1. Positioned by fitting. That is, the center of the case 100A1 and the center of the partition member 101 in the left-right direction of the paper surface shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the case 100B1 on the side constituting the waste toner container 100B joined to the upper surface of the case 100A1 constituting the unused toner container 100A is provided on the case 100A1 side. The welding concave part 100B2 into which the welding convex part 100A3 enters is provided with welding ribs 100B3 at a plurality of locations along the outer circumferential direction on the inner surface of the welding concave part 100B2.

  When joining the cases, the welding convex portion 100A3 and the welding concave portion 100B2 are welded by applying ultrasonic waves to the welding rib 100B3 while pressing the case 100B1 constituting the waste toner containing portion 100B. Integrated.

When welding the welding convex portion 100A3 and the welding concave portion 100B2, the side of the case 100B1 constituting the waste toner containing portion 100B is pressed. As the pressing force, the holding surface of the partition member 101 between the cases in FIG. The pressure at which a contracted state is obtained in which the gap (T1) is less than the thickness (T0) of the partition member 101.
As a result, the partition member 101 has a different thickness between the sandwiched portion and the portion adjacent to the sandwiched portion, and is configured as a portion that closes and seals the gap between the cases on the sandwiching surface. Become. As a result, the partition member 101 itself can have the function without using a special sealing structure for preventing the toner from leaking from the case. In addition, unlike the case where the entire thickness of the partition member 101 is crushed, if a slight thickness remains, no repulsive force is generated as in the case where the entire thickness is crushed. Can be reduced.

  In the toner cartridge 100 according to the present invention as described above, the unused toner storage unit 100A and the waste toner storage unit 100B are configured in one space, and the storage units 100A and 100B are separated by the partition member 101. Be isolated.

  The partition member 101 is arranged in a state of being positioned with respect to the cases constituting the respective accommodating portions and is partially sandwiched. When the cases are welded together, the partition member 101 seals the inside of the toner accommodating space. Demonstrate the function.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The present embodiment is characterized in that the partition member 101 used for isolating the accommodating portions can be visually observed from the outside.

  In other words, the case 100A1 constituting the unused toner container 100A and the case 100B1 constituting the waste toner container 100B are provided with a see-through part through which the partition member 101 can be seen from the outside. The cases 100A1 and 100B1 are made of a transparent resin material, or, as shown in FIG. 7, a structure in which through holes 100A4 and 100B4 are provided at positions facing the convex portions 101A1 of the partition member 101 is used. In addition to these configurations, the cases 100A1 and 100B1 and the partition member 101 can be colored differently.

  In the embodiment as described above, since the installation state of the partition member 101 can be visually observed from the outside of the cases 100A1 and 100B1, the positioning state of the partition member 101 can be confirmed before welding. In addition to defining the position of the portion where the wall thickness changes, the sealing function is optimized and, for example, the occurrence of an inadequate fitting pressure that occurs when the fitting state is inappropriate is prevented. be able to.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fallen example of an image forming apparatus in which a toner cartridge according to the present invention is used. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit including a toner cartridge according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a partition member used in the toner cartridge according to the present invention. It is typical sectional drawing for demonstrating the installation state of the partition member shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the positioning state of the partition member shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the modification regarding a positioning structure. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining another embodiment of the toner cartridge according to the present invention. It is an external view of the partition member shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color printer 100 Toner cartridge 100A Unused toner accommodating part 100A1 Case 100A2 Recessed part as fitting part 100B Waste toner accommodating part 100B1 Case 100B3 Welding rib 100B4 Through-hole 101 Partition member 101A Positioning convex part 102 Pin

Claims (17)

A toner cartridge including an unused toner container and a waste toner container;
A partition member that partitions the unused toner container and the waste toner container;
The partition member is clamped by a contact surface between a case portion constituting the unused toner accommodating portion and a case portion constituting the waste toner accommodating portion, and provided in the partition member in the vicinity of the clamping position. A toner cartridge comprising an engaging portion into which a positioning portion is fitted.   A positioning convex portion provided on the partition member side and the positioning are provided at a position where the partition member is sandwiched between the partition member and the unused toner storage portion and the waste toner storage portion. 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a concave portion into which the convex portion for fitting is fitted.   A pin is provided at a position where the partition member is sandwiched in either the unused toner storage unit or the waste toner storage unit, and a hole that can be fitted to the pin is provided in the partition member. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is provided.   The partition member is made of a resin molded member having flexibility and stretchability in the thickness direction, and is preliminarily thermoformed into a form in which the volume of the unused toner container is increased. The toner cartridge according to claim 1.   5. The partition member according to claim 1, wherein the partition member is thermoformed in a concavo-convex shape so as not to interfere with the unused toner container and the member disposed in the toner container. The toner cartridge according to any one of the above.   The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the partition member is made of a resin that can be deformed in a thickness direction by receiving pressure.   7. The opposed surfaces of the unused toner container and the waste toner container are welded and integrated in a state where the partition member is positioned. Toner cartridge.   The opposing surfaces of the unused toner storage unit and the waste toner storage unit are welded and integrated in a state where a gap between the clamping surfaces of the partition member is equal to or less than a thickness of the partition member. The toner cartridge according to claim 7.   9. The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of welding ribs are provided along the outer peripheral direction of the opposing surfaces of the unused toner containing portion and the waste toner containing portion.   The toner cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the unused toner container and the waste toner container are provided with a see-through part through which the partition member can be seen from the outside. .   11. The toner cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the unused toner container and the waste toner container are made of a transparent resin material.   11. The toner according to claim 10, wherein the see-through portion is configured by a through hole formed corresponding to the arrangement position of the partition member in the unused toner storage portion and the waste toner storage portion. cartridge.   13. The toner cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the partition member is made of a resin material having a color different from that used for the unused toner container and the waste toner container. A method for manufacturing a toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
In the state where the partition member is taught by the unused toner storage portion and the waste toner storage portion, the partition member has a positioning portion fitted in an engagement portion provided in the vicinity of the clamping position. The members are temporarily fixed, and in this state, the unused toner storage unit and the waste toner storage unit are pressed in a direction in which the storage units are brought close to each other, and the storage units are welded and integrated with each other by ultrasonic waves. A method for manufacturing a toner cartridge.   An image forming apparatus using the toner cartridge according to claim 1. A unit used in the image forming apparatus according to claim 15,
A unit comprising at least a photoconductor used for image formation, and is detachably provided on an image forming apparatus main body. A unit used in the image forming apparatus according to claim 15,
A unit having a space for accommodating at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit used for image formation and a photoconductor, and is detachably provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus.

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