JP2008292729A - Toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner cartridge capable of stably securing a new toner storing area when it is filled with new toner and also increasing a waste toner storing area as it is used. <P>SOLUTION: The toner cartridge includes a toner container 21 in which toner for replenishment and waste toner are both stored, and is attached to an image forming apparatus 1 and used. The toner cartridge has a partition member 35 dividing the inside of the chamber of the toner container 21 to the new toner storing area 22 for replenishment and the waste toner storing area 23, a spring 37 moving the partition member 35 toward the side of the new toner storing area 22, and a stopper 38 preventing the movement of the partition member 35 by the spring 37 before the toner cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and canceling such prevention when it is attached to the image forming apparatus 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner cartridge including a toner container that accommodates both new toner for supply and recovered waste toner. More specifically, the present invention relates to a toner cartridge having a partition plate that partitions a storage chamber for storing replenishing toner and a storage chamber for storing waste toner in a toner container.

  In general, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a toner container for storing toner for image formation. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some toner containers are partitioned to provide a space for storing waste toner, thereby reducing the overall container space. That is, at the beginning of use, the new toner storage area is made large and the waste toner storage area is made small, and the new toner storage area is decreased and the waste toner storage area is increased with use. As a result, the empty space can be reduced and the toner container can be used efficiently.

Here, various methods have been devised for partitioning the new toner storage area and the waste toner storage area while changing the volume thereof. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a new toner area is disposed below and a waste toner area is disposed above, and the partition plate is moved downward by its own weight. Further, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a collection bag for storing waste toner is disposed above a new toner area, and the collection bag is expanded by accumulation of waste toner. Further, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses a structure in which a partition member made of a flexible sheet is provided above a new toner containing area, and a plate-like weight is attached to the central portion thereof. In either case, as the waste toner is collected and accumulated, the new toner storage area is eroded and the waste toner storage area is expanded.
JP-A-5-107918 JP 2003-122122 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-259592

  However, in each of the conventional toner containers described above, the waste toner is collected, so that the partition is moved by the dead toner's own weight, pressure, etc., and the waste toner accommodation area is increased. Therefore, in a state where neither new toner nor waste toner is accommodated, the arrangement of the partition members becomes very unstable. Therefore, when a new toner cartridge is manufactured, there is a problem that it is difficult to stably secure a new toner storage area when filling a new toner. Further, there is a similar problem when the toner container is refilled in order to reuse the toner container. Furthermore, the new toner at the time of filling is generally in a state where the bulk density is lower than that of the toner after filling in order to have fluidity. For this reason, it is necessary to stably secure the filling volume at the low bulk density at the time of filling.

  The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the toner cartridge having the above-described conventional toner container. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge that can stably secure a new toner storage area when new toner is filled and can increase the waste toner storage area as it is used.

  A toner cartridge of the present invention, which has been made for the purpose of solving this problem, is a toner cartridge that includes a toner container that contains both replenishing toner and waste toner, and is used by being attached to an image forming apparatus. A partition plate that divides the room into a replenishment toner storage chamber and a waste toner storage chamber, a moving member that moves the partition plate toward the replenishment toner storage chamber, and a moving member before being attached to the image forming apparatus And a blocking member for blocking the movement of the partition plate and releasing the blocking when attached to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the interior of the toner container is partitioned into the replenishment toner storage chamber and the waste toner storage chamber by the partition plate. Here, the partition plate is moved toward the replenishing toner storage chamber by the moving member. That is, by this movement, the replenishment toner storage chamber is gradually reduced and the waste toner storage chamber is gradually increased. In the present invention, since the blocking member is provided, the movement of the partition plate by the moving member is blocked before being attached to the image forming apparatus, and the size of the replenishment toner storage chamber is stably secured. Therefore, when the new toner is filled, a new toner storage area can be stably secured. In addition, since the blocking is released when it is attached to the image forming apparatus, the partition plate can be moved. Accordingly, the waste toner storage area can be increased with use.

  The toner cartridge here may have only a toner container. Alternatively, the toner container and the developing device may be integrated into a cartridge. Alternatively, a so-called imaging cartridge including an image carrier or the like may be used.

Further, according to the present invention, the toner container is provided with an opening connected to the waste toner storage chamber or the replenishment toner storage chamber, and before being attached to the image forming apparatus, the opening is closed and the blocking member is blocked to form an image forming unit. It is desirable to have a blocking release member that opens the opening when attached to the device and places the blocking member in a blocking release state.
In such a case, toner leakage is prevented and the partition plate is prevented from moving before being attached to the image forming apparatus. Then, when attached to the image forming apparatus, the blocking member is brought into the blocking release state by the blocking releasing member. Therefore, the partition plate is moved by the moving member.

Further, according to the present invention, before the blocking member is attached to the image forming apparatus, it protrudes to a position closer to the replenishing toner storage chamber than the partition plate in the toner container, and when attached to the image forming apparatus, the toner is removed. It is desirable to evacuate from the inside of the container.
In this case, before the attachment to the image forming apparatus, the blocking member prevents the partition plate from moving toward the replenishing toner storage chamber.

Further, in the present invention, the toner container is formed with a hole that allows the blocking member to protrude into the chamber, and the blocking member remains in the hole even when the blocking member is retracted from the chamber. It is desirable.
With this arrangement, toner leakage is prevented even when the blocking member is retracted. Also, when the toner container is reused, the blocking member can be easily restored.

Further, in the present invention, the blocking member is a sheet member whose both ends are joined to the inner surface of the toner container and the blocking release member, and before being attached to the image forming apparatus, the intermediate portion is a partition in the toner container chamber. It may be located closer to the replenishing toner storage chamber than the plate, and when attached to the image forming apparatus, one or both of the joints at both ends may be destroyed by the movement of the blocking release member.
Even in this case, the sheet member prevents the partition plate from moving toward the replenishing toner storage chamber.

Further, in the present invention, the blocking member is a sheet member whose both ends are joined to the inner surface of the toner container, and the partition plate is moved to the replenishment toner storage chamber side by the member of the image forming apparatus when attached to the image forming apparatus. Before the sheet member is attached to the image forming apparatus, the intermediate portion of the sheet member is positioned closer to the replenishing toner storage chamber than the partition plate in the toner container chamber. When attached to the sheet member, one of the joints at both ends of the sheet member or itself may be destroyed.
Even in this case, the sheet member prevents the partition plate from moving toward the replenishing toner storage chamber.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a loosening member for rotating the toner in the toner container chamber by rotating in the chamber of the toner container and its rotating shaft, and the movement of the partition plate is guided by the rotating shaft of the loosening member. Is desirable.
In this case, since the partition member is moved along the rotation axis, the replenishment toner storage chamber and the waste toner storage chamber can always be partitioned.

Furthermore, the present invention is a toner cartridge that is provided with a toner container that accommodates both replenishing toner and waste toner, and is used by being attached to an image forming apparatus. A partition plate that divides into the storage chamber, a rotation shaft that passes through the partition plate and rotates by being driven by the image forming apparatus, a screw blade that is provided on the rotation shaft and moves the partition plate by the rotation, and a partition The toner cartridge may be provided with a flexible member that is provided in the through hole of the plate and seals between the partition plate and the rotating shaft.
Even in such a case, the new toner storage area can be stably secured when the new toner is filled, and the waste toner storage area can be increased with use.

  According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, when a new toner is filled, a new toner storage area can be stably secured, and the waste toner storage area can be increased with use.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best mode for embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus provided with a toner container having both a new toner storage area and a waste toner storage area partitioned in one container.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a photosensitive member 11 and a charging device 12, a developing device 13, a transfer device 14, and a cleaner 15 around the photosensitive member 11. An intermediate transfer belt 16 is disposed between the photoconductor 11 and the transfer device 14. Among these, the developing device 13 includes a developing roller 17. Further, a detachable toner container 21 is attached to the developing device 13.

  At the time of image formation, the photoconductor 11 is rotated clockwise in FIG. The surface of the photoconductor 11 is charged by the charging device 12 and exposed by the exposure device 18 to form a latent image. Further, the formed latent image is developed by the developing device 13 to form a toner image, and is transferred to the transfer material 16 by the transfer device 14. The toner remaining on the photoreceptor 11 after the transfer is collected by the cleaner 15 and becomes waste toner.

  The toner container 21 has a new toner storage area 22 and a waste toner storage area 23 formed therein. New toner is supplied from the new toner storage area 22 to the developing device 13 through the toner supply port 24. Further, the waste toner collected by the cleaner 15 is stored in the waste toner storage region 23 via the waste toner transport pipe 25. In FIG. 1, the new toner storage area 22 and the waste toner storage area 23 are illustrated as being arranged vertically, but in actuality, they are divided in the depth direction in the figure.

  The toner container 21 is an elongated box-shaped container as shown in FIGS. FIGS. 2 and 4 show the toner container 21 that is not attached to the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the toner container 21 is provided with an external shutter 31, a rotating shaft 32, and the like. The external shutter 31 is attached so as to be able to reciprocate in the direction of the white arrow in the figure. 3 and 5 show the toner container 21 when mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. In FIG. 3, the external shutter 31 is moved from the position of FIG. 2 upward to the left in the figure, and the opening 33 below it is visible.

  FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the toner container 21 not attached to the image forming apparatus 1. This corresponds to the AA cross section of FIG. The interior of the toner container 21 is divided by a partition member 35 into a new toner storage area 22 on the left side in FIG. 4 and a waste toner storage area 23 on the right side in FIG. The rotating shaft 32 penetrates the partition member 35 and is rotatably provided. In the toner container 21 in this state, the opening 33 is closed by the external shutter 31. When the new toner is filled, the toner supply port 24 is also closed by a shutter or the like.

  A plate-shaped loosening member 36 is attached to a portion of the rotating shaft 32 inside the new toner accommodating region 22. When the rotating shaft 32 is rotated, the toner in the new toner containing area 22 is agitated and loosened by the loosening member 36. As shown in FIG. 4, a spring 37 is provided around the rotation shaft 32 in the waste toner storage area 23. Both end portions of the spring 37 are in contact with the right side of the partition member 35 in the drawing and the right inner surface of the toner container 21 in the drawing. The partition member 35 is biased leftward in the figure by the spring 37.

  Further, a stopper 38 is provided on the upper inner surface of the toner container 21. The left surface in FIG. 4 of the partition member 35 is in contact with the stopper 38. Therefore, the partition member 35 cannot move leftward. Therefore, in this state, the partition member 35 does not move to the right or left from this position. The position of the stopper 38 is set so that this position is a position where a sufficiently large new toner accommodating area 22 can be secured. Therefore, the new toner storage area 22 is stably secured when the new toner is filled. The configuration of the stopper 38 will be described later.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross section in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 21 mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. This corresponds to the BB cross section of FIG. When mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the external shutter 31 is moved from the position in FIG. 4 to the left in the figure to the position in FIG. Then, the opening 33 is opened, and the waste toner transport pipe 25 is connected to the opening 33. The toner supply port 24 is also opened and connected so that new toner can be supplied to the developing device 13. By being mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 in this manner, the locking by the stopper 38 is released, and the partition member 35 can move leftward in FIG.

  In the new toner cartridge, since the new toner storage area 22 of the toner container 21 stores a sufficiently large amount of new toner, the partition member 35 cannot move suddenly. When image formation is performed, the new toner stored in the new toner storage area 22 is used and decreased. Further, the waste toner transported from the waste toner transport pipe 25 is stored in the waste toner storage region 23 through the opening 33. The partition member 35 gradually moves leftward in FIG. 5 by the biasing force of the spring 37. As a result, the new toner storage area 22 is gradually reduced, and the waste toner storage area 23 is gradually increased. Accordingly, the waste toner storage area 23 can be increased with use.

  A slidable urethane foam is attached between the partition member 35 and the inner surface of the toner container 21 and between the partition member 35 and the rotating shaft 32. Therefore, the sliding of the partition member 35 is smooth and the leakage of toner between the two sections is prevented. When the partition member 35 comes into contact with the loosening member 36 or moves to a position where the spring 37 is fully extended, the partition member 35 does not move further to the left. At this position, the length of the spring 37, the attachment position of the loosening member 36, and the like are set so that the waste toner storage area 23 has the required maximum volume.

“First Example”
Next, an example of the configuration of the stopper 38 will be described. FIG. 6 shows the first embodiment. 6A shows a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is not mounted, and FIG. 6B shows a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is mounted. A half-moon gear 41 and a bent lifting member 42 are rotatably attached to the upper surface of the toner container 21. A rack gear 43 that meshes with the gear 41 is formed on the upper inner surface of the external shutter 31. At the right end of the pulling member 42 in the figure, a locking portion 44 that is locked with the half-moon gear 41 is provided. Further, one end portion of the stopper 38 is attached to the left end portion of the lifting member 42 in the drawing so as to be freely rotatable.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 is mounted, the external shutter 31 is moved leftward in the drawing from the position shown in FIG. Accordingly, the rack gear 43 is also moved leftward in the figure. As a result, the half-moon gear 41 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, the left end portion of the half-moon gear 41 in the drawing pushes down the locking portion 44, and the right end portion of the lifting member 42 is pushed down. As a result, the left end portion of the lifting member 42 is raised, and the stopper 38 is pulled up. As a result, the state shown in FIG.

  Therefore, when the external shutter 31 is opened, the locking of the partition member 35 by the stopper 38 is released. It should be noted that the stopper 38 is not completely pulled out, but may be stopped at a position where the hole of the toner container 21 is blocked. In this way, the position of the tip of the stopper 38 does not come out of the hole. This prevents the toner from leaking from the hole of the toner container 21. If the external shutter 31 is moved backward to close, the stopper 38 easily returns to the position shown in FIG.

  When removing the toner container 21 of this embodiment from the image forming apparatus 1, the external shutter 31 is closed. At this time, since the partition member 35 has moved to the left so as not to hit the stopper 38, the external shutter 31 can be moved from the position of FIG. 6B to the position of FIG. 6A.

  When the used toner container 21 removed from the image forming apparatus 1 is reused, first, the external shutter 31 is opened again, and the waste toner stored in the waste toner storage area 23 is appropriately disposed. To do. Thereafter, the external shutter 31 is closed while pushing the partition member 35 against the urging force of the spring 37 toward the waste toner storage region 23 side. As a result, the lifting member 42 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 6 and the stopper 38 is lowered. At this time, since the tip of the stopper 38 is in the hole of the toner container 21, the stopper 38 easily returns to the position shown in FIG. Accordingly, the partition member 35 is locked by the stopper 38, and a new toner storage area 22 having a predetermined volume is secured.

"Second Example"
Next, a second embodiment is shown in FIG. 7A shows a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is not mounted, and FIG. 7B shows a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is mounted. In this example, a partial gear 51 and a pinion 52 are both rotatably attached to the upper surface of the toner container 21. The axial position of the pinion 52 is fixed with respect to the toner container 21. The partial gear 51 and the pinion 52 mesh with each other. Further, a rack gear 53 that meshes with the pinion 52 is formed on the upper inner surface of the external shutter 31. In this example, the lower end portion of the partial gear 51 in the figure functions as the stopper 38.

  When the toner container 21 of this embodiment is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the external shutter 31 is opened, and the pinion 52 is rotated counterclockwise by the rack gear 53 in the drawing. Thereby, the partial gear 51 is rotated clockwise in the drawing, and the portion corresponding to the stopper 38 is pulled up. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, the locking of the partition member 35 by the stopper 38 is released by opening the external shutter 31.

  When the toner container 21 of this embodiment is reused, after the waste toner is disposed of, the external shutter 31 is pushed while pushing the partition member 35 toward the waste toner storage area 23 against the urging force of the spring 37. Close. Thereby, the partial gear 51 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, and the stopper 38 is pulled down. Then, a new toner storage area 22 is secured. In the second embodiment, the pinion 52 is rotated by the rack gear 53 of the external shutter 31, but the pinion 52 may be eliminated and the rack gear 53 may directly rotate the partial gear 51.

“Third Example”
Next, a third embodiment is shown in FIGS. FIG. 8A shows a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is not mounted, and FIG. 8B shows a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is mounted. In this example, a roller 61 is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the toner container 21. The axial position of the roller 61 is fixed with respect to the toner container 21. One end of a ribbon-like stopper sheet 62 is fixed to a part of the surface of the roller 61. A gear 63 is formed on the other part of the surface of the roller 61.

  A rack gear 64 is formed on the upper inner surface of the external shutter 31 so as to mesh with the gear 63. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a holding member 65 that holds the other end of the stopper sheet 62 is fixed to the lower inner surface of the waste toner storage region 23 of the toner container 21. The one end of the stopper sheet 62 and the gear 63 are provided at different positions in the axial direction of the roller 61 as shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view seen from the right in FIG.

  When not attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the stopper sheet 62 is passed along the partition member 35 from the upper surface to the lower surface of the toner container 21 as shown in FIG. 9. The other end portion of the stopper sheet 62 passes through the lower side of the partition member 35 and is fixed inside the waste toner storage region 23 by a holding member 65. Therefore, the stopper sheet 62 is held by the roller 61 and the holding member 65 and prevents the partition member 35 from moving leftward in FIG. Therefore, the stopper sheet 62 functions as the stopper 38.

  When the toner container 21 of this embodiment is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 and the external shutter 31 is opened, the roller 61 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure by the rack gear 64 as shown in FIG. . Therefore, the stopper sheet 62 is wound around the roller 61, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the fixed portion with the holding member 65 is broken. Thereby, the latching of the partition member 35 is released. The bonding strength of the fixed part is set so as to be like this. That is, it is not destroyed by the urging force of the spring 37, but is destroyed when the external shutter 31 is opened. Note that the portion to be destroyed is not limited to the portion fixed to the holding member 65 but may be the portion fixed to the roller 61 or the middle of the stopper sheet 62.

  In the case of reusing the toner container 21 of this embodiment, after the waste toner is disposed, a new stopper sheet 62 is pushed while pushing the partition member 35 toward the waste toner storage region 23 against the biasing force of the spring 37. Is fixed to the roller 61 and the holding member 65. As a result, the partition member 35 is locked at a predetermined position by the new stopper sheet 62, so that the new toner can be easily filled. In the third embodiment, one end of the stopper sheet 62 is fixed to the roller 61, but it may be directly fixed to the inner surface of the external shutter 31. In this way, neither the roller 61 nor the rack gear 64 is required.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the locking by the stopper 38 is released when the external shutter 31 is opened. In contrast, an example of the stopper 38 that is released by a method other than the movement of the external shutter 31 is shown. A fourth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and a fifth embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 corresponds to the CC cross section of FIG.

“Fourth Example”
In the toner container 71 of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, an opening 72 with an internal shutter is provided on the front side of the hand in the drawing. Here, a waste toner conveying pipe 25 is connected. There may or may not be an external shutter. In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, the partition member 35 is passed and the stopper sheet 73 is fixed to the upper inner surface and the lower inner surface of the toner container 71. The stopper sheet 73 may be the same as that in the third embodiment. When not attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the stopper sheet 73 functions as the stopper 38. The upper diagram in FIG. 11 shows a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is not mounted, and the lower diagram shows a mounted state.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 is mounted, the waste toner conveying tube 25 is inserted into the opening 72 as shown in FIG. At this time, the waste toner conveying tube 25 is inserted deep enough to contact the latching partition member 35. That is, the partition member 35 is pushed leftward in the figure by the waste toner transport tube 25. Thereby, as shown in the following figure, a fixed part with the toner container 71 is destroyed. Thereby, the latching of the partition member 35 is released.

  In the case of reusing, after the waste toner is disposed of, the new stopper sheet 73 is fixed to the toner container 71 while pushing the partition member 35 toward the waste toner storage area 23 against the biasing force of the spring 37. Thereby, the partition member 35 can be locked by the stopper sheet 73.

"5th Example"
As shown in FIG. 12, the fifth embodiment has a screw 81 instead of the rotating shaft 32. The upper diagram shows a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is not mounted, and the lower diagram shows a mounted state. In this example, a partition member 82 is provided instead of the partition member 35. As shown in FIG. 12, the screw 81 has a spiral blade 84 formed on a rotary shaft 83 having a shaft diameter r. Further, a stop wall 85 is formed at a predetermined position in the middle of the screw 81 by the blade 84 being interrupted.

  The partition member 82 is a plate-like member in which an annular flexible member 87 is fitted in the through hole 86 as shown in FIG. The diameter R of the through hole 86 is substantially equal to the outer diameter R of the screw 81. Further, the diameter r of the central hole of the flexible member 87 is substantially equal to the shaft diameter r of the screw 81. The flexible member 87 may be a foamed member such as sponge or rubber. The flexible member 87 is formed with a cut 88 at one location. The notch 88 and the blades 84 of the screw 81 are engaged with each other.

  In a state where the image forming apparatus 1 is not mounted, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. Since the blades 84 and the notches 88 are engaged with each other, the partition member 82 does not move to either the left or right side from this position unless the screw 81 is rotated. Accordingly, the screw 81 functions as the stopper 38.

  When attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the rotating shaft 83 of the screw 81 is rotated by the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 12. Therefore, the partition member 82 is pushed in by the rotation of the blades 84 and is gradually moved leftward in the figure. And if the blade | wing 84 moves to the location which has interrupted, the partition member 82 will contact | abut to the stop wall 85, and cannot move any more.

  When reusing, the screw 81 is reversely rotated after the waste toner is disposed. Thereby, the partition member 82 moves rightward in FIG. After moving to a predetermined position, the rotation of the screw 81 is stopped. Thus, the partition member 82 is stopped at a predetermined position, and new toner can be easily filled. In this example, the arrangement of the waste toner conveying pipe 25 and the opening to which it is connected may be anywhere.

  As described above in detail, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the partition member 35 is locked by the stopper 38 when the toner container 21 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 1. Therefore, the volume of the new toner storage area 22 can be secured stably. When the image forming apparatus 1 is mounted, the partition member 35 is unlocked by the stopper 38. The partition member 35 is gradually moved by the biasing force of the spring 37. Therefore, the volume of the waste toner storage area 23 can be gradually increased. Therefore, the toner container 21 can stably secure the new toner storage area 22 when the new toner is filled, and can increase the waste toner storage area 23 with use.

In addition, this form is only a mere illustration and does not limit this invention at all. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof.
For example, the insertion and removal of the stopper 38 is not limited to a mechanical method but can be performed by electromagnetic force. Further, the shape of the toner container and its partition shape are only examples, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a cylindrical toner container may be used. Moreover, instead of dividing in the axial direction, it can be divided obliquely or vertically.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner container. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner container. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner container. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner container. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the stopper of a 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the stopper of a 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the stopper of a 3rd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the stopper of a 3rd Example. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a toner container. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the stopper of a 4th Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the stopper of a 5th Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a partition member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 21 Toner container 22 New toner accommodation area 23 Waste toner accommodation area 31 External shutter 32 Rotating shaft 33 Opening part 35,82 Partition member 36 Unraveling member 37 Spring 38 Stopper 62,73 Stopper sheet 81 Screw 84 Blade 87 Flexible member

Claims (8)

In a toner cartridge that includes a toner container that contains both replenishment toner and waste toner, and is used by being attached to an image forming apparatus.
A partition plate that partitions the interior of the toner container into a replenishment toner storage chamber and a waste toner storage chamber;
A moving member for moving the partition plate toward the replenishment toner storage chamber;
A toner cartridge comprising: a blocking member that prevents movement of the partition plate by the moving member before being attached to the image forming apparatus, and that releases the blocking when attached to the image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge according to claim 1,
The toner container is provided with an opening connected to the waste toner storage chamber or the replenishment toner storage chamber;
And a blocking release member that closes the opening and blocks the blocking member before being attached to the image forming apparatus, and opens the opening and blocks the blocking member when mounted on the image forming apparatus. Features toner cartridge. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member includes:
Before being attached to the image forming apparatus, the toner container protrudes to a position closer to the replenishment toner storage chamber than the partition plate in the toner container.
A toner cartridge, wherein the toner cartridge is retracted from a chamber of the toner container when attached to an image forming apparatus. The toner cartridge according to claim 3,
The toner container has a hole that allows the blocking member to protrude into the chamber,
The toner cartridge is characterized in that a part of the blocking member remains in the hole even when the blocking member is retracted from the room. The toner cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the blocking member includes:
A sheet member having both ends joined to the inner surface of the toner container and the blocking release member;
Before being attached to the image forming apparatus, an intermediate portion is located closer to the replenishing toner storage chamber than the partition plate in the toner container.
A toner cartridge characterized in that, when attached to an image forming apparatus, one or both of joints at both ends are destroyed by the movement of the blocking release member. The toner cartridge according to claim 1,
The blocking member is a sheet member having both ends bonded to the inner surface of the toner container,
When the partition plate is attached to the image forming apparatus, the partition plate is pushed toward the replenishment toner storage chamber by a member of the image forming apparatus.
Before being attached to the image forming apparatus, an intermediate portion of the sheet member is positioned closer to the replenishment toner storage chamber than the partition plate in the toner container.
A toner cartridge, wherein when attached to an image forming apparatus, one or both of joints at both ends of the sheet member are destroyed. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A loosening member that loosens the toner in the replenishing toner storage chamber by rotating in the toner container chamber, and a rotating shaft thereof;
The toner cartridge, wherein the partition plate is guided to move by a rotation shaft of the loosening member. In a toner cartridge that includes a toner container that contains both replenishment toner and waste toner, and is used by being attached to an image forming apparatus.
A partition plate that partitions the interior of the toner container into a replenishment toner storage chamber and a waste toner storage chamber;
A rotating shaft that penetrates the partition plate and rotates upon receiving a drive from the image forming apparatus;
A screw blade provided on the rotating shaft to move the partition plate by the rotation;
A toner cartridge, comprising: a flexible member that is provided in a through hole of the partition plate and seals between the partition plate and the rotation shaft.

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