JP2009003383A - Developer charging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer charging device for achieving saving of labor and reduction of cost by reducing man-hour by automatizing charging of a funnel for charging with developer by simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: The developer charging device includes: a storing part 6 having a developer discharge port 2 and an opening 4 widening toward a leading end from a rear end and reservoiring the developer for charging 5; the funnel for charging 8 having an outer periphery part 7 formed on the outer periphery of the opening 4; a cover part 12 covering over the opening 4 of the storing part 6; a discharge port sealing control rod 13 extending to be inserted through the developer discharge port 2 from the cover part 12; and a discharge port sealing member 14 attached to the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod 13 and sealing the developer discharge port 2 while abutting on the discharge port 2. Furthermore, the developer charging device is equipped with a first elastic body 15 including a coil spring for imparting elastic force in a direction (direction shown by an arrow A) where the cover part 12 is separated from the outer periphery part 7 of the funnel for charging 8 between the outer periphery 12b of the cover part 12 and the outer periphery part 7 of the funnel for charging 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer filling device, and in particular, a developer filling that fills a developer storage case loaded in the image forming apparatus with a developer containing toner used in an electrophotographic process type image forming apparatus. Relates to the device.

Conventionally, a developer containing toner such as a magnetic carrier and toner used in an electrophotographic process type image forming apparatus is subdivided from a large container into a developer storage case loaded in the image forming apparatus. It has been broken. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
However, in the case of the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, since there are a large number of parts to be controlled, the equipment becomes large compared with the function of filling the developer storage case with a small volume of developer. Filling with a small amount of developer of up to several hundred grams is expensive. Therefore, when the filling amount is small, as shown in FIG. 9, the developer discharge port 2 attached to the tapered rear end portion and the rear end portion are provided in the filling port 1 a of the developer storage case 1. A developer filling funnel 8 having a storage portion 6 for storing a filling developer 5 having a pre-opening opening 4 and an outer peripheral portion 7 formed on the outer periphery of the opening 4 of the storage portion is provided on a base 16. The developer 5 is manually put into the filling funnel 8 from a measuring cup 9 which is mounted on a support member 11 which is attached to the attached support column 10 so as to be movable up and down, and which contains the developer measured in another process. Filling by natural fall is performed.
JP-A-2005-75376

However, when the developer storage case 1 is manually filled with the developer, the developer 5 may not be completely discharged in the vicinity of the developer discharge port 3 of the filling funnel 8 and the filling is completed. If the filling funnel 8 is raised, the remaining developer 5 falls and adheres to the outer surface of the developer storage case 1. For this reason, it is necessary to perform cleaning such as wiping off the developer from the outer surface of the developer storage case, which leads to a cost increase in the production process.
Therefore, the developer does not remain in the vicinity of the discharge port 3 by manually hitting the vicinity of the developer discharge port 3 of the filling funnel 8 or by attaching a vibration imparting device such as a vibrator. Although a method of dropping the developer into the developer storage case has been taken, there is a problem that a complicated operation is required, which increases labor and greatly increases the cost of the apparatus.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has a simple configuration, and is a developer filling apparatus that automates the introduction of the developer into the filling funnel to reduce labor and cost by reducing the number of steps. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is a developer that fills a developer storage case loaded in the image forming apparatus with a developer used in an electrophotographic process type image forming apparatus. In the filling device, a developer discharge port attached to a tapered rear end portion inserted into a filling port of the developer storage case and a filling developer having a widened opening from the rear end portion are stored. A developer filling funnel having an outer periphery formed on the outer periphery of the storage portion and the opening of the storage portion, a lid portion for opening and closing the opening of the storage portion, and a discharge extending from the inner surface of the lid portion into the developer discharge port. An outlet sealing control rod, a discharge port sealing member attached to a rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod, contacting the developer discharge port to seal the discharge port, and an outer periphery of the lid portion Between the outer periphery of the developer filling funnel And an elastic body that applies an elastic force in a direction away from the outer peripheral portion of the developer filling funnel, and the discharge port sealing control rod when the cover is pressed against the elastic force , The discharge port sealing member attached to the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod is lowered to release the developer discharge port, and the developer filling funnel storage portion When the developer stored in the container is discharged into the developer storage case, and the pressing of the lid is released, the lid is pulled up by the elastic force of the elastic body, and the discharge port sealing control rod is pulled up Thus, the discharge port sealing member contacts and seals the developer discharge port.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the developer filling apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the elastic body is a bellows-like shape disposed between the outer periphery of the lid and the outer periphery of the developer filling funnel. It is characterized by being an elastic body.
The invention according to claim 3 is the developer filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is a coil spring disposed between the outer periphery of the lid and the outer periphery of the developer filling funnel. It is characterized by being.
Further, the invention of claim 4 is the developer filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the discharge port sealing member has a sphere having an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the developer discharge port, A sealing member selected from a cone-shaped body and a weight-shaped body, and when the discharge port sealing control rod is pulled up, the sealing member contacts and seals the developer discharge port Features.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer filling apparatus for filling a developer storage case loaded in the image forming apparatus with a developer used in an electrophotographic process type image forming apparatus. A developer discharge port attached to a taper-shaped rear end portion inserted into a case filling port, a storage portion for storing a filling developer having an opening widened from the rear end portion, and an opening of the storage portion A developer-filling funnel having an outer peripheral portion formed on the outer periphery, a lid portion having a developer supply port for opening and closing the opening of the storage portion and supplying the developer to the storage portion, and the development at the tip A supply port sealing member for sealing the developer supply port, the discharge port sealing control rod extending into the developer discharge port, and the developer discharge port attached to the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod A discharge port seal that seals the discharge port in contact with A member, a second elastic body for elastically pulling up the discharge port sealing control rod upward, and the lid portion between the outer periphery of the lid portion and the outer periphery of the developer filling funnel. A first elastic body that applies an elastic force in a direction away from the outer peripheral portion of the filling funnel, and the discharge port seal is pressed when the lid portion is pressed against the elastic force of the first elastic body. The developer supply port sealing member at the front end of the stop control rod comes into contact with the developer supply port of the lid portion to seal the developer supply port and descend, and the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod The discharge port sealing member attached to the container is lowered to release the seal of the developer discharge port, and the developer stored in the storage portion of the developer filling funnel is discharged into the developer storage case. When the pressing of the lid is released, the lid is pulled up by the elastic force of the first elastic body. The discharge port sealing member is brought into contact with and sealed by the developer discharge port by pulling up the discharge port sealing control rod by the second elastic body, and the tip of the discharge port sealing control rod is developed. The developer supply port sealing member is separated from the developer supply port of the lid portion, and the developer can be supplied from the developer supply port into the storage portion.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the developer filling device according to the fifth aspect, the first elastic body is disposed between an outer periphery of the lid portion and an outer peripheral portion of the developer filling funnel. It is characterized by being an accordion-like elastic body.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the developer filling apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the first elastic body is disposed between an outer periphery of the lid portion and an outer peripheral portion of the developer filling funnel. It is characterized by being a coil spring.
The invention according to claim 8 is the developer filling device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the discharge port sealing member has a sphere having an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the developer discharge port, Alternatively, the sealing member is formed of a weight-like body, and when the discharge port sealing control rod is pulled up, the outer periphery of the sealing member contacts and seals the developer discharge port. .
The invention according to claim 9 is the developer filling apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the developer supply port sealing member is outside the inner diameter of the developer supply port of the lid portion. A sealing member made of a spherical body having a diameter or a weight-like body, and the discharge port sealing control rod is pulled up so that the outer periphery of the discharge port sealing member comes into contact with the developer discharge port and discharges the developer. The outlet is sealed, and the developer supply port sealing member and the developer supply port are separated from each other so that the developer can be supplied from the developer supply port.

  According to the present invention, the developer discharge port attached to the tapered rear end portion inserted into the filling port of the developer storage case and the filling developer having the opening widened from the rear end portion are stored. A developer filling funnel having an outer peripheral portion formed on an outer periphery of an opening of the storage portion, a lid portion for closing the opening of the storage portion, and an inner surface of the lid portion into the developer discharge port. A discharge port sealing control rod that extends, a discharge port sealing member that is attached to the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod and that contacts the developer discharge port and seals the discharge port; and An elastic body that applies an elastic force between the outer periphery and the outer peripheral portion of the developer filling funnel in a direction away from the outer peripheral portion of the developer filling funnel; When pressed against the force, the discharge port sealing control rod moves and the discharge port seal The discharge port sealing member attached to the rear end of the control rod descends to release the developer discharge port sealing, and the developer stored in the storage portion of the developer filling funnel is removed from the developer. When discharging into the storage case and releasing the pressure on the lid, the lid is lifted by the elastic force of the elastic body, and the discharge port sealing control rod is pulled up so that the discharge port sealing member is A developer discharge port attached to the taper-shaped rear end portion inserted into the filling port of the developer storage case and a taper shape that extends from the rear end portion. A storage portion for storing the developer for filling having an opening; a developer filling funnel having an outer peripheral portion formed on an outer periphery of the opening of the storage portion; the opening of the storage portion is closed; and the developer is A lid portion having a developer supply port for supplying to the storage portion; A supply port sealing member that seals the image agent supply port, and is attached to a discharge port sealing control rod extending into the developer discharge port and a rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod; A discharge port sealing member that contacts the outlet and seals the discharge port, a second elastic body that elastically lifts the discharge port sealing control rod upward, an outer periphery of the lid, and the developer filling A first elastic body for applying an elastic force in a direction away from the outer peripheral portion of the developer filling funnel between the outer peripheral portion of the developer funnel, and the lid portion being the first elastic member. When pressed against the elastic force of the body, the developer supply port sealing member at the tip of the discharge port sealing control rod comes into contact with the developer supply port of the lid to seal the developer supply port The discharge port sealing member attached to the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod descends to lower the developer discharge. When the seal of the outlet is released, the developer stored in the storage portion of the developer filling funnel is discharged into the developer storage case, and the pressing of the lid portion is released, the first While the lid is pulled up by the elastic force of the elastic body and the discharge port sealing control rod is pulled up by the second elastic body, the discharge port sealing member comes into contact with and seals the developer discharge port, and By allowing the developer supply port sealing member at the tip of the discharge port sealing control rod to be separated from the developer supply port of the lid and allowing the developer to be supplied from the developer supply port into the storage unit, With a simple configuration, it is possible to provide a developer filling apparatus that automates the introduction of the developer into the filling funnel to reduce labor and cost by reducing man-hours.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Example 1]
1A and 1B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of a developer filling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a state in which a developer 5 is sealed in a filling funnel 8, and FIG. 1B shows a developer. FIG. 5 is a view showing a state where 5 is discharged and filled into the developer storage case 1 from the filling funnel 8.
As shown in FIG. 1, the developer filling apparatus according to the present embodiment has a developer discharge port 2 attached to a tapered rear end portion (discharge side end portion) 8a and a diameter upward from the rear end portion. A storage portion 6 for storing a filling developer 5 that gradually increases in a taper shape and has an opening 4 at an end portion, and an outer peripheral portion 7 (flange) formed on the outer periphery of an opening (introduction side end portion) 4 of the storage portion 6 A funnel 8 having an inverted conical shape and a portion). Further, the developer filling device is inserted into the developer discharge port 2 from the center portion of the inner surface 12a of the lid portion 12 and the lid portion 12 for closing (opening and closing) the opening 4 of the storage portion 6 of the filling funnel 8. An extended discharge port sealing control rod 13 and a discharge port sealing member 14 attached to the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod 13 and contacting the developer discharge port 2 to seal the discharge port 2 Have. The discharge port sealing member 14 has a spherical shape, and its outer diameter d2 is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the developer discharge port 3, and the outer peripheral surface of the discharge port sealing member 14 is discharged from the developer. By contacting the tip of the outlet 3, the discharge port 3 is sealed to prevent the developer 5 in the storage portion 6 of the filling funnel 8 from being discharged from the discharge port 3.

Further, a coil spring that applies an elastic force between the outer periphery 12b of the lid 2 and the outer periphery 7 of the filling funnel 8 in a direction away from the outer periphery 7 of the filling funnel 8 (arrow A direction). The lid portion 12 is pushed upward by the first elastic body 15, and the discharge port sealing control rod 13 is moved as the lid portion 12 is pushed upward. The discharge port sealing member 14 is brought into contact with the developer discharge port and sealed. (See Fig. 1 (a))
On the other hand, when the developer 5 housed in the filling funnel 8 is filled into the developer housing case 1, as shown in FIG. The developer storage case 1 is placed with the mouth 1a facing up. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1A, the filling funnel 8 in which the developer 5 is stored in the storage portion 6 and the developer discharge port 2 is sealed by the discharge port sealing member 14 is disposed on the outer periphery thereof. The portion 7 is supported and fixed by the support member 11, and the support member 11 is lowered on the support column 10 (in the direction of arrow C), and the developer discharge port 2 of the filling funnel 8 is placed in the filling port 1 a of the developer storage case 1. The cylindrical portion 8a of the filling funnel 8 is inserted, and the filling port sealing member 8c protruding laterally from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 8a is brought into contact with the upper surface of the outer periphery of the filling port 1a for sealing.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the lid portion 12 is pressed in the direction of arrow B against the elastic force of the first elastic body 15 with a finger or the like, the discharge port sealing control rod 13 is lowered. Thus, the discharge port sealing member 14 attached to the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod 13 descends to release the seal of the developer discharge port 2, so that the storage portion 6 of the developer filling funnel 8 is released. The stored developer 5 is discharged into the developer storage case 1 to fill the developer storage case 1 with a predetermined amount of the developer 5. After that, when the developer storage case 1 is filled with a predetermined amount of the developer 5, when the pressing by the finger of the lid 12 is released, the lid 12 is pulled up by the elastic force of the first elastic body 15, and the lid As the portion 12 is raised, the discharge port sealing control rod 13 is pulled up, and the discharge port sealing member 14 is lifted to contact and seal against the developer discharge port 2, and the developer from the developer discharge port 2. Prevent 5 from falling. Needless to say, the pressing of the lid 12 in the B direction may be a pressing by a mechanical means such as a plunger without depending on human power such as a finger.
As described above, in this embodiment, the filling funnel 8, the lid 2, the first elastic body 15, the discharge port sealing control rod 13, and the discharge port sealing member 14 have a simple configuration and a predetermined amount. It becomes possible to fill the developer storage case 1 with the developer 5. Moreover, even when a small amount of developer remains in the filling funnel 8 when the developer storage case 1 is completely filled with the developer 5, the developer discharge port 3 becomes the discharge port sealing member 14. Since the sealing is automatically performed, it is possible to prevent the remaining developer 5 from falling and soiling the surface of the storage case 1 even if the filling funnel 8 is removed from the storage case 1.

In the above embodiment, the developer funnel 8 is stored in the storage portion 6 of the filling funnel 8 and the outer peripheral portion 7 of the filling funnel is supported and fixed by the support member 11. Before storing the developer 5 in the container, the filling funnel 8 is supported and fixed by the support member 11, and then a predetermined amount of the developer 5 is charged from the developer supply port 12 c formed in the lid 12. Then, the developer 5 stored in the storage unit 6 is pressed against the lid 2 to release the developer discharge port 3 of the discharge port sealing member 14 and to develop the developer 5. The developer storage case 1 may be filled with the developer 5.
In the above-described embodiment, an inverted conical funnel is used as the filling funnel 8. However, the funnel 8 is not limited to the inverted conical funnel, and may be an inverted pyramid funnel or the like that extends from the developer discharge port 2 to the opening 4. It is sufficient if the shape has a wide inclined inner surface and the developer 5 can freely move to the developer discharge port 2 along the inclined inner surface.
Further, the developer used in the present invention includes a two-component developer containing a toner and a magnetic carrier, and a developer composition such as a toner alone or a magnetic carrier alone.

[Example 2]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a developer filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the developer filling apparatus in the first embodiment described above in that a bellows-like elastic body is used as the first elastic body 15 instead of the coil spring in the first embodiment. . Thus, when using a bellows-like elastic body as the first elastic body 15, the lid portion is sealed between the outer peripheral portion 12 b of the lid portion 12 and the outer peripheral portion 7 of the filling funnel 8. 12 can be raised elastically, and when the developer 5 is supplied from the developer supply port 12 c of the lid 12 into the storage 6 of the filling funnel 8, the developer 5 is covered with the lid 12. The outer peripheral portion 12b and the outer peripheral portion 7 of the filling funnel 8 can be prevented from being scattered.

[Example 3]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a developer filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the developer filling device in the first embodiment described above is a conical abutting contact with the inner peripheral surface of the developer discharge port 3 as the discharge port sealing member 14 instead of the sphere in the first embodiment. The structure using the weight-shaped sealing member which has the contact part 14a differs. As described above, when the weight-shaped sealing member having the conical contact portion 14 a that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the developer discharge port 3 is used as the discharge port sealing member 14, the developer discharge port 3 is used. Since the inner peripheral surface of the toner container and the conical contact portion 14a are in contact with each other with good adhesion, the developer discharge port 3 is more sealed, and the residual developer 5 from the developer discharge port 3 is sealed. Can be satisfactorily suppressed.

[Example 4]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a developer filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the developer filling device in the first embodiment uses a bellows-like elastic body as the first elastic body 15 instead of the coil spring in the first embodiment, and further discharge port sealing. The structure which uses the weight-shaped sealing member which has the cone-shaped contact part 14a contact | abutted with the internal peripheral surface of the developer discharge port 3 as the member 14 differs. Thus, since the bellows-like elastic body is used, not only the scattering from between the outer peripheral portion 12b of the lid portion 12 of the developer 5 and the outer peripheral portion 7 of the filling funnel 8 is prevented, Since the discharge port sealing member 14 is used, the developer discharge port 3 is more sealed, and the falling off of the residual developer 5 from the developer discharge port 3 can be satisfactorily suppressed.

[Example 5]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a developer filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the developer 5 is sealed in the filling funnel 8, and FIG. 5B shows the developer 5. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the developer storage case 1 is discharged and filled from the filling funnel 8. In this embodiment, the structure of the lid 12 and the discharge port sealing control rod 13 is different from the developer filling device in the first embodiment. The discharge port sealing control rod 13 is formed separately from the lid portion 12 and has an outer diameter d4 larger than the inner diameter d3 of the developer supply port 12 formed at the center of the lid portion 12 at the tip. A spherical supply port sealing member 17 is formed.
Further, the discharge port sealing control rod 13 is fitted with a second elastic body 18 made of a coil spring that urges an elastic force upward (in the direction of arrow D), and an upper end of the second elastic body 18 and The lower ends are locked by locking members 19 and 20. The upper locking member 20 is connected to the discharge port sealing control rod 13 and moves up and down as the discharge port sealing control rod 13 moves up and down. On the other hand, the lower locking member 19 has a hole portion 19a through which the discharge port sealing control rod 13 is inserted at the center, and the outer peripheral portion 19b of the locking member 19 is located at a predetermined position of the filling funnel 8. It has an outer diameter that engages with the circumference, and allows the ejection port sealing control rod 13 to be inserted even when the ejection port sealing control rod 13 moves up and down, and engages with a predetermined inner circumference of the filling funnel 8. At the same time, the downward movement is prevented. Each of the locking members 19 and 20 has a through-hole that allows the developing member stored in the storage unit 6 to fall downward.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5A, the discharge port sealing control rod 13 is pulled up by the second elastic body 18 and developed at the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod 13. A spherical discharge port sealing member 14 having an outer diameter d2 larger than the inner diameter d1 of the agent discharge port 2 contacts the developer discharge port 2 and is stored in the storage portion 6 of the filling funnel 8. The discharge of the agent 5 is prevented.
Further, the discharge port sealing control rod 13 has a length that is separated from the developer supply port 12 c of the lid 12 when the supply port sealing member 17 at the tip thereof is pulled up by the second elastic body 18. The developer 5 supplied from the developer supply pipe 21 mounted on the developer supply port 12 c of the lid 12 is a gap between the developer supply port 12 c of the lid 12 and the supply port sealing member 17. 22 can be supplied into the storage portion 6 of the filling funnel 8.

In this way, when a predetermined amount of developer 5 is stored in the storage portion 6 of the filling funnel 8, as shown in FIG. 5B, the lid 12 is pressed by the developer supply pipe 21. When the first elastic body 15 is compressed, the supply port sealing member 17 comes into contact with the developer supply port 12c of the lid 12 to seal the developer supply port 12c of the lid 12, and the discharge port is sealed. The control rod 13 descends against the elastic force of the second elastic body 18, the ejection port sealing member 14 formed at the rear end of the ejection port sealing control rod 13 descends, and the developer ejection port 2. To open. As a result, the developer 5 is filled into the developer storage case 1 from the developer discharge port 2. When the developer storage case 1 is filled with the predetermined developer 5 and the pressing of the lid 12 by the developer supply pipe 21 is released, the discharge port sealing control rod is recovered by the restoring force of the second elastic body 18. 13 is pulled upward, and the discharge port sealing member 14 seals the developer discharge port 2. Further, the lid 12 is pulled upward by the restoring force of the first elastic body 15, and a gap 22 is formed between the developer supply port 12 c of the lid 12 and the supply port sealing member 17. 22, the developer 5 is supplied from the developer supply pipe 21 into the storage portion 6 of the filling funnel 8.
As described above, in the filling apparatus according to the present embodiment, the developer supply pipe 21 is disposed on the developer supply port 12 of the lid 12, and the lid 12 is simply pressed and lowered by the developer supply pipe 21. Thus, it becomes possible to automatically store the developer 5 in the storage portion 6 of the filling funnel 8 and to charge the developer 5 into the developer storage case 1 and perform the filling operation in a short time. In addition, it is possible to suppress the surface of the storage case 1 from being soiled.

[Example 6]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a developer filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the developer filling apparatus in the fifth embodiment described above in that a bellows-like elastic body is used as the first elastic body 15 instead of the coil spring in the fifth embodiment. . Thus, when using a bellows-like elastic body as the first elastic body 15, the lid portion is sealed between the outer peripheral portion 12 b of the lid portion 12 and the outer peripheral portion 7 of the filling funnel 8. 12 can be raised elastically, and when the developer 5 is supplied from the developer supply port 12 c of the lid 12 into the storage 6 of the filling funnel 8, the developer 5 is covered with the lid 12. The outer peripheral portion 12b and the outer peripheral portion 7 of the filling funnel 8 can be prevented from being scattered.

[Example 7]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a developer filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the developer filling device in Embodiment 5 described above is the supply port sealing member 17 and the discharge port sealing member 14 in Embodiment 5 as the supply port sealing member 17 and the discharge port sealing member 14. Instead of the spherical sealing member, a configuration in which a weight-shaped sealing member having a conical outer peripheral surface in contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the developer supply port 12c and the developer discharge port 3 is used. Yes. As described above, when using a weight-shaped sealing member having a conical outer peripheral surface in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the developer discharge port 3 as the supply port sealing member 17 and the discharge port sealing member 14, Since the inner peripheral surface of the supply port sealing member 17 and the developer discharge port 3 and the conical outer peripheral surface are in contact with each other with good adhesion, the developer discharge port 3 is more sealed and developed. It is possible to satisfactorily prevent the residual developer 5 from dropping from the developer discharge port 3, and further, the supply of the developer 5 from the developer supply pipe 21 into the filling funnel is stopped, and a required amount of the developer 5 is stopped. The developer can be discharged into the developer storage case 1.

[Example 8]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a developer filling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the developer filling device in Embodiment 7 described above in that a bellows-like elastic body is used as the first elastic body 15 instead of the coil spring in Embodiment 7. . Thus, since the bellows-like elastic body is used, not only the scattering from between the outer peripheral portion 12b of the lid portion 12 of the developer 5 and the outer peripheral portion 7 of the filling funnel 8 is prevented, Since the discharge port sealing member 14 is used, the developer discharge port 3 is more sealed, and the falling off of the residual developer 5 from the developer discharge port 3 can be satisfactorily suppressed.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a developer filling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) illustrates a state in which a developer 5 is sealed in a filling funnel 8, and (b) illustrates a developer 5; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where the developer is filled and discharged from the filling funnel. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the developing agent filling apparatus which concerns on Example 2 by this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the developing agent filling apparatus which concerns on Example 3 by this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the developing agent filling apparatus which concerns on Example 4 by this invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a developer filling apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, where (a) illustrates a state in which a developer is sealed in a filling funnel, and (b) illustrates a state in which the developer is filled. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state where a developer storage case is discharged and filled from a funnel. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the developing agent filling apparatus which concerns on Example 6 by this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the developing agent filling apparatus which concerns on Example 7 by this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the developer filling apparatus which concerns on Example 8 by this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the conventional developer filling apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Developer storage case, 1a Filling port, 2 Developer discharge port, 4 opening, 5 Developer, 6 Storage part, 7 Outer part, 8 Filling funnel, 12 Lid part, 12b Outer part, 12c Developer supply port, 13 discharge port sealing control rod, 14 discharge port sealing member, 15 first elastic body, 17 supply port sealing member, 18 second elastic body, 19, 20 locking member, 21 developer supply pipe, 22 Gap

Claims (9)

In the developer filling device for filling the developer used in the image forming apparatus of the electrophotographic process system into the developer storage case loaded in the image forming apparatus.
A developer discharge port attached to a taper-shaped rear end portion inserted into a filling port of the developer storage case, a storage portion for storing a developer for filling having a widened opening from the rear end portion; A developer filling funnel having an outer peripheral portion formed on the outer periphery of the opening of the storage portion, a lid portion for opening and closing the opening of the storage portion, and a discharge port sealing control extending from the inner surface of the cover portion into the developer discharge port A discharge port sealing member that is attached to the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod and contacts the developer discharge port to seal the discharge port; an outer periphery of the lid portion; and the developer filling An elastic body for applying an elastic force in a direction away from the outer peripheral portion of the developer filling funnel between the outer peripheral portion of the developer funnel and pressing the lid portion against the elastic force When the discharge port sealing control rod moves, after the discharge port sealing control rod The discharge port sealing member attached to the container is lowered to release the seal of the developer discharge port, and the developer stored in the storage portion of the developer filling funnel is discharged into the developer storage case. When the cover is released, the cover is pulled up by the elastic force of the elastic body, and the discharge port sealing control rod is pulled up to bring the discharge port sealing member into the developer discharge port. A developer filling apparatus, wherein the developer filling apparatus is brought into contact with and sealed. The developer filling apparatus according to claim 1,
The developer filling apparatus, wherein the elastic body is a bellows-like elastic body disposed between an outer periphery of the lid portion and an outer peripheral portion of the developer filling funnel. The developer filling apparatus according to claim 1,
The developer filling apparatus, wherein the elastic body is a coil spring disposed between an outer periphery of the lid portion and an outer periphery of the developer filling funnel. The developer filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The discharge port sealing member is a sealing member selected from a sphere having a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the developer discharge port, a cone, and a weight, and the discharge port sealing control rod is pulled up. The developer filling device, wherein the sealing member is in contact with the developer discharge port for sealing. In the developer filling device for filling the developer used in the image forming apparatus of the electrophotographic process system into the developer storage case loaded in the image forming apparatus.
A developer discharge port attached to a taper-shaped rear end portion inserted into a filling port of the developer storage case, a storage portion for storing a developer for filling having a widened opening from the rear end portion; A developer filling funnel having an outer peripheral portion formed on the outer periphery of the opening of the storage portion; a lid portion having a developer supply port that opens and closes the opening of the storage portion and supplies the developer to the storage portion; A supply port sealing member that seals the developer supply port at the tip, and is attached to a discharge port sealing control rod extending into the developer discharge port; and a rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod, A discharge port sealing member that contacts the developer discharge port and seals the discharge port; a second elastic body that elastically pulls up the discharge port sealing control rod; an outer periphery of the lid portion; The lid is placed between the developer filling funnel and the outer periphery of the developer filling funnel. A first elastic body that applies an elastic force in a direction away from the peripheral portion, and when the lid is pressed against the elastic force of the first elastic body, the discharge port sealing control rod A developer supply port sealing member at the front end abuts on the developer supply port of the lid to seal the developer supply port and descends and is attached to the rear end of the discharge port sealing control rod The discharge port sealing member is lowered to release the seal of the developer discharge port, and the developer stored in the storage portion of the developer filling funnel is discharged into the developer storage case, and the lid When the pressing of the portion is released, the discharge port sealing member is pulled up by pulling up the discharge port sealing control rod by the second elastic body and pulling up the lid portion by the elastic force of the first elastic body. The developer discharge port is contacted and sealed, and the tip of the discharge port sealing control rod is Agents developer replenishing device supply port sealing member is characterized in that to enable the supply of and spaced from the developer supply port of the lid developer into storage portion from the developer feed inlet. The developer filling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The developer filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic body is a bellows-like elastic body disposed between an outer periphery of the lid portion and an outer peripheral portion of the developer filling funnel. The developer filling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The developer filling apparatus, wherein the first elastic body is a coil spring disposed between an outer periphery of the lid portion and an outer periphery of the developer filling funnel. The developer filling device according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The discharge port sealing member is a sealing member made of a sphere having a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the developer discharge port, or a weight-like body, and when the discharge port sealing control rod is pulled up, A developer filling apparatus, wherein an outer periphery of a sealing member is in contact with the developer discharge port for sealing. The developer filling device according to any one of claims 5 to 8,
The developer supply port sealing member is a sealing member made of a sphere or a spindle having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the developer supply port of the lid, and the discharge port sealing control rod is pulled up. The outer periphery of the discharge port sealing member abuts on the developer discharge port to seal the developer discharge port, and the developer supply port sealing member and the developer supply port are separated from each other. A developer filling device characterized in that a developer can be supplied from a developer supply port.

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