JP2009222807A - Developer supply device, method for filling supply device with developer and image forming apparatus using the supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer supply device and the like capable of holding a stirring member at a desired position when the device is not attached to an attaching object, the developer supply device having the sheet type stirring member. <P>SOLUTION: The developer supply device includes: a container part where a storage space to store developer therein is formed; a supporting member which is installed to rotate in the storage space of the container part; the sheet like stirring member whose one end side is attached to the supporting member, and whose free end side on an opposite side to the one end comes into contact with at least a part of an inner wall of the storage space of the container part by rotation of the supporting member; and a checking member which checks the rotation of the supporting member when the supply device is not attached to the image forming apparatus that is the attaching object, and cancels the checking state of the rotation when it is attached to the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer supply device, a method of filling a developer in the supply device, and an image forming apparatus using the supply device.

  An electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier such as a photoreceptor is developed with a powder developer contained in a developing device, and the developed image is finally formed as an image on a recording medium such as recording paper In forming apparatuses (printers, copiers, facsimiles, etc.), a developer supply device represented by a developing device having a container portion (accommodating chamber) for accommodating a developer, a developer supply container, and the like is used. .

  As such a developer supply device, for example, one end side is attached to a support member that rotates in the accommodation space in a container portion in which an accommodation space for accommodating the developer is formed, and is opposite to the one end portion. There is a type in which a sheet-like stirring member whose free end is in contact with the inner wall of the accommodation space is installed. In this developer supply device, the developer in the storage space of the container portion is stirred by the stirring member, and the stirred developer is sent out from a developer outlet provided in the container portion to a predetermined supply destination. Supply.

  In the developer supply apparatus having such a stirring member, measures related to the stirring member are taken as exemplified below.

  For example, the developing tank is provided with a stirring member having a flexible transport sheet that stirs and transports the toner stored in the toner replenishing tank, and the toner is transported by the transport sheet by rotationally driving the stirring member. The position of the agitating member is detected for the purpose of positively eliminating permanent distortion due to the toner contained in the conveying sheet when the conveying sheet is stopped in the high temperature environment and for a long period of time. In addition, there is known a configuration in which the stirring member is rotationally moved to a position where the deformation load with respect to the transport sheet obtained in advance is small (Patent Document 1).

  Further, in an image forming apparatus including a developing device having a toner conveying member that rotates in order to send toner to the developer carrying member in the toner accommodating portion of the developing device, a load applied to the initial driving of the toner conveying member of the toner accommodating portion For the purpose of reducing the torque and maintaining stable toner supply, when the driving of the toner conveying member in the toner storage unit is stopped after the image formation is finished, a predetermined position (for example, substantially vertical in the toner storage unit). There is known a configuration in which the toner conveying member is stopped at a position where the state is reached (Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-191559 A JP 2002-341661 A

  The present invention provides a developer supply device having a sheet-like stirring member as described above, and capable of holding the stirring member in a desired position when not mounted on the mounting target. Providing an apparatus, providing a filling method capable of easily filling the developer into such a developer supply device, and using such a developer supply device while being mounted on a mounting target It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the occurrence of poor image quality due to a poor state of the stirring member.

  The developer supply apparatus according to the present invention (A1) includes a container part in which an accommodation space for accommodating the developer is formed, a support member installed so as to rotate in the accommodation space of the container part, and the support member One end portion side is attached, and a free end portion side opposite to the one end portion is in contact with at least a part of the inner wall of the storage space of the container portion, and a non-stick to the image forming apparatus to be mounted And a restraining member that restrains the rotation of the support member during mounting, and releases the restrained state of the rotation when mounted on the image forming apparatus.

  The developer supply device of this invention (A2) is the developer supply device of the above invention A1, wherein the restraining member is attached to the container portion in a state of restraining rotation of the support material when not attached, and when attached. It is a member removed from the container part.

  The developer supply apparatus according to the present invention (A3) is the developer supply apparatus according to the above-described invention A2, wherein the restraining member is a member that prevents the mounting if it is mounted at the time of mounting.

  The developer supply device of this invention (A4) is the developer supply device of the above invention A1, wherein the restraining member is displaced to a position where the rotation of the support member is restrained when not attached, and the rotation is restrained when attached. It is a member attached to the said container part so that it may be displaced to the position which cancel | releases a state.

  In the developer supply apparatus of the present invention (A5), in the developer supply apparatus of the above-described invention A4, the restraining member is displaced to a position for releasing the state of restraining the rotation of the support material in conjunction with the mounting operation. It is what is attached.

The developer supply apparatus according to the present invention (A6) is a developer supply apparatus according to the above-described invention A4, which is displaced to a position where the developer in the accommodation space is fed into the container portion and a position where the outlet is closed and opened. An opening and closing member,
And the said stop member is displaced to the position which cancels | releases the state which stops rotation of the said support material in response to the operation | movement displaced to the position which opens the said delivery port of the said opening / closing member.

The developer supply device of this invention (A7) has a gear fixed to the support material in the developer supply device of the invention A6,
The restraining member is provided integrally with the opening / closing member, and when the opening / closing member is displaced to a position to close the delivery port, the engagement member meshes with the gear to restrain the rotation, and the opening / closing member prevents the delivery port. It is formed in a shape that is released from meshing with the gear when displaced to the opening position.

The developer supply device of this invention (A8) is the developer supply device according to any one of the above inventions A1 to A7, wherein the container portion is provided with a delivery outlet for delivering the developer in the accommodation space,
The support material is arranged in a state where the center of rotation exists at an unevenly located position close to the delivery port in the accommodation space of the container portion.

  The developer supply device of this invention (A9) is the developer supply device of any one of the above inventions A1 to A8, wherein the free end portion of the stirring member is placed in the container space when the restraining member is not attached. The support member is prevented from rotating so as to be held in a state where the distance from the inner wall is maximized.

  The developer charging method of the present invention (B) is that the developer supplying device according to any one of the above inventions A1 to A9 is filled with the developer in the container space. And a step of filling the developer and a step of stopping rotation of the support material by the stopping member.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention (C) has an image forming apparatus for forming an image composed of a developer, and the above-described inventions A1 to A9 are developer supply apparatuses for supplying the developer to the image forming apparatus. One of the developer supply devices is attached and used.

  According to the developer supply device of the invention A1, the developer supply device is mounted on the mounting target by holding the stirring member in a desired position when the mounting is not performed on the image forming apparatus. It is possible to prevent the stirring member from being in an unexpected state (for example, a state deformed to an unplanned shape) at the stage of use.

  In the developer supply device of the invention A2, the rotation of the support member when not attached and the release of the restricted state when attached can be easily performed by attaching or removing the restraining member.

  In the developer supply device of the invention A3, it is not possible to attach the restraining member to the subject to be attached with the restraining member attached, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the restraining member.

  In the developer supply device according to the invention A4, the operation of displacing the restraining member to a predetermined position makes it possible to easily restrain the rotation of the support member when not attached and release the restrained state when attached.

  In the developer supply device of the invention A5, the rotation of the support member is restrained by the displacement of the restraining member to a predetermined position in conjunction with the mounting operation during the mounting of the entire device, as compared with the case where the developer supply device is not provided. The state to be released is more easily performed.

  In the invention A6, as compared with the case where the configuration is not provided, the stopping member is displaced to a predetermined position in conjunction with the displacement operation of the opening / closing member of the delivery port, thereby preventing the rotation of the support member when not attached. Release of the restrained state at the time of mounting can be performed easily and reliably.

  In the developer supply device of the invention A7, the stop member integrated with the opening / closing member of the delivery port is displaced to a predetermined position in conjunction with the displacement operation of the opening / closing member as compared with the case where the developer supply device is not provided. Accordingly, it is possible to simply and surely prevent the rotation of the support member when not attached and release the restricted state when attached.

  In the developer supply device of the invention A8, compared to the case where the developer supply device is not provided, the agitating member does not have an unexpected state failure when used, and the developer accommodated in the accommodation space is better from the delivery port. And it can send out efficiently.

  In the developer supply device of the invention A9, the agitating member is held in the minimum curved state when not attached, and is deformed into an unexpected state and becomes permanently deformed when not installed. Can be avoided.

  According to the method of filling the developer into the developer supply apparatus of the invention B, it is possible to prevent the stirring member in the developer supply apparatus from being in an unexpected state by performing at least two steps when filling the developer. It is possible to easily fill the developer while preventing it.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention C, when the developer supply device is not attached to the image forming apparatus, the stirring member of the developer supply device is held at a desired position and is used after being attached. Since the agitating member is prevented from being in an unexpected state, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor image quality due to the poor state of the agitating member in the developer supply device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
1 to 6 show a toner cartridge (developer storage and supply device) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state when the device is not mounted (mainly unused), FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of FIG. 1 seen from a different direction, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view when a part is seen from a different direction, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a line VI-VI in FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows.

  For example, the toner cartridge 1 is detachably attached to the cartridge attachment portion 102 of the image forming apparatus (attachment target) 100 having the developing device 120 shown in FIG. 26 and is consumed by the developing device 120 in the attached state. The toner is used to replenish the developing device 120 with a necessary amount of new toner (toner contained in the cartridge) according to the amount of toner as the developer to be developed. The cartridge mounting portion 102 is formed as a space having a shape and a structure in which the mounted toner cartridge 1 can be accommodated and mounted.

  In FIG. 26, reference numeral 101 denotes an apparatus main body, 140 denotes an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic system that forms a toner image and transfers the toner image to a recording medium 109 conveyed from a paper feeding device (not shown), and 140 denotes a recording medium. A fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred to 109 is shown. The image forming apparatus 130 includes an image holding body 103 such as a photoconductor that rotates in the direction of an arrow, a charging device 104 that charges the image holding body 103, and a static charge by exposing the charged image holding body 110 according to image information. An exposure device 106 that forms an electrostatic latent image, a developing device 120 (120a is a developing roll) that develops the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image, and a toner image on the image holding member 103 on a recording medium 109 The image forming apparatus includes a transfer device 107 that performs transfer, a cleaning device 108 that removes toner remaining on the image carrier 103 after the transfer, and cleans the image.

  The toner cartridge 1 has a container main body 10 having an appearance of a quadrangular prism shape. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the container body 10 has a toner storage space (storage chamber) 12 having a substantially rectangular cross section formed therein, and is used by being mounted in the storage space 12. A predetermined amount of toner T is filled and stored from the previous stage. A part of a corner portion including a delivery port (15) described later in the container main body 10 (actually the toner storage space 12) is formed on a cylindrical peripheral surface with an inner wall of the storage space 12 centering on a rotation shaft (31) described later. The curved surface portions 11A and 11B are formed as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 and the like, a delivery port 15 for sending out the toner T in the storage space 12 to the supply destination is formed at one corner which becomes the bottom side when the container body 10 is mounted and used. ing. The delivery port 15 is formed so as to be located on one end side in the longitudinal direction J of the container body 10 (the axial direction of the rotating shaft 31 of the stirring sheet described later) J. The delivery port 15 is opened and closed by a slide-type opening / closing lid 20 that is displaced between a position where the delivery port 15 is closed and a position where the delivery port 15 is opened.

  In the opening / closing lid 20, a guide attachment portion 22 that is bent in an L shape with respect to the inner side is formed on two side portions of the flat plate-like main body 21, and the guide attachment portion 22 is disposed around the delivery port 15 around the container body. The guide frame 16 is formed so as to be fitted and sandwiched from the outside with respect to the guide frame portion 16 formed along the longitudinal direction 10, thereby being slidable along the longitudinal direction J.

  In this example, the opening / closing lid 20 has one direction J1 in the longitudinal direction J of the container body 10 (the direction from the end 10A side of the container body 10 where the gear 40 is disposed to the opposite end 10B: the delivery port 15 By sliding in the closing direction), the delivery port 15 is displaced to the closing position (the state shown in FIG. 1), and by sliding in the other direction J2 in the longitudinal direction (direction in which the delivery port 15 is opened), the delivery port 15 is moved. It is displaced to a position for opening the outlet 15 (the state shown in FIG. 3). When the opening / closing lid 20 is displaced to a position where the delivery port 15 is closed, for example, a protrusion (not shown) formed on the guide mounting portion 22 elastically enters a recess 17 formed on the guide frame portion 16. Thus, the open / close lid 20 is held in a stopped state without sliding.

  Further, on the inner surface side of the opening / closing lid 20, when the outlet 15 is displaced to the closing position, an unnecessary gap is formed between the outlet 25 and the sealing member 24 for preventing the toner from leaking out. Is attached (FIGS. 4 and 6). Further, a protrusion 25 is formed on the outer surface of the main body 21 of the opening / closing lid 20. The projection 25 is restrained by contact with a restraining projection on the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus by a mounting operation when the toner cartridge 1 is mounted, so that the opening / closing lid 20 is displaced to a position where the delivery port 15 is opened. Used for.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a stirring sheet 30 attached to a rotating shaft 31 extending along the longitudinal direction is disposed in the housing space 12 of the container body 10. An arrow direction X (in this example, a counterclockwise direction) shown in FIG. 6 and the like is the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 31 during use (which also corresponds to the moving direction of the free end of the stirring sheet 30).

  The rotary shaft 31 is fixed to a shaft portion 41 of a gear 40 for receiving a rotational force at one end portion 31a, and is rotatably supported at one end portion 10A of the container body 10 via the shaft portion 41 of the gear. The other end portion 31b is rotatably supported by the bearing plate 14 disposed inside the other end portion 10B of the container body 10. The gear 40 is attached in a state of being exposed to the outside of the side surface of the one end portion of the container body 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotating shaft 31 is not sent from the original center point (indicated by “+” in the drawing) in the cross section of the accommodation space 12 when viewed from the shaft end side. It is arranged in a state in which it is close to the outlet 15 and is located unevenly. Further, a plurality of mounting pins 33 for mounting the stirring sheet 30 are formed on the rotating shaft 31 so as to protrude in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction, and protrude toward the inner wall of the housing space 12. A plurality of stirring plates 34 are formed.

  The stirring sheet 30 is a substantially rectangular sheet made of a flexible synthetic resin film (sheet) such as polyethylene terephthalate (FIG. 5). The stirring sheet 30 is attached such that one end side 30A thereof is inserted and fixed to the attachment pin 33 of the rotating shaft 31 through the attachment hole, while the free end on the opposite side to the one end portion is attached. The portion side 30 </ b> B moves in the accommodation space 12 while being in a curved deformation state by always contacting the inner wall of the accommodation space 12 by the rotation of the rotation shaft 31.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the stirring sheet 30 has a length L (a length from the center of the rotation shaft 31) L on the free end side 30 </ b> B that is rotated when placed in the accommodation space 12. It is set to a value (L> Smax) larger than the maximum value (Smax) of the separation distance S between the center 31a of the shaft 31 and the inner wall of the housing space 12 (the inner wall portion in the rotational circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 31). .

  For this reason, the stirring sheet 30 has a substantially flat plate-like form at the stage before being installed in the accommodating space 12 of the container body 10 after being attached to the rotating shaft 31, At the stage after installation, the long side portion (region) serving as the free end portion 30B is deformed so as to be always in contact with the inner wall (inner wall portion in the rotation circumferential direction) of the accommodation space 12 and to be curved ( (Refer to FIGS. 6-8, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, etc.). A circle Q indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7 indicates a locus of the free end 30B when the stirring sheet 30 rotates without being curved and deformed. In this case, the radius of the circle Q is the length L of the free end 30B. Further, a circle R indicated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing represents a minimum inscribed circle that is in contact with the inner wall of the accommodation space 12 with the center 31a of the rotation shaft 31 as the center.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of cuts 38 and 39 are formed in the free end 30 </ b> B of the stirring sheet 30.

  When the stirring sheet 30 rotates, the first cut 38 passes in a stretched state so that a part of its free end portion temporarily enters the delivery port 15 only when passing through the delivery port 15. Therefore, the width is slightly narrower than the width of the delivery port 15 in the longitudinal direction, and is formed in a substantially parallel state along a direction substantially perpendicular to the free end. Due to the presence of the notches 38, the free end portion 30Ba sandwiched by the notches 38 repeats the above-described stretching operation when passing through the delivery port 15, and as a result, the toner T is freed from the free end portions. Receiving the scraping action of the portion 30Ba, it is efficiently sent out from the delivery port 15.

  The second cuts 39A and 39B are for imparting, to the free end side, an action that conveys the toner T in the accommodation space 12 toward the delivery port 15 side when the stirring sheet 30 rotates. It is formed in a state inclined in a predetermined direction according to the feeding direction. In particular, the second notch 39 that imparts the toner conveying action is effective when provided when the delivery port 15 is formed in a state of being offset from one end in the longitudinal direction of the container body 10 as in this example. It is not essential.

  In this toner cartridge 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a stop member 5 </ b> A that stops the rotation of the rotary shaft 31 at a predetermined position when the toner cartridge 1 is not mounted and releases the rotation stopped state when the toner cartridge 1 is mounted. It is provided in an integrated state with the opening / closing door 20 attached to the container body 10. The desired position is, for example, the position of the rotation shaft 31 that can be realized to stop at a position where the bending deformation of the stirring sheet 30 is relatively small when the stirring sheet 30 is not attached.

  The restraining member 5 </ b> A meshes with the gear teeth 42 of the gear 40 fixed to the rotary shaft 31 on the inner surface side of the opening / closing door 20 when the delivery port 15 is in the closed position to restrain the rotational movement of the gear 40. It is comprised by providing the protrusion 51 which can be performed. The protrusion 50 extends the end of the door 20 close to the gear 40 until it reaches a position facing the gear teeth 42 of the gear 40 when the door 20 is in a position where the outlet 15 is closed, On the inner surface side (the surface side facing the gear 40) of the extended portion, a plurality of (for example, seven) protrusions having a gear tooth shape meshing with the plurality of gear teeth 42 of the gear 40 are formed (FIG. 4). ).

  When the opening / closing door 20 is slid and moved to a position where the delivery port 15 is closed, the restraining member 5A is held in a state where the projection 51 approaches the gear 40 and finally meshes with an arbitrary gear tooth 42. Thus, the rotation of the gear 40 is stopped. As a result, since the rotation of the rotary shaft 31 fixed to the gear 40 is stopped, the transport sheet 30 attached to the rotary shaft 31 is also held and held at a predetermined position.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the position at which the curved deformation of the stirring sheet 30 is relatively minimal is a distance between the center 31a of the rotating shaft 31 to which the stirring sheet 30 is attached and the inner wall of the housing space 12 of the container body. It is set as a position when the free end 30B of the stirring sheet exists at a portion having the maximum value (Smax) of the distances S (S1, S2,...). In this example, one corner 12a present at the position farthest from the delivery port 15 in the accommodating space 12 having a substantially rectangular cross section is the maximum value Smax of the separation distance S. Incidentally, the size relationship of the separation distances S1 to S7 shown in FIG. 8 among the separation distance S in the accommodation space 12 of the container body 12 is “S1> S2> S6> S7> S4> S5> S3”.

  The part (position) of the gear 40 (rotary shaft 31) to be restrained of the restraining member 5A is specified as follows, for example.

  First, since the stop member 5A is integrated with the opening / closing lid 20 and is fixed in the rotational direction X of the gear 40, for example, as shown in FIG. A mark M1 (for example, a triangular mark) for indicating a stop reference position is attached to a mark (a mark that can be visually recognized when aligned with a mark (mark)) 40. On the other hand, when the stirring sheet 30 is in a position where the bending deformation is relatively small, the seat stop position is located at a portion (body portion) of the gear 40 showing the gear teeth 42 facing the stop reference position mark M1. The mark M2 which shows is attached | subjected.

  Then, when the rotation of the gear 40 is stopped by the stopping member 5A, the following operation is performed. First, the gear 40 is manually turned in the rotation direction X of the stirring sheet 30, and the mark M2 for the seat stop position attached to the gear 40 is the mark M1 for the stop reference position attached to the protrusion 51 of the stop member 5A. The gear 40 is held in a stopped state at the facing position. Subsequently, in this state, the opening / closing door 20 integrated with the restraining member 5A is slid in the closing direction J1 of the delivery port 15 and displaced to the closed position, whereby the projection 51 of the restraining member 5A is moved to a predetermined gear of the gear 40. It meshes with the teeth 42 (FIG. 9). As a result, the stirring sheet 30 is held at a position where the bending deformation is relatively small (FIGS. 6 and 7).

  In the toner cartridge 1, in the process of manufacture, reuse, etc., the opening / closing door 20 is slid and displaced in the direction J <b> 2 for opening the outlet 15, and the outlet in the opened state is left. 15, a predetermined amount of toner T is filled into the storage space 12 of the container body 10 and stored. Next, as described above, after the gear 40 is rotated to a position where the mark M2 for the seat stop position faces the mark M1 for the stop reference position, the open / close door 20 is slid in the closing direction J1 of the delivery port 15. Thus, the operation of stopping the rotation of the gear 40 at a desired position is performed by the stopping member 5A.

  When the toner cartridge 1 is used, as shown in FIG. 26, the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 to be mounted.

  In the toner cartridge 1 of this embodiment, after temporarily mounting on the mounting portion 102, as shown in FIG. 10, the container body 10 is officially mounted by moving it in the direction of arrow D (mounting direction). That is, at the time of temporary mounting, the projection 25 of the open / close door 20 is in contact with the stopping projection on the mounting unit 102 of the image forming apparatus and is stopped, and only the container main body 10 is in the arrow D direction in this state. It is moved by a predetermined amount (at least a distance necessary for the opening / closing door 20 to reach a position where the opening / closing door 15 is opened). The direction of the arrow D is a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (axial direction of the rotation shaft 31) J of the container body 10.

  Due to the movement of the container body 10 in the direction of arrow D, the open / close door 20 is displaced relative to the container body 10 in the direction of the arrow J2. In this process, the protrusion 51 of the restraining member 5A is the gear tooth 42 of the gear 40. Is finally released, and the delivery port 15 is finally opened (FIGS. 3 and 10). At this time, the gear 40 in the container body 10 meshes with the drive (transmission) gear 45 installed in the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus (FIG. 10).

  The attached toner cartridge 1 operates as follows.

  First, when it is time to send the toner T from the toner cartridge 1, in the toner cartridge 1, rotational power is transmitted from the drive (transmission) gear 45 on the image forming apparatus main body side, and the gear 40 starts to rotate in the arrow direction X. . Thereby, the rotating shaft 31 rotates and the stirring sheet 30 also starts to rotate in the arrow direction X.

  At this time, as described above, the stirring sheet 30 moves in a deformed form so that the side that becomes the free end portion 30B is always in contact with the inner wall portion in the rotational circumferential direction of the accommodating space 12 and curved (FIGS. 7 and 11). , See FIG. The degree to which the stirring sheet 30 is curved and deformed at this time mainly varies depending on the distance S between the center point 30a of the rotating shaft 30 and the inner wall of the accommodating space 12. In general, the degree of bending deformation is relatively smaller as the separation distance S is larger, and is relatively larger as the separation distance S is smaller. The rotation of the stirring sheet 30 stirs the toner T in the accommodation space 15 and conveys the toner T toward the delivery port 15 by the above-described cuts 38 and 39.

  Then, during the period from when the stirring sheet 30 passes through a position just before reaching the delivery port 15 as illustrated in FIG. 11 until it finishes passing through the delivery port 15 as illustrated in FIG. The toner T in the space 12 is sent out by being pushed out from the delivery port 15 by the stirring sheet 30, and is supplied to a predetermined supply destination. Incidentally, the stirring sheet 30 shown in FIG. 11 shows a state in which the stirring sheet 30 almost passes through the inner wall portion of the accommodation space 12 that becomes the separation distance S3 shown in FIG. Further, the stirring sheet 30 shown in FIG. 12 shows a state in which it substantially passes through the inner wall portion of the accommodation space 12 that is the separation distance S5 shown in FIG.

  When the toner cartridge 1 is not attached, the rotation of the gear 40 is stopped by the stop member 5A and the rotation of the rotary shaft 31 is also stopped. Therefore, the stirring sheet 30 attached to the rotary shaft 31 is The curved deformation is held at a desired position where the deformation is relatively small. For this reason, compared with the case where the curved deformation is held at a relatively large position, the stirring sheet 30 in the non-attachment stage is hardly deformed and becomes permanent distortion in an unscheduled state. .

  Further, in the toner cartridge 1 of the present embodiment, since the rotation of the gear 40 exposed to the outside of the container body 10 is stopped by the stop member 5A, the operator of the toner cartridge 1 is not attached. Sometimes the gear 40 is not rotated. Thereby, for example, when the gear 40 is rotated, a part of the stirring sheet 30 attached by inserting the attachment hole into the attachment pin 33 of the rotation shaft 31 is detached from the rotation shaft 31. There is nothing. In addition, when the gear 40 is rotated in the direction opposite to the original rotation direction X, the free end portion 30B of the stirring sheet attached to the rotation shaft 31 becomes the original movement direction (X). It is not held in a state of being curved and deformed so as to be positioned on the upstream side, but is in a state of being curved and deformed so as to be positioned on the downstream side of its original movement direction (X).

  As a result, in the stage where the toner cartridge 1 is actually mounted and used, a malfunction due to the state defect of the stirring sheet 30 is unlikely to occur. For example, a state defect in which the stirring sheet 30 is deformed into an unscheduled state and becomes permanent distortion, a state defect in which a part of the stirring sheet 30 is detached from the rotating shaft 31, or a free end of the stirring sheet 30 is inherently The stirrer 30 performs the toner agitating action and the conveying action under the originally intended condition due to the poor state of being bent and deformed so as to be located not on the upstream side but on the opposite downstream side. It becomes difficult to cause a malfunction (malfunction) that is not performed.

  In the stage where the toner cartridge 1 is mounted and used, the restraining member 5A is integrated in conjunction with the operation in which the opening / closing lid 20 is displaced to the position where the delivery port 15 is opened in accordance with the mounting operation of the toner cartridge 1. Therefore, the state of stopping the rotation of the gear 40 by the stopping member 5A is released. For this reason, when mounting and using, the stop state of the stop member 5A is never forgotten.

  Note that when the toner cartridge 1 is removed at a necessary time such as replacement, the container body 10 is first moved in an arrow E direction (removal direction) opposite to the mounting direction D (FIG. 10). Then, the cartridge 1 after the movement is removed from the mounting portion 102 of the image forming apparatus 100 (cartridge 1 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 26).

  As the container body 10 moves in the direction of arrow E, the gear 40 is released from the meshed state with the drive gear 45. On the other hand, since the opening / closing door 20 moves relative to the container body 20 in the arrow direction J1, the projection 51 of the restraining member 5A is in mesh with the arbitrary gear teeth 42 of the gear 40, and the outlet 15 Is closed by the opening / closing lid 20.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the protrusion 51 in the restraining member 5 </ b> A can be configured by a small number (two in this example) of protrusions 52.

  In the case of the restraining member 5A having such a protrusion 52, when the rotation of the gear 40 is restrained, the number of gear teeth 42 with which the protrusion 52 meshes is reduced (FIGS. 14 and 15).

  In addition, the position where the bending deformation of the stirring sheet 30 is relatively small is not a portion where the separation distance S is the maximum value Smax, for example, a portion where the maximum value Smax is (the corner portion 12a of the storage space). ), The position when the free end 30B of the stirring sheet exists when there is no great difference in the degree of bending deformation. In this example, for example, the position when the free end 30 </ b> B of the stirring sheet exists at a portion (another corner portion 12 b of the accommodation space) where the separation distance S is the second largest distance S <b> 2 may be used (FIG. 8). ).

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 16 shows a toner cartridge according to the second embodiment.

  The toner cartridge 1 has substantially the same configuration as the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment except that the stopping member 5A is changed to the stopping member 5B. For this reason, in the drawings and the like, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted unless necessary (the same applies to the following embodiments).

  The restraining member 5B inserts a restraining projection 53 provided integrally with the opening / closing door 20 into a restraining recess 43 formed on the outer surface of the body portion of the gear 40, thereby rotating the gear 40 (rotating shaft 31). It stops at the same position as in the case of the first embodiment. The restraining projection 53 is a tip of a support member having an arbitrary shape that reaches the restraining recess 43 of the gear 40 at the end of the opening / closing door 20 that opens and closes by slidingly moving the outlet 15. Formed.

  The restraining recess 43 formed in the gear 40 is in a state where the restraining member 5B (the restraining projection 53) is formed integrally with the opening / closing lid 20 and the position is fixed with respect to the rotation direction of the gear 40. The stirrer sheet 30 is formed at the position of the body portion of the gear 40 that faces the stopping protrusion 53 when the stirring sheet 30 is in a position where the bending deformation is relatively small.

  In the toner cartridge 1, when the rotation of the gear 40 is stopped by the stop member 5 </ b> B in the non-mounting stage, the following operation is performed.

  First, the gear 40 is manually rotated in the rotation direction X of the stirring sheet 30 and the rotation of the gear 40 is stopped at a position where the restraining recess 43 provided on the gear 40 faces the restraining protrusion 53 of the restraining member 5B. Hold on. Subsequently, in this state, the opening / closing door 20 integrated with the blocking member 5B is slid in the closing direction J1 of the delivery port 15 and displaced to the closed position, so that the blocking projection 53 of the blocking member 5B stops the gear 40. It is inserted into the recess 43 for use (FIG. 16a). As a result, the rotation of the rotating shaft 31 to which the gear 40 is fixed is also prevented, so that the stirring sheet 30 attached to the rotating shaft 31 is bent and deformed as in the case of the first embodiment. Is held at a desired position in a relatively small state (see, for example, FIGS. 6 and 7).

  When the toner cartridge 1 is used, the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the toner cartridge attachment portion 102 of the image forming apparatus to be attached.

  In the toner cartridge 1 of this embodiment, after temporarily mounting on the mounting portion 102, as shown in FIG. 16A, the container body 10 is moved in the direction of arrow D (mounting direction) to formally mount it. Is done. That is, at the time of temporary mounting, the opening / closing door 20 is in a state of being restrained by receiving the restraining action by the protrusion 25 as in the case of the first embodiment, and only the container body 10 is in the direction of the arrow D in that state. It is moved by a predetermined amount.

  As the container body 10 moves in the direction of arrow D, the open / close door 20 is displaced relative to the container body 10 in the direction of arrow J2. In the process of displacing the opening / closing door 20, the protrusion 53 of the stopping member 5B is extracted from the stopping recess 43 of the gear 40, and the stopping state of the gear 40 by the stopping member 5B is released. The delivery port 15 is opened (a state indicated by the open / close door 20 and the restraining member 5B by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 16A). At this time, the gear 40 meshes with the drive gear 45. As a result, the toner cartridge 1 can be used (operated).

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the restraining recess 43 is formed on the inner surface of the body portion of the gear 40, and the restraining projection 54 inserted into the restraining recess 43 in place of the restraining member 5B is provided. It is also possible to apply the restraining member 5C having the same.

  In the case of the restraining member 5 </ b> C having such a protrusion 54, for example, it is necessary to arrange a part of the body portion of the gear 40 so as to protrude outward from the peripheral surface portion of the container body 10 where the opening / closing lid 20 exists. Yes (Figure 17b). Further, the protrusion 54 in the restraining member 5 </ b> C may be formed at the end of the open / close door 20 on the side close to the gear 40, at the tip of a substantially straight rod-like support member that reaches the restraining recess 43 of the gear 40. .

  In the toner cartridge 1 having the stop member 5C, the following operation is performed when the rotation of the gear 40 is stopped by the stop member 5C in the non-mounting stage.

  First, the gear 40 is rotated in the rotation direction X of the stirring sheet 30 and is held in a state where the rotation of the gear 40 is stopped at a position where the restraining recess 43 provided on the gear 40 faces the restraining protrusion 54 of the restraining member 5C. To do. Subsequently, in this state, the opening / closing door 20 integrated with the stopping member 5C is slid in the closing direction J2 in the closing direction J2 and displaced to the closed position, whereby the stopping protrusion 54 of the stopping member 5C stops the gear 40. It is inserted into the recess 43 for use (state shown by a solid line in FIG. 17). As a result, the rotation of the rotating shaft 31 to which the gear 40 is fixed is also prevented, so that the stirring sheet 30 attached to the rotating shaft 31 is bent and deformed as in the case of the first embodiment. Is held at a desired position where the state becomes relatively small.

  When the toner cartridge 1 is used, the toner cartridge 1 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 102 of the image forming apparatus to be attached.

  When the toner cartridge 1 of this embodiment is attached to the attachment portion 102, the container body 10 is finally moved in the direction of arrow D (attachment direction: in this example, the same direction as the axial direction J2). It is attached by. That is, in the mounting operation, as in the case of the first embodiment, the opening / closing door 20 is stopped by receiving a blocking action by the projection 25, and in this state, only the container body 10 is in the direction of the arrow D. It is moved by a predetermined amount.

  As the container body 10 moves in the direction of arrow D, the open / close door 20 is displaced relative to the container body 10 in the direction of the arrow J1. In this process, the projection 54 of the restraining member 5C is extracted from the restraining recess 43 of the gear 40 so that the restraining state by the restraining member 5C is released, and finally the delivery port 15 is opened. (State shown by the door 20 and the restraining member 5C by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 17). At this time, the gear 40 meshes with the drive gear 45. As a result, the toner cartridge 1 can be used (operated).

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 18 shows a toner cartridge according to the third embodiment.

  The toner cartridge 1 has substantially the same configuration as the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment except that the stopping member 5A is changed to a stopping member 5D. The delivery port 15 and the opening / closing lid 20 of the container body 10 are not shown for the sake of convenience because the place where the blocking member 5D is applied is not governed by the installation position of the opening / closing lid 20 or the like.

  This restraining member 5D inserts a part or all of the restraining member 5D into the gap H like a wedge with respect to the gap H existing between the gear 40 of the rotating shaft 31 and the container body 10 facing the gear 40. As a result, the rotation of the gear 40 (rotating shaft 31) is forcibly stopped at the same position as in the first embodiment. The restraining member 5D may have any shape that can be held so as not to be easily removed by being inserted into the gap H to be inserted.

  When such a wedge-shaped stop member 5D is applied, the following mark M is attached to specify the stop position of the rotation of the gear 40 when the stop member 5D is inserted.

  First, since the position of the container body 10 is fixed with respect to the rotation direction of the gear 40, for example, as shown in FIG. A mark M3 (for example, a triangular mark) for indicating the stop reference position. On the other hand, when the stirring sheet 30 is at a position where the bending deformation is relatively small, a mark M4 indicating the sheet stopping position is provided on a portion (body portion) of the gear 40 that faces the mark M3 for the stopping reference position. It is attached.

  In the toner cartridge 1 having the restraining member 5D, the following operation is performed when the rotation of the gear 40 is restrained by the restraining member 5D in the non-mounting stage.

  First, the gear 40 is manually turned in the rotation direction X of the stirring sheet 30, and the position M <b> 4 for the seat stop position attached to the gear 40 faces the mark M <b> 3 for the stop reference position attached to the container body 10. Thus, the rotation of the gear 40 is held in a stopped state. Subsequently, in this state, the stop member 5D is attached so as to be inserted and held in a gap H portion (the gap portion to be inserted is arbitrarily set) between the gear 40 and the container body 10 at that time, thereby The rotation of 40 is stopped (see the state of the stopping member 5D shown by the solid line in FIG. 18). As a result, the rotation of the rotating shaft 31 to which the gear 40 is fixed is also prevented, so that the stirring sheet 30 attached to the rotating shaft 31 is bent and deformed as in the case of the first embodiment. Is held at a desired position where the state becomes relatively small.

  When the toner cartridge 1 is used, the restraining member 5D is pulled out from the gap H and removed, and then the toner cartridge 1 in that state is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 102 of the image forming apparatus to be mounted.

  At this time, by removing the restraining member 5D, the gear 40 is released from the restrained state by the restraining member 5D and becomes rotatable. Further, when the toner cartridge 1 in this state is mounted on the mounting portion 102 of the image forming apparatus, the gear 40 meshes with the drive gear 45 in the mounting portion 102. As a result, the toner cartridge 1 can be used (operated).

  Note that the restraining member 5D may be configured as a member (so-called mecanical key) that obstructs the mounting of the developer supply device when it is attached to the image forming apparatus to which the developer supplying device is mounted when it is used.

  When configured as a member that functions as such a mechanical key, when the toner cartridge 1 is used, when the toner cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus, the blocking member 5D must be pulled out without being pulled out and removed. It becomes an obstacle so that the toner cartridge 1 cannot be mounted on the image forming apparatus. Thereby, it is possible to prevent forgetting to remove the restraining member 5D when the toner cartridge 1 is used (mounted).

  Further, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, a stop through hole 44 is formed in the body of the gear 40, and a stop recess 14 is also formed in the container body 10, so that the stop member 5D Instead, a restraining member 5E that penetrates the restraining through hole 44 and is inserted into the restraining recess 14 can be applied.

  When such a restraining member 5E is applied, it is not necessary to dispose the body 40 in a state in which a part of the body portion of the gear 40 protrudes outward from the peripheral surface portion of the container body 10 where the opening / closing lid 20 exists (FIG. 17b). . In addition, the restraining through hole 44 and the restraining recess 14 are formed, for example, by forming the restraining recess 14 at the end (10A) of the container body 10 on the side where the gear 40 is present, and the stirring sheet 30 is relatively deformed. The through hole 44 for restraining is formed in a portion (body portion) facing the restraining recess 14 of the gear 40 facing the restraining recess 14 when it is in a small position.

  In the toner cartridge 1 having the restraining member 5E, the following operation is performed when the rotation of the gear 40 is restrained by the restraining member 5E in the non-mounting stage.

  First, the gear 40 is rotated in the rotation direction X of the stirring sheet 30, and the gear 40 is disposed at a position where the stop through hole 44 provided in the gear 40 faces the stop recess 14 formed in the container body 10 of the cartridge 1. Hold the rotation stopped. Subsequently, in this state, the restraining member 5E is inserted into the restraining through hole 44 and penetrated, and then inserted into the restraining recess 14 (state shown by a solid line in FIG. 19). As a result, the rotation of the rotating shaft 31 to which the gear 40 is fixed is also prevented, so that the stirring sheet 30 attached to the rotating shaft 31 is bent and deformed as in the case of the first embodiment. Is held at a desired position where the state becomes relatively small.

  When the toner cartridge 1 is used, the restraining member 5E is pulled out of the restraining recess 14 and the restraining through hole 44 and removed, and then the toner cartridge 1 in that state is attached to the image forming apparatus to be mounted. The cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 102.

  At this time, when the restraining member 5E is removed, the gear 40 is released from the restrained state by the restraining member 5E and becomes rotatable. Further, when the toner cartridge 1 in this state is mounted on the mounting portion 102 of the image forming apparatus, the gear 40 meshes with the drive gear 45 in the mounting portion. As a result, the toner cartridge 1 can be used (operated).

  Note that the stopping member 5E can also be configured as a member that functions as a mechanical key, as in the case of the stopping member 5D described above.

[Modifications of First to Third Embodiments]
In the first to third embodiments, the case where the container main body 10 of the toner cartridge 1 is formed with a toner storage space 12 having a substantially square cross section is shown (FIG. 6). For example, the container body 10 in which the toner storage space 12 having a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 is formed can be used.

  The container main body 10 shown in FIG. 20 has a toner containing space 12A having a substantially circular cross section. In this case, the rotating shaft 31 of the stirring sheet 30 is arranged so as to be present at a position unevenly located closer to the side where the delivery port 15 is located than the center point (+) of the circular section of the accommodation space 12A. Further, the stirring sheet 30 fixed to the rotating shaft 31 has such a length that the free end 30B side rotates in a curved deformation state by always contacting the inner wall of the accommodation space 12A by the rotation of the rotating shaft 31. Is used. When the toner cartridge 1 to which the container body 10 is applied is not used, the stirring sheet 30 is a position (for example, the maximum value Smax of the separation distance S between the center 31a of the rotation shaft 31 and the inner wall of the accommodation space 12A (for example, The rotation of the rotation shaft 31 is restrained when the straight line passing through the center point + of the accommodation space 12A from the center 31a of the rotation shaft is in contact) (FIG. 20b).

  The container main body 10 shown in FIG. 21 has a toner storage space 12B having a substantially elliptical cross section. In this case, the rotating shaft 31 of the stirring sheet 30 is arranged so as to be present at a position that is unevenly located closer to the side where the delivery port 15 is located than the center point (+) of the elliptical section of the accommodation space 12B. Further, the stirring sheet 30 fixed to the rotating shaft 31 has such a length that the free end 30B side rotates in a curved deformation state by always contacting the inner wall of the accommodation space 12B by the rotation of the rotating shaft 31. Is used. When the toner cartridge 1 to which the container body 10 is applied is not used, the stirring sheet 30 is at a position (for example, the maximum value Smax) of the separation distance S between the center 31a of the rotation shaft 31 and the inner wall of the storage space 12B. The rotation of the rotating shaft 31 is stopped when the straight line passing through the center point + of the accommodating space 12B from the center 31a of the rotating shaft is in contact) (FIG. 21b).

  The container body 10 shown in FIG. 22 has a toner containing space 12C having a substantially egg-shaped cross section. In this case, the rotating shaft 31 of the stirring sheet 30 is arranged so as to be present at a position that is unevenly located closer to the side where the delivery port 15 is located than the substantially central point (+) of the cross-sectional oval shape of the accommodating space 12C. The stirring sheet 30 fixed to the rotating shaft 31 has such a length that the free end 30B side rotates with the rotating shaft 31 always contacting the inner wall of the accommodation space 12C by the rotation of the rotating shaft 31. . When the toner cartridge 1 to which the container body 10 is applied is not used, the stirring sheet 30 is at a position (for example, the maximum value Smax) of the separation distance S between the center 31a of the rotation shaft 31 and the inner wall of the storage space 12B. The rotation of the rotating shaft 31 is stopped when the straight line passing through the center point + of the accommodating space 12C from the center 31a of the rotating shaft is in contact) (FIG. 22b).

[Fifth Embodiment]
23 to 25 show a developing device (developer storage / supply device) according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic sectional view showing the state when in use, FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the state when not in use, and FIG. 25 is a schematic sectional view showing a part of FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 23 and 26, the developing device 2 is detachably attached to a mounting portion in an image forming apparatus 100 using the developing device, and in the mounted state, an image holding member such as a photosensitive member. 3 (reference numeral 103 in FIG. 26) is used for developing the electrostatic latent image formed by supplying a developer (toner). In FIG. 23, reference numeral 4 denotes a charging device (charging roll or the like), and 6 denotes irradiation light emitted from an exposure device for writing an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 2 shown in FIG. 23 and the like is used in place of the developing device 120 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the developing device 2 supplies a developer containing chamber 61 that contains a developer G containing toner and a carrier at a predetermined ratio, and supplies the developer containing chamber 61 adjacent to the developer containing chamber 61. And a housing (housing) 60 in which a toner replenishing chamber 65 for accommodating the toner is formed.

  The developer accommodating chamber 61 is formed with an opening 62 having a portion facing the image carrier 3 such as a photoconductor on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a part of the opening 62 is exposed. In this state, the developing roll 70 is rotatably supported on the side wall portion. Further, a first agitation transport rotator 75 and a second agitation rotator 76 are provided on the side wall of the developer storage chamber 61 at a portion below the developing roll 70 in a state substantially parallel to the axial direction of the developing roll 70. It is rotatably supported. The first agitation transport rotator 75 and the second agitation rotator 76 are formed with blades extending spirally around the rotation axis.

  The developing roll 70 is rotated in the Y direction (in this example, the clockwise direction) through the gear by a rotational power transmitted from a motor (not shown) to a gear (not shown) fixed to one end thereof. Yes. In addition, the developing roller 70 forms a magnetic brush of the developer G by attracting the carrier with a magnetic force on the surface thereof, and conveys the toner adsorbed on the carrier to a developing area facing the image carrier 3. Then, in the development area, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier 3 is developed and visualized with the toner of the magnetic brush on the developing roll 70.

  The developer storage chamber 61 includes a first partition wall 63 formed between the first agitation transport rotator 75 and the second agitation rotator 76, and the first partition wall 63 serves as a boundary. A first agitation path 64A in which the first agitation transport rotator 75 is accommodated and a second agitation path 64B in which the second agitation rotator 76 is accommodated are formed. The first stirring path 64A and the second stirring path 64B are not formed until both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the first partition wall 63 reach the side wall portions of the developing chamber 61, and are connected to each other at both end portions (continuous). ). As a result, the developer G in the developer storage chamber 61 is agitated in the first agitation path 64A and the second agitation path 64B by the rotation of the first agitation transport rotator 75 and the second agitation rotator 76, respectively. It is conveyed and moved so as to circulate in a fixed direction between the two stirring paths 64A and 64B.

  The toner supply chamber 65 is formed as a toner storage space having a substantially rectangular cross section, and a predetermined amount of toner T is filled and stored in the storage space from the stage before use. The filling of the toner T is performed from a filling port (not shown) formed at an arbitrary position in the toner supply chamber 65. Further, in the toner replenishing chamber 65, a stirring sheet 80 attached to a rotating shaft 81 in a state substantially parallel to the axial direction of the developing roll 70 is disposed. A gear 85 is fixed to one end portion of the rotating shaft 81 outside the side surface of the toner supply chamber 65, and rotational power from a motor (not shown) is transmitted through the gear 85 so that the rotating shaft 81 rotates. It has become.

  A second partition wall 66 and a toner supply path chamber 67 are formed between the toner supply chamber 65 and the developer storage chamber 61.

  The toner replenishment passage chamber 67 extends so that the second partition wall 66 is curved so as to bend toward the toner accommodating chamber 65 at the lower portion and the curved wall 68A formed toward the developer accommodating chamber 61. The tunnel wall is surrounded by the curved wall 68B and the bottom of the casing, and extends in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the developing roll 70. In the toner replenishment passage chamber 67, an agitation transport rotator 77 having substantially the same configuration as the agitation transport rotators 75 and 76 is disposed.

  A toner delivery port 69A that opens the toner supply chamber 65 and the toner supply passage chamber 67 is formed on one end side in the longitudinal direction along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 81 of the curved wall 68A. A toner supply port 69B that opens the toner supply passage chamber 67 and the developer storage chamber 61 is formed on the other end side in the longitudinal direction along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 81 of the curved wall 68B. Thus, the toner T accommodated in the toner replenishing chamber 65 is conveyed while being agitated by the rotational movement of the agitating sheet 80, and a part of the toner T is delivered to the toner replenishing passage chamber 67 through the toner delivery outlet 69A. The toner is conveyed while being agitated by the agitating and conveying rotary body 77 in the replenishment path chamber 67 and sent to the developer accommodating chamber 61 through the toner replenishing port 69B.

  The stirring sheet 80 has substantially the same configuration as the stirring sheet 30 in the first embodiment. One end side 80A of the stirring sheet 80 is fixed to one surface of a square columnar support portion 81b of the rotating shaft 81 by an adhesive means or the like, and a free end side 80B of the stirring sheet 80 is rotated by the rotating shaft 81. A part of the inner wall of 65 is brought into contact with the inner space while being deformed by bending (FIG. 23).

  A circle Q of the locus when the case where the stirring sheet 80 is rotated without being curved and deformed is shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. As shown in FIG. 24, the stirring sheet 80 has its free end 80B (rotation locus circle Q that does not bend and deform) when it does not contact the inner wall of the toner replenishing chamber 65, unless it is completely covered with the toner T. The free end portion 80B is also held in a form that hardly deforms.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the free end portion 80B of the stirring sheet 80 imparts toner conveyance performance to the stirring sheet as in the case of the stirring sheet 30 in the first embodiment (FIG. 5). A plurality of cuts 88 and 89 are formed.

  24 and 25, the developing device 2 is provided with a restraining member 5F that restrains the rotation of the rotary shaft 81 at a desired position when not attached and releases the restrained state of the rotation when attached. Yes. The desired position in the developing device is, for example, a position where the stirring sheet 80 attached to the rotating shaft 81 can be present at a position where the bending deformation is relatively small.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the position at which the bending deformation of the stirring sheet 80 is relatively small is such that the free end portion 80b of the stirring sheet 80 does not contact the inner wall of the toner supply chamber 65 and the entire sheet has the toner T It is the position when it exists in the position not filled with. In this example, the first corner portion 65a existing at a position farthest from the toner delivery port 69A in the accommodation space of the toner supply chamber 65 having a substantially square cross section corresponds to this. When in this position, the stirring sheet 80 is held in a substantially flat state that is hardly curved and deformed (FIG. 24).

  Incidentally, in the toner replenishing chamber 65 in this example, the position of the second corner portion 65b close to the toner delivery port 69A and intersecting the second partition wall 66 is set to a position where the bending deformation of the stirring sheet 80 is relatively small. It is also possible to do. In addition, the toner replenishing chamber 65 theoretically has a third corner 65 where the free end portion 80b of the stirring sheet 80 does not contact when the toner T is not present. Since the entire 80 is filled (covered) with the toner T and it cannot be confirmed whether or not it is actually curved and deformed, it is safe not to employ it.

  Further, the restraining member 5F has a part or all of the restraining member 5F as a wedge against the gap H existing between the gear 85 of the rotating shaft 81 and the toner supply chamber 65 (housing 60) facing the gear 85. The gear 85 (rotating shaft 81) is forcibly stopped at the same position as in the case of the third embodiment (stopping member 5D). The restraining member 5F may be any shape that can be held so as not to be easily removed by being inserted into the gap H to be inserted.

  When such a wedge-shaped restraining member 5F is applied, the same mark M as in the third embodiment is attached in order to identify the restraining position of the rotation of the gear 85 when the restraining member 5F is inserted (FIG. 18b).

  First, a mark M3 for indicating a stop reference position is attached to an appropriate position (an end surface portion facing the gear 85) where the toner supply chamber 65 can be visually recognized. On the other hand, when the stirring sheet 80 is at a position where the bending deformation is relatively small, a mark M4 indicating the sheet stopping position is provided on a portion (body portion) of the gear 85 facing the mark M3 for the stopping reference position. It is attached.

  In the developing device 2 having the restraining member 5F, the following operation is performed when the rotation of the gear 85 is restrained by the restraining member 5F in the non-mounting stage.

  First, the gear 85 is manually rotated in the rotation direction X of the stirring sheet 80, and the sheet stop position mark M4 attached to the gear 85 faces the stop reference position mark M3 attached to the toner supply chamber 65. At this position, the gear 85 is held in a stopped state. Subsequently, in this state, the restraining member 5F is attached so as to be inserted and held in the gap H portion (the gap portion to be inserted is arbitrarily set) between the gear 85 and the toner supply chamber 65 at that time. The rotation of the gear 85 is restrained (see the state of the restraining member 5F indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 25). As a result, the rotation of the rotating shaft 81 to which the gear 40 is fixed is also prevented, so that the stirring sheet 80 attached to the rotating shaft 81 is the same as in the first (third) embodiment. The curved deformation is held at a desired position where the bending deformation is relatively small (FIG. 24).

  When using the developing device 2, the restraining member 5 </ b> F is pulled out from the gap H and removed, and then the developing device 2 in that state is mounted on the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus 100 to be mounted and used.

  At this time, by removing the restraining member 5F, the gear 85 is released from the restrained state by the restraining member 5F and becomes rotatable. Further, when the developing device 2 in this state is mounted on the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus, the gear 85 meshes with a driving gear (not shown) in the mounting portion. As a result, the developing device 2 can be used (operated).

  In the fifth embodiment, instead of the restraining member 5F, the restraining member 5A (FIG. 1, FIG. 4 etc.) in the first embodiment, the restraining member 5B (FIG. 16) and the restraining member 5C in the second embodiment. It is also possible to apply the restraining member 5E (FIG. 19) in the third embodiment (FIG. 17). At this time, in the case where the restraining members 5A, 5B, 5C are applied, the restraining members 5 are integrally provided on the open / close door (20) as exemplified in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Instead, the restraining member 5 itself may be configured to be slidably moved with respect to the housing 60 in the same manner as the opening / closing door 20. The mounting structure of the stop member can be similarly applied to the stop members 5A to 5C in the first to third embodiments.

[Other Embodiments]
In 1st-5th embodiment, it illustrated about the case where the rotation of the gear 40 or 85 fixed to the rotating shaft 31 or 81 which fixes the stirring sheet | seat 30 or 80 as the suppression member 5 (5A-5F) was stopped. However, it is also possible to use a structure that directly stops the rotation of the rotary shaft 31 or 81.

  In 1st-5th embodiment, although the case where a linear thing was used as the rotating shaft 31 or 81 attached so that the stirring sheet 30 or 80 may be fixed was demonstrated, it is not limited to them. As the rotating shaft, for example, the entire rotating shaft may be bent into a crank shape, and a shaft that fixes a stirring sheet to the tip (straight portion) of the crank may be used. Further, a support member having an arbitrary shape that supports the stirring sheet on a linear rotating shaft may be integrally provided, and a member that fixes the stirring sheet to the support member may be used.

  Although the detachable developing device 2 has been described in the fifth embodiment, a detachable image forming unit (so-called process cartridge) in which an image carrier 3 and a charging device 6 are integrally provided in addition to the developing device 2. It is also possible to configure and apply.

  The toner cartridge 1 and the developing device 2 according to the first to fifth embodiments are reused after being removed from the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus and regenerated after the replenishing toner T is almost consumed and consumed. Is possible. When the regeneration is performed, an operation step of refilling the toner T into the container body 10 of the toner cartridge 1 or the toner replenishing chamber 65 of the developing device 2 and the stirring sheet 30 (80) by the stop member 5 (5A to 5F) are performed. An operation process for stopping the rotation of the attached rotation shaft 31 (81) and the rotation of the gear 40 (85) is executed. The toner refilling step and the blocking step using the blocking member are normally performed in this order, but may be performed in the reverse order if possible.

  The image forming apparatus 100 (FIG. 26) shown in the first to fifth embodiments is not limited to one that forms a single-color image composed of one color toner, and is composed of a plurality of toners having different colors. An image forming apparatus that forms a color image may be used. For this reason, for example, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 130 can be used, and an image forming apparatus employing a known intermediate transfer method or the like can be used.

3 is a perspective view illustrating a state when the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment is not used. FIG. 2 is a perspective view when a part of the toner cartridge of FIG. 1 is viewed from different directions. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state when the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment is in use. FIG. 4 is a perspective view when a part of the toner cartridge of FIG. 3 is viewed from different directions. It is a schematic sectional drawing in alignment with the VV line of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the stirring sheet at the time of unused. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the separation distance of the stirring sheet and the accommodation space wall surface of a rotating shaft. FIG. 6 is a side view of the toner cartridge showing a restrained state of a restraining member. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a toner cartridge mounting operation and a usage state. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a usage state of the toner cartridge (an example of a state in which the stirring sheet is bent and deformed). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a usage state of the toner cartridge (another example of a state in which the stirring sheet is curved and deformed). It is a perspective view of the principal part which shows the modification (other structural example of a control member) of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the stop state by the stop member of FIG. It is a side view which shows the stop state by the stop member of FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view and a side view showing a toner cartridge (configuration of a restraining member) according to a second embodiment. It is the top view which shows the modification (other structural example of a control member) of 2nd Embodiment, and its front view. FIG. 10 is a front view and a side view showing a toner cartridge (configuration of a restraining member) according to a third embodiment. It is the front view and its side view which show the modification (other structural example of a control member) of 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a state when a toner cartridge according to a fourth embodiment (a modified example of a container body) is used and when not used. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram illustrating a state when the toner cartridge according to the fourth exemplary embodiment (another modified example of the container body) is used and when not used. FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a state when a toner cartridge according to a fourth embodiment (another modification of a container body) is used and when not used. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of use of the developing device which concerns on 5th Embodiment. FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state when the developing device of FIG. 23 is not used. FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of the developing device of FIGS. 23 and 24. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of an image forming apparatus in each embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Toner cartridge (developer supply apparatus), 2 ... Development apparatus (developer supply apparatus), 3 ... 5A-5F ... Stopping member, 10 ... Container main body (container part), 15,69A ... Toner delivery opening (outlet delivery) , 20 ... Opening / closing door (opening / closing member), 30, 80 ... Stirrer sheet, 30B, 80B ... Free end part of stirrer sheet, 31, 81 ... Rotating shaft (support material), T ... Toner (developer).

Claims (11)

A container part in which an accommodation space for accommodating the developer is formed;
A support member installed to rotate within the storage space of the container part;
One end side is attached to the support member, and a free end side opposite to the one end is a sheet-like stirring member that contacts at least a part of the inner wall of the storage space of the container part;
And a restraining member that restrains the rotation of the support material when not attached to the image forming apparatus to be attached and releases the restrained state of the rotation when attached to the image forming apparatus. Agent supply device.   2. The developer supply device according to claim 1, wherein the restraining member is a member that is attached to the container portion in a state of restraining rotation of the support member when not attached, and is detached from the container portion when attached.   The developer supply device according to claim 2, wherein the restraining member is a member that prevents the mounting if the restraining member is attached at the time of mounting.   A member of a type that is attached to the container so that the restraining member is displaced to a position where the rotation of the rotating member is restrained when not attached, and is displaced to a position where the restraining state of the rotation is released when attached. The developer supply device according to claim 1.   The developer supply device according to claim 4, wherein the restraining member is attached so as to be displaced to a position for releasing the state of restraining the rotation of the support member in conjunction with the mounting operation. The container portion is provided with a delivery port for delivering the developer in the storage space, and an opening / closing member that is displaced to a position for closing and opening the delivery port,
5. The developer according to claim 4, wherein the restraining member is displaced to a position for releasing the state of restraining the rotation of the support member in conjunction with an operation of displacing the opening / closing member to a position for opening the delivery port. Feeding device. Having a gear fixed to the support;
The restraining member is provided integrally with the opening / closing member, and when the opening / closing member is displaced to a position to close the delivery port, the engagement member meshes with the gear to restrain the rotation, and the opening / closing member prevents the delivery port. The developer supply device according to claim 6, wherein the developer supply device is formed so as to be released from meshing with the gear when displaced to an open position. The container part is provided with a delivery outlet for delivering the developer in the accommodation space,
The developer supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the support member is disposed in a state in which a rotation center thereof is located in an unevenly located position close to the delivery port in the accommodation space of the container portion. .   When the restraining member is not mounted, the support member is rotated so that the free end portion of the stirring member is held in a state where the distance from the inner wall of the storage space of the container portion is maximized. The developer supply device according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply device is stopped. In charging the developer supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A method for filling a developer supply apparatus with a developer, comprising: a step of filling a developer in a storage space of the container portion; and a step of stopping rotation of the support member by the stop member. An image forming device for forming an image composed of a developer;
An image forming apparatus using the developer supply device according to claim 1 as a developer supply device for supplying a developer to the image forming device.

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