JP2010169735A - Developer supply container, developer supply device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce developer staying on a step in a developer supply container, a developer supply device, and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: An annular rib projecting in the direction of an axial line from the external wall of the end face of a container body is provided with a protective member. A step is not formed thereby, and this reduces developer staying on the step. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer supply container, a developer supply device, and an image forming apparatus that can be attached to and detached from an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and the like.

  Conventionally, a fine powder developer is used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as “apparatus main body”) such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer. When the developer in the apparatus main body is consumed, the developer is supplied to the apparatus main body using a developer supply container.

  The developer supply container disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and a relatively small opening for discharging the developer is provided on one end surface in the axial direction. The opening is sealed with a sealing cap that seals the developer stored in the container. A developer conveying means is provided inside the container, and a lifting portion that lifts the developer in the container body with rotation, and a guide portion that guides the developer lifted by the lifting portion downward toward the opening side with rotation. With. The developer supply container is used while attached to the apparatus main body, and the container main body itself is rotated from the apparatus main body by driving through the sealing cap so that the developer is conveyed and guided to the opening. The developer is discharged one by one.

  Here, at the time of physical distribution, a protective member is provided for contacting the sealing cap and covering and protecting the entire opening. The protective member is attached by providing an attachment portion on a circumferential surface that is separated from the outer circumferential surface of the container body in the radial direction.

  In the developer supply container disclosed in Patent Document 2, an opening is formed in one end wall of the developer bottle so as to have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical main body. On the other hand, the apparatus main body side is configured by a collet chuck or the like as a mechanism for taking out and opening the inner plug from the opening portion of the bottle blocked with the inner plug during transportation.

  Here, at the time of distribution, a screw cap is provided for contacting only the inner plug and covering only the front end of the opening. The screw cap is fixed by screw fastening with a screw part provided at the tip of the opening.

  In addition, the developer supply container disclosed in Patent Document 3 has engaging protrusions at different positions depending on the color and type of developer stored in the developer storage container on one end side end surface of the developer storage container. Is formed. Furthermore, an engagement recess that engages with an engagement protrusion of a developer container that stores a developer used in the developing unit is formed on the end surface of the inner peripheral portion of the cylindrical rotation transmission member.

As a result, the engaging convex portion of the developer storage container engages with the engaging concave portion on the developer replenishing device side, receives drive transmission from the developer replenishing device side, rotates the developer storing container, and stores it inside. The developer is conveyed, and the developer is discharged little by little from the opening.
JP 2003-057931 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-5759 JP 7-168430 A

  However, while the conventional examples have each excellent feature, some technical problems still remain.

  For example, the developer replenishing container described in Patent Document 1 has a protective member mounting portion, and the mounting portion is formed from the outer peripheral surface of the container main body in consideration of volumetric efficiency during distribution and space efficiency in the apparatus main body. Space-saving is achieved by providing it on a circumferential surface that is one step in the radial direction. This is because a wasteful space increases when the protective member mounting portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the same surface as the container body. In other words, the size in the container radial direction becomes larger than necessary, and the distribution efficiency when storing and transporting in a packaging box is worse, and the volume of the device main body when inserting the container becomes wider and the volume efficiency becomes worse. It is.

  However, since the mounting portion of the protective member is provided on the peripheral surface that is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the container main body in the radial direction, a step portion is generated at one end in the axial direction inside the cylindrical container main body. . By rotating the container body, the developer conveyed by the developer conveying means provided inside is guided to the opening and discharged little by little, but this stepped portion hinders the developer conveyance. Therefore, it is difficult to reliably guide the developer to the opening. For this reason, some usable developer remained in the used developer supply container.

  The developer supply container described in Patent Literature 2 is provided with a screw portion at the tip of the opening and is fixed by screw fastening.

  However, since only the front end of the opening is covered, the root of the opening is not protected. Therefore, when an impact force is applied to the base of the opening due to vibration and dropping during physical distribution transportation, the opening may be bent and the rotational performance may deteriorate. For this reason, when the developer is rotated and discharged from the apparatus main body, the developer replenishing container cannot satisfy the sealing performance with the apparatus main body due to the shaft swing, and the developer may be scattered and contaminated in the apparatus main body.

  In addition, it is necessary to provide a screw portion for fastening the screw cap on the outer peripheral surface of the inner diameter at the tip of the opening that requires high-precision dimensions. For this reason, since it cannot be molded with a uniform thickness, it is difficult to guarantee the accuracy of the inner diameter of the opening due to the occurrence of sink marks and the like, and strict management is required at the time of molding. Further, the seal between the developer replenishing container and the apparatus main body may interfere with the screw portion for fastening the screw cap, impairing the adhesion, and the developer may be scattered in the apparatus main body and become dirty.

  In addition, since the screw cap covers only the opening tip, when the used developer supply container is collected and delivered, the screw cap slightly leaks from the seal part between the developer supply container and the apparatus main body and fills the entire opening. It was not possible to cover all the dirt of the developer that adhered.

  In the developer replenishing device described in Patent Document 3, the engaging convex portion is formed at the position of the end surface on the one end side of the developer storage container, and the engaging concave portion is formed on the developer replenishing device side. Since the engaging convex portion and the engaging concave portion are engaged with each other to transmit the rotational drive from the developer supply device side to the rotation of the developer container, the engaging convex portion protrudes intermittently. The engaging recess was locally recessed.

  However, since the engaging projections provided on the developer supply container side are intermittently disposed in the circumferential direction, the rigidity is weak, and it is dropped accidentally during user operation or comes into contact with the apparatus main body during insertion and a strong impact is applied. It was necessary to increase the rigidity because the roots could be whitened or damaged. Further, when the engaging convex portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the developer supply container, the size in the container radial direction becomes unnecessarily large, and the distribution efficiency and the volumetric efficiency are deteriorated, and a useless space is required.

  The present invention was devised in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to provide a developer replenishing container that achieves desired replenishment performance and is excellent in logistics and operability. It is to be.

In a developer supply container that replenishes developer to the image forming apparatus by rotating, a cylindrical container main body portion that stores the developer, and an end surface of the container main body portion have an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the container main body portion. From a cylindrical discharge opening that protrudes in the axial direction with a small diameter, a sealing member that is provided so as to protrude from the discharge opening, and seals so that the developer does not leak, and an outer diameter of the discharge opening An annular rib projecting in the axial direction from the outer wall of the end surface of the container main body and having a large diameter and smaller than the outer diameter of the container main body,
The annular rib is provided with a mounting portion for attaching a protective member for protecting the sealing member during distribution.

Further, in the developer replenishing apparatus capable of mounting a developer replenishing container for replenishing the developer to the image forming apparatus by rotating, the developer replenishing container includes a cylindrical container main body for housing the developer, The end face of the container main body is provided with a cylindrical discharge opening that is smaller in diameter than the outer diameter of the container main body and protrudes in the axial direction, and protrudes from the discharge opening so that the developer does not leak. A sealing member that seals to the outer periphery, and an annular rib that is larger than the outer diameter of the discharge opening and smaller than the outer diameter of the container main body and protrudes in the axial direction from the container main body. Yes,
The annular rib is provided with a mounting control unit that receives mounting regulation by contacting with a mounting regulating unit that regulates insertion of the developer supply container of the apparatus main body in the axial direction when mounted on the apparatus main body. It is characterized by that.

According to the developer supply container, the developer supply device, and the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
Since the protective member is provided on the annular rib protruding in the axial direction from the outer wall of the end surface of the container main body and no stepped portion is generated inside the container main body, the developer staying in the stepped portion can be reduced. .

  In addition, since the protective member and the annular rib can cover the opening including the periphery thereof, the opening is difficult to bend even when an impact at the time of physical distribution drop is applied. Therefore, the seal between the developer supply container and the developer supply device is provided. Performance and sealing performance for sealing the opening are improved.

  Even if the entire opening is dirty, the opening can be covered by the protective member including the periphery thereof, so that the developer adheres to the user's hand when the used developer supply container is collected and delivered. Can be reduced.

  Further, since the attachment portion of the protective member is provided on the annular rib, there is no fear of sinking of the opening portion during molding, so that the sealing performance and the opening strength of the sealing member are stabilized without deteriorating the sealing performance.

  Since the annular rib has a ring shape connected in the circumferential direction, even if the developer supply container is dropped or strongly inserted into the main body of the device, the annular rib is strong and will not be damaged. .

  Further, since there is a radial rib between the annular rib and the opening, the flow of the resin is promoted during molding, and the roundness of the opening can be accurately obtained. For this reason, the sealing performance and opening strength of the sealing member are stabilized.

  In addition, even in developer supply containers having different outer diameters of the container main body, the protective member can be made common by sharing the diameter of the mounting portion of the annular rib, so that the production cost can be reduced.

  Therefore, for the above reasons, it is possible to provide a developer supply container and a developer supply device that are excellent in logistics and operability as well as discharge performance.

  Further, the developer supply container having a small diameter has a larger amount of protrusion in the axial direction than the attachment control section of the developer supply container having a large diameter, so the developer supply container having a small diameter has a diameter. Incorrect insertion into a developer supply device for a large developer supply container can be prevented.

  In addition, the mounting control units of a plurality of developer supply containers having the same diameter can be prevented from being erroneously inserted other than a predetermined developer supply device by changing the amount of protrusion in the axial direction.

  Further, since the mounting control unit is provided so as to protrude in the axial direction from the outer wall of the end surface instead of the outer peripheral surface of the developer supply container, the radial space efficiency can be improved.

  Therefore, for the reasons described above, it is possible to provide a developer replenishing device and an image forming apparatus that are excellent in operability and have been made compact.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in the following examples should be changed as appropriate according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Unless specifically stated, the scope of the present invention is not limited to them.

First, the configuration of an electrophotographic copying machine as an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a developer supply container according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS.
<Electrophotographic image forming apparatus>
In the electrophotographic copying machine main body (hereinafter also referred to as “apparatus main body”) 100 shown in FIG. The plurality of mirrors M and lenses Ln form an image on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive drum”) 104. Of the recording media (hereinafter referred to as “paper”) P loaded in the cassettes 105, 106, 107, 108, information input by the user (user) from the operation unit 100 a shown in FIG. The optimum paper P is selected from the paper size information in the cassettes 105-108. Here, the recording medium is not limited to paper, and may be selected as appropriate, such as an OHP sheet.

  Then, the sheet P conveyed by the feeding / separating devices 105A, 106A, 107A, and 108A is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveyance unit 109, and the sheet P is further conveyed by the registration roller 110 to the photosensitive drum. The rotation of 104 and the scanning timing of the optical unit 103 are synchronized and conveyed to the transfer unit. In the transfer unit, the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer discharger 111. Then, the sheet P on which the developer image is transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the separation discharger 112.

  Thereafter, the sheet P conveyed to the fixing unit 114 by the conveying unit 113 is fixed on the developer image on the sheet P by heat and pressure in the fixing unit 114. And is discharged to the discharge tray 117 by the discharge roller 116. In the case of double-sided copying, the paper is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the refeed conveyance paths 119 and 120 under the control of the flapper 118 of the discharge reversing unit 115, and then the same path as in the case of single-sided copying. Then, it is discharged to the discharge tray 117.

  In the case of multiple copying, the paper P passes through the discharge reversing unit 115 and is once discharged out of the apparatus by the discharge roller 116. After that, the end of the paper P passes through the flapper 118, and the flapper 118 is controlled at the timing when it is still nipped by the discharge roller 116, and the discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction, thereby being conveyed again into the apparatus main body 100. Is done. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the re-feed conveyance units 119 and 120, and then discharged to the discharge tray 117 along the same path as in the case of single-sided copying.

  Incidentally, in the apparatus main body 100 having the above-described configuration, a developing unit 201, a cleaner unit 202, a primary charger 203, and the like are disposed around the photosensitive drum 104.

  The developing unit 201 develops the electrostatic latent image in which information of the document 101 is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 by the optical unit 103 using a developer.

  The developing unit 201 includes a developer hopper 201a and a developing device 201b. The developer hopper 201a includes a stirring member 201c for stirring the developer replenished from the developer replenishing container 1. The developer stirred by the stirring member 201c is sent to the developing device 201b by the magnet roller 201d. The developing device 201b includes a developing roller 201f and a conveying member 201e. The developer sent from the developer hopper 201a by the magnet roller 201d is sent to the developing roller 201f by the conveying member 201e, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 104 by the developing roller 201f.

  The cleaner unit 202 is for removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 104. The primary charger 203 is for charging the photosensitive drum 104.

  When the user opens the developer supply container replacement cover 15 (hereinafter referred to as a main body front cover), which is a part of the exterior cover shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the container cradle 50 becomes a drive system (not shown). Is pulled out to a predetermined position. Then, the developer supply container 1A is inserted in the direction of arrow a on the container cradle 50. Thereafter, the developer supply container 1A is placed on a container tray (not shown), and the operation supply lever (not shown) is rotated so that the developer supply container 1A engages with the image forming apparatus and is supplied. Set to possible state.

  When the user takes out the developer supply container 1A from the apparatus main body 100, the developer supply container 1A placed on the container tray is taken out by performing a lever operation opposite to that at the time of mounting. Here, the pre-replacement cover 15 is a dedicated cover for attaching / detaching (replacing) the developer supply container 1A, and is opened and closed only for attaching / detaching the developer supply container 1A. The maintenance of the apparatus main body 100 is performed by opening and closing the front cover 100c, but other configurations may be used.

The developer supply container 1 </ b> A may be directly attached to the apparatus main body 100 or removed from the apparatus main body 100 without using a container tray.
<Developer supply container>
First, the developer supply container 1A according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer supply container 1A according to the present invention, and FIG. 4B is an external perspective view of the tip (opening portion 1a) side of the developer supply container 1A according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, a developer supply container 1A includes a container body 1 formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, and a flange 4 provided with a cylindrical opening 1a smaller than the outer diameter of the container body 1 at the center of one end surface. And are fastened with screws. Further, a scissor-shaped conveying member 3 is fixedly provided in the container main body 1, and a donut-shaped sealing member 5 for sealing the container main body 1 and the flange 4 is pressed and incorporated. The developer stored in the developer supply container 1A is discharged from the opening 1a to the image forming apparatus 100 (developing apparatus).

  The container body 1 used for the developer supply container 1A is formed by injection blow molding. A spiral projection 1e is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1, and conveys the developer in the direction of the opening 1a as the developer supply container 1A rotates. A transport member 3 is provided on the opening 1a side of the developer supply container 1A. The developer transported by the spiral protrusion 1e is scooped up by the transport member 3, and the developer is discharged from the opening 1a. . The container main body 1 in the present invention may use various manufacturing methods such as injection molding and injection blow molding that are generally well known. In this embodiment, an example of a developer supply container manufactured by injection blow molding is shown. . In FIG. 4, the opening 1 a is closed by the sealing member 2.

  Further, a protective member 6 for protecting the opening 1a and the sealing member 2 from an impact or the like caused by dropping during distribution is an annular rib 4a protruding in the axial direction (CC direction) from the outer wall of the end surface of the developer supply container 1A. Installed on. A mounting portion 4b for fixing and holding the protective member 6 is provided on the outermost peripheral surface of the annular rib 4a. The mounting portion 4b has a spiral screw shape. The protective member 6 is attached to the developer supply container 1A so that the sealing member 2 does not open in the axial direction (CC direction) by abutting the tip of the sealing member 2 by tightening the protective member 6 to the attachment portion 4b. Yes.

  The outermost diameter of the annular rib 4a is made smaller than the outermost diameter of the developer supply container 1A even when the protective member 6 is attached. This is because if the attachment portion 4b of the protection member 6 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the same surface as the container body 1, a useless space increases. That is, the size in the container radial direction becomes larger than necessary, and the distribution efficiency when storing and transporting in a packaging box is further reduced, and the opening of the apparatus main body 100 when the container is further inserted becomes wide, and the volume efficiency is deteriorated. Because.

  The outermost inner diameter of the annular rib 4a is larger than the outermost diameter of the opening 1a. This is because a gap between the opening 1a and the opening 1a is transmitted directly to the opening 1a so that the opening 1a is not bent, and a screw part is not directly formed in the opening 1a. The inner diameter accuracy of the opening 1a is easily obtained. Furthermore, since the protection member 6 attached to the attachment portion 4b of the annular rib 4a can cover not only the sealing member 2 but also the opening 1a including the periphery thereof, if the protection member is attached after the container is used, There is no such thing as handling users getting their hands dirty.

  FIG. 12 is a side view of the developer supply container 1A according to the present invention as viewed from one end side in the rotation axis direction. In the figure, the bridging portion 4e is radially formed by a bridging portion that connects the opening 1a and the annular rib 4a.

With this configuration, even if an impact is applied, the opening 1a and the annular rib 4a are reinforced by the bridging portion 4d, so that it is difficult to bend and the sealing performance between the developer supply container and the developer supply device is improved. To do. In addition, the fluidity of the resin is improved at the time of molding, and the inner diameter dimension at the tip of the opening 1a can be accurately obtained, so that the sealing performance for sealing the opening is improved.
<Conveying member>
Next, the conveying member 3 in the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the conveying member 3 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The conveying member 3 has a pair of baffles 3a1 and baffles 3a2 having a plate-like scissors shape for scooping up the developer inside when the developer supply container 1A rotates. In this embodiment, a pair of baffles 3a1 and baffles 3a2 are provided. However, one or a plurality of three or more baffles may be used as long as the function of the product is satisfied.

  The conveying member 3 has a pair of plate-like conveying ribs 3b1 and conveying ribs 3b2 for guiding the developer scooped up by the baffles 3a1 and 3a2 to the opening 1a when the developer supply container 1A rotates. ing. The transport rib 3b1 and the transport rib 3b2 are formed at an inclination angle θ with respect to the rotation axis direction of the container body 1. When the inclination angle θ is larger than 45 degrees, the amount of developer scooped up by the baffle 3 per time is reduced. If the inclination angle is smaller than 30 degrees, the speed at which the developer slides down the inclination is reduced, and the amount of the developer guided to the opening 1a is reduced. Therefore, the inclination angle θ is preferably 30 degrees to 45 degrees, but more preferably 40 degrees to 45 degrees. In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ is 45 degrees. In this embodiment, a pair of transport ribs 3b1 and transport ribs 3b2 are provided. However, one or a plurality of transport ribs may be used as long as the function of the product is satisfied.

  Moreover, the container main body 1 of this structure is shape | molded by injection blow molding. For this reason, since the diameter of the opening side of the container main body 1 is formed to be narrower than the outer peripheral surface of the container main body 1, the conveying member 3 needs to be elastically deformed when assembled inside the container main body 1. . Therefore, it is desirable to use a material that is easy to mold with a general-purpose resin such as POM (polyacetal) or PP (polypropylene) and has excellent mechanical properties with respect to bending, but in this embodiment, PP (polypropylene) that has particularly excellent bending properties. ) Is used.

In the present embodiment, the transport member 3 having the above shape is provided. However, the developer in the container body 1 is swollen to the rotation, and the scooped developer is guided to the opening side with the rotation. If there is, it is not limited to this.
<Description of sealing cap opening / closing>
Next, the process of supplying the developer by inserting the developer supply container 1A according to the present invention into the apparatus main body 100 will be described for each stage with reference to FIGS.

  The developer supply container 1 </ b> A is disposed in the apparatus main body 100 in a substantially horizontal direction. The opening 1a is lightly press-fitted with a sealing member 2 that seals the opening 1a. The sealing member 2 extends in the axial direction (CC direction in FIG. 4) of the developer supply container 1A. The opening / closing operation of the opening 1a is performed by sliding relative to the opening 1a. Further, the developer supply container 1A is engaged with the engagement protrusion 2a (see FIG. 4) provided on the sealing member 2 and the drive ring 20 of the apparatus main body 100 to receive a rotational driving force, thereby developing developer supply container. 1A is configured to rotate.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which after the developer supply container 1A is inserted, the developer supply container 1A is moved backward by the lever operation and the sealing member 2 is opened.

  FIG. 6A shows a state where the developer supply container 1 </ b> A is being inserted into the apparatus main body 100. The sealing member 2 is in a state where the opening 1a is sealed so that the developer in the developer supply container 1A does not leak. The user advances the developer supply container 1A in the direction of the arrow and inserts it.

  FIG. 6B shows a state after the developer supply container 1 </ b> A is inserted into the apparatus main body 100. The developer supply container 1 </ b> A further advances and is pushed into the drive ring 20 of the apparatus main body 100. Here, the snap-fit claws forming the locking projections 2a of the sealing member 2 are elastically deformed radially inward and can be engaged with the engaging portion 20a (see FIG. 8) of the drive ring 20. The insertion of the sealing member 2 into the drive ring 20 is performed by the user pushing the developer supply container 1A into the back side as viewed from the front of the apparatus main body.

  FIG. 6C shows a state in which the developer supply container 1A is retracted in the direction of the arrow and the sealing member 2 is opened by a lever operation (not shown). The release ring 30 (see FIG. 8) moves in conjunction with a lever operation (not shown). As a result, the snap-fit claw forming the locking projection 2a is restored radially outward, and the locking projection 2a and the engaging portion 20a of the drive ring 20 (see FIG. 8) engage. Further, the developer supply container 1A moves backward in the direction of the arrow, and the sealing member 2 is opened. And it is in the state which is rotationally driven integrally by the drive motor not shown provided in the apparatus main body 100. FIG. In this state, the user closes the main body front cover 15 and the mounting of the developer supply container 1A to the apparatus main body 100 is completed.

  Next, after the main body front cover 15 is closed, when the drive ring 20 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown) in the apparatus main body 100, the sealing member 2 engaged with the drive ring 20 is rotated. When the sealing member 2 further rotates, the sealing member 2 engages with the engaging portion 1a1 (see FIG. 8) protruding in the radial direction from the inner wall of the opening 1a in the rotational direction, and the developer supply container 1A rotates integrally. Driven. As the developer supply container 1A rotates in this manner, the developer stored in the container is sequentially discharged from the opening 1a, and the developer is supplied to the hopper 201a on the apparatus main body 100 side.

  In this configuration, as described above, after the developer supply container 1A is inserted into the apparatus main body 100, the developer supply container 1A moves relative to the apparatus main body 100 in the axial direction, and then the developer supply container 1A is moved. The developer is supplied into the hopper 201a by rotating. Therefore, the hopper 201a is provided with a ring-shaped seal member 201as (see FIG. 8) between the opening 1a outer peripheral surface of the developer supply container 1A so that the developer does not leak out. For this reason, if the attachment part 4b of the protection member 6 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the opening part 1a, the attachment part 4b protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the opening part 1a, so that the sealing performance with the seal member 201as (see FIG. 8) is impaired. It was difficult to ensure reliability. Further, if the mounting portion 4b is disposed so as not to interfere with the seal member 201as (see FIG. 8), the developer supply container 1A moves in the axial direction, so that it is difficult to ensure a sufficient seal width.

  Next, as another example, FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which after the developer supply container 1A is inserted, the drive ring 20 is moved backward by the lever operation and the sealing member 2 is opened.

  7A and 7B are the same as the operations of the developer supply container 1A and the apparatus main body 100 in FIG. 6, but in FIG. 7C, the drive ring 20B is operated by lever operation (not shown). Is different from the operation of FIG. 6C in that the sealing member 2 is opened by retreating in the direction of the arrow.

  That is, the release ring 30 (see FIG. 8) moves in conjunction with a lever operation (not shown). As a result, the snap-fit claw forming the locking projection 2a is restored radially outward, and the locking projection 2a and the engaging portion 20a of the drive ring 20 (see FIG. 8) engage. Further, the drive ring 20 is retracted in the direction of the arrow, and the sealing member 2 is opened.

These configurations are not limited by the gist of the present invention, and may be appropriately selected according to design requirements such as a main body configuration.
<How to replace the developer supply container>
Next, a method for replacing the developer supply container 1A in the present invention will be described.

  When substantially all of the developer in the developer supply container 1A is consumed during the image formation process, a display means such as liquid crystal is detected by detection of a developer supply container empty detection means (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 100. A message is displayed from 100b (see FIG. 2). Here, the user is informed that the developer in the developer supply container 1A has run out.

  In this embodiment, the replacement of the developer supply container 1A is performed by the user himself, and the procedure is as follows. First, the main body front cover 15 in the closed state as shown in FIG. 2 is opened to the position shown in FIG. Here, a lever operation (not shown) advances the developer supply container 1A in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 6C, and the sealing member 2 is closed. Further, when the release ring 30 (see FIG. 8) in the drive ring 20 is moved, the snap fit claws forming the locking projections 2a are elastically deformed radially inward to be disengaged from the drive ring 20 and can be detached. A state is reached (FIG. 6B).

The user pulls out the developer supply container 1 </ b> A that has run out of developer in the direction opposite to the arrow shown in FIG. 6A and removes it from the apparatus main body 100. The developer supply container 1A is detached from the drive ring 20 on the apparatus main body 100 side when the user pulls the developer supply container 1A to the front side when viewed from the front of the apparatus main body 100. Thereafter, the user inserts a new developer supply container into the apparatus main body 100 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 6 (A), changes the state shown in FIG. 6 (B), and then operates the lever as shown in FIG. 6 (C). To. Then, the main body front cover 15 is closed. The above is the procedure for replacing the developer supply container. In this description, the configuration of FIG. 6 is described as an example in which the developer supply container 1A is retracted to open the sealing member 2. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the drive ring 20 is retracted and sealed. The configuration of FIG. 7 in which the member 2 is opened is also applicable.
<Description of replenishment to the device body>
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of this embodiment, showing a state in which the developer is supplied from the developer supply container 1A to the apparatus main body 100. FIG.

  In FIG. 8, when the developer supply container 1A rotates, the conveying member 3 provided in the container main body 1A also rotates integrally, and the developer is conveyed in the direction of the arrow.

When the developer supply container 1A rotates, the developer is scooped upward by the baffle 3a1 formed on the transport member 3, and is further transferred to the transport rib 3b1 by rotating further. Since the transport rib 3b1 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis direction, the transferred developer is guided to the opening 1a while sliding down by gravity. The developer guided to the opening 1a is discharged from the developer supply container 1A and supplied to the apparatus main body 100.
<Incompatible explanation>
FIG. 10 shows two types of developer supply containers having the same length but differing only in the radial direction. FIG. 10A shows a developer in which the outermost diameter is φd1, the annular rib 4aH is provided at one end so as to have a height h1, and the attachment control unit 4dH is provided on the end surface. The supply container 1AH is shown. In FIG. 10B, the diameter of the outermost diameter is φd2, and an annular rib 4aL is provided on one end surface so as to have a height h2, and an attachment control unit 4dL is provided on the end surface. The developer supply container 1AL is shown. The developer supply container 1AH corresponds to the apparatus main body 100H, and the developer supply container 1AL corresponds to the apparatus main body 100L. The developer supply container 1AH is regulated in the axial direction by the mounting control unit 50aH of the apparatus main body 100H by the mounting control unit 4dH. The developer supply container 1AL is regulated by the mounting control unit 4dL in the axial direction by the mounting unit 50aL of the apparatus main body 100L and can be mounted.

  Next, FIG. 11A is a view showing a state where the developer supply container 1AH is inserted into the apparatus main body 100H at a predetermined position, and FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating the case where the developer supply container 1AL is mistaken for the apparatus main body 100H. It is the figure which showed the time of being inserted.

  In FIG. 11 (B), when the developer supply container 1AL is inserted, the mounting restricting portion 50aH of the apparatus main body 100H comes into contact with the mounting control portion 4dL formed on the end surface of the annular rib 4aL and bumps into the developer supply container. 1AL cannot be inserted to the specified position.

  Here, an annular rib 4aL is provided at a height h2 in the developer supply container 1AL having a small diameter, and an annular rib 4aH is provided at a height h1 in the developer supply container 1AH having a large diameter. The relationship between the height h1 and the height h2 is set so that the height h2 is higher than the height h1.

  As a result, even if the developer supply container 1AL having a small diameter is erroneously inserted into the mounting portion of the developer supply container 1AH having a large diameter, the annular rib 4aL is restricted by the height h2, so that the height h2−height in the axial direction. Only the difference of h1 cannot be inserted. Therefore, even if the developer supply container 1AL is erroneously inserted, it cannot be inserted to the end, so that the sealing member 2 of the developer supply container 1AL cannot be engaged with the drive ring 20 of the apparatus main body 100. Further, since the developer supply container 1AL can be inserted only halfway and the pre-replacement cover 15 cannot be closed, the user can notice the erroneous insertion. For this reason, since it is difficult to erroneously insert the developer supply container 1AL having a small diameter into the container pedestal 50H of the developer supply container 1AH having a large diameter, an erroneous operation can be prevented.

  In particular, when a black container is used as the developer supply container 1AH having a large diameter and a color container of cyan, magenta, and yellow is used as the developer supply container 1AL having a small diameter as in the color image forming apparatus, the user can It may happen that the insertion is not in the predetermined mounting portion but in the wrong mounting portion. That is, there is a possibility that one of the cyan, magenta, and yellow color containers is erroneously inserted into the black mounting portion. Further, when the cyan, magenta, and yellow color containers have the same diameter, there is a possibility that the containers having the same diameter may be erroneously inserted. This may occur because a developer supply container having a small diameter can be inserted into a mounting portion of a developer supply container having a large diameter, and containers having the same diameter can be inserted into a mounting portion different from a predetermined position.

  On the contrary, a container having a large diameter cannot occur in the mounting portion of the container having a small diameter because the opening of the apparatus main body is narrow and cannot be inserted in a space.

  The same applies to the monochrome image forming apparatus. That is, in a situation where both the high-speed monochrome image forming apparatus and the low-speed monochrome image forming apparatus are used in parallel, a developer supply container having a large diameter for high speed and large capacity and a developer supply container having a small diameter for low speed and small capacity are used. There are types of developer supply containers. Since the developer supply container having a small diameter for low speed and small capacity can be inserted into the mounting portion of the developer supply container having a large diameter for high speed and large capacity in terms of space, it may be erroneously inserted.

When a plurality of developer replenishing containers having different diameters are mixedly used as described above, erroneous mounting can be prevented by changing the height of the annular rib 4a protruding in the rotation axis direction of the developer replenishing container. it can. Even when containers of the same diameter are used, erroneous mounting can be prevented by changing the height of the annular rib 4a protruding in the direction of the rotation axis of the developer supply container.
<Experimental example 1>
The developer supply container 1A of Example 1 shown in FIG. 4 is used, and after 1000 g of developer is filled, the developer supply container 1A is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed (30 rpm). The developer was discharged. Note that this experiment ends when the developer supply container empty detection means (not shown) provided in the apparatus main body 100 detects that the developer in the developer supply container 1A has run out.

  When the remaining amount of the developer in the developer supply container 1A after being taken out was measured, it was about 18 g.

Further, when the dimensional accuracy of the inner peripheral surface of the opening 1a sealed by the sealing member 2 was measured, the roundness of the developer supply container 1A was about 44 μm.
<Comparative Example 1>
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a comparative example, showing how the developer is supplied from the developer supply container 1B to the apparatus main body. The flange 4 and the conveying member 3 are different from the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8, and the rest of the configuration is the same, so the same parts will be described with the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 9, an annular protrusion 4Ba is formed on the flange 4B instead of the annular rib. In other words, the protective member 6 is attached by providing the attachment portion 4Bb on the peripheral surface that is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the flange in the radial direction. The portion where the mounting portion 4Bb is provided forms an annular convex portion 4Ba provided with a space for storing the developer therein.

  The developer supply container 1B of Comparative Example 1 shown in FIG. 9 is filled with 1000 g of developer, then set in the image forming apparatus 100, and the developer supply container 1B is driven to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed (30 rpm). The developer was discharged. Note that the experiment ends when it is detected that the developer in the developer supply container 1 has run out, as in Experimental Example 1.

  When the remaining amount of the developer in the developer supply container 1B after being taken out was measured, it was about 30 g. This is because the developer staying at the corner of the annular convex portion 4Ba remains, and the remaining amount of the developer is increased by this remaining amount.

The difference from the developer supply container 1A shown in Example 1 is about 12 g. This is equivalent to 240 sheets when the developer consumption is converted to 50 mg / sheet (6% original on A4 paper), and the developer is wasted. Has occurred.
<Comparative example 2>
A developer supply container in the case where the developer supply container 1A of Example 1 shown in FIG. 4 has no bridging portion 4e will be described. Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention is otherwise the same in configuration, and will be described with the same reference numerals.

  In the developer supply container 1C (not shown) of Comparative Example 2, when the dimensional accuracy of the inner peripheral surface of the opening 1a sealed by the sealing member 2 is measured, the roundness of the developer supply container 1C is about 58 μm. It was. The difference in roundness from the developer supply container 1A shown in Experimental Example 1 was 14 μm. This is probably because the developer supply container 1A of Example 1 has the bridging portion 4e in the vicinity of the opening 1a, and the flow of the resin was promoted by this rib during molding, thereby improving the roundness.

  Therefore, from the above results, there is no step portion in the container body, so that the accumulated developer can be reduced, and a developer supply container excellent in logistics and operability as well as discharge performance can be obtained. Can be provided.

  Further, since the bridging portion is provided in the opening, the flow of the resin is promoted and the roundness of the opening can be accurately obtained. For this reason, since the sealing performance and opening strength of the sealing member are stabilized, it is possible to provide a developer supply container with improved logistics and operability.

1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus main body (copier) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an electrophotographic copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the developer container replacement cover of the electrophotographic copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened and the developer supply container is attached to the electrophotographic copying machine. 4A is a cross-sectional perspective view of the developer supply container according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is an external perspective view of the tip (opening) side of the developer supply container according to the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the conveyance member 3 in 1st Example in this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which after a developer supply container is inserted, the developer supply container is retracted by a lever operation and a sealing member is opened. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which after a developer supply container is inserted, a drive ring is retracted by a lever operation and a sealing member is opened. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the present embodiment, illustrating a state in which the developer is supplied from the developer supply container to the apparatus main body. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a developer is supplied from a developer supply container used in a comparative example to the apparatus main body. It is a figure which shows two types of developer supply containers which are the same length but differ only in the size of radial direction. It is a figure which shows when a small capacity | capacitance developer supply container is inserted in the large capacity | capacitance apparatus main body. FIG. 3 is a side view of the developer supply container 1A according to the present invention as viewed from one end side in the direction of the axis of rotation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A Developer supply container 1 Container main body 1a Discharge opening part 1a1 Locking part 1e Spiral protrusion 2 Sealing member 2a Locking protrusion 3 Conveying member 3a Baffle part 3b Conveying rib 4 Lange 4a Annular rib 4b Mounting part 4d Mounting control part 4e Bridge part 5 Seal member 6 Protection member 15 Front cover for replacement 20 Drive ring 20a Engagement part 30 Release ring 50 Container cradle 50a Mounting restriction part 100 Electrophotographic copying machine main body 100a Operation part 100c Front cover 101 Document 102 Document table glass 103 Optical part 104 Electrophotographic photosensitive drum 105, 106, 107, 108 Cassette 105A, 106A, 107A, 108A Feeding / separating device 109 Conveying part 110 Registration roller 111 Transfer discharger 112 Separating discharger 113 Conveying part 114 Fixing part 115 Discharge Reversing part 116 Rollers 117 discharge tray 118 flapper 119 resupply conveyance path 119, 120
201 Developing Unit 201a Developing Hopper 201as Sealing Member 201b Developer 201c Stirring Member 201d Magnet Roller 201e Conveying Member 201f Developing Roller 202 Cleaner 203 Primary Charger 301A Developer Supply Container 301 Container Body 301a Opening 301d Container Port 302 Sealing Member 303 Conveying member 303a Conveying rib 305 Filling port M Mirror Ln Lens P Paper
T Developer (Developer)

Claims (9)

In a developer supply container that replenishes developer to the image forming apparatus by rotating, a cylindrical container main body portion that stores the developer, and an end surface of the container main body portion have an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the container main body portion. From a cylindrical discharge opening that protrudes in the axial direction with a small diameter, a sealing member that is provided so as to protrude from the discharge opening, and seals so that the developer does not leak, and an outer diameter of the discharge opening An annular rib projecting in the axial direction from the outer wall of the end surface of the container main body and having a large diameter and smaller than the outer diameter of the container main body,
The developer replenishing container, wherein the annular rib is provided with a mounting portion for attaching a protective member for protecting the sealing member during distribution.   The outermost diameter of the attachment part is smaller than the outermost diameter of the container body part, and the outermost inner diameter of the annular rib is larger than the outermost diameter of the discharge opening. Developer supply container.   The developer replenishing container according to claim 1, wherein an outermost diameter of the protective member is smaller than an outermost diameter of the container main body.   The developer supply container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the annular rib is provided with a bridging portion that connects the discharge opening to the annular rib. In the developer supply device capable of mounting a developer supply container for supplying the developer to the image forming apparatus by rotating, the developer supply container includes a cylindrical container main body for storing the developer, and the container main body. A cylindrical discharge opening that protrudes in the axial direction with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the container main body and a discharge opening that protrudes from the discharge opening are provided on the end surface of the container so that the developer does not leak. A sealing member that stops, and an annular rib that is larger than the outer diameter of the discharge opening and smaller than the outer diameter of the container main body and protrudes in the axial direction from the container main body,
The annular rib is provided with a mounting control unit that receives mounting regulation by contacting with a mounting regulating unit that regulates insertion of the developer supply container of the apparatus main body in the axial direction when the annular rib is mounted on the apparatus main body. A developer replenishing device.   6. The developer replenishing device according to claim 5, wherein the annular rib is provided with an attachment portion for attaching the mounting control portion and a protective member for protecting the sealing member during distribution. A developer replenishing device according to claim 5 or 6,
In an image forming apparatus provided with a mounting portion for individually mounting a plurality of developer supply containers each storing a different volume of developer,
The outermost diameter of the large-capacity developer supply container is larger than the outermost diameter of the small-capacity developer supply container,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the mounting control unit for a large-capacity developer supply container has a larger amount of protrusion in the axial direction than the mounting control unit for a small-capacity developer supply container. A developer replenishing device according to claim 5 or 6,
In the image forming apparatus provided with a mounting portion for individually mounting a plurality of developer supply containers having the same diameter,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the plurality of developer replenishment container mounting control units have different amounts of protrusion in the axial direction. A developer replenishing device according to claim 5 or 6,
In a plurality of image forming apparatuses mounted with a large capacity developer supply container and a plurality of image forming apparatuses mounted with a small capacity developer supply container,
The outermost diameter of the large-capacity developer supply container is larger than the outermost diameter of the small-capacity developer supply container,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the mounting control unit for a large-capacity developer supply container has a larger amount of protrusion in the axial direction than the mounting control unit for a small-capacity developer supply container.