JP2010217376A - Image forming cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming cartridge and an image forming apparatus such that a matter which is not necessary for image formation can be removed in a state wherein the image forming cartridge is detached from an image forming cartridge body according to the installation procedure of the image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The top surface of the image forming cartridge 15 is covered with photoreceptor protection paper 140 to protect a photoreceptor. Further, a light shield piece 142 is extended from the photoreceptor protection paper 140, fixed to the back surface of the image forming cartridge 15, and disposed between an exposure device and the photoreceptor to cut off light from the semiconductor laser of the exposure device. In the embodiment of the present invention, the light shield piece 142 is provided at a position where it can not be removed without detaching the image forming cartridge 15 from the image forming apparatus body, and a user is prompted to detach the image forming cartridge 15 from the image forming apparatus body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

  The developing device of the image forming apparatus using the two-component developing system includes a developer supply port for supplying the developer in the developing device to the developing roll, and a toner for supplying toner from the toner cartridge into the developing device. A supply port is provided.

  In an image forming apparatus produced in a factory, the developer supply port and the toner supply port are sealed so that the toner and the developer do not leak outside the apparatus when transported to a store or customer. For this reason, when the user installs the image forming apparatus, the user peels off the seal member and starts use after the developer and toner can be supplied through the developer supply port and the toner supply port.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a seal member that seals an opening of a developer container is provided between a developer carrier and a developer agitating / conveying member, and holds the seal member to pull out the seal member. The drawing member is exposed to the outside from between the opening of the developer container and the developer carrier. For this reason, the seal member is removed from the opening by pulling the pull-out member.

  In Patent Document 2, a rotating member that rotates in the developer container is provided, one end of the seal member is attached to the rotating member, the rotating member is rotated by drive transmission means, and the seal member is opened. . When the opening operation of the seal member is completed, the rotating member rotates in the reverse direction to convey and stir the developer in the developer storage container.

JP 2005-352355 A Japanese Patent No. 3950568

  It is an object of the present invention to obtain an image forming cartridge and an image forming apparatus that can be removed from the image forming apparatus main body and removed from the image forming cartridge main body according to the installation procedure of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming cartridge, an image holding member that is exposed by an exposure unit that emits a light beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface, and the electrostatic latent image on the image holding member A developing device for developing; and a light-shielding member that is provided in the image forming cartridge main body, is disposed at a position that blocks the light beam, and cannot be removed unless the image forming cartridge main body is removed from the image forming apparatus main body.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming cartridge according to the first aspect, the developer supply port provided in the developing device and replenished with the developer and the developer supply port are sealed, and A first sealing member exposed to the outside of the image forming cartridge main body, and a developer supply for supplying the developer replenished from the developer replenishing port to the image holding member. And a second sealing member that seals the developer supply port and has one end portion exposed to the outside of the image forming cartridge main body.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming cartridge according to the first or second aspect, a protective member that is provided on an open side of the image forming apparatus main body and protects the image holding body is integrated with the light shielding member. The shielding member is sandwiched between the image forming cartridge main body and the image forming apparatus main body with the image forming cartridge main body formed and mounted in the image forming apparatus main body.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming cartridge according to the third aspect, when the protective member is pulled between the protective member and the light shielding member, an uncut portion is left on the open side of the image forming apparatus main body. A cut portion is provided which is left to be cut.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming cartridge according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the region where the light shielding member is shielded from light is a detection image for adjusting developer density or image density. The region in which is formed is included.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the image forming cartridge according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the image forming cartridge is detachably attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the main body of the image forming apparatus. And an opening / closing means for exposing the image carrier side when opened and enabling the image forming cartridge to be attached and detached.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, when the developer density or the detection image for adjusting the image density is not formed, the image forming apparatus is provided with the main body of the image forming apparatus and the user operates in the operation mode. A guidance for urging the light-shielding member to be removed is displayed on the operation display unit for inputting.

  According to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to alert the user that the image forming cartridge main body must be removed from the image forming apparatus main body, and to remove items unnecessary for image formation from the image forming cartridge main body. it can.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the developer supply port and the developer supply port can be opened by pulling the first sealing member and the second sealing member.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light shielding member cannot be removed from the image forming cartridge only by pulling the protective member.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the uncut portion of the protective member is left on the open side of the image forming apparatus main body.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the detection image is formed in a state where the shielding member is present in the image forming apparatus main body, the detection image cannot be completely formed.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, it is possible to prompt the user to remove the image forming cartridge.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, showing a state in which an opening / closing cover is opened. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming cartridge according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opening / closing cover of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image forming cartridge according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image forming cartridge according to the present embodiment viewed from the back side. The 1st modification corresponding to Drawing 6 is shown. The 2nd modification corresponding to Drawing 6 is shown.

An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
(Image forming device)
First, the image forming apparatus will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming unit 14Y for four colors (in this embodiment, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K)), An image forming cartridge 15 in which 14M, 14C, and 14K are arranged in tandem in order from the bottom is provided. The image forming cartridge 15 is detachably accommodated in the image forming apparatus main body 10A. Hereinafter, Y, M, C, and K are omitted when it is not necessary to distinguish YMCK.

  The image forming unit 14 includes, for each color, a photoreceptor unit 62 having a photoreceptor 16 as an image holding member, and a developing device that develops toner of each color on an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 16. 64 (details will be described later). The photoconductor unit 62 includes a photoconductor 16, a charging roll 18 disposed around the photoconductor 16, a static eliminator 20, a cleaning device 22, It has.

  Further, a sheet feeding cassette 24 in which the sheet material P is stored is provided at the lower part of the image forming apparatus 10, and the sheet material P is sent out at a predetermined timing in the vicinity of the sheet feeding cassette 24. A roll 26 is provided. A separation roll 28 is provided on the downstream side of the feed roll 26 (hereinafter simply referred to as “downstream side”), and the recording paper is spun in cooperation with the separation roll 28.

  Further, an alignment roll 30 is disposed on the downstream side of the separation roll 28, and the sheet material P sent out by the feed roll 26 and the separation roll 28 is temporarily stopped by the alignment roll 30, At a predetermined timing, the paper is sent out to the paper transport path 32 and can be transported to a transport device 44 described later.

  Further, an opening / closing cover (opening / closing means) 33 is provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing cover is centered on a pivot 35 provided at the lower front of the image forming apparatus 10. 33 is rotatable (openable and closable) with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 10A.

  The opening / closing cover 33 is connected to a transfer unit 54 having a conveying device 44 to be described later. When the opening / closing cover 33 is opened / closed, the transfer unit 54 moves and contacts / releases the image forming cartridge 15. Then, the image forming cartridge 15 can be removed with the opening / closing cover 33 opened, and the transfer unit 54 faces the image forming cartridge 15 with the opening / closing cover 33 closed, and the opening / closing cover 33 The image forming cartridge 15 is biased and positioned.

  The image forming cartridge 15 is arranged in the order of the image forming units 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K from the upstream side of the paper transport path 32 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “upstream side”) along the recording paper transport direction. An exposure device 34 for irradiating the image forming cartridge 15 with scanning light is disposed on the side of the image forming cartridge 15.

  In the exposure device 34, a semiconductor laser (not shown), a polygon mirror 38, an imaging lens 40, and a mirror 42 are disposed in a housing 36. Light from the semiconductor laser is deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 38. The photosensitive member 16 is irradiated through the imaging lens 40 and the mirror 42. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive member 16.

  On the other hand, a conveying device 44 is disposed at a position facing the image forming cartridge 15. The transport device 44 includes a pair of stretch rolls 46 and 48 and a transport belt 50 wound around the stretch rolls 46 and 48. The tension roll 46 is rotated by a motor (not shown) so that the conveyor belt 50 moves.

  Transfer rolls 52 are disposed on the back surface of the conveyance belt 50 at positions facing the photoconductors 16 of the respective colors. A toner image, which will be described later, on the photosensitive member 16 is transferred onto the sheet material P conveyed by the conveyance belt 50 by the transfer roll 52.

  A density sensor 130 for reading the density of the toner image on the conveyor belt 50 is provided on the uppermost part of the conveyor belt 50. The density sensor 130 transfers a patch image (detection image) when the non-image is formed. Image density adjustment and toner density adjustment are performed by reading the density of the patch image formed by the density sensor 130 with the density sensor 130.

  Further, a fixing device 56 is disposed on the downstream side of the conveying belt 50, and an unfixed toner image on the sheet material P is heated and pressed to be fixed to the sheet material P. An exit sensor 132 is provided on the upstream side of the fixing device 56 so as to detect jamming (paper jam) and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a control 66 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 10 based on an image signal input from the outside, and a power supply unit 68 that supplies power to each device in the image forming apparatus 10. Yes. Therefore, when a paper jam or the like is detected by the exit sensor 132, the image forming apparatus 10 is stopped via the control control 66 and the power supply unit 68.

Further, a discharge roll 58 is disposed on the downstream side of the fixing device 56 so that the sheet material P on which the toner image is fixed can be discharged to the discharge unit 60.
(Image forming cartridge)
Next, the image forming cartridge according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming cartridge 15 has a structure including the photosensitive unit 62 and the developing device 64 in each image forming unit 14 as described above.

  The photoreceptor unit 62 has a two-chamber structure. In one space, a charging roll 18, a charge eliminating device 20, and a cleaning device 22 are disposed around the photoreceptor 16 in addition to the photoreceptor 16. The other space is a toner replenishing unit 70, and a stirring and conveying member 72 that stirs and conveys toner is provided in the toner replenishing unit 70.

  Further, the developing device 64 is provided at the lower part of the photoreceptor unit 62, and is a two-component developer that contains a toner and a carrier for the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 16 so as to face the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 16. The developing unit 74 that develops the toner (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “developer”) and the toner supply unit 80 that supplies toner to the developing unit 74 are integrated. The toner supply unit 80 is provided with a toner supply port 134 connected to the toner supply unit 70, so that the toner in the toner supply unit 70 can be supplied into the toner supply unit 80.

  A developer supply port 128 is formed in the housing 124 of the developing device 64 toward the photosensitive member 16, and a developing roll 126 is disposed in the developer supply port 128 so that a part thereof is exposed. ing. Further, a developer accommodating chamber 112 for accommodating a developer is formed in the casing 124, and stirring and conveying members 116 and 120 are arranged between the developing roll 126 and the toner supply unit 80.

  The agitating / conveying members 116 and 120 are rotatably supported by the peripheral walls of the casing 124, respectively. The rotating shafts 116A and 120A of the agitating / conveying members 116 and 120 are spirally formed at a predetermined pitch. Blades 116B and 120B are provided, respectively.

  The toner supply unit 80 is provided adjacent to the developing unit 74, and the toner storage chamber 82 for storing supply toner and the developer storage chamber 112 are partitioned by a partition wall 98. Under the partition wall 98, there is provided a tunnel-like stirring and conveying chamber 102 formed by a curved wall 100 provided on the toner storage chamber 82 side and a curved wall 110 provided on the developer storage chamber 112 side. It has been.

  In the agitating and conveying chamber 102, an agitating and conveying member 104 is rotatably supported on the peripheral wall of the casing 124. The agitating / conveying member 104 has the same configuration as the agitating / conveying members 116 and 120, and the rotating shaft 104A is provided with spiral blades 104B formed at a predetermined pitch.

  In the curved wall 100, an opening 106 that connects the toner storage chamber 82 and the agitation transport chamber 102 is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the agitation transport chamber 102. Thus, the toner accommodated in the toner accommodating chamber 82 is axially moved in the toner accommodating chamber 82 while being agitated by the agitating members 84 and 86 formed by the elastically deformable plate-like blade 83 and arranged in parallel to each other. And is sent from the opening 106 to the stirring and conveying chamber 102.

  On the other hand, the curved wall 110 is formed with an opening 108 connecting the stirring / conveying chamber 102 and the developer containing chamber 112 at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the stirring / conveying chamber 102. The toner in 102 is conveyed through the agitating / conveying chamber 102 while being agitated by the agitating / conveying member 104, and is sent into the developer accommodating chamber 112 from the opening 108.

  Here, although not shown, the toner supply port seal (first sealing member) 136 and the developer supply port seal (second seal) shown in FIG. One end of each member 138 is fixed (sealed). The other end portions of the toner supply port seal 136 and the developer supply port seal 138 are exposed to the outside of the casing (image forming cartridge main body) 15A of the image forming cartridge 15.

  Since the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped with the image forming cartridge 15 installed in the image forming apparatus main body 10A at the time of shipment from the factory, the opening 108 and the developer supply port 128 are connected to the toner replenishing port seal 136 and the developer supply. It is sealed with a mouth seal 138 so that the developer in the developer storage chamber 112 does not leak outside the image forming cartridge 15.

  The toner supply port seal 136 and the developer supply port seal 138 are extended from the peripheral portion of the opening 108 and the developer supply port 128 when one end of the other end is pulled, and one end of the toner supply port seal 136 and the developer supply port seal 138. The portions are peeled off, and the opening 108 and the developer supply port 128 are thereby opened. At least the other end of the developer supply port seal 138 can be seen through the gap between the image forming apparatus main body 10 </ b> A and the opening / closing cover 33.

  Further, in order to prevent the photoconductor 16 and the transport belt 50 from being rubbed and scratched in the image forming apparatus 10 during transportation, the housing 15A of the image forming cartridge 15 is provided with a photoconductor as shown in FIG. The photoconductor protection paper 140 is fixed so as to cover the surface of the photoconductor 16. When the photoreceptor protection paper 140 is pulled, the photoreceptor protection paper 140 is peeled off from the housing 15A. Note that the photoconductor protective paper 140 may be suspended by its own weight.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a light shielding piece 142 extends on the photoconductor protective paper 140, and the surface and top surface of the image forming cartridge 15 are covered by the photoconductor protective paper 140, and the back surface of the image forming cartridge 15 is covered. A light shielding piece 142 is bent along the line.

  A sticking portion 142A is provided at the tip of the light shielding piece 142, and is fixed to the lowermost step on the back surface of the housing 15A of the image forming cartridge 15. When the light shielding piece 142 is pulled, the attaching portion 142A is peeled off from the housing 15A. The light shielding piece 142 covers the center of the back surface of the image forming cartridge 15.

  The light shielding piece 142 is disposed between the exposure device 34 (see FIG. 1) and the photosensitive member 16 so as to block light from the semiconductor laser of the exposure device 34. By eliminating the light shielding piece 142, the exposure device 34 is provided. The light of the semiconductor laser can reach the photosensitive member 16.

  On the other hand, the light shielding piece 142 is sandwiched between the image forming cartridge 15 and the image forming apparatus main body 10A in a state where the image forming cartridge 15 is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 10A. In addition, a notch 144 is formed between the photoconductor protective paper 140 and the light shielding piece 142.

When the image forming apparatus 10 is used after the image forming apparatus 10 is installed, the image forming cartridge 15 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 10A, and the toner replenishing port seal 136, the developer supply port seal 138, and the photosensitive member protective paper. 140 and the light shielding piece 142 are removed from the image forming cartridge 15 (described later).
(Operation of image forming apparatus)
First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  When the image data is input, the uppermost recording paper in the paper cassette 24 shown in FIG. 1 is taken out by the feeding roll 26, and the recording paper is fed by the cooperation of the feeding roll 26 and the separation roll 28. Then, the sheet is conveyed to the transfer unit 54 side by the alignment roll 30 at a predetermined timing.

  On the other hand, in the photoreceptor unit 62, first, the surface of the photoreceptor 16 is charged by the charging roll 18. Thereafter, the lighting state of the semiconductor laser as the light source is controlled according to the image data, and the light emitted from the semiconductor laser is deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 38 or the like, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 16. Is done. By executing the above process in each of the image forming units 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K, electrostatic latent images for Y, M, C, and K are formed on the surface of each photoconductor 16.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, toner is supplied from the toner supply unit 70 to the toner storage chamber 82 of the toner supply unit 80 through the toner supply unit 70. The replenished toner is stirred by the rotation of the stirring members 84 and 86 in the toner supply unit 80.

  As a result, a toner conveying force in the axial direction is generated in the toner, and the toner is fed into the agitating and conveying chamber 102 through the opening 106. Then, the toner is supplied to the developer accommodating chamber 112 through the opening 108 while being stirred by the stirring and conveying member 104 in the stirring and conveying chamber 102. The toner supplied to the developer storage chamber 112 is mixed with the developer by being transported while being stirred in the developer storage chamber 112 by the stirring transport members 116 and 120.

  The developer mixed with toner is supplied to the developing roll 126. A developing bias voltage determined in advance for each color is applied to the developing roll 126, and when the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 16 passes through the developing roll 126, the developer is applied to the electrostatic latent image by the developing electric field. Toner adheres and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image.

  This toner image is formed on a recording sheet conveyed by the conveying belt 50 by a transfer roll 52 shown in FIG. 1 in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) in this order. When the (unfixed image) is transferred, it is transported to the fixing device 56 by the transport belt 50.

The recording paper conveyed to the fixing device 56 is discharged onto the discharge unit 60 by the discharge roll 58 after the unfixed toner image is heated and pressurized and fixed on the recording paper. After the transfer of the toner image onto the recording paper, the surface of the photoconductor 16 is cleaned by the cleaning device 22 to prepare for the next image forming process.
(Procedure for using image forming apparatus)
Here, a procedure for using the image forming apparatus 10 after the image forming apparatus 10 is installed will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing cover 33 provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body 10A is opened, and the image forming cartridge 15 is taken out from the image forming apparatus main body 10A. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a total of eight toner supply port seals 136 and developer supply port seals 138 exposed to the outside of the housing 15A of the image forming cartridge 15 are pulled out, and the openings 108 and the development are developed. The agent supply port 128 is opened.

  Next, the photosensitive member protective paper 140 covering the surface of the image forming cartridge 15 is removed from the image forming cartridge 15. Since the light shielding piece 142 extends on the photoconductor protective paper 140 and covers the center of the back surface of the image forming cartridge 15, the light shielding piece 142 is also removed from the image forming cartridge 15 together with the photoconductor protective paper 140. Then, the image forming cartridge 15 is returned into the image forming apparatus 10 and the open / close cover 33 is closed.

When the power is turned on after performing the above operations, the image forming apparatus 10 performs an installation sequence. In the installation sequence, toner is filled in a toner transport pipe (not shown) connecting the toner cartridge (not shown) to the toner replenishing unit 70 of the developing device 64, and the photosensitive member 16 and the developing device 64 of the image forming cartridge 15 are initialized. Therefore, the photosensitive member 16 and the like are idled for a predetermined time. In the installation sequence, a patch image for adjusting the image density may be formed, and the density of the patch image may be measured.
(Main part of this embodiment)
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the surface of the image forming cartridge 15 is covered with the photosensitive member protective paper 140 to protect the photosensitive member 16. Further, a light shielding piece 142 is extended from the photoconductor protective paper 140 and fixed to the back surface of the image forming cartridge 15, and is disposed between the exposure device 34 and the photoconductor 16, so that the light from the semiconductor laser of the exposure device 34 can be obtained. To block.

  If the user does not follow the procedure for using the image forming apparatus 10 and turns on the power switch without opening the opening / closing cover 33 of the image forming apparatus 10, the photosensitive member 16 and the conveyor belt 50 start rotating according to the installation sequence. Since the image forming cartridge 15 is covered with the photosensitive member protective paper 140 and the light shielding piece 142, the photosensitive member protective paper 140 sandwiched between the photosensitive member 16 and the conveying belt 50 is forced to flow in the paper conveying direction. When the photoreceptor protection paper 140 reaches the exit sensor 132 provided in the fixing device 56, the exit sensor 132 detects jamming (paper jam) and the image forming apparatus 10 stops.

  Note that, after the image forming apparatus 10 is installed, the other end of the developer supply port seal 138 is formed at the other end of the developer supply port seal 138 in order to urge the user to open the open / close cover 33 and perform the work. You may make it look in from the clearance gap between the apparatus main body 10A and the opening-and-closing cover 33. FIG.

  Accordingly, the user is expected to open the opening / closing cover 33 of the image forming apparatus 10. When the opening / closing cover 33 of the image forming apparatus 10 is opened, the user notices that the surface of the image forming cartridge 15 is covered with the photosensitive member protective paper 140 and tries to remove the photosensitive member protective paper 140.

  In the present embodiment, the light shielding piece 142 is sandwiched between the image forming cartridge 15 and the image forming apparatus main body 10A in a state where the image forming cartridge 15 is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 10A. Further, the notch portion 144 is formed in the photosensitive member protective paper 140, and when the photosensitive member protective paper 140 is pulled in a state where the image forming cartridge 15 is mounted in the main body 10A of the image forming device, the image forming device main body 10A is provided. The photoconductor protective paper 140 is left unnaturally cut in the middle as shown by the dotted line, leaving the uncut portion 146 on the open side. That is, the uncut portion 146 remains in the image forming cartridge 15.

  As a result, it is expected that the user recognizes that a part of the photosensitive member protective paper 140 remains in the image forming apparatus 10 and that the user removes the image forming cartridge 15 from the image forming apparatus main body 10A.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the light shielding piece 142 is provided at a position where the image forming cartridge 15 cannot be removed unless the image forming cartridge 15 is detached from the image forming apparatus main body 10A, and the user is prompted to remove the image forming cartridge 15 from the image forming apparatus main body 10A. .

  Here, the notch portion 144 is formed in the photosensitive member protective paper 140, and when the photosensitive member protective paper 140 is pulled, the photosensitive member protective paper 140 is cut halfway, thereby pulling the photosensitive member protective paper 140. The light shielding piece 142 is prevented from being detached from the image forming cartridge 15 together with the force. Further, the user is informed from the shape of the cut portion that the light shielding piece 142 remains in the image forming apparatus main body 10A.

  When the image forming cartridge 15 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 10A, the light shielding piece 142 is fixed to the image forming cartridge 15 together with the uncut portion 146 of the photosensitive member protection paper 140, and the housing 15A of the image forming cartridge 15 The toner supply port seal 136 and the developer supply port seal 138 for each color are exposed.

  Therefore, it is possible to form an image by removing the photoconductor protective paper 140 and the light shielding piece 142 cleanly, and the opening 108 and the developer supply port 128 are opened by pulling out the exposed seal.

  When the toner supply port seal 136 and the developer supply port seal 138 are pulled in a state where the image forming cartridge 15 is not removed from the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming cartridge 15 is originally taken out from the image forming apparatus 10 and is set in a predetermined direction. The seal to be pulled toward the arrow A direction is pulled toward a different direction (arrow B direction), and there is a possibility that the toner supply port seal 136 and the developer supply port seal 138 may be cut off halfway. It is done.

  Here, if printing is performed in a state where the developer supply port seal 138 that closes the developer supply port 128 is forgotten to be pulled out, the developer is not supplied from the inside of the developing device 64 to the developing roll 126, and thus the latent image on the photoconductor 16. Cannot be developed. For this reason, the image that should originally be printed is not developed (blank paper print), and the user immediately notices that he forgot to pull out the developer supply port seal 138.

  In addition, in the installation sequence, a patch image for image density adjustment is formed, and in the case of the image forming apparatus 10 that measures the density of the patch image, the patch image is formed when the developer supply port seal 138 is forgotten to be pulled out. Therefore, the density sensor 130 detects that the patch image is not normally written.

  On the other hand, even when printing is performed in a state where the toner supply port seal 136 that closes the opening 108 is forgotten to be pulled out, the developer is stored in the developing device 64 in advance, so that image formation is normally performed. .

  However, in this embodiment, if printing is performed after the installation sequence is completed with the uncut portion 146 of the photoconductor protective paper 140 left, that is, the light shielding piece 142 is left on the image forming cartridge 15, the exposure apparatus 34 Since light from the semiconductor laser is blocked by the light blocking piece 142, no latent image is formed on the photoconductor 16. For this reason, an image is not formed on the sheet material P, and the user can recognize the abnormality of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Further, in the case of the image forming apparatus 10 in which a patch image for image density adjustment is formed in the installation sequence and the density measurement of the patch image is performed, the light shielding piece 142 hinders the formation of the patch image. It is detected that the patch image is not normally written. Accordingly, for example, a display that prompts the user to remove the image forming cartridge 15 from the image forming apparatus main body 10A may be displayed on the operation display unit 150 where the user inputs the operation mode.

  From the above, it is expected that the user recognizes that the image forming apparatus 10 is abnormal and removes the image forming cartridge 15 from the image forming apparatus main body 10A. As a result, the light shielding piece 142 is peeled off from the casing 15A of the image forming cartridge 15, and the toner replenishing port seal 136 and the developer supply port seal 138 are pulled out, and the opening 108 and the developer supply port 128 are opened.

  In this embodiment, the notch portion 144 is formed in the photosensitive member protective paper 140, and the photosensitive member protective paper 140 is cut when the photosensitive member protective paper 140 is pulled. However, the image forming cartridge 15 is an image forming apparatus. When the photoconductor protective paper 140 is pulled in a state where it is mounted in the main body 10A, it is only necessary that the photoconductor protective paper 140 is cut in the middle while leaving the attaching portion 142A.

  That is, the notch 144 is provided on the side of the photosensitive member protection paper 140 from the position of the sticking part 142A of the light shielding piece 142 so that the sticking part 142A of the light shielding piece 142 remains in a state where the photosensitive member protection paper 140 is cut.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, a diamond-shaped portion 148A is provided at the center in the width direction of the light shielding piece 142, and a notch 148 having a V-shaped cut portion 148B on both sides of the diamond-shaped portion 148A, a perforation, or the like. A stress concentration portion may be provided. In this case, when the photosensitive member protective paper 140 is pulled, the light shielding piece 142 is cut halfway by the notch 148.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the pasting portion 142A is fixed to the lowermost step on the back surface of the casing 15A of the image forming cartridge 15, after the photosensitive member protective paper 140 is cut, gravity, wind pressure or other external force is applied. If the uncut portion 146 is detached from the upper surface of the image forming cartridge 15 and the light shielding piece 142 may fall due to the influence of the above, the light from the semiconductor laser of the exposure device 34 is not blocked.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8, after the photosensitive member protective paper 140 is cut so that the pasting portion 142A of the light shielding piece 142 is fixed to the upper back side of the casing 15A of the image forming cartridge 15, the light shielding piece 142 may not be dropped.

  Here, the toner replenishing port seal 136 is fixed to the opening 108 that connects the agitating / conveying chamber 102 and the developer accommodating chamber 112. The toner replenishing port seal 136 is connected to the toner accommodating chamber 82, the agitating / conveying chamber 102, and the like. You may make it adhere to the opening part 106 which connects.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 10A Image forming apparatus main body 14 Image forming part 15 Image forming cartridge 15A Case (image forming cartridge main body)
16 Photoconductor (image carrier)
33 Open / close cover (open / close means)
34 Exposure apparatus (exposure means)
64 Developing Device 108 Opening (Developer Supply Port)
128 Developer supply port 136 Toner supply port seal (first sealing member)
138 Developer supply port seal (second sealing member)
140 Photoconductor protective paper (protective member)
142 Shading piece (shading member)
144 Cut portion 146 Uncut portion 148 Notch (cut portion)
150 Operation display section

Claims (7)

An image carrier that is exposed by an exposure means that emits a light beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface;
A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier;
A light-shielding member that is provided in the image forming cartridge main body, is disposed at a position that blocks the light beam, and cannot be removed without removing the image forming cartridge main body from the image forming apparatus main body;
An image forming cartridge. A developer replenishing port provided in the developing device for replenishing the developer;
A first sealing member that seals the developer replenishing port and has one end portion exposed to the outside of the image forming cartridge body;
A developer supply port provided in the developing device for supplying the developer replenished from the developer supply port to the image carrier;
A second sealing member that seals the developer supply port and has one end exposed to the outside of the image forming cartridge body;
The image forming cartridge according to claim 1, comprising:   A protective member provided on the open side of the image forming apparatus main body for protecting the image carrier is formed integrally with the light shielding member, and the shielding is performed in a state where the image forming cartridge main body is mounted in the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the member is sandwiched between the image forming cartridge main body and the image forming apparatus main body.   4. The image forming cartridge according to claim 3, wherein a cut portion is provided between the protective member and the light shielding member, and the cut portion is provided on the open side of the image forming apparatus main body so as to be cut off when the protective member is pulled. .   The image forming cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light shielding member includes a region where a detection image for adjusting developer density or image density is formed. The image forming cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the image forming cartridge is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body.
An opening / closing means provided so as to be openable / closable with respect to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the image holding body side being exposed when opened, and making the image forming cartridge removable
An image forming apparatus.   When the detection image for adjusting the developer density or the image density is not formed, a guidance for urging the user to remove the image forming cartridge is displayed on the operation display unit provided in the image forming apparatus main body to input an operation mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

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