JP2011197159A - Sealing member, powder container, developer replenishing device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sealing member capable of easily detecting whether a powder container is a new or old one, at a low cost with good work efficiency.SOLUTION: The sealing member 300 is attached to a developer container 138 that discharges a developer contained in the container body 138-1 out of the container through a discharge port 138b formed in a portion of the container body. The sealing member 300 includes first and second attaching members 301 and 302 that are detachably assembled into one piece. When rotary force is input to the first attaching member 301 or the second attaching member 302, the first and the second attaching members are separated from each other, and only the first attaching member 301 is released from the container body 138-1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sealing member for a powder storage container for storing a developer, a powder storage container provided with the sealing member, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or an image of a multifunction machine having a plurality of these functions. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

  There is known a powder storage container of a type in which toner is discharged from a discharge port by rotating a container main body in which a developer is stored. In such a rotary powder storage container, a protrusion is formed on the container bottom side, and the tip of the rotating shaft is engaged with the protrusion to transmit the driving force to the container body for rotation. There is a type in which a transmission drive member is provided in a part of the storage container and rotates when a driving force is transmitted to the transmission drive member. An example of the former is, for example, Patent Document 1, and an example of the latter is Patent Document 2.

  In conventional rotating powder storage containers, when the product is shipped from the factory, the discharge port is closed by an open / close shutter provided on a cover member that is rotatable with respect to the container body, and the powder storage container is set in the apparatus. When the container body rotates, there are a type in which the opening / closing shutter is opened, and a type in which the discharge port is closed with a lid sealing member, and the discharge port is opened by detaching the sealing member when the apparatus is set. These two types of powder storage containers are closed with a sealing member at the time of shipment from the factory, and are used with the sealing member removed at the time of use. However, it is desired that the sealing member be efficiently mounted at the time of assembly. Has been.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a sealing member for a powder storage container having good workability when opening and closing the discharge port of the powder storage container, and a powder storage container and an image forming apparatus provided with the sealing member. And

  The present invention is a sealing member attached to a developer storage container for discharging the developer stored in the container main body to the outside of the container from a discharge port formed in a part thereof, and is detachably integrated with each other The first and second mounting members are separated from each other when a rotational force is input to the first mounting member or the second mounting member. Only the member is separated from the container body.

  The sealing member according to the present invention is a main body portion in which the first mounting member opens and closes the discharge port, and the second mounting member is integrally configured to be detachable from the main body portion. It is a transmission drive member that is separated from the main body portion and remains on the container main body side when it is removed from the container main body and the discharge port is opened, and a rotational force is input.

  The sealing member according to the present invention is a fixing member in which the first mounting member is engaged with a cover member that is mounted on the container body, and the second mounting member is detachably integrated with the fixing member. The transmission driving member is configured to be separated from the fixing member and remain on the container body side when a rotational force is input.

  The sealing member according to the present invention is characterized in that the fixing member and the cover member are formed in shapes similar to each other according to the color of the developer stored in the container body.

  In the sealing member according to the present invention, the transmission drive member is engaged with a part of the container main body when attached to the container main body, and the movement in the separation direction is regulated, and a predetermined amount or more is added in the separation direction. It is characterized in that it has at least one claw portion that sometimes deforms and allows the transmission drive member to move in the direction of detachment.

  The sealing member according to the present invention is characterized in that when the driving force from the driving source is transmitted to the transmission driving member, the claw portion engages with a part of the container body to restrict movement in the rotational direction. It is said.

  The present invention is a developer storage container for discharging the developer stored in the container main body to the outside of the container from a discharge port formed in a part thereof, the sealing member according to any one of the above It is characterized by having.

  The present invention includes a cover member and a container body rotatably supported by the cover member, and the developer that discharges the developer stored in the container body to the outside of the container from a discharge port formed in a part thereof. It is an agent storage container, Comprising: The sealing member as described in any one of the above is provided.

  The present invention provides a developer replenishing device for supplying a developer stored in powder in a powder storage container to a developing device, wherein the powder storage container is any one of the above powder storage containers. It is characterized by that.

  The present invention relates to an image carrier comprising: an image carrier; a developing device that supplies a developer to a development region that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier; and a developer replenishing device that replenishes the developer to the developer. In the forming apparatus, the developer supply device is a developer supply device including the storage container.

  According to the present invention, the developer stored in the container main body is a sealing member attached to the developer storage container that discharges the developer to the outside of the container from a discharge port formed in a part thereof, and can be separated from each other. When a rotational force is input to one of the first and second mounting members integrated with each other, the first and second mounting members are separated and only the first mounting member 301 is the container main body 138-1. Therefore, workability at the time of attaching and detaching the sealing member is improved.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming unit provided in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a developer supply device provided in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a toner introduction cover. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a developer supply device. It is a perspective view of a developer supply device when a powder container is attached. It is a figure which shows the structure of the powder storage container which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the container main body of a powder container. It is the perspective view which showed both the holding member provided with the information recording element, and the bottom part of the powder container. (A) is PP sectional drawing of FIG.10 (b), (b) is a front view of a holding member. It is sectional drawing in the state which mounted | wore the container main body with the holding member. (A) is a figure which shows the state which mounted | wore the image forming apparatus main body with the powder storage container, (b) is a figure which shows the state in which the powder storage container rotated and was positioned. (A) is a partially broken view in which an information recording element is arranged in a storage space protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the holding member, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view in which the information recording element is arranged in a recess formed in the outer peripheral surface of the holding member. (C), It is an expanded sectional view which has arrange | positioned the information recording element in the recessed part formed in the internal peripheral surface of a holding member. It is the enlarged view explaining the function of color incompatibility or model incompatibility by changing the shape of a positioning member. It is the enlarged view explaining the function of color incompatibility or model incompatibility by changing the number of positioning members. It is a figure which shows the form which has arrange | positioned the information recording element above the powder container. It is a figure which shows the form which installed the weight in the holding member and took center of gravity balance. (A) is a figure which shows the state which mounted | wore the image forming apparatus main body with the powder storage container using a magnetic member as a positioning member, (b) is a figure which shows the state in which the powder storage container rotated and was positioned. is there. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view for explaining a relationship between a magnetic member provided on a holding member and a magnetic pole of a magnetic member provided on an image forming apparatus main body. It is a figure which shows the form which used the some magnetic member as a positioning member. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view for explaining a relationship between a plurality of magnetic members provided on a holding member and magnetic poles of a plurality of magnetic members provided on an image forming apparatus main body. 6 is an enlarged view for explaining a relationship between magnetic poles on diagonal lines of a plurality of magnetic members provided on a holding member and a plurality of magnetic members provided on an image forming apparatus main body. FIG. (A) is the figure which shows the structure of the powder container which has a holding member provided with the contact-type information recording element, and the state mounted and positioned by the image forming apparatus main body, (b) is a contact-type information recording element, It is a figure which shows the contact state of an information communication means. It is an enlarged view explaining the color incompatible or model incompatible function of a powder container having a holding member having a contact information recording element. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the drive part arrange | positioned at the discharge port side of a powder container. It is an enlarged view which shows one form of the sealing member. It is a figure which shows the structure of the nozzle | cap | die part of a powder container, and the state before mounting | wearing of a sealing member. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the nozzle | cap | die part of a powder container. It is an enlarged view which shows the relationship between a nail | claw part and a projection part. It is an enlarged view of a state in which a sealing member is attached to the mouthpiece of the powder container. It is an enlarged view which shows the state which removed the outer side cap (main-body part) from the sealing member with which the powder storage container was mounted | worn. It is an enlarged view which shows the state which removed the transmission drive member fixed to the powder container. It is a figure which shows the structure of another form of the nozzle | cap | die part and sealing member of a powder container, (a) is a figure which shows the state before mounting | wearing, (b) is an expanded sectional view of a nail | claw part. (A) is a figure which shows the state which removed the main-body part from the sealing member with which the powder storage container was mounted | worn, (b) is an expanded sectional view which shows the engagement state of a nail | claw part. It is a partial expanded sectional view which shows the modification of the nail | claw part formed in a powder container. It is sectional drawing which shows the mounting state of the sealing member provided with the opening part in the main-body part, and a powder container. (a) is the elements on larger scale which show another form of a transmission drive member, (b) is a perspective view which shows the structure of another form of a transmission drive member. (a) is the elements on larger scale which show another form of a transmission drive member, (b) is a perspective view which shows the structure of another form of a transmission drive member. It is an enlarged view which shows the structure of the sealing member provided with the fixing member. It is a figure which shows the structure of the nozzle | cap | die part of a powder container, and the state before mounting | wearing of the sealing member provided with the fixing member. It is an enlarged view which shows the state with which the sealing member shown in FIG. 39 was mounted | worn with the powder storage container. (a) is an enlarged view showing a state where the cover member is attached to the powder container having the sealing member shown in FIG. 39, and (b) is an enlarged view showing a meshing state of the transmission drive member and the drive gear. . It is an enlarged view which shows the state which removed the transmission drive member fixed to the powder container. It is a figure which shows the modification of a fixing member, (a) is a perspective view which made the external shape an oval shape, (b) is a perspective view which formed the knurling in the outer peripheral surface, (c) formed the hollow part in the outer peripheral surface (D) is a perspective view in which grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surface 409, and (e) is a perspective view in which protrusions are formed on the outer peripheral surface. It is an enlarged view which shows one form of weight reduction of the gearwheel used as a transmission drive member. It is an enlarged view which shows the structure of the nail | claw part and groove | channel which become a transmission drive member. It is an expanded sectional view showing a modification of an inner cap.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the embodiments and modifications, components such as members and components having the same function or shape are given the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a toner container storage unit 31 above the image forming apparatus main body 100 has four toner containers 38Y and 38M serving as powder storage containers corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black). , 38C, 38K are detachably (replaceable). An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the toner container housing 31. Below the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15, image forming portions 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 are arranged in the belt moving direction. It is installed.

  The toner containers 38Y, 38M, 38C, and 38K accommodated in the toner container accommodating portion 31 are held in the toner replenishing devices 160Y, 160M, 160C, and 160K, respectively. The developers stored in the toner containers 38Y, 38M, 38C, and 38K are supplied (supplemented) into the developing devices of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by the toner replenishing devices 160Y, 160M, 160C, and 160K, respectively. Is done.

In this embodiment, the image forming unit, the toner container, and the toner replenishing device have substantially the same configuration except for the color of the toner. Therefore, one configuration will be described as a representative.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photosensitive drum 1Y serving as an image carrier, a charging unit 4Y disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y, a developing device 5Y (developing unit), It is configured as a process cartridge including a cleaning unit 2Y, a neutralization unit (not shown), and the like, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 100. Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K have substantially the same configuration as that of the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow except that the color of the toner to be used is different. A corresponding image is formed.

  In FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 2 by a drive motor (not shown). Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charging unit 4Y (charging process).

  Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 7 (see FIG. 1), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow is formed by exposure scanning at this position. (Exposure process). The surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position (development area) facing the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a yellow toner image (development process).

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y after development reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer bias roller 9Y, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 at this position. (Primary transfer step). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y after the primary transfer reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 2Y, and untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y at this position is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a ( Cleaning process). The surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing a neutralization unit (not shown), and the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is removed at this position. Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

  The image forming process described above is performed in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K similarly to the yellow image forming unit 6Y. That is, the laser beam L based on the image information is emitted from the exposure device 7 disposed below the image forming unit onto the photosensitive drums of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K. Specifically, the exposure device 7 emits laser light L from a light source, and irradiates each photosensitive drum 1 via a plurality of optical elements while scanning the laser light L with a polygon mirror that is rotationally driven. Thereafter, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums 1 through the development process are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in an overlapping manner. In this way, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  The intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a plurality of tension rollers, an intermediate transfer cleaning unit, and the like. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by a plurality of roller members, and is endlessly moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 by the rotational drive of the secondary transfer backup roller 12.

  The four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K respectively sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to form a primary transfer nip. A transfer bias reverse to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nip of each primary transfer bias roller. In this way, the toner images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 while being superimposed.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred in an overlapping manner reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 11. At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller 12 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the secondary transfer roller 11 to form a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a recording medium P such as transfer paper conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8. The intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches a position of an intermediate transfer cleaning unit (not shown), and untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected at this position. Thus, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

  The recording medium P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transported from the paper feed unit 16 disposed below the image forming apparatus main body 100 via the paper feed roller 17 and the registration roller pair 18. Is. Specifically, the paper feed unit 16 stores a plurality of recording media P such as transfer papers. When the paper feed roller 17 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the uppermost recording medium P is fed between the rollers of the registration roller pair 18.

  The recording medium P conveyed to the registration roller pair 18 is temporarily stopped at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 18 that has stopped rotating. Then, the registration roller pair 18 is rotationally driven in time with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, a desired color image is transferred onto the recording medium P. The recording medium P on which the color image is transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing unit 20. At this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed on the recording medium P by heat and pressure generated by the fixing belt and the pressure roller.

  The recording medium P after the fixing is discharged out of the apparatus through the rollers of the paper discharge roller pair 19. The recording medium P discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 19 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30 as an output image. Thus, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the image forming unit will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The developing device 5Y includes a developing roller 21Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 22Y facing the developing roller 21Y, two conveying screws 25Y disposed in the developer accommodating portions 23Y and 24Y, and toner in the developer. It is composed of a density detection sensor 26Y that detects density. The developing roller 21Y includes a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve that rotates around the magnet, and the like. In the developer accommodating portions 23Y and 24Y, a two-component developer G composed of a carrier and a toner is accommodated. The developer accommodating portion 24Y communicates with the toner dropping path 27Y through an opening formed thereabove.

  The developing device 5Y configured as described above operates as follows. The sleeve of the developing roller 21Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer G carried on the developing roller 21Y by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 21Y as the sleeve rotates. The developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, according to the consumption of toner in the developing device 5Y, the toner accommodated in the toner container 38Y is replenished from the toner replenishing device 160Y into the developer accommodating portion 24Y via the toner dropping path 27Y.

  Thereafter, the toner replenished in the developer accommodating portion 24Y is circulated through the two developer accommodating portions 23Y and 24Y while being mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two conveying screws 25Y (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). Direction movement.) The toner in the developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier and is carried on the developing roller 21Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 21Y.

  The developer G carried on the developing roller 21Y is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 22Y. The developer G on the developing roller 21Y is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (development region) after the developer amount is made appropriate at this position. The toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 21Y reaches above the developer containing portion 23Y as the sleeve rotates, and is detached from the developing roller 21Y at this position.

  Next, the toner replenishing devices 160Y, 160M, 160C, and 160K and the toner bolts 38Y, 38M, 38C, and 38K will be described. The toner replenishing devices and the toner containers are toners that become developers in the toner containers to be set. Therefore, the description will be made assuming that the toner replenishing device 160 and the toner bolt 38 are not provided with Y, M, C, and K symbols for identifying the color of the toner. The developer stored in the toner container is not limited to a single toner, but may be a mixture of toner and carrier, or just a carrier.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a component configuration of the toner replenishing device 160. The toner container 38 is rotationally driven by a drive unit 60 fixed to the rear plate 58 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the image forming apparatus main body 100. The drive unit 60 includes a joint 62, a spring 64, a motor and a case 66 incorporating a shaft. A concave portion 62a and convex portions 62b1 and 62b2 are formed at the tip of the joint 62 so as to be fitted to a cylinder. Yes. Correspondingly, the bottom portion 38-2 (rear end) of the toner container 38 has a center 38b formed of a cylindrical convex portion that enters the concave portion 62a of the joint 62, and a prismatic shape that engages with the side surfaces of the convex portions 62b1 and 62b2. Axial protrusions 38c1 and 38c2 made of convex portions are formed. The position of the bottom 38-2 of the toner container 38 is held by the insertion of the center 38b into the recess 62a, and the rotation of the toner container 38 is obtained by the engagement of the axial protrusions 38c1 and 38c2 with the protrusions 62b1 and 62b2. As shown in FIG. 6, when the joint 62 of the drive unit 60 rotates in the direction of arrow E, the toner container 38 also rotates in the same direction.

  The toner container 38 shown in FIG. 3 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene + polycarbonate, and has a spiral groove formed on the inner wall thereof from the bottom 38-2 toward the discharge port 38a. Yes. The spiral groove on the inner wall appears as a spiral groove 38d on the outer periphery. By rotating the toner container 38, the toner is guided to the spiral groove 38d and discharged from the discharge port 38a. A cap 68 for preventing the toner from being discharged when not in use is detachably provided at the discharge port 38a.

  A plurality of ribs 44a are integrally formed on the front end side of the bottle holding member 44, and an extruding member 46 is attached to the ribs 44a with a double-sided tape or the like. The pushing member 46 is made of an elastic material such as Mylar or rubber. A rib 44 b is formed on a portion of the inner wall surface of the bottle holding member 44 that faces the end surface of the intermediate portion of the toner container 38.

  On the other hand, the intermediate portion 38-3 having an intermediate diameter is connected between the container main body 38-1 which is a cylindrical large diameter portion of the toner container 38 and the discharge port 38a having a reduced diameter. Drive pawls 38q1 and 38q2 are formed on the end surface of the discharge port side of 38-3, the so-called shoulder portion. These drive claws 38q1 and 38q2 are hooked on the rib 44b, and the bottle holding member 44 is rotated by the rotation of the toner container 38.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes a collet chuck for picking and releasing the cap 68, which is built in the cylindrical case 72 and integrated with the shaft member 76 by a screw 74. Reference numeral 78 denotes a sealing material, 80 denotes a sealing member, and 82 denotes a coil spring that constantly presses a series of components such as the collet chuck 70, the cylindrical case 72, and the shaft member 76 toward the toner container 38 side. These assembly parts are held in the toner hopper 40. Reference numeral 84 denotes a handle for opening and closing the cap 68, and an integrally formed shaft portion 84 a is supported by a shaft hole 42 a formed at the front end portion of the toner receiving base 42 and is rotatable.

  Reference numeral 86 denotes a slide shaft that enters a hole 76a formed in the shaft member 76, is in contact with a cam portion 84b formed in the handle 84, and rotates the handle 84 in the direction F shown in FIG. When a series of components such as these are slid in a direction away from the toner container 38, the cap 68 is removed from the discharge port 38a, and the toner in the toner container 38 can be discharged into the toner hopper 40.

  Next, a shutter member that opens and closes the toner supply port 54 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the replenishment amount regulating member 50 provided in the opening 48 of the toner hopper 40 is formed of an elastic material such as Mylar or rubber, and has a slit hole 50a (elongated square hole). . The toner replenishment amount is made appropriate by setting the width of the slit hole 50a. The supply amount regulating member 50 is attached to the opening 48 with a double-sided tape or the like.

  Inside the toner introduction cover 52 (FIG. 4) attached to the outside of the opening 48, a shutter member 88 for opening and closing the toner supply port 54 is movable in the vertical direction, that is, the toner opened horizontally. It is provided in a vertical state (crossing state) with respect to the supply port 54. The shutter member 88 includes a bendable elastic member 90 as a shutter body, a support member 92 that supports the elastic member 90, and a columnar protrusion 94 that is integrally formed with the support member 92. Reference numeral 92 has a spring member 96 that urges the shutter member 88 to be always closed. In this embodiment, the elastic member 90 is formed of a polyester film such as Mylar and is attached to the support member 92 with a double-sided tape or the like. The toner introduction cover 52 is formed with a movement hole 52a for the protrusion 94 to move.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the toner introduction cover 52 has a toner supply port 54 formed on the bottom surface and arcuate guide portions 98 and 98 that guide the elastic member 90 of the shutter member 88. ing. A sponge seal member 99 serving as an elastic seal member is provided on the terminal end side of the guide portion 98 to bite the tip of the elastic member 90 to prevent toner scattering. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 104 displayed in the vicinity of the opening 48 indicates a second guide rib projecting in a trapezoidal shape in the horizontal direction for driving the second shutter member, and reference numeral 106 indicates the back surface of the elastic member 90. The deformation | transformation control guide which supports the side is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the toner receiving base 42 is guided by a guide plate 108 and is detachable in the direction of arrow H. The guide plate 108 includes a main body rear plate 58 of the image forming apparatus main body and a main body of the image forming apparatus main body. The front plate 59 is fixed with screws (not shown). At the tip of the guide plate 108, a stopper 112 for retaining is supported, which is supported by a leaf spring 110 fixed to the guide plate 108, and the toner replenishing device 160 is mounted while the stopper 112 is pushed down. Then, when the stopper 112 is returned after being mounted, the stopper 112 engages with the tip end portion of the cradle 42, and the toner replenishing device 160 is held in a retaining state as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a state where the toner replenishing device 160 is extracted from the guide plate 108. In the assembled state, the side portions 42m and 42n are fitted in the guides 108m and 108n of the guide plate 108. The toner container 38 is attached to and detached from the toner replenishing device 160 with the toner receiving base 42 pulled out to a state close to the state shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the stopper 42 is formed by the stepped portion 42e formed on the toner receiving base 42 being caught by the notch 108a formed on the guide plate 108. The step 42d is caught in the notch of the guide 108n, but this notch is hidden behind the apparatus main body front side plate 59 and cannot be seen.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the toner container 38 is placed on the toner receiving table 42, and the toner replenishing device 160 is pushed into the apparatus main body and set. In this case, before the toner supply device 160 is pushed in, the shutter member 88 is in a state in which the toner supply port 54 formed at the bottom of the toner introduction cover 52 is closed by the urging force of the spring member 96, and the elastic member 90 has an arc shape. The guide portion 98 is bent along the guide portion 98, and the tip thereof bites into the sponge seal member 99. For this reason, the gap between the opening 48 of the toner hopper 40 and the toner supply port 54 is sealed so as not to cause toner leakage.

  When the toner replenishing device 160 is pushed in from this state, the cylindrical portion of the protrusion 94 integrally formed with the support member 92 comes into contact with the guide rib provided on the main body of the image forming unit 6 and the spring member. It is pushed up against the biasing force of 96 and finally rests at the flat top of the guide rib. With this operation, the elastic member 90 also rises (withdraws) along the guide portion 98, the toner supply port 54 is opened, and the developing device 5 and the toner replenishing device 160 are in communication. When the toner replenishing device 160 is pulled out, the protrusion 94 is lowered, so that the shutter member 88 automatically moves in the closing direction by the urging force of the spring member 96, and the elastic member 90 moves from the vertical state to the toner supply port 54. It curves so that it follows, and it will be in a closed state.

  When the toner supply port 54 and a toner receiving port (not shown) are opened, that is, when the toner replenishing device 160 and the process cartridge (image forming unit 5) are attached to the image forming apparatus main body 100, the toner container 38 is in the middle. In the portion 38-3, the spherical small protrusion 38f, the bottle holding member 44 and the inner diameter portion of the bottle holding member 44 are brought into engagement with each other and the rib 44b of the bottle holding member 44 engaged with the hopper portion 40 is provided. It is positioned by contact.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 6, when the handle 84 is rotated downward as indicated by an arrow F, the cam portion 84b (FIG. 3) pulls the slide shaft 86 toward the front side of the apparatus. As a result, the shaft member 76 also starts to move, the collet chuck 70 comes into contact with a projection (not shown) of the cylindrical case 72, and the collet chuck 70 starts to close and the cap 68 is picked. When the movement in the H direction further proceeds in this state, the cap 68 of the toner container 38 is removed by the collet chuck 70, and the toner in the toner container 38 can flow out into the toner hopper 40 assembled on the toner receiving base 42. It becomes a state.

  The toner is replenished by detecting the toner density in the developing device 5 by the toner density sensor 26. When the detected value is equal to or lower than the reference concentration, the drive unit 60 is operated to rotate the joint 62 in the direction of arrow E as shown in FIG. As a result, the joint 62 engages with the bottom of the toner container 38, and the toner container 38 also rotates in the same direction. When the toner container 38 is rotated, the toner is discharged from the discharge port 38 a and collected in the toner hopper 40. On the other hand, the driving claws 38q1 and 38q2 formed on the end surface on the discharge port side of the intermediate portion 38-3 of the toner container 38 are engaged with the rib 44b integral with the bottle holding member 44 by the rotation of the toner container 38 and push it. Move. As a result, the pushing member 46 integrated with the bottle holding member 44 slides and rotates on the inner wall surface of the toner hopper 40. Due to the rotation of the push-out member 46, the toner accumulated in the toner hopper 40 is scraped up.

  When the pushing member 46 passes through the slit hole of the supply amount regulating member 50, the toner is pushed out from the slit hole. The pushed toner falls in the toner introduction cover 52 and is replenished into the developing device 5 through the toner supply port 54 and the toner receiving port (not shown) that are positioned below and open.

  As described above, according to the toner supply device 160 of the present embodiment, the toner container 38 can be replaced without causing toner leakage from the discharge 38a of the toner container 38.

  Next, the configuration of the toner container 38 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, as described above, the toner container 38 is provided with a cylindrical container main body 38-1 for storing toner and one end side of the container main body 38-1, and the toner inside the container main body 38-1. A discharge port 38a that discharges the outside of the container main body, a holding member that holds the RFID 122 serving as an information recording element that can rotate relative to the container main body 38-1 and can communicate in a non-contact manner, and a ring member 120; A positioning member 121 is provided which engages with the image forming apparatus main body side (toner replenishing apparatus 160) to determine the position when set on the toner replenishing apparatus 160 disposed in the image forming apparatus main body 100. The RFID 122 includes information on toner such as toner color, toner capacity, toner manufacturing number (manufacturing lot), toner manufacturing date, recycling number, recycling date, and recycling of the toner container 38 such as a recycling manufacturer. Information related to is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the other end side of the container main body 38-1 is sealed, and this sealed portion is the bottom 38-2. The discharge port 38a is narrowed and formed in the container main body 38-1 opposite to the bottom 38-2. 7 and 8, for convenience, the toner container 38 is shown with the discharge port 38a facing up. In use, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the discharge port 38a is horizontal. It is used by being mounted on the toner replenishing device 160 so as to face the direction. Therefore, the toner in the toner container 38 is guided to the spiral groove 38d according to the rotation of the toner container 38, and is sent to the outside through the discharge port 38a.

  As shown in FIG. 8, at the position outside the bottom 38-2 and away from the cylindrical central axis OO, there is a prismatic convex portion, and an axial projection for transmitting rotational force to the toner container. 38c1 and 38c2 are formed. In this example, the axial protrusions 38c1 and 38c2 are configured as prismatic protrusions, but the invention is not limited to this, and the protrusions 62b1 and 62b2 that are driving sources of the rotational force included in the toner replenishing device 160Y are easily engaged. Any shape is acceptable.

  Thus, since the axial projections 38c1 and 38c2 for transmitting the rotational force are formed on the bottom side 38-2, not on the one end side where the toner is discharged, the shake on the discharge port 38a side can be minimized. . In addition, two axial protrusions 38c1 and 38c2 that are separated from the central axis OO with the central axis OO as the center are provided so that a rotational force close to a couple acts. Since the toner container 38 does not receive the force that protrudes in the radial direction, and therefore, measures for preventing the protrusion are unnecessary or reduced, the configuration can be simplified and stable toner supply can be achieved.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the ring member 120 is rotatable to the bottom 38-2 of the toner container 38, which is different from the toner discharge port 38a. Thus, it can be fitted so as not to be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. Fig.10 (a) is PP sectional drawing of FIG.10 (b). In FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the fitting means for fitting so as not to cause the deviation is formed on the convex outer diameter portion 38-2 a formed on the bottom portion 38-2 and the inner diameter portion of the ring member 120. These are three formed elastic claw members 120-1a, 120-1b, 120-1c and three stoppers 120-1A, 120-1B, 120-1C formed on the inner diameter portion of the ring member 120. A groove is formed between the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a and the container main body 38-1 as indicated by reference numeral 38-4 in FIG.

  The three elastic claw members 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c are located at positions equally divided into three on the inner circumference of the ring member 120, and are cantilevered at one end side of the ring body. It consists of an elastic member. Between each of these adjacent elastic claw members 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c, a cantilevered stopper holding member is also located, and these three stopper holding members include stoppers 120-1A, 120-1B and 120-1C are formed. Although these three elastic claw members 120-1a, 120-1b, 120-1c and the three stopper holding members are divided on the base end side through a slit portion, a circular inner peripheral surface as a whole When the outer diameter of the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a is fitted to the outer diameter of the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a, the size is formed so as to be slidable and rotatable without causing rotational runout.

  The free ends of the three elastic claw members 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c have a bowl-like shape bent inward. As indicated by an arrow Q in FIG. 9, the ring member 120 can be rotatably mounted on the toner container 38 by pushing the ring member 120 into the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a. At the time of mounting, the free end sides of the three elastic claw members 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c are bent, and the claw portions get over the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a and enter the groove 38-4. At this time, the three elastic claw members 120-1a, 120-1b, 120-1c and the stoppers 120-1A, 120-1B, 120-1C have a slidable clearance in the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a. I will be jealous. Thus, once the ring member 120 is fitted, it cannot be easily removed. This is a means for fulfilling the function of the ring member 120. In order to make disassembly impossible, the three elastic claw members 120-1a, 120-1b, 120-1c have right-angled bent portions in accordance with the right-angle portions of the corners of the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a. The bent portion follows the right angle portion of the corner of the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a, and functions as an axial stopper and an undissolvable function.

  Since the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a is sandwiched by three elastic claw members 120-1a, 120-1b, 120-1c and stoppers 120-1A, 120-1B, 120-1C, the toner container 38 is a ring. Although it can rotate with respect to the member 120, it does not shift in the axial direction.

  In FIG. 11, one end side of the ring member 120 is opposed to the edge of the container main body 38-1 of the toner container 38, and the convex outer diameter portion 38-2 a is formed on the container main body 38-1. An end surface portion of the toner container 38 formed to have a diameter smaller than the diameter and formed by the difference in diameter covers the elastic claws 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c. In addition, as described above, since the toner container 38 cannot move in the axial direction with respect to the ring member 120, the three elastic claw members 120-1a, 120-1b, and 120-1c are externally provided. The ring member 120 cannot be actually disassembled. If the external force is applied to attempt to disassemble it, the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a of the toner container 38 will be damaged.

  In this way, the ring member 120 cannot be disassembled from the toner container 38. As will be described later, the ring member 120 has one or all of incompatibility, a stand function, and a rotation preventing function. For this reason, it is important to make the toner container 38 an integral relationship.

  The ring member 120 has a predetermined width W in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. 11 shows a state in which the ring member 120 is fitted to the convex outer diameter portion 38-2a of the toner container 38, and the ring is cut along a line corresponding to the cross section taken along the line POP in FIG. 10B. It is sectional drawing represented supposing the case where it did. As can be seen from FIG. 11, in the assembled state, the predetermined width W is such that one end side is in contact with the end surface of the container main body 38-1 of the toner container 38 and the other end side is more outward than the center 38b. It is set to be located. That is, the surface on the other end side of the ring member 120 is higher than the surface of the center 38b. Therefore, not only the center 38b but also the axial projections 38c1 and 38c2 are inside the other end side of the ring member 120.

  Therefore, the toner container 38 with the ring member 120 can stand on a plane such as the table 130 as shown in FIG. Without such a ring member 120, the toner container 38 cannot stand as shown in FIG. 7 because the center 38 b protrudes from the bottom of the toner container 38. Therefore, the toner container 38 having a cylindrical shape easily rolls when the toner container is replaced. However, when the toner container is replaced, the toner container 38 falls from the table or the like to the floor surface. Sometimes. In that respect, if the ring member 120 is combined as in this example, it is possible to stably stand upright, so that it is possible to reduce the number of fall accidents.

  9, the ring member 120 protrudes in the radial direction on the outer peripheral surface 120a, is a stationary member, and is a stopper shown in FIG. 12 formed on the toner receiving base 42 of the toner replenishing device on the image forming apparatus main body side. A positioning member 121 having a shape and a size determined so as to engage with 200 is formed. In this example, the positioning member 121 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. On the other hand, the stopper 200 formed on the toner receiving base 42 has a rectangular shape that is sized and shaped to be fitted to the positioning member 121.

  In the ring member 120, a storage space 120 b for inserting the RFID 122 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 120 a so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface 120 a. The RFID 122 can be attached to the ring member 120 by any method as long as the operation of the RFID 122 is not affected. For example, it is conceivable to cover the storage space 120b in which the RFID 122 is inserted with an adhesive (not shown) or the like that is bonded with an adhesive. Alternatively, a method of fixing the outside of the RFID 122 using a heat seal may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the movement track R <b> 1 at the outermost peripheral portion of the storage space 120 b is set inside the movement track R <b> 2 at the re-outer peripheral portion of the positioning member 121. That is, the amount of protrusion from the outer peripheral surface 120 a of the storage space 120 b is formed so that the amount of protrusion from the outer peripheral surface 120 a of the positioning member 121 is low. For this reason, even if the storage space 120b is protruded from the outer peripheral surface 120a, the amount of protrusion is arranged on the inner side of the positioning member 121. Therefore, the storage space 120b is a member disposed in the vicinity of the ring member 120. Interference can be prevented and it does not become large because it is located in the necessary space.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the RFID 122 faces the antenna 124 that is an information communication unit formed on the image forming apparatus main body 100 side when the positioning member 121 comes into contact with the stopper 200. It is arranged to occupy a position where it can communicate with. The antenna 124 is connected to the control means 140.

  With such a configuration, the ring member 120 that holds the RFID 122 can rotate relative to the container main body 38-1, and when the toner container 38 is set in the image forming apparatus main body 100, a positioning member for the main body. 121, the container main body 38-1 is set by the drive unit 60 shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 after the setting, even if the toner container 38 is not positioned and set in the image forming apparatus main body 100. When rotationally driven in the direction, the ring member 120 also rotates integrally due to frictional resistance with the container main body 38-1. When the positioning member 121 comes into contact with the stopper 200, the rotation of the ring member 120 is prevented, but the container main body 38-1 rotates to the position, and the drive unit 60 stops, so that the rotation stops. The RFID 122 can be easily positioned at a position where it can communicate with the antenna 124, and the antenna 124 can stably read information from the RFID 122.

  That is, when the user mounts the toner container 38 on the toner receiving base 42 of the toner replenishing device 160, the user can mount the toner container 38 without worrying about the position of the RFID 122. After the mounting, the toner container 38 discharges the toner. Accordingly, the RFID 122 can be configured to be in an optimum position where necessary information can be exchanged. As a result, the toner container 38 can always be positioned at an optimal position where information can be exchanged with the RFID 122 regardless of the operation of discharging the toner, so that the toner container 38 is hardly affected by toner contamination.

  The attachment shape of the ring member 120 to the toner container 38 may be any method that does not affect the operation of the RFID 122. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, the storage space 120b is formed to protrude on the outer peripheral surface 120a of the ring member 120, and the RFID 122 is installed on the inside thereof. In this case, since the RFID 122 can be inserted into the storage space 120b from the outside, it is very easy to mount the RFID 122 during manufacturing.

  As another form, instead of projecting from the outer peripheral surface 120a, as shown in FIG. 13B, a recess 120c is formed on the outer peripheral surface 120a of the ring member 120, and the RFID 122 is installed inside thereof. It is done.

  If comprised in this way, while the outer peripheral surface 120a of the ring member 120 can be made smooth, a diameter can be made small and it can contribute to size reduction. In the form shown in FIG. 13C, the recess 120c is formed on the inner surface of the ring member 120, and the RFID 122 is installed in the recess 120c from the inside of the ring. With such a configuration, the outer peripheral surface 120 a of the ring member 120 functions as a protective wall against the RFID 122, so that dirt such as toner from the outside hardly adheres to the RFID 122, and the antenna 124 becomes more stable. Can read information from.

  The positioning member 121 can also have functions that are incompatible with the color of the toner container 38 and incompatible with the model. One example is shown in FIG. In FIG. 14, the shape of the positioning member 121 is formed to be different for each color of the toner, and the shape of the stopper 200 formed on the image forming apparatus main body 100 side is also a shape that follows the shape of the positioning member 121 of each color. .

  With such a configuration, as long as the shape of the positioning member 121 of the ring member 120 mounted on the toner bottle 38 for each color does not match the shape of the stopper 200 corresponding to the toner container 38 for each color, the toner container 38 is In addition to being unable to be mounted on the toner receiving base 42 of each toner replenishing device 160, it is possible to easily confirm that the toner container 38 is set by mistake even by simple visual inspection. In other words, color incompatibility or model incompatibility can be achieved by the difference in the shape of the positioning member 121.

  Further, since the positioning member 121 may be formed in a different shape for each color, the number of parts can be reduced by manufacturing the positioning member 121 in accordance with the color of the toner when the ring member 120 is manufactured. In addition, the manufacturing process can be facilitated.

  As the shape of the positioning member 121, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of positioning members 121a and 121b are arranged in the rotation direction of the toner container 38, and the positioning members 121a and 121b are arranged offset in the container axial direction. To do. Then, color incompatibility can be achieved by changing the interval (position) between the positioning members 121a and 121b in accordance with the color of the toner. Further, by increasing the number of positioning members 121a and 121b to three or more instead of two, the number of patterns increases, and it becomes possible to add model incompatible functions.

  With such a configuration, the ring member 120 and the positioning member 121 that hold the RFID 122 also have incompatible functions, so that the number of parts can be reduced. Furthermore, the manufacturing method can be facilitated by having the function incompatible with the ring member 120 in the shape.

  FIG. 16 shows that when the toner container 38 is set on the toner receiving base 42 of the toner replenishing device 160, the RFID 122 is set to the rotation center of the container main body 38-1 of the container main body 38-1 with the direction of gravity being downward. In a vertical cross section, it is arranged so as to be positioned on the upper outer periphery with respect to the horizontal straight line L1 passing through the center of rotation. This is because when the toner container 38 is set on the toner receiving base 42 and rotated in the setting direction by the driving unit 60 (see FIG. 2) and the positioning member 121 contacts the stopper 200, the RFID 122 in FIG. It is arranged so as to be located immediately above 38. That is, the RFID 122 is disposed in the space above the toner container 38. In this case, the antenna 124 is disposed above the RFID 122 so as to face the RFID 122 occupying the set position.

  With such a configuration, the RFID 122 can be positioned and held in the space above the toner receiving base 42 that is far away from the lower side where it is easy to get dirty when the toner container 38 is attached / detached. be able to. That is, when the toner container 38 is mounted on the toner receiving base 42 of the toner replenishing device 160, the RFID 122 is always positioned on the upper side when divided in the horizontal direction. I can do things. For this reason, more stable information communication can be performed.

  FIG. 17 is characterized in that the weight of the positioning member 121 is balanced when the toner supply device 160 is set on the toner receiving base 42. In this embodiment, a weight 125 is attached to the positioning member 121.

  As described above, the positioning member 121 is provided at the position opposite to the RFID 122, and when the positioning member 121 has an arbitrary weight, the ring member 120 is inevitably placed on the container main body 38-1 due to the influence of gravity. And the positioning member 121 comes to the lowest point. For this reason, the arrangement of the RFID 122 comes to the highest point. Further, by arranging the antenna 124 at a position facing the RFID 122 when the highest point is reached, more stable information communication can be performed. Further, the action of the weight 125 makes it possible to move the RFID 122 to a desired position before or without the toner container 38 discharging the toner. Here, the RFID 122 is positioned at the highest point, but may occupy other positions. In this embodiment, the positioning member 121 is formed at a position facing the installation location of the RFID 122, and the weight 125 is disposed on the positioning member to lower the center of gravity of the ring member 120. Instead of changing, the positioning member 121 may be formed on the ring member 120 with a material having a specific gravity greater than that of the ring member 120.

  FIGS. 18-22 demonstrates the form which uses magnetic force for a positioning member.

  In the ring member 120 shown in FIG. 18, a magnet 201, which is one of magnetic members, is provided as a positioning member so as to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface 120a of the ring. In this embodiment, the projection amount of the magnet 201 is set to be located outside the moving track R1 of the storage space 120b, but may be arranged inside the moving track R1. A magnet 202 which is one of magnetic members serving as a receiving member is disposed on the toner receiving base 42 of the toner supply device 160 on the image forming apparatus main body 100 side. The positional relationship between the magnet 201 and the magnet 202 is such that the RFID 122 occupies a position facing the antenna 124 when the rotation of the ring member 120 is stopped by the magnetic force of the magnet 201 and the magnet 202. As shown in FIG. 19, the magnetic poles of the magnet 201 and the magnet 202 are arranged so that the surfaces facing each other have opposite polarities.

  In FIG. 18, the magnet 201 is disposed so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface 120 a of the ring member 120. However, a concave portion similar to the concave portion 120 c shown in FIG. 13 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 120 a and the inner peripheral surface of the ring member 120. You may arrange | position in a recessed part. The magnet 202 may be arranged not to protrude from the image forming apparatus main body 100 toward the toner container 38 but to protrude from the toner receiving base 42 of the toner supply device 160.

  As described above, when the magnet 201 is arranged as a positioning member on the ring member 120 of the toner container 38 and the magnet 202 is also arranged on the toner receiving base 42 of the toner supply device 160 for setting the toner container 38, the container main body 38-1. When the toner container 38 is set on the toner receiving base 42 (image forming apparatus main body 100) of the toner replenishing device 160, the ring member 120 that holds the RFID 122 that can rotate relative to the magnet serves as a positioning member for the main body. 201 will be provided. Therefore, even if the toner container 38 is not positioned and set on the toner receiving table 42 of the toner replenishing device 160, the container main body 38-1 is set by the driving unit 60 shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 after setting. When rotationally driven in the direction, the ring member 120 also rotates integrally due to frictional resistance with the container main body 38-1. When the magnet 201 occupies a position facing the magnet 202, the ring member 120 is prevented from rotating, but the container main body 38-1 rotates to a predetermined position where the toner can be discharged, and the driving unit 60 stops. As a result, the rotation stops. Therefore, the RFID 122 can be easily positioned at a position where it can communicate with the antenna 124, and the antenna 124 can stably read information from the RFID 122.

  That is, since the detection position of the RFID 122 can be determined by the magnet 201 and the magnet 202, when the user mounts the toner container 38 on the image forming apparatus main body side, it can be inserted without worrying about the orientation at all. The RFID 122 can be moved to a position where necessary information can be exchanged according to the operation of the toner container 38 discharging the toner. Accordingly, the toner container 38 can always exchange information with the RFID 122 regardless of the operation of discharging the toner, and can be configured to be hardly affected by toner contamination. Further, if the positioning member is configured by using the magnetic force of the magnet serving as the magnetic member, no contact noise is generated, so that it is more advantageous than the positioning means using the positioning member 121 and the protruding portion 200 in terms of quietness.

  In FIG. 20, magnets 201 a and 201 b are arranged on the ring member 120 as a plurality of positioning members at intervals in the moving direction of the ring member, and the magnets 202 a and 202 b serving as receiving members for the magnets 201 a and 201 b are arranged on the toner supply device 160. The toner receiver 42 is disposed on the image forming apparatus main body side. The magnetic poles of the magnets 201a and 201b and the magnets 202a and 202b are arranged so that the surfaces facing each other have opposite polarities as shown in FIG.

  When a plurality of positioning magnets are arranged in this way, the magnetic force, that is, the braking force for stopping the rotational force of the ring member 120 can be increased as compared with the case of one set. The ring member 120 can be stably fixed at a position where information is exchanged between the RFID 122 and the antenna 124 even when the inertia force is large or when the rotational speed during driving is high. For this reason, it can be set as the structure which hardly receives the influence of a toner stain | pollution | contamination. The antenna 124 can stably read information from the RFID 122.

  In the example shown in FIG. 21, the magnetic poles of the magnet 201a and the magnet 201b and the magnetic poles of the magnet 202a and the magnet 202b are set in the same direction. However, as shown in FIG. 22, the directions of the magnet 201a and the magnetic pole are reversed. You may arrange | position the magnet 202c which reversed the direction of the magnet 201c and the magnet 202a and the magnetic pole. In other words, in this embodiment, the magnets 201a and 202c that are disposed opposite to each other and located on the diagonal lines are arranged so that the same magnetic poles face each other.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent positioning due to adsorption between magnets different from the aim, which is considered as a problem when a plurality of magnets are arranged. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 21, since the magnet 201a and the magnet 202b located on the diagonal line are different magnetic poles on the opposite surface side, if an attractive force acts between them, the ring member The stop position of 120 will shift. However, as shown in FIG. 22, the magnets 201a and 202c located on the diagonal line and the magnets 201c and 202a have the same magnetic pole on the opposite surface side, so that an attractive force is generated between the diagonal magnetic poles. Therefore, the stop position of the ring member 120 can be reliably stopped at the target position set by design.

  In the above embodiment, the non-contact type RFID 122 is described as an example of the information recording element, but the information recording element is not limited to the non-contact type. For example, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, a contact-type information recording element 126 is disposed in a storage space 120 b instead of the RFID 122 of each form, and the ring member 120 is stopped by the positioning member 121 and the protrusion 200. Sometimes, the contact terminal 127 that communicates by contacting the contact-type information recording element 126 may be arranged on the image forming apparatus main body side. The contact terminal 127 is connected to the control means 140. The tip of the contact terminal 127 is formed like a torsion coil spring, and is configured to contact the outer peripheral surface 120a of the ring member 120 with an appropriate pressure. For this reason, the contact-type information recording element 126 is also brought into contact with elasticity, and even when the mounting accuracy of the information recording element 126 varies, the deviation can be allowed.

  Further, even when such a contact-type information recording element 126 is mounted on the ring member 120, the positioning member 121 has a different shape for each toner color as shown in FIG. Even when the toner container 38 having the color toner is mounted on the toner receiving table 42 of the toner replenishing device 160, the shapes of the positioning member 121 and the protrusion 200 do not match. For this reason, since the ring member 120 stops at a position where the contact type information recording element 126 and the contact terminal 127 do not contact, the control unit 140 can detect a set error.

  The contact-type information recording element 126 is configured by the contact terminal 127 having elasticity. However, an elastic member such as a leaf spring may be used to contact the information recording element 126. In this way, when using another component such as a leaf spring, the other component such as a leaf spring may be provided on the toner receiving base 42 of the toner supply device 160 on the image forming apparatus main body side or on the toner container 38 side. It may be provided on either side. Further, the position of the information recording element 126 may be determined by adjusting the elastic force of the contact terminal 127 and the contact resistance between the information recording element 126 and the contact terminal 127. In this case, the positioning member 121 and the magnet described above are not necessary, and the information recording element 126 and the contact terminal 127 function as a positioning member, so that the configuration can be simplified.

  Although it is the form which positions using the magnetic force shown in FIGS. 18-22, in this form, although magnet 201, 201a-201c was directly attached to the ring member 120, even if it is a form side by side with the positioning member 121, Good. For example, instead of the weight 125 shown in FIG. 17, the magnet 201 shown in FIG. 18 is attached, and the magnet 202 is arranged upstream of the stopper 200 in the rotation direction of the ring member 120. With such a configuration, different types of positioning members can be combined. The merit in this case is that when the rotation of the ring member 120 is stopped by the contact between the positioning member 121 and the stopper 200, the attractive force of the magnet 201 and the magnet 202 is applied before the positioning member 121 and the stopper 200 contact each other. Thus, since a braking force can be applied to the rotation of the ring member 120, the contact noise between the positioning member 121 and the stopper 200 can be reduced while reliably stopping the rotation of the ring member 120.

  In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, it is required for high image quality that toner is supplied to each developing device as necessary when necessary, while the frequency of use of the user and the type of output image are completely unknown. It is done. For this reason, the toner container 38 described in this embodiment is used for the toner replenishing devices 160Y to 160K corresponding to the toners of the respective colors, so that the toner can be stably supplied from the toner containers 38 to the developing devices of the respective colors. And a high-quality image can be obtained.

The features of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 24 are summarized in the form of claims as follows.
“Claim 1”
A container body for storing powder;
Provided on one end side of the container body, and a discharge port for discharging the powder in the container body to the outside of the container body;
A holding member holding an information recording element that is rotatable relative to the container body and capable of communicating by contact or non-contact;
A powder container, comprising: a positioning member that is provided in the holding member and engages with the image forming apparatus main body side to determine a position when the holding member is set on the image forming apparatus main body.
“Claim 2”
A container body for storing powder;
Provided on one end side of the container body, and a discharge port for discharging the powder in the container body to the outside of the container body;
A holding member holding an information recording element that is rotatable relative to the container body and capable of communicating by contact or non-contact;
A powder container, comprising: a positioning member that is provided in the holding member and determines a position by a magnetic member disposed on the image forming apparatus main body side when set in the image forming apparatus main body.
“Claim 3”
The powder container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning member also has a function of color incompatibility or model incompatibility.
“Claim 4”
The powder container according to claim 2, wherein the incompatibility is performed by a difference in shape of the positioning member.
“Claim 5”
4. The powder container according to claim 3, wherein the incompatibility is performed by a difference in position of the holding member.
“Claim 6”
When the container main body is set on the image forming apparatus main body, the information recording element is above the horizontal straight line passing through the rotation center in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation center of the container main body with the direction of gravity being downward. The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the powder container is located on an outer periphery of the container.
“Claim 7”
The powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the weight of the positioning member balances when set on the image forming apparatus main body.
“Claim 8”
The positioning member is a magnetic member, and the position of the positioning member when set in the image forming apparatus main body is fixed to a predetermined position using the magnetic force of the magnetic member on the image forming apparatus side. The powder container according to any one of claims 2 to 6.
“Claim 9”
In the case of a contact-type information recording element that performs communication in a state where the information recording element is in contact with an information communication unit positioned on the image forming apparatus main body side,
9. The powder container according to claim 1, wherein the position of the contact type information recording element is determined by a contact resistance between the information recording element and the information communication means.
“Claim 10”
The powder storage according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the movement track of the information recording element accompanying the rotation of the holding member is set inside the movement track of the positioning member. container.
“Claim 11”
In a toner replenishing device that supplies toner stored in powder in a powder container to a developing device,
A toner replenishing device, wherein the powder container is the powder container according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
“Claim 12”
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier; a developing device that supplies a developer to a development region that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier; and a toner replenishing device that replenishes the developing device with toner.
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the toner replenishing device is the toner replenishing device according to claim 11.

  Next, an embodiment of a toner container serving as a developer supply container having a sealing member will be described.

  26 is attached to the toner container 138 shown in FIG. In the toner container 138, like the toner container 38, a container main body that is a cylindrical large-diameter portion and a cylindrical base portion 138 a with a reduced diameter are connected by an intermediate portion having an intermediate diameter. As shown in FIG. 25, a cover member 330 is interposed outside the intermediate portion, and rotatably supports the container main body 138-1. As shown in FIG. 27, the container main body 138-1 is rotated by the container main body 138-1 so that the developer in the container main body 138-1 is conveyed toward the discharge port 138b formed in the base part 138a. A spiral groove similar to the toner container 138 is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the sealing member 300 includes first and second mounting members that are detachably integrated with each other. In this embodiment, the first mounting member is an outer cap 301 serving as a main body for opening / sealing the discharge port 138 b, and the second mounting member is integrally configured to be removable from the outer cap 301. It is comprised with the gearwheel 302 used as a drive member.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the outer cap 301 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a spiral groove 304 that meshes with a spiral protrusion 139 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base 138a is formed on the inner surface thereof. The outer cap 301 is configured to be attached to the container main body 138-1 by being screwed into the base part 138a to seal the discharge port 138b, and to be opened by being removed from the base part 138a. In this embodiment, an inner cap 168 is attached to the inner side of the base portion 138a. When the toner container 138 is mounted on a developer supply device 360 described later, the inner cap 168 is discharged by a collet chuck 70 having the same function as that shown in FIG. 3 provided in the developer supply device 360. As a result, the discharge port 138b is opened, and the developer (toner) in the container main body 138-1 can be discharged to the outside.

  The configuration of the developer supply device 360 basically has the same function as the developer supply device 160. The difference is that the configuration of the drive source does not drive the rear end side of the toner container 138. The configuration is such that a rotational force is applied to the gears 302 and 402 serving as transmission drive members mounted on the cap portion 138 a of the toner container 138. That is, when the toner container 138 is mounted on the developer supply device 360, it can be rotated by the drive source shown in FIG. The configuration of this drive source can be achieved by the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 5 described in JP-A-9-6115. In other words, the drive source 370 has a worm gear 372 attached to the shaft of the drive motor 371, the worm gear 372 meshes with the relay gear 373, and the drive gear 374 attached coaxially to the relay gear 373 has the gear 302 of the toner container 138. It is comprised so that it may mesh with. A rotational driving force is input to the gear 302 by engaging a driving gear 374 that is rotationally driven by the driving motor 371 when the gear 302 is set in the apparatus.

  The outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are formed of POM having excellent durability, and are integrated so as to be separable by a separation portion 303 in which a plurality of slits are formed. In this embodiment, the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are integrated by the separation portion 303. However, for example, the both may be integrated by an adhesive tape having a slit on the dotted line. In this case, the outer cap 301 can be made of a different material such as PET and the gear 302 can be made of POM, so that the durability corresponding to the function can be secured.

  On the outer periphery of the base part 138a to which the sealing member 300 is attached, an annular protrusion 141 and a collar part 142 are formed on the container body 138-1 side of the spiral protrusion 139. The interval W between the annular protrusion 141 and the flange 142 is formed to be somewhat wider than the width W1 of the gear 302 in the axial direction. The length Wa from the end face of the base part 138a to the annular protrusion 141 and the depth Wa1 of the outer cap 301 are such that the gear 302 is positioned between the annular protrusion 141 and the collar part 142 when the sealing member 300 is mounted on the base part 138a. The bottom portion 301a of the outer cap 301 is formed in close contact with the end surface of the base portion 138a to seal the discharge port 138b. In this embodiment, since the inner cap 168 is inserted into the discharge port 138b, the flange portion 168A of the inner cap 168 is pressed by the bottom portion 301a.

  The amount of protrusion in the radial direction of the annular protrusion 141 and the flange 142 is larger than the diameter of the boss 302 a of the gear 302. That is, the annular protrusion 141 and the flange 142 function as a positioning member in the axial direction by disposing the gear 302 between them. The annular protrusion 141 formed on the spiral protrusion 139 side is formed with a smaller amount of protrusion in the radial direction than the flange 142 located on the container main body 138-1 side, and the attachment / detachment property is improved.

  A plurality of claw portions 305 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the annular protrusion 141 are formed in the boss portion 302a of the gear 302 in a plurality of circumferential directions. Each claw portion 305 is formed such that the end surface of the boss portion 302a is bent inward and partially cut out in the circumferential direction so as to be elastically deformable in the radial direction. In this embodiment, the bent portion of the claw portion 305 is positioned on the side opposite to the outer cap 301, that is, on the base portion 138a side.

  As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, a protrusion 143 serving as at least one detent is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base 138a located between the annular protrusion 141 and the flange 142. The protrusion 143 is formed so as to be continuous with the annular protrusion 141, and the outer surface 143 a is an inclined surface with a protrusion amount decreasing as it goes from the annular protrusion 141 toward the flange 142. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29, the protrusions 143 are arranged between the annular protrusion 141 and the flange 142 with a plurality of intervals in the circumferential direction. The interval between the protrusions 143 is formed wider than the width of the claw portion 305 in the circumferential direction. The height of the projecting portion 143 is set to a height at which the claw portion 305 does not get over when the rotational force is transmitted to the gear 302 and rotates.

  In order to attach the sealing member 300 to the toner container 138 having the base portion 138a having such a configuration, the outer cap 301 is tightened from the end surface side of the base portion 138a with the inner cap 168 inserted into the discharge port 138b. It ’s crowded. Then, the claw portion 305 is elastically deformed in the direction of being folded inward when the claw portion 305 gets over the annular projection 141 in the middle, and when the claw portion 305 gets over the annular projection 141, the gear 302 is arranged between the annular projection 141 and the collar portion 142. The Further, when the claw portion 305 climbs over the annular protrusion 141, the elastic deformation is corrected, and the claw portion 305 is raised toward the center side of the base portion 138a and engaged with the annular protrusion 141. By this engagement, the gear 302 is restricted from moving in the axial direction, that is, in the separation direction M by the annular protrusion 141 and the flange 142 as shown in FIG. For this reason, the gear 302 is prevented from coming off and attached to the base part 138 a, and the discharge port 138 b is sealed by the outer cap 301. The state in which the sealing member 300 is attached to the toner container 138 is a state at the time of shipment, and the discharge port 138b is in a sealed state.

  In order to set the sealed toner container 138 in the apparatus, the operator rotates in a direction to remove the outer cap 301. Then, the gear 302 moves in the same direction as the outer cap 301 by the backlash in the circumferential direction of the claw portion 305 and the projection portion 143. However, when the claw portion 302 comes into contact with and engages the projection portion 143 from the circumferential direction, The movement of the rotation direction 302 is restricted. For this reason, since the separation part 303 is formed with slits in the circumferential direction and the strength in the circumferential direction is weakened, when the outer cap 301 is rotated, the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are separated as shown in FIG. It is separated from the part 303. Therefore, when the outer cap 301 is removed from the container main body 138-1 and the discharge port 138b is opened, the gear 302 remains on the container main body 138-1 side separately from the outer cap 301. That is, the gear 302 integrated with the outer cap 301 tries to rotate when a rotational force (opening force) is applied to the outer cap 301 by an operator such as a user or a service staff. Is restricted by the claw portion 305 and the projection portion 103 and is in a substantially fixed state, and therefore, when the rotational force (opening force) exceeds the limit of the detachment portion 303, the separation is achieved.

  In order to remove the gear 302 from the used toner container 138, as shown in FIG. 32, when the gear 302 is pulled toward the annular protrusion 141 in the disengaging direction M, the tip 305a of the claw portion 305 is moved into the annular protrusion 141. It catches on the side. When a predetermined load or more in the disengagement direction M is applied to the gear 302, the bent claw portion 305 is bent back with the contact portion between the tip 305a and the annular protrusion 141 as a fulcrum and gets over the annular protrusion 141 in the disengagement direction M. As a result, the toner container 138 is detached.

  As described above, when the sealing member 300 including the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 that are detachably integrated with each other is mounted on the toner container 138 and a rotational force is applied to the outer cap 301 in the mounted state, the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 is rotated and opened when the separation part 303 is broken, so that the assembling property of the sealing member 300 is good and the workability is also improved.

  Also, the operator can easily determine whether the toner container 138 is before being opened or the toner container 138 after being opened depending on whether the outer cap 301 is rotated by checking the state of the separation portion 303. It is also possible. Therefore, new / old detection of the toner container 138 can be easily performed at low cost with good workability. Further, whether or not the outer cap 301 is rotated can be discriminated whether it is a regular product.

  After the gear 302 is removed, a new sealing member 300 may be mounted on the toner container 138 again. Therefore, the toner container 138 and the gear 302 can be formed of materials according to their functional characteristics. There are no restrictions at the time of manufacture, so that durability as a product is improved and costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since the gear 302 can be removed from the used toner container 138, the cleaning efficiency of the toner container 138 is improved, and the recycling rate can be increased.

  33 and 34 show modified examples of the cap portion and the sealing member of the toner container 138. FIG. 33A and 33B basically includes an outer cap 301 and a gear 302 that are the same as those of the sealing member 300 so that the gear 302 can be detached at a separation portion 303. The claw portion 305A formed in 302 extends in the axial direction from the gear 302 and is formed on two diagonal lines, and the shape of the protrusion 141A that functions as a retaining member formed in the base portion 138a is different.

  The base part 138a does not have the spiral protrusion 139, but has a collar part 142, a step part 145 formed on the peripheral surface between the collar part 142 and the base part 138a, and a projection part 146 that engages with each claw part 305A. Is formed. The step portion 145 forms a guide surface of the claw portion 305A when the sealing member 300A is rotated.

  The protruding portion 146 extends in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 138 in the base portion 138a, protrudes outward from the step portion 145, and prevents circumferential movement of the claw portion 305A in the gear rotation direction. 146A, a detachment restricting portion 146B that restricts movement of the claw portion 305A in the detaching direction M, and an inclined surface 146C formed on the detachment restricting portion 146B. The inclined surface 146C is an inclined surface that is inclined upward toward the end surface side of the base portion 138a or the collar portion 142, and the claw portion 305A can easily disengage the separation regulating portion 146B when the sealing member 300A is attached. A guide surface to the detachment restricting portion 146B is configured so as to be exceeded.

  In the case of the sealing member 300A having such a configuration, as shown in FIGS. 34 (a) and 34 (b), the claw portion 305A gets over the detachment restricting portion 146B when being inserted into the base portion 138a and pushed in. For this reason, since the front-end | tip of the nail | claw part 305A engages with the removal control part 146B, the movement to the removal direction M is blocked | prevented. Further, movement of the claw portion 305A in the circumferential direction is restricted by the circumferential contact portion 146A. For this reason, the discharge port 138 b is sealed by the outer cap 301. The state in which the sealing member 300A is attached to the toner container 138 is a state at the time of shipment, and the discharge port 138b is in a sealed state.

  In order to set the toner container 138 in such a sealed state in the apparatus, a rotating force (opening force) is applied to the outer cap 301 when the operator turns the outer cap 301 in the direction to remove it. At this time, the gear 302 also tries to rotate together with the outer cap 301, but movement in the circumferential direction is restricted by the circumferential contact portion 146 </ b> A, so that the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 are separated from the separation portion 303. . Therefore, when the outer cap 301 is removed from the container main body 138-1 and the discharge port 138a is opened, the gear 302 remains on the container main body 138-1 side separately from the outer cap 301. That is, the gear 302 integrated with the outer cap 301 is separated when the rotational force (opening force) exceeds the limit of the separation portion 303 by applying a rotational force by the operator to the outer cap 301 side. Will be.

  To remove the gear 302 from the used toner container 138, as shown in FIG. 32, the gear 302 is rotated in the direction opposite to the driving direction. Then, the engagement state between the circumferential contact portion 146A and the claw portion 305A and the disengagement restricting portion 146B and the claw portion 305A is released, and the claw portion 305A can be easily moved in the disengagement direction M and can be removed.

  As described above, when the sealing member 300A composed of the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 that are detachably integrated with each other is mounted on the toner container 138 and a rotational force is applied to the outer cap 301 in the mounted state, Since the gear 302 and the disengagement portion 303 are broken and opened relative to each other, the assembling property of the sealing member 300A is improved and the workability is improved.

  Further, after the gear 302 is removed, a new sealing member 300A may be attached to the toner container 138 again, so that the toner container 138 and the gear 302 can be formed of materials according to their functional characteristics. It is possible to eliminate the restriction at the time of manufacture, and the durability as a product is improved and the cost can be reduced. Furthermore, since the gear 302 can be removed from the used toner container 138, the cleaning efficiency of the toner container 138 is improved, and the recycling rate can be increased.

  In this embodiment, the protrusion 146 is partially formed on the base portion 138 a so as to correspond to the two claw portions 305 </ b> A, but with respect to the rotation direction of the gear 302 due to backlash or an increase in driving force input to the gear 302. If there are many load factors in the counter direction, it is assumed that the claw portion 305 </ b> A is detached from the protruding portion 146.

  In such a case, as shown in FIG. 35, the claw portion 305 is added to the boss portion 302a of the gear 302, and an annular protrusion 141 is added to the entire circumference of the base portion 138a, so that a plurality of sets of claw portions 305 are provided. 305A and a plurality of sets of protrusions 141 and 146 may prevent the gear 302 from being detached.

  FIG. 36 shows an opening 301 b formed in the bottom 301 a of the outer cap 301 of the sealing member 300. The inner cap 168 has a central portion that is recessed toward the inside of the container, and an opening 168b is formed in the central portion. A filter 168c that has air permeability but does not allow toner to pass therethrough is inserted into the opening 168b so that the inner cap 168 does not come off even if the air pressure changes inside and outside the container. Moreover, since the opening 301b is formed in the outer cap 301, the air permeability of the filter 168c is not hindered. Further, if the opening 301b is sized so that the collet chuck 70 (see FIG. 3) for picking or separating the inner cap cap 168 can be inserted, the opening 301b is set in the apparatus without removing the outer cap 301. Even if the rotational driving force is transmitted to the gear 302, the outer cap 301 and the gear 302 can be divided. Then, the collet chuck 70 is operated and the inner cap 168 can be easily opened by pulling it out from the discharge port 138b. Therefore, it is possible to provide a toner container 138 in which the ejection of toner is reduced during transportation.

  Although the transmission drive member has been described as the gear (spur gear) 302 in the above embodiment, it is not limited to such a configuration. As another form of the transmission drive member, for example, as shown in FIG. 37, a plurality of projections 308A projecting in the axial direction into a disk portion 307 that is detachably integrated with the outer cap 301 via a separation portion 303. 308B may be formed, and a rotational driving force may be transmitted to the protrusions 308A and 308B to form a transmission drive member. The protrusions 308 may have the same shape or different shapes. Further, when a gear is used as the transmission drive member, it is not a spur gear, but protrudes in the axial direction into a disc portion 307 that is detachably integrated with the outer cap 301 via a separation portion 303, for example, as shown in FIG. The tooth part 309 may be formed in an annular shape, and a rotational driving force may be transmitted to the tooth part 309 to serve as a transmission drive member.

  The surface of the outer cap 301 may be a smooth surface. However, when an operator turns the surface by hand, an uneven portion such as a knurling is formed on the surface of the outer cap 301 so that each sealing member 300, When 300A is set, screwing and removing operations can be performed without slipping, which is preferable.

  Another form of the sealing member will be described with reference to FIGS. 39 includes first and second mounting members that are detachably integrated with each other, and the first mounting member or the second mounting member is connected to the driving gear 374 illustrated in FIG. When a rotational force (rotational driving force) is input, the first and second mounting members are separated. In the present embodiment, the first mounting member is a fixing member 401 that engages with the cover member 330 shown in FIG. 42 mounted on the container main body 138-1, and the second mounting member can be detached from the fixing member 401. The gear 402 is a transmission drive member that is separated from the fixed member 401 and remains on the container main body 138-1 side when a rotational force (rotational drive force) is input. The sealing member 400 also has a basic point in which a fixing member 401 and a gear 402 are integrated in a detachable portion 403 so as to be detachable. A hole 401a communicating with the discharge port 168b is formed in the center of the fixing member 401 and the gear 402, and the collet chuck 70 can be inserted when the collet chuck 70 is operated by being attached to the apparatus. A pressing portion 401b that presses the flange portion 168a of the inner cap 168 when mounted on the toner container 138 is formed around the hole 401a.

  Since the sealing member 400 can be made of a material different from that of the toner container 138, a material suitable for transmission drive can be used. Usually, the toner container 138 is often made of PET or PE, and is a disadvantageous material for transmission drive. In particular, when the toner container 138 is recycled and used, the number of uses is limited. For this reason, POM or the like is often used for the gear 402 serving as a transmission drive member. When the transmission torque is large, metal can be used. This point can be applied to the gear 302 in common. The configuration of the gear 402 is the same as that of the gear 302, and a plurality of claw portions 405 are formed on the boss portion 402a as shown in FIG.

  In order to attach the sealing member 400 having such a configuration to the toner container 138 having the base part 138a, the sealing member 400 is inserted from the end face side of the base part 138a with the inner cap 168 inserted into the discharge port 138b. Is pushed into the base part 138a. Then, the claw portion 405 is elastically deformed in the direction of being folded inward when the claw portion 405 gets over the annular projection 141 in the middle, and when the claw portion 405 gets over the annular projection 141, the gear 402 is arranged between the annular projection 141 and the collar portion 142. The Further, when the claw portion 405 gets over the annular projection 141, the elastic deformation is corrected, and the claw portion 405 is raised toward the center side of the base portion 138a and engaged with the annular projection 141. For this reason, the gear 402 is attached to the base portion 138a as shown in FIG. 41 by preventing movement of the gear 402 in the axial direction, that is, in the separation direction M by the movement of the annular protrusion 141 and the flange portion 142. The state in which the sealing member 400 is attached to the toner container 138 is regarded as a state at the time of shipment, and the discharge port 138b is in a sealed state.

  In order to set the toner container 138 in such a sealed state in the apparatus, the operator inserts the sealing member 400 set in the toner container 138 into the cover member 330 as shown in FIG. . When the shape of the fixing member 401 and the internal shape in the cover member 330 are combined, the toner container 138 and the cover member 330 are integrated. For this reason, since the sealing member 400 can be easily attached to the toner container 138, the assembling property is good and the workability is also improved. At this time, since the gear 402 and the fixing member 401 are integrated by the separation portion 403, the toner container 138 and the cover member 330 try to rotate together, but are not sealed and are in a sealed state. Can be confirmed by the operator.

  A unit in which the toner container 138 and the cover member 330 are integrated is set in the apparatus, and the drive gear 374 and the gear 402 are brought into mesh as shown in FIG. When the rotational driving force serving as the opening force is transmitted from the driving gear 374 to the gear 402, the entire sealing member 400 tries to rotate. However, since the fixing member 401 is fixed in the cover member 330 and is prevented from moving in the rotation direction, only the gear 402 side tries to rotate, so that the gear 402 and the fixing member 401 are separated by the separation portion 403. It will be. That is, when the sealing member 400 composed of the fixing member 401 and the gear 402 that are detachably integrated with each other is attached to the toner container 138 and a rotational driving force is input to the gear 402 in the attached state, the separation portion 403 is destroyed. As a result, the fixing member 401 and the gear 402 are separated. For this reason, by checking whether the fixing member 401 and the gear 402 rotate together or not, the operator can easily inspect whether the toner container 138 is before being opened or the toner container 138 after being opened. be able to.

  In order to remove the gear 402 from the used toner container 138, the gear 402 is pulled toward the annular protrusion 141 in the separation direction M as shown in FIG. Then, the tip 405 a of the claw portion 405 is caught on the inner surface of the annular protrusion 141. When the gear 402 is applied with a predetermined amount or more in the detaching direction M, the claw portion 405 in a bent state rises with the contact portion between the tip and the annular protrusion 141 as a fulcrum, and the annular protrusion 141 moves in the detaching direction M. To get out of the toner container 138. By separating the fixing member 401 and the gear 402, the new and old detection can be easily performed with good workability at low cost.

  After the gear 402 is removed, a new sealing member 400 may be mounted on the toner container 138 again. Therefore, the toner container 138 and the gear 402 can be formed of materials according to their functional characteristics. There are no restrictions at the time of manufacture, so that durability as a product is improved and costs can be reduced. Further, since the gear 402 can be detached from the used toner container 138, the cleaning efficiency of the toner container 138 is improved, and the recycling rate can be increased.

  Incidentally, since the gear 402 and the gear 302 are portions that transmit and drive the rotational force from the drive gear 374 to the toner container 138, a material having a large friction coefficient, a magnet, or the like may be included. As the configuration of the transmission drive member other than the gear 402, the plurality of protrusions 308A and 308B and the gear 309 already described with reference to FIGS. 37 and 38 are formed, and a rotational force is transmitted to these protrusions and the gear to transmit the drive member. Alternatively, a transmission drive member may be formed by forming a pin, a gear, or the like in the disk portion 407 so as to protrude in the axial direction.

  In this embodiment, the outer shape of the fixing member 401 is hexagonal so that it does not rotate when placed in the cover member 330, and the same shape so that the fixing member 401 fits in part of the inner shape of the cover member 330. However, the shape of the fixing member 401 or the recess may be other than this. A modification of the fixing member 401 is shown in FIG. FIG. 44A shows an outer shape of the fixing member 401, and FIG. 44B shows an increase in the coefficient of friction by forming a concavo-convex portion 408 such as a knurl on the cylindrical outer peripheral surface. FIG. 4C shows a case where a plurality of arc-shaped depressions 409 are formed on a cylindrical outer periphery. Of course, in this case, an arc-shaped rib inserted into the recess 409 is formed in the cover member 330 to fix the fixing member 401 so as not to rotate.

  By changing the internal shape of the fixing member 401 and the cover member 330 in accordance with, for example, the color of the toner and the type of the device on which the toner container 138 is mounted, the toner container 138 of the wrong color or the wrong device It is possible to prevent the toner container 138 from being attached. That is, it can be used as a means for color incompatibility and device incompatibility.

  44 (a) to 44 (c), the shape of the fixing member 401 is changed. However, even if the size of the fixing member 401 is changed according to the color of the toner or the type of the device, the color incompatibility or the device is changed. Incompatible functions can be achieved. 44 (d) and 44 (e), grooves 410 extending in the circumferential direction and protrusions 411 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member 401 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fixing member 401. Of course, also in this case, the cover member 330 is formed with protrusions and recesses corresponding to the grooves 410 and the protrusions 411.

  As is common to the respective sealing members, as shown in FIG. 45, the disk portion of the gear 302 or gear 402 can be thinned to reduce the weight. The part to be cut out is not limited to the place shown in FIG. 45, and may be another place, and it is desirable to set it at a part that can be easily punched.

  In the above embodiment, the claw portions 305, 305A, and 405 are formed on the gears 302 and 402, respectively, and hooked on the protrusion 143 and the protrusion 146 formed on the base portion 138a of the toner container 138 so as to rotate together with the toner container 138. As shown in FIG. 46, an arcuate groove 412 extending in the circumferential direction is formed in the peripheral part of the base part 138a, and the claw parts 305, 305A, 405, etc. are inserted into the arcuate groove 412. The toner container 138 and the gears 302 and 402 may be configured to rotate integrally.

  As the inner cap 168 described in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 47, a plurality of wing portions 168A longer than the length of the cap portion 138a of the toner container 138 may be formed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 (Y, M, C, K) Image carrier 5 (Y, M, C, K) Developing device 38, 138 Powder container 38-1, 138-1 Container body 38a, 138b Discharge port 100 Image forming apparatus Main body side 160, 360 (Y, M, C, K) developer supply device 300, 300A, 400 Sealing member 301 First mounting member (main body portion)
302, 402 Second mounting member (transmission drive member)
305, 305A Claw portion 308, 309 Second mounting member (transmission drive member)
330 Cover member 401 First mounting member (fixing member)
405 Nail M Disengagement direction

JP 09-6115 A JP 2007-178969 A

Claims (10)

A sealing member attached to a developer storage container for discharging the developer stored in the container main body to the outside of the container from a discharge port formed in a part thereof,
The sealing member includes first and second mounting members that are detachably integrated with each other. When a rotational force is input to the first mounting member or the second mounting member, the first and second mounting members are A sealing member, wherein the second mounting member is separated and only the first mounting member is detached from the container body. The first mounting member is a main body that opens and closes the discharge port,
The second mounting member is integrally configured to be detachable from the main body, and is separated from the main body when the main body is detached from the container main body and the discharge port is opened. The sealing member according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is a transmission drive member to which the rotational force is input while remaining on the container body side. The first mounting member is a fixing member that engages with a cover member mounted on the container body,
The second mounting member is integrally configured to be detachable from the fixing member, and is separated from the fixing member so as to remain on the container body side when the rotational force is input. The sealing member according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is a member.   The sealing member according to claim 3, wherein the fixing member and the cover member are formed in shapes similar to each other according to the color of the developer stored in the container main body.   When the transmission drive member is attached to the container body, it is engaged with a part of the container body so that the movement in the separation direction is regulated, and when the predetermined addition or more is added to the separation direction, its shape 5. The sealing member according to claim 2, further comprising at least one claw portion that is deformed to allow movement of the transmission drive member in a detaching direction. 6.   The said transmission drive member is characterized by the said claw part engaging with a part of said container main body, and the movement of a rotation direction are controlled when the driving force from the said drive source is transmitted. The sealing member as described. A developer storage container for discharging the developer stored in the container body to the outside of the container from a discharge port formed in a part thereof,
A developer storage container comprising the sealing member according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6. A developer storage container comprising a cover member and a container main body rotatably supported by the cover member, wherein the developer stored in the container main body is discharged from a discharge port formed in a part thereof to the outside of the container. Because
A developer storage container comprising the sealing member according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. In the developer replenishing device for supplying the developer stored in powder in the powder container to the developing device,
The developer supply device, wherein the powder storage container is the powder storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier; a developing device that supplies a developer to a developing region that develops a latent image formed on the image carrier; and a developer replenishing device that replenishes the developer to the developer In
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the developer supply device is the developing device according to claim 9.

Images