JP2014029475A - Toner supply container and toner supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner supply container that enables a toner container to be smoothly filled with toner manually by a user.SOLUTION: A refill bag 1 has a main body part 2 for storing toner and a toner ejecting part 3 inserted into a toner container so as to eject toner into the toner container. The refill bag 1 is further provided with a projection 9 that is hooked on an inner edge of a toner supply port of the toner container 3 when the toner ejecting part 3 is inserted into the toner container, and applies resistance power so as to prevent the toner ejecting part 3 from coming off from an inner edge of the toner ejecting part 3. The projection 9 generates resistance power when the toner ejecting part 3 of the refill bag 1 is to come off from the toner supply port of the toner container, so as to prevent the toner ejection part 3 from unintentionally coming off from the toner supply port when the refill bag 1 is shaken.

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner supply container and a toner supply system, and more particularly to a toner supply container for supplying and filling toner in a toner container, and a toner supply system using the toner supply container.

  In a process cartridge formed as a unit integrated with a developing device and a photosensitive drum, toner is generally replenished when toner is consumed. Toner replenishment is to replenish toner to a toner container (toner filling target portion) such as the process cartridge or toner bottle. FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional toner replenishing method.

  Conventionally, refill kits that are used when a user fills a toner container with toner have been sold. The refill kit is a combination of toner packed in a toner bag (refill bag) and a funnel. FIG. 53A is a diagram illustrating a replenishment method when toner is replenished using a refill kit.

  The refill bag 101 is made of, for example, a bag formed by pressure-bonding two polyethylene (PE) sheets, in which toner for replenishment is stored. The thickness of the sheet of the refill bag 101 is about 0.02 to 0.1 mm, and aluminum is evaporated on the inside. When the refill bag 101 is cut at the position indicated by the dotted line L1, the refill bag 101 opens greatly.

  The funnel 102 has a spout 102a having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the replenishing port 104 of a toner container 103 (for example, a developing device for a process cartridge) to be filled with toner at the lower end in the figure, and a receiving port 102b for receiving toner to be filled from the outside. At the top, and the tip of the pouring spout 102a is inserted into the replenishing port 104 provided in the developing unit of the toner container 103 for filling.

  Further, as a method for supplying toner, an invention described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-333964 (Patent Document 1) is also known. The invention described in Patent Document 1 aims at simplifying the refilling method by remodeling the toner cartridge and using a refill dedicated hose and protecting the environment by extending the number of times the toner cartridge is used. In the toner cartridge in which the body drum is unitized, the hole portion of the toner container portion is replenished when the toner container portion is provided with a screw-like hole portion and the refill toner contained in another container is injected into the toner container portion. The refilling is performed by connecting and fitting the opening of another container containing toner for use with a refilling hose.

  In the conventional technique for supplying toner using the funnel shown in FIG. 53, the opening width of the opening portion 101a of the refill bag 101 is the same as the width of the body portion of the refill bag 101, so the opening portion 101a has a large space. Is secured. Therefore, the toner can move to the funnel 102 without being clogged with the opening 101 a of the refill bag 101.

  In this case, toner is poured from the spout 102a of the funnel 102, but the opening ratio of the funnel 102 to the receiving port 102b of the spout 102a is very small. For this reason, the toner discharge amount from the spout 102 a cannot catch up with the supply amount from the receiving port 102 b, and the toner accumulates in the funnel 102. Due to this accumulation, the continuously replenished toner scatters or spills out from the receiving port 102b of the funnel 102, and not only stains the toner container but also the surroundings.

  This scattering or spillage occurs because the toner is powder, and it is difficult to move the toner from the funnel 102 into the toner container 103 only by the weight of the toner. Therefore, the user tries to promote the movement of the toner by hitting or shaking the funnel 102, but this operation further promotes the scattering or spillage. The operation of the user hitting or shaking the funnel 102 in this way is a very natural action that occurs in order to intuitively think that the toner clogged inside the refill bag 101 can be broken if vibration is applied. is there. Therefore, when the toner is replenished, the contamination of the toner container 103 and its surroundings may be promoted but not suppressed.

  Further, in this method, the funnel 102 is always required, and the funnel 102 cannot be poured without the funnel 102.

  Therefore, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 54A, toner having a width smaller than the width of the refill bag 101 can be poured into the refill bag 101 so that the replenishing toner in the refill bag 101 can be poured without a funnel. A discharge portion 101a is provided, and replenishment is performed from the toner discharge port 101b at the tip in a state where the toner discharge portion 101a is inserted 1 to 2 cm into the supply port 104 of the toner container 103 as shown in FIG. 54 (b). . In this state, it was possible to supply without a funnel with almost no scattering, but a new inconvenience was discovered.

  That is, when powder is replenished from a bag, it does not flow completely by its own weight like liquid, so it is necessary to discharge the toner stuck to the inner wall of the bag and the toner accumulated in the wrinkle of the bag. There is. Therefore, the user often shakes or strikes the refill bag 101 together. When such an irregular operation is performed on the refill bag 101, the toner discharge portion 101a of the refill bag 101 is detached from the toner supply port 104 of the toner container 103, and toner spills or scatters from the toner discharge port 101b. There are things to do.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 55A, even inside the toner container 103, the toner does not automatically spread over the whole and may stay in the vicinity of the replenishing port 104. In such a case, the toner container 103 is tilted or shaken so that the toner is spread throughout the toner container 103 as shown in FIG. If the toner container 103 is tilted or shaken in this way, the toner discharge port 101b of the refill bag 101 may be unintentionally detached from the replenishment port 104 of the toner container 103 and the toner may spill around.

  In order to prevent such toner spills and scattering, the replenishment port 104 of the toner container 103 and the toner discharge portion 101a or the toner discharge port 101b of the refill bag 101 are completely provided as in the invention described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. Can be fixed. However, when fixed in this way, when the refill bag 101 is shaken when the toner is discharged from the refill bag 101, the toner container 103 is moved. As a result, the refilling operation is hindered.

  Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the toner cartridge and the refill toner container are completely connected and fitted to prevent the toner from leaking at the time of filling, and the toner is unlikely to spill outside the toner cartridge at the time of filling. At this time, the interfaces are determined so that the toner cartridge and the refill toner container are completely engaged with each other in a one-to-one correspondence. Accordingly, in order to maintain the structure forming the interface, the material cost and the manufacturing cost increase, and both the toner cartridge and the refill toner container become expensive. As a result, the economic burden on the user is greater.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to allow the user to smoothly fill the toner container with the toner manually.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a toner replenishing container having a storage unit that stores toner and a discharge unit that is inserted into the filling target unit and discharges the toner to the filling target unit. When inserted into the filling target part, it is provided with a detachment resistance part that is hooked to the edge of the insertion port of the filling target part and serves as resistance of detachment of the discharge part. Note that problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified in the following description of embodiments.

  According to the present invention, the user can smoothly fill the toner container manually.

It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the refill bag which concerns on Example 1 in embodiment of this invention along the sealing surface. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a toner discharge portion of a refill bag and a toner supply port of a toner container according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of a toner discharge portion of the refill bag according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example (first example) of a toner supply port having anisotropy and a state of toner supply at that time. It is a figure which shows the other example (2nd example) of the toner supply port which has anisotropy, and the state of toner replenishment at that time. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating still another example (third example) of a toner supply port having anisotropy and a state of toner supply at that time. 1 is a front view of a refill bag according to Example 1. FIG. It is a rear view of the refill bag shown in FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state when toner is replenished in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part showing an example of a shape of a toner discharge port. It is a front view which shows the modification of the refill bag in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a toner supply port of a toner container. 6 is a perspective view of a refill bag according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a toner discharge portion of a refill bag according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a toner container and a toner supply port in Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a refill bag according to Example 3. FIG. It is a side view of the refill bag shown in FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a refill bag according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 6 is a front view of a refill bag according to Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows a state when the refill bag which concerns on Example 3 is cut | disconnected in the position of the line printed previously. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which toner replenishment is performed by inserting a refill bag according to a third embodiment into a toner supply port of a toner container. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state when toner is supplied to a refill bag according to a third embodiment when the toner supply port is large. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state when toner replenishment is promoted by shaking a refill bag in Example 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows a state when cut | disconnecting the toner discharge part of a refill bag. 6 is a front view of a refill bag according to Example 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state when toner is replenished in Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of a toner supply port in Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a shape of a peripheral edge of a toner supply port in Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation at the end of toner supply in Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of how a toner discharge port is closed according to a fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the toner discharge unit according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a refill bag according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a refill package that is a refill bag according to a third modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state when a toner guide is opened in a third modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a state when the toner guide portion is sealed in Modification 3 of Embodiment 4 as viewed from the toner discharge port side. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the material of the refill package shown in FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a refill package according to a modification 4 of the embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a refill package according to a fifth modification of the fourth embodiment. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a refill bag according to a modified example 6 of the embodiment 4. FIG. It is a figure explaining the material of the accommodating part main body of the refill bag shown in FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a refill package according to a modification 7 of the embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a guide unit in modified examples 3 to 7 of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a principal part illustrating a relationship among a toner discharge portion, a toner guide portion, and a toner storage portion that are suitable for application to Modifications 3 to 7 of Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a main part sectional view showing a relationship among a toner discharge portion, a toner guide portion, and a toner storage portion that are preferable when applied to Modifications 3 to 7 of Embodiment 4. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main part of a refill package including a lid of a toner discharge portion that is suitable for application to Modifications 3 to 7 of Embodiment 4. FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the refill package with the lid shown in FIG. 45 removed. It is a perspective view which shows the example which made the shape of the collar part provided in the lid | cover shown in FIG. 45 into the polygonal collar. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the protrusion shown in FIG. 43, and its fitting state. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a toner supply port and refill package that prevent rotation. FIG. 4 is a view of a four-color refill package as viewed from the toner discharge unit side. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a toner discharge unit and a storage unit connection unit are attached with a tape to relatively fix both toners. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the structure which considered reuse of a refill package. It is explanatory drawing which shows the method of toner replenishment conventionally implemented. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the method of toner replenishment implemented conventionally. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the toner replenishment in the past.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a catch portion (a catch maintenance portion) that prevents the toner discharge portion tip of the refill bag from easily coming out of the replenishing port on the toner container side when the refill bag is shaken. It is a feature. Thus, the refill bag and the toner container are not completely fixed, and the refill bag can be moved independently of the toner container without moving the toner container. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to components that can be regarded as the same or the same in each embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the sealing surface of the refill bag according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the toner discharge portion of the refill bag and the toner supply port of the toner container, and FIG. It is a principal part perspective view of the toner discharge part of a bag.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refill bag 1 according to this embodiment includes a main body portion 2 and a toner discharge portion 3. The main body 2 is formed so that a large amount of toner can be accommodated as a gusseted bag by crimping the edges of three polyethylene sheets, for example, two side surfaces and one bottom surface. When the toner to be replenished is stored in the bag-shaped main body 2, the gusset opens and becomes self-supporting (see FIG. 3). The thickness of the sheet | seat of the main-body part 2 is about 0.02-0.1 mm, and aluminum vapor deposition is given inside. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 2 has a bottom 4 and a back 5 formed in a straight line when viewed from the front, and a front 6 formed in a curved line. In addition, a rectangular portion for forming the toner discharge portion 3 is provided on each of the two side portions so as to protrude from the curved front portion 6. In the case of forming in a bag shape, a flat sheet for forming two side portions and one bottom portion is provided on the seal portions 4 a, 5 a, 6 a at the edge of the main body portion 2 and the toner discharge portion 3. Crimping is performed at the seal portion 3a at the edge. As a result, the toner discharge portion 3 is provided integrally with the main body portion 2 of the refill bag 1. In this state, since the sheet is just crimped, it is flat and not three-dimensional as shown in FIG.

  Further, a protrusion 9 shown in FIG. 1 is provided on the toner discharge port 8 at the tip of the toner discharge portion 3 so as to protrude from the seal portion 3a to both sides by a predetermined amount. As shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion 9 is formed by a portion where two sheets are pressure-bonded, and is relatively hard due to the thickness of the sheet. When the protrusion 9 is pressed inward (in the direction D1 close to each other) or the stored item is discharged from the main body 2, the unsealed toner discharge port 8 is opened and the main body 2 is opened. The stored toner can be discharged. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the toner is replenished, the protrusion 9 is caught by the toner replenishing port 104 of the toner container 103 so that it cannot be easily removed.

  That is, when the protrusion 9 is caught in the toner supply port 104, it becomes a resistance when the toner discharge portion 3 of the refill bag 1 comes out from the toner supply port 104 of the toner container 103, and the toner discharge portion 3 unintentionally supplies the toner supply port. There is no exit from the mouth 104. Therefore, the toner does not spill due to an operation mistake or carelessness. Further, the protrusion 9 is only caught on the toner supply port 104 and is not completely fixed to the toner container 103. Thereby, the part from the base end 3b of the protrusion part from the front part 6 of the toner discharge part 3 of the refill bag 1 to the base end 9a of the protrusion 9 functions as the movable part 3c. By shaking or removing the refill bag 1 without moving the toner container 103 between the lengths Z of the movable portion 3c, the toner clogging is eliminated and the toner can be replenished.

  Since the protrusion 9 is formed of the same material as the refill bag 1, it is bent when a force is applied. Therefore, when the inner diameter R of the toner replenishing port 104 is smaller than the length X in the width direction of the toner discharge port 8 of the refill bag 1 including the protrusion 9, the protrusion 9 can be replenished with a certain amount of force. It comes off from the mouth 104.

Here, the external dimension of the toner discharge port 8 of the refill bag 1 (the length dimension including the protrusion 9 when the toner discharge port 8 is closed) is X, and the width of the base end 3b of the toner discharge unit 3 ( Y corresponding to the width dimension corresponding to the maximum width when the toner discharge port 8 is closed.
X>R> Y (1)
The three dimensions are set so that Each value of X, R, and Y is a dimension when the refill bag 1 is in a planar state.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the three states when the toner discharge unit 3 is inserted into the toner supply port 104 and toner is supplied. 2A shows a state in which the protrusion 9 is hooked on the inner edge of the toner replenishing port 104, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the toner discharge unit 3 is put in and out of the toner replenishing port 104. Each state is shown.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, when refilling the toner, when the refill bag 1 is put in and out of the toner replenishing port 104 in the directions of arrows D2 and D3, or shaken, the refill bag 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow D2 in the toner discharge portion 3. The base end 3b of the projection 9 can be moved in the direction of the arrow D3. That is, it can move within the range of the movable part 3c, and even if there is a large amount of movement in the direction of the arrow D3 during this movement, a catch is created between the protrusion 9 and the toner supply port 104, which is not intended. In addition, the toner discharge portion 3 of the refill bag 1 does not come out of the toner supply port 104 of the toner container 103. Further, since the movable part 3c has a certain movable dimension, the toner can be supplied while shaking the refill bag 1 without moving the toner container 103 side.

  When the toner discharge portion 3 is formed of a sheet-like member made of the same material as that of the refill bag 1, the toner discharge portion 3 is composed of two flat sheets as described above, so that bending deformation is easy. Further, as described above, the toner discharge port 8 can be opened by pressurization in the D1 direction. In this embodiment, the toner supply port 104 of the toner container 103 has anisotropy because of such ease of deformation. 4 to 6 are views showing an example of the toner supply port 104 having anisotropy and the state of toner supply at that time.

The first example of the toner supply port 104 shown in FIG. 4 is an example in which a pair of slits 104d is provided on a circular opening 104a and an inner edge 104c of the opening 104a on a virtual line 104b passing through the center of the opening 104a. It is. In this first example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the maximum separation length between the pair of slits 104d is R1, and the inner diameter of the opening 104a is R2, the external dimension X of the toner discharge port 8 of the refill bag 1 is shown. The relationship with
R1>X> R2 (2)
The three dimensions are set so that

The width dimension Y of the base end 3b is
Y> R2 (3)
Is set to

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 4B, the pair of protrusions 9 of the toner discharge portion 3 passes through the pair of slits 104 d of the toner supply port 104. However, since the width dimension Y of the base end 3b is smaller than the inner diameter R2 of the toner replenishment official 104, even if the toner discharge portion 3 is rotated, if the side surface of the toner discharge portion 3 hits the inner surface of the slit 104d and rotates, the toner The discharge unit 3 is twisted and toner is not normally discharged. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion 9 is pressed with a finger in the direction of the arrow D1. As a result, the toner discharge port 8 is opened and the width dimension Y is also reduced. When the width dimension Y becomes smaller than the inner diameter R2, the refill bag 1 is rotated.

  When the seal portion 3a of the toner discharge portion 3 is detached from the slit 104d in the rotational direction, the outer edge of the seal portion 3a is pushed by the inner edge 104c of the opening portion 104a. As a result, the toner discharge port 8 is kept open. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the protrusion 9 is inserted into the opening 104a, and even if the refill bag 1 is shaken or taken out, the protrusion 9 remains on the inner edge 104c of the toner supply port 104a. It hits the bottom surface. As a result, even if the force is adjusted to the extent that the toner replenishment operation is performed, the toner will not come off.

  When the toner replenishment is completed, the toner discharging unit 3 or the refill bag 1 is rotated to the position of the slit 104d, and the protrusion 9 is pulled out from the slit 104d. In the case of pulling out as it is, the protrusion 9 or the toner discharge portion 3 is deformed and can be detached from the toner supply port 104.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, a person who replenishes toner needs an operation of pressurizing the toner discharge port 3. The second example shown in FIG. 5 is an example in which it is not necessary to perform the pressurizing operation.

In this second example, the opening 104a of the toner replenishing port 104 is elliptical, and a pair of slits 104d are formed in the major axis direction of the ellipse. In the second example, if the ellipse minor axis is R2 (same as the inner diameter of the first example) and the ellipse major axis is R3, the proximal end 3b and the opening 104a are
R3>Y> R2 (4)
It is set so as to have a dimensional relationship.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pair of protrusions 9 of the toner discharge portion 3 passes through the pair of slits 104 d of the toner supply port 104. Further, when the toner discharge portion 3 is inserted into the opening 104a, the width Y of the toner discharge portion 3 is smaller than the major axis R3 of the opening 104a, so that the toner discharge portion 3 can be rotated. However, when the rotation angle increases, the outer edge of the toner discharge portion 3 hits the inner edge 104c of the opening 104a, and a force in the direction of the arrow D1 is applied to the toner discharge port 8 according to the rotation. When the short diameter R2 portion is reached, the toner discharging portion 3 is pushed to the maximum and the opening surface line is also maximized. This state is the same as the state of FIG. 4C in the first example. Also in this case, when the opening area of the toner discharge port 8 is small, if both protrusions 9 are pressed in the direction of the arrow D1 that is close, the opening area is further increased, and the amount of toner replenished per hour is also increased.

  Therefore, in the second example, the toner is replenished by rotating 90 ° from the state of FIG. 5B, and when the toner replenishment is completed, the toner is pulled out as it is, further rotated 90 °, or pulled back 90 °. Thereby, a series of operations for toner replenishment is completed. Also in this case, even if the refill bag 1 is shaken or taken out / in during the toner replenishment operation, the projection 9 hits the lower surface of the inner edge 104d of the opening 104a. As a result, even if the force is adjusted to the extent that the toner replenishment operation is performed, the toner will not come off.

When the toner discharge port 8 is too large compared to the toner supply port 104, the toner discharge port 8 cannot secure a sufficient opening area. Therefore, the relationship of equation (4) is
(ΠR2) / 2> Y (5)
It is advisable to define the maximum value of Y as described above.

The basis of equation (5) is that the width of the seal portion 3a is ignored, and twice the width dimension Y of the toner discharge portion 3 is substantially equal to the circumferential length when the toner discharge port 8 is opened. On the other hand, the peripheral length of the inner edge 104 c of the toner supply port 104 is equal to the inner diameter (diameter) R 2 × π of the opening 104. When the circumferential length of the toner discharge portion 3 becomes larger than the peripheral length of the inner edge 104c of the toner replenishing port 104, the outer side of the toner discharge portion 3 is restricted by the inner edge 104c, and thus deforms inward. As a result, the opening area of the toner discharge port 8 becomes smaller than the opening area of the toner supply port 104. πR2 corresponds to the outer circumference of the circle having the diameter R2 (here, the circumference of the inner edge), and the circumference of the ellipse having the short side R2 and the long side R1 (R1> R2) is larger than the circumference πR2. That is, πR2 is the minimum value of the peripheral length of the inner edge 104c of the toner replenishing port 104. If this minimum value πR2 is not more than twice the width, the tip of the toner discharge port 8 is too large and the toner discharge port 8 In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slit 104d is formed. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the maximum separation length R1 between the pair of slits 104d is an ellipse major axis and short In the third example in which the opening 104a has the diameter R2 (same as the inner diameter of the first example), toner can be supplied by the same operation as in the second example shown in FIG. Since the work process is the same as in the second example, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In this case, the toner discharge unit 3 can be easily inserted into the opening 104a without accurately aligning the protrusion 9 with the position of the slit 104d. However, since the gap area between the toner discharge portion 3 and the inner edge 104c of the opening 104a is larger than that in the first and second examples during the toner replenishment operation, the refill bag 1 is shaken or the toner discharge portion 3 is There is a possibility that the amount of scattered toner is slightly larger than that in the first and second examples when the toner is taken in and out of the opening 104a.

  Therefore, the first example and the second example are preferable when the toner scattering is considered, and the first example and the second example are preferable when the workability is considered. Further, in consideration of workability, the second example is more preferable because it is only necessary to insert and rotate the toner discharge portion 3.

  7 is a front view of the refill bag 1 according to the embodiment, FIG. 8 is a rear view, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state when toner is supplied.

  The configuration of the toner discharge portion 3 of the refill bag 1 is as described above, but various devices shown below are applied in order to make toner replenishment easier.

1. 1. A transparent window for visually confirming the remaining amount of toner is provided in the toner discharge unit 3. 2. Provided a pressing portion indicating portion for preventing toner spillage at the start of toner supply. 3. An air hole is provided to promote toner movement during toner replenishment. For those who are unfamiliar with the work, the position where the refill bag is held at the time of toner supply is clearly indicated.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a transparent window 3 h through which the inside of the refill bag 1 can be visually recognized is provided over a connecting portion between the toner discharge portion 3 and the main body portion 2. When the toner is replenished, the inside of the window 3h is viewed, and it can be understood that the toner replenishment is completed if there is no toner. That is, how much toner remains in the refill bag 1 can be known during the replenishment operation. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a wasteful operation in which the toner remains in the bag and is wasted, or the toner is not already in the refill bag 1 and the replenishment operation is continued by misunderstanding that the toner is still present. Can do.

  In addition, a pressing portion 3i to be pressed with a finger at the start of toner replenishment is clearly shown in a portion overlapping with the window 3h portion or a portion closer to the toner discharge port 8 than the window 3h. As an explicit mode, a finger shape and a character such as “pressing point” are entered. As a result, the toner discharge portion 3 is closed by pinching the position of the pressing portion 3i with the finger on the opposite side of the hand holding the refill bag 1. In this state, the toner supply port 8 is inserted into the toner supply port 104. Thereafter, when the finger holding the pressing portion 3i is released, the toner passage inside the toner discharging portion 3 is opened and the toner is discharged from the toner supply port 8.

  When the toner is discharged, air enters from the toner supply port 8 according to the volume reduction of the toner. However, it cannot be denied that the air replenishment speed is slow when the air flows only from the toner supply port 8. Therefore, in this embodiment, air holes 2b are provided in advance as shown in FIG. 7 so that air can flow into the refill bag 1 when toner is replenished. As a result, the toner replenishment speed is increased and toner can be replenished smoothly. It should be noted that since the toner scatters from a simple hole, a mesh for preventing scattering is attached. At the time of transportation / storage, the mesh 2 is covered with a tape 2c to prevent the influence of humidity and the like.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the finger shape is preprinted at a location suitable for holding by hand when the user on the side of the main body 2 of the refill bag 1 replenishes toner. This is because the refill bag 1 is normally in an upright state as shown in FIG. 7, and the relationship between the inverted state as shown in FIG. Because. Incidentally, the position 2d of the thumb is printed as a bill on the front view of FIG. 7, and the positions of the index finger 2e, middle finger 2f, ring finger 2g, and little finger 2h are printed on the rear view of FIG. As a result, if the toner discharge port 8 is inserted into the toner supply port 104 by grasping along the bill and turning upside down as shown in FIG. 9, the toner can be supplied easily and easily.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part showing the shape of the toner discharge port 8. Since the toner discharge unit 3 is simply formed by bonding two sheets, the toner discharge port 8 is normally closed as shown in FIG. From this state, the toner is replenished by being opened by various means as described above. At that time, when a force is applied in the direction D1, the toner discharge port 8 is deformed and opened in the direction of the arrow D4 that is separated from each other. However, depending on how the force in the direction of the arrow D1 is applied, both of them are deformed in one direction. There is a case. Thus, when both sheets are deformed to one side, the toner discharge port 8 is not opened.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, a collar 8a curved in the opening direction (arrow D4 direction) is attached to the toner discharge port 8 in advance. The flange 8a can be provided by, for example, heating or bending a flexible material in advance so as to be integrally provided on the sheet and sealed. Thus, by curving a predetermined amount outward in advance, the toner discharge port 8 can be smoothly opened when the tip of the toner discharge port 8 is inserted into the toner supply port 104. As a result, the toner can be easily replenished and the toner cannot be replenished.

  FIG. 11 is a front view showing a modification of the refill bag in the first embodiment. In this modification, a pentagonal shape is formed in a front view, the toner discharge portion 3 extends on the extension of the left long side in the drawing, and the oblique side 2i extends from the tip of the long side on the right side to the base end 3b of the toner discharge portion 3. The main body 2 has a different shape. Also in this modified example, a window 3h for visually recognizing the inside is provided at the base of the toner discharge portion 3, and the position to be held by the pressing portion 3i and the thumb 2d is also shown.

  With this configuration, when the refill bag 1 is reversed in the reverse direction from the state shown in FIG. 11 during toner replenishment, the hypotenuse 2i has the same form as the inclined portion of the funnel 102, and toner can be replenished smoothly. Also in this example, the air hole 2b is preferably provided.

  The refill bag 1 is filled with toner and then folded back on a fold 2j connecting the base of the toner discharge portion 3, and fixed to the side surface of the main body 2 by, for example, an adhesive tape 2k. In use, the adhesive tape 2k is removed, the toner discharge portion 3 is raised from the crease 2j, and the toner passage in the toner discharge portion 3 is linearly replenished.

  After the toner is filled in this way, it is folded back on the fold 2j connecting the base of the toner discharge portion 3, and fixed to the side surface of the main body 2 by, for example, the adhesive tape 2k, similarly in the refill bag 2 of the first embodiment. It is.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of the toner supply port of the toner container. 2A is a longitudinal sectional view of the toner container, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view.

  In this embodiment, when the toner is replenished with the refill bag 1, the protrusion 9 projecting outside the toner replenishing port 8 is caught by the inner edge 104 c of the toner replenishing port 104, and the toner discharge port 8 does not move even when the refill bag 1 is moved. The toner cannot be easily removed from the toner supply port 104. This prevents toner spills and scattering, but toner may still spill. In particular, the toner is often spilled when the toner discharge port 8 is inserted into the toner supply port 104. Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 12, an inclined surface 104e having a downward slope is formed in the vicinity of the toner supply port 104 in advance. As a result, even if the toner T1 is spilled in the vicinity of the toner supply port 104, if the toner container 103 is shaken, the spilled toner T1 moves into the toner container 103 along the inclination of the inclined surface 104e. Thus, the toner T1 can be returned to the toner T in the toner container 103.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the user shakes the refill bag 1 up and down with respect to the toner container 103 or flips the side wall surface of the refill bag 1, the protrusions 9 are formed in the toner container 103. Since the toner is moved or deformed while maintaining the state of being caught in the replenishing port 104, the toner discharge unit 3 does not leave the toner replenishing port 104. As a result, toner discharge can be promoted and toner spillage or scattering can be prevented, and the toner can be filled efficiently without staining the periphery of the toner supply port.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a refill bag according to the second embodiment, FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a toner discharge portion, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an example of a toner container and a toner supply port.

  In the first embodiment, the toner discharge portion 3 is integrally formed with the main body portion 2 by a polyethylene sheet. However, in the second embodiment, the toner discharge portion 3 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a polyethylene resin, and the base portion 3d of the resin is formed in the main body. It is integrated with the part 2. As can be seen from the perspective view of FIG. 13, the toner discharge portion 3 has a toner discharge port 8 at the tip, and a pair of protrusions 9 protrude in a direction parallel to the front portion 6 at the opening edge of the toner discharge port 8.

  The base 3 d of the toner discharge portion 3 is formed in a boat shape that is formed in the seal portion 6 a so as to extend in the direction, and is sandwiched and bonded by the seal portion 6 a on the front side 6 so as to be integrated with the main body portion 2. In this embodiment, a flange portion 3e is provided in the middle of the movable portion 3c corresponding to the first embodiment, and is movable between the base end 9a of the protrusion 9 and the flange portion 3e. This portion is denoted by reference numeral 3f.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the supply port 104 is set to be elliptical like that shown in FIG. 6A in the first embodiment, and the dimension R <b> 1 of the supply port 104 in the major axis direction has the protrusion 9. It is the same as or slightly larger than the maximum length X1 of the toner discharge port 8 of the refill bag 1 included. When the dimension R1 of the supply port 104 in the major axis direction is larger than the maximum length X1 of the discharge port 8 of the refill bag 1 including the protrusion 9, it will seem that the protrusion 9 does not catch on the supply port 104 at first glance. However, when replenishing manually, it is easy to replenish so that the outer surface of the movable portion 3f of the cylindrical toner discharge portion 3 is along the inner edge 104c of the replenishing port 104. Can feel enough resistance. If the toner discharge port 8 of the refill bag 1 is not extremely smaller than the replenishment port 104, the toner discharge part 3 can be sufficiently prevented from coming off.

  The flange 3e is for preventing the toner supplied to the toner container 103 from scattering outside the container, and is appropriately set according to the size of the supply port 104. An annular member 3g made of a foamable resin such as a sponge may be provided on the surface of the flange portion 3e on the toner discharge port 8 side. When such an annular member 3g is provided, the toner discharge portion 3 can be moved in a state where the surface of the annular member 3g on the protrusion 9 side is in contact with the upper surface of the supply port 103. As a result, toner scattering can be further prevented.

In the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the toner discharge portion 3 is also molded with a polyethylene resin having hardness, but may be molded with a synthetic resin material that is soft and can be bent easily. In this case, since the cylindrical toner discharge portion 3 can be deformed,
R1 <X1
The dimensional relationship may be set so that

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  Example 3 is an example in which a plurality of protrusions 9 in Examples 1 and 2 are provided.

  16 is a cross-sectional view of a refill bag according to Example 3, FIG. 17 is a side view, and FIG. 18 is a perspective view. The refill bag 1 according to the third embodiment includes a main body portion 2 and a toner discharge portion 3. In the same way as in the first embodiment, the main body 2 stores a large amount of toner as a gusseted bag by crimping the edges of three polyethylene sheets, for example, two side portions 2-1, 2 and one bottom portion 3. It is formed so that it can be done. In the bag-shaped main body 2, a toner storage portion 21 that stores toner to be replenished is formed, and when the toner is stored in the toner storage portion 21, the gusset of the bottom portion 3 is opened and becomes independent ( FIG. 17 and FIG. 18). The thickness of the sheet | seat of the main-body part 2 is about 0.02-0.1 mm, and aluminum vapor deposition is given inside. In the case of forming in a bag shape, a flat sheet for forming two side surface parts 2-1, 2 and one bottom surface part 3 is crimped at the edge of the main body part 2 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Is done. As a result, the toner discharge portion 3 is provided integrally with the main body portion 2 of the refill bag 1.

  As in the refill bag 1 shown as a modified example in FIG. 11 of the first embodiment, the toner storage portion 21 is tapered with the upper space close to one long side as shown in FIG. This portion functions as the toner discharge unit 3. On the seal portion 3 a at the edge of the toner discharge portion 3, a protruding portion 9 with a burr is provided in pairs on both sides of the toner discharge portion 3. The plurality of protrusions 9 are formed of first to fourth protrusions 9-1, 2, 3, 4 (here, four stages), one of which is hooked on the inner edge 104 c of the toner replenishing port 104, and the refill bag at the time of filling. It is difficult to move even if I move 1. The refill bag 1 itself is the same as that of the first embodiment. In addition, it goes without saying that the toner discharge unit 3 may be provided with a plurality of protrusions 9 in the present embodiment relative to the main body 2 in the first embodiment. The toner is stored in a factory or the like and sealed.

  FIG. 19 is a front view of the refill bag 1. As can be seen from the figure, a plurality of symbols and lines are preprinted on the side surface of the toner discharge unit 3. In this example, the letters A, B, and C are printed as symbols, and the first to third lines 9-1a, 2a, and 3a are printed thereunder. The first to third lines 9-1a, 2a, 3a are drawn at locations corresponding to the base ends 9a (see FIG. 1) of the first to third protrusions 9-1, 2, 3. When the toner discharge portion 3 is cut along any one of the first to third lines 9-1a, 2a, 3a, toner supply ports 8 having different sizes can be formed.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state cut along the line. 19A is cut along the first line 9-1a in FIG. 19, FIG. 19B is cut along the second line 9-2a, and FIG. 14C is cut along the third line 9-3a. The state of the refill bag 1 is shown. As shown in FIG. 19, the width dimension of the base end of the first to fourth protrusions 9-1 to 9-1-4 is set so as to increase from the front end to the base end. Thereby, when cut | disconnected by either the 1st thru | or 3rd line | wire 9-1a, 2a, 3a, a large supply port can be formed, so that it goes to the base end part side.

  Further, in order to make the opening width of the toner discharge port 8 suitable for the size of the toner supply port 104 of the toner container 103, the type of the developing device and the image forming apparatus are specifically provided at the mechanisms A, B, and C. The manufacturer and model may be described. Specifically described, the user can form the optimum toner discharge port 8 without hesitation. Note that the cut surface is not limited to being horizontal, but may be indicated obliquely in the drawing. In this case, it goes without saying that the positions of the first to third protrusions 9-1 to 3 are also located in an oblique direction. Further, the portions corresponding to the first to third lines 9-1a, 2a, 3a may be recessed or perforated. In this way, the toner discharge port 8 can be formed accurately and easily.

  FIG. 20A shows a state in which the first toner discharge port 8-1 is opened by cutting along the first line 9-1a. FIG. 20B shows a state in which the second toner discharge port 8-2 is opened by cutting along the second line 9-2a. FIG. 20C shows a state where the third toner discharge port 8-3 is opened by cutting along the third line 9-3a.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state where the refill bag 1 according to the present embodiment is inserted into the toner supply port 104 of the toner container 103 and toner is supplied. As can be seen from the drawing, the toner discharge section 3 having the second toner discharge port 8-2 opened by being cut along the second line 9-2 a is inserted into the toner supply port 104. At that time, one of the plurality of protrusions is caught on the inner edge 104 c of the toner supply port 104. Since this storage bag has a plurality of protrusions, it is inserted until it is caught, and toner is supplied at that position. At this time, even if the refill bag 1 is shaken, one of the protruding portions 9-4 indicated by an arrow D5 shown in FIG. 5 is caught on the inner edge 104c, so that the toner discharge portion 3 is difficult to come out of the toner supply port 103. As a result, toner replenishment can be performed with no toner spillage and almost no toner scattering. The toner is supplied from a second toner discharge port 8-2 formed by cutting along the second line 9-2a.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state during toner supply when the toner supply port 104 is large. When the toner supply port 104 is large as shown in FIG. 22, for example, the toner supply port 104 is cut at the third line 9-3 a and inserted into the toner supply port 104. In the example of FIG. 22, toner is supplied from the third toner discharge port 8-3. In this example, since the opening area of the toner discharge port is larger than that of the second toner discharge port 8-2 shown in FIG. 21, toner can easily enter and toner can be replenished or filled efficiently. At that time, as shown in FIG. 23, even if the refill bag 1 is shaken as indicated by an arrow D6, the fourth protrusion 9-4 is positioned inside the toner supply port 104, so that the toner discharge unit 3 supplies the toner. It is possible to prevent the mouth 104 from coming out.

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing a state when the toner discharge portion 3 of the refill bag 1 is cut. The figure shows a state when cutting at the position of the second line 9-2a. In the cutting operation, for example, when the second protrusion 9-2 and the third protrusion 9-3 are each gripped by hand and force is applied in the direction of tearing, the base end 9-2b of the second protrusion 9-2 It tears and the 2nd discharge port 8-2 opens. This state is shown in FIG. Since the toner discharge portion 3 is formed in a flat shape that can be easily picked as shown in FIG. 24, the refill bag 1 can be easily cut. As described above, if there is a perforation at this position, it becomes easier to cut. Moreover, it cannot be overemphasized that it may cut | disconnect using cutting tools, such as pinching.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  The fourth embodiment is an example in which the toner discharge portion 3 in the first embodiment is configured by a flexible member.

  FIG. 25 is a front view of the refill bag according to the fourth embodiment. The refill bag 1 according to the fourth embodiment includes a main body portion 2 and a toner discharge portion 3. In the same way as in the first embodiment, the main body 2 stores a large amount of toner as a gusseted bag by crimping the edges of three polyethylene sheets, for example, two side portions 2-1, 2 and one bottom portion 3. It is formed so that it can be done. In the bag-shaped main body 2, a toner storage portion for storing toner to be replenished is formed, and when the toner is stored in the toner storage portion, the gusset of the bottom portion 3 is opened and becomes independent. The thickness of the sheet | seat of the main-body part 2 is about 0.02-0.1 mm, and aluminum vapor deposition is given inside. In the case of forming in a bag shape, a planar sheet for forming two side portions and one bottom portion is pressed at the edge of the main body portion 2 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  The toner discharge portion 3 is provided at one end of the main body portion 2 and is made of a sheet-like flexible member that communicates with the toner storage portion inside the main body portion 2. The toner discharging unit 3 is in a state where the two sheets are soft and have no waist except when the toner is replenished, in other words, when the toner does not pass through the inside. Similarly to the first embodiment, the toner discharge section 3 in this embodiment is sandwiched between two sheets of the main body section 2 and bonded and integrated. In this embodiment, the toner discharge port 8 at the tip of the toner discharge portion 3 is formed in an annular shape from a rubber-like member (hereinafter referred to as an annular portion 8b). Naturally, the rubber-like member has flexibility, but since the flexibility is formed in a so-called donut shape having a predetermined thickness, it is deformed when an external force is applied, but the external force is released. And having a characteristic of returning to a predetermined annular shape. In other words, the shape of the rubber-like member is retained by elasticity, but deformation by an external force is allowed.

  With this configuration, the annular portion 8b of the toner discharge port 8 at the tip of the toner discharge unit 3 is deformed (rounded down or the like) regardless of the shape of the toner supply port 104 of the toner container 103 that is a toner supply target. A toner discharge port 8 can be inserted. After the toner discharge port 8 is inserted into the toner supply port 104, the annular portion 8b is caught by the inner edge 104c of the toner supply port 104 as shown in the explanatory view showing the state of toner supply in FIG. The toner can be supplied without the outlet 8 being removed from the toner supply port 104.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of the toner supply port 104 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 27A shows a circular shape and FIG. 27B shows a rectangular shape. In this embodiment, the shape of the toner supply port 104 is such that the annular member 8 b of the toner discharge port 8 is deformed and can be inserted into the toner supply port 104, and the annular member 8 b is the inner edge of the toner supply port 104. Any shape and size may be used as long as the shape and size satisfy both of the two, that is, they cannot be easily detached when the toner is replenished by being hooked on 104c.

  FIG. 28 is a view showing the shape of the periphery of the toner supply port 104. FIG. 28A shows an example in which an annular protrusion 104f having a rectangular (or square) cross section is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the toner supply port 104, and FIG. 28B shows an example in which the inner peripheral edge 104a of the toner supply port 104 is flat. FIG. 28C shows an example in which an annular protrusion 104g having a cross-sectional shape that extends outward with respect to the toner supply port 104 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the toner supply port 104. In this embodiment, it is intended that the annular member 8b is hooked inside the toner supply port 104 so that the toner discharge portion 3 is not detached, but the toner supply port having a shape as shown in FIG. 104, in the configuration in which there is a groove 104h formed between the protrusion 104g and the toner container 103, the groove 104h formed on the back side of the protrusion 104g is covered with the annular member 8b and used. You can also

  In this way, the annular member 8b is hooked on the toner replenishing port 104, and while maintaining this state, the refill bag 1 is shaken up and down with respect to the toner container 103 or the side wall surface of the refill bag 1 is repelled. The toner is discharged from the discharge port 8 and replenished with toner. When the toner replenishment is completed to the desired filling amount and the operation is completed, the refill bag 1 is rotated (for example, in the direction of arrow D7) as shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. As a result, the toner supply unit 3 made of a flexible member is twisted, and the toner discharge port 8 of the refill bag 1 is sealed. Thereafter, the twisted portion is sandwiched between fingers, and the annular member 8 b of the toner supply port 8 is pulled out from the toner supply port 8. Thereby, scattering of the toner when the refill bag 1 is pulled out can be reliably prevented.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a manner of closing the toner discharge port 8 in this embodiment. This corresponds to the closing example of the toner discharge port 8 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the toner discharge portion 3 is made of a sheet material made of a flexible member. When the toner is not replenished, the toner discharge portion 3 is soft and has no waist. Therefore, after the refill bag 1 is filled with replenishing toner, the toner discharge portion 3 is folded to the main body portion 2 side and pressed from above with the tape 2k and stopped, and the toner discharge port 8 is closed. In this case, the annular member 8b is fixed to the side surface of the main body 2 with the tape 2k while the opening is pressed in a state substantially parallel to the side surface.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the toner discharge unit 3 according to the present exemplary embodiment. The first modification is an example in which the annular member 8b provided in the toner discharge port 8 is provided in two stages. That is, the first annular member 8b1 provided at the tip of the toner discharge port 8 of the toner discharge portion 3 and the second annular member 8b2 provided at a predetermined interval are used. It is sufficient that the distance between the two is sufficient to sandwich at least the protrusion 104 f provided on the outer peripheral edge of the toner supply port 104. As a result, the inner edge 104c of the toner replenishing port 104 is caught between the inner side and the outer side. In this state, the toner can be replenished by shaking the refill bag 1 or repelling the side surface.

  If the annular member 8b has only one stage of the first annular member 8b1, the toner discharge port 8 and the annular member 8b1 may move downward when the refill bag 1 is moved downward. When the annular members 8b1 and 8b2 are provided in two stages as shown in FIG. 30, the second annular member 8b2 is also caught on the upper side, so that the toner discharge port 8 falls below the toner supply port 104. There is nothing, and stable toner replenishment becomes possible.

  FIG. 32 is a view showing a modification 2 of the refill bag in the present embodiment shown in FIG. The refill bag 1 according to the second modification is an example in which the lower end of the toner discharge portion 3 (the end portion on the side opposite to the toner discharge port) is connected to the entire edge of the opening of the upper end portion of the main body portion 2. Thus, the toner discharge unit 3 functions as a funnel 102 shown in FIG. 53 as a whole. With this configuration, since the annular member 8b is provided at the toner discharge port 8 at the tip of the toner discharge unit 3, if the annular member 8b is inserted into the toner supply port 104, it is stored in the main body unit 2. Toner is replenished by the toner falling to the toner discharge portion 3.

  FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the refill bag 1 according to Modification 3 of the present embodiment. A refill bag 1 according to this modification includes a main body 2 and a toner supply unit 3. The toner supply unit 3 further includes a toner guide unit 31 and a toner discharge unit 32. In addition, although mentioned later, since the refill bag 1 which concerns on this modification comprises the main-body part 2 with the hard raw material, the refill bag 1 which comprised the main-body part 2 with the hard raw material is hereafter called the refill package 1a. .

  The main body portion 2 of the refill package 1a is formed in a cylindrical shape, and toner is stored in the toner storage portion 21 with the internal space of the cylindrical portion formed in the cylindrical shape as a toner storage portion 21. In the third modification, the diameter of the cylindrical portion is, for example, 3 cm and the length is 26 cm, and about 60 g of toner can be stored in the internal space. Naturally, the diameter of the main body 2 can be increased to increase the amount of toner stored in the toner storage 21. However, since the toner does not flow well if the diameter of the toner storage portion 21 is increased with respect to the toner guide portion 31, the diameter of the toner storage portion 21 is less than twice the diameter of the toner guide portion 31, that is, in this modification example. 6 cm or less is desirable. Moreover, since it will become difficult to handle if it is too long, the length of 30 cm or less is easy to handle.

  The toner guide portion 31 is formed of a deformable vinyl material cylinder. By twisting this portion, the toner stored in the toner storage unit 21 can be sealed.

  FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing a state when the toner guide portion 31 is opened, and FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the state when the toner guide portion 31 is sealed from the toner discharge port 32 side.

  The toner discharge port 32 is inserted into the opening of the refill container (toner container 103, AIO [All In One] process cartridge [hereinafter the same]), that is, the toner supply port 104. In a state where the toner discharge port 32 is inserted into the refill container (toner container 103), the twist of the toner guide part 31 is released to release the toner guide part 31 from the closed state, and the toner is refilled from the toner storage part 21 into the refill container ( Refill the toner container 103).

  In this case, when the refill bag (container) 1 shown in FIG. 33 is refilled vertically, the toner in the toner storage unit 21 falls by its own weight, and the refill is completed in about 1 second. Even if toner remains on the inner wall surface of the toner storage portion 21 of the refill package 1a, the toner guide portion 31 bends, so that only the toner storage portion 21 is shaken without moving the refill container (toner container 103). Can be dropped. As described above, the third modification is much faster and easier to handle than the conventional refill using the funnel 102.

  FIG. 36 is a perspective view for explaining the material of the refill package 1a shown in FIG. In the figure, the main body 2 is composed of a storage portion connecting portion 23 which is a connecting portion between the storage portion main body 22 and the toner guide portion 31.

  The material of the toner discharge portion 32 is preferably a material harder than the toner guide portion 31. Therefore, plastics such as ABS (Acrylonitorile-Butadiene-Styrene), PS (Polystyrene), and PET (Polyethylenterephtalate) are particularly suitable. Since the material of the toner guide portion 31 needs to be twisted, a material that is softer and more flexible than the toner discharge portion 32 and the toner storage portion 21 is desirable. Therefore, a rubber material mainly composed of elastic latex or polyurethane is particularly suitable. As the material of the storage portion connection portion 23 of the main body portion 2, a plastic material having a certain degree of hardness, such as ABS, PS, and PET, is suitable as with the toner discharge portion 32.

  In this way, the toner guide portion 31 can be easily twisted by configuring the toner discharge portion 32 and the storage portion connection portion 23 with a hard material and the toner guide portion 31 with a soft material. As a result, the toner guide 31 can be easily sealed.

  Since the material of the storage unit body 22 of the toner storage unit 21 can be variously selected depending on the application, it will be described later as a modification.

  FIG. 37 is a perspective view for explaining the refill package 1a according to the fourth modification.

  In the third modification shown in FIG. 36, the toner guide portion 31 is made of a stretchable member. When a flexible member made of a vinyl material is twisted as a stretchable member as shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, wrinkles 31a are formed on the vinyl. At a twist angle of about ½ rotation, the toner may leak along the wrinkles 31a. Of course, if the torsion angle is increased and the screw is twisted about 1.5 to 2 times, even if the wrinkle 31a is formed, no leakage occurs. However, switching between sealing and opening with a small torsion angle is easier to handle because the user's action is smaller.

  Therefore, in the fourth modification, a stretchable member is used as the material of the toner guide portion 31. Thus, when the toner is twisted, a tension is applied to the toner guide portion 31, and toner leakage does not occur even at a small twist angle.

As shown in FIG. 37, the diameter C of the toner guide portion 31 is larger than the length B of the toner guide portion 31. That is,
C> B
It has become.

  When the diameter C is equal to the length B or smaller than the length B, almost no tension is applied to the expansion / contraction member by twisting about 1/2 turn. As a result, it is necessary to increase the torsion angle for sealing. On the other hand, when the diameter C is slightly larger than the length B, the tension member is tensioned when twisted, and the toner does not leak from the wrinkles 31a or the like. In this modified example 4, there was no leakage at 1/2 to 3/4 rotation. In addition, as an expansion-contraction member, the thin thing about 0.1 mm in thickness which has a natural rubber and a polyurethane as a main component is especially suitable.

  FIG. 38 is a perspective view for explaining the refill package 1a according to the fifth modification.

  In the refill package 1a shown in FIG. 38, the cross-sectional area S1 of the toner storage portion 21 is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area S2 of the toner guide portion 31 and the toner discharge portion 32. With such a shape, the toner guide portion 31 is untwisted and at the same time the toner falls very smoothly, so that the refill can be completed quickly and the refill time can be shortened most. Further, in order to keep the shape of the main body 2 stable, a member having a certain degree of hardness, such as PET, is used for the main body 2. Moreover, the whole storage part has a hexagonal shape and prevents rolling when placed sideways.

  FIG. 39 is a perspective view for explaining the refill bag 1 according to the sixth modification.

  In the refill bag 1 according to the modification shown in FIG. 39, the storage unit body 22 of the body unit 2 is made of a film material. The small volume refill has the advantage that the film material is cheap and easy to handle. The storage unit main body 22 is made of a film material as shown in FIG. 39, and the peripheries 24 of the two films are laminated to form a bag shape. A transparent portion 25 is provided in a part of the storage portion main body 22 so that the remaining amount of toner inside can be visually recognized. By providing the transparent portion 25 in this way, it can be understood immediately whether or not the refill has been completed.

  The storage unit main body 22 has a shape that smoothly spreads from the toner guide unit 31 toward the bottom. By doing so, the toner smoothly flows to the toner discharge portion 32 side, so that the refill can be completed quickly.

  FIG. 40 is a view for explaining the material of the storage unit main body 22 of the refill bag 1 shown in FIG. In the present modification, only the storage portion connection portion 23 that is a connection portion with the toner guide portion 31 is made of a plastic material (ABS, PS, PET, etc.) having a certain degree of hardness, and the main body portion 2 is formed as shown in FIG. A soft member (60 μm PET, 15 μm Ny, 7 μm Al, 60 μm CPP composite film material) having an appropriate stiffness as shown in FIG. This configuration is preferable from the viewpoint of cost, particularly in a small-capacity package. By using an aluminum film for the intermediate layer, it is possible to prevent an abrupt increase in temperature even when temporarily placed in a place exposed to direct sunlight, and to prevent quality deterioration such as solidification and aggregation of toner. CPP is non-axially oriented polypropylene (Cast PolyPolypropylene).

  For the transparent portion, a plastic material (60 μm PET, 15 μm Ny, 60 μm CPP composite film material) as shown in FIG. 40B is used.

  FIG. 41 is a perspective view for explaining a refill package 1a according to Modification 7.

  In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 41, the entire main body 2 may be made of PET and may have a funnel shape 25 that spreads smoothly from the toner guide 31. Such a shape can increase the capacity, and is particularly suitable when a large capacity refill is required.

  When a large-capacity bottle is left in the vertical direction for a long time, it may be compressed by the weight of the toner and a loose aggregate may be formed. For this reason, the bottom portion 26 of the storage unit main body 22 has a rounded shape so that it cannot be stood up, and the side surface has a hexagonal shape to prevent rolling.

  FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the guide portion 31 in the third to seventh modifications.

  In the example shown in FIG. 42, as shown in FIG. 42A, arrows 32a and 23a are provided as "indicators" on the opposite sides of the toner discharge portion 32 and the storage portion connection portion 23 of the main body portion 2. The positions to which the arrows 32a and 23a are attached are positions where the tips of the arrows 32a and 23a coincide with each other in a state where they are twisted and sealed. If such a mark is made, the tips of the arrows 32a and 23a coincide with each other in the sealed position as shown in FIG. 42 (b). The user can understand that Thereby, it is possible to prevent the toner guide portion 31 from being twisted unnecessarily and being damaged.

  FIGS. 43 and 44 are explanatory views showing an example of the toner discharge section 32 that is suitable for application to the third to seventh modifications. In this example, when the toner storage portion 21 is sealed with the toner guide portion 31, a part of the toner discharge portion 32 is configured to enter the toner storage portion 21.

  FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a principal part showing the relationship between the toner discharge section 32, the toner guide section 31, and the toner storage section 21, wherein FIG. 43 (a) shows a state before sealing, and FIG. 43 (b) shows a state after sealing. Show. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the relationship between the toner discharge portion 32, the toner guide portion 31, and the toner storage portion 21, in which FIG. 44 (a) shows the state before sealing, and FIG. Respectively.

  43 and 44, a male screw portion 32b and a female screw portion 23b are provided on the outer surface of the toner discharge portion 32 and the inner surface of the storage portion connecting portion 23 of the main body portion 2, respectively. 43 (a) and 44 (a), the male threaded portion 32b of the toner discharging portion 32 is screwed into the female threaded portion 23b of the accommodating portion connecting portion 23, and the accommodating portion is rotated while spiraling along the screw thread. Insert inside. As a result, the toner guide portion 31 is twisted and the toner storage portion 21 is sealed as shown in FIGS. 43 (b) and 44 (b).

  In the sealed state, the toner discharge portion 32 protrudes from the storage portion by a length L2 = 5 mm. The reason why the length L2 is set to 5 mm is that it is difficult to turn with a finger, but is a length that can be easily turned when the tip of the toner discharge portion 32 is inserted into the toner supply port 104 such as AIO. If the length is such that this portion can be easily rotated with a finger (for example, about 1 cm), there is a possibility that the user may turn the device in an interesting manner and spill the toner. In addition, when this length is about 1 mm and short, even if it is engaged with the toner replenishing port 104 of the AIO, it is easily detached and the toner may overflow during refilling. Taking this into consideration, the length L2 of the protruding portion is particularly preferably 3 mm to 7 mm.

  In this modification, a pair of protrusions 32 c are provided on the outer periphery of the tip of the toner discharge portion 32. This protrusion corresponds to the protrusion 9 shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, for example.

  With this configuration, a part of the toner discharge portion 32 enters the inside of the main body portion 2 when sealed, so that the toner discharge portion 32 rotates unintentionally during transportation and the like, and the toner guide portion The twist of 31 does not unravel and the toner does not overflow from the toner storage unit 21. This example is particularly suitable when the toner guide portion 31 is a rubber-like material.

  FIG. 45 is a perspective view of an essential part of a refill package 1a including a lid of a toner discharge portion 32 that is suitable for Modifications 3 to 7.

  A lid 33 can be attached to the toner discharge portion 32 of the refill package 1a. By attaching the lid 33 in this way, it is possible to prevent the toner from leaking due to unintentional twisting during transportation. Although not shown inside the lid 33, a desiccant is affixed, and the toner can be stored in a moisture-proof state. Silica gel or the like can be used as the desiccant. For the moisture-proof storage of the toner, there is a conventional configuration in which the entire toner bottle is sealed with a vinyl package and a desiccant is enclosed. However, in the configuration in which the toner is sealed with the lid 33 as in this example, the toner bottle is placed inside the lid 33. Pasting is the simplest and cost-effective.

  The material of the lid 33 is preferably the same ABS, PS, PET, etc. as the toner discharge part 32. When PET is used for the toner discharge unit 32, the lid 33 is most sealed and has a high moisture-proof effect when PS resin, which is a material slightly softer than PET, is used.

  FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the refill package 1a with the lid 33 shown in FIG. 45 removed. As shown in the figure, a female screw 33 a is formed inside the lid 33, and a male screw 23 a is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the storage portion connecting portion 23 on the toner guide portion 31 side. The lid 33 has the female screw 33 a and the storage portion connecting portion 23. It is connected and sealed by screwing into the male screw 21a on the side.

  By providing the male screw 21a coupled to the lid 33 in the storage portion connection portion 23 of the refill package 1a as described above, the lid 33 can be tightly closed without twisting the toner guide portion 31. The inner diameter of the lid 33 is larger than the outer diameter of the toner discharge portion 32, and the lid 33 does not hit the toner discharge portion 32 when removed.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 47, the shape of the flange 33b provided on the lid 33 is a polygonal flange 33c, and the outer diameter da of the lid 33 is made larger than the diameter db of the main body 2. As a result, the toner package 1a itself can be prevented from rolling. This configuration is suitable when the toner storage unit 21 and the toner discharge unit 32 have substantially the same cross-sectional area as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 43, the toner discharge port 32d of the toner discharge portion 32 is provided with a pair of protrusions 32c on the outer peripheral portion as described above. FIG. 48 is a view for explaining a modified example of the protrusion 32c and its fitting state.

  FIG. 48A is a view showing a fitting state of the toner replenishing port 104 of the AIO that is a refill target container and the toner discharging portion 32, and FIG. 48B is a fitting state between the protrusion 32c and the fitting groove 104i. It is a figure which expands and shows the state of.

  As shown in FIG. 48 (e), the fitting groove 104i is formed as a square groove larger than the width L3 of the protruding portion of the protrusion 32c along the entire inner periphery of the toner replenishing port 104 of AIO. On the other hand, the protrusion 32c has a claw-like hook 32f at the tip. Further, grooves 32g (cuts) are provided on both sides of the protrusion 32c as shown in FIGS. 48 (c) and 48 (d). Thereby, the protrusion 32c is elastically deformed in the radial direction when a force is applied to the hook portion 32f.

  Therefore, when the toner discharge portion 32 is inserted into the toner replenishing port 104 of the process cartridge (AIO), the hooking portion 32f is pushed by the inner surface of the toner replenishing port 104 when moving inside the toner replenishing port 104. When it moves backward so as to come into sliding contact with the inner surface of the inner surface and reaches the fitting groove 104i, the elasticity is released and the hook portion 32f is fitted into the fitting groove 104i and fixed. As a result, the toner discharge portion 32 is not detached from the toner supply port 104 during refilling, and the toner being refilled does not spill out.

  The hooking portion 32f maintains the fitted state with a force that can be removed if it is pulled strongly against the fitting groove 104i. Therefore, after the refill is completed, the toner discharge portion 32 can be removed from the AIO toner supply port 104 by slightly pulling the refill package 1a.

  48C is a perspective view showing details of the toner discharge port 32g of the toner discharge portion 32, FIG. 48D is a front view of the toner discharge port 32g, and FIG. FIG.

  FIG. 49 is a diagram showing the relationship between the toner replenishing port 104 and the refill package 1a for preventing follow-up.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 48, when the fitting groove 104i is formed on the entire inner peripheral surface and the hooking portion 32f is hooked on the fitting groove 104i, the axial holding force acts, The holding force in the circumferential direction is weak, and when the toner storage portion 21 is rotated, the toner discharge portion 32 may be rotated. When the toner discharge portion 32 is rotated in this way, the twisted portion of the toner guide portion 31 is not released, and toner refill is not performed.

  Therefore, in order to prevent such rotation, in the example shown in FIG. 49, the rotation stop groove 104j and the rotation stop protrusion 32h are provided. The anti-rotation groove 104j is provided in the axial direction of the circular inner peripheral surface of the toner replenishing port 104 as shown in FIG. 6A, and the anti-rotation protrusion 32h is formed as a circular toner as shown in FIG. The discharge portion 32 protrudes in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface at the tip. The anti-rotation protrusion 32h is set so as to have a so-called loose-fitting fit relationship with the anti-rotation groove 104j. Note that the outer diameter of the toner discharge portion 32 is also loosely fitted with respect to the inner diameter of the toner supply port 104.

  By configuring the rotation stop groove 104j and the rotation stop protrusion 32h in this manner, the toner discharge portion 32 is prevented from rotating together with the toner storage portion 21 when attempting to release or release the twist of the toner guide portion 31. be able to.

  Note that the example of FIG. 49 is an example, and the fitting portion can be formed in a polygonal shape. In any case, it is sufficient that the toner discharge portion 32 has a shape that cannot move relative to the toner supply port 104 and can refill the toner.

  If the combination of the anti-rotation groove 104j and the anti-rotation protrusion 32h as shown in FIG. 49 is changed for each color, a color replenishment error can be physically prevented. FIG. 50 is a view of the four-color refill package 1a as viewed from the toner discharge portion 32 side. In FIG. 50, the refill packages 1a of four colors Bk, C, M, and Y are provided with two anti-rotation protrusions 32h, respectively, by changing the relative angles in the circumferential direction.

  In the Bk toner, the anti-rotation protrusion is indicated by the reference numerals 32h1 and 32h2, in the C toner by the positions indicated by reference numerals 32h3 and 32h4, in the M toner by the positions indicated by reference numerals 32h5 and 32h6, and in the Y toner by the reference signs 32h7 and 32h8. It is provided at each position shown. The anti-rotation groove 104j is provided at a position corresponding to the anti-rotation protrusions 32h1 to 32h8 for each color. As a result, the refill package 1a can be mounted only when the positions of the two match, and the toner can be refilled without causing a color replenishment error.

  This configuration can be applied not only to color incompatibility but also to model incompatibility, and it is possible to prevent an inappropriate toner from being replenished due to a difference in model.

  In the example shown in FIG. 42, the tips of the arrows 32a and 23a are aligned to correlate the twist angle of the toner guide portion 31 with the closed state, but the twisted state is maintained even when closed in this way. There is no guarantee that will be done.

  Therefore, in the example shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, the male screw portion 32b and the female screw portion 23b are provided, and the twisted state is maintained by screwing and fixing to the male screw portion 32b and the female screw portion 23b. Although this configuration is reliable, it is necessary to form the male screw portion 32b and the female screw portion 23b, and the cost increases accordingly.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 51, the toner discharge portion 32 and the storage portion connection portion 23 are attached and fixed with a tape 32j. Thereby, it is possible to prevent untwisting from being unintentionally released during movement. This configuration is the simplest and cheaper, but difficult to reuse.

  FIG. 52 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration in consideration of reuse of the refill package 1a, and is also a modification of the refill package 1a shown in FIGS. In this example, as shown in FIG. 52, a protruding portion 32k extending toward the storage portion connecting portion 23 is provided in the axial direction of the outer peripheral portion of the toner discharging portion 32, and a hole 32k1 is further provided at the distal end side of the protruding portion 32k. . The hole 32k1 is a hole into which the fixing protrusion 27 protruding from the outer surface of the toner discharge portion 32 is fitted.

  That is, in this example, as shown in FIGS. 52A and 52B, the toner storage portion 21 and the toner discharge portion 32 are fixed by fitting the fixing protrusions 27 protruding from the toner storage portion 21. It has become. This fitting position is a position where the toner guide portion 31 is twisted and closed.

  In order to release this fixed state, the pressing portion Ps of the toner discharge portion 32 shown in FIG. 52A is deformed by pushing the toner storage portion 21 in the direction of the arrow P until the protrusion is removed as shown in FIG. 52C. . As a result, the fixing protrusion 27 is not restrained, and the twist of the toner guide portion 21 can be released.

  Other parts not specifically described are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

1) In a refill bag 1 having a main body portion 2 for storing toner and a toner discharge portion 3 that is inserted into the toner container 103 and discharges the toner into the toner container 103, the toner discharge portion 3 is the toner container 103. When the toner container 103 is inserted into the toner container 103, the toner container 3 is provided with a protrusion 9 that catches the inner edge 104 c of the toner replenishing port 104 and applies a resistance so as not to come off from the inner edge 104 c of the toner discharge portion 3. When the toner discharge portion 3 of the refill bag 1 is about to come out from the toner replenishing port 104, resistance is generated, and it is possible to prevent the toner discharge portion 3 from unintentionally coming off and spilling toner. Further, since the protrusion 9 is not only fixed to the toner container 103 by being caught by the toner supply port 104, the refill is performed without moving the toner container 103 within the movable portion 3 c range Z of the toner discharge portion 3 of the refill bag 1. The toner can be efficiently supplied while shaking the bag 1.

2) Since the protrusion 9 of the toner discharge portion 3 only protrudes outward from the side portion of the toner discharge port 8, the toner discharge portion 3 can be easily caught by the toner supply port 104 with a simple structure, thereby preventing the toner discharge portion 3 from being unintentionally detached. be able to.

3) Since the toner discharge portion 3 is integrally formed with the main body portion 2 by the PE sheet, the refill bag 1 can be formed by a simple process. At this time, since the toner discharge portion 3 does not have shape retention, it can be easily deformed by an external force, for example, the weight of toner, the operation of a human hand, the shape of the toner supply port 104, or the like. As a result, it is possible to change the opening area and shape of the toner discharge portion 3 and increase the toner replenishment efficiency.

4) Since the toner discharge portion 3 is formed of a member having a shape-retaining property such as PE resin and is provided integrally with the main body portion 2 formed of a PE sheet, the toner discharge portion 3 is inserted into the toner supply port 104. Even if the refill bag 1 is shaken or the side of the main body 2 is picked up to promote toner replenishment, the state in which the protrusion 9 is hooked on the inner edge 104c of the toner replenishing port 104 is stably maintained. The toner can be replenished well.

5) The toner discharge port 8 side of the toner discharge portion 3 is formed in a tapered shape that is narrower than the base end side, and the protrusions 9 are multi-stages such as first to fourth protrusions 9-1, 2, 3, and 4, for example. Therefore, if the insertion amount of the toner discharge unit 3 is changed depending on the type of the toner container 103, it is possible to cope with a case where the size of the toner supply port 104 is different. As a result, it is possible to supply toner without causing toner spillage or scattering in various toner containers 103 with one refill bag 1.

6) Since the cutting portion is provided at the boundary between the first to fourth protrusions 9-1, 2, 3, and 4, the opening area can be selected by selecting and cutting the boundary. As a result, it is possible to replenish toner with an opening area of an appropriate size according to the size of the toner insertion opening 104, and the work efficiency of toner replenishment work can be improved.

7) Since the annular member 8b made of a flexible rubber-like member is provided as a protrusion on the periphery of the toner discharge port 8, the annular member 8b is deformed and pushed into the toner supply port 104, and the inner edge of the toner supply port 104 The toner discharge portion 3 can be prevented from being detached from the toner supply port 104 by being hooked inside 104 c. Thereby, toner replenishment can be performed efficiently while shaking the refill bag 1 without causing toner spillage or scattering.

8) Since the annular members 8b1 and 8b2 are provided in two stages, the toner can be replenished with the edge of the toner replenishing port 104 interposed therebetween. As a result, the toner discharge portion 3 does not fall into the toner container 103 and the operability is improved.

9) In a toner replenishment system that includes a refill bag 1 and a toner container 103 that receives toner from the refill bag 1, the refill bag 1 is inserted into the main body 2 that stores toner and the toner container 103, and the toner When the toner discharge unit 3 for discharging the toner into the container 103 and the toner discharge unit 3 are inserted into the toner container 103, the toner discharge unit 3 is caught by the inner edge 104c of the toner supply port 104 of the toner container 103, and the toner discharge unit 3 is detached. The toner supply port 104 of the toner container 103 has anisotropy, the width 104 in the longitudinal direction of the opening 104a of the toner supply port 104 is R1, and the toner discharge port 8 having the protrusion 9 is provided. When the dimension in the longitudinal direction on the side is X and the width dimension in the short direction of the opening 104a of the toner replenishing port 104 is R2, "R1> X> R2" Therefore, when the toner discharge portion 3 is inserted into the toner supply port 104, the toner discharge portion 3 can be inserted smoothly, and the toner discharge portion 3 is rotated relative to the opening portion 104a of the toner supply port 104. When toner is replenished, the protrusion 9 is caught by the inner edge 104 c of the toner replenishing port 104, and the toner discharge portion 3 can be made difficult to come off from the toner replenishing port 104. As a result, toner spillage and scattering during toner replenishment can be prevented.

10) In the relationship 9), when the width dimension of the toner discharge portion 3 is Y, the relationship of “Y> R2” is set, so that the toner discharge portion 3 is inserted into the toner supply port 104. , The side portion of the toner discharge portion 3 is pushed by the inner edge 104c of the toner supply port 104, and the toner discharge port 8 is opened. Thus, the toner can be replenished without the user performing the opening operation of the toner discharge port 8, and the operability can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the storage portion in the claims is the main body portion 2, the filling target portion is in the toner container 103, the discharge portion is in the toner discharge portion 3, the toner supply container is in the refill bag 1, and the insertion port is in the toner. In the replenishing port 104, the edge portion is the inner edge 104c, the separation resistance portion is on the projection 9, the separation resistance portion provided in multiple stages is on the first to fourth projections 9-1, 2, 3 and 4, and the cutting portion is The first to third lines 9-1a, 2a, and 3a correspond to the annular member 8b, and the two-stage annular members correspond to the first and second annular members 8b1 and 8b2.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, and all technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are included. The subject of the present invention. The above-described embodiments show preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various alternatives, modifications, variations, and improvements from the contents disclosed in the present specification. These are included in the technical scope described in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refill bag 2 Main-body part 3 Toner discharge part 8 Toner discharge port 8b Annular member 8b1, 8b2 1st and 2nd annular member 9 Protrusion 9-1,2,3,4 4 1st thru | or 4th protrusion 9-1a, 2a, 3a First to third lines 103 Toner container 104 Toner supply port 104a Opening portion 104c Inner edge

JP 7-333964 A

Claims (10)

A storage section for storing toner;
A discharge part that is inserted into the filling target part and discharges the toner to the filling target part;
In a toner supply container having
A toner replenishing container comprising a separation resistance portion that is hooked to an edge of an insertion port of the filling target portion and becomes a resistance of separation of the discharging portion when the discharging portion is inserted into the filling target portion. . The toner supply container according to claim 1,
The toner replenishing container, wherein the separation resistance portion protrudes outward from the discharge portion. The toner supply container according to claim 1 or 2,
A toner replenishing container, wherein the discharge portion is formed integrally with the storage portion by a sheet-like member. The toner supply container according to claim 1 or 2,
A toner replenishing container, wherein the discharge portion is formed of a member having shape retention and is provided integrally with the storage portion formed of a sheet-like member. The toner supply container according to claim 1 or 2,
The discharge portion is formed in a tapered shape that is narrower on the toner discharge port side,
A toner replenishing container, wherein the separation resistance portion is provided in multiple stages on the discharge portion. The toner supply container according to claim 5.
A toner replenishing container, wherein a cutting portion is provided at each step boundary of the multi-stage separation resistance portion. The toner supply container according to claim 1 or 2,
A toner replenishing container, wherein the separation resistance portion is made of a flexible annular member. The toner supply container according to claim 7.
A toner replenishing container, wherein the annular member is provided in two stages. In a toner supply system including a toner supply container and a toner container that receives toner supply from the toner supply container,
When the toner replenishing container is inserted into the toner container, the toner container is inserted into the toner container and the toner is discharged into the toner container, and the toner discharge container is inserted into the toner container. Hooked to the edge of the container insertion opening, equipped with a separation resistance part that becomes the separation resistance of the discharge part,
The insertion port of the toner container has anisotropy, the width dimension in the longitudinal direction of the insertion port is R1, the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the end portion to be inserted into the insertion port of the separation resistor is X, and When the width dimension in the short direction of the insertion port is R2,
R1>X> R2
A toner replenishing system characterized in that the relationship is set. The toner replenishing system according to claim 9.
When the width of the discharge part is Y,
Y> R2
A toner replenishing system characterized in that the relationship is set.