JP2015084112A - Developer housing unit, developing apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the load on an opening of a housing member of a developer when opened.SOLUTION: A developer housing unit includes: a developer housing member having an opening for discharging developer and housing the developer; a sealing member having a joint section which is jointed to the developer housing member to seal the opening; and an opening member for detaching the joint section of the sealing member from the developer housing member to expose the opening. The joint section includes a first joint section formed at a longitudinal end of the joint section, and a second joint section formed in a longitudinal center. The opening member is deflected when the joint section is detached from the housing member. When the joint section is detached from the developer housing member in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, the first joint section is detached earlier than the second joint section.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer storage unit, a developing device using the same, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

  Here, the image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using, for example, an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), electrophotographic A facsimile machine is included.

  The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a photoconductor as an image carrier and a process unit such as a developing unit acting on the photoconductor are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body. It is what.

  In a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The method is adopted.

  In such a cartridge, as shown in FIG. 14, the opening provided in the developer storage container 100 for storing the developer (toner, carrier, etc.) is sealed with a sealing member 101 composed of a seal member or the like. . In addition, a method is widely adopted in which the opening is opened by peeling the joint portion 102 of the sealing member 101 during use so that the developer can be supplied (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Further, a device has been devised in which the developer container 100 can be deformed against the scattering of the developer into the cartridge machine during the developer filling process during the manufacture of the cartridge (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-66980 US Published Patent 2011/286768

  However, if the toner seal is to be peeled off at a time, the torque required for the opening becomes large, and there is a possibility that a large load is applied to the motor of the image forming apparatus main body. For this reason, if the output standard of the motor of the image forming apparatus main body is increased, the motor becomes larger, or a high output motor is required, which increases costs.

  The present invention makes it possible to reduce the load on the motor when the opening of the developer storage member is opened.

Therefore, the present invention provides
A developer storage member having an opening for discharging the developer and storing the developer;
A sealing member having a joining portion that joins the developer containing member so as to seal the opening;
An opening member for exposing the opening by peeling the joint portion of the sealing member from the developer storage member;
The joint has a first joint at the end in the longitudinal direction of the joint and a second joint at the center in the longitudinal direction,
The opening member bends when the joining portion is peeled from the storage member, and the first joining portion is peeled off when the joining portion peels from the developer housing member in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction. Provides a developer storage unit characterized in that it is peeled off before the second joint portion.

The present invention also provides:
A developer containing portion having an opening for discharging the developer and containing the developer;
A sealing member having a joining portion joined to the developer accommodating portion so as to seal the opening;
An opening member for exposing the opening by separating the joint portion of the sealing member from the developer accommodating portion;
A frame body having the storage portion and storing the opening member therein,
The joint has a first joint at the end in the longitudinal direction of the joint and a second joint at the center in the longitudinal direction,
The opening member bends when the joining portion is peeled from the storage member, and the first joining portion is peeled off when the joining portion peels from the developer housing member in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction. Provides a developer storage unit characterized in that it is peeled off before the second joint portion.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a developing device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus using these developer storage units.

  According to the present invention, when the developer housing member is opened, the load on the motor can be reduced by shifting the peeling timing. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the cost by suppressing the output standard of the motor.

It is explanatory drawing of the opening member periphery in embodiment of this invention. It is a main sectional view of a process cartridge in an embodiment of the invention. 1 is a main cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developer storage container in the embodiment of the present invention. It is detail drawing of the discharge part periphery in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective sectional view showing the shape of an opening member in an embodiment of the invention. It is a cross-sectional enlarged view of the opening member periphery in embodiment of this invention. Deflection model of a beam with equally distributed weight acting on a simple beam. It is explanatory drawing of the opening member periphery in the form of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional enlarged view of the opening member edge part in the form of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional enlarged view of the center part of the opening member in the form of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit structure in the form of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a prior art.

  In the following description, the developer storage container indicates at least a flexible container and a sealing member that seals an opening for discharging the developer provided in the flexible container.

[First Embodiment]
2 is a main cross-sectional view of a process cartridge having a developer storage unit to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 3 is a main cross-sectional view of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

<Process cartridge>
The process cartridge includes an image carrier that is an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means that acts on the image carrier, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, a developing device for forming an image on the image carrier, and a developer (including toner, carrier, etc.) remaining on the surface of the image carrier are removed. There are cleaning means for.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge A according to this embodiment includes a charging roller 12 as a charging unit around a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier, and a cleaning unit 14 having elasticity as a cleaning unit. 24. Further, the process cartridge A includes a developer storage unit 25 having a first frame 17 and a second frame 18. The process cartridge A is configured such that the cleaner unit 24 and the developer storage unit 25 are integrated, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body B as shown in FIG. The developing device 38 includes a developing roller (developer carrier) 13 as a developing means, a developing blade 15, a developer supply roller 23, and a developer storage member (developer storage member) 34 as a flexible container. A developer container 26 having a stop member 19 is provided. The developing roller 13 and the developing blade 15 are supported by the first frame 17.

<Image forming apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridge A is mounted on the image forming apparatus main body B and used for image formation. In image formation, a sheet S is conveyed from a sheet cassette 6 mounted at the lower part of the apparatus by a conveying roller 7, and in synchronism with the sheet conveyance, a photosensitive drum 11 is selectively exposed from an exposure device 8 to form a latent image. Form. The developer is supplied to the developing roller 13 by a sponge-like developer supply roller 23 and is carried on the surface of the developing roller 13 by a developing blade 15. By applying a developing bias to the developing roller 13, a developer is supplied in accordance with the latent image and developed into a developer image. This image is transferred to the conveyed sheet S by applying a bias voltage to the transfer roller 9. The sheet S is conveyed to the fixing device 10 to fix the image, and is discharged by the discharge roller 1 to the discharge unit 3 at the top of the device.

<Developer storage unit>
Next, the configuration of the developer storage unit 25 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the developer storage unit 25 before opening, and FIG. 5 is a cut perspective view of the developer storage container 26. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the developer storage unit 25 of this embodiment includes a developer storage container 26, a developing roller 13, a developing blade 15, and a first frame 17 and a second frame 18 that support them. Consists of A combination of the first frame 17 and the second frame 18 is a frame for storing the developer storage container 26.

  In the present embodiment, the developer storage unit 25 is the same as the developing device 38. This is because the developer storage unit 25 has the developing roller 13 and the developing blade 15. However, the developing roller 13 and the developing blade 15 may be supported by a separate frame from the developer storage unit 25 and separated from the developer storage unit 25. In this case, the developing device 38 includes the developer storage unit 25, the developing roller 13, and the developing blade 15.

(Developer container)
As shown in FIG. 5, the developer storage container 26 includes a developer storage member 34, a sealing member 19, and an opening member 20, and is a flexible container that can store a powder developer therein. . The developer storage member 34 includes a molding portion 34a formed by vacuum forming, pressure forming, and press molding of a sheet-like material, and a ventilation portion 34b that is sheet-like and has air permeability without allowing toner to pass therethrough. Here, as a method of joining the molding portion 34a and the ventilation portion 34b, there are thermal welding, laser welding, adhesive, adhesive tape, and the like. A fixed portion 34g for fixing the developer accommodating member 34 to the frame body is provided in part on the outer peripheral portion 34c of the developer accommodating member 34. Further, the developer storage member 34 is provided with a discharge portion 35 that is an opening for discharging the developer.

  Before the process cartridge A is used, the sealing member 19 is joined to the developer accommodating member 34 so as to cover the discharge portion 35, and the developer is sealed in the developer accommodating member 34. The sealing member 19 is composed of a flexible sheet-like member, and has a joint portion joined to the developer storage member 34 so as to seal the opening. Then, when the process cartridge A is started to be used, it is peeled off from the developer storage member 34, whereby the joint portion is peeled off to expose the opening, and the developer can be discharged from the developer storage container 26.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the sealing member 19 is connected by an opening member 20 and an engaged portion 19b, and the opening member 20 is connected to a first support portion 18d of a second frame 18 and a first support portion 18d. The second support portion 18f (see FIG. 1) is rotatably supported. The unsealing member 20 has a rotation axis in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the sealing member 19, and a driving force is transmitted by a driving means (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus main body B so that the direction is an arrow C direction. Rotate to. Thereby, the sealing member 19 can be wound up and the discharge part 35 can be exposed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the developer storage container 26 is fixed to the internal space formed by the first frame 17 and the second frame 18 by the fixed portion 34g. Here, it is preferable that the discharge portion 35 is in a posture at the time of image formation so as to easily discharge the stored developer. Therefore, the discharge unit 35 is arranged so as to face vertically downward in the posture during image formation. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, by providing the opening of the developer storage member at a position corresponding to the lower side of the developer storage member, the stored developer is used without remaining in the member. Is possible.

(Discharge part)
Next, the structure of the discharge unit 35 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the periphery of the discharge portion 35 provided in the developer accommodating member 34.

  A state in which the sealing member 19 is joined to the developer accommodating member 34 is shown. The sealing member 19 seals the opening 35a formed in the molding portion 34a, and exposes the opening 35a by being moved. The moving direction of the sealing member 19 (the direction pulled by the opening member 20) is the direction D. Due to the movement of the sealing member 19, the joint is peeled off, and the opening 35 a is exposed in the opening direction E.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the discharge portion 35 includes an opening 35a formed with a plurality of holes for discharging the internal developer, and a connecting portion 35b that connects the plurality of openings 35a. The openings 35a and the connecting portions 35b are arranged in a line in a direction F perpendicular to the opening direction E.

  Here, each of the plurality of openings 35a of the first embodiment has a round shape. Further, the discharge unit 35 is configured to continuously surround the periphery of the discharge unit 35 with the bonding unit 22 with the sealing member 19, seal the developer stored in the developer storage member 34 by being detachably bonded. Yes.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6A, the joining portion 22 is composed of two linear adhesion portions in the long direction (direction F) and two linear adhesion portions in the short direction (direction E). The discharge portion 35 can be sealed by forming a continuously-enclosed “b” shape. Here, of the two joint portions 22 welded in the long direction (direction F), the one opened first is referred to as a joint portion A22a, and the one opened later is referred to as a joint portion B22b. Moreover, the junction part A has a 1st junction part and a 2nd junction part, and the junction part 22 which opposes junction part A22a on both sides of the opening 35a is junction part B22b. Also, the short-direction joint 22 is referred to as a short joint 22c. In this embodiment, the opening direction is the direction E. The opening direction is defined as follows. When the sealing member 19 is moved for opening, the joint A22a is opened (peeled) first at the joint A22a and the joint B22b across the opening 35a. At that time, the opening timings of the first joint portion and the second joint portion are different, and the first joint portion is peeled (opened) first. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first joint portion includes a region 22 a 1 of the joint portion A that overlaps the short joint portion 22 c and an opening disposed on the outermost side and the short joint portion. It may be a sandwiched region 22a2 or a combined region (22a1 + 22a2). On the other hand, the second joint portion may be a region 22a3 at the center in the longitudinal direction of the joint portion A or a region 22a4 sandwiched between the openings.

  Moreover, although the linear adhesion | attachment part is extended in the longitudinal direction of a junction part, you may extend diagonally instead of parallel to the longitudinal direction of a junction part. Similarly, in the present embodiment, the bonded portion is linear, but is not limited thereto.

<Opening material>
Next, the opening member 20 of this embodiment is demonstrated in detail using FIG. 1, FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view around the opening member 20. FIG. 7 is a perspective sectional view of the opening member 20 showing another shape.

  The opening member 20 is for the purpose of moving the sealing member 19 and peeling it off from the developer storage member 34. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A shows an arrangement relationship between the opening member 20, the discharge portion 35, the sealing member 19, the first support portion 18d provided on the second frame 18, and the second support portion 18f. It is a figure. FIG. 1B is a view showing the shape of the opening member 20, and FIG. 1C is a view in the middle of opening the sealing member 19 by the opening member 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 4, the unsealing member 20 has an axial shape that is longer than the width of the sealing member 19, and has a supported portion 20f at one end in the rotational axis direction. Is supported by the first support portion 18d, and the supported portion 20g at the other end is rotatably supported by the second support portion 18f.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.1 (b) and FIG.1 (c), the unsealing member 20 has a U-shaped cross section, and has the engaging part 20b engaged with a sealing member. A mating surface and an opposing surface facing the engaging surface; Further, a plurality of reinforcing portions 20e for reinforcing the opening member are provided between the engaging surface and the opposing surface. It is preferable to provide a plurality of reinforcing portions with a space between them, and the number of reinforcing portions may be increased in order to increase the strength. In FIG.1 (b), since the space | interval between reinforcement parts becomes small toward the edge part, and the space | interval is large in the center, the edge part is stronger than the center.

  Here, the shape of the opening member 20 is not only a U-shaped cross section, but also an H-shaped cross section (see FIG. 7A) or a hollow angular shaft (a square shape) (see FIG. 7B). ) Etc.

  Moreover, the opening member 20 is comprised with the material which has elasticity. Examples of the material include molds such as polyacetal (POM), polystyrene (PS), and ABS resin. In addition, the shape and material of the opening member 20 should just be compatible with what the opening member 20 bends positively and what has sufficient breaking strength with respect to the peeling strength of the sealing member 19. Therefore, it may be selected based on the balance at that time.

<Opening configuration of developer storage member>
Next, the opening of the developer accommodating member 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the opening process around the opening member 20. In addition, in FIG. 8, the support part 18d of the 1st frame 18 which supports the opening member 20 rotatably at both ends is not shown in figure. FIG. 8A shows the stationary state of the opening member 20 before the joining portion A22a is peeled off, and FIG. 8B shows the rotation state of the opening member 20 just before the joining portion A22a is peeled off. Furthermore, FIG.8 (c) shows the rotation state of the opening member 20 after joining part A22a peeled. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a deflection model of a beam in which a uniform weight is applied to a simple beam.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the fixed portion 34g of the developer accommodating member 34 is joined and fixed to the fixing portion 18a of the second frame 18 by ultrasonic caulking. And when opening the sealing member 19, it peels from the opening 35a by rotating the opening member 20, pulling the sealing member 19, and winding.

  That is, at the time of opening, as shown in FIG. 8B, the opening member 20 is rotated in the direction C by the driving force transmitted by the driving means from the main body (not shown). Then, as the rotation of the unsealing member 20 proceeds, the sealing member 19 is pulled and the unsealing of the joint A22a starts. With the rotation, the sealing member 19 is pulled in the direction D by the corner portion 20c (power point portion 20a) of the opening member 20.

  When the sealing member 19 is pulled, the developer storage member 34 is pulled through the joint A22a. Further, the developer accommodating member 34 is further pulled by the fixing portion 18a due to the force applied to the fixed portion 34g. Then, as shown in FIG. 1C, the elastic opening member 20 is supported by the supported portions 20f and 20g at both ends in the axial direction by the first support portion 18d and the second support portion 18f. Has been. For this reason, bending arises in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the exposure of the opening 35a proceeds, that is, the rotational axis direction of the opening member 20.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the above-described bending is the same system as a bending model of a beam in which a uniform weight is applied to a simple beam. Therefore, the amount of bending of the opening member 20 can be calculated by the following equation. Here, L is the total length of the beam, χ is the length of the beam from where the beam is supported, I is the moment of inertia of the cross section of the beam, E is the Young's modulus, and w is the load per unit length.

  The amount of deflection νa at the central portion in the rotational axis direction of the opening member 20 is obtained by (Expression 1).

νa = (5 wL ⁴ ) / (384EI) (Formula 1)

  Further, the amount of bending νb at both ends in the rotation axis direction of the opening member 20 is obtained by (Expression 2).

νb = (wχ) (L ³ + 2Lχ ² + χ) ³ / (24EI) (Formula 2)

  Here, the amount of deflection at both ends in the rotational axis direction of the unsealing member 20 is χ = 0 because the unsealing member 20 is supported by the first support portion 18d and the second support portion 18f. = 0. As a result, the relationship between νb and νa is as shown in (Equation 3).

νb = 0 <(5wL ⁴ ) / (384EI) = νa (Formula 3)

  Further, the engaged portion 19 b of the sealing member 19 is engaged with the engaging portion 20 b of the opening member 20 to fix the sealing member to the opening member 20. At this time, in this embodiment, as shown to Fig.8 (a), the engaging part 20b is provided so that the corner | angular part 20c of the part where the U shape of the opening member 20 opened may become the power point part 20a at the time of opening. Yes. Therefore, when the opening member 20 rotates and the opening member 20 is pulled in the direction opposite to the direction D by the sealing member 19, the surface of the opening member 20 on which the engaging portion 20b is provided is opposite to the direction D. It is easy to bend in the direction.

  Therefore, the center of the unsealing member 20 in the rotational axis direction bends more in the direction opposite to the direction D than both ends supported by the first support 18d and the second support 18f (see FIG. 1C). . Then, since both ends of the sealing member 19 in the width direction (rotation axis direction of the opening member) have a small amount of bending of the opening member 20, the amount of movement of the sealing member 19 by the rotation of the opening member 20 is smaller than that of the central portion. large.

  Therefore, by the rotation of the unsealing member 20, the first joint portions at both ends in the rotational axis direction of the unsealing member 20 are peeled off before the central second joint portion (see FIG. 1C). Then, when the opening member 20 further rotates and the opening proceeds, the peeling spreads from the first joint at the longitudinal ends of the joint A to the second joint at the center, and the joint A 22a peels off. Complete.

  Then, when the opening member 20 further rotates, the joint B22b is peeled off. Even when the joint B22b is peeled off, both ends of the unsealing member 20 in the direction of the rotational axis have a smaller amount of deflection than the center, as in the case of peeling the joint A22a. Therefore, the movement amount of the sealing member 19 due to the rotation of the opening member 20 is larger at both ends than the center portion of the opening member 20. Therefore, also in the joining portion B22b, as the rotation of the unsealing member 20 proceeds, the both ends of the unsealing member 20 in the rotation axis direction are peeled off before the center portion. That is, peeling starts from the first joint in the joint B first, and then the center second joint is peeled off.

  In this way, the opening member 20 is made elastic, and the sealing member 19 is opened while positively bending the central portion in the rotational axis direction of the opening member 20. Thereby, the opening timing can be shifted in a direction (longitudinal direction of the joining portions 22a and 22b) orthogonal to the direction in which the exposure of the opening 35a proceeds.

  Therefore, it can suppress that the sealing member 19 is pulled at once by the opening member 20 at the time of opening. As a result, the torque load applied to the motor of the image forming apparatus main body at the time of opening can be reduced, and a small motor can be used, so that the cost can be reduced. Further, deformation of the opening 35a of the developer accommodating member 34 can be suppressed, and the developer can be reliably opened.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment uses another configuration of the opening member 20 of the first embodiment, and here, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described, and description of other same components will be omitted.

<Opening material>
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the periphery of the opening member 20. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an arrangement relationship of the opening member 20, the discharge portion 35, the sealing member 19, and the support portion 18 d provided on the second frame 18. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the configuration of the opening member 20.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the unsealing member 20 of the present embodiment has a so-called D-cut shape with an axial cross section having one plane. The opening member 20 is configured such that, in the rotation axis direction, the circumferential length in the rotation direction becomes longer toward the both ends supported by the first support portion 18d and the second support portion 18f than the center portion. ing. That is, the outer shape of the end A is different from the outer shape of the center B, and the cross-sectional area A of the end A is larger than the cross-sectional area B of the center.

  Note that the material of the opening member 20 of the present embodiment may be either elastic or rigid. For example, molds such as POM, PS, and ABS can be used as those having elasticity, and metals such as stainless steel and iron can be used as rigid bodies.

<Opening the developer storage bag>
Next, the opening operation of the developer accommodating member 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 (a), FIG. 11 (b), FIG. 11 (c), and FIG. 11 (d) are cross sections A shown in FIG. 10 (b), and the unsealing of both ends of the unsealing member 20 in the rotation axis direction is shown. It is a process. 12 (a), FIG. 12 (b), FIG. 12 (c), and FIG. 12 (d) are B cross sections shown in FIG. 10, and are the opening process of the central portion of the opening member 20 in the rotation axis direction. 11 (a) and 12 (a), FIG. 11 (b) and FIG. 12 (b), FIG. 11 (c) and FIG. 12 (c), FIG. 11 (d) and FIG. The rotation of the opening member 20 shows the same timing.

  The aerial point S indicates the position of the return portion 19d on the sealing member 19 at the time of FIG. 11A, and the aerial point M indicates the position of the return portion 19d on the sealing member 19 at the time of FIG. As the sealing member 19 is pulled by the rotation of the opening member 20, the imaginary point S and the imaginary point M also move. Further, the imaginary point R indicates the position of the return portion 19d at the time of FIG. 11 (a), and the imaginary point M at the time of FIG. 12 (a). The imaginary point R and the imaginary point N are Do not move. The length connecting the imaginary point S and the imaginary point R is G, and the length connecting the imaginary point M and the imaginary point N is H.

  In FIG.11 (b), the corner | angular part 20c1 of the unsealing member 20 is a power point part 20a, and in FIG.12 (b), the corner | angular part 20c2 of the unsealing member 20 becomes a power point part 20a. The developer storage member 34 is fixed to the second frame 18 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  First, the unsealing member 20 is rotated in the direction C by the driving force transmitted from the main body (not shown). 11 (b) and 12 (b) show a state immediately before the sealing member 19 is pulled by the rotation of the opening member 20 and the opening of the joint A22a starts.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the sealing member 19 is pulled in the direction of the direction D by the corner portion 20c1 (power point portion 20a) of the opening member 20 at both ends in the rotational axis direction of the opening member 20. Here, the perimeter of the unsealing member 20 is longer from the center portion in the rotation axis direction to both end portions. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12B, the central portion of the opening member 20 in the rotation axis direction is not in contact with the corner portion 20c2 (power point portion 20a) of the opening member 20 and the sealing member 19, and The sealing member 19 is not pulled in the direction D.

  The amount by which the sealing member 19 is moved by the rotation of the unsealing member 20 is larger at both ends than the central portion in the rotational axis direction of the unsealing member 20. This is because the circumferential length of the unsealing member 20 is longer near both ends than the central portion in the rotation axis direction of the unsealing member 20, and therefore, both ends are wound more than the central portion. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 11 (c), 11 (d), 12 (c), and 12 (d), the length G in FIG. 11 (c) is longer than the length H in FIG. 12 (c). The length G in FIG. 11 (d) is longer than the length H in FIG. 12 (d). The difference between the length G and the length H is the same as the difference in the circumferential length of the opening member 20. Therefore, the first joint portion at both ends of the opening member 20 is peeled off before the second joint portion at the center portion.

  Then, when the opening member 20 further rotates, the peeling spreads from the both end portions of the opening member 20 to the central portion, and the central portion is finally peeled, and the peeling of the joining portion A22a is completed.

  And similarly, peeling of joining part B22b is peeled toward the center part from the rotating shaft direction both ends of the opening member 20. FIG.

  As described above, the shape of the opening member 20 is configured such that the circumferential length of the opening member 20 increases from the central portion in the rotation axis direction to both ends. With this configuration, even when the opening member 20 is a rigid body, the opening timing can be shifted in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the opening 35a is exposed.

  Therefore, since the sealing member 19 can be reduced from being pulled at once by the opening member 20 at the time of opening, deformation of the opening 35a of the developer storage member 34 can be suppressed, and the opening can be reliably performed. Furthermore, by shifting the opening timing, the torque load applied to the motor of the image forming apparatus main body at the time of opening can be reduced, and the opening can be performed reliably.

[Third Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the developer storage member that stores the developer is a flexible container is exemplified, but the developer storage member may be similarly applied even if it does not have flexibility.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration in which the developer accommodating member 34 which is a flexible container is not used. As shown in FIG. 13, since the developer is directly stored in the space surrounded by the first frame 17 and the second frame 18, the first frame 17 and the second frame. And a developer storage member. The first frame 17 has an opening 35a serving as a developer discharge portion, and the sealing member 19 that seals the opening 35a is directly bonded to the rigid first frame 17 by the bonding portion 22. It is a configuration.

  Further, the sealing member 19 is attached to an opening member 20 that is rotatably supported at both ends by a support portion 18 d of the first frame 18. The opening member 20 is made of an elastic material as described above, and both ends of the opening member 20 are rotatably supported by the support portions 18d provided on the second frame 18.

  Even in this case, opening can be performed while positively deflecting the central portion of the opening member 20, and the opening timing can be shifted in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the opening 35a is exposed. The same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

A ... Process cartridge B ... Image forming apparatus body S ... Sheet 11 ... Photoconductor drum 17 ... First frame 18 ... Second frame 18d ... Support 18d ... First support 18f ... Second support DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Sealing member 19b ... Engagement part 20 ... Opening member 20a ... Power point part 20b ... Engagement part 20c ... Corner | angular part 20f ... Supported part 22 ... Joining part 22a ... Joining part A
22b ... Joint B
22c: Short joint portion 25 ... Developer storage unit 26 ... Developer storage container 34 ... Developer storage member 34a ... Molding portion 34b ... Ventilation portion 34c ... Outer peripheral portion 34g ... Fixed portion 35 ... Discharge portion 35a ... Opening 35b ... Connecting part

Claims (39)

A developer storage member having an opening for discharging the developer and storing the developer;
A sealing member having a joining portion that joins the developer containing member so as to seal the opening;
An opening member for exposing the opening by peeling the joint portion of the sealing member from the developer storage member;
The joint has a first joint at the end in the longitudinal direction of the joint and a second joint at the center in the longitudinal direction,
The opening member bends when the joining portion is peeled from the storage member, and the first joining portion is peeled off when the joining portion peels from the developer housing member in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction. Is peeled off before the second joint portion.   2. The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the deflection amount at the center of the opening member is larger than the deflection amount at the center of the opening member and the deflection amount at the end of the opening member.   The opening member has an engaging surface that engages with the sealing member, an opposing surface that faces the engaging surface, and a reinforcing portion that reinforces the engaging surface and the opposing surface. The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein:   4. The developer storage unit according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the reinforcing portions are provided at intervals.   The developer storage unit according to claim 4, wherein an interval between the reinforcing portions is wider at a center than at an end portion.   6. The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the unsealing member is any one of a U-shape, a B-shape, and an H-shape.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the first joint portion is located at both ends of the joint portion.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the joint portion includes a portion that is linearly bonded to the developer storage member.   The developer storage unit according to claim 8, wherein the linearly bonded portion extends linearly in the longitudinal direction of the joint portion.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the developer storage member is a flexible container.   The developer storage unit according to claim 10, wherein the flexible container is stored in an internal space formed by a plurality of frames.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the developer storage member includes a plurality of frames, and at least one frame has the opening. .   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is peeled off when the opening member rotates.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the opening member are supported by a support portion.   15. The direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the joining portion where the joining portion peels from the developer storage portion is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the joining portion. The developer storage unit according to claim 1. A developer containing portion having an opening for discharging the developer and containing the developer;
A sealing member having a joining portion joined to the developer accommodating portion so as to seal the opening;
An opening member for exposing the opening by separating the joint portion of the sealing member from the developer accommodating portion;
A frame body having the storage portion and storing the opening member therein,
The joint has a first joint at the end in the longitudinal direction of the joint and a second joint at the center in the longitudinal direction,
The opening member bends when the joining portion is peeled from the storage member, and the first joining portion is peeled off when the joining portion peels from the developer housing member in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction. Is peeled off before the second joint portion.   The developer storage according to claim 16, wherein a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the joining portion where the joining portion peels from the developer containing portion is a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the joining portion. unit.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the openings are formed.   The developer storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the opening member has a hollow inside. A developer storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
And a developer carrying member carrying the developer discharged from the developer storage unit. A frame for storing the developer;
A developer carrying member carrying the developer;
A sealing member having a joint for joining so as to seal an opening for supplying the developer to the developer carrying member;
An opening member for peeling off the joint of the sealing member to expose the opening;
The opening member is housed inside the frame,
The joint has a first joint at the end in the longitudinal direction of the joint and a second joint at the center in the longitudinal direction,
The opening member bends when the joining portion is peeled from the storage member, and the first joining portion is peeled off when the joining portion peels from the developer housing member in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction. Is peeled off before the second joint portion.   The developing device according to claim 21, wherein the amount of bending at the center of the opening member is larger than the amount of bending at the center of the opening member.   The opening member has an engaging surface that engages with the sealing member, an opposing surface that faces the engaging surface, and a reinforcing portion that reinforces the engaging surface and the opposing surface. The developing device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein   The developing device according to claim 23, wherein a plurality of the reinforcing portions are provided at intervals.   25. The developing device according to claim 24, wherein an interval between the reinforcing portions is wider at a center than at an end portion.   The developing device according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein a cross section of the unsealing member is any one of a U shape, a B shape, or an H shape.   27. The developing device according to claim 21, wherein the first joint portion is located at both ends of the joint portion.   28. The developing device according to claim 21, wherein the joint portion includes a portion that is linearly bonded to the developer storage member.   29. The developing device according to claim 28, wherein the linearly bonded portion extends linearly in the longitudinal direction of the joint portion.   30. The developing device according to claim 21, wherein the sealing member is peeled off when the opening member rotates.   31. The developing device according to claim 21, wherein both ends of the unsealing member are supported by a support portion.   The developing device according to claim 21, wherein a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the joining portion where the joining portion peels from the developer storage portion is a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the joining portion.   The developing device according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of the openings are formed.   34. The developing device according to claim 20, wherein the opening member has a hollow inside. A developer storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
A process cartridge having an image carrier for carrying a developer image formed using the developer discharged from the developer storage unit. A developing device according to any one of claims 20 to 34;
A process cartridge having an image carrier for carrying a developer image formed using the developer discharged from the developing device. The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the developer storage unit is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body.
An image forming apparatus, wherein an image is formed on a sheet using the developer discharged from the developer storage unit. 35. The developing device according to claim 20, wherein the developing device is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body.
An image forming apparatus, wherein an image is formed on a sheet using a developer discharged from the developing device. The process cartridge according to claim 35 or claim 36 detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body,
An image forming apparatus, wherein an image is formed on a sheet using a developer discharged from the process cartridge.

Images