JP2015203847A - Developer storage unit, process cartridge using the same, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer storage unit configured to reduce the load which is applied on an opening member at the beginning of opening a sealing member.SOLUTION: A developer storage unit includes: a developer bag 16 having an opening 16c for discharging developer T contained therein; a sealing member 19 covering the opening 16c; and an opening member 20 for opening the opening 16c by fixing a part of the sealing member 19 and rotating in contact with the developer bag 16. The opening member 20 is configured so that a constant force is applied to the opening member 20 from the developer bag 16 for a predetermined time from the start of initial rotation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer storage unit, a process cartridge including the developer storage unit, and an image forming apparatus.

  The electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material using an electrophotographic image forming process. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine or, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) printer, an electrophotographic printer such as a laser beam printer, an electrophotographic facsimile machine, and an electrophotographic word processor are included.

  The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least developing means and a developer storage unit containing developer are integrated into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and image forming process means acting thereon are integrally formed into a cartridge. A process cartridge system is employed in which the cartridge is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  In such a process cartridge, the opening provided in the developer containing frame for containing the developer is sealed with a sealing member, and the opening is opened by peeling off the sealing member during use, so that the developer can be supplied. Possible methods are widely adopted.

  As an example of the sealing member, there is a method in which a sheet-like sealing member is thermally welded around the opening of the developer containing frame by heat sealing or the like. In order to reduce the load on the user when the welded portion formed by thermal welding is peeled off, a configuration is widely used in which the free end of the sealing member can be folded back and pulled in the direction opposite to the folded portion.

  Further, Patent Documents 1 to 3 propose a configuration in which a developer inclusion unit that can be separated from and attached to the process cartridge main body is supplied and the developer is supplied by peeling off a sheet member or the like. Among these, Patent Document 1 discloses that the user opens the bag by pulling the end of the bag-like sheet film containing the developer, and the developer can be replenished. In Patent Document 2, the supply of the developer is automatically started when the rotating member winds up the sheet blocking the developer discharge opening. Patent Document 3 mainly aims to prevent developer condensation, and the stirring sheet closes the opening of the hopper part containing the developer, and after opening, the stirring sheet plays the role of stirring. FIG. 26C of Patent Document 4 describes a cam-shaped pressing member.

JP 04-166963 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 01-128351 JP 2008-134483 A JP2013-037345A

  In patent documents 1-3, a sealing member becomes long in the structure by which the sealing member is return | folded. In addition, the operation distance required for completing the opening is also increased. In the configuration in which the user opens by pulling the sealing member, the sealing member after peeling off remains at the user's hand as waste. Therefore, as shown in Patent Document 4, there is one that improves user usability by providing an opening member. On the other hand, the load of the opening member at the time of opening accompanying it becomes large.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a developer storage unit that can reduce the load applied to the opening member at the initial opening of the sealing member.

  In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of a developer storage unit according to the present invention includes a developer container having an opening for discharging the developer contained therein, a sealing member covering the opening, and the sealing. A part of the stopper member is fixed, and an opening member that opens the opening by rotating while contacting the developer container, the opening member from a first rotation operation until a predetermined time During this time, the force applied from the developer container to the opening member is constant or reduced.

  According to the said structure, the load concerning an opening member can be reduced at the initial stage of opening of a sealing member, and the reliability of opening can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus including a process cartridge having the first embodiment of a developer storage unit according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a process cartridge including a developer storage unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view including a partial cross section showing the configuration of the developer bag unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a developer storage unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory front view illustrating a configuration of a developer storage unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a developer storage unit according to the first embodiment. (A)-(c) is sectional explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the developer bag unit and the opening member until peeling of the 1st junction part of the developer bag in the developer storage unit of 1st Embodiment. (A)-(d) is front explanatory drawing explaining the peeling operation | movement of the sealing member in the developer storage unit of 1st Embodiment. (A), (b) is sectional explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a developer is discharged | emitted from opening of the developer bag in the developer storage unit of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view illustrating an example of a configuration of an opening member in the developer storage unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a second embodiment of a developer storage unit according to the present invention. (A)-(c) is sectional explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the developer bag unit and the opening member until peeling of the 1st junction part of the developer bag in the developer storage unit of 2nd Embodiment. (A), (b) is sectional explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a developer is discharged | emitted from opening of the developer bag in the developer storage unit of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional explanatory view illustrating a configuration of a third embodiment of a developer storage unit according to the present invention. It is a perspective explanatory view including the partial cross section which shows the structure of 4th Embodiment of the developer storage unit which concerns on this invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a developer storage unit according to a fourth embodiment. (A)-(c) is sectional explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the developer bag unit and opening member until peeling of the 1st junction part of the developer bag in the developer storage unit of a comparative example.

  An embodiment of an image forming apparatus including a process cartridge having a developer storage unit according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus including a process cartridge having a developer storage unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus provided with a process cartridge having a developer storage unit according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing the structure of a process cartridge provided with a developer storage unit according to the present invention.

<Image forming apparatus>
The process cartridge A shown in FIG. 2 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus B shown in FIG. 1 and used for image formation. In FIG. 1, in image formation, sheets S as recording materials are fed one by one from a sheet cassette 6 mounted at the lower part of the main body of the image forming apparatus B by cooperation of a feeding roller 7 and a separating unit (not shown). The fed sheet 2 is corrected for skew by the registration roller 5, and then is photosensitive by the registration roller 5 in synchronization with the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 serving as an image carrier for holding the electrostatic latent image. It is conveyed to the nip portion between the drum 11 and the transfer roller 9 serving as transfer means.

  In synchronism with the conveying operation of the sheet 2, the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 uniformly charged by the charging roller 12 serving as a charging unit is selectively exposed according to image information from the exposure device 8 serving as an image exposing unit. To form an electrostatic latent image. A developer bag 16 as a flexible developer container is provided in the developer storage unit 25 of the developing device 4 serving as a developing means. The developer bag 16 has an opening 16c for discharging the developer T contained therein. The developer T accommodated in the developer bag 16 is discharged from the opening 16c and then supplied to the developing roller 13 serving as a developer carrier by a sponge-like developer supply roller 23. The developer T supplied to the developing roller 13 is carried on the surface of the developing roller 13 by a developing blade 15 as a thin layer.

  Thereafter, by applying a developing bias voltage to the developing roller 13, a developer T is supplied in accordance with the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and developed as a toner image. Thereafter, a toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by applying a transfer bias voltage to the transfer roller 9 serving as a transfer unit is applied to the sheet S conveyed to the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 11 and the transfer roller 9. And transcribe.

  Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed to a fixing device 10 serving as a fixing unit, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet S by heating and pressurizing.

<Process cartridge>
A process cartridge A shown in FIG. 2 includes a photosensitive drum 11 serving as an image carrier, and an image forming process unit that acts on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. Here, the image forming process means includes, for example, a charging roller 12 serving as a charging means for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a developing device 4 that supplies a developer T to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 to form a toner image. Further, a cleaner unit 24 or the like serving as a cleaning unit for removing the developer T remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge A according to this embodiment includes a charging roller 12 serving as a charging unit around a photosensitive drum 11 serving as an image carrier, a cleaner unit 24 including a cleaning blade 14 having elasticity as a cleaning unit, and the like. Is provided. Further, a developing roller 13, developing blade 15, developer supplying roller 23, and developer bag unit 27 containing developer T are provided.

  Further, a developer accommodating unit 25 having a frame 17 that supports the developing roller 13, the developing blade 15, and the developer supply roller 23 and a frame 18 that is joined to the frame 17 is provided. The cleaner unit 24 and the developer storage unit 25 are integrally configured as a process cartridge A. As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge A is configured to be detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus B.

<Developer bag unit>
Next, the configuration of the developer bag unit 27 and the opening operation of the opening 16c will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view in which a part of the developer bag unit 27 and the opening member 20 for opening the opening 16c of the developer bag 16 are sectioned. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the developer storage unit 25.

  The developer bag unit 27 includes a developer bag 16 having a discharge portion 16b including an opening 16c for discharging the developer T contained therein, and a sealing member that covers the opening 16c and seals the discharge portion 16b in a peelable manner. 19 is configured. The discharge portion 16b includes a plurality of openings 16c and a connecting portion that defines the plurality of openings 16c along the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3 which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of arrow E in FIG. 16g. A plurality of openings 16c are provided along the direction of arrow F in FIG.

<Sealing member>
Next, the configuration of the sealing member 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an explanatory front view seen from the direction of arrow G in FIG. The sealing member 19 includes a sealing portion 19a that seals the discharge portion 16b of the developer bag 16, a fixing portion 19b that is fixed to the opening member 20, and a connection that connects the sealing portion 19a and the fixing portion 19b. Part 19c. The sealing portion 19a is a portion where the peripheral portion 16f surrounding all the outer peripheries of the plurality of openings 16c of the developer bag 16 is detachably joined and bonded and sealed.

  The peripheral portion 16f is provided with a first joint portion 16d that is first peeled off on the fixing portion 19b side of the discharge portion 16b. Further, a second bonding portion 16e that is finally peeled on the side opposite to the first bonding portion 16d is provided. Further, the discharge portion 16b has a pair of short joint portions 16h that connect the first joint portion 16d and the second joint portion 16e at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

  The fixing part 19 b is a part fixed to the opening member 20. The connecting portion 19c is a portion that folds and connects the sealing portion 19a and the fixing portion 19b. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the connecting portion 19 c is folded back in the direction of arrow E in FIGS. 3 to 5 in which the unsealing of the discharge portion 16 b of the developer bag 16 proceeds with respect to the sealing portion 19 a.

  Next, a method for fixing each part will be described. The sealing member 19 is fixed to the opening member 20 by a fixing portion 19b at an end different from the end attached to the sealing portion 19a in the direction of arrow E in FIGS. ing. As a fixing method between the fixing portion 19b of the sealing member 19 and the unsealing member 20, in addition to thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, and adhesion, fixing by clipping or fixing by hooking with a hole and a convex portion can be given. It is done.

  The developer bag unit 27 and the opening member 20 are stored in the frame 17 of the developer storage unit 25. The developer bag unit 27 is covered with the frame 18, and the frame 17 and the frame 18 are joined by welding, adhesion, or the like, and stored in the developer storage unit 25. As shown in FIG. 4, the developer bag 16 is provided with a fixing portion 16a. The fixing portion 16a is fixed to either the frame body 17 or the frame body 18 by, for example, a double-sided tape, a wedge-shaped member, a hook-shaped member, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesion, or the like.

  Examples of a method for joining the sealing portion 19a of the sealing member 19 and the developer bag 16 include thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, and the like. As the sealing member 19, a laminate material having a special sealant layer exhibiting easy peel properties (peeling strength is about 3 N / 15 mm in the sealed soft packaging bag test of JIS Z 0238) can be applied. For the developer bag 16, a sheet member such as polyethylene or polypropylene which can be welded to the special sealant layer and is flexible can be applied.

<Opening operation of developer bag unit>
Next, the opening operation of the developer bag unit 27 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and 8. A through hole 19b1 provided in the fixing portion 19b which is a part of the sealing member 19 is inserted and fixed to a screw 20b which is a fixing tool provided on the outer peripheral surface of the opening member 20. The opening member 20 is driven to rotate by a motor or the like as a drive source (not shown) and rotated around the rotation center 20a, whereby the sealing member 19 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the opening member 20 and the opening of the developer bag 16 is opened. 16c is opened. At that time, the opening member 20 rotates while contacting the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16 serving as a developer container through the sealing member 19 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the opening member 20.

  The opening member 20 has a pre-opening contact portion 20f formed of an arc portion that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16. The flat surface portion 20d is connected to the downstream side of the rotation direction indicated by the arrow C direction in FIG. In the present embodiment, the flat surface portion 20e is also connected to the upstream side of the rotation direction indicated by the arrow C direction in FIG. Further, at a place different from the contact portion 20f before opening of the opening member 20, there is a pressing portion 20g composed of a corner portion having a rectangular cross section whose separation distance from the rotation center 20a of the opening member 20 is larger than that of the contact portion 20f before opening. Is provided. By the rotation of the opening member 20, the pressing portion 20 g slides while pressing the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16.

  From the time before opening the sealing member 19 shown in FIG. 7 (a) to the time when the first joint 16d to be peeled first as a part of the joint of the sealing member 19 shown in FIG. 7 (c) is opened. The interval is as follows. The pre-opening contact portion 20f formed by the arc portion of the opening member 20 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16, but does not press the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16.

  For this reason, the force applied to the opening member 20 from the developer bag 16 is constant for a predetermined time after the initial rotation of the opening member 20 is started. Further, the force applied from the developer bag 16 to the unsealing member 20 is constant for a predetermined time after the sealing member 19 starts to peel from the developer bag 16. Further, the force applied from the developer bag 16 to the opening member 20 assists the driving force of the opening member 20 by the gravity of the developer T stored in the developer bag 16. Further, the distance from the rotation center 20a of the opening member 20 to the portion of the opening member 20 that is in contact with the developer bag 16 is shortened for a predetermined time after the sealing member 19 starts to peel from the developer bag 16. .

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral surface of the opening member 20 rotates in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 4 while being in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16. With this rotation, the sealing member 19 fixed to the opening member 20 is pulled in the direction of arrow D in FIG. On the other hand, the fixing portion 16 a of the developer bag 16 is fixed to the frame 18. For this reason, a force is applied to the portion of the first joint portion 16d in the direction of the arrow H in FIG. 4, and the first joint portion 16d begins to peel as shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the opening member 20 further rotates in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 8B, the opening of the discharge portion 16b in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 8B. Advances and the pair of short joints 16h are peeled off. Further, when the unsealing member 20 rotates in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 8C, peeling of the second joint portion 16e is started.

  The discharge portion 16b has a plurality of openings 16c along the direction of arrow F in FIG. 8C, which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of arrow E in FIG. Therefore, a plurality of connecting portions 16g that define a plurality of openings 16c other than the openings 16c of the discharge portion 16b are also arranged along the direction of arrow F in FIG. Thus, the plurality of connecting portions 16g connect the first joint portion 16d and the second joint portion 16e in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 8C where the opening of the discharge portion 16b proceeds. Therefore, the deformation | transformation with respect to the arrow E direction of FIG.8 (c) used as the opening direction of the 2nd junction part 16e can be suppressed, and peeling of the 2nd junction part 16e is also possible, as shown in FIG.8 (d), Opening of the discharge part 16b is completed.

<Opening material>
Next, the configuration of the opening member 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The opening member 20 rotates about the rotation center 20a to open the opening 16c of the developer bag 16. At that time, the outer peripheral surface of the opening member 20 is rotatably supported by the frame body 17 at a position where the outer peripheral surface of the opening member 20 can come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16. The unsealing member 20 has a long shaft shape as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the unsealing member 20 of the present embodiment is configured as a dome shape having a semicircular cross section and a square shape connected. Further, the outer periphery of the unsealing member 20 in the phase from the phase before the start of the rotation of the unsealing member 20 shown in FIG. 7 (a) to the completion of the peeling of the first joint 16d of the developer bag 16 shown in FIG. 7 (c). A portion consisting of an arc portion whose surface contacts the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16 is defined as a contact portion 20f before opening.

  FIG. 17 shows an opening member 20 having a square cross section as a comparative example. In the opening member 20 of the comparative example shown in FIG. 17, the contact portion 20f before opening that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16 is mainly a corner portion having a square cross section. Therefore, the contact portion 20f before opening of the opening member 20 of the comparative example has a corner portion with a constant distance from the rotation center 20a of the opening member 20 applied to the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16 as the opening member 20 rotates. And slide.

  In the opening member 20 of the comparative example shown in FIG. 17, the first joining is performed from the start of rotation of the opening member 20 shown in FIG. 17 (a) until the first joint 16d shown in FIG. 17 (c) is opened. Since the portion 16d is unopened, the developer T is not discharged from the developer bag 16. Therefore, in the opening member 20 of the comparative example shown in FIG. 17, the developer bag 16 containing the developer T is deformed as shown in FIG. Rotate while letting For this reason, in addition to the peeling force of the first joint 16d, the opening member 20 of the comparative example shown in FIG. 17 has a developer bag 16 filled with the developer T in a substantially full state as shown in FIG. 17B. A force M is applied to forcefully deform the. For this reason, the long shaft-shaped opening member 20 is required to have a higher strength.

  On the other hand, the short-diameter portion of the cam-shaped pressing member described in FIG. 26C of Patent Document 4 has an arc shape, but after the short-diameter portion of the cam-shaped pressing member passes, it continues to this. Since the protruding cam surface presses the developer bag 16, a rotational load is applied to the pressing member.

  In the present embodiment, the flat surface portion 20d is connected to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the pre-opening contact portion 20f formed of an arc portion. Thereby, even after the pre-opening contact portion 20f passes, there is no interference with the developer bag 16, so that no rotational load is applied to the opening member 20.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 7A to 7C, the contact portion 20 f before opening of the opening member 20 is configured by an arc portion, and the arc portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16. It is applied and slides in the idle state. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the force M that deforms the developer bag 16 described in the comparative example of FIG. Does not act, and the developer bag 16 is not pressed by the pre-opening contact portion 20 f formed by the arc portion of the opening member 20. In the present embodiment, the pre-opening contact portion 20f formed of an arc portion is formed by a curved surface having a certain radius from the rotation center 20a of the opening member 20.

  As a result, the opening member 20 of the present embodiment is not subjected to the force M for deforming the developer bag 16 as shown in FIG. 17B, and the first joint 16d is formed as shown in FIG. 7C. The peeling of the first joint portion 16d can be completed with only the peeling force to peel.

  For this reason, the elongate shaft-shaped opening member 20 of this embodiment can be set as the structure which has intensity | strength smaller than the opening member 20 of the comparative example shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, by providing a pre-opening contact portion 20f having a curved surface intermittently at a predetermined pitch along the axial direction of the opening member 20, the opening member 20 can be reduced in weight, and the material cost can be reduced. It becomes possible.

  At the time of peeling of the short joint portion 16h and the second joint portion 16e, the first joint portion 16d has already been peeled off. For this reason, the pressing portion 20g formed of a corner having a square cross section of the opening member 20 presses the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16, and the developer T can be discharged from the opening 16c of the developer bag 16. Therefore, the force M for deforming the developer bag 16 is much smaller than the force M for deforming the developer bag 16 before opening the first joint 16d in the comparative example shown in FIG.

  The contact portion 20f before opening of the opening member 20 does not contact the developer bag 16 at a position different from the contact portion 20f before opening until the first joint 16d is opened from the start of rotation of the opening member 20. good.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, the contact portion 20f before opening may be formed in an intermittent shape in the axial direction of the rotation center 20a of the opening member 20. Or you may provide the contact part 20f before opening which has a curved surface of substantially equal distance from the rotation center 20a of the opening member 20 continuously in the axial direction of the rotation center 20a of the opening member 20.

<Developer discharging operation from developer bag unit>
After opening the discharge part 16b, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the opening member 20 rotates in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 20 g pushes the developer bag 16 in the direction of arrow J in FIG. Therefore, the internal volume of the developer bag 16 is reduced, the internal developer T is pushed out, and discharged from the opening 16c in the direction of arrow I in FIG. 9A. Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the opening member 20 is further rotated in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 9B, the pressing portion 20g formed by the corners of the square shape of the opening member 20 becomes the developer bag. Get away from 16.

  Since the developer bag 16 has elasticity, the developer bag 16 swells in the direction of the arrow K in FIG. 9B in an attempt to restore the state before being pressed by the pressing portion 20g formed of a corner portion having a rectangular cross section of the opening member 20. Furthermore, the unsealing member 20 also rotates in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 9B, and as shown in FIG. The developer T is pushed and discharged from the opening 16c. By repeating such a cycle, the developer T inside the developer bag 16 is discharged from the opening 16c.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the pressing portion 20g of the opening member 20 is configured by a corner portion having a square cross section has been described. As shown in FIG. 10, the pressing portion 20g has an intermittent shape in the axial direction of the rotation center 20a as in the pre-opening contact portion 20f formed by a curved portion having a semicircular cross section of the opening member 20. May be configured.

  According to this embodiment, the sealing member 19 is opened by the rotation of the opening member 20 that is rotationally driven by a motor or the like provided in the image forming apparatus B main body. This eliminates the need for the user to take off the sealing member 19 of the process cartridge A, and the sealing member after peeling does not remain at the user's hand as waste. Further, the load applied to the opening member 20 at the initial opening of the sealing member 19 can be reduced, and the reliability of the opening operation of the sealing member 19 can be improved.

  Next, the configuration of the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus including the process cartridge having the developer storage unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, what was comprised similarly to the said 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same member name even if the same code | symbol or a code | symbol differs, and abbreviate | omits description.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, a fixing portion 19 b that is a part of the sealing member 19 is fixed to the opening member 220 with screws 220 b. Then, the outer peripheral surface of the opening member 220 rotates while being in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16. The contact part 220f before opening of the opening member 220 that opens the opening 16c is as follows.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12A, the unsealing member 220 in the present embodiment has a pre-unsealing contact portion 220f composed of an arc portion that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16. A flat surface portion 220d is connected to the downstream side of the rotation direction indicated by the arrow C direction in FIG. In the present embodiment, the flat surface portion 220e is also connected to the upstream side of the rotation direction indicated by the arrow C direction in FIG. The pre-opening contact portion 220f of the present embodiment is configured to have a shape in which the separation distance from the rotation center 220a gradually decreases toward the upstream side in the rotation direction indicated by the arrow C direction of the opening member 220 in FIG. ing.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the opening member 220 rotates in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 12B, the contact portion 220f before opening is developed in the phase until the first joint portion 16d is peeled off. Leave the medicine bag 16. Therefore, the contact portion 220f before opening does not deform the developer bag 16. Accordingly, the force M as shown in FIG. 17B of the comparative example for deforming the developer bag 16 does not act on the opening member 220, and only the peeling force of the first joint portion 16d is shown in FIG. 12C. Thus, the peeling of the first joint portion 16d can be completed.

  When the short joint 16h and the second joint 16e are peeled off, the force M for deforming the developer bag 16 for the same reason as in the first embodiment is the same as that in the comparative example shown in FIG. This is much smaller than the force M for deforming the developer bag 16 before opening the one joint 16d.

  For this reason, the force applied to the opening member 220 from the developer bag 16 is reduced for a predetermined time after the initial rotation of the opening member 220 is started. Further, the force applied from the developer bag 16 to the unsealing member 220 decreases for a predetermined time after the sealing member 19 starts to peel from the developer bag 16. Further, the force applied to the opening member 220 from the developer bag 16 assists the driving force of the opening member 220 by the gravity of the developer T stored in the developer bag 16. Further, the distance from the rotation center 220a of the opening member 220 to the portion of the opening member 220 that is in contact with the developer bag 16 is shortened until a predetermined time from when the sealing member 19 starts to be peeled off from the developer bag 16. .

<Developer discharging operation>
Next, the discharging operation of the developer T from the opening 16c of the developer bag 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). In the present embodiment, the pre-opening contact portion 220f of the opening member 220 has a shape in which the separation distance from the rotation center 220a gradually decreases toward the upstream side of the opening member 220 in the rotation direction indicated by the arrow C direction in FIG. For this reason, the end portion 220h upstream of the contact portion 220f before opening in the rotation direction has a larger separation distance from the rotation center 220a than the end portion 220i downstream of the contact portion 220f before opening in the rotation direction.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the end portion 220h upstream of the contact portion 220f before opening of the opening member 220 in the rotational direction is used as the pressing portion. An end portion 220h upstream of the rotation direction of the contact portion 220f before opening serving as a pressing portion is provided at a location different from the contact portion 220f before opening of the opening member 220 and presses the developer bag 16 as the opening member 220 rotates. . As a result, the developer T can be discharged from the opening 16c of the developer bag 16 as in the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained.

  Next, the configuration of a third embodiment of an image forming apparatus provided with a process cartridge having a developer storage unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, what was comprised similarly to each said embodiment attaches | subjects the same member name even if the same code | symbol or a code | symbol differs, and abbreviate | omits description.

  In each of the above embodiments, only the sealing member 19 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the opening members 20 and 220. In this embodiment, the sealing member 19 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the dome-shaped opening member 320 having a square shape and a semicircular shape connected by screws 320b. The unsealing member 320 has a pre-unsealing contact portion 320 f that is an arc portion that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16. The flat surface portion 320d is connected to the downstream side of the rotation direction indicated by the arrow C direction in FIG. 14 of the contact portion 320f before opening.

  In the present embodiment, the flat surface portion 320e is also connected to the upstream side of the rotation direction indicated by the arrow C direction in FIG. In addition, the flat surface portion 320c of the opening member 320 has a flexibility that serves as a pressing portion that presses the developer bag 16 to a location other than the contact portion 320f before opening (other than the contact portion before opening) of the opening member 320. The sheet member 321 having the above is fixedly provided. The opening member 320 of the present embodiment also has a fixing portion 19b that is a part of the sealing member 19, and rotates while contacting the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16, thereby opening the opening 16c of the developer bag 16.

  The contact portion 320f before opening of the opening member 320 of the present embodiment is also set to have a substantially constant separation distance from the rotation center 320a of the opening member 320 as in the first embodiment. The contact portion 320f before opening contacts the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16 from before the sealing member 19 covering the opening 16c of the developer bag 16 is opened until the first joint portion 16d which is a part is opened. .

  A flexible sheet member 321 such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is fixed to a location different from the pre-opening contact portion 320f of the opening member 320 of the present embodiment. The fixing method of the sheet member 321 includes, for example, adhesion with a double-sided tape, locking with a hook shape, thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesion, and the like. Further, a method of passing the through hole provided in the sheet member 321 through the convex shape provided in the opening member 320, and then crushing and fixing the convex shape with heat, ultrasonic waves, or the like can be mentioned.

  The developer bag 16 is pressed by the pressing portion 320g formed of the corner of the opening member 320 having a rectangular cross section, and the developer T discharged from the opening 16c to the outside of the developer bag 16 is stirred by the sheet member 321 and is developed. Can be transported to 13. In the case where the sheet member 321 has elasticity, the sheet member 321 acts as a pressing portion that presses the outer peripheral surface of the developer bag 16 in addition to the pressing portion 320g formed by the corners of the square shape of the opening member 320.

  If the shape of the contact portion 320f before opening is the same shape as that of the contact portions 20f and 220f before opening in any of the first and second embodiments, as in each of the embodiments, FIG. The force M for deforming the developer bag 16 described in the comparative example is not applied. And the discharge part 16b can be opened only with the peeling force which peels the 1st junction part 16d. Other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiments, and the same effects can be obtained.

  Next, the configuration of a fourth embodiment of an image forming apparatus provided with a process cartridge having a developer storage unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, what was comprised similarly to each said embodiment attaches | subjects the same member name even if the same code | symbol or a code | symbol differs, and abbreviate | omits description.

  In each of the embodiments, the flexible developer bag 16 is used as an example of the flexible developer container having the opening 16c for discharging the developer T contained therein. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, as an example of a flexible developer container having an opening 35a for discharging the developer T contained therein, it is molded instead of the developer bag 16 of the first embodiment. The developer accommodating member 34 prepared by the above is used.

  The developer accommodating member 34 uses a sheet-like material made by vacuum forming, pressure forming, press forming or the like. As in the first embodiment, the developer storage unit 25 includes a developer storage member 34, a sealing member 19, an opening member 20, frame bodies 17 and 18, and the like. A fixing portion 34 c formed of a through hole provided in the developer storage member 34 is fixed to the frame body 18.

<Developer bag unit>
As shown in FIG. 15, the developer storage member 34 includes a storage portion 34a that is a flexible container made by vacuum forming, pressure forming, press forming, and the like, and a sheet-like lid portion 34b. It is comprised. The storage portion 34a and the lid portion 34b are joined by heat welding, laser welding, adhesion with an adhesive, an adhesive tape, or the like.

  As the material of the storage portion 34a, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) can be applied. Further, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) can be applied.

  Furthermore, polypropylene (PP; Polypropylene) and polyethylene (Polyethylene; PE) can be applied. Furthermore, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be applied. Furthermore, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a composite multilayer material thereof is preferable.

  In addition, the thickness of the storage portion 34a is preferably about 0.1 mm to 1 mm as a sheet-like thickness before molding. What is necessary is just to select suitably the material and thickness of the accommodating part 34a according to cost, a product specification, manufacturing conditions, etc. FIG.

  The storage portion 34a is provided with a discharge portion 35 provided with an opening 35a for discharging the developer T contained therein and a connecting portion 35b provided between the adjacent openings 35a. The structure of the discharge part 35 of this embodiment can also be comprised similarly to the discharge part 16b of the said 1st Embodiment. A plurality of openings 35a and connecting portions defining the plurality of openings 35a along the direction of arrow F in FIG. 15 which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of arrow E in FIG. 15 where opening of the opening 35a of the discharge portion 35 proceeds. 35b is provided.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the sealing portion 19a is also a portion where a peripheral portion (not shown) is detachably bonded and bonded and sealed. The peripheral portion has a first joint portion 35 d on the fixing portion 19 b side of the discharge portion 35. Furthermore, it has the 2nd junction part 35e on the opposite side to this 1st junction part 35d. Furthermore, it has a short joint part (not shown) that connects the first joint part 35d and the second joint part 35e at both ends of the discharge part 35 in the longitudinal direction (arrow F direction in FIG. 15).

  The opening member 20 of the present embodiment is also in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the storage portion 34a until the first bonding portion 35d, which is first peeled off before the sealing member 19 is opened, is opened. A portion 20f is provided. The pre-opening contact portion 20f is set to have a substantially constant separation distance from the rotation center 20a of the opening member 20. The sealing member 19 covers the opening 35a of the storage portion 34a. A fixing portion 19b that is a part of the sealing member 19 is fixed to the opening member 20, and the opening portion 20f of the opening member 20 rotates while contacting the outer peripheral surface of the storage portion 34a to open the opening 35a. .

  At a location different from the pre-opening contact portion 20f of the opening member 20, there is provided a pressing portion 20g consisting of a corner portion having a rectangular cross section for pressing the outer peripheral surface of the storage portion 34a. Further, similarly to the third embodiment, the sealing member 19 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the dome-shaped opening member 20 in which the cross-sectional square shape and the semicircular shape are connected. In addition, a flexible sheet member that serves as a pressing portion that presses the outer peripheral surface of the storage portion 34a at a location different from the pre-opening contact portion 20f of the opening member 20 on the flat portion 20c having a rectangular cross section of the opening member 20 421 is fixed.

<Effect of vacuum forming>
A part of the developer accommodating member 34 to be a developer container shown in FIG. 15 is manufactured by vacuum forming, so that the developer accommodating member 34 can be shaped along the inner wall surface of the frame body 17. In the bag shape like the developer bag 16 of each of the embodiments, it is difficult to put the developer bag 16 along the corners of the frame 17. A gap is formed between the developer bag unit 27 and the frame 17, and the space becomes a dead space.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, similarly to the third embodiment, the opening member 20 has flexibility that serves as a pressing portion that presses the outer peripheral surface of the storage portion 34a at a location different from the contact portion 20f before opening. Alternatively, a sheet member 421 such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) may be fixed. Other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiments, and the same effects can be obtained.

  In the image forming apparatus B provided with the developer storage unit described above or the image forming apparatus B provided with the process cartridge A provided with the developer storage unit detachably provided, it is discharged from the developer bag 16. An image can be formed using a developer.

T: Developer
16 ... Developer bag (developer container)
16c… opening
19… Sealing member
20… Opening member (opening member)
20a… rotation center
20f ... contact part before opening
25… Developer storage unit

Claims (13)

A developer container having an opening for discharging the developer contained therein;
A sealing member covering the opening;
A part of the sealing member is fixed, and an opening member that opens the opening by rotating while contacting the developer container;
Have
The opening member is configured so that a force applied to the opening member from the developer container is constant or reduced during a predetermined time after the first rotation operation is started. unit. A developer container having an opening for discharging the developer contained therein;
A sealing member covering the opening;
A part of the sealing member is fixed, and an opening member that opens the opening by rotating while contacting the developer container;
Have
The opening member is configured such that a force applied from the developer container to the opening member is constant or reduced for a predetermined time after the sealing member starts to be peeled off from the developer container. A developer storage unit.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein a force applied from the developer container to the opening member assists a driving force of the opening member.   The distance from the rotation center of the unsealing member to the portion of the unsealing member that is in contact with the developer container is shortened until a predetermined time from when the sealing member starts to peel from the developer container. The developer storage unit according to claim 1. A developer container having an opening for discharging the developer contained therein;
A sealing member covering the opening;
A part of the sealing member is fixed, and an opening member that opens the opening by rotating while contacting the developer container;
In a developer storage unit having
The opening member is
Before opening a part of the sealing member until it is partially opened, it has a contact part before opening that contacts the developer container,
The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion before opening includes an arc portion, and a flat portion is connected to a downstream side of the arc portion in the rotation direction.   The developer storage according to claim 5, wherein the contact portion before opening is set such that a distance from a rotation center of the opening member gradually decreases toward the upstream in the rotation direction of the opening member. unit.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is constituted by a developer bag.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is manufactured by vacuum forming.   The developer storage unit according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the openings are provided along a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the opening of the openings proceeds.   The developer storage unit according to claim 5, wherein a pressing portion that presses the developer container is provided at a location different from the contact portion before opening of the opening member.   The developer storage unit according to claim 10, wherein the pressing portion includes a sheet member provided on the opening member. The developer storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
An image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image;
A process cartridge comprising: A developer storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or a process cartridge according to claim 12,
An image forming apparatus for forming an image using the developer.

Images