JP2790942B2 - Toner cartridge - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner cartridge for supplying toner to a developing device of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a toner cartridge includes a storage case for storing toner, and a sheet-like seal member which removably covers an opening at the bottom of the storage case. I have. When the toner cartridge is replaced for toner supply, in order to prevent the toner from scattering, the toner comes into contact with the opening sealing surface of the seal member when the seal member is peeled off, and the toner attached to the seal member is scraped off. One provided with a slit (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-86371) is provided.

In addition, a cleaning chamber is provided on a side of the storage case, which is located at an end of the seal member in the peeling direction, and adheres to the opening sealing surface of the seal member when the seal member is peeled off. Provided with a cleaning roller for cleaning the toner (see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 3-569).
No. 51) is also provided. However, in any case, it has been difficult to completely remove the toner adhering to the seal member.

Moreover, in the former case, since the slit itself is open to the outside, when the used toner cartridge is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus, there is a possibility that the toner attached to the slit may fall and scatter. there were.
Further, in the latter case, since the sealing member at the time of peeling is introduced into the cleaning chamber through the slit communicating the outside and the cleaning chamber, the toner attached to the slit is scattered similarly to the former. There was a fear.

[0005] On the other hand, there is also provided an image forming apparatus in which a shutter member for preventing the toner from dropping at the time of removal is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body before removing the used toner cartridge. When replacing the shutter, there is a problem that the shutter member must be inserted, and the replacement is troublesome. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and to provide a toner cartridge that can reliably prevent toner from being scattered at the time of replacement and that can be easily replaced.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge which is detachably mounted in a housing recess of a main body of an image forming apparatus. Container, the inner container is housed therein, the outer container forms a toner cartridge main body with the inner container, an opening formed in the lower surface of the outer container, and the lower container of the inner container. An opening for discharging toner through the opening, a peelable sheet-like inner sealing member attached to the lower surface of the inner container while covering the opening of the inner container, and It is arranged in a space between one end and one end of the inner container, and is rotatably supported by the outer container in a state where one end of the inner seal member is fixed, and peels off the inner seal member. A winding means for winding the container and an opening of the outer container are openable and closable, and the opening is opened in a state where the opening is retracted to a position to avoid contact with the toner dropped from the opening of the inner container. A sheet-shaped outer sealing member that can close the opening when required and
The outer seal member is movable along the lower surface of the outer container in a state where one end of the outer seal member is fixed, and when the toner cartridge main body is removed from the storage recess of the image forming apparatus main body, a predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus main body is removed. By engaging,
And a slide member for closing the outer seal member.

In the toner cartridge according to the present invention, the outer container can be divided into upper and lower divided bodies, and the two divided bodies are fixed by being fitted to each other. It has a protruding part, and the inner container is
The projecting piece is fixed in a state of being positioned with respect to the outer container by being sandwiched between fitting portions of the two divided bodies.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the toner cartridge is formed between a pair of portions of the lower surface of the outer container that sandwich the opening and a pair of portions of the lower surface of the inner container that sandwich the opening. A pair of guide grooves for guiding the movement of the slide member when both ends of the slide member are intruded, and both side edges of the outer seal member are moved in the two guide grooves with the movement of the slide member. Thus, it is characterized by being arranged in both guide grooves.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge which guides a part of an outer sealing member having an opening of an outer container between an upper surface of the inner container and an inner surface of an outer container facing the inner container. And a housing space for housing the housing in a substantially straight state. Claim 5
In the toner cartridge according to the first aspect, the outer seal member may include:
When the opening of the outer container is opened, a part of the opening is introduced into the housing space in a state in which the outer circumference of the winding shaft of the winding means is rotated by approximately 180 °, and the winding shaft is It is characterized in that a guide means for guiding the above-mentioned rotation of the outer seal member is constituted.

In the toner cartridge according to the present invention, the toner cartridge main body is detached from the accommodating recess of the image forming apparatus main body so as to prevent the outer seal member having the opening closed from being opened. A restriction means for restricting the movement of the slide member is provided in the guide groove. The toner cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the toner supply cylinder is formed at an end of the inner container, the inside of which is communicated with the interior of the inner container, and the tip of which penetrates the end of the outer container. And a stopper that closes the tip of the toner supply cylinder after the toner is supplied from the toner supply cylinder.

[0011] The toner cartridge according to claim 8 is characterized in that a motor for driving the winding means is disposed in a space between the outer container and the inner container.

[0012]

According to the toner cartridge of the first aspect,
With the opening of the outer container opened, the toner cartridge is inserted and attached to the storage recess of the image forming apparatus main body. Thereafter, the inner seal member is wound by the winding means to open the opening of the inner container, whereby the toner is dropped to a required portion of the image forming apparatus main body through the opening of the inner and outer containers. At this time, since the outer seal member is retracted to a position where the outer seal member is in contact with the falling toner while the opening of the outer container is opened, the outer seal member is not stained.

On the other hand, when replacing the toner cartridge, the slide member is engaged with a predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus main body when the toner cartridge main body is removed, and the slide member moves the above-mentioned unstained outer seal member, Close the opening of the outer container. Therefore, the toner does not scatter at the time of extraction. In addition, since the opening of the outer container is automatically closed at the time of removal, the replacement operation is very easy.

According to the toner cartridge of the second aspect, the outer container is composed of two divided bodies which are fixed by fitting, and the inner container is positioned and fixed by these divided bodies. Therefore, the toner cartridge body can be assembled only by fitting without using screws or the like. According to the toner cartridge according to the third aspect, the slide member for closing the outer seal member is guided by the guide groove formed between the inner container and the outer container. There is no need to provide a special guide member, and the number of parts can be reduced. Since both side edges of the outer seal member are arranged in the two guide grooves, the seal by the outer seal member is reliable.

According to the toner cartridge of the fourth aspect, when the opening of the outer container is opened by the outer seal member, a part of the outer seal member is guided and stored in the storage space. Since the accommodating space is formed between the upper surface of the inner container and the inner surface of the outer container, the number of components can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with a case where a guide member is separately provided.

Since a part of the outer seal member whose opening portion of the outer container is opened is accommodated in a substantially straight state, even when a highly rigid outer seal member is employed, the outer seal member has a bending tendency. Not stick. As described above, the opening of the outer container is closed by the outer seal member having no bending tendency, so that the seal is reliable and the scattering of the toner can be reliably prevented.

According to the toner cartridge of the fifth aspect, there is no need to provide a separate guide means, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. According to the toner cartridge of the sixth aspect, the movement of the slide member is regulated by the regulating means in a state where the toner cartridge is detached from the storage recess of the image forming apparatus main body. Thereby, the outer seal member that has closed the opening of the outer container is kept in a state where the opening is closed. It is possible to reliably prevent toner from scattering.

According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the toner is supplied from the outside of the outer container through the toner supply tube to the inside of the inner container in which the opening is closed by the inner seal member. Is filled with toner. After filling, the tip of the toner supply port is closed by the stopper. The toner can be filled by a single toner supply cylinder even though it has a double container structure including an inner container and an outer container.
The structure is simple and the sealing performance is high.

According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the winding of the inner seal member can be automatically performed by a motor instead of manually.

[0020]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
I will tell.First embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
An example will be described. Overall schematic configuration 1 to 4 show an image forming apparatus of a toner cartridge.
The process of attaching to and detaching from
is there.

FIG. 1A shows a state in which the leading end of the toner cartridge TC is housed in a later-described housing recess 50 of the image forming apparatus main body G.
It shows the state introduced to 0. Referring to FIG. 1, the toner cartridge TC includes an inner container 10 containing the toner T and an outer container 20 containing the inner container 10.
, A toner container main body 1 composed of a double container, an inner container 10 and openings 10 a and 20 a for discharging toner formed in the outer container 20, respectively, and an opening 1 of the inner container 10.
As a sheet-shaped inner seal member 30 that covers the opening 20a of the outer container 20 in an openable and closable manner, and a winding unit that peels the inner seal member 30 and winds it. Winding shaft 50,
A sliding member 60 that slides along the lower surface of the outer container 20 with the one end of the outer seal member 40 fixed to open and close the opening 20 a of the outer container 20 with the outer seal member 40. .

The toner cartridge main body 1 is inserted into and removed from the storage recess 500 along the longitudinal direction. A slide member moving unit 80 that engages with the slide member 60 and opens and closes the outer seal member 40 is provided at a bottom near the entrance in the storage recess 500. The outer seal member 40 is moved to a closed position shown in FIG. 1A and an open position shown in FIG. 2A with the movement of the slide member 60 by the slide member moving means 80.

Hereinafter, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge body 1 are referred to as an introduction side end 1a and a removal side end 1b, respectively. The toner cartridge main body 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, referring to FIG. 5 which is an overall perspective view and FIG. 6 which is an exploded perspective view, an outer casing 20 is an upper casing 200 as a vertically divided body.
And a lower casing 250. The upper and lower casings 200 and 250 are fixed by being fitted to each other. The upper and lower casings 20
0, 250 is the inner container 10 in the fitting portion of both.
The inner container 10 is fixed in a state where the inner container 10 is positioned by sandwiching a protruding piece 107 described later.

Upper casing 200 and lower casing 2
50 are each integrally formed by resin. The inner container 10 is also integrally formed of resin, and a plug-like portion 106 described later is heat-sealed thereto. The upper surface portion 101 of the inner container 10 and the upper surface portion 201 of the upper casing 200 of the outer container 20 are parallel to each other at a predetermined interval, and an outer seal is provided between the upper surface portions 101 and 201 when necessary. An accommodation space 70 for accommodating a part of the member 40 in a substantially straight state is formed (see FIG. 1B).

When the opening 20a of the outer container 20 is opened by the outer sealing member 40, a part of the outer sealing member 40 is guided from the other end 40b into the housing space 70 and is housed therein. This accommodation space 70 is used for the upper surface 10 of the inner container 10.
Since it is formed between the first casing 1 and the upper surface 201 of the upper casing 200 of the outer container 20, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with a case where a guide member is separately provided.

Further, since a part of the outer seal member 40 with the opening 20a of the outer container 20 opened is housed in a substantially straight state, even when the outer seal member 40 having high rigidity is employed, the outer seal member 40 is not slid. The seal member 40 is not bent.
As described above, the outer sealing member 40 having no bending habit enables
Since the opening 20a of the outer container 20 is closed, the seal is reliable, and the scattering of the toner can be reliably prevented.

[0027] With reference to upper casing 7, the upper casing 200 has a box shape having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, the lower surface is open. The upper casing 200 includes an upper surface 201, side surfaces 202 and 203 and end surfaces 204 and 205 that extend downward from four pieces of the upper surface 201 to form a peripheral wall. The side surface portions 202 and 203 extend along the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge main body 1 and have end surface portions 204 and 2.
Reference numeral 05 is along the width direction of the toner cartridge body 1.

A plurality of claw portions 206 hooked on predetermined portions of the lower casing 250 are provided on the side portions 202 and 203,
A plurality of protrusions 207 arranged between the claws 206
And a shaft support portion 208 that supports the winding shaft 50 are formed to extend downward. Note that the shaft support portion formed on the side surface portion 203 has the same configuration as the shaft support portion 208 provided on the side surface portion 202, and is not illustrated.

The claw portion 206 has an L-shaped cross section, and has concave portions 202a and 203 formed on the side surface portion 202.
The support portion 206a extends downward in a state continuous with the portion a. The support portion 206a is elastically deformable, and the claw body 206b is bent at a right angle from the lower end of the support portion 206a and extends outward. The outer surface of the support portion 206a is flush with the concave portions 202a and 203a.

A portion of the side surface portion 203 corresponding to the extraction side end 1b is provided with a protruding portion 203b protruding from other portions.
Is formed on the projecting portion 203b.
A semicircular cutout 203c for introducing a large-diameter portion 50d described later is formed to protrude. Projection 203b
A partition plate is provided facing the inner surface of the shaft support member, and a shaft support portion (not shown) having the same configuration as the shaft support portion 208 extending downward from the partition plate is formed.

The leading end 1 of the toner cartridge body 1
A semicircular cutout 204a through which a toner supply tube 105 described later is inserted is formed in the end surface portion 204 corresponding to a. Referring to the inner container 8, the inner container 10 has a box shape having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The inner container 200 has a rectangular upper surface portion 101, a pair of side surface portions 102 and an end surface portion 103 extending downward from four sides of the upper surface portion 101, and a continuous outer end at the lower end of the side surface portion 102 and the end surface portion 103. And a plate-like lower edge 104 extending in the upward direction.

The leading end 1 of the toner cartridge body 1
A toner supply cylinder 105 for supplying toner to the inside of the inner container 10 at the time of manufacturing the toner cartridge is formed at the end face portion 103 corresponding to a. The distal end of the toner supply cylinder 105 projects outward from the outer container 10 when the inner container 10 and the outer container 20 are assembled. The inside of the toner supply tube 105 is communicated with the inside of the inner container 10, and the communication with the outside is shut off by the plug-like portion 106 introduced into the tube from the tip end side. After the toner is supplied from the toner supply tube 105 to the inside of the inner container 10, the plug portion 106 closes the toner supply tube 105 by thermal welding.

Although the toner cartridge body 1 has a double container structure including the inner and outer containers 10 and 20, the toner can be filled by a single toner supply tube 105. Therefore, the structure is simple and the sealing performance is high. A plurality of projections 107 projecting outward from a portion of the lower edge 104 along the longitudinal direction are formed. These protrusions 107 are provided on the protrusions 207 of the upper casing 200.
At the time of fitting with a concave portion 257 of the lower casing 250 described later (see FIG. 12). Thereby, the inner container 10 is fixed while being positioned with respect to the outer container 20.

As described above, the inner container 10 is composed of the upper and lower casings 200 and 250 to which the outer container 20 is fixed by fitting, and the inner casing 10 is positioned and fixed by the upper and lower casings 200 and 250. The toner cartridge main body 1 can be assembled simply by fitting without using any other means. Referring to the lower casing 9, the lower casing 250 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The upper surface of the lower casing 250 is open, and an opening is formed on the lower surface.

The lower casing 250 has a lower edge portion 251 having an opening 20a, and side portions 252, 253 extending upward from near the four-piece portion of the lower edge portion 251 to constitute a peripheral wall portion.
And end face portions 254 and 255. Side part 2
Reference numerals 52 and 253 extend along the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge main body 1, and end surfaces 254 and 255 extend along the width direction of the toner cartridge main body 1.

A plurality of hook slits 256 (see FIG. 10) on which the claw portions 206 of the upper casing 200 are hooked are formed on the side portions 252 and 253, respectively.
6 and the projection 2 of the upper casing 200
06 and the upper casing 20
A shaft support 258 for supporting the take-up shaft 50 is provided in cooperation with the 0 shaft support 208. The side portion 253 corresponds to the protruding portion 203b of the upper casing 200.
A box-shaped protrusion 253b is formed to protrude. The side portions 202 and 203 of the upper casing 200 and the side portions 252 and 253 of the lower casing 250 are combined in a phased manner as shown in FIG.

The lower edge portion 251 has an inner edge portion 251a arranged inside the peripheral wall portions 202 to 205, and an outer edge portion 251b arranged outside. A pair of bosses 259 that are inserted and fitted into bosses (not shown) formed on the upper casing 200 are provided on a portion of the inner edge portion 251a corresponding to the extraction side end of the toner cartridge body 1. In addition, a pair of protrusions 260 as open position stopper means for regulating the outer seal member 40 to the open position via the slide member 60 is formed so as to protrude with the opening 20a sandwiched in the width direction. Outer edge 25 of lower edge 251
A portion 1b corresponding to the extraction side end 1b is formed with a finger hook 1c on which a finger is hooked at the time of extraction.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 17 and 18, a portion of inner edge portion 251a corresponding to introduction side end portion 1a of toner cartridge main body 1 is provided with an outer seal member 40 via a slide member 60. A pair of protrusions 261 as closing position stopper means for restricting the
a is provided in a state sandwiched in the width direction, and a guide portion 262 having a cam surface for guiding engagement and disengagement of the slide member 60 with the protrusion 261 is provided on the opening 20a side. It is provided in a protruding state. The protrusion 261 serving as the closing position stopper means is provided with a depression 2 at the center.
By engaging a projection 60c, described later, of the slide member 60 with the outer seal member 4a as described above.
0 is restricted to the closed position (see FIG. 18). Guide section 26
2 has a chevron shape, and comes into contact with the lower surface of the main body portion 60a of the slide member 60 so that the slide member 60
Is guided to the recess 261a. The protruding portion 261 as the above-described closed position stopper means is a restricting means for restricting the movement of the slide member 60 in order to prevent the outer seal member 40 from being opened in a state where the toner cartridge TC is detached from the storage recess 500. Is also configured.

The notch 204 a of the upper casing 200 is inserted into the end face 254 corresponding to the introduction side end of the toner cartridge body 1 with the toner supply tube 105 inserted therethrough.
A notch 254a having a semicircular cross section is formed to sandwich and fix the toner supply cylinder 105 between the notches 254a and 254a. Inner Seal Member The inner seal member 30 is in the form of a long sheet, and is heat-welded to the lower surface of the lower edge 104 of the inner container 10.
It covers the opening 10 a of the inner container 10. Further, the base end 30a of the inner seal member 30 is fixed to the winding shaft 50 as shown in FIG. Winding means Referring to FIG. 13, the winding shaft 50 is
Slit 50b for fixing base end 30a of zero
A main body 50a provided in the axial direction, and the main body 50a
Are formed coaxially at both ends of the upper and lower casings 200 and 25.
It has a pair of small-diameter neck portions 50c supported by the 0 shaft support portions 208 and 258, and a large-diameter portion 50d formed at one end continuously to the neck portion 50c. The large diameter portion 50d is formed with a drive connection portion 50e formed of a concave portion into which a drive connection shaft 91 described later is inserted and connected. A flat portion 91a parallel to the axial direction is provided at the distal end of the drive connection shaft 91.
At the back of e, a flat portion 50f that can match the flat portion 91a of the drive connection shaft 91 with a predetermined rotation phase is provided. Referring to the slide member 14, one end portion 40a of the outer seal member 40
Is fixed to the upper surface of the slide member 60. The slide member 60 includes a main body 60a that straddles the opening 20a of the outer container 20 in the width direction, a pair of guided parts 60b formed at both ends of the main body 60a, and each guided part 6a.
0b is provided on the lower surface of Ob.

Referring to FIG. 15, one guided portion 60b, which is both ends of slide member 60, has a lower surface of lower edge 104 of inner container 10 and a lower portion of outer container 20 as shown in FIG. It penetrates into a pair of guide grooves 75 formed between the upper surface of the lower edge 251 of the casing 250. The slide member 60 is guided by the guide groove 75,
The outer container 20 slides in the longitudinal direction. As the slide member 60 slides, the outer seal member 4
0 opens and closes the opening 20 a of the outer container 20.

As described above, the slide member 60 for opening and closing the outer seal member 40 is guided by the guide groove 75 formed between the inner container 10 and the outer container 20. There is no need to provide a special guide member, and the number of parts can be reduced. Since the both side edges 40c and 40d of the outer seal member 40 are arranged in both the guide grooves 75, the seal by the outer seal member 40 is reliable.

A pair of projections 61 and 62 are formed on the lower surface of the main body 60a of the slide member 60. One of the protrusions 61 has a top 61a for pushing down the slide member moving means 80 to the disengagement position, and first and second engagements formed on opposite sides of the slope formed on the top 61a. Parts 61b and 61c. The first engagement portion 61b engages with the slide member moving means 80 during the insertion operation so that the outer seal member 40 is moved to the open position in conjunction with the operation of inserting the toner cartridge main body 1 into the storage recess 500. Are combined. Also, the second engaging portion 61
c is engaged with the slide member moving means 80 at the time of the extracting operation so that the outer seal member 40 is moved to the closed position in conjunction with the extracting operation of the toner cartridge main body 1 from the storage recess 500.

The protruding portion 26 formed on the lower edge 251 of the lower casing 250 as the above-described open position stopper means.
0 abuts on the slide member 60 immediately before the movement of the outer seal member 40 to the open position is completed.
Of the slide member moving means 80 engaged with the first engaging portion 6b over the top portion 61a to prevent the second engaging portion 61c from moving. To be engaged.

The lower edge 251 of the lower casing 250
The protrusion 261 formed as the above-mentioned closed position stopper means contacts the slide member 60 immediately before the movement of the outer seal member 40 to the closed position is completed, and the toner cartridge main body of the slide member 60 By preventing the movement with respect to 1, the slide member moving means 80 engaged with the second engaging portion 61c is moved over the top portion 61a and engaged with the first engaging portion 61b. With reference to FIG. 19, storage recess 500 is disposed above a developing device (not shown) in image forming apparatus main body G, and toner cartridge T is provided in storage recess 500.
C is inserted and removed. An opening 500a through which the toner discharged from the inserted toner cartridge TC is passed through the developing device is formed on the bottom surface in the storage recess 500.

An opening 500b for inserting and removing the toner cartridge TC into and from the storage recess 500 is provided by a lid 510 which is pivoted about a shaft 510a formed in a predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus main body G as shown in FIG. A),
It is opened and closed as shown in FIG. On the inner wall 500c of the storage recess 500, an introduction groove 500d for introducing the winding shaft 50 in accordance with the introduction of the toner cartridge TC into the storage recess 500, and an innermost portion of the introduction groove 500d, which will be described later. And an insertion portion 500e for moving the drive connection shaft 91 of the drive connection mechanism 90 into and out of the storage recess 500.

At the bottom near the entrance in the storage recess 500,
A slide member moving means 80 for moving the slide member 60 is provided. Referring to the slide member moving means Figure 20 and 21, the slide member moving means 80, screw in the bottom near the inlet in the storing recess 500 84
A rotating portion 82 that moves between an upper position for engaging with the slide member 60 and a lower position for releasing the engagement while being supported by the fixing portion 81; A compression coil spring 83 is provided as urging means for urging the rotating portion 82 to an upper position.

The fixing portion 81 has an L-shaped cross section, and a pair of screw insertion holes 81a through which the pair of screws 84 are inserted is formed at the rear end of the fixing portion 81. Further, on the lower surface of the fixed portion 81, a pair of shaft support portions 81b for supporting a pair of shaft portions 82a (described later) of the rotating portion 82 are provided.
Are formed to protrude. A screw hole 81c for screw-fitting a screw 85 as a spring holding member through which the compression coil spring 83 is inserted is formed at the center of the distal end of the fixing portion 81. Further, a pair of notches 81 d of the rotating portion 82 through which a pair of engaging protrusions 82 b described later are passed are formed at the distal end of the fixed portion 81.

A pair of shaft portions 82a projecting laterally are formed at both ends in the width direction of the base end portion of the rotating portion 82, and the tip portion of the rotating portion 82 is bent in a mountain shape. A pair of formed engaging projections 82b are formed. Rotating part 8
A cut-out portion 82c into which a screw 85 that has passed through the compression coil spring 83 is inserted is formed at the center of the distal end of 2.

The compression coil spring 83 is interposed between the head 85a of the screw 85 fixed to the fixing portion 81 and the lower surface of the turning portion 82, and pushes up a predetermined portion of the turning portion 82. Drive coupling mechanism Figure 22 through Figure of the winding shaft 24 is a schematic sectional view showing a process of winding shaft 50 is drivingly connected with the closing operation of the lid 510 sequentially, FIGS. 25 to 27 which It is a schematic side view corresponding to FIG. With reference to these figures, the drive connection mechanism 90 to the winding shaft 50 will be described. Drive coupling mechanism 90
Are disposed on a side surface near the entrance of the storage recess 500, and are connected to the winding shaft 50 by a drive connection shaft 91, and a compression coil as an urging means for urging the drive connection shaft 91 in the axial direction. A spring 92, a lock member 93 for holding the drive connection shaft 91 at a predetermined position, a torsion spring 94 as urging means for urging the lock member 93 to a locked state, and a lid 510.
And a lock member driving section 95 that is provided on the back surface of the lock member 93 and causes the lock member 93 to release the lock.

The drive connecting shaft 91 is inserted into and connected to the drive connecting portion 50e formed of the concave portion of the winding shaft 50 when the drive connecting shaft 91 has advanced into the storage concave portion 500 (see FIGS. 24 and 27). It is movable along the axial direction between a connection release position where it is retracted from the storage recess 500 to release the connection and [see FIGS. 22 and 25]. At an intermediate portion of the drive connection shaft 91, a flange portion 91a that moves integrally with the drive connection shaft 91 in the axial direction is formed. The rear end of the drive connection shaft 91 protrudes from the image forming apparatus main body G to the outside. Referring to FIG. 24, by inserting and connecting the connection protrusion H1 of the handwheel H into the connection recess 91a formed at the rear end, winding is performed via the handwheel H and the connection drive shaft 91. The shaft 50 can be driven.

Referring to FIG. 13, a flat portion 91a is formed at the tip end of drive connection shaft 91 so as to correspond to flat portion 50f formed on drive connection portion 50e and serve as a torque transmitting surface. The compression coil spring 92 as the urging means is provided between the inner surface of the image forming apparatus main body G and the flange 9 of the drive connecting shaft 91.
1a, and biases the drive connection shaft 91 to the connection position (toward the take-up shaft 50).

The lock member 93 is a plate member rotatably provided around a shaft 93a attached to the image forming apparatus main body G. The base end of the lock member 93 is
It is rotatably supported by. Lock member 93
Has its leading end contacting the leading end surface of the drive connecting shaft 91,
The shaft 9 moves between a lock position (see FIGS. 22 and 25) for holding the drive connection shaft 91 at the connection release position and a lock release position (see FIGS. 24 and 27) for releasing the lock.
It is rotatable around 3a.

The torsion spring 94 is wound around a shaft 93 a, one end of which is hooked on a shaft 95 fixed to the image forming apparatus main body G, and the other end of which is in the longitudinal direction of the lock member 93. Hung in the middle.
The torsion spring 94 urges the lock member 93 to the lock position (counterclockwise in FIG. 23). The lock member driving section 95 has a plate shape, and is formed to project from the back surface of the lid 510. This lock member driving section 95
The lock member 93 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position in conjunction with the closing operation of the lid 510. Further, the lock member driving section 95 is formed with an insertion hole 95a through which the connection drive shaft 91 is inserted when the lock member 93 is moved to the unlock position.

Next, the operation of the drive connection mechanism 90 will be described. FIGS. 22 and 25 show a state in which the toner cartridge TC is set in the storage recess 500 of the image forming apparatus main body G, and the winding shaft 50 is introduced to a position facing the distal end surface of the drive connection shaft 91. . In this state, the drive connection shaft 91 is held at the connection release position by the lock member 93 at the lock position.

Next, when the lid is closed, the lock member driving section 95 provided on the lid 510 is interlocked with the closing operation of the lid 510, as shown in FIGS. Then, the lock member 93 is retracted to the unlock position. As a result, the connection drive shaft 91 urged by the compression coil spring 92 is inserted into the insertion hole 9 of the lock member drive unit 95.
5a, and the winding shaft 5 of the toner cartridge TC is inserted.
0 drive connection part 50e. Thereby, the winding shaft 50 can be driven by the handle H.

As described above, the drive connection to the winding shaft 50 is performed in conjunction with the closing operation of the lid 510.
If the lid 510 is not closed, no driving connection is made. Therefore, unless the lid 510 is closed, the inner seal member 30 is not peeled off, so that scattering of toner can be reliably prevented. In a state where the lid 510 is closed, the drive connection shaft 91 at the connection position passes through the insertion hole 95a of the lock member drive unit 95, and the drive connection shaft 91 passes through the lock member drive unit 95 through the lock member drive unit 95. Lid 510
Is prevented from opening. Accordingly, opening of the lid 510 in a state where the drive connection shaft 91 is connected to the drive connection portion 50e of the toner cartridge TC can be prevented, and the toner can be more reliably prevented from being scattered.

The lid is not opened unless the rear end of the drive connection shaft 91 is moved rightward in FIG. 24 against the compression coil spring 92 and retracted to the connection release position. Therefore, the toner cartridge T
C is prevented from being removed. Attaching / detaching operation of the toner cartridge to / from the accommodating recess Next, referring to FIGS.
The operation of attaching and detaching to and from the storage recess 500 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, a new toner cartridge TC to be replaced is
a is closed by the inner seal member 30 and the outer container 20 is closed.
Is closed by the outer seal member 40. In this state, the slide member 60 has been moved to the introduction side end 1a side of the toner cartridge main body 1.

When the introduction side end 1a of the toner cartridge main body 1 is inserted into the storage recess 500, a pair of engagement members of the slide member moving means 90 is engaged with the first engagement portion 6b of the slide member 60 (see FIG. 15). The projection 82b is engaged (see FIG. 1A). Further, when the toner cartridge main body 1 is inserted into the inside of the storage recess 500, the slide member moving means 80 moves the slide member 60 relative to the toner cartridge main body 1 in conjunction with this insertion operation, Open the outer seal member 40 [FIG.
(B)).

The storage recess 5 of the toner cartridge body 1
Immediately before the insertion into the slide member 60 is completed.
2A comes into contact with a projection 260 (see FIG. 9) as an open position stopper. Thereby, the toner cartridge main body 1 of the slide member 60 is
Relative movement is restricted. In this state, when the toner cartridge main body 1 is further inserted, the engaging projection 82b of the rotating portion 82 of the slide member moving means 80 is
The slide member 60 is engaged with the second engagement portion 61c over the top 61a of the protrusion 61 (see FIGS. 2A and 15). In this state, the winding shaft 50 is connected to the drive connection shaft 91 as described above.

Next, the handle H is turned to drive the take-up shaft 50, and the inner seal member 30 is taken up on the take-up shaft 50 while being peeled off (see FIG. 2B). As a result, the opening 10a of the inner container 10 is opened, and the toner T falls through the openings 10a and 20a to a predetermined portion of a developing device (not shown) below. Next, when removing the used toner cartridge TC, the engaging projection 82b of the slide member moving means 80 is already engaged with the second engagement portion 61c of the slide member 60 when the toner cartridge TC is inserted. Therefore, in conjunction with the removal operation of the toner cartridge TC, the slide member 60 is moved toward the introduction side end 1a relative to the toner cartridge main body 1 (see FIG. 3A), and is closed. Is moved to the position (see FIG. 3B).

The slide member 60 that has reached the closed position is guided by the slope of the guide portion 262 and abuts on a pair of protrusions 261 as a closed position stopper. Thereby, the relative movement of the slide member 60 with respect to the toner cartridge main body 1 is regulated. In this state, by further pulling out the toner cartridge main body 1, the engagement protrusion 82b of the slide member moving means 80 rides over the top 61a of the protrusion 61 of the slide member 60 to engage with the slide member 60. Release (see FIG. 4). Thus, the toner cartridge TC is completely removed from the storage recess 500.

As described above, at the time of removal for replacement, the opening 20a of the outer container 20 is automatically closed by the outer seal member 40 which is not contaminated with toner, so that scattering of toner can be reliably prevented, and furthermore, , The replacement work becomes very easy. Moreover, the toner cartridge T
When C is removed from the storage recess 500 of the image forming apparatus main body 1, the opening 20 a of the outer container 20 is securely closed by the outer seal member 40. That is, since the outer seal member 40 also functions as a shutter when the toner cartridge TC is transported, there is no need to separately provide a shutter.

Second Embodiment FIGS. 28 to 36 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The main differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment are the following 1) and 2). 1) In the first embodiment, the opening 20 a of the outer container 20 of the toner cartridge TC before being mounted in the storage recess 500 is closed by the outer seal member 40. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the toner cartridge TC
As shown in FIG. 28A showing the mounting step, the opening 20a of the outer container 20 is open. When the mounting of the toner cartridge TC into the storage recess 500 is completed, the relative movement of the slide member 60 with respect to the toner cartridge main body 1 is stopped by the open position stopper means (not shown). 60
Is over the engagement protrusion 82b of the rotating portion 82 of the slide member moving means 80, and the right position of the engagement protrusion 82b [FIG.
8 (A)] to the left position (FIG. 28 (A)).
Although not shown, when the toner cartridge TC is used and is removed from the storage recess 500,
As in the first embodiment, the opening 20a is closed by the outer seal member 40 by the action of the slide member moving means 80 and the slide member 60. 2) In the first embodiment, the take-up shaft 50 as the take-up means protrudes to the side of the toner cartridge main body 1. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the winding means 50 is interlocked with the winding shaft 51 having one end formed with the first gear portion 51a and meshing with the first gear portion 51a at one end. A winding connection shaft 52 having a second gear portion 52a to be rotated. This winding connection shaft 5
The other end of the handle 2 faces a handle insertion tube 1d provided at the extraction side end 1b of the toner cartridge main body 1. When the inner seal member 30 is torn off after the toner cartridge TC is mounted in the storage recess
As shown in FIG. 9, the handle shaft of the handwheel H1 inserted into the handle insertion tube 1d is connected to the winding connection shaft 52 so as to be integrally rotatable, and the handwheel H is turned, whereby the winding shaft 51 is rotated. Drive.

Referring to FIGS. 30 to 32, upper casing 200 constituting the upper portion of outer container 20 of toner cartridge main body 1 has handle insertion cylinder 1d formed on the end surface on the side of extraction side 1b. I have. Further, as shown in FIG. 33, a pair of support portions 263 for rotatably supporting the winding connection shaft 52 is formed at a predetermined position of the lower casing 250, and a similar portion is formed at a corresponding portion of the upper casing 200. A support (not shown) is formed.

Referring to FIG. 33, lower edge 251 is formed from the edge of opening 20a on the extraction side end 1b side.
A claw member 264 as a pair of open position holding members that protrudes into the opening 20a is formed. These claw members 2
As shown in FIG. 36, the slide member 60 is stopped by a predetermined holding force so that the outer seal member 4
0 is kept open. The cross section of the main body 60a of the slide member 60 is formed in a rectangular cross section as shown in FIG.

Since other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the related members in the drawings, and the description is omitted. Also in the second embodiment,
At the time of removal for replacement, the opening of the outer container is automatically closed by the outer seal member which is not contaminated with toner, so that scattering of toner can be reliably prevented, and the replacement operation becomes very easy.

Third Embodiment FIGS. 37 and 37 show a third embodiment. Referring to the figure, the third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in the following 1) to 4). 1) The outer container 20 is divided into left and right casings 230 and 280. 2) A motor 55 for driving the winding shaft 50 is disposed in a space between the inner container 10 and the outer container 20. A pair of terminals 56 for supplying power to the motor 55 via a lead wire 57 are exposed on the side surface of the left casing 230. These terminals 56 are connected to the toner cartridge T
C is inserted into the storage recess 500, and the storage recess 5
In this case, a power supply terminal (not shown) provided on the side surface of the inner surface of the motor 00 is contacted. 3) At the extraction side end 1b of the toner cartridge body 1,
A tiltable T-shaped handle 290 is provided. 4) On the upper surfaces of the left and right casings 230 and 280, a guide rail 231 guided to a predetermined portion in the storage recess 500,
281 are provided.

Since the other structure is the same as in the first and second embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the drawings and the description is omitted. Further, regarding the internal structure, the sliding member 60
Since the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the structure for engaging is omitted, it is not shown. In this embodiment, the winding of the inner seal member 30 can be automatically performed by a motor instead of manually.

Fourth Embodiment FIGS. 39 to 41 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 40A, an inclined extraction guide portion 1e is formed on the bottom surface of introduction side end 1a of outer container 20 of toner cartridge main body 1. FIG. 39 (A)
After the inner seal member 30 is peeled off as shown in FIG.
The used toner cartridge TC is shown in FIG.
It is extracted as shown in FIG. At this time, the slide member 60 is moved relative to the toner cartridge main body 1 by the slide member moving means 80. Up to this point, the operation is the same as in the second embodiment.

Immediately before the removal of the toner cartridge TC is completed, as shown in FIG. 40A, the removal guide portion 1e is guided by a contact portion 81f of the slide member moving means 80, which will be described later. The leading end 1a of the toner cartridge body 1 is raised, whereby the engagement between the slide member 60 and the engagement protrusion 82b of the slide member moving means 80 can be smoothly released [FIG.
(B)].

The slide member moving means 80 is provided with a fixing portion 81, an engaging projection member 82 which is provided in a concave portion of the fixing portion 81 so as to be able to move up and down by a vertical movement and is engaged with the slide member 60, Both ends are suspended by the fixing portion 81 in a state of penetrating the engagement protrusion member 82, and a tension coil spring 83 for urging the engagement protrusion member 82 upward is provided. Further, a pair of abutting portions 81f are provided near both ends of the fixing portion 81 in the longitudinal direction of the engaging projection member 82.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various (design) changes can be made without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0074]

As described above, according to the toner cartridge of the first aspect, at the time of removal for replacement, the opening of the outer container is automatically closed by the outer seal member which is not contaminated with toner. The scattering of the toner can be reliably prevented, and the replacement work becomes very easy.

According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the outer container is composed of two divided bodies fixed by fitting, and the inner container is positioned and fixed by these divided bodies. Therefore, the toner cartridge body can be assembled only by fitting without using screws or the like. According to the toner cartridge according to the third aspect, the slide member for opening and closing the outer seal member is guided by the guide groove formed between the inner container and the outer container. There is no need to provide a special guide member, and the number of parts can be reduced. Since both side edges of the outer seal member are arranged in the two guide grooves, the seal by the outer seal member is reliable.

According to the toner cartridge of the fourth aspect, when the opening of the outer container is opened by the outer seal member, a part of the outer seal member is guided and stored in the storage space. Since the accommodating space is formed between the upper surface of the inner container and the inner surface of the outer container, the number of components can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with a case where a guide member is separately provided.

Since a part of the outer seal member with the opening of the outer container opened is accommodated in a substantially straight state, even when a highly rigid outer seal member is employed, the outer seal member has a bending tendency. Not stick. As described above, the opening of the outer container is closed by the outer seal member having no bending tendency, so that the seal is reliable and the scattering of the toner can be reliably prevented.

According to the toner cartridge of the fifth aspect, since there is no need to provide a separate guide means, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. According to the toner cartridge of the sixth aspect, the movement of the slide member is regulated by the regulating means in a state where the toner cartridge is detached from the storage recess of the image forming apparatus main body. Thereby, the outer seal member that has closed the opening of the outer container is kept in a state where the opening is closed. It is possible to reliably prevent toner from scattering.

According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the toner is supplied from the outside of the outer container through the toner supply tube to the inside of the inner container in which the opening is closed by the inner seal member. Is filled with toner. After filling, the tip of the toner supply port is closed by the stopper. The toner can be filled by a single toner supply cylinder even though it has a double container structure including an inner container and an outer container.
The structure is simple and the sealing performance is high.

According to the toner cartridge of the present invention, the winding of the inner seal member can be automatically performed by a motor instead of manually.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view sequentially showing a process of mounting a toner cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a storage recess of an image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view sequentially illustrating a process of peeling off an inner seal member of a toner cartridge mounted in a storage recess.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view sequentially showing a process of extracting a used toner cartridge from a storage recess.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a state immediately before the removal of the toner cartridge is completed.

FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of the toner cartridge main body.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge main body.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an upper casing constituting an upper portion of the outer container.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an inner container.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lower casing constituting a lower portion of the outer container.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the toner cartridge main body showing a fitting portion of the upper and lower casings.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fitting portion of the upper and lower casings.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the toner cartridge main body, showing a state where the inner container is fixed by the upper and lower casings.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional exploded perspective view of a winding shaft and a drive connection shaft.

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional perspective view of a slide member.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a main part of the slide member.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the toner cartridge main body showing a state where the slide member is guided.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a main part of the toner cartridge main body, showing a state immediately before the outer seal member is moved to the closed position by the slide member.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the toner cartridge main body, showing a state where the slide member is engaged by the closed position stopper member.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view sequentially showing a process in which a storage recess of the image forming apparatus main body is closed by a lid.

FIG. 20 is a partial sectional side view of a slide member moving unit.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a slide member moving unit.

FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the drive connection mechanism before the lid of the storage recess is closed.

FIG. 23 is a schematic sectional view of the drive connection mechanism showing a state where the drive connection shaft is about to be connected to the winding shaft in conjunction with the closing operation of the lid.

FIG. 24 is a schematic sectional view of the drive connection mechanism showing a state where the drive connection shaft is connected to the take-up shaft.

FIG. 25 is a schematic side view of the drive connection mechanism corresponding to the state of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a schematic side view of the drive connection mechanism corresponding to the state of FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a schematic side view sequentially showing steps corresponding to FIG. 24.

FIG. 28 is a schematic sectional view sequentially showing a process of inserting the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention into the storage recess of the image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a step of peeling off the inner seal member of the mounted toner cartridge.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge main body.

FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of a toner cartridge main body.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an upper casing constituting an upper portion of the outer container.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a lower casing constituting a lower portion of the outer container.

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of the winding means.

FIG. 35 is a partial sectional perspective view of a slide member.

FIG. 36 is an essential part cross sectional view showing a state where a slide member is engaged.

FIG. 37 is an exploded plan view of a toner cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a three-view drawing of the toner cartridge.

FIG. 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a step of peeling off an inner seal member in a state where a toner cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is mounted, and a step in the process of extracting a used toner cartridge.

FIG. 40 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before the extraction of the toner cartridge is completed and a state immediately after the extraction is completed.

FIG. 41 is a schematic perspective view of a slide member moving means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 G Image forming apparatus main body 500 Storage recess TC Toner cartridge T Toner 1 Toner cartridge main body 10 Inner container 10a Opening 20 Outer container 20a Opening 30 Inner seal member 40 Outer seal member 40a One end 40c Side edge 50 Winding shaft (winding) 50e Drive connecting portion 60 Slide member 61 Projecting portion 61a Top portion 61b First engaging portion 61c Second engaging portion 70 Housing space 75 Guide groove 80 Slide member moving means 90 Drive connecting mechanism 91 Drive connecting shaft 92 Compression Coil spring (urging means) 93 Lock member 94 Torsion spring (urging means) 95 Lock member driving part 95a Insertion hole 105 Toner supply port 106 Plug-like part 107 Protrusion part 200 Upper casing 250 Lower casing 260 Projection (open position) Stopper means 261 Projection (closed position strike) Lid means) 510 lid

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-220668 (JP, A) JP-A-4-362671 (JP, A) JP-A-5-273853 (JP, A) JP-A-62-1987 35383 (JP, A) Hikaru Hei 3-84853 (JP, U) International Publication 92/1247 (WO, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03G 15/08

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A toner cartridge detachably mounted in a housing recess of an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an inner container in which toner is stored; and an inner container in which the inner container is stored and the inner container forms the toner cartridge main body. A container, an opening formed on the lower surface of the outer container, an opening formed on the lower surface of the inner container, for discharging toner through the opening of the outer container, and the opening of the inner container. A peelable sheet-like inner sealing member attached to the lower surface of the inner container in a covered state, and disposed in a space between one end of the outer container and one end of the inner container, and the inner seal is provided. A winding means which is rotatably supported by the outer container in a state where one end of the member is fixed, peels off the inner seal member and winds it, and an opening of the outer container is freely openable and closable. Content A sheet-shaped outer sealing member that opens the opening while retracting to a position where it avoids contact with toner dropped from the opening of the container and can close the opening when required; and an outer sealing member. Is movable along the lower surface of the outer container with one end of the toner cartridge fixed, and engages with a predetermined portion of the image forming apparatus main body when the toner cartridge main body is removed from the storage recess of the image forming apparatus main body. By
A slide member for closing the outer seal member. 2. The outer container can be divided into upper and lower divided bodies, the two divided bodies are fixed by being fitted to each other, and the inner container has a protruding piece on the side surface. 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is fixed in a state where it is positioned with respect to the outer container by a protrusion of the inner container being sandwiched between fitting portions of the two divided bodies. 3. The sliding member is formed between a pair of portions of the lower surface of the outer container which sandwich the opening and a pair of portions of the lower surface of the inner container which sandwich the opening. And a pair of guide grooves for guiding the movement of the slide member in a state where the slide member is intruded. Both side edges of the outer seal member are moved in the both guide grooves so as to be moved in the both guide grooves as the slide member moves. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is disposed in the toner cartridge. 4. A part of the outer seal member with the opening of the outer container opened is guided between the upper surface of the inner container and the inner surface of the outer container facing the inner container to accommodate the outer seal member in a substantially straight state. 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a housing space for forming the toner cartridge is formed. 5. When the opening of the outer container is opened, a part of the outer sealing member is turned around the winding shaft of the winding means by approximately 180 ° in the housing space. The winding shaft constitutes guide means for guiding the orbiting of the outer seal member.
The toner cartridge as described in the above. 6. The movement of the slide member in a state in which the toner cartridge main body is removed from the storage recess of the image forming apparatus main body so as to prevent the outer seal member in a state where the opening is closed from being opened. 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a regulating unit is provided in the guide groove. 7. A toner supply cylinder formed at the end of the inner container, the interior of which is communicated with the interior of the inner container, and the tip end of which penetrates the end of the outer container, and toner supplied from the toner supply cylinder. 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a plug-shaped portion that closes a tip portion of the toner supply cylinder after the operation. 8. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a motor for driving said winding means is disposed in a space between the outer container and the inner container.