JP3238044B2 - Toner cartridge, process cartridge, toner hopper, and image forming apparatus - 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 containing toner, a process cartridge and a toner hopper to which the toner cartridge is mounted, and an image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge can be attached and detached.
Further, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with the toner hopper.

Here, examples of the image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile machine, an electrophotographic word processor, and the like.

Further, as a process cartridge, a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. . In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed as a cartridge so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used for image forming. A process cartridge system detachable from the apparatus main body is employed. According to this process cartridge, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

On the other hand, in this process cartridge system, a process cartridge capable of supplying toner has been known (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 03-56474, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 02-186375).

[0006] Japanese Patent Publication No. 03-56474 discloses a process cartridge that allows an operator to recognize the number of toner replenishments.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 02-186375 describes a process cartridge in which a plurality of toner supply containers can be inserted into the space of the process cartridge.

Each of the above-mentioned prior arts is very effective in a process cartridge that enables toner replenishment.

[0009]

The present invention is a further development of the prior art.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and a toner hopper which can easily and reliably open the toner cartridge from outside when replenishing toner from a plurality of toner cartridges. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner cartridge, a toner replenishment type process cartridge and a toner hopper which can also prevent scattering, and an image forming apparatus provided with the process cartridge or the toner hopper.

[0011]

The above object is achieved by a toner cartridge, a process cartridge and a toner hopper according to the present invention, and an image forming apparatus provided with the process cartridge or the toner hopper. In summary, the present invention relates to a toner cartridge for supplying toner by being attached to a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein the process cartridge has an opening and is capable of accommodating a plurality of toner cartridges. Means, an opening / closing member for opening / closing the opening, a pushing member provided on the opening / closing member, which pushes the toner cartridge into the toner storage means by the closing operation, and a position of the toner cartridge pushed into the toner storage means. And a toner cartridge mounting means provided in the toner storage means. The toner cartridge mounted in the toner cartridge mounting means is deformed by being pushed into the toner storage means of the process cartridge. Encapsulated toner that reduces volume A flexible container, a support member that supports the flexible container, and includes a guided portion that engages with the guide member when pushed into the toner storage unit; Opening means for discharging the toner, wherein the opening means is integrally formed,
An unsealing member that includes a sealing portion that seals the opening of the flexible container and that is opened and unsealed by pulling out the sealing portion in the longitudinal direction of the flexible container; and a pull-out handle portion that pulls out the unsealing member. The opening member passes through a guide hole provided in the support member, is folded back along a guide rib provided in an opening / closing member of the process cartridge, and is pulled out from the outside of the process cartridge. Is a toner cartridge.

Preferably, the opening member is a band-shaped sheet member. It is preferable that the sealing portion is sealed to the opening of the flexible container by a fixing means that can be opened. Preferably, the edge shape of the guide hole on the side that rubs against the band-shaped sheet member is an arc shape curved toward the band-shaped sheet member. It is preferable that the guide hole has a member for wiping toner adhered to the belt-shaped sheet member. In a state where the toner cartridge is pushed into the toner accommodating means of the process cartridge, it is preferable that the pulling handle protrudes outside the process cartridge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and which forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member; A toner storage unit that stores toner used for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, has an opening, and can store a plurality of toner cartridges, An opening / closing member that opens and closes, a pushing member that is provided on the opening / closing member and pushes a toner cartridge into the toner storage means by a closing operation, a guide member that regulates a position of the toner cartridge that is pushed into the toner storage means, and the toner And a toner cartridge mounting means provided in the storage means, wherein the toner cartridge mounting means is mounted on the toner cartridge mounting means. The toner cartridge includes a flexible container in which toner that is deformed and reduced in volume by being pushed into the toner storage means and a guided portion that engages with the guide member when pushed into the toner storage means. Provided, a supporting member for supporting the flexible container, and opening means for discharging the toner stored inside the flexible container, wherein the opening means is integrally configured, An unsealing member that includes a sealing portion that seals the opening of the flexible container and that is opened and unsealed by pulling out the sealing portion in the longitudinal direction of the flexible container; and a pull-out handle portion that pulls out the unsealing member. The opening member passes through a guide hole provided in the support member, is folded back along a guide rib provided in an opening / closing member of the process cartridge, and is pulled from the outside of the process cartridge. And mounting means for mounting detachably a process cartridge kicking
(B) An image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium.

Preferably, the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine. According to another aspect, it is preferable that the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic printer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a toner used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member provided in an image forming apparatus is housed, and a toner cartridge is used to store the toner. In the toner hopper capable of supplying, a toner storage unit having an opening and capable of storing a plurality of toner cartridges, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening, and the opening / closing member are provided on the opening / closing member. The toner cartridge mounting means, comprising: a pushing member for pushing into the toner storage means; a guide member for regulating a position of the toner cartridge pushed into the toner storage means; and a toner cartridge mounting means provided in the toner storage means. The toner cartridge attached to the A supporting member for supporting the flexible container, comprising: a flexible container enclosing a toner whose volume is reduced by being deformed, and a guided portion that engages with the guide member when pushed into the toner storage means. And an opening means for discharging the toner contained in the flexible container, wherein the opening means is an integrally formed sealing member which seals an opening of the flexible container. An opening member for pulling and opening the sealing portion in the longitudinal direction of the flexible container including a stopper, and a pulling handle for pulling out the opening member; A toner hopper is provided, wherein the toner hopper is folded back along a guide rib provided in the opening / closing member through a guide hole provided in the member and pulled out from the outside of the toner hopper.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising:
(A) an electrophotographic photosensitive member; (b) a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and (c) a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member by the latent image forming means. A developing unit for developing an image; and (d) a toner hopper containing toner used for development by the developing unit and capable of supplying toner by a toner cartridge, wherein the plurality of toner cartridges have an opening. A toner storage means capable of storing the toner, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening, and a pushing member provided on the opening / closing member and for pushing the toner cartridge into the toner storage means by a closing operation thereof,
The toner cartridge includes a guide member that regulates the position of the toner cartridge pushed into the toner storage unit, and a toner cartridge mounting unit provided in the toner storage unit. A flexible container enclosing a toner that is deformed and reduced in volume by being pushed into the toner storage means; and a guided portion that engages with the guide member when pushed into the toner storage means. A support member for supporting the flexible container; and a opening means for discharging the toner stored in the flexible container, wherein the opening means is an integral part of the flexible container. An opening member that includes a sealing portion that seals the opening portion, and that opens the sealing portion in the longitudinal direction of the flexible container and opens the opening portion; And a vent handle portion, said unsealing member is passed through the guide hole formed in the support member is folded back along a guide rib provided in the closing member,
A toner hopper that pulls out of the toner hopper,
(E) transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor to the recording medium; and (f) transport means for transporting the recording medium. A forming device is provided.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
The process cartridge and the toner cartridge will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge constructed according to the present invention can be mounted will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the order of the description, the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge will be described, and then the housing of the process cartridge will be described.

{Overall Configuration} This image forming apparatus A is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 23, an optical unit 1 scans light from a laser light source emitted according to image information with a rotating polygon mirror 1a and irradiates the light via a lens 1b and a reflection mirror 1c. The optical unit 1 irradiates a light image based on image information to form a latent image on a photosensitive drum 7 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and develops the latent image with a developing unit 9 to form a toner image.

In synchronism with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is reversely conveyed from a paper feed cassette 3a by a conveying means 3 including a pickup roller 3b, a pair of conveying rollers 3c and 3d, a pair of registration rollers 3e, and the like. B
In the image forming unit formed as a cartridge, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit.

Further, a fixing means 5 comprising a fixing roller 5b having a built-in heater 5a while guiding the recording medium 2 after the transfer of the toner image by a guide member 3f, and a driving roller 5c for pressing the recording medium 2 to the roller 5b to convey it. And the transfer toner image is fixed on the recording medium 2. And this recording medium 2
Is transported by the discharge roller pairs 3g, 3h, and 3i, and the reverse path 3
j to the discharge unit 6. In addition, regarding the discharge, the swingable flapper 3k may be operated, and the discharge may be directly performed by the discharge roller pair 3m without passing through the reverse conveyance path 3j.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section rotates the photosensitive drum 7 having the photosensitive layer and transfers the photosensitive drum 7 to the charging roller 8 which is a charging means on its surface. The photosensitive drum 7 is exposed to a light image from the optical unit 1 through an exposure unit to form a latent image, and is developed by the developing unit 9.

The developing means 9 sends out the toner in the toner accommodating portion 9a by a toner sending member 9b, rotates a developing roller 9c having a fixed magnet built therein, and a developing blade 9
A toner layer provided with a triboelectric charge by d is formed on the surface of the developing roller 9c, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image, thereby forming a toner image and visualizing the toner image.

After the toner image is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 4, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 10a, and the waste toner is stored. The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 10 collected to 10b, and is prepared for the next step.

The components such as the photosensitive drum 7 are connected to a toner container 11 and a developing frame 12 and are housed in a housing formed by connecting a cleaning frame 13 to the toner container 11 to form a cartridge. The process cartridge B is detachably mounted on a cartridge mounting means provided on the apparatus main body 14.

When the opening / closing member 15 is opened, a cartridge mounting space is provided as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, and a cartridge mounting member 16 is mounted on the left and right inner side surfaces of the apparatus main body 14. A guide portion 16a for inserting the process cartridge B is provided opposite to the left and right guide member 16. The process cartridge B is inserted along the guide portion 16a,
The process cartridge B is mounted on the image forming apparatus A by closing the opening / closing member 15.

{Construction of Housing} As described above, the process cartridge B according to this embodiment includes the toner container 1
1. The housing is formed by combining the developing frame 12 and the cleaning frame 13. Next, the configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 24, a toner container 9a is formed in the toner container 11 and a toner feeding member 9b is formed.
Is installed. Also, the developing roller 9 c is provided on the developing frame 12.
A developing member 9e for circulating toner in the developing chamber is rotatably mounted near the developing roller 9c. Then, the toner container 11 and the developing frame 12 are welded to form an integral developing unit.

Each member of the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8 and the cleaning means 10 is attached to the cleaning frame 13, and the process cartridge B is further attached to the apparatus main body 14.
When the photoreceptor drum 7 is removed from the photoreceptor drum, the photoreceptor drum 7 is covered, and a drum shutter member 18 for protecting the photoreceptor drum 7 is attached to form a cleaning unit.

Then, by combining the developing unit and the cleaning unit, the process cartridge B
Is configured. For this purpose, a cover member (not shown) for rotatably supporting both ends of the developing roller 9c is attached to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the developing frame 12, and a tip of an arm portion 19 formed on the cover member is As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, a rotation shaft 20 is provided (only one side is shown in FIGS. 28 and 29).

On the other hand, concave portions 21 for positioning and locking the rotating shaft 20 are provided at two positions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 13. The developing unit and the cleaning unit are rotatably connected around the rotation shaft 20 by inserting the rotation shaft 20 into the recess 21 and screwing the coupling member 22 having the protrusion 22 a to the cleaning frame 13. Then, the developing roller 9c is pressed against the photosensitive drum 7 by the weight of the developing unit.

At this time, the developing roller 9c is reliably pressed against the photosensitive drum 7 by urging the developing frame 12 downward by the compression spring 22b attached to the connecting member 22. Accordingly, by attaching spacer rings (not shown) to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c, this ring is pressed against the photosensitive drum 7, and the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 9c face each other at a fixed interval.

As shown in FIG. 25, the process cartridge B is provided with a lid member 44 for opening and closing the opening thereof, and the lid member 44 has a grip 50 for facilitating the opening and closing operation. It is provided substantially at the center. Further, as will be described later in detail, the tear tape handle 30 for performing the opening operation for supplying the toner of the toner cartridge is attached to the outside of the process cartridge B when the toner cartridge is mounted on the process cartridge B and the cover member 44 is closed. It protrudes.

A lock means 52 for locking the lid member 44 is provided near the grip 50 when the lid member 44 is closed. The lock can be released, thereby allowing the lid member 44 to open.

Further, guides 54, 5 for attaching to the image forming apparatus main body are provided beside the process cartridge B.
6 are provided.

Next, an embodiment of the toner cartridge C mounted on the process cartridge B according to the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the toner cartridge C has a substantially triangular prism shape, and a toner storage container 23 containing toner therein is provided with an upper guide plate 24, a lower guide plate 25, an upper The lower guide plates 24 and 25 are sandwiched between substantially triangular side plates 26 and 26 that connect both ends of the lower guide plates 24 and 25.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the toner storage container 23 is formed in a substantially triangular prism shape, and has a V-shaped body 23a for housing toner, and side walls 23b located at both longitudinal ends of the body 23a. , An opening 23c for discharging toner corresponding to the V-shaped opening, a flange 23d provided around the entire periphery of the opening 23c, and a sealing member described later for sealing the opening 23c. Have been.

As described above, the toner storage container 23 of this embodiment has a substantially triangular prism shape. After the toner is supplied, the V-shaped body portion 23a is pressed from the side and compressed, and the side wall portion 23b is compressed. securely to fold inside the barrel 23a (FIG. 6), the side wall portion 23b and the flange 23d ₁ that is projected to the inside of the barrel 23a. In other words, the central portion of the flange 23d ₁ of the side wall portion 23b, and a side wall portion 23b
A portion corresponding to a vertical line extending from the vertex of the central portion, that is, the side wall portion 23b having a triangular shape is recessed inside the body portion 23a. Therefore, when the toner storage container 23 is viewed from the opening 23c side, as shown in FIG. 5, both side walls of the toner storage container 23 have a substantially M shape.

In this embodiment, the toner container is made of a soft material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl chloride or nylon so as to be more reliably compressed with a small pressing force. 23 was molded. Specifically, it was molded using a polyethylene / polypropylene laminated sheet having a thickness of 0.6 mm, and the thickness of the molded product was 0.2 to 0.6 mm. Note that in the wall thickness of the molded article, the side wall portion 23b and the flange 23d ₁ that compresses to collapse deformation is preferably within the range of 0.1~1.0mm to easily compressed with a small force . That is, when the thickness is smaller than 0.1 mm, pinholes are easily generated in the container main body, and toner leakage may occur. When it is larger than 1 mm,
Compressive strength tends to increase, making it difficult to compress.

With the above-described structure, compression and folding can be performed easily and reliably with a small force.

The opening 23c of the toner container 23
Is sealed by fixing a sealing member to the flange 23d by means such as adhesion or welding.

The sealing member may be a single easy peel film as used in a conventional toner container, but in the present embodiment, in order to reduce the strength at the time of opening, that is, to facilitate opening. A tear tape unit as shown in FIG. 5 is applied. The tear tape unit includes a cover film 27 that covers the opening 23 c and a cover film 2.
7 through a tear line 27a and an opening 23c.
Tape 28 covering a part (opening forming part) in the longitudinal direction of the tape
And the tear tape 28 is fixed to the _one flange 23d1 and then folded back in the opposite direction.
At the time of opening, the cover film 27 is torn along the tear line 27a of the cover film 27 by pulling the tip of the folded portion 28a of the tear tape 28,
An opening is formed in a state where the cover film 27 is peeled off from the flange 23d and the cover film 27 is left in a part of the opening 23c, so that toner can be supplied.

In this embodiment, the toner container 2
Although the shape of No. 3 was substantially triangular in cross section, as shown in FIG.
The toner storage container 23A having a substantially fan-shaped cross section in which the vertex of the triangle of the toner storage container 23A is cut out to form an arc and the opening 23c is closed in an arc shape.

Referring again to FIG. 1 to FIG.
A handle fixing plate 29 is attached to an end of the handle, and a tear tape handle 30 is connected to the handle fixing plate 29. The handle fixing plate 29 is detachably attached to the upper guide plate 24. When supplying the toner, the tear tape handle 30
Pulling the tear tape 28 to pull the cover film 2
7, the cover film 27 is torn along the tear line 27a to form an opening, and the toner is discharged.

Upper and lower guide plates 24 and 25 are attached to the V-shaped portion of the toner container 23 by appropriate means. In the vicinity of the longitudinal end of the upper guide plate 24,
An arcuate guide hole 32 through which the tear tape 28 passes
In addition, an insertion handle 31 is provided on the upper surface of the upper guide plate 24 at the center in the longitudinal direction.

The insertion handle 31 is used for facilitating the operation of inserting the toner cartridge C into the process cartridge B. The insertion handle 31 is made of a flexible integrally molded product such as PP or PA. As shown in FIG.
It is formed in a U-shape of 2 mm, and the bent portions, which are the bases of the legs 31 a, 31 a, are formed as thin as 0.3 to 0.8 mm. Thus, the bent portions of the legs 31a, 31a serve as hinges.

Further, since the insertion handle 31 can be bent at the bent portion of the leg 31a, the concave portion 24 provided on the upper surface of the upper guide plate 24 and having a shape corresponding to the insertion handle 31 is provided.
a can be folded inside. The depth of the recess 24a is equal to the thickness of the insertion handle 31. Therefore, when the insertion handle 31 is fitted into the recess 24a, the upper surface of the upper guide plate 24 is in a flat state, and space saving can be achieved.

Incidentally, the insertion handle 31 is usually attached to the upper guide plate 24.
Is formed so as to be easily lifted obliquely upward from the upper surface.

Four guide rollers 33 are attached to the side surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the upper guide plate 24 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction so as to face each other. The position of the upper guide plate 24 can be regulated by moving along the guide groove. An ironing seal 34 is provided on the lower surface of the upper guide plate 24 along the guide hole 32.

One oblique side of the side plate 26 is rotatably connected to both longitudinal ends of the lower surface of the upper guide plate 24.

Similarly, other oblique sides of the side plate 26 are rotatably connected to both longitudinal ends of the upper surface of the lower guide plate 25.

A tear tape 28 is provided on the lower surface of the lower guide plate 25.
A cover 35 is provided so as to cover the widthwise end of the toner cartridge C along the longitudinal direction thereof, thereby preventing the tear tape 28 from being caught when the toner cartridge C is inserted into the process cartridge B.

A protruding portion 25a protruding in the longitudinal direction is provided at one end of the side surface of the longitudinal end of the lower guide plate 25, that is, on the side opposite to the mounting position of the cover 35. Like the roller 33, the movement of the lower guide plate 25 when inserted into the process cartridge B is regulated.

The side plate 26 has a plate shape in which the two oblique sides of the substantially triangular shape are connected to the lower guide plates 24 and 25 so as to be rotatable as described above. It has a hinge portion 26a and is configured to be bent inward.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A slit 26b is provided in a region straddling the bent portion inside the thickness of the plate. A substantially fan-shaped stopper 36 for regulating the inward bending of the side plate 26 is fitted into the slit 26b. The stopper 36 includes a claw portion 36a that meshes with the positioning portions 26b ₁ and 26b ₂ of the slit 26b, and a columnar protrusion portion 36b that can move along a perforated portion 26c provided on the upper guide plate 24 side of the side plate 26. have.

Normally, the stopper 36 is positioned so that the claw portion 36a meshes with the first positioning portion 26b ₁ and straddles the bent portion of the side plate 26, thereby preventing the side plate 26 from being bent. On the other hand, the protrusion 36b about its pivot 36c of the stopper 36 by rotating counterclockwise in the figure, the engagement between the first positioning portion 26b ₁ of the claw portion 36a of the second positioning portion 26b ₂ The stopper 36 moves toward the upper guide plate 24 and retreats from the bent portion, so that the side plate 26
Can be bent.

Further, a circular hole 26d having a size corresponding to the protrusion 36b is formed in the lower guide plate 25 side of the side plate 26, and when the side plate 26 is bent, the protrusion 36d is formed.
Are loosely fitted in the holes 26d and do not hinder the bending of the side plate 26.

A notch 24 is formed at the center of the side surface of each of the longitudinal ends of the upper and lower guide plates 24 and 25 to avoid interference with a later-described spring member of the process cartridge B.
b and 25b are provided respectively.

Next, the process cartridge B according to the present invention will be described in detail again with reference to FIGS.

The opening located at the upper part of the toner storage section 9a can be opened and closed by a lid member 44. Lid member 4
Reference numeral 4 denotes a fan-shaped side plate portion 44a, and a rotation protrusion 44b is provided at a portion of the side plate portion 44a which is at the pivot of the fan. It is rotatably coupled to the process cartridge B by being fitted into the provided recess.

On the back surface of the lid member 44, a pushing projection 44d for pushing the process cartridge C into the toner storage portion 9a and a guide rib 44e for guiding the tear tape 28 to the outside are provided.

The toner container 9 of the process cartridge B
A seal member 37 of, for example, a malt plane or the like is adhered to a predetermined thickness on the inner wall surfaces before, after, around left and right around a. A guide groove 38 for inserting the toner cartridge C and a spring member 39 for folding the inserted toner cartridge C are provided inside the left and right side walls.

The guide grooves 38 are formed in the shape of an arc near the entrance of the toner cartridge C, and are formed linearly in the back side thereof, and are provided in parallel with each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a first locking claw 40 is rotatably mounted on the left and right side walls of the toner storage portion 9a by a shaft member 40a provided at the center thereof. It has first and second projections 40b and 40c extending in opposite directions from both ends, that is, outward and inward, and a window 41 from which the first projection 40b projects outward is also provided. The window 41 is covered with a flexible curtain 42 from the outside. The second protrusion 40c is provided on the back surface of the second protrusion 40c.
A spring member 40d that urges c inward is attached.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A second locking claw 43 is rotatably provided on the rear inner wall of the toner cartridge C together with the first locking claw 40.
Acts to regulate the insertion of One end of the second locking claw 43 is pivotally supported by a shaft member 43a, and a concave engaging portion 43b is provided inside the other end, and a spring member 43c is provided on the back surface of the engaging portion 43b with the engaging portion 43b. It is arranged to urge inward.

Further, near the opening of the toner storage section 9a, a shielding plate 45 for sealing the toner initially stored in the process cartridge B is provided with a first locking claw 40 and a second locking claw. It is fixed by claws 43. The shielding plate 45 has a structure in which the insertion handle 31 and the guide hole 32 are removed from the upper guide plate 24 of the toner cartridge B.

The toner stored in the toner storage portion 9a leaks out because it is sealed by the shielding plate 45 and the sealing members 37 attached to the side walls and the front and rear walls of the toner storage portion 9a. Never. Also, the shielding plate 45
Accordingly, at the time of replenishment, it is possible to prevent foreign matter and dust from entering the toner from the opening.

The shielding plate 45 is provided with the first and second locking claws 4.
By releasing the locking of the rollers 0 and 43, the guide rollers 33a at both ends are connected to the guide grooves 38 in the side wall of the toner storage portion 9a.
Can move along.

Next, the operation of the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C configured as described above, which accompany toner supply, will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the interior of the process cartridge B is initially filled with toner.
The opening of the toner storage 9a is closed by the shielding plate 45 at the position D, that is, in the vicinity of the opening of the toner storage 9a. In this state, the process cartridge B is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body A to form an image and consumes toner.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a case where the toner in the toner storage portion 9a is consumed as a result of image formation and then the toner is supplied by the first toner cartridge C will be described.

First, the opening / closing member 15 of the main body A of the image forming apparatus
Is opened to expose the cover member 44 of the process cartridge B. Then, the lid member 44 is rotated about the rotation protrusion 44b to open the opening of the toner storage portion 9a. Then, the operator holds the insertion handle 31 of the first toner cartridge C,
The first toner cartridge C is moved over the opening of the toner storage section 9a, and is placed in the opening.

At this time, in the cross section of the first toner cartridge C, the apex is placed on the rotation projection 44b side of the lid member 44, and the lower guide plate 25 is placed on the opening with the shield plate 45 side. The projection 25a provided on the side wall of the end of the lower guide plate 25 is provided in the upper guide groove 38 of the toner storage portion 9a.
Is engaged.

The area of the lower guide plate 25 of the first toner cartridge C is set to be smaller than the opening area forming the surface of the seal member 37 when the seal member 37 is attached to the side walls and the front and rear walls of the toner storage section 9a. Have been. On the other hand, the area of the upper guide plate 24 is the same as that of the seal member 3 when the seal member 37 is attached to the side walls and the front and rear walls of the toner storage portion 9a.
7 is smaller than the opening area of the toner storage section 9a which does not include the seal member 37. Therefore, when the first toner cartridge C is in the opening, the lower guide plate 25 is inserted into the opening, but the upper guide plate 24 is stopped when it reaches the opening.

At this time, since the tear tape handle 30 of the first toner cartridge C is held by the handle fixing plate 29 so as to protrude outward, the tear tape handle 30 is out of the toner storage section 9a. .

Next, the cover member 44 is rotated in the closing direction, and the pushing protrusion 44d of the cover member 44 is pressed against the upper surface of the upper guide plate 24 of the first toner cartridge C, and the outer periphery of the upper guide plate 24 and the toner storage portion are pressed. The first toner cartridge C is pushed along the guide groove 38 while crushing the seal member 37 between the side wall and the front and rear walls 9a.

At this time, as shown in FIG.
Immediately before the upper surface of the first toner cartridge C comes into contact with the lower surface of the lower guide plate 25 of the first toner cartridge C, the first locking claw 40 provided on the inner side of the side plate 44a of the lid member 44 and on the outer side of the side wall of the toner storage portion 9a. By pushing the one protrusion 40 b together with the curtain 42, the first locking claw 40 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure around the shaft member 40, and the locking of the first locking claw 40 to the shielding plate 45 is released. .

At the same time, as shown in FIG. 12, the edge of the lower guide plate 25 of the first toner cartridge C is
a of the second locking claw 43 provided on the upper side of the rear wall
By pressing 3d, the second locking claw 43 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure around the shaft member 43 against the urging force of the spring member 43c, and the end of the shielding plate 45 is formed into a concave engagement portion. 43b
Then, the locking of the second locking claw 43 with the shielding plate 45 is released.

Thereafter, the first toner cartridge C is pushed in while the guide rollers 33 of the upper guide plate 24 are respectively engaged with the guide grooves 38 of the toner storage section 9a. The shielding plate 45 moves inside the toner storage portion 9a to the back side together with the shielding plate 45 in close contact with the lower guide plate 24 of the first toner cartridge C.

As shown in FIG. 13, the shielding plate 45 moves inside the toner accommodating portion 9a together with the first toner cartridge C, and the sealing members 37 attached to the side walls and the front and rear walls of the toner accommodating portion 9a. Since the upper guide plate 24 of the first toner cartridge C comes into contact with the seal members 37 attached to the side walls and the front and rear walls of the toner storage section 9a before detaching from the toner storage section 9a, the sealing of the toner storage section 9a is not broken. . More specifically, the seal member 37 is provided on the side walls and the front and rear walls of the toner storage section 9a.
Of the first toner cartridge C and the lower guide plate 25 of the first toner cartridge C,
5 is attached to at least a region that covers the upper surface of the upper guide plate 24 when the first toner cartridge C is inserted through the opening and connects the upper surface of the upper guide plate 24 and the lower surface of the shielding plate 45. Is larger than an arc a connecting the lower guide plate 25 and the lower guide plate 25. As a result, the toner storage portion 9a can be kept in a sealed state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the lid member 44 is completely closed. At this time, the pushing protrusion 44 of the lid member 44
d, the upper guide plate 24 of the first toner cartridge C is again locked by the first locking claw 40 (see FIG. 9) and the second locking claw 43 with the lid member 44 closed, and the first toner The opening for the cartridge C faces downward, and the height is such that the pushing stops at a position where the toner is easily discharged.

In this state, the tear tape handle 30 is pulled out in the direction of arrow E shown in FIG. 15, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner container 23. The tear tape 28 moves in the direction of arrow F, that is, in the longitudinal direction thereof, tears the cover film 27 sealing the toner container 23 along the tear line 27a, peels off the adhesive portion, and removes the toner from the first toner. Discharge outside the cartridge C.

At this time, the toner container 23 at the beginning of opening
The hook portion 23e provided at the end of the side plate 26 is hooked on the convex portion 26e of the side plate 26, and since the side plate 26 is fixed by a stopper 36 described later, the flexible toner container 23 is bonded to the tear tape 28. It is not drawn by force.

The tear tape 28 is folded back through the guide hole 32 of the upper guide plate 24, and the toner adhered to the surface is removed by the ironing seal 34 into the toner storage container 9a. The guide hole 32 has an arcuate shape. When the tear tape 28 is pulled in the direction E, a force for pulling the guide tape 32 toward the center of the guide hole 32 acts.
To prevent wrinkles and impede smooth peeling.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Numeral 8 is folded back by the guide ribs 44e of the lid member 44 and changes the angle in the pulling direction G of the tear tape 28. At this time, the guide hole 32 (FIG. 15) is set so that the distance m to n on one side edge of the tear tape 28 to the outside of the lid member 44 and the other side edges p to q to r are substantially equal. And a guide rib 44e, and the tear tape 28 is configured to be pulled out in a linear direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge C.

With the above configuration, the tear tape 28 can be pulled out with the cover member 44 of the process cartridge B closed, and the operation can be performed smoothly and easily.

Thereafter, the opening / closing member 15 of the image forming apparatus main body 14 is closed. In this way, the toner is supplied to the process cartridge B to enable the image formation again.

Next, a case where the toner supplied by the first toner cartridge C is consumed and further supplied by the second toner cartridge D having the same configuration as the first toner cartridge C will be described.

As shown in FIG. 17, first, the opening / closing member 15 of the image forming apparatus main body 14 is opened, and the process cartridge B is opened.
Is rotated in the opening direction to expose the opening of the toner storage section 9a. Next, the second toner cartridge D is replaced with the toner container 9 in the same manner as the first toner cartridge C.
Insert into a. Then, similarly, the lid member 44 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and the upper surface of the upper guide plate 24 of the second toner cartridge D is pressed in the depth direction of the toner storage portion 9a by the pushing projection 44d of the lid member 44.

At this time, the locking of the first locking claw 40 and the second locking claw 43 with respect to the first toner cartridge C is released in the same manner as when the first toner cartridge C is pushed into the toner accommodating portion 9a. The toner cartridge C and the second toner cartridge D move together. The insertion handle 3 on the upper surface of the upper guide plate 24 of the first toner cartridge C
1 is folded and housed in the concave portion 24a (see FIG. 1) of the upper guide plate 24, and the upper surface of the upper guide plate 24 is in a flat state.

Next, the lower guide plate 25 interferes with the spring member 39 provided on the side wall of the toner storage section 9a shown in FIG. 8 because of the notch 25b (see FIG. 1) provided on the lower guide plate 25. The protrusion 36b of the stopper 36 provided on the side plate 26 of the toner cartridge C abuts on the spring member 39.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19,
The stopper 36 receives a force in the direction of arrow H from the spring member 39. The stopper 36 is provided in the first concave portion 26c of the slit 26b within the slit 26b of the side plate 26.
is stopped (solid line), but moves in the direction of arrow J by receiving the force via the spring member 39, and is fixed so as not to return with the claw portion 36a engaged with the second concave portion 26d. (Dotted line). Therefore, when the end of the stopper 36 passes through the bent portion, the side plate 26 can be folded.

Further, since the protrusion 36b of the stopper 36 receives a force from the spring member 39 also in the direction of arrow I, the side plate 26 is folded inward at the hinge 26a. At this time, since the first toner cartridge C has already discharged the toner in the toner storage container 23, there is no problem in being easily folded. Also, when the side plate 26 is folded inward,
The protrusion 36b of the stopper 36 is loosely fitted into the corresponding hole 26d (see FIG. 1).
6b does not interfere with the side plate 26 and the folding is not disturbed.

Thereafter, the upper guide plate 24 is
After passing through the notch 24b (see FIG. 1) provided in the upper guide plate 24 without interference, as shown in FIG. 20, the folded first toner cartridge C has a guide groove 38 with a concentric circle. Move from a parallel region to a parallel region.
Therefore, the upper guide plate 24 and the lower guide plate 25 are in a parallel state, and the first toner cartridge C has a minimum volume when folded. Further, even if an unexpected vibration or the like is applied during the folding of the side plate 26, the rib 46 provided in parallel with the guide groove 38 inside the side wall of the toner storage portion 9a regulates the movement of the protrusion 36b of the stopper 36. Accordingly, the side plate 26 that has begun to be folded does not return to the original state.

Next, in the same manner as the first toner cartridge C, the tear tape 28 of the second toner cartridge D is pulled out to supply toner to the process cartridge B, and the opening / closing member 15 of the main body A of the image forming apparatus is closed to form an image. .

Thereafter, each time the replenished toner is consumed, the toner can be replenished by inserting a new toner cartridge. The old toner cartridges are sequentially pushed and stacked by inserting a new toner cartridge. In this embodiment, the toner cartridges C, D,
FIG. 21 shows an example in which up to four Es and Fs can be inserted.

As described above, the toner cartridge is folded so as to have a minimum volume to save space, and by increasing the number of toner cartridges that can be inserted into the toner storage portion, it is possible to supply toner. Not only can the amount be increased, but also the toner supply operation can be simplified and made easier to understand by pushing new toner cartridges one after another and not removing them, thereby preventing toner from scattering. Further, by providing a sealing material having an appropriate thickness on the front and rear walls and both side walls of the toner storage container, it is possible to reliably prevent toner leakage.

Further, by pushing a toner cartridge having a substantially triangular cross section along an arcuate guide, and stacking a deformed and reduced toner cartridge having a rectangular cross section along a parallel guide, the apparatus of the present invention is improved. Achieving compactness.

Further, since the opening surface of the substantially triangular toner cartridge faces downward in the loading path in the toner hopper, the toner in the toner container is reliably discharged.

In the above description, the case where the toner cartridge according to the present invention is applied to a process cartridge has been described. For example, a toner hopper device of an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, that is, a process such as a developing roller Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus that does not include a unit and simply stores toner and supplies the toner to the developing unit.

[0103]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when replenishing toner from a toner cartridge to a process cartridge or a toner hopper, the opening operation of the toner cartridge is easily and reliably performed from the outside. A toner cartridge replenishment type process cartridge and a toner hopper, which can prevent toner scattering, and therefore have good operability and allow a worker to perform replenishment work without being stained with toner. An image forming apparatus provided with a toner hopper can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a toner cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the toner cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the toner cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a toner container included in the toner cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the toner storage container of FIG. 4 as viewed from the bottom.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the toner cartridge of FIG. 4 is folded.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the toner cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a process cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a main part showing a state where a toner cartridge is inserted into the process cartridge of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a process cartridge in an initial state.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the first toner cartridge is inserted into a process cartridge.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the first toner cartridge is mounted on an opening of the process cartridge.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a sealed state of the process cartridge.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the first toner cartridge is mounted at a fixed position of the process cartridge.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the tear tape of the first toner cartridge is removed in the state of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state of the tear tape removed in the state of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the second toner cartridge is inserted into the process cartridge.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a main part showing a relationship between a first toner cartridge and a spring member of a process cartridge.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of a stopper of the first toner cartridge.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the second toner cartridge is mounted at a fixed position of the process cartridge.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where first to fourth toner cartridges are mounted on a process cartridge.

FIG. 22 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus on which a process cartridge according to the present invention is mounted.

23 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 22 as viewed from the outside.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram illustrating a process cartridge mounted on the image forming apparatus of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the process cartridge of FIG. 24 as viewed from the outside.

26 is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body to which the process cartridge of FIG. 25 is mounted.

27 is a perspective view of a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body on which the process cartridge of FIG. 25 is mounted, as viewed from a direction different from FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view showing a mounting member of the process cartridge of FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a sectional view showing the mounting member of FIG. 28;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 transfer means 7 photoreceptor drum (electrophotographic photoreceptor) 8 charging means 9 developing means 9a toner storage section (toner storage means) 10 cleaning means 23 toner storage container (flexible container) 24 upper guide plate (holding means) 25 lower Guide plate (holding means) 27 Cover film 27a Cutting line 28 Tea tape (opening member) 28a Folded portion 30 Tear tape handle (pull-out handle) 32 Guide hole 33 Guide roller (guided portion) 34 Ironing seal 38 Guide groove (guide member) ) 44 Opening / closing lid 44d Push-in projection (pushing member) 44e Guide rib A Image forming apparatus B Process cartridge C Toner cartridge

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Toshiaki Nagashima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) References JP-A-4-159580 (JP, A) JP-A-2 JP-A-186375 (JP, A) JP-A-6-332304 (JP, A) JP-A-60-159448 (JP, U) JP-A-3-71361 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. . ^7, DB name) G03G 15/08 G03G 21/18

Claims (33)

(57) [Claims] 1. A toner cartridge for replenishing toner by being attached to a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein the process cartridge has an opening and is capable of storing a plurality of toner cartridges; An opening and closing member for opening and closing the opening, and provided on the opening and closing member,
The toner cartridge includes a pushing member for pushing the toner cartridge into the toner storage means by the closing operation, a guide member for regulating the position of the toner cartridge pushed into the toner storage means, and a toner cartridge mounting means provided in the toner storage means. The toner cartridge mounted on the toner cartridge mounting unit is pressed into the toner storage unit of the process cartridge, and is pressed into the toner storage unit by enclosing a flexible container filled with toner that is deformed and reduced in volume. A supporting member for supporting the flexible container, the supporting member having a guided portion that engages with the guide member when the flexible container is opened, and an opening means for discharging toner stored in the flexible container. Wherein the opening means has an integral structure and seals an opening of the flexible container. An opening member for pulling out and opening the sealing portion in the longitudinal direction of the flexible container, and a pulling handle for pulling out the opening member, wherein the opening member is provided on the support member. A toner cartridge, wherein the toner cartridge is folded back along a guide rib provided on an opening / closing member of the process cartridge through a provided guide hole and pulled out of the process cartridge. 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said opening member is a belt-shaped sheet member. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion is sealed to an opening of the flexible container by a fixing means that can be opened. 4. The toner according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the guide hole on the side that rubs against the band-shaped sheet member has an arc shape curved toward the band-shaped sheet member. cartridge. 5. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said guide hole has a member for wiping off toner adhered to said belt-shaped sheet member. 6. The process according to claim 1, wherein the pulling handle protrudes out of the process cartridge when the toner cartridge is pushed into the toner accommodating means of the process cartridge. One toner cartridge. 7. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body and capable of supplying toner by a toner cartridge, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; Toner storage means for storing toner used for developing the formed latent image and having an opening and capable of housing a plurality of toner cartridges, an opening and closing member for opening and closing the opening, and provided on the opening and closing member A pushing member for pushing the toner cartridge into the toner storage means by the closing operation; a guide member for regulating the position of the toner cartridge pushed into the toner storage means; and a toner cartridge mounting means provided in the toner storage means. And the toner cartridge mounted on the toner mounting means includes the toner A flexible container enclosing a toner that is deformed and reduced in volume by being pushed into the storage means, and a guided portion that engages with the guide member when pushed into the toner storage means; A support member for supporting the container,
An opening means for discharging the toner contained in the flexible container, wherein the opening means is an integrally formed sealing portion which seals an opening of the flexible container. An opening member for pulling and opening the sealing portion in the longitudinal direction of the flexible container, and a pulling handle for pulling out the opening member, wherein the opening member is provided on the support member. Through the provided guide hole, folded along a guide rib provided on the opening and closing member of the process cartridge,
A process cartridge which is pulled out from the outside of the process cartridge. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein said opening member is a belt-shaped sheet member. 9. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the sealing portion is sealed to the opening of the flexible container by a fixing means that can be opened. 10. The process according to claim 7, wherein an edge shape of the guide hole on the side that slides on the band-shaped sheet member is an arc shape curved toward the band-shaped sheet member. cartridge. 11. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the guide hole has a member for wiping off toner adhered to the belt-shaped sheet member. 12. The process according to claim 7, wherein the pull-out handle projects outside the process cartridge when the toner cartridge is pushed into the toner storage unit. cartridge. 13. The process cartridge comprises: a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit as the process unit; and the electrophotographic photosensitive member integrally formed as a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 7 to 12, which enables the process cartridge. 14. The process cartridge, wherein at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to an image forming apparatus main body. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said apparatus is detachable.
Or any one of the process cartridges 12 to 12. 15. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. A process cartridge according to any one of claims 7 to 12. 16. An image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachably mountable and forms an image on a recording medium, wherein: (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; A toner storage unit that stores toner used for developing a latent image formed on the photoconductor and has an opening and that can store a plurality of toner cartridges; an opening and closing member that opens and closes the opening; A pushing member which is provided on the member and which pushes the toner cartridge into the toner storage means by a closing operation thereof;
A guide member for regulating the position of the toner cartridge pushed into the toner storage unit; and a toner cartridge mounting unit mounted on the toner storage unit. A flexible container enclosing a toner that is deformed and reduced in volume by being pushed into the storage unit, and a guided portion that engages with the guide member when pushed into the toner storage unit; The flexible container includes a support member for supporting the container, and opening means for discharging the toner stored in the flexible container, wherein the opening means is an integrally formed opening of the flexible container. An unsealing member including a sealing portion that seals the portion, and an opening member for pulling out the sealing portion in a longitudinal direction of the flexible container and opening the unsealing portion; and a pulling member for pulling out the unsealing member. The opening member passes through a guide hole provided in the support member, is folded back along a guide rib provided in an opening / closing member of the process cartridge, and is pulled from the outside of the process cartridge. An image forming apparatus comprising: mounting means for removably mounting a process cartridge to be removed; and (b) transport means for transporting the recording medium. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the opening member is a belt-shaped sheet member. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the sealing portion is sealed to an opening of the flexible container by a fixing means that can be opened. 19. The image according to claim 16, wherein an edge shape of the guide hole on the side that rubs against the band-shaped sheet member is an arc shape curved toward the band-shaped sheet member. Forming equipment. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said guide hole has a member for wiping off toner adhered to said band-shaped sheet member. 21. The process according to claim 16, wherein the pull-out handle projects outside the process cartridge when the toner cartridge is pushed into the toner accommodating means of the process cartridge.
0, any one of the image forming apparatuses. 22. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine. 23. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic printer. 24. A toner hopper provided in an image forming apparatus for storing toner used for developing a latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member and capable of supplying toner by a toner cartridge. A toner storage unit capable of storing a plurality of toner cartridges, an opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening, a push member provided on the opening / closing member, and for pushing the toner cartridge into the toner storage unit by a closing operation thereof; A guide member for regulating the position of the toner cartridge pushed into the toner storage means, and a toner cartridge mounting means provided in the toner storage means;
The toner cartridge mounted on the toner cartridge mounting means includes a flexible container enclosing toner that is deformed and reduced in volume by being pressed into the toner storing means, and a A support member for supporting the flexible container having a guided portion engaged with the guide member, and an opening means for discharging toner stored in the flexible container; The means includes a sealing unit integrally formed, which seals an opening of the flexible container, and an opening member for pulling and opening the sealing unit in a longitudinal direction of the flexible container, and the opening. Having a pulling handle for pulling out the member, wherein the opening member passes through a guide hole provided in the support member,
The toner hopper is folded back along a guide rib provided on the opening / closing member and pulled out from the outside of the toner hopper. 25. The toner hopper according to claim 24, wherein said opening member is a band-shaped sheet member. 26. The toner hopper according to claim 24, wherein the sealing portion is sealed to an opening of the flexible container by a fixing means that can be opened. 27. The toner according to claim 24, wherein the edge of the guide hole on the side that rubs against the band-shaped sheet member has an arc shape curved toward the band-shaped sheet member. hopper. 28. The toner hopper according to claim 24, wherein said guide hole has a member for wiping off toner adhered to said strip-shaped sheet member. 29. The toner as claimed in claim 24, wherein the pull-out handle projects outside the toner hopper when the toner cartridge is pushed into the toner storage means. hopper. 30. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member; and (b) a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. (C) developing means for developing the latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member by the latent image forming means;
(D) a toner hopper that stores toner used for development by the developing unit and that can supply toner by a toner cartridge, the toner hopper having an opening and capable of storing a plurality of toner cartridges; An opening / closing member for opening and closing the opening, a pushing member provided on the opening / closing member, which pushes the toner cartridge into the toner storage means by a closing operation thereof, and a guide member for regulating the position of the toner cartridge pushed into the toner storage means. And a toner cartridge mounting means provided in the toner storage means,
The toner cartridge mounted on the toner cartridge mounting means includes a flexible container enclosing toner that is deformed and reduced in volume by being pressed into the toner storing means, and a A support member for supporting the flexible container having a guided portion engaged with the guide member, and an opening means for discharging toner stored in the flexible container; The means includes a sealing unit integrally formed, which seals an opening of the flexible container, and an opening member for pulling and opening the sealing unit in a longitudinal direction of the flexible container, and the opening. Having a pulling handle for pulling out the member, wherein the opening member passes through a guide hole provided in the support member,
A toner hopper folded back along a guide rib provided on the opening / closing member and pulled out from the outside of the toner hopper; and (e) transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the recording medium. And (f) a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium. 31. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the toner cartridge is detachable from a main body of the image forming apparatus.
Image forming apparatus. 32. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic copying machine. 33. The image forming apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic printer.