JP3514400B2 - Developer supply container - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer supply container used for supplying a developer to a developing device of an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a powder toner is used as a developer in an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine or a printer. However, when the toner in the main body of the apparatus is consumed, a toner supply container is used. The toner is replenished to the hopper of the developing device. The toner supply container is generally a cylindrical or rectangular parallelepiped container body made of synthetic resin, an opening for supplying toner from the container body to a hopper of a developing device, and a seal member for sealing the opening. It is composed by.

By the way, as such a toner supply container,
Various types of devices having a sliding shutter have been devised, but this toner supply container has a shutter that reciprocates (slides), a cap member that guides the shutter attached to the opening, and maintains the hermeticity of the container. Therefore, it is composed of a seal member disposed between the shutter and the cap member. In this type of toner supply container, the opening is opened by moving the shutter, and the toner in the container is supplied to the hopper of the developing device. By closing the shutter after replenishing the hopper of the developing device with the toner, the container is kept airtight, and scattering of toner is prevented even if some toner remains in the container.

In recent years, the particle size of the toner has tended to be minimized for the purpose of improving the image quality, and the toner is more likely to scatter than in the conventional case. Therefore, a high sealing property is required for the opening. ing.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of ecology, the capacity of the toner supply container is reduced in order to reduce the number of toner supply containers required for toner supply, to improve the operability by reducing the number of toner supply times, and to further reduce the cost. Tend to increase. With the increase in the capacity of this toner supply container,
In order to maintain the toner replenishment performance, it is necessary to enlarge the opening of the container. However, as the diameter of the opening becomes larger, toner leakage and toner scattering are more likely to occur during toner replenishment and distribution, especially at the time of dropping, so that the opening is required to have a higher sealing property. .

[0006]

Therefore, in the toner replenishing container provided with the slide type shutters proposed so far, it is difficult for toner leakage and toner scattering to occur during toner replenishment and distribution, especially when falling. At the same time, the operability is also improved.

In general, when replenishing toner, it is preferable to shake the toner replenishing container before replenishing the toner to loosen the toner and replenish the toner in a state where the fluidity of the toner is sufficiently high.

However, depending on the situation, it is conceivable that the replenishment work is performed in a state where the toner has insufficient fluidity, the speed at which the toner falls into the developing hopper becomes slow, and the toner is clogged during the process. Even if the toner is clogged in the replenishing container, replenishment will be continued if the container is lightly shocked by hitting the container several times.
It is conceivable that some operators try to eject the container by pushing it in. In this situation,
When the container was intentionally pushed during toner supply using the toner supply container equipped with a slide shutter proposed so far, a very small amount of fumes-like toner leaked,
The leak is not enough to pollute the surroundings.

The fumes-like toner leaks from the gap between the shutter and the shutter guide recess, and at present, the production process is controlled so that this gap does not become large.

However, since excessive control in the production process causes an increase in manufacturing cost, it is desirable to take measures to reliably prevent toner fumes from leaking even when the gap becomes large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the developer leakage in the form of fumes during a developer replenishing operation and to minimize the management in the production process to reduce the cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container that can be downsized.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 has a container body having an opening, a shutter for closing the opening of the container body, and the opening. Shutter support means for supporting the shutter so as to take a closed position for closing the shutter and an open position for retracting from the closed position and opening the opening, and a concave shutter guide portion formed on the shutter support means. And a seal member attached to the surface of the shutter on the side of the opening over the opening and the shutter guide section, in both side surfaces substantially parallel to the moving direction of the shutter. An elastic portion for sealing a part of the space is provided in the space formed between the shutter guide portion and the shutter guide portion.

A second aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the invention, a protrusion is provided in the space.

A third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the elastic portions are provided on both side surfaces substantially parallel to a moving direction of the shutter.

A fourth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the elastic portions are provided on both sides of the shutter guide portion.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first to third or fourth aspects of the invention, the height of the elastic portion is set to be equal to or about twice the width of the space.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second or third aspect of the invention, the elastic portion is formed integrally with the shutter.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the first, second or fourth aspect of the invention, the elastic portion is formed integrally with the shutter guide portion.

An eighth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first to fourth or fifth aspects of the invention, the elastic portion is formed of a flexible sheet.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the eighth aspect, the flexible sheet is made of polyester,
It is characterized by being composed of a single layer of polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene, a fluororesin or a composite layer thereof.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first to sixth or seventh aspects, the elastic portion is made of rubber such as silicone or urethane, foamed polyurethane, foamed polyethylene,
It is characterized by being composed of an elastomer or a sponge.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the elastic portion is integrally formed with the shutter in two colors.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first, second or fourth aspect of the present invention, the elastic portion is integrally formed with the shutter guide portion in two colors.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the operator who replenishes the developer erroneously pushes the developer replenishing container, the space between the shutter guide portion of the shutter support means and the shutter remains. Since the elastic portion is surely sealed, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the space in the form of fumes and to reduce the cost by minimizing the management in the production process.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the projection prevents the shutter from being largely displaced in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction when the shutter is opened and closed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer leakage in the form of fumes and to scrape the developer staying in the shutter guide portion after the developer is replenished by the elastic portion and drop it into the developing hopper. You can

According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to more reliably prevent the developer leakage in the form of smoke.

According to the invention described in claim 5, even if the shutter is extremely biased in the space, it is possible to prevent the developer leakage in the form of smoke.

According to the invention described in claim 6 or 7, it is possible to prevent the developer leakage in the form of fumes and to reduce the cost by reducing the number of parts and the process.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the elastic portion formed of the flexible sheet can prevent the developer leakage in the form of smoke.

According to the ninth or tenth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the developer leakage in the form of fumes by the sealing effect of the elastic portion including the flexible sheet made of an appropriate material.

According to the invention of claim 11 or 12,
It is possible to prevent the developer leakage in the form of fumes and reduce the cost by reducing the number of parts and the process.

[0033]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a developer supply container equipped with a slide shutter according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part of the developer supply container. 3 is a perspective view of the developer supply container, FIG. 4 is a plan view of a shutter of the developer supply container, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the shutter is incorporated in a cap member in the developer supply container. 7 is a view in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6,
FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state in which the developer supply container according to the present embodiment is used to supply the developer to the developing hopper of the copying machine main body.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a developer replenishing container Y according to this embodiment has a container body 1 in which a developer 5 is housed and an opening at the lower end of the container body 1 for copying. The developing hopper 6 provided in the main body P of the machine includes an opening 1a for supplying a developer, a shutter 3 for closing the opening 1a, and a cap member 2 for supporting the shutter 3. Surface 3 of shutter 3 on the side of opening 1a
A seal member 4 is attached to a.

By the way, the cap member 2 supports the shutter 3 so that the shutter 3 can take a closed position for closing the opening 1a and an open position for retracting from the closed position and opening the opening 1a. Further, guide portions 2a for guiding the movement of the shutter 3 are formed on both side surfaces of the cap member 2 in the movement direction of the shutter 3 (directions of arrows A and A'in FIG. 3). The member 4 is provided across the opening 1a and the guide portion 2a.

Here, when a soft elastic body is used as the seal member 4, the cap member 2 is attached to the seal member 4.
The sealability of the opening 1a is maintained by compressing and deforming between the shutter 3 and the shutter 3, and the container body 1 is protected from an impact such as a drop.
It is required to prevent the developer 5 contained in the container from leaking out between the cap member 2 and the shutter 3. Further, the surface of the seal member 4 slides on the flange surface 2c-1 of the flange 2c of the cap member 2 having the opening 2b for replenishing the developer with a low friction resistance, and the force required to open and close the shutter 3, that is, the shutter 3 It is required to keep the opening / closing strength small.

Further, the shutter 3 and the seal member 4 need to have an adhesive strength such that they do not peel off or shift when the shutter 3 is opened and closed. If possible, the shutter 3 and the seal member 4 can be integrally molded by two-color molding. desirable.

Further, the shutter 3 is required to have rigidity not to be bent or twisted by an impact such as dropping and to have a small sliding friction resistance with the cap member 2. Specific examples of the material of the shutter 3 include plastic resins such as polystyrene, polypropylene and ABS, mixed materials obtained by mixing glass fibers with these plastic resins, and metals such as stainless steel.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cap member 2 is attached to the container body 1, and the cap member 2 is developed from the container body 1 to the developing hopper 6 provided in the copying machine body P. It has an opening 1a for supplying the agent 5 and a U-shaped shutter guide portion 2a for guiding the opening / closing movement of the shutter 3. The material of the cap member 2 may be the same as that of the shutter 3.

Thus, in this embodiment, the flexible sheets 7 as shown in FIG. 4 are arranged on both side surfaces of the shutter 3 in the moving direction (directions of arrows A and A'in FIG. 3). . Incidentally, if the flexible sheet 7 is arranged on only one side with respect to both side surfaces that are substantially parallel to the moving direction of the shutter 3, the effect of preventing the smoke-like toner leakage obtained in the present embodiment can be sufficiently obtained. Absent. Further, when the shutter 3 is opened / closed when replenishing the developer, the side surface of the shutter 3 on which the flexible sheet 7 is not disposed and the shutter guide portion 2a directly rub against each other, which causes the coarse particles of the developer 5 to be generated. It is desirable that the flexible sheets 7 are provided on both side surfaces substantially parallel to the moving direction of the shutter 3, because the operability is deteriorated due to the increase in the sliding strength of the shutter 3.

Examples of the material of the flexible sheet 7 include a single layer of polyester, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene and fluororesin or a composite layer thereof. The thickness of the flexible sheet 7 is 50 μm to 1
About mm is desirable. If the thickness of the flexible sheet 7 is too thin, the flexible sheet 7 will be twisted when incorporated into the cap member 2, and the effect described in the present embodiment cannot be obtained.
On the contrary, if the thickness of the flexible sheet 7 is too thick, the frictional resistance between the flexible sheet 7 and the shutter guide portion 2b increases, so that the opening / closing strength of the shutter 3 increases and the operability is impaired. .

As shown in FIG. 7, the position where the flexible sheet 7 is arranged is such that the shutter 3 is moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7 and the developer supply container Y is completely opened. It is preferable that the vicinity of the tip of the shutter 3 on the side opposite to the grip 3b is provided so that the protrusion 7 does not protrude from the cap member 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the flexible sheet 7
Moving direction of the shutter 3 (direction of arrow A, A'in FIG. 4)
The height H1 in the direction perpendicular to is equal to or about twice the width W1 of the space formed between the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 and the shutter 3 shown in FIG. 5 (H1 = W1 to 2W).
The size of 1) is desirable. Incidentally, if the height H1 is too small, the effect of preventing the smoke-like toner leakage described in the present embodiment cannot be sufficiently obtained. On the contrary, if the height H1 is too large, there is a possibility that the flexible sheet 7 may be twisted when the shutter 3 is opened and closed when replenishing the developer.

Here, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the shutter 3 provided with the flexible sheet 7 shown in FIG. 4 is incorporated in the cap member 2. Further, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the shutter 3 is moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7 and opened (a view in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6). The flexible sheet 7 bends slightly to reliably seal the space formed between the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 and the shutter 3 and reliably prevent the developer 5 from leaking from the space.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the developer hopper 6 provided in the copying machine main body P is replenished with the developer 5 by using the developer replenishing container Y according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG.
When the operator holds the handle 3b of the shutter 3 and opens the shutter 3 in the direction of arrow A, the developer 5 inside the container body 1 passes through the opened opening 1a and falls, and the developing hopper 6
Will be replenished.

Incidentally, the developer supply container Y according to the present embodiment.
The shutter 3 in which the flexible sheet 7 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, polypropylene is selected as the material for the cap member 2 and the shutter 3, and urethane foam (trade name: PORON: manufactured by INOAC) is used as the sealing material 4. The flexible sheet 7 is made of polypropylene having a thickness of 300 μm.

Thus, the space formed by the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 is surely sealed by the flexible sheet 7, and even if the container body 1 is intentionally pushed in while the developer 5 is being replenished. , Developer 5 from the space
The developer 5 in the developer supply container Y without leaking out.
The developer hopper 6 could be replenished almost completely. Moreover, as a result of measuring the opening strength when the shutter 3 is normally opened,
The effect of disposing the flexible sheet 7 was not observed. However, when the shutter 3 was opened and closed, a phenomenon was observed in which the opening strength was slightly increased when the shutter 3 was greatly biased in the direction perpendicular to its moving direction.
The operability was not so bad. It was speculated that the slight increase in the opening strength was due to the excessive deformation of the flexible sheet 7. However, even in such a case, the flexible sheet 7 was not observed to come off the shutter 3.

Further, when the container body 1 was removed from the developing hopper 6, no scattering of the developer 5 was observed.

Further, after replenishing the developing hopper 6 with the developer 5 and closing the shutter 3, the developer 5 retained in the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 is scraped out by the flexible sheet 7. It was dropped into the developing hopper 6 and the developer 5 could be replenished to the developing hopper 6 without waste.

<Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 is a plan view of the shutter of the developer supply container according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state where the shutter is pulled out.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, elastic members 8 are arranged on both side surfaces of the shutter 3 in the moving direction (arrow A, A'direction in FIG. 9). Other configurations of the cap member 2, the shutter 3, the sealing material 4, etc. are the same as those in the first embodiment.
Is the same as.

Examples of the material of the elastic member 8 include silicone, rubber such as urethane, foamed polyurethane, foamed polyethylene, elastomer or sponge. In the present embodiment, for the same reason as described in the first embodiment, the elastic members 8 are arranged on both side surfaces of the shutter 3, and the positions where the elastic members 8 are arranged and the height H2 thereof are set. Set.

Thus, the elastic member 8 has a semicircular hollow shape, and is formed by the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 because the elastic member 8 has a hollow shape. The effect of reliably sealing the space is obtained, and the moving direction of the shutter 3 in the state of being incorporated into the cap member 2 (directions of arrows A and A ′ in FIG. 9).
It is possible to obtain the effect that the shutter 3 is prevented from rattling during the replenishing operation by providing flexibility to the movement in the direction at right angles (direction of arrow C in FIG. 9).

Further, by using the hollow elastic member 8, the repulsive strength when a force is applied to the shutter 3 in the direction of arrow C in FIG. It is smaller than the flexible sheet 7 used in No. 1. As a result, the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 are
There is also an effect that the latitude for the space formed between the two can be expanded.

When the cap member 2 and the shutter 3 are molded with a plastic resin, dimensional variations due to molding precision cannot be avoided. Due to the variation in size, the size of the space formed between the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 also varies. If the elastic member 8 having a shape with a small repulsive strength as in the present embodiment is used, the shutter 3 assembled in the cap member 2 is used.
Can seal the space without increasing the sliding resistance of the shutter 3 even if a force is applied in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction, and as a result, the dimensional variation due to molding can be efficiently performed without impairing the operability. You will be able to absorb well.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which the shutter 3 provided with the elastic member 8 shown in FIG. 9 is incorporated into the cap member 2 and the shutter 3 is moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. By slightly deforming, the space formed between the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 and the shutter 3 is surely sealed, and the developer 5 is removed from the space.
Surely prevent the leak.

A replenishment experiment was conducted by incorporating the shutter 3 having the structure shown in FIG. 9 into the developer replenishing container Y. The materials of the cap member 2, the shutter 3, and the seal member 4 were the same as those in the first embodiment. As the material of the elastic member 8, polypropylene elastomer is used.

As a result of the replenishment experiment, the space formed by the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 is surely sealed by the elastic member 8, and the container body 1 is supplied during the developer replenishment.
The developer 5 did not leak out of the space even when it was intentionally pushed in, and almost all the developer 5 in the developer supply container Y could be supplied to the developing hopper 6. Further, as a result of measuring the unsealing strength when the shutter 3 was normally unsealed, no influence due to the disposition of the elastic member 8 was observed. However, although a phenomenon was observed in which the opening strength was slightly increased when the shutter 3 was greatly biased in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction during the opening / closing operation of the shutter 3, the operability was not at a level that deteriorated. It was speculated that the slight increase in the opening strength was due to the excessive deformation of the elastic member 8. However, even in such a case, the elastic member 8 was not observed to come off the shutter 3.

When the container body 1 was removed from the developing hopper 6, no scattering of the developer 5 was observed.

Further, after the developer 5 is replenished to the developing hopper 6, when the shutter 3 is closed, the developer 5 retained in the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 is scraped out by the elastic member 8. Development hopper 6
The developer 5 could be replenished to the developing hopper 6 without waste.

If the hollow triangular elastic member 9 as shown in FIG. 11 is used, the same effect as when the semicircular elastic member 8 shown in FIG. 9 is used is expected. Here, the condition of the height H3 of the hollow triangular elastic member 9 is set similarly to the height H2.

<Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the present embodiment, the shutter 3 in which the elastic member 8 shown in FIG. 9 in the second embodiment is integrally two-color molded is used. The other points are the same as in the second embodiment.

In the present embodiment, since the shutter 3 and the elastic member 8 are molded at the same time, the number of parts in manufacturing the developer replenishing container Y is reduced, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of steps.

In this embodiment, the developer replenishment experiment similar to that of the second embodiment was conducted, but no problem such as leakage of the developer 5 occurred. Further, in the developer replenishing container Y, there was no effect on the unsealing strength when the shutter 3 was normally unsealed. However, although a phenomenon was observed in which the opening strength was slightly increased when the shutter 3 was greatly biased in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction during the opening / closing operation of the shutter 3, the operability was not at a level that deteriorated. It was speculated that the slight increase in the opening strength was due to the excessive deformation of the elastic member 8. However, even in such a case, the elastic member 8 was not observed to come off the shutter 3.

In this embodiment, a hollow triangular elastic member 9 as shown in FIG.
Color molding may be considered, and in addition to the effect described in the second embodiment, an effect of cost reduction due to the reduction of the number of parts and steps is expected.

<Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Incidentally, FIG.
2 is a plan view of the shutter of the developer supply container according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state where the shutter is incorporated in a cap member.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The projection 10 and the flexible sheet 7 are provided on both side surfaces of the shutter 3. The other configurations of the cap member 2, the seal member 4 and the like are similar to those of the first embodiment.

When the shutter 3 having no protrusion 10 as described in the first embodiment is used, the shutter 3 is moved in the moving direction (arrow A, A'direction in FIG. 13) when the shutter 3 is opened and closed. When it was largely offset in the perpendicular direction (arrow C in FIG. 13), the operability was not affected, but the opening strength was slightly increased. In order to eliminate such a problem, in this embodiment, the projections 10 are provided on both side surfaces of the shutter 3 as described above.

In the present embodiment, for the same reason as described in the first embodiment, the flexible sheets 7 are arranged on both side surfaces of the shutter 3, the thickness of the flexible sheet 7, the position where the flexible sheet 7 is arranged, and The height H1 was set. On this occasion,
Height H1 of flexible sheet 7 and height H4 of protrusion 10
The relationship was set to H1> H4 as shown in FIG.

Thus, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, when the shutter 3 is incorporated into the cap member 2, the flexible sheet 7 is slightly bent to form the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2. The space formed between the shutters 3 is surely sealed to prevent the developer 5 from leaking out from the space, and the protrusion 10 of the shutter 3 causes the shutter 3 to move in the moving direction (arrows A, A in FIG. 13). 'Direction) and the direction perpendicular to it (direction of arrow C in FIG. 13)
It is possible to prevent the increase of the opening strength by regulating the movement of the.

A replenishment experiment was conducted by incorporating the shutter 3 having the projection 10 on which the flexible sheet 7 shown in FIG. 12 is arranged into the developer replenishing container Y. The cap member 2, the shutter 3, and the seal member 4 are made of the same material as in the first embodiment.
The same as was used. As the flexible sheet 7, polypropylene having a thickness of 300 μm was used. As a result, the space formed by the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 is surely sealed by the flexible sheet 7, and even if the container body 1 is intentionally pushed in during replenishment, the developer 5 is removed from the space. The developer 5 could be replenished to the developing hopper 6 without leaking out.

Further, no influence of the projection 10 and the flexible sheet 7 on the opening strength when the shutter 3 was normally opened was not observed. Further, even when the shutter 3 was shifted in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction during the opening / closing operation of the developer supply container Y, the increase in opening strength as seen in the first embodiment was not observed. This is because the protrusion 10 restricts the movement of the shutter 3 in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction, and prevents the flexible sheet 7 from being excessively deformed.
Further, no adverse effect such as the dropping of the flexible sheet 7 from the shutter 3 was confirmed.

Further, after the developer 5 is replenished to the developing hopper 6, when the shutter 3 is closed, the developer 5 retained in the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 is efficiently scraped by the flexible sheet 7. As a result, the developer 5 can be replenished to the developing hopper 6 without waste.

<Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the shutter of the developer supply container according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state where the shutter is incorporated in a cap member.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The protrusion 10 and the elastic member 8 are provided on both side surfaces of the shutter 3. The other configurations of the cap member 2, the seal member 4 and the like are similar to those of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the elastic member 8 is attached to the shutter 3 for the same reason as described in the first embodiment.
Are disposed on both side surfaces of the elastic member 8 and the height H2
It was set. At this time, the height H2 of the elastic member 8 and the protrusion 1
The relationship with the height H4 of 0 is H2> H as shown in FIG.
It was set to be 4. Further, in the present embodiment, the same materials as those in the first embodiment are used as the materials of the cap member 2, the shutter 3 and the seal member 4. As the material of the elastic member 8, polypropylene elastomer is used.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the shutter 3 shown in FIG. 14 is incorporated into the cap member 2, the elastic member 8 slightly deforms to form between the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 and the shutter 3. The sealed space is surely sealed, the developer 5 is prevented from leaking out from the space, and the projection 10 of the shutter 3 makes a right angle with the moving direction of the shutter 3 (direction of arrow A, A'in FIG. 15). Direction (arrow C direction in FIG. 15) is restricted, and the shutter 3 is largely displaced in the arrow C direction in FIG.
An increase in opening strength due to excessive deformation of the elastic member 8 can be prevented.

A shutter 3 having a protrusion 10 having an elastic member 8 shown in FIG. 14 was incorporated into a developer replenishing container Y and a replenishment experiment was conducted. As a result, the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 were formed. The space to be filled is surely sealed by the elastic member 8, and even if the container body 1 is intentionally pushed in during replenishment, the developer 5 does not leak from the space, and the developer 5 remains almost completely. Was able to replenish.

Further, no influence of the projection 10 and the elastic member 8 on the opening strength when the shutter 3 was normally opened was not observed. Further, even when the shutter 3 was shifted in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction during the opening / closing operation of the developer supply container Y, the increase in opening strength as seen in the second embodiment was not observed. This is because the protrusion 10 restricts the movement of the shutter 3 in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction, and prevents the elastic member 8 from being excessively deformed. Further, no adverse effect such as the elastic member 8 falling off the shutter 3 was confirmed.

Further, after the developer is replenished to the developing hopper 6, when the shutter 3 is closed, the developer 5 retained in the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 is efficiently scraped out by the elastic member 8. The developer 5 could be replenished to the developing hopper 6 without waste.

If the hollow triangular elastic member 9 and the protrusion 10 as shown in FIG. 16 are provided on both side surfaces of the shutter 3,
It is expected that the same effect as in the case of using the semicircular elastic member 8 shown in FIG. 14 described in the present embodiment can be obtained. Here, the hollow triangular elastic member 8
The condition of the height H3 of the elastic member 8 is set similarly to the height H2 of the elastic member 8.

<Sixth Embodiment> Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the present embodiment, the shutter 3 in which the elastic member 8 shown in FIG. 14 described in the fifth embodiment is integrally two-color molded is used. The other points are the same as in the fifth embodiment.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the shutter 3
Since the elastic member 8 and the elastic member 8 are molded at the same time, the number of parts in manufacturing the developer supply container Y is reduced, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of steps.

In this embodiment, the same developer replenishment experiment as in the fifth embodiment was carried out. However, problems such as leakage of the developer 5 during replenishment, dropping of the elastic member 8 from the shutter 3 and the like occurred. No harm was confirmed. Further, the elastic member 8 and the protrusion 10 did not affect the opening strength of the developer supply container Y. In the present embodiment as well, it is conceivable that the hollow triangular elastic member 9 and the shutter 3 as shown in FIG. 16 are integrally two-color molded, and the same effect as described in the fifth embodiment is obtained. In addition to the above, cost reduction effects are expected by reducing the number of parts and processes.

<Seventh Preferred Embodiment> Next, a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Incidentally, FIG.
7 is a plan view of a cap member of the developer supply container according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state in which a shutter is incorporated in the cap member.

In this embodiment, the flexible sheet 7 shown in FIG. 17 is used as the shutter guide portion 2 of the cap member 2.
It was arranged on both sides of a. If the flexible sheet 7 is provided on only one side of the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2, the effect of preventing the smoke-like toner leakage described in the present embodiment cannot be sufficiently obtained. Further, when the shutter 3 is opened / closed when replenishing the developer, the side surface of the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a, on which the flexible sheet 7 is not disposed, directly rubs against each other, which causes coarse particles of the developer 5 to occur. It is desirable that the flexible sheets 7 are provided on both sides of the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 because the operability is deteriorated due to the increase in the sliding strength of the shutter 3.

In the present embodiment, the position and number of the flexible sheets 7 to be arranged and the height H5 shown in FIG. 17 are set for the same reason as described in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the cap member 2, the shutter 3 and the seal member 4 are made of the same material as in the first embodiment.
The same as was used. As the material of the flexible sheet 7, polypropylene of 300 μm was used.

FIG. 18 shows a state in which the shutter 3 is incorporated in the cap member 2 in which the flexible sheet 7 of FIG. 17 is arranged in the shutter guide portion 2a. The flexible sheet 7 bends slightly to securely seal the space formed between the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 and the shutter 3 and prevent the developer 5 from leaking out from the space.

When the replenishment experiment was conducted by incorporating the cap member 2 in which the flexible sheet 7 shown in FIG. 17 is provided in the shutter guide portion 2a into the developer replenishing container Y, the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 were examined.
The space formed by is securely sealed with the flexible sheet 7, and even if the container body 1 is intentionally pushed during replenishment, the developer 5 does not leak from the space, and the developer 5 is hardly left behind. I was able to replenish the hopper 6.
Further, as a result of measuring the unsealing strength, the influence of disposing the flexible sheet 7 was not observed, and no scattering of the developer 5 was observed when the container body 1 was removed from the developing hopper 6.

<Eighth Embodiment> Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Incidentally, FIG.
9 is a plan view of the cap member of the developer supply container according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a state in which a shutter is incorporated in the cap member.

In this embodiment, the elastic member 8 as shown in FIG. 19 is arranged in the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2. In the present embodiment, the elastic members 8 are arranged on both side surfaces of the shutter guide portion 2a for the same reason as described in the seventh embodiment. Further, for the same reason as described in the first embodiment, the position at which the elastic member 8 is arranged and its height H6 (see FIG. 19) are set.

FIG. 20 shows a state in which the shutter 3 is incorporated in the cap member 2 in which the elastic member 8 shown in FIG. 19 is arranged in the shutter guide portion 2a. The elastic member 8 is slightly bent to allow the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 to be bent.
Surely seals the space formed between the shutter and the shutter 3,
The developer 5 is prevented from leaking from the space.

In this embodiment, the same materials as those in the first embodiment are used as the materials of the cap member 2, the shutter 3 and the seal member 4. A polypropylene elastomer was used as the material of the elastic member 8.

The developer supply container Y is provided with the cap member 2 in which the elastic member 8 shown in FIG. 19 is provided in the shutter guide portion 2a.
When a replenishment experiment was carried out by incorporating the above into the above, the space formed by the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 was reliably sealed by the elastic member 8, and even if the container body 1 was intentionally pushed during replenishment, The developer 5 did not leak from the space and almost all the developer 5 could be replenished to the developing hopper 6. As a result of measuring the unsealing strength, the effect of disposing the elastic member 8 was not observed, and the developer 5 was removed when the container body 1 was removed from the developing hopper 6.
Was not seen.

By using the hollow triangular elastic member 9 as shown in FIG. 21, the same effect as in the case of using the semicircular elastic member 8 shown in FIG. 19 is expected. Here, the condition of the height H7 of the hollow triangular elastic member 9 is set similarly to the height H6 of the elastic member 8.

<Ninth Embodiment> Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the present embodiment, the cap member 2 in which the elastic member 8 shown in FIG. 19 described in the eighth embodiment is integrally two-color molded is used. The other points are the same as in the eighth embodiment.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the cap member 2 and the elastic member 8 are molded at the same time, so that the number of parts in manufacturing the developer supply container Y is reduced, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the process. it can.

In this embodiment, the developer replenishment experiment was conducted in the same manner as in the eighth embodiment, but no problem such as leakage of the developer 5 during replenishment was confirmed. Further, no influence on the unsealing strength by the elastic member 8 formed by integral two-color molding was observed.

Also in the present embodiment, it is conceivable that the hollow triangular elastic member 9 and the cap member 2 as shown in FIG.
In addition to the effects described in the above, cost reduction effects are expected by reducing the number of parts and processes.

<Tenth Embodiment> Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 22. FIG. 22 is a plan view of the shutter of the developer supply container according to this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the elastic portions 11 having the shape shown in FIG. 22 are integrally formed on both side surfaces of the shutter 3. For the same reason as described in the first embodiment, the elastic portions 11 are arranged on both side surfaces of the shutter 3, and the thickness, the position where the elastic portions 11 are arranged, and the height H8 are set. Other configurations of the developer supply container Y are the same as those in the first embodiment. Further, as the material of the cap member 2, the shutter 3 and the sealing material 4, the same materials as those in the first embodiment were used.

When a replenishment experiment was carried out by incorporating the shutter 3 having the elastic portion 11 shown in FIG. 22 into the developer replenishing container Y, the space formed by the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 was elastic portion 11. Even if the container body 1 was intentionally pushed in during replenishment, the developer 5 did not leak from the space and almost all the developer 5 could be replenished to the developing hopper 6. .

Further, after the developer 5 is replenished to the developing hopper 6, when the shutter 3 is closed, the developer 5 retained in the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 has the elastic portion 1.
The developer 5 was efficiently scraped out, and the developer 5 could be replenished to the developing hopper 6 without waste.

Further, in this embodiment, since the shutter 3 and the elastic portion 11 are formed at the same time, the developer supply container Y
It is possible to reduce the number of parts in manufacturing the device, and to reduce the cost by reducing the process.

<Eleventh Embodiment> Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. still,
23 and 24 are plan views of the shutter of the developer supply container according to the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, the elastic portions 12 having the shape shown in FIG. 23 are integrally formed on both side surfaces of the shutter 3. For the same reason as described in the first embodiment, the elastic portions 12 are arranged on both side surfaces of the shutter 3 and the arrangement position and the height H9 are set. Other developer supply container Y
The configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment. Further, as the material of the cap member 2, the shutter 3 and the seal member 4, the same materials as those in the first embodiment were used.

When a replenishment experiment was conducted by incorporating the shutter 3 having the elastic portion 12 shown in FIG. 23 into the developer replenishing container Y, the space formed by the shutter 3 and the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 was elastic portion 12. Even if the container body 1 was intentionally pushed in during replenishment, the developer 5 did not leak from the space and almost all the developer 5 could be replenished to the developing hopper 6. .

When the developing hopper 6 is replenished with the developer 5 and then the shutter 3 is closed, the developer 5 retained in the shutter guide portion 2a of the cap member 2 has the elastic portion 1.
The developer 5 was efficiently scraped out, and the developer 5 could be replenished to the developing hopper 6 without waste.

Further, in this embodiment, since the shutter 3 and the elastic portion 12 are formed at the same time, the developer supply container Y
It is possible to reduce the number of parts in manufacturing the device, and to reduce the cost by reducing the process.

By forming the hollow triangular elastic portions 13 as shown in FIG. 24 integrally on both side surfaces of the shutter 3, the semicircular elastic portions 12 shown in FIG. 23 are integrally formed. It is expected that the same effect as when formed is obtained. Here, the condition of the height H10 of the hollow triangular elastic portion 13 is set similarly to the height H9 of the elastic portion 12.

<Conventional Example> Next, a conventional example will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 25 is a plan view showing a state in which a conventional shutter is incorporated in a cap member.

The conventional example is the same as the above-described embodiment except that elastic portions are not provided on both side surfaces or the cap member 2 which are substantially parallel to the moving direction of the shutter 3. Further, as the material of the cap member 2, the shutter 3 and the seal member 4, the same materials as those in the first embodiment were used.

Thus, using the conventional developing supply container Y,
As in the above-described embodiment, the developer 5 is supplied to the developing hopper 6 provided in the main body P of the copying machine. As a result, almost all the developer 5 in the developer supply container Y could be supplied to the developing hopper 6. Further, when the container body 1 is intentionally pushed in during replenishment, the shutter 3 and the cap member 2
It was confirmed that the developer 5 slightly leaked from the space formed by the shutter guide portion 2a. However, only a very small amount of the developer 5 in the form of fumes leaks, which is not a level that pollutes the surroundings.

[0119]

As is apparent from the above description, claim 1
According to the invention described above, even if the operator who replenishes the developer accidentally pushes in the developer replenishing container, the space between the shutter guide portion of the shutter support means and the shutter is reliably sealed by the elastic portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the smoke-like developer from leaking from the space and to reduce the cost by minimizing the control in the production process.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the protrusion prevents the shutter from being largely displaced in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction when the shutter is opened and closed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the leakage of the developer in the form of smoke is prevented, and the developer staying in the shutter guide portion after the developer is replenished is scraped by the elastic portion and dropped into the developing hopper. The effect of being able to do is obtained.

According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to obtain the effect that the leakage of the developer in the form of smoke can be more reliably prevented.

According to the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to prevent the developer leakage in the form of smoke, even if the shutter is extremely biased in the space.

According to the sixth or seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer leakage in the form of fumes and to reduce the cost by reducing the number of parts and the steps.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the elastic portion formed of the flexible sheet can prevent the developer leakage in the form of fumes.

According to the invention described in claim 9 or 10, the effect of sealing the elastic portion including the flexible sheet made of an appropriate material to prevent the developer leakage in the form of smoke can be obtained.

According to the invention of claim 11 or 12,
It is possible to prevent the leakage of the developer in the form of smoke and to reduce the cost by reducing the number of parts and the process.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a developer supply container according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of a developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the shutter of the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the shutter is incorporated in the cap member in the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the shutter is incorporated in the cap member in the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a view in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the developer supply container according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used to supply the developer to the developing hopper of the copying machine main body.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the shutter of the developer supply container according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state where the shutter of the developer supply container according to the second embodiment of the present invention is pulled out.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a shutter of a developer supply container according to a modification of the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a shutter of a developer supply container according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state where the shutter of the developer supply container according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in a cap member.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the shutter of the developer supply container according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state where the shutter of the developer supply container according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in a cap member.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a shutter of a developer supply container according to a modification of the fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the cap member of the developer supply container according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state where a shutter is incorporated in the cap member of the developer supply container according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a cap member of a developer supply container according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a state in which a shutter is incorporated in the cap member of the developer supply container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a cap member of a developer supply container according to a modification of the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of the shutter of the developer supply container according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a shutter of a developer supply container according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a shutter of a developer supply container according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a plan view showing a state where a shutter of a conventional developer supply container is incorporated in a cap member.

[Explanation of symbols]

Y developer supply container 1 container body 1a opening 2 Cap member (shutter support means) 2a Shutter guide section 3 shutters 4 Seal member 5 developer 6 Development hopper 7 Flexible sheet (elastic part) 8,9 Elastic member (elastic part) 10 protrusions 11-13 Elastic part

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/08 B65D 83/06

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. A container body having an opening, a shutter for closing the opening of the container body, a closed position for closing the opening and a retracted position from the closed position to open the opening. Shutter support means for supporting the shutter so that the shutter can take an open position, a concave shutter guide portion formed in the shutter support means, the opening and the shutter guide on the surface of the shutter on the opening side. A seal member attached over the part,
In a developer replenishing container having a structure, an elastic part for sealing a part of the space is provided in a space formed between both side surfaces substantially parallel to the moving direction of the shutter and the shutter guide part. A developer replenishing container. 2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is provided in the space. 3. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is provided on both side surfaces substantially parallel to the moving direction of the shutter. 4. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portions are provided on both sides of the shutter guide portion. 5. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the height of the elastic portion is set to be equal to or about twice the width of the space. 6. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is formed integrally with the shutter. 7. The elastic portion is formed integrally with the shutter guide portion.
The developer supply container described. 8. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is composed of a flexible sheet. 9. The developer supply container according to claim 8, wherein the flexible sheet is composed of a single layer of polyester, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene, a fluororesin or a composite layer thereof. 10. The elastic portion is made of silicon, rubber such as urethane, foamed polyurethane, foamed polyethylene, elastomer or sponge.
The developer supply container according to any one of 6 to 7. 11. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is integrally formed with the shutter in two colors. 12. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is integrally formed with the shutter guide portion in two colors.