JP3567415B2

JP3567415B2 - Developer supply device

Info

Publication number: JP3567415B2
Application number: JP36632997A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 真宇井; 滋岡崎
Original assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
Current assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
Priority date: 1997-12-24
Filing date: 1997-12-24
Publication date: 2004-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-24
Also published as: JPH11184233A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は電子写真方式の画像形成装置などの現像装置に使用される現像剤補給装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、現像剤貯蔵部へ現像剤を補給する場合、その補給口へ現像剤を収容した現像剤収納容器（トナーボトル）の排出口を合わせて一気に投入していたが、現像剤が煙のように飛散する現象（発煙現象）が生じ、現像剤貯蔵部の周辺を汚す虞があった。
【０００３】
そこで、近年、現像剤貯蔵部の現像剤補給口を備えた上面に、周方向に回転できるようにトナーボトルを設置し、該トナーボトルを周方向に回転させることにより周面に設けたスパイラル状の溝（リブ）で現像剤を一方寄りに移動させ、一側に設けた排出口から漸次、現像剤補給口に補給できるようにした現像剤補給装置が用いられるようになった。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、前記トナーボトル設置型の現像剤補給装置の場合には、トナーボトルと一緒に回転する部材を必要とし、該一緒に回転する部材のトナーボトルの現像剤排出口に嵌合する部分にのみシール部材を設けていた。
【０００５】
従って、トナーボトルと一緒に回転する部材と、トナーボトルの現像剤排出口が設けられている面とを合致させる必要があり、調整が面倒であったばかりでなく、トナーボトルと一緒に回転する部材が存在することで製造コストが高くなるという問題があった。
【０００６】
本発明は、上記の点に鑑み、面倒な調整が不要であり、しかも、製造コストを低減化できるトナーボトル設置型の現像剤補給装置を提供することを目的としている。また、他の目的はトナーボトルの排出口から排出する現像剤がボルトとシール部材との摺接面を伝って漏れ出ることのない現像剤補給装置を提供することにある。更に、他の目的は劣化に伴うシール部材の交換を簡易にした現像剤補給装置を提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の目的を達成するため、本発明は、現像剤を貯蔵する現像剤貯蔵部と、周方向に回転することにより周面に設けたスパイラル状の溝で現像剤を胴部分から首部分へ移動させ、該首部分の一側に設けた排出口から前記現像剤貯蔵部の補給口へ現像剤を補給できるようにした現像剤収納容器と、を備えた現像剤補給装置であって、前記現像剤収納容器の首部分の排出口を挟んで対向する部分に摺接でき、かつ一側に現像剤通孔を有する環状のシール部材が、前記現像剤通孔が前記現像剤貯蔵部の上面の現像剤の補給口に合致するように別体として構成された支持枠により設置されており、前記現像剤収納容器の首部分が該シール部材の内孔内へ嵌入し、セットされることを特徴とし、現像剤収納容器（トナーボトル）と一緒に回転する部材を廃止しても確実にシールできるように構成した。
【０００８】
また、請求項２に記載の発明は、前記シール部材が、前記現像剤通孔を通る内周面に環状溝を設けたものであって、現像剤収納容器の摺接回転時に現像剤の排出口のエッジ部分に付着した一部の現像剤がシール部材の内周面へ運ばないように構成した。
【０００９】
さらに、請求項３に記載の発明は、前記シール部材が、前記現像剤収納容器の首部分の一側に設けた排出口を挟んで対向する２つのリング部材と、両リング部材の外周を覆うように固着した外皮部材とからなるもので、現像剤通孔を通る内周面には環状空間が形成でき、現像剤の排出口のエッジ部分に付着した一部の現像剤をシール部材の内周面へ運ばないようにするとともに、劣化に伴うシール部材の交換に際し簡単に分解して取り外せるように構成した。
請求項４に記載の発明は、前記現像剤収納容器の底部を押圧し、前記現像剤収納容器の首部分を該シール部材の内孔内へ嵌入し、セットするための押圧板を有することを特徴とする。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の態様】
次に、本発明の実施の態様を図面に基づいて説明する。なお、以下の説明中で現像剤をトナーということもある。
【００１１】
図１において、１は現像器本体（図示せず）に供給する現像剤（トナー）を貯蔵する現像剤貯蔵部で、該現像剤貯蔵部１の上面にはトナー補給口２が設けられている。該トナー補給口２を設けた現像剤貯蔵部１の上面には段差部３を介して連続するラック４が水平状に設けられ、現像剤収納容器（トナーボトル）５を横臥状に保持できるようになっている。
【００１２】
前記トナーボトル５は、トナーを収納する大径の胴部分５ａと、一側にトナー排出口６を有する小径の首部分５ｂと、胴部分５ａから首部分５ｂに向けて狭窄させた肩部分５ｃとからなる。
【００１３】
前記トナーボトル５の周面にはスパイラル状の溝（リブ）７が設けられ、該溝７はトナーボトル５を周方向に回転させると、内部に収納されているトナーを胴部分５ａから首部分５ｂへ移動できるようになっている。また、首部分５ｂのトップ面には後記するロータ１１の２つの爪片１２が嵌入できる２つの凹溝８が設けられている。さらに、胴部分５ａの尻面の中央にはトナーを収納させるときに開口できるキャップ９が圧入されている。
【００１４】
前記ラック４の端末部には、トナーボトル５の胴部分５ａの尻面を首部分５ｂ側へ押圧できる押圧板１０が設けられている。該押圧板１０はハンドル（図示せず）の操作で前進移動する。即ち、押圧板１０を前記ハンドル操作で後退させた状態でトナーボトル５をラック４上に置き、ハンドル操作で押圧板１０を前進させると、トナーボトル５を正規位置へセットさせ、その位置を保てるようになっている。
【００１５】
前記トナーボトル５の正規の位置とは、トナーボトル５の首部分５ｂのトップ面に設けた凹溝８が対向するロータ１１に設けた爪片１２と係合するともに、該首部分５ｂの一側面に設けたトナー排出口６の周方向の回転時に前記トナー補給口２に合致できる位置をいう。
【００１６】
前記ロータ１１は駆動源１３にギア連繋されて所定の方向に回転するもので、その動力は爪片１２が係合する凹溝８を有するトップ面に伝えられ、これによってトナーボトル５は周方向に回転する。
【００１７】
トナーボトル５の周方向の回転によりボルト内に収納されているトナーは周面のスパイラル状の溝７の作用で胴部分５ａから首部分５ｂへ移動し、遂には、首部分５ｂの一側に設けた排出口６より排出してトナー補給口２から漸次、現像剤貯蔵部１へ補給されることとなる。
【００１８】
前記トナーボトル５の首部分５ｂには、その一側に設けた排出口６より排出するトナーを、前記現像剤貯蔵部１のトナー補給口２へ確実に導くためのシール部材１４が摺接嵌合できるようになっている。
【００１９】
前記シール部材１４は、一側に設けたトナー通孔１５が前記現像剤貯蔵部１の上面のトナー補給口２に合致するように支持枠１６により現像剤貯蔵部１上に設置される（図２参照）。該支持枠１６はＵ状の下枠１６ａと、扁平な上枠１６ｂとでシール部材１４を上下より挟持固定でき、該シール部材１４がトナーボトル５の回転に追従して回転することがないように安定的に保持するためのものである。
【００２０】
前記シール部材１４を支持枠１６で安定的に保持できるようにするための補助手段として、図２の場合には、支持枠１６の上枠１６ｂの内面に突子１６ｂ′を設け、該突子１６ｂ′をシール部材１４の上面に設けた受け孔１４′に嵌入させるように構成している。
【００２１】
なお、前記シール部材１４を支持枠１６で安定的に保持するために必要があれば、Ｕ状の下枠１６ａとシール部材１４との間に両面接着テープ（図示せず）を介装したり、Ｕ状の下枠１６ａとシール部材１４との間に入れ子状の突起と凹部（図示せず）を形成してもよいことは勿論である。
【００２２】
前記シール部材１４の形体は特に問わないが、その代表的な形体を図３〜図５に示す。即ち、前記トナー通孔１５を一側に有する発泡ウレタンのような弾性があって滑り性の良好な素材からなるリング部材１４ａの外周に、ＰＥＴ材料のような薄肉にして強靱な外皮部材１４ｂを嵌着したものを利用すると、シール性能と形体安定性において良好である。
【００２３】
前記シール部材１４のうち、図３に示すものは、内周面がトナーボトル５の首部分５ｂに全面的に密接する形体である。また、図４に示すものは、トナー通孔１５を通る内周面に環状溝１７を設け、トナーボトル５の首部分５ｂの一側に設けたトナー排出口６が周方向に回転したときに摺接しない形体である。
【００２４】
さらに、図５に示すシール部材１４は、トナーボトル５の首部分の一側に設けた排出口６を挟んで対向する２つのリング部材１４ａ、１４ａ′の外周を外皮部材１４ｂで覆うように固着し、トナーボトル５の首部分５ｂの一側に設けた排出口６が摺接しない環状空間１８を形成した形体である。
【００２５】
前記シール部材１４として三種の形体を示したのは、何れのものもトナーボトル５が回転し、その首部分５ｂの一側に設けた排出口６からシール部材１４のトナー通孔１５に合致してトナーを現像剤貯蔵部１のトナー補給口２へ補給するという機能においては十分に満足するが、図３のものはトナー排出口６のエッジ部分に付着した現像剤がトナーボトル５の回転によってシール部材１４の内面へ運ばれる可能性があり、この運ばれた現像剤が経時的に蓄積されて稀に現像剤漏れの原因になる虞も全く否定できない。
【００２６】
この点、図４及び図５に示すものは、内周に環状溝１７及び環状空間１８が設けられているため、トナー排出口６のエッジ部分に付着したトナーがシール部材１４の内面に運ばれる可能性は全くなくなると言えるものである。
【００２７】
上記実施態様に示した本願装置において、まず、現像剤貯蔵部１の上面に設けたトナー補給口２にトナー通孔１５が合致するようにシール部材１４を配置し、支持枠１６により安定的に固定する。
【００２８】
次いで、現像剤貯蔵部１の上面に段差部３を介して連続して設けたラック４の上に、トナーボトル５をその首部分５ｂのトップ面がロータ１１に対向するように横臥状に乗せた後、ラック４の端末部に設けた押圧板１０をハンドル操作で前進させてトナーボトル５を押し出すと、その首部分５ｂがシール部材１４の内孔内へ嵌入し、セットされる。
【００２９】
このようにセットされたトナーボトル５はその首部分５ｂの一側に設けたトナー排出口６がシール部材１４のトナー通孔１５と合致できるように位置すると共に、首部分５ｂのトップ面の凹溝８と、ロータ１１の爪片１２とが係合することとなる。
【００３０】
しかして、画像形成装置が起動され、駆動源１３からギア連繋されているロータ１１が回転すると、その動力を受けてトナーボトル５が周方向に回転し、胴内に収納しているトナーをスパイラル状の溝７の作用で胴部分５ａから首部分５ｂへと移動させ、該首部分５ｂに設けたトナー排出口６より排出させて現像剤貯蔵部１の補給口２へと漸次補給する。
【００３１】
この場合、前記シール部材１４はトナーボトル５とは連れ廻りせず、しかもトナーボトル５が周方向に摺接回転して首部分５ｂに設けたトナー排出口６がシール部材１４の下面に設けたトナー通孔１５に合致したときに、トナー排出口６及びトナー通孔１５を通して現像剤貯蔵部１の補給口２へ確実に補給されるため、トナーボトルと一緒に回転する部材を用いることなく、現像剤を確実にトナー補給口へ補給することが可能となる。
【００３２】
なお、前記シール部材１４が、その内周面にトナー通孔１５を通るように環状溝１７を設けた形体のものか、環状空間１８を設けた形体のものであるときは、トナーボトル５の首部分の一側に設けたトナー排出口６のエッジ部分に付着したトナーをトナーボトル５の回転によってシール部材１４の内面へ運び込むことがなく、シール部材１４の内周面にトナーが経時的に蓄積されること、ひいてはトナー漏れの原因を作ることがない。
【００３３】
【発明の効果】
以上説明した如く、本発明は、現像剤を貯蔵する現像剤貯蔵部と、周方向に回転することにより周面に設けたスパイラル状の溝で現像剤（トナー）を胴部分から首部分へ移動させ、該首部分の一側に設けた排出口から前記現像剤貯蔵部の補給口へ補給できるようにした現像剤収納容器と、を備えた現像剤補給装置であって、前記現像剤収納容器（トナーボトル）の首部分の排出口を挟んで対向する部分に摺接でき、かつ一側に現像剤通孔（トナー通孔）を有する環状のシール部材を、前記現像剤通孔が前記現像剤貯蔵部の上面の現像剤の補給口に合致するように設置したことを特徴としているから、現像剤収納容器（トナーボトル）と一緒に回転する部材が廃止しても確実にシールでき、従って、面倒な調整が不要となるばかりでなく、製造コストの低減化が期待できるという優れた効果を奏するものである。
【００３４】
また、請求項２に記載の発明は、前記シール部材が、前記現像剤通孔を通る内周面に環状溝を設けたものであることを特徴としているから、現像剤収納容器の摺接回転時にトナー排出口に付着したトナーがシール部材の内周面（摺接面）に運ばれないという効果を奏するものである。
【００３５】
さらに、請求項３に記載の発明は、前記シール部材が、前記現像剤収納容器の首部分の一側に設けた排出口を挟んで対向する２つのリング部材と、両リング部材の外周を覆うように固着した外皮部材とからなることを特徴としているから、トナーボトルのトナー排出口が摺接する面が環状空間となり、トナー排出口に付着したトナーがシール部材の内周面（摺接面）に運ばれないという効果を奏するほか、劣化に伴うシール部材の交換時、その分解が容易となり簡単に取り外せるという効果を奏するものである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本願装置の断面図である。
【図２】本願装置に用いるシール部材とトナーボトルとの関係を示す略示的斜視図である。
【図３】本願装置に用いるシール部材を示すもので、（ａ）は斜視図、（ｂ）は断面図である。
【図４】本願装置に用いる第２のシール部材を示すもので、（ａ）は斜視図、（ｂ）は断面図である。
【図５】本願装置に用いる第３のシール部材を示すもので、（ａ）は斜視図、（ｂ）は断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１現像剤貯蔵部
２現像剤の補給口（トナー補給口）
３段差部
４ラック
５現像剤収納容器（トナーボトル）
５ａ胴部分
５ｂ首部分
５ｃ肩部分
６現像剤の排出口（トナー排出口）
７スパイラル状の溝（リブ）
８トナーボトルの首部分のトップ面に設けた凹溝
９トナーボトルの胴部分の尻面の開口に圧入したキャップ
１０トナーボトルの胴部分の尻面を押す押圧板
１１ロータ
１２ロータの正面に設けた爪片
１３駆動源
１４シール部材
１４′ シール部材に設けた受け孔
１５現像剤通孔（トナー通孔）
１６支持枠
１６ａ下枠
１６ｂ上枠
１６ｂ′ 突子
１７環状溝
１８環状空間[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a developer replenishing device used for a developing device such as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when the developer is supplied to the developer storage section, the outlet of the developer container (toner bottle) containing the developer is put into the supply port at a stretch, but the developer is like smoke. A phenomenon (smoke generation phenomenon) occurs, and there is a possibility that the periphery of the developer storage part is stained.
[0003]
Therefore, in recent years, a toner bottle is installed on the upper surface of the developer storage unit provided with the developer supply port so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, and the spiral bottle provided on the circumferential surface by rotating the toner bottle in the circumferential direction. A developer replenishing apparatus has been used in which the developer is moved to one side by a groove (rib) so that the developer replenishing port can be gradually supplied from a discharge port provided on one side.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the developer supply device of the toner bottle installation type, a member that rotates together with the toner bottle is required, and only the portion of the member that rotates together with the toner discharge port of the toner bottle is fitted. A seal member was provided.
[0005]
Therefore, it is necessary to match the member rotating with the toner bottle and the surface of the toner bottle where the developer outlet is provided, which is not only troublesome to adjust but also the member rotating with the toner bottle. There is a problem that the production cost is increased due to the presence of.
[0006]
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a toner bottle-installed type developer replenishing device that does not require complicated adjustment and can reduce the manufacturing cost. Another object of the present invention is to provide a developer replenishing device in which the developer discharged from the discharge port of the toner bottle does not leak along the sliding contact surface between the bolt and the seal member. Another object of the present invention is to provide a developer replenishing device that facilitates replacement of a seal member due to deterioration.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention moves a developer from a body part to a neck part by a developer storage part for storing the developer and a spiral groove provided on a peripheral surface by rotating in a circumferential direction. A developer accommodating container capable of replenishing developer from a discharge port provided on one side of the neck portion to a replenishing port of the developer storage unit. An annular seal member that can slide in contact with a portion opposing the discharge port of the neck portion of the developer storage container and has a developer through hole on one side is provided such that the developer through hole is formed on the upper surface of the developer storage section. It is installed by a support frame configured separately so as to match the developer supply port, and the neck portion of the developer storage container is fitted into the inner hole of the seal member and set. and then, a member that rotates together with the developer accommodating container (toner bottle) And configured to securely seal be sealed.
[0008]
Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the seal member has an annular groove provided on an inner peripheral surface passing through the developer passage, and the developer discharges when the developer container rotates in sliding contact. The structure was such that some of the developer adhered to the edge of the outlet did not reach the inner peripheral surface of the seal member.
[0009]
Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the seal member covers two ring members opposed to each other with a discharge port provided on one side of the neck portion of the developer accommodating container, and covers outer peripheries of both ring members. And an outer peripheral member fixed in such a manner that an annular space can be formed on the inner peripheral surface passing through the developer through hole, and a part of the developer attached to the edge portion of the developer outlet is removed from the seal member by the inside. It is configured so that it cannot be carried to the peripheral surface and can be easily disassembled and removed when replacing the seal member due to deterioration.
The invention according to claim 4 has a pressing plate for pressing a bottom portion of the developer storage container, fitting a neck portion of the developer storage container into an inner hole of the seal member, and setting. Features.
[0010]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the developer may be referred to as a toner.
[0011]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a developer storage for storing a developer (toner) to be supplied to a developing device main body (not shown), and a toner supply port 2 is provided on an upper surface of the developer storage 1. . On the upper surface of the developer storage section 1 provided with the toner supply port 2, a continuous rack 4 is provided horizontally via a stepped portion 3 so that a developer storage container (toner bottle) 5 can be held in a lying state. It has become.
[0012]
The toner bottle 5 has a large-diameter trunk portion 5a for storing toner, a small-diameter neck portion 5b having a toner discharge port 6 on one side, and a shoulder portion 5c narrowed from the trunk portion 5a toward the neck portion 5b. Consists of
[0013]
A spiral groove (rib) 7 is provided on the peripheral surface of the toner bottle 5, and when the toner bottle 5 is rotated in the circumferential direction, the toner stored in the toner bottle 5 is transferred from the body part 5a to the neck part. 5b. Further, two concave grooves 8 into which two claw pieces 12 of the rotor 11 described later are fitted are provided on the top surface of the neck portion 5b. Further, a cap 9 that can be opened when storing toner is press-fitted in the center of the bottom surface of the trunk portion 5a.
[0014]
At the end of the rack 4, there is provided a pressing plate 10 which can press the buttocks of the body 5 a of the toner bottle 5 toward the neck 5 b. The pressing plate 10 moves forward by operating a handle (not shown). That is, when the toner bottle 5 is placed on the rack 4 with the pressing plate 10 retracted by the handle operation, and the pressing plate 10 is moved forward by the handle operation, the toner bottle 5 can be set to the normal position and the position can be maintained. It has become.
[0015]
The normal position of the toner bottle 5 means that the concave groove 8 provided on the top surface of the neck portion 5b of the toner bottle 5 engages with the claw piece 12 provided on the opposed rotor 11, and the one end of the neck portion 5b. It refers to a position that can match the toner supply port 2 when the toner discharge port 6 provided on the side surface rotates in the circumferential direction.
[0016]
The rotor 11 is connected to a drive source 13 by gears and rotates in a predetermined direction. The power of the rotor 11 is transmitted to a top surface having a concave groove 8 with which the claw piece 12 is engaged, whereby the toner bottle 5 is moved in the circumferential direction. To rotate.
[0017]
Due to the rotation of the toner bottle 5 in the circumferential direction, the toner stored in the bolt moves from the trunk portion 5a to the neck portion 5b by the action of the spiral groove 7 on the peripheral surface, and finally to one side of the neck portion 5b. The toner is discharged from the provided discharge port 6 and gradually supplied to the developer storage unit 1 from the toner supply port 2.
[0018]
A seal member 14 for slidingly guiding toner discharged from a discharge port 6 provided on one side of the neck portion 5b of the toner bottle 5 to the toner supply port 2 of the developer storage section 1 is slidably fitted. Can be combined.
[0019]
The seal member 14 is installed on the developer storage unit 1 by the support frame 16 such that the toner through hole 15 provided on one side matches the toner supply port 2 on the upper surface of the developer storage unit 1 (FIG. 2). The support frame 16 can sandwich and fix the seal member 14 from above and below with a U-shaped lower frame 16a and a flat upper frame 16b, so that the seal member 14 does not rotate following the rotation of the toner bottle 5. To stably maintain the
[0020]
In the case of FIG. 2, a protrusion 16b 'is provided on the inner surface of the upper frame 16b of the support frame 16 as an auxiliary means for enabling the seal member 14 to be stably held by the support frame 16. 16b 'is configured to fit into a receiving hole 14' provided on the upper surface of the seal member 14.
[0021]
If necessary to stably hold the seal member 14 with the support frame 16, a double-sided adhesive tape (not shown) may be interposed between the U-shaped lower frame 16a and the seal member 14. Of course, nested protrusions and recesses (not shown) may be formed between the U-shaped lower frame 16a and the seal member 14.
[0022]
The shape of the seal member 14 is not particularly limited, but typical shapes are shown in FIGS. That is, a thin and tough outer skin member 14b such as a PET material is provided on the outer periphery of a ring member 14a made of a material having elasticity and good slipperiness such as urethane foam having the toner through hole 15 on one side. The use of the fitted one provides good sealing performance and shape stability.
[0023]
3 of the seal member 14 has a shape in which the inner peripheral surface is in full contact with the neck portion 5b of the toner bottle 5. 4 is provided with an annular groove 17 on the inner peripheral surface passing through the toner through hole 15, and when the toner discharge port 6 provided on one side of the neck portion 5b of the toner bottle 5 rotates in the circumferential direction. It does not slide.
[0024]
Further, the seal member 14 shown in FIG. 5 is fixed so as to cover the outer circumferences of two ring members 14a and 14a 'opposed to each other with the discharge port 6 provided on one side of the neck portion of the toner bottle 5 covered by a skin member 14b. The discharge port 6 provided on one side of the neck portion 5b of the toner bottle 5 has an annular space 18 which does not slide.
[0025]
The three shapes of the seal member 14 are shown. The toner bottle 5 is rotated in any case, and the toner bottle 5 rotates from the discharge port 6 provided on one side of the neck portion 5b to the toner through hole 15 of the seal member 14. Although the function of replenishing toner to the toner replenishing port 2 of the developer storage unit 1 is sufficiently satisfied, the developer adhering to the edge portion of the toner discharging port 6 in FIG. There is a possibility that the developer may be conveyed to the inner surface of the seal member 14, and there is a possibility that the conveyed developer is accumulated with time and rarely causes a leak of the developer.
[0026]
In this regard, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the annular groove 17 and the annular space 18 are provided on the inner periphery, so that the toner attached to the edge portion of the toner outlet 6 is carried to the inner surface of the seal member 14. There is no possibility at all.
[0027]
In the apparatus of the present embodiment shown in the above embodiment, first, the seal member 14 is arranged so that the toner through hole 15 is aligned with the toner supply port 2 provided on the upper surface of the developer storage section 1, and the support frame 16 is used to stably. Fix it.
[0028]
Next, the toner bottle 5 is placed on a rack 4 continuously provided on the upper surface of the developer storage unit 1 via the stepped portion 3 so that the top surface of the neck portion 5 b faces the rotor 11. After that, when the pressing plate 10 provided at the end of the rack 4 is advanced by a handle operation to push out the toner bottle 5, the neck portion 5b is fitted into the inner hole of the seal member 14 and set.
[0029]
The toner bottle 5 set in this way is positioned so that the toner outlet 6 provided on one side of the neck portion 5b can match the toner through hole 15 of the sealing member 14, and the concave portion of the top surface of the neck portion 5b. The groove 8 and the claw piece 12 of the rotor 11 are engaged.
[0030]
When the image forming apparatus is activated and the rotor 11 connected to the gears from the drive source 13 rotates, the toner bottle 5 rotates in the circumferential direction by receiving the power, and the toner stored in the body is spirally rotated. The toner is moved from the trunk portion 5a to the neck portion 5b by the action of the groove 7 and is discharged from the toner discharge port 6 provided in the neck portion 5b, and is gradually supplied to the supply port 2 of the developer storage unit 1.
[0031]
In this case, the seal member 14 does not rotate with the toner bottle 5, and the toner bottle 5 is slidably rotated in the circumferential direction so that the toner discharge port 6 provided in the neck portion 5b is provided on the lower surface of the seal member 14. When the toner is aligned with the toner through hole 15, the toner is reliably supplied to the supply port 2 of the developer storage unit 1 through the toner outlet 6 and the toner through hole 15, so that the member that rotates together with the toner bottle is not used. The developer can be reliably supplied to the toner supply port.
[0032]
When the seal member 14 has a shape in which an annular groove 17 is provided in the inner peripheral surface thereof so as to pass through the toner through hole 15 or a shape in which an annular space 18 is provided, the seal member 14 has a shape similar to that of the toner bottle 5. The toner adhered to the edge of the toner outlet 6 provided on one side of the neck portion is not carried into the inner surface of the seal member 14 by the rotation of the toner bottle 5, and the toner is gradually transferred to the inner peripheral surface of the seal member 14. It does not accumulate and therefore does not cause toner leakage.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the developer (toner) is moved from the body part to the neck part by the developer storage part for storing the developer and the spiral groove provided on the peripheral surface by rotating in the circumferential direction. A developer accommodating container capable of replenishing a replenishing opening of the developer storing section from a discharge port provided on one side of the neck portion, wherein the developer accommodating container comprises: An annular seal member having a developer through-hole (toner through-hole) on one side, which can slide in contact with a portion opposing the discharge port of the neck portion of the (toner bottle), and the developer through-hole is It is characterized in that it is installed so as to match the developer supply port on the upper surface of the developer storage section, so that even if the member that rotates together with the developer storage container (toner bottle) is abolished, it can be reliably sealed, and Not only eliminates the need for cumbersome adjustments, but also Reduction in strike in which an excellent effect that can be expected.
[0034]
Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the seal member is provided with an annular groove on an inner peripheral surface passing through the developer passage, so that the rotation of the developer accommodating container can be slid. This has the effect that the toner adhering to the toner discharge port sometimes is not carried to the inner peripheral surface (sliding contact surface) of the seal member.
[0035]
Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the seal member covers two ring members opposed to each other with a discharge port provided on one side of the neck portion of the developer accommodating container, and covers outer peripheries of both ring members. The surface of the toner bottle that is in sliding contact with the toner outlet is an annular space, and the toner that has adhered to the toner outlet is the inner peripheral surface (sliding surface) of the seal member. In addition to the effect of not being carried, the seal member can be easily disassembled when the seal member is replaced due to deterioration, and can be easily removed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the device of the present application.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a relationship between a seal member and a toner bottle used in the apparatus of the present application.
3A and 3B show a seal member used in the apparatus of the present application, wherein FIG. 3A is a perspective view and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show a second seal member used in the apparatus of the present application, wherein FIG. 4A is a perspective view and FIG.
FIGS. 5A and 5B show a third seal member used in the apparatus of the present application, wherein FIG. 5A is a perspective view and FIG. 5B is a sectional view.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 developer storage section 2 developer supply port (toner supply port)
3 Step portion 4 Rack 5 Developer container (toner bottle)
5a trunk 5b neck 5c shoulder 6 developer outlet (toner outlet)
7 Spiral groove (rib)
8 A concave groove provided on the top surface of the neck portion of the toner bottle 9 A cap press-fitted into the opening of the bottom surface of the torso portion of the toner bottle 10 A pressing plate 11 for pressing the bottom surface of the torso portion of the toner bottle 11 Claw piece 13 Drive source 14 Seal member 14 'Receiving hole 15 provided in seal member Developer through hole (toner through hole)
16 Support frame 16a Lower frame 16b Upper frame 16b 'Protrusion 17 Annular groove 18 Annular space

Claims

The developer is moved from the body to the neck by a spiral groove provided on the peripheral surface by rotating in a circumferential direction and a developer storage portion for storing the developer, and the developer is provided on one side of the neck. A developer storage container configured to supply developer from an outlet to a supply port of the developer storage unit, wherein the developer storage container includes a discharge port at a neck portion of the developer storage container. An annular seal member that can slide in contact with the opposing portion and has a developer through-hole on one side is separately provided such that the developer through-hole matches a developer supply port on the upper surface of the developer storage unit. The developer supply device is provided with a support frame configured as described above, and a neck portion of the developer accommodating container is fitted and set in an inner hole of the seal member .

When rotating in a circumferential direction in a state in which the neck portion of said developer accommodating container is set, the outlet of the developer accommodating container so as not to contact sliding, the inner circumference through the developer through-hole of said seal member developer replenishing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kite is provided an annular groove on the surface.

When rotating in a circumferential direction in a state in which the neck portion of said developer accommodating container is set, the outlet of the developer accommodating container so as not to contact slidingly, the sealing member is discharged outlet of the developer accommodating container 2. The developer replenishing device according to claim 1, comprising two ring members opposed to each other with an interposition therebetween, and an outer skin member fixed so as to cover the outer periphery of both ring members.

4. The pressing device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing plate for pressing a bottom portion of the developer storage container, fitting a neck portion of the developer storage container into an inner hole of the seal member, and setting. A developer replenishing device according to any one of the preceding claims.