JP4368331B2 - Toner bottle and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner bottle that is detachably installed in an image forming apparatus main body in order to replenish toner consumed in an image forming process, and an image forming apparatus including the toner bottle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine thereof, a cylindrical toner bottle for supplying toner to a developing device is known (for example, (See Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, etc., a toner bottle that is installed in the image forming apparatus main body in a replaceable manner mainly includes a bottle main body (container main body) and a case (container replenishment unit). A spiral protrusion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the bottle main body, and the toner contained in the bottle main body is conveyed toward the opening when the bottle main body is driven to rotate. The case communicates with the opening of the bottle main body, and is held by the image forming apparatus main body without interlocking with the rotational driving of the bottle main body. The toner discharged from the opening of the bottle body is discharged from a toner discharge port (toner supply port) provided in the case. Thereafter, the toner discharged from the toner discharge port of the case is supplied to the developing device.

  The toner bottle configured as described above is not provided with a case, and compared with a toner bottle (for example, see Patent Document 2) that supplies toner directly from the opening of the bottle body toward the developing device. The operability and workability for the user who replaces the toner bottle is improved. Specifically, since the toner discharge port of the case is opened and closed in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the toner bottle, a problem that the user touches the toner discharge port and is contaminated with toner is suppressed.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1 or the like, a toner bottle having a bottle body and a case is provided around the opening of the bottle body in order to prevent a problem that toner leaks from a gap between the bottle body and the case. A technique of providing a sealing member (seal member) that seals the gap between the opposing surfaces of the bottle body and the case is disclosed. Moreover, what formed the shape of the sealing member in the concave shape is also disclosed.

JP 2000-214669 A JP 2003-233248 A

  The toner bottle of Patent Document 1 and the like described above improves the operability and workability at the time of replacement compared to that of Patent Document 2 and the like, but the toner still leaks from the gap between the bottle body and the case over time. There was a case.

  That is, a sealing member such as polyurethane foam adhered to the facing surface on the case side facing the opening is slidably contacted with the opening of the rotationally driven bottle body, so that the toner is discharged from the gap between the case and the bottle body. Prevents leakage. On the other hand, when the bottle main body that is held loosely as compared with the case that is firmly held by the holding portion of the image forming apparatus main body is rotated, the bottle main body is in the radial direction (the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction). Rotate while swinging slightly. By repeating such a radial shake of the bottle body over time, the sealing performance of the sealing member gradually decreases. That is, when the opening repeats swaying in the radial direction, the deformed shape of the sealing member having elasticity (the shape that seals the gap) is not determined, and eventually the restoring force is reduced and sealing is performed. A gap occurs in the space to be stopped. Then, the toner leaks out of the toner bottle from this gap. As described above, if the toner leaks out of the toner bottle, the toner is wasted and the inside of the image forming apparatus is contaminated.

  Such a problem is not particularly negligible in a toner bottle having a large capacity for the purpose of reducing the running cost. That is, since a large driving force is required to rotationally drive a toner bottle that has increased in weight due to an increased amount of toner filling, the opening of the bottle body increases with an increase in rotational torque, rotational unevenness, vibration, etc. The amount of deflection in the radial direction of the portion also increases. Further, since the operation time (lifetime) of the toner bottle having a large capacity becomes longer in accordance with the increased amount of toner, the time during which the shake of the opening affects the sealing member also becomes longer.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 and the like disclose that the shape of the sealing member that seals the gap between the bottle body and the case is formed in a concave shape. However, even if the sealing member having elasticity is formed in a concave shape, it is not possible to expect the effect of directly solving the above-mentioned problem because the radial deflection of the opening is not restricted.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. The toner bottle has high operability and workability at the time of replacement and does not cause toner leakage over time even when the capacity is increased. And providing an image forming apparatus.

A toner bottle according to a first aspect of the present invention is a toner bottle that is detachably installed in a bottle housing portion of a main body of an image forming apparatus, is configured to be rotatable, and is internally linked in conjunction with rotation. A bottle body that conveys the toner contained in the opening toward the opening; and the bottle body that communicates with the bottle body through the opening to discharge the toner discharged from the opening from the toner discharge port. A case that is held in the bottle housing portion without being interlocked with the rotation of the bottle, and a sealing member that seals a gap between the opposing surfaces of the bottle body and the case around the opening, and The opposing surfaces of the bottle body and the case are formed so as to be non-parallel to each other, and the area of one opposing surface is formed to be larger than the area of the other opposing surface. Facing surface of the one, when viewed in cross section including the rotational center axis of the bottle body, and is formed in a tapered shape or a V-shape.

A toner bottle according to a second aspect of the present invention is the toner bottle according to the first aspect , wherein the sealing member is adhered to the one opposing surface .

A toner bottle according to a third aspect of the present invention is the toner bottle according to the first or second aspect , wherein the case has the toner discharge port in conjunction with an attaching / detaching operation to the main body of the image forming apparatus. An opening / closing member that opens and closes is provided.

A toner bottle according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the toner bottle according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the bottle body is on the peripheral surface of the bottle on the opening side. A gear that transmits a rotational driving force to the main body is provided.

A toner bottle according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the toner bottle according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the bottle body is provided with a spiral protrusion on the inner peripheral surface thereof. is there.

A toner bottle according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the toner bottle according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the toner is contained in the bottle body.

A toner bottle according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the toner bottle according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a carrier contained in the bottle body .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus , the toner bottle according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is detachably installed in the bottle housing portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the bottle The accommodating portion includes a holding portion that determines the position of the case, and a drive portion that rotationally drives the bottle body.

  The present invention is a case where the operability and workability at the time of replacement are high and the capacity is increased because a restricting portion for restricting the shake in the radial direction of the opening of the bottle body together with the sealing member is provided. However, it is possible to provide a toner bottle and an image forming apparatus that do not cause toner leakage over time.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating a printer as an image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating an image forming unit thereof, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a toner replenishing unit thereof.
As shown in FIG. 1, four toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are detachably attached to the bottle housing portion 31 above the image forming apparatus main body 100. It is installed (changeable).
An intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed below the bottle housing portion 31. Image forming portions 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K corresponding to the respective colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged in parallel so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15.

  Referring to FIG. 2, an image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photosensitive drum 1Y, a charging unit 4Y disposed around the photosensitive drum 1Y, a developing device 5Y (developing unit), a cleaning unit 2Y, It is composed of a static eliminator (not shown). Then, an image forming process (charging process, exposure process, developing process, transfer process, cleaning process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

  The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K have substantially the same configuration as that of the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow except that the color of the toner used is different. A corresponding image is formed. Hereinafter, description of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K will be omitted as appropriate, and only the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 2 by a drive motor (not shown). Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charging unit 4Y (a charging process).
After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L emitted from the exposure device 7 (see FIG. 1), and the electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow by exposure scanning at this position. Is formed (this is an exposure step).

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, and the electrostatic latent image is developed at this position to form a yellow toner image (developing process).
Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the first transfer bias roller 9Y, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 at this position. (This is a primary transfer step.) At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 2Y, and untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor drum 1Y at this position is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a (cleaning process). .)
Finally, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing a neutralization unit (not shown), and the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is removed at this position.
Thus, a series of image forming processes performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y is completed.

The image forming process described above is performed in the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as the yellow image forming unit 6Y. That is, the laser beam L based on the image information is emitted from the exposure unit 7 disposed below the image forming unit onto the photosensitive drums of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K. Specifically, the exposure unit 7 emits a laser beam L from a light source, and irradiates the photosensitive drum through a plurality of optical elements while scanning the laser beam L with a polygon mirror that is rotationally driven.
Thereafter, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums through the developing process are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 in an overlapping manner. In this way, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Here, referring to FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a cleaning backup roller 13, and a tension roller. 14 and the intermediate transfer cleaning unit 10. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by the three rollers 12 to 14 and is endlessly moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

The four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K respectively sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K to form a primary transfer nip. Then, a transfer bias reverse to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.
The intermediate transfer belt 8 travels in the direction of the arrow and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nips of the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. In this way, the toner images of the respective colors on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are primarily transferred while being superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred in a superimposed manner reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller 12 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the secondary transfer roller 19 to form a secondary transfer nip. The four-color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 are transferred onto a transfer material P such as transfer paper conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip. At this time, the untransferred toner that has not been transferred to the transfer material P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning unit 10. At this position, the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected.
Thus, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

Here, the transfer material P transported to the position of the secondary transfer nip is transported from a paper feed unit 26 disposed below the apparatus main body 100 via a paper feed roller 27, a registration roller pair 28, and the like. It has been done.
Specifically, a plurality of transfer materials P such as transfer paper are stored in the paper supply unit 26 in a stacked manner. When the paper feed roller 27 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1, the uppermost transfer material P is fed between the rollers of the registration roller pair 28.

  The transfer material P conveyed to the registration roller pair 28 is temporarily stopped at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 28 that has stopped rotating. Then, the registration roller pair 28 is rotationally driven in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the transfer material P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, a desired color image is transferred onto the transfer material P.

Thereafter, the transfer material P on which the color image has been transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing unit 20. At this position, the color image transferred to the surface is fixed on the transfer material P by heat and pressure generated by the fixing roller and the pressure roller.
Thereafter, the transfer material P is discharged out of the apparatus through the rollers of the discharge roller pair 29. The transferred P discharged from the apparatus by the discharge roller pair 29 is sequentially stacked on the stack unit 30 as an output image.
Thus, a series of image forming processes in the image forming apparatus is completed.

Next, the configuration and operation of the developing device in the image forming unit will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The developing device 5Y includes a developing roller 51Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a doctor blade 52Y facing the developing roller 51Y, two conveying screws 55Y disposed in the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, and toner in the developer. Consists of a density detection sensor 56Y for detecting density. The developing roller 51Y includes a magnet fixed inside, a sleeve rotating around the magnet, and the like. In the developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y, a two-component developer G composed of a carrier and a toner is accommodated. The developer accommodating portion 54Y communicates with the toner transport pipe 43Y through an opening formed thereabove.

The developing device 5Y configured as described above operates as follows.
The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves on the developing roller 51Y as the sleeve rotates.

  Here, the developer G in the developing device 5Y is adjusted so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) is within a predetermined range. Specifically, according to the consumption of toner in the developing device 5Y, the toner stored in the toner bottle 32Y is supplied into the developer storage portion 54Y via the toner supply portions 43Y, 60, 70, 71. The configuration and operation of the toner bottle 32Y will be described in detail later.

  Thereafter, the toner replenished in the developer accommodating portion 54Y is circulated through the two developer accommodating portions 53Y and 54Y while being mixed and stirred together with the developer G by the two conveying screws 55Y (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). Direction movement.) The toner in the developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charging with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier by the magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51Y.

  The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2 and reaches the position of the doctor blade 52Y. The developer G on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed to a position facing the photosensitive drum 1Y (development region) after the developer amount is made appropriate at this position. The toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by the electric field formed in the development area. Thereafter, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches above the developer containing portion 53Y as the sleeve rotates, and is detached from the developing roller 51Y at this position.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the toner replenishing units 43Y, 60, 70, and 71 for guiding the toner in the toner bottle 32Y installed in the bottle housing unit 31 to the developing device 5Y will be described in detail.
Note that FIG. 3 illustrates the toner bottle 32Y, the toner replenishing units 43Y, 60, 70, and 71, and the developing device 5Y in different arrangement directions for easy understanding. Actually, in FIG. 3, the toner bottle 32Y and a part of the toner replenishing portion are disposed so that the longitudinal direction thereof is perpendicular to the paper surface.
The toner replenishing unit is installed in the apparatus main body 1 for each toner color. The four toner replenishing portions have substantially the same structure except that the color of toner used in the image forming process is different.

The toner replenishing unit replenishes the toner in the toner bottle 32Y installed in the bottle housing unit 31 of the apparatus main body 100 appropriately into the developing device 5Y according to the toner consumption in the developing device 5Y.
Specifically, when the toner bottle 32Y is set in the bottle housing portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the toner transport pipe 70 (nozzle) of the bottle housing portion 31 is connected to the case 34Y of the toner bottle 32Y. At this time, the shutter 34d (opening / closing member) of the toner bottle 32Y opens the toner discharge port of the case 34Y. As a result, the toner accommodated in the bottle main body 33Y of the toner bottle 32Y is transported into the toner transport pipe 70 via the toner discharge port.

On the other hand, the other end of the toner conveyance tube 70 is connected to one end of a tube 71. The tube 71 is made of a flexible rubber material with low toner affinity, and the other end is connected to a powder pump 60 (screw pump) of the toner replenishing portion.
The powder pump 60 includes a rotor 61, a stator 62, a suction port 63, a universal joint 64, a motor 66, and the like. The rotor 61 is formed such that a shaft made of a metal material is twisted spirally. One end of the rotor 61 is rotatably connected to a motor 66 via a universal joint 64. The stator 62 is made of a rubber material, and its hole is formed such that an oval cross section is twisted in a spiral shape. The rotor 61 is inserted into the hole of the stator 62.

  The powder pump 60 configured in this manner sucks the toner in the toner bottle 32Y to the suction port 63 via the tube 71 by rotating the rotor 61 in the stator 62 in a predetermined direction by the motor 66. The toner sucked up to the suction port 63 is fed into the gap between the stator 62 and the rotor 61, and is sent to the other end side along the rotation of the rotor 61. The delivered toner is discharged from the outlet 67 of the powder pump 60 and replenished into the developing device 5Y through the toner transport pipe 43Y (movement in the direction of the broken arrow in FIG. 3).

Next, a characteristic toner bottle in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As described above with reference to FIG. 1, four toner bottles 32 </ b> Y, 32 </ b> M, 32 </ b> C, and 32 </ b> K are detachably installed in the bottle housing portion 31. Each of the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is replaced with a new one when it reaches the end of its life (when the toner to be accommodated is almost exhausted). The toners of the respective colors stored in the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are appropriately replenished to the developing devices of the respective image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by the toner replenishing unit described with reference to FIG. Is done.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the toner bottle 32Y. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the head side of the toner bottle 32Y (the side on which the case 34Y is installed).
The other three toner bottles 32M, 32C, and 32K have substantially the same configuration as the toner bottle 32Y containing yellow toner except that the color of the contained toner is different. Hereinafter, description of the other three toner bottles 32M, 32C, and 32K will be omitted as appropriate, and only the toner bottle 32Y containing yellow toner will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner bottle 32Y mainly includes a bottle main body 33Y and a case 34Y (bottle cap) provided on the head.
The head of the bottle body 33Y is provided with a gear 33c that rotates integrally with the bottle body 33Y and an opening A (see FIG. 5). The gear 33c meshes with a drive gear of a drive unit (not shown) provided in the toner storage unit 31 of the apparatus main body 100, so that the bottle main body 33Y rotates on a rotation shaft (shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 5). It is for rotationally driving around the center. The opening A is for discharging the toner stored in the bottle body 33Y toward the space in the case 34Y.

Referring to FIG. 4, a grip portion 33 d is provided on the bottom of the bottle body 33 </ b> Y for the user to grip when attaching / detaching the toner bottle 32 </ b> Y.
Further, the bottle body 33Y is provided with a spiral projection 33a from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface. The spiral projection 33a is for rotating and driving the bottle body 33Y to discharge the toner from the opening A.
In addition, the bottle main body 33Y comprised in this way can be manufactured by blow molding with the gear 33c.

  4 and 5, the case 34Y includes a cap 34a, a cap cover 34b, a shutter holder 34c, a shutter 34d as an opening / closing member, a packing 34e, and the like. The case 34Y communicates with the bottle main body 33Y through the opening A, and discharges the toner discharged from the opening A from the toner discharge port B (the movement in the direction of the broken arrow in FIG. 5). The case 34Y is held by the holding portion of the bottle housing portion 31 without being interlocked with the rotation of the bottle body 33Y.

  The cap cover 34b of the case 34Y is bonded to the peripheral surface of the cap 34a. A claw 34b1 is provided at the tip of the cap cover 34b, and the claw 34b1 engages with an engaging portion formed on the head of the bottle main body 33Y, so that the bottle main body 33Y is relative to the case 34Y. Is held rotatably. Here, in order to smoothly rotate the bottle main body 33Y, the claw 34b1 of the case 34Y and the engaging portion of the bottle main body 33Y are engaged with each other with an appropriate clearance.

  A shutter holder 34c is provided below the case 34Y. The shutter holder 34c is provided with a shutter 34d (plug) as an opening / closing member that opens and closes the toner discharge port B in conjunction with the attaching / detaching operation of the toner bottle 32Y. At both ends of the shutter 34d, packings 34e for preventing toner leakage from the vicinity of the shutter 34d are installed. Although not shown, a compression spring that urges the shutter 34d in a direction to close the toner discharge port B is provided at the right end of the shutter 34d.

Here, the case 34Y is provided with a sticking surface 34a1 for sticking a sealing material 37 as a sealing member. The sticking surface 34a1 is a facing surface (one facing surface) that faces the leading end surface 33a (the other facing surface) around the opening A of the bottle body 33Y, and is formed at the tip of the cap 34a.
The sealing material 37 as a sealing member is for sealing the gap between the opposing surfaces 33a and 34a1 of the bottle main body 33Y and the case 34Y around the opening A, and is formed of an elastic material such as foamed polyurethane. ing.

And the sticking surface 34a1 to which the sealing material 37 was stuck functions as a restricting part that restricts the opening A from swinging in the radial direction.
Specifically, the sticking surface 34a1 of the case 34Y is formed non-parallel to the front end surface 33a of the opposing bottle body 33Y. Specifically, the sticking surface 34a1 is not a flat surface that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the bottle body 33Y, but is formed in a tapered shape. Furthermore, the area of the sticking surface 34a1 as one facing surface is formed to be larger than the area of the tip surface 33a as the other facing surface.

  With such a configuration, the sticking surface 34a1 to which the sealing material 37 is stuck is such that the tip surface 33a (opening A) is in the radial direction (the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis) as the bottle main body 33Y rotates. Even if it tries to swing, the movement will be restricted. For example, even if the distal end surface 33a attempts to move upward in FIG. 5, a force in the direction of returning the distal end surface 33a downward above the sticking surface 34a1 (force through the sealing material 37) is applied to the distal end surface 33a. In order to act, the upward movement of the tip surface 33a is restricted.

  In this way, the deformation in the radial direction of the opening A of the bottle main body 33Y is suppressed, so that the deformed shape of the sealing material 37 having elasticity (the shape that seals the gap) is determined and the restoring force is determined. Without lowering, the sealing performance of the sealing material 37 can be stably maintained over time. That is, a problem that a gap is generated in the sealing region of the sealing material 37 due to the radial deflection of the opening A is suppressed. As a result, toner leakage from the sealing material 37 is suppressed, and waste of toner due to toner leakage and toner contamination in the image forming apparatus main body 100 are prevented in advance.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an operation for attaching and detaching the toner bottle 32 </ b> Y to the bottle container 31 will be described.
FIG. 6A is a schematic view of the state in which the yellow toner bottle 32Y is mounted in the bottle accommodating portion 31 (moving in the direction of the arrow) as viewed in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at shutter holder 34c vicinity of case 34Y from upper direction. FIG. 7A is a schematic view of the state in which the toner bottle 32Y is mounted in the bottle accommodating portion 31 (a state where the installation is completed) as viewed in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 7B is a shutter holder at that time. It is sectional drawing which looked at 34c vicinity from upper direction.

  The bottle storage unit 31 is provided with four bottle storage units 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K corresponding to the four toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. The four bottle storage units 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K include a holding unit 73 that determines the position of the shutter holder 34c of the case 34Y, the toner conveyance tube 70, and a driving unit for transmitting rotational driving force to the bottle body 33Y. (Not shown), etc. are provided.

When the toner bottle 32Y is mounted in the bottle housing portion 31 of the apparatus main body 100, first, a main body cover (not shown) provided on the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body 100 (the front side in FIG. 1). ) Is opened to expose the bottle container 31.
After that, referring to FIG. 6, the toner bottle 32Y is pushed into the bottle container 31 (moving in the direction of the arrow). Soon, both ends of the shutter holder 34 c of the toner bottle 33 </ b> Y are guided to the holding portion 73, and the toner bottle 32 </ b> Y advances to the back side of the bottle housing portion 31. Then, as the tip of the toner conveyance tube 70 is inserted into the through hole of the shutter holder 34 c, the shutter 34 d moves so as to be pushed out to the toner conveyance tube 70. Eventually, the position of the case 34Y is determined at the position where the shutter holder 34c hits the holding portion 73, and at the same time, the shutter 34d completely opens the toner discharge port B. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the toner discharge port B of the toner bottle 32Y communicates with the toner supply port 70a of the toner transport tube 70, and the mounting operation of the toner bottle 32Y is completed.

  It should be noted that when the toner bottle 32Y is taken out from the bottle container 31 of the apparatus main body 100, the operation is performed in the reverse procedure to the above-described procedure at the time of mounting. At this time, in conjunction with the operation of separating the toner bottle 32Y from the holding portion 73, the toner conveying tube 70 is also separated from the shutter 34d and moved to a position where the shutter 34d closes the toner discharge port B by the urging force of the compression spring. To do.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, since the sticking surface 34a1 that regulates the radial deflection of the opening A of the bottle main body 33Y together with the sealing material 37 is provided, the replacement of the toner bottle 32Y is performed. Even when the capacity of the toner bottle 32Y is increased, toner leakage (toner scattering) over time can be suppressed.

  In the first embodiment, only the toner is contained in the bottle bodies of the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. However, image formation is performed by appropriately supplying a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier to the developing device. For the apparatus, the two-component developer can be accommodated in the bottle bodies of the toner bottles 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. Even in that case, leakage of the developer from the toner bottle 32Y can be suppressed by providing the sticking surface 34a1 that restricts the radial deflection of the opening A of the bottle main body 33Y together with the sealing material 37. .

  In the first embodiment, the restricting portion 34a1 is provided on the case 34Y side, but the restricting portion may be provided on the bottle body 33Y side. Moreover, the sealing material 37 can also be stuck to the front end surface 33a of the bottle main body 33Y. Even in such a case, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the toner bottle according to the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the shape of the sticking surface 34a1 as the restricting portion is different from that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the toner bottle 32Y of the second embodiment is also composed of a bottle main body 33Y and a case 34Y, as in the first embodiment.
Further, the case 34Y is provided with a sticking surface 34a1 (regulator) for sticking a sealing material 37 as a sealing member. The sticking surface 34a1 in the second embodiment is formed in a V shape unlike the one in the first embodiment. And the sticking surface 34a1 to which the sealing material 37 was stuck functions as a restricting part that restricts the opening A from swinging in the radial direction.

Specifically, the sticking surface 34a1 formed in a V shape is non-parallel to the tip surface 33a of the opposing bottle body 33Y and is formed to be larger than the area of the tip surface 33a. Yes.
With such a configuration, the sticking surface 34a1 to which the sealing material 37 is stuck restricts the movement of the tip end face 33a (opening A) even if the tip end face 33a (opening A) tends to swing in the radial direction as the bottle main body 33Y rotates. It will be. For example, even if the tip surface 33a is about to move upward in FIG. 8, a force in the direction of returning the tip surface 33a downward at one end of the V-shape of the sticking surface 34a1 (a force through the sealing material 37). In order to act on the surface 33a, the upward movement of the tip end surface 33a is restricted.

  In this way, by suppressing the radial deflection of the opening A, the sealing performance of the sealing material 37 can be stably maintained over time. As a result, leakage of toner from the sealing material 37 is suppressed, and waste of toner due to toner leakage and toner contamination in the image forming apparatus main body 100 are prevented in advance.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, since the sticking surface 34a1 that regulates the radial deflection of the opening A of the bottle main body 33Y together with the sealing material 37 is provided, the replacement of the toner bottle 32Y is performed. Even when the capacity of the toner bottle 32Y is increased, toner leakage (toner scattering) over time can be suppressed.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the toner bottle in the third embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the shape of the sticking surface 34a1 as the restricting portion is different from that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the toner bottle 32Y of the third embodiment is also composed of a bottle main body 33Y and a case 34Y, as in the first embodiment.
Further, the case 34Y is provided with a sticking surface 34a1 (regulator) for sticking a sealing material 37 as a sealing member. The sticking surface 34a1 in the third embodiment is formed in a tapered shape as in the first embodiment, but the taper direction is different from that in the first embodiment. Yes. And the sticking surface 34a1 to which the sealing material 37 was stuck functions as a restricting part that restricts the opening A from swinging in the radial direction.

Specifically, the sticking surface 34a1 formed in a taper shape is non-parallel to the front end surface 33a of the opposing bottle body 33Y and is formed to be larger than the area of the front end surface 33a. .
With such a configuration, the sticking surface 34a1 to which the sealing material 37 is stuck restricts the movement of the tip end face 33a (opening A) even if the tip end face 33a (opening A) tends to swing in the radial direction as the bottle main body 33Y rotates. It will be. For example, even if the distal end surface 33a tries to move upward in FIG. 9, a force in a direction to return the entire distal end surface 33a downward below the sticking surface 34a1 acts on the distal end surface 33a. Movement is restricted.

  In this way, by suppressing the radial deflection of the opening A, the sealing performance of the sealing material 37 can be stably maintained over time. As a result, leakage of toner from the sealing material 37 is suppressed, and waste of toner due to toner leakage and toner contamination in the image forming apparatus main body 100 are prevented in advance.

  As described above, also in the third embodiment, since the sticking surface 34a1 that regulates the radial deflection of the opening A of the bottle main body 33Y together with the sealing material 37 is provided, the replacement of the toner bottle 32Y is performed. Even when the capacity of the toner bottle 32Y is increased, toner leakage (toner scattering) over time can be suppressed.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that the embodiments can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, other than suggested in each of the above-described embodiments. It is. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above embodiments, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for carrying out the present invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a toner replenishing unit in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a toner bottle installed in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a head side of the toner bottle in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a toner bottle is mounted in a bottle housing unit. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a toner bottle is mounted in a bottle housing unit. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of toner bottle in Embodiment 2 of this invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of a toner bottle according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

5Y developing device,
31 Bottle container,
32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner bottles,
33Y bottle body,
33a tip surface (the other facing surface), 33b protrusion, 33c gear,
34Y case,
34a cap, 34a1 sticking surface (regulator, one facing surface),
34b Cap cover, 34b1 claw, 34c Shutter holder,
34d shutter (opening / closing member), 34e packing,
37 sealing material (sealing member),
70 toner transfer pipe, 70a toner supply port, 73 holding section,
100 Image forming apparatus body (apparatus body),
A opening, B toner discharge port.

Claims (8)

A toner bottle that is detachably installed in a bottle housing portion of an image forming apparatus main body,
A bottle body that is configured to be rotatable and conveys toner contained therein in conjunction with the rotation toward the opening;
A case that communicates with the bottle main body through the opening to discharge the toner discharged from the opening from a toner discharge port, and is held in the bottle accommodating portion without being interlocked with the rotation of the bottle main body. When,
A sealing member that seals the gap between the opposing surfaces of the bottle body and the case around the opening;
With
The bottle body and the case facing surfaces of the case are formed so as to be non-parallel to each other, and the area of one facing surface is formed to be larger than the area of the other facing surface,
The toner bottle according to claim 1, wherein the one opposing surface is formed in a taper shape or a V shape when viewed in a cross section including a rotation center axis of the bottle body . The toner bottle according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is attached to the one facing surface . The toner bottle according to claim 1, wherein the case includes an opening / closing member that opens and closes the toner discharge port in conjunction with an attaching / detaching operation to / from the image forming apparatus main body . The toner according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottle main body includes a gear that transmits a rotational driving force to the bottle main body on a peripheral surface thereof and on the opening side. Bottle. The toner bottle according to claim 1 , wherein the bottle main body includes a spiral protrusion on an inner peripheral surface thereof . The toner bottle according to claim 1, wherein toner is contained in the bottle body . The toner bottle according to claim 6, wherein a carrier is further accommodated in the bottle body . The toner bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is detachably installed in the bottle housing portion of the image forming apparatus main body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bottle housing unit includes a holding unit that determines a position of the case, and a driving unit that rotationally drives the bottle body.

Images