JP5516206B2 - Developer container, image forming apparatus, lid member, and method of manufacturing lid member - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container, an image forming apparatus, a lid member, and a method for manufacturing the lid member.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers, the techniques described in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 are conventionally known as techniques related to a developer container for containing a developer consumed in forming an image. It is.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-134488 as Patent Document 1 discloses a case where the upper frame (A) and the lower frame (B) of the toner containing portion (42) are assembled by being joined via a seal member (14). Describes a technique for injecting a liquid substance (14A) such as polyurethane foam rubber from a nozzle (15) to form the seal member (14). In Patent Document 1, along the injection groove (C1) of the coupling surface (C) of each frame (A, B), the liquid substance (14A) is transferred from the nozzle (15), and the start point (a) to the end point (b). The sealing member (14) is formed by injecting in a closed loop until the injection portion is injected into the overlapping portion of the injection start portion (14A-1) and the injection end portion (14A-2) of the liquid substance (14A). By providing the liquid reservoir (20) deeper than the groove (C1), the liquid material (14A) is prevented from accumulating in the overlapping portion and the surface is raised, and the surface of the seal member (14), that is, the coupling A technique is described in which the surface (C) is planar and the adhesion between the upper frame (A) and the lower frame (B) is improved.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-162820 as Patent Document 2 describes a technology relating to a toner cartridge that seals a gap by applying a liquid elastomer (5) as a sealant to a gap between a plurality of members. In Patent Document 2, a reservoir groove (7, 8) for applying a larger amount than the intermediate application amount is formed at the start point and the end point of the linear application region of the liquid elastomer (5), and the application amount in the application region Describes a technology that increases the productivity of toner cartridges by ensuring high sealing performance by reducing variations in the amount of toner and omitting the initial coating amount stabilization process such as discarding and discharging immediately before coating in a place other than the coating area. ing.
That is, Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a technique for injecting a liquid elastomer from the coupling surface side by an injection nozzle to form a seal member in which the shape of the coupling surface is likely to vary from product to product at the start and end points of the injection nozzle. Is described.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-331026 as Patent Document 3 discloses a second flange (13) at an opening at one end in the longitudinal direction of a cylindrical toner container (11) which is a main body of the toner supply container (1). In the toner replenishing container (1) that is fitted and closed via the sealing member (17), the second flange (13) and the sealing member (17) are integrally formed by two-color molding. Has been.
That is, Patent Document 3 describes a configuration in which a seal member is molded in two colors on a lid member of a toner cartridge.

JP-A-5-134488 (abstract, “0039” to “0041”, FIGS. 2 and 12) JP 2002-162820 A (Abstract, “0017” to “0041”, FIGS. 1 to 7) JP 2001-331026 A ("0223", FIG. 55)

  An object of the present invention is to stabilize the shape of the surface of the leakage preventing member exposed inside the developer container.

In order to solve the technical problem, the developer container according to claim 1 is:
A container main body in which the developer is stored;
A resin lid member detachable from the container body;
A leakage preventing portion provided on the lid member and preventing the developer inside the container body from leaking out in contact with the container body when the lid member is mounted on the container body; The resin-made leakage prevention part molded in two colors on the inner surface of the lid member which is the surface of the lid member on the container body side;
An injection portion formed through the inner surface of the lid member and the outer surface of the lid member, which is the back surface of the inner surface of the lid member, and capable of injecting the resin;
The leakage prevention part molded in two colors by injecting the resin from the outer surface side of the lid member through the injection part,
It is provided with.

A second aspect of the present invention provides the developer container according to the first aspect,
The lid member in which a plurality of the injection portions are formed,
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 3 is the developer container according to claim 1 or 2,
A discharge part formed through the inner surface of the lid member and the outer surface of the lid member, and capable of discharging fluid on the inner surface side of the lid member to the outer surface side of the lid member;
It is provided with.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the developer container according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The leak preventing portion that is elastically deformable;
A biting portion provided at an end of the opening of the container body on the lid member side, the first contact surface facing the lid member, and an inner side with respect to the opening of the first contact surface A second contact surface formed to extend from the end to the inner surface side of the container main body, and the outer end of the first contact surface from the outer end to the outer surface side of the container main body. A third contact surface formed to extend, and when the lid member is attached to the container body, the contact surface bites into the leakage prevention portion and the contact surfaces come into contact with the leakage prevention portion. The bite,
It is provided with.

The invention according to claim 5 is the developer container according to claim 4,
An adjacent portion provided in the container main body and adjacent to the biting portion, and formed to extend from an outer end to the outer surface side of the container main body with respect to the opening of the third contact surface. The adjacent portion;
When the lid member is attached to the container body, a gap formed between the leakage prevention part and the adjacent part,
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 6 is the developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A contacted portion that is provided in the leakage preventing portion and that extends to the inside of the container body, and that contacts the inner surface of the container body;
When the lid member is attached to the container body, the guide member guides the inner surface of the container body to the contacted part, and is formed at an end of the contacted part on the inner side of the container body. And the guide part having a shape that moves away from the inner surface of the container body as it advances toward the inner side of the container body;
It is provided with.

The invention described in claim 7 is the developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A wall portion formed on the outer side along the inner surface of the lid member with respect to the leakage prevention portion, and formed to extend from the inner surface of the lid member to the container body side;
It is arranged between the wall part and the leakage prevention part, and when the leakage prevention part is molded in two colors, it is arranged on the inner side of the container body and faces the mold that contacts the central part of the lid member. A receiving surface that is received in contact with the receiving surface, wherein the receiving surface is formed with a space in which the resin is injected inwardly as a central portion side of the lid member than the receiving surface;
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 8 is provided.
An image carrier,
A developing device that develops the latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image;
The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which contains a developer to be replenished to the developing device,
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, the lid member of the invention according to claim 9 is:
A resin lid member that can be attached to and detached from the container main body of the developer storage container in which the developer is stored,
A leakage prevention unit that is supported by the lid member and prevents the developer inside the container body from leaking out in contact with the container body when the lid member is attached to the container body, The resin-made leakage prevention part molded in two colors on the inner surface of the lid member which is the surface of the lid member on the container body side;
Through the resin injection part, the leakage preventing part molded in two colors by injecting the resin from the outer surface side of the lid member,
An injection portion formed through the inner surface of the lid member and the outer surface of the lid member, which is the back surface of the inner surface of the lid member, and capable of injecting the resin;
The leakage prevention part molded in two colors by injecting the resin from the outer surface side of the lid member through the injection part,
It is provided with.

In order to solve the technical problem, the method of manufacturing the lid member according to claim 10 comprises:
A first mold that molds the inner surface of the lid member, which is a surface of the lid member that closes the opening of the container body of the developer housing container in which the developer is accommodated, and the inner surface of the lid member; Projecting from at least one of the molds and crossing the first space with respect to the first space between the second mold that molds the outer surface of the lid member that is the back surface of the mold In a state where the projection for producing the injection part is arranged, the first resin is injected from the outside of the first space, and the inner surface of the lid member according to the projection for producing the injection part, Molding the main body of the lid member formed with an injection portion penetrating the outer surface of the lid member;
In a state where a third mold having a recess for forming a space whose position corresponding to the injection part is recessed compared to the first mold is disposed on the container body side of the lid member body, With respect to the second space formed between the lid member main body and the third mold, from the outer surface side of the lid member that is outside the second space, through the injection portion, Injecting a second resin different from the first resin to prevent the developer inside the container body from leaking when the lid member body is attached to the container body and contacting the container body A step of molding the leakage prevention part to two colors;
It is provided with.

According to invention of Claim 1, 8-10, compared with the structure which does not have the leak prevention part by which resin was inject | poured from the outer surface side of the cover member and was molded in 2 colors, it exposes inside a developer storage container. The shape of the surface of the leakage preventing member can be stabilized.
According to invention of Claim 2, compared with the structure which does not have a some injection | pouring part, the time which inject | pours resin can be shortened and the time which carries out 2 color molding of the leakage prevention part can be shortened.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the leakage preventing portion is molded in two colors, fluid on the inner surface side of the lid member such as air or excess resin can be discharged to the outer surface side of the lid member. it can.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the developer leaks from between the container body and the leakage prevention portion as compared with the configuration in which the biting portion bites into the leakage prevention portion and the three contact surfaces do not contact the leakage prevention portion. Can be prevented.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the leakage preventing portion pushed away by the biting portion can enter the gap.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the inner surface of the container body can be easily brought into contact with the contacted portion as compared with the configuration in which the leakage prevention portion is not provided with the guide portion, and the lid member is attached to the container body. It can be made easy.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, compared with the configuration in which the receiving surface is not provided on the lid member, the injected resin presses the inner surface of the lid member when molding the leakage preventing portion, It is possible to reduce molding defects in which the resin enters a gap formed between the mold.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment with the front cover opened. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the toner cartridge is rotationally moved from the non-detachable position shown in FIG. 3 to the removable position. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the main part in a state where the toner cartridge is removed from the cartridge holder. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a main part in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the toner cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder has been rotated to a position where it cannot be removed. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge as viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge as viewed obliquely from the rear. FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the toner cartridge. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge portion of FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the toner cartridge in a state where the toner cartridge is moved to the detachable position. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of a main part of the toner cartridge in a state where it has been moved to a position where it cannot be removed. 16A and 16B are explanatory views of the cover seal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the cartridge cover in a state where it is not attached to the cartridge body. FIG. FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the biting portion of the cartridge main body bites into the biting portion of the cover seal from the state of FIG. 16B. FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of the method of manufacturing the cartridge cover according to the first embodiment. FIG. 17A shows the cartridge cover body by injecting ABS resin into the first space between the first mold and the second mold. FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the first mold supporting the slide core of the second mold is viewed from above, and FIG. 17C is a diagram illustrating the third mold and the main body of the cartridge cover. It is explanatory drawing of the process of inject | pouring a thermoplastic elastomer into the 2nd space between these, and shape | molding a cover seal in two colors. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example as an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment. FIG. 18A is a third view of the cartridge cover main body in which the receiving surface is omitted and the rear end surface of the cover seal is disposed in front of the bottom surface. FIG. 18B is an explanatory view showing a state in which the thermoplastic elastomer is injected into the second space between the mold and FIG. 18B is formed by the thermoplastic elastomer that has entered the gap between the cartridge cover and the third mold. It is explanatory drawing of the burr. FIG. 19 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 17 of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of a method for manufacturing the cartridge cover of the second embodiment. FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating the first mold between the first mold and the second mold. FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram of a process of molding the main body of the cartridge cover by injecting ABS resin into the space, and FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the first mold supporting the slide core of the second mold is viewed from above, FIG. 19C is an explanatory diagram of a process of injecting a thermoplastic elastomer into the second space between the third mold and the main body of the cartridge cover to mold the cover seal in two colors.

Next, examples as specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
In order to facilitate understanding of the following description, in the drawings, the front-rear direction is the X-axis direction, the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction, the up-down direction is the Z-axis direction, and arrows X, -X, Y, -Y, The direction indicated by Z and -Z or the indicated side is defined as the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, the lower side, or the front side, the rear side, the right side, the left side, the upper side, and the lower side, respectively.
In the figure, “•” in “○” means an arrow heading from the back of the page to the front, and “×” in “○” is the front of the page. It means an arrow pointing from the back to the back.
In the following description using the drawings, illustrations other than members necessary for the description are omitted as appropriate for easy understanding.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment.
In FIG. 1, a printer U as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment is provided with a sheet feeding tray TR <b> 1 as an example of a sheet feeding unit that accommodates a sheet S as an example of a medium at a lower portion of the front surface. . A discharge tray TRh as an example of a discharge unit for discharging the sheet S on which an image is recorded is formed on the upper surface of the printer U. Further, a front cover U1a as an example of an opening / closing part that is opened and closed when operating a toner cartridge TC as an example of a developer container, which will be described later, is formed in the front right part.

FIG. 2 is an overall explanatory diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment.
In FIG. 2, the printer U includes a controller C as an example of a control unit, an image processing unit IPS whose operation is controlled by the controller C, a laser drive circuit DL as an example of a latent image forming circuit, a power supply device E, and the like. Have. The power supply device E applies a voltage to a charging roll CR as an example of a charger to be described later, a developing roller Ga as an example of a developing member, a transfer roller Tr as an example of a transfer member, and the like.
The image processing unit IPS converts print information input from a computer or the like as an example of an external information transmitting device into image information for forming a latent image, and at a preset time, that is, at a timing, the laser drive circuit DL Output to. The laser drive circuit DL outputs a drive signal to the latent image forming apparatus LH according to the input image information. The latent image forming apparatus LH according to the first exemplary embodiment is configured by a so-called LED head in which LEDs as an example of a latent image writing element are linearly arranged at predetermined intervals along the left-right direction. .

At the rear of the printer U, a photosensitive member PR as an example of an image holding member that is rotationally driven is supported. Around the photoconductor PR, along the rotation direction of the photoconductor PR, a photoconductor as an example of a charging roll CR, a latent image forming device LH, a developing device G, a transfer roll Tr, and an image carrier cleaning device. A cleaner CL is arranged.
In FIG. 2, a charging roll cleaner CRc, which is an example of a cleaning device for a charger that cleans the surface of the charging roll CR, is disposed opposite to and in contact with the charging roll CR.

The developing device G has a developing container V in which a developer is accommodated. In the developer container V, a developing roll Ga as an example of a developer holding member disposed to face the photoreceptor PR, a pair of circulating transport members Gb and Gc that circulate and transport the developer while stirring, A supply member Gd that conveys the developer stirred by the circulation conveyance member to the developing roll Ga, and a layer thickness regulating member Ge that regulates the layer thickness of the developer on the surface of the developing roll Ga are arranged.
A developer replenishing port V1 as an example of a replenishing unit is formed on the front upper surface of the developer container V. The developer replenishing port V1 has a developer replenishing route extending forward as an example of a developer transport path. V3 is connected. A supply auger V4 as an example of a developer conveying member is rotatably supported in the developer supply path V3. The front end of the developer supply path V3 is connected to a cartridge holder KH as an example of a portion to be attached / detached to / from which the toner cartridge TC is attached / detached, and the developer from the toner cartridge TC flows in. Accordingly, when the supply auger V4 is driven according to the amount of developer consumed in the developing device G, the developer is supplied to the developing device G from the toner cartridge TC.

The surface of the rotating photoreceptor PR is charged by the charging roll CR in the charging region Q1, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the latent image forming light emitted from the latent image forming device LH at the latent image forming position Q2. The electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image as an example of a visible image by the developing roll Ga in the developing area Q3, and is transferred by the transfer roll Tr in the transfer area Q4 formed by the area facing the photoconductor PR and the transfer roll Tr. The image is transferred to a recording sheet S as an example of a medium. Residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor PR is removed by a cleaning blade CB as an example of a cleaning member in a cleaning region Q5 as an example of a cleaning region on the downstream side of the transfer region Q4, and is collected inside the photoconductor cleaner CL.
A film seal FS as an example of a scattering prevention member is provided on the opposite side of the cleaning blade CB. The film seal FS prevents the toner collected in the photoreceptor cleaner CL from spilling out. To do.

  In FIG. 2, a pickup roll Rp as an example of a medium takeout member is disposed on the paper feed tray TR <b> 1 below the printer U. The recording sheets S taken out by the pickup roll Rp are separated one by one by a separation roll Rs having a retard roll and a paper feed roll as an example of a medium separation member, and are arranged along the sheet conveyance path SH. The sheet is conveyed by a sheet conveying roll Ra as an example of a conveying member, and conveyed to a transfer area Q4 at a preset timing by a registration roll Rr as an example of a timing adjusting member disposed on the upstream side of the transfer area Q4 in the sheet conveying direction. Is done.

The transfer roll Tr to which a transfer voltage is applied from the power supply device E or the like whose operation is controlled by the controller C transfers the toner image on the photoconductor PR onto the recording sheet S passing through the transfer region Q4.
The recording sheet S on which the toner image is transferred in the transfer area Q4 is conveyed to the fixing device F in a state where the toner image is not fixed. The fixing device F has a pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp as an example of a fixing member, and a fixing region Q6 is formed by a pressure contact region of the pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp. The recording sheet S conveyed to the fixing device F is fixed with a toner image by a pair of fixing rolls Fh and Fp in the fixing region Q6. The recording sheet S on which the fixing toner image is formed is guided by sheet guides SG1 and SG2 as examples of a medium guide member, and is discharged from a discharge roll R1 as an example of a discharge member to the discharge tray TRh on the upper surface of the printer body U1. The

(Description of cartridge holder)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the front cover of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment is opened.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the toner cartridge is rotationally moved from the non-detachable position shown in FIG. 3 to the removable position.
1, 3, and 4, when the front cover U <b> 1 a of the printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment is moved from the normal position illustrated in FIG. 1 to the operation position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toner cartridge TC and the toner cartridge The cartridge holder KH on which the TC is mounted is exposed to the outside.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the main part in a state where the toner cartridge is removed from the cartridge holder.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a main part in a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the toner cartridge mounted on the cartridge holder has been rotated to a position where it cannot be removed.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG.
3 and 4, a cartridge holder KH supported by a printer main body U1 as an example of an image forming apparatus main body has a front panel 1 as an example of a front member. The front panel 1 is formed with a circular opening 1a to which the toner cartridge TC is attached and detached. As an example of the opening / closing member passage portion, a shutter passage portion 1b that is recessed downward is formed at the lower end of the opening 1a, and a notched ridge passage portion 1c is formed on the left side of the opening 1a.
5-8, the holder main body 2 as an example of an attachment / detachment part main body is supported inside the front panel 1. The holder main body 2 includes a cartridge housing portion 3 formed of a cylindrical recess having an axial direction in the front-rear direction, which is a cartridge attaching / detaching direction, as an example of the attached / detached portion.

In FIG. 5, the cartridge housing part 3 has a disc-shaped rear end wall 3a and a cylindrical wall 3b extending forward from the rear end wall 3a. A drive coupling 4 as an example of a drive transmission member is rotatably supported at the center of the rear end wall 3a. On the left side of the drive coupling 4, as an example of a convex portion, a pair of left and right positioning projections 6 and 7 projecting forward, which is the upstream side in the cartridge insertion direction, are formed.
5 to 8, a reader support portion 8 is formed in the upper right portion of the cylindrical wall 3b as an example of a reading support portion. The reader support portion 8 is recessed to the upper right with respect to the inner peripheral surface 3c of the cylindrical wall 3b. The reader support unit 8 supports a CRUM reader 9 capable of transmitting and receiving information and reading and writing information as an example of an information read / write device. In FIG. 8, the CRUM reader 9 includes a connector 9 a configured as a leaf spring protruding inside the cylindrical wall 3 b as an example of a contact terminal.

5 to 8, in the lower part of the cylindrical wall 3b, as an example of an opening / closing accommodating part, a shutter accommodating part recessed downward from the inner peripheral surface 3c of the cylindrical wall 3b, that is, radially outward of the cylindrical wall 3b. 11 is formed.
Further, on the left part of the cylindrical wall 3b, as an example of a protrusion accommodating part, an arc-shaped protrusion that is recessed leftward with respect to the inner peripheral surface 3c of the cylindrical wall 3b, that is, radially outward of the cylindrical wall 3b. A housing recess 12 is formed.

5 and 8, an inflow port portion 13 extending along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical wall 3b is formed between the shutter accommodating portion 11 and the protrusion accommodating concave portion 12 of the cylindrical wall 3b. In FIG. 5, a pair of front and rear shutter guides 13a and 13b are formed at the inlet portion 13 as an example of a guide member, and a flow as an example of an inflow opening / closing member is provided between the shutter guides 13a and 13b. The entrance shutter 14 is supported so as to be movable along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical wall 3b.
5 and 8, the inflow port portion 13 is formed between the shutter guides 13a and 13b, is one step lower than the inner peripheral surface 3c of the cylindrical wall 3b, and with respect to the upper surface 11a of the shutter housing portion 11. Inflow surface 13c formed in a step shape that is one step higher.
In FIG. 8, an inlet 13d and an inlet 13e extending downward from the inlet 13d are formed on the inlet 13c below the inlet shutter 14. The lower end of the inlet 13e It is connected to the upstream end of the agent supply path V3.

5 to 8, the cartridge housing 3 supports a motor support plate 16 extending leftward as an example of a drive support member. The motor support plate 16 has a cartridge motor as an example of a drive source. 17 is supported.
A gear support 18 as an example of a transmission system support is formed below the motor support plate 16. A gear train having a plurality of gears (not shown) for transmitting the drive from the cartridge motor 17 to the drive coupling 4, the supply auger V 4, and the like is supported on the gear support portion 18.

(Description of toner cartridge)
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge as viewed obliquely from the front.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge as viewed obliquely from the rear.
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the toner cartridge.
12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge portion of FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the toner cartridge in a state where the toner cartridge is moved to the detachable position.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of a main part of the toner cartridge in a state where it has been moved to a position where it cannot be removed.
FIGS. 14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams of the state as viewed from the front in a state where the cartridge cover is removed at the position where the cartridge can be removed or the position where the cartridge cannot be removed.

5 to 15, the toner cartridge TC attached to and detached from the cartridge holder KH has a cylindrical cartridge body 21 having a rotation shaft extending in the front-rear direction which is the insertion direction or the attachment / detachment direction as an example of the container body. The cartridge body 21 includes a disc-shaped rear end wall 22 as an example of a bottom wall formed at the front end in the insertion direction or the rear end in the front-rear direction, and a cylindrical wall 23 extending forward from the rear end wall 22. It has a cylindrical part 22 + 23. The cylindrical wall 23 has an outer peripheral surface 23a as an example of the outer surface of the container main body and an inner peripheral surface 23b as an example of the inner surface of the container main body.
In Example 1, the distance between the outer peripheral surface 23a and the inner peripheral surface 23b shown in FIG. 12, that is, the thickness of the cylindrical wall 23 is set in advance to be L1 [mm].

10 and 12, a cylindrical transmission accommodating portion 22a recessed in the front side is formed at the center portion of the rear end wall 22, and the transmission accommodating portion 22a has a transmission receiving portion penetrating in the front-rear direction. The opening 22b is formed. In FIG. 11, a driven coupling 25 that meshes with the drive coupling 4 as an example of a transmitted member is connected to the transmission accommodating portion 22a via a coupling seal 24 as an example of a leakage preventing member for transmission. It is rotatably supported by the transmission opening 22b.
8, 10, and 12 to 15, the rear end wall 22 is recessed forward as an example of a rotation-preventing portion, corresponding to the positioning protrusions 6 and 7, on the upstream side in the insertion direction or the mounting direction. Elliptical positioning grooves 26 and 27 are formed. The positioning grooves 26 and 27 according to the first embodiment are formed in a concentric arc shape centered on the transmission opening 22b which is the center portion of the rear end wall 22, and can be fitted to the positioning protrusions 6 and 7. Has been.

  In the first embodiment, the central angles of the arc-shaped positioning grooves 26 and 27 are set to be the same, and the toner cartridge TC is unlocked as an example of the detachable position shown in FIGS. It is set to a central angle corresponding to a rotation angle that rotates between the positioning position as an example of the non-detachable position shown in FIGS. However, it may be set larger by a predetermined angle from the detachable position to the side opposite to the positioning position. Furthermore, the center angles of the arc-shaped positioning grooves 26 and 27 may not be set to be the same. As another example of the unremovable position, the position before the toner cartridge TC rotated from the releasable position to the positioning position reaches the positioning position and rotated by an arbitrary angle, or the releasable position. There is a position rotated by an arbitrary angle from the position toward the opposite side of the positioning position.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the positioning protrusions 6 and 7 are arranged in the radial direction toward the center of rotation at the upper end side of the arc of the positioning grooves 26 and 27 into which the positioning protrusions 6 and 7 fit in the unlock position shown in FIG. 14. The upper end surfaces 26b and 27b are in contact with each other, or are held in a slightly spaced state. Further, in the positioning position shown in FIG. 15, the positioning grooves 26 and 27 are held in contact with the radial lower end surfaces 26 a and 27 a toward the rotation center on the lower end side of the arcs of the positioning grooves 26 and 27.
Further, the positioning grooves 26 and 27 according to the first exemplary embodiment are configured to be positioned laterally with respect to the rotation center when the toner cartridge TC is rotated to the unlock position, the positioning position, or the like. In the first embodiment, the rotation center is substantially the same as the rotation center in which the driven coupling 25 is rotatably supported by the opening 22b. In the unlock position shown in FIG. 14, the upper end surfaces 26b and 27b are set to be substantially horizontal, so-called 9 o'clock direction, and at the positioning position shown in FIG. 15, the lower end surfaces 26a and 27a are substantially horizontal. Is set to Therefore, at the positioning position shown in FIG. 15, the upper end surfaces 26b and 27b are set to incline downward in the gravitational direction toward the rotation center.

  In FIGS. 5, 8 to 11, and 13 to 15, the upper end of the cylindrical wall 23 is held at the upper end of the cylindrical wall 23 as an example of a storage member holding portion. A portion 31 is formed. As an example of the information storage member, a CRUM: Customer Replaceable Unit Memory 32 composed of a plate-like circuit board is mounted on the CRUM holding unit 31. The CRUM 32 includes a compatible model of the toner cartridge TC, an initial filling amount of the internal developer, a remaining amount that decreases as the developer is used, and whether or not the developer is nearly empty. And information on the toner cartridge, such as whether the developer is empty or not.

  In FIG. 5, the CRUM 32 has a connector portion 32a that contacts the connector 9a of the CRUM reader 9 as an example of a contact terminal, contacts the connector 9a at the positioning position shown in FIG. 15, and stores information stored in the CRUM 32. Is readable and writable. More specifically, regarding the contact between the connector portion 32a of the CRUM 32 and the connector 9a of the CRUM reader 9, the toner cartridge TC is rotated toward the positioning position and rotated by a predetermined angle to the positioning position. When the connector part 32a of the CRUM 32 comes into contact with the connector 9a of the CRUM reader 9 at a position before reaching the position, and the toner cartridge TC is further rotated toward the positioning position, the bottom of the positioning grooves 26 and 27 of the toner cartridge TC. The end surfaces 26a and 27a come into contact with the positioning protrusions 6 and 7, and the position of the toner cartridge TC in the rotational direction is positioned.

As an example of an interference prevention part, a connector escape part 33 having a shape recessed inward with respect to the outer peripheral surface 23a is formed at the right part of the CRUM holding part 32 of the cylindrical wall 23. The connector escape portion 33 is used to prevent the connector 9a from being damaged by the cylindrical wall 23 coming into contact with the connector portion 9a of the CRUM reader 9 when the toner cartridge TC is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 3. Is formed.
8 to 11, an outlet portion 36 is formed at the lower end portion of the cylindrical wall 23 so as to project downward from the outer peripheral surface 23 a of the cylindrical wall 23, which is radially outward, corresponding to the shutter accommodating portion 11. ing. 8 and 13, the outlet portion 36 is formed with an outlet 36 a that connects the inner surface and the outer surface of the cylindrical wall 23, and is connected to the inlet 13 d at the positioning position shown in FIGS. 8 and 15. The As shown in FIG. 13, the outflow port 36a of the first embodiment is formed so as to be inclined downward with respect to the radial direction of the cylindrical wall 23, and the developer flowing out from the outflow port 36a flows. Clogging at the outlet 36a is reduced.

9 and 10, as an example of the main body side guide portion, the outflow port portion 36 includes a shutter guide 36 b that protrudes outward in the front-rear direction and extends along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical wall 23 at the front and rear end edges of the lower end. 36c is formed, and an outlet shutter 37 as an example of an opening / closing member is supported by the shutter guides 36b and 36c. 11 and 13, the outlet shutter 37 supports a cartridge seal 37a as an example of a leakage preventing member on a surface facing the outlet 36a.
In FIG. 8, in Example 1, the outlet shutter 37 is formed to have a thickness corresponding to a step between the shutter accommodating portion 11 and the inflow surface 13c.

  8 to 11 and 13 to 15, the left part of the cylindrical wall 23 is an example of a protrusion, and as an example of an interlocking blocking part, before and after projecting to the left which is radially outward. Ribs 38 extending in the direction are formed. The rib 38 is formed so as to correspond to the protrusion accommodating recess 12 and is set so as to be accommodated in the protrusion accommodating recess 12 when the toner cartridge TC is mounted in the cartridge accommodating portion 3. Yes.

5 to 7, 9, 11, and 12, as an example of a lid member, a cylindrical portion 22 + 23 is provided at the front end in the front-rear direction of the cartridge main body 21 with respect to the front-rear direction, which is the attaching / detaching direction of the toner cartridge TC. A cartridge cover 39 is attached to close the front end of the cartridge.
In addition, the main body of the cartridge cover 39 of the first embodiment is configured to be elastically deformable by ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene resin as an example of the first resin.
11 and 12, the cartridge cover 39 is attached via a cover seal 39 a as an example of a leakage preventing portion disposed between the front end of the cylindrical wall 23 of the cartridge body 21. A handle 39b extending in the left-right direction is formed on the front surface of the cartridge cover 39 as an example of an operation portion. The handle 39b is provided on both upper and lower sides with respect to the insertion direction of the toner cartridge TC as an example of an operation recess. A handle recess 39c recessed rearward is formed.

  In FIG. 12, the handle 39b is formed with a circular-hole-shaped bearing portion 39d that is recessed forward from the rear surface in the insertion direction of the toner cartridge TC as an example of a shaft support portion. 9 to 11, a front rib 39e is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cartridge cover 39 as an example of the alignment portion so as to correspond to the rib 38 and extend in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the cartridge cover 39 is assembled to the cartridge body 21, the position of the handle 39b can be set to a preset position by aligning and assembling so that the rib 38 and the front rib 39e coincide. It is possible. A space surrounded by the cartridge body 21 and the cartridge cover 39 constitutes a developer storage chamber 40 in which the developer is stored.

8 and 11 to 15, an agitator 41 as an example of a developer conveying member is accommodated in the developer accommodating chamber 40. The agitator 41 has a rotation shaft 42 extending in the front-rear direction with respect to the insertion direction of the toner cartridge TC. The rear end 42a of the rotating shaft 42 is connected to the driven coupling 25, and the front end 42b is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 39d. Therefore, when the drive from the cartridge motor 17 is transmitted, the rotating shaft 42 is supported in a rotatable state.
The rotating shaft 42 is formed in a prismatic shape with a central portion 42c extending in the front-rear direction. A pair of front and rear mushroom-shaped film fixing protrusions 42d that are separated in the front-rear direction are formed on one surface side of the prism of the central portion 42c as an example of a fixing portion for the conveying member. In addition, a rod-like stirring portion 42e extending in the radial direction from the central portion 42c is formed on the other surface that is the surface opposite to the film fixing protrusion 42d, and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 42, The developer in the developer storage chamber 40 is agitated or the massive developer is broken.

  In FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the film fixing projection 42b of the rotating shaft 42 supports a transport film 43 made of a thin film-like flexible member as an example of a developer transport member. In FIG. 11, the transport film 43 is supported in a state where a mounting hole 43 a as an example of a fixed portion formed in the center portion passes through the film fixing protrusion 42 d and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 42. . In FIG. 12, a trapezoidal rear cut portion 43b cut out corresponding to the transmission accommodating portion 22a is formed at the rear end portion of the transport film 43 with respect to the insertion direction of the toner cartridge TC. Therefore, when the rotating shaft 42 rotates, the transport film 43 transports the developer toward the outlet 36a in a state where the transport film 43 is elastically deformed in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 23. In Example 1, the transport film 43 is formed not only on one side in the radial direction of the rotary shaft 42 but also on both sides, and the developer is transported twice to the outlet 36a by one rotation and flows out from the outlet 36d. The amount of developer per unit time, so-called dispense rate, tends to be stable.

(Description of the mounting mechanism between the cartridge main body 21 and the cartridge cover 39 of the first embodiment)
5 to 7, 9, 11, and 12, the cartridge body 21 according to the first embodiment has a claw portion 51 as an example of an engaging portion at the front end portion of the outer peripheral surface 23 a. Yes. In the first embodiment, five claw portions 51 protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface 23a are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
11 and 12, a ring-shaped biting portion 52 that protrudes forward is formed at the front end of the cylindrical wall 23. In FIG. 12, a first contact surface 52 a facing the cartridge cover 39 is formed at the front end of the biting portion 52 of the first embodiment. In addition, the biting portion 52 is formed with a second contact surface 52b extending obliquely inward in the radial direction as it proceeds from the radially inner end of the first contact surface 52a to the rear inner peripheral surface 23b. ing. Further, the biting portion 52 is formed with a third contact surface 52c extending obliquely outward in the radial direction from the radially outer end of the first contact surface 52a toward the rear outer peripheral surface 23a. ing.
Further, an adjacent surface 53 as an example of a ring-shaped adjacent portion adjacent to the biting portion 52 is formed between the third contact surface 52c and the outer peripheral surface 23a. In addition, the said adjacent surface 53 of Example 1 is formed in the planar shape parallel to the 1st contact surface 52a.

  3 to 7, 9, 11, and 12, the cartridge cover 39 according to the first embodiment includes an inner surface 61 that is a surface on the cartridge body 21 side and an outer surface 62 that is the back surface of the inner surface 61. Have. A cylindrical wall 63 is formed at the radially outer end of the inner surface 61 so as to extend toward the cartridge body 21 and cover the upper end of the cylindrical wall 23 when mounted. As an example of the engaged portion disposed at a position corresponding to the claw portion 51 at the time of mounting, the wall portion 63 includes a receiving portion of the claw portion 51 configured by a through hole that penetrates the wall portion 63 in the radial direction. As an example, a receiving hole 64 is formed. That is, in the first embodiment, the five receiving holes 64 penetrating the wall portion 63 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The claw portion 51 and the receiving hole 64 of the first embodiment are configured by a so-called snap-fit structure in which the claw portion 51 penetrates and engages with the edge of the receiving hole 64. Yes.

  Further, in the cartridge cover 39 of the first embodiment, a ring-shaped receiving surface 66 is formed on the inner surface 61 between the wall portion 63 and the cover seal 39a. A support portion having a shape recessed forward is provided between the receiving surface 66 at the outer side in the radial direction of the cartridge cover 39, that is, between the receiving surface 66 at the outer end and the handle 39 b and the handle recess 39 c at the inner side in the radial direction. 67 is formed. A first support surface 67 a extending forward from the radial inner end of the receiving surface 66 is continuously formed on the support portion 67 of the first embodiment. In addition, the support portion 67 is continuously formed with a second support surface 67b extending radially inward from the front end of the first support surface 67a. Further, the support portion 67 is continuously formed with a third support surface 67c extending rearward from the radially inner end of the second support surface 67b.

In the first embodiment, the third support surface 67c is formed to extend downward longer than the first support surface 67a.
In addition, at a position corresponding to the second support surface 67b, an injection hole 68 as an example of an injection part which is a through-hole penetrating each of the surfaces 61 and 62 in the front-rear direction and a discharge hole as an example of a discharge part 69 is formed. In the first embodiment, the discharge hole 69 is disposed at the position of the arrow 70 of the handle 39b, and a total of four through-holes (68, 69) including three injection holes 68 and one discharge hole 69 are provided. Are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
A bottom surface 71 of a handle recess 39c extending inward in the radial direction is formed at the rear end of the second support surface 67b. For this reason, in the cartridge cover 39 according to the first embodiment, the bottom surface 71 at the center is disposed below the receiving surface 66 at the outer end.

16A and 16B are explanatory views of the cover seal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the cartridge cover in a state where it is not attached to the cartridge body. FIG. FIG. 16C is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the biting portion of the cartridge main body bites into the biting portion of the cover seal from the state of FIG. 16B.
In FIG. 16A, the cover seal 39a according to the first embodiment includes an encroaching surface 81 as an example of an encroaching portion extending radially inward from the radially inner end of the receiving surface 66, and the eroded And a contacted surface 82 as an example of a contacted portion extending rearward from the radially inner end of the insertion surface 81.

In addition, an inclined surface 83 as an example of a guide portion is formed at the rear end of the contacted surface 82 and is inclined and extended inward in the radial direction as it advances backward. That is, in the first embodiment, a cone-shaped, so-called tapered inclined surface 83 is formed at the rear end of the contact surface 82 of the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder, the outer diameter of which decreases as it moves backward.
A rear end surface 84 is formed at the rear end of the inclined surface 83 and extends radially inward to the bottom surface 71.
In Example 1, as shown in FIG. 16A, the thickness of the cylindrical wall 23 is L1, the distance from the wall 63 to the contacted surface 82 is L2 [mm], and the wall 63 to the inclined surface 83 When the distance to the rear end is L3 [mm], L3>L1> L2 is established in advance.

The cover seal 39a according to the first embodiment is configured to be elastically deformable by a thermoplastic elastomer having elasticity as an example of the second resin.
Here, in Example 1, when the cartridge cover 39 is attached to the cartridge main body 21, when the cartridge cover 39 is relatively moved toward the cartridge main body 21, as shown in FIG. After the second contact surface 52a is guided by the inclined surface 83 and relatively moved forward, the first contact surface 52a contacts the encroached surface 81.

At this time, the inner peripheral surface 23b behind the biting portion 52 is in a state of being in contact with the cover seal 39a being elastically deformed and pressing the front portion of the inclined surface 83 and the contacted surface 82 radially inward. Yes. Further, the wall 63 is in a state where the rear of the receiving hole 64 is pushed away by the claw 51 and elastically deformed radially outward.
That is, in Example 1, when the front end of the cylindrical wall 23 enters the space between the cover seal 39a and the wall portion 63, the biting portion 52 and the inner peripheral surface 23b become the inclined surface 83 by L3> L1. While being able to enter while being guided, the inner peripheral surface 23b can press and contact the contacted surface 82 by L1> L2.
As a result, the toner cartridge TC according to the first exemplary embodiment can easily attach the cartridge cover 39 to the cartridge main body 21 by the inclined surface 83, and the contact area between the cover seal 39a and the inner peripheral surface 23b is ensured. The sealing property of 23b is ensured.

Further, when the cartridge cover 39 is further moved rearward, as shown in FIG. 16C, the cover seal 39a is elastically deformed, and the biting portion 52 bites into the biting surface 81. For this reason, the contact surfaces 52 a to 52 c of the biting part 52 are in contact with the biting surface 81. Further, the claw portion 51 is relatively moved from the rear of the receiving hole 64 to the receiving hole 64 and is fitted through the receiving hole 64.
When the external force in the front-rear direction that relatively moves the cartridge cover 39 rearward is released, the cartridge cover 39 is relatively moved back by the elastic repulsive force of the cover seal 39a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the claw portion 51 is hooked on the edge of the rear end of the receiving hole 64, and the cartridge cover 39 is attached to the cartridge body 21.

When the cartridge cover 39 is attached to the cartridge body 21, the amount of biting into the biting surface 81 of the biting portion 52 is smaller than before the cartridge cover 39 returns to the front due to the elastic repulsive force of the cover seal 39a. However, the thickness of the cover seal 39a and the position of the rear end of the receiving hole 64 are set in advance so that the bited state is maintained. Therefore, the contact surfaces 52a to 52c of the biting portion 52 and the front end portion of the inner peripheral surface 23b are held in close contact with each other by pressing the cover seal 39a, and the three surfaces of the seals (52a to 52c) The sealing property of the insertion part 52 is ensured.
Further, a gap 86 of the first embodiment is formed that is surrounded by the adjacent surface 53 of the cartridge body 21, the wall 63 and the receiving surface 66 of the cartridge cover 39, and the encroached surface 81 of the cover seal 39a. In Example 1, the cover seal 39a pushed away by the biting of the biting portion 52 with respect to the biting surface 81 or the pressing of the contacted surface 82 of the inner peripheral surface 23b has a radial outer gap 86 and a diameter. It has entered a wedge-shaped gap 87 between the inclined surface 83 on the inner side in the direction and the inner peripheral surface 23b.

Here, when there is no wedge-shaped gap 87, a part of the cover seal 39a is elastically deformed by the amount of the biting portion 52, and an elastic restoring force corresponding to the amount of deformation acts. Therefore, if the elastic restoring force becomes too large due to individual differences or the like, the cartridge cover 39 may be detached from the cartridge main body 21.
In contrast, in the first embodiment, a part of the cover seal 39a that is elastically deformed by the biting portion 52 bites into the gaps 86 and 87 and is elastically restored. Therefore, in the toner cartridge TC according to the first exemplary embodiment, the cartridge cover 39 is reduced from being removed from the cartridge main body 21 as compared with the case where there are no gaps 86 and 87 into which a part of the cover seal 39a enters.

  In the first embodiment, when the cartridge cover 39 is attached to the cartridge body 21, the length in the front-rear direction in which the cover seal 39a contacts each of the inner surfaces 52b and 82 of the cartridge body 21 is 2 [mm]. It is set in advance so as to be above. That is, the distance in the front-rear direction from the first contact surface 52a of the biting portion 52 to the front portion of the inclined surface 83 is set in advance to be 2 [mm] or more. Further, the distance in the front-rear direction from the receiving surface 66 to the adjacent surface 53 in the gap 86 of the first embodiment is preset to 0.3 [mm]. In other words, the toner cartridge according to the first exemplary embodiment has a snap fit structure and is provided with a play of about 0.3 mm, that is, a so-called overstroke.

(Description of Manufacturing Method of Cartridge Cover 39 of Example 1)
FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of the method of manufacturing the cartridge cover according to the first embodiment. FIG. 17A shows the cartridge cover body by injecting ABS resin into the first space between the first mold and the second mold. FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram of a state where the first mold supporting the slide core of the second mold is viewed from above, and FIG. 17C is a diagram illustrating the third mold and the main body of the cartridge cover. It is explanatory drawing of the process of inject | pouring a thermoplastic elastomer into the 2nd space between these, and shape | molding a cover seal in two colors.
Next, the flow of each process of the manufacturing method of the cartridge cover 39 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 17 will be described.

(Description of the process of molding the main body of the cartridge cover 39 of the first embodiment)
17A and 17B, the molding device 91 for molding the cartridge cover 39 includes a molding member 92 for molding the main body for molding the main body of the cartridge cover 39. The main body molding member 92 has a first mold 93 that molds the inner surface 61 and a second mold 94 that molds the outer surface 62.
The first mold 93 according to the first embodiment corresponds to three injection convex portions 93 a as an example of a convex portion for producing an injection portion that protrudes forward according to the three injection holes 68, and the discharge hole 69. And a discharge convex part 93b as an example of a convex part for producing the discharge part protruding forward. In addition, a ring-shaped rear support surface 93 c is formed on the radially outer end of the front end surface of the first mold 93 as an example of a rear mold support portion.

In addition, the main body 94a of the second mold 94 of the first embodiment is formed with a through-hole portion 94b for injecting resin and a through-hole portion 94c for discharging fluid that penetrate in the front-rear direction. The main body 94a of the second mold 94 is formed with an arrow convex portion 94d as an example of an arrow producing convex portion that protrudes rearward in accordance with the arrow 70 of the handle 39b. In addition, a ring-shaped front support surface 94a1 is formed at the radially outer end of the rear end surface of the main body 94a of the second mold 94 as an example of a front mold support portion.
The second die 94 is disposed behind the front support surface 94a1 of the main body 94a, and includes five pieces as an example of a hole forming die for forming the rear end of the wall 63 and the five receiving holes 64. It has a slide core 94e.

  Each of the slide cores 94e according to the first embodiment is formed in a shape in which the ring is divided into five equal parts, and when the five slide cores 94e are combined, a ring shape is obtained. Each slide core 94e has a rear end surface 94e1 supported by the rear support surface 93c and a front end surface 94e2 supported by the front support surface 94a1. Each slide core 94e is formed with a receiving convex portion 94e3 as a receiving hole forming convex portion that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface in accordance with each receiving hole 64.

  When forming the main body of the cartridge cover 39, first, as shown in FIG. 17B, the rear end surface 94e1 of the slide core 94e and the rear side of the first mold 93 are combined in a state where the five slide cores 94e are combined in a ring shape. The support surface 93c is opposed and brought into contact. At this time, the receiving convex portion 94e3 of the slide core 94e and the opposing surface of the first mold 93 are in contact with each other. Next, the front end surface 94e2 and the rear support surface 94a1 of the slide core 95 are opposed to and in contact with each other. At this time, the first space 96 is formed inside the molds 93 and 94, the injection convex portion 93a of the first mold 93 and the opposing surface of the second mold 94 are in contact with each other, and the first mold is formed. The discharge convex portion 93b of 93 and the arrow convex portion 94d of the second die 94 face each other and contact each other. Then, the ABS resin 97 is injected into the first space 96 from the front of the second mold 94 via the resin injection through portion 94b by the first injection member 98 capable of injecting the ABS resin 97. .

In the first embodiment, the first injection member 98 removes the ABS resin 97 while the fluid in the first space 96 and the fluid such as the overfilled ABS resin 97 are discharged from the fluid discharge through portion 94c. Into the space 96. As a result, the main body of the cartridge cover 39 made of ABS resin 97 is formed in the first space 96, and the through holes 68, 69, 64 are formed in the main body according to the convex portions 93a, 93b, 94e3. In addition, a groove indicated by an arrow 70 is formed in accordance with the arrow convex portion 94d.
When the molds 93 and 94 are removed after the main body of the cartridge cover 39 is molded, first, the main body 94a of the second mold 94 is relatively moved forward relative to the main body of the cartridge cover 39. Next, the second mold 94 is removed by relatively moving the five slide cores 94e radially outward with respect to the main body of the cartridge cover 39, respectively. Then, the first mold 93 is removed by moving the first mold 93 rearward relative to the main body of the cartridge cover 39, and all the molds 93 and 94 are removed.

(Description of the process of generating two colors of the cover seal 39a of the first embodiment)
Further, in FIG. 17C, the molding device 91 includes a seal molding member 101 as an example of a two-color molding member for molding a leakage prevention portion for molding the cover seal 39a. The seal molding member 101 includes a main body of the cartridge cover 39 as a mold for molding the leakage prevention portion, and a third mold 102 for molding the surfaces 81 to 84 of the cover seal 39a.
The third mold 102 according to the first embodiment is formed in a shape in which the protrusions 93a to 93c are omitted and the position corresponding to the cover seal 39a is recessed as compared with the first mold 93. That is, the third mold 102 is formed with a ring-shaped space recess 102a as an example of a space forming recess.

  The space recess 102 a is formed in a ring shape at the front end and has a first molding surface 102 a 1 for molding the encroached surface 81. At the radially inner end of the first molding surface 102a1, a second molding surface 102a2 that is formed in a ring shape extending rearward and that molds the contacted surface 82 is disposed. At the rear end of the second molding surface 102a2, a third molding surface 102a3 is formed, which is formed in a tapered shape extending inward in the radial direction as it advances backward, and molding the inclined surface 83. . A rear end of the third molding surface 102a3 has a fourth molding surface 102a4 that is formed in a ring shape extending radially inward and that molds the rear end surface 84. The third mold 102 is formed continuously with the first molding surface 102a1, and is continuous with the first receiving surface 102b that can face and contact the receiving surface 66, and the fourth molding surface 102a4. And has a second receiving surface 102c that can be opposed and contacted with the bottom surface 71.

  When the cover seal 39a is molded in two colors, first, the main body of the cartridge cover 39 and the third mold 102 are opposed to and in contact with each other. At this time, the surfaces 66 and 71 of the cartridge cover 39 and the surfaces 102b and 102c of the third mold 102 face each other and come into contact with each other. Therefore, a second space 103 corresponding to the space recess 102 a is formed inside the molds 39 and 102. Then, the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is injected into the second space 103 from the front of the main body of the cartridge cover 39 through the injection hole 68 by the second injection member 105 capable of injecting the thermoplastic elastomer 104.

  Although illustration is omitted, in the first embodiment, the three second injection members 105 filled with the thermoplastic elastomer 104 are injected into the second space 103 through the three injection holes 68. In the first embodiment, the second injection member 105 causes the thermoplastic elastomer 104 to be second while the air in the second space 103 and the fluid such as the excessively injected thermoplastic elastomer 104 are discharged from the discharge hole 69. It is injected into the space 103. As a result, the cover seal 39 a made of the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is formed in two colors in the second space 103.

Although illustration is omitted, in the first embodiment, the three second injection members 105 filled with the thermoplastic elastomer 104 are injected into the second space 103 through the three injection holes 68. In the first embodiment, the second injection member 105 causes the thermoplastic elastomer 104 to be second while the air in the second space 103 and the fluid such as the excessively injected thermoplastic elastomer 104 are discharged from the discharge hole 69. It is injected into the space 103. As a result, the cover seal 39 a made of the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is formed in two colors in the second space 103.
After the two-color molding of the cover seal 39a, the third die 102 is removed from the cartridge cover 39 by moving the third die 102 rearward relative to the main body of the cartridge cover 39.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the printer U according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the cartridge cover 39 is manufactured, the process of forming the main body of the cartridge cover 39 shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B and the cover seal 39a shown in FIG. A two-color molding step is performed.
In the step of molding the main body of the cartridge cover 39 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the first cover 96 is formed in the first mold 93 and the second mold 94. ABS resin 97 is injected to form the main body of the cartridge cover 39.
Further, in the process of forming the cover seal 39a of Example 1 in two colors, as shown in FIG. 17C, heat is generated in the second space 103 formed inside the main body of the cartridge cover 39 and the third mold 102. The plastic elastomer 104 is injected to form the cover seal 39a in two colors.

  Here, when the cartridge cover 39 provided with the cover seal is manufactured, a cover seal such as a ring-shaped urethane seal is conventionally automatically attached to the main body of the cartridge cover 39 by ultrasonic welding. Yes. However, since the ultrasonic welding apparatus is difficult to incorporate into the automatic assembly line due to its structure, the main body of the cartridge cover 39 is moved from the automatic assembly line conveyor to another affixing site, a so-called pallet by a robot arm or the like. After the movement, it is necessary to position the cover seal on the main body of the cartridge cover 39 and apply it by ultrasonic welding or the like. As a result, there is a problem in that it cannot be pasted on the automatic assembly line conveyor, the consistency of the automatic assembly line conveyor is impaired, and the manufacturing process of the cartridge cover 39 is complicated.

On the other hand, in Example 1, since the cartridge cover 39 is produced by two-color molding, the cartridge cover 39 can be produced on an automatic assembly line conveyor, and a cover seal such as a urethane seal is automatically attached. Compared to the case, the productivity of the cartridge cover 39 can be improved.
In addition, when a cover seal such as a urethane seal is automatically attached, for example, when the ring-shaped cover seal is made by hollowing out a disk-shaped urethane seal, the material of the hollowed-out disk portion is changed. Waste was a problem.
On the other hand, in Example 1, there is no work such as hollowing out, and a necessary amount of the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is injected into the second space 103 and the cover seal 39a is molded in two colors. Has been reduced.

  Further, in the conventional process such as Patent Document 3, the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is injected from the inner surface 61 side of the cartridge cover 39 to form the cover seal 39a in two colors. When the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is injected from the inner surface 61 side of the cartridge cover 39, the position corresponding to the injection path may be recessed or raised due to the influence of the surface tension or the like at the stage where the injection has been completed. When the cover seal 39a is recessed, the sealing performance is lowered and the developer may leak out. Further, when the cover seal 39a is raised, a defective portion of the cover seal 39a becomes a so-called burr, and the burr is peeled off when the cartridge cover 39 is attached to the cartridge body 21 or during use of the toner cartridge TC. There is a possibility that the toner in the toner cartridge TC is mixed, and in this case, there is a possibility of causing an image defect or the like.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, three injection holes 68 are formed in the main body of the cartridge cover 39, and the thermoplastic elastomer 104 can be injected from the outer surface 62 side of the cartridge cover 39 through the injection holes 68. It has become. For this reason, there is a possibility that the shape of the cover seal 39a may vary at the position where the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is injected by the second injection member 105, that is, at the position where the three injection holes 68 are arranged. For example, the front end of the injection hole 68 is not filled with the thermoplastic elastomer 104 and is recessed from the outer surface 62, or conversely, the thermoplastic elastomer 104 rises from the outer surface 62 and is formed forward of the front end of the injection hole 68. there's a possibility that.

However, the shapes of the surfaces 81 to 84 of the cover seal 39 a on the inner surface 61 side of the cartridge cover 39 are shapes corresponding to the molding surfaces 102 a 1 to 102 a 4 of the first mold 93. That is, the cover seal 39a has a shape corresponding to the second space 103, and the surfaces 81 to 84 exposed to the developer storage chamber 40 inside the toner cartridge TC are unlikely to vary, and have a desired shape. Yes.
Therefore, in the printer U according to the first embodiment, the shapes of the surfaces 81 to 84 of the cover seal 39a are different from those of the conventional cartridge cover 39 in which the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is injected from the inner surface 61 side of the cartridge cover 39 and molded in two colors. Can be stabilized. As a result, the printer U according to the first exemplary embodiment can reduce image defects and the like caused by debris such as burrs mixed into the toner in the toner cartridge TC as compared with the conventional configuration.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example as an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment. FIG. 18A is a third view of the cartridge cover main body in which the receiving surface is omitted and the rear end surface of the cover seal is disposed in front of the bottom surface. FIG. 18B is an explanatory view showing a state in which the thermoplastic elastomer is injected into the second space between the mold and FIG. 18B is formed by the thermoplastic elastomer that has entered the gap between the cartridge cover and the third mold. It is explanatory drawing of the burr.
In the printer U of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, when the molds 39 and 102 are combined in the two-color molding process of the cover seal 39a, the surfaces 66 and 71 of the cartridge cover 39 and the third The second space 103 is formed in a state where the surfaces 102b and 102c of the mold 102 face and contact each other in the front-rear direction.
Here, as shown in FIG. 18A, consider a case where there are no surfaces in front and rear contact on both radial sides of the second space 103.

In FIG. 18A, the receiving surface 66 is omitted from the main body of the cartridge cover 01 compared to the main body of the cartridge cover 39. That is, instead of the second support surface 67b, a ring-shaped outer wall 01a extending rearward from the radially outer end of the first support surface 67a is continuously formed. Further, the main body of the cartridge cover 01 is formed with a ring-shaped inner wall 01b extending in the front-rear direction from the radially inner end of the first support surface 67a to the radially outer end of the bottom surface 71, instead of the third support surface 67c. Has been.
Further, the third mold 02 is omitted from the first receiving surface 102b as compared with the third mold 102. That is, a ring-shaped outer surface 02a extending rearward corresponding to the outer wall 01a is formed at the radially outer end of the first molding surface 102a1. Further, in the third mold 02, the molding surfaces 102a1 to 102a4 are arranged in front of the third mold 102. That is, the fourth molding surface 102a4 and the second receiving surface 102c are not continuously formed, and the radially inner end of the fourth molding surface 102a4 and the radially outer side of the second receiving surface 102c. A ring-shaped inner surface 02b extending in the front-rear direction corresponding to the inner wall 01b is formed between the ends.

Therefore, when the main body of the cartridge cover 01 and the third mold 02 are combined, the walls 01a and 01b of the cartridge cover 01 and the surfaces 02a and 02b of the third mold 02 are opposed to and contacted in the radial direction. In this state, the second space 03 is formed.
In this case, when the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is injected from the outer surface 62 side of the cartridge cover 39 through the injection hole 68, the walls 01 a and 01 b of the cartridge cover 01 are caused by the thermoplastic elastomer 104 that has entered the second space 03. In particular, the outer wall 01a may be pressed and elastically deformed.
The outer wall 01a has a free end 01d at the rear end with respect to the base end 01c at the front end, and the tip of the free end 01d is in contact with the third mold 02. As a result, when the inner surface of the outer wall 01a receives pressure from the thermoplastic elastomer 104, the free end 01d side is easily elastically deformed radially outward, and a wedge-like shape is formed between the deformed outer wall 01a and the outer surface 02b of the third mold 02. When the thermoplastic elastomer 104 enters the gap and the thermoplastic elastomer 104 enters the gap, there is a high possibility that the burr 04 will be generated.

  On the other hand, in Example 1, the length in the front-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the second support surface 67b is larger than the length in the front-rear direction from the base end 01c of the outer wall 01a to the free end 01d. It is getting shorter. That is, the second support surface 67b is less likely to be elastically deformed than the outer wall 01a. Further, a receiving surface 66 is formed at the rear end of the second support surface 67b, and the receiving surface 66 is in surface contact with the first received surface 102b of the third mold 102, so that the second support surface 66b is in contact with the second support surface 67b. The surface 67b is more difficult to elastically deform than the outer wall 01a. Therefore, the printer U according to the first embodiment is less likely to generate a gap than the configuration illustrated in FIG. 18A, and the generation of burrs 04 is reduced.

  Further, in the printer U of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, in the step of forming the cover seal 39a in two colors, the inside of the second space 103 from the three second injection members 105 through the three injection holes 68. A thermoplastic elastomer 104 is injected. For this reason, the printer U according to the first embodiment can reduce the time for injecting the thermoplastic elastomer 104 into the second space 103 as compared with a configuration in which the cartridge cover 39 is not provided with a plurality of injection holes 68. It has become.

FIG. 19 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 17 of the first embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram of a method for manufacturing the cartridge cover of the second embodiment. FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating the first mold between the first mold and the second mold. FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram of a process of molding the main body of the cartridge cover by injecting ABS resin into the space, and FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram of the first mold supporting the slide core of the second mold as viewed from above FIG. 19C is an explanatory diagram of a process of injecting a thermoplastic elastomer into the second space between the third mold and the main body of the cartridge cover to mold the cover seal in two colors.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, components corresponding to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points, but is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment in other points.

In FIG. 19C, the cartridge cover 39 of the second embodiment has a rear end portion of the second support surface 67b instead of the three injection holes 68 and the discharge holes 69 of the first embodiment that penetrate the first support surface 67a. The three injection holes 68 'as an example of the injection part penetrating through the discharge hole and the discharge hole 69' as an example of the discharge part.
In FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, the first mold 93 according to the second embodiment has three injection convex portions 93a and discharge convex portions 93b omitted. Further, the slide core 94e of the second mold 94 of the second embodiment has three injection projections as an example of a projection for producing an injection portion protruding inward in the radial direction according to the three injection holes 68 '. It has a portion 94e4 and a discharge convex portion 94e6 as an example of a convex portion for producing a discharge portion that protrudes radially inward according to the discharge hole 69 '.

(Operation of Example 2)
As shown in FIG. 19, in the cartridge cover 39 of the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, a total of four through holes 68 and 69 of the cartridge cover 39 of the first embodiment penetrate the front end portion of the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction. Similarly to the first embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer 104 can be injected from the outer surface 62 side of the main body of the cartridge cover 39, and two-color molding is possible. As a result, the cover seal 39a has a shape corresponding to the second space 103, and the shapes of the surfaces 81 to 84 exposed to the developer storage chamber 40 inside the toner cartridge TC are less likely to vary, resulting in the desired shape. ing.
Therefore, the printer U according to the second embodiment has a cover similar to the printer U according to the first embodiment, compared to the conventional cartridge cover 39 in which the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is injected from the inner surface 61 side of the cartridge cover 39 and is molded in two colors. It is possible to stabilize the shape of each surface 81 to 84 of the seal 39a, and it is possible to reduce image defects caused by debris such as burrs mixed into the toner in the toner cartridge TC. Yes.
In addition, the printer U of the second embodiment has the same effects as the printer U of the first embodiment.

(Example of change)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various change is performed within the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim. It is possible. Modification examples (H01) to (H011) of the present invention are exemplified below.
(H01) In the above-described embodiment, the printer as an example of the image forming apparatus is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer is configured by a copier, a FAX, or a multifunction machine having a plurality or all of these functions. It is also possible.
(H02) In the above embodiment, the printer U is exemplified by a configuration in which a single color developer is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer U can be applied to a multicolor image forming apparatus of two or more colors. is there.

(H03) In the above embodiment, the length, width, etc. of the toner cartridge TC can be arbitrarily changed according to the design, specifications, etc.
(H04) In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the toner cartridge TC is formed in a cylindrical shape. That is, the shape of the cartridge cover 39 and the cover seal 39a can be arbitrarily changed according to the design, specifications, and the like. For example, the shape of the cartridge cover 39 and the cover seal 39a can be a square cylinder.

(H05) In the above embodiment, the number of the injection holes 68 for injecting the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is three. However, the number is not limited to this, and the number of the injection holes 68 depends on the number of the second injection members 105. It is also possible to reduce the number to 1, 2, or 4 or more. Further, the number of discharge holes 69 for discharging the fluid in the second space 103 is not limited to one, and can be increased to two or more.
(H06) Although it is preferable to provide the discharge hole 69 for discharging the fluid in the second space 103 as in the above embodiment, this can be omitted. In this case, fluid such as air in the second space 103 is discharged while the thermoplastic elastomer 104 is injected through the injection hole 68.

(H07) In the first embodiment, the injection hole 68 and the discharge hole 69 are provided through the first support portion 67a. In the second embodiment, the injection hole 68 'and the discharge hole 69' are provided in the first support portion 67a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an injection hole and a discharge hole may be provided through the third support portion 67c.
(H08) In the above embodiment, the biting part 52 bites into the biting surface 81 and the three contact surfaces 52a to 52c come into contact with the biting surface 81, that is, the cover seal 39a seals the three surfaces. However, the number of contact surfaces of the biting part 52 is not limited to this. For example, the cover seal 39a may be configured to seal two or four or more surfaces of the biting part 52. is there. In addition, although it is preferable to provide the biting part 52 like the said Example, this can also be abbreviate | omitted. In other words, the cover seal 39a may be configured to seal only one surface of the cartridge body 21.

(H09) In the above embodiment, the cover seal 39a is molded in two colors with the thermoplastic elastomer 104. However, the material of the cover seal 39a is not limited to this, and can be injected as a fluid from the injection portion 68 and can be molded in two colors. The second resin can be used. For example, the cover seal 39a can be molded in two colors by elastic rubber or the like.
(H010) Although it is preferable to provide the receiving surface 66 on the cartridge cover 39 in order to reduce the occurrence of burrs 04 as in the above embodiment, the burrs 04 formed according to the shape and the like are acceptable on the product. Alternatively, the receiving surface 66 can be omitted.
(H011) As in the previous embodiment, a tapered inclined surface 83 is provided at the rear end of the cover seal 39a so as to guide the biting portion 52 and accommodate the elastically deformed thermoplastic elastomer 104. Although it is preferable to provide the wedge-shaped gap 87, the wedge-shaped gap and the inclined surface 83 can be omitted depending on the design, material selection, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Container main body, 39 ... Lid member, 39a ... Leak prevention part, 52 ... Biting-in part, 52a ... 1st contact surface, 52b ... 2nd contact surface, 52c ... 3rd contact surface, 53 ... Adjacent part , 61 ... inner surface of the lid member, 62 ... outer surface of the lid member, 63 ... wall part, 66 ... receiving surface, 68 ... injection part, 69 ... discharge part, 82 ... contacted part, 83 ... guide part, 86 ... gap, 93 ... 1st type | mold, 94 ... 2nd type | mold, 94b ... Convex part for injection | pouring part preparation, 96 ... 1st space, 97 ... 1st resin, 102 ... type | mold, 3rd type | mold, 102a ... space Recesses for forming 103, space, second space, 104, resin, second resin, G, developing device, PR, image carrier, TC, developer container, U, image forming device.

Claims (10)

A container main body in which the developer is stored;
A resin lid member detachable from the container body;
A leakage preventing portion provided on the lid member and preventing the developer inside the container body from leaking out in contact with the container body when the lid member is mounted on the container body; The resin-made leakage prevention part molded in two colors on the inner surface of the lid member which is the surface of the lid member on the container body side;
An injection portion formed through the inner surface of the lid member and the outer surface of the lid member, which is the back surface of the inner surface of the lid member, and capable of injecting the resin;
The leakage prevention part molded in two colors by injecting the resin from the outer surface side of the lid member through the injection part,
A developer container characterized by comprising: The lid member in which a plurality of the injection portions are formed,
The developer container according to claim 1, further comprising: A discharge part formed through the inner surface of the lid member and the outer surface of the lid member, and capable of discharging fluid on the inner surface side of the lid member to the outer surface side of the lid member;
The developer storage container according to claim 1, wherein the developer storage container is provided. The leak preventing portion that is elastically deformable;
A biting portion provided at an end of the opening of the container body on the lid member side, the first contact surface facing the lid member, and an inner side with respect to the opening of the first contact surface A second contact surface formed to extend from the end to the inner surface side of the container main body, and the outer end of the first contact surface from the outer end to the outer surface side of the container main body. A third contact surface formed to extend, and when the lid member is attached to the container body, the contact surface bites into the leakage prevention portion and the contact surfaces come into contact with the leakage prevention portion. The bite,
The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: An adjacent portion provided in the container main body and adjacent to the biting portion, and formed to extend from an outer end to the outer surface side of the container main body with respect to the opening of the third contact surface. The adjacent portion;
When the lid member is attached to the container body, a gap formed between the leakage prevention part and the adjacent part,
The developer container according to claim 4, further comprising: A contacted portion that is provided in the leakage preventing portion and that extends to the inside of the container body, and that contacts the inner surface of the container body;
When the lid member is attached to the container body, the guide member guides the inner surface of the container body to the contacted part, and is formed at an end of the contacted part on the inner side of the container body. And the guide part having a shape that moves away from the inner surface of the container body as it advances toward the inner side of the container body;
The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: A wall portion formed on the outer side along the inner surface of the lid member with respect to the leakage prevention portion, and formed to extend from the inner surface of the lid member to the container body side;
It is arranged between the wall part and the leakage prevention part, and when the leakage prevention part is molded in two colors, it is arranged on the inner side of the container body and faces the mold that contacts the central part of the lid member. A receiving surface that is received in contact with the receiving surface, wherein the receiving surface is formed with a space in which the resin is injected inwardly as a central portion side of the lid member than the receiving surface;
The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: An image carrier,
A developing device that develops the latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier into a visible image;
The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which contains a developer to be replenished to the developing device,
An image forming apparatus comprising: A resin lid member that can be attached to and detached from the container main body of the developer storage container in which the developer is stored,
A leakage prevention unit that is supported by the lid member and prevents the developer inside the container body from leaking out in contact with the container body when the lid member is attached to the container body, The resin-made leakage prevention part molded in two colors on the inner surface of the lid member which is the surface of the lid member on the container body side;
Through the resin injection part, the leakage preventing part molded in two colors by injecting the resin from the outer surface side of the lid member,
An injection portion formed through the inner surface of the lid member and the outer surface of the lid member, which is the back surface of the inner surface of the lid member, and capable of injecting the resin;
The leakage prevention part molded in two colors by injecting the resin from the outer surface side of the lid member through the injection part,
A lid member comprising: A first mold that molds the inner surface of the lid member, which is a surface of the lid member that closes the opening of the container body of the developer housing container in which the developer is accommodated, and the inner surface of the lid member; Projecting from at least one of the molds and crossing the first space with respect to the first space between the second mold that molds the outer surface of the lid member that is the back surface of the mold In a state where the projection for producing the injection part is arranged, the first resin is injected from the outside of the first space, and the inner surface of the lid member according to the projection for producing the injection part, Molding the main body of the lid member formed with an injection portion penetrating the outer surface of the lid member;
In a state where a third mold having a recess for forming a space whose position corresponding to the injection part is recessed compared to the first mold is disposed on the container body side of the lid member body, With respect to the second space formed between the lid member main body and the third mold, from the outer surface side of the lid member that is outside the second space, through the injection portion, Injecting a second resin different from the first resin to prevent the developer inside the container body from leaking when the lid member body is attached to the container body and contacting the container body A step of molding the leakage prevention part to two colors;
The manufacturing method of the cover member characterized by the above-mentioned.

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