JPH04110954A - Color process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the workability of a cartridge exchange and the easiness of a jam processing by constituting this color process cartridge so as to be insertable/ detachable into/from a color image forming device main body, and also, attaching a hopper for replenishing a developer to plural developing devices or an exchangeable toner cartridge. CONSTITUTION:A color process cartridge 30 contains a developer replenishing part 30A on the side part of a cleaning device 13, and a waste toner cartridge 30B provided integrally with a guide member 4, and is provided with a function for executing the replenishing of a toner to each developing device from the developer replenishing part 30A, and on the other hand, the collection of a waste toner eliminated by cleaning to the waste toner cartridge 30B, respectively. In the inside of the device, a rack base 50 in which the leg part 50A of the bottom face is engaged to a pair of guide rails 40 and which is supported so as to be slidable is provided, and the color process cartridge 30 is placed on the rack base 50 and stored in the device. In such a manner, such a work as the exchange and the inspection of a process material of an image forming part, the replenishment of a developer is performed in an appropriate period, and also, such trouble as the jam of a transfer material, can be processed easily and quickly without missing a chance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a color process cartridge used in an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus that forms an image on a transfer material, such as a copying machine or a printer.

[Background of the invention]

There are many ways to obtain color images using electrophotography.
A device has been proposed. For example, JP-A-61-10077
As disclosed in Publication No. 0, a latent image is formed and developed in accordance with the number of separated colors of an original image on a photoreceptor drum serving as an image forming member, and is transferred onto a transfer drum each time the development is performed. There is a method in which a multicolor image is formed on a paper and then transferred onto a transfer material to obtain a color copy. A device using this method requires a transfer drum large enough to transfer one sheet of image onto its circumferential surface in addition to the photoreceptor drum, and the device does not have a large and complicated structure. Inevitable.

Furthermore, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-149972, a latent image is formed and developed on a photoreceptor drum according to the number of separated colors of the original image, and is transferred onto a transfer material each time it is developed. There is a way to obtain a multicolor copy. With this method, it is difficult to overlay multicolored images with high precision,
It is not possible to obtain a good quality color copy.

Another method is to repeatedly form a latent image on a photoconductor drum according to the number of separated colors of the original image and develop it with color toner, and then overlap the color toner images on the photoconductor drum and transfer the images to obtain a color image. . The basic process of forming a multicolor image is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 60-75850 and No. 60-75850 by the present applicant.
-76766, 60-95456, 60-95
No. 458, No. 60-158475, and the like.

In a multicolor image forming apparatus that obtains a color image through such superimposition, a plurality of developing devices containing different color toners are arranged around the periphery of the photoreceptor drum. The photosensitive drum is rotated multiple times to develop the latent image on the photosensitive drum to obtain a color image.

On the other hand, in image forming apparatuses such as monochrome analog copying machines using electrophotography and copying machines and printers using semiconductor laser/LED scanning systems, various photoreceptors, developer carriers, cleaning members, and developer toners that have a useful life are used. A part of the image forming means is made into a cartridge for replenishment and replacement when the image forming means is worn out, and the member that integrates the main parts of the image forming means is taken out of the apparatus for maintenance or replacement. Something has been proposed. Furthermore, various configurations have been proposed in which the conveyance path of the transfer material on which an image is formed by the image forming means is opened to make it easier to take out the transfer material when clearing a jam.

A typical configuration of these is as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-54392, in which the photoreceptor drum, developer, cleaner, etc. are integrally attached to a support member, and can be pulled out from the main body of the apparatus, and each unit is Proposals have been made to make replacement and repair easier, and the next step was to integrate the main parts of these image forming means and make them disposable in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-15.
4255, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 147366/1989 discloses a printer configuration that uses a similar disposable cartridge and forms a latent image on a photosensitive drum by dot exposure scanning writing using a semiconductor laser. There is.

Further, these publications disclose a structure in which the upper housing of the split structure is opened to open the transfer material conveyance path and take out the transfer material in the event of a jam. A structure is adopted in which a disposable process cartridge is replaceably disposed in an upper housing having a two-part structure, and attempts are made to improve the workability of cartridge replacement and ease of jam removal.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In this way, by converting each process material for image formation into a cartridge and making it easy to attach and remove it from the main body of the apparatus, maintenance of each process material and jam removal of transfer material are significantly simplified. Regarding incidental process processing such as replenishing developer to each developing device built into the device and disposing of waste toner removed by cleaning, there is still no proposal for a specific and appropriate device. This remains one of the challenges.

The present invention has been made to solve this problem and to provide an improved color process cartridge in which a developer replenishing device can be incorporated in an extremely compact manner.

[Structure of the invention]

The above object includes: a belt-shaped image carrier stretched between two rotating rollers disposed laterally; a plurality of developing devices disposed opposite to each other on the lower periphery of the belt-shaped image carrier; The color process cartridge, which has a cleaning section disposed at the lateral end of the belt-like image carrier, is configured to be removably inserted into the main body of the color image forming apparatus, and the color process cartridge includes the plurality of This is achieved by a color process cartridge characterized in that it is equipped with a hopper for replenishing developer to a developing device or a replaceable toner cartridge.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 11.
As shown in the figure.

In FIG. 1(a), l is a flexible photoreceptor belt that is a belt-like image carrier, and the photoreceptor belt 1 is connected to a rotating roller 2.
8 and 3, and is conveyed clockwise by the rotation roller 2.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a support member or guide member fixed so as to be inscribed in the photoreceptor belt 1, and the photoreceptor belt 1 is brought into a tensioned state by the outward biasing action of the rotary roller 3, so that its inner periphery is The surface is rubbed against the guide member 4.

Therefore, the photoreceptors on the outer circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 are always maintained at a constant position relative to the surface of the guide member 4 even during conveyance, making it possible to form a stable image forming surface.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a scorotron charger as a charging means, 7 a laser writing system unit as an image exposure means, and 8 to 11 a plurality of developing means, that is, developing devices, each containing a developer of a specific color. The means is disposed facing the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor belt l with the guide member 4 on the back side.

In addition to the optical system shown in the drawings, the laser writing system unit 7 may also include an optical system that integrates a light emitting section and a convergent light transmission body.

Each of the developing units 8.9.10.11 accommodates, for example, yellow magenta, fan, and black developers, respectively, and includes developing sleeves that maintain a predetermined gap from the photosensitive belt 1. It has the function of making the upper latent image visible using a non-contact development method. Unlike contact development, this non-contact development has the advantage of not interfering with the movement of the photoreceptor belt.

12 is a transfer device; 12A is a static elimination bar; 13 is a cleaning unit, that is, a cleaning device;
The blade 13A and the toner conveying roller 13B are kept at a position apart from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 during image formation, and are brought into pressure contact with the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 only during cleaning after image transfer, as shown.

The process of forming a color image by the color image forming apparatus is performed as follows.

First, the formation of a multicolor image according to this embodiment is performed according to the following image forming system. That is, data obtained by a color image data input section in which an image sensor scans an original image is subjected to arithmetic processing in an image data processing section to create image data, which is then stored in an image memory. The image memory is then taken out during recording and input to a recording section, for example, the color image forming apparatus shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1(a).

That is, when a color signal output from an image reading device separate from the printer is input to the laser writing system unit 7, the laser writing system unit 7 outputs a laser beam generated by a semiconductor laser (not shown). is rotated and scanned by a polygon mirror 7B rotated by a drive motor 7A, and passes through an fθ lens 7C to mirrors 7D and 7E.
, 7F, the optical path is bent, and the light is projected onto the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt l, which has been charged in advance by the charger 6, which is a charging means, to form a bright line.

On the other hand, when scanning is started, the beam is detected by the index sensor, modulation of the beam by the first color signal is started, and the modulated beam scans the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1. Therefore, the main scanning by the laser beam and the sub-scanning by the conveyance of the photoconductor belt l)
A latent image corresponding to the first color is formed on the peripheral surface of the first color. This latent image is developed by a developing device 8 loaded with yellow (Y) toner (developing medium) of the developing means, and a toner image is formed on the belt surface. The obtained toner image, while being held on the belt surface, passes under a cleaning device 13, which is cleaning means, which is separated from the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1, and enters the next copy cycle.

That is, the photoreceptor belt l is charged again by the charger 6, and then the second color signal outputted from the signal processing section is input to the writing system unit 7, and the second color signal is inputted to the writing system unit 7, and the second color signal is inputted to the writing system unit 7. In the same manner, writing is performed on the belt surface to form a latent image. The latent image is developed by a developing device 9 loaded with toner of magenta (CM) as the second color.

This magenta (M) toner image is formed in the presence of the previously formed yellow (Y) toner image.

A developing device 10 has cyan (C) toner, and forms a cyan (C) toner image on the belt surface based on a control signal generated by a signal processing section.

Furthermore, 11 is a developing device having black toner, and forms a black toner image superimposed on the belt surface by the same process. These developing devices 8.9° IO and 11
A direct current or even alternating current bias is applied to each sleeve, and jumping development is performed using a two-component developer, which is a developing means, and development is performed without contact on the photoreceptor belt 1 whose base is grounded. It has become. Incidentally, as the development, non-contact development using a -component developer can also be used.

The color toner image thus formed on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 is transferred to a transfer material fed from the paper feed cassette 14 via the paper feed guide 15 at the transfer section.

That is, the top layer of the transfer material stored in the paper feed cassette 14 is carried out by the rotation of the paper feed roller 16, and transferred to the transfer device 12 via the timing roller 17 in synchronization with the image formation on the photoreceptor belt l. supplied to.

The transfer material that has undergone image transfer and static electricity removal is transferred to the rotating roller 2.
The image is reliably separated from the photoreceptor belt 1, which suddenly changes direction along the direction of the photoreceptor belt 1, and moves upward via the suction type conveyor belt 17A, and after the image is fused by the fixing roller 18, it passes through the paper ejection roller 19 and is transferred to the top cover 20. It is discharged onto the formed tray.

On the other hand, the photoreceptor bell l-1, which has completed the transfer to the transfer material, continues to be conveyed to the blade 13A and the toner conveying roller 13B.
The remaining toner was removed in the cleaning device 13 which was brought into pressure contact with the blade 13A, and the blade 13A was removed again after the cleaning was completed. A little later, the toner supply roller 13B smoothed out the toner accumulated on the tip of the blade 13A. Afterwards, the toner supply roller 13B is separated and a new image forming process begins.

The photoreceptor belt 1, together with the charger 6 and each developing device disposed opposite to each other on the lower periphery, and the cleaning device 13 disposed on the lateral end, is used as a process material for image formation in FIG. 1 (b).
) independent color process cartridge 3 as shown in
0 and is integrated into the main body of the device.

The color process cartridge 30 further includes a developer replenishment section 30A on the side of the cleaning device 13, and a waste toner cartridge 30B integrated with the guide member 4. The waste toner cartridge 30B has a function of replenishing toner to the cartridge, and collecting waste toner removed by cleaning.

The color process cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the main body of the apparatus in the following manner.

That is, inside the device, as shown in FIG. 5 showing the AA cross section, a pedestal 50 is provided which is slidably supported by engaging a pair of fixed guide rails 40 with legs 50A on the bottom surface. The color process cartridge 30 is placed on the pedestal 50 and housed in the apparatus.

The pedestal 50 is a pinion PI of the motor Ml on the device main body side.
The rack plate 51 is integrally meshed with the rack plate 51, and as shown in FIG. 2 or 3, the rack plate 51 is integrally moved in parallel diagonally upward as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the upper lid 20 is rotatably supported by the main body of the apparatus via a shaft 20A, and is opened by rotating counterclockwise to open an opening at the upper part of the main body of the apparatus.

That is, the upper lid 20 has a sector gear 21 integrated in its rotating base that meshes with the pinion P2 of the motor M2 on the device main body side, and rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 2 or 3 by the rotation of the motor M2. Rotates and holds at a predetermined angle.

The movement of the pedestal 50 and the opening of the upper cover 20, that is, the rotation of the motors M1 and M2, are automatically started at the time of the process material replacement, inspection, or replenishment cycle and at the timing of transfer material transport trouble. .

The process cartridge 30 has a counter function that adds up the frequency of use of the process materials contained therein, and when it is newly installed in the apparatus main body, the protrusion member 31 on the side of the cartridge shown in FIG. 5 is installed on the apparatus main body side. The reset lever 35 of the counter C that has been pressed is pressed to return the display of the counter C to 0, and the number of usages thereafter is recorded, for example, the number of durable usages of the blade 13A of the cleaning device 13, the number of belt usage lifetimes, etc. are each predetermined number of times. When the reference value is reached, the counter C outputs a signal S.

〔example〕

Cleaning durability replacement...20,000C Belt life replacement...60,000C At 60,000C, counter C is reset by inserting a new process unit.

Based on this signal, the cycle of replacement and inspection of the photoreceptor belt 1, the charger 6, each developing device, and the cleaning device 13 is detected.

Note that the protrusion member 31 is a
The proposal in Publication No. 5 is applied, thereby preventing the counter C from being reset again by the same cartridge 30.

Further, the process cartridge 30 has inside thereof the developer replenishing section 30A, which is composed of four toner replenishing hoppers that replenish toner to each of the developing devices, and a waste container that stores the toner collected by the cleaning device 13. It has a built-in toner cartridge 30B.

Each of the developer replenishing sections 30A is yellow (Y).
Four toner cartridges filled with , magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) toner are installed, and each toner is built into the corresponding toner replenishment hopper so that toner can be constantly dropped and replenished. ing.

Further, a sensor P is attached to the developer replenishing section 30A as a detection means for detecting consumption of developer, that is, toner, and when the remaining amount of stored toner decreases below a specified value, an electric signal S' is output. The signal is transmitted to the main body of the apparatus via the connector 32 shown in FIG.

Further, the waste toner cartridge 30B has a built-in sensor for detecting the amount of collected toner, and when the amount of toner contained exceeds a specified value, the electrical signal S is outputted and transmitted to the main body of the apparatus.

On the other hand, photosensors S l , S 2 , S 3 , etc. that detect the passage of the transfer material are arranged at key points on the conveyance path of the transfer material, and the sensors located on the upstream side of each conveyance detect the passage of the transfer material. After that, if the downstream sensor cannot detect the transfer material even after a predetermined time has elapsed, a jam detection signal S is sent.
'' (not shown) is output, and the occurrence of a jam in the transfer material is detected.

Each of the detected signals described above is input to a control section of the apparatus main body, and output as a signal for controlling the rotation of the motors M1 and M2.

Further, the above-mentioned device has an operation/display section 60 provided on the front side thereof, that is, on the side of arrow B in FIG. 1(a).
As shown in FIG. 8, there are a lamp L1 indicating the occurrence of a jam in the transfer material, a lamp L2 indicating the replacement of the process material, a lamp L3 indicating replenishment of the developer, and furthermore, a lamp L1 indicating the occurrence of a jam in the transfer material, a lamp L3 indicating the replenishment of the developer, and a direction in which the motors M1 and M2 are rotated in the reverse direction. It is provided with a reset button 61 for starting driving and an eject button 62 for starting driving in the forward direction.

When the jam detection signal (S''), process material replacement and developer replenishment detection signals (S and S') are input to the control section of the main body of the apparatus, the lamps Ll and L2 are activated.
, the lamp L3 is lit and displayed.

Below, the motors Ml and M2 are controlled by inputting each of the above signals.
The process of controlling the rotation of
This will be explained using each 70-chart shown in the figure.

First, a case where the amount of toner in the developer replenishing section 30A has decreased and the sensor P detects the time to replenish the toner will be described.

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the process cartridge 3o from the direction of arrow C in FIG. It is composed of toner replenishment poppers 308, 309, 310 and 311 that respectively accommodate toner of each color of black (BK).

Each of the toner replenishment hoppers is connected to each corresponding developing device through a replenishment pipe containing a flexible conveyance screw, and the toner is developed by rotation of each motor m in response to an image density detection signal. It is designed to be replenished inside the vessel.

When the toner replenishment signal S' is output to the toner replenishment hopper, the lamp L3 (preferably a rung corresponding to each color toner Y, M, C, BK) is activated as shown in FIG.
lights up to alert the toner replenishment popper to replace the toner cartridge, and at the same time a signal is output to supply power for forward rotation to the motor M1.

By normal rotation of the motor Ml, the mount 5o moves from the position shown in FIG. 1(a) to the position shown in FIG.
The rotation of the motor Ml is stopped at the position F.

As a result, the process cartridge 3o is moved from the first position in the apparatus, where image formation is possible, to the second position, where the developer replenishment container, that is, the toner cartridge, can be replaced. Protrude outside the device.

The toner replenishment hoppers 308, 309, 310 and 311 are supplied with toner of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (BK) as shown in FIG. Fill 6 toners: t
) −)! J sshi 308C, 309C,]Oc8
This is automatically done by replacing each 311C.

Referring to FIG. 7, a replacement operation for the toner cartridge 308C for the toner supply hopper 308 will be described as an example.

The toner supply hopper 308 has the toner cartridge 30 on the top surface.
A guide plate 3081 that engages 8C is fixed, and a toner receiving port 3082 is opened.

The toner receiving port 3082 is connected to the guide rails 3o83 and 3.
Shirt plate 308 slidably held by 084
5, and is always shielded by the biasing action in the direction opposite to the arrow by a tension spring 3o86 attached to the shirt shirt plate 3o85.

On the other hand, the toner cartridge 308C has a stepped portion 3081C inscribed on the bottom surface thereof and engaged with the guide plate 3081 of the toner supply hopper 308, and further has a toner drop port 3082C opened in the center thereof.

The toner fall port 3082C is a guide rail 3083c.
and 3084C, the shirt shirt plate 308 is covered by a shirt shirt plate 3085c slidably held by
The shielded state is maintained at all times by the biasing action in the direction of the arrow by the tension spring 3086G attached to 5C.

When the toner cartridge 308C is slid into the toner supply hopper 308 in the direction of the arrow so that the stepped portion 3081C engages with the guide plate 3081, the spring hook on the cartridge side is caused by the pin 3087C being inserted into the rising portion of the shutter plate 3085 on the hopper side. 3088 to press the shirt shirt plate 3.
085 is moved in the direction of the arrow, and after a slight delay, the rising portion 3088C of the cartridge side shutter plate 3085C contacts the pin 3087 of the spring hook on the hopper side, and as the cartridge is inserted, the shirt flap plate 3085C is moved in the opposite direction of the arrow. Ru.

Therefore, when the stepped portion 3081G is inserted until it abuts and locks against the back wall of the guide member 3081, the toner receiving port 3082 and the toner dropping port 3082G are fully opened at the mutually matched positions, and the toner cartridge 30 in
The toner in 8C automatically flows out and falls into the toner replenishment hod/<308 to be replenished.

After replacing the toner cartridge 308c, by manually pressing the reset button, reverse rotational power is supplied to the motor Ml, and the process cartridge 30 starts moving from the second position to the first position, and the light shielding plate 52
At the position where the sensor s4 is switched from OFF to ON, the rotation of the motor M1 is stopped, the image formation becomes possible again, and the lamp L3 is turned off.

It is also possible to move the process cartridge 3o or the unit to the second position by manually pressing the eject button.

Furthermore, instead of incorporating each of the toner cartridges in the process cartridge 30, when the process cartridge 3o moves to the second position as shown in FIG. It is also possible to supply the liquid to a supply hopper.

Next, a case will be described in which the counter C detects the time to replace the process material, and the photosensors 51 to S3 detect the occurrence of a transfer material jam.

Electrical signal S by counter C or photosensor 51
~ When the electric signal S″ from S3 is input to the control unit, the first
As shown in Fig. 0(b) or Fig. 1(c), first the lamp L2 or the lamp Ll is lit to indicate the replacement of the process material or the occurrence of a jam in the transfer material, and at the same time, the motors Ml and M2 are rotated in the forward direction, respectively. A signal is output that supplies power.

Due to the forward rotation of the motor Ml, the pedestal 50 moves as shown in FIG.
The motor Ml is moved from the position shown in a) to the position shown in FIG. 3, and the rotation of the motor Ml is stopped at the position where the light shielding plate 52 on the upper surface switches the 7-point sensor S6 of the main body of the apparatus from ON to OFF.

As a result, the process cartridge 30 is moved from the first position, which allows image formation in the apparatus described above, to the @3 position, which allows jam removal of the transfer material and removal from the apparatus, and is easily removed from the mount 50. It can now be removed, allowing efficient replacement and inspection of process materials.

On the other hand, continuing or in parallel with this, the motor M2 rotates forward, and the upper cover 20 rotates from the angle shown in FIG. 1(a) to the third position.
Rotate to the angle shown in the figure to open the opening of the device main body, and the flat gear 21 presses the switch MS2 of the device main body to open the OF
The rotation of motor M2 is stopped at the angle at which it is switched from F to ON.

Therefore, in conjunction with the movement of the process cartridge 30 described above, jamming of the transfer material can also be easily performed.

When the process cartridge 30 is removed from the stand 50 for replacing or replenishing process materials, the process shown in FIG.
), when the cartridge 30 is placed on the pedestal 50 again, the bottom of the cartridge 30 presses the switch M-33 to switch it from OFF to ON, and a storage detection signal for the process cartridge 30 is input, and the motors M1 and M2 are A signal for supplying power for each reverse rotation is output.

As a result, the process cartridge 30 moves from the third position to the original first position again, and the motor Ml stops at the position where the light shielding plate 52 switches the photo sensor S4 of the apparatus main body from OFF to ON, and each The process material is maintained in an imageable condition.

On the other hand, the upper cover 20 rotates clockwise due to the reverse rotation of the motor M2, and the flat gear 21 turns the switch MSI into the OFF position.
The device stops at the angle required to switch from FF to ON, and the opening at the top of the device body is closed to enable copying.

In addition, if only the jam removal of the transfer material is to be performed and the process cartridge 30 remains placed on the stand 50, the reset function provided in the operation/display section 60 is reset as shown in FIG. 1O(c). By pressing the button 61, a signal is output to supply reverse rotation power to the motors M1 and M2 in place of the action of the switch MS3.

The jam indicator lamp Ll and the replacement indicator lamp L2 are turned off automatically after the process cartridge 30 returns to the first position and the top cover 20 is closed.

As mentioned above, it is also possible to specifically provide the eject button 62 in the operation/display section 60 during the wear/replacement operation so that the motors M1 and M2 are rotated in the normal direction by suppressing the eject button 62. In consideration of worker safety due to automatic opening/closing, the motor M1 can be reset by pressing the reset button 61 before and after installing the process cartridge 30.
It is also possible to start the reversal of M2 at any timing.

Therefore, after confirming that the lamp Ll or L2 is lit, the process cartridge 30 is moved and the upper cover 20 is opened and closed by button operations, which simplifies the mechanism and allows work to be carried out safely.

FIG. 11 shows a transfer drum type image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The photoreceptor belt 101 and the process cartridge portion disposed around its periphery are roughly the same as those in the previous embodiment, but the transfer drum 200 is brought into contact with the transfer portion of the photoreceptor belt 101, and the transfer drum 200 200 rotates in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise) in synchronization with the photoreceptor belt 101. A transfer material is wrapped around the outer periphery of the transfer drum 200, a toner image is transferred onto the wrapped transfer material, the transferred toner images are superimposed, and then separated from the transfer drum 200 and fixed onto the device. This is what was discharged.

A charger 201 is provided at the peripheral edge of the transfer drum 200 to electrostatically attract the transfer material, and a wrapping member 202 is provided to mechanically wrap the transfer material around the transfer drum 200. 202 has a roller at its tip and comes into contact only when it is first wound around the transfer drum 200. Another transfer drum 200Ji! A gripper 203 is provided on the i-plane and acts to hold the leading edge of the transfer material that is synchronously conveyed. A transfer device 204 electrostatically transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor belt 101 onto a transfer material.

205 is a separation electrode, and 206 is a separation claw. Also 2
Reference numeral 07 denotes a cleaner that can come into contact with and separate from the cleaner, and removes the toner adhered to the transfer drum 200 after the transfer material has been separated.

The transfer material discharged from the paper feed cassette 114 is transferred to the transfer drum 200, which is charged by the charger 201 while maintaining synchronization.
The yellow (Y ) Transfer the toner image onto a transfer material. After completing the first transfer, the transfer drum 200 continues to rotate, producing a magenta (M) toner image in the second rotation, a cyan (C) toner image in the third rotation, and a black (BK) toner image in the fourth rotation. The toner images are transferred one after the other. When the transfer of the four-color toner image is completed, the transfer material is transferred to the separation electrode 205.
The static electricity is removed, the leading edge of the transfer material is released from being held by the separating claw 206, and is separated and conveyed to the fixing roller 118.

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the transfer drum 200 is located on the apparatus main body side and is not included in the process cartridge 130, which is movable and removable. Therefore, insertion and removal of the process cartridge 130, jam removal, toner replenishment, etc. are performed in the same manner as in the previous embodiment.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, operations such as replacing and inspecting process materials in the image forming section and replenishing developer can be performed at appropriate intervals, and troubles such as transfer material jams can be easily and promptly resolved without missing an opportunity. As a result, it has become possible to provide a color process cartridge for an image forming apparatus that can consistently copy high-quality images with stable image density.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1(a), FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 11 are cross-sectional configuration diagrams of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and FIG. 1(b)
5 is a front view of the color process cartridge of the present invention.
6, 7, and 8 are sectional views of the main parts,
FIG. 9 is a plan view, a perspective view of essential parts, and a side view; FIG. 9 is a control circuit diagram; and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control process. 1... Photoreceptor belt 6... Charger 7... Laser writing system units 8-11... Developer device 12... Transfer device 13...
-Cleaning device 14...Paper feed cassette 20...Top lid 21...Sector gear 30.130...Process cartridge 30A, 13
0A... Developer supply section 40... Guide rail 50... Mount 51...
Rack board 60...operation/display section 308-31
1... Toner supply hoppers 308C to 311C... Toner cartridges Ll, L2. L3... (display) lamps S1 to S6... Photosensors MS l, MS 2, MS 3... Switch M
l, M2...Motor

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A belt-shaped image carrier stretched between two rotating rollers disposed in the horizontal direction, a plurality of developing units arranged opposite to each other on the lower periphery of the belt-shaped image carrier, and The color process cartridge, which has a cleaning section disposed at the lateral end of the belt-like image carrier, is configured to be removably inserted into the main body of the color image forming apparatus, and the color process cartridge includes the plurality of developing devices. A color process cartridge characterized in that a hopper for replenishing developer to a container or a replaceable toner cartridge is attached. (2) The color process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developer can be supplied to each developing device individually.