JPH08171332A - Image forming device, process cartridge, developing device and developer replenishing container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a process cartridge for preventing parts with a long service life from being wasted unwittingly. CONSTITUTION: An opening part 4c for attaching a developer replenishing container 8 is formed on the upper part of the developer storing part 4a of the process cartridge C. A catch 9 is provided on the developer replenishing container 8. When the container 8 is attached to the opening part 4c, the return part 9a of the catch 9 is made to abut on the rear side of the frame body 6, then, the container 8 is undetachable after it is attached to the opening part. Thus, the parts with a long service life are prevented from being wasted unwittingly, also, the operability of the container 8 is improved and the toner is prevented from scattering and sticking to the outside.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer, and a word processor, and a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus. And a developing device, and further, a developer supply container attachable to the process cartridge and the developing device.

In the specification of the present application, a process cartridge means a charging unit as a process unit for image formation,
A developing means or a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus main body such as an electrophotographic copying machine or an electrophotographic printer. Alternatively, at least one of the charging means, the developing means and the cleaning means as the process means, and the detachable means with respect to the image forming apparatus main body, or further, the developing means as the process means and the electronic means. A photographic photosensitive member is integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or an electrophotographic printer forms an electrostatic latent image by uniformly charging an electrophotographic photosensitive member and then exposing it according to image information. Then, a developer is attached to the latent image by a developing unit to form a visible image (toner image), and then the toner image is transferred to a recording medium to obtain an image.

In such an apparatus, maintenance of the apparatus is carried out by a professional service person, which may be inconvenient for the user.

Therefore, by making the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the charging means, the developing means, the cleaning means and the like into a cartridge as a unit, the user himself / herself can attach and detach the process cartridge to / from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Have been put into practical use for easy maintenance.

[0006] Normally, such a process cartridge is replaced with a new process cartridge when the stored toner is used up.

However, in recent years, a process cartridge of the type that replenishes toner has been proposed.

[0008]

In the toner replenishment type process cartridge, there is a demand for the development of a process cartridge which can replenish the developer without scattering it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a toner replenishing process cartridge, a developing device, and a developer which can be replenished without scattering when replenishing the process cartridge or the developing device from a developer replenishing container. A supply container, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge, the developing device, and the developer supply container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and a developing device in which the developer supply container has good operability, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge, the developing device and the developer supply container. is there.

[0011]

The above object can be achieved by the process cartridge, the developing device, the developer supply container and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention provides:
A process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a developing unit that includes a developer accommodating portion that accommodates a developer. It is a process cartridge in which the developer accommodating portion has a coupling mechanism for coupling at least one developer supply container, and the developer supply container is configured to be non-detachable after the connection.

Preferably, the coupling mechanism of the developer accommodating portion includes a locking member for fixing the developer supply container,
And a seal member for preventing toner leakage.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge can be attached and detached and which forms an image on a recording medium, (a) the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are operated. And a developing means having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, wherein the developer accommodating portion has a coupling mechanism for coupling at least one developer supply container, and Mounting means for mounting the process cartridge, which is configured to be non-removable after being coupled to the developer accommodating portion, on the apparatus main body;
(B) An image forming apparatus including: a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device having a developer accommodating portion and detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein a developer replenishing container is attached to the developing device. In the developing device for receiving the replenishment of, the developer accommodating portion has a coupling mechanism for coupling at least one developer replenishing container, and the developer replenishing container is configured to be non-detachable after coupling. A characteristic developing device is provided.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer replenishing container attached to a developer accommodating portion of a cartridge or a developing device, which has a coupling mechanism for coupling with the developer accommodating portion. There is provided a developer supply container characterized in that it cannot be removed after being coupled to the developer accommodating portion.

[0016]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, a process cartridge according to the present invention,
The developing device, the developer supply container, and the image forming apparatus including the process cartridge, the developing device, and the developer supply container will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 First, with reference to FIG. 6, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge and a developing device constructed according to the present invention can be mounted will be described.

In this embodiment, the process cartridge C
Has a drum-shaped image carrier, which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, that is, a photosensitive drum 1, and image forming process means such as a charging means 2, a developing means 4 and a cleaning means 5 arranged around the photosensitive drum 1. However, these respective means are integrated by the plastic frame bodies 6 and 7. The process cartridge C can be mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus through mounting guide means (not shown).

The transfer charging means 15 is provided in the apparatus main body below the photosensitive drum 1 in the process cartridge C.
Is arranged. Further, a paper feed tray 16, a paper feed roller 17, and a registration roller 18 are arranged on the paper feed side of the transfer charging means 15, while a paper guide 19, a fixing means 20, and a paper discharge roller 21 are provided on the paper discharge side. A paper discharge tray 22 is arranged.

Further, above the process cartridge C,
An illumination lamp 23 for illuminating the original document and a short-focus optical element array 24 for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 with the reflected image light of the light emitted from the illumination lamp 23 to the original O are provided. Further, on the upper part of the main body of the apparatus, a document table 2 movable in the direction of arrow A in the figure is used.
5, the original table 25 is provided with an original pressure plate 26.

With the above arrangement, in the image forming apparatus, the reflected image light of the light emitted from the illumination lamp 23 to the original O is short-focused optical element array 24 on the photosensitive drum 1 uniformly charged by the charging means 2. When the light is emitted through the photosensitive drum 1, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the document information is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. This electrostatic latent image is sent to a position facing the developing means 4 as the photosensitive drum 1 rotates. The developing means 4 includes a developer carrier 4b such as a developing sleeve that carries and conveys a developer (toner) T. The latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 is supplied with toner from the developing sleeve 4b,
It is a visible image, that is, a toner image.

On the other hand, a recording medium P such as a transfer sheet is sent to a registration roller 18 via a paper feed tray 16 and a paper feed roller 17 which constitute a conveyance means, and the registration roller 18 adjusts the timing to expose the photosensitive material. It is conveyed between the drum 1 and the transfer charging means 15. Then, by the action of the transfer charging means 15, the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the transfer paper P.
The upper toner image is transferred.

Transfer paper P carrying the transferred toner image
After being sent to the fixing unit 20 to make the toner image a permanent image, the toner image is stacked on the discharge tray 22 by the discharge roller 21.

After the transfer, the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 1 is removed by the cleaning means 5, and the photosensitive drum 1 is subjected to the next image forming step.

Next, the process cartridge according to the present invention will be further described.

1 and 2 show the details of the process cartridge C described above. This process cartridge comprises an image carrier and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, there are, for example, a charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, a developing means for forming a toner image on the image carrier, a cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier, and the like.

The process cartridge of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a housing composed of frame bodies 6 and 7 in which a charging means 2, a developing means 4 containing toner (developer) and a cleaning means 5 are arranged around an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 1 which is an image carrier. Cover with and make it into a cartridge,
It is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

An opening 4c for mounting a developer replenishing container is provided above the toner reservoir 4a which is a developer accommodating portion.
After the toner in the toner reservoir 4a is consumed, the developer supply container 8 can be attached to the opening 4c.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developer supply container 8 includes a container portion 8a for storing the developer, a plurality of locking claws 9 formed under the container portion 8a, and the developer container portion. 8a
The tear tape 10 is sealed inside. The locking claw 9 has a return portion 9a at its lower end.

When the developer supply container 8 is attached to the process cartridge C, that is, the opening 4c thereof, it is fixed to the upper frame 6 of the process cartridge C by the locking claw 9. At this time, between the developer supply container 8 and the upper frame body 6,
It is sealed by the seal member 8b inserted between them,
Toner leakage is prevented. Also, the return portion 9a of the locking claw 9
When the developer replenishing container 8 is once attached to the process cartridge C by contacting the back surface of the upper frame 6 of the process cartridge C, the developer replenishing container 8 cannot be removed unless the developer replenishing container 8 is broken. Therefore, the toner does not scatter to the outside.

After the developer supply container 8 is attached, first the tear tape 10 attached to the tear tape guide 11 of the developer supply container 8 is pulled out, and similarly, the tear tape provided on the process cartridge C side shown in FIG. Tape guide 11
By pulling out the tear tape 10a attached to a, the toner supply path from the developer supply container 8 to the toner reservoir 4a is opened, and the toner is supplied.

When the toner replenished from the first developer replenishing container has been used up, the toner is replenished again by using the second developer replenishing container similarly to the first one. As shown in FIG. 1, the hand of the present embodiment is configured so that two developer supply containers can be attached, but this can be set to any number depending on the product life and the toner pool capacity. be able to.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 3 shows a developing device 4A in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device 4A of this embodiment includes a developer carrying member 4b such as a developing sleeve, and a developer containing toner in order to supply the developer (toner) to the developer carrying member 4b. It has an accommodating portion 4a and is integrally made into a cartridge by a plastic frame body 7. That is, the developing device 4A of the present embodiment can be considered as a cartridge obtained by integrating the process cartridge C described in the first embodiment except the photosensitive drum 1, the charging unit 2, and the cleaning unit 5. Therefore, the configurations and operations of the developer accommodating portion 4a and the developer supply container 8 are the same as those in the first embodiment,
Those having the same structure and function are given the same reference numerals,
Detailed description is omitted.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The present embodiment is characterized by the mounting direction of the developer supply container 8.

As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 4c for mounting the developer replenishing container, which is provided in the toner reservoir 4a as the developer accommodating portion, is disposed obliquely upward. As a result, the height of the developing device 4, the process cartridge C, and the height of the image forming apparatus can be suppressed. Further, as described above, depending on the shape of the process cartridge or the shape of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the opening for mounting the replenishment toner container can be provided at an arbitrary position.

If the angle obliquely above the opening for mounting the developer supply container does not become less than a certain angle, the toner in the developer supply container is naturally supplied to the toner reservoir 4a by gravity. . After mounting the developer supply container, before mounting the process cartridge in the main body of the image forming apparatus, by shaking the process cartridge in the direction to move the toner in the developer supply container to the toner reservoir, Toner can be replenished even if the mounting angle is equal to or less than the predetermined angle.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment is characterized by means for fixing the developer supply container 8 to the upper frame body 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, as the fixing means, the developer supply container 8 is fixed to the upper frame 6 by using the wing bolts 12 instead of the locking claws 9 of the first embodiment. The toner can be securely fixed, and the toner leakage can be prevented more reliably.

However, with this fixing means, the user can remove and replace the developer supply container any number of times.
There is a concern that other functional parts in the process cartridge, such as the charging member, the developing member, or the parts such as the cleaning member and the frame member containing these members, may be used repeatedly even after the product life has passed. It is also possible to use it together with.

In the above embodiment, the description has been made focusing on the type in which two developer supply containers are connected.
The present invention is not limited to this, and the number of developer supply containers may be one, or a plurality of developer supply containers may be connected according to the use of the apparatus. Of course good things.

[0042]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the process cartridge and the developing device having the following effects, and the process cartridge, the developing device and the developer supply container are provided. An image forming apparatus can be provided. (1) It is possible to improve the economical efficiency by eliminating the waste of parts having a long product life. (2) The operability of the developer supply container can be improved. (3) By reducing the size of the process cartridge and the developer accommodating portion of the developing device, the cost of the cartridge and the developing device can be reduced, so that a user who is rarely used can purchase the cartridge at a low price. (4) The developer supply container cannot be removed once it is attached, so you can see at a glance how many times it has been replenished and
It is possible to prevent the use of other functional parts beyond the product life. (5) Since the tear tape is pulled out after the developer supply container is connected, there is no concern that the developer will adhere to clothes or the like when the developer is supplied.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a process cartridge and a developer supply container according to a first exemplary embodiment.

2 is a perspective explanatory view showing a developer supply container and a tear tape guide on a process cartridge side of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a developing device and a developer supply container according to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a process cartridge and a developer supply container according to a third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a fixing unit of a developer supply container according to a fourth exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge according to the present invention or a developing device in the form of a cartridge can be attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrophotographic photosensitive member (image carrier) 2 Charging means 4 Developing means 4A Developing device 4a Developer container 4b Developing sleeve (developer carrier) 4c Opening 5 Cleaning means 6, 7 Frame 8 Developer supply container 8a Container part 8b Seal member 9 Locking member 9a Return part 10, 10a Tare tape 11, 11a Tear tape guide C Process cartridge

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a developing unit including a developer accommodating portion that accommodates a developer. A process cartridge, wherein the developer accommodating portion has a coupling mechanism for coupling at least one developer supply container, and the developer supply container is configured to be non-detachable after the connection. 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the developer accommodating portion coupling mechanism includes a locking member for fixing the developer replenishing container and a seal member for preventing toner leakage. cartridge. 3. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, which enables the process cartridge. 4. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit and a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is installed in an image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the process cartridge is removable. 5. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. An image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and which forms an image on a recording medium,
(A) An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing unit that includes a developer accommodating portion that accommodates a developer, wherein the developer accommodating portion is at least one. Mounting means for mounting a process cartridge, which has a coupling mechanism for coupling the developer replenishing container and is configured to be non-detachable after coupling to the developer accommodating portion, to (b) the above; An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey a recording medium. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the coupling mechanism of the developer accommodating portion has a locking member for fixing the developer supply container and a seal member for preventing toner leakage. Forming equipment. 8. The process cartridge is a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 and 7, which is enabled. 9. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photoconductor are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is removable. 10. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit as the process unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member as the image carrier are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises: 11. A developing device having a developing means having a developer accommodating portion and detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device is equipped with a developer replenishing container to receive replenishment of the developer. The developing device, wherein the developer accommodating portion has a coupling mechanism for coupling at least one developer supply container, and the developer supply container is configured to be non-detachable after the connection. 12. The developing device according to claim 11, wherein the coupling mechanism of the developer accommodating portion has a locking member for fixing the developer supply container and a seal member for preventing toner leakage. apparatus. 13. A developer replenishing container, which is attached to a cartridge or a developer accommodating portion of a developing device, having a coupling mechanism for coupling with the developer accommodating portion, and after coupling with the developer accommodating portion, A developer replenishing container characterized by being non-removable.