JPH08254937A - Image forming device, process cartridge, developing device and developer supplying container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a process cartridge without wearing on a carrying guide for a recording medium even if the life of the process cartridge is prolonged. CONSTITUTION: A developer supplying container 15 can be inserted/fitted into the developing frame 12a of the process cartridge B and a guiding means 15d is provided on the top surface of the developer supplying container 15 at the time of fitting. When toner in the container 15 is consumed, a new developer supplying container having the same constitution is fitted so as to push the used developer supplying container 15 down. Thus, the guiding means 15d can be exchanged for a new one, so that the wearing can be prevented and the generation of paper powder can be prevented as well.

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 is an integrally formed cartridge including a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as a process means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the cartridge is, for example, an electrophotographic copy. Machine, an electrophotographic printer, or the like, which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, or at least one of the charging means, the developing means, and the cleaning means as the process means, and the main body of the image forming apparatus. It is detachable, or further, the developing means as the process means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Say.

[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, the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the charging means, the developing means, the cleaning means and the like are collectively formed into a cartridge so that the user himself can put the process cartridge into the main body of the image forming apparatus. It has been put into practical use that it is easy to maintain by making it detachable.

Further, in recent years, a process cartridge of a system for supplying toner has been proposed.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a further development of the toner replenishment type process cartridge.

According to the present invention, a toner replenishment type process cartridge, a developing device and a developer replenishing container, in which the conveying means for the recording medium does not wear even when the life of the process cartridge or the developing device is extended, and these An image forming apparatus including a process cartridge, a developing device, and a developer supply container is provided.

[0008]

The above object is to provide a process cartridge, a developing device and a developer supply container according to the present invention,
In addition, the image forming apparatus includes the process cartridge, the developing device, and the developer supply container. In summary, the present invention relates to a process cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of an image forming apparatus, a developing unit including an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing container containing a developer. And a carrying means for carrying a recording medium to a developer supply container which is mounted on the developing means and which supplies the developer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a process cartridge detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
At least a developer replenishing container having an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing unit having a developing container containing a developer, and replenishing the developing unit with the developer. Part of the process is overlapped with the developing container, the developer replenishing container is locked to the developing container, and a conveying means for conveying a recording medium to the developer replenishing container is provided. A cartridge is provided.

It is preferable to mount a plurality of the developer supply containers on the developing means. Preferably, the carrying means is a guide means for carrying the recording medium. Preferably, the guide means is a guide means for guiding the recording medium to a position where an image is transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. According to another aspect, the conveying means is
A roller means for conveying the recording medium. Preferably, the roller means is a conveyance roller that guides the recording medium to a position where an image is transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Preferably, the transport roller is a registration roller.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is removable and which forms an image on a recording medium, (a) the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are acted. Process cartridge for carrying out a recording medium into a developer replenishing container for replenishing the developing device with the developer, and a developing member having a developing container for accommodating the developer. Mounting means for mounting the device on the apparatus body, and
An image forming apparatus is provided, which comprises: a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge is detachable and which forms an image on a recording medium, (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member And a developing means having a developing container containing a developer, wherein at least a part of the developer replenishing container for replenishing the developing means with the developer overlaps the developing container. Mounting for mounting the process cartridge, in which the developer replenishing container is locked to the developing container and provided with a conveying member for conveying the recording medium to the developer replenishing container for replenishing the developer to the developing means, to the apparatus main body An image forming apparatus is provided, which comprises: a unit; and (b) a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device having a developing means provided with a developing container, which is detachable from an image forming apparatus, and a developer replenishing container is attached to replenish the developer. In a developing device for receiving, a developing device is provided, which is provided with a carrying unit for carrying a recording medium into the developer supply container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device having a developing means provided with a developing container, the developing device being detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein a developer replenishing container is attached to the developing device. In a developing device that receives replenishment, at least a part of the developer replenishing container overlaps with the developing container, the developer replenishing container is locked to the developing container, and the developer replenishing container replenishes the developer to the developing means. There is provided a developing device, characterized in that a carrying means for carrying a recording medium is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer replenishing container which is attached to a cartridge or a developing container of a developing device, characterized in that it is provided with a conveying means for conveying a recording medium. A supply container is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer replenishing container attached to a cartridge or a developing container of a developing device, wherein at least a part of a developer replenishing container body overlaps with the developing container. There is provided a developer supply container characterized in that the developer supply container main body is locked to the developer container, and the transfer means for transferring the recording medium is provided in the developer supply container main body.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The image forming apparatus, the process cartridge, the developing device, and the developer supply container according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

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

In this embodiment, the process cartridge B
Has, for example, a drum-shaped or belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, that is, a photosensitive drum 7, and a process unit such as a charging unit 8, a developing unit 10 and a cleaning unit 11 arranged around the photosensitive drum 7. The means are integrated by plastic frame bodies 12a and 12b. The process cartridge B is attachable to the main body of the image forming apparatus via the attachment guide means 30.

As an order of explanation, first, the overall construction of the apparatus in which the process cartridge is mounted will be explained, then the construction of each part of the image forming apparatus A and the process cartridge B will be explained, and then the toner hopper section and the developing section of the process cartridge. The agent supply container will be described.

{Overall Configuration} This image forming apparatus A is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a light image based on image information is emitted from the optical system 1 to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 7. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is conveyed by the conveying means 3a.
In the image forming portion which is conveyed by 3 g and is formed as a process cartridge B, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2 by the transfer means 4, and the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the fixing means 5. Then
The transferred toner image is fixed and discharged to the discharge unit 6.

In the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section, as shown in FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated and the surface thereof is uniformly charged by the charging means 8.
The photosensitive drum 7 is exposed with the optical image from the above to form a latent image, and the developing unit 10 forms a toner image corresponding to the latent image to visualize the latent image. And transfer means 4
After the toner image is transferred to the recording medium 2 in FIG. 2, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning unit 11. Each component such as the photosensitive drum 7 is housed in a resin-made developing frame 12a and a cleaning frame 12b that form a housing to form a cartridge.

[Image Forming Apparatus] The configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus A will be described in the order of the optical system, the conveying means, the transfer means, the fixing means, and the cartridge mounting means.

[Optical System] The optical system 1 irradiates a light image on the photosensitive drum 7 based on image information read from an external device or the like, and as shown in FIG. Laser diode 1b, polygon mirror 1c, scanner motor 1d, imaging lens 1
e is stored.

When an image signal is given from an external device such as a computer or a word processor, the laser diode 1b emits light according to the image signal and illuminates the polygon mirror 1c as image light. This polygon mirror 1c is rotated at high speed by the scanner motor 1d,
The image light reflected by the polygon mirror 1c forms the image forming lens 1e.
And irradiate the photoconductor drum 7 through the reflection mirror 1f,
The surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is selectively exposed to form a latent image according to image information.

[Recording Medium Conveying Means] Conveying means 3a to 3g for conveying a recording medium (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth, or thin plate) has a mounting portion for the cassette 3a in the apparatus main body 13, The recording medium 2 in the mounted cassette 3a is fed _one by one from the top to the registration roller pairs 3c ₁ and 3c ₂ by the pickup roller 3b so that the registration roller pairs 3c ₁ and 3c ₂ are synchronized with the image forming operation. Then, the recording medium 2 is conveyed to the image transfer portion. The recording medium 2 is conveyed by the conveying guides 3d and 15d. The conveying guide 15d is mounted on the process cartridge B as will be described later in detail.
It is part of 5. Then, the recording medium 2 after the image transfer is conveyed to the fixing means 5 by the conveying roller 3e and the guide plate 3f, and the recording medium 2 after fixing is discharged to the discharging portion 6 formed on the upper part of the apparatus by the conveying roller 3e and the discharging roller 3g. To do.

[Transfer Means] The transfer means 4 is for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 in the image forming section onto the recording medium 2. The transfer means 4 of this embodiment is composed of a transfer roller. ing. That is, the recording medium 2 is pressed against the photoconductor drum 7 of the mounted process cartridge B by the transfer roller 4, and the polarity opposite to that of the toner image formed on the photoconductor drum 7 is applied to the transfer roller 4, whereby the photoconductor drum 7 The toner on 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2.

[Fixing Unit] The fixing unit 5 fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4. The structure is composed of a driving roller 5a that is driven to rotate, and a fixing roller 5c that has a heater 5b inside and that is driven to rotate by being pressed against the driving roller 5a. That is, when the recording medium 2 onto which the toner image has been transferred in the image forming portion passes between the driving roller 5a and the fixing roller 5c, pressure is applied by the pressing of the rollers 5a and 5c, and heat is generated by the fixing roller 5c. Heat is applied to the recording medium 2
The upper toner is fixed on the recording medium 2.

[Process Cartridge Mounting Unit] In the image forming apparatus A, a cartridge mounting unit 30 for mounting the process cartridge B is provided. The process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 13 by opening the opening / closing cover 14. That is, the device body 13
An opening / closing cover 14 that can be opened and closed by a hinge 14a is attached to the upper part of the. Then, when the opening / closing cover 14 is opened,
The registration rollers 3c ₁ and 3c ₂ and the conveyance guide 3d open together with the opening / closing cover 14. Further, a cartridge mounting space is provided in the apparatus main body 13, and left and right guide members (not shown) are attached to the left and right wall surfaces of the opening / closing cover. The left and right guide members are provided with guides for inserting the process cartridge B.
Is inserted along the guide and the opening / closing cover 14 is closed to mount the process cartridge B in the image forming apparatus A.

{Process Cartridge} Next, the structure of the process cartridge B mounted in the image forming apparatus A will be described.

The process cartridge B is provided with an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developing means for forming a toner image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a cleaning means for cleaning the toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor are used. is there. As shown in FIG. 2, in the process cartridge B of this embodiment, a charging unit 8, an exposing unit 9, a developing unit 10, and a cleaning unit 11 are arranged around a photosensitive drum 7 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The housing is composed of a developing frame body 12a and a cleaning frame body 12b and is integrated with the housing body so as to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body 13.

Next, the structure of each part of the process cartridge B will be described in the order of the photosensitive drum 7, the charging means 8, the exposing part 9, the developing means 10 and the cleaning means 11.

[Photosensitive Drum] The photosensitive drum 7 according to the present embodiment has an organic photosensitive layer coated on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical drum base made of aluminum. This photoconductor drum 7
Is rotatably attached to the frame, and the driving force of a drive motor provided on the apparatus main body side is transmitted to a flange gear fixed to one end of the photosensitive drum 7 in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, it is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

[Charging Means] The charging means is for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor drum 7. In this embodiment, a so-called contact charging system in which the charging roller 8 is rotatably attached to the frame is used. I am using. The charging roller 8 has a metal roller shaft 8a provided with a conductive elastic layer, a high resistance elastic layer further provided thereon, and a protective film provided on the surface thereof. The conductive elastic layer is formed by dispersing carbon in an elastic rubber layer such as EPDM or NBR and has a function of guiding a bias voltage supplied to the roller shaft 8a.

The high-resistance elastic layer is made of urethane rubber or the like and contains a small amount of conductive fine powder, for example. A charging roller is provided on a highly conductive portion such as a pinhole of the photosensitive drum 7. Even if they face each other, the photosensitive drum 7
The leak current is limited to prevent the bias voltage from dropping sharply. The protective layer is composed of N-methylmethoxylated nylon, and the composition material of the conductive elastic layer and the elastic layer of high resistance is
It acts so that the surface of the photoconductor drum 7 is not deteriorated by touching the photoconductor drum 7.

The charging roller 8 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 7, and the charging roller 8 rotates following the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7 during image formation. At this time, a direct current and an alternating current are applied to the charging roller 8. By superimposing and applying,
The surface of the photoconductor drum 7 is uniformly charged.

[Exposure Unit] The exposure unit exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 uniformly charged by the charging roller 8 with the optical image irradiated from the optical system 1 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. The exposure unit is formed by providing an opening 9 for guiding an optical image on the upper surface of the cartridge frame.

[Developing Means] The developing means 10 has a developing frame 12a which is a developing container for containing toner. A developing roller 10b, which has a non-rotating magnet 10a therein and which forms a thin toner layer on the surface by rotating, is provided at an opening of the developing device frame 12a facing the photoconductor drum 7. It is arranged at a minute distance from the drum 7.

The developing roller 10b is formed by roughening the surface of an aluminum cylindrical member by sandblasting,
A conductive coating material in which a pigment is dispersed is applied thereon, and when a toner layer is formed on the surface of the developing roller 10b, the toner is electrostatically latent on the photosensitive drum 7 due to friction with the developing roller 10b. Obtain sufficient triboelectric charge to develop the image. A developing blade 10c is provided on the developing device frame 12a to regulate the layer thickness of the toner.

[Cleaning Means] Cleaning Means 1
1 contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 and
Cleaning blade 11a made of, for example, an elastic body for scraping off the residual toner, and a squeeze sheet positioned above the cleaning blade 11a so as not to scatter the scraped toner and weakly contacting the surface of the photosensitive drum 7. 11b and a waste toner reservoir 11c for collecting the scraped waste toner.

[Toner Hopper] An opening 12c is provided in the upper portion of the developing frame 12a of the process cartridge B, and a seal member 12d made of foamed rubber or the like is arranged on the inner periphery of the opening 12c. ing.

Further, the container body 15 of the developer supply container 15
The opening 15b of a is sealed by a toner seal member 15c, and toner is stored in the container body 15a.

The developer supply container 15 is inserted into the developing frame 12a in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 2 through the opening 12c, and is guided by a guide or the like (not shown) of the developing frame 12a.
The upper surface of the developing frame 12a is slightly projected from the opening 12c of the developing frame 12a, and is fixed by a locking claw (not shown). Then, in this state, the toner seal member 15c is attached to the container body
It is peeled off from a and toner is supplied into the developing device frame 12a.
In order to reliably supply the toner in the container body 15a, it is preferable that the container body 15a is fixed in a state of being inclined at an appropriate angle with respect to the developing roller 10b direction.

Further, the developing device frame 12 of the developer supply container 15
A conveyance guide 15d for guiding the conveyance of a sheet material as a recording medium is previously attached to the upper surface when the sheet is mounted on the sheet a, and the registration roller pair 3c is used during image formation.
_The sheet material 2 sent from ₁ and 3c ₂ is conveyed to the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4 together with the conveyance guide 3d.

When replenishing the toner again, as shown in FIG. 3, the developer replenishing container 15 previously mounted is pushed in the direction of the arrow C, and the next developer replenishing container 1 is inserted.
Insert 6 and install. At this time, a new developer supply container 1
The transport guide 16d previously attached to the upper surface of 6 is arranged at a position slightly protruding from the opening 12c of the developing device frame 12a, and performs the same operation as described above.

As described above, the conveyance guide is integrally attached to the upper surface of the developer replenishing container when the developing frame is mounted, so that new developer is replenished when the toner in the developer replenishing container is completely consumed. The container is mounted, and the transport guide of the developer supply container is also replaced with a new transport guide. Therefore, as in the conventional case, the life of the process cartridge is extended, and the conveyance guide does not wear due to contact with the sheet material, and paper dust is not generated due to the wear. Therefore, even in a process cartridge having a long life, it is possible to prevent deterioration of sheet material conveyance accuracy due to abrasion of a conveyance guide, or defective cleaning of a photosensitive drum or defective image due to scratches due to paper dust. Images can be obtained. Further, it is possible to achieve downsizing of the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 4 shows a developing device B ₁ in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device B ₁ of this embodiment includes a developer carrying member 10b such as a developing roller, and the developer carrying member 10b.
In order to supply the developer (toner) to the developing unit 10, the developing unit 10 having the developing device frame 12a containing the toner therein is integrally formed into a cartridge. That is, the developing device B ₁ of this embodiment is the process cartridge B described in the first embodiment.
Therefore, it can be considered as an integrated cartridge except for the photosensitive drum 7, the charging unit 8, and the cleaning unit 11. Therefore, the developing device frame 12a and the developer supply container 15
The configuration and operation of are the same as those of the first embodiment, and those having the same configuration and operation are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the above description is incorporated.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The members having the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the above description is cited.

The opening 17b of the container body 17a of the developer supply container 17 is sealed by a toner seal member 17c, and toner is contained in the container body 17a.

The developer supply container 17 is inserted into the developing frame 12a in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5 through the opening 12c, and is guided by a guide (not shown) of the developing frame 12a.
The upper surface of the developing frame 12a is slightly projected from the opening 12c of the developing frame 12a, and is fixed by a locking claw (not shown). Then, in this state, the toner seal member 17c is attached to the container body 17
It is peeled off from a and toner is supplied into the developing device frame 12a.

A transport guide 17d for guiding the transport of a sheet material as a recording medium is attached to the upper surface of the developer supply container 17 when mounted on the developing device frame 12a. On the opposite side of the opening 17b on the upper surface, a cutout recess 17f is provided along the longitudinal direction thereof, and _{one of the} registration roller pair rollers 3c ₁ and 17e, that is, the lower roller 17e is mounted inside thereof. Has been.

In the first embodiment, the pair of registration rollers 3
Although c ₁ and 3c ₂ were attached to the cover 14 side that moves according to the opening / closing of the opening / closing cover 14 of the apparatus main body 13,
In this embodiment, only the registration roller 3c ₁ is attached to the opening / closing cover 14 side.

During image formation, the pickup roller 3b
The sheet material 2 sent from is a pair of registration rollers 3c.
_{At 1} and 17e, they are sent to the conveyance guides 3d and 17d at the image forming timing, and further supplied to the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 7 and the transfer roller 4.

When toner is replenished again, as shown in FIG. 7, the developer replenishing container 17 previously mounted is pushed in the direction of arrow C to move to the next developer replenishing container 1.
Insert 8 and install. At this time, a new developer supply container 1
The transport guide 18d previously mounted on the upper surface of 8 and the roller 18e below the pair of registration rollers 3c ₁ and 18e are
It is arranged at a position slightly protruding from the opening 12c of the developing device frame 12a and performs the same operation as described above.

On the side opposite to the cutout recess 18f, that is, on the rear surface side, when the developer supply containers 17 and 18 are stacked in the developing device frame 12a, the roller 17e of the lower developer supply container 17 is provided. A recess 18g is provided to avoid interference. Similarly, the developer supply container 17 is also provided with a recess 17g.

As described above, the conveyance guide and one roller of the registration roller pair are integrally attached to the upper surface of the developer supply container when the developing device frame is mounted, so that the toner in the developer supply container is consumed. When it is exhausted, a new developer supply container is attached, and the transport guide of the developer supply container and the roller below the pair of registration rollers are also replaced with new ones. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, the service guide and the roller below the registration roller pair do not wear due to contact with the sheet material, and paper dust is not generated due to wear, as the life of the process cartridge increases. . Therefore, even in a process cartridge having a long life, it is possible to prevent the conveyance accuracy of the sheet material from being deteriorated due to the abrasion of the roller below the conveyance guide and the registration roller pair, or the defective cleaning of the photosensitive drum and the defective image with scratches due to paper dust. It is possible to always obtain a high quality image. Further, the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus equipped with the process cartridge can be further downsized.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 8 shows a developing device B ₂ in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

In the developing device B ₂ of the present embodiment, a developer carrying member 10b such as a developing roller, and a developing device containing toner in order to supply the developer (toner) to the developer carrying member 10b. Developing means 10 having a frame 12a
Are integrally formed into a cartridge. That is, it can be considered that the developing device B ₂ of the present embodiment is an integrated cartridge obtained by removing the photosensitive drum 7, the charging unit 8 and the cleaning unit 11 from the process cartridge B described in the third embodiment. Therefore, the configurations and operations of the developing frame 12a and the developer supply container 17 are the same as those in the third embodiment, and those having the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the above description is incorporated.

Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. The same reference numerals are given to those having the same functions as those in the third embodiment, and the above description is cited.

In the third embodiment, the apparatus body 13
Although the case where the sheet material 2 is conveyed above the process cartridge B has been described therein, in the present embodiment, the case where the sheet material 2 is conveyed below the process cartridge B will be described.

The process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 13 by opening only the opening / closing cover 14, and the registration rollers 3c ₁ and the conveyance guide 3d are inside the apparatus main body.

Also in this embodiment, the registration roller pair 3 is used.
c _1, 17e is provided with one of the rollers 17e developer supply container 17 is mounted to the process cartridge B to of, while the developer supply container 17, taking out the process cartridge B from the apparatus main body, the process cartridge B Upside down and attach from the direction of arrow C.

Also in this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the third embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 6 Hereinafter, FIG. 12 shows a developing device B ₃ in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

In the developing device B ₃ of the present embodiment, a developer carrying member 10b such as a developing roller, and a developing device containing toner in order to supply the developer (toner) to the developer carrying member 10b. Developing means 10 having a frame 12a
However, they are integrally made into a cartridge. That is, the developing device B ₃ of this embodiment can be considered as a cartridge obtained by integrating the process cartridge B described in the fifth embodiment with the photosensitive drum 7, the charging means 8 and the cleaning means 11 removed. Therefore, the configuration and operation of the developing frame 12a and the developer supply container 17 are the same as those in the fifth embodiment, and those having the same configuration and operation are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the above description is incorporated.

[0067]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, even when the life of the process cartridge or the developing device is increased, the conveying means for the recording medium is not worn, and the dimensional accuracy of the conveying means is high. Can be maintained with high accuracy, and the transfer position of the recording medium can be improved in accuracy, so that transfer defects can be eliminated, and no paper dust is generated, so cleaning defects and scratched images on the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be eliminated. It is possible to obtain a toner replenishing type process cartridge capable of preventing the occurrence of defects, a developing device and a developer replenishing container, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge, the developing device and the developer replenishing container. Further, the process cartridge, the developing device, and the image forming apparatus including them can be downsized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge and a developer supply container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a process cartridge and a developer supply container of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a new developer supply container is mounted in the process cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a developing device and a developer supply container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of an image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge and a developer supply container according to the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view showing the process cartridge and the developer supply container of FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a new developer supply container is mounted in the process cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a developing device and a developer supply container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment 5 of an image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge and a developer supply container according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the process cartridge and the developer supply container of FIG.

11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a new developer supply container is mounted in the process cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a developing device and a developer supply container according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 Transfer Means 7 Photosensitive Drum (Electrophotographic Photosensitive Body) 8 Charging Means 10 Developing Means 11 Cleaning Means 12a Developing Frame (Developing Container) 12b Cleaning Frames 15, 16, 17, 18 Developer Replenishing Containers 15d, 16d, 17d , 18 d conveying guide (conveying means) 17e, 18e registration roller B process cartridge B _1, B _2, B ₃ a developing device

Claims (38)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and developing means having a developing container for containing a developer. A process cartridge, which is provided in the developing means and is provided with a carrying means for carrying the recording medium into a developer supply container for supplying the developer. 2. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive member, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and developing means having a developing container for containing a developer. Then, at least a part of the developer supply container for supplying the developer to the developing means overlaps with the developer container, the developer supply container is locked to the developer container, and the recording medium is conveyed to the developer supply container. A process cartridge provided with a conveying means for carrying out. 3. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the developer supply containers are attached to the developing means. 4. The transport means is a guide means for transporting the recording medium.
2 or 3 process cartridges. 5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the guide unit is a guide unit that guides the recording medium to a position where an image is transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 6. The roller unit for carrying the recording medium, wherein the carrying unit is a roller unit for carrying the recording medium.
2 or 3 process cartridges. 7. The process cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the roller means is a conveyance roller that guides the recording medium to a position where an image is transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 8. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the transport roller is a registration roller. 9. The process cartridge comprises a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as the process means, 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 process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is possible. 10. 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 integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of the image forming apparatus. The device is detachable from the device.
1 to 8 process cartridges. 11. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. A process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 12. An image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photoreceptor, process means acting on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developer. A developing device including a developing container for accommodating the developing device, and a process cartridge provided with a carrying member for carrying the recording medium into a developer supply container, which is mounted on the developing device and supplies the developer, An image forming apparatus comprising: mounting means for mounting; and (b) a conveying means for conveying the recording medium. 13. An image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developer. A developing means provided with a developing container for accommodating the developing means, at least a part of the developer supplying container for supplying the developer to the developing means overlaps with the developing container, and the developer supplying container is locked to the developing container. Is
Mounting means for mounting a process cartridge, which is provided with a transporting means for transporting a recording medium in a developer replenishing container for replenishing the developing means with the developer, to a main assembly of the apparatus,
(B) A conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium, and an image forming apparatus. 14. The developing means is equipped with a plurality of the developer supply containers.
Image forming apparatus. 15. The transport member is a guide member for transporting the recording medium.
2, 13 or 14 image forming apparatuses. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the guide member is a guide member that guides the recording medium to a position where an image is transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 17. The transport member is a roller member for transporting the recording medium.
2, 13 or 14 image forming apparatuses. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the roller member is a conveyance roller that guides the recording medium to a position where an image is transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the conveying roller is a registration roller. 20. The process cartridge comprises a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member, which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 19, which is possible. 21. The process cartridge, wherein 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 used as a main body of an image forming apparatus. The device is detachable from the device.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of 2 to 19. 22. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge, 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 12. 23. A developing device which has a developing means provided with a developing container and is detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device is equipped with a developer replenishing container to receive replenishment of the developer. A developing device, characterized in that a conveying means for conveying a recording medium is provided in a supply container. 24. A developing device having a developing means provided with a developing container, the developing device being detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device is equipped with a developer replenishing container to receive replenishment of the developer. At least a part of the replenishing container overlaps the developing container, the developer replenishing container is locked to the developing container, and a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium to the developer replenishing container for replenishing the developing unit with the developer. And a developing device. 25. A plurality of the developer supply containers are mounted on the developing means.
Developing device. 26. The transport means is a guide means for transporting the recording medium.
3, 24 or 25 developing devices. 27. The developing device according to claim 26, wherein the guide means is a guide means for guiding the recording medium to a position where an image is transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 28. The transport means is roller means for transporting the recording medium.
3, 24 or 25 developing devices. 29. The developing device according to claim 28, wherein the roller means is a conveyance roller that guides the recording medium to a position where an image is transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 30. The developing device according to claim 29, wherein the transport roller is a registration roller. 31. A developer replenishing container attached to a cartridge or a developing container of a developing device, characterized in that it is provided with a conveying unit for conveying a recording medium. 32. A developer replenishing container attached to a cartridge or a developing container of a developing device, wherein at least a part of a developer replenishing container body overlaps with the developing container, and the developer replenishing container body is the developing container. A developer replenishing container, characterized in that the developer replenishing container body is provided with a conveying means for conveying a recording medium to the main body of the developer replenishing container. 33. The developer supply container according to claim 31, wherein a plurality of the developer supply container bodies are mounted on the developing means. 34. The transport means is a guide means for transporting the recording medium.
1, 32 or 33 developer supply container. 35. The developer supply container according to claim 34, wherein the guide means is a guide means for guiding the recording medium to a position where an image is transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 36. The transporting means is a roller means for transporting the recording medium.
1, 32 or 33 developer supply container. 37. The developer supply container according to claim 36, wherein the roller means is a conveyance roller that guides the recording medium to a position where an image is transferred from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 38. The developer supply container according to claim 37, wherein the transport roller is a registration roller.