JPH08286484A - Image forming device, process cartridge, developing device and developer replenishing container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a process cartridge capable of surely replenishing toner with a simple operation at the time of replenishing toner from a developer replenishment container, controlling frequency thereof, and making to match the frequency with the service life of component. CONSTITUTION: This container is provided with rotary pawls 34 and 35 of one way rotation on a loading part 3c, and a seal tearing member 33 of a triangular sectional plane therein. An inclination of an inclined plane of the tearing member 33 is set at an angle of θ1 that is larger than the angle of the repose of toner. A center part 43 of the seal surface of the developer replenishment container 400 is composed of the member having strength larger than that of a peripheral part 42, and moreover the inclination angle θ2 of the inclined plane of the developer replenishment container 400 is set larger than the angle of repose of the toner. In this way, the toner is surely allowed to naturally fall in the toner hopper part 3b, by inserting the developer replenishment container 400 into the inserting part 3c, and tearing its seal surface by the tearing member 33.

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 can be easily replaced by making it easy to maintain.

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.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the developer is replenished from the developer replenishing container to the process cartridge or the developing device, the developer can be surely replenished by a simple operation without being scattered, A toner replenishment type process cartridge capable of controlling the number of times of replenishment when the developer replenishment container is mounted, and adjusting the life of component parts such as an electrophotographic photoreceptor, a developing device and a developer replenishment container, and these process cartridges An image forming apparatus including 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 developer supply container mounted on the developer container includes two inclined surfaces and a bottom surface connecting these inclined surfaces, the bottom surface is a developer sealing surface, and a central portion thereof is a peripheral portion. A process cartridge comprising a member having higher strength, wherein an angle formed between the inclined surface and a horizontal line is larger than a repose angle of the developer.

It is preferable that the central portion of the sealing surface is convex upward in the vertical direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a process cartridge detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus,
A developer seal for a developer replenishing container mounted on the developing container, which has an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing unit that includes a developing container that contains a developer. The developing container is provided with a releasing member for releasing, and the releasing member has a convex shape with respect to the vertical direction and has an angle with the horizontal line larger than the repose angle of the developer, or a ridge line of a cone. A process cartridge is provided having a portion.

It is preferable that the developing container is provided with a locking mechanism for preventing the developer supply container from being detached.
Further, it is preferable that the locking mechanism includes a rotary tab that is rotatable only in one direction.

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, and the developer replenishing container mounted on the developing container has two inclined surfaces and a bottom surface connecting these inclined surfaces. The apparatus main body includes a process cartridge whose bottom surface is a developer sealing surface, whose central portion is made of a member having strength higher than that of its peripheral portion, and whose angle formed with the horizontal line of the inclined surface is larger than the repose angle of the developer. There is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting unit for mounting the recording medium on the sheet; and (b) 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 attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, (a) an electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member A releasing member for releasing a developer seal of a developer replenishing container mounted in the developing container, the releasing member being provided in the developing container. Be equipped with
The release member has a convex shape upward in the vertical direction, and is for mounting a process cartridge having a flat surface having an angle with the horizontal line larger than the repose angle of the developer or a conical ridge portion to the apparatus main body. Wearing means,
(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 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 the developing device, the developer supply container mounted in the developing container includes two inclined surfaces and a bottom surface connecting these inclined surfaces, the bottom surface is a developer sealing surface, and a central portion thereof is a peripheral portion. There is provided a developing device comprising a member having strength higher than that of the portion, and an angle formed between the inclined surface and a horizontal line is larger than a repose angle of the developer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device having a developing container, the developing device being detachable from an image forming apparatus, wherein a developer replenishing container is mounted to replenish the developer. In the developing device, the release member for releasing the developer seal of the developer replenishing container attached to the developing container is provided in the developing container, and the releasing member has a convex shape vertically upward, and There is provided a developing device characterized in that it has a flat surface having an angle with the horizontal line larger than the repose angle of the developer, or a ridge portion of a cone.

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, the developer replenishing container including two inclined surfaces and a bottom surface connecting these inclined surfaces. Is a developer sealing surface, the central portion of which is composed of a member having strength higher than that of the peripheral portion, and the angle formed with the horizontal line of the inclined surface is larger than the repose angle of the developer. Provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a developer replenishing container attached to a cartridge or a developing container of a developing device, wherein a releasing member for releasing a developer seal of a developer replenishing container main body is used for the development. The releasing member is provided in a container, and the releasing member has a convex shape toward the upper side in the vertical direction, and has a flat surface whose angle with the horizontal line is larger than the repose angle of the developer, or a ridge portion of a cone. A developer supply container is provided.

[0018]

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

The process cartridge according to the present invention comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one process means. Here, as the process means, for example, charging means for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, developing means for forming a developer image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor, cleaning for removing the developer remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor There are means, etc.

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

As an order of explanation, the overall construction of the apparatus in which the process cartridge is mounted will be described first, then the construction of each part of the image forming apparatus A and the process cartridge B will be explained, and then the characteristic portion of the present invention will be explained. .

{Overall Structure} This image forming apparatus A irradiates an optical image based on image information from an optical system 21 to form a toner image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as "photosensitive drum"). The recording medium 2 is synchronized with the formation of the toner image.
2 is conveyed by the conveying means 23a to 23e, and in the image forming portion which is made into a cartridge as the process cartridge B, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording medium 22 by the transfer means 4, and the recording medium 22 is transferred. Is conveyed to the fixing unit 5, and the transferred toner image is fixed and discharged to the discharging unit 6.

In the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated and its surface is uniformly charged by the charging means 2, and the optical image from the optical system 21 is exposed through the exposing section 29. The body drum 1 is exposed to form a latent image, and the developing means 3 forms a toner image corresponding to the latent image to form a visible image. After the transfer unit 4 transfers the toner image onto the recording medium 22, the cleaning unit 500 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1.
Each component such as the photosensitive drum 1 is covered with a housing composed of the frame bodies 60 and 70 to integrally form a cartridge B,
It is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[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 21 irradiates a light image on the photosensitive drum 1 based on image information read from an external device or the like.
Laser diode 21b and polygon mirror 21 in a
c, a scanner motor 21d, and an imaging lens 21e are housed.

When an image signal is given from an external device such as a computer or a word processor, the laser diode 21b emits light according to the image signal and illuminates the polygon mirror 21c as image light. The polygon mirror 21c is rotated at a high speed by the scanner motor 21d, and the image light reflected by the polygon mirror 21c forms the imaging lens 21.
The photosensitive drum 1 is irradiated with light through the e and the reflection mirror 21f, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is selectively exposed to form a latent image according to image information.

[Recording Medium Conveying Means] Conveying means for conveying a recording medium (for example, recording paper, OHP sheet, cloth, or thin plate) has a mounting portion for the cassette 23a in the apparatus body 13 and is mounted. The recording medium 22 in the cassette 23a is moved from the upper side by the pickup roller 23b.
Registration roller pair 23 through the guide plate 23e ₁ one by one
Feed to c ₁ and 23 c ₂ . This registration roller pair 23
c ₁ and 23c ₂ are recording media 22 synchronized with the image forming operation.
Are conveyed to the image transfer section.

The recording medium 22 after the image transfer is conveyed to the fixing means 5 by the conveying roller 23d ₁ and the guide plate 23e ₂ , and the recording medium 22 after fixing is guided by the guide plate 23e ₃ , discharge roller 23d ₂ and guide plate 23e _4. And discharge roller 23
It is discharged to the discharge part 6 formed on the upper part of the apparatus by f.

[Transfer Means] The transfer means 4 is for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 in the image forming section onto the recording medium 22, and the transfer means 4 of this embodiment is constituted by a transfer roller. There is. That is, the recording medium 22 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 1 of the mounted process cartridge B by the transfer roller 4, and the polarity opposite to that of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is applied to the transfer roller 4, whereby the photosensitive drum 1 The toner on No. 1 is transferred to the recording medium 22.

[Fixing Unit] The fixing unit 5 fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium 22 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4. The structure is such that the driving roller 5a that is driven and rotated and the heater 5b are provided inside the driving roller 5a.
And a fixing roller 5c which is in pressure contact with and is driven to rotate. That is, when the recording medium 22 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. When heat is applied, the toner on the recording medium 22 is fixed on the recording medium 22.

[Process Cartridge Mounting Unit] In the image forming apparatus A, a cartridge mounting unit for mounting the process cartridge B is provided. The process cartridge B is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 13 by the open / close cover 1.
Do this by opening 4. That is, the opening / closing cover 14 that can be opened and closed by the hinge 14a is provided on the upper portion of the apparatus body 13.
Is installed. Then, when the opening / closing cover 14 is opened, the registration roller 23c and the conveyance guide 23e ₁ are opened by the opening / closing cover 3
4, a cartridge mounting space is provided in the apparatus main body 13, and left and right guide members 40 are attached to the left and right wall surfaces of the opening / closing cover. The left and right guide members 40 are provided with guides for inserting the process cartridge B. The process cartridge B is inserted along the guide and the opening / closing cover 14 is closed to mount the process cartridge B on the image forming apparatus A. It is configured.

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

The process cartridge B comprises 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. In the process cartridge B of this embodiment, a charging unit 2, an exposing unit 29, a developing unit 3, and a cleaning unit 500 are arranged around a photosensitive drum 1 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and these are composed of frames 60 and 70. It is configured so as to be covered with a housing so as to be integrated and detachable from the apparatus main body 13.

Next, the structure of each part of the process cartridge B will be described in order of the photosensitive drum 1, the charging means 2, the exposing part 29, the cleaning means 4, and the developing means 3.

[Photoreceptor Drum] The photoreceptor drum 1 according to the present embodiment has an organic photosensitive layer applied on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical drum base made of aluminum. This photoconductor drum 1
Is rotatably attached to a frame body, 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 1 in the longitudinal direction. Rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

Below the photosensitive drum 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a drum shutter 5 for protecting the photosensitive drum 1 until the process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus.
0 is attached.

[Charging Means] The charging means 2 is the photosensitive drum 1.
In this embodiment, a so-called contact charging method in which the charging roller 2 is rotatably attached to the frame 60 is used. The charging roller 2 has a metal roller shaft 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. The elastic layer having a high resistance is made of urethane rubber or the like and contains a minute amount of conductive fine powder, and the charging roller is opposed to a highly conductive portion such as a pinhole of the photosensitive drum 1. Even in such a case, the leak current to the photosensitive drum 1 is limited to prevent the bias voltage from being suddenly dropped. The protective layer is made of N-methylmethoxylated nylon, and acts so that the composition material of the conductive elastic layer or the elastic layer of high resistance does not touch the photosensitive drum 1 and change its surface.

The charging roller 2 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1, and the charging roller 2 rotates following the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 during image formation. At this time, a direct current and an alternating current are applied to the charging roller 2. By superimposing and applying,
The surface of the photoconductor drum 1 is uniformly charged.

[Exposure Section] The exposure section 29 is provided on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 uniformly charged by the charging roller 2 and the optical system 2
1 is used to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 by exposing the light image emitted from the exposure unit 1, and an opening is formed on the upper surface of the cartridge frame 60 to guide the light image. 29 are configured.

[Cleaning Means] Cleaning Means 5
Reference numeral 00 denotes a cleaning blade 510 that comes into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 and scrapes off the toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 1, a squeeze sheet 520 that comes into weak contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 1, and conveys waste toner. It comprises a conveying screw 530 and a waste toner reservoir 550 for collecting the scrubbed waste toner.

[Developing Means] As shown in FIG. 1, the developing means 3 has a developing container 3a for accommodating the toner T, and the opening portion facing the photosensitive drum 1 holds the toner therein.
Has a magnet roller 31 for stabilizing the conveyance,
A developing roller 30, which is a developer carrying member that conveys toner, is provided at a minute distance from the photosensitive drum 1. Further, an elastic blade 32 that applies toner to the developing roller 30 and regulates the layer thickness is provided.

The developing roller 30 is constructed by roughening the surface of an aluminum cylindrical member by sandblasting or the like, and applying a conductive paint in which a pigment is dispersed on the surface. The toner is applied to the surface of the developing roller 30. When the layer is formed, the friction between the toner and the developing roller 30 provides sufficient triboelectric charge to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 1.

Further, in FIG. 1, the developing container 3a is provided with a toner hopper portion 3b for containing the toner T and a mounting portion 3c provided on the top of the toner hopper portion 3b for mounting the developer supply container 400. A first opening 3d is opened above the toner hopper portion 3b, and a seal tearing member 33 is arranged parallel to the axis of the developing roller 30 at the center of the first opening 3d. The seal tearing member 33 has a base portion 33a and two
The projection 33b is an equilateral triangle. Angle theta ₁ formed by the horizontal line of the inclined surface of the projecting portion 33b is set to 55 ° greater than the 60 ° which is the angle of repose of the toner.

The inclined surface of the protrusion 33b may be a conical ridge line, and in this case, the angle θ formed by the ridge line and the horizontal line is θ.
₁ is 60 which is greater than 55 ° which is the repose angle of toner.
Set to °.

A second opening 3e is opened above the mounting portion 3c of the developer replenishing container 400, and can be opened and closed by a developing container lid 36 which rotates about a pivot 3f. Further, directly above the first opening 3d in the mounting portion 3c,
That is, rotary claws 34 and 35, which are locking mechanisms for allowing the developer replenishing container 400 to be mounted and not detachable, are provided on the opposing inner walls in the vicinity of the seal tearing member 33, respectively. It is possible to rotate only in the direction. A sponge-like member 22 serving as a guide and a seal member of the developer supply container 400 is attached to the inner wall of the mounting portion 3c, and the rotary claws 34, 3 are provided.
Below the reference numeral 5, a supporting portion 20 for the developer supply container is attached.

Next, the developer supply container 4 in this embodiment.
00 will be described with reference to FIG. Developer supply container 4
Reference numeral 00 denotes a case 40 made of a resin such as styrene or acrylic and having a substantially triangular shape in cross section, and 400 g of one-component magnetic toner 45 as a developer is filled therein. An opening 46 is formed at the bottom of the case 40, and a sealing film 42 made of cellulose, styrene fiber, or the like, which is tearable by pulling on both sides thereof, is provided with a shell-shaped sealing member 43 made of a resin such as styrene or acrylic at the center. It is sealed by.

The central portion of the sealing surface composed of the shell-shaped sealing member 43 and the sealing film 42 is formed in a convex shape upward in the vertical direction to facilitate the engagement with the apex of the tearing member 33. .

Further, a mesh member 47 is extended substantially horizontally outward from the corner portion of the bottom surface of the case 40, and the tip of the mesh member 47 extends obliquely upward.
A seal stopper 41 made of polyethylene or the like is provided to prevent the developer supply container 400 from being displaced and the toner from scattering and leaking.

The inclined surface 40a of the case 40 is bent so as to bulge outward at a substantially intermediate point 40b, and a horizontal line passing through the intermediate point 40b and the apex 40c of the case 40 from the intermediate point 40b. Angle θ ₂ with the upper slope
Is 57 °, which is larger than the angle of repose of the one-component magnetic toner of 55 °.
Is set to

A method of replenishing the toner when the toner T in the developing container 3a of the process cartridge B is completely consumed will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the developing container lid 36 is opened to open the developing container 3
The second opening 3e of a is exposed. Next, the developer replenishing container 400 is inserted in the direction of the arrow a along the sponge-like member 22 with the sealing surface facing down through the second opening 3e. When it is further inserted, as shown in FIG. 2, the developer supply container 400 passes while the seal stopper 41 rotates the rotary tabs 34 and 35 in the arrow direction.

When the developer replenishing container 400 is further pushed downward, as shown in FIG.
3, the seal film 42 is torn, and at the same time, the shell-shaped seal member 43 is bent and held on the tear member 33. As a result, the toner 45 naturally falls due to its own weight, passes through the first opening 3d, and the toner hopper 3
It is stored in b. At this time, the angle θ of the tearing member 33
_{Since 1} is set to 60 °, which is larger than the repose angle of the toner, the toner does not remain on the tearing member 33, but falls entirely on the toner hopper portion 3b and can be effectively used.

At this time, the developer supply container 400 is
A part of the mesh member 47 is supported by the support portion 20, and at the same time, the rotary claws 34 and 35 do not rotate in the reverse direction, so that the mesh member 47 cannot be detached from the developing container 3a.

Finally, the developing container lid 3c closes the second opening 3e, and the toner supply is completed.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a case will be described in which, when the toner replenished from the first developer replenishing container 400 is consumed, the toner is further replenished. The second developer supply container 401 has the same shape and the same configuration as the first developer supply container 400.

First, the developing container lid 36 is opened, and the second developer supply container 401 is inserted into the mounting portion 3c in the same manner as above. The second developer supply container 401 is the sponge member 2
While being guided by 2, the mesh-shaped member 47A is supported on the rotary claws 34 and 35. At this time, the seal film 42A of the second developer supply container 401 is torn by the apex of the case 40 of the first developer supply container 400, and the shell-shaped seal member 43A is also bent and held on the case 40. As a result, the toner in the second developer supply container 401 passes through the mesh-like member 47 of the first developer supply container 400, further passes through the first opening 3d, and falls into the toner hopper portion 3b for storage. To be done.

The toner in the second developer supply container 401 is
The inclination angle θ ₂ of the upper inclined surface of the case 40 of the first developer supply container 400 is 57 ° larger than the repose angle of toner 55 °.
By being set to, all of the toner does not stay on the case 40 but naturally falls on the toner hopper portion 3b and can be effectively used.

Thereafter, in the same manner, when the third developer supply container is inserted, the second developer supply container is rotated by the claw 34,
While rotating 35 in the direction of the arrow, it further descends and is supported so as to overlap the first developer supply container, and the WP can supply the toner in the third developer supply container to the toner hopper portion.

Similarly, the fourth and fifth developer replenishing containers can be attached to replenish the toner.

By the way, the surface layer of the photosensitive drum 1 used in this embodiment is made of a material in which PTEF particles are dispersed in polycarbonate, and the durable number is about 5 in terms of A4.
It is 10,000 sheets (printing density of 5%, and so on). This is designed to match the life of the charging roller 2 and the developing roller 30, and the number of prints in which waste toner that can be stored in the waste toner container 550 is accumulated. Toner hopper part 3
In the initial stage, b is filled with 550 g of toner, and with this amount, about 10,000 A4 sheets can be printed.

On the other hand, since the developer supply container is filled with 400 g of toner capable of printing about 8,000 sheets of A4, the main parts of this cartridge will reach the end of their lives by replenishing 5 times. . Therefore, the rotary claw 3
When the developing container lids 36 and 35 are locked by 5/4 rotation, the developing container lid 36 is locked so that the developing container lid 36 cannot be opened, and the sixth toner replenishment cannot be performed. That is, in the process cartridge according to the present embodiment, when the toner equivalent to 2550 g in total is used up, all the main parts reach the end of their lives and are discarded.

Since this embodiment has the above configuration,
Although the charging roller and the developing roller still have the ability to withstand practical use, the toner is used up and then discarded all at once. It can solve the problems imposed.

Further, the toner is prevented from scattering during the toner replenishing work, and the toner replenishing work can be carried out easily and surely.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 7 shows a developing device C in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device C of the present embodiment has a developing agent carrier 30 such as a developing roller, and a developing agent containing toner T for supplying a developing agent (toner) to the developing agent carrier 30. The developing means having the container 3a is integrally made into a cartridge by a frame 70 made of plastic. That is, the developing device C of this embodiment can be considered as a cartridge obtained by integrating the process cartridge B described in Embodiment 1 with the photosensitive drum 1, the charging unit 2, and the cleaning unit 500 removed. Therefore, the configurations and operations of the developing container 3a and the developer supply container 400 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and those having the same configurations and operations are designated by the same reference numerals, and the above description is incorporated.

[0065]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when the process cartridge or the developing device is replenished with the developer from the developer replenishing container, the developer is not scattered and the operation is simple. It can be replenished reliably, the number of times of replenishment can be controlled when multiple developer replenishing containers are installed, and it can be adjusted to the life of the components such as the electrophotographic photoconductor, so that the worker is contaminated with the developer. Without
Further, it is possible to obtain a toner replenishment type process cartridge capable of effectively utilizing resources, 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.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a cross section of a first embodiment of a process cartridge and a developer supply container according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a developer supply container is inserted in the process cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which toner is being supplied to the process cartridge from the developer supply container shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a second developer supply container is inserted in the process cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which toner is being supplied to the process cartridge from the second developer supply container in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus including a process cartridge and a developer supply container according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing Embodiment 2 of the developing device and the developer supply container according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum (electrophotographic photosensitive member) 2 Charging means 3 Developing means 3a Developing container 3b Toner hopper part 3c Mounting part 30 Developing sleeve (developer carrying member) 33 Tearing member (seal release member) 34, 35 Rotating claw (engagement) Stopping mechanism) 40, 40A Case 42 Seal peripheral part 43 Seal central part 45 Toner (developer) 60, 70 Frame 400, 401 Developer replenishing container 500 Cleaning means A Image forming device B Process cartridge C Developing device T Toner (developing device) Agent)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroaki Ogata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Ishii 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kya Non-Incorporated (72) Inventor Hiroki Kisu 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (26)

[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. However, the developer supply container mounted on the developer container includes two inclined surfaces and a bottom surface connecting these inclined surfaces, the bottom surface is a developer sealing surface, and the central portion thereof has a strength higher than that of the peripheral portion. A process cartridge comprising a member having an angle of inclination with a horizontal line of the inclined surface is larger than a repose angle of the developer. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the central portion of the sealing surface is convex upward in the vertical direction. 3. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a developing unit having a developing container for containing a developer. The developing container is provided with a releasing member for releasing the developer seal of the developer replenishing container mounted in the developing container, and the releasing member has a convex shape with respect to the vertically upward direction and forms an angle with the horizontal line. Is a flat surface having an angle larger than the repose angle of the developer, or a ridge portion of a cone. 4. The process cartridge according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the developing container is provided with a locking mechanism for preventing the developer supply container from being detachable. 5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism includes a rotary tab that is rotatable only in one direction. 6. 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 5, which is possible. 7. The process cartridge comprises at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit and a cleaning unit as the process unit, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member, which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is incorporated in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is removable. 8. 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 claim 1. 9. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, wherein a process cartridge is attachable / detachable,
(A) A developer supply container having an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing unit including a developing container that contains a developer, An angle formed with a horizontal line of the inclined surface including two inclined surfaces and a bottom surface connecting these inclined surfaces, the bottom surface being a developer sealing surface, the central portion of which is made of a member having strength higher than that of the peripheral portion. An image forming apparatus, comprising: mounting means for mounting a process cartridge having a larger repose angle of the developer on the apparatus main body; and (b) transporting means for transporting the recording medium. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the central portion of the sealing surface is convex upward in the vertical direction. 11. An image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: (a) an electrophotographic photoconductor, a process means acting on the electrophotographic photoconductor, and a developer. A developing member having a developing container for accommodating the developing container, and a releasing member for releasing the developer seal of the developer supply container mounted in the developing container is provided in the developing container. (B) a mounting means for mounting the process cartridge having a convex shape and a horizontal line whose angle to the horizontal is larger than the repose angle of the developer, or a conical ridge portion to the apparatus main body; An image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey the recording medium. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the developing container is provided with a locking mechanism that prevents the developer supply container from being detachable. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the locking mechanism includes a rotary tab that is rotatable only in one direction. 14. 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 an image forming apparatus main body. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, which is enabled. 15. The process cartridge comprises at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as the process unit, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member, which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is incorporated in the main body of the image forming apparatus. 10. The device is removable from the device.
13. An image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 13. 16. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing device as the process device 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 image forming apparatus according to claim 9. 17. 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 the replenishment of the developer. The replenishment container includes two inclined surfaces and a bottom surface connecting these inclined surfaces, the bottom surface is a developer sealing surface, and the central portion thereof is made of a member having strength higher than that of the peripheral portion. The developing device is characterized in that the angle formed with is larger than the repose angle of the developer. 18. The developing device according to claim 17, wherein the central portion of the sealing surface is convex upward in the vertical direction. 19. 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 releasing member for releasing the developer seal of the replenishing container is provided inside the developing container, and the releasing member has a convex shape with respect to a vertically upper side and has an angle with a horizontal line larger than the repose angle of the developer. A developing device having a flat surface or a ridge portion of a cone. 20. The developing device according to claim 17, wherein the developing container is provided with a locking mechanism that prevents the developer supply container from being detached. 21. The developing device according to claim 20, wherein the locking mechanism includes a rotary tab that is rotatable only in one direction. 22. A developer replenishing container attached to a developing container of a cartridge or a developing device, comprising two inclined surfaces and a bottom surface connecting these inclined surfaces, and the bottom surface is a developer sealing surface, A developer replenishing container, characterized in that the central portion is made of a member having a higher strength than the peripheral portion, and the angle formed with the horizontal line of the inclined surface is larger than the repose angle of the developer. 23. The developer supply container according to claim 22, wherein the central portion of the sealing surface is convex upward in the vertical direction. 24. A developer replenishing container attached to a cartridge or a developing container of a developing device, comprising: a releasing member for releasing a developer seal of the developer replenishing container body, the releasing member. Is a plane that is convex upward in the vertical direction and that has a ridge line portion of a flat surface or a cone that forms an angle larger than the repose angle of the developer with the horizontal line. 25. The developer supply container according to claim 22, 23 or 24, wherein the developing container is provided with a locking mechanism for preventing the developer supply container from being detachable. 26. The developer supply container according to claim 25, wherein the locking mechanism includes a rotary claw that can rotate only in one direction.