JPH08286485A - Image forming device, process cartridge developing device and developer replenishing container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable surely replenishing toner with a simple operation, without scattering the toner, at the time of replenishing the toner, preventing the defec tive replenishment of toner due to such as aggregation of the toner, and control ling the replenishment frequency so as to match the frequency with a life of an electrophotographic photoreceptor or the like. CONSTITUTION: This process cartridge is provided with rotary blades 34 and 35 for holding a developer replenishment container 500 on opposing walls of a loading part 3c, and a tearing member 33 for tearing seals 52 and 53 of the developer replenishment container 500 on center part. The rotary blade 34 is rotated while linked with opening of the developer container cap 36, an open/ closing control member 37 is engaged with a hook 36a of the developer container cap 36 based on rotation frequency of the rotary blade 35, and the toner replenishment exceeding a specified rotation frequency is inhibited. The smooth falling of the toner is allowed at the time of replenishment of the toner, by making a gap between a case 50 and a tearing member 33 to a specified width.

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 to the process cartridge or the developing device from the developer replenishing container, the developer can be surely replenished by a simple operation without scattering. A toner replenishment type process cartridge capable of preventing replenishment failure due to agglomeration and the like, managing the number of replenishment times when a plurality of developer replenishing containers are mounted, and adjusting the life of component parts such as an electrophotographic photoreceptor. A developing device and a developer supply container, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge, the developing device, and the developer supply container are 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. A plurality of developer replenishing containers can be attached to the developing container, and the developer replenishing container is a predetermined developer replenishing container or a member constituting the developing container when replenishing the developer. The process cartridge is characterized by comprising a replenishing container holding member for maintaining the gap.

It is preferable that the supply container holding member allows the developer supply container to be attached to or detached from the developing container. It is preferable that the supply container holding member is a rotary blade that can rotate only in a fixed direction. It is preferable that the developer supply container has a seal member for sealing the developer therein and a sealing release portion for releasing the seal of the seal member of the developer supply container to be mounted next. It is preferable that the developing container has a recognition means for recognizing the number of times of replenishment by the developer replenishing container, and if the recognizing means recognizes the set number of replenishment, the developer cannot be replenished.

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. And a developing means having a developing container for accommodating the developer, wherein a plurality of developer replenishing containers can be attached to the developing container,
For mounting a process cartridge having a replenishing container holding member for keeping a predetermined gap between the developer replenishing container and another developer replenishing container or a member forming the developing container when replenishing the developer, There is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting 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 equipped with 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, a plurality of developer replenishing containers can be attached to the developing container, and the developer replenishing container is another developer replenishing container or a member constituting the developing container when replenishing the developer. There is provided a developing device including a replenishing container holding member for keeping a predetermined gap.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer replenishing container attached to a developing container of a cartridge or a developing device, wherein a plurality of developer replenishing container bodies can be mounted in the developing container. The developer container is provided with a replenishing container holding member for keeping a predetermined gap between the developer replenishing container body and another developer replenishing container body when replenishing the developer. A developer supply container is provided.

[0013]

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. 8, 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 the order of description, 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 characteristic portion of the present invention will be explained. .

{Overall Structure} The image forming apparatus A irradiates an optical image based on image information from the 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 6, and the recording medium 22 Is conveyed to the fixing unit 5, and the transferred toner image is fixed and discharged to the discharging unit 16.

In the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated to uniformly charge the surface thereof 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 means 6 transfers the toner image onto the recording medium 22, the cleaning means 4 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1. It should be noted that each component such as the photosensitive drum 1 is covered with a housing composed of frame bodies 60 and 70 to integrally form a cartridge B, which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[Image Forming Apparatus] The structure 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, and the optical unit 21 of the main body 13 of the device.
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 main 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 , the discharge roller 23d ₂ and the guide plate 23e _4. And discharge roller 23
It is discharged to the discharge portion 16 formed on the upper part of the apparatus by f.

[Transfer Means] The transfer means 6 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 6 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 6, and the polarity opposite to that of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is applied to the transfer roller 6, 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 6. 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 4 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.

[Photosensitive Drum] The photosensitive drum 1 according to the present embodiment has a cylindrical drum base made of aluminum and an organic photosensitive layer coated on the outer peripheral surface thereof. 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 8 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 4
Is a cleaning blade 41 that comes into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 to scrape off the toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 1, a squeeze sheet 42 that weakly comes into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 1, and scraped waste toner. It is composed of a waste toner reservoir 43 for storing.

[Developing Means] As shown in FIG. 1, the developing means 3 has a developing container 3a for accommodating the toner 45, and an opening facing the photosensitive drum 1 holds and conveys the toner inside. Developing roller 3 which is a developer carrying member for carrying toner and having a magnet roller 31 for stabilizing the
0 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 a cylindrical member made of aluminum by sandblasting or the like, and applying a conductive coating material in which a pigment is dispersed on the surface, and 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 54 and a mounting portion 3c provided above the toner hopper portion 3b for mounting the developer supply container 500. 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 is composed of a base 33a and an isosceles triangular protrusion 33b mounted on the base 33a. An angle θ ₁ formed with the horizontal line of the inclined surface of the protrusion 33b is set to 60 ° which is 55 ° or more which is the repose angle of the toner.

A second opening 3e is opened above the mounting portion 3c of the developer supply container 500, and can be opened and closed by a developing container lid 36 which rotates about a pivot 3f.

Further, the first opening 3d in the mounting portion 3c
Immediately above, that is, on the opposing inner wall near the protrusion 33b, rotary blades 34 and 35, which are the replenishing container holding members for holding the developer replenishing container 500 and confirming the number of times of replenishment at the same time, are set to Hcm from the top of the protrusion 33b, They are provided about 3 cm below.

The rotary blade 34 is constructed to rotate in conjunction with the opening operation of the developing container lid 36, and the rotary blade 3
5 is also configured to rotate at the same time. Rotating blade 3
An open / close restriction member 37 for restricting the opening / closing of the developing container lid 36 is connected to the developing roller 5. When the rotary blade 35 detects toner replenishment of a predetermined number of times, the tip of the open / close restricting member 37 is an end portion of the developing container lid 36. The developing container lid 36 is locked by being hooked on the hook 36a provided on the.

The elastic member 2 serving as a guide and a seal member for the developer supply container 500 is provided on the inner wall of the mounting portion 3c.
2 is attached, and below the rotary blades 34 and 35, support portions 20 of the developer supply container are attached respectively.

Next, the developer supply container 5 in this embodiment.
00 will be described with reference to FIG. Developer supply container 5
Reference numeral 00 denotes a case 50 which is made of a resin such as styrene or acrylic and is a substantially triangular sealing release portion in a sectional view. Inside thereof, 400 g of a one-component magnetic toner 54 as a developer is filled. There is. An opening 56 is formed at the bottom of the case 50, and a seal film 52 made of cellulose, styrene fiber, or the like, which can be torn by pulling on both sides thereof, is provided with a shell-shaped seal member 53 made of a resin such as styrene or acrylic at the center. It is sealed by.

The shell-shaped seal member 53 which is a seal member
The central portion of the sealing surface including the sealing film 52 and the sealing film 52 is formed in a convex shape vertically upward, and the tearing member 3
It is easy to engage with the apex of 3.

In addition, a mesh member 57 is extended substantially horizontally outward from a corner portion of the bottom of the case 50, and the tip of the mesh member 57 extends obliquely upward.
A seal stopper 51 made of polyethylene or the like for preventing the developer supply container 500 from being displaced and the toner from scattering and leaking is additionally provided.

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 supply container 500 is inserted in the arrow direction 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 apex of the seal tearing member 33 comes into contact with the convex portion of the shell-shaped seal member 53 of the developer supply container 500.

When pushed further downward, as shown in FIG. 3, the seal tearing member 33 causes the seal film 5 to move.
2 is torn, and at the same time, the shell-shaped seal member 53 is bent and held on the tear member 33. This allows
The toner 54 naturally falls along the inclination of the toner tearing member 33, passes through the first opening 3d, and is stored in the toner hopper portion 3b.

At this time, the shell-shaped seal member 53 and the seal film 52 are pressed by the toner 54 and pressed onto the toner tearing member 33, and are left on the toner tearing member 33. Further, in the developer supply container 500, the mesh member 57 is held horizontally on the rotating blades 34 and 35, so that the toner can be smoothly dropped between the developer supply container 500 and the development container 3a. A gap can be provided.

Next, referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, a case will be described in which, when the toner replenished from the first developer replenishing container 500 is consumed, further toner is replenished.
The second developer supply container 501 has the same shape and the same configuration as the first developer supply container 500.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, when the developing container lid 36 is opened, the rotary blades 34, 35 rotate in the direction of the arrow, and the developer replenishing container 500 accordingly moves the seal tearing member 3.
Drop on 3. At the same time, the mesh member 57 of the developer supply container 500 is supported by the supporting portion 20 provided on the mounting portion 3c.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the second developer supply container 501 is inserted into the mounting portion 3c, the apex of the first developer supply container 500 contacts the shell-shaped sealing member 53A on the sealing surface.

When it is further inserted, as shown in FIG.
The mesh member 57A of the developer supply container 501 is horizontally held by the rotary vanes 34 and 35, the seal film 52A is ruptured, and the toner inside falls on the slope of the first developer supply container 500. Then, it passes through the mesh-shaped member 57A of the second developer supply container 501, passes through the first opening 3d, and falls into the toner hopper 3b to be stored.

At this time, as described above, the mesh member 57A of the second developer replenishing container 501 is moved to the rotary blades 34, 35.
By being held horizontally by the above, a gap g is formed between the first developer replenishing container 500 and the second developer replenishing container 501, and as a result, the toner smoothly flows,
Further, it surely drops and is replenished in the developing container 3a.

When the toner is further replenished, as shown in FIG. 7, the third developer replenishing container 502 is inserted on the second developer replenishing container 501 in the same manner as described above to replenish the toner. be able to. When the toner is replenished for the third time, the rotary blade 35 detects the third replenishment, and the opening / closing restricting member 37 causes the hook 36a of the developing container lid 36.
And the developing container lid 36 is locked.

The process cartridge of the present embodiment is set so that the life of components such as the electrophotographic photosensitive member will be reached by replenishing the toner three times. Therefore, the process container is locked by locking the developing container lid. It is possible to prevent the toner from being replenished more than the life of the cartridge and prevent the toner from being wasted.

Further, since the present embodiment is configured as described above, the toner replenishing work is facilitated, and the developer replenishing container and other members or the developer replenishing container are brought into contact with each other or the toner is agglomerated. It is possible to prevent defective replenishment and smoothly replenish toner.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 9 shows a developing device C in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device C of this embodiment comprises a developer carrying member 30 such as a developing roller, and a developing container containing toner for supplying the developer (toner) to the developer carrying member 30. The developing means having 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 the first embodiment with the photosensitive drum 1, the charging unit 2, and the cleaning unit 4 removed. Therefore, the configurations and operations of the developing container 3a and the developer replenishing container 500 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.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the process cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In Example 1, the mounting portion of the developing container was provided with an opening in the upper part thereof, and the developer replenishing container was inserted from above. However, in this embodiment, it is shown in the drawing. as the mounting portion 3c of the developing container 3a _3
3 has a second opening 3e ₃ on one side, and a pivot 3f ₃
It can be opened and closed by a developing container lid 360 that rotates about a fulcrum.

Further, in the mounting portion 3c ₃ of the developing container 3a ₃ , the second opening 3e ₃ or the closed developing container lid 360.
The seal tearing member 330 is disposed on the other side portion facing the. The tearing member 330 has a triangular shape with a part cut away in a cross-sectional view, the bottom portion thereof is positioned on the side portion, and the apex thereof is arranged so as to face the second opening 3e ₃ . The partially cutout portion corresponds to the first opening 3d ₃ provided above the toner hopper portion 3b ₃ , and a horizontal line extending from the apex to the vicinity of the bottom portion and a vertical line extending downward from the end of the horizontal line. It is the part surrounded by the line.

[0063] The first opening 3d ₃ of the developing container 3a ₃ above the developing roller 30 side of the toner hopper portion 3b _3, is only a left portion in the figure, the right portion upper end of the toner hopper portion 3b ₃ Is an extension 3b ₃₀ that extends horizontally from. That is, the upper portion of the toner hopper portion 3b ₃ is composed of the first opening portion 3d ₃ and the extended portion 3b ₃₀ , and the extended portion 3b ₃₀ serves as a partition wall between the toner hopper portion 3b ₃ and the mounting portion 3c ₃ . .

A second opening 3e is formed on the upper portion of the mounting portion 3c _3.
A rail member 38 extending from ₃ to the bottom portion of the tearing member 330 is provided, and the developer supply container 600 can be slid through a hook 55 previously attached to one end thereof. Also, to visually check the position of the hook 55,
A window 39 having a length substantially corresponding to the width of the first opening 3d ₃ is provided.

Further, a rotary blade 340 which rotates only in the direction of the arrow in association with the opening operation of the developing container lid 360 is attached substantially above the apex of the seal slitting member 330.

The developer replenishing container 600 has a case 60 having a triangular shape in cross section, and contains the one-component magnetic toner 54 which is a developer therein. The bottom part of the case 60 occupies most of the part, and one end is a shell-shaped seal member 530 attached to the case 60 and a seal film 520 occupies the remaining part thereof. The seal film 520 has the hook 55 attached thereto. It is arranged on the opposite side of the corner, that is, on the lower end side when the developer supply container is mounted.
The angle θ ₂ of the slope of the case 60 is set larger than the repose angle of the toner.

Here, a method of replenishing the toner when the toner in the developing container 3a ₃ is consumed will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the developing container lid 360 is opened to expose the second opening 3e ₃ of the mounting portion 3c ₃ .
Next, with the sealing surface of the developer supply container 600 facing the tear member 330 side, the hook 55 is fitted to the rail member 38 on the developer container 3a ₃ side, and the developer supply container 600 is attached along the rail member 38. Insert into 3c ₃ .

The developer supply container 600 is the tear member 33.
When it reaches 0 and is further pushed, the shell-shaped sealing member 530
Is bent along a folding curve, and the seal film 520 is peeled off. As a result, the toner 5 inside
4 is freely fall through the first opening 3d _3, as indicated by the arrows, it is stored falls into the toner hopper portion 3b _3.

At this time, the hook 55 of the developer supply container 600 comes into contact with the rotary vane 340, and the developer supply container 600 is
Further insertion of is stopped. As a result, a sufficient gap is secured between the shell-shaped seal member 530 of the developer supply container 600 and the inclined portion of the case 60 for the toner to drop. The shell-shaped seal member 530 and the seal film 520 remain attached to the case 60 and remain in the mounting portion 3c ₃
Left inside.

Next, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a case where the toner replenished from the first developer replenishing container 600 is consumed will be described.
The second developer supply container 601 has the same shape and the same configuration as the first developer supply container 600.

When the developing container lid 360 is opened, the rotary blade 340 rotates in the direction of the arrow in conjunction with the opening operation. As a result, the empty first developer supply container 60
It is possible for 0 to move further to the tearing member 330 side. Similarly to the toner replenishment by the first developer replenishing container 600, the second developer replenishing container 601 is attached to the mounting portion 3c.
₃ and then, while further pushing the first developer supply container 600, the hook 66 of the second developer supply container 601 abuts against the rotary blade 340, and is inserted until it stops. As a result, the first developer supply container 600 causes the tear member 3
It is held together with the shell-shaped seal member 530 and the seal film 520 so as to cover 30.

At the same time, the shell-shaped seal member 630 of the second developer supply container 601 is bent along the folding curve, and the seal film 620 is peeled off. As a result, the toner passes between the slope of the second developer supply container 601 and the slope of the first developer supply container 600, further passes through the first opening 3d ₃ , and the toner hopper 3b. It falls into ₃ and is stored.

By the way, the hook 55 when the first developer supply container 600 is held on the tearing member 330.
And the distance H _{3 from} the center of the rotary blade 340 that temporarily blocks the movement of the second developer supply container 601 is set to a predetermined value, so that the first developer supply container 600
The distance h between the lower slope of the second developer supply container 601 and the lower slope of the second developer supply container 601 can be set so that the toner in the second developer supply container 601 drops smoothly and reliably.

Even when the toner in the second developer supply container 601 is consumed and the third developer supply container is subsequently inserted, the toner can be supplied in the same manner as described above.

In the above toner replenishing work, the window 39
Allows you to visually check the hook of the developer supply container,
The number of times of replenishment can be confirmed by the number. Further, since the process cartridge of the present embodiment is set so that the components such as the electrophotographic photosensitive member will reach the end of their lives by replenishing three times, the width of the hook is adjusted so that the hook rotates when replenishing three times. The width is set so that the rotary blade cannot be rotated by being caught by the blade, and at the same time, the lid of the developing container is prevented from opening to warn the life of the process cartridge. Therefore, it is possible to prevent replenishment of toner beyond the life of the process cartridge, and it is possible to eliminate waste of toner.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 14 shows a developing device D in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device D of this embodiment comprises a developer carrying member 30 such as a developing roller, and a developing container containing toner for supplying the developer (toner) to the developer carrying member 30. The developing means having 3a ₃ is integrally made into a cartridge by a frame 70 made of plastic. That is, the developing device D of the present embodiment can be considered as a cartridge obtained by integrating the process cartridge B ₃ described in the third embodiment with the photosensitive drum 1, the charging unit 2, and the cleaning unit 4 removed. Therefore, the configuration and operation of the developing container 3a ₃ and the developer supply container 600 are the same as those in the third embodiment, and those having the same configuration and operation are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the above description is incorporated.

[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 diagram showing a state in which a developing container lid is opened to insert a second developer supply container into the process cartridge of FIG.

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

FIG. 6 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. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which toner is being supplied to the process cartridge from the third developer supply container.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus including a process cartridge and a developer supply container according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing Embodiment 2 of the developing device and the developer supply container according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a third embodiment according to the present invention, showing a state in which a developer supply container is inserted in the process cartridge.

11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where toner is being supplied to the process cartridge from the developer supply container of FIG.

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

13 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. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing Embodiment 4 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 4 Cleaning means 30 Developing sleeve (developer carrying member) 33 Tearing member 34, 35 Rotating blade (retaining container holding) Member) 37 Opening / closing regulating member 50 Case (unsealed portion) 52 Seal film 53 Shell-shaped seal member 60, 70 Frame body 500, 501 Developer supply container 600, 601 Developer supply container A Image forming apparatus B, B ₃ process Cartridge C, D developing device

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 27, 1996

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Detailed explanation of the invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

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 to the process cartridge or the developing device from the developer replenishing container, the developer can be surely replenished by a simple operation without scattering. A toner replenishment type process cartridge capable of preventing replenishment failure due to agglomeration and the like, managing the number of replenishment times when a plurality of developer replenishing containers are mounted, and adjusting the life of component parts such as an electrophotographic photoreceptor. A developing device and a developer supply container, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge, the developing device, and the developer supply container are 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. A plurality of developer replenishing containers can be attached to the developing container, and the developer replenishing container is a predetermined developer replenishing container or a member constituting the developing container when replenishing the developer. The process cartridge is characterized by comprising a replenishing container holding member for maintaining the gap.

It is preferable that the supply container holding member allows the developer supply container to be attached to or detached from the developing container. It is preferable that the supply container holding member is a rotary blade that can rotate only in a fixed direction. It is preferable that the developer supply container has a seal member for sealing the developer therein and a sealing release portion for releasing the seal of the seal member of the developer supply container to be mounted next. It is preferable that the developing container has a recognition means for recognizing the number of times of replenishment by the developer replenishing container, and if the recognizing means recognizes the set number of replenishment, the developer cannot be replenished.

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. And a developing means having a developing container for accommodating the developer, wherein a plurality of developer replenishing containers can be attached to the developing container,
For mounting a process cartridge having a replenishing container holding member for keeping a predetermined gap between the developer replenishing container and another developer replenishing container or a member forming the developing container when replenishing the developer, There is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a mounting 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 equipped with 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, a plurality of developer replenishing containers can be attached to the developing container, and the developer replenishing container is another developer replenishing container or a member constituting the developing container when replenishing the developer. There is provided a developing device including a replenishing container holding member for keeping a predetermined gap.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer replenishing container attached to a developing container of a cartridge or a developing device, wherein a plurality of developer replenishing container bodies can be mounted in the developing container. The developer container is provided with a replenishing container holding member for keeping a predetermined gap between the developer replenishing container body and another developer replenishing container body when replenishing the developer. A developer supply container is provided.

[0013]

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. 8, 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 the order of description, 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 characteristic portion of the present invention will be explained. .

{Overall Structure} The image forming apparatus A irradiates an optical image based on image information from the 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 6, and the recording medium 22 Is conveyed to the fixing unit 5, and the transferred toner image is fixed and discharged to the discharging unit 16.

In the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated to uniformly charge the surface thereof 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 means 6 transfers the toner image onto the recording medium 22, the cleaning means 4 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1. It should be noted that each component such as the photosensitive drum 1 is covered with a housing composed of frame bodies 60 and 70 to integrally form a cartridge B, which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[Image Forming Apparatus] The structure 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, and the optical unit 21 of the main body 13 of the device.
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 main 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 the recording medium 22 in synchronization 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 , the discharge roller 23d ₂ and the guide plate 23e _4. And discharge roller 23
It is discharged to the discharge portion 16 formed on the upper part of the apparatus by f.

[Transfer Means] The transfer means 6 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 6 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 6, and the polarity opposite to that of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is applied to the transfer roller 6, 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 6. 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 open / close cover 14 is opened, the registration rollers 23c and the transport guide 23e ₁ are opened by the open / close 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 4 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.

[Photosensitive Drum] The photosensitive drum 1 according to the present embodiment has a cylindrical drum base made of aluminum and an organic photosensitive layer coated on the outer peripheral surface thereof. 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 8 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 4
Is a cleaning blade 41 that comes into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 to scrape off the toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 1, a squeeze sheet 42 that weakly comes into contact with the surface of the photoconductor drum 1, and scraped waste toner. It is composed of a waste toner reservoir 43 for storing.

[Developing Means] As shown in FIG. 1, the developing means 3 has a developing container 3a for accommodating the toner 45, and an opening facing the photosensitive drum 1 holds and conveys the toner inside. Developing roller 3 which is a developer carrying member for carrying toner and having a magnet roller 31 for stabilizing the
0 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 a cylindrical member made of aluminum by sandblasting or the like, and applying a conductive coating material in which a pigment is dispersed on the surface, and 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 54 and a mounting portion 3c provided above the toner hopper portion 3b for mounting the developer supply container 500. 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 is composed of a base 33a and an isosceles triangular protrusion 33b mounted on the base 33a. An angle θ ₁ formed with the horizontal line of the inclined surface of the protrusion 33b is the repose angle of the toner 55. It is set to 60 ° above.

A second opening 3e is opened above the mounting portion 3c of the developer supply container 500, and can be opened and closed by a developing container lid 36 which rotates about a pivot 3f.

Further, the first opening 3d in the mounting portion 3c
Immediately above, that is, on the opposing inner wall near the protrusion 33b, rotary blades 34 and 35, which are the replenishing container holding members for holding the developer replenishing container 500 and confirming the number of times of replenishment at the same time, are set to Hcm from the top of the protrusion 33b, They are provided about 3 cm below.

The rotary blade 34 is constructed to rotate in conjunction with the opening operation of the developing container lid 36, and the rotary blade 3
5 is also configured to rotate at the same time. Rotating blade 3
An open / close restriction member 37 for restricting the opening / closing of the developing container lid 36 is connected to the developing roller 5. When the rotary blade 35 detects toner replenishment of a predetermined number of times, the tip of the open / close restricting member 37 is an end portion of the developing container lid 36. The developing container lid 36 is locked by being hooked on the hook 36a provided on the.

The elastic member 2 serving as a guide and a seal member for the developer supply container 500 is provided on the inner wall of the mounting portion 3c.
2 is attached, and below the rotary blades 34 and 35, support portions 20 of the developer supply container are attached respectively.

Next, the developer supply container 5 in this embodiment.
00 will be described with reference to FIG. Developer supply container 5
Reference numeral 00 denotes a case 50 which is made of a resin such as styrene or acrylic and is a substantially triangular sealing release portion in a sectional view. Inside thereof, 400 g of a one-component magnetic toner 54 as a developer is filled. There is. An opening 56 is formed at the bottom of the case 50, and a seal film 52 made of cellulose, styrene fiber, or the like, which can be torn by pulling on both sides thereof, is provided with a shell-shaped seal member 53 made of a resin such as styrene or acrylic at the center. It is sealed by.

The shell-shaped seal member 53 which is a seal member
The central portion of the sealing surface including the sealing film 52 and the sealing film 52 is formed in a convex shape vertically upward, and the tearing member 3
It is easy to engage with the apex of 3.

In addition, a mesh member 57 is extended substantially horizontally outward from a corner portion of the bottom of the case 50, and the tip of the mesh member 57 extends obliquely upward.
A seal stopper 51 made of polyethylene or the like for preventing the developer supply container 500 from being displaced and the toner from scattering and leaking is additionally provided.

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 supply container 500 is inserted in the arrow direction 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 apex of the seal tearing member 33 comes into contact with the convex portion of the shell-shaped seal member 53 of the developer supply container 500.

When pushed further downward, as shown in FIG. 3, the seal tearing member 33 causes the seal film 5 to move.
2 is torn, and at the same time, the shell-shaped seal member 53 is bent and held on the tear member 33. This allows
The toner 54 naturally falls along the inclination of the toner tearing member 33, passes through the first opening 3d, and is stored in the toner hopper portion 3b.

At this time, the shell-shaped seal member 53 and the seal film 52 are pressed by the toner 54 and pressed onto the toner tearing member 33, and are left on the toner tearing member 33. Further, in the developer supply container 500, the mesh member 57 is held horizontally on the rotating blades 34 and 35, so that the toner can be smoothly dropped between the developer supply container 500 and the development container 3a. A gap can be provided.

Next, referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, a case will be described in which, when the toner replenished from the first developer replenishing container 500 is consumed, further toner is replenished.
The second developer supply container 501 has the same shape and the same configuration as the first developer supply container 500.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, when the developing container lid 36 is opened, the rotary blades 34, 35 rotate in the direction of the arrow, and the developer replenishing container 500 accordingly moves the seal tearing member 3.
Drop on 3. At the same time, the mesh member 57 of the developer supply container 500 is supported by the supporting portion 20 provided on the mounting portion 3c.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, when the second developer supply container 501 is inserted into the mounting portion 3c, the apex of the first developer supply container 500 contacts the shell-shaped sealing member 53A on the sealing surface.

When it is further inserted, as shown in FIG.
The mesh member 57A of the developer supply container 501 is horizontally held by the rotary vanes 34 and 35, the seal film 52A is ruptured, and the toner inside falls on the slope of the first developer supply container 500. Then, it passes through the mesh-shaped member 57A of the second developer supply container 501, passes through the first opening 3d, and falls into the toner hopper 3b to be stored.

At this time, as described above, the mesh member 57A of the second developer replenishing container 501 is moved to the rotary blades 34, 35.
By being held horizontally by the above, a gap g is formed between the first developer replenishing container 500 and the second developer replenishing container 501, and as a result, the toner smoothly flows,
Further, it surely drops and is replenished in the developing container 3a.

When the toner is further replenished, as shown in FIG. 7, the third developer replenishing container 502 is inserted on the second developer replenishing container 501 in the same manner as described above to replenish the toner. be able to. When the toner is replenished for the third time, the rotary blade 35 detects the third replenishment, and the opening / closing restricting member 37 causes the hook 36a of the developing container lid 36.
And the developing container lid 36 is locked.

The process cartridge of the present embodiment is set so that the life of components such as the electrophotographic photosensitive member will be reached by replenishing the toner three times. Therefore, the process container is locked by locking the developing container lid. It is possible to prevent the toner from being replenished more than the life of the cartridge and prevent the toner from being wasted.

Further, since the present embodiment is configured as described above, the toner replenishing work is facilitated, and the developer replenishing container and other members or the developer replenishing container are brought into contact with each other or the toner is agglomerated. It is possible to prevent defective replenishment and smoothly replenish toner.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 9 shows a developing device C in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device C of this embodiment comprises a developer carrying member 30 such as a developing roller, and a developing container containing toner for supplying the developer (toner) to the developer carrying member 30. The developing means having 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 the first embodiment with the photosensitive drum 1, the charging unit 2, and the cleaning unit 4 removed. Therefore, the configurations and operations of the developing container 3a and the developer replenishing container 500 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.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the process cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In Example 1, the mounting portion of the developing container was provided with an opening in the upper part thereof, and the developer replenishing container was inserted from above. However, in this embodiment, it is shown in the drawing. As described above, the mounting portion 3c of the developing container 3a _3
3 has a second opening 3e ₃ on one side and a pivot 3f ₃
It can be opened and closed by a developing container lid 360 that rotates about a fulcrum.

[0062] Also in the mounting portion 3c ₃ of the developing container 3a _3, the second opening 3e ₃ or closed developer container lid 360
The seal tearing member 330 is disposed on the other side portion facing the. The tearing member 330 is formed in a triangular shape with a part cut away in a cross-sectional view, the bottom portion thereof is positioned at the side portion, and the apex thereof is arranged so as to face the second opening 3e ₃ . The partial cutout part of the above, corresponds to the first opening 3d ₃ provided above the toner hopper portion 3b _3, a vertical extending downward from the horizontal line and the horizontal line ends extending to near the bottom portion from the vertex It is the part surrounded by the line.

[0063] Incidentally, above the developing roller 30 side of the developing container 3a ₃ first opening 3d ₃ toner hopper portion 3b _3, is only a left portion in the figure, the right side portion from the upper end of the toner hopper portion 3b ₃ The extension portion 3b ₃₀ extends horizontally. That is, the upper portion of the toner hopper portion 3b ₃ is composed of the first opening 3d ₃ and the extended portion 3b ₃₀ , and the extended portion 3b ₃₀
Serves as a partition between the toner hopper portion 3b ₃ and the mounting portion 3c ₃ .

The second opening 3e is formed on the upper portion of the mounting portion 3c _3.
A rail member 38 extending from No. ₃ to the bottom of the tearing member 330 is provided, and the developer supply container 600 is slidable via a hook 55 previously attached to one end thereof. Also, to visually check the position of the hook 55,
A window 39 having a length substantially corresponding to the width of the first opening 3d ₃ is provided.

Further, a rotary blade 340 which rotates only in the direction of the arrow in association with the opening operation of the developing container lid 360 is attached substantially above the apex of the seal slitting member 330.

The developer replenishing container 600 has a case 60 having a triangular shape in cross section, and contains the one-component magnetic toner 54 which is a developer therein. The bottom part of the case 60 occupies most of the part, and one end is a shell-shaped seal member 530 attached to the case 60 and a seal film 520 occupies the remaining part thereof. The seal film 520 has the hook 55 attached thereto. It is arranged on the opposite side of the corner, that is, on the lower end side when the developer supply container is mounted.
The angle θ ₂ of the slope of the case 60 is set to be larger than the repose angle of the toner.

Here, a method of replenishing the toner when the toner in the developing container 3a ₃ is consumed will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the developing container lid 360 is opened to expose the second opening 3e ₃ of the mounting portion 3c ₃ .
Next, with the sealing surface of the developer supply container 600 facing the tearing member 330 side, the hook 55 is fitted to the rail member 38 on the developing container 3a ₃ side, and the developer supply container 600 is attached along the rail member 38. Insert into 3c ₃ .

The developer supply container 600 is the tear member 33.
When it reaches 0 and is further pushed, the shell-shaped sealing member 530
Is bent along a folding curve, and the seal film 520 is peeled off. As a result, the toner 5 inside
4 is freely fall through the first opening 3d _3, as indicated by the arrows, it is stored falls into the toner hopper portion 3b _3.

At this time, the hook 55 of the developer supply container 600 comes into contact with the rotary vane 340, and the developer supply container 600 is
Further insertion of is stopped. As a result, a sufficient gap is secured between the shell-shaped seal member 530 of the developer supply container 600 and the inclined portion of the case 60 for the toner to drop. The shell-shaped seal member 530 and the seal film 520 are attached to the mounting portion 3c _{3 while} being integrated with the case 60.
Left inside.

Next, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a case where the toner replenished from the first developer replenishing container 600 is consumed will be described.
The second developer supply container 601 has the same shape and the same configuration as the first developer supply container 600.

When the developing container lid 360 is opened, the rotary blade 340 rotates in the direction of the arrow in conjunction with the opening operation. As a result, the empty first developer supply container 60
It is possible for 0 to move further to the tearing member 330 side. Similarly to the toner replenishment by the first developer replenishing container 600, the second developer replenishing container 601 is attached to the mounting portion 3c.
₃ , the first developer supply container 600 is further pushed, and the hook 66 of the second developer supply container 601 abuts against the rotary blade 340, and is inserted until it is stopped. As a result, the first developer supply container 600 causes the tear member 3
It is held together with the shell-shaped seal member 530 and the seal film 520 so as to cover 30.

At the same time, the shell-shaped seal member 630 of the second developer supply container 601 is bent along the folding curve, and the seal film 620 is peeled off. As a result, the toner passes between the slope of the second developer supply container 601 and the slope of the first developer supply container 600, further passes through the first opening 3d ₃ , and the toner hopper portion 3b. It falls in ₃ and is stored.

By the way, the hook 55 when the first developer supply container 600 is held on the tearing member 330.
And the distance H _{3 from} the center of the rotary blade 340 that temporarily blocks the movement of the second developer supply container 601 is set to a predetermined value, the first developer supply container 600
The distance h between the lower slope of the second developer supply container 601 and the lower slope of the second developer supply container 601 can be set so that the toner in the second developer supply container 601 drops smoothly and reliably.

Even when the toner in the second developer supply container 601 is consumed and the third developer supply container is subsequently inserted, the toner can be supplied in the same manner as described above.

In the above toner replenishing work, the window 39
Allows you to visually check the hook of the developer supply container,
The number of times of replenishment can be confirmed by the number. Further, since the process cartridge of the present embodiment is set so that the components such as the electrophotographic photosensitive member will reach the end of their lives by replenishing three times, the width of the hook is adjusted so that the hook rotates when replenishing three times. The width is set so that the rotary blade cannot be rotated by being caught by the blade, and at the same time, the lid of the developing container is prevented from opening to warn the life of the process cartridge. Therefore, it is possible to prevent replenishment of toner beyond the life of the process cartridge, and it is possible to eliminate waste of toner.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 14 shows a developing device D in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device D of this embodiment includes a developer carrying member 30 such as a developing roller, and a developing container containing toner for supplying the developer (toner) to the developer carrying member 30. The developing means having 3a ₃ is integrally made into a cartridge by a frame 70 made of plastic. That is, the developing device D of this embodiment can be considered from the process cartridge B ₃ described in Embodiment 3, the photosensitive drum 1, charging means 2, a cartridge which integrally with the exception of cleaning means 4. Therefore, construction and operation of the developing container 3a ₃ and the developer supply container 600 are the same as in Example 3, to those forming the same structure and operation given the same reference numerals are incorporated to the above description.

[0078]

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 a simple operation is performed. Can be reliably replenished, and defective replenishment due to developer agglomeration, etc. can be prevented, the number of replenishments can be controlled when multiple developer replenishment containers are installed, and the life of the components such as the electrophotographic photoreceptor can be adjusted. the process cartridge of the toner replenishing system may, developing device and a developer supply container, as well as their process cartridge, the current
Obtaining an image forming apparatus equipped with an image device and a developer supply container
be able to.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Ishii 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Michihito Yamazaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (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; a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; However, a plurality of developer replenishing containers can be attached to the developing container, and the developer replenishing container forms a predetermined gap with another developer replenishing container or a member constituting the developing container when replenishing the developer. A process cartridge comprising a holding container holding member for holding. 2. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the supply container holding member allows the developer supply container to be attached to or detached from the developing container. 3. The supply container holding member is a rotary blade that can rotate only in a fixed direction.
Or, the process cartridge of 2. 4. The developer supply container has a seal member for sealing the developer therein, and a seal release portion for releasing the seal of the seal member of the developer supply container to be mounted next. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The developing container has a recognition means for recognizing the number of times of replenishment by the developer replenishing container, and when the recognizing means recognizes the set number of replenishments, the developer cannot be replenished. Item 1 process cartridge. 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) An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developing unit having a developing container that contains a developer, and the developing container includes a plurality of developer supply containers. A process cartridge that can be attached to the apparatus main body and has a supply container holding member that keeps a predetermined gap between the developer supply container and another developer supply container or a member that constitutes the developer container when the developer is supplied. Mounting means for mounting the recording medium, and (b) a conveying means for conveying the recording medium,
An image forming apparatus comprising: 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the replenishing container holding member allows the developer replenishing container to be attached to or detached from the developing container. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the supply container holding member is a rotary blade that can rotate only in a fixed direction. 12. The developer supply container has a seal member for sealing the developer therein, and a seal release portion for releasing the seal of the seal member of the developer supply container to be mounted next. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein. 13. The developing container has a recognizing means for recognizing the number of times of replenishment by the developer replenishing container, and when the recognizing means recognizes the set number of replenishment, the developer cannot be replenished. Item 9. The image forming apparatus according to item 9. 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 replenishment of the developer. A plurality of developer replenishing containers can be attached to the developer replenishing container, and the replenishing container holding member keeps a predetermined gap between the developer replenishing container and another developer replenishing container or a member constituting the developing container when replenishing the developer A developing device comprising: 18. The developing device according to claim 17, wherein the replenishing container holding member allows the developer replenishing container to be attached to or detached from the developing container. 19. The developing device according to claim 17, wherein the supply container holding member is a rotary blade that can rotate only in a fixed direction. 20. The developer supply container has a seal member for sealing the developer therein, and a seal release portion for releasing the seal of the seal member of the developer supply container to be mounted next. The developing device according to claim 17, wherein: 21. The developing container has a recognition means for recognizing the number of times of replenishment by the developer replenishing container, and when the recognizing means recognizes the set number of replenishment, the developer cannot be replenished. Item 20: The developing device. 22. A developer replenishing container attached to a cartridge or a developing container of a developing device, wherein a plurality of developer replenishing container bodies can be attached to the developing container, and the developer replenishing container is provided when replenishing the developer. A developer supply container, wherein the developer container is provided with a supply container holding member for keeping a predetermined gap between the container main body and another developer supply container main body or a member constituting the developer container. 23. The developer supply container according to claim 22, wherein the supply container holding member enables the developer supply container body to be attached to or detached from the developer container. 24. The developer supply container according to claim 22, wherein the supply container holding member is a rotary blade that is rotatable only in a fixed direction. 25. A seal member for sealing the developer inside, and a seal release portion for releasing the seal of the seal member of the developer supply container to be mounted next. Developer supply container. 26. The developing container has a recognizing means for recognizing the number of times of replenishment by the developer replenishing container body, and when the recognizing means recognizes the set number of replenishment, the developer cannot be replenished. The developer supply container according to claim 22.