JPH0962072A - Stirrer and toner cartridge provided with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the maximum required rotational torque of a stirrer without reducing the stirring and feeding operation of a paddle by improving the stirrer on a toner cartridge, etc. SOLUTION: Four or more arms 168 extending in a radial direction from a rotary shaft at an interval in a shaft line direction, etc., and three or more paddles 190 extending between the leading end parts of the adjacent arms 168, etc., are disposed on the stirrer 158. The paddles 190, etc., are dispersedly disposed on at least three mutually different angular positions.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an agitator for agitating powder such as toner, and a toner cartridge equipped with such an agitator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrostatic copying machine, an electrostatic printing machine, an electrostatic facsimile, or the like, an electrostatic latent image is formed on an electrostatic photosensitive member, and then the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image. I do. A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image into a toner image includes:
A developing housing for accommodating a so-called one-component developer composed only of toner or a so-called two-component developer composed of toner and carrier particles; and transporting the developer contained in the development housing to a development area to form an electrostatic photosensitive member. And a toner supply unit for supplying toner to the developing housing. The toner replenishing means usually includes a toner cartridge which is mounted to be exchangeable. A typical example of the toner cartridge includes a container having a toner outlet and a stirrer that stirs the toner present in the container to prevent the toner from clumping together with the toner contained in the container. I have. The stirrer often has a function of transferring the toner in a required direction in addition to a function of stirring the toner. Such a stirrer is provided between the arms, a rotary shaft rotatably mounted between both side walls of the container, a plurality of arms spaced apart in the axial direction and extending in the radial direction from the rotary shaft. It is composed of a plurality of paddles. The paddle is in a single angle position,
Alternatively, they are arranged at two angular positions with an angular interval of 180 degrees. One end of the rotating shaft of the stirrer projects out of the container beyond the side wall of the container, and an input gear is mounted on the projecting end. When the toner cartridge is mounted at the required position of the developing device, the input gear mounted on the rotary shaft of the stirrer is drivingly connected to the electric motor through the transmission gear train, so that the rotary shaft of the stirrer and the arm are driven by the electric motor. And the paddle is driven to rotate.

[0003]

However, the conventional toner cartridges as described above have the following problems to be solved. That is, since the plurality of paddles of the stirrer are concentratedly arranged at a single angular position or two angular positions with an angular interval of 180 degrees, the rotary shaft of the stirrer can be rotated once. At this time, the required torque for rotating the stirrer fluctuates significantly, and the maximum required torque becomes considerably large. Therefore, a relatively expensive electric motor having a large output torque is required, and the strength of the stirrer must be designed to be relatively high. The maximum required torque can be reduced by reducing the effective operating area of the paddle with respect to the toner. However, this inevitably reduces the toner stirring and transfer action of the paddle.

The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its first technical problem is to provide a conventional stirrer without reducing the stirring and feeding action of the paddle with respect to powder such as toner. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved stirrer in which the maximum required rotational torque is considerably reduced.

A second technical problem of the present invention is that the maximum required rotating torque of the stirrer can be considerably reduced as compared with the conventional toner cartridge without reducing the stirring and feeding action of the paddle with respect to the toner. And to provide an improved toner cartridge.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned first and second technical problems, in the present invention, four or more arms and three or more paddles are provided in the stirrer. Then, the paddles are dispersedly arranged at at least three or more different angular positions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, as a stirrer for solving the above-mentioned first technical problem, a plurality of agitators extending in the radial direction from the rotary shaft at intervals from the rotary shaft are provided. In a stirrer including an arm and a plurality of paddles arranged between the distal ends of the arms, four or more of the arms are arranged and three or more of the paddles are arranged. Is provided in a distributed manner at at least three mutually different angular positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as a toner cartridge for solving the above-mentioned second technical problem, a container having a toner discharge port, a toner contained in the container,
And a stirrer for stirring the toner present in the container, the stirrer being rotatably mounted between both side walls of the container, and the rotary shaft being spaced apart in the axial direction. In a toner cartridge including a plurality of arms extending in a radial direction from a plurality of arms and a plurality of paddles arranged between the tip ends of the arms, four or more arms of the agitator are arranged. 3 or more are arranged, and the paddles are at least 3 arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.
There is provided a toner cartridge, characterized in that the toner cartridges are arranged so as to be dispersed at different angular positions from each other.

Each of the paddles extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, the spacing between each of the paddles and the axis of rotation is substantially the same, and also the axial length of each of the paddles is It is preferred that they are substantially the same. The angular positions at which the paddles are arranged are preferably arranged at equal angular intervals. The cross section of each of the paddles may be semi-circular. Conveniently, the rotary shaft, the arm and the paddle are integrally molded from a synthetic resin material. Each of the paddles may be provided with a synthetic resin film plate-shaped piece extending from the paddle in a direction away from the rotation axis.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a toner cartridge constructed according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the toner cartridge shown in the drawing is provided with a container indicated by reference numeral 2, and the container 2 is composed of a main member 4 and a lid member 6. . The main member 4, which can be formed from an appropriate synthetic resin, has a box shape with an open upper surface. As will be clearly understood by referring to FIG. 3, the main member 4
The bottom wall of the is defined by two arcuate portions arranged side by side in the cross sectional view, namely a relatively small arcuate portion 8 and a relatively large arcuate portion 10. Similarly, the lid member 6 that can be formed of an appropriate synthetic resin is
It has a flat plate shape, and a protrusion 12 having a shape corresponding to the rectangular opening formed on the upper surface of the main member 4 is formed on the lower surface thereof. The lid member 6 is positioned on the upper surface of the main member 4 by projecting the protrusion 12 thereof into the main member 4, and is fixed to the main member 4 by an appropriate method such as ultrasonic welding. close. A rectangular mouth-neck portion 14 protruding downward is formed in the arc-shaped portion 8 on the bottom wall, and a toner discharge port 16 is formed in the mouth-neck portion 14. A shutter member 18 is mounted on the mouth / neck portion 14 so as to be slidable between a closed position where the toner discharge port 16 is closed and an open position where the toner discharge port 16 is opened (the configuration of the shutter member 18 itself is well known. The detailed description thereof is omitted in the present specification).

The main member 4 of the container 2 has both side walls 20 and 22, and one side wall 20 is formed with two projecting portions 24 and 26, and inside the projecting portions 24 and 26. Blind holes 28 and 30 are defined. Such blind hole 2
8 and 30 are frustoconical in shape with a gradually increasing inner diameter towards the inside (see also FIG. 4 showing the blind hole 28). Through holes 32 and 34 (FIG. 2) are formed in the other side wall 22 so as to correspond to the blind holes 28 and 30. The blind hole 28 and the through hole 32 are located at the center of curvature of the arcuate portion 8 on the bottom wall, and the blind hole 30 and the through hole 34 are located at the center of curvature of the arcuate portion 10 on the bottom wall. The side wall 20 is also formed with a relatively large circular opening 36 (FIG. 2). Such opening 3
A required amount of toner 38 (FIG. 3) is filled into the container 2 via 6. After the toner 38 is filled in the container, the closing member 40 is fixed to the side wall 20 by welding or adhesion, and thus the opening 36 is closed.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3,
Inside the container 2, a toner transfer device 42 is disposed above the arcuate portion 8 of the bottom wall. The transfer device 42 includes a rotating shaft 44. As clearly shown in FIG. 4, one end portion 46 of the rotary shaft 44 is formed into a substantially spherical shape,
Its diameter is set to a size between the minimum inner diameter and the maximum inner diameter of the blind hole 28. A circular flange 48 is formed near the other end of the rotary shaft 44, and an annular seal member 50 is attached to the rotary shaft 44 outside the circular flange 48. The seal member 50 can be formed of a flexible sponge. Such a rotating shaft 44
As shown in FIG. 4, the one end portion 46 having a substantially spherical shape is attached to the container 2
By inserting it into a blind hole 28 formed in the side wall 20 of the container 2 and elastically deforming the whole so as to insert the other end into a through hole 32 formed in the side wall 22 of the container 2. It is mounted rotatably between 22.
As will be readily understood by referring to FIG. 4, the blind hole 28 is frustoconical and the one end 46 of the rotating shaft 44 is generally spherical in shape, so that there is some manufacturing error. ,
The outer peripheral surface of the one end portion 46 of the rotary shaft 44 and the inner peripheral surface of the blind hole 28 are not in surface contact but in line contact, so that the blind hole 28
The rotational resistance due to the frictional contact between the rotary shaft 44 and the one end portion 46 of the rotary shaft 44 does not become excessive. When the other end of the rotary shaft 44 is inserted into the through hole 32, the circular flange 48 is positioned close to the inner surface of the side wall 22, and the seal member 5 is formed.
0 is compressed somewhat between the circular flange 48 and the side wall 22, and the presence of such a seal member 50 prevents the toner 38 from leaking out of the container through the through hole 32.
The other end of the rotary shaft 44 penetrates the side wall 22 and projects to the outside, and an input gear (not shown) is attached to the projecting end. This input gear is connected to an electric motor (not shown) via a transmission gear train (not shown) when the toner cartridge is mounted at a required position of the developing device (not shown), and the input gear is electrically driven. When the motor is energized, the rotary shaft 44 is rotated clockwise in FIG. As can be understood by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotating shaft 44 is formed with a pair of discharge blades 52 and spiral blades 54 and 56. The pair of discharge blades 52 are plate-like pieces that protrude radially from the rotating shaft 44 at an angular interval of 180 degrees from each other, and are located above the toner discharge port 16 attached to the arc-shaped portion 8 of the bottom wall. It is located. The spiral blade 54 extends between the side wall 20 and the discharge blade 52, and the spiral blade 56 extends between the side wall 22 and the discharge blade 52. Spiral direction of spiral blade 54 and spiral blade 5
When the rotary shaft 44 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 3, the spiral blade 54 directs the toner 38 to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 toward the discharge blade 52. The spiral blade 56 conveys the toner 38 leftward in FIGS. 1 and 2 toward the discharge blade 52. The discharge blades 52 drop the toner 38 from the container 2 through the opened toner discharge port 16, and thus the toner 38 is supplied from the toner cartridge to a developing device (not shown). Rotation shaft 4 of toner transfer mechanism 42
4, the flange 48, the discharge blade 52, and the spiral blades 54 and 56 are preferably formed integrally from a suitable synthetic resin.

Further, in the container 2, an arc-shaped portion 1 of the bottom wall is further provided.
A stirrer 58 located above 0 is also provided. FIG.
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the agitator 58 will be described.
Includes a rotating shaft 60. One end 6 of this rotating shaft 60
2, like the one end of the rotary shaft 48 of the transfer device 42,
The blind hole 30 has a substantially resting shape, and its diameter is set between the minimum inner diameter and the maximum inner diameter of the blind hole 30. A circular flange 64 is formed near the other end of the rotating shaft 60, and an annular sealing member 66 is mounted on the rotating shaft 60 outside the circular flange 64. The sealing member 66 can be formed of a flexible sponge. Similar to the rotary shaft 44 of the transfer device 42, the rotary shaft 60 has a substantially spherical end portion 62 inserted into the blind hole 30 formed in the side wall 20 of the container 2, and the whole rotary shaft 60 is somewhat somewhat. The other end is elastically deformed and the other end is provided with the side wall 22 of the container 2.
It is rotatably mounted between the side walls 20 and 22 by being inserted into the through hole 34 formed in. FIG.
Similar to the relationship between the one end 46 of the rotary shaft 44 and the blind hole 28 shown in FIG. 3, some fabrication is possible because the blind hole 30 is frustoconical and one end 62 of the rotary shaft 60 is generally spherical. Even if there is an error, the outer peripheral surface of the one end portion 62 of the rotary shaft 60 and the blind hole 30
Line contact is made with the inner circumferential surface of the rotary shaft 60 instead of surface contact, so that the rotational resistance due to the frictional contact between the blind hole 30 and the one end 62 of the rotary shaft 60 does not become excessive. When the other end of the rotating shaft 60 is inserted through the through hole 34, the circular flange 64 is positioned close to the inner surface of the side wall 22, and the sealing member 66 is slightly compressed between the circular flange 64 and the side wall 22. The presence of the sealing member 66 prevents the toner 38 from leaking out of the container through the through hole 34. The other end of the rotary shaft 60 penetrates the side wall 22 and projects to the outside, and an input gear (not shown) is attached to the projecting end. This input gear is the rotary shaft 4 of the transfer device 42.
4 is engaged with a gear (not shown) mounted on the projecting end of No. 4, and when the electric motor is energized to rotate the rotary shaft 44 of the transporter 42 clockwise in FIG. The rotating shaft 60 of the stirrer 58 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 together with FIG. 2, the rotating shaft 60 of the stirrer 58 has eight arms 68 extending in the radial direction at equal intervals in the axial direction thereof.
70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 are provided. Arms 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78
, 80 extend in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 60, while the arm 82 extends from the outer peripheral circle of the circular flange 64 formed on the rotary shaft 60. Arms 68 and 82 located at both ends of the rotary shaft 60 and the rotary shaft 60
The arms 74 and 76 located in the central portion of are the strips extending in the radial direction, and the width thereof is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the rotating shaft 60. As will be clearly understood by referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the arms 68, 74, 76 and 82 are circumferentially arranged at 60 degree angular intervals. Arms 70 and 72 located between arms 68 and 74 and arm 7 located between arms 76 and 82.
Reference numerals 8 and 80 each have a fan shape whose width gradually increases outward in the radial direction. The arms 70 and 72 are disposed at a predetermined angular interval in the circumferential direction, one side portion in the circumferential direction of the arm 70 is aligned with the arm 68, and the other side portion in the circumferential direction of the arm 70 is one side in the circumferential direction of the arm 72. The arm 72 is aligned with the arm 74, and the other side portion in the circumferential direction of the arm 72 is aligned with the arm 74. Similarly, the arms 78 and 80 are also arranged at a predetermined angular interval in the circumferential direction, and one side portion of the arm 78 in the circumferential direction is aligned with the arm 76.
The other side portion in the circumferential direction of 8 is aligned with one side portion in the circumferential direction of the arm 80, and the other side portion in the circumferential direction of the arm 80 is the arm 8
It is consistent with 2. Arms 68, 70, 72,
The radial lengths of 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 are the same. Between the tips of arms 68 and 70, between the tips of arms 70 and 72, between the tips of arms 72 and 74, between the tips of arms 76 and 78, between the tips of arms 78 and 80, and between arms 80 and 82. Paddles 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 are fixed between the tip ends of the paddles. As will be clearly understood by referring to FIG. 6, the paddles 92 are angularly spaced from the paddle 90 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6 by 30 degrees, and the paddles 94 are in the counterclockwise direction in the paddle 92 in FIG. To 3
The paddles 96 are arranged at an angle of 0 degrees, the paddles 96 are arranged at an angle of 60 degrees in the counterclockwise direction from the paddles 94, and the paddles 98 are arranged at an angle of 30 degrees in the counterclockwise direction from the paddles 96. Are arranged at angular intervals of
The paddles 100 are arranged from the paddles 98 at an angular interval of 30 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. Paddle 9
The length of each of 0, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 is substantially the same, and the cross-sectional shape is semicircular. Each of the paddles 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100
It is made to extend substantially parallel to the rotation axis 60, and FIG.
When the paddle 96 is positioned at the angular position, the flat surface is disposed so as to be substantially horizontal and face upward. Rotating shaft 60 of stirrer 58, flange 64, arms 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 7
8, 80 and 82 and paddles 90, 92, 94, 9
It is preferable that 6, 98 and 100 are integrally formed of an appropriate synthetic resin.

As can be seen by referring to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 6, when the agitator 58 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 3, the paddles 90, 92, 94, 96 ,.
98 and 100 in particular have their flat surfaces act on the toner 38 contained in the container 2 to stir the toner 38 and also arc the toner 38 present above the arcuate portion 10 of the bottom wall. It is transferred to the upper part of the shape part 8, that is, the part where the transfer device 42 is arranged. Paddles 90, 92, 9
4, 96, 98 and 100 are not arranged at the same angular position but are arranged at six different angular positions at angular intervals in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the paddles 90, 92, 94, 9
6, 98 and 100 act on the toner 38 under different conditions at different angular positions. Paddle 9
When the flat surface of each of 0, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 moves downward to force toner 38 downward toward the bottom wall of container 2, paddles 90, 92, 94,
The resistance acting on 96, 98 and 100 is relatively large,
When the flat surface of each of the paddles 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 moves upward to force the toner 38 upward, the paddles 90, 92, 94, 96,
The resistance acting on 98 and 100 is relatively small. The paddles 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 are arranged in six different angular positions so that the paddle is single or double.
Compared to the case where they are concentrated at individual angular positions,
The fluctuation amount of the required rotation torque when the stirrer 58 is rotated once is considerably small, and the maximum required torque is also considerably small.

7-11 illustrate a modified embodiment of a toner cartridge constructed in accordance with the present invention. Container 102 in such toner cartridge
As can be clearly understood by comparing FIG. 3 and FIG. 9, one side portion 110 of the bottom wall is not arcuate in shape, but is located on a straight center portion extending substantially horizontally and on both sides thereof. It is defined by the arc-shaped portion and has a width larger than that of the arc-shaped portion 10 of the container 2.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 8, 10 and 11, the stirrer 158 disposed in the container 102.
Includes an axis of rotation 160 that extends over the portion 110 of the bottom wall. The structure of the rotating shaft 160 itself and the container 10
The manner of mounting the rotary shaft 160 on the two side walls 120 and 122 is substantially the same as that of the toner cartridge shown in FIGS. However, the agitator 15
The structure of the arm and paddle in FIG. 8 is the same as that of the arms 68, 70, 72,
74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 and paddles 84, 8
6, 88, 90, 92 and 94. More specifically, the stirrer 158 includes 20 arms 168, 169, 170, 171, 1 at equal intervals in the axial direction.
72, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 17
8, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 18
4, 185, 186 and 187 are provided. Arms 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173,
174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 1
80, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185 and 1
86 extends in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 160, while the arm 187 extends in the radial direction from the outer peripheral edge of the circular flange 164 formed on the rotary shaft 160. From the central axis of the rotary shaft 160, the arms 168, 169, 17
0, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 17
6, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 18
The distances to the tips of each of 2, 183, 184, 185, 186 and 187 are substantially the same. The arms 168 and 169 are arranged at the same angular position,
A paddle 190 is arranged between the tips of 8 and 169. The arms 170 and 171 are arranged at the same angular position, and a paddle 191 is arranged between the tips of the arms 170 and 171. The arms 170 and 171 are arranged at a position with an angular interval of 180 degrees with respect to the arms 168 and 169. Therefore, the paddle 191 is arranged with an angular interval of 180 degrees with respect to the paddle 190. . The arms 172 and 173 are arranged at the same angular position, and a paddle 192 is arranged between the tip ends of the arms 172 and 173. Arms 172 and 17
3 is arranged at an angular interval of 36 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. 11 with respect to the arms 168 and 169,
Therefore, the paddle 192 is arranged at an angular interval of 36 degrees in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11 with respect to the paddle 190. The arms 174 and 175 are arranged at the same angular position, and a paddle 193 is arranged between the tips of the arms 174 and 175. The arms 174 and 175 are arranged at a position with an angular interval of 180 degrees with respect to the arms 172 and 173, so that the paddle 193 is arranged with an angular interval of 180 degrees with respect to the paddle 192. . The arms 176 and 177 are arranged at the same angular position, and a paddle 194 is arranged between the tips of the arms 176 and 177. Arms 176 and 17
7 is disposed at an angular interval of 36 degrees in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11 with respect to the arms 172 and 173,
Therefore, the paddle 194 is arranged at an angular interval of 36 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. 11 with respect to the paddle 192. The arms 178 and 179 are arranged at the same angular position, and a paddle 195 is arranged between the tip ends of the arms 178 and 179. The arms 178 and 179 are arranged at a position with an angular interval of 180 degrees with respect to the arms 176 and 177, so that the paddle 195 is arranged with an angular interval of 180 degrees with respect to the paddle 194. . The arms 180 and 181 are arranged at the same angular position, and a paddle 196 is arranged between the tips of the arms 180 and 181. Arms 180 and 18
1 is arranged at an angular interval of 36 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. 11 with respect to the arms 176 and 177,
Therefore, the paddle 196 is arranged at an angular interval of 36 degrees in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11 with respect to the paddle 194. The arms 182 and 183 are arranged at the same angular position, and a paddle 197 is arranged between the tips of the arms 182 and 183. The arms 182 and 183 are arranged at positions with an angular interval of 180 degrees with respect to the arms 180 and 181, so that the paddle 197 is arranged with an angular interval of 180 degrees with respect to the paddle 196. . The arms 184 and 185 are arranged at the same angular position, and a paddle 198 is arranged between the tips of the arms 184 and 185. Arms 184 and 18
5 is arranged with respect to the arms 180 and 181 at an angle interval of 36 degrees in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.
Therefore, the paddle 198 is arranged at an angular interval of 36 degrees in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11 with respect to the paddle 196. The arms 186 and 187 are arranged at the same angular position, and a paddle 199 is arranged between the tips of the arms 186 and 187. The arms 186 and 187 are arranged at a position with an angular interval of 180 degrees with respect to the arms 184 and 185, so that the paddle 199 is arranged with an angular interval of 180 degrees with respect to the paddle 198. . Thus, the paddles 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 19 are sequentially arranged at an angle of 36 degrees.
1, 193, 195, 197 and 199 are arranged. Paddles 190, 191, 192, 193, 19
The lengths of 4, 195, 196, 197, 198 and 199 are substantially the same, and the cross-sectional shape is semicircular. Paddles 190, 191, 192, 193, 194,
Each of 195, 196, 197, 198 and 199,
It extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 160 and is arranged such that the flat surface is generally horizontal and faces upward when positioned in the angular position in which the paddle 196 is located in FIG. ing. Rotating shaft 1 of stirrer 158
60, flange 164, arms 168, 169, 17
0, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 17
6, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 18
2, 183, 184, 185, 186 and 187, and paddles 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 1
It is preferable that 95, 196, 197, 198 and 199 are integrally formed from an appropriate synthetic resin.

Continuing the description with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, in the stirrer 158, the paddles 190 and 19 are used.
1, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 19
7, 198 and 199 respectively, the plate-shaped pieces 200, 201,
202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 2
08 and 209 are provided. Such plate-like piece 20
0, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 20
Each of 6,207,208 and 209 is formed from a suitable synthetic resin film such as a polyethylene terephthalate film. Plate-shaped pieces 200, 201, 202,
Each of 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208 and 209 has a paddle 190, 191, 192, 19
3, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198 and 19
From the base fixed to each flat surface of each of 9 by a suitable method such as adhesion, paddles 190, 191, 192, 1
93, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198 and 1
Parallel to the flat surface of each of the 99, it extends away from the axis of rotation 160. Plate-shaped pieces 200, 201, 2
02, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 20
8 and 209 have a width of a main portion (dimension in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 160) of the paddles 190, 191, 192, 193,
194, 195, 196, 197, 198 and 199, each having a length substantially the same as that of the plate-shaped pieces 200, 20.
1, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 20
A pair of projecting portions projecting on both sides are formed at the respective tip portions of 7, 208 and 209. The projecting length of the projecting portion is the paddles 190, 191, 192, 193, 19
4, 195, 196, 197, 198 and 199 supporting arms 168, 169, 170, 17 respectively.
1, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 17
7, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 18
It is set to be slightly larger than the thickness of 3, 184, 185, 186 and 187.

Also in the toner cartridge shown in FIGS. 6 to 11, as can be understood by referring to FIG. 9 together with FIG. 11, when the agitator 158 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 9, the paddle 190, 191,
192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 1
98 and 199 are particularly suitable for container 10 because of their flat surface.
2 acts on the toner 138 contained in
38 is agitated, and toner 138, which is also above the bottom wall portion 110, is transferred to above the arc-shaped portion 108, i.e. where the transfer device 142 is located. Paddle 1
90, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 19
6, 197, 198 and 199, the plate-shaped pieces 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 2
06, 207, 208, and 209 rub the inner surface of the portion 110 in the bottom wall of the container 102 and the inner surface of the rear wall (the wall located at the right end in FIG. 9), and the toner 138 is prevented from staying on these inner surfaces. To prevent. The loci drawn by the protrusions formed at the tips of the adjacent plate-shaped pieces overlap each other, and thus the plate-shaped pieces 200, 201, 202, 203, 2
04, 205, 206, 207, 208 and 209 are
It acts on the inner surface of the container 102 continuously in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 160. Paddles 190, 191, 192, 193, 1
94, 195, 196, 197, 198 and 199 are not arranged at the same angular position but at 10 different angular positions with an angular interval of 36 degrees. Therefore, paddle 1
90, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 19
6, 197, 198 and 199 and plate-like pieces 200, 2
01, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 20
7, 208 and 209 act on the toner 138 under different conditions at different angular positions. Paddles 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195,
The flat surface of each of 196, 197, 198, and 199 moves downward to force the paddle 190, 191, when the toner 138 is forced downward toward the bottom wall of the container 102.
192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 1
The resistance acting on 98 and 199 is relatively large and the paddles 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 1
When the flat surface of each of 96, 197, 198, and 199 moves upward and the toner 138 is forced upward, the paddles 190, 191, 192, 193, and 19 are used.
The resistance acting on 4, 195, 196, 197, 198 and 199 is relatively small. Paddles 190, 191, 19
2, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198
And 199 are arranged at 10 different angular positions, the agitator 158 can be rotated once as compared to the case where the paddles are concentrated at a single or two angular positions. The fluctuation amount of the required rotation torque is considerably small, and the maximum required torque is also considerably small.

Although the preferred embodiment of the toner cartridge constructed according to the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and deviates from the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made without the need. For example, although the embodiment of the toner cartridge has been described in detail, the stirrer of the present invention not only stirs the toner in the toner cartridge but also stirs the developer in the developing housing of the developing device, or The present invention can also be applied to a device for handling powder other than the developer to stir the powder.

[0022]

In the stirrer and toner cartridge of the present invention, the maximum required rotation torque of the stirrer paddle is
It can be considerably reduced compared to the conventional stirrer without reducing the stirring and feeding action of the paddle.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of a toner cartridge constructed according to the present invention, omitting toner contained in a container.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 1, with the upper lid of the container and the toner contained in the container omitted.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the relationship between one end of the rotation shaft of the transfer device and the blind hole of the container.

5 is a perspective view showing an agitator of the toner cartridge shown in FIG.

6 is a side view illustrating an agitator of the toner cartridge illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an axial cross-sectional view illustrating a modified embodiment of a toner cartridge constructed in accordance with the present invention, omitting the toner contained in the container.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 7, with the upper lid of the container and the toner contained in the container omitted.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

10 is a perspective view illustrating an agitator of the toner cartridge illustrated in FIG.

11 is a side view showing an agitator of the toner cartridge shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2: Container 16: Toner discharge opening 38: Toner 42: Toner transfer device 58: Stirrer 60: Rotating shaft 68: Arm 70: Arm 72: Arm 74: Arm 76: Arm 78: Arm 80: Arm 82: Arm 90: Paddle 92: Paddle 94: Paddle 96: Paddle 98: Paddle 100: Paddle 102: Container 138: Toner 158: Stirrer 160: Rotating shaft 168 to 187: Arm 190 to 199: Paddle 200 to 209: Plate-shaped piece

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A stirrer including a rotating shaft, a plurality of arms extending in the radial direction from the rotating shaft at intervals in the axial direction, and a plurality of paddles arranged between the distal ends of the arms. In the container, four or more arms are arranged, three or more paddles are arranged, and the paddles are distributed at at least three mutually different angular positions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. A stirrer characterized in that it is arranged as. 2. The stirrer of claim 1, wherein each of the paddles extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation and the spacing between each of the paddles and the axis of rotation is substantially the same. 3. A stirrer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the axial length of each of the paddles is substantially the same. 4. The stirrer according to claim 1, wherein the angular positions at which the paddles are arranged are arranged at equal angular intervals. 5. The stirrer according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of each of the paddles is semicircular. 6. The stirrer according to claim 1, wherein the rotary shaft, the arm and the paddle are integrally molded from a synthetic resin material. 7. The synthetic resin film plate-shaped piece extending from the paddle in a direction away from the rotating shaft is provided in each of the paddles. Stirrer. 8. A container having a toner discharge port, a toner contained in the container, and an agitator for agitating the toner existing in the container, the agitator being provided between both side walls of the container. A rotary shaft rotatably mounted on the shaft, a plurality of arms extending in the radial direction from the rotary shaft at intervals in the axial direction, and a plurality of paddles arranged between the distal ends of the arms. In the toner cartridge including, the arm of the stirrer is arranged at least four, the paddles are arranged at least three, and the paddles are arranged at least three mutually spaced apart in the circumferential direction. A toner cartridge, characterized in that the toner cartridges are dispersed and arranged at different angular positions. 9. The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein each of the paddles extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis, and the distance between each of the paddles and the rotation axis is substantially the same. 10. The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the axial length of each of the paddles is substantially the same. 11. The angular positions where the paddles are arranged are equiangularly spaced.
The toner cartridge according to any one of 0 to 0. 12. The toner cartridge according to claim 8, wherein each of the paddles has a semicircular cross section. 13. The rotating shaft, the arm and the paddle are integrally molded from a synthetic resin material.
2. The toner cartridge according to any one of 2 to 4. 14. A synthetic resin film plate-shaped piece extending from the paddle in a direction away from the rotation axis is provided in each of the paddles. Toner cartridge.