JPH11167263A - Developing device and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the amount of residual toner when an image void is generated. SOLUTION: As for a toner container 12 having a base 12f whose angle is >= the repose angle of developer and a freely rotatable stirring bar, a gap between the stirring bar 10a and the side wall of the toner container 12 is controlled to be <=1 mm, a corner part in the toner container 12 is controlled to be >=4 mm radius, the end face of a toner cap 24 and the inside wall 12a of the container are controlled to be nearly the same. The upper side of the toner cap 24 is formed like a triangle, an angle made by two upper surfaces is >= the repose angle of the developer. A distance A between a sleeve 10c and the stirring center is controlled to be 29 mm, a distance between the sleeve 10c and the starting point E of the base of the container 12 is controlled to be 27 mm and a distance between the stirring center and the starting point E is controlled to be 18 mm.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing device and a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system, such as a laser printer and a copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A developing device mounted on an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying apparatus, an electrostatic recording apparatus, a laser beam printer, etc. will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing a state in which the conventional developing device 10 is mounted on an image forming apparatus around the developing device 10. The developing device 10 has an electrostatic latent image formed on its surface by a charging device and an exposure means (not shown). It is arranged around a photosensitive drum 7 which is an image carrier on which an image is formed.

The developing device 10 includes a developing sleeve 10c, which is a developer carrying member for carrying and transporting the toner,
A developing blade 18 for regulating a toner layer on the developing sleeve 10c; a developing sleeve 10c and the developing blade 1;
, A stirring member 10a for stirring the toner, a toner filling port 20 for filling the toner, and a toner cap 21 attached to the toner filling port.
And the like.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a conventional toner cap 21 and a toner filling port 20. The conventional toner cap 21 has a cylindrical portion 21a inserted into the toner filling port 20 and a toner container 12 formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion.
A projection 21b which engages with the inner surface 12a of the
It has a closing portion 21c for closing the cylindrical portion, and a flange portion 21d formed at the outer diameter of one end of the cylindrical portion and located on the outer end surface 12b of the toner container 12, and protrudes into the toner container 12.

A stirring member 10a (see FIG. 3) is provided in the toner container 12 of the developing device 10.

Further, a crank arm 10ac of a stirring member is provided.
And the gap X between the toner container and the inner surface 12a of the toner container is often set to about 3 mm.

Each of the toner container 12 and the developing container 15 is formed in a box shape and has an opening. The developing container 15 is substantially sealed by a cylindrical developing sleeve 10c and a rectangular developing blade 18, and is welded to communicate with the toner container 12 through an opening.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (the present invention), the corner 12c in the toner container 12 has an arc-shaped cross section, and the radius of the arc is often 3 mm or less. Further, a starting point D of a lower slope 12d in the toner container 12, a bottom surface 15a in the developing container 15 (hereinafter referred to as a toner chamber bottom surface and a developing chamber bottom surface, respectively) and a developing sleeve 10c.
19 and the center of the stirring member 10a are set as shown in FIG. The dimensions of each part are shown in Table 3 below.

Table 3 Conventional dimensions The diameter of the developing sleeve 10c is φ16 mm, the radius of rotation of the stirring member 10a is 10 mm,
The angle d is set to be equal to or larger than the repose angle θ of the toner so that the toner does not remain on the bottom surface 12d.

[0011]

However, in the conventional process cartridge B, the toner remains in the toner container 12 and the developing container 15 after the toner is not supplied to the photosensitive drum and the image becomes white. Was. Therefore, each portion of the toner container 12 and the developing container 15 where there is residual toner will be described in detail below.

The conventional toner cap 21 is provided on the inner surface 1 of the container.
The closest part between the part of the toner cap protruding inside from 2a and the bottom surface 12d of the toner chamber is locally narrowed,
The toner remained along the bottom of the toner chamber above.

On the upper side of a part of the toner cap projecting from the inner surface 12a of the container, there is an area where the toner cap is smaller than the angle of repose θ due to the cylindrical shape of the toner cap. Since the angle of repose was smaller than θ, the toner remained on the upper side of the toner cap.

In the conventional stirring mechanism, since the toner is not conveyed in the gap X between the crank arm 10ac of the stirring member 10a and the inner surface 12a of the toner container, the toner remains along the inner surface 12a of the container.

In the conventional configuration of the toner container 12 and the developing container 15, the gap between the stirring member 10a and the bottom surface 12d of the toner chamber remains without the toner being transported.

Further, a corner 12 in a conventional toner container 12 is formed.
c is often an arc cross section having a radius of 3 mm or less, and the toner remains along the ridge line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a developing device and a process cartridge in which the amount of toner remaining in the toner container at the time of image blanking is small.

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a charging port for filling the developer accommodating container with the developer, and A developer sealing material that can be attached to a filling port and seals the developer in the developer accommodating container. An inner wall of a developer container and an end surface of the developer sealing material are substantially flush with each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a filling port for filling the developer accommodating container with the developer, And a developer sealing material for sealing the developer in the developer storage container, when the developer sealing material is attached to the filling port, the developer sealing material has a cross section of The developing device is characterized in that the angle of the upper surface from the horizontal plane is not less than the angle of repose θ of the developer.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to an electrophotographic photoreceptor, and the developer accommodating container. A developing device comprising: a stirring unit that moves a developer in a container toward the developer carrier; the stirring unit is rotatable and has a bent portion near an end thereof; and a stirring driving unit that drives the stirring unit. And a corner inside the developer accommodating container is a curved surface having a curvature equal to or larger than a curvature where the developer does not remain.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the developer accommodating container. A developing device comprising: a stirring unit that moves a developer in a container toward the developer carrier; the stirring unit is rotatable and has a bent portion near an end thereof; and a stirring driving unit that drives the stirring unit. Wherein the gap between the stirring means and the inner wall of the developer storage container is a gap that is equal to or less than a gap where no developer remains between the bent portion of the stirring means and the inner wall of the developer storage container. is there.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to an electrophotographic photoreceptor, and the developer accommodating container. Stirring means for moving the developer in the container toward the developer carrier, rotatable and having a bent portion near an end thereof, and stirring driving means for driving the stirring means,
Wherein the stirring means is provided at an end of the stirring means with a stirring assisting member having substantially the same shape as the stirring driving means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a developer carrying member for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the developer accommodating container. Stirring means for moving the developer in the container toward the developer carrier, the stirring means being rotatable and having a bent portion near an end thereof; stirring driving means for driving the stirring means; A bottom surface in the developer storage container having an angle equal to or greater than an angle θ, wherein a center-to-center distance between the developer carrier and the stirring means is about 29 mm, and the center of the developer carrier and the The developing device is characterized in that the distance from the starting point of the bottom in the developer container is about 27 mm, and the distance between the center of the stirring means and the starting point of the bottom in the developer container is about 18 mm. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer, a filling port for filling the developer accommodating container with the developer, and a sealable container that can be attached to the filling port to seal the developer in the developer accommodating container. And a developing device having a developer sealing material, wherein when the developer sealing material is attached to the filling port, an inner wall of the developer accommodating container and an end face of the developer sealing material are substantially the same. A process cartridge characterized by being a surface.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer, a filling port for filling the developer accommodating container with the developer, and a sealable container that can be attached to the filling port to seal the developer in the developer accommodating container. And a developing device having the developer sealing material, wherein when the developer sealing material is mounted on the filling port, the developer sealing material has an angle from a horizontal plane of an upper surface of a cross section thereof. A process cartridge characterized by having a repose angle of the developer of not less than θ.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developer in the developer accommodating container facing the developer carrier. A developing device having a stirring means rotatable and having a bent portion near an end thereof, and a stirring driving means for driving the stirring means. Is a curved surface having a curvature equal to or greater than the curvature at which the developer does not remain.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developer accommodating the developer in the developer accommodating container to the developer carrier. A developing device having a stirring means rotatably movable and having a bent portion near an end thereof, and a stirring drive means for driving the stirring means, wherein the bent portion of the stirring means and the developing device A process cartridge, wherein a gap between the inner wall of the developer container and the inner wall of the developer container is equal to or less than a gap where no developer remains.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developer accommodating the developer in the developer accommodating container. A developing device having a stirring unit that is rotatable and has a bent portion near an end thereof, and a stirring driving unit that drives the stirring unit, at an end of the stirring unit, A process cartridge comprising the stirring driving means and a stirring assisting member having substantially the same shape as the stirring driving means.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus main body, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developer accommodating the developer in the developer accommodating container to the developer carrier. A stirring means rotatable and having a bent portion near an end thereof, a stirring drive means for driving the stirring means, and an inside of the developer accommodating container having an angle of repose greater than or equal to the repose angle θ of the developer. And a bottom of the developer carrier, wherein a center-to-center distance between the developer carrier and the stirring means is about 29 mm, and a starting point of the center of the developer carrier and a bottom surface in the developer accommodating container. Is about 27 mm, and the distance between the center of the stirring means and the starting point of the bottom surface in the developer accommodating container is about 18 mm.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge, the charging unit or the cleaning unit, the developing unit, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to any one of the seventh to twelfth inventions, which is detachable.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge, at least one of a charging unit, a cleaning unit, a developing unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge to form a cartridge with respect to an image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to any one of the seventh to twelfth inventions, which is detachable.

A fifteenth invention according to the present application is the seventh to twelfth inventions, wherein the process cartridge is configured such that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. A process cartridge according to any one of the aspects of the invention.

[0033]

Embodiment 1 A process cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and an image forming apparatus using the process cartridge will be described with reference to the drawings.

This image forming apparatus A is, as shown in FIG.
A laser beam image based on image information is emitted from the optical system 1 to form a developer (hereinafter, toner) image on a photosensitive drum 7 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member provided as an image carrier. Then, in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, the recording material 2 is transferred from the paper feeding cassette 3a to the pickup roller 3b and the feeding roller 3c,
A transfer roller 4 is used as a transfer unit for transferring a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 in an image forming unit formed as a process cartridge B by a transfer unit 3 including a transfer roller 3d and a registration roller 3c. Is transferred to the recording material 2 by applying a voltage thereto, and the recording material 2 is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 while being guided by the guide plate 3f. The fixing means 5 includes a driving roller 5a and a fixing roller 5c having a heater 5b therein. The fixing means 5 is configured to convey the recording material 2 passing therethrough by a pair of discharge rollers 3g and 3h, and discharge the recording material 2 to a discharge section 6 through a reverse conveyance path. doing.
The image forming apparatus A can also be manually fed by a manual tray 3i and a roller 3j.

As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge B constituting the image forming section rotates a photosensitive drum 7 as an electrophotographic photosensitive member and uniformly charges the surface thereof by a charging means 8, The light image from the optical system 1 is exposed to an exposure aperture 9.
The latent image is formed by exposing the photosensitive drum 7 to the photosensitive drum 7 through the developing device 10, and the developing unit 10 forms a toner image corresponding to the latent image to visualize the latent image. After the transfer unit 4 transfers the toner image to the recording material 2, the cleaning unit 11 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7.

The process cartridge B has a toner container (developer storage container) 12 as a first frame having a toner reservoir or the like provided with a stirring member 10a and a developing sleeve 10c having a magnet 10b at the center. It comprises a developing container 15 as a second frame and a cleaning container 13 as a third frame having the photosensitive drum 7 and the cleaning means 11.

The toner container 12 is sealed with an opening by a sealing member (not shown), filled with toner, and is integrated with the developing container 15 by, for example, ultrasonic welding.

When the upper cover 19 of the apparatus main body 14 is opened upward around the hinge 19a, guide rails (not shown) are provided on the left and right inner walls of the apparatus main body 14, and the process cartridge B Guide members (not shown) provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction are inserted into the guide rails, and the process rails B are detachably attached to the positions shown in FIG. 1 by the guide rails.

Next, the configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus A and the process cartridge B loaded therein will be described in detail.

{Process Cartridge} Here, the process cartridge B is defined as a charging unit (device) 8, a developing unit (device) 10, or a cleaning unit 11 and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 7, which are integrally formed into a cartridge. Can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body 14. In addition, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so that the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Further, it means that at least the developing means and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body.

The developing device 10 includes a developing sleeve 10c, which is a developer carrying member for carrying and transporting toner, and a developing blade 18 for regulating a toner layer on the developing sleeve 10c.
A developing container 15 having the developing sleeve 10c, the developing blade 18 and the like, and a stirring member 10a for stirring the toner.
And a toner filling port (described later) for filling the toner and a toner cap (described later) attached to the toner filling port.
And the like.

{Agitating Mechanism} FIG. 3 shows the toner container 12 in FIG.
2 is a diagram viewed from the arrow direction A1 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, a stirring member 10a is provided in the toner container 12 of the developing device 10.

One end of the stirring member 10a is provided with the stirring member 1
A stirring shaft 22, which is a driving means for the motor 0a, is attached. The stirring member 10a and the stirring shaft 22 are rotationally driven together by a driving means (not shown) in a direction of an arrow R1 shown in FIG. 2 (see FIG. 2). . Further, the configuration of the stirring shaft 22 shown in FIG. 4 has a hole 22a for attaching one end of the stirring member 10a at the center thereof, and has a cylindrical portion 22b which engages with a hole (not shown) of the toner container 12. And formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion,
A claw portion 22c that engages with the inner surface 12a of the toner container 12 to prevent slippage, a notch 22d formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 22b to prevent the stirring member 10a from rotating, and one end of the cylindrical portion 22b. And a joint portion 22e formed to have an outer diameter and driven by an external driving means (not shown).

The outer end surface 12b in the longitudinal direction of the toner container
A disc-shaped elastic member 23 having a hole for engaging with the cylindrical portion 22b of the stirring shaft 22 is provided between the elastic member 23 and the joint portion 22e. Usually, malt plane, wool, or an oil seal is used for the elastic member 23. This elastic member 2
3 is thicker than the gap between the outer end surface 12b of the toner container and the joint portion 22e, the stirring shaft 22 is urged in the direction of arrow A2 in FIG. 3 and positioned by the claw portion 22c. The claw portion 22c has a hole 12i formed in the longitudinal end wall of the toner container 12 when the back portion 22c1 is assembled.
When inserted into the stirrer, it is inclined so as to be pushed toward the center of the stirring shaft 22, and both sides and the tip of the claw portion 22c are cut off by cuts 22f to form a base 22c2.
Are integrated with the stirring shaft 22.

The stirring member 10 a is formed in a crank shape by a rod (this example) or a plate-like member made of a non-magnetic metal material such as stainless steel, and one shaft portion 10 aa is fitted into the hole 22 a of the stirring shaft 22. Combined with crank arm 1
0ac is fitted into the notch 22d, and the stirring shaft 2
2 rotates about a shaft portion 10aa corresponding to a crankshaft, and a pin portion 10ab corresponding to a crankpin.
Is rotated in the direction of arrow R1 shown in FIG.
It functions to break the toner in the toner container 12 and move it in the direction of the developing sleeve 10c.

The process cartridge B rotates the photosensitive drum 7 and uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 by the charging means 8. The light image from the optical system 1 of the image forming apparatus A is exposed through the exposure opening 9 to the photosensitive drum. 7, a latent image is formed by exposing the photosensitive drum 7 to a uniform toner layer formed on the developing sleeve 10c by the developing blade 18 of the developing unit 10 to form a toner image corresponding to the latent image on the photosensitive drum 7. Visualize. Note that the toner in the toner container 12 is
0a is sent to the developing sleeve 10c.

The transfer means 4 transfers the toner image to the recording material 2.
After the transfer, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning blade 11a. The cleaning means 11 removes the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 scraped off by the cleaning blade 11a and the cleaning blade 11a.
A squeeze sheet 11b leading to 1c is provided.

{Toner Cap (Developer Sealing Material)} FIG.
In the first embodiment, a toner filling port 25 is formed on the inner surface 12a of the longitudinal side wall of the toner container 12, and a detachable toner cap 24 (shown in FIG. 6) is formed in the toner filling port 25. The toner is sealed in the toner container 12 by being attached.

FIG. 6 shows the toner cap 2 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a toner supply port and a toner filling port. Normally, the toner cap is made of a resin molded body, for example, polyethylene, and the shape of the toner cap 24 of the present embodiment is
A tubular portion 24a inserted into the toner filling port 25; a seal portion 24b formed on the outer periphery of the tubular portion to engage with the inner wall of the toner filling port 25 to prevent toner leakage;
Part 24c which is an end plate for closing one end of
Of the other end of the toner container 12, and located at the outer end surface 12b of the toner filling port 25 of the toner container 12 during assembly.
4d, and a hook 24e for engaging the hole 12e of the toner container 12 with a part of the outer diameter of the flange 24d.
have. The hole 12e of the toner container 12 is
5 and a projection 1 provided in parallel with the center line of the filling port 25
2h. The spring portion 24g including the hook portion 24e is elongated in parallel with the center line of the toner cap 24. With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the closing portion 24c of the toner cap of the present embodiment is
The toner container 12 can be configured so that it does not protrude inward from the inner surface 12a and is substantially flush with the inner surface 12a.

That is, the flange portion 24d is
By setting the dimensional relationship so that the hook portion 24e engages with the hole portion 12e of the toner container when the outer cap surface 25 abuts on the outer end surface 12b of the filling port 25, the position of the toner cap 24 with respect to the toner container 12 is adjusted with respect to the inner surface 12a. The closing portion 24c can always be kept constant so as to be on the same surface, and the setting can be made such that the closing portion 24c of the toner cap does not protrude inward from the inner surface 12a of the toner container.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of the toner which has been conventionally left due to a part of the toner cap projecting from the inner surface 12a of the container.

{Stirring Mechanism} FIG. 3 shows a stirring mechanism according to the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the gap X between the crank arm 10ac of the stirring member 10a and the inner surface 12a of the toner container 12 is set to 1 mm or less. Thus, the toner in the gap X closer to the inner surface 12a of the toner container than the conventional stirring mechanism can be transported.

Therefore, conventionally, the gap X between the crank arm 10ac of the stirring member 10a and the inner surface 12a of the toner container is known.
Can be reduced by about 10 cm ³ in volume (the conventional gap is about 3 mm and the gap is 3 mm).

{Bottom of Container} In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the toner container 12 and the developing container 15 of the process cartridge are each formed in a box shape, and the opening 1
5b. Further, the developing container 15 is substantially sealed by a cylindrical developing sleeve 10c and a rectangular developing blade 18 whose ends reach the both end walls in the longitudinal direction of the developing container 15, respectively, via the toner container 12 and the opening 15b. Welded so as to communicate. The cross section between the flat portion 12f1 of the bottom surface 12f of the toner chamber and the bottom surface (flat surface) 15a of the developing container is smoothly contacted by an arc 12f2 when viewed in cross section.

In this embodiment, the flat portion of the bottom surface 12f of the toner chamber and the bottom surface 15a
Are set as shown in FIG. 5, the starting point E, the developing chamber bottom surface 15a, the developing sleeve 10c, and the agitating member 10a. The dimensions of each part are shown in Table 1 below. However, A: the center of the developing sleeve 10c and the stirring member 10
B: distance between the center of the developing sleeve 10c and the starting point E C: distance between the center of the stirring member 10a and the starting point E Table 1 Dimensions of the present embodiment and the conventional example The diameter of the developing sleeve 10c is 16 mm, the radius of the stirring member 10a is 10 mm, and the angle of the toner chamber bottom surface 12f is set to be equal to or larger than the toner repose angle θ so that no toner remains on the bottom surface.

With the above-described toner container configuration, as shown in the experimental results in Table 2 below, approximately 7% of the toner remaining below the bottom 12f of the toner chamber conventionally.
You can reduce the weight.

Table 2 Experimental results {Container Corner} In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the configurations of the toner container 12 and the developing container 15 are the same as those described above (bottom of the container), and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the corner 12c between the bottom surface 12f in the toner container 12 of the process cartridge and the inner surfaces 12a of both end walls is formed into an arc-shaped cross section having a radius of 4 mm or more. Set. As a result, since there is a portion of the toner region that has conventionally remained in the corner 12c of the toner container 12 in the toner region, the toner does not remain in that portion. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of toner remaining in the corner 12c in the toner container. Also, the larger the radius of the corner, the smaller the amount of residual toner.

In the first embodiment, the toner cap 24 and the stirring member 10a
The toner container 12 shown in FIG. 19 in which the concave portion 12j is provided with a radius larger than the radius of the stirring member 10a below d, and the toner chamber bottom surface 12f shown in FIG. 5 and the plane portion 12f1 and the arc 12f2 are smoothly tied, or In addition, the present invention can be applied to the toner container 12 in which the corner 12c between the bottom surface in the toner container 12 and the end wall in the longitudinal direction has an arc-shaped cross section with a radius of 4 mm or more.

In the first embodiment, by performing at least one of the toner cap, the stirring mechanism, the bottom of the container, and the corner of the container, there is an effect of reducing the amount of toner remaining in the toner container 12 and not used for development. The effect of reducing the amount of toner can be maximized by performing all the operations.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view around the developing device 10 shown in FIG. 5 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

{Toner Cap} FIG. 9 shows Embodiment 2.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a toner cap 26 and a toner filling port 27 in FIG. Normally, the toner cap is made of a resin molded body, for example, polyethylene, and the shape of the toner cap 26 according to the present embodiment is formed on a cylindrical portion 26 a inserted into the toner filling port 27 and an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion. A sealing portion 26b for engaging the inner surface of the toner filling port 27 to prevent toner leakage, a closing portion 26c for closing the cylinder portion 26a, a handle portion 26d for turning the toner cap, and a cylinder portion 26a And has a projection 26e for engaging with the notch 12g of the toner container 12.
The notch 12 g is formed on the outer end surface 27 of the toner filling port 27.
The cutout is cut in parallel to the center line of the filling port 27 from a, and the back side is made into a key shape. With the above configuration,
When the projection 26e is aligned with the notch 12g and the toner cap 26 is inserted into the toner filling port 27 and pushed in, the projection 2
6e goes to the straight groove 12g1 parallel to the center line of the filling port 27 of the cutout portion 12g and stops. Here the handle 26
When the toner cap 26 is rotated using d, the protrusion 26
e advances through the oblique key-shaped portion 12g2, hits the end 12g3 of the key-shaped portion 12g2, and the closing portion 26c, which once protrudes into the toner container, retreats to the toner container inner surface 12a and the tip surface of the toner cap 26. The closing part 26c is on the same plane. Thereby, the toner cap 26 according to the present embodiment is
Is not protruded inward from the inner surface 12a of the toner container, and the inner surface 12a and the closing portion 26c can be substantially flush with each other.

That is, the toner cap 26 is
Is inserted into the toner filling port 27 along the notch 12g of the toner container.

Thereafter, using the handle 26d of the toner cap, the toner cap 26 is turned clockwise as shown by an arrow in FIG. 9B so that the projection 26e abuts against the notch 12g. At this time, the positional relationship between the protrusion 26e and the notch 12g is such that the closing portion 26c of the toner cap is not inside the inner surface 12a of the toner container. As a result, the position of the toner cap 26 with respect to the toner container 12 can always be kept constant, and the inner surface 12a of the toner container
The closing portion 26c of the toner cap does not protrude inward.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of toner which has remained in the prior art because a part of the toner cap protrudes inside from the inner surface 12a of the toner container.

{Agitating Mechanism} Among the components constituting the agitating mechanism according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10, parts having the same configuration as the agitating mechanism shown in FIG. The description of is omitted.

The stirring mechanism of the present embodiment shown in FIG.
It is composed of a stirring member 10a shaped like a crank and a stirring shaft 22 provided at one end of the stirring member 10a as driving means for the stirring member 10a. A stirring assist member 33 having substantially the same shape as the stirring shaft 22 is attached to the other end of the stirring member 10a. However, the stirring assist member 33 attached to the other end is the same as the stirring member 10a.
Since there is no need to use the driving means, there is no joint part with the outside.

With the above configuration, the claw 33c of the stirring assisting member 33 conveys the toner near the inner surface 12a of the toner container, so that the toner near the inner surface 12a of the toner container does not remain. A toner cap according to the second embodiment,
The stirring mechanism is effective when implemented separately. Either or both of them can be effectively combined with the toner container of FIG. 5 having a smooth bottom surface and a large corner. There is also an effect when applied to the toner container of FIG.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cap 28 and the toner filling port 29 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view when the toner cap 21 of the present embodiment is inserted into the toner filling port 29. is there.

(Toner Cap) Normally, a toner cap is made of a resin molding, for example, polyethylene.
The shape of the toner cap 28 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 11 has a cylindrical portion 28 a inserted into the toner charging port 29 and an inner surface 29 of the cylindrical portion formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion.
b, a seal portion 28b for preventing toner leakage by engaging with
A closing portion 28c which is an end plate for closing one end of the cylindrical portion 28a;
A first flange portion 28d formed on the outer periphery of the other end of the cylindrical portion 28a and located on the outer end surface 12b of the filling port 29 of the toner container 12 with the elastic member 30 interposed therebetween, and further provided at one end of the cylindrical portion 28a. Of the toner container 12 and the toner filling port 2
9 has a second flange portion 28e which engages with a recess 29a provided at the corner of the second flange 9e.

Further, between the outer end surface 12b of the toner container 12 and the first flange portion 28d, an annular elastic member 30 having an inner periphery engaged with the toner cap tube portion 28a is provided.
There is. In this embodiment, the material of the elastic member 30 is malt plain, but may be wool or an oil seal.
The thickness of the elastic member 30 is larger than the gap between the outer end surface 12b of the toner container 12 and the first flange 28d in the assembled state.

With the above configuration, a part of the toner cap 28 of the present embodiment does not protrude inside the inner surface 12 a of the toner container 12, and the inner surface 12 a and the closing portion 28
Can be configured to be substantially in the same plane.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the toner cap 28 is inserted into the toner filling port 29 with the elastic member 30 inserted into the cylindrical portion 28a of the toner cap 28. At this time, since the elastic member 30 is compressed and contracted, the second flange portion 28e passes over the depression 29a on the inner surface of the container.

Thereafter, since the thickness of the elastic member 30 is larger than the gap between the outer end surface 12b of the filling port 29 of the toner container 12 and the first flange portion 28d, the toner cap 28 is indicated by an arrow A3 in FIG. And the second flange portion 28e of the toner cap 28 is
a to prevent the toner cap 28 from coming off. Therefore, the position of the toner cap 28 with respect to the toner container 12 can be always kept constant, and the closing portion 28c of the toner cap 28 does not protrude inward from the inner surface 12a of the toner container 12.

However, the thickness of the elastic member 30 is such that the toner cap 28 can be inserted into the toner filling port 29, and after the force for inserting the toner cap 28 is removed, the second flange portion 28e of the toner cap becomes the toner container. Depression 2
The toner cap can be returned until it engages with 9a,
Further, it is necessary to set an appropriate value so that the toner cap 28 does not come off.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of toner which has conventionally remained due to a part of the toner cap 28 projecting from the inner surface 12a of the container.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
Is a longitudinal sectional view of the developing device, FIG. 15 is a sectional view around the developing device 10 when the toner cap 31 of the present embodiment is inserted, and FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the toner cap 31 of the present embodiment. 14, the same elements as those shown in FIG. 19 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted below.

(Toner Cap) FIGS. 14 to 16 are views showing a toner cap 31 and a toner filling port 32 in the fourth embodiment. Normally, the toner cap 31 is made of a resin molded body, for example, polyethylene, and the shape of the toner cap 31 of the present embodiment is a cylindrical portion 31 a having a triangular cylindrical cross section inserted into the toner filling port 32.
And a seal portion 31b formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 31a to engage with the inner surface of the toner filling port 32 having a triangular cross section to prevent toner leakage, and formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 31a,
The toner cap 31 is engaged with the inner surface 12a of the toner container.
A protrusion 31c for preventing the toner container 12 from coming off, a closing portion 31d which is an end plate for closing one end of the cylindrical portion 31a, and an outer end surface 12 of the filling port 32 of the toner container 12 formed at the outer diameter of the other end of the cylindrical portion.
It has a flange portion 31e located at a position in contact with b. The closing portion 31d and the projection 31c are separated from each other in the direction in which the toner cap 31 is inserted.

Here, in the triangular cross section of the toner cap 31, the angle between the two adjacent upper slopes 31f is not less than the repose angle θ of the toner (θ + 10 ° = 6 in the present embodiment).
5 °).

In the above description, the distance L1 from the inner surface 12a of the toner container to the flange 31e is equal to the distance L1 from the flange 31e to the projection 31c. Accordingly, when the toner cap 31 is fitted into the toner filling port 32, the projection 31c comes out just before the inner surface 12a and the flange 31e contacts the outer end surface 12b of the filling port 32 as shown in FIG.

With the above configuration, when the toner cap 31 of the present embodiment is inserted into the toner filling port 32, the toner is placed above a part of the toner cap 31 protruding into the toner container 12. Will not remain.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of toner remaining on the upper side of a part of the cylindrical toner cap that has conventionally protruded inward from the inner surface 12a of the container.

Although the cross-sectional shape of the toner cap 31 of this embodiment is triangular, the upper portion of the cross-section is only two surfaces, and the angle between the two surfaces from the horizontal plane is equal to or greater than the repose angle θ of the developer. If so, other shapes are not limited. Therefore, the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained regardless of whether the cross-sectional shape of the toner cap 31 is square as shown in FIG. 17 or fan-shaped as shown in FIG.

In each of the above embodiments, the toner cap, the stirring mechanism, the bottom of the container, and the corner of the container are all left, even if any one of them is carried out, after the toner in the toner container is sent to the developing member. There is an effect of reducing the amount of toner, and the above effect is improved by combining any one or more of them, and the maximum effect is exhibited by performing all the operations.

[0087]

As described above, when the terms used in the embodiments are partially used, the first invention of the present invention is a toner container containing a toner, and the toner container is filled with the toner. A filling port for mounting, a toner cap attachable to the filling port and sealing the toner in the toner container;
When the toner cap is attached to the filling port, the developing device having the inner wall of the toner container and the end surface of the toner cap are substantially flush with each other,
No toner remains in the gap between the upper portion of the toner cap and the bottom surface of the toner container. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developing device with less residual toner in the toner container at the time of image white spots.

A second invention of the present invention is directed to a toner container containing a toner, a filling port for filling the toner container with the toner, and a toner container which can be attached to the filling port and is provided with the toner. And a toner cap for sealing the inside of the developer cap. When the toner cap is attached to the filling port, the angle of the upper surface of the cross section of the toner cap from the horizontal plane is rest of the developer. Since the angle is not less than the angle θ, no toner remains on the upper portion of the toner cap inside the toner container. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developing device with less residual toner in the toner container at the time of image white spots.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner container accommodating a toner, a developer carrier for supplying the toner in the toner container to a photosensitive drum, and a developing device for supplying the toner in the toner container to the developing container. A developing device having a stirring means rotatable toward the developer carrier and having a bent portion near an end thereof; and a stirring driving means for driving the stirring means. Since the portion is a curved surface having a curvature on which no toner remains, no toner remains at a corner inside the toner container. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developing device with less residual toner in the toner container at the time of image white spots.

Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner container accommodating a toner, a developer carrier for supplying the toner in the toner container to a photosensitive drum, and developing the toner in the toner container with the developer. A developing unit having a stirring unit rotatable and having a bent portion near an end thereof, and a stirring driving unit for driving the stirring unit; Since the gap with the inner wall is smaller than the gap where no toner remains, no toner remains near the inner surface of the toner container. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developing device with less residual toner in the toner container at the time of image white spots.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner container accommodating a toner, a developer carrier for supplying the toner in the toner container to a photosensitive drum, and a developing device for supplying the toner in the toner container to the developing container. A developing device having a stirring means rotatable and having a bent portion near an end thereof, and a stirring driving means for driving the stirring means, which is moved toward the developer carrier, and provided at an end of the stirring means. , The stirring drive means,
Since the stirring driving means is provided with a stirring assisting member having substantially the same shape, no toner remains near the inner surface of the toner container. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developing device with less residual toner in the toner container at the time of image white spots.

A sixth invention of the present invention is directed to a toner container containing a toner, a developer carrier for supplying the toner in the toner container to a photosensitive drum, and a developing device in which the toner in the toner container is developed. A stirring means rotatable and having a bent portion near an end thereof, a stirring driving means for driving the stirring means, and an inside of the toner container having an angle equal to or larger than the repose angle of the toner. And a distance between the center of the developer carrier and the starting point of the bottom surface in the toner container is 27 mm. Since the distance between the center of the stirring means and the starting point of the bottom surface in the toner container is 18 mm, no toner remains on the bottom surface in the toner container. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developing device with less residual toner in the toner container at the time of image white spots.

Each of the seventh to twelfth inventions of the present invention
In the process cartridge, the same effects as the effects of the first to sixth aspects of the invention can be obtained.

The thirteenth to twelfth aspects of the present invention are applied to the seventh to twelfth aspects to achieve a suitable effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an image forming apparatus equipped with a developing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the periphery of the developing device (process cartridge) of the image forming apparatus equipped with the developing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a toner container and a stirring configuration viewed from an arrow direction A1 illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a stirring shaft and an elastic member.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view around a developing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a toner cap and a toner filling port according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view when the toner cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the toner filling port.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a toner container.

9A and 9B show a toner cap and a toner filling port according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, wherein FIG. 9A is a side view, and FIG. 9B is a right front view of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a toner container and a stirring configuration according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention as viewed from an arrow direction A1 illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing a toner cap and a toner filling port according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view when a toner cap according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is inserted into a toner filling port.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an elastic member used for sealing a toner cap.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view around a developing device when a toner cap according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is inserted.

15 is an assembled vertical sectional view of the toner cap in FIG.

16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the toner cap in FIG.

FIG. 17A is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a developing device when a toner cap according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is inserted.
(B) is a longitudinal sectional view of the toner cap.

FIGS. 18A and 18B show the periphery of the developing device when the toner cap according to the embodiment of the present invention is inserted, wherein FIG. 18A is a longitudinal sectional view and FIG. 18B is a longitudinal sectional view of the toner cap.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional toner container.

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional toner cap.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: Image forming apparatus B: Process cartridge 1: Optical system 2: Recording material 3: Conveying means 3a: Cassette 3b: Pickup roller 3c: Feeding roller 3d: Conveying roller 3e: Registration roller 3f: Guide plate 3g, 3h ... Discharge roller pair 3i Manual feed tray 3j Roller 4 Transfer unit 5 Fixing unit 5a Driving roller 5b Heater 5c
... Fixing roller 6 ... Ejector 7 ... Photoreceptor drum 8 ... Charging means 9 ... Exposure opening 10 ... Developing means (developing device) 10a ... Stirring member 10
aa: Shaft 10ab: Pin 10ac: Crank arm 10b: Magnet 10c: Developing sleeve 11: Cleaning means 11a: Cleaning blade 11b: Squeeze sheet 11c: Waste toner reservoir 12: Toner container (developer storage container) 12a: Inner surface
12b: outer end face 12c: corner 12d: slope 12e
... Hole 12f ... Toner chamber bottom 12f1 ... Flat part
12f2 ... Arc 12g ... Notch 12g1 ... Linear groove 12g2 ... Key-shaped part 12g3 ... Terminal 12h ... Protrusion 12i ... Hole 12j ... Recess 12k ... Protrusion 13 ... Cleaning container 15 ... Development container 15a ... Bottom 18 ... Development blade 19 ... Opening / closing cover 19a ... Hinge 20 ... Toner filling port 21 ... Toner cap 22 ... Stirring shaft 22a ... Hole 22b ... Cylinder 22c ... Claw 22c1 ... Back 22c2 ... Root 22d ... Notch 22e ... Joint 22f ... Cut 23 ... Elasticity Member 24 ... Toner cap 24a ... Cylindrical part 24b ... Seal part 24c ... Closing part 24d ... Flange part 24e ... Hook part 24g ... Spring part 25 ... Toner filling port 26 ... Toner cap 26a ... Cylindrical part 26b ... Seal part 26c ... Closing part 26d: Handle part 26e: Projection 27: Filling of toner 28 ... Toner cap 28a ... Cylindrical part 28b ... Seal part 28c ... Closing part 28d ... Flange part 28e ... Flange part 29 ... Toner filling port 29a ... Depression 30 ... Elastic member 31 ... Toner cap 31a ... Cylindrical part 31b ... Seal part 31c ... Projection 31d Closing part 31e Flange part 31f Two slopes 32 Toner filling port 33 Stirring assisting member 33c Claw part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Akutsu 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Teruhiko Sasaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside the Company (72) Inventor Nishigami Toko 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yoshiya No. 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc.

Claims (15)

[Claims] A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer; a filling port for filling the developer accommodating container with the developer; and a developer accommodating container that can be attached to the filling port and stores the developer. A developer sealing material for sealing the inside of the developer container, wherein when the developer sealing material is attached to the filling port, an inner wall of the developer accommodating container and an end face of the developer sealing material are substantially A developing device having the same surface. 2. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a filling port for filling the developer accommodating container with the developer, and the developer accommodating container attachable to the filling port and accommodating the developer. And a developer sealing material for sealing in the developing device, wherein when the developer sealing material is attached to the filling port, the developer sealing material is separated from a horizontal plane of an upper surface of a cross section thereof. A developing device, wherein the angle is not less than the angle of repose θ of the developer. 3. A developer storage container containing a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer storage container to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and developing the developer in the developer storage container with the developer. An agitating means rotatable toward the developer carrier and having a bent portion near the end thereof; and an agitating drive means for driving the agitating means. Is a curved surface having a curvature greater than the curvature at which the developer does not remain. 4. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a developer accommodating the developer in the developer accommodating container. A stirring device that moves toward the developer carrier, is rotatable and has a bent portion near an end thereof, and a stirring drive device that drives the stirring device. A developing device, wherein a gap between the inner wall of the developer accommodating container and the inner wall of the developer accommodating container is equal to or smaller than a gap where no developer remains. 5. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developer accommodating the developer in the developer accommodating container. An end of the agitating means, wherein the agitating means is rotatable and has a bent portion near an end thereof, the agitating means being moved toward the developer carrier, and an agitation driving means for driving the agitating means. And a stirring assisting member having substantially the same shape as the stirring driving means. 6. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and a developer accommodating the developer accommodating container. A stirring means that moves toward the developer carrier, is rotatable and has a bent portion near an end thereof, a stirring drive means that drives the stirring means, and the developer has an angle of repose greater than or equal to the repose angle θ. A bottom surface in the developer accommodating container, wherein the center distance between the developer carrier and the stirring means is about 2
9 mm, the distance between the center of the developer carrier and the starting point of the bottom in the developer container is about 27 mm, and the distance between the center of the stirring means and the starting point of the bottom in the developer container is about 27 mm. A developing device having a size of 18 mm. 7. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a filling opening for filling the developer accommodating container with the developer, and a sealable container that can be attached to the filling opening and seals the developer in the developer accommodating container. A developing device having a developer sealing material, wherein when the developer sealing material is attached to the filling port, an inner wall of the developer accommodating container and an end face of the developer sealing material are substantially the same. A process cartridge characterized by being a surface. 8. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer, a filling opening for filling the developer accommodating container with the developer, and a sealable container that can be attached to the filling opening and seals the developer in the developer accommodating container. And a developing device having a developer sealing material, wherein when the developer sealing material is attached to the filling port, the developer sealing material has an angle from a horizontal plane of an upper surface of a cross section thereof. Is greater than the angle of repose of the developer. 9. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer; a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photoreceptor; and a developer accommodating the developer in the developer accommodating container. A developing device having: a stirring device that is rotatable and has a bent portion near the end thereof; and a stirring driving device that drives the stirring device. A process cartridge, wherein the inner corner is a curved surface having a curvature equal to or larger than a curvature where the developer does not remain. 10. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer; a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photoreceptor; and a developer accommodating the developer in the developer accommodating container. A developing device having: a stirring means rotatably movable and having a bent portion near an end thereof; and a stirring drive means for driving the stirring means. A process cartridge, wherein a gap between the inner wall of the developer container and the inner wall of the developer container is equal to or smaller than a gap where no developer remains. 11. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer; a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photoreceptor; and a developer accommodating the developer in the developer accommodating container. And a developing device having: a stirring unit rotatably movable and having a bent portion near an end thereof; and a stirring driving unit for driving the stirring unit. A process cartridge, comprising: the stirring driving means; and a stirring assisting member having substantially the same shape as the stirring driving means. 12. A process cartridge detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum; b. A developer accommodating container accommodating a developer; a developer carrier for supplying the developer in the developer accommodating container to the electrophotographic photoreceptor; and a developer accommodating the developer in the developer accommodating container. A stirring means rotatable and having a bent portion near an end thereof; a stirring drive means for driving the stirring means; and a developer storage container having an angle of repose greater than or equal to the repose angle of the developer. A developing device having a bottom surface, and a center distance between the developer carrier and the stirring means is about 2
9 mm, the distance between the center of the developer carrier and the starting point of the bottom in the developer container is about 27 mm, and the distance between the center of the stirring means and the starting point of the bottom in the developer container is about 27 mm. A process cartridge having a length of 18 mm. 13. The process cartridge is one in which a charging unit or a cleaning unit, a developing unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus main body. The process cartridge according to claim 7. 14. The process cartridge includes at least one of a charging unit and a cleaning unit, and a developing unit.
The process cartridge according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the process cartridge and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed as a cartridge so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. 15. The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the process cartridge is configured such that at least a developing unit and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge so as to be detachable from an apparatus main body. Process cartridge.