JPH11219012A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which eliminates the need for a developer preset case, and reduces the size, weight, and cost of the device. SOLUTION: The device 1 is composed by having a toner replenishment device 3 for replenishing a developing device 5 with toner in a toner storage container 20. In this case, the toner replenishment device 3 has a first toner hopper part 110 in which toner storage container 20 is loaded, and a second toner hopper part 120 which is disposed between the first toner hopper part 110 and the developing device 5, has a first opening 122 communicating with the first toner hopper part 110 and a second opening 30 communicating with the developing device 5, and is filled, in advance, with developer used when the image forming device 1 which is new is used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like.
The present invention relates to a toner supply device used in the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image recording apparatus, as a developer used to visualize an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier, a one-component developer and a two-component developer are used. It has been known. When a one-component developer is used, only the toner is contained in the developing device, and when a two-component developer is used, a mixture of the toner and the carrier is accommodated in the developing device.

[0003] An image recording apparatus using a two-component developer will be described. In a state immediately after the image recording apparatus is carried in by a user, for example, when a new article is used, the developing apparatus generally contains the developer. Are not filled, and the developer is charged into the developing device when the image recording apparatus is ready to be used. As a means for this filling, a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to the developing device is sometimes used.
An apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2 (Kokai) No. 2 is known. This apparatus has a toner replenishing section filled with toner for replenishment, and a developer preset case which is preliminarily filled with developer and maintained in a sealed state. The case is opened to supply the developer into the developing device, and the toner is supplied from the toner supply unit to the developing device during normal use.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-200987 discloses that a developer preset case is detachable from a developing device so that the developer preset case is refilled when the developer is supplied to the developing device or when the developer is replaced. A technique for mounting the developing device is disclosed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 3-13
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3672, there is a problem that the cost for the developer preset case is increased due to the presence of the developer preset case, and the developer preset case is installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus. Space is required, and it is difficult to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7 (1995) -1995, the developer preset case is detachable, so that the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight. However, since the developer preset case is provided, However, there is a problem that the cost is high. Therefore, the conventional toner supply device of the image forming apparatus has a problem that the cost for the developer preset case is high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can eliminate the need for a developer preset case, reduce the size and weight of the apparatus, and reduce the cost.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus having a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner in a toner container to a developing device, the toner replenishing device includes a first toner hopper unit to which the toner container is attached, a first toner hopper unit, and a developing device. , And has a first opening communicating with the first toner hopper and a second opening communicating with the developing device, and is pre-filled with a developer used when a new image forming apparatus is used. And a second toner hopper.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, each opening is closed after the developer is filled in the second toner hopper. This is a configuration having opening means for opening each opening when a new product is used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the opening means is a peelable seal member attached to each periphery of each opening so as to close each opening. There is a certain configuration.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first, second, or third aspect, the toner supply device comprises:
A first conveyance unit that conveys the toner inside the first toner hopper unit to the second toner hopper unit, a second conveyance unit that conveys the developer or the toner inside the second toner hopper unit to the developing device, The image forming apparatus includes a control unit that controls the driving of the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit. When the image forming apparatus is new, the control unit drives the second conveyance unit for a predetermined time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the image forming apparatus is new, the control means drives the second transport means for a predetermined time, and then performs the first transport. The means is driven for a predetermined time.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus, for example, a copying machine. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a process cartridge 2 detachably mounted on a main body (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1 and a toner supply device 3 detachably mounted on the process cartridge 2. The process cartridge 2 mainly includes a photoconductor 4 as an image carrier and a developing device 5, and the photoconductor 4 and the developing device 5 are housed integrally to form a unit. The main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a process cartridge set sensor 162 for detecting that the process cartridge 2 is mounted on the main body.

Around the photosensitive member 4, a charging roller 6 for uniformly charging the photosensitive member 4, a developing device 5 for developing an electrostatic latent image, and a transfer roller for transferring a toner image to a transfer paper 7. A cleaning device 8 having a cleaning blade 8a for removing residual toner on the photoconductor 4 is disposed. The developing device 5 includes stirring screws 9 and 1.
0, a developing sleeve 11 and a doctor blade 12 are provided. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 13 denotes a toner density sensor.

The image forming operation by the process cartridge 2 is performed as follows. The photoreceptor 4 is subjected to static elimination light A by a static elimination lamp (not shown) to eliminate residual charges on its surface, and its surface potential is averaged to a reference potential of 0 to -150V. Next, it is charged by the charging roller 6 and the surface potential is-
It will be around 1100V. Next, a portion (image portion) exposed by exposure light B by an exposure unit (not shown) has a surface potential of 0 to -290 V. Since a bias voltage of about -800 V is applied to the developing sleeve 11, the toner on the developing sleeve 11 adheres to the image portion.

The photosensitive member 4 on which the toner image is formed is rotated and moved in the direction of arrow C in the figure, and the timing is such that the leading edge of the paper and the leading edge of the image coincide with each other at the transfer roller 7 from a paper feed unit (not shown). Then, the transfer paper is fed, and the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 4 is transferred to the transfer paper by the transfer roller 7. Thereafter, the transfer sheet is sent to a fixing unit (not shown), and the toner is fused to the transfer sheet by heat and pressure and discharged. The residual toner remaining on the photoreceptor 4 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 8a. After that, the photoreceptor 4 is neutralized by the static elimination light A so that the residual charge is removed. Move on.

The photosensitive member 4, the charging roller 6, the developing device 5, and the cleaning blade 8a are housed in a case 14 integrally formed near the photosensitive member 4. Residual toner collected by the cleaning device 8 is transferred to a transport pipe 16 connected to a developing unit by a toner transport coil 15.
It is transported to a position (indicated by a two-dot chain line). Then, the toner is sent to the developer stirring section having the stirring screw 10 by free fall, and the toner is recycled.

Next, the developing device 5 will be described. The developing sleeve 11 has a fixed shaft in which a five-pole magnet is disposed, and its outer peripheral surface is covered with a non-magnetic pipe material.
Move up. The developer is a two-component system, and is composed of a small iron ball called a carrier and a toner. The developer circulates while being stirred by the stirring screws 9 and 10, whereby the toner has a charge, adheres to the carrier and is carried to the surface of the photoconductor 4, and can be attached to the photoconductor 4 by the action of electrostatic force. . Of the developer, the carrier circulates, but the toner is consumed because it adheres to the image portion on the photoconductor 4. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish appropriately.
Also, if the supply amount of the developer to the photoconductor 4 is not constant,
A doctor blade 12 that regulates the inflow amount of the developer is provided because image density defects and density unevenness occur.

The toner replenishing device 3 is connected to the developing device 5, and the toner replenishing device 3 is arranged in parallel with the developing device 5. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the toner replenishing device 3 includes a first toner supply unit 3 a in which a toner bottle 20 as a toner storage container is mounted, and a developing device 5 that supplies toner from the first toner supply unit 3 a. And a second toner supply unit 3b that conveys the toner.

The first toner supply section 3a includes a bottle receiving table 21 on which the toner bottle 20 is placed, and a toner bottle 20.
And a collet chuck 50 for opening and closing the cap 19 of the toner bottle 20.
A handle 57 for opening and closing the cap 19 by the collet chuck 50, a first toner hopper 110 for storing toner from the toner bottle 20, and a second toner supply for the toner in the first toner hopper 110. Extrusion member 3 as first conveying means for conveying to section 3b
1 and 31 and a drive unit 40 for driving the pushing members 31 and 31 to rotate.

The first toner supply unit 3a includes a bottle receiving tray 2
2, a guide plate 80 fixed to a side plate 81 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is slidably supported in the direction of arrow G in FIG. It can be moved to a toner bottle attaching / detaching position where the bottle 20 is attached / detached, and to a toner supply position where the toner bottle is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 to supply the toner. When the first toner supply unit 3a is at the toner supply position, a part of the first toner supply unit 3a is connected to the second toner supply unit 3b.

Next, each unit constituting the first toner supply unit 3a will be described in detail. First, the toner bottle 20 will be described with reference to FIG. Toner bottle 20
Has a toner accommodated therein, and a spiral ridge 20d protruding inward is formed on a peripheral surface thereof. When the toner bottle 20 is rotated, the toner is guided by the spiral ridge 20d and is discharged from the toner discharge port 20a. A cap 19 is detachably attached to the toner discharge port 20a.

An intermediate portion 20f having a smaller diameter than the main body portion is formed between the main body portion, which is a large diameter portion of the toner bottle 20, and the toner discharge port 20a. This intermediate part 2
The drive pawls 20e, 20 with which ribs 22b, which will be described later, engage, are provided on the end surface of the toner discharge port 20a at 0f, that is, on the so-called shoulder.
e are formed respectively. Also, the toner bottle 20
On the bottom surface (rear end surface) of the joint, a cylindrical convex portion 20b fitted into a concave portion 41a of a joint 41 described later, and a convex portion 4 described later.
Prism-shaped protrusions 20c, 20 engaging with the side surfaces of 1b, 41b
c are respectively formed.

The side plate 81 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 has
A guide plate 80 that slidably supports the bottle holder 21 is fixed. At the distal end of the guide plate 80, a stopper 83 for retaining is provided, which is supported by a leaf spring 82 fixed to the guide plate 80, and the stopper 83 for retaining the bottle is pressed down. When the table 21 is mounted on the guide plate 80 and the stopper 83 for retaining is returned after the mounting, the stopper 83 for retaining is engaged with the front end of the bottle receiving table 21, and the first toner supply section 3a is retained. Held in state. On the side edge of the guide plate 80, the bottle receiving tray 2
Steps 21b, 21c and sliding portion 2 provided on the side edges of
Guide portions 80a, 80b with which 1d engage are formed. The guide portions 80a and 80b of the guide plate 80 have the first toner supply portion 3a pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and the step portions 21b and
Notches 80c and 80d with which 21c are engaged are respectively formed.

It should be noted that the steps 21b, 21
By engaging c with the notches 80c and 80d of the guide plate 80, the first toner supply unit 3a is prevented from coming off the guide plate 80.

A first toner hopper section 110 is integrally formed at an end of the bottle receiving table 21. The first toner hopper section 110 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a bottle holding member 22 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first toner hopper section 110 is rotatably fitted to the cylindrical section. Further, a collet chuck 5 is provided at the center.
0 is provided.

The first toner hopper 110 is provided with an opening 111 for supplying the toner in the first toner hopper 110 to a second toner hopper 120 of the second toner supply 3b, which will be described later. ing. Opening 11
Reference numeral 1 is formed at a portion approaching the second toner hopper unit 120 when the first toner supply unit 3a is at the toner supply position.

At the periphery of the opening 111, the opening 1
11, a toner introduction cover 112 is attached,
On the lower end surface of the toner introduction cover 112, a toner supply port 113 communicating with a toner receiving port 122, which will be described later, of the second toner hopper section 120 is provided.

Outside the toner introduction cover 112, a shutter member 115 for opening and closing the toner supply port 113 is attached. That is, the shutter member 115
It is attached to the toner introduction cover 112 so that the toner supply port 113 is always closed by the urging force of a spring member (not shown). The shutter member 115 has a protrusion 11
When the first toner hopper 110 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the protrusion 115 a contacts a guide rib (not shown) formed on the second toner hopper 120. The shutter member 115 is moved in the direction of arrow J in FIG.
To release.

The tip side of the bottle holding member 22, that is,
Two ribs 22a are provided on the first toner hopper section 110 side.
Are formed integrally, and these ribs 22a
, Extruded members 31, 31 are respectively attached with double-sided tape. The pushing member 31 is formed of an elastic material such as mylar and rubber, for example. The inner wall surface of the bottle holding member 22 and the intermediate portion 2 of the toner bottle 20
A rib 22b is formed in a portion facing the end face of 0f. This rib 22b is used to drive the claw 2 of the toner bottle 20.
0e, 20e, the toner bottle 2
The rotation of 0 is transmitted to the bottle holding member 22 so that both rotate integrally.

The collet chuck 50 includes a cylindrical case 51.
And is integrated with the shaft member 53 by a screw 52. Reference numeral 54 denotes a sealing material, reference numeral 55 denotes a sealing member, reference numeral 56 denotes a collet chuck 50, a cylindrical case 51.
And a coil spring that constantly presses the shaft member 53 toward the toner bottle 20. These assembled parts are
It is held in the first toner hopper 110. The handle 57 has a shaft 5 formed integrally with the handle 57.
7a is a shaft hole 21a formed at the tip of the bottle receiving base 21.
And is rotatable.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a hole 5 formed in the shaft member 53.
3a shows a slide shaft, which slide shaft 58
When a contact is made with a cam portion 57b formed on the handle 57 and the handle 57 is rotated in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 2 to slide a series of components such as the collet chuck 50 in a direction away from the toner bottle 20, the cap 19 Is removed from the toner discharge port 20a, and the toner in the toner bottle 20 can be discharged into the first toner hopper 110.

The side plate 81 of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 includes
A driving unit 40 that rotationally drives the toner bottle 20 is fixed. The drive unit 40 includes a joint 41 and a spring 4
2. The case 41 includes a motor and a shaft. The joint 41 has a toner bottle 20
The concave portion 41a fitted to the columnar convex portion 20b of the toner bottle 20 and the convex portion 4 fitted to the prismatic convex portions 20c, 20c of the toner bottle 20.
1b and 41b are formed respectively. The fitting of the cylindrical convex portion 20b and the concave portion 41a causes the toner bottle 2
0 is held by the joint 41 and the prismatic projection 20
The rotational force of the joint 41 is transmitted to the toner bottle 20 by the engagement between the protrusions 41b and 41b.

Next, each section of the second toner supply section 3b will be described. The second toner supply unit 3b includes a second toner hopper unit 120 that stores the toner from the first toner hopper unit 110, and a second toner hopper that conveys the toner or developer in the second toner hopper unit 120 to the developing device 5. Extruding members 32, 32 as conveying means for
And a drive unit 70 for rotating the drive 32.

The second toner supply section 3b is connected to the developing device 5 when the process cartridge 2 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. Is fixed to the side plate 81.

The first toner supply unit 3a is connected to the image forming apparatus 1
The second toner hopper section 12
As shown in FIG. 1, a protrusion 121 that protrudes from the outer surface of the second toner hopper 120 is provided at a portion corresponding to the opening 111. The first toner hopper 1 is provided at a portion of the protrusion 121 facing the opening 111.
A toner inlet 122 is provided as a first opening for receiving toner from the toner inlet 10. Toner receiving port 122
Is a square hole having a substantially rectangular shape, and its size is 10 ± 5 in width.
mm, length 20 ± 5 mm.

The second toner hopper 120 is filled with a developer used when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a new product. A seal member 123 is detachably attached around the toner receiving port 122 as an opening means for closing the toner receiving port 122. The seal member 123 is made of a polyethylene film sheet. The filling of the developer and the sealing member 123 will be described later in detail.

The toner or developer in the second toner hopper section 120 is provided at a portion of the second toner hopper section 120 which is substantially opposite to the toner receiving port 122 and which is connected to the developing apparatus 5. An opening 27 is provided for supplying the liquid to the container. The opening of this opening 27 is
It is covered with a replenishing amount regulating member 28 having elasticity to make the toner replenishing amount appropriate.

The supply amount regulating member 28 is attached to the periphery of the opening 27 via a double-sided tape, and is formed of an elastic material, for example, mylar or rubber. At a substantially central portion of the supply amount regulating member 28, a slit 28a in the shape of an elongated rectangular hole is provided. The toner supply amount can be adjusted by setting the opening area of the slit 28a, and the opening area of the slit 28a is appropriately set.

A box-shaped toner introduction cover 29 that covers the opening 27 is attached near the outer periphery of the opening 27. The toner introduction cover 29 is attached to the opening 27 by engaging an engagement hole 29b provided on the upper surface of the toner introduction cover 29 with a projection 27a projecting from the upper surface of the opening 27.

On the upper surface of the toner introduction cover 29, a projection 29 for guiding the movement of a shutter member 35 described later is provided.
The toner supply port 30 is provided on the bottom surface of the toner introduction cover 29 so as to face the toner receiving port 17 provided in the process cartridge 2. Also, inside the bottom surface of the toner introduction cover 29,
A sponge seal 38 for preventing toner scattering is attached. Outside the bottom surface of the toner introduction cover 29, a seal member 33 is releasably attached as an opening means for closing the toner supply port 30. Like the seal member 123, the seal member 33 is also made of a polyethylene film sheet. This seal member 33 will be described later in detail.

A shutter member 35 for opening and closing the toner supply port 30 is attached to the toner introduction cover 29. The shutter member 35 is formed in a U-shaped cross section, and is movably attached in the front-rear direction of the second toner supply unit 3b, that is, in the direction of arrow K in FIG. The shutter member 35 has a protrusion 35 a that abuts a guide rib (not shown) formed integrally with the process cartridge 2.
And an elongated hole 35b engaging with the projection 29a are integrally formed. Further, a spring member 37 for urging the shutter member 35 so that the toner supply port 30 is always closed is attached to the shutter member 35. A portion corresponding to the toner supply port 30 of the shutter member 35,
On the bottom surface of the shutter member 35, a seal member 36 is provided. The seal member 36 is formed of a sponge, and is attached to the shutter member 35 with a double-sided tape.

The toner receiving port 17 is provided in a part of the developing device 5 so as to face the toner supply port 30 when the process cartridge 2 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. . Normally, the toner receiving port 17 is covered with a shutter member (not shown). The shutter member opens the toner receiving port 17 in conjunction with the operation of mounting the process cartridge 2 to the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the toner receiving port 17 is closed in conjunction with the operation of removing the process cartridge 2 from the image forming apparatus 1.

The second toner hopper unit 120 has a substantially cylindrical shape, similarly to the first toner hopper unit 110, and has a cylindrical portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the second toner hopper unit 120. The member 25 is rotatably fitted.

Two ribs 25a are integrally formed on the tip side of the rotating member 25, that is, on the side of the second toner hopper section 120, and the pushing members 32, 32 are respectively formed on these ribs 25a with a double-sided tape. It is pasted. The pushing member 32 is formed of an elastic material such as mylar and rubber, for example. Inside the rotating member 25, there are formed respective protrusions similar to the columnar protrusions 20 b and the prismatic protrusions 20 c, 20 c formed on the bottom surface of the toner bottle 20.

A drive section 70 for rotating the rotating member 25 is fixed to the side plate 81a of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The driving section 70 is composed of a joint 71, a spring 72, a case section 73 containing a motor and a shaft, similarly to the driving section 40, and the distal end of the joint 71 is fitted with the columnar projection of the rotating member 25. Concave recess 71a
And protrusions 71b, 71b that fit with the prismatic protrusions, respectively. The rotation member 25 is held by the joint 71 by the fitting between the cylindrical convex portion and the concave portion 71a,
The rotational force of the joint 71 is transmitted to the rotating member 25 by the engagement between the prismatic convex portions and the convex portions 71b, 71b.

Here, the charging of the developer and the sealing member 3
3, 123 will be described in detail. At the time of manufacturing the image forming apparatus 1, particularly, at the time of manufacturing the second toner supply unit 3 b, the seal member 33 is adhered to the outside of the bottom surface of the toner introduction cover 29, that is, around the toner supply port 30 by heat fusion. Attached. At this time, the sticking force of the seal member 33 is adjusted so that it can be peeled off from the bottom surface of the toner introduction cover 29.

On the other hand, the developer is filled into the second toner hopper 120 through the toner receiving port 122. The amount of the developer to be filled is substantially the same as the internal capacity of the second toner hopper unit 120. That is, the developer is filled so that the inside of the second toner hopper unit 120 is filled with the developer. The developer to be filled at this time is set in advance so that the toner concentration is optimal. After the completion of the filling of the developer, a seal member 123 is provided around the toner receiving port 122.
Is attached by heat fusion. At this time, the sticking force of the seal member 123 is also adjusted so that it can be peeled from the periphery of the toner receiving port 122.

Therefore, the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 122 are closed by the seal members 33 and 123, respectively, so that the inside of the second toner hopper section 120 is substantially sealed, thereby preventing the characteristic deterioration of the developer. it can. Further, the conventional seal member needs to have a length corresponding to the image area, for example, 300 mm or more. However, in the present embodiment, the seal member only needs to close the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 122. 33, 123 can be reduced in size.

The seal members 33 and 123 hold the holding portions 33a and 123a by hand when the image forming apparatus 1 is new, and are pulled in the direction of arrow H in FIG. Peeled from around the entrance 122. When the seal members 33 and 123 are peeled off, the toner supply port 30 and the toner
22 are respectively opened. With these openings, the developer can be supplied from the second toner hopper section 120 to the developing device 5 and the toner can be supplied to the first toner hopper section 1.
From 10, the toner can be supplied to the second toner hopper unit 120.

Therefore, since the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 122 are closed by the seal members 33 and 123, respectively, when the second toner supply unit 3b is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, At the time of conveyance of the developer 1, leakage of the developer from the toner receiving port 122 and the toner supply port 30 can be prevented. Generally, the image forming apparatus 1
When the process cartridge 2 is transported, the process cartridge 2 is transported separately from the image forming apparatus 1, but in the present embodiment, the process cartridge 2 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and the shutter member 35 is moved. Even if transported,
Since the toner supply port 30 is closed, leakage of the developer can be prevented.

When the new image forming apparatus 1 is used, preparation for supplying the developer is completed only by peeling off the seal members 33 and 123, so that the burden on the operator can be reduced. By previously filling the inside of the second toner hopper section 120 with the developer used when the image forming apparatus 1 is new, the space inside the second toner hopper section 120 can be used, and the conventional developer preset case is omitted. can do. Also,
The size and weight of the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 160 denotes control means for controlling each part of the image forming apparatus 1. Control means 160
On the input side, a toner concentration sensor 13, a developer set key 161 provided on an operation panel (not shown), and a process cartridge set for detecting a mounted state of the process cartridge 2 provided on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. The sensors 162 are connected to each other. Control means 16
The drive units 40 and 70 are connected to the 0 output side, respectively.

Control means 1 when new image forming apparatus 1 is used
The control by 60 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. After the installation of the new image forming apparatus 1 is completed,
First, the seal members 33 and 123 are peeled off, and the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 122 are opened. Thereafter, the first toner supply unit 3a is pulled out from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, the toner bottle 20 is placed on the toner receiving table 21, and the first toner supply unit 3a is pushed into the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. Installing. By this mounting, the shutter member 115 moves in the direction of arrow J in FIG. 2 to open the toner supply port 113, and the toner supply port 113 and the toner receiving port 122 communicate with each other.

The driving claws 20e, 20e are
By engaging the second rib 22b, the intermediate portion 20f of the toner bottle 20 is held by the bottle holding member 22. The bottom of the toner bottle 20 is held by the joint 41 by fitting the cylindrical protrusion 20b into the recess 41a.

From the state where the toner bottle 20 is held,
In FIG. 2, when the handle 57 is swung in the direction of arrow E, the cap 19 of the toner bottle 20 is removed by the collet chuck 50 by the swing operation.
When the cap 19 is removed, the toner bottle 20 is removed.
Is in a state in which the toner inside the first toner hopper unit 110 can flow out.

After the above series of preparations are completed, in step A1, the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on to start up the image forming apparatus 1, and puts the image forming apparatus 1 into a standby state. Subsequently, in step A2, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the standby state, the developer set key 161 is pressed as a stage before performing the copying operation.

In step A3, the process cartridge set sensor 162 detects whether the process cartridge 2 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. At this time, if the process cartridge 2 is mounted, the process proceeds to step A4. If the process cartridge 2 is not mounted, the process proceeds to step A6.

In step A4, the toner density sensor 13
Thus, the toner density in the developing device 5 is detected. At this time, if the value detected by the sensor 13 is 0, that is,
If it is determined that there is no developer and no toner, the process proceeds to step A5. If the output value of the sensor 13 is other than 0, that is, if the developer exists in the developing device 5, the process proceeds to step A7. .

In step A5, only the driving section 70 is driven for a predetermined time t1. At this time, the drive unit 40 does not drive. The second toner hopper unit 1 is driven by the driving unit 70.
The developer filled in the inside 20 is extruded into the extruding members 32, 3
2 (arrow Y5), the replenishing amount regulating member 2
8 (arrow Y6), and is pushed out into the toner introduction cover 29. The developer extruded into the toner introduction cover 29 passes through the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 17 (arrow Y7) and is supplied into the developing device 5.

The predetermined time t1 is appropriately set according to the number and area of the pushing members 32, 32, or the number of rotations of the motor of the drive unit 70. In the present embodiment, the predetermined time t1 is set to about 2 to 3 minutes, and about 300 to 400 g of the developer can be supplied into the developing device 5 during the predetermined time.

On the other hand, in step A6, a message "Please install the process cartridge" is displayed on the display section of the operation panel, and the process returns to step A2. In step A7, it is determined that the developer has already been supplied into the developing device 5, a message "developer set" is displayed on the display of the operation panel, and a series of controls is ended.

Therefore, before using the image forming apparatus 1,
The developer is supplied from the second toner hopper 120 to the developing device 5.
, The image recording apparatus 1 can be easily prepared for a new use, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and the differences, that is, the flowcharts shown in FIG. It will be described with reference to FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the control contents of steps B1 to B5 are the same as the control contents of steps A1 to A5 in the flowchart of FIG.

After performing the control in steps B1 to B5, the process proceeds to step B6, in which only the drive section 40 is driven for a predetermined time t2. At this time, the drive unit 70 does not drive. The driving of the driving unit 40 causes the protrusions 41b, 4
1b engages with the prismatic projections 20c, 20c, respectively.
The rotational force of the joint 41 is transmitted to the toner bottle 20.

As the toner bottle 20 rotates, the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port 20a (arrow Y1) and accumulates in the first toner hopper 110. On the other hand, when the rotation of the toner bottle 20 is transmitted to the bottle holding member 22, the toner in the first toner hopper 110 is scraped up by the pushing members 31, 31 (arrow Y2) and passes through the opening 111 (arrow Y2). Arrow Y3), toner introduction cover 112
Extruded into. The toner in the toner introduction cover 112 passes through the toner supply port 113 and the toner receiving port 122, flows into the second toner hopper 120 (arrow Y4), and is temporarily stored in the second toner hopper 120. Is done.

In step B3, if the process cartridge 2 is not mounted,
Then, in step B7, a message "Please install a process cartridge" is displayed on the display section of the operation panel, and the process returns to step B2.

If the output value of the toner density sensor 13 is other than 0 in step B4,
If the developer is present in the developing device 5, step B
In step B8, it is determined that the developer has already been supplied to the developing device 5, and a message "developer set" is displayed on the display of the operation panel.
Proceed to step B6.

Therefore, the developer whose toner concentration is set to the optimum state is supplied from the second toner hopper section 120 to the developing device 5, and after this supply operation, the toner is supplied to the first toner hopper section 110. Is supplied to the second toner hopper section 120, so that it is possible to prevent toner from being supplied to the developer and disturbing the toner concentration. In addition, it is possible to prevent a shortage of toner in the second toner hopper unit 120, and to always supply an appropriate amount of toner to the developing device 5 at the time of toner supply operation to the developing device 5, so that the second toner hopper unit at the time of toner supply operation Erroneous detection of toner end due to a shortage of toner in the paper 120 can be prevented.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In these figures, FIG.
The same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 4 denote the same members, and a description thereof will be omitted, and different points will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the toner introduction cover 29
Sealing means 130 for covering the toner supply port 30 is provided between the bottom surface of the shutter member 35 and the bottom surface of the shutter member 35.
The sealing means 130 is attached to the bottom surface of the toner introduction cover 29. As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a three-layer structure, and an adhesive member 13 for attaching the sealing means 130 to the bottom surface of the toner introduction cover 29.
1, a sponge-like sealing member 132 having an elasticity for sealing between the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 17 when the shutter member 35 moves, and protecting the sealing member 132 from sliding of the shutter member 35. And a protection member 133 to be used.

The adhesive member 131, the seal member 132, and the protective member 133 are adhered to each other and are integrally formed, and a portion corresponding to the toner supply port 30 has substantially the same opening as the toner supply port 30. Is provided.

The adhesive member 131 is made of, for example, a double-sided tape. The seal member 132 is made of, for example, polyurethane foam, and has a thickness such that the seal member 132 is compressed by the bottom surface of the toner introduction cover 29 and the bottom surface of the shutter member 35. The protection member 133 is a film sheet made of polyurethane, and has a length that goes around the side surface of the toner introduction cover 29. Thereby, the releasability of the sealing means 130 due to the sliding of the shutter member 35 can be reduced. That is, it is possible to prevent the sealing means 130 from being separated from the toner introduction cover 29.

When the process cartridge 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 are separately transported during the transport of the image forming apparatus 1, the toner supply port 30 is opened by the shutter member 35.
Since the toner receiving port 122 is closed by the seal member 123, leakage of the developer from the toner receiving port 122 and the toner supply port 30 can be prevented.

When the process cartridge 2 is mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 during the conveyance of the image forming apparatus 1 and is conveyed, the shutter member 35 is moved and the toner supply port 30 is opened. However, since the seal member 132 is in close contact with the toner receiving port 17, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking to the outside from the communicating portion between the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 17. Since the toner receiving port 122 is closed by the seal member 123, the leakage of the developer from the toner receiving port 122 can be prevented. Also,
In this case, since the toner supply port 30 and the toner receiving port 17 communicate with each other, the developer is supplied to the second toner hopper section 120.
May flow into the developing device 5, but since the amount is small, no problem occurs due to the flow of the developer.

[0076]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the second toner hopper is filled in advance with the developer used when the image forming apparatus is newly used. The space inside the unit can be used, and the conventional developer preset case can be omitted.
Further, the size and weight of the image forming apparatus can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the developer from leaking from the first opening and the second opening when the image forming apparatus is transported.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus is new, the preparation for supplying the developer is completed only by peeling off the seal member, so that the burden on the operator can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, before the image forming apparatus is used, the developer is supplied to the developing apparatus from inside the second toner hopper, so that the image recording apparatus can be easily prepared when a new article is used. And the burden on the operator can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the developer whose toner concentration is set to the optimum state is supplied from the second toner hopper to the developing device, and after this supplying operation,
Since the toner is supplied from the first toner hopper to the second toner hopper, it is possible to prevent toner from being supplied to the developer and disturbing the toner concentration. In addition, it is possible to prevent a shortage of toner in the second toner hopper, and to always supply an appropriate amount of toner to the developing device at the time of toner supply to the developing device. Erroneous detection of toner end can be prevented beforehand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toner supply device.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing each component of the toner supply device.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second toner hopper.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control contents according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control contents according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a toner introduction cover according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a second toner hopper according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Process cartridge 3 Toner supply unit 3a First toner supply unit 3b Second toner supply unit 5 Developing device 20 Toner container 23 First toner hopper unit 24 Second toner hopper unit 30 Toner supply port 2 opening 31 push-out member (first transfer means) 32 push-out member (second transfer means) 33, 123 seal member (opening means) 40, 70 drive section 122 toner receiving port (first opening) 160 control means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Odaiji 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Mizusawa 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ken Amamiya 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo ・ Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Hideki Yoshinami 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Mayumi Ohori 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner in a toner container to a developing device, wherein the toner replenishing device comprises: a first toner hopper unit in which the toner container is mounted; A first opening that communicates with the first toner hopper and a second opening that communicates with the developing device, which is disposed between the toner hopper and the developing device, and is used when the image forming apparatus is new. And a second toner hopper section pre-filled with a developer. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the openings is closed after a developer is filled in the second toner hopper, and the toner replenishing device is provided with opening means for opening the openings when a new image forming apparatus is used. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said opening means is a peelable seal member attached around each of said openings so as to close said openings. apparatus. 4. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein said toner replenishing device transports toner inside the first toner hopper to a second toner hopper, and said developer or said toner inside the second toner hopper. And a control means for controlling the driving of the first and second conveyance means, respectively, and the control means is provided when the image forming apparatus is new. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second driving means drives said second conveying means for a predetermined time. 5. When the image forming apparatus is new, the control means drives the second conveying means for a predetermined time and then drives the first conveying means for a predetermined time. The image forming apparatus as described in the above.