JP2004085815A

JP2004085815A - Developer replenishing container

Info

Publication number: JP2004085815A
Application number: JP2002245605A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Toshiaki Nagashima; 長嶋　　利明; Takeya Murakami; 村上　　雄也
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2002-08-26
Filing date: 2002-08-26
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-26
Also published as: JP4208521B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developer replenishing container which has a simple structure, is easy in assembling, and has satisfactory sealability. <P>SOLUTION: The developer replenishing container for replenishing developer stored therein to a developer receiving part from a developer replenishing port has a developer sealing member which seals the developer replenishing port before the use of the developer replenishing container, and an elastic member which covers the developer replenishing port from the developer sealing member. The developer replenishing container is structured so that the developer replenishing port is opened by removing the developer sealing member and deforming the elastic member and is closed again by restoring the elastic member to its original state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、静電式複写機、プリンタ等の画像形成装置の現像装置等の現像剤受け入れ部に現像剤を供給するために用いられる現像剤補給容器に関するものである。なお、ここで言う現像剤とは、１，２成分トナー、キャリヤ及びその混合物全てを含む物を指す。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、静電式複写機、プリンタ等の画像形成装置には粉末現像剤が使用されているが、この現像剤の補給容器は一般に合成樹脂等で作られた円筒状もしくは直方体等の本体と、本体から粉末現像剤を現像装置に補給するために開口している本体の開口部を封止するシール部材によって構成されている。特に、この現像剤補給容器に感光体ドラム、クリーナー、帯電器等を一体化させたプロセスカートリッジも作られている。
【０００３】
この中で、従来のシール部材は、大半がイージーピールタイプのフィルムであり、一般に、容器本体の現像剤補給口の周囲を接着剤、または、ヒートシール等の手段で貼着したフィルムの貼着部を引き剥がして開封する。しかしながら、この方式では、現像剤を排出した後に容器を密閉することができないため、容器内に残った現像剤が落下、飛散する場合があった。特に、丸筒容器では、現像剤補給後、容器を複写機等の本体から取り外し廃棄するまでの現像剤飛散を防止するために、現像剤補給口を再封する手段を設けているものがある。これは、いわゆる二重丸筒方式と呼ばれるもので、２個の異なる筒をそれぞれ内筒、外筒とし、それぞれの補給口を合わせて現像剤補給した後、内筒の補給口を外筒によって封止する構成になっている。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、二重丸筒方式では、内筒、外筒間のシール性を維持するために、シール材を用いるのが一般的であるが、シール性を維持するために、内筒、外筒の単品部品の精度及び組立精度が非常に厳しくなる傾向があった。また、シール性向上のためにシール材の圧縮量を増加させると、開封時に、内筒もしくは外筒を回す時の強度が大きくなり、操作性を悪化させてしまう可能性があった。更に、構造も複雑になり、コスト的にもアップしてしまう場合があった。
【０００５】
そこで本発明の目的は、構造、組立が簡単で、シール性が良好な現像剤補給容器を提供することである。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するための、本発明の代表的な構成は、現像剤受け入れ部へ内部に収納した現像剤を現像剤補給口から補給する現像剤補給容器であって、前記現像剤補給容器の使用前に前記現像剤補給口を封止する現像剤シール部材と、前記現像剤シール部材の上から前記現像剤補給口を覆う弾性部材と、を有し、前記現像剤シール部材を除去すると共に、前記弾性部材を変形させることにより前記現像剤補給口を開封し、前記弾性部材を復元させることにより前記現像剤補給口を再び覆う構成であることを特徴とする。
【０００７】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の実施形態を図面を用いて説明する。説明にあたっては、まず、本実施例に用いる画像形成装置の説明をした後、該画像形成装置に使用する現像剤補給容器の説明をする。なお、本実施例では現像剤受け入れ部として、画像形成装置本体の現像装置を用いているが、本発明はこれに限定される物ではなく、
本発明の効果が得られる範囲で、例えば、独立した現像装置ユニットやプロセスカートリッジの現像装置部に用いることも可能である。
【０００８】
（画像形成装置）
図１に示すように、操作者によって、原稿１０１は原稿台ガラス１０２の上に置かれる。そして、光学部１０３の有する複数のミラーとレンズにより感光体ドラム１０４上に原稿の光像が結像する。一方給送カセット１０５〜１０８に積載された記録媒体Ｐ（例えば用紙、ＯＨＰシート等以下、用紙という）のうち、操作部（不図示）から操作者が入力した情報に基づいたサイズの記録媒体Ｐを選択する。そして、送り出しローラ１０５Ａ〜１０８Ａの内、選択された給送カセットに応じたローラが回転する。
【０００９】
そして、給送カセットから送り出された１枚の記録媒体Ｐを搬送部１０９を経由してレジストローラ１１０まで搬送する。レジストローラ１１０は、感光体ドラム１０４の回転と光学部１０３のスキャンのタイミングとを同期させて記録媒体Ｐを感光体ドラム１０４へ搬送する。そして、記録媒体Ｐは、転写手段１１１によって、感光体ドラム１０４上の、現像剤像を転写される。その後、記録媒体Ｐは分離手段１１２によって感光体ドラム１０４から分離される。そして、記録媒体Ｐは搬送部１１３により、搬送されて定着部１１４に到る。そして、定着部１１４で熱と圧力により、記録媒体Ｐ上の現像剤像を定着させる。
【００１０】
その後、片面コピーの場合と、多重コピーの場合と、両面コピーの場合とで記録媒体Ｐの搬送方法が異なる。まず、片面コピーの場合は、記録媒体Ｐは、反転部１１５を通過して、排出ローラ１１６によりトレー１１７へ排出される。一方、多重コピーの場合、記録媒体Ｐは反転部１１５のフラッパー１１８により、搬送部１１９、１２０へ搬送される。そして、レジストローラ１１０まで達する。その後、前記と同様に画像形成部、定着部１１４を通り、トレー１１７へ排出される。最後に、両面コピーの場合、記録媒体Ｐは、反転部１１５を通り、一度、排出ローラ１１６により、その一部を機外へ排出する。その後、記録媒体Ｐの終端がフラッパー１１８を通過した後、前記排出ローラ１１６を逆回転させる。そして、記録媒体Ｐを再度機内へ搬送する。この記録媒体Ｐは、搬送部１１９、１２０へ搬送されて、レジストローラ１１０まで至る。そして、前記と同様に画像形成部、搬送部、定着部１１４を通りトレー１１７へ排出される。
【００１１】
上記構成の電子写真画像形成装置において、感光体ドラム１０４の回りには、現像装置２０１、クリーニング手段２０２及び、一次帯電手段２０３が配置されている。現像装置２０１は現像供給部９から供給される現像剤を用いて、感光体ドラム１０４に形成された静電潜像を現像する。そして、現像装置２０１に現像剤を供給するための現像剤補給容器１が装置本体１２４に取り外し可能に装着されている。
【００１２】
ここで、現像装置２０１は感光体ドラム１０４と微小隙間（約３００μｍ）をおいて現像ローラ２０１ａを有する。そして、現像に際しては、現像ブレード２０１ｂによって、現像ローラ２０１ａ周面に薄層の現像剤層を形成する。そして、現像ローラ２０１ａに現像バイアスを加えることにより、感光体ドラム１０４に形成された静電潜像を現像する。
【００１３】
また、帯電手段２０３は、感光体ドラム１０４を帯電するものである。また、クリーニング手段２０２は感光体ドラム１０４に残留する現像剤を除去するものである。次に、本発明の実施の形態に係る現像剤補給容器１について図を用いて説明する。
【００１４】
（現像剤補給容器）
本発明の現像剤補給容器の実施例を３つ挙げて説明し、２つの比較例と比較をし、検討する。
【００１５】
（実施例１）
本実施例の現像剤補給容器の構成を図２、図３に示す。図２は本例の現像剤補給容器Ａの構成を示す斜視図であり、図３は断面図である。本例の現像剤補給容器１Ａは図２、図３に示す通り、容器本体１、容器本体１に設けられた現像剤補給口１ａを封止する現像剤シール２、更にその外側に設けられ、現像剤補給口１ａを覆う弾性部材３、容器本体１内に設けられ容器本体１内の現像剤６を攪拌、供給させるための攪拌部材４及び攪拌シート５から成っている。
【００１６】
次に、各部材について説明する。なお、本実施例に用いる各部材の材質、形状等は、本実施例に限定されるものではなく、本発明の効果が得られる範囲で、自由に選択することができる。
【００１７】
容器本体１は、画像形成装置本体内の現像装置内で回動させて現像剤を補給する構成とし、丸い筒形状のものを用いた。円筒の周面上には、現像剤補給時に現像装置２０１の現像剤補給口に合わされ、現像剤を補給するための現像剤補給口１ａを容器本体１の長手方向に細長く設けた。本例では、容器本体１の長手方向に沿って幅５ｍｍの現像剤補給口１ａを設けた。なお、本発明は、発明の効果が得られる範囲であれば容器形状は自由に選択できるが、現像剤補給口１ａを開封するために弾性部材を変形させる変形量を少なくする方が弾性部材の選定自由度も広がる等望ましく、弾性部材の変形部を現像剤補給口の長手方向に沿って配置し、短手方向に変形させることが望ましい。
【００１８】
容器本体１は、内部に現像剤６を貯蔵し、現像剤補給までの現像剤を保護するための強度が必要であり、本例では、肉厚１ｍｍのポリスチレンにて作成した。なお、容器本体１は円筒部１ｂと側面部１ｃとを分けて成型し、組立時に接合するのが通常の方法であるが、本実施例では円筒部１ｂと片方の側面部１ｃを一緒に射出成型した後、残りの側面部１ｃを接合した。また、成型、組立のしやすさ、コストの観点で有利な場合には、円筒部１ｂを押し出し成型した後、両側面部１ｃを接合する方法で組立ても構わない。
【００１９】
現像剤シール２は、現像剤補給口１ａを封止するためのものであり、基本的に、物流、環境等にて、ユーザーの使用前に現像剤漏れを起こさないことが条件となる。しかしその一方では、ユーザーが現像剤補給時に簡単に現像剤補給可能な操作性が必要とされる。このため、一般的にはヒートシール、超音波溶着等の溶着や両面テープ等の貼着が考えられる。本実施例では、ヒートシールを用いており、図２に示す通り、容器本体１の現像剤補給口１ａの周囲にヒートシールで、溶着部１ａ１において溶着固定した。
【００２０】
なお、本実施例では、図３（ａ）に示す通り、溶着部１ａ１を容器本体１の円筒部１ｂの円筒外周面に対し、段差を設けた内側に位置させた。これは、現像剤シール２開封時に、弾性部材３との摺動抵抗を減らして操作性を向上させるためである。本例では１ａ１の段差を０．５ｍｍとした。更に、図３（ｂ）に示す通り、弾性部材３からの現像剤シール２の引出し部分では、溶着部１ａ１の面と円筒部１ｂの円筒外周面との間に斜面部１ａ２を設け、現像剤シール２と弾性部材３との摺動部を減らす一方、図３（ｂ）に示す弾性部材３と円筒部１ｂの円筒外周面とのシール部１ａ３を確保するという開封性能とシール性能の両立を図っている。
【００２１】
現像剤シール２は現像剤補給口１ａに対し十分な長さを有しており、現像剤補給口１ａを封止した後、更に長手方向に延長し、その延長部分を１８０°折り返して把手部２ｂとし、現像剤補給時にはユーザーがこの把手部２ｂを持って現像剤シール２を引張り、溶着部１ａ１を引き剥がして開封させる。なお、現像剤シール２の層構成には、ポリエステル／ナイロン／ポリエチレン／シーラント（接着層）を用いた。
【００２２】
弾性部材３は、現像剤シール２の外側から現像剤補給口１ａを覆っており、現像剤シール２の除去、更には現像剤補給後、現像剤補給口１ａからの現像剤の飛散等を防止するものである。具体的には、伸縮性のある部材を用いて、テンションをかけて引き伸ばした状態で容器本体１に固定することにより、容器本体１の円筒部１ｂに弾性部材３が巻きつくような状態になり、弾性部材３が強く円筒部１ｂに押し付けられる。これにより、現像剤補給口１ａに対する弾性部材３のシール性能が向上することになる。しかし、必要以上に弾性部材３を引き伸ばすと、弾性変形を超えて塑性変形まで至ってしまい、開封時に弾性部材３を変形させた後、現像剤補給終了後、元の形状に復元しなくなったり、開封時に弾性部材３を変形させて現像剤補給口１ａを開封させる時の強度が大きくなり過ぎてしまうので、材質、形状、厚み等を考慮して、弾性変形する範囲で使用することが必要である。
【００２３】
弾性部材３の容器本体１への固定の際には、弾性部材３が容器本体１から外れないように十分強固であることが必要であり、現像剤シール２同様、溶着、貼着、更には接着剤による接着等が考えられる。又、容器本体１の弾性部材３が固定される領域の四隅に突起を出しておいて、弾性部材３のその突起部に相当する位置に穴を開けておいて、穴に突起部を通してから熱や超音波等によってカシメて固定しても構わない。
【００２４】
本実施例の固定位置は、図２に示す通り、弾性部材３の四隅を固定部３ｂとした。本発明においては最低四隅の固定が必要であるが、現像剤補給時に変形させて開封させる開封側端面３ａ１側は固定できず、それ以外は容器本体１に固定して構わない。
【００２５】
更に、弾性部材３は、現像剤補給時には現像装置の係合部材によって変形させられ、現像剤補給口１ａから退避して開封状態とし、現像剤補給後には、現像装置の係合部材との係合状態を解かれ再び元の形状に復元することによって、現像剤補給口１ａを再度覆い、現像剤の飛散を防止する。なお、弾性部材３は現像剤補給口１ａを完全に覆って封止できるよう、現像剤補給口１ａよりも十分に大きくし、封止代を有することが必要であるが、現像装置と容器本体１とのシール部よりも内側に設ける必要がある。特に、図３（ｂ）に示すように、開封側端面３ａ１は容器本体１に固定することはできないため、現像剤補給口１ａを完全に覆い、封止できるように現像剤補給口１ａに対し十分な封止代３ｃを確保する必要がある。
【００２６】
本実施例の弾性部材３は、以上のような目的が達成できれば、どんな材質、形状でも構わず、具体的には、フッ素、シリコーン、エチレンプロピレン、ウレタン等のゴム部材又はエラストマー等が考えられる。本例では厚み１ｍｍのシリコーンゴムを用いた。
【００２７】
図３（ａ）に示す攪拌部材４及び攪拌シート５は、容器本体１内に装着され、画像形成装置本体から駆動をもらって、容器本体１内の現像剤６を攪拌し、現像剤補給口１ａから現像装置側に供給するためのものである。具体的に、攪拌部材４は、画像形成装置本体の一部と係合し、駆動をもらうカップリング部（不図示）と、攪拌シート５を固定され、容器本体１内部で回転する軸部から成っており、材質としては、攪拌シート５を支持し回転させるための強度を有すると共に、容器本体１に対し滑らかに回転摺動する必要があるため、ポリアセタールを用いた。
【００２８】
攪拌シート５は、容器本体１内部で回転し、容器本体１内の現像剤６を攪拌し解して、現像剤補給口１ａに供給する必要があり、具体的には、厚み１００μｍのポリエステルのシートを用いた。
【００２９】
次に、本実施例の現像剤補給容器Ａの組立について説明する。まず、最初に容器本体１に現像剤シール２をヒートシールして、現像剤補給口１ａを封止する。そして、現像剤シール２の把手部２ｂを１８０°折り返し、その上から弾性部材３をテンションをかけた状態で配置し、四隅を容器本体１に固定する。本例では接着剤を用いて固定した。更に、攪拌シート５を軸部に固定した攪拌部材４を容器本体１に組込んで、現像剤６を容器本体１に充填してから、充填口（不図示）を充填口キャップ（不図示）で封止する。最後に、画像形成装置本体に挿入装着する際に、ユーザーがつかむ把手部材１２を容器本体１に固定する。なお、本実施例では、容器本体１の丸筒をφ４０ｍｍ、容積を６００ｃｃとし、現像剤３００ｇを充填した。
【００３０】
次に、現像剤補給時の操作方法について説明する。現像供給部９に現像剤補給容器Ａを挿入装着した時の断面図を図４に示す。
【００３１】
本実施例では、現像剤補給容器Ａを画像形成装置本体の現像装置２０１に現像剤を供給する現像供給部９に対し、現像剤シール２の把手部２ｂ側を手前側とし、把手部材１２を持って丸筒の長手方向に沿って挿入する。現像剤補給容器Ａの挿入時には、現像剤補給口１ａはほぼ上側に向いた状態で行い、現像供給部９側に設けられた現像シャッター７の現像剤補給口７ａと容器本体１の現像剤補給口１ａが相対するように配置し、容器本体１の弾性部材３の組立部分よりも外側の円筒部１ｂの円筒外周面と現像シャッター７に設けられたシール部材８が密着して現像剤の漏れを防ぐ構成となっている。このシール部材８は、円筒部１ｂの円筒外周面と現像シャッター７の間で圧縮されて、密閉性を保つ必要があり、シリコーンやウレタン等の弾性部材が望ましいが、本例では、低発泡ポリウレタンを使用した。更に、現像シャッター７の外側には現像供給部９の枠体が配置されており、その枠体から弾性部材３の開封部材９ａが容器本体１に向って延出しており、容器本体１挿入装着時に弾性部材３の開封側端面３ａ１と係合するようになっている。
【００３２】
なお、現像シャッター７は、現像剤補給時以外は現像供給部９の現像剤補給口９ｂを塞いでいる。
【００３３】
次に、この状態で現像剤シール２を手前側の把手部２ｂを持って引張り、開封させる。図３（ｂ）に示すように、弾性部材３からの現像剤シール２の引出し部分では、溶着部１ａ１の面と円筒部１ｂの円筒外周面との間に斜面部１ａ２を設けているため、現像剤シール２と弾性部材３との摺動部は少なく、開封時の強度を小さくでき、スムーズな開封操作ができる。これにより、現像剤シール２と弾性部材３との摺動部を減らす一方、弾性部材３と円筒部１ｂの円筒外周面とのシール部１ａ３を確保するという開封性能とシール性能の両立を図っている。なお、この状態では、現像剤補給口１ａがほぼ上側を向いていること、更に弾性部材３が現像剤補給口１ａを覆っていることにより、現像剤シール２を除去しただけでは、容器本体１から現像剤６は排出されない。
【００３４】
次に、現像剤補給容器Ａを図４の矢印方向に回転させる。現像剤補給容器Ａと現像シャッター７とは現像剤補給容器Ａを現像供給部９に装着した時に係合するような構成（不図示）にしておき、現像剤補給容器Ａの回転と共に、現像シャッター７及び現像シャッター７に設けられたシール部材８が一緒に回転し、現像供給部９の枠体に設けられた現像供給部９の現像剤補給口９ｂと現像シャッター７の現像剤補給口７ａと容器本体１の現像剤補給口１ａが相対するまで回転移動する。なお、本実施例では、現像シャッター７の現像剤補給口７ａと現像供給部９の現像剤補給口９ｂを各々幅１５ｍｍとし、容器本体１の現像剤補給口１ａの幅５ｍｍに対し、十分に大きくして確実に現像剤が補給できるようにした。この時、現像装置本体９は動かないため、開封部材９ａも動かず、弾性部材３の開封側端面３ａ１を押さえた状態で留まる。
【００３５】
図５に、本実施例の現像剤補給容器Ａの現像剤補給状態の断面図を示す。現像剤補給容器Ａの回転操作が終了し、現像供給部９の枠体に設けられた現像供給部９の現像剤補給口９ｂと現像シャッター７の現像剤補給口７ａと容器本体１の現像剤補給口１ａが相対した時に、弾性部材３は現像供給部９の開封部材９ａに開封側端面３ａ１を押さえられているため、現像剤補給口１ａを覆っていた状態から、反対の長手面３ａ２側に寄せられる。これにより、現像剤補給口１ａは完全に開封状態となり、現像供給部９側への現像剤補給が可能になる。
【００３６】
この時の弾性部材３の状態を表す現像剤補給容器Ａのみ抽出した斜視図を図６に示す。現像剤補給口１ａの長手方向に対し、２箇所設けられた開封部材９ａと係合した弾性部材３の開封側端面３ａ１が変形して、反対の長手面３ａ２側に寄せられ、現像剤補給口１ａが開封した状態を示している。開封部材９ａは、確実に弾性部材３と係合し、変形させて、現像剤補給口１ａを開封させることが必要であり、その目的が達成できる範囲で、形状、設置位置、設置数は自由に選択できる。この後、攪拌部材４が画像形成装置本体から駆動を受けて回転し、攪拌シート５が容器本体１内の現像剤６を現像装置側へ搬送供給する。また、本実施例では現像剤補給容器Ａの回動操作前に現像剤シール２の除去を行ったが、回動操作後に現像剤シール２の除去を行っても良い。
【００３７】
その方が現像剤補給容器の回動操作時に現像剤が排出されることはなく、汚れにくいため、好ましい。
【００３８】
現像剤補給終了後は、現像剤補給時とは逆の方向に現像剤補給容器Ａを回転させ、挿入装着時の位置まで戻す。基本的には、図４において、現像剤シール２と容器本体１内の現像剤６が無い状態となる。弾性部材３は、現像剤補給容器Ａの回転と共に開封側端面３ａ１が現像剤補給口１ａを徐々に覆い、回転終了時には、完全に現像剤補給口１ａを覆い封止状態となる。この状態で、現像剤補給容器Ａを挿入装着方向とは逆方向に引き出して画像形成装置本体の現像供給部９から取り外し、新しい現像剤補給容器Ａと交換する。
【００３９】
取り外した現像剤補給容器Ａを図７に示す。現像剤補給口１ａは完全に弾性部材３によって覆い、封止されている。弾性部材３は伸縮性のある材料を用いて、テンションをかけた状態で容器本体１に固定されているため、現像剤補給口１ａ開封時に変形する時も容易に変形することができ、スムーズに開封操作を行うことができる。また、現像剤補給終了時には、容易に元の形状に復元することができ、確実に現像剤補給口１ａを覆い封止し、容器本体１内部からの現像剤飛散等を防ぐことができる。
【００４０】
本実施例の現像剤補給容器を用いて現像剤補給を行ったところ、現像剤シール２の開封時の強度は１９．６〜２９．４Ｎ程度であり、また、容器を回転させて現像剤を補給する時の回動トルクは０．４９Ｎ・ｍ程度であり、スムーズな操作で簡単に現像剤を補給することができた。
【００４１】
更に、現像剤補給終了後、現像剤補給容器Ａの交換時には、取り出した現像剤補給容器Ａの現像剤補給口１ａが弾性部材３で覆われているので、現像剤補給容器Ａ内部からの現像剤飛散等はほとんど無く、簡単に交換作業を行うことができた。また、１００個の現像剤補給容器を製作して、物流、環境テストを行ったが、特に異常は見られなかった。
【００４２】
なお、本実施例の応用例として、弾性部材３の開封側端面３ａ１に開閉補助部材１０を設けることも可能である。本例の現像剤補給容器を図８に示す。開封側端面３ａ１の長手方向の略両端に開閉補助部材１０を２箇所設けた。具体的には、現像装置に挿入装着時に、現像供給部９の開封部材９ａに確実に弾性部材３が係合し開封できるように、開封部材９ａに相当する位置に開封部材９ａに係合する突起を弾性部材３に開閉補助部材１０として設けた。
【００４３】
図９及び図１０に現像装置装着状態を示す。開封部材９ａが開閉補助部材１０と係合している以外は、基本例と同じである。開閉補助部材１０は、開封部材９ａと確実に係合し、弾性部材３を開封することができれば良く、その形状はただの突起部でも先端部を曲げたフック形状でも良い。また、大きさや設置の数、更には材質についても、開封部材９ａと係合して、目的が達成できれば、自由に選択しても構わない。本応用例では、図９に示した通り、先端部を曲げたフック形状とし、更に開封部材９ａもより噛み合うように同様のフック形状とした。本例では、基本例よりも確実に弾性部材３を開封させることができ、開封操作もより一層スムーズに行うことができた。
【００４４】
（実施例２）
本実施例は、実施例１において、弾性部材３の開封側端面３ａ１側にスリット部３ａ３を設けた以外は、実施例１と同じである。図１１に、本実施例の現像剤補給容器Ａを示す。本実施例では、図１１に示した通り、開封時の弾性部材３の変形部分を開封側端面３ａ１側に設けたスリット部３ａ３とし、更に、容器本体１と弾性部材３との固定部分３ｂを現像剤シール２の引出し部分を除いて、現像剤補給口１ａを囲むように設けた。
【００４５】
本実施例の現像剤補給容器Ａを現像供給部９側に挿入装着した時の断面図を図１２、現像剤補給状態を示す断面図を図１３に示す。実施例１との違いは、現像剤補給容器Ａ装着時に、現像シャッター７に設けられたシール部材８が弾性シール部材３の容器本体１との固定部３ｂに面していて、密着シールしている点である。本実施例では弾性部材同士が密着圧縮されてシールしているので、実施例１よりも高いシール性能が得られる。
【００４６】
また、現像剤補給時に現像剤補給容器Ａ及び現像シャッター７が一緒に回転する際には、開封部材９ａが弾性部材３のスリット部３ａ３に係合して、弾性部材３を変形させるのだが、その際に弾性シール部材３の固定部３ｂがシール部材８によって押さえ込まれているため、固定部３ｂが外れにくく、より確実に開封操作を行うことができる。
【００４７】
本実施例についても、現像剤補給操作を行ったところ、実施例１同様、現像剤シール開封時の強度は１９．６〜２９．４Ｎ程度、容器を回転させて現像剤を補給する時の回動トルクは０．４９Ｎ・ｍ程度であり、スムーズな操作で簡単に現像剤を補給することができた。
【００４８】
更に、現像剤補給終了後の現像剤補給容器Ａの交換時についても、実施例１同様、取り出した現像剤補給容器Ａの現像剤補給口１ａが弾性部材３で覆われているので、現像剤補給容器Ａ内部からの現像剤飛散等はほとんど無く、簡単に交換作業を行うことができた。また、物流、環境テストについても、特に異常は見られなかった。
【００４９】
なお、本実施例についても、応用例として、弾性部材３のスリット部３ａ３に開閉補助部材１０を設けることが可能である。本実施例のように弾性部材３のスリット部３ａ３に段差が無く、開封部材９ａが係合しにくい構成では特に有効である。
【００５０】
本応用例の現像剤補給容器Ａを図１４に、現像装置装着状態を図１５及び図１６に示す。実施例１同様、スリット部３ａ３の長手方向の略両端に開閉補助部材１０を２箇所設けた。本例についても、現像剤補給操作を行ったが、実施例１同様、本応用例では、基本例よりも確実に弾性部材３を開封させることができ、開封操作もより一層スムーズに行うことができた。
【００５１】
（実施例３）
本実施例の現像剤補給容器Ａを図１７に示す。本実施例の現像剤補給容器Ａは、画像形成装置本体の現像供給部９に対し、略上方から装着する構成であって、底面が円弧状の容器で、現像剤補給口１ａ周辺部が平面部１ｄに設けられている以外は、実施例１とほぼ同じである。したがって、実施例１同様、現像剤補給口１ａを現像剤シール２で封止した外側に弾性部材３を設けてある。
【００５２】
本実施例の現像剤補給容器Ａの現像剤補給操作について説明する。本実施例の現像剤補給容器Ａを現像供給部９に装着する時の状態を図１８に、装着後の状態を図１９に示す。図１８に示した通り、本例の現像剤補給容器Ａは、現像供給部９に対し略上方から装着させる構成であって、具体的には、容器本体１の現像剤補給口１ａを現像供給部９の現像剤補給口９ｂに合せるように現像供給部９の上方から装着させるが、その際に、弾性部材３の開封側端面３ａ１が現像装置の開封部材９ａに係合し、装着固定と同時に弾性部材３が変形し、現像剤補給口１ａに相当する部分が開封状態となる。ただし、この時点では、現像剤シール２を開封していないので、容器本体１内部の現像剤が漏れることはない。また、図１９に示した通り、現像剤容器本体Ａ装着後は、現像供給部９側のシール部材８が容器本体１の弾性部材３の外側と密着固定しており、現像剤の漏れを防ぐ構成となっている。
【００５３】
そしてこの後、図２０に示したとおり、現像剤シール２を開封することにより、現像剤補給口１ａが開封し、容器本体１内の現像剤が現像供給部９側に供給される。本実施例では、現像剤補給口９ａの幅を１０ｍｍとした。現像剤の攪拌、搬送供給は実施例１同様、攪拌部材４、攪拌シート５によって行う。
【００５４】
現像剤補給終了後は、現像剤補給容器Ａを装着時と逆の方向に引き上げると、現像剤補給口１ａは開封部材９ａとの係合が解かれて元の形状に復元した弾性部材３によって覆われ封止される。本実施例によれば、現像供給部９に装着して現像剤シール２を開封するだけで現像剤補給操作ができ、現像剤補給終了後新しい現像剤補給容器Ａと交換する場合も、現像供給部９に装着された現像剤補給容器Ａを取り出すだけで、現像剤補給口１ａが再封されるので、現像剤飛散も無く、スムーズな操作ができる。画像形成装置本体の構成にもよるが、本実施例の場合は、実施例１，２に対し、回動操作が不要であり、より簡単な操作で現像剤補給ができる。本実施例の場合は、弾性部材３を容器本体１の平面部１ｄに固定したが、より高いシール性能を得るために容器本体の底面の円弧部まで延長させて、弾性部材３をより容器本体１に密着させる構成にしても良い。
【００５５】
本実施例についても、現像剤シールの開封強度は１９．６〜２９．４Ｎ程度であり、スムーズな操作で簡単に現像剤を補給することができた。また、現像剤補給容器の交換作業も簡単で、現像剤の飛散等も無く問題無く行うことができた。
【００５６】
なお、本実施例についても、応用例として、弾性部材３の開封側端面３ａ１に開閉補助部材１０を設けた。本例の現像剤補給容器を第２１図、現像装置に装着した状態を図２２に示す。本例についても、開閉補助部材１０を設けることで、確実に開封部材９ａとの係合が取れるようになり、より一層、開封操作がスムーズになる。
【００５７】
更に、本実施例においても、実施例２の構成を用いることが可能であり、具体的には、弾性部材３にスリット部３ａ３を設け、容器本体１と弾性部材３との固定部３ｂを現像剤シール２の引出し部分を除いて、現像剤補給口１ａを囲むように設けた。そして、現像剤補給容器Ａを現像供給部９に装着した時に、現像供給部９のシール部材８が弾性部材３の容器本体１との固定部３ｂに面していて、密着シールできる構成になっている。これより、弾性部材同士が密着圧縮されてシールしているので、より高いシール性能が得られる。
【００５８】
＜比較例１＞
本例は、実施例１において、弾性部材３を設けない現像剤補給容器の例である。図２３に示した通り、実施例１同様、容器本体１は丸筒形状であり、現像剤補給口１ａは現像剤シール２にて封止されているが、弾性部材３は有していない。
【００５９】
本例の現像剤補給容器を現像装置に挿入し、現像剤シール２を開封してから回動させて、現像装置に現像剤を補給する。現像剤補給後は、新しい現像剤補給容器と交換するために、現像剤補給時とは逆方向に回動させて、現像剤補給容器を現像装置から取り出す。この時、現像剤補給口１ａはほぼ上を向いた状態で取り出されるが、本発明の実施例とは異なり、現像剤補給口１ａを覆い封止する物が無く、現像剤補給口１ａは開いた状態である。このため、現像装置から取り出し廃棄するまでの間にひっくり返したり、大きな衝撃を加えると現像剤が飛散してしまう場合があった。
【００６０】
＜比較例２＞
本例はいわゆる二重丸筒方式と言われている現像剤補給容器の例である。本例の現像剤補給容器の構成を示す断面図を図２４に示す。容器本体１を内筒に相当する丸筒形状とし、少なくとも、容器本体１に設けられた現像剤補給口１ａを封止できるように容器本体１の円筒部１ｂを外側から覆う外筒１１、更に内外筒間の封止をするために、容器本体１の現像剤補給口１ａの周囲にシール部材８を設けた。本例では、現像剤補給時には、現像装置に対し現像剤補給容器を現像装置の現像剤補給口９ｂ（不図示）と外筒１１の現像剤補給口１１ａを合せるように装着してから、内筒の容器本体１を回動させて、現像剤補給口１ａを現像剤補給口１１ａに合せることで、容器本体１内部の現像剤６を現像供給部９側に供給する。
【００６１】
現像剤の補給終了後、容器本体１を補給時とは逆の方向に回動させて、現像剤補給口１ａを再び外筒１１で封止して、新しい現像剤補給容器と交換する。本構成では、現像剤補給後は、現像剤補給口１ａが再封されているため現像剤の飛散等は無いが、現像剤補給前の現像剤６を充填した容器本体１からの現像剤漏れについては外筒１１との間でシール部材８にて封止する構成であるため、物流、環境テストにて現像剤漏れを防止するために、内外筒各部品の寸法精度を厳しく管理しないと現像剤漏れが生じてしまう場合があった。また、シール性向上のために、シール部材８の圧縮量を増加させたところ、現像剤補給時の内筒の回動トルクが急激に上昇し、操作性が悪化してしまう場合があった。
【００６２】
なお、本例において、シール性能を確保するために、実施例１のように現像剤補給口１ａを現像剤シール２で封止する例も考えられるが、この場合には、弾性部材３を追加しただけの本実施例に対し、外筒１１やシール部材８を加える必要があり、構造が複雑になる他、コスト的にもアップしてしまった。
【００６３】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明においては、現像剤受け入れ部へ内部に収納した現像剤を現像剤補給口から補給する現像剤補給容器であって、前記現像剤補給容器の使用前に前記現像剤補給口を封止する現像剤シール部材と、前記現像剤シール部材の上から前記現像剤補給口を覆う弾性部材と、を有し、前記現像剤シール部材を除去すると共に、前記弾性部材を変形させることにより前記現像剤補給口を開封し、前記弾性部材を復元させることにより前記現像剤補給口を再び覆う構成であることを特徴とする。このため、構造、組立が簡単で、シール性が良好な現像剤補給容器を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】画像形成装置の概略構成図。
【図２】実施例１の現像剤補給容器の構成を示す斜視図。
【図３】実施例１の現像剤補給容器の２箇所の構成を示す断面図。
【図４】実施例１の現像剤補給容器を現像装置に装着した状態を示す断面図。
【図５】実施例１の現像剤補給容器の現像剤補給状態を示す断面図。
【図６】実施例１の現像剤補給容器の現像剤補給状態を示す現像剤補給容器抽出斜視図。
【図７】実施例１の現像剤補給容器の現像剤補給終了後の状態を示す斜視図。
【図８】実施例１の応用例の現像剤補給容器の構成を示す斜視図。
【図９】実施例１の応用例の現像剤補給容器を現像装置に装着した状態を示す断面図。
【図１０】実施例１の応用例の現像剤補給容器の現像剤補給状態を示す断面図。
【図１１】実施例２の現像剤補給容器の構成を示す斜視図。
【図１２】実施例２の現像剤補給容器を現像装置に装着した状態を示す断面図。
【図１３】実施例２の現像剤補給容器の現像剤補給状態を示す断面図。
【図１４】実施例２の応用例の現像剤補給容器の構成を示す斜視図。
【図１５】実施例２の応用例の現像剤補給容器を現像装置に装着した状態を示す断面図。
【図１６】実施例２の応用例の現像剤補給容器の現像剤補給状態を示す断面図。
【図１７】実施例３の現像剤補給容器の構成を示す斜視図。
【図１８】実施例３の現像剤補給容器を現像装置に装着する直前の状態を示す断面図。
【図１９】実施例３の現像剤補給容器を現像装置に装着した状態を示す断面図。
【図２０】実施例３の現像剤補給容器の現像剤補給状態を示す断面図。
【図２１】実施例３の応用例の現像剤補給容器の構成を示す斜視図。
【図２２】実施例３の応用例の現像剤補給容器を現像装置に装着した状態を示す断面図。
【図２３】比較例１の現像剤補給容器の構成を示す斜視図。
【図２４】比較例２の現像剤補給容器の構成を示す断面図。
【符号の説明】
Ａ　　　　…現像剤補給容器、Ｐ　　　　…記録媒体、
１　　　　…容器本体、
１ａ　　…現像剤補給口、１ａ１　…溶着部、１ａ２　…斜面部、
１ａ３　…シール部、１ｂ　　…円筒部、１ｃ　　…側面部、１ｄ　　…平面部、
２　　　　…現像剤シール、２ｂ　　…把手部、
３　　　　…弾性部材、
３ａ１　…開封側端面、３ａ２　…長手面、３ａ３　…スリット部、
３ｂ　　…固定部、３ｃ　　…封止代、
４　　　　…攪拌部材、５　　　　…攪拌シート、６　　　　…現像剤、
７　　　　…現像シャッター、７ａ　　…現像剤補給口、８　　　　…シール部材、
９　　　　…現像供給部、９ａ　　…開封部材、９ｂ　　…現像剤補給口、
１０　　　　…開閉補助部材、１１　　　　…外筒、１１ａ　　…現像剤補給口、
１２　　　　…把手部材、
１００　　　…現像剤補給部、１０１　　　…原稿、１０２　　　…原稿台ガラス、
１０３　　　…光学部、１０４　　　…感光体ドラム、
１０５　　　…給送カセット、１０５Ａ　…送り出しローラ、
１０６　　　…給送カセット、１０６Ａ　…送り出しローラ、
１０７　　　…給送カセット、１０７Ａ　…送り出しローラ、
１０８　　　…給送カセット、１０８Ａ　…送り出しローラ、
１０９　　　…搬送部、１１０　　　…レジストローラ、１１１　　　…転写手段、
１１２　　　…分離手段、１１３　　　…搬送部、１１４　　　…定着部、１１５　　　…反転部、
１１６　　　…排出ローラ、１１７　　　…トレー、１１８　　　…フラッパー、１１９　　　…搬送部、
１２０　　　…搬送部、
２０１　　　…現像装置、２０１ａ　…現像ローラ、２０１ｂ　…現像ブレード、
２０２　　　…クリーニング手段、２０３　　　…一次帯電手段[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a developer supply container used for supplying a developer to a developer receiving portion of a developing device of an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine or a printer. Here, the developer refers to a material that includes all of a one-component toner, a carrier, and a mixture thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a powder developer is used in an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine and a printer, and a replenishing container for the developer generally includes a main body such as a cylindrical or rectangular parallelepiped made of synthetic resin and the like. It is constituted by a seal member that seals an opening of the main body that is open to supply the powder developer from the main body to the developing device. In particular, a process cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a cleaner, a charger, and the like are integrated with the developer supply container has been manufactured.
[0003]
Among these, most of the conventional seal members are easy peel type films, and generally, the periphery of the developer supply port of the container body is bonded with an adhesive or a heat seal or the like. Peel off the part and open it. However, in this method, since the container cannot be closed after the developer is discharged, the developer remaining in the container may fall or scatter. In particular, some cylindrical containers are provided with a means for resealing the developer supply port in order to prevent the developer from being scattered after the developer is supplied and the container is removed from the main body of a copying machine or the like and discarded. . This is a so-called double-circle cylinder method, in which two different cylinders are used as an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, respectively. It is configured to be sealed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the double round cylinder system, it is common to use a sealing material in order to maintain the sealing property between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The precision and assembly precision of single parts tended to be very severe. Also, if the amount of compression of the sealing material is increased to improve the sealing property, the strength when turning the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder at the time of opening the seal increases, and the operability may be deteriorated. Further, the structure is complicated and the cost may be increased.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a developer supply container which is simple in structure and assembly and has good sealing properties.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a representative configuration of the present invention is a developer supply container for supplying a developer housed in a developer receiving portion from a developer supply port, wherein the developer supply container includes A developer seal member for sealing the developer supply port before use, and an elastic member for covering the developer supply port from above the developer seal member, and removing the developer seal member The developer supply port is opened by deforming the elastic member, and the developer supply port is covered again by restoring the elastic member.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, first, an image forming apparatus used in the present embodiment will be described, and then a developer supply container used in the image forming apparatus will be described. In the present embodiment, the developing device of the image forming apparatus main body is used as the developer receiving portion, but the present invention is not limited to this.
As long as the effects of the present invention can be obtained, the present invention can be applied to, for example, an independent developing device unit or a developing device portion of a process cartridge.
[0008]
(Image forming device)
As shown in FIG. 1, an original 101 is placed on an original platen glass 102 by an operator. Then, an optical image of the document is formed on the photosensitive drum 104 by the plurality of mirrors and lenses of the optical unit 103. On the other hand, of the recording media P (for example, sheets, OHP sheets, etc., hereinafter referred to as sheets) loaded on the feeding cassettes 105 to 108, the recording medium P having a size based on information input by an operator from an operation unit (not shown). Select Then, among the feed rollers 105A to 108A, the roller corresponding to the selected feed cassette rotates.
[0009]
Then, one recording medium P sent out from the feeding cassette is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveying unit 109. The registration roller 110 conveys the recording medium P to the photoconductor drum 104 by synchronizing the rotation of the photoconductor drum 104 and the timing of the scan of the optical unit 103. Then, the developer image on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred to the recording medium P by the transfer unit 111. After that, the recording medium P is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the separating unit 112. Then, the recording medium P is transported by the transport unit 113 to reach the fixing unit 114. Then, the developer image on the recording medium P is fixed by the fixing unit 114 by heat and pressure.
[0010]
Thereafter, the conveyance method of the recording medium P is different between the case of single-sided copying, the case of multiple copying, and the case of double-sided copying. First, in the case of one-sided copying, the recording medium P passes through the reversing unit 115 and is discharged to the tray 117 by the discharge roller 116. On the other hand, in the case of multiplex copying, the recording medium P is transported to the transport units 119 and 120 by the flapper 118 of the reversing unit 115. Then, it reaches the registration roller 110. Thereafter, the sheet is discharged to the tray 117 through the image forming unit and the fixing unit 114 in the same manner as described above. Finally, in the case of double-sided copying, the recording medium P passes through the reversing unit 115, and is once discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge roller 116 once. Then, after the end of the recording medium P passes through the flapper 118, the discharge roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction. Then, the recording medium P is transported into the apparatus again. The recording medium P is transported to the transport units 119 and 120 and reaches the registration rollers 110. Then, the sheet is discharged to the tray 117 through the image forming unit, the conveying unit, and the fixing unit 114 in the same manner as described above.
[0011]
In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus having the above configuration, a developing device 201, a cleaning unit 202, and a primary charging unit 203 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 104. The developing device 201 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 using the developer supplied from the developing supply unit 9. The developer supply container 1 for supplying the developer to the developing device 201 is detachably attached to the device main body 124.
[0012]
Here, the developing device 201 has a developing roller 201a with a minute gap (about 300 μm) from the photosensitive drum 104. At the time of development, a thin developer layer is formed on the peripheral surface of the developing roller 201a by the developing blade 201b. Then, by applying a developing bias to the developing roller 201a, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is developed.
[0013]
The charging unit 203 charges the photosensitive drum 104. The cleaning unit 202 removes the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 104. Next, the developer supply container 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
(Developer supply container)
Three examples of the developer supply container of the present invention will be described and compared with two comparative examples.
[0015]
(Example 1)
2 and 3 show the configuration of the developer supply container of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the developer supply container A of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the developer supply container 1 </ b> A of the present embodiment is provided on a container body 1, a developer seal 2 for sealing a developer supply port 1 a provided on the container body 1, and further provided outside the container. It comprises an elastic member 3 covering the developer supply port 1a, a stirring member 4 provided in the container body 1 for stirring and supplying the developer 6 in the container body 1, and a stirring sheet 5.
[0016]
Next, each member will be described. The material, shape, and the like of each member used in the present embodiment are not limited to the present embodiment, and can be freely selected as long as the effects of the present invention can be obtained.
[0017]
The container main body 1 is configured to rotate inside the developing device in the image forming apparatus main body to supply the developer, and has a round cylindrical shape. On the peripheral surface of the cylinder, a developer supply port 1a for supplying the developer, which is aligned with the developer supply port of the developing device 201 at the time of supplying the developer, is provided to be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the container body 1. In this embodiment, a developer supply port 1a having a width of 5 mm is provided along the longitudinal direction of the container body 1. In the present invention, the shape of the container can be freely selected as long as the effects of the invention can be obtained, but it is better to reduce the amount of deformation of the elastic member in order to open the developer supply port 1a. It is desirable that the degree of freedom in selection is widened, and it is desirable that the deformed portion of the elastic member be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the developer supply port and deformed in the short direction.
[0018]
The container body 1 needs to have a strength for storing the developer 6 therein and protecting the developer until the developer is supplied. In this example, the container body 1 is made of 1 mm thick polystyrene. It is usual that the container body 1 is formed by separately molding the cylindrical portion 1b and the side surface portion 1c and joining them at the time of assembling. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 1b and one side surface portion 1c are injected together. After molding, the remaining side portions 1c were joined. If it is advantageous from the viewpoint of ease of molding and assembly and cost, the cylindrical portion 1b may be extruded and then assembled by a method of joining both side portions 1c.
[0019]
The developer seal 2 is for sealing the developer replenishing port 1a, and basically has a condition that the developer does not leak before use by a user in a physical distribution, an environment, or the like. However, on the other hand, operability is required in which the user can easily supply the developer when supplying the developer. For this reason, generally, welding such as heat sealing and ultrasonic welding, and sticking such as a double-sided tape can be considered. In the present embodiment, a heat seal is used, and as shown in FIG. 2, a heat seal is applied to the periphery of the developer supply port 1a of the container body 1 to be welded and fixed at the welding portion 1a1.
[0020]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the welded portion 1a1 is positioned inside the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1b of the container body 1 with a step. This is to improve the operability by reducing the sliding resistance with the elastic member 3 when the developer seal 2 is opened. In this example, the step of 1a1 was 0.5 mm. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), at the portion where the developer seal 2 is drawn out from the elastic member 3, a slope 1a2 is provided between the surface of the welding portion 1a1 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1b. While the number of sliding portions between the seal 2 and the elastic member 3 is reduced, a balance between the opening performance and the sealing performance of securing the seal portion 1a3 between the elastic member 3 and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1b shown in FIG. I'm trying.
[0021]
The developer seal 2 has a sufficient length with respect to the developer supply port 1a. After the developer supply port 1a is sealed, the developer seal 2 is further extended in the longitudinal direction, and the extended portion is folded back by 180 ° to hold the handle portion. When the developer is supplied, the user pulls the developer seal 2 with the handle 2b, peels off the welded portion 1a1, and opens the seal. The layer structure of the developer seal 2 was made of polyester / nylon / polyethylene / sealant (adhesive layer).
[0022]
The elastic member 3 covers the developer supply port 1a from the outside of the developer seal 2, and prevents the developer from being scattered from the developer supply port 1a after removing the developer seal 2 and further replenishing the developer. Is what you do. Specifically, the elastic member 3 is wound around the cylindrical portion 1b of the container main body 1 by using a stretchable member and fixing the container to the container main body 1 in a stretched state under tension. The elastic member 3 is strongly pressed against the cylindrical portion 1b. Thereby, the sealing performance of the elastic member 3 with respect to the developer supply port 1a is improved. However, if the elastic member 3 is stretched more than necessary, the elastic member 3 exceeds the elastic deformation and reaches plastic deformation. After the elastic member 3 is deformed at the time of opening, the original shape is not restored after the developer replenishment is completed. Sometimes the elastic member 3 is deformed and the developer supply opening 1a is unsealed, so that the strength becomes too large. Therefore, it is necessary to use the elastic member 3 in the elastic deformation range in consideration of the material, shape, thickness and the like. .
[0023]
When the elastic member 3 is fixed to the container main body 1, it is necessary that the elastic member 3 be sufficiently strong so as not to come off from the container main body 1. Adhesion with an adhesive or the like is conceivable. Further, projections are provided at four corners of the region of the container body 1 to which the elastic member 3 is fixed, holes are formed at positions corresponding to the protrusions of the elastic member 3, and heat is passed through the holes. It may be fixed by caulking with an ultrasonic wave or the like.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing positions of the present embodiment are the fixing portions 3 b at the four corners of the elastic member 3. In the present invention, at least four corners need to be fixed. However, the opening side end face 3a1 which is deformed and opened when the developer is supplied cannot be fixed, and the other portions may be fixed to the container body 1.
[0025]
Further, the elastic member 3 is deformed by the engaging member of the developing device when the developer is supplied, is retracted from the developer replenishing port 1a and is opened, and after the developer is supplied, the elastic member 3 is engaged with the engaging member of the developing device. By releasing the combined state and restoring the original shape again, the developer replenishing port 1a is covered again, and the scattering of the developer is prevented. The elastic member 3 needs to be sufficiently larger than the developer supply port 1a and have a sealing allowance so that the developer supply port 1a can be completely covered and sealed. It is necessary to provide it inside of the seal part with 1. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the opening side end face 3a1 cannot be fixed to the container body 1, so that the developer supply port 1a is completely covered with the developer supply port 1a so that the developer supply port 1a can be sealed. It is necessary to secure a sufficient sealing margin 3c.
[0026]
The elastic member 3 of the present embodiment may be of any material and shape as long as the above object can be achieved, and specifically, a rubber member such as fluorine, silicone, ethylene propylene, urethane or an elastomer can be considered. In this example, a silicone rubber having a thickness of 1 mm was used.
[0027]
The stirring member 4 and the stirring sheet 5 shown in FIG. 3A are mounted in the container main body 1 and are driven by the image forming apparatus main body to stir the developer 6 in the container main body 1 so that the developer supply port 1 a From the printer to the developing device side. Specifically, the stirring member 4 is engaged with a part of the main body of the image forming apparatus and receives a driving force from a coupling portion (not shown) and a shaft portion to which the stirring sheet 5 is fixed and which rotates inside the container main body 1. Polyacetal was used as the material because it had strength to support and rotate the stirring sheet 5 and needed to smoothly rotate and slide with respect to the container body 1.
[0028]
The stirring sheet 5 needs to rotate inside the container body 1 to stir and break the developer 6 in the container body 1 and supply it to the developer supply port 1a. Specifically, the stirring sheet 5 is made of 100 μm thick polyester. A sheet was used.
[0029]
Next, the assembly of the developer supply container A of the present embodiment will be described. First, the developer seal 2 is heat-sealed to the container body 1 to seal the developer supply port 1a. Then, the handle portion 2b of the developer seal 2 is folded back by 180 °, and the elastic member 3 is placed from above on it under tension, and the four corners are fixed to the container body 1. In the present example, it was fixed using an adhesive. Further, the stirring member 4 in which the stirring sheet 5 is fixed to the shaft portion is incorporated into the container main body 1 and the developer 6 is charged into the container main body 1, and then the filling port (not shown) is filled with the filling port cap (not shown). Seal with. Lastly, the grip member 12 grasped by the user is fixed to the container main body 1 when inserted and mounted on the image forming apparatus main body. In this example, the round cylinder of the container body 1 was φ40 mm, the volume was 600 cc, and the container was filled with 300 g of the developer.
[0030]
Next, an operation method at the time of supplying the developer will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view when the developer supply container A is inserted and mounted in the developing supply unit 9.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the developer supply container 9 supplies the developer to the developing device 201 of the image forming apparatus main body, and the handle 2b of the developer seal 2 is set to the front side. Hold and insert along the longitudinal direction of the round tube. When the developer replenishing container A is inserted, the developer replenishing port 1a is directed substantially upward, and the developer replenishing port 7a of the developing shutter 7 provided on the side of the developing supply unit 9 and the developer replenishing of the container body 1 are performed. The mouth 1a is disposed so as to be opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1b outside the assembly portion of the elastic member 3 of the container body 1, and the seal member 8 provided on the developing shutter 7 is in close contact with the developer leaking. Is configured to prevent The seal member 8 needs to be compressed between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1b and the developing shutter 7 to maintain hermeticity. An elastic member such as silicone or urethane is desirable. It was used. Further, a frame of the developing supply unit 9 is disposed outside the developing shutter 7, and an opening member 9 a of the elastic member 3 extends from the frame toward the container body 1. Sometimes, the elastic member 3 is engaged with the opening side end face 3a1.
[0032]
The developing shutter 7 closes the developer supply port 9b of the developing supply unit 9 except when the developer is supplied.
[0033]
Next, in this state, the developer seal 2 is pulled by holding the handle portion 2b on the front side and opened. As shown in FIG. 3B, in the portion where the developer seal 2 is pulled out from the elastic member 3, the slope portion 1a2 is provided between the surface of the welding portion 1a1 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1b. The number of sliding portions between the developer seal 2 and the elastic member 3 is small, the strength at the time of opening can be reduced, and a smooth opening operation can be performed. Thereby, while the sliding portion between the developer seal 2 and the elastic member 3 is reduced, a seal portion 1a3 between the elastic member 3 and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 1b is secured, thereby achieving both the opening performance and the sealing performance. I have. In this state, since the developer supply port 1a faces substantially upward and the elastic member 3 covers the developer supply port 1a, the container main body 1 is removed only by removing the developer seal 2. The developer 6 is not discharged.
[0034]
Next, the developer supply container A is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The developer replenishing container A and the developing shutter 7 are configured to be engaged (not shown) when the developer replenishing container A is mounted on the developing supply unit 9. 7 and a seal member 8 provided on the developing shutter 7 rotate together, and a developer supply port 9b of the developing supply section 9 provided on the frame of the developing supply section 9 and a developer supply port 7a of the developing shutter 7 are provided. The container 1 rotates and moves until the developer supply port 1a of the container body 1 faces the developer supply port 1a. In this embodiment, the width of the developer supply port 7a of the developing shutter 7 and the width of the developer supply port 9b of the developer supply unit 9 are each set to 15 mm. The size was increased so that the developer could be reliably supplied. At this time, since the developing device main body 9 does not move, the unsealing member 9a does not move, and remains in a state where the unsealing side end surface 3a1 of the elastic member 3 is pressed.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the developer supply container A of the present embodiment in a state where the developer is supplied. After the rotation operation of the developer supply container A is completed, the developer supply port 9b of the development supply section 9 provided in the frame of the development supply section 9, the developer supply port 7a of the development shutter 7, and the developer of the container body 1 are provided. When the replenishing port 1a is opposed to the resilient member 3, the opening side end face 3a1 of the resilient member 3 is pressed by the unsealing member 9a of the developing supply unit 9, so that the elastic member 3 covers the developer replenishing port 1a from the opposite longitudinal face 3a2 side. Sent to As a result, the developer supply port 1a is completely opened, and the developer can be supplied to the development supply unit 9 side.
[0036]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view in which only the developer supply container A showing the state of the elastic member 3 at this time is extracted. With respect to the longitudinal direction of the developer supply port 1a, the opening side end face 3a1 of the elastic member 3 engaged with the opening member 9a provided at two places is deformed and brought to the opposite long side 3a2 side. 1a shows the opened state. The opening member 9a needs to be securely engaged with the elastic member 3 and deformed to open the developer supply port 1a, and the shape, the installation position, and the number of installation are free as long as the purpose can be achieved. Can be selected. Thereafter, the stirring member 4 is rotated by receiving a drive from the image forming apparatus main body, and the stirring sheet 5 conveys and supplies the developer 6 in the container main body 1 to the developing device side. In the present embodiment, the developer seal 2 is removed before the rotation operation of the developer supply container A. However, the developer seal 2 may be removed after the rotation operation.
[0037]
This is preferable because the developer is not discharged when the developer supply container is rotated and is less likely to be soiled.
[0038]
After the end of the developer replenishment, the developer replenishment container A is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction in which the developer is replenished, and returned to the position at the time of insertion and mounting. Basically, there is no developer seal 2 and no developer 6 in the container body 1 in FIG. As the developer supply container A rotates, the opening side end surface 3a1 of the elastic member 3 gradually covers the developer supply port 1a. At the end of the rotation, the elastic member 3 completely covers the developer supply port 1a and is in a sealed state. In this state, the developer supply container A is pulled out in the direction opposite to the inserting / mounting direction, removed from the development supply unit 9 of the image forming apparatus main body, and replaced with a new developer supply container A.
[0039]
FIG. 7 shows the removed developer supply container A. The developer supply port 1a is completely covered and sealed by the elastic member 3. Since the elastic member 3 is fixed to the container body 1 in a tensioned state using a stretchable material, the elastic member 3 can be easily deformed even when deformed when the developer supply port 1a is opened, and smoothly. An opening operation can be performed. At the end of the developer replenishment, the developer replenishment can be easily restored to the original shape, and the developer replenishment port 1a can be reliably covered and sealed, so that the developer can be prevented from being scattered from the inside of the container body 1.
[0040]
When the developer was supplied using the developer supply container of this embodiment, the strength at the time of opening the developer seal 2 was about 19.6 to 29.4 N, and the developer was supplied by rotating the container. The rotation torque at the time of replenishment was about 0.49 N · m, and the developer could be easily replenished by a smooth operation.
[0041]
Further, when the developer replenishing container A is replaced after the developer replenishment is completed, the developer replenishing port 1a of the removed developer replenishing container A is covered with the elastic member 3, so that the developer from the inside of the developer replenishing container A is developed. There was almost no scattering of the agent and the replacement work could be performed easily. Further, 100 developer supply containers were manufactured and subjected to physical distribution and environmental tests. No abnormalities were found.
[0042]
In addition, as an application example of this embodiment, it is also possible to provide the opening / closing auxiliary member 10 on the opening side end surface 3a1 of the elastic member 3. FIG. 8 shows the developer supply container of this embodiment. Two opening / closing auxiliary members 10 are provided at substantially both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening-side end face 3a1. Specifically, at the time of insertion and mounting in the developing device, the elastic member 3 is engaged with the unsealing member 9a at a position corresponding to the unsealing member 9a so that the unsealing member 9a of the developing supply unit 9 can be reliably engaged and unsealed. The protrusion is provided on the elastic member 3 as the opening and closing auxiliary member 10.
[0043]
9 and 10 show a state in which the developing device is mounted. It is the same as the basic example except that the opening member 9a is engaged with the opening / closing auxiliary member 10. The opening / closing assisting member 10 only needs to be able to securely engage with the opening member 9a and open the elastic member 3, and the shape may be a simple protrusion or a hook shape with a bent end. The size, the number of installations, and the material may be freely selected as long as the object can be achieved by engaging with the unsealing member 9a. In this application example, as shown in FIG. 9, a hook shape with a bent end is used, and a similar hook shape is used so that the unsealing member 9a further meshes. In this example, the elastic member 3 could be opened more reliably than in the basic example, and the opening operation could be performed more smoothly.
[0044]
(Example 2)
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except that a slit 3a3 is provided on the opening-side end surface 3a1 side of the elastic member 3. FIG. 11 shows the developer supply container A of the present embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the deformed portion of the elastic member 3 at the time of opening is a slit portion 3a3 provided on the side of the opening side end surface 3a1, and the fixing portion 3b between the container body 1 and the elastic member 3 is further formed. The developer seal 2 was provided so as to surround the developer supply port 1a except for the drawn-out portion.
[0045]
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view when the developer supply container A of the present embodiment is inserted and mounted on the side of the development supply unit 9, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a developer supply state. The difference from the first embodiment is that when the developer supply container A is mounted, the seal member 8 provided on the developing shutter 7 faces the fixing portion 3b of the elastic seal member 3 with the container body 1 and is tightly sealed. It is a point. In this embodiment, since the elastic members are tightly compressed with each other for sealing, a higher sealing performance than in the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0046]
When the developer replenishing container A and the developing shutter 7 rotate together at the time of replenishing the developer, the unsealing member 9a engages with the slit portion 3a3 of the elastic member 3 to deform the elastic member 3. At this time, since the fixing portion 3b of the elastic seal member 3 is pressed by the seal member 8, the fixing portion 3b is hard to come off, and the opening operation can be performed more reliably.
[0047]
Also in this embodiment, when the developer replenishment operation was performed, the strength at the time of opening the developer seal was about 19.6 to 29.4 N, as in the case of Example 1. The dynamic torque was about 0.49 Nm, and the developer could be easily supplied by a smooth operation.
[0048]
Further, when the developer supply container A is replaced after the developer supply is completed, the developer supply port 1a of the removed developer supply container A is covered with the elastic member 3 as in the first embodiment. There was almost no scattering of the developer from the inside of the replenishing container A, and the replacement operation could be easily performed. No abnormalities were found in the logistics and environmental tests.
[0049]
In this embodiment, as an application example, the opening and closing auxiliary member 10 can be provided in the slit portion 3a3 of the elastic member 3. This is particularly effective in a configuration in which there is no step in the slit portion 3a3 of the elastic member 3 and the opening member 9a is difficult to engage as in the present embodiment.
[0050]
FIG. 14 shows a developer supply container A of this application example, and FIGS. 15 and 16 show a state where the developing device is mounted. As in the first embodiment, two opening / closing auxiliary members 10 are provided at substantially both ends in the longitudinal direction of the slit portion 3a3. Also in this example, the developer supply operation was performed. However, as in the first embodiment, in this application example, the elastic member 3 can be more reliably opened than in the basic example, and the opening operation can be performed more smoothly. did it.
[0051]
(Example 3)
FIG. 17 shows the developer supply container A of this embodiment. The developer supply container A of the present embodiment is configured to be attached to the development supply unit 9 of the image forming apparatus main body from substantially above, and is a container having an arc-shaped bottom surface and a flat surface around the developer supply port 1a. It is almost the same as the first embodiment except that it is provided in the section 1d. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the elastic member 3 is provided outside the developer supply port 1 a sealed with the developer seal 2.
[0052]
The developer supply operation of the developer supply container A of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 shows a state in which the developer supply container A of the present embodiment is mounted on the developing supply unit 9, and FIG. 19 shows a state after mounting. As shown in FIG. 18, the developer supply container A of this example is configured to be attached to the development supply unit 9 from substantially above. Specifically, the developer supply container 1 is provided with the developer supply port 1 a of the container main body 1. The developing unit 9 is mounted from above the developing supply unit 9 so as to match the developer supply port 9b of the developing unit 9. At this time, the unsealing side end surface 3a1 of the elastic member 3 engages with the unsealing member 9a of the developing device, and the mounting and fixing are performed. At the same time, the elastic member 3 is deformed, and the portion corresponding to the developer supply port 1a is opened. However, at this point, since the developer seal 2 has not been opened, the developer inside the container body 1 does not leak. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, after the developer container main body A is mounted, the seal member 8 on the side of the developing supply unit 9 is tightly fixed to the outside of the elastic member 3 of the container main body 1 to prevent leakage of the developer. It has a configuration.
[0053]
Then, as shown in FIG. 20, by opening the developer seal 2, the developer supply port 1a is opened, and the developer in the container body 1 is supplied to the development supply unit 9 side. In this embodiment, the width of the developer supply port 9a is set to 10 mm. The developer is stirred and transported and supplied by the stirring member 4 and the stirring sheet 5 as in the first embodiment.
[0054]
After the developer replenishment is completed, when the developer replenishment container A is pulled up in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, the developer replenishment port 1a is disengaged from the unsealing member 9a and is returned to the original shape by the elastic member 3. Covered and sealed. According to the present embodiment, the developer supply operation can be performed only by attaching to the development supply unit 9 and opening the developer seal 2, and when the developer supply container A is replaced with a new developer supply container after the completion of the developer supply, the developer supply By simply taking out the developer supply container A attached to the section 9, the developer supply port 1a is resealed, so that there is no scattering of the developer and smooth operation can be performed. Although it depends on the configuration of the image forming apparatus main body, in the case of the present embodiment, the rotating operation is not required as compared with the first and second embodiments, and the developer can be supplied by a simpler operation. In the case of the present embodiment, the elastic member 3 is fixed to the flat portion 1d of the container main body 1. However, in order to obtain a higher sealing performance, the elastic member 3 is extended to an arc portion on the bottom surface of the container main body, so that the elastic member 3 1 may be configured to be in close contact.
[0055]
Also in this example, the opening strength of the developer seal was about 19.6 to 29.4 N, and the developer could be easily supplied by a smooth operation. Further, the replacement operation of the developer supply container was easy, and the developer could be scattered without any problem.
[0056]
In this embodiment, as an application example, the opening / closing auxiliary member 10 is provided on the opening-side end surface 3a1 of the elastic member 3. FIG. 21 shows the developer supply container of this embodiment, and FIG. 22 shows a state where the developer supply container is mounted on the developing device. Also in this example, by providing the opening and closing auxiliary member 10, the engagement with the opening member 9a can be surely taken, and the opening operation is further smoothed.
[0057]
Further, also in this embodiment, it is possible to use the configuration of the second embodiment. Specifically, the elastic member 3 is provided with the slit portion 3a3, and the fixing portion 3b between the container body 1 and the elastic member 3 is developed. The developer seal 2 was provided so as to surround the developer supply port 1a except for the drawn-out portion. When the developer supply container A is mounted on the developing supply unit 9, the sealing member 8 of the developing supply unit 9 faces the fixing portion 3b of the elastic member 3 with the container main body 1, and can be tightly sealed. ing. Since the elastic members are tightly compressed with each other for sealing, higher sealing performance can be obtained.
[0058]
<Comparative Example 1>
This embodiment is an example of the developer supply container in which the elastic member 3 is not provided in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23, as in the first embodiment, the container main body 1 has a circular cylindrical shape, and the developer supply port 1 a is sealed with the developer seal 2, but does not have the elastic member 3.
[0059]
The developer supply container of this embodiment is inserted into the developing device, the developer seal 2 is opened, and then rotated to supply the developer to the developing device. After the developer is replenished, the developer replenishing container is removed from the developing device by rotating the developer replenishing container in a direction opposite to the direction in which the developer is replenished, in order to replace the developer replenishing container with a new one. At this time, the developer supply port 1a is taken out with the developer supply port 1a substantially facing upward, but unlike the embodiment of the present invention, there is nothing to cover and seal the developer supply port 1a, and the developer supply port 1a is open. It is in a state where it is. For this reason, the developer may be scattered if it is turned over before being taken out of the developing device and discarded, or if a large impact is applied.
[0060]
<Comparative Example 2>
This embodiment is an example of a so-called double round cylinder type developer supply container. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the developer supply container of this example. An outer cylinder 11 that covers the cylindrical portion 1b of the container body 1 from outside so as to seal at least the developer supply port 1a provided in the container body 1; In order to seal between the inner and outer cylinders, a seal member 8 is provided around the developer supply port 1a of the container body 1. In this embodiment, when the developer is supplied, the developer supply container is attached to the developing device so that the developer supply port 9b (not shown) of the developing device and the developer supply port 11a of the outer cylinder 11 are aligned. The developer 6 inside the container main body 1 is supplied to the development supply unit 9 side by rotating the cylindrical container main body 1 so that the developer supply port 1a is aligned with the developer supply port 11a.
[0061]
After the replenishment of the developer is completed, the container main body 1 is rotated in a direction opposite to that at the time of replenishment, the developer replenishment port 1a is sealed again with the outer cylinder 11, and the container is replaced with a new developer replenishment container. In this configuration, after the developer is replenished, the developer replenishment port 1a is resealed, so that there is no scattering of the developer. However, the developer leaks from the container body 1 filled with the developer 6 before the developer replenishment. Is sealed with the seal member 8 between the outer cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 11. Therefore, in order to prevent the developer from leaking in the distribution and the environmental test, the dimensional accuracy of each component of the inner and outer cylinder must be strictly controlled. There was a case where the agent leaked. In addition, when the amount of compression of the seal member 8 is increased to improve the sealability, the rotational torque of the inner cylinder at the time of replenishment of the developer sharply increases, and the operability may be deteriorated.
[0062]
In this example, in order to secure the sealing performance, an example in which the developer supply port 1a is sealed with the developer seal 2 as in the first embodiment may be considered. In this case, the elastic member 3 is added. It is necessary to add the outer cylinder 11 and the seal member 8 to the present embodiment, and the structure becomes complicated and the cost is increased.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, a developer replenishing container for replenishing a developer housed in a developer receiving portion from a developer replenishing port, wherein the developer replenishing container is used before the developer replenishing container is used. A developer seal member that seals the opening; and an elastic member that covers the developer supply port from above the developer seal member, and removes the developer seal member and deforms the elastic member. In this case, the developer supply port is opened, and the elastic member is restored to cover the developer supply port again. Therefore, it is possible to provide a developer supply container which is simple in structure and assembly and has good sealing properties.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a developer supply container according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating two configurations of a developer supply container according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the developer supply container according to the first exemplary embodiment is mounted on a developing device.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a developer supply state of the developer supply container according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a developer supply container extraction perspective view showing a developer supply state of the developer supply container of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a state after the developer supply of the developer supply container according to the first embodiment is completed.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a developer supply container of an application example of the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a developer supply container according to an application example of the first embodiment is mounted on a developing device.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a developer supply state of a developer supply container according to an application of the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a developer supply container according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the developer supply container according to the second embodiment is mounted on a developing device.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a developer supply state of the developer supply container according to the second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a developer supply container according to an application example of the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a developer supply container according to an application example of the second embodiment is mounted on a developing device.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a developer supply state of a developer supply container according to an application example of the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a developer supply container according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state immediately before the developer supply container according to the third embodiment is mounted on the developing device.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the developer supply container according to the third embodiment is mounted on a developing device.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a developer supply state of the developer supply container according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a developer supply container according to an application example of the third embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a developer supply container according to an application example of the third embodiment is mounted on a developing device.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a developer supply container of Comparative Example 1.
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a developer supply container of Comparative Example 2.
[Explanation of symbols]
A: developer supply container, P: recording medium,
1 ... container body,
1a: developer supply port, 1a1: welded portion, 1a2: slope portion,
1a3 ... seal part, 1b ... cylindrical part, 1c ... side part, 1d ... plane part,
2 ... developer seal, 2b ... handle,
3. Elastic member,
3a1 ... end face on the opening side, 3a2 ... longitudinal face, 3a3 ... slit part,
3b ... fixed part, 3c ... sealing allowance,
4 ... stirring member, 5 ... stirring sheet, 6 ... developer,
7: developing shutter, 7a: developer supply port, 8: sealing member,
9: development supply section, 9a: opening member, 9b: developer supply port,
Reference numeral 10: opening and closing auxiliary member, 11: outer cylinder, 11a: developer supply port,
12… handle members,
100: developer supply section, 101: original, 102: platen glass,
103: optical unit, 104: photosensitive drum,
105: feeding cassette, 105A: feeding roller,
106: feeding cassette, 106A: feeding roller,
107: feeding cassette, 107A: feeding roller,
108: feeding cassette, 108A: feeding roller,
109: conveying unit, 110: registration roller, 111: transfer means,
112: separating means, 113: transport section, 114: fixing section, 115: reversing section,
116: discharge roller, 117: tray, 118: flapper, 119: transport unit,
120: transport unit,
201: developing device, 201a: developing roller, 201b: developing blade,
202 cleaning means, 203 primary charging means

Claims

現像剤受け入れ部へ内部に収納した現像剤を現像剤補給口から補給する現像剤補給容器であって、
前記現像剤補給容器の使用前に前記現像剤補給口を封止する現像剤シール部材と、
前記現像剤シール部材の上から前記現像剤補給口を覆う弾性部材と、
を有し、
前記現像剤シール部材を除去すると共に、
前記弾性部材を変形させることにより前記現像剤補給口を開封し、
前記弾性部材を復元させることにより前記現像剤補給口を再び覆う構成であることを特徴とする現像剤補給容器。A developer replenishing container for replenishing a developer housed in a developer receiving portion from a developer replenishing port,
A developer seal member for sealing the developer supply port before use of the developer supply container,
An elastic member that covers the developer supply port from above the developer seal member,
Has,
While removing the developer seal member,
Opening the developer supply port by deforming the elastic member,
A developer supply container, wherein the developer supply port is configured to cover the developer supply port again by restoring the elastic member.

請求項１に記載の現像剤補給容器であって、
前記弾性部材の変形部は、前記現像剤補給口の長手方向に沿った部分であることを特徴とする現像剤補給容器。The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein
The deformable portion of the elastic member is a portion along a longitudinal direction of the developer supply port, wherein the developer supply container is provided.

請求項１又は２に記載の現像剤補給容器であって、
前記弾性部材において、現像剤補給時に前記現像剤補給口の下側に相当する位置に、前記現像剤補給口に沿ってスリットを設けることを特徴とする現像剤補給容器。The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein:
A developer supply container, wherein a slit is provided along the developer supply port at a position corresponding to a lower side of the developer supply port when the developer is supplied in the elastic member.

請求項１乃至３のいずれかに記載の現像剤補給容器であって、
前記弾性部材の変形部に、前記現像剤受け入れ部と係合して、前記弾性部材を開閉させる開閉補助部材を設けることを特徴とする現像剤補給容器。The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein:
A developer supply container, characterized in that a deformable portion of the elastic member is provided with an opening / closing auxiliary member that engages with the developer receiving portion to open and close the elastic member.

請求項１乃至４のいずれかに記載の現像剤補給容器であって、
前記現像剤補給容器本体が丸筒形状であって、前記現像剤シール部材の開封前又は後に、回動させて前記現像剤補給口と前記現像剤受け入れ部の現像剤補給口とを合わせる際に前記弾性部材を変形させて前記現像剤補給容器本体の現像剤補給口を開口させ、現像剤補給後、逆方向に回動させて前記現像剤補給容器本体の現像剤補給口を前記弾性部材で再度覆うことを特徴とする現像剤補給容器。The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein:
When the developer supply container main body is in the shape of a circular cylinder and before or after opening the developer seal member, the developer supply container is rotated to align the developer supply port with the developer supply port of the developer receiving section. The elastic member is deformed to open the developer supply port of the developer supply container main body, and after the developer is supplied, the developer supply port is rotated in the opposite direction so that the developer supply port of the developer supply container main body is opened by the elastic member. A developer supply container characterized by being covered again.

請求項１乃至４のいずれかに記載の現像剤補給容器であって、
前記現像剤補給容器本体を前記現像剤受け入れ部に対し略上方向から装着する構成において、前記現像剤補給容器本体の現像剤補給口と前記現像剤受け入れ部の現像剤補給口を合わせる際に、前記弾性部材を変形させて開口させた後、前記現像剤シール部材を開封して現像剤を補給し、現像剤補給後、前記現像剤補給容器本体を離脱させる際に、前記弾性部材を元の形状に復元させて前記現像剤補給容器本体の現像剤補給口を前記弾性部材で再度覆うことを特徴とする現像剤補給容器。The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein:
In a configuration in which the developer supply container main body is attached to the developer receiving portion from a substantially upward direction, when matching a developer supply port of the developer supply container main body with a developer supply port of the developer receiving portion, After the elastic member is deformed and opened, the developer seal member is opened to supply the developer, and after the developer is supplied, when the developer supply container main body is detached, the elastic member is returned to its original state. A developer replenishing container, wherein the shape is restored to a shape and the developer replenishing port of the developer replenishing container main body is covered again by the elastic member.

請求項１乃至６のいずれかに記載の現像剤補給容器であって、
前記弾性部材の材質が、フッ素、シリコーン、エチレンプロピレン、ウレタン等のゴム部材又はエラストマーであることを特徴とする現像剤補給容器。The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein:
A developer supply container, wherein the material of the elastic member is a rubber member such as fluorine, silicone, ethylene propylene, urethane, or an elastomer.