JPH09190060A - Toner cartridge, process cartridge, developing device, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] To provide a toner cartridge which can achieve space saving and toner scattering prevention and is excellent in operability, and a process cartridge in which the toner cartridge is mounted. [Structure] Hollow cylindrical bodies 231 to 235 having five stages are stacked, a lid 24 is provided on an upper end to form a cylindrical container 23, and opening portions 291, 281, 271 are provided in a lowermost handle portion 26. The rotary shutters 29, 28, 27 are provided. The hollow cylindrical bodies 231 to 235 are provided with coupling means capable of coupling and releasing each other, and are made compressible in order from the top. Rotatable upper and lower disc shutters 37, 38 having openings 371, 381 are provided at the supply port 36a of the upper frame 36 of the process cartridge. By rotating the grip portion 26, the upper and middle rotation shutters 29 and 28 and the upper and lower disc shutters 37 and 38 are rotated to bring the respective openings into a communicating state, and the toner is discharged into the process cartridge. After the toner is discharged, the cylindrical container 23 is compressed so that it cannot be removed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, a process cartridge detachable from the image forming apparatus, a developing device and a toner cartridge attachable to the process cartridge or the developing device. It is about.

Here, examples of the image forming apparatus include an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile machine, an electrophotographic word processor, and the like.

Further, as the process cartridge, a charging unit, a developing unit or a cleaning unit, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.
Alternatively, at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the cleaning unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally made into a cartridge so as to be attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, or at least the developing unit and the electronic unit. A photographic photosensitive member is integrally formed into a cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and this cartridge is used for image forming. A process cartridge system detachable from the apparatus main body is employed. According to this process cartridge, the maintenance of the apparatus can be performed by the user himself without relying on a service person, so that the operability can be remarkably improved. Therefore, this process cartridge system is widely used in image forming apparatuses.

In recent years, a system using a toner cartridge for replenishing the process cartridge with toner has been widely adopted.

[0006]

The present invention is a further development of the prior art.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to achieve space saving and excellent operability in a system in which a toner cartridge is permanently attached to a process cartridge or a developing device and a developer is replenished. To provide a toner cartridge, a process cartridge to which the toner cartridge can be attached and a developing device, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge or the developing device can be detachably attached.

A second object of the present invention is a system in which a toner cartridge is permanently attached to a process cartridge or a developing device and the developer is replenished, and the volume of the toner cartridge after the replenishment of the developer remains small. To provide a toner cartridge that can be maintained at a high temperature, a process cartridge to which the toner cartridge can be attached and a developing device, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which the process cartridge or the developing device can be detachably attached.

A third object of the present invention is a toner cartridge capable of preventing the scattering of the developer at the time of replenishing the developer in a system in which the toner cartridge is permanently attached to the process cartridge or the developing device and the developer is replenished. To provide a process cartridge and a developing device to which the toner cartridge can be attached, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge or the developing device can be attached and detached.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned object is a toner cartridge according to the present invention, a process cartridge and a developing device to which the toner cartridge can be attached, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus equipped with these process cartridge or developing device. To be achieved. In summary, the present invention provides:
In a toner cartridge that can be attached to a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and that replenishes developer, hollow cylindrical bodies having different inner and outer diameters are stacked,
A cylindrical container having a lid attached to one end thereof, a flexible developer accommodating container housed in the cylindrical container and accommodating a developer therein, and a rotary shutter member having an opening fixed to the cylindrical container. A means for reducing the volume of the developer container by compressing the cylindrical container after discharging the developer, wherein the process cartridge has a disk shutter member having an opening, A toner cartridge characterized by being mounted on a process cartridge, and by rotating the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member, the both opening portions are changed from a closed state to an open state, and the developer in the cylindrical container can be discharged. Is.

When the toner cartridge is mounted on the process cartridge, it is preferable that a plurality of rotary shutter members fixed to the cylindrical container are provided between the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member. It is preferable that each of the hollow cylinders has a coupling means for coupling each other. It is preferable that the cylindrical container can be sequentially compressed from the top by releasing the coupling means.

It is preferable that the hollow cylindrical bodies can be coupled by the coupling means in a state where the cylindrical container is compressed. It is preferable that the lid has engaging means for engaging with the hollow cylindrical body after compression of the cylindrical container. A recess is provided in a part of the rotary shutter member,
It is preferable that a convex portion that fits into the concave portion is provided on a part of the disc shutter member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electrophotographic photosensitive member act in a process cartridge which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus and can be supplied with toner by a toner cartridge. A cylindrical container having a process means and a disk shutter member having an opening, wherein the toner cartridge is formed by stacking hollow cylindrical bodies having different inner and outer diameters, and a lid is attached to one end of the hollow cylindrical body, and the cylindrical container. A flexible developer accommodating container that is accommodated and accommodating a developer therein, a rotary shutter member having an opening fixed to the cylindrical container, and a container for compressing the cylindrical container after discharging the developer. Means for reducing the volume of the developer accommodating container, the toner cartridge being mounted on the process cartridge, the rotary shutter member, and By rotating the Kienban shutter member, wherein both the openings is from the closed state to the open state,
A process cartridge is provided which is capable of discharging the developer in the cylindrical container.

It is preferable to have a supply port into which a plurality of the toner cartridges can be mounted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge, in which a developer is replenished from a toner cartridge, is detachable and which forms an image on a recording medium. The toner cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a disk shutter member having an opening, and the toner cartridge stacks hollow cylindrical bodies having different inner and outer diameters. A cylindrical container having a lid attached to the container, a flexible developer accommodating container housed in the cylindrical container for accommodating the developer therein, a rotary shutter member having an opening fixed to the cylindrical container, and a developing unit. And a means for reducing the volume of the developer accommodating container by compressing the cylindrical container after the discharge of the agent. By mounting and rotating the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member, the both opening portions are changed from the closed state to the open state, and the process cartridge capable of discharging the developer in the cylindrical container is detachably attached. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is provided, which comprises: a mounting unit for mounting the recording medium; and (b) a transporting unit for transporting the recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a developing device having a developing means provided with a developing container, which is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus and can be supplied with toner by a toner cartridge, the developing container is A disk shutter member having an opening, wherein the toner cartridge is
Hollow cylindrical bodies having different inner and outer diameters are stacked, a cylindrical container having a lid attached to one end thereof, a flexible developer accommodating container accommodated in the cylindrical container and accommodating a developer therein, and fixed to the cylindrical container And a means for reducing the volume of the developer container by compressing the cylindrical container after discharging the developer, and mounting the toner cartridge on the developing device. Then, by rotating the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member, the both opening portions are changed from the closed state to the open state, and the developer in the cylindrical container can be discharged. .

[0017]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention,
The process cartridge, the developing device, and the toner cartridge will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, an embodiment of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge constructed according to the present invention can be mounted will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the order of the description, the schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge will be described, and then the housing of the process cartridge will be described.

{Overall Configuration} This image forming apparatus A is shown in FIG.
6 and FIG. 17, it has optical means 1 for scanning the light from the laser light source emitted according to the image information with the rotating polygon mirror 1a and irradiating it through the lens 1b and the reflection mirror 1c. A light image based on image information is emitted from the optical means 1 to form a latent image on a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) 7,
The toner is developed by the developing means 9 to form a toner image.

In synchronism with the formation of the toner image, the recording medium 2 is reversely conveyed from a paper feed cassette 3a by a conveying means 3 including a pickup roller 3b, a pair of conveying rollers 3c and 3d, a pair of registration rollers 3e, and the like. B
In the image forming unit formed as a cartridge, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage to the transfer roller 4 as a transfer unit.

Further, a fixing means 5 comprising a fixing roller 5b having a built-in heater 5a while guiding the recording medium 2 after the transfer of the toner image by a guide member 3f, and a driving roller 5c for pressing the recording medium 2 to the roller 5b to convey it. And the transfer toner image is fixed on the recording medium 2. And this recording medium 2
Is transported by the discharge roller pairs 3g, 3h, and 3i, and the reverse path 3
j to the discharge unit 6. Regarding the discharge, the swingable flapper 3k may be operated so that the discharge roller pair 3m directly discharges without passing through the reverse conveyance path 3j.

On the other hand, in the process cartridge B constituting the image forming portion, as shown in FIG. 18, the photosensitive drum 7 having a photosensitive layer is rotated, and a voltage is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 to a charging roller 8 as a charging means. It is configured such that the latent image is formed by uniformly charging and exposing the optical image from the optical unit 1 to the photosensitive drum 7 through the exposure unit to develop the latent image.

The developing means 9 sends out the toner in the toner accommodating portion 9a by a toner sending member 9b, rotates a developing roller 9c having a fixed magnet built therein, and a developing blade 9
A toner layer provided with a triboelectric charge by d is formed on the surface of the developing roller 9c, and the toner is transferred to the photosensitive drum 7 in accordance with the latent image, thereby forming a toner image and visualizing the toner image.

After the toner image is transferred to the recording medium 2 by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer roller 4, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 10a, and the waste toner is stored. The residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 is removed by the cleaning means 10 collected to 10b, and is prepared for the next step.

The components such as the photosensitive drum 7 are connected to a toner container 11 and a developing frame 12 and are housed in a housing formed by connecting a cleaning frame 13 to the toner container 11 to form a cartridge. The process cartridge B is detachably mounted on a cartridge mounting means provided on the apparatus main body 14.

When the opening / closing member 15 is opened, the cartridge mounting means has a cartridge mounting space as shown in FIGS. 17, 19 and 20, and the cartridge mounting member 16 is mounted on the left and right inner side surfaces of the apparatus main body 14. Yes,
A guide portion 16a for inserting the process cartridge B is provided facing the left and right guide members 16.
The process cartridge B is inserted into the image forming apparatus A by inserting the process cartridge B along the guide portion 16a and closing the opening / closing member 15.

{Construction of Housing} As described above, the process cartridge B according to this embodiment includes the toner container 1
1. The housing is formed by combining the developing frame 12 and the cleaning frame 13. Next, the configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 18, a toner storage portion 9a is formed in the toner container 11 and the toner feeding member 9b is formed.
Is installed. Further, the developing roller 9c is provided on the developing device frame 12.
A developing member 9e for circulating toner in the developing chamber is rotatably mounted near the developing roller 9c. Then, the toner container 11 and the developing frame 12 are welded to form an integral developing unit.

Each member of the photosensitive drum 7, the charging roller 8 and the cleaning means 10 is attached to the cleaning frame 13, and the process cartridge B is further attached to the apparatus main body 14.
When the photoreceptor drum 7 is removed from the photoreceptor drum, the photoreceptor drum 7 is covered, and a drum shutter member 18 for protecting the photoreceptor drum 7 is attached to form a cleaning unit.

Then, by combining the developing unit and the cleaning unit, the process cartridge B
Is configured. Therefore, cover members (not shown) for rotatably supporting both ends of the developing roller 9c are attached to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the developing device frame 12, and the tips of the arm portions 19 formed in the cover member are As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, a rotary shaft 20 is provided (FIGS. 21 and 22 show only one side).

On the other hand, concave portions 21 for positioning and locking the rotating shaft 20 are provided at two positions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 13. The developing unit and the cleaning unit are rotatably connected around the rotation shaft 20 by inserting the rotation shaft 20 into the recess 21 and screwing the coupling member 22 having the protrusion 22 a to the cleaning frame 13. Then, the developing roller 9c is pressed against the photosensitive drum 7 by the weight of the developing unit.

At this time, the developing roller 9c is reliably pressed against the photosensitive drum 7 by urging the developing frame 12 downward by the compression spring 22b attached to the connecting member 22. Accordingly, by attaching spacer rings (not shown) to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller 9c, this ring is pressed against the photosensitive drum 7, and the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing roller 9c face each other at a fixed interval.

Next, an embodiment of the toner cartridge C attached to the process cartridge B according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toner cartridge C
Includes a single cylindrical container 23 formed by combining a plurality of hollow cylindrical bodies, and a toner storage container 25 enclosed inside. In the cylindrical container 23, five hollow cylindrical bodies 231, 232, 233, 234 and 235 are combined in a nested manner.

In the description of this embodiment, the uppermost hollow cylindrical body 231 is the upper cylindrical body and the lowermost hollow cylindrical body 23 is the cylindrical body 23.
5 is a lower cylindrical body, and hollow cylindrical bodies 232, 233 between them,
234 are referred to as a first intermediate cylinder 232, a second intermediate cylinder 233, and a third intermediate cylinder 234 from the top.

As described above, the outer diameter of the upper surface of each hollow cylindrical body is set smaller than the outer diameter of the lower surface thereof, and the following is between the inner and outer diameters of the five hollow cylindrical bodies 231 to 235. I have a relationship. That is, the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical body 231 <the inner diameter of the first intermediate cylindrical body 232 <the outer diameter of the first intermediate cylindrical body 232 <the inner diameter of the second intermediate cylindrical body 233 <... <the outside of the third intermediate cylindrical body 234. There is a relationship of diameter <inner diameter of lower cylindrical body 235 <outer diameter of lower cylindrical body 235.

The hollow cylindrical bodies 231 to 235 are engaged with each other by a fixing portion described later, and the upper cylindrical body 231.
A lid 24 is attached to the lower cylindrical body 235, and a handle portion 26 is attached to the lower cylindrical body 235.

The upper portion of the toner container 25, which is sealed inside the cylindrical container 23, is sandwiched between the upper cylinder 231 and the lid 24, and the lower part of the toner container 25 is the lower cylinder 2.
It is fixed between 35 and the handle portion 26.

FIG. 2 shows the fixing portion of the cylindrical body, for example, the fixing portion 234a of the third intermediate cylindrical body 234 in an enlarged manner. The fixing portion 234a is formed in a beak shape that protrudes toward the inner second intermediate cylindrical body 233, and engages with a hole 233b provided in the second intermediate cylindrical body 233. In the engaged state, the force is applied to the fixing portion 234a in the direction of the arrow X, that is, in the direction of separating from the second intermediate cylindrical body 233, and the second intermediate cylindrical body 2 is moved in the direction of the arrow Y, that is, downward.
The fixing portion 234a can be easily released from the hole 233b by pushing 33 into the third intermediate cylindrical body 234.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the upper cylindrical body 231 and the first
The engagement configuration with the intermediate cylindrical body 232 will be described.

A rib 23 is provided inside the first intermediate cylindrical body 232.
2c is provided, while L is provided on the outer surface of the upper cylindrical body 231.
A groove 231a having a V shape is formed, and the rib 232c is formed in the groove 23.
1a is engaged. By rotating the lid 24 integrally assembled so as to close the upper portion of the upper cylindrical body 231, in the arrow Z direction, the rib 232c moves from the horizontal portion to the vertical portion in the groove 231a, and the rib 232c is engaged. The state is released, and the upper cylindrical body 231 can move into the first intermediate cylindrical body 232 while moving downward.

In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the first intermediate cylindrical body 232 is used as a means for applying a force in the direction of arrow X to the fixing portion 234a of the second intermediate cylindrical body 234 shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the bottom surface of the first intermediate cylindrical body 232 that is two upper than the fixing portion 234a of the third intermediate cylindrical body 234 is along the inner surface of the second intermediate cylindrical body 233 that is one upper side. Is pushed in the direction of arrow Y. The bottom surface is the fixing portion 234.
By abutting against and pressing the inclined surface of a, the fixing portion 234a is deformed while moving in the direction of the arrow X, and the fixing portion 234a is deformed.
Is released from the hole 233b. At this time the lid 24
The lower surface of the second intermediate cylindrical body 233 contacts the upper end of the second intermediate cylindrical body 233,
As shown in (b), the first intermediate cylindrical body 232 and the second intermediate cylindrical body 233 are interlocked and crushed in the direction of the arrow Y, and overlap each other. As a result, the third intermediate cylindrical body 234a is completely released from the hole 233b.

The released fixing portion 234a engages with the recess 233c of the second intermediate cylinder 233 one above and the recess 232c of the first intermediate cylinder 232 two above in FIG.
Further, the first intermediate cylinder 232 and the second intermediate cylinder 233, the third intermediate cylinder 234 and the lower cylinder 235, except for the upper cylinder 231 and the first intermediate cylinder 232, are also in the same engagement form. The above description is incorporated by reference. Further, when the cylindrical container 23 is crushed, the claw portion 24a of the lid 24 and the groove 235c of the lower cylindrical body 235 shown in FIG. 7 are engaged with each other, and the compressed state is maintained after the toner is replenished. To be done.

Next, regarding the structure of the handle portion, FIG. 5 and FIG.
Will be described with reference to an exploded perspective view of FIG.

A claw portion 235a is formed at an appropriate position on the outer peripheral surface of the lower cylindrical body 235, and the claw portion 235a and the recess 263 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the handle 26 are fitted together. The upper, middle, and lower rotary shutters 29, 28, 27 are provided between the lower cylindrical body 235 and the handle portion 26.
Are attached as described below.

The upper rotary shutter 29 arranged on the lower cylindrical body 235 side has a conical shape, and the conical surface has two fan-shaped openings 291 that occupy at least half the area of this surface. .

Further, the middle rotation shutter 28 is a conical partition 28 that abuts the conical surface of the upper rotation shutter 29.
2, and the conical partition surface has two fan-shaped openings 281 having the same shape as the opening 291.

Further, the lower rotary shutter 27 is a conical partition 27 that abuts on the conical surface of the middle rotary shutter 28.
It is a cylindrical member having 2 and has an opening 271 having the same shape as the opening 281 on the conical partition surface. The lower rotary shutter 27 has a recess 273 that engages with the process cartridge so as not to rotate when the process cartridge is mounted. The lower rotary shutter 27 is fitted so as to be rotatable relative to the handle portion 26.

The upper rotary shutter 29 has a convex portion 293 on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and the convex portion 293 engages with the concave portion 262 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the handle portion 26, thereby the process cartridge and the lower rotary shutter. With respect to 27, the upper rotary shutter 29 and the handle portion 26 can be integrally rotated.

The upper rotary shutter 29 rotates relative to the lower rotary shutter 27 until the opening 291 of the upper rotary shutter 29 overlaps the opening 281 of the middle rotary shutter 28, and then the middle rotary shutter 28 is opened. It has a rib 294 for rotating at the same time. A guide 2 along which a rib 294 can follow the middle rotation shutter 28
85 is provided on the contact surface on the side of the upper rotary shutter 29, and after the rib 294 of the upper rotary shutter 29 rotates about 60 degrees along the guide 285, it abuts on the guide end, and the upper rotary shutter 29 and the middle rotary shutter. The configuration is such that 28 overlaps and rotates.

The upper rotary shutter 29 has a cylindrical column 295 at the center of the middle rotary shutter 28 side for engaging the upper disc shutter 37 (FIG. 8) provided on the process cartridge side when the process cartridge is mounted. The tip end portion of the cylindrical column 29 that engages with the upper disc shutter 37 is concave, and in this embodiment, it is assumed to have a cross shape. This shape is not limited to the cross shape as long as it is engaged with the upper disc shutter 37 and the upper rotary shutter 29 and the upper disc shutter 37 can rotate simultaneously.

Further, the middle rotation shutter 28 has a hole 284 for passing the above-mentioned cylindrical column 295. The middle rotation shutter 28 is also a rib 294 of the upper rotation shutter 29.
The lower rotary shutter 27 also has a guide 275 (FIG. 6) similar to the middle rotary shutter 28 on the middle rotary shutter contact surface side. With these configurations, when the upper and middle rotation shutters 29 and 28 are integrally rotated and the openings 291, 281, and 271 overlap,
The rib 283 of the middle rotation shutter 28 is in contact with the end of the guide 275 of the lower rotation shutter 27 so that the rib 283 does not rotate any more.

Next, the upper, middle and lower rotary shutters and the sealing of the cylindrical container will be described. In FIG. 6, the cylindrical container 2
A ring-shaped sealing material 30 is attached to the cylindrical container side of the upper rotary shutter 29 to seal between the upper rotary shutter 29 and the upper rotary shutter 29. Further, in order to seal the upper rotary shutter 29 and the middle rotary shutter 28, and the middle rotary shutter 28 and the lower rotary shutter 27, the middle seal member 31 and the lower seal material having substantially the same size as the partitions 292 and 282 are formed on the surfaces of the partitions 292 and 282. Paste 32.

Further, as a seal between the upper rotary shutter 29 and the lower rotary shutter 27, a rib-like seal 33 is attached to the rear side of the partition 292 of the upper rotary shutter 29 on the side not sealed with the middle rotary shutter 28. . The toner cartridge and the process cartridge are sealed with a ring-shaped seal 48 attached on the outer peripheral surface of the handle portion 26. As these sealing materials, various rubbers such as EPDM, chloroprene rubber and urethane rubber, and foams such as polyethylene, polypropylene and urethane can be used.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lower cylindrical body 235 of the cylindrical container 23 accommodating the toner accommodating container 25 has the recess 263 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the handle 26 as described above.
A claw portion 235b for fitting with is provided. The lower cylindrical body 235 and the grip portion 26 are fitted to each other while the lower portion of the toner storage container 25 is sandwiched between the lower cylindrical body 235 and the upper rotary shutter 29, and the claw portion 235a does not come off.

With the above configuration, when the handle portion 26 is rotated, the cylindrical container 23 and the upper rotary shutter 29 can be integrally rotated.

Next, regarding the process cartridge, FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the upper frame 36 of the process cartridge B,
The supply port 36a for mounting the toner cartridge is
In the case of this embodiment, two are provided. These supply ports 3
6a has a rib 34b which engages with a recess 273 (see FIG. 5) of the lower rotary shutter 27, and an opening 341 having the same shape as the opening 271 of the lower rotary shutter 27 is directly below the opening 271 when the toner cartridge is mounted. It is provided to come to.

Next, the shutter portion provided in the supply port 36a of the upper frame 36 will be described with reference to FIG. Upper frame 36
As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 9 as viewed from the lower side of the toner container, the shutter portion includes the upper disk shutter 37, the lower disk shutter 38, and the lower disk shutter 38 from the upper side in the toner container of the upper frame 36.
The shutter stopper 39 prevents the upper and lower disc shutters 37, 38 from falling off, and a cylindrical portion 40 surrounding the outer circumference of these members.

The upper disk shutter 37 has two openings 371 having substantially the same shape as the fan-shaped opening 291 (see FIG. 5) of the upper rotary shutter 29. Also, upper disc shutter 3
7 is a partition 37 having the same shape as the opening 341 on the back surface of the upper frame 36.
It has a disc shape having 2.

The lower disk shutter 38 has a partition 382 having the same shape as the opening 371 of the upper disk shutter 37 and an opening 381 having substantially the same shape as the opening 371 of the upper disk shutter 37.
And A rib 374 is provided on the upper frame surface side of the upper disc shutter 37 to prevent the upper disc shutter 37 from rotating in the opposite direction when the toner cartridge C is not mounted. Cylindrical part 4 on the back side of
Inside 0, a groove 43 for engaging the rib 374 is provided.

Further, the upper disc shutter 37 has a cylindrical portion 40.
It is rotatably fitted inside the upper frame 36.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, a cross-shaped convex portion that engages with a cylindrical hole 42 provided at the center of the cylindrical portion 40 is formed in the central portion of the upper disc shutter 37 on the upper frame surface side. 37
5 are provided. The convex portion 375 fits into the concave portion 296 of the cylindrical column 295 of the upper rotary shutter 29.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper disc shutter 37 has a hole 376 at the center of the lower disc shutter side, and the lower disc shutter 38 has a rib 383 rotatably fitted in the hole 376. The upper disk shutter 37 and the lower disk shutter 38 have the same rotation center.

The upper disc shutter 37 is rotated relative to the upper frame 36, and the opening 371 of the upper disc shutter 37 is opened.
After rotating until the opening 341 of the upper frame 36 overlaps, a rib 373 for rotating the lower disc shutter 38 in conjunction with the upper disc shutter 37 is provided on the lower disc shutter side of the upper disc shutter 37. Set up.

The lower disk shutter 38 has the rib 373.
Has a groove 384 to be engaged with the contact surface side of the upper disk shutter side. The upper disk shutter 37 is the upper rotating shutter 29.
After rotating about 60 degrees with respect to the upper frame 36 in conjunction with, contacting the end of this groove 384, the openings of the upper disk shutter 37 and the lower disk shutter 38 are aligned, and further about 6 more.
It is configured to rotate 0 degrees.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, the upper and lower disc shutters 3
The seals 7, 38 will be described. For sealing the upper frame 36 and the upper disc shutter 37, and the upper disc shutter 37 and the lower disc shutter 38, the sealing members 45 having substantially the same size as the partitions 402 and 372 are formed on the surfaces of the partitions 402 and 372.
Paste each 46. As for the seal between the upper frame 36 and the lower disc shutter 38, a rib-shaped seal 47 is attached to the side not sealed with the upper disc shutter 37.

The upper disk shutter 37 and the lower disk shutter 38 are rotatable in the cylindrical portion 40 of the upper frame 36, and a shutter stopper 39 for preventing them from coming off after being inserted so as to close the opening 341. Is engaged with the cylindrical portion 40. The shutter stopper 39 has an opening 392 that does not interfere with the toner replenished from the opening, and a plurality of claw portions 39 that fit into the recess 401 of the cylindrical portion 40.
One.

Next, the procedure for mounting the toner cartridge C having the above-described structure in the process cartridge B will be described. At the beginning of use of the apparatus, the inside of the process cartridge B is filled with toner, and as shown in FIG. 10, the opening 341 of the upper frame 36 has an upper disc shutter 37.
Partition 372 and partition 382 of lower disc shutter 38
Is closed by. Further, the opening 341 of the upper frame 36 and the opening 371 of the upper disk shutter 37, and the opening 371 and the opening 381 of the lower disk shutter 38 are respectively the sealing member 4.
Since it is sealed by 5, 46, the toner does not leak out. In this state, process cartridge B
Is inserted into the image forming apparatus main body A to form an image and toner is consumed.

Next, the case where the toner in the toner storage portion 9a is consumed by the image formation will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the opening / closing member 15 of the image forming apparatus A is opened to expose the upper frame 36 of the process cartridge B. The handle portion 26 of the handle portion 26 of the first toner cartridge C
a, and bring the first toner cartridge C onto the first replenishing port of the process cartridge B, align the rib 26b of the handle portion 26 with the guide portion 34a of the replenishing port 34, and attach the first toner cartridge C to the process cartridge. Attach to B. The handle 26 has a toner cartridge C.
Is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the process cartridge B so that it cannot be removed by fitting with the process cartridge B, and the inner peripheral wall surface of the supply port 34 of the process cartridge B is provided with a recess 34b that fits with the claw portion 26c. And the claw portion 26c has the concave portion 34b.
It becomes impossible to remove by fitting to.

In the rotary shutter portion of the first toner cartridge, when the first toner cartridge C is attached to the process cartridge B, the upper rotary shutter 29 of the toner cartridge C and the upper disc shutter 37 of the process cartridge B are coupled to each other. Each of the connecting portions has a cross shape as shown in FIG. 12, but the connecting portion may have a star-shaped polygonal shape.

The cross portion 296 which is the connecting portion of the upper rotary shutter 29 is concave, and the cross portion 375 which is the connecting portion of the upper disk shutter 37 is convex. Further, the cross portion 375 of the upper disk shutter 37 is rotatably inserted into the small cylinder 44 provided at the center of the cylindrical portion 40 of the upper frame 36, and the process cartridge B is mounted as shown in FIG. From the side, it is difficult for the user to touch.
This is because the user can easily open the rotary shutter to prevent the toner from scattering and foreign matter and dust from entering the toner container.

In the connecting portion of the first toner cartridge C and the process cartridge B, both are connected to each other,
By rotating the grip portion 26 in the direction of arrow Q in FIG. 13, the upper rotation shutter 2 of the first toner cartridge C is rotated.
9, middle rotation shutter 28 and process cartridge B
The upper and lower disk shutters 37, 38 rotate, and the upper, middle,
Each opening 291 of the lower rotary shutter 29, 28, 27,
The openings 371 and 381 of the lower disc shutters 37 and 38 of the upper and lower cartridges 281, 271 and the process cartridge B are opened, and as a result, the first toner cartridge B is released.
And the toner storage portion 9a of the process cartridge B are communicated with each other, and the toner in the toner storage container 25 enclosed in the first toner cartridge C can be replenished into the process cartridge B.

After the toner is replenished, the lid 24 of the toner cartridge C is rotated in the direction of arrow R as shown in FIG. 14 to unlock the upper cylindrical body 231 and the first intermediate cylindrical body 232, and the first cylindrical body 232 is unlocked. The toner cartridge C is sequentially compressed from the top. Then, as described above, when the cylindrical container 23 is crushed, the claw portion 24a of the lid 24 and the groove 235c of the lower cylindrical body 235 shown in FIG. 7 are prevented from engaging with each other and returning to the original shape after compression. . As a result, the toner cartridge C becomes much smaller after compression than before compression, as shown in FIG. 15, and the toner cartridge C is attached to the upper portion of the process cartridge B and is not removed.

As described above, after the first toner cartridge C is attached to the supply port of the process cartridge B, the toner is replenished, and the toner is consumed again by the image formation,
Similarly, the second toner cartridge can be attached to the other replenishing port of the process cartridge B to replenish the toner, and the image formation can be continued.

In this embodiment, the number of replenishing ports of the process cartridge is two, but it may be three or more, and the capacity of the toner container of the toner cartridge and It determines the number of supply ports.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 23 shows a developing device 100 in the form of a cartridge which is another embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device 100 of this embodiment includes a developer carrying member 9c such as a developing sleeve, and the developer carrying member 9c.
In order to supply the developer (toner) to the developing unit 9, the developing unit 9 having the developer (toner) containing portion 9a containing the toner therein is integrally made into a cartridge by the plastic frames 11 and 12. That is, the developing device 10 of this embodiment
0 can be considered as a cartridge which is integrated with the process cartridge B described in the first embodiment except the photosensitive drum 7. Therefore, the configuration and operation of the toner storage portion 9a and the like are similar to those of the first embodiment, and those having the same configuration and operation are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is incorporated.

[0081]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a space saving, and therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the apparatus, and a toner cartridge having excellent operability, and the toner cartridge is mounted. It is possible to provide a possible process cartridge and developing device, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which the process cartridge and developing device can be detachably attached.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner cartridge which can be maintained in a small size by compressing the toner cartridge after replenishing the developer and having good handleability.

Further, according to the present invention, a toner cartridge capable of preventing the developer from scattering when replenishing the developer, a process cartridge and a developing device to which the toner cartridge can be attached, and the process cartridge and the developing device are detachable. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a toner cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a fixing portion of the toner cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a coupling between an upper cylinder of the toner cartridge and a first intermediate cylinder.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of a fixing portion of the toner cartridge.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing a rotary shutter portion of the toner cartridge.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the rotary shutter portion of FIG. 5 as seen from diagonally below.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a toner cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a toner supply port of the process cartridge.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a disc shutter portion of the upper frame of the process cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a toner supply port of the process cartridge before mounting the toner cartridge.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the toner cartridge is attached to the process cartridge.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a connecting portion between an upper rotary shutter and an upper disc shutter.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the toner cartridge is attached to the process cartridge and the toner is replenished.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state after toner supply and before toner cartridge compression.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state after the toner cartridge is compressed.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus in which the present invention is implemented.

17 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 16 as seen from the outside.

18 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a process cartridge mounted in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body in which the process cartridge is mounted.

20 is a perspective view of the mounting portion of the image forming apparatus main body in which the process cartridge is mounted, as viewed from a direction different from FIG.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a mounting member of a process cartridge.

22 is a sectional view showing the mounting member of FIG. 20. FIG.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram illustrating a developing device according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 Photoreceptor Drum (Electrophotographic Photoreceptor) 8 Charging Means 9 Developing Means 9a Toner Storage Part 10 Cleaning Means 11 Toner Container 23 Cylindrical Container 24 Lid 25 Toner Storage Container 26 Handle Part 36 Upper Frame 36a Replenishment Port A Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus B Process cartridge C Toner cartridge

Claims (37)

[Claims] 1. A toner cartridge, which can be mounted on a process cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and supplies a developer, in which hollow cylindrical bodies having different inner and outer diameters are stacked and a lid is attached to one end thereof. A container, a flexible developer accommodating container accommodated in the cylindrical container and accommodating the developer therein, a rotary shutter member having an opening fixed to the cylindrical container, and after discharging the developer,
Means for reducing the volume of the developer accommodating container by compressing the cylindrical container, wherein the process cartridge has a disk shutter member having an opening, and the process cartridge is attached to the process cartridge, A toner cartridge, characterized in that by rotating the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member, both of the openings are changed from a closed state to an open state, and the developer in the cylindrical container can be discharged. 2. A plurality of rotary shutter members fixed to the cylindrical container are provided between the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member when mounted on the process cartridge. 1 toner cartridge. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each of the hollow cylinders has a coupling means for coupling each other. 4. The toner cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the cylindrical container can be compressed in order from the top by releasing the connecting means. 5. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the hollow cylindrical bodies can be coupled by the coupling means while the cylindrical container is compressed. 6. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the lid has engaging means for engaging with the hollow cylindrical body after the cylindrical container is compressed. 7. The toner according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion is provided in a part of the rotary shutter member, and a convex portion that fits in the concave portion is provided in a part of the disk shutter member. cartridge. 8. A process cartridge detachably mountable to the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and capable of supplying toner by a toner cartridge, comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive member, process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an opening. Disc shutter member,
The toner cartridge has a cylindrical container having a stack of hollow cylindrical bodies having different inner and outer diameters, and a lid attached to one end thereof, and a flexible developer accommodating container accommodating the developer inside the cylindrical container. A container, a rotary shutter member having an opening fixed to the cylindrical container, and means for reducing the volume of the developer container by compressing the cylindrical container after discharging the developer, By mounting the toner cartridge on the process cartridge and rotating the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member, the both opening portions are changed from the closed state to the open state, and the developer in the cylindrical container can be discharged. And process cartridge. 9. A plurality of rotary shutter members fixed to the cylindrical container are provided between the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member when the toner cartridge is mounted. 8 process cartridges. 10. The process cartridge according to claim 8, wherein each of said hollow cylinders has a coupling means for coupling with each other. 11. By releasing the coupling means,
11. The process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the cylindrical container is compressible in order from the top. 12. The process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the hollow cylindrical bodies can be coupled by the coupling means in a state where the cylindrical container is compressed. 13. The process cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the lid has engaging means for engaging with the hollow cylindrical body after the cylindrical container is compressed. 14. The process according to claim 8, wherein a concave portion is provided in a part of the rotary shutter member, and a convex portion that fits into the concave portion is provided in a part of the disc shutter member. cartridge. 15. A replenishing port to which a plurality of the toner cartridges can be attached is provided.
Any one of 4 process cartridges. 16. The process cartridge comprises a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member, which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 8 to 15, which is possible. 17. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit and a cleaning unit as the process unit, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is provided in an image forming apparatus main body. The device is detachable from the device.
1 to 15 process cartridges. 18. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 8 to 15. 19. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein a process cartridge to which a developer is replenished from a toner cartridge is attachable / detachable and which forms an image on a recording medium,
(A) An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process unit that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a disk shutter member having an opening portion, and the toner cartridge stacks hollow cylindrical bodies having different inner and outer diameters. A cylindrical container having a lid attached to one end thereof, a flexible developer accommodating container accommodated in the cylindrical container for accommodating a developer therein, and a rotary shutter member having an opening fixed to the cylindrical container And means for reducing the volume of the developer container by compressing the cylindrical container after discharging the developer, the toner cartridge being mounted on the process cartridge, the rotary shutter member and the circle. By rotating the plate shutter member, both the openings are changed from the closed state to the open state, and the process cartridge capable of discharging the developer in the cylindrical container can be removed. And mounting means for mounting to,
(B) A conveyance unit that conveys the recording medium, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. 20. When the toner cartridge is mounted on the process cartridge, a plurality of rotary shutter members fixed to the cylindrical container are provided between the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 19. 21. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein each of the hollow cylindrical bodies has a coupling means for coupling the hollow cylindrical bodies to each other. 22. By releasing the coupling means,
20. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the cylindrical container is compressible from the top. 23. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the hollow cylindrical bodies can be coupled by the coupling means in a state where the cylindrical container is compressed. 24. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the lid has engaging means for engaging with the hollow cylindrical body after the cylindrical container is compressed. 25. The electronic device according to claim 19, wherein a concave portion is provided in a part of the rotary shutter member, and a convex portion that fits into the concave portion is provided in a part of the disc shutter member. Photo image forming apparatus. 26. The process cartridge according to claim 19, wherein the process cartridge has a supply port into which a plurality of the toner cartridges can be attached. 27. The process cartridge comprises a charging means, a developing means or a cleaning means as the process means, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member which are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to or detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 19 to 26, which enables the process cartridge. 28. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrated into a cartridge, and the cartridge is used as a main body of the image forming apparatus. The device is detachable from the device.
Any one of 9 to 26 process cartridges. 29. The process cartridge is a cartridge in which a developing unit as the process unit and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. A process cartridge according to any one of claims 19 to 26. 30. A developing device having a developing means provided with a developing container, which is detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and can be replenished with toner by a toner cartridge, wherein the developing container is a circle having an opening. A cylindrical container having a plate shutter member, the toner cartridge stacking hollow cylindrical bodies having different inner and outer diameters, and a lid attached to one end thereof, and a flexibility for accommodating a developer housed in the cylindrical container. A developer accommodating container, a rotary shutter member having an opening fixed to the cylindrical container, and means for reducing the volume of the developer accommodating container by compressing the cylindrical container after discharging the developer, By mounting the toner cartridge on the developing device and rotating the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member, both opening portions are closed. State, and a developing device, characterized in that can be discharged developer of the cylindrical vessel. 31. When the toner cartridge is mounted, a plurality of rotary shutter members fixed to the cylindrical container are provided between the rotary shutter member and the disc shutter member. 30 developing devices. 32. The developing device according to claim 30, wherein each of said hollow cylinders has a coupling means for coupling each other. 33. By releasing the coupling means,
31. The developing device according to claim 30, wherein the cylindrical container is compressible from the top. 34. The developing device according to claim 33, wherein the hollow cylindrical bodies can be coupled by the coupling means in a state where the cylindrical container is compressed. 35. The developing device according to claim 33, wherein the lid has engaging means for engaging with the hollow cylindrical body after the cylindrical container is compressed. 36. The developing device according to claim 30, wherein a concave portion is provided in a part of the rotary shutter member, and a convex portion that fits into the concave portion is provided in a part of the disc shutter member. apparatus. 37. The developing device according to claim 30, further comprising a replenishing port into which a plurality of the toner cartridges can be attached.