Developer containers, developer cartridges, process cartridges, and toner cartridges

Abstract

To more securely suppress a leakage of toner from among a plurality of frame bodies constituting a developer container.SOLUTION: A developing container comprises: a first frame body that has a first bonding plane turning to a first direction; a second frame body that has a second bonding plane to be bonded to the first bonding plane; a first seal that extends in a second direction crossing the first direction in a compressed state between the first bonding plane and second bonding plane, and seals a gap between the first bonding plane and the second bonding plane; and a second seal that is filled into a space surrounded by the first bonding plane, second bonding plane and a first end plane serving as an end plane turning to a second direction of the first seal. The first seal has a second end plane that is continuous to the first end plane. turns to a first bonding plane side and constitutes an end part of the second direction of the first seal together with the first end plane, and in the first frame body, an opening is provided that is configured so that a part of the second end plane is exposed, and the second seal is filled so as to contact with both the first end plane and the part of the second end plane exposed from the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a developer container, a developing cartridge, a process cartridge, and a toner cartridge.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process, there is one that uses a cartridge detachable from the apparatus main body. The cartridge includes a developing cartridge having a developer container and a developing roller, a process cartridge having a developing cartridge and a photosensitive drum, a toner cartridge having a developer container, and the like. The developing cartridge has a developer container that houses a developer (toner) for image formation, and has a seal member that seals the gap between the frames constituting the developer container in order to suppress the leakage of toner to the outside of the developer container. As the seal member, an elastic body such as urethane foam, rubber, or elastomer is used, and the gap between the frames is sealed by sandwiching the seal member between the frames and compressing and deforming it. As the seal member, a filler that is injected in a fluid state such as hot melt and solidifies by heat dissipation can also be used (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the shape of the seal target portion is complicated, the filler injected in a fluid state does not adhere sufficiently to the seal target portion, and even after the filler is solidified, a gap occurs between the frames constituting the developer container, and toner may leak. An object of the present invention is to more reliably suppress the leakage of toner from between a plurality of frames constituting a developer container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention relates to a developer container, A first frame having a first joining surface facing a first direction, A second frame that, together with the first frame, forms a storage section for storing developer, wherein the first joint surface and Opposing A second frame having a second joining surface, Displaced between the first joining surface and the second joining surface, between the first joining surface and the second joining surface between gap part A first seal for sealing, comprising a first seal extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction while compressed between the first and second joining surfaces, A second seal is filled into the space enclosed by the first joint surface, the second joint surface, and the first end surface which is the end surface of the first seal facing the second direction, Equipped with, The first seal has a second end face that, together with the first end face, constitutes the end of the first seal in the second direction, and is continuous with the first end face and on the side of the first joint surface. of It has a second end face facing inwards, Of the second joining surface, the region that contacts the end of the first seal in the second direction is provided with a protrusion that projects toward the side of the first joining surface. The first frame is provided with an opening configured to expose a portion of the second end face of the first seal. The second seal is characterized in that it is filled so as to be in contact with both the first end face of the first seal and the portion of the second end face that is exposed from the opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, toner leakage from multiple frames constituting the developer container can be more reliably suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Diagram illustrating the seal configuration of the developer container in the example. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of the main unit and process cartridge of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the process cartridge [Figure 4] Perspective view of the process cartridge seen from the rear [Figure 5] Diagram for explaining the connection between the developing unit and the cleaning unit [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge [Figure 7] Diagram showing the separation of the developing unit into a developer container and a bearing unit [Figure 8] Diagram showing the separation of the developer container into a first frame body and a second frame body [Figure 9] Diagram of the developer container seen from the developing roller side [Figure 10] Diagram showing the removal of the developing roller and the replenishing roller from the developer container [Figure 11] Diagram showing the seal portion of the developer container [Figure 12] Diagram showing the seal portion of the developer container [Figure 13] Perspective view showing the cross-section of the seal portion of the developer container [Figure 14] Perspective view showing the cross-section of the seal portion of the developer container into which hot melt is injected [Figure 15] Diagram showing the seal portion of the developer container [Figure 16] Diagram showing the vicinity of the second joint surface of the second frame body [Figure 17] Perspective view showing the cross-section of the seal portion of the developer container [Figure 18] Perspective view showing the cross-section of the seal portion of the developer container having no configuration of the embodiment

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] [[ID=5)]The embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the embodiments can be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions, etc., and the scope of this invention is not intended to be limited to the following embodiments. [[ID=[]Overall Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus]]

[0009] The overall configuration of the apparatus body 100 of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus body 100, process cartridge 1, and toner cartridge 13 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge 1. The process cartridge 1 and toner cartridge 13 are detachable from the apparatus body 100.

[0010] In this embodiment, the configuration and operation of the first to fourth image forming units are substantially the same, except that the color of the formed image differs. Therefore, in the following description, the subscripts Y to K will be omitted unless otherwise necessary, and a general explanation will be given.

[0011] The first to fourth process cartridges 1 are arranged horizontally. Each process cartridge 1 is made up of a cleaning unit 4 and a developing unit 6. The cleaning unit 4 has a photosensitive drum 7 as an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image, a charging roller 8 as a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 7, and a cleaning blade 10 as a cleaning means. The developing unit 6 has a developer container that can contain a developer (toner) inside, and a developing roller 11 that carries the developer contained in the developer container and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 into a developer image. The cleaning unit 4 and the developing unit 6 are supported so as to be able to move relative to each other. Note that the first process cartridge 1Y The developing unit 6 contains yellow (Y) toner TY. Similarly, the second process cartridge 1M contains magenta (M) toner TM, the third process cartridge 1C contains cyan (C) toner TC, and the fourth process cartridge 1K contains black (K) toner TK, all housed in the developing unit 6.

[0012] The process cartridge 1 can be attached to and detached from the device body 100 via mounting means such as mounting guides (not shown) and positioning members (not shown) provided on the device body 100. A scanner unit 12 for forming an electrostatic latent image is positioned below the process cartridge 1. Furthermore, a waste toner transport unit 23 is positioned behind the process cartridge 1 on the device body 100 (downstream in the direction of attachment and detachment of the process cartridge 1).

[0013] The first to fourth toner cartridges 13 are arranged horizontally below each process cartridge 1 in an order corresponding to the toner color contained in each process cartridge 1. Specifically, the first toner cartridge 13Y contains yellow (Y) toner. Similarly, the second toner cartridge 13M contains magenta (M) toner, the third toner cartridge 13C contains cyan (C) toner, and the fourth toner cartridge 13K contains black (K) toner. Each toner cartridge 13 then replenishes the toner in the process cartridge 1 containing the toner of the same color.

[0014] The toner replenishment operation using the toner cartridge 13 is performed when a toner level detection unit (not shown) provided in the main body 100 of the image forming apparatus detects insufficient toner in the process cartridge 1 (a state in which the amount of toner is less than a predetermined threshold). The toner cartridge 13 can be attached to and detached from the main body 100 via mounting means such as a mounting guide (not shown) and a positioning member (not shown) provided in the main body 100. Details of the process cartridge 1 and the toner cartridge 13 will be described later.

[0015] Below the toner cartridge 13, the first to fourth toner transport devices 14 are arranged corresponding to each toner cartridge 13. Each toner transport device 14 transports the toner received from each toner cartridge 13 upwards and supplies toner to each developing unit 6.

[0016] An intermediate transfer unit 19, which serves as an intermediate transfer body, is provided above the process cartridge 1. The intermediate transfer unit 19 is positioned approximately horizontally with the primary transfer section S1 facing downwards. The intermediate transfer belt 18, which faces each photosensitive drum 7, is a rotatably supported endless belt and is stretched over a plurality of tension rollers. A primary transfer roller 20, which is a primary transfer member, is positioned on the inner circumferential surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 18. The primary transfer roller 20 is positioned to face each photosensitive drum 7 via the intermediate transfer belt 18, forming the primary transfer section S1. A secondary transfer roller 21, which is a secondary transfer member, is positioned on the outer circumferential surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 18. The secondary transfer roller 21 is positioned to face the roller on the inner circumferential surface side via the intermediate transfer belt 18, forming the secondary transfer section S2. Furthermore, an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22 is positioned on the side opposite to the secondary transfer section S2 in the left-right direction (the direction in which the intermediate transfer belt 18 is stretched).

[0017] A fixing unit 25 is positioned above the intermediate transfer unit 19. The fixing unit 25 has a heating unit 26 and a pressure roller 27 that presses against the heating unit 26. An output tray 32 is provided on the top surface of the device body 100, and a waste toner collection container 24 is provided between the output tray 32 and the intermediate transfer unit 19. Furthermore, a paper feed tray 2 for accommodating the recording material 3 is provided at the very bottom of the device body 100.

[0018] <Image Formation Process> Next, the image forming operation in the main body 100 will be explained using Figures 2 and 3. During image formation, the photosensitive drum 7 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow A in Figure 3. The intermediate transfer belt 18 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow B in Figure 2 (forward of the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7).

[0019] First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 8. Next, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is scanned and exposed by laser light emitted from the scanner unit 12, forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 7 based on image information. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is developed as a toner image by the developing unit 6. At this time, the developing unit 6 is pressurized by a developing pressure unit (not shown) provided in the main body 100 of the device. Then, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is primary transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 18 by the primary transfer roller 20.

[0020] For example, when forming a full-color image, the above-described process is carried out sequentially in the first to fourth primary transfer sections, which are the image forming sections S1Y to S1K, so that toner images of each color are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 18.

[0021] Meanwhile, the recording material 3 contained in the paper feed tray 2 is fed and transported to the secondary transfer section S2 at a predetermined timing synchronized with the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 18. Then, the four-color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 18 are transferred collectively onto the recording material 3 by the secondary transfer roller 21, which is facing the intermediate transfer belt 18 via the recording material 3.

[0022] Subsequently, the recording material 3 on which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing unit 25. In the fixing unit 25, the recording material 3 is heated and pressurized, fixing the toner image to the recording material 3. After that, the recording material 3 with the fixed toner image is transported to the discharge tray 32, completing the image forming operation.

[0023] Furthermore, any primary transfer residue (waste toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 after the primary transfer process is removed by the cleaning blade 10. Any secondary transfer residue (waste toner) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 18 after the secondary transfer process is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22. The waste toner removed by the cleaning blade 10 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 22 is transported by a waste toner transport unit 23 provided in the main body 100 and accumulated in the waste toner collection container 24. The main body 100 can also form monochrome or multicolor images using only a portion of the four image forming units S1Y to S1K.

[0024] <Processing Cartridge> Next, the overall configuration of process cartridge 1 will be explained using Figures 3, 4, and 5. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge. Figure 4 is a perspective view of process cartridge 1 from the rear (downstream in the direction of attachment / detachment of process cartridge 1). Figure 5 is a perspective view of the developing unit 6 and cleaning unit 4 from the rear before they are combined.

[0025] The process cartridge 1 has a cleaning unit 4 and a developing unit 6. The cleaning unit 4 has a cleaning unit frame 5 that supports various components within the cleaning unit 4. The cleaning unit 4 also contains a photosensitive drum 7, a charging roller 8, and a cleaning blade 10. The photosensitive drum 7 is rotatably supported at both ends by the cleaning unit frame 5. A force acts on the charging roller 8 in the direction toward the photosensitive drum 7 (indicated by arrow C) by a spring (not shown). The charging roller 8 is driven by the photosensitive drum 7 and is configured to rotate in the direction of the rotation of the photosensitive drum 7. When the photosensitive drum 7 is rotated in the direction of arrow A (clockwise when viewed from the upstream side in the insertion / removal direction of the process cartridge 1) during image formation, the charging roller 8 rotates in the direction of arrow D (process cartridge It rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the upstream side in the insertion / removal direction of cartridge 1.

[0026] The cleaning blade 10 provided in the cleaning unit 4 has an elastic member 10a for removing residual toner (waste toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 after primary transfer, and a support member 10b for supporting the elastic member 10a. The waste toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 by the cleaning blade 10 is contained in a waste toner storage chamber 9 formed by the cleaning blade 10 and the cleaning unit frame 5. The waste toner contained in the waste toner storage chamber 9 is transported toward the rear of the device body 100 (downstream in the direction of attachment / detachment of the process cartridge 1) by a waste toner transport screw 15 installed in the waste toner storage chamber 9. The transported waste toner is discharged from the waste toner discharge section and handed over to the waste toner transport unit 23 (see Figure 2) of the device body 100.

[0027] The developing unit 6 has a developing frame 16 that supports various components within the developing unit 6. The developing frame 16 is divided into a developing chamber 16a, which houses a developing roller 11 and a supply roller 17, and a toner storage chamber 16b, which houses toner and has an agitator 29 inside. The developing frame 16 constitutes a developer container capable of housing developer inside.

[0028] The developing chamber 16a is equipped with a developing roller 11, a supply roller 17, and a developing blade 28. The developing roller 11 carries toner and rotates in the direction of arrow E (clockwise when viewed from the upstream side in the loading / unloading direction of the process cartridge 1) during image formation. The developing roller 11 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 7 by contacting the photosensitive drum 7. The developing roller 11 is rotatably supported on the developing frame 16 by bearing units 34 at both ends in its longitudinal direction (direction of the rotation axis). The supply roller 17 is rotatably supported on the developing frame 16 by bearing units 34 while in contact with the developing roller 11, and rotates in the direction of arrow F (counterclockwise when viewed from the upstream side in the loading / unloading direction of the process cartridge 1) during image formation. Furthermore, a developing blade 28, which acts as a layer thickness regulating member to regulate the thickness of the toner layer formed on the developing roller 11, is positioned to abut the surface of the developing roller 11.

[0029] The toner storage chamber 16b is provided with an agitation member 29 for agitating the stored toner and for transporting the toner to the supply roller 17 via the developing chamber communication port 16c. The agitation member 29 has a rotating shaft 29a parallel to the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 11 and an agitation sheet 29b which is a flexible sheet that serves as a transport member. One end of the agitation sheet 29b is attached to the rotating shaft 29a, and the other end of the agitation sheet 29b is a free end. As the rotating shaft 29a rotates, the agitation sheet 29b rotates in the direction of arrow H (clockwise when viewed from the upstream side in the attachment / detachment direction of the process cartridge 1), and the toner is agitated by the agitation sheet 29b. The developing unit 6 has a developing chamber communication port 16c that connects the developing chamber 16a and the toner storage chamber 16b. In the normal operating position of the developing unit 6 (operating position), the developing chamber 16a is located above the toner storage chamber 16b. The toner in the toner storage chamber 16b, which is pumped up by the agitator 29, is supplied to the developing chamber 16a through the developing chamber communication port 16c. Furthermore, the developing unit 6 is provided with a toner receiving port 40 at the downstream end of the process cartridge 1 in the direction of attachment and detachment. Above the toner receiving port 40 are a receiving port sealing member 45 and a toner receiving port shutter 41 that is movable in the direction of attachment and detachment (front and back direction) of the process cartridge 1.

[0030] The toner discharged from the toner cartridge 13 (described later) is transported through a toner transport path (not shown) provided within the main body 100 of the device and supplied to the process cartridge 1 via the toner receiving port 40. The developing unit 6 is also provided with a receiving transport path 42 communicating with the toner receiving port 40, and a receiving transport screw 43 is located inside it. Furthermore, near the center of the longitudinal direction (the direction in which the process cartridge 1 is attached and detached) of the developing unit 6, there is a storage chamber communication port 44 for supplying toner from the receiving transport path 42 to the toner storage chamber 16b. The receiving transport path 42 and the toner storage chamber 16b are connected. The receiving transport screw 43 extends parallel to the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 11 and the supply roller 17, and is configured to transport the toner received from the toner receiving port 40 to the toner storage chamber 16b via the storage chamber communication port 44.

[0031] The developing unit 6 and the cleaning unit 4 are pivotably coupled to each other. More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, holes 34a and 5a are provided at both ends of the bearing unit 34 and the cleaning unit frame 5 in the longitudinal direction (the direction in which the process cartridge 1 is attached and detached). These are coupled via a rotation support pin 30 (only one end in the longitudinal direction is shown in Figure 5). As a result, the developing unit 6 is pivotably supported relative to the cleaning unit 4 with the central axis of the rotation support pin 30 as its axis.

[0032] <Toner Cartridge> Next, the toner cartridge 13 will be explained using Figure 6. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 13.

[0033] The toner cartridge 13 comprises a supply frame 50 that supports various components within the toner cartridge 13, and a supply toner storage chamber 51 that stores toner inside. A supply toner stirring member 53 and a supply transport screw 54 are provided inside the supply toner storage chamber 51.

[0034] The replenishment toner stirring member 53 is positioned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 13 (the direction in which the toner cartridge 13 is attached and detached) and is rotatably supported by the replenishment frame 50. The replenishment toner stirring member 53 also has a rotating shaft 53a and a replenishment stirring and conveying sheet 53b made of a flexible sheet. As the rotating shaft 53a rotates and the replenishment stirring and conveying sheet 53b rotates, the toner is conveyed to the replenishment conveying screw 54.

[0035] The replenishment transport screw 54 is positioned parallel to the rotation axis of the replenishment toner stirring member 53 and is rotatably supported by the replenishment frame 50. By rotating, the replenishment transport screw 54 transports the toner in the replenishment toner storage chamber 51 from front to back (from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of attachment and detachment of the toner cartridge 13). The transported toner is discharged into the toner transport path within the device body 100 from a toner discharge port provided downstream of the replenishment transport screw 54. As described above, the toner discharged into the toner transport path within the device body 100 is replenished into the developing unit 6 via the toner receiving port 40 shown in Figure 4.

[0036] <Developing Unit Configuration> Figure 7 shows the developing unit 6 separated into the developer container 36 and the bearing unit 34. Figure 8 shows the developer container 36 separated into the first frame 37 and the second frame 38. Figure 9(a) shows the developer container 36 viewed from the developing roller 11 side. Figure 9(b) is a magnified view of one end of the developer container 36 in the longitudinal direction (the axis of rotation of the developing roller 11, the same applies hereafter). Figure 10(a) shows the developer container 36 with the developing roller 11, supply roller 17 and toner collection member 33 removed. Figure 10(b) is a magnified view of one end of the developer container 36 in the state shown in Figure 10(a) in the longitudinal direction.

[0037] The developer container 36 comprises a first frame 37 and a second frame 38 that together with the first frame 37 forms a toner storage chamber 16b, which is a storage section for containing the developer. The developer container 36 is provided with a supply opening 60 for supplying the developer from inside the toner storage chamber 16b (storage section) to the outside, along the rotation axis direction of the developer roller 11. The developer roller 11 is positioned along the supply opening 60 such that a portion of its circumference is exposed to the outside of the developer container 36 at the supply opening 60, and the remaining portion of its circumference faces into the toner storage chamber 16b. The developer blade 28 and sheet member 61 are provided along the rotation axis direction of the developer roller 11 (longitudinal direction of the developer container 36). The sheet member 61 has one end in the short direction intersecting the longitudinal direction facing the surface of the developing roller 11, and the other end is fixed to the first frame 37, and contact with the developing roller 11 suppresses toner leakage. In addition, an end seal 64 is provided at the end of the supply opening 60 in the longitudinal direction, and contact with the developing roller 11 suppresses toner leakage.

[0038] The following describes the sealing portion that seals the gap between the sealing end 64a, which is the end of the end seal 64 on the sheet member 61 side, the sheet member 61, the first frame 37, and the second frame 38.

[0039] First, the sealing of the gap between the first frame 37 and the second frame 38 will be explained. Figure 11(a) is a magnified view of the vicinity of the joint 31 between the first frame 37 and the second frame 38, indicated by the symbol P in Figure 8. Figure 11(b) is a view showing the state in which the first frame 37 is assembled and joined to the second frame 38 shown in Figure 11(a). On the second frame 38, a planar second joining surface 38a located on the opposite side of the seal end 64a and facing the first frame 37 is attached with double-sided tape.

[0040] Figure 12 is an enlarged view of one end of the developer container 36 in the longitudinal direction. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the developer container 36 at the position of the end seal 64, taken from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is the cross-section shown by line XX in Figure 12. Cross-section XX passes through the center of the urethane foam 70 in the longitudinal direction of the developer container 36 and through the center of the injection port 37a on the back side of the longitudinal end of the sheet member 61 (the side opposite to the side facing the developing roller 11). The injection port 37a is an opening into which the hot melt 71, which will be described later, is injected.

[0041] As shown in Figure 13, the first frame 37 has a first joining surface 37b facing a first direction (X direction), and the second frame 38 has a second joining surface 38a that is joined to the first joining surface 37b. The urethane foam 70 extends in a second direction (Y direction) that intersects the first direction (X direction) when compressed between the first joining surface 37b of the first frame 37 and the second joining surface 38a of the second frame 38. The urethane foam 70 is a first seal that seals the gap between the first joining surface 37b and the second joining surface 38a. In this embodiment, urethane foam, which is a continuous-cell foam, is used as an example of the material for the first seal, but the material for the first seal is not limited to urethane foam, but may be an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, as long as it can form a member that exhibits sealing properties when compressed. The urethane foam 70 is compressed by the first bonding surface 37b and the second bonding surface 38a, thereby suppressing toner leakage from the joint 31 (see Figure 11) between the first frame 37 and the second frame 38. The urethane foam 70 is a first seal that constitutes a sealing portion 35 that seals the developer inside the developer container 36 at the joint 31 between the first frame 37 and the second frame 38.

[0042] Furthermore, a gap remains formed by the seal end 64a, the sheet member 61, the first frame 37, the second frame 38, and the urethane foam 70. This gap is a space enclosed by the first joint surface 37b, the second joint surface 38a, the first end surface 70d of the urethane foam 70 facing the second direction (Y direction), and the second sheet surface 612 of the sheet member 61 opposite to the first sheet surface 613 facing the surface of the developing roller 11. This space is sealed by filling it with the second seal, hot melt 71. The hot melt 71 becomes more fluid when heated and solidifies at room temperature. The heated, liquid hot melt 71 is injected into the space formed by the first joint surface 37b, the second joint surface 38a, the first end surface 70d of the urethane foam 70, and the second sheet surface 612 of the sheet member using a nozzle or the like through the injection port 37a. The hot melt 71, injected in liquid form, solidifies due to heat dissipation, and adheres tightly to the boundary between the first frame 37 and the second frame 38 and the urethane foam 70, forming a second seal that seals the space. Figure 14 shows a cross-section at the same position as Figure 13, showing the state after the hot melt 71 has been injected and solidified. In this way, the hot melt 71 adheres tightly to the seal edge 64a, the sheet member 61, the first frame 37, the second frame 38, and the urethane foam 70, filling the gap and suppressing toner leakage. Section 35 is formed by a first seal, which is urethane foam 70, and a second seal, which is hot melt 71.

[0043] As described above, the developer container 36 has a sealing portion 35 that seals off toner leakage from the joint 31 between the first frame 37 and the second frame 38 around the supply opening 60.

[0044] <Seal configuration at the longitudinal end> Figure 1(a) is a cross-sectional view of the developer container 36 at the position of the end seal 64, taken from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is a cross-sectional view at the same position as in Figures 13 and 14. Figure 1(b) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the injection port 37a as seen from the side of the first frame 37. The opening 80 and rib 90, which are characteristic features of the developer container 36 in this embodiment, will be explained with reference to Figures 15 and 16.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, the urethane foam 70, which is the first seal, has a second end face 70b that, together with the first end face 70d, constitutes the end face 70a of the urethane foam 70 in the second direction (Y direction). The second end face 70b is continuous with the first end face 70d and faces the side of the first joint surface 37b (see also Figure 13). The first frame 37 is provided with an opening 80 configured to expose a portion of the second end face 70b of the urethane foam 70, which is the first seal (see also Figure 13).

[0046] Figure 15 is an enlarged view of the joint 31 indicated by the symbol Q in Figure 11(b). Figure 15 shows the state before the hot melt 71 is injected into the space into which the hot melt 71 is injected. As shown in Figure 15, at least a portion of the second end face 70b of the urethane foam 70 is exposed to the space into which the hot melt 71 is injected through the opening 80, before the hot melt 71 is injected. When the hot melt 71 is injected from the injection port 37a, as shown in Figure 1(a), the hot melt 71 is filled so as to contact at least the portion of the second end face 70b of the urethane foam 70 that is exposed through the opening 80 and the first end face 70d. When this hot melt 71 solidifies due to heat dissipation, the hot melt 71 acting as a second seal adheres tightly to the opening 80 and the first end face 70d and second end face 70b of the urethane foam 70.

[0047] By providing an opening 80 in the first frame 37, a portion of the second end face 70b of the urethane foam 70 facing the injection port 37a of the first frame 37 does not come into contact with the first joining surface 37b of the first frame 37. Therefore, even when the first frame 37 and the second frame 38 are joined, a portion of the second end face 70b of the urethane foam 70 is not compressed between the first joining surface 37b and the second joining surface 38a.

[0048] In this embodiment, the width of the opening 80 in the third direction (Z direction), which intersects both the first direction (X direction) and the second direction (Y direction), is configured to be narrower than the width of the urethane foam 70, which is the first seal, in the Z direction. The Z direction is the longitudinal direction of the developer container 36 and the short direction of the urethane foam 70. Furthermore, the position of the opening 80 in the Z direction is configured to fall within the range where the urethane foam 70 exists in the Z direction. As a result, the portions of both ends of the second end face 70b of the urethane foam 70 in the Z direction (portions not exposed from the opening 80) come into contact with the first joining surface 37b of the first frame 37 and are compressed between it and the second joining surface 38a of the second frame 38. Therefore, deformation such that the portions of both ends of the end face 70a of the urethane foam 70 in the Z direction move toward the injection port 37a is suppressed.

[0049] Figure 16(a) is a perspective view of the vicinity of the second joint surface 38a of the second frame 38 when the urethane foam 70 (shown transparently as a dashed line) is attached. Figure 16(b) is a view of the second frame 38 in the same state as in Figure 16(a), viewed from the direction toward the second joint surface 38a (the thickness direction of the urethane foam 70, the first direction, and the X direction). Also, Figure 16(c) is in the same state as in Figure 16(a) This is a view of the second frame 38 of the structure as seen from the longitudinal direction (Z direction) of the developer container 36.

[0050] As shown in Figure 16(a), the portion of the second joining surface 38a of the second frame 38 that contacts the end portion 70a of the urethane foam 70 in the second direction (Y direction) is provided with a rib 90, which is a protrusion that projects toward the first joining surface 37b of the first frame 37.

[0051] The urethane foam 70 has a second end face 70b and a third end face 70c that, together with the first end face 70d, constitute the end face 70a of the urethane foam 70 in the second direction (Y direction) and closer to the seal end face 64a. The second end face 70b is continuous with the first end face 70d and faces the first joint surface 37b, and the third end face 70c is continuous with the first end face 70d and faces the second joint surface 38a. As shown in Figures 16(b) and 16(c), the third end face 70c of the end face 70a of the urethane foam 70 contacts the second joint surface 38a so as to ride up onto the rib 90 and is attached to the second joint surface 38a by double-sided tape.

[0052] As shown in Figure 16(b), the rib 90 has a shape in which the width in the second direction (Y direction) is wider than the width in the third direction (Z direction). Also, the width of the rib 90 in the third direction (Z direction) is narrower than the width of the urethane foam 70, which is the first seal, in the third direction (Z direction). Therefore, the third end face 70c of the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 is tightly attached to the second joint surface 38a. Furthermore, the rib 90 is provided in the central part of the second joint surface 38a in the third direction (Z direction), and as shown in Figure 15, the opening 80 is provided in the central part of the first joint surface 37b in the third direction (Z direction). Therefore, as shown in Figure 15, the position of the rib 90 in the Z direction is within the range where the opening 80 exists in the Z direction, and the rib 90 protrudes toward the part of the first joint surface 37b where the opening 80 is provided. As a result, of the portion of the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 in the second direction (Y direction) that faces the second joining surface 38a (third end surface 70c), the portions on both sides in the third direction (Z direction) are in closer contact with the second joining surface 38a than the portion that rides up on the rib 90. As shown in Figures 1 and 13, the height of the rib 90 (width in the first direction (X direction)) is smaller than the thickness of the urethane foam 70 in the compressed state between the first joining surface 37b and the second joining surface 38a (width in the first direction (X direction)).

[0053] In this embodiment, to explain the advantageous effects of providing the opening 80 and rib 90, we will compare it with a configuration without the opening 80 and rib 90. Figure 18 shows the state of the urethane foam 70 and hot melt 71 in the seal portion 35 when the developer container 36 does not have the opening 80 and rib 90. Figure 18(a) is a perspective view showing a cross-section of the seal portion 35 of the developer container 36 when the opening 80 and rib 90 are absent. The cross-section shown in Figure 18(a) is a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Z direction) of the developer container 36, similar to Figure 14, and is a cross-section of the plane passing through the center of the short direction (longitudinal direction, Z direction) of the second bonding surface 38a of the urethane foam 70. Figure 18(b) is an enlarged view showing the state in which the hot melt 71 has been injected into the seal portion 35 of the developer container 36 when the opening 80 and rib 90 are absent. Figure 18(c) shows the state of the seal portion 35 of the developer container 36 before the hot melt 71 is injected, when the opening 80 and rib 90 are not present.

[0054] As shown in Figure 18(c), the urethane foam 70 is compressed between the planar second joining surface 38a of the second frame 38 and the planar first joining surface 37b of the first frame 37. As shown in Figure 18(b), the hot melt 71 is filled into the space surrounded by the first joining surface 37b, the second joining surface 38a, the first end surface 70d of the urethane foam 70 which is the first seal, and the second sheet surface 612 of the sheet member 61. Here, the second sheet surface 612 is the surface of the sheet member 61 opposite to the first sheet surface 613 which faces the surface of the developing roller 11, and the direction intersecting the second sheet surface 612 is the second direction (Y direction).

[0055] As shown in Figure 18(c), in the Y direction, the urethane foam 70 which is the first seal The first end face 70d of the urethane foam 70 is located further from the second sheet surface 612 than the ends of the first joint surface 37b and the second joint surface 38a on the second sheet surface 612 side. Therefore, the first end face 70d of the urethane foam 70 is located in a recessed position in the space sandwiched between the first joint surface 37b and the second joint surface 38a. If the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 does not fit into the space sandwiched between the first joint surface 37b and the second joint surface 38a, but extends close to the sheet member 61, the flow of hot melt 71 injected from the injection port 37a will be obstructed by the urethane foam 70. This makes it difficult to fill the space with hot melt 71, and presents problems such as the need to inject in multiple stages to inject a sufficient amount of hot melt 71 into the space. By positioning the urethane foam 70 as described above, the flow of the hot melt 71 is less likely to be obstructed by the urethane foam 70 when injecting the hot melt 71 from the injection port 37a, enabling efficient injection work.

[0056] In the configuration shown in Figure 18(c), where the urethane foam 70 is positioned so as not to obstruct the flow of the hot melt 71, the second end face 70b of the urethane foam 70 is in full contact with the first joint surface 37b, and the third end face 70c is in full contact with the second joint surface 38a. Therefore, when the urethane foam 70 is compressed between the first joint surface 37b and the second joint surface 38a, the Y-direction end 70a of the urethane foam 70 deforms to protrude toward the open space into which the hot melt 71 is injected. At this time, the central part of the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 in the first direction (X direction, the thickness direction of the urethane foam 70) protrudes toward the space, and the cross-section becomes arc-shaped. As a result, a wedge-shaped gap 75 is formed between the second end face 70b of the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 and the first joining surface 37b, and a wedge-shaped gap 76 is formed between the third end face 70c of the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 and the second joining surface 38a.

[0057] When hot melt 71 is injected in this state, as shown in Figure 18(b), the hot melt 71 does not fully penetrate the wedge-shaped gaps 75 and 76 and solidifies. As a result, even after the hot melt 71 has solidified, gaps 77 and 78 are created between the hot melt 71, the first bonding surface 37b, the second bonding surface 38a, and the second end surface 70b and third end surface 70c of the urethane foam 70. There was a possibility that toner could leak from these gaps 77 and 78.

[0058] In contrast, Figure 17 shows the deformation state of the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 when an opening 80 is provided in the first frame 37 and a rib 90 is provided on the second joining surface 38a of the second frame 38 in this embodiment. In the configuration of this embodiment, at the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 in the second direction (Y direction), the second end surface 70b abuts against the first joining surface 37b except for a part exposed from the opening 80, and the third end surface 70c abuts against the second joining surface 38a. Compared to the configuration of the comparative example in Figure 18 above, the second end surface 70b does not abut the first joining surface 37b in its entirety, and a part of it is exposed from the opening 80. Therefore, when the urethane foam 70 is compressed between the first joining surface 37b and the second joining surface 38a, the Y-direction end 70a of the urethane foam 70 can escape into the open opening 80. Since this part remains uncompressed or has a lower compression ratio than other parts, the formation of a gap between the first joint surface 37b of the first frame 37 and the second end surface 70b of the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 is suppressed.

[0059] Furthermore, a portion of the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 is pushed up toward the injection port 37a side or the opening 80 side by the rib 90. As a result, the formation of a gap between the second joint surface 38a of the second frame 38 and the third end surface 70c of the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 is suppressed, and the end 70a of the urethane foam 70 can escape more easily toward the opening 80. Due to the presence of the opening 80 and the rib 90, when the urethane foam 70 is compressed, the formation of a gap in the space formed by the first end surface 70d, the first joint surface 37b, and the second joint surface 38a that makes it difficult for the hot melt 71 to enter is suppressed. The hot melt 71 is injected into a space of this shape. As a result, the hot melt 17 comes into contact with the second end face 70b exposed from the opening 80, as well as the first end face 70d, the first joining surface 37b, the second joining surface 38a, and the opening 80. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the hot melt 71, which is the second seal, adheres well to the first frame 37, the second frame 38, and the sheet member 61.

[0060] In this way, the synergistic effect of the opening 80 and the rib 90 improves the adhesion of the hot melt 71 to the urethane foam 70, the first frame 37, and the second frame 38 near the edge 70a of the urethane foam 70 when the hot melt 71 is injected. This prevents gaps from forming between the hot melt 71, the first frame 37, the second frame 38, and the urethane foam 70 when the hot melt 71 solidifies. Therefore, the sealing performance between the first frame 37 and the second frame 38 is improved, making it possible to more reliably suppress toner leakage.

[0061] In this embodiment, an example configuration is shown in which an opening 80 is provided in the first frame 37 and a rib 90 is provided in the second frame 38, but a configuration in which only one of them is provided is also acceptable. At least in the portion where the opening 80 or the rib 90 is provided, the gap shown in Figure 18 is suppressed, and the sealing performance of the seal portion 35 is improved accordingly.

[0062] The above embodiment is an example of applying the developer container of the present invention to a developer container constituting the developing unit 6 in a process cartridge 1 having a developing unit 6 and a cleaning unit 4, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be applied to a developer container in a developing cartridge having a developer container and a developing roller, and which is detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus. It can also be applied to a developer container formed by a replenishment frame 50 in a toner cartridge 13.

[0063] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Composition 1) A container for a developer, A first frame having a first joining surface facing a first direction, A second frame, which together with the first frame, forms a storage section for storing a developer, and the second frame has a second bonding surface that is bonded to the first bonding surface, A first seal for sealing the gap between the first joining surface and the second joining surface, the first seal extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction while compressed between the first joining surface and the second joining surface, A second seal is filled into the space enclosed by the first joint surface, the second joint surface, and the first end surface which is the end surface of the first seal facing the second direction, Equipped with, The first seal has a second end face that, together with the first end face, constitutes the end of the first seal in the second direction, and the second end face is continuous with the first end face and faces toward the first joint surface. The first frame is provided with an opening configured to expose a portion of the second end face of the first seal. A developer container characterized in that the second seal is filled so as to be in contact with both the first end face of the first seal and the portion of the second end face exposed from the opening. (Configuration 2) The developer container according to configuration 1, wherein the width of the opening in the third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is narrower than the width of the first seal in the third direction. (Composition 3) A developer container according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the second bonding surface that contacts the end of the first seal in the second direction is provided with a protrusion that projects toward the first bonding surface. (Composition 4) The developer container according to configuration 3, wherein the width of the protrusion in the second direction is wider than the width in the third direction which intersects both the first and second directions. (Composition 5) The developer container according to configuration 3 or 4, wherein the width of the protrusion in the third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is narrower than the width of the first seal in the third direction. (Composition 6) The aforementioned protrusion is provided in the central part of the second joining surface in the third direction, The developer container according to configuration 5, wherein, of the portion of the first seal facing the second bonding surface at the end in the second direction, the portions on both sides in the third direction are in close contact with the second bonding surface relative to the portion that rides up on the protrusion. (Composition 7) The developer container according to any one of configurations 3 to 6, wherein the width of the protrusion in the first direction is narrower than the width of the first seal in the first direction when compressed between the first and second bonding surfaces. (Composition 8) The first seal has a third end face that, together with the first end face, constitutes the end of the first seal in the second direction, and the third end face is continuous with the first end face and faces the second joining surface. A developer container according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein at the end in the second direction, the second end face of the first seal abuts against the first bonding surface except for the portion exposed from the opening, and the third end face of the first seal abuts against the second bonding surface. (Composition 9) The developer container according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the material of the first seal is urethane foam, rubber, or elastomer. (Composition 10) A developer container as described in any one of items 1 to 9, A developing roller that carries the developing agent contained in the developing agent container, A developing cartridge having a feature that allows it to be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus. (Composition 11) The developer container is provided with a supply opening along the rotation axis of the developing roller for supplying the developer from the storage section to the outside. The developing roller is provided along the supply opening such that a portion of its circumferential direction is exposed to the outside at the supply opening, and the portion of its circumferential direction other than the aforementioned portion faces the inside of the housing. A sheet member provided along the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, wherein one end in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction faces the surface of the developing roller and the other end is fixed to the first frame, The developing cartridge according to configuration 10, wherein the second seal is filled into the space enclosed by the first bonding surface, the second bonding surface, the first end surface of the first seal, and the second sheet surface of the sheet member opposite to the first sheet surface facing the surface of the developing roller. (Composition 12) The second direction is the direction that intersects the second sheet surface, In the second direction, the developing cartridge according to configuration 11, wherein the first end face of the first seal is located further from the second sheet surface than the ends of the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface on the second sheet surface side. (Composition 13) A developer container as described in any one of items 1 to 9, An image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image, A developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image of the image carrier into a developing image using the developing agent contained in the developing agent container, A process cartridge having a function that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. (Composition 14) A toner cartridge having a developer container as described in any one of items 1 to 9, and which is detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 36: Developer container, 37: First frame, 37b: First joint surface, 38: Second frame, 38a: Second joint surface, 70: Urethane foam, 70a: End, 70d: First end surface, 70b: Second end surface, 71: Hot melt adhesive, 80: Opening

Claims

1. A container for a developer, A first frame having a first joining surface facing a first direction, A second frame, which together with the first frame, forms a storage section for storing a developer, and the second frame has a second joint surface facing the first joint surface, A first seal disposed between the first joining surface and the second joining surface, sealing a portion of the gap between the first joining surface and the second joining surface, the first seal extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction while compressed between the first joining surface and the second joining surface, A second seal is filled into the space enclosed by the first joining surface, the second joining surface, and the first end surface which is the end surface of the first seal facing the second direction. Equipped with, The first seal has a second end face that, together with the first end face, constitutes the end of the first seal in the second direction, and the second end face is continuous with the first end face and faces the side of the first joining surface. Of the second joining surface, the region that contacts the end of the first seal in the second direction is provided with a protrusion that projects toward the side of the first joining surface. The first frame is provided with an opening configured to expose a portion of the second end face of the first seal. A developer container characterized in that the second seal is filled so as to be in contact with both the first end face of the first seal and the portion of the second end face exposed from the opening.

2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the width of the opening in the third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is narrower than the width of the first seal in the third direction.

3. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the width of the protrusion in the second direction is wider than the width in the third direction that intersects both the first and second directions.

4. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the width of the protrusion in the third direction intersecting both the first and second directions is narrower than the width of the first seal in the third direction.

5. The aforementioned protrusion is provided in the central part of the second joining surface in the third direction, The developer container according to claim 4, wherein, of the portion of the first seal facing the second bonding surface at the end in the second direction, the portions on both sides in the third direction are in close contact with the second bonding surface with respect to the portion that rides up on the protrusion.

6. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the width of the protrusion in the first direction is narrower than the width of the first seal in the first direction when compressed between the first and second bonding surfaces.

7. The first seal has a third end face that, together with the first end face, constitutes the end of the first seal in the second direction, and the third end face is continuous with the first end face and faces the second joining surface. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein at the end in the second direction, the second end face of the first seal abuts the first joining surface except for the part exposed from the opening, and a part of the third end face of the first seal abuts the protrusion.

8. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the material of the first seal is urethane foam, rubber, or elastomer.

9. A developer container according to claim 1, A developing roller that carries the developing agent contained in the developing agent container, A developing cartridge having a feature that allows it to be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

10. The developer container is provided with a supply opening along the rotation axis of the developing roller for supplying the developer from the storage section to the outside. The developing roller is provided along the supply opening such that a portion of its circumferential direction is exposed to the outside at the supply opening, and the portion of its circumferential direction other than the aforementioned portion faces the inside of the housing. A sheet member provided along the rotation axis direction of the developing roller, wherein one end in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction faces the surface of the developing roller and the other end is fixed to the first frame, The developing cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the second seal is filled into the space enclosed by the first bonding surface, the second bonding surface, the first end surface of the first seal, and the second sheet surface of the sheet member opposite to the first sheet surface facing the surface of the developing roller.

11. The second direction is the direction that intersects the second sheet surface, The developing cartridge according to claim 10, wherein in the second direction, the first end face of the first seal is located further from the second sheet surface than the ends of the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface on the second sheet surface side.

12. A developer container according to claim 1, An image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image, A developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image of the image carrier into a developing image using the developing agent contained in the developing agent container, A process cartridge having a function that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

13. A toner cartridge having the developer container described in claim 1, and which is detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus.

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