Developer supply container

Abstract

To provide a developer supply container that allows separation of a developer storage part and a flange part without causing damage or deformation.SOLUTION: A flange part 4 has a first flange 4f and a second flange 4g. The second flange 4g is removably provided to the first flange 4f in a direction intersecting a rotation axis direction of a developer storage part 2, and the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g are engaged with each other by an engaging pawl 4h1. A groove part 2j is formed in the developer storage part 2 and a projection part 4i is formed on the second flange 4g in order to connect the developer storage part 2 to the flange part in a state where the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g are engaged with each other. The projection part 4i is engaged with the groove part 2j to prevent the developer storage part 2 from coming off from the flange part 4. The engagement made by the engaging pawl 4h1 is released to separate the second flange 4g from the first flange 4f. In a state where the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g are separated from each other, the developer storage part 2 is removably attached to the flange part 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer supply container suitable for use in an image forming apparatus utilizing electrophotographic technology, such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, fine powder developer is used, and in order to replenish developer consumed in forming an image on a recording material, a developer supply container that contains replenishment developer is detachably provided in a developer supply device provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The developer supply container has a developer discharge section formed with an outlet for discharging developer, and a developer storage section that contains replenishment developer (Patent Document 1). The developer supply container is attached to the developer supply device so that the developer discharge section is non-rotatable and the developer storage section is rotatable relative to the developer discharge section, and the replenishment developer is transported to the outlet as the developer storage section rotates.

[0003] Recently, there has been a demand for the reuse of used developer supply containers. However, since used developer supply containers may contain residual developer or may be dirty, they must be disassembled and cleaned in order to be reused. Conventionally, developer supply containers are assembled so that when one open end of the developer storage section enters the developer discharge section, an engaged section is hooked on an engaging claw provided in the developer discharge section, preventing the developer storage section from coming off the developer discharge section, and the developer storage section and the developer discharge section can be separated by releasing the engagement of the engaging claw (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6025631 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5582385 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the past, when separating the developer accommodating section and the developer discharge section, excessive force was likely to be applied to release the engagement of the engaging claws, which could result in damage or deformation to the developer accommodating section and the developer discharge section, making it difficult to reuse them.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide a developer supply container in which a developer accommodating section and a developer discharge section are separable from each other without causing damage or deformation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] a developer supply container that is provided with a developer supply port that is connected to the storage unit so as to be rotatable relative to the storage unit and that has a developer discharge port for discharging developer supplied from the opening of the storage unit; and a developer discharge portion that is arranged to cover the periphery of the one end side of the storage unit and has a connection portion to which the storage unit is connected so as to be rotatable relative to the storage unit and a discharge port for discharging developer supplied from the opening of the storage unit. The connection portion has a first separation portion and a second separation portion that are separable from each other in a direction intersecting the rotational axis direction of the storage unit, and a connection portion side engagement portion that detachably engages the second separation portion with the first separation portion. The storage unit has a first engagement portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the one end side that is covered by the connection portion, and at least one of the first separation portion and the second separation portion has a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion with the one end side of the storage unit covered by the connection portion, thereby preventing the connection portion from coming off the storage unit in the rotational axis direction. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, in a developer supply container in which a developer accommodating section and a developer discharge section are separably provided, the developer accommodating section and the developer discharge section can be easily separated without causing damage or deformation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus to which the developer supply container of the present embodiment can be applied; [Diagram 2] 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply device, FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a mounting portion, and FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a developer supply container and a developer supply device. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a developer supplying process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the developer supply device. [Figure 6] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a developer supply container, and FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a partially sectional perspective view of a developer supply container; FIG. 1B is a top view showing a state in which a pump portion is maximally extended; FIG. 1C is a top view showing a state in which the pump portion is maximally contracted. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a development showing the shape of a cam groove of the developer supply container. [Figure 9] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a flange portion and a developer accommodating portion in an engaged state, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the flange portion and the developer accommodating portion in a separated state. [Figure 10] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing the flange portion and the developer accommodating portion in an engaged state, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the protrusion and the groove portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration in which a first flange and a second flange are fastened by screws; FIG. 2B is a front view of the flange portion as seen from the rotation axis direction; and FIG. 2C is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the fastening point by the screws. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Image forming device] The present embodiment will be described below. First, an image forming apparatus to which the developer supply container of the present embodiment can be applied will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 first reads an original 101 placed on an original table glass 102 to obtain image information, or obtains image information transmitted from an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer connected to the apparatus body so as to be capable of communicating with the apparatus body. Then, an optical image corresponding to the obtained image information is formed on an electrophotographic photoreceptor (hereinafter, photoreceptor 104) by a plurality of mirrors M and lenses Ln of an optical unit 103, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 104. This electrostatic latent image is visualized by a dry developer (single-component developer) 201a using toner (single-component magnetic toner) as a developer.

[0011] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which one-component magnetic toner is used as the developer to be replenished from the developer supply container 1, but this is not the only example, and configurations such as those described below may also be used.

[0012] Specifically, when a one-component developing device that performs development using one-component non-magnetic toner is used, the one-component non-magnetic toner is replenished as the developer. Alternatively, a two-component developing device that performs development using a two-component developer in which a magnetic carrier and a non-magnetic toner are mixed may be used, in which case the non-magnetic toner is replenished as the developer. In this case, the magnetic carrier may also be replenished as well as the non-magnetic toner as the developer.

[0013] Recording materials (hereinafter referred to as sheets) are stored in a stacked state in cassettes 105-108. Of these cassettes 105-108, a cassette storing sheets P of an optimum size is selected based on information input by a user from an operation unit (not shown) provided on the device body or the sheet size of the document 101. Then, sheets P are transported one by one from one of the selected cassettes 105-108 by feeding / separating devices 105A-108A. Examples of sheets P include sheet materials such as paper, plastic film, and cloth.

[0014] One sheet P conveyed by the feeding / separating devices 105A to 108A is conveyed to the registration roller 110 via the conveying section 109. The registration roller 110 conveys the sheet P to the transfer charger 111 by synchronizing the timing of the rotation of the photoconductor 104 and the scanning of the optical section 103. The transfer charger 111 transfers the toner image formed by the developer on the photoconductor 104 to the sheet P. Then, the separation charger 112 separates the sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred from the photoconductor 104. Thereafter, the sheet P conveyed by the conveying section 113 is heated and pressed in the fixing section 114. As a result, the toner image on the sheet P is fixed.

[0015] In the case of single-sided printing in which an image is formed only on one side of the sheet P, the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed passes through the discharge / reversal section 115 and is discharged to the discharge tray 117 by the discharge rollers 116. On the other hand, in the case of double-sided printing in which an image is formed on both sides of the sheet P, the sheet P on which the toner image is fixed on one side passes through the discharge / reversal section 115, and a part of the sheet P is discharged once to the outside of the apparatus by the discharge rollers 116. After that, when the trailing edge of the sheet P passes through the flapper 118, while the sheet P is still being held by the discharge rollers 116, the flapper 118 is controlled and the discharge rollers 116 are rotated in reverse, so that the sheet P is returned into the apparatus body. Then, the sheet P is conveyed to the registration rollers 110 via the re-feed conveying sections 119 and 120, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet P in the same manner as in the case of single-sided printing, and the sheet P is discharged to the discharge tray 117.

[0016] In the image forming apparatus 100 having the above-mentioned configuration, image forming process devices such as a developing unit 201a, a cleaner unit 202, and a primary charger 203 are installed around the photoconductor 104. The developing unit 201a develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 104 by the optical unit 103 based on image information of the original 101 by attaching a developer to the electrostatic latent image. The primary charger 203 is for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor 104 to form a desired electrostatic image on the photoconductor 104. The cleaner unit 202 is for removing developer remaining on the photoconductor 104.

[0017] [Developer supply device] Next, the developer supply device 201, which is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100 and to which the developer supply container 1 is detachably attached, will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Fig. 2(a) is a partial cross-sectional view of the developer supply device 201, Fig. 2(b) is an external perspective view of the mounting section 10 into which the developer supply container 1 can be inserted and removed, and Fig. 2(c) is a cross-sectional view of the mounting section 10. Fig. 3 shows a control system, as well as a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the developer supply container 1 and the developer supply device 201. Fig. 4 is a flow chart explaining the flow of developer supply by the control system.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the developer supply device 201 has an attachment section 10 into which the developer supply container 1 can be inserted and removed, a hopper 10a that temporarily stores developer discharged from the developer supply container 1, and a developing unit 201a. As shown in Fig. 2(c), the developer supply container 1 is configured to be inserted into the attachment section 10 in the direction of arrow M in the figure. The direction of the rotation axis (longitudinal direction) of the developer supply container 1 almost coincides with this insertion direction. The direction in which the developer supply container 1 is removed (pulled out) from the attachment section 10 is opposite to the direction of arrow M in the figure.

[0019] 1 and 2(a), the developing unit 201a has a developing roller 201f, an agitating member 201c, and feeding members 201d and 201e. The developer supplied from the developer supply container 1 is agitated by the agitating member 201c, fed to the developing roller 201f by the feeding members 201d and 201e, and supplied to the photoconductor 104 by the developing roller 201f.

[0020] The developing roller 201f is provided with a developing blade 201g that regulates the amount of developer coated on the roller, and a leakage prevention sheet 201h that is placed in contact with the developing roller 201f to prevent leakage of developer between the developing roller 201f and the developing unit 201a.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the mounting portion 10 is provided with a rotational direction regulating portion (holding mechanism) 11 which abuts against the flange portion 4 (see FIG. 6(a) described later) of the developer supply container 1 when the developer supply container 1 is mounted, thereby regulating the movement of the flange portion 4 in the rotational direction.

[0022] When the developer supply container 1 is attached, the mounting portion 10 has a developer receiving port 13 that communicates with the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1 to receive the developer discharged from the developer supply container 1, as shown in FIG. 3. The developer is supplied from the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1 to the hopper 10a through the developer receiving port 13. The hopper 10a has a transport screw 10b for transporting the developer to the developing device 201a, an opening 10c that communicates with the developing device 201a, and a developer sensor 10d that detects the amount of developer contained in the hopper 10a. The developer discharged from the developer supply container 1 is supplied to the developing device 201a by the hopper 10a.

[0023] In this embodiment, the diameter of developer receiving opening 13 is set to about 2.5 mm as a fine opening (pinhole) for the purpose of preventing as much as possible the developer from contaminating the inside of mounting portion 10. The diameter of developer receiving opening 13 may be any diameter that allows developer to be discharged from discharge opening 4a.

[0024] 2(b) and (c), the mounting portion 10 has a drive gear 300 that functions as a drive mechanism (drive portion). A rotational drive force is transmitted from a drive motor 500 (see FIG. 3) through a drive gear train to the drive gear 300, and the drive gear 300 has a function of applying the rotational drive force to the developer supply container 1 set in the mounting portion 10.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the drive motor 500 is controlled by a control device 600. The control device 600 controls the operation of the drive motor 500 based on developer remaining amount information input from the developer sensor 10d. The control device 600 controls the drive motor 500 as well as the entire image forming apparatus 100. Such a control device 600 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU controls each part while reading a program corresponding to a control procedure stored in the ROM. In addition, working data and input data are stored in the RAM, and the CPU performs control by referring to the data stored in the RAM based on the above-mentioned programs and the like.

[0026] In this embodiment, the drive gear 300 is set to rotate in only one direction in order to simplify the control of the drive motor 500. In other words, the control device 600 is configured to only control the on (operated) / off (non-operated) of the drive motor 500. Therefore, the drive mechanism of the developer supply device 201 can be simplified compared to a configuration in which a reversal drive force obtained by periodically reversing the drive motor 500 (drive gear 300) between the forward and reverse directions is applied to the developer supply container 1.

[0027] [How to install and remove the developer supply container] Next, a method for attaching and detaching the developer supply container 1 will be described. First, the user opens a replacement cover (not shown) provided on the mounting portion 10, and inserts the developer supply container 1 into the mounting portion 10. When the user inserts the developer supply container 1 all the way into the mounting portion 10, the attachment of the developer supply container 1 to the developer supply device 201 is complete. Thereafter, the user closes the replacement cover. Here, with the developer supply container 1 attached, the flange portion 4 of the developer supply container 1 is held and fixed to the mounting portion 10.

[0028] When the developer in the developer supply container 1 is nearly empty, the user opens the replacement cover and detaches (removes) the developer supply container 1 from the mounting part 10. Then, after inserting and mounting another developer supply container 1 filled with developer into the mounting part 10, the user closes the replacement cover. In this manner, the user can replace the developer supply container 1.

[0029] [Developer replenishment control by developer replenishment device] Next, developer replenishment control by the developer replenishment device 201 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 4. This developer replenishment control is executed by controlling various devices with a control device (CPU) 600. In this embodiment, the control device 600 controls the operation / non-operation of the drive motor 500 in response to the output of the developer sensor 10d, so that the hopper 10a is configured not to contain more than a certain amount of developer.

[0030] Specifically, first, the developer sensor 10d checks the amount of developer contained in the hopper 10a (S100). Then, if it is determined that the amount of developer detected by the developer sensor 10d is less than a predetermined amount, that is, if the developer sensor 10d does not detect developer, the drive motor 500 is driven to perform a developer supply operation for a certain period of time (S101).

[0031] If it is determined that the amount of developer contained has reached a predetermined amount as a result of this developer supply operation, that is, if developer is detected by the developer sensor 10d, the drive motor 500 is turned off and the developer supply operation is stopped (S102). With this stop of the supply operation, a series of developer supply steps is completed.

[0032] Such a developer replenishing process is configured to be repeatedly executed when the developer is consumed in the course of image formation and the amount of developer contained in the hopper 10a falls below a predetermined value.

[0033] The developer supply device 201 is not limited to the above-mentioned one that temporarily stores the developer discharged from the developer supply container 1 in the hopper 10a and then supplies the developer to the developing device 201a. For example, the developer supply device may be one as shown in FIG. 5.

[0034] The developer replenishing device shown in FIG. 5 omits the hopper 10a from the developer replenishing device shown in FIG. 3, and directly replenishing the developer from the developer replenishing container 1 to the developing device 800. In this case, the developing device 800 is a type of developing device that forms an image using a two-component developer containing non-magnetic toner and magnetic carrier. The developing device 800 has a stirring chamber to which the developer is replenished, and a developing chamber that supplies the developer to the developing sleeve 800a, and a stirring screw 800b is installed in the stirring chamber and the developing chamber such that the developer is transported in the opposite directions to each other. The stirring chamber and the developing chamber are connected to each other at both ends, so that the developer is circulated and transported between these two chambers. The stirring chamber is installed with a magnetic sensor 800c that detects the toner concentration in the developer, and the control device 600 can control the operation of the drive motor 500 based on the detection result of the magnetic sensor 800c. In this configuration, the developer supplied from the developer replenishing container 1 is only non-magnetic toner, or non-magnetic toner and magnetic carrier.

[0035] In the developer supply device shown in FIG. 5, the developer in the developer supply container 1 is hardly discharged from the discharge port 4a by gravity, but is discharged by the volume-variable operation of the pump section 3a, so that the developer can be stably replenished while suppressing variation in the discharge amount.

[0036] [Developer supply container] Next, the developer supply container 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 and Figs. 6(a) to 7(c). First, an overview of the developer supply container 1 of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view showing the developer supply container 1, and Fig. 6(b) is a partially enlarged view showing the periphery of the discharge port 4a of the developer supply container 1. Fig. 7(a) is a partially sectional perspective view of the developer supply container 1, Fig. 7(b) is a top view showing the state in which the pump portion 3a is fully extended, and Fig. 7(c) is a top view showing the state in which the pump portion 3a is fully contracted.

[0037] A cover 400 is attached to the developer supply container 1 as shown in FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 7(a). The cover 400 is attached so as to cover the entire flange portion 4, pump portion 3a, and reciprocating member 3b described later in order to improve the external appearance and to protect the pump portion 3a and reciprocating member 3b described later. The developer supply container 1 has a cylindrical developer storage portion 2 having an internal space in which the developer to be supplied is filled in advance. The developer storage portion 2 has one end in the rotation axis direction (longitudinal direction) open, and the developer stored inside is transported toward the open end side by rotating. The developer supply container 1 also has a flange portion 4 as a developer discharge portion at one end downstream of the developer transport direction (arrow X direction) of the developer storage portion 2. The developer storage portion 2 is configured to be rotatable relative to the flange portion 4. The cross-sectional shape of the developer storage portion 2 may be non-circular as long as it does not affect the rotational operation of the developer storage portion 2 in the developer supply process. For example, it may be an elliptical or polygonal shape.

[0038] [Developer supply container material] In this embodiment, the developer is discharged from the discharge port 4a by changing the volume inside the developer supply container 1 using a pump portion 3a (described later). Therefore, it is preferable to use a material for the developer supply container 1 that has a degree of rigidity that prevents it from being significantly crushed or swollen in response to the change in volume.

[0039] In addition, the developer supply container 1 of this embodiment communicates with the outside only through the discharge port 4a, and is configured to be sealed from the outside except for the discharge port 4a. Since a configuration is adopted in which the volume inside the developer supply container 1 is decreased or increased by the pump portion 3a to discharge the developer from the discharge port 4a, airtightness to a degree that maintains stable discharge performance is required.

[0040] Therefore, in this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 2k of the developer accommodating portion 2 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, the discharge portion 4c of the flange portion 4, which will be described later, is made of polystyrene resin, and the pump portion 3a is made of polypropylene resin. Note that, with regard to the materials used, the cylindrical portion 2k and the discharge portion 4c can be made of other resins such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., as long as they are materials that can withstand volume changes.

[0041] The material of the pump portion 3a may be any material that exhibits an elastic function and can change the volume of the developer supply container 1 by changing the volume. For example, it may be a thin-walled material such as ABS, polystyrene, polyester, or polyethylene. It is also possible to use rubber or other elastic materials. If the pump portion 3a, the cylindrical portion 2k, and the discharge portion 4c each fulfill the above-mentioned functions by adjusting the thickness of the resin material, they may be integrally molded from the same material using, for example, injection molding or blow molding.

[0042] The flange portion 4, the cylindrical portion 2k, and the pump portion 3a of the developer supply container 1 will be described below in this order.

[0043] [Flange] First, an overview of the flange portion 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the flange portion 4 is provided with a hollow discharge portion 4c for temporarily storing the developer transported from the cylindrical portion 2k. A part of the discharge portion 4c is arranged so as to cover the periphery of one end side of the developer storage portion 2, and functions as a connection portion to which the developer storage portion 2 is connected so as to be relatively rotatable. A discharge port 4a is formed at the bottom of the discharge portion 4c, which allows the developer to be discharged from the discharge portion 4c to the outside. A developer storage portion 4d capable of storing a certain amount of developer before being discharged is provided above the discharge port 4a.

[0044] The flange portion 4 is provided with a shutter 4b for opening and closing the discharge port 4a. The shutter 4b is configured to abut against an abutting portion 21 (see FIG. 2(b)) provided on the mounting portion 10 as the developer supply container 1 is mounted to the mounting portion 10. When the shutter 4b abuts against the abutting portion 21, it slides relatively to the developer supply container 1 along the rotation axis direction of the cylindrical portion 2k in the opposite direction to the developer transport direction (arrow X direction), and opens the discharge port 4a. The discharge port 4a is aligned with and communicates with a developer receiving port 13 (see FIG. 3) of the mounting portion 10, thereby enabling the supply of developer from the developer supply container 1.

[0045] The flange portion 4 is configured to be substantially immobile when the developer supply container 1 is mounted in the mounting portion 10. Specifically, the developer supply device 201 is provided with a rotation direction regulating portion 11 shown in FIG. 2(b) so that the flange portion 4 does not rotate in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k by itself. Therefore, when the developer supply container 1 is mounted in the mounting portion 10, the discharge portion 4c provided on the flange portion 4 is also substantially prevented from rotating in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k (movement to the extent of backlash is permitted). On the other hand, the cylindrical portion 2k is configured to rotate in the developer supply process without being regulated in the rotation direction by the developer supply device 201.

[0046] 7(a), a transport member 6 is provided in the developer accommodating section 2 to transport the developer transported from the cylindrical section 2k by the spiral convex section (transport protrusion) 2c to the discharge section 4c. The transport member 6 is provided so as to separate a part of the developer accommodating section 2 into two sections, and is configured to rotate integrally with the cylindrical section 2k. The transport member 6 is provided on both sides with a plurality of inclined ribs 6a inclined toward the discharge section 4c with respect to the rotation axis direction of the cylindrical section 2k.

[0047] With the above configuration, the developer transported by the transport protrusions 2c is scooped up vertically from below to above by the plate-like transport member 6 in conjunction with the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k. Thereafter, as the rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k progresses, the developer slides down the surface of the transport member 6 due to gravity, and is eventually delivered to the discharge portion 4c by the inclined rib 6a. In this configuration, the inclined rib 6a is provided on both sides of the transport member 6 so that the developer is sent to the discharge portion 4c every time the cylindrical portion 2k makes a half rotation.

[0048] [Cylindrical part] Next, the cylindrical portion 2k will be described. As shown in Fig. 7(a) to Fig. 7(c), the cylindrical portion 2k has a spirally protruding transport protrusion 2c on its inner surface, which functions as a means for transporting the contained developer toward the discharge portion 4c as the cylindrical portion 2k rotates. The cylindrical portion 2k is formed by blow molding or the like using the resin of the above-mentioned material.

[0049] When it is desired to increase the volume of the developer supply container 1 in order to increase the amount of developer filled, it is possible to configure the discharge portion 4c as a developer storage space to have a larger volume in the height direction. However, such a configuration would increase the gravitational force acting on the developer near the discharge port 4a due to the weight of the developer itself. As a result, the developer near the discharge port 4a would be compressed and denser, which would hinder the pump portion 3a (described later) from sucking in or discharging the developer through the discharge port 4a. In this case, in order to loosen the compressed developer by sucking in air from the discharge port 4a or to discharge the developer by discharging air from the discharge port 4a, the volume change amount of the pump portion 3a must be further increased. However, in such a case, the driving force for driving the pump portion 3a would also increase, and there is a risk that the load on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 would become excessive.

[0050] Therefore, in this embodiment, the cylindrical portions 2k are arranged horizontally on the flange portion 4, and the filling amount of the developer is increased by the volume of the cylindrical portions 2k. In this way, compared to a configuration in which the volume of the discharge portion 4c is increased in the height direction, the thickness of the developer layer above the discharge port 4a in the developer supply container 1 can be made thinner, and the developer is less likely to become dense due to gravity, so there is no need to increase the volume change amount of the pump portion 3a. Therefore, the driving force for driving the pump portion 3a can be small, and stable discharge of the developer is possible without applying a load to the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0051] [Pump section] Next, the pump section 3a, whose volume varies with reciprocating motion, will be described. The pump section 3a functions as an intake and exhaust mechanism that alternates between intake and exhaust operations via the discharge port 4a. In other words, the pump section 3a functions as an airflow generating mechanism that alternately generates an airflow toward the inside of the developer supply container 1 through the discharge port 4a and an airflow toward the outside from the developer supply container 1.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 7(a), the pump portion 3a is provided downstream of the discharge portion 4c in the developer transport direction (arrow X direction). The pump portion 3a is fixed to the discharge portion 4c of the flange portion 4 and is therefore non-rotatable. The pump portion 3a has a developer storage space therein capable of storing developer. This developer storage space in the pump portion 3a plays an important role in fluidizing the developer during the suction operation described below.

[0053] In this embodiment, a resin-made variable-volume pump whose volume varies with reciprocating motion is used as the pump section 3a. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), a bellows-shaped pump is used, in which a plurality of "mountain fold" sections and "valley fold" sections are formed alternately and periodically. This pump section 3a can repeatedly compress and expand alternately by the driving force received from the developer supply device 201. By using such a pump section 3a, the volume of the developer supply container 1 can be varied and can be repeatedly changed alternately at a predetermined period. As a result, it becomes possible to efficiently discharge the developer in the discharge section 4c from the discharge port 4a having a small diameter (for example, a diameter of about 2.5 mm).

[0054] [Drive receiving mechanism] Next, a description will be given of a drive force receiving mechanism (drive force input portion) of the developer supply container 1 that receives, from the developer supply device 201, a rotational drive force for rotating the cylindrical portion 2k having the transport projection 2c.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 6(a), the developer supply container 1 is provided with a gear portion 2d that functions as a drive receiving mechanism that can be engaged with and drive-coupled to a drive gear 300 (that functions as a drive mechanism) of the developer supply device 201. The gear portion 2d is configured to be rotatable integrally with the cylindrical portion 2k. Therefore, the rotational drive force input from the drive gear 300 to the gear portion 2d causes the cylindrical portion 2k to rotate integrally, thereby conveying the developer contained in the cylindrical portion 2k to the discharge portion 4c.

[0056] The gear portion 2d is provided downstream of the approximate center of the developer accommodating portion 2 in the developer transport direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided, for example, at an end portion upstream of the approximate center of the developer accommodating portion 2 in the X direction. In this case, the drive gear 300 is provided at a corresponding position. In addition, in this embodiment, a gear mechanism is used as a drive coupling mechanism between the developer supply container 1 and the developer supply device 201, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, a known coupling mechanism may be used. Specifically, a non-circular recess may be provided as the drive input portion, and a protrusion having a shape corresponding to the recess may be provided as the drive portion of the developer supply device 201, and these may be configured to drive and couple with each other.

[0057] [Drive conversion mechanism] Next, the drive conversion mechanism of the developer supply container 1 will be described. In this embodiment, a case where a cam mechanism is used as an example of the drive conversion mechanism will be described. As shown in FIG. 7(b) and FIG. 7(c), the developer supply container 1 is provided with a cam mechanism that functions as a drive conversion mechanism that converts the rotational drive force for rotating the cylindrical portion 2k received by the gear portion 2d into a force in a direction to reciprocate the pump portion 3a. That is, in this embodiment, the rotational drive force received by the gear portion 2d is converted into a reciprocating force on the developer supply container 1 side, so that the drive force for rotating the cylindrical portion 2k and the drive force for reciprocating the pump portion 3a are received by one drive input portion (gear portion 2d). This makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the drive input mechanism of the developer supply container 1 compared to the case where two drive input portions are separately provided in the developer supply container 1. Furthermore, since the drive is received from one drive gear of the developer supply device 201, it can also contribute to simplifying the drive input mechanism of the developer supply device 201.

[0058] In this embodiment, the reciprocating member 3b is used as a conversion member for converting the rotational driving force into the reciprocating force of the pump portion 3a. Specifically, a cam groove 2e is formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 2k that rotates via a drive input portion (gear portion 2d) that receives the rotational driving force from the drive gear 300, and a reciprocating member protrusion 3c protruding from an arm portion 3b1 of the reciprocating member 3b is engaged with the cam groove 2e. Therefore, the reciprocating member 3b reciprocates along the groove of the cam groove 2e in the developer transport direction (arrow X direction) and the opposite direction. In addition, since the engagement portion 3a1 of the pump portion 3a and the protrusion portion 3d provided on the reciprocating member 3b are engaged with each other, the reciprocating motion becomes a reciprocating force that operates the pump portion 3a. Note that the reciprocating member 3b is restricted so that it does not rotate in the rotational direction of the cylindrical portion 2k (a degree of backlash is allowed). In this way, the cylindrical portion 2k rotates due to the rotational driving force input from the drive gear 300, and the reciprocating member 3b reciprocates along the cam groove 2e. As a result, the pump portion 3a alternates between an expanded state (FIG. 7(a)) and a contracted state (FIG. 7(b)), thereby achieving variable volume of the developer supply container 1.

[0059] The number of reciprocating member protrusions 3c may be at least one. However, since a moment may be generated in the drive conversion mechanism due to the resistance when the pump portion 3a expands and contracts, which may cause a problem of a smooth reciprocating motion, it is preferable to provide a plurality of reciprocating member protrusions 3c so as not to disrupt the relationship with the shape of the cam groove 2e described later. In this embodiment, two reciprocating member protrusions 3c are engaged with the cam groove 2e so as to face each other at approximately 180°.

[0060] [Location of drive conversion mechanism] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7(b) and Fig. 7(c), the drive conversion mechanism (a cam mechanism composed of a reciprocating member protrusion 3c and a cam groove 2e) is provided outside the developer accommodating section 2. That is, the drive conversion mechanism is provided at a position separated from the internal space of the cylindrical section 2k and the discharge section 4c so as not to come into contact with the developer accommodated inside the cylindrical section 2k and the discharge section 4c. This can solve problems that are expected when the drive conversion mechanism is provided in the internal space of the developer accommodating section 2. That is, it is possible to prevent the developer from entering the rubbing points of the drive conversion mechanism, causing the developer particles to soften due to heat and pressure, causing some particles to stick together and become large lumps (coarse particles), and to prevent the developer from getting caught in the conversion mechanism, causing an increase in torque.

[0061] [Cam groove] FIG. 8 shows an example of the shape of the cam groove 2e. In FIG. 8, arrow A indicates the rotation direction of the developer accommodating portion 2 (movement direction of the cam groove 2e), arrow B indicates the expansion direction of the pump portion 3a, and arrow C indicates the compression direction of the pump portion 3a. The cam groove 2e has a cam groove 2f which is an area used when the pump portion 3a is expanded, a cam groove 2g which is an area used when the pump portion 3a is compressed, and a cam groove 2h which is an area where the pump portion 3a does not reciprocate. In the case of this embodiment, when the reciprocating member protrusion 3c of the reciprocating member 3b is moving in the cam groove 2f, an intake operation is performed through the discharge port 4a in accordance with the operation of the pump portion 3a (intake process). Also, when the reciprocating member protrusion 3c is moving in the cam groove 2g, an exhaust operation is performed through the discharge port 4a in accordance with the operation of the pump portion 3a (exhaust process). In addition, while the reciprocating member protrusion 3c is moving in the cam groove 2h, the pump portion 3a is not operated and the intake and exhaust operation through the exhaust port 4a is not performed (operation stop process). The intake process, exhaust process, and operation stop process will be described in detail below.

[0062] [Intake process] First, the suction process will be described. The above-mentioned drive conversion mechanism (cam mechanism) causes the pump section 3a to move from its most contracted state (FIG. 7(c)) to its most extended state (FIG. 7(b)), thereby performing a suction operation via the discharge port 4a. This suction operation increases the volume inside the developer supply container 1 (cylindrical section 2k, discharge section 4c, pump section 3a). At this time, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is substantially sealed except for the discharge port 4a, and furthermore, the discharge port 4a is substantially blocked by the developer. Therefore, as the volume inside the developer supply container 1 increases, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 decreases.

[0063] At this time, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 becomes lower than atmospheric pressure (external pressure), so that the air outside the developer supply container 1 moves into the developer supply container 1 through the discharge port 4a due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the developer supply container 1. In this way, air is taken in from the outside of the developer supply container 1 through the discharge port 4a, so that the developer located near the discharge port 4a can be loosened (fluidized). Specifically, the developer located near the discharge port 4a can be appropriately fluidized by making the developer contain air, thereby reducing the bulk density. Furthermore, because air is taken in the developer supply container 1 through the discharge port 4a, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 remains near atmospheric pressure (external pressure) even though its volume has increased.

[0064] In this way, by fluidizing the developer, the developer does not get clogged in the outlet 4a during the exhaust operation described below, and the developer can be smoothly discharged from the outlet 4a. Therefore, the amount of developer discharged from the outlet 4a per unit time can be kept almost constant over a long period of time.

[0065] In order to perform the suction operation, the pump portion 3a is not necessarily required to change from the most contracted state to the most extended state, and even if the pump portion 3a stops halfway from the most contracted state to the most extended state, the suction operation is performed if there is a change in the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1. The suction process is a state in which the reciprocating member protrusion 3c is engaged with the cam groove 2f shown in FIG.

[0066] [Exhaust process] Next, the exhaust process will be described. As the pump portion 3a goes from its most expanded state (FIG. 7(b)) to its most contracted state (FIG. 7(c)), an exhaust operation is performed via the discharge port 4a. As a result of this exhaust operation, the volume inside the developer supply container 1 (cylindrical portion 2k, discharge portion 4c, pump portion 3a) decreases. At this time, the inside of the developer supply container 1 is substantially sealed except for the discharge port 4a, and the discharge port 4a is substantially blocked by the developer until the developer is discharged. Therefore, as the volume inside the developer supply container 1 decreases, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 increases.

[0067] At this time, the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 becomes higher than atmospheric pressure (external air pressure), so the developer is pushed out from the discharge port 4a due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the developer supply container 1. That is, the developer is discharged from the developer supply container 1 to the developer supply device 201. Then, the air in the developer supply container 1 is also discharged together with the developer, so the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1 decreases. In this way, in this embodiment, the developer can be efficiently discharged using one reciprocating pump unit 3a, so the mechanism required for discharging the developer can be simplified.

[0068] In order to perform the exhaust operation, the pump portion 3a is not necessarily required to change from the most extended state to the most contracted state, and even if the pump portion 3a stops halfway from the most extended state to the most contracted state, the exhaust operation is performed if there is a change in the internal pressure of the developer supply container 1. The exhaust process is a state in which the reciprocating member protrusion 3c is engaged with the cam groove 2g shown in FIG.

[0069] [Operation stop process] Next, the operation stopping process will be described. As described above, when adopting a configuration in which the hopper 10a is omitted and the control device 600 controls the operation of the drive motor 500 based on the detection result of the magnetic sensor 800c, the supply amount of developer supplied from the developer supply container 1 directly affects the toner concentration. Therefore, in order to stabilize the supply amount of developer supplied from the developer supply container 1, it is desirable to vary the internal volume of the developer supply container 1 by a fixed volume variation amount each time.

[0070] For example, if the cam groove 2e is configured with only the exhaust stroke and the suction stroke, the motor drive will be stopped in the middle of the exhaust stroke or the suction stroke. In this case, the cylindrical portion 2k will rotate by inertia even after the rotation of the drive motor 500 has stopped, and the pump portion 3a will continue to reciprocate in conjunction with the cylindrical portion 2k until the cylindrical portion 2k stops, and the exhaust stroke or the suction stroke will be performed. The distance that the cylindrical portion 2k rotates by inertia depends on the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the cylindrical portion 2k depends on the torque applied to the drive motor 500. For this reason, the torque to the drive motor 500 changes depending on the weight (capacity) of the developer in the developer supply container 1, and the speed of the cylindrical portion 2k may also change, making it difficult to keep the stopping position of the pump portion 3a the same every time.

[0071] Therefore, in order to stop the pump portion 3a at a fixed position every time, it is necessary to provide an area in the cam groove 2e where the pump portion 3a does not reciprocate even when the cylindrical portion 2k is rotating. In this embodiment, in order to prevent the pump portion 3a from reciprocating, a cam groove 2h shown in FIG. 8 is provided. The cam groove 2h is a groove area formed in the rotation direction of the cylindrical portion 2k, and has a straight shape in which the reciprocating member 3b does not move even if the cylindrical portion 2k rotates. The operation stop process is a state in which the reciprocating member protrusion 3c is engaged with the cam groove 2h.

[0072] In addition, the pump portion 3a not reciprocating means that the developer is not discharged from the discharge port 4a (developer that falls from the discharge port 4a due to vibration during rotation of the cylindrical portion 2k is acceptable). In other words, the cam groove 2h may be inclined toward the rotation axis direction with respect to the rotation direction as long as the exhaust process and the suction process are not performed through the discharge port 4a. Furthermore, since the cam groove 2h is inclined, the reciprocating movement of the pump portion 3a is acceptable for the inclined amount.

[0073] [Flange section configuration] Next, the configuration of the flange portion 4 in the developer supply container 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9(a) to 10(b). As shown in Figure 9(a), the developer accommodating portion 2 is rotatably attached with the open end side of the developer accommodating portion 2 inserted into the flange portion 4. The flange portion 4 of this embodiment has a first flange 4f as a first separation portion and a second flange 4g as a second separation portion.

[0074] 9(b), the second flange 4g is detachably provided to the first flange 4f in a direction intersecting the rotational axis direction of the developer accommodating portion 2, and the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g are engaged with each other by a flexible engagement claw 4h1. Here, the engagement claw 4h1 is formed on the second flange 4g as a connection portion side engagement portion that detachably engages the second flange 4g with the first flange 4f, and an engagement hole 4h2 that engages the engagement claw 4h1 is formed on the first flange 4f. Of course, this is not limited to the above, and for example, an engagement claw may be formed on the first flange 4f and an engagement hole may be formed on the second flange 4g.

[0075] The developer accommodating unit 2 is rotatably connected to the flange portion 4 with the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g engaged with each other by an engaging claw 4h1. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9(b), Fig. 10(a) and Fig. 10(b), the developer accommodating unit 2 has a concave groove portion 2j formed as a first engaging portion extending in the rotational direction (circumferential direction) on the outer circumferential surface of one end side facing the second flange 4g in the rotational axis direction.

[0076] In contrast, the second flange 4g has a convex protrusion 4i formed as a second engagement portion extending in the rotational direction on the inner circumferential surface. In this embodiment, the protrusion 4i is formed only on the second flange 4g. The protrusion 4i engages with the groove 2j, so that the developer accommodating portion 2 is rotatably connected to the flange portion 4 in a state in which it is prevented from coming off from the flange portion 4. The second flange 4g is separated from the first flange 4f by releasing the engagement by the engagement claw 4h1. In this manner, in this embodiment, the flange portion 4 can be separated into the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g, and the developer accommodating portion 2 can be attached to and detached from the flange portion 4 when the flange portion 4 is separated into the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g.

[0077] 10(b), the developer accommodating portion 2 is rotatably connected to the flange portion 4 in a state where a ring-shaped elastic flange seal 700 arranged on the inner surface of the flange portion 4 is crushed. As a result, the developer accommodating portion 2 rotates while sliding on the flange seal 700, so that the developer in the developer accommodating portion 2 does not leak from the boundary between the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g.

[0078] In the present embodiment, the flange portion 4 is divided into a first flange 4f and a second flange 4g so as to be divided into two approximately halves in the rotation direction. In other words, the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g have the same circumferential length, which is half the circumferential length of the flange portion 4. In this case, the developer accommodating portion 2 can be attached to the first flange 4f from a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction after attachment (hereinafter referred to as a radial direction). In this case, the protruding portion 4i is not limited to being formed only on the second flange 4g, but may be formed on at least one of the second flange 4g and the first flange 4f. For example, when the protruding portion 4i is formed on the first flange 4f, the developer accommodating portion 2 is attached to the first flange 4f from the radial direction, and at that time, the protruding portion 4i formed on the first flange 4f is engaged with the groove portion 2j of the developer accommodating portion 2, and then the second flange 4g is engaged with the first flange 4f by the engagement claw 4h1.

[0079] The protruding portion 4i may be formed only on the second flange 4g or only on the first flange 4f, but may be formed on both the second flange 4g and the first flange 4f. The groove portion 2j is preferably formed over the entire outer circumferential surface of the developer accommodating portion 2. This is advantageous because the developer accommodating portion 2 rotates stably with respect to the flange portion 4.

[0080] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the groove 2j is formed by a first protruding portion 2j1 and a second protruding portion 2j2 spaced apart from each other in the rotation axis direction so as to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the developer accommodating portion 2 in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction. In this case, the tips of the first protruding portion 2j1 and the second protruding portion 2j2 rub against the inner circumferential surfaces of the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g during rotation. However, the groove 2j may be formed in a concave shape on the outer circumferential surface of the developer accommodating portion 2 without providing the first protruding portion 2j1 and the second protruding portion 2j2. In this case, the outer circumferential surface of the developer accommodating portion 2 rubs against the inner circumferential surfaces of the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g during rotation.

[0081] In addition, in this embodiment, the protrusion 4i is formed on the second flange 4g and the first flange 4f, and the groove 2j is formed in the developer accommodating portion 2, but it is also possible to form the protrusion 4i on the developer accommodating portion 2 and to form the groove 2j on the second flange 4g and the first flange 4f.

[0082] As described above, in this embodiment, the flange portion 4 has the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g, and the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g are engaged with each other by the engaging claw 4h1. In order to connect the developer accommodating portion 2 with the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g engaged with each other, a groove portion 2j is formed in the developer accommodating portion 2, and a protruding portion 4i is formed in the second flange 4g. The protruding portion 4i is engaged with the groove portion 2j, and the developer accommodating portion 2 is prevented from coming off the flange portion 4. The second flange 4g is released from engagement with the engaging claw 4h1 and separated from the first flange 4f in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction of the developer accommodating portion 2. In this way, the flange portion 4 is separated into the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g by releasing the engagement with the engaging claw 4h1. Then, the developer accommodating portion 2 can be attached to and detached from the flange portion 4 when the flange portion 4 is separated into the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g. In this way, the flange portion 4 and the developer accommodating portion 2 can be separated without breaking the engaging claw 4h1. Therefore, when the flange portion 4 and the developer accommodating portion 2 are separated from the used developer supply container 1, they are not damaged or deformed, and the reuse rate of the flange portion 4 and the developer accommodating portion 2 is improved.

[0083] <Other embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g are engaged with each other by the engaging claw 4h1. However, as long as the second flange 4g is detachable from the first flange 4f, the engagement is not limited to the above-described engagement by the engaging claw 4h1. For example, the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g may be fastened with a screw. FIG. 11(a) to FIG. 11(c) show an example of a configuration in which the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g are fastened with a screw 9. Here, an example is shown in which one end side of the second flange 4g is fastened with a screw 9 in the rotation direction, and the other end side is engaged with the above-described engaging claw 4h1 (not shown). Of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and both ends may be fastened with a screw 9.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 11(a) to FIG. 11(c), the second flange 4g is detachably attached to the first flange 4f in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction of the developer accommodating portion 2, and the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g are fastened together by a screw 9. Here, a screw hole 9a is formed in the second flange 4g, and a through hole 9b through which a shaft portion 9c of the screw 9 passes is formed in the first flange 4f. The flange portion 4 is rotatably connected to the developer accommodating portion 2 by fastening the screw 9 with the through hole 9b of the first flange 4f and the screw hole 9a of the second flange 4g aligned with each other. Then, by releasing the fastening of the screw 9 to the flange portion 4, the second flange 4g is separated from the first flange 4f, and the developer accommodating portion 2 can be removed from the flange portion 4.

[0085] Incidentally, the developer supply container 1 may be subjected to a strong impact during transportation from the factory, and in such a case, it is undesirable for the developer accommodating portion 2 to come off the flange portion 4. To prevent this, the engaging claw 4h1 (see FIG. 9(b)) of the second flange 4g described above needs to be strong enough to withstand the impact and not break. However, if the strength of the engaging claw 4h1 is increased, it is likely to lose its flexibility. Therefore, when the second flange 4g is separated from the first flange 4f, there is a risk that the engaging claw 4h1 will break and the second flange 4g will be damaged.

[0086] Therefore, in the case of the above-mentioned configuration in which the first flange 4f and the second flange 4g are engaged with each other by the engaging claw 4h1, it is preferable to form the second flange 4g smaller than the first flange 4f. For example, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the second flange 4g is formed so that the circumferential length Q is shorter than half the circumferential length of the flange portion 4. In other words, the circumferential length Q of the second flange 4g is shorter than the circumferential length of the first flange 4f. In this way, even if the engaging claw 4h1 breaks when the second flange 4g is separated from the first flange 4f, the first flange 4f can be reused. On the other hand, the second flange 4g with the broken engaging claw 4h1 cannot be reused, so it is replaced with a new second flange 4g. In this way, it is preferable to reuse most of the flange portion 4 (the first flange 4f) in the developer supply container 1, since it is possible to reduce the cost of replacement.

[0087] As described above, if the circumferential length Q of the second flange 4g is shorter than the circumferential length of the first flange 4f, it is difficult to attach the developer accommodating portion 2 to the first flange 4f from the radial direction, so it is attached from the direction of the rotation axis after attachment. In this case, the protruding portion 4i (see FIG. 9(b)) is formed only on the second flange 4g, and not on the first flange 4f. This is because if the protruding portion 4i is formed on the first flange 4f, the developer accommodating portion 2 will hit the protruding portion 4i of the first flange 4f when inserted into the first flange 4f, making it difficult to insert it to an appropriate position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1...developer supply container, 2...storage section (developer storage section), 2j...first engagement section (groove section), 4...developer discharge section (flange section), 4a...discharge port, 4c...connection section (discharge section), 4f...connection section (first separation section, first flange), 4g...connection section (second separation section, second flange), 4h1...connection section side engagement section (engagement claw), 4h2...connection section side engagement section (engagement hole), 4i...second engagement section (projection section), 9...connection section side engagement section (screw), 9a...connection section side engagement section (screw hole), 9b...connection section side engagement section (through hole)

Claims

1. a rotating cylindrical container having an opening formed at one end in a rotation axis direction, the container being rotated by a rotational driving force to transport the developer contained therein toward the one end; a developer discharge portion that is disposed so as to cover the periphery of the one end side of the container portion and has a connection portion to which the container portion is connected so as to be relatively rotatable, and a discharge port for discharging the developer supplied from the opening of the container portion, the connecting portion has a first separation portion and a second separation portion that are separable from each other in a direction intersecting the rotation axis direction of the accommodation portion, A developer supply container characterized by:

2. The developer discharge portion is attached to the container portion by engaging the first separation portion with the second separation portion, the developer discharge portion is detached from the developer storage portion by disengaging the first separation portion from the second separation portion; 2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container is a container for supplying a developer to a developer supplying member.

3. The discharge port is provided in the second separation section.

2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container is a container for supplying a developer to a developer supplying member.

4. The accommodating portion has a first engaging portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the one end side covered by the connecting portion, At least one of the first separation portion and the second separation portion has a second engagement portion that engages with the first engagement portion in a state where the one end side of the accommodation portion is covered by the connection portion, thereby preventing the connection portion from coming off the accommodation portion in the rotation axis direction.

2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container is a container for supplying a developer to a developer supplying member.

5. The circumferential length of the second separation portion is the same as the circumferential length of the first separation portion.

2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container is a container for supplying a developer to a developer supplying member.

6. The circumferential length of the second separation portion is shorter than the circumferential length of the first separation portion, the second engagement portion is formed on the second separation portion and is not formed on the first separation portion; 5. The developer supply container according to claim 4.

7. The first engagement portion is formed in a concave shape, The second engagement portion is formed in a convex shape.

5. The developer supply container according to claim 4.

8. The second engagement portion is formed to extend circumferentially on the inner peripheral surface of the second separation portion, 5. The developer supply container according to claim 4.

9. A flexible engaging claw provided on one of the first separation portion and the second separation portion; an engagement hole provided in the other of the first separation portion and the second separation portion and adapted to engage with the engagement claw; Further comprising:

2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container is a container for supplying a developer to a developer supplying member.

10. A screw, a through hole provided in one of the first separation portion and the second separation portion, which allows the shank of the screw to pass through and restricts the head of the screw to pass through; a screw hole provided in the other of the first separation portion and the second separation portion to fasten the screw; Further comprising:

2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein the developer supply container is a container for supplying a developer to a developer supplying member.

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