Developer storage container, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a developer storage container that can be prevent from being clogged with developer.SOLUTION: A developer storage container stores developer and has a discharge port for discharging the stored developer. The developer storage container comprises: a conveying part that conveys the developer toward the discharge port; a first circulation path through which the developer conveyed by the conveying part circulates; a second circulation path that supplies the developer stored in the developer storage container to the first circulation path; and a delivery opening that is provided on the downstream side of the discharge port in a conveyance direction of the developer in the first circulation path, for delivering the developer to the second circulation path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer container and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a developer storage container (toner cartridge) that discharges developer (toner) conveyed by a conveying screw from a discharge port.

[0003] The developer storage container disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a shutter that opens and closes the discharge port, and by closing this shutter, it is possible to prevent the developer from falling from the discharge port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-14763 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The developer storage container disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that if the amount of developer transported toward the discharge outlet is greater than the amount that can be discharged from the discharge outlet, the developer becomes clogged near the discharge outlet, hindering the discharge of toner.

[0006] A main object of the present disclosure is to provide a developer storage container and an image forming apparatus capable of preventing clogging with developer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A developer storage container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a developer storage container that stores a developer and has an outlet for discharging the stored developer, and includes a transport section that transports the developer toward the outlet, a first flow passage through which the developer transported by the transport section flows, a second flow passage that supplies the developer stored in the developer storage container to the first flow passage, and an outlet opening that is provided in the first flow passage downstream of the outlet in the transport direction of the developer, for sending the developer to the second flow passage.

[0008] Moreover, an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a developer storage container that stores developer and has an outlet for discharging the stored developer, the developer storage container having a transport section that transports the developer toward the outlet, a first flow passage through which the developer transported by the transport section flows, a second flow passage that supplies the developer stored in the developer storage container to the first flow passage, and an outlet opening that is provided in the first flow passage downstream of the outlet in a transport direction of the developer, for sending the developer to the second flow passage. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the developer storage container and the image forming apparatus exhibit an effect of preventing clogging of the developer. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 3 taken along line IV-IV. [Diagram 5] 4 is a VV sectional view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. [Figure 6]6 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 2 along the line VI-VI. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 2 along line VIII-VIII. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stirring shaft included in the toner cartridge according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 5 is an enlarged view of a portion A in the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 11] 13 is an enlarged view showing a cross section of a front end portion of a toner cartridge according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals throughout all the drawings, and their repeated description will be omitted. In addition, the embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications. Even if it is not the embodiment or modification, various modifications can be made according to the design, etc., as long as it does not deviate from the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure.

[0012] An image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed from the front side. In the image forming apparatus 100, the left side of the horizontal direction as viewed from the front side is defined as the left direction, and the right side is defined as the right direction. In addition, in the depth direction as viewed from the front side, the front side (near side) of the image forming apparatus 100 is defined as the front direction, and the back side (rear side) is defined as the rear direction. In addition, in the image forming apparatus 100, the bottom side is defined as the downward direction, and the opposite side is defined as the upward direction.

[0013] Image forming apparatus 100 is a laser type color printer that forms multi-color and monochrome images on paper on which the image is to be formed. Image forming apparatus 100 prints an image on paper based on image data read from an original by image reading device 90 or image data received from an external source. Note that in this embodiment, a laser type color printer will be taken as an example of image forming apparatus 100, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0014] 1, image forming apparatus 100 includes a printing unit 110, an image reading device 90, a document placement table 92, and an automatic document feeder 120. Printing unit 110 includes an exposure unit 1, a development unit 2, a photoconductor drum 3 (image carrier), a cleaner unit 4, a charger 5, an intermediate transfer belt unit 6, a fixing unit 7, a paper feed cassette 81, and a manual paper feed cassette 82.

[0015] An image reading device 90 and a document placement table 92 made of transparent glass are provided above the printing unit 110. In addition, an automatic document feeder 120 is attached above the document placement table 92.

[0016] The automatic document feeder 120 automatically transports a document onto the document placement platform 92. The automatic document feeder 120 is also configured to be able to rotate in the direction of arrow R. Then, by opening the top of the document placement platform 92, a document can be placed on the document placement platform 92.

[0017] The image reading device 90 reads image data from a document that is transported or placed on a document placement table 92. The printing unit 110 prints an image on a sheet of paper based on the image data read by the image reading device 90.

[0018] The image data handled by the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to a color image using the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Therefore, the developing unit 2, the photoconductor drum 3, the cleaner unit 4, and the charger 5 are each provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors.

[0019] The charger 5 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. The charger 5 may be a charger type, a contact type, or a brush type charger.

[0020] The exposure unit 1 is configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) equipped with a laser emission section, a reflecting mirror, etc. The exposure unit 1 includes a polygon mirror that scans a laser beam, and optical members such as a lens or mirror that guide the laser light reflected by the polygon mirror to the photoconductor drum 3. The exposure unit 1 exposes the charged photoconductor drum 3 in accordance with image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 in accordance with the image data.

[0021] The developing unit 2 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 with toner (developer). The toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3 by being visualized with toner. The developing unit 2 includes a developing tank (not shown), and the developing tank contains toner. The developing unit 2 is configured to supply the toner contained in the developing tank to the photosensitive drum 3. In addition, each developing tank is connected to toner cartridges 15y, 15m, 15c, and 15k (developer containers) that contain toner via a toner supply pipe (not shown).

[0022] The toner cartridges 15y, 15m, 15c, and 15k are provided for each of the four colors (Y, M, C, and K). When there is no need to distinguish between the toner cartridges 15y, 15m, 15c, and 15k, they may be simply referred to as the toner cartridges 15.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the toner cartridges 15y, 15m, and 15c have a substantially square front shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, the toner cartridge 15k has a wider width in the left-right direction than the toner cartridges 15y, 15m, and 15c, and an inclined top surface. Since black (K) toner is used more frequently than the other color toners, it is necessary to increase the toner storage capacity as much as possible. For this reason, the front shape of the toner cartridge 15k is wider in the left-right direction than the toner cartridges 15y, 15m, and 15c. In addition, the top surface of the toner cartridge 15k is inclined to match the shape of the paper discharge tray 14 disposed above. Thus, the toner cartridge 15k and the toner cartridges 15y, 15m, and 15c have different front shapes, but have the same basic structure.

[0024] The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 3 after development and image transfer.

[0025] An intermediate transfer belt unit 6 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 3. The intermediate transfer belt unit 6 includes an intermediate transfer belt drive roller 6a, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 6b, an intermediate transfer belt 6c, four intermediate transfer rollers 6d, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65. The four intermediate transfer rollers 6d are provided corresponding to the respective colors Y, M, C, and K.

[0026] The intermediate transfer belt driving roller 6a, the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 6b, and the four intermediate transfer rollers 6d each stretch the intermediate transfer belt 6c and drive it to rotate.

[0027] The intermediate transfer roller 6d applies a transfer bias for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 6c, and presses the photosensitive drum 3 against the intermediate transfer belt 6c.

[0028] The intermediate transfer belt 6c is provided so as to contact each photosensitive drum 3. The toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drum 3 are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 6c in order, superimposed, to form a color toner image (multicolor toner image) on the intermediate transfer belt 6c. The intermediate transfer belt 6c is formed in an endless shape using a film having a thickness of, for example, about 100 μm to 150 μm.

[0029] The toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 6c by an intermediate transfer roller 6d that is in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 6c. A high-voltage transfer bias (a high voltage with a polarity (+) opposite to the charged polarity (-) of the toner) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 6d in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 6d is based on a metal (e.g., stainless steel) shaft with a diameter of 8 mm to 10 mm, and its surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (e.g., EPDM, urethane foam, etc.). This conductive elastic material allows a high voltage to be applied uniformly to the intermediate transfer belt 6c.

[0030] The electrostatic latent images visualized on the photosensitive drums 3 according to the respective hues are layered on the intermediate transfer belt 6c and transferred onto the paper by the transfer roller 10 disposed at the contact position between the paper and the intermediate transfer belt 6c.

[0031] At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 6c and the transfer roller 10 are pressed against each other at a specified nip, and a voltage is applied to the transfer roller 10 to transfer the toner to the paper (a high voltage of the opposite polarity (+) to the toner's charged polarity (-)).

[0032] As described above, toner that has adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 6c by coming into contact with the photosensitive drum 3, or toner that remains on the intermediate transfer belt 6c without being transferred onto the paper by the transfer roller 10, can cause toner color mixing in the next process, so is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65.

[0033] The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65 includes, for example, a cleaning blade as a cleaning member that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 6c. The surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6c opposite to the surface that contacts the cleaning blade is supported by an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 6b.

[0034] Paper feed cassette 81 is a tray for storing paper used for image formation, and is provided below exposure unit 1 of printing section 110. Also, manual paper feed cassette 82 is provided on the side of printing section 110. In image forming apparatus 100, paper can also be manually set in manual paper feed cassette 82.

[0035] The printing unit 110 is further provided with a paper discharge tray 14. The paper discharge tray 14 accumulates printed sheets of paper face down.

[0036] The printing section 110 is also provided with a paper transport path W1 for sending the paper from the paper feed cassette 81 and the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the paper discharge tray 14 via the transfer roller 10 and the fixing unit 7. Along the paper transport path W1 from the paper feed cassette 81 or the manual paper feed cassette 82 to the paper discharge tray 14, pickup rollers 11a and 11b, a plurality of transport rollers 12a to 12d, registration rollers 13, the transfer roller 10, the fixing unit 7, etc. are arranged.

[0037] Transport rollers 12a-12d are small rollers for assisting in transporting paper, and a plurality of them are provided along paper transport path W1. Pickup roller 11a is provided near the end of paper feed cassette 81, and picks up paper one by one from paper feed cassette 81 and supplies it to paper transport path W1. Similarly, pickup roller 11b is provided near the end of manual paper feed cassette 82, and picks up paper one by one from manual paper feed cassette 82 and supplies it to paper transport path W1.

[0038] The registration rollers 13 temporarily hold the paper being transported in the paper transport path W1. The registration rollers 13 transport the paper to the transfer rollers 10 at a timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 6c and the leading edge of the paper are aligned.

[0039] The fixing unit 7 includes a heat roller 71 and a pressure roller 72, which rotate with the paper sandwiched between them. The heat roller 71 is set to a predetermined fixing temperature based on a signal from a temperature detector (not shown). The heat roller 71, together with the pressure roller 72, thermally presses the toner onto the paper. This allows the fixing unit 7 to melt, mix and press the multi-color toner image transferred onto the paper, thereby thermally fixing it to the paper. The fixing unit 7 is provided with an external heating belt 73 for externally heating the heat roller 71.

[0040] (Toner cartridge) The configuration of the toner cartridge 15 included in the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Of the toner cartridges 15y, 15m, 15c, and 15k, the toner cartridge 15k will be described as an example. Note that the front-rear, left-right, top-bottom directions of the toner cartridge 15k are defined based on the position of the toner cartridge 15k when it is attached to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0041] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 15k according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 15k as viewed from above the front side of the toner cartridge 15k. Fig. 3 is a front view of the toner cartridge 15k shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows the shape of the toner cartridge 15k as viewed from the front side.

[0042] As described above, the toner cartridge 15k is disposed above the developing unit 2. The toner cartridge 15k is configured to supply toner to the developing unit 2 via a toner supply pipe (not shown).

[0043] The toner cartridge 15k has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction as shown in Fig. 2. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the front shape of the toner cartridge 15k is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction, and the top surface of the toner cartridge 15k is inclined from left to right.

[0044] The toner cartridge 15k has a toner container 50 that contains toner. The toner container 50 is provided with a discharge port 50f (see FIG. 4 described later) for discharging toner at a connection portion with a toner supply pipe.

[0045] (Internal structure of toner container) Next, with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 8, the internal structure of the toner container 50 included in the toner cartridge 15k according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a IV-IV cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 15k shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a VV cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 15k shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional structure of the toner cartridge 15k cut out along the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the toner cartridge 15k perpendicular to a horizontal plane, and FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional structure of the toner cartridge 15k cut out along a horizontal plane. FIG. 6 is a VI-VI cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 15k shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional structure of the toner cartridge 15k cut out perpendicular to a horizontal plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 15k. FIG. 7 is a VII-VII cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 15k shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a VIII-VIII cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 15k shown in FIG. 2.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the toner cartridge 15k includes a conveying screw 54 (conveying portion), a first flow passage 51, and a second flow passage 52 inside the toner container 50.

[0047] The conveying screw 54 conveys the toner contained in the toner container 50 toward the discharge port 50f. The toner container 50 is provided with a first flow passage 51 as a flow passage through which the toner conveyed by the conveying screw 54 flows, and a second flow passage 52 as a flow passage for supplying the toner contained in the toner cartridge 15k to the first flow passage 51. The first flow passage 51 and the second flow passage 52 are provided adjacent to each other in parallel, and the second flow passage 52 can return the toner that has flowed through the first flow passage 51 to the upstream side of the first flow passage 51 in the toner conveying direction.

[0048] In the toner cartridge 15k of this embodiment, the toner transport direction in the first flow passage 51 is from the rear side to the front side of the toner storage body 50, and the toner transport direction in the second flow passage 52 is from the front side to the rear side of the toner storage body 50.

[0049] 5 and 7, a partition wall 55 is provided inside the toner container 50 along the longitudinal direction of the toner cartridge 15k to separate the first flow passage 51 and the second flow passage 52. That is, the first flow passage 51 is formed by the front wall 50a, the rear wall 50b, the right side wall 50d, and the bottom surface 50e of the toner container 50, together with the partition wall 55. On the other hand, the second flow passage 52 is formed by the front wall 50a, the rear wall 50b, the left side wall 50c, and the bottom surface 50e of the toner container 50, together with the partition wall 55.

[0050] A bottomless cylindrical adjustment section 56 (transport amount adjustment section) that adjusts the amount of toner transported by the transport screw 54 is provided downstream of the first flow passage 51 in the toner transport direction. The adjustment section 56 is a cylindrical member extending along the toner transport direction of the first flow passage 51. As shown in FIG. 6, the diameter of the inner peripheral wall of the adjustment section 56 is approximately equal to the screw diameter S of the transport screw 54. The transport screw 54 is disposed in the adjustment section 56 such that the blade section 54b slides against the inner peripheral wall of the adjustment section 56. The screw diameter S is a diameter including the blade section 54b provided around the rotation shaft 54a of the transport screw 54, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0051] 5, a gap 53 that connects the first flow passage 51 and the second flow passage 52 is provided between the downstream end of the adjustment portion 56 in the toner transport direction and the front end of the first flow passage 51. The front end of the first flow passage 51 corresponds to the front wall 50a of the first flow passage 51.

[0052] 5 and 8, a cutout 55a is provided by cutting out a part of the partition wall 55 at a portion that separates the gap 53 from the second flow passage 52. That is, the partition wall 55 standing upward as shown in Fig. 7 is cut out so that the gap 53 is at approximately the same height as the bottoms of the first flow passage 51 and the second flow passage 52 as shown in Fig. 8. The toner that flows through the first flow passage 51 and is not discharged from the discharge port 50f and is guided to the gap 53 can flow into the second flow passage 52 via the cutout 55a.

[0053] Therefore, in the toner cartridge 15k of the embodiment, even if the toner transported toward the discharge outlet 50f is in excess of the amount that can be discharged from the discharge outlet 50f, it is possible to prevent the toner from clogging near the discharge outlet 50f.

[0054] The adjustment section 56 has an inlet opening 57a at an upstream end opposite to a downstream end, through which the conveying screw 54 is inserted and through which the toner conveyed by the conveying screw 54 flows. The adjustment section 56 also has a feed opening 57b at a downstream end, so that the first flow passage 51 communicates with the second flow passage 52 through the gap 53. The adjustment section 56 also has a discharge opening 57c at a position corresponding to the discharge port 50f provided in the toner container 50. As shown in FIG. 4, in the adjustment section 56, the feed opening 57b is provided downstream of the discharge opening 57c in the toner conveying direction.

[0055] The conveying screw 54 extends along the toner conveying direction of the first flow passage 51 and has a rotating shaft 54a rotatably provided in the toner container 50 and a spiral blade portion 54b provided around the axis of the rotating shaft 54a and rotating in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft 54a. The rotating shaft 54a is connected to a motor (not shown) and can rotate in one direction by the rotation of the motor. The conveying screw 54 conveys the toner in the first flow passage 51 from the rear side to the front side of the toner cartridge 15k by a winding action caused by the rotation of the blade portion 54b.

[0056] The conveying screw 54 extends to pass through the inside of the adjustment section 56, and guides the toner into the adjustment section 56. In the adjustment section 56, the toner flows in an amount that corresponds to the opening area of ​​the inlet opening 57a of the adjustment section 56. Therefore, in the first flow passage 51, the amount of toner conveyed into the adjustment section 56 per unit time can be kept constant.

[0057] On the other hand, the second flow passage 52 is provided with an agitation shaft 58 (agitation portion) extending along the toner transport direction of the second flow passage 52. The agitation shaft 58 is a member that reduces the height difference of the surface of the toner accumulated in the second flow passage 52 and smoothes it out. As shown in FIG. 9, the agitation shaft 58 is composed of a rotation shaft portion 58a extending along the toner transport direction of the second flow passage 52 and a plate portion 58b provided around the rotation shaft portion 58a and having one end joined to the rotation shaft portion 58a. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the agitation shaft 58 provided in the toner cartridge 15k according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Plate portion 58b has a plurality of openings arranged at regular intervals. When rotating shaft portion 58a of stirring shaft 58 rotates alternately left and right, the other end of plate portion 58b moves left and right, thereby leveling the surface of the toner.

[0059] (Toner flow) Next, the flow of toner in the toner container 50 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The toner contained in the toner container 50 flows through the first flow passage 51 toward the discharge port 50f by the conveying screw 54. The toner flowing through the first flow passage 51 is guided into the adjustment section 56. A part of the toner conveyed into the adjustment section 56 is discharged from the discharge port 50f through the discharge opening 57c. The remaining toner that cannot be discharged from the discharge port 50f is conveyed further downstream than the discharge opening 57c and is guided to the gap section 53 from the sending opening 57b.

[0060] The toner guided to the gap 53 flows out from the notch 55a of the partition wall 55 into the second flow passage 52. The toner that flows out into the second flow passage 52 accumulates in the second flow passage 52. The toner accumulated in the second flow passage 52 has its surface smoothed by the stirring shaft 58, and is pushed through the second flow passage 52 from the front side to the rear side of the toner cartridge 15k. Then, the accumulated toner climbs over the partition wall 55 upstream of the adjustment unit 56 in the first flow passage 51, and is returned to the first flow passage 51 again.

[0061] (Arrangement relationship between adjustment unit and conveying screw) Here, the positional relationship between the adjustment unit 56 and the conveying screw 54 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of part A in the toner cartridge 15k shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 10 shows an enlarged cross section of the front end portion of the toner cartridge 15k.

[0062] More specifically, when the distance from the downstream end of discharge opening 57c in adjustment section 56 in the conveying direction to the downstream end of adjustment section 56 (position where delivery opening 57b is formed) is distance α, and the pitch length of conveying screw 54 is pitch length P, the relationship between distance α and pitch length P will be described. Furthermore, when the distance from the upstream end of discharge opening 57 in adjustment section 56 to the upstream end of adjustment section 56 (position where inlet opening 57a is formed) is distance β, the relationship between distance β and pitch length P will be described.

[0063] That is, the distance α is specified to be at least equal to or greater than the predetermined first pitch number (first number of turns) of the blade portion 54b. That is, the distance α only needs to be equal to the predetermined pitch number of the blade portion 54b so that the toner that has passed through the outlet 50f without being discharged can be reliably discharged from the outlet opening 57b by the rotation of the blade portion 54b of the conveying screw 54. For example, when the pitch length P of the blade portion 54b is 20.0 mm, the distance α can be set to 10.5 mm.

[0064] Therefore, in the toner cartridge 15k according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the toner that has passed through the discharge port 50f without being discharged from flowing back through the first flow passage 51 and into the discharge port 50f.

[0065] Also, the distance β is set to be at least equal to or greater than the predetermined second pitch number (second number of turns) of the blade portion 54b. In other words, the distance β only needs to be equal to the predetermined pitch number of the blade portion 54b so that the rotation of the blade portion 54b can reliably circulate the toner through the adjustment portion 56 and guide it to the discharge port 50f. For example, when the pitch length P of the blade portion 54b is 20.0 mm, the distance β can be set to 10.5 mm.

[0066] Therefore, in the toner cartridge 15k according to this embodiment, the toner in the first flow passage 51 can be reliably guided into the adjustment portion 56 and transported toward the discharge port 50f.

[0067] Although the toner cartridge 15k according to the embodiment is configured to include the conveying screw 54 as a conveying member for conveying the toner in the first flow passage 51, the conveying member is not limited to the conveying screw 54. For example, the conveying member may be a piston that can push the toner in the first flow passage 51 toward the discharge port 50f.

[0068] The adjustment portion 56 of the toner cartridge 15k according to the embodiment has a cylindrical shape, but is not limited to this and may have any shape that can cover the outer periphery of the conveying screw 54. However, in the case of a configuration in which toner is conveyed by rotation of the blade portion 54b like the conveying screw 54, it is advantageous for the shape of the adjustment portion 56 to be cylindrical with the diameter of the inner periphery wall conforming to the screw diameter S of the conveying screw 54, in that a fixed amount of toner can be conveyed more accurately.

[0069] (Modification) The configuration of a toner cartridge 15k according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is an enlarged view showing a cross section of a front end portion of a toner cartridge 15k according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] In the toner cartridge 15k according to the embodiment, a gap 53 is provided between the front end of the first flow passage 51 and the downstream end of the adjustment section 56 in the toner accommodating body 50, and the toner that has flowed through the adjustment section 56 is guided to the gap 53 from a sending opening 57b provided at the downstream end. The toner guided to the gap 53 is then sent to the second flow passage 52 through the cutout 55a.

[0071] In contrast, in the toner cartridge 15k according to the modified embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the downstream end of the adjustment section 56 abuts against the end face of the front end of the first flow passage 51, and differs from the toner cartridge 15k according to the embodiment in that no gap section 53 is provided.

[0072] Moreover, in the toner cartridge 15k according to the modified example of the embodiment, the sending opening 57b is provided between the discharge opening 57c and the downstream end of the adjustment part 56. The sending opening 57b is an opening that communicates the first flow passage 51 and the second flow passage 52 so that the toner in the first flow passage 51 can flow to the second flow passage 52, which is different from the sending opening 57b provided in the toner cartridge 15k according to the embodiment.

[0073] In all other respects, the toner cartridge 15k according to the modified embodiment is similar to the toner cartridge 15k according to the embodiment, so similar members are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0074] In the toner cartridge 15k according to the modified embodiment, the toner is moved in the first flow passage 51 by the conveying screw 54 and guided to the adjustment unit 56. A part of the toner guided to the adjustment unit 56 is discharged from the discharge outlet 50f via the inlet opening 57a. On the other hand, the remaining toner that is not discharged from the discharge outlet 50f and moves downstream of the discharge outlet 50f is sent to the second flow passage 52 via the sending opening 57b provided in the adjustment unit 56.

[0075] Therefore, in the toner cartridge 15k according to the modified embodiment, even if the toner transported toward the discharge port 50f is in an amount in excess of the amount that can be discharged from the discharge port 50f, it is possible to prevent the toner from clogging near the discharge port 50f.

[0076] 11, the toner cartridge 15k has a configuration in which the output opening 57b is provided on the side surface of the adjustment section 56 facing the second flow passage 52, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the output opening 57b may be provided on the upper surface of the adjustment section 56 between the discharge opening 57c and the downstream end of the adjustment section 56. The position at which the output opening 57b is provided may be any position as long as the toner that has flowed through the first flow passage 51 can flow into the second flow passage 52.

[0077] Furthermore, when the distance from the downstream end of the discharge opening 57c in the adjustment section 56 in the conveying direction to the upstream end position of the send opening 57b of the adjustment section 56 is defined as distance γ, the relationship between distance γ and the pitch length P of the conveying screw 54 is the same as the relationship between distance α and pitch length P in the toner cartridge 15k of the embodiment.

[0078] That is, the distance γ is set to be at least as long as the predetermined first number of turns of the blade portion 54b. For example, when the length P of one pitch of the blade portion 54b is set to 20.0 mm, the distance γ can be set to 10.5 mm.

[0079] Furthermore, the relationship between the distance β from the upstream end of the discharge opening 57c in the adjustment section 56 to the upstream end of the adjustment section 56 (the position where the inlet opening 57a is formed) and the pitch length P is the same as that of the toner cartridge 15k in the embodiment.

[0080] Therefore, in the toner cartridge 15k relating to the modified embodiment, the relationship between the distance γ and the pitch length P is similar to the relationship between the distance α and the pitch length P of the toner cartridge 15k relating to the embodiment, so that toner that passes through without being discharged from the discharge port 50f can be prevented from flowing back through the first flow passage 51 and into the discharge port 50f.

[0081] Furthermore, in the toner cartridge 15k relating to the modified embodiment, the relationship between the distance β and the pitch length P is similar to the relationship between the distance β and the pitch length P in the toner cartridge 15k relating to the embodiment, so that the toner in the first flow passage 51 can be reliably guided into the adjustment section 56 and transported toward the discharge outlet 50f. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 15 Toner Cartridge 15y toner cartridge 15m toner cartridge 15c toner cartridge 15k toner cartridge 50 Toner container 50a Front side wall 50b Back wall 50c left side wall 50d right side wall 50e Bottom 50f outlet 51 1st flow path 52 2nd flow path 53 Gap 54 Conveying screw 54a Rotation axis 54b Wing 55 Partition Wall 55a Notch 56 Adjustment section 57 Discharge opening 57a Inlet opening 57b Delivery opening 57c discharge opening 58 Agitator shaft 58a Rotating shaft 58b Board part 90 Image reading device 92 Document stand 100 Image forming device 110 Printing Department

Claims

1. A developer storage container that stores a developer and has an outlet for discharging the stored developer, a transport section that transports the developer toward the discharge port; a first flow passage through which the developer flows after being transported by the transport unit; a second flow passage that supplies the developer contained in the developer container to the first flow passage; a developer storage container including an outlet opening provided in the first flow passage downstream of the discharge opening in a developer transport direction, the outlet opening being for sending the developer to the second flow passage;

2. 2. The developer accommodating container according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge opening at a position corresponding to the discharge outlet on a downstream side of the first flow passage in the transport direction, and a cylindrical transport amount adjustment portion extending along the transport direction in the first flow passage so as to adjust the amount of developer transported.

3. The conveying amount adjustment portion has a cylindrical shape, The conveying unit is a rotation shaft that extends through the conveyance direction of the conveyance adjusting unit and is rotatably provided in the first flow passage; The developer storage container according to claim 2 , further comprising: a spiral blade portion provided around the axis of said rotary shaft and rotating in response to rotation of said rotary shaft.

4. a gap portion that communicates the first flow passage with the second flow passage is provided between a downstream end of the transport amount adjustment portion in the transport direction and a downstream end of the first flow passage in the transport direction, 4. The developer accommodating container according to claim 3, wherein the delivery opening is provided at a downstream end of the transport amount adjustment portion in the transport direction so that the developer that has flowed through the first flow passage flows into the gap portion.

5. a downstream end of the transport amount adjustment portion in the transport direction abuts against an end face of the downstream end of the first flow passage in the transport direction, 4. The developer storage container according to claim 3, wherein the delivery opening is provided between an end of the transport amount adjustment portion on a downstream side in the transport direction and the discharge opening.

6. 5. A developer storage container as described in claim 4, wherein a distance from a downstream edge of the discharge opening in the transport amount adjustment portion in the transport direction to the downstream end of the transport amount adjustment portion is at least equal to or greater than a predetermined first number of turns of the blade portion.

7. 6. A developer storage container as described in claim 5, wherein a distance from a downstream edge of the discharge opening of the conveying amount adjustment portion in the conveying direction to an upstream edge of the send opening of the conveying amount adjustment portion in the conveying direction is at least equal to or greater than a predetermined first number of turns of the blade portion.

8. 5. The developer storage container according to claim 4, wherein a distance from an upstream edge of the discharge opening in the transport direction to an upstream end of the transport amount adjustment portion in the transport direction is at least equal to or greater than a predetermined second number of turns of the blade portion.

9. The developer storage container according to claim 1 , further comprising an agitating portion in the second flow passage that reduces a height difference on a surface of the developer.

10. An image forming apparatus comprising the developer container according to claim 1 .

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