Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a toner cartridge provided with an opening and spiral projections on its inner face, and to reduce a remaining amount of toner on slopes of the spiral projections on an opposite side of the opening.SOLUTION: A toner cartridge comprises: a conveying part that conveys toner toward an opening located on a downstream side in a conveyance direction; and spiral projections that are provided on an inner face of the conveying part and conveys the toner upon rotation of the conveying part, wherein slopes located on an opposite side of the opening become gentler as going away from the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a technology in which the pitch of protrusions formed on the inner wall surface of a toner bottle gradually narrows as it moves away from the toner discharge port, in order to ensure stable toner replenishment regardless of the amount of toner in the toner bottle. Patent document 2 discloses a technology for providing a toner cartridge that always allows for stable toner replenishment by preventing deformation due to its own weight or deterioration of toner due to heat, in which the thickness of a specific portion of a toner bottle container is made thicker than other portions, making it more difficult for heat from the fixing device to be transmitted to the toner bottle. Patent document 3 discloses a technology in which, in order to prevent the occurrence of a compacted state of toner near the toner discharge outlet in the toner transport path and to prevent the locking phenomenon, the spiral blade of the toner transport device has a cross-sectional shape (mountain or trapezoid) that gradually becomes thinner from the inner end toward the outer end on the rotating shaft side, and has a thick portion at a position facing the toner discharge outlet that gradually becomes thicker toward the downstream side of the toner transport path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-197783 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-109740 [Patent Document 3] JP 2011-221452 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By the way, there is a technology for toner cartridges in which a spiral protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the cartridge and the toner is transported by the rotation of the cartridge itself. Since toner adheres to the spiral protrusion, the toner may be cleaned by blowing air from an opening downstream in the transport direction. However, if toner adheres to the inclined portion of the spiral projection on the opposite side to the opening, cleaning becomes more difficult as the distance from the opening increases, and there is a risk that toner will remain. The present invention aims to reduce the amount of toner remaining on the slope opposite the opening of a toner cartridge having an opening and a spiral protrusion on its inner surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is a toner cartridge characterized by comprising a transport section that transports toner toward an opening downstream in the transport direction, and a spiral protrusion provided on the inner surface of the transport section that transports toner by rotating, and whose slope on the opposite side of the opening becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening. The invention described in claim 2 is a toner cartridge described in claim 1, characterized in that the slope of the spiral protrusion on the opposite side of the opening becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening, without changing the height of the protrusion. The invention described in claim 3 is the toner cartridge described in claim 2, characterized in that the upper side of the spiral protrusion becomes shorter as it moves away from the opening. The invention described in claim 4 is the toner cartridge described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the intervals between the spiral projections become wider as the distance from the opening increases. The invention described in claim 5 is a toner cartridge as described in claim 1, characterized in that the height of the spiral protrusion decreases as it moves away from the opening, and the slope on the opposite side of the opening becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening. The invention described in claim 6 is the toner cartridge described in claim 5, characterized in that the upper side of the spiral protrusion becomes shorter as it gets farther away from the opening. The invention described in claim 7 is the toner cartridge described in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the spiral projections have intervals that become wider as they move away from the opening. The invention described in claim 8 is an image forming device having a main body having a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member, a transfer unit that transfers the developed image to paper, and a heating unit that heats the paper to which the developed image has been transferred, and a toner cartridge that supplies toner to the developing unit, wherein the toner cartridge is characterized by having a transport unit that transports toner toward an opening downstream in the transport direction, and a spiral protrusion provided on the inner surface of the transport unit that transports toner by rotating, and whose slope on the opposite side of the opening becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the invention described in claim 1, the amount of remaining toner can be reduced compared to a case in which a spiral protrusion on the opposite side of the opening whose slope becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening is not provided. According to the invention as recited in claim 2, the amount of remaining toner can be reduced even if the height of the spiral protrusion is not changed. According to the invention as recited in claim 3, the amount of remaining toner can be further reduced compared to the case where the length of the upper side of the spiral protrusion is not changed. According to the invention as recited in claim 4, the amount of remaining toner can be further reduced compared to a case in which the intervals between the spiral projections are not increased as the distance from the opening increases. According to the invention as recited in claim 5, the amount of remaining toner can be further reduced compared to a case in which the height of the spiral protrusion is not decreased with increasing distance from the opening. According to the invention described in claim 6, when the height of the spiral protrusion is decreased as it moves away from the opening, the residual toner can be further reduced compared to when the upper side of the spiral protrusion is not shortened as it moves away from the opening. According to the invention described in claim 7, when the height of the spiral protrusion is decreased as it moves away from the opening, the residual toner can be further reduced compared to when the spacing between the spiral protrusions is not increased as it moves away from the opening. According to the invention described in claim 8, the amount of remaining toner can be reduced compared to a case in which a spiral protrusion on the opposite side of the opening whose slope becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening is not provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the toner cartridge, as viewed from the back side (rear side). [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2, illustrating an opening in the toner cartridge. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a transport unit. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining the configuration of a spiral protrusion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a sixth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a seventh embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an eighth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a recycling process in the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional toner cartridge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [Prior Art] First, a conventional technique to which the present embodiment does not apply will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a conventional toner cartridge 500. As shown in FIG. 14, a spiral protrusion 510 for transporting toner is provided on an inner peripheral surface 502 of the conventional toner cartridge 500. A plurality of spiral protrusions 510 are provided on the inner peripheral surface 502 such that there is a space between each of the spiral protrusions 510. Furthermore, the spiral protrusions 510 have a slope 511 on the opening side and a slope 512 on the opposite side of the opening. In the toner cartridge 500 shown in FIG. 14, the angle between the slope 511 on the opening side of the spiral protrusion 510 and the slope 512 on the opposite side of the opening are formed to be equal.

[0009] In general, in a toner cartridge 500 provided with a spiral protrusion 510, when toner is transported, the toner adheres to an inner peripheral surface 502 of the toner cartridge 500. The toner adhered to the inner peripheral surface 502 is cleaned in a recycling process described later. In this recycling process, for example, the cleaning is performed by compressed air sent from an opening, and at this time, the cleaning property decreases with increasing distance from the opening. As a result of the decrease in cleaning property with increasing distance from the opening, toner Td1 to Td5 is likely to remain on the slope 512 on the opposite side of the opening. In this embodiment, the shape of the spiral protrusion 510 is considered to reduce the remaining toner.

[0010] <First embodiment> [Description of Image Forming Apparatus] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus 1 to which the present embodiment is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment is provided with a paper feed unit 1A, an image forming unit 1B, and a paper discharge unit 1C.

[0011] The paper feed unit 1A is provided with a first paper storage section 11 to a fourth paper storage section 14 for storing paper P as an example of a recording material. The paper feed unit 1A also has feed rolls 15-18 that are provided to correspond to the first paper storage section 11 to the fourth paper storage section 14, respectively, and feed the paper P stored in each paper storage section toward the image forming unit 1B.

[0012] The image forming unit 1B is of a so-called tandem type, and includes an image forming process section 20 as an example of an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet P. Furthermore, the image forming unit 1B is provided with a control section 21 that controls each functional section of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 1B is also provided with an image processing unit 22 that performs image processing on image data transmitted from the image reading device 4 and the personal computer (PC) 5. The image forming unit 1B is also provided with a UI (User Interface) 23 that is configured with a display panel or the like and displays information to the user and receives instructions from the user.

[0013] The image forming process section 20 is provided with six image forming units 30T, 30P, 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "image forming units 30") that are arranged in parallel at regular intervals. In addition, toner supply units 90T, 90P, 90Y, 90M, 90C, and 90K (hereinafter simply referred to as "toner supply units 90") are provided to correspond to each of the six image forming units 30T, 30P, 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K and supply toner, an example of powder, to each image forming unit 30.

[0014] Each of the image forming units 30 includes a photosensitive drum 31 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed while rotating in the direction of arrow A, a charging roll 32 which charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 31, a developing device 33 which develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31, and a drum cleaner 34 which removes untransferred toner, etc. from the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The image forming process section 20 of this embodiment is also provided with a laser exposure device 26 that scans and exposes the photosensitive drums 31 provided in the image forming units 30T, 30P, 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K with laser light.

[0015] Each image forming unit 30 has substantially the same configuration, except for the toner stored in the developing device 33. In the image forming units 30Y, 30M, 30C, and 30K, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images are formed, respectively. Further, in each of the image forming units 30T and 30P, a toner image of a color other than the basic colors is formed. Specifically, in each of the image forming units 30T and 30P, a toner image is formed using a toner containing metal powder, a toner of a special color, or the like.

[0016] Each of the toner supply units 90 is provided with a toner cartridge 100. The toner cartridge 100 contains toner therein. Further, each of the toner supply units 90 is provided with a rotation mechanism 101 that includes a motor (not shown) and rotates the toner cartridge 100 in the B direction.

[0017] The toner cartridges 100 provided in the toner supply units 90Y, 90M, 90C, and 90K contain yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners. The toner cartridge 100 provided in the toner supply unit 90T contains toner containing metal powder. Furthermore, the toner cartridge 100 provided corresponding to the toner supply unit 90P contains toner of a special color or the like.

[0018] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image forming process section 20 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 41 onto which the toner images of each color formed on the photoconductor drums 31 of the image forming units 30 are multiple-transferred. The image forming process section 20 is also provided with a primary transfer roll 42 which sequentially transfers (primary transfers) the toner images of each color of the image forming units 30 onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 at a primary transfer section T1.

[0019] The image forming process section 20 also includes a secondary transfer roll 40 that transfers (secondary transfers) the superimposed toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 all at once onto the paper P at the secondary transfer section T2, a belt cleaner 45 that removes untransferred toner and the like from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41, and a fixing device 80 that fixes the secondary transferred image onto the paper P.

[0020] When an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1, first, image data input from the image reading device 4 or the PC 5 is input to the image processing unit 22, where predetermined image processing is performed on the image data. Then, the image data is supplied to the laser exposure device 26.

[0021] For example, in the magenta (M) image forming unit 30M, the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charging roll 32, and then the laser exposure device 26 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor drum 31 with laser light modulated by image data obtained from the image processing unit 22. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor drum 31.

[0022] The formed electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 33, and a magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31. Similarly, the image forming units 30Y, 30C, and 30K form yellow, cyan, and black toner images, and the image forming units 30T and 30P form special color toner images.

[0023] The respective color toner images formed in each image forming unit 30 are sequentially electrostatically transferred (primary transfer) by a primary transfer roll 42 onto an intermediate transfer belt 41 rotating in the direction of arrow C in Figure 1, and superimposed toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 41. Then, this toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is transported to a secondary transfer portion T2 where a secondary transfer roll 40 and a backup roll 49 are provided, as the intermediate transfer belt 41 moves.

[0024] In this embodiment, the paper P is supplied to the secondary transfer portion T2 by the registration roll 74 in accordance with the timing at which the superimposed toner image is transported to the secondary transfer portion T2. Then, at the secondary transfer section T2, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 41 is electrostatically transferred (secondarily transferred) all at once onto the paper P due to the action of the transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roll 40 and the backup roll 49.

[0025] Thereafter, the paper P onto which the superimposed toner images have been electrostatically transferred is transported to a fixing device 80. In the fixing device 80, the paper P is heated and pressurized, and the toner image on the paper P is fixed onto the paper P. Then, the paper P on which the fixed image has been formed passes through a curl correction section 81 provided in the paper discharge unit 1C, and is then transported to a paper discharge stacking section (not shown).

[0026] [Toner Cartridge Description] Next, the toner cartridge 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the toner cartridge 100, and is a view of the toner cartridge 100 viewed from the back side (rear side) of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the toner cartridge 100 provided in the toner supply unit 90 described in FIG. 1 includes an opening 300 for discharging toner to the outside of the toner cartridge 100, and a conveying section 200 for conveying toner toward the opening 300 located downstream in the toner conveying direction by interlocking with the rotation of the rotation mechanism 101 shown in FIG. 1 in the B direction. The conveying section 200 is formed in a cylindrical shape and contains toner therein. In addition, a groove 201A recessed toward the inside of the conveying section 200 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 201 of the conveying section 200. This groove 201A is formed in a spiral shape so as to wrap around the outer peripheral surface 201 of the conveying section 200. In this embodiment, the toner transport direction is the direction in which the toner is transported in the toner cartridge 100, and indicates that the toner is transported from upstream to downstream. Furthermore, the side of an opening 300, which will be described later, indicates the downstream side in the toner transport direction, and the opposite side of the opening 300, which will be described later, indicates the upstream side in the toner transport direction.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the opening 300 in the toner cartridge 100, and is a cross section of the opening 300 taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening 300 includes a flange 310 fixed to the main body, a coupling 320 coupled to the rotation mechanism 101 shown in FIG. 1, and a cap 330 coupled to the coupling 320 to transmit the rotation drive to the discharge unit 200. The flange 310 includes an opening 311 for discharging the toner that has reached the opening 300 to a transport mechanism (not shown). The transport mechanism (not shown) is configured to transport the discharged toner to the corresponding image forming unit 30. The coupling 320 has a cylindrical hole 321 for coupling to the rotation mechanism 101 shown in FIG. 1, and a cylindrical protrusion 322 for coupling to the cap 330. The cap 330 has an uneven surface 331 for coupling to an end of the transport unit 200. 1 is coupled to the coupling 320, the rotation of the rotation mechanism 101 in the B direction is linked in the order of the coupling 320, the cap 330, and the discharge unit 200. Note that since the flange 310 is fixed to the main body, the flange 310 is not linked to the rotation of the rotation mechanism 101 in the B direction.

[0028] Next, the conveying section 200 will be described. 4(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the transport unit 200, and FIG. 4(a) is a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the transport unit 200 is provided with a spiral protrusion 210 for transporting toner. The spiral protrusion 210 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 202 of the transport unit 200 by a groove 201A formed on the outer peripheral surface 201 of the transport unit 200. The spiral protrusion 210 is formed in accordance with the groove 201A being formed in a spiral shape. The spiral protrusion 210 is provided on the inner peripheral surface so as to maintain a predetermined interval x between the spiral protrusions 210.

[0029] 2 in the direction B, the spiral protrusion 210 is configured to push out the toner toward the rotation axis direction of the toner cartridge 100, thereby moving the toner in the axial direction of the toner cartridge. In other words, the spiral protrusion 210 is configured to transport the toner by the rotation of the transport unit 200 in the direction B, thereby moving the toner located upstream in the transport direction toward the opening 300 located downstream in the transport direction.

[0030] FIG. 4(b) is a diagram for explaining the helical protrusion 210 in more detail, and FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged view of the helical protrusion 210 in FIG. 4(a). As shown in FIG. 4(b), the helical protrusion 210 includes a slope 211 on the opening 300 side, a slope 212 on the opposite side of the opening 300, and an upper side d provided between the slope 211 on the opening 300 side and the slope 212 on the opposite side of the opening 300. The helical protrusion 210 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface 202 to a height y of the helical protrusion 210. As a result, the slope 211 on the opening 300 side is inclined from one end of the upper side d of the helical protrusion 210 toward the inner peripheral surface 202 on the opening 300 side. In addition, the slope 212 on the opposite side of the opening 300 is inclined from one end opposite to one end of the upper side d of the helical protrusion 210 toward the inner peripheral surface 202 on the opposite side of the opening 300. Furthermore, the slope 212 on the opposite side of the opening 300 is provided so as to form an angle θ with respect to the perpendicular line of the upper side d. Note that the slope 212 on the opposite side of the opening 300 in the helical protrusion 210 may be simply referred to as the slope 212 of the protrusion 210 or the slope 212. Furthermore, the angle θ of the slope 212 may be simply referred to as the angle θ.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the spiral protrusion 210 according to the first embodiment. In this first embodiment, the inclinations 212-1 to 212-5 of the spiral protrusion 210 become gradually gentler as they move away from the opening 300. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the angles θ1 to θ5 of the cross-sectional shape of the spiral protrusion 210 are configured to increase in the order θ1<θ2<θ3<θ4<θ5.

[0032] In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the angles θ1 to θ5 of the cross-sectional shape of the helical protrusion 210 gradually increase as it moves away from the opening 300, but other shape dimensions are not changed. The inclinations 212-1 to 212-5 of the helical protrusion 210 gradually become gentler as it moves away from the opening 300 without changing the height of the helical protrusion 210. The angles θ1 to θ5 may not be made gentle continuously, but may be made gentle in stages. For example, a two-stage configuration may be adopted in which the angles θ1 to θ3 are the same and the angles θ4 to θ5 are made larger than the angles θ1 to θ3. Furthermore, a three-stage configuration may also be adopted.

[0033] 14, as described above, the toner adhering to the inner peripheral surface 502 of the toner cartridge 500 is cleaned by compressed air sent from the opening 300, but at this time, the cleaning ability decreases with increasing distance from the opening 300. As a result of the decrease in cleaning ability with increasing distance from the opening 300, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the toner is more likely to remain on the slope 512 in the order of Td1, Td2, Td3, Td4, and Td5. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the inclinations 212-1 to 212-5 on the opposite side of the opening 300 are gradually made gentler as they move away from the opening 300. In this configuration, for example, the angle of the inclination 212-5 is larger than that of the inclination 212-1, and toner T5 at the inclination 212-5 is easily blown out. This makes it possible to maintain the cleaning ability of the toner even if the compressed air sent from the opening 300 becomes weaker as it moves away from the opening 300. As a result, the remaining amount of toner T1 to T5 is smaller than that of toner Td1 to Td5 shown in FIG.

[0034] <Second embodiment> FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration in which the angles θ1 to θ5 of the cross-sectional shape of the spiral protrusion 210 in the first embodiment increase in the order of θ1 < θ2 < θ3 < θ4 < θ5, the upper sides d1 to d5 of the spiral protrusion 210 gradually become shorter as they move away from the opening 300. In the example shown in FIG. 6, d5 < d4 < d3 < d2 < d1, and the upper side d5 of the spiral protrusion 210 farthest from the opening 300 is the shortest. As a result, the compressed air sent from the opening 300 becomes weaker as it moves away from the opening 300, but the air flow is improved because the upper sides d1 to d5 become shorter as it moves away from the opening 300, making it easier to blow out the toner beyond the upper sides d1 to d5.

[0035] <The Third Embodiment> FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, in addition to the configuration of θ1 < θ2 < θ3 < θ4 < θ5 in the first embodiment, the intervals x1 to x4 between the spiral protrusions 210 gradually widen as they move away from the opening 300. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the intervals between the protrusions 210 widen in the order of x1 < x2 < x3 < x4. As a result, on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction, the number of spiral protrusions 210 to which toner is likely to adhere decreases. As a result, the cleaning performance is maintained even on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction where the compressed air becomes weak and the cleaning performance is likely to deteriorate.

[0036] <The Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of θ1 < θ2 < θ3 < θ4 < θ5 and d5 < d4 < d3 < d2 < d1 in the second embodiment, the intervals x1 to x4 between the spiral protrusions 210 gradually widen as they move away from the opening 300. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the intervals between the spiral protrusions 210 widen in the order of x1 < x2 < x3 < x4. As a result, on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction, the number of spiral protrusions 210 to which toner is likely to adhere decreases. As a result, the cleaning performance is maintained even on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction where the compressed air becomes weak and the cleaning performance is likely to deteriorate.

[0037] <Fifth Embodiment> FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the fifth embodiment. In addition to the configuration of θ1 < θ2 < θ3 < θ4 < θ5 in the first embodiment, the fifth embodiment has a configuration in which the heights y1 to y5 of the spiral protrusions 210 gradually decrease as the distance from the opening 300 increases. In the example shown in FIG. 9, y5 < y4 < y3 < y2 < y1, and the height y5 of the spiral protrusion 210 farthest from the opening 300 is the lowest. As a result, on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction where the compressed air becomes weak, the protrusions that serve as barriers to the flow of the compressed air become lower. As a result, the flow of the compressed air sent from the opening 300 on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction is improved.

[0038] <Sixth Embodiment> FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment. In addition to the configuration of θ1 < θ2 < θ3 < θ4 < θ5, y5 < y4 < y3 < y2 < y1 in the fifth embodiment, the sixth embodiment has a configuration in which the upper sides d1 to d5 of the spiral protrusions 210 gradually shorten as the distance from the opening 300 increases. In the example shown in FIG. 10, d5 < d4 < d3 < d2 < d1, and the upper side d5 of the spiral protrusion 210 farthest from the opening 300 is the shortest. As a result, although the compressed air sent from the opening 300 weakens as the distance from the opening 300 increases, the shortening of the upper sides d1 to d5 as the distance from the opening 300 increases improves the air flow, making it easier to blow out the toner beyond the upper sides d1 to d5.

[0039] <Seventh Embodiment> FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the seventh embodiment. The seventh embodiment has a configuration in which, in addition to the configuration of θ1 < θ2 < θ3 < θ4 < θ5 and y5 < y4 < y3 < y2 < y1 in the fifth embodiment, the intervals x1 to x4 between the spiral protrusions 210 gradually widen as they move away from the opening 300. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the intervals between the spiral protrusions 210 widen in the order of x1 < x2 < x3 < x4. As a result, on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction, the number of spiral protrusions 210 to which toner easily adheres decreases. As a result, the cleaning performance is maintained even on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction where the compressed air becomes weak and the cleaning performance tends to deteriorate.

[0040] <Eighth Embodiment> FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the eighth embodiment. The eighth embodiment has a configuration in which, in addition to the configuration of θ1 < θ2 < θ3 < θ4 < θ5, y5 < y4 < y3 < y2 < y1, and d5 < d4 < d3 < d2 < d1 in the sixth embodiment, the intervals x1 to x4 between the spiral protrusions 210 gradually widen as they move away from the opening 300. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the intervals between the spiral protrusions 210 widen in the order of x1 < x2 < x3 < x4. As a result, on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction, the number of spiral protrusions 210 to which toner easily adheres decreases. As a result, the cleaning performance is maintained even on the upstream side in the toner conveyance direction where the compressed air becomes weak and the cleaning performance tends to deteriorate.

[0041] 〔Explanation of Recycling Process〕 FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the recycling process in this embodiment. The recycling process in this embodiment is a process of recovering toner adhering to the inner circumferential surface 202 using a cleaning nozzle 400 or the like. As shown in FIG. 13, the cleaning nozzle 400 has an outlet 410. The cleaning nozzle 400 discharges compressed air sent from an air compressor (not shown) through the outlet 410. This compressed air blows out the toner adhering to the inner circumferential surface 202. The blown out toner moves toward the opening 300 together with the compressed air. The compressed air and toner that have moved to the opening 300 are collected by an air suction device (not shown). The compressed air sent to the cleaning nozzle 400 is successively exhausted through the outlet 410. Therefore, the compressed air discharged from the outlet 410 becomes weaker as it moves away from the opening 300. On the other hand, in this embodiment, as described with reference to Figures 5 to 12, by changing the shape of the spiral protrusion 210, such as by making the slope 212 gradually gentler as it moves away from the opening 300, cleaning performance is maintained even on the upstream side in the toner transport direction where the compressed air is weaker.

[0042] <Additional Notes> (((1))) a conveying unit that conveys the toner toward an opening located downstream in a conveying direction; a spiral protrusion provided on an inner surface of the transport unit, the protrusion transporting the toner by rotating the transport unit, and the protrusion having a spiral shape on the opposite side of the opening that becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening; A toner cartridge comprising: (((2))) The toner cartridge described in (((1))) is characterized in that the slope of the spiral protrusion on the opposite side of the opening becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening, without changing the height of the protrusion. (((3))) The toner cartridge according to (((2))) is characterized in that the upper side of the spiral protrusion becomes shorter as it gets farther away from the opening. (((4))) The toner cartridge according to ((2))) or ((3))), wherein the spiral projections are spaced apart from one another at intervals that become wider as they move away from the opening. (((5))) The toner cartridge described in any one of (((2))) to (((4))) (((1)), wherein the height of the spiral protrusion decreases as it moves away from the opening, and the slope on the opposite side of the opening becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening. (((6))) a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a transfer section for transferring the developed image onto a sheet of paper; a heating section for heating the paper on which the developed image has been transferred; A body having a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the developing device, the toner cartridge including a conveying section for conveying the toner toward an opening on a downstream side in a conveying direction; a spiral protrusion provided on an inner surface of the transport unit, the protrusion transporting the toner by rotating the transport unit, and the protrusion having a spiral shape on the opposite side of the opening that becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0043] According to the invention of (((1))), the amount of remaining toner can be reduced compared to a case in which a spiral protrusion having a slope on the opposite side of the opening that becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening is not provided. According to the invention related to (((2))), the amount of remaining toner can be reduced even if the height of the spiral projection is not changed. According to the invention related to (((3))), the amount of remaining toner can be further reduced compared to the case where the length of the upper side of the spiral projection is not changed. According to the invention related to (((4))), the amount of remaining toner can be further reduced compared to a case in which the intervals between the spiral projections are not increased with increasing distance from the opening. According to the invention related to (((5))), the amount of remaining toner can be further reduced compared to a case in which the height of the spiral projection is not decreased with increasing distance from the opening. According to the invention related to (((6))), the amount of remaining toner can be reduced compared to a case in which a spiral protrusion on the opposite side of the opening whose slope becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening is not provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100: toner cartridge; 200: conveying portion; 210: protrusion; 212: inclination on the opposite side of opening 300; 300: opening

Claims

1. a conveying unit that conveys the toner toward an opening located downstream in a conveying direction; a spiral protrusion provided on an inner surface of the transport unit, the protrusion transporting the toner by rotating the transport unit, and the protrusion having a slope on the opposite side of the opening that becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening; A toner cartridge comprising:

2. 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the height of the spiral projection does not change, and the inclination of the spiral projection on the opposite side to the opening becomes gentler as it goes away from the opening.

3. 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the spiral projection has an upper side that becomes shorter as it moves away from the opening.

4. 4. The toner cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the spiral projections are spaced apart from one another at intervals that become wider as the distance from the opening increases.

5. 2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the height of the spiral projection decreases as it moves away from the opening, and the inclination on the opposite side of the opening becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening.

6. 6. The toner cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the spiral projection has an upper side that becomes shorter as it moves away from the opening.

7. 7. The toner cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the spiral projections are spaced apart from one another at intervals that become wider as the distance from the opening increases.

8. a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor; a transfer section for transferring the developed image onto a sheet of paper; a heating section for heating the paper on which the developed image has been transferred; A body having a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the developing device, the toner cartridge including a conveying section for conveying the toner toward an opening on a downstream side in a conveying direction; a spiral protrusion provided on an inner surface of the transport unit, the protrusion transporting the toner by rotating the transport unit, and the protrusion having a slope on the opposite side of the opening that becomes gentler as it moves away from the opening; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images