Toner container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide one form of a toner container that can be mounted in an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A toner container comprises: a bag that is for storing toner, and that is formed of a film and has an opening; and a nozzle that is attached to the opening of the bag, and that is provided with a discharge port for discharging the toner stored in the bag to the outside of the toner container. A filter part that passes air and inhibits passage of the toner is provided in a portion of the bag.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a toner container that can be attached to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image by transferring a toner image formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum to a transfer material as a transfer medium. And, as a method of replenishing toner, for example, a process cartridge method and a toner replenishment method are known. The process cartridge method is a method in which a photosensitive drum and a developing container are integrated as a process cartridge, and when the toner runs out, the process cartridge is replaced with a new one.

[0003] On the other hand, the toner replenishment method is a method of newly replenishing toner to a developing container when the toner runs out. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that replenishes toner to a developing container using a toner pack that can be attached to a mounting portion provided on the developing container. Also disclosed is a configuration in which the toner in the toner pack is smoothly discharged by filling the toner and air at a mixing ratio below a certain level.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, various usage methods have been demanded by users for toner containers that can be attached to image forming apparatuses. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a form of a toner container that can be attached to an image forming apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The toner container of the present invention is a bag for storing toner, comprising a bag made of a film and having an opening, and a nozzle attached to the opening of the bag, the nozzle being provided with a discharge port for discharging the toner stored in the bag to the outside of the toner container, wherein a part of the bag is provided with a filter portion that allows air to pass through and prevents the passage of toner.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a form of a toner container that can be mounted on an image forming apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0010] <The First Embodiment> (Image forming apparatus system) FIG. 2(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image forming system 1000 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view of the image forming system 1000.

[0011] The image forming system 1000 includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a toner pack 100 that can be attached to the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 without the toner pack 100 attached.

[0012] The toner pack 100 is attached to and used in the attachment portion 106 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3. The toner pack 100 stores toner to be supplied to the image forming apparatus 1. The detailed configuration of the toner pack 100 will be described later. The toner pack 100 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 along the attachment direction M shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the attachment direction M of the toner pack 100 is the direction of gravity. The attachment direction M of the toner pack 100 may be a direction inclined with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0013] (Image forming apparatus) The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a recording material P based on image information input from an external device. The recording material P includes various sheet materials of different materials, such as paper such as so-called plain paper and thick paper, plastic films such as overhead projector sheets, special-shaped sheets such as envelopes and index papers, and cloth.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the image forming apparatus 1 has the following configuration. That is, an image forming unit 10 that forms a toner image on the recording material P, a pickup roller 65 that feeds the recording material P to the image forming unit 10, a fixing unit 70 that fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 to the recording material P, and a discharge roller pair 80.

[0015] The image forming unit 10 includes a scanner unit 11, an electrophotographic process unit 20, and a transfer roller 12 that transfers a toner image as a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 21 of the process unit 20 to a recording material P. The process unit 20 includes a photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 22, a pre-exposure unit 23, and a developing device 30 (developing unit, developing portion) including a developing roller 31.

[0016] The photosensitive drum 21 (image carrier) is a photoconductor formed in a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 21 of the present embodiment has a photosensitive layer formed of a negatively chargeable organic photoconductor on a drum-shaped substrate formed of aluminum. Further, the photosensitive drum 21 is rotationally driven by a motor in a predetermined rotation direction (clockwise direction in the figure) at a predetermined process speed.

[0017] The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 with a predetermined pressure contact force to form a charging portion. Further, by applying a desired charging voltage by a charging high-voltage power supply, the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential. In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is charged to a negative polarity by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure unit 23 discharges the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21 before reaching the charging portion in order to cause stable discharge in the charging portion.

[0018] The scanner unit 11 as exposure means reflects laser light corresponding to image information input from an external device using a rotating polygon mirror and irradiates the photosensitive drum 21. As a result, the laser light scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to expose the photosensitive drum 21. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by this exposure. Note that the scanner unit 11 does not have to be a laser scanner device. For example, an LED exposure device having an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21 may be used.

[0019] The developing device 30 includes a developing roller 31 as a toner carrier for carrying toner, a developing container 32 (developing frame) that serves as a frame of the developing device 30, and a supply roller 33 capable of supplying toner to the developing roller 31. The developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. Further, the developing roller 31 is disposed at the opening of the developing container 32 so as to face the photosensitive drum 21. The supply roller 33 is rotatably in contact with the developing roller 31, and the toner as the toner stored in the developing container 32 is supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supply roller 33. Note that if there is a configuration capable of sufficiently supplying toner to the developing roller 31, the supply roller 33 may be omitted.

[0020] The developing device 30 of the present embodiment uses a contact developing method as the developing method. That is, the toner layer carried on the developing roller 31 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 in a developing portion (developing region) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 face each other. A developing voltage is applied to the developing roller 31 by a developing high-voltage power source. Under the developing voltage, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 transfers from the developing roller 31 to the drum surface according to the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, so that the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image. Note that in the present embodiment, an inversion developing method is adopted. That is, after being charged in the charging step, toner adheres to the surface region of the photosensitive drum 21 where the charge amount has decayed due to being exposed in the exposure step, thereby forming a toner image.

[0021] In addition, in the present embodiment, toner with a particle size of 6 μm and a normal charging polarity of negative polarity is used. As an example, the toner of the present embodiment employs polymerized toner generated by a polymerization method. Further, the toner of the present embodiment does not contain a magnetic component, and is a so-called non-magnetic one-component toner in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 31 mainly by intermolecular forces and electrostatic forces (image forces). However, a one-component toner containing a magnetic component may also be used. In addition, the one-component toner may contain additives (for example, waxes and silica fine particles) for adjusting the fluidity and charging performance of the toner in addition to toner particles. Further, a two-component toner composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may be used. When a magnetic toner is used, as the toner carrier, for example, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet disposed inside is used.

[0022] The developing container 32 has a toner storage chamber 36 (second storage portion, main body storage portion) for storing toner. Inside the toner storage chamber 36, a stirring member 34 (toner conveying member) is provided. The stirring member 34 is driven by a motor (not shown) to rotate, thereby stirring the toner in the developing container 32 and conveying the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supply roller 33. Further, the stirring member 34 has a role of circulating the toner peeled off from the developing roller 31 in the developing container and making the toner in the developing container uniform, which is not used for development. Note that the stirring member 34 is not limited to a rotating form. For example, a stirring member in a rocking form may be adopted.

[0023] In addition, at the opening of the developing container 32 where the developing roller 31 is disposed, a developing blade 35 for regulating the amount of toner carried on the developing roller 31 is disposed. The toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through the opposing portion with the developing blade 35 as the developing roller 31 rotates, thereby being uniformly thinned and charged negatively by triboelectrification.

[0024] Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When a command for image formation is input to the image forming apparatus 1, an image forming process by the image forming unit 10 is started based on the image information input from an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The scanner unit 11 irradiates the photosensitive drum 21 with laser light based on the input image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is pre-charged by the charging roller 22, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by the irradiation of the laser light. Then, this electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.

[0025] In parallel with the above-described image forming process, the recording material P is sent out by the pickup roller 65 and conveyed toward the transfer nip formed by the transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[0026] A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 12 from a transfer high-voltage power source, and the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred to the recording material P. When the recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred passes through the fixing unit 70, the toner image is heated and pressurized. As a result, the toner particles melt and then adhere, so that the toner image is fixed to the recording material P. The recording material P that has passed through the fixing unit 70 is discharged to the outside (outside the machine) of the image forming apparatus 1 by the discharge roller pair 80 as a discharging means and is loaded on the discharge tray 81 as a loading unit formed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0027] On the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1, a top cover 82 is provided as a loading tray, and a discharge tray 81 is formed on the upper surface of the top cover 82 as a loading surface. As shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 3, the top cover 82 is provided with an opening / closing member 83 that is supported so as to be openable and closable about a rotation axis 83a extending in the front-rear direction. An opening 82a that opens upward is formed in the discharge tray 81 of the top cover 82. As shown in FIG. 3, when the opening / closing member 83 is in the open position described later, a mounting portion 106 for mounting the toner pack 100 is exposed from the opening 82a.

[0028] The opening / closing member 83 is configured to be movable between a closed position that covers the mounting portion 106 so that the toner pack 100 cannot be mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, and an open position that exposes the mounting portion 106 so that the toner pack 100 can be mounted on the image forming apparatus 1. The opening / closing member 83 functions as a part of the discharge tray 81 in the closed position. The opening / closing member 83 and the opening 82a are formed on the left side of the discharge tray 81 when viewed from the front of the image forming apparatus 1. Here, the front of the image forming apparatus 1 described here is the upstream side of the image forming apparatus 1 in the direction in which the recording material P is fed out by the pickup roller 65. Further, the opening / closing member 83 is opened leftward when a user in front of the image forming apparatus 1 hooks a finger from the groove portion 82b provided in the top cover 82.

[0029] The opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 is open so that the mounting portion 106 formed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1 is exposed. When the opening / closing member 83 is opened, the user can access the mounting portion 106. In this embodiment, in a state where the developing device 30 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, a direct supply method is adopted in which the user supplies toner from the toner pack 100 mounted on the mounting portion 106 to the developing device 30. When the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106 of the image forming apparatus 1, at least a part thereof is exposed outside the image forming apparatus 1 (Fig. 2(a)).

[0030] When the toner remaining amount of the process unit 20 becomes small, the operation of removing the process unit 20 from the image forming apparatus 1 and replacing it with a new process unit becomes unnecessary. Further, since the entire process unit 20 is not replaced, toner can be supplied to the developing container 32 at a lower cost because there are fewer replacement parts. In such a direct supply method, there is no need to replace various rollers, gears, etc. Therefore, this method can reduce costs compared to the case where only the developing device 30 of the process unit 20 is replaced.

[0031] (Mounting portion of toner pack) First, the configuration of the mounting portion 106 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 106 is a unit for mounting the toner pack 100.

[0032] FIG. 4(a) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion 106. FIG. 4(b) is an exploded perspective view of the mounting portion 106 viewed from a direction opposite to the direction of FIG. 4(a). FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a) are a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting portion 106 when the operation lever 108 is in the closed position and a view of the mounting portion 106 viewed from the mounting direction M, respectively. FIGS. 5(b) and 6(b) are a perspective view showing the appearance of the mounting portion 106 of the image forming apparatus 1 when the operation lever 108 is in the open position and a view of the mounting portion 106 viewed from the mounting direction M, respectively. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 106 viewed from the downstream side in the mounting direction M.

[0033] FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the apparatus-side shutter 109 viewed from the upstream side in the mounting direction M. FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view of the apparatus-side shutter 109 from a viewpoint different from that of FIG. 8(a). FIG. 9(a) is a perspective view of the cover 110 viewed from the downstream side in the mounting direction M of the cover 110. FIG. 9(b) is a perspective view of the cover 110 viewed from the upstream side in the mounting direction M of the cover 110.

[0034] The mounting portion 106 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 is provided with a base frame 2 including a first frame body 107, a second frame body 117, and a cover 110. The cover 110 and the second frame body 117 are fixed to the first frame body 107.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9, the cover 110 has an engaged portion 110h that engages with the engaging portion 107b (FIG. 4(a)) of the first frame body 107 so as not to rotate about the rotation axis B with respect to the first frame body 107. Note that the first frame body 107, the cover 110, and the second frame body 117 may be integrally formed instead of being separate members. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the second frame body 117 is provided with an apparatus-side opening 117a (frame opening, receiving opening), and the apparatus-side opening 117a communicates with the toner storage chamber 36 of the developing device 30 (see FIG. 2(a)).

[0036] The operation lever 108 and the device-side shutter 109 (second shutter) are each attached to the base frame 2 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis B (central axis).

[0037] The first frame body 107 is provided with a positioning portion 107a. The positioning portion 107a protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface centered on the rotation axis B of the first frame body 107 in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis B. Further, the operation lever 108 is provided with a drive transmission portion 108a (lever convex portion) and an operation portion 108b. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the drive transmission portion 108a of the operation lever 108 is a convex portion that protrudes inward in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis B from the inner peripheral surface centered on the rotation axis B of the operation lever 108.

[0038] The device-side shutter 109 is a cylindrical member with an open upper side when attached to the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 8, a receiving port 109a (second shutter opening, device-side shutter opening) is provided in the device-side shutter side surface portion extending in the direction of the rotation axis B, and it has a bottom surface 109b provided with a regulated rib 109c (rotation regulating portion). The device-side shutter 109 further has a center boss 109d (positioning shaft, shaft portion), a driven transmission portion 109e (pressed portion, device-side shutter convex portion), a pack contact surface 109g (mounting direction positioning), and an inner peripheral surface 109h (radial positioning). The device-side shutter 109 is configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis B with respect to the base frame 2.

[0039] The regulated rib 109c protrudes upward from the bottom surface 109b in the direction of the rotation axis B. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the driven transmission portion 109e is a convex portion that protrudes inward in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis B. A device-side seal 111 is attached around the receiving port 109a (see FIG. 5(b)).

[0040] Here, the device-side shutter 109 is configured to be rotatable relative to the base frame 2 between a closed position where the inlet 109a is covered by the device-side seal 111 and the cover 110, and an open position where it is not covered by the cover 110 and is open. The closed position is the position shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a), where the inlet 109a of the device-side shutter 109 is in a position not communicating with the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117 (non-communication position). The open position is the position shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 6(b), where the inlet 109a of the device-side shutter 109 is in a position communicating with the device-side opening 117a of the second frame 117 (communication position). When the device-side shutter 109 moves to the open position, toner can be replenished (supplied) from the toner pack 100 to the toner storage chamber 36 of the developing device 30 through the inlet 109a (FIG. 8(b)).

[0041] Note that since the operation lever 108 and the device-side shutter 109 are not drivingly connected, the device-side shutter 109 is configured not to rotate even when the operation lever 108 is operated with the toner pack 100 not attached.

[0042] (Toner Pack) The basic configuration of the toner pack 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 11. FIG. 10(a) is a front view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. FIG. 10(b) is a front view of the toner pack 100 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the toner pack 100.

[0043] The toner pack 100 includes a bag (pouch) having an opening and a storage portion 101 (first storage portion) for storing toner, a nozzle 102 (nozzle portion, pipe, tube, valve, discharge portion), and a pack-side shutter 103 (container shutter, rotating member).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 10, a storage portion 101 is provided on the side of the first end portion in the first direction D1, and a nozzle 102 and a pack-side shutter 103 are provided on the side of the second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the first direction. The storage portion 101 is a pouch formed by pouch processing of a polypropylene sheet (film) which is a flexible resin. Further, the nozzle 102 is formed of polypropylene having a greater wall thickness than the storage portion 101.

[0045] On a side surface 102c (first outer surface) of the nozzle 102 extending along the first direction D1, a discharge port 102a (nozzle opening, first opening) configured to communicate with the inside of the storage portion 101 is provided. The toner stored in the storage portion 101 is configured to be discharged to the outside of the toner pack 100 through the discharge port 102a. Note that the nozzle 102 may be integrally formed with the storage portion 101. Further, a seal may be provided between the storage portion 101 and the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102, and the storage portion 101 and the discharge port 102a may communicate with each other when the seal is removed.

[0046] On the outside of the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102, a pack-side shutter 103 (rotating member) is provided. The pack-side shutter 103 is rotatably attached about a rotation axis A (first rotation axis) extending in a direction along the first direction D1, and has an opening 103a (rotating member opening, first shutter opening) as shown in FIG. 11. The pack-side shutter 103 is provided outside the side surface 102c in the radial direction r of a virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis A. The side surface 102c of the nozzle 102 is a convex curved surface facing outward in the radial direction r of the virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis A. The inner surface of the pack-side shutter 103 (the surface facing the side surface 102c) is a curved surface along the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102, and a substantially rectangular pack-side seal 105 is attached thereto. Note that the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102 is also a surface extending along the rotation axis A.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 10, the pack-side shutter 103 is configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis A between a closed position where the pack-side seal 105 closes the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 and an open position where the discharge port 102a is opened. When the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position, the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 is exposed from the opening 103a.

[0048] FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) respectively show the states where the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position and the open position. As shown in FIG. 10(a), when the pack-side shutter 103 in the closed position is rotated about the rotation axis A in the direction of arrow K (the first rotation direction), it reaches the open position shown in FIG. 10(b). Conversely, when the pack-side shutter 103 is rotated from the open position in the direction of arrow L (the second rotation direction), it reaches the closed position. In the rotation operation of the pack-side shutter 103, the pack-side shutter 103 rubs against the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102 via the pack-side seal 105.

[0049] The detailed configurations of the nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. The direction of arrow N is the direction from the housing portion 101 toward the nozzle 102, and the direction of arrow U is the opposite direction. The directions of arrow N and arrow U are parallel to the rotation axis A.

[0050] FIG. 12(a) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the nozzle 102 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position. FIG. 12(b) is a view of the toner pack 100 in the direction of arrow U in FIG. 12(a). FIG. 13(a) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the nozzle 102 when the pack-side shutter 103 is in the open position. FIG. 13(b) is a side view of the toner pack 100 in the direction of arrow U in FIG. 13(a).

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), the nozzles 102 are arranged in the direction of arrow R (second direction D2) so as to face each other with a space therebetween, and include a positioned portion 102d having a surface 102d1 (first nozzle surface, first facing surface) and a surface 102d2 (second nozzle surface, second facing surface) that extend in a direction intersecting the R direction. As shown in FIG. 12(b), the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 in the present embodiment extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrow R and are parallel to each other. That is, the direction of arrow R is the normal direction of the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2. The positioned portion 102d engages with the positioning portion 107a (FIG. 4(a)) of the first frame body 107 when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106. Thereby, the position of the nozzle 102 in the direction of arrow R (FIG. 12(b)) with respect to the first frame body 107 (base frame body 2) of the device portion 106 is determined.

[0052] Also, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 15, surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 are provided on the downstream side in the N direction of the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 in the direction of the rotation axis A, respectively. As shown in FIG. 12(b), the surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 extend in the radial direction r of a virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis A.

[0053] In FIG. 15, side surfaces 102e3 (second outer surfaces) are provided between the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 and between the surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 in the direction of arrow R. The side surface 102e3 is recessed inward in the radial direction r from the side surface 102c. The surfaces 102d1, 102d2, and side surface 102e3, and the surfaces 102e1, 102e2, and side surface 102e3 form a recess 102e (nozzle recess).

[0054] Note that the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 do not necessarily have to be parallel as in the present embodiment. The surfaces 102d1 and 102d2 may be surfaces that extend in the radial direction r of a virtual circle VC centered on the rotation axis A.

[0055] Also, as shown in FIG. 12, when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis A (first direction D1), an opening 103a (rotating body opening) is provided in the side surface 103d (outer surface of the first rotating member) of the pack side shutter 103. In FIG. 12(a), when the pack side shutter 103 is in the closed position, at least a part of the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 is exposed from the opening 103a. This is to engage the recess 102e (surfaces 102d1 and 102d2) with the positioning portion 107a of the device portion 106 when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106 with the pack side shutter 103 in the closed state.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12(b), when the pack side shutter 103 is in the closed position, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis A (first direction D), a driven transmission portion 103e (rotating body recess) is provided on the opposite side of the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 (opening 103a of the pack side shutter 103) across the rotation axis A. The surfaces 103b1 and 103b2 of the driven transmission portion 103e both extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the arrow R. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the pack side shutter 103 as viewed from the side where the driven transmission portion 103e is located. Between the surfaces 103b1 and 103b2, a side surface 103b3 (outer surface of the second rotating member) recessed inward in the radial direction r from the side surface 103d is provided. The driven transmission portion 103e is formed by the surfaces 103b1, 103b2, and the side surface 103b3.

[0057] Also, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the pack side shutter 103 has a radial positioning portion 103f that protrudes outward in the radial direction r from the side surface 103d. The radial positioning portion 103f is provided on the upstream side of the pack side shutter 103 in the N direction in the direction of the rotation axis A. The radial positioning portion 103f is provided at three locations at intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotation direction of the pack side shutter 103 (circumferential direction of the virtual circle VC). When the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, the radial position of the toner pack 100 in the radial direction r is determined by the inner peripheral surface 109h of the device side shutter 109 coming into contact with the radial positioning portion 103f of the pack side shutter 10.

[0058] Furthermore, the nozzle 102 in the present embodiment is a component provided with a toner passage 102b through which toner passes and a discharge port 102a for discharging the toner from the nozzle 102. The cross-sectional area of the passage through which the toner of the nozzle 102 passes may become smaller, larger, or uniform as it approaches the discharge port 102a. The cross-sectional area and length of the passage of the nozzle 102 are not limited as they may be appropriately changed according to toner discharge performance and the like. Also, the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 does not have to be the most downstream opening from which the toner is discharged from the toner pack 100. A configuration may be adopted in which the toner discharged from the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 passes through a passage of a member different from the nozzle 102 and is then discharged to the outside of the toner pack 100. Also, in the present embodiment, the nozzle 102 is formed of polypropylene, but it may be formed of other materials such as ABS or polystyrene.

[0059] Furthermore, the pack-side shutter 103 may be a rotating body that has a driven transmission portion 103e and always opens the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 regardless of the rotational position. In that case, the discharge port 102a of the nozzle 102 may be closed with a seal when the toner pack 100 is not attached to the attachment portion 106, and the seal may be removed by the attachment operation to the attachment portion 106 or after it is attached. Also, a toner pack 100 without the pack-side shutter 103 may be used.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 1(a), a sheet-like filter 500 (filter portion) is disposed in the toner pack 100. In FIG. 1(a), the filter 500 is configured to be attached to the surface of the toner pack 100, but the arrangement of the filter 500 is not limited to this, and it may be disposed on both side surfaces of the toner pack 100. Also, as shown in FIG. 16, a configuration may be adopted in which it is disposed on the top surface farthest from the toner discharge port 102a provided at one end of the toner pack (the upper surface in the state of being attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and being the top surface of the toner pack 100).

[0061] Also, the filter 500 may be disposed on either the front or back of the toner pack 100. That is, the filter 500 may be attached and disposed from the inner surface of the toner pack 100, or may be attached and disposed from the outer surface. The filter 500 is configured to be attached from the front surface or the back surface so as to block a hole provided in the toner pack 100 in advance. In addition, when there is a concern that toner may get caught around the filter 500, it is better to attach the filter 500 from the outside of the toner pack 100.

[0062] The following describes a configuration disposed on one side surface of the toner pack 100.

[0063] The material of the filter 500 may be, for example, a polyester non-woven fabric or paper. It has an air permeability that allows air to pass through while preventing the passage of toner. In this configuration, the material of the filter 500 is not limited. A resin frame or the like may be provided for the filter.

[0064] Examples of the bonding (joining) method for attaching and bonding (joining) the filter 500 to the toner pack 100 include bonding with an adhesive and bonding by heat welding.

[0065] For example, as a bonding method by heat welding, the surface layer of the toner pack 100 is heated and melted, and the surface layer of the filter 500 is interposed therebetween. Then, there is a method of fixing the filter 500 to the surface layer of the toner pack 100 by solidifying the melted surface layer of the toner pack 100.

[0066] In addition, a seal layer based on PP or PE may be laminated in advance on the bonding surface of the filter 500 with respect to the toner pack 100. The bonding surface is provided on one surface of the sheet-like filter. During manufacturing, the surface layer of the toner pack 100 is heated and melted, and the seal layer is also heated and melted. The surface layer of the toner pack 100 and the seal layer of the filter 500 are bonded together in a melted state, and the melted portion is cooled and solidified to fix the filter 500 to the surface layer of the toner pack 100.

[0067] When laminating a seal layer on the entire surface of the filter 500 reduces the air permeability, the seal layer may be laminated only on the four sides instead of the entire surface of the filter 500.

[0068] In addition, when the housing portion 101 of the toner pack is made of polypropylene, it is preferably composed of two types of polypropylene bonded together. The first is OPP (Oriented Polypropylene, biaxially stretched polypropylene), and the second is CPP (Cast Polypropylene, unstretched polypropylene). OPP has higher orientation and gloss than CPP and is suitable for printing on the surface. Also, CPP is more non-oriented and softer than OPP and is suitable for thermal welding. Therefore, the housing portion 101 may be configured such that OPP is on the surface and CPP is on the back. This is because the surface of the housing portion 101 is printed and the back is bonded by thermal welding.

[0069] In this case, it is more suitable for thermal welding to attach the filter 500 from the back surface made of CPP. In this case, the surface of the CPP on the back and the laminated seal layer of the filter may be melted by heat and bonded together.

[0070] Here, the toner filling amount for the conventional toner pack 100 will be described. Conventionally, in order to smoothly discharge the toner, the mixing ratio of the toner and air was controlled during manufacturing. This is because if the amount of toner relative to the internal volume of the toner pack 100 is too large and it becomes in a consolidated state, the fluidity of the toner deteriorates. In this state, when the user tries to crush the toner pack 100 to discharge the toner, the toner cannot be discharged smoothly. In other words, in the conventional configuration, there was a limit from the perspective of fluidity in reducing the size of the toner pack 100 filled with the specified amount of toner. On the other hand, although details will be described later, as shown in FIG. 1(c), in this configuration, the toner can be filled in the toner pack in a consolidated manner at the time of shipment and can be miniaturized for transportation. And at the time of toner replenishment, air can be taken into the toner pack 100 through a filter, and the consolidated state of the toner can be eliminated.

[0071] (Toner filling and shipment of the toner pack 100) Consider the process of filling the toner pack 100 with toner. After filling the toner pack 100 with toner and leaving it in the states shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the toner settles at the lower part on the side of the nozzle 102, and a layer of only air is formed at the upper part.

[0072] In the conventional configuration, it was shipped in this size of the toner pack 100. On the other hand, in this configuration, since the filter 500 is arranged in the toner pack 100, the air inside the toner pack 100 can be discharged.

[0073] FIG. 1(c) shows a state in which the upper part of the toner pack 100 is folded from the state shown in FIG. 1(b), and the air inside the toner pack 100 is discharged to the outside. Specifically, the top surface of the toner pack 100 is folded in the direction indicated by arrow V1. The air inside the toner pack 100 is discharged to the outside as indicated by arrow P1, and the toner pack 100 can be shrunk. Compared with the state of FIG. 1(b), in the state of FIG. 1(c), the height of the toner pack 100 can be reduced by H1. In other words, at the time of shipment, the toner can be densely packed in the toner pack 100, it can be packed in a small size, and it can be miniaturized for transportation. When packing the toner pack 100 in a box, the toner pack 100 may be pushed to remove air from the filter 500.

[0074] (Discharging toner from the toner pack 100) Before mounting the toner pack 100 on the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), by deforming and expanding the size of the toner pack 100 by the user, new air is taken into the toner pack 100 from the filter 500. Specifically, the top surface of the toner pack 100 is moved in the direction of arrow V2, and air is taken into the toner pack 100 as indicated by arrow P2, and the size of the toner pack 100 is increased.

[0075] Even if the toner in the toner pack 100 is aggregated and arrives at the user's hand, by the user shaking the toner pack 100 and mixing the internal toner and air, the toner becomes fluid. As a result, the toner can be smoothly discharged from the toner pack 100. As shown in FIG. 18, after the user smoothly discharges the toner from the toner pack 100, the toner pack 100 can be shrunk.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 17(a), the filter 500 is disposed at a position far from the discharge port 102a of the toner pack 100. In this case, when trying to take air into the toner pack 100, there is no toner in the vicinity of the filter 500, and it is easy to take air in without being obstructed by the toner.

[0077] (Supply operation) Next, the operation of mounting the toner pack 100 and supplying toner will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 20.

[0078] FIG. 19(a) is a perspective view of the toner pack 100 and the mounting portion 106 while the toner pack 100 is being mounted on the mounting portion 106. FIG. 19(b) is a perspective view of the toner pack 100 and the mounting portion 106 from a viewpoint different from that of FIG. 19(a). FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view parallel to the rotation axis A (rotation axis B) in the mounted state in which the toner pack 100 is further moved in the mounting direction from the state of FIG. 19. FIG. 20(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1 in FIG. 20. FIG. 21(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2 in FIG. 20. FIG. 22(a) is a perspective view of the toner pack 100 viewed from above when the operation lever 108 is in the open position. FIG. 22(b) is a perspective view in which the pack-side shutter 103 and the device-side shutter 109 are opened from the closed position by operating the operation lever 108 from the state of FIG. 22. FIG. 1(c) is a schematic view showing a state when the user supplies toner. FIG. 1(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X3-X3 in FIG. 20 after operating the operation lever 108 from the state of FIG. 20. FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c) are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the toner pack 100 is crushed from the state of FIG. 22(a) when the user supplies toner.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 19, with respect to the mounting portion 106 in a state where the device-side shutter 109 is in the closed position, the toner pack 100 in a state where the pack-side shutter 103 is in the closed position is moved in the mounting direction M and mounted. At this time, when viewed in the mounting direction M, the positions in the rotational direction of the recess 102e of the nozzle 102 (the opening 103a of the pack-side shutter 103) and the positioning portion 107a of the first frame body 107 are aligned. At the same time, the positions in the rotational direction of the driven transmission portion 103e of the pack-side shutter 103 and the drive transmission portion 108a of the operation lever 108 are also aligned.

[0080] After performing the above-described alignment and then moving the toner pack 100 in the mounting direction M to mount it on the mounting portion 106, it reaches the mounting completion position shown in FIG. 20. As shown in FIG. 20, the small-diameter portion 109d2 of the center boss 109d of the device-side shutter 109 is fitted (engaged) with the inner peripheral surface 102b1 of the protruding portion 102b of the nozzle 102. As a result, the position of the nozzle 102 in the radial direction with respect to the device-side shutter 109 below the nozzle 102 (downstream side in the mounting direction M) is determined. Also, three locations of the radial positioning portion 103f (FIG. 13) of the pack-side shutter 103 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface 109h (FIG. 8) of the device-side shutter 109. As a result, the position of the nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 (toner pack 100) in the radial direction on the upstream side in the mounting direction M is determined. On the other hand, the protruding end surface 102b2 of the protruding portion 102b of the nozzle 102 is in contact with the pack contact surface 109g of the device-side shutter 109. As a result, the position of the nozzle 102 (toner pack 100) in the direction of the rotation axis A (mounting direction M) with respect to the mounting portion 106 is determined. Further, as shown in FIG. 21(a), the positioning portion 107a of the first frame body 107 engages with the positioned portion 102d of the nozzle 102 having the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2. Therefore, in the direction of the arrow R of the surfaces 102d1 and 102d2, the position of the nozzle 102 is determined with respect to the first frame body 107 (base frame body 2). Note that the inner peripheral surface 102b1 of the protruding portion 102b does not necessarily have to be configured to fit with the center boss 109d, and it may be configured so as not to interfere. As shown in FIG. 21(a), the drive transmission portion 108a (lever convex portion) of the operation lever 108 engages with the driven transmission portion 103e (rotating body concave portion, see FIG. 14) of the pack-side shutter 103. Further, as shown in FIG. 21(b), the driven transmission portion 103e (rotating body concave portion) of the pack-side shutter 103 engages with the driven transmission portion 109e (shutter convex portion) of the device-side shutter 109. As a result, the rotation axis A of the pack-side shutter 103 and the rotation axis B of the device-side shutter 109 become substantially coaxial. Then, with respect to the first frame body 107 (base frame body 2) and the nozzle 102, in the rotation about the rotation axis A (rotation axis B), the operation lever 108, the pack-side shutter 103, and the device-side shutter 109 are movable substantially integrally.Specifically, when the operation lever 108 is rotated, the drive transmission part 108a of the operation lever 108 presses the surface 103b1 or 103b2 of the pack side shutter 103, and the pack side shutter 103 is rotated. Thereafter, the surface 103b1 or the surface 103b2 of the pack side shutter 103 presses the driven transmission part 109e of the device side shutter 109, and the device side shutter 109 is rotated.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b), after the mounting of the toner pack 100 to the mounting part 106 is completed, when the operation part 108b of the operation lever 108 is rotated in the rotation direction D, the device side shutter 109 rotates from the closed position to the open position, and the pack side shutter 103 rotates from the closed position to the open position. Here, as shown in FIG. 22(c), the user presses a part of the region H of the toner pack 100 for replenishment.

[0082] According to the present invention, after toner filling, excess air in the toner pack can be discharged to the outside of the toner pack, and the toner in the toner pack can be densely filled, and as a result, the transport efficiency during logistics conveyance can be improved. This is because the toner pack is crushed and transported in a state where the air inside is discharged, so that the occupied volume per unit is reduced.

[0083] After the air is discharged, the toner in the toner pack becomes dense, but when the user replenishes the toner, air easily enters the toner pack through the filter by the user stretching the bag by hand. Then, when the user shakes the toner pack, the densified state of the toner is eliminated, and the fluidity of the toner is improved. As a result, the user can smoothly discharge the toner.

[0084] Even if the toner is biased in the toner pack and solidifies due to its own weight, as described above, air enters through the filter, and the user can loosen the internal toner by shaking.

[0085] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing a method of manufacturing a toner pack. With the original sheet Sb that forms the bottom of the pouch folded in half, it is sandwiched between two original sheets Sa1 and Sa2 that form the side faces of the pouch. In this state, the side edges of the original sheets Sa1 and Sa2 are heat-sealed to form a sealing portion A1. Also, the perimeters of the original sheet Sa1 and Sb, and the original sheet Sa2 and Sb are similarly heat-sealed to form a sealing portion, thereby forming a bag-shaped (bottomed cylindrical) pouch. The bottom formed by Sb forms the gusset portion of the bag. Similar to Sb, another original sheet may be interposed between the sealing portions A1 to form a gusset portion of the bag on the so-called side faces other than the bottom. As shown in FIG. 27, a filter portion 500 may be provided on the current sheet Sb that forms the gusset portion.

[0086] FIG. 28 shows a toner pack manufactured by the method as shown in FIG. 27 described above.

[0087] FIG. 28(d) is a perspective view of the toner pack 100. The filter 500 is located at the gusset portion described above. FIG. 28(c) is a front view of the toner pack 100. It shows the position of the filter 500 in the front view. Since it corresponds to a portion not visible in the front view, the position is indicated by a dashed line. FIG. 28(e) is a side view of the toner pack 100 corresponding to the configuration of FIG. 28(d). This figure shows the toner pack 100 after the toner housed inside the toner pack 100 has been supplied to the image forming apparatus. The toner pack 100 with an empty interior has its gusset portion in a folded state.

[0088] FIG. 28(a) is a perspective view of a modified example of the toner pack 100 in FIG. 28(d). Similar to the previous example, the filter 500 is located at the gusset portion. FIG. 28(a) shows a perspective view of the toner pack 100, similar to FIG. 28(d). Similar to FIG. 28(d), the filter 500 is located at the gusset portion, but the bending direction of the gusset portion is different from that in FIG. 28(d). The same applies to FIG. 28(b). FIG. 28(b) is a front view corresponding to the toner pack 100 in FIG. 28(a). It shows the position of the filter 500 in the front view. Since it corresponds to a portion not visible in the front view, the position is indicated by a dashed line.

[0089] Figure 29 is a front view of the toner pack 100. The toner pack 100 is manufactured by the manufacturing method as shown in FIG. 27 described above. Further, since it has the filter 500 in the margin part as shown in FIG. 28, the position of the filter 500 cannot be seen in the front view. In FIG. 29, the toner pack 100 has a cap 630 that covers a nozzle (not shown) and is detachable from the nozzle.

[0090] In the toner pack 100, toner is filled inside. However, when air is removed from the filter 500 and the toner pack 100 is crushed, its volume decreases. As a result, when packing in a box such as cardboard for logistics transportation, the volume per toner pack 100 decreases, so the transportation efficiency of logistics transportation is improved.

[0091] On the other hand, when there is a margin part as shown in FIG. 28, it is also possible to stand the toner pack 100 with the margin part facing down. When displaying on a product shelf after taking it out of the cardboard, the toner pack 100 can be arranged with the margin part facing down.

[0092] However, if air is removed and the margin part is crushed to improve the efficiency of logistics transportation, it is difficult to display the toner pack 100 in an upright state with the margin part facing down when a store salesperson arranges it on the product shelf. This is because when the margin part is not spread out, it is difficult for a salesperson or the like to place the toner pack 100 in an upright state as it is.

[0093] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 29 described above, having the cap 630 that covers the nozzle is suitable because even when the margin part is crushed, a salesperson or the like can place the toner pack 100 in an upright state with the cap of the toner pack facing down. This is because the cap 100 is configured to have a surface suitable for standing upright. The surface for standing the toner pack 100 is provided in a direction intersecting the direction in which the storage part 101 and the nozzle 102 are aligned. In this way, when the surface of the cap is grounded on a horizontal plane, the toner container is configured to stand on its own.

[0094] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the toner pack 100, and a machined portion is also provided on the side surface of the toner pack 100. The filter 500 is located in the machined portion provided on the side surface. The filter 500 is provided at a position close to the machined portion on the top surface side opposite to the nozzle. In this configuration, there is an advantage that the appearance is not impaired because the filter 500 is located at a less conspicuous position than when it is provided on the front or top surface side in a state of being attached to the image forming apparatus.

[0095] <Second Embodiment> As shown in FIG. 23, in the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment, a filter opening / closing seal 501 is provided as a seal member that closes the filter portion. The filter opening / closing seal 501 provided in the filter portion is movably provided to a position (first position) that covers the filter 500 as shown in FIG. 23(b) and a position (second position) that opens the filter 500 in the T direction as shown in FIG. 23(c).

[0096] More specifically, examples of the method of coupling the filter opening / closing seal 501 to the toner pack 100 include coupling by an adhesive or heat welding. However, similar to the coupling of the filter 500 to the toner pack 100 described above, the coupling method is not limited thereto. Further, in FIG. 23, a part of the filter opening / closing seal 501 is coupled to the toner pack 100 without being peeled off. Further, an adhesive layer such as paste is provided at least at a position in contact with the toner pack 100 at other portions. Thereby, the filter opening / closing seal 501 can move to a position covering the filter 500 and a position for opening, and in the position covering the filter 500, a configuration is possible in which air inside the toner pack 100 is sealed without being vented to the outside of the toner pack 100. Note that the configuration of the filter opening / closing seal 501 is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration without a portion coupled without being peeled off as described above may be used. More specifically, when the filter 500 is opened, the filter opening / closing seal 501 may be completely separated from the toner pack 100, while when the filter 500 is covered, the filter opening / closing seal 501 may be re-sealed to the toner pack 100 using an adhesive layer. Further, the shape of the filter opening / closing seal 501 may be configured by cutting out a part of a bag.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 23(c), when taking in air into the toner pack 100, the user moves the filter opening / closing seal 501 in the T direction to the position where the filter is opened. Specifically, before attaching the toner pack 100 to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 24(a) and 24(b), the user moves the filter opening / closing seal 501 in the V2 direction to the position where the filter is opened. By the user deforming and swelling the size of the toner pack 100, new air is taken into the toner pack 100 from the filter 500. Specifically, the top surface portion of the toner pack 100 is moved in the direction of arrow V2, air is taken into the toner pack 100 as shown by arrow P2, and the size of the toner pack 100 is increased. Also, when the user discharges the toner in the toner pack 100, as shown in FIG. 23(b), by moving the filter opening / closing seal 501 again to the position covering the filter 500, a configuration can be achieved in which air does not escape outside through the filter 500. Thereby, the internal pressure inside the toner pack 100 generated when the user crushes the toner pack 100 can be increased, and toner replenishment can be performed more smoothly. Further, as shown in FIG. 25(a), when the user has crushed the toner pack 100 and the toner discharge is completed, as shown in FIG. 25(b), the filter 500 can be covered with the filter opening / closing seal 501. Thereby, since air is not taken into the toner pack 100 again through the filter 500, the toner pack 100 can maintain a small state.

[0098] In the description so far, as shown in FIGS. 1(c) and 23(d), it has been described that the toner pack 100 has a configuration in which its height H1 becomes smaller, but the direction in which the volume of the toner pack 100 becomes smaller is not limited to that, and for example, as shown in FIG. 25(a), the height of the toner pack 100 may hardly change and it may have a configuration in which it is thinned and compressed.

[0099] Also, as a method of restoring the size of the toner pack 100 to take in air into the toner pack 100, although it has been described to utilize the deformation of the bag by the user, it is not limited to this. There may be a configuration in which there is a member having a restoring force such as a spring or a loosening member inside the toner pack 100 so that the toner pack 100 swells by itself. Also, the restoring force of the toner pack itself may be utilized. These can also exhibit the same effects. Further, when the filter opening / closing seal 501 covering the filter 500 is not arranged, a configuration may be adopted in which the folded toner pack 100 itself closes the filter 500.

Explanation of Signs

[0100] 1 Image forming apparatus 20 Process unit 21 Photosensitive drum 30 Developing device 31 Developing roller 32 Developing container 100, 250, 350 Toner pack (bag) 101, 251, 351 Accommodating portion 102, 252, 352 Nozzle 102a Outlet 103, 253, 353 Pack side shutter 102a, 252a, 352a Toner path 106, 200, 300 Mounting portion 302 Drive transmission member 358 Driven transmission member 500 Filter (filter portion) 501 Filter opening / closing seal (seal portion) 630 Cap 1000 Image forming system

Claims

1. A bag for containing toner, comprising a bag made of a film and having an opening, and a nozzle attached to the opening of the bag, the nozzle being provided with a discharge port for discharging the toner contained in the bag to the outside of the toner container. A toner container comprising: A part of the bag is provided with a filter portion that allows air to pass through and prevents the toner from passing through. A toner container characterized by the above.

2. The filter portion is provided at a position close to the end of the bag and close to the end opposite to the opening in the direction in which the bag and the nozzle are aligned. The toner container according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The bag has a foldable gusset portion, The filter portion is provided in the gusset portion. The toner container according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The filter portion is in the shape of a sheet and has a seal layer on one surface, and is configured to thermally weld the seal layer and the surface of the bag. The toner container according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

5. The film is formed by laminating an unstretched polypropylene film and a biaxially stretched polypropylene film, The toner container according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter portion is attached to the surface of the unstretched polypropylene film side.

6. A cap configured to be detachable from the nozzle, further comprising a cap that covers the periphery of the nozzle. The cap has a surface that extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the bag and the nozzle are aligned when the cap is attached to the nozzle. When the surface of the cap is grounded on a horizontal plane, the toner container is configured to stand on its own. The toner container according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. The bag further includes a seal portion fixed to one end of the bag, and the seal portion of the film is movable between a first position covering the filter portion and a second position opening the filter portion. The toner container according to claim 1, characterized in that.

8. It has a mounting portion to which the nozzle of the toner container according to claim 1 can be mounted. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that in a state where the nozzle is mounted on the mounting portion, the filter portion is located above the nozzle.

Images