Developer storage device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To increase the reliability of sealing performance in a configuration using a plurality of seal members to seal an area where a developer is present.SOLUTION: A developer storage device 10 has a first seal member 4 and a second seal member 3. The first seal member 4 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between a first member 11 and a second member 141 in a state where at least a part of an overlap end 420 is overlapped on the second seal member 3. The overlap end 420 of the first seal member 4 includes a first ridge 401, a second ridge 402, a third ridge 403, and a fourth ridge 404. At least a part of at least one of the second ridge 402 and the fourth ridge 404 is sandwiched between the second seal member 3 and the second member 141 while located on the second seal member 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer container used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, or a multi-functional apparatus having a plurality of functions among these using an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method or the like transfers a developer image formed on an image carrier by a developer to a recording material such as paper, and fixes this developer image on the recording material to obtain a product (printed matter). In such an image forming apparatus, a developing device that develops an electrostatic image, a cleaning device that removes the developer remaining on the image carrier after the developer image is transferred from the image carrier to the transfer body, a developer supply container that stores the developer to be supplied to the developing device, a developer conveyance unit between the developer supply container and the developing device, a developer recovery container that stores the developer recovered from the cleaning device, and a developer conveyance unit between the cleaning device and the developer recovery container, etc., at least temporarily store the developer (including the developer passing through). The developer supply container, the unit including the developing device, the unit including the cleaning device, the developer recovery container, etc. are often made into detachable cartridges with respect to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus (cartridge method).

[0003] In an image forming apparatus adopting a cartridge system, it is desirable to prevent the developer accommodated inside the cartridge from leaking outside the cartridge when the cartridge is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus, so that the developer does not adhere to or scatter onto the operator. Therefore, in such an image forming apparatus, a seal member is disposed between the frame bodies or parts constituting the cartridge to suppress the outflow of the developer from the cartridge. Further, even in an image forming apparatus that does not adopt the cartridge system, if the developer leaks outside from the unit in which the developer in the image forming apparatus is accommodated, it may dirty the inside of the image forming apparatus or have an adverse effect on image formation. Therefore, similarly to the above, a seal member is disposed between the frame bodies or parts constituting the unit to suppress the outflow of the developer from the unit.

[0004] As the seal member, an elastic body such as urethane foam (sponge), soft rubber, or elastomer resin is often used. The seal member is provided at the joint between the frame bodies or parts and is compressed and deformed with a predetermined amount of crushing. Thereby, the seal member can seal by filling the gap between the frame bodies or parts, and suppress the outflow of the developer to the outside from the gap.

[0005] In order to seal the region where the developer exists as described above, a configuration in which a seal member is disposed so as to surround the region and compressed and deformed is often used. At this time, if the region where the developer exists is surrounded by a single seal member, the seal member itself may become large, or waste may easily occur in material handling, which may lead to an increase in the cost of the seal member. Therefore, in order to seal the region where the developer exists, for example, a configuration in which the region is surrounded by a plurality of seal members each having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape may be used.

[0006] Here, in a configuration where a plurality of seal members surround the area where the developer exists, if a gap occurs between the plurality of seal members due to manufacturing errors (such as errors in attaching the seal members) or tolerances of the seal members themselves, there is a possibility that the developer may flow out through the gap. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a configuration has been proposed in which the ends of the plurality of seal members are overlapped with each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, in the configuration in which the seal members are overlapped with each other as described in Patent Document 1, there may be a case where the seal member overlapped with another seal member cannot sufficiently follow the member (such as a frame or a component) that crushes the seal member. In that case, a gap may occur between the seal members at the portion where they cannot follow, and there is a possibility that the developer may flow out to the outside through the gap.

[0009] In particular, when the life of the cartridge or the image forming apparatus is extended, the accumulated amount of the leaked developer tends to increase, and it is necessary to more strictly suppress the outflow of the developer from the area where the developer exists to the outside.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enhance the reliability of the sealing performance in a configuration using a plurality of seal members for sealing the area where the developer exists.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The above object is achieved by a developer container and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Briefly, according to one aspect of the present invention, there are provided a first member and a second member forming a developer storage unit for storing a developer, a first seal member extending in a first direction and sealing the developer storage unit, and a second seal member extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and sealing the developer storage unit. The first seal member is arranged such that at least a part of an overlapping end portion, which is one end portion in the first direction, is sandwiched between the first member and the second member in a state of being overlapped with the second seal member. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the overlapping end portion of the first seal member includes: (a) a first ridge line in contact with the developer storage unit and extending along the first direction; (b) a second ridge line connected to the first ridge line and extending in a direction intersecting the first ridge line so as to be away from the developer storage unit in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction; (c) a third ridge line connected to the second ridge line and extending along the first direction; and (d) a fourth ridge line connected to the third ridge line and extending in a direction intersecting the third ridge line so as to be away from the developer storage unit in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. In the first direction, the fourth ridge line is located on the tip side of the overlapping end portion with respect to the second ridge line. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the second direction, the distance between the position at the most tip side of the overlapping end portion on the second ridge line and the position at the most tip side of the overlapping end portion on the fourth ridge line is smaller than the width of the region of the second seal member where the first seal member is overlapped. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, at least a part of at least one of the second ridge line and the fourth ridge line of the overlapping end portion of the first seal member is sandwiched between the second seal member and the second member in a state of being on the second seal member. There is provided a developer container characterized by the above.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there are provided a first member and a second member that form a developer storage portion for storing a developer, a first seal member that extends in a first direction and seals the developer storage portion, and a second seal member that extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction and seals the developer storage portion. The first seal member is arranged such that at least a part of an overlapping end portion, which is one end portion in the first direction, is sandwiched between the first member and the second member in a state of being overlapped with the second seal member. The overlapping end portion of the first seal member has a plurality of sealing ridge lines that extend in a direction intersecting the first direction when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The plurality of sealing ridge lines are continuous from a ridge line that extends along the first direction of the first seal member and is in contact with the developer storage portion, and the sealing ridge line located farther from the developer storage portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction is located closer to the tip side of the overlapping end portion in the first direction. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the second direction, the distance between the positions at the most tip side of the overlapping end portion of each of the adjacent sealing ridge lines is smaller than the width of the region of the second seal member where the first seal member is overlapped. The overlapping end portion of the first seal member is characterized in that at least a part of at least one of the sealing ridge lines is sandwiched between the second seal member and the second member in a state of being on the second seal member, thereby providing a developer storage device.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a first member and a second member forming a developer storage unit for storing a developer, a first seal member extending in a first direction and sealing the developer storage unit, and a second seal member extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and sealing the developer storage unit, wherein at least a part of an overlapping end portion, which is one end portion in the first direction, of the first seal member is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first member and the second member in a state of being overlapped with the second seal member, and when the overlapping end portion of the first seal member is viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, (a) a first ridge line in contact with the developer storage unit and extending along the first direction, and (b) a second ridge line connected to the first ridge line and extending so as to be located on the tip side of the overlapping end portion in the first direction away from the first ridge line in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction are provided, and when the overlapping end portion of the first seal member is viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, at least a part of the second ridge line is sandwiched between the second seal member and the second member in a state of being on the second seal member, and a developer storage device is provided.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus is provided, which includes the developer storage device of each of the above-described present inventions.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, in a configuration using a plurality of seal members to seal a region where a developer exists, the reliability of the sealing performance can be enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, the developer container and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [Example 1] 1. Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus First, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment (showing a cross-section substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 described later). The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is a tandem type multifunction machine (having functions of a copier, a printer, and a facsimile apparatus) that can form a full-color image using the electrophotographic method and employs an intermediate transfer method. The image forming apparatus 1 can form an image on a sheet-like recording material (transfer material, sheet, recording medium) P such as paper according to an image signal (image information) transmitted from an external device such as a personal computer.

[0019] Here, regarding the image forming apparatus 1 and its elements, the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 1 is defined as the "front (front) side", and the back side of the paper surface is defined as the "rear (back) side". The front-rear direction connecting the front side and the rear side is assumed to be substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 described later. Also, regarding the image forming apparatus 1 and its elements, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction in the gravitational direction (vertical direction), but it does not mean only directly above and directly below, but includes the upper side and the lower side with respect to the horizontal plane passing through the element or position of interest.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 1 has four image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK that form images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) respectively as a plurality of image forming units (stations). The configurations and operations of these image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK are substantially the same except that the colors of the toners used are different. For elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations provided for each color, the Y, M, C, and K at the end of the reference signs indicating the elements for any one color may be omitted and they may be collectively described. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one representative image forming unit S. In the present embodiment, the image forming unit S includes a photosensitive drum 12 (12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K), a charging roller 13 (13Y, 13M, 13C, 13K), an exposure device 23 (23Y, 23M, 23C, 23K), a developing device 20 (20Y, 20M, 20C, 20K), a cleaning device 18 (18Y, 18M, 18C, 18K), a cleaning roller 15 (15Y, 15M, 15C, 15K), etc., which will be described later.

[0021] The image forming unit S is provided with a photosensitive drum 12, which is a rotatable drum-shaped (cylindrical) photoreceptor (electrophotographic photoreceptor) as a first image carrier. The photosensitive drum 12 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R1 (clockwise direction) in the figure by a driving force transmitted from a drum driving unit as a driving means (not shown). The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 12 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential of a predetermined polarity (negative polarity in this embodiment) by a charging roller 13, which is a roller-shaped charging member as a charging means. The charging roller 13 is disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 and is driven to rotate passively as the photosensitive drum 12 rotates. During the charging process, a predetermined charging voltage (charging bias) is applied to the charging roller 13 by a charging power source (high voltage power source) as a charging voltage applying unit (not shown). Thereby, discharge occurs between the charging roller 13 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 12, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 is charged.

[0022] The surface of the charged photosensitive drum 12 is exposed by an exposure device 23 as an exposure means (electrostatic image forming means), and an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 12. In this embodiment, the exposure device 23 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 with light emitted by an LED as a light source according to an image signal. Note that the exposure device 23 may be a laser scanner device or the like, and may be configured as a single unit that exposes, for example, four photosensitive drums 12.

[0023] The electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is developed (visualized) by supplying toner by a developing device 20 as a developing means, and a toner image (toner picture, developer image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 12. In this embodiment, the developing device 20 uses a two-component developer including toner (non-magnetic toner particles) and a carrier (magnetic carrier particles) as a developer. The developing device 20 includes a developing sleeve 21 as a developer carrier and a developing container 22 that houses the developer. The developing sleeve 21 carries the developer in the developing container 22 and conveys it to a developing position that is the opposing portion with the photosensitive drum 12. At the time of development, the developing sleeve 21 is rotationally driven by transmitting a driving force from, for example, a drum driving unit. Also, at the time of development, a predetermined developing voltage (developing bias) is applied to the developing sleeve 21 by a developing power source (high-voltage power source) as a developing voltage applying unit (not shown). As a result, the toner of the developer carried on the developing sleeve 21 is supplied onto the photosensitive drum 12 according to the electrostatic image, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 12. In this embodiment, toner charged with the same polarity (negative polarity in this embodiment) as the charging polarity of the photosensitive drum 12 adheres to the exposed portion (image portion) on the photosensitive drum 12 where the absolute value of the potential has decreased by being exposed after being uniformly charged (inversion development method). In this embodiment, the normal charging polarity of the toner, which is the main charging polarity of the toner at the time of development, is negative polarity. Toner is supplied to the developing device 20 from a toner cartridge 40 (40Y, 40M, 40C, 40K) as a developer supply container via a developer conveyance unit (conveyance path) (not shown).

[0024] An intermediate transfer belt 30, which is a rotatable endless belt and serves as a second image carrier, is disposed so as to face four photosensitive drums 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K. The intermediate transfer belt 30 is formed in an endless shape by a dielectric resin such as polyimide. The intermediate transfer belt 30 is stretched over a driving roller 32, a tension roller 33, an upstream auxiliary roller 34, and a pre-secondary transfer roller 35, which are a plurality of stretching rollers (support rollers), and is stretched with a predetermined tension. The driving roller 32 is rotationally driven by transmitting a driving force from a belt driving unit as a driving means (not shown). The intermediate transfer belt 30 is input with a driving force from the driving roller 32 and rotates (moves in a circular motion) in the direction of arrow R2 (counterclockwise direction) in the figure. The tension roller 33 applies a predetermined tension (tension) to the intermediate transfer belt 30. The upstream auxiliary roller 34 is disposed upstream of a primary transfer unit N1, which will be described later, in the rotation direction (surface movement direction, conveyance direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 30, and forms an image transfer surface that is disposed substantially horizontally together with the pre-secondary transfer roller 35. The pre-secondary transfer roller 35 forms the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 30 in the vicinity of the upstream of a secondary transfer unit N2, which will be described later, in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 30. The driving roller 32 also functions as a secondary transfer opposing roller (secondary transfer inner roller), which is an opposing member (opposing electrode) of a secondary transfer roller 36, which will be described later. On the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 30, roller-shaped primary transfer members 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K, which are primary transfer means, are respectively disposed corresponding to the respective photosensitive drums 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K. The primary transfer roller 31 is pressed toward the photosensitive drum 12, abuts on the photosensitive drum 12 via the intermediate transfer belt 30, and forms a primary transfer unit (primary transfer nip unit) N1 (N1Y, N1M, N1C, N1K), which is a contact portion between the photosensitive drum 12 and the intermediate transfer belt 30. The stretching rollers other than the driving roller 32 and each primary transfer roller 31 are driven to rotate passively as the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates.

[0025] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 12 is transferred (primary transfer) onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 30 as the transfer medium by the action of the primary transfer roller 31 in the primary transfer section N1. At the time of primary transfer, a primary transfer voltage (primary transfer bias), which is a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive polarity in this embodiment), is applied to the primary transfer roller 31 by a primary transfer power source (high-voltage power source) serving as a primary transfer voltage application section (not shown). For example, when forming a full-color image, the toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black formed on the respective photosensitive drums 12 are sequentially transferred so as to be superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 30.

[0026] On the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 30, at a position facing the driving roller 32, a secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer outer roller) 36, which is a roller-shaped secondary transfer member (transfer rotating body) as the secondary transfer means, is arranged. The secondary transfer roller 36 is pressed toward the driving roller 32 and abuts on the driving roller 32 via the intermediate transfer belt 30, forming a secondary transfer portion (secondary transfer nip portion) N2, which is the contact portion between the intermediate transfer belt 30 and the secondary transfer roller 36. In this embodiment, the secondary transfer roller 36 rotates in a driven manner as the intermediate transfer belt 30 rotates. Note that the secondary transfer roller 36 may be configured to rotate in a driving manner. The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is transferred (secondary transfer) onto a recording material P, which is a transfer medium sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 30 and the secondary transfer roller 36 and conveyed by the action of the secondary transfer roller 36 at the secondary transfer portion N2. At the time of secondary transfer, a secondary transfer voltage (secondary transfer bias), which is a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive polarity in this embodiment), is applied to the secondary transfer roller 36 by a secondary transfer power source (high voltage power source) as a secondary transfer voltage applying portion (not shown). The driving roller (secondary transfer opposing roller) 32 is electrically grounded (connected to the ground). Note that a secondary transfer voltage having the same polarity as the normal charging polarity of the toner may be applied to the inner roller corresponding to the driving roller 32 in this embodiment, and the outer roller corresponding to the secondary transfer roller 36 in this embodiment may be electrically grounded. The recording material P is housed in a cassette 50 as a feeding portion (recording material housing portion). The recording material P is fed out one by one from the cassette 50 by a feeding roller 51 or the like as a feeding member and conveyed to a registration roller pair 60 as a recording material conveying member. After the attitude of the recording material P is adjusted by the registration roller pair 60, the recording material P is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N2 at a predetermined timing with respect to the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 30.

[0027] The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 70 as a fixing means. The fixing device 70 fixes (melts and adheres) the toner image onto the surface of the recording material P by heating and pressing the recording material P carrying the unfixed toner image. The recording material P onto which the toner image has been fixed is discharged (output) to a discharge tray 90 as a discharge section provided outside (outside the machine) of the apparatus main body (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the "apparatus main body") 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 by a pair of discharge rollers 80 as a discharge member.

[0028] On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 12 after the primary transfer (primary transfer residual toner) is removed and recovered from the photosensitive drum 12 by a cleaning device 18 as a cleaning means. The cleaning device 18 scrapes off the primary transfer residual toner from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 12 by a cleaning blade 14 as a cleaning member disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 12, and stores it in a recovered toner storage section 19. Details of the cleaning device 18 will be described later. Also, on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 30, a belt cleaning device 37 as an intermediate transfer body cleaning means is disposed at a position facing the tension roller 33 via the intermediate transfer belt 30. Toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 30 after the secondary transfer (secondary transfer residual toner) and deposits such as paper powder adhering from the recording material P onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 are removed and recovered from the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the belt cleaning device 37. Further, the surface of the charging roller 13 is cleaned by a cleaning roller 15 which is a rotatable roller-shaped charging member cleaning member as a charging member cleaning means disposed in contact with the surface of the charging roller 13.

[0029] In the present embodiment, in each image forming section S, the photosensitive drum 12, the charging roller 13, the cleaning roller 15, and the cleaning device (cleaning unit) 18 integrally constitute a drum cartridge 10 which is detachable from the apparatus main body 1a. Also, in the present embodiment, in each image forming section S, the developing device (developing unit) 20 substantially independently constitutes a developing cartridge which is detachable from the apparatus main body 1a.

[0030] In this embodiment, as an example of a sealing structure for sealing a region where the developer exists, the sealing structure of the drum cartridge 10 will be described. The drum cartridge 10 (or the cleaning device 18) in this embodiment is an example of a developer storage device having a developer storage portion that stores at least temporarily (including the passage of the developer) the developer.

[0031] 2. Drum Cartridge Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the drum cartridge 10 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the drum cartridge 10 in this embodiment. Further, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge 10 in this embodiment (a cross-section substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 is shown). In FIG. 3, the drum cartridge 10 is shown such that its rear side is on the left side of the paper surface and its front side is on the right side of the paper surface. Further, FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the drum cartridge 10 at substantially the center in the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12.

[0032] The drum cartridge 10 is configured such that a photosensitive drum 12, a charging roller 13, a cleaning blade 14, a cleaning roller 15, etc. are held by a drum cartridge container (drum cartridge frame body) 11. The drum cartridge 10 is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1a and can be replaced during maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1 or the like. The drum cartridge 10 is replaced with a new one, for example, when the photosensitive drum 12 reaches the end of its life.

[0033] In the drum cartridge container 11, the photosensitive drum 12 is rotatably supported via a bearing (not shown). The photosensitive drum 12 is rotationally driven by the transmission of a driving force from a drum driving portion as driving means provided in the apparatus main body 1a. The photosensitive drum 12 rotates in the direction of arrow R1 (clockwise direction) in the figure.

[0034] Further, in the drum cartridge container 11, a charging roller 13 is rotatably supported via a bearing (not shown). The charging roller 13 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 12 by a compression spring (not shown), which is a biasing member as a biasing means, via its bearing. The charging roller 13 rotates passively as the photosensitive drum 12 rotates.

[0035] Also, in the drum cartridge container 11, a cleaning roller 15 is rotatably supported via a bearing (not shown). The cleaning roller 15 is pressed against the charging roller 13 by a compression spring (not shown), which is a biasing member as a biasing means, via its bearing. The cleaning roller 15 rotates passively as the charging roller 13 rotates.

[0036] Note that the rotational axis directions of the photosensitive drum 12, the charging roller 13, and the cleaning roller 15 are substantially parallel to each other.

[0037] Also, the drum cartridge 10 is provided with a cleaning device 18 which is composed of a cleaning blade 14, a recovery toner storage portion 19 formed by the drum cartridge container 11, and the like, as will be described in detail later.

[0038] 3. Cleaning Device Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the cleaning device 18 in this embodiment will be described.

[0039] The cleaning device 18 is composed of a cleaning blade 14, a blade support member 141, a recovery toner storage portion 19 formed by the drum cartridge container 11, a conveying coil 16, and the like.

[0040] The cleaning blade 14 is formed of rubber such as urethane rubber which is an elastomer. The cleaning blade 14 is a plate-like (blade-like) member having a predetermined length and a predetermined thickness in a longitudinal direction arranged substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 and in a short-side direction substantially orthogonal to this longitudinal direction, and is substantially rectangular in plan view. The length of the cleaning blade 14 in the longitudinal direction is equal to the length of the photosensitive drum 12 in the rotation axis direction. For example, the length of the cleaning blade 14 in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the length of the photosensitive drum 12 in the rotation axis direction (the length range of the cleaning blade 14 is within the length range of the photosensitive drum 12). The length of the cleaning blade 14 in the longitudinal direction is at least longer than the image forming region (region where a toner image can be formed) on the photosensitive drum 12 in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 (the length range of the image forming region is within the length range of the cleaning blade 14). The surface of the cleaning blade 14 on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 12 at the lower end in the short-side direction thereof is fixed to the blade support member 141. Further, by attaching this blade support member 141 to the drum cartridge container 11, the cleaning blade 14 is fixed to the drum cartridge container 11.

[0041] The blade support member 141 is formed of a plate-shaped member (sheet metal) made of metal (SUS (stainless steel) in this embodiment). The blade support member 141 has a blade fixing portion 142 which is a flat plate-shaped portion extending along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12. The blade support member 141 is attached to the drum cartridge container 11 by fixing the blade fixing portion 142 thereof to the drum cartridge container 11 with screws 143 as fixing means. Further, the cleaning blade 14 is fixed to the surface of the blade fixing portion 142 of the blade support member 141 on the photosensitive drum 12 side by adhesion as fixing means. The length in the longitudinal direction of the blade fixing portion 142 of the blade support member 141 is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 14 (the length range of the cleaning blade 14 is within the length range of the blade support member 141). In this embodiment, the blade support member 141 includes the blade fixing portion 142 and a protruding portion 144 formed by bending the sheet metal so as to have a substantially L-shaped cross section in a direction substantially perpendicular to the blade fixing portion 142.

[0042] The edge portion of the upper end in the short direction of the cleaning blade 14 is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 so as to be aligned with the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12. The cleaning blade 14 is arranged such that the free end, which is the upper end in the short direction thereof, is located upstream in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 12 from the fixed end, which is the lower end, and is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. That is, the cleaning blade 14 is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 in a counter direction to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 12.

[0043] The cleaning blade 14 scrapes off and removes the primary transfer residual toner from the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 12, and stores it in the recovery toner storage portion 19 formed by the drum cartridge container 11. In the vicinity of the cleaning blade 14 in the recovery toner storage portion 19 (near the bottom of the recovery toner storage portion 19), a conveying coil 16 as a conveying member is arranged along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 (the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 14). The conveying coil 16 is rotationally driven by transmitting the driving force from a belt driving portion as driving means provided in the apparatus main body 1a, for example. The toner (recovery toner) stored in the recovery toner storage portion 19 is conveyed, for example, toward the rear side along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 by the conveying coil 16 provided in the recovery toner storage portion 19. Then, the toner conveyed by the conveying coil 16 is discharged to the outside of the drum cartridge 10 (drum cartridge container 11) through a discharge port (not shown) provided in the drum cartridge container 11. The toner discharged from the drum cartridge 10 is conveyed to a recovery toner box (not shown) as a developer recovery container (recovery portion) arranged in the apparatus main body 1a through a conveying portion (conveying path) not shown provided in the apparatus main body 1a.

[0044] Thus, the cleaning device 18 is configured such that the recovered toner removed from the photosensitive drum 12 by the cleaning blade 14 stays at least temporarily in the recovery toner storage portion 19.

[0045] 4. Outline of the Sealing Configuration Next, with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the sealing configuration of the drum cartridge 10 in the present embodiment will be described. FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a) are perspective views of the drum cartridge 10 in the present embodiment for explaining the sealing configuration of the drum cartridge 10, as viewed from the photosensitive drum 12 side. In FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a), the illustration of the photosensitive drum 12, charging roller 13, cleaning roller 15, cleaning blade 14, and blade support member 141 is omitted. Further, FIGS. 5(b) and 6(b) are front views of the drum cartridge 10 in the present embodiment for explaining the sealing configuration of the drum cartridge 10, as viewed from the photosensitive drum 12 side. In FIGS. 5(b) and 6(b), the illustration of the photosensitive drum 12, charging roller 13, and cleaning roller 15 is omitted. FIGS. 5 and 6 show states in which the attachment positions of the side seal 2 described later are different. Further, in FIGS. 5 and 6, for convenience of explanation, a side seal 2 having a conventional shape is shown. The side seal 4 having the shape according to the present invention in the present embodiment will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the sealing configuration of the drum cartridge 10 is substantially symmetric with respect to a plane passing through the center in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 and substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12. Therefore, the description will focus on the configuration on one (rear) end side in the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12.

[0047] In the present embodiment, a region (herein, also referred to as a "toner region") T where toner exists, which is a recovery toner storage portion 19 that stores the toner scraped off from the photosensitive drum 12 by the cleaning blade 14, is sealed by the following sealing configuration.

[0048] First, a scattering prevention sheet 17 is fixed to a wall surface 111 (FIG. 4) of a drum cartridge container 11 facing the photosensitive drum 12, which constitutes an upper edge portion above the toner collection portion 19. The scattering prevention sheet 17 is provided over substantially the entire region in the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 (a region longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 14). The scattering prevention sheet 17 is formed of a resin such as flexible PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The scattering prevention sheet 17 has a predetermined length in each of a longitudinal direction arranged substantially parallel to the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 and a short direction substantially orthogonal to this longitudinal direction, and has a predetermined thickness, and is a sheet-like (thin plate-like) member having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The surface of the scattering prevention sheet 17 on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 12 at the upper end portion in its short direction is fixed to the wall surface 111 of the drum cartridge container 11. In this embodiment, the scattering prevention sheet 17 is fixed to the wall surface 111 of the drum cartridge container 11 by a double-sided tape as a fixing means. And, a part of the region at the lower end portion in the short direction of the scattering prevention sheet 17 is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. The scattering prevention sheet 17 is arranged such that the free end portion, which is the lower end portion in its short direction, is located on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the photosensitive drum 12 from the fixed end portion, which is the upper end portion, and is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. The scattering prevention sheet 17 seals a gap between the wall surface 111 of the drum cartridge container 11 and the photosensitive drum 12.

[0049] Also, a blade back seal 3, which is a seal member, is fixed to a wall surface 112 of a drum cartridge container 11 facing a photosensitive drum 12, which constitutes a lower edge portion of a recovered toner storage portion 19. The blade back seal 3 is provided over substantially the entire region in the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 (a region longer than the longitudinal length of a cleaning blade 14 and shorter than the longitudinal length of a blade fixing portion 142 of a blade support member 141). In the present embodiment, the blade back seal 3 is formed of a urethane foam (sponge) which is a foamed elastic body as an elastic body. The blade back seal 3 is a prismatic member having a substantially rectangular (substantially square) cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction arranged along (substantially parallel in the present embodiment) the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12. An upper end portion in the short direction of the blade support member 141 extends above a lower edge portion of the recovered toner storage portion 19. The blade back seal 3 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the blade support member 141 and the wall surface 112 of the drum cartridge container 11. A surface of the blade back seal 3 opposite to the blade support member 141 is fixed to the wall surface 112 of the drum cartridge container 11. In the present embodiment, the blade back seal 3 is fixed to the wall surface 112 of the drum cartridge container 11 by a double-sided tape as a fixing means. A surface of the blade back seal 3 opposite to the drum cartridge container 11 is in contact with a surface of the blade fixing portion 142 of the blade support member 141 opposite to the photosensitive drum 12. The blade back seal 3 seals a gap between the wall surface 112 of the drum cartridge container 11 and the blade support member 141.

[0050] Also, a side seal 2, which is a sealing member, is fixed to a wall surface 113 of a drum cartridge container 11 facing a photosensitive drum 12, which constitutes an edge of an end portion of a recovered toner storage portion 19 in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 12. The side seal 2 is provided over a region where an upper end portion overlaps with a scattering prevention sheet 17 and a lower end portion overlaps with a blade back seal 3 along a direction intersecting (substantially orthogonal in this embodiment) with the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12. In this embodiment, the side seal 2 is formed of a urethane foam (sponge) which is a foamed elastic body as an elastic body. The side seal 2 is a prismatic member having a substantially rectangular cross section (a substantially oblong rectangle with a side along the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 being long) that is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction arranged so as to intersect (substantially orthogonal in this embodiment) with the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12. The side seal 2 is arranged such that at least a part of an upper end portion thereof is sandwiched between the scattering prevention sheet 17 and the wall surface 113 of the drum cartridge container 11. Also, the side seal 2 is arranged such that at least a part of a lower end portion thereof is sandwiched between a blade support member 141 and the blade back seal 3, and at least another part thereof is sandwiched between the blade support member 141 and the wall surface 113 of the drum cartridge container 11. And, the side seal 2 has a surface on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 12 fixed to the wall surface 113 of the drum cartridge container 11. In this embodiment, the side seal 2 is fixed to the wall surface 113 of the drum cartridge container 11 by a double-sided tape as a fixing means.

[0051] At least a part of the surface of the upper end portion of the side seal 2 on the photosensitive drum 12 side is in contact with the surface of the anti-scattering sheet 17 on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 12. Also, at the lower end portion of the side seal 2, at least a part of the surface on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 12 is in contact with the blade back seal 3. Further, at the lower end portion of the side seal 2, at least a part of the surface on the photosensitive drum 12 side is in contact with the surface of the blade fixing portion 142 in the blade support member 141 on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 12. Also, the central region in the vertical direction of the side seal 2 (the region between the region overlapping the anti-scattering sheet 17 and the region overlapping the blade support member 141) is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 12 on the side opposite to the longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum 12 or the cleaning blade 14. The side seal 2 seals the gaps between the wall surface 113 of the drum cartridge container 11 and the blade support member 141, between the wall surface 113 of the drum cartridge container 11 and the anti-scattering sheet 17, between the wall surface 113 of the drum cartridge container 11 and the longitudinal end of the cleaning blade 14, and between the wall surface 113 of the drum cleaning container 11 and the photosensitive drum 12.

[0052] Here, the blade back seal 3 and the side seal 2 are compressed and deformed between the members in the regions sandwiched between the members as described above, thereby filling the gaps between the members and suppressing the toner from flowing out to the outside from the gaps.

[0053] Also, as described above, the cleaning blade 14 fixed to the blade support member 141 is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 12.

[0054] Thereby, the toner region T (the recovered toner storage portion 19) is sealed so as to be surrounded by the anti-scattering sheet 17, the blade back seal 3, the side seal 2, the blade support member 141, and the cleaning blade 14. In other words, the region surrounded by the anti-scattering sheet 17, the blade back seal 3, the side seal 2, the blade support member 141, and the cleaning blade 14 is the toner region T (the recovered toner storage portion 19).

[0055] 5. Sealing Structure at the End of the Toner Area Next, the sealing structure at the end of the toner area T (recovered toner storage section 19) in the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 will be further described.

[0056] Here, the longitudinal direction of the side seal 2 (the short side direction of the toner area T) arranged along the direction intersecting (substantially orthogonal in this embodiment) with the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 is defined as the "X direction (first direction)". Also, the longitudinal direction of the blade back seal 3 (the long side direction of the toner area T) arranged along the rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum 12 (substantially parallel in this embodiment) is defined as the "Y direction (second direction)". In this embodiment, the X direction and the Y direction are substantially orthogonal. Also, in this embodiment, the X direction is substantially parallel to the gravitational direction. Note that FIGS. 5(b) and 6(b) are front views of the drum cartridge 10 as viewed from the photosensitive drum 12 side along the directions substantially orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. As described above, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the side seal 2 of the conventional shape is shown.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the side seal 2 is fixed to the wall surface 113 of the drum cartridge container 11 adjacent to the end of the toner area T in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the lower end portion 420 of the side seal 2 in the X direction is arranged on the back side of the blade support member 141, filling the gap between the drum cartridge container (first member) 11 and the blade support member (second member) 141.

[0058] It is conceivable to adopt a configuration using an integrated seal member having a portion corresponding to the side seal 2 and a portion corresponding to the blade back seal 3 in this embodiment. However, in such a configuration, for example, waste is likely to occur in the material selection of the seal member, which may lead to an increase in cost. Therefore, it is preferable to configure the side seal 2 and the blade back seal 3 as separate seal members as in this embodiment.

[0059] Then, as shown by the hatched portion in Fig. 5(b), the side seal 2 is attached to the drum cartridge container 11 such that the lower end portion 420 in the X direction is overlapped with the blade back seal 3. This is to prevent a gap from occurring between the side seal 2 and the blade back seal 3 due to the attachment error when attaching each seal member to the drum cartridge container 11 or the component variation of each seal member itself. In the present embodiment, the side seal 2 is laminated so that the side seal 2 is located closer to the blade support member 141 side than the blade back seal 3.

[0060] When using the side seal 2 having a conventional shape, as shown in Figs. 5(a) and 5(b), the side seal 2 and the blade back seal 3 are set to overlap each other.

[0061] However, for example, when an operator assembling the product attaches the seal member to the object to be fixed, an attachment variation of about 1 mm may occur from the attachment reference. For example, the variation in the relative distance between the side seal 2 and the blade back seal 3 in the X direction includes a "proximity direction" in which these seal members approach each other and a "remote direction" in which these seal members move away from each other. When there is an attachment variation of about 1 mm for each seal member as described above, there may be an error of about 2 mm in the "proximity direction" and the "remote direction". Then, in the "proximity state" where the relative distance between the side seal 2 and the blade back seal 3 varies in the "proximity direction", the following may occur. That is, as shown in Figs. 6(a) and 6(b), the lower end of the side seal 2 may be located below the lower end of the blade back seal 3 in the X direction. That is, there is a possibility that the side seal 2 is attached across the blade back seal 3.

[0062] Regarding this state, a further explanation will be given. Fig. 7(a) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the side seal 2 in a state where the side seal 2 shown in Fig. 6(b) is pasted across the blade back seal 3, as seen from the same direction as Fig. 6(b). Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 7(a). Here, the end portion (the lower end portion 420 in this embodiment) of the side seal 2 that overlaps the blade back seal 3 in the X direction is also referred to as the "overlapping end portion".

[0063] As shown in Fig. 7(b), the distance of the gap between the drum cartridge container 11 and the blade support member 141 is constant. In contrast, in the region where the side seal 2 and the blade back seal 3 overlap (the hatched portion in Figs. 7(a) and 7(b)), it is necessary to compress a seal member with a thicker width than the region where only the blade back seal 3 is crushed. Generally, as a seal member used to prevent the outflow of toner, an elastic body having a certain degree of rigidity such as foamed urethane foam (sponge), soft rubber, or elastomer resin is used. In this embodiment, urethane foam (sponge) is used as the side seal 2 and the blade back seal 3, and the blade back seal 3 is crushed by the side seal 2 in the region where the side seal 2 and the blade back seal 3 overlap. Therefore, between the region where the side seal 2 and the blade back seal 3 overlap and the non-overlapping region, the blade back seal 3 cannot sufficiently follow the blade support member 141, and a gap portion B (the shaded portion in the figure) is generated. This gap portion B directly connects the toner region T and the external region in the X direction, so the toner passing through the gap portion B flows out to the outside of the toner region T. In particular, in this embodiment, the X direction and the gravitational direction are substantially parallel, and the overlapping end portion 420 of the side seal 2 is the lower end portion in the gravitational direction, so the toner easily flows out from the gap portion B.

[0064] In the "remote state" where the relative distance between the side seal 2 and the blade back seal 3 varies in the above-mentioned "remote direction", as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the lower end of the side seal 2 is located on the blade back seal 3 in the X direction. In this case, since a toner sealing portion 301 to be described later is formed, the outflow of toner is suppressed.

[0065] 6. Shape of the side seal of this embodiment Next, the configuration of the side seal 4 of this embodiment for suppressing the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside as described above will be described.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a front view of the side seal 4 of this embodiment as viewed from the photosensitive drum 12 side along a direction substantially orthogonal to the X and Y directions. FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are front views of the drum cartridge 10 to which the side seal 4 of this embodiment is attached as viewed from the photosensitive drum 12 side along a direction substantially orthogonal to the X and Y directions. In FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the photosensitive drum 12, the charging roller 13, the cleaning roller 15, the cleaning blade 14, and the blade support member 141 are not shown. FIG. 9(a) shows the above-mentioned "remote state", and FIG. 9(b) shows the above-mentioned "proximity state".

[0067] In this embodiment, the side seal 4 has the shape shown in FIG. 8. That is, at the overlapping end portion 420 which is one end portion in the X direction, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X and Y directions, the side seal 4 has (a) a first ridge line 401 that contacts the toner region T and extends along the X direction, (b) a second ridge line 402 that is continuous with the first ridge line 401 and extends in a direction intersecting the first ridge line 401 so as to be away from the toner region T in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction, (c) a third ridge line 403 that is continuous with the second ridge line 402 and extends along the X direction, and (d) a fourth ridge line 404 that is continuous with the third ridge line 403 and extends in a direction intersecting the third ridge line 403 so as to be away from the toner region T in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction. In the X direction, the fourth ridge line 404 is located on the tip side of the overlapping end portion 420 with respect to the second ridge line 402.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first ridge line 401 and the third ridge line 403 each extend substantially parallel to the X direction. Also, in this embodiment, the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 each extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction. That is, in this embodiment, the corner 407 formed by the first ridge line 401 and the second ridge line 402, the corner 408 formed by the second ridge line 402 and the third ridge line 403, and the corner 409 formed by the third ridge line 403 and the fourth ridge line 404 are each substantially right-angled.

[0069] With reference to FIGS. 9(a) and (b), the sealing of the toner region T by the side seal 4 and the blade back seal 3 in the "remote state" and the "proximity state" when the side seal 4 of this embodiment is used will be described.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the "remote state", the lower end of the side seal 4 is located on the blade back seal 3 in the X direction. In this case, the gap B (the shaded portion in the figure) is generated for the above-described reason, but the third ridge line 403 and the fourth ridge line 404 of the side seal 4 are present on the blade back seal 3. Thereby, the blade back seal 3 forms the toner sealing portion 301 by adhering to the blade support member 141 in at least a part of the region facing the fourth ridge line 404 in the X direction. Therefore, the toner that enters the gap B formed by the third ridge line 403 from the toner region T and travels in the X direction is blocked by this toner sealing portion 301.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 8(b), in the "proximity state", the lower end of the side seal 4 is positioned below the lower end of the blade back seal 3 in the X direction. Also in this case, the gap portion B (the shaded portion in the figure) is generated for the same reason as described above, but the first ridge line 401 and the second ridge line 402 of the side seal 4 are present on the blade back seal 3. Thereby, the blade back seal 3 forms the toner sealing portion 301 by closely adhering to the blade support member 141 in at least a partial region facing the second ridge line 402 in the X direction. Therefore, the toner that enters the gap portion B formed by the first ridge line 401 from the toner region T and advances toward the fourth ridge line 404 is blocked by this toner sealing portion 301.

[0072] In the state of Fig. 8(b), since the third ridge line 403 crosses the lower end of the blade back seal 3, if the gap portion B is formed by the third ridge line 403, it is conceivable that toner may flow out to the outside through the gap portion B. However, according to the side seal 4 of the present embodiment, the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside is suppressed by the following action. Fig. 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing the behavior of toner in the "proximity state" when using a side seal 2 with a conventional shape. In this case, as shown by the arrow A1, the toner flows out from the toner region T to the outside through the gap portion B that linearly and directly connects the toner region T and the outside thereof. On the other hand, Fig. 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing the behavior of toner in the "proximity state" when using the side seal 4 with the shape of the present embodiment. In this case, as shown by the arrow A2, the toner that has entered the gap portion B formed by the first ridge line 401 from the toner region T has its traveling direction bent along the second ridge line 402 due to the action of the toner sealing portion 301 formed as described above. By bending the traveling direction of the toner in this way, it becomes difficult for the toner to travel, and even if the gap portion B is formed by the third ridge line 403, the outflow of the toner that has passed through this gap portion B is less likely to occur. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the X direction is substantially parallel to the gravity direction, when using the side seal 2 with a conventional shape as shown in Fig. 10(a), the toner is likely to flow out from the toner region T to the outside due to the action of gravity. In contrast, when using the side seal 4 with the shape of the present embodiment as shown in Fig. 10(b), the traveling direction of the toner is bent in a direction that intersects (substantially orthogonal in the present embodiment) the gravity direction. Therefore, even if the toner is likely to move downward due to the action of gravity, the progress of the toner can be suppressed.

[0073] Here, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X and Y directions, in the direction substantially orthogonal to the Y direction (the X direction in this embodiment), the distance D between the second ridge line (sealing ridge line) 402 and the fourth ridge line (sealing ridge line) 404 is set to be smaller than the width W of the blade back seal 3. More specifically, in the direction substantially orthogonal to the Y direction (the X direction in this embodiment), the position at the most distal end of the overlapping end portion 420 in the X direction of the second ridge line 402 (substantially the entire second ridge line 402 in this embodiment) and the position at the most distal end of the overlapping end portion 420 in the X direction of the fourth ridge line 404 (substantially the entire fourth ridge line 404 in this embodiment), the distance D therebetween is set to be smaller than the width W in the region where the side seal 4 of the blade back seal 3 is overlapped. Thereby, the overlapping end portion 420 of the side seal 4, in either the "proximity state" or the "remote state", when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X and Y directions, at least a part (substantially the entire part in this embodiment) of at least one of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 is sandwiched between the blade back seal 3 and the blade support member 141 in a state of being on the blade back seal 3. Even in a state between the "proximity state" and the "remote state", by setting the distance D to be smaller than the width W as described above, the toner sealing portion 301 is formed by at least one of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404. Thereby, in any state from the "proximity state" to the "remote state", the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside can be suppressed.

[0074] Note that the side seal 4 is not limited to the shape of the corner portions 407, 408, 409 being substantially right-angled, and may have ridge lines in a direction different from this embodiment. As long as the toner sealing portion 301 can be formed so as to bend the traveling direction of the toner in a direction different from the gap portion B substantially parallel to the first ridge line 401 or the third ridge line 403 formed by at least the first ridge line 401 or the third ridge line 403. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside. Some modified examples will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. FIGS. 11 to 14 are front views of the side seal 4 of the modified example viewed along a direction substantially orthogonal to the X and Y directions, respectively.

[0075] For example, as shown in FIG. 11(a), at least one of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 may be inclined so as to be located on the side opposite to the tip of the overlapping end portion 420 in the X direction as it moves away from the toner region T in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction. That is, for example, when the X direction is arranged along the gravitational direction (substantially parallel in this embodiment) as in this embodiment and the overlapping end portion 420 of the side seal 4 is the lower end portion in the gravitational direction, at least one of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 may be inclined so as to be located upward in the gravitational direction as it moves away from the toner region T in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction. Thereby, since the toner sealing portion 301 is formed so as to be located upward in the gravitational direction as it moves away from the toner region T, it becomes possible to improve the sealing performance. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 11(b), at least one of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 may be inclined so as to be located on the tip side of the overlapping end portion 420 in the X direction as it moves away from the toner region T in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction. For example, when the X direction is arranged to intersect the gravitational direction, at least one of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 may be inclined in this way in accordance with the angle of the Y direction with respect to the X direction. Also, as the directions of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404, the directions in this embodiment and the directions in the above-described modified example can be arbitrarily combined and used.

[0076] Also, as shown in FIG. 12(a), at least one of the corners 407, 408, and 409 of the side seal 4 may be R-shaped (curved shape). The same applies to the other corners of the side seal 4. Also, this is the same for the side seal 4 having the shape shown in FIG. 8 and for other shapes of the side seal 4 such as the shapes shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b).

[0077] Also, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the third ridge line 403 may be inclined with respect to the X direction. Further, the third ridge line 403 is not limited to being linear. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12(c) and (d), the third ridge line 403 may be curved. In the side seal 4 shown in FIG. 12(c), the third ridge line 403 has a curved shape convex inward, and in the side seal 4 shown in FIG. 12(d), the third ridge line 403 has a curved shape convex outward.

[0078] Similarly, the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 are not limited to being linear. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13(a) and (b), at least one of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 may be curved. In the side seal 4 shown in FIG. 13(a), the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line are curved convex outward, and in the side seal 4 shown in FIG. 13(b), the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 are curved convex inward. Also, as the shapes of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404, the shapes in this embodiment and the shapes in the above modification can be arbitrarily combined and used.

[0079] Here, "substantially parallel" does not mean only completely parallel, but also includes cases where there is a deviation from parallel within an error range (for example, about ±15 degrees). Similarly, "substantially orthogonal" does not mean only completely orthogonal, but also includes cases where there is a deviation from orthogonal within an error range (for example, about ±15 degrees). Also, the direction along a predetermined direction includes, in addition to the direction parallel to the predetermined direction, for example, having an angle of less than 30 degrees (typically less than 15 degrees) with respect to the predetermined direction. Further, the direction intersecting a predetermined direction includes, in addition to the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction, for example, having an angle of 30 degrees or more (typically 45 degrees or more) with respect to the predetermined direction.

[0080] Also in the side seal 4 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the Y direction, the distance D between the position at the most distal end side of the overlapping end portion 420 in the X direction of the second ridge line 402 and the position at the most distal end side of the overlapping end portion 420 in the X direction of the fourth ridge line 404 is set to be smaller than the width W in the region where the side seal 4 of the blade back seal 3 is overlapped, whereby the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[0081] Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the side seal 4 is not limited to having a sealing shape formed by the first ridge line 401 and the second ridge line 402 and a sealing shape formed by the third ridge line 403 and the fourth ridge line 404. The side seal 4 may have three or more such sealing shapes. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the side seal 4 has, at the overlapping end portion 420 which is one end portion in the X direction, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, (a) a first ridge line 401 that contacts the toner region T and extends along the X direction, (b) a second ridge line 402 that is continuous with the first ridge line 401 and extends in a direction intersecting the first ridge line 401 so as to be away from the toner region T in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction, (c) a third ridge line 403 that is continuous with the second ridge line 402 and extends along the X direction, (d) a fourth ridge line 404 that is continuous with the third ridge line 403 and extends in a direction intersecting the third ridge line 403 so as to be away from the toner region T in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction, (e) a fifth ridge line 405 that is continuous with the fourth ridge line 404 and extends along the X direction, and (f) a sixth ridge line 406 that is continuous with the fifth ridge line 405 and extends in a direction intersecting the fifth ridge line 403 so as to be away from the toner region T in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction. In the X direction, the fourth ridge line 404 is located on the distal end side of the overlapping end portion 420 with respect to the second ridge line 402, and the sixth ridge line 406 is located on the distal end side of the overlapping end portion 420 with respect to the fourth ridge line 404.

[0082] In the example of FIG. 14, the first ridge line 401, the third ridge line 403, and the fifth ridge line 405 each extend substantially parallel to the X direction. Also, in this example, the second ridge line 402, the fourth ridge line 404, and the sixth ridge line 406 each extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction. That is, in this example, the corner 407 formed by the first ridge line 401 and the second ridge line 402, the corner 408 formed by the second ridge line 402 and the third ridge line 403, the corner 409 formed by the third ridge line 403 and the fourth ridge line 404, the corner 410 formed by the fourth ridge line 404 and the fifth ridge line 405, and the corner 411 formed by the fifth ridge line 405 and the sixth ridge line 406 are each substantially right-angled. The shapes of the first to sixth ridge lines and each corner may be arbitrarily changed in the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

[0083] Also in the side seal 4 shown in FIG. 14, by setting the distance D to be smaller than the width W for each sealing shape, the same effect as described above can be obtained. That is, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, in the direction substantially orthogonal to the Y direction, the distance D1 between the second ridge line (sealing ridge line) 402 and the fourth ridge line (sealing ridge line) 404, and the distance D2 between the fourth ridge line (sealing ridge line) 404 and the sixth ridge line (sealing ridge line) 406 may be set to be smaller than the width W of the blade back seal 3. By increasing the number of sealing shapes, for example, even when the sticking error of the side seal 4 or the blade back seal 3 with respect to the width of the blade back seal 3 is relatively large, the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside can be suppressed regardless of the sticking position. However, it can be said that the number of sealing shapes is often sufficient to be 10 or less (typically 5 or less).

[0084] As described above, in this embodiment, the developer storage device (cleaning device) 18 includes a first member (drum cartridge container) 11 and a second member (blade support member) 141 that form a developer storage portion (recovered toner storage portion) 19 for storing a developer, a first seal member (side seal) 4 that extends in a first direction X and seals the developer storage portion 19, and a second seal member (blade back seal) 3 that extends in a second direction Y intersecting the first direction X and seals the developer storage portion 19. The first seal member 4 is disposed such that at least a part of an overlapping end portion 420, which is one end portion in the first direction X, is sandwiched between the first member 11 and the second member 141 in a state of being overlapped with the second seal member 3. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, the overlapping end portion 420 of the first seal member 4 includes: (a) a first ridge line 401 that contacts the developer storage portion 19 and extends along the first direction X; (b) a second ridge line 402 that is continuous with the first ridge line 401 and extends in a direction intersecting the first ridge line 401 so as to be away from the developer storage portion 19 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X; (c) a third ridge line 403 that is continuous with the second ridge line 402 and extends along the first direction X; and (d) a fourth ridge line 404 that is continuous with the third ridge line 403 and extends in a direction intersecting the third ridge line 403 so as to be away from the developer storage portion 19 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X. In the first direction X, the fourth ridge line 404 is located on the tip side of the overlapping end portion 420 with respect to the second ridge line 402. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the second direction Y, the distance D between the position at the most tip side of the overlapping end portion 420 on the second ridge line 402 and the position at the most tip side of the overlapping end portion 420 on the fourth ridge line 404 is smaller than the width W of the region of the second seal member 3 where the first seal member 4 is overlapped. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, at least a part of at least one of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 of the overlapping end portion 420 of the first seal member 4 is sandwiched between the second seal member 3 and the second member 141 in a state of being on the second seal member 3.In this embodiment, with such a configuration, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, the second sealing member 3 is in close contact with the second member 141 in at least a partial region (toner sealing portion) 301 that faces the at least one ridge line in the first direction X. In this embodiment, the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 each extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X. Further, in this embodiment, the developer container 18 is arranged such that the first direction X is along the direction of gravity, and the overlapping end portion 420 is the end portion below in the direction of gravity. For example, in this case, at least one of the second ridge line 402 and the fourth ridge line 404 may be inclined so as to be positioned higher in the direction of gravity as it is farther from the developer housing portion 19 in the direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X. Further, in this embodiment, the first direction X and the second direction Y are substantially orthogonal to each other.

[0085] In other words, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, the overlapping end portion 420 of the first seal member 4 has a plurality of sealing ridge lines that extend in a direction intersecting the first direction X (the second and fourth ridge lines 402, 404, or the second, fourth, and sixth ridge lines 402, 404, 406). The plurality of sealing ridge lines are continuous from the ridge line (the first ridge line) 401 that extends along the first direction X of the first seal member 4 and is in contact with the developer storage portion 19. The sealing ridge lines that are farther from the developer storage portion 19 in the direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X are located closer to the tip side of the overlapping end portion 420 in the first direction X. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, in the direction substantially orthogonal to the second direction Y, the distances (D1, D2) between the positions at the outermost tip of the overlapping end portion 420 of adjacent sealing ridge lines are smaller than the width W of the region where the first seal member 4 overlaps the second seal member 3. The overlapping end portion 420 of the first seal member 4 has at least a part of at least one sealing ridge line sandwiched between the second seal member 3 and the second member 141 with at least a part of the sealing ridge line on the second seal member. In this embodiment, with such a configuration, the second seal member 3 is in close contact with the second member 141 in at least a part of the region 301 that faces at least one sealing ridge line in the first direction X when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y. In this embodiment, the plurality of sealing ridge lines each extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X. Further, for example, when the developer storage device 18 is arranged such that the first direction X is along the gravitational direction and the overlapping end portion 420 is the end portion below the gravitational direction, at least one sealing ridge line may be inclined so as to be located higher in the gravitational direction as it is farther from the developer storage portion 19 in the direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X.

[0086] Also, in this embodiment, the developer container includes a cleaning member (cleaning blade) 14 that removes the developer from an image carrier (photosensitive drum) 12 that carries the developer image, a container (drum cleaning container) 11 that constitutes the first member, and a support member (blade support member) 141 that supports the cleaning member 14 and constitutes the second member. The cleaning device 18 is configured to store the developer removed from the image carrier 12 by the cleaning member 14 in the developer storage section 19. Further, according to this embodiment, an image forming apparatus 1 having a developer container 18 configured as described above is provided.

[0087] As described above, according to this embodiment, in a configuration in which at least two seal members are used to seal the corners of the region where the developer exists, the reliability of the sealing performance can be enhanced. That is, according to this embodiment, in a configuration in which a plurality of seal members are used to seal the region where the developer exists, the manufacturing conditions can be made simpler, and the outflow of toner from the gaps between the seal members can be suppressed, thereby enhancing the reliability of the sealing performance.

[0088] [Embodiment 2] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In Embodiment 1, as an example of a sealing configuration for sealing the region where the developer exists, the sealing configuration of the drum cartridge 10 was described. In this embodiment, as another example of the sealing configuration, the sealing configuration of the toner conveyance section (toner conveyance path) in the image forming apparatus will be described.

[0089] Note that the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus are the same as those of Embodiment 1. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations as those of the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Embodiment 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0090] In the image forming apparatus 1, for example, toner supplied to the developing device 20 is conveyed from the toner cartridge 40 to the developing device 20, or toner discharged from the cleaning device 18 is conveyed to the collecting toner box. Then, in the toner conveyance unit for this purpose, the toner is conveyed by free fall or by a conveyance member across units and members. Therefore, also in the toner conveyance unit, the outflow of toner is suppressed by using a seal member that fills the gap between parts.

[0091] FIG. 15 is an external perspective view of the toner conveyance unit 9 in the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner conveyance unit 9 in the present embodiment. The toner conveyance unit 9 in the present embodiment constitutes, for example, a part of the toner conveyance path from the toner cartridge 40 to the developing device 20. The toner conveyance unit 9 in the present embodiment is an example of a developer storage device having a developer storage unit that at least temporarily stores a developer (including the passage of the developer).

[0092] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the toner conveyance unit 9 has a lid member 5 and a toner guide unit 6. The lid member 5 is a plate-like member in which a rectangular opening 502 is formed, and has a fixing portion 501 around the opening 502. The toner guide unit 6 has a hollow pipe portion 602 having a rectangular cross-section and a rectangular flange portion 601 provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the hollow pipe portion 602. Then, the toner is conveyed by free fall through the space inside the opening 502 of the lid member 5 and the hollow pipe portion 602 of the toner guide unit 6. In the present embodiment, the region through which the toner passes, which is the space inside the opening 502 of the lid member 5 and the hollow pipe portion 602 of the toner guide unit 6, is the toner region T.

[0093] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing the sealing configuration of the toner conveyance unit 9 (the illustration of the lid member 5 is omitted). A pair of horizontal seals 7, which are seal members, and a pair of horizontal seals 8, which are seal members, are arranged on an attachment portion 611, which is the upper surface of a flange portion 601 provided at an end of the toner guide portion 6. In the present embodiment, these seal members are each formed of urethane foam (sponge), which is a foamed elastic body as an elastic body. Then, the lid member (second member) 5 is attached from the side facing the attachment portion 611 of the toner guide portion (first member) 6 via each seal member, and each seal member is sandwiched between the attachment portion 611 and the fixing portion 501 and is compressed and deformed. The lid member 5 is fixed to the toner guide portion 6 by an arbitrary fixing means (not shown). Thereby, it becomes possible to fill the gap between the lid member 5 and the toner guide portion 6 with each seal member. Note that the toner conveyance unit 9 may have a configuration in which hollow pipe portions 6 having the same configuration are connected via seal members 7 and 8 instead of the lid member 6, for example.

[0094] Thus, in the toner conveyance unit 9 of the present embodiment, the toner region T is sealed by arranging a plurality of seal members so as to surround it. This is because, as described in the first embodiment, if an integral seal member is used to surround the toner region T, waste is likely to occur in the material selection of the seal member, which may lead to an increase in cost. Also, in the toner conveyance unit 9 of the present embodiment, when the conventional sealing configuration is used, as described in the first embodiment, toner may flow out (scatter) from the toner region T to the outside due to the occurrence of a gap portion B in the overlapping region of the seal members. Therefore, also in the toner conveyance unit 9 of the present embodiment, by making the configuration of the overlapping region of the ends of the seal members the same as that of the first embodiment, it becomes possible to enhance the reliability of the sealing performance.

[0095] In the toner conveyance unit 9 of this embodiment, the pair of horizontal seals 7 and the pair of vertical seals 8 are each a prismatic member having a substantially rectangular cross-section (a substantially long rectangle with a long side along the direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hollow pipe portion 602) that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Then, the pair of horizontal seals 7 are respectively fixed to a pair of opposing sides in the attachment portion 611 of the toner guide portion 6. Further, the pair of vertical seals 8 are respectively fixed to the other pair of opposing sides in the attachment portion 611 of the toner guide portion 6 such that both ends of each are overlapped with the ends of the horizontal seal 7 from the lid member 5 side. In this embodiment, these seal members are attached to the attachment portion 611 of the toner guide portion 6 with double-sided tape as the fixing means respectively.

[0096] Here, in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the pair of vertical seals 8 arranged along a pair of opposing sides of the attachment portion 611 (substantially parallel in this embodiment) is defined as the "X direction (first direction)". Also, the longitudinal direction of the pair of horizontal seals 7 arranged along the other pair of opposing sides of the attachment portion 611 (substantially parallel in this embodiment) is defined as the "Y direction (second direction)". In this embodiment, the X direction and the Y direction are substantially orthogonal. Also, in this embodiment, the X direction and the Y direction are each substantially orthogonal to the gravitational direction.

[0097] In this embodiment, the pair of horizontal seals 7 is a prismatic member having a substantially uniform cross-section throughout, similar to the blade back seal 3 in Embodiment 1. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the pair of vertical seals 8 each have overlapping ends 820 of a sealing shape according to the present invention, which are similar to the overlapping ends 420 of the side seal 4 in Embodiment 1, at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0098] FIG. 18 is a front view of the toner conveyance unit 9 of this embodiment as viewed from the lid member 5 side along a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction (the illustration of the lid member 5 is omitted). With reference to FIG. 18, the sealing effect of the seal member in this embodiment will be described. Since the configurations of the pair of vertical seals 8 are the same, the description will focus on one of the vertical seals 8 (the left side in FIG. 18). Further, in the example shown in FIG. 18, in the overlapping region of the seal members in the upper left of the figure (the hatched portion in the figure), the "remote state" described in Example 1, and in the overlapping region of the seal members in the lower left of the figure (the hatched portion in the figure), the "proximity state" described in Example 1 is achieved.

[0099] At each overlapping end 820 which is both ends of the longitudinal seal 8 in the X direction, similar to the overlapping ends 420 of the side seal 4 in the first embodiment, first, second, third, and fourth ridge lines 801, 802, 803, 804 are provided. That is, each overlapping end 820 has two sealing shapes respectively. In the overlapping end 820 in the "remote state" at the upper left in the figure, with respect to the gap portion B (the shaded portion in the figure) extending in the X direction from the toner region T, at a position facing the fourth ridge line 804 in the X direction, a toner sealing portion 701 which is a ridge line where the horizontal seal 7 and the lid member 5 are in close contact is formed. Thereby, since the toner entering the gap portion B from the toner region T is blocked by the toner sealing portion 701, the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside is suppressed. Also, in the overlapping end 820 in the "proximity state" at the lower left in the figure, with respect to the gap portion B (the shaded portion in the figure) extending in the X direction from the toner region T, at a position facing the second ridge line 802 in the X direction, a toner sealing portion 701 which is a ridge line where the horizontal seal member 7 and the lid member 5 are in close contact is formed. Thereby, since the toner entering the gap portion B from the toner region T is blocked by the toner sealing portion 701, the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside is suppressed. Also, as described in the first embodiment, by setting the distance D to be smaller than the width W, in any state from the "proximity state" to the "remote state", at least one of the second ridge line (sealing ridge line) 802 and the fourth ridge line (sealing ridge line) 804 is arranged on the horizontal seal 7, so that the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside can be suppressed. In particular, by providing the sealing shape according to the present invention at both ends of the longitudinal seal 8 in the X direction, when one end is in the "remote state" and the other end is in the "proximity state" due to an attachment error of the longitudinal seal 8 or the like, the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside can be suppressed at any end.

[0100] Note that, as the configuration of the overlapping end 820 of the longitudinal seal 8 in this embodiment, the configuration of the modified example described in the first embodiment can be arbitrarily used.

[0101] As described above, in this embodiment, the developer storage device is a developer transport unit (toner transport unit) 9 in which the first member (toner guide unit) 6 and the second member (lid member) 5 constitute a region through which the developer as the developer storage unit T passes. Further, according to this embodiment, an image forming apparatus 1 having a developer storage device 9 configured as described above is provided.

[0102] As described above, by applying the present invention to the toner transport unit 9, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0103] [Embodiment 3] Next, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations as those of the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0104] In this embodiment, another example of the shape of the overlapping end portion 420 of the side seal 4 in the sealing configuration of the drum cartridge 10 similar to that of the first embodiment will be described.

[0105] In the first embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, it has been described that by forming the toner sealing portion 301 so as to bend the traveling direction of the toner that has entered the gap portion B from the toner region T, the outflow of the toner from the toner region T to the outside can be suppressed. In the first embodiment, this is realized by providing the first, second, third, and fourth ridge lines 401, 402, 403, and 404 on the overlapping end portion 420 of the side seal 4.

[0106] On the other hand, by providing a linear or curved ridge line continuous from the first ridge line 401 on the overlapping end portion 420 of the side seal 4 to form the toner sealing portion 301 and bending the traveling direction of the toner that has entered the gap portion B from the toner region T, corresponding effects can also be obtained.

[0107] FIG. 19 is a front view of the side seal 4 in the present embodiment as viewed from the photosensitive drum 12 side along a direction substantially orthogonal to the X and Y directions.

[0108] In the present embodiment, at the overlapping end portion 420 which is one end portion in the X direction of the side seal 4, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X and Y directions, (a) a first ridge line 401 that contacts the toner region T and extends along the X direction, and (b) a second ridge line 412 that is continuous with the first ridge line 401 and extends so as to be located on the tip side of the overlapping end portion 420 in the X direction away from the first ridge line 401 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction. Thereby, in any state from the "proximity state" to the "remote state" described in the first embodiment, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X and Y directions, at least a part of the second ridge line 412 is sandwiched between the blade back seal 3 and the blade support member 141 in a state of being on the blade back seal 3. In the present embodiment, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X and Y directions, the second ridge line 412 is linear. Also, in the present embodiment, the second ridge line 412 extends so as to be away from the toner region X in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction.

[0109] According to the side seal 4 of the present embodiment, although the gap portion B is formed by the second ridge line 412, the blade back seal 3 is in close contact with the blade support member 141 in the region facing the second ridge line 412 in the X direction, and the toner sealing portion 301 is formed. Then, by the action of this toner sealing portion 301, the toner that has entered the gap portion B from the toner region T has its traveling direction bent in the direction along the second ridge line 412. By bending the traveling direction of the toner in this way, it becomes difficult for the toner to travel, and the outflow of the toner through this gap portion B is less likely to occur.

[0110] Here, in order to obtain the above-described effects satisfactorily, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, the inclination angle of the second ridge line 412 with respect to the Y direction (the direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction in this embodiment) is preferably 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. If this inclination angle is less than 30 degrees, the range of sticking error of the side seal 4 in which the above-described effects can be obtained satisfactorily may become small. Further, if this inclination angle exceeds 60 degrees, it becomes difficult to sufficiently bend the toner traveling direction by the toner sealing portion 301 formed by the second ridge line 412.

[0111] In this embodiment, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, the second ridge line 412 is linear, but it is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIGS. 20(a) and (b), when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction, the second ridge line 412 may be curved. In the side seal 4 shown in FIG. 20(a), the second ridge line 412 has a curved shape convex outward, and in the side seal 4 shown in FIG. 20(b), the second ridge line 412 has a curved shape convex inward. Also with the side seal 4 having such a shape, similarly to the side seal 4 of this embodiment, the toner traveling direction is bent by the toner sealing portion 301 formed by the second ridge line 412, and the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside can be suppressed. When the second ridge line 412 has a curved shape, the inclination angle of the tangent line circumscribing at least a part from the first ridge line 401 to the approximate center of the second ridge line 412 in the direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction with respect to the Y direction of the second ridge line 412 is preferably 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less as described above.

[0112] Further, in the side seal 4 of this embodiment, the second ridge line 412 extends away from the toner region X in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction, but is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 20(c), the second ridge line 412 may extend so as to approach the toner region X in a direction substantially orthogonal to the X direction. In this case as well, the second ridge line 412 is not limited to being linear and may be curved. Even with the side seal 4 having such a shape, similar to the side seal 4 of this embodiment, the toner traveling direction can be bent by the toner sealing portion 301 formed by the second ridge line 412, and the outflow of toner from the toner region T to the outside can be suppressed.

[0113] Also, the side seal 4 described in this embodiment can also be applied to the toner conveyance unit 9 described in Embodiment 2.

[0114] As described above, in this embodiment, when the overlapping end portion 420 of the first sealing member 4 is viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, (a) it is in contact with the developer accommodating portion 19 and has a first ridge line 401 extending along the first direction X, and (b) it is continuous with the first ridge line 401 and extends so as to be located on the tip side of the overlapping end portion 420 in the first direction X as it moves away from the first ridge line 401 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X. The overlapping end portion 420 of the first sealing member 4 has at least a part of the second ridge line 412 sandwiched between the second sealing member 3 and the second member 141 in a state where it is on the second sealing member 3 when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y. In this embodiment, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, the second ridge line 412 extends so as to be away from the developer accommodating portion 19 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X. Also, in this embodiment, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, the second ridge line 412 is linear. Here, when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, the inclination angle of the second ridge line 412 with respect to the second direction Y is preferably 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. Note that when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction X and the second direction Y, the second ridge line 412 may be curved. Also, in this embodiment, the first direction X and the second direction Y are substantially orthogonal to each other.

[0115] As described above, also with the configuration of this embodiment, effects similar to those of the first embodiment can be obtained accordingly.

[0116] [Others] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0117] In the above-described embodiments, the description has been made assuming that toner is accommodated (including passing through) in the developer accommodating portion of the cleaning device or the toner conveyance portion as the developer accommodating device. However, in the developer accommodating portion, in addition to toner, a carrier or the like may be accommodated as the developer, and further, the recovered developer or the like may contain foreign substances such as paper dust.

[0118] Also, in the above-described embodiments, the seal member has been described as being fixed to the object to be fixed by a double-sided tape, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and other fixing means such as contact or welding may be used.

[0119] Also, in the above-described embodiments, as an example of the developer container, a cleaning device for cleaning a photosensitive drum and a toner conveyance unit have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cleaning device may clean other objects to be cleaned such as an intermediate transfer belt. Also, the developer container may be a developing device, a developer supply container, a recovered developer container, or the like. The present invention can be applied to a sealing configuration of any developer material container that is used in an image forming apparatus and that at least temporarily stores (including passing through) a developer.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0120] 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Side seal (conventional configuration) 3 Blade back seal 4 Side seal (configuration of the embodiment) 10 Drum cartridge 11 Drum cartridge container 14 Cleaning blade 141 Blade support member 401 to 404 Ridge lines of the seal member 420 Overlapping end T Toner region (region where the developer exists) B Gap portion

Claims

1. A first member and a second member that form a developer storage portion for storing a developer, A first seal member that extends in a first direction and seals the developer storage portion, A second seal member that extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction and seals the developer storage portion, having, One end portion of the first seal member in the first direction, at least a part of the overlapping end portion, is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first member and the second member in a state of being overlapped with the second seal member, When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the overlapping end portion of the first seal member includes: (a) a first ridge line that contacts the developer storage portion and extends along the first direction; (b) a second ridge line that is continuous with the first ridge line and extends in a direction intersecting the first ridge line so as to be away from the developer storage portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction; (c) a third ridge line that is continuous with the second ridge line and extends along the first direction; and (d) a fourth ridge line that is continuous with the third ridge line and extends in a direction intersecting the third ridge line so as to be away from the developer storage portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. In the first direction, the fourth ridge line is located on the tip side of the overlapping end portion with respect to the second ridge line, When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the second direction, the distance between the position at the most tip side of the overlapping end portion on the second ridge line and the position at the most tip side of the overlapping end portion on the fourth ridge line is smaller than the width of the region of the second seal member where the first seal member is overlapped, The overlapping end portion of the first seal member is characterized in that when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, at least a part of at least one of the second ridge line and the fourth ridge line is sandwiched between the second seal member and the second member in a state of being on the second seal member. A developer storage device.

2. The second seal member is in close contact with the second member in at least a part of the region facing the at least one ridge line in the first direction when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The developer storage device according to claim 1.

3. The developing agent container according to claim 1, wherein the second ridge line and the fourth ridge line each extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

4. The developing agent container according to claim 1, wherein the first direction is arranged along the direction of gravity, and the overlapping end portion is the lower end portion in the direction of gravity.

5. The developing agent container according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the second ridge line and the fourth ridge line is inclined so as to be located upward in the direction of gravity as it is farther from the developing agent accommodating portion in the direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

6. The developing agent container according to claim 1, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially orthogonal to each other.

7. A first member and a second member forming a developing agent accommodating portion for accommodating a developing agent, A first sealing member extending in a first direction and sealing the developing agent accommodating portion, A second sealing member extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and sealing the developing agent accommodating portion, having At least a part of the overlapping end portion, which is one end portion of the first sealing member in the first direction, is arranged to be sandwiched between the first member and the second member in a state of being overlapped with the second sealing member, The overlapping end portion of the first sealing member has a plurality of sealing ridge lines that are ridge lines extending in a direction intersecting the first direction when viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, The plurality of sealing ridge lines are continuous from a ridge line that is a ridge line extending along the first direction of the first sealing member and in contact with the developing agent accommodating portion, and the sealing ridge line located farther from the developing agent accommodating portion in the direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction is located closer to the tip side of the overlapping end portion in the first direction, When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the second direction, the distance between the positions at the most tip side of the overlapping end portion of each of the adjacent sealing ridge lines is smaller than the width of the region of the second sealing member where the first sealing member is overlapped. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, at least a part of at least one of the sealing ridges of the overlapping end portion of the first sealing member is sandwiched between the second sealing member and the second member in a state of being on the second sealing member. A developer container characterized by this.

8. When the second sealing member is viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, in at least a part of the region facing at least one of the sealing ridges in the first direction, the second The developer container according to claim 7, characterized in that it is in close contact with the member.

9. The plurality of the sealing ridges each extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The developer container according to claim 7, characterized by this.

10. The first direction is arranged along the direction of gravity, and the overlapping end portion is the lower end portion in the direction of gravity. The developer container according to claim 7, characterized by this.

11. At least one of the sealing ridges is inclined so as to be located upward in the direction of gravity as it moves away from the developer accommodating portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The developer container according to claim 10, characterized by this.

12. The first direction and the second direction are substantially orthogonal to each other. The developer container according to claim 7, characterized by this.

13. A first member and a second member forming a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer, A first sealing member extending in the first direction and sealing the developer accommodating portion, A second sealing member extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and sealing the developer accommodating portion, having At least a part of the overlapping end portion, which is one end portion of the first sealing member in the first direction, is arranged to be sandwiched between the first member and the second member in a state of being overlapped with the second sealing member. When the overlapping end portion of the first sealing member is viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, (a) a first ridge line in contact with the developer accommodating portion and extending along the first direction; and (b) a second ridge line that is continuous with the first ridge line and extends so as to be located on the tip side of the overlapping end portion in the first direction as it moves away from the first ridge line in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, at least a part of the second ridge line is sandwiched between the second sealing member and the second member with the second sealing member on the second sealing member, and the developer storage device is characterized in that.

14. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the second ridge line extends away from the developer storage portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and the developer storage device according to claim 13 is characterized in that.

15. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the second ridge line is linear, and the developer storage device according to claim 13 is characterized in that.

16. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the inclination angle of the second ridge line with respect to the second direction is 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, and the developer storage device according to claim 15 is characterized in that.

17. When viewed from a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the second ridge line is curved, and the developer storage device according to claim 13 is characterized in that.

18. The first direction and the second direction are substantially orthogonal to each other, and the developer storage device according to claim 13 is characterized in that.

19. A cleaning member that removes the developer from the image carrier that carries the developer image, a container that constitutes the first member, and a support member that supports the cleaning member and constitutes the second member, and the developer removed from the image carrier by the cleaning member is stored in the developer storage portion, and the developer storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 18 is characterized in that.

20. The first member and the second member are a developer transport portion that constitutes a region through which the developer as the developer storage portion passes, and the developer storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 18 is characterized in that.

21. An image forming apparatus comprising the developer storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

22. The developer storage device is a cleaning device having a cleaning member that removes developer from an image carrier that supports a developer image, a container that constitutes the first member, and a support member that supports the cleaning member and constitutes the second member, and that stores the developer removed from the image carrier by the cleaning member in the developer storage section, according to claim 21.

23. The developer storage device according to claim 21, wherein the first member and the second member are a developer conveyance section that constitutes a region through which developer as the developer storage section passes.

Images