Developer storage body, image forming unit, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To reduce developer which is not discharged from the inside of a container of a developer storage body.SOLUTION: A developer storage body (20) comprises: a container (21) that contains a developer and has a discharge port (211) through which the developer can be discharged; a shutter member (22) provided inside the container (21) so as to be movable between an open position at which the discharge port (211) is opened and a closed position at which the discharge port (211) is closed; and a pressing portion (212) included in the container (21) to press the shutter member (22) toward the discharge port (211). The shutter member (22) has a first reinforcing portion (222) extending in a first direction intersecting a moving direction (R) when opened / closed. When the shutter member (22) is at the open position, the first reinforcing portion (222) and the pressing portion (212) contact each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a developer container (also called a "toner cartridge") has been used to supply developer to an image forming apparatus that forms images by an electrophotographic process. Typically, the developer container has a container that contains the developer, a shutter member that is rotatably provided inside the container and that opens or closes the discharge port of the container, and an agitator member that agitates the developer inside the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-227168 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional developer container, developer remains on the reinforcing rib that forms part of the shutter member, which causes a problem that some developer is not discharged from the inside of the container through the discharge port.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a developer container, an image forming unit, and an image forming apparatus that can reduce the amount of developer that is not discharged from the inside of the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The developer container of the present disclosure comprises a container that contains developer and has an outlet through which the developer can be discharged, a shutter member disposed inside the container that is movable between an open position that opens the outlet and a closed position that closes the outlet, and a pressing portion provided on the container that presses the shutter member toward the outlet, wherein the shutter member has a first reinforcing portion that extends in a first direction that intersects with the direction of movement of the shutter member when opening and closing the outlet, and the first reinforcing portion and the pressing portion abut when the shutter member is in the open position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the amount of developer that is not discharged from the inside of the container can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is an external perspective view showing an image forming unit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming unit (with a developer container removed) according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming unit (when the shutter member is in the closed position) according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming unit (when the shutter member is in the open position) according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a shutter member of the developer accommodating body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1(A) and 1(B) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the cross section of the shutter member of the developer accommodating body of the first embodiment (when the shutter member is in the closed position and when the shutter member is in the open position). [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a shutter member of a developer container according to a comparative example. [Figure 9]10A and 10B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the cross section of the shutter member of the developer container of the comparative example (when the shutter member is in the closed position and when it is in the open position). [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing an agitating film of a developer accommodating body according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 11(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the shutter member and the agitating film of the developer accommodating body of the second embodiment, and FIG. 11(B) is an enlarged view showing the main part of FIG. 11(A). [Figure 12] 12(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a developer accommodating body of the second embodiment, and FIG. 12(B) is an enlarged view showing a main part of FIG. 12(A). [Figure 13] 10(A) and 10(B) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the operation of the agitating film of the developer accommodating body of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing an agitating film of a developer accommodating body of a comparative example. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the operation of the agitating film of the developer accommodating body of the comparative example. [Figure 16] 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a shutter member and an agitating film of a developer accommodating body according to a third embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An image forming apparatus, an image forming unit detachably attached to the image forming apparatus, and a developer container detachably attached to the image forming apparatus or the image forming unit according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, an image forming apparatus employing a method of directly transferring a developer image formed on a photosensitive drum to a recording medium will be described. However, the image forming apparatus may employ a method of primarily transferring the developer image formed on the photosensitive drum to an intermediate transfer belt, and then secondarily transferring the developer image from the intermediate transfer belt to a recording medium.

[0010] The diagrams also show coordinate axes of an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system to facilitate understanding of the relationships between the diagrams. The X direction is the longitudinal direction of the developer container, the Y direction is the horizontal direction perpendicular to the X direction, and the Z direction is the height direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions.

[0011] Furthermore, the following embodiments are merely examples, and the embodiments can be appropriately combined and modified. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar components.

[0012] 1. First embodiment 1-1 Image forming apparatus and image forming unit FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 is a color printer capable of printing a color image on a recording medium P such as paper by an electrophotographic process using four colors of developers (i.e., toner): black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). While FIG. 1 shows a case in which the recording medium P is cut paper, the recording medium P may also be a continuous medium such as roll paper. Furthermore, the colors of the developers used are not limited to four. The image forming apparatus 100 may also be a monochrome printer.

[0013] Image forming apparatus 100 has image forming units 1 (i.e., image forming units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C) that are detachably attached to a housing 101 (apparatus main body) of image forming apparatus 100. Image forming units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C are arranged in a row in this order in the conveying direction of recording medium P (Y direction in FIG. 1). Image forming apparatus 100 also has LED (Light Emitting Diode) heads 30 (i.e., LED heads 30K, 30Y, 30M, and 30C) as exposure heads arranged corresponding to image forming units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C, and transfer rollers 40 (i.e., transfer rollers 40K, 40Y, 40M, and 40C) as transfer members arranged corresponding to image forming units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 100 has a paper feed tray 60 as a medium tray on which the recording medium P is loaded, a hopping roller 61, a registration roller 62, a discharge roller 63, and a fixing unit 50. The LED head 30 is also called an LED array head or a light-emitting element array head. Also, an optical system having a laser light-emitting element and a laser scanning system may be used as the exposure head.

[0014] Image forming units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C may have different structural parts. However, the basic structures of image forming units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C are the same except for the toner they contain. The structure of image forming unit 1 will be described below.

[0015] 2 and 3 are external perspective views showing the image forming unit 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the developer container 20 is attached to the unit main body 10, and FIG. 3 shows a state in which the developer container 20 is removed from the unit main body 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each image forming unit 1 has the unit main body 10 configured to be detachable from the housing 101 of the image forming apparatus 100, and the developer container 20 configured to be detachable from the unit main body 10. The developer container 20 contains therein toner of a color corresponding to the image forming units 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C. The developer container is also called a "toner cartridge." The image forming unit is also called an "image drum unit (ID unit)."

[0016] 4 and 5 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the image forming unit 1 of Embodiment 1. Fig. 4 shows the state when the shutter member 22 in the developer accommodating body 20 is in the closed position, and Fig. 5 shows the state when the shutter member 22 in the developer accommodating body 20 is in the open position.

[0017] The unit main body 10 has a photosensitive drum 11 as an image carrier, a charging roller 12 as a charging member, a developing roller 13 as a developer carrier, a cleaning section 14 having a cleaning blade 141 as a cleaning member, an image forming device 15 as a developer container to which developer (toner) T is supplied from a developer container 20, a supply roller 16 as a developer supply member, and a regulating blade 17 as a developer regulating member.

[0018] The photosensitive drum 11 has a conductor such as aluminum, a photosensitive layer coated on the outer periphery, and a shaft supporting the conductor. A gear is provided at the end of the shaft, and driving force from the drum drive motor is transmitted to the shaft via the gear. The photosensitive drum 11 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 by the driving force from the drum drive motor.

[0019] The charging roller 12 is a charging member that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, and has a shaft made of metal such as stainless steel and a conductive elastic body that covers the outer periphery of the shaft. The charging roller 12 is disposed so as to rotate in contact with the photosensitive drum 11.

[0020] The developing roller 13 conveys developer T in the image forming device 15 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, thereby forming a developer image (toner image) corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. The developing roller 13 is arranged so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. The developing roller 13 has a shaft made of metal such as stainless steel, and a conductive elastic body such as urethane rubber or silicone rubber that covers the outer periphery of the shaft. A gear is provided at the end of the shaft of the developing roller 13, and a driving force that rotates the photosensitive drum 11 is transmitted to this gear. A supply roller 16 and a regulating blade 17 are arranged around the developing roller 13.

[0021] The cleaning unit 14 has a cleaning blade 141 as a cleaning member that scrapes off deposits on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, a cleaning container 142 that stores the scraped-off deposits, and a transport spiral 143 as a transport member that transports the scraped-off deposits to a collection container (not shown). The deposits include external additives that have adhered to the developer T and developer that has not been transferred during the printing operation. The cleaning blade 141 is an elastic blade that uses an elastic material such as rubber.

[0022] Supply roller 16 supplies developer T from image forming device 15 onto developing roller 13. Supply roller 16 has a shaft made of metal such as stainless steel, a foam elastic body such as silicone that covers the outer periphery of the shaft, and a gear provided at the end of the shaft. Driving force from developing roller 13 is transmitted to this gear, causing supply roller 16 to rotate.

[0023] The regulating blade 17 regulates the amount of toner that adheres to the developing roller 13. The regulating blade 17 is an elastic blade made of, for example, a thin stainless steel plate, one end of which is fixed to a part of the image forming unit 1 (for example, the image forming device 15). The other end of the regulating blade 17 is positioned so as to be pressed against the developing roller 13 with a predetermined linear pressure.

[0024] The LED head 30 is an exposure device that selectively exposes the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 11 in the axial direction (also referred to as the "main scanning direction" or "longitudinal direction") to light to form an electrostatic latent image. The LED head 30 has multiple LED elements, an LED driving element (i.e., a driving circuit), and a lens array including multiple microlenses. The LED head 30 is positioned so that light emitted from the multiple LED elements forms an image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11.

[0025] The transfer roller 40 transfers the developer image 70 formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 onto the recording medium P being transported along the transport path 71. The transfer roller 40 is made of, for example, a conductive foamed elastic material. The transfer roller 40 is disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum 11.

[0026] The fixing unit 50 has a heat roller 51 and a pressure roller 52, and fixes the developer image 70 transferred onto the recording medium P onto the recording medium P by applying pressure and heat.

[0027] The paper feed tray 60 accommodates a plurality of recording media P. The hopping roller 61 feeds out the recording media P one by one from the paper feed tray 60. The registration rollers (conveying rollers) 62 are a pair of rollers that correct skew of the recording media P fed by the hopping roller 61 and convey the recording media P.

[0028] The discharge roller 63 conveys the recording medium P on which the developer image has been fixed by the fixing device 50 , and discharges it to the outside of the housing 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 .

[0029] When printing an image, in each image forming unit 1, the charging roller 12 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. Then, the LED head 30 is turned on and off based on image data, removing only the charge from the image portion on the photosensitive drum 11, forming an electrostatic latent image. Then, in the image forming device 15, developer T supplied from the developer container 20 is supplied to the developing roller 13 by the supply roller 16. The developer T supplied by the developing roller 13 is regulated to a constant thickness by the regulating blade 17 and supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image. The developer image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred onto the recording medium P by the transfer roller 40, forming a developer image 70 on the recording medium P. Residual developer not used in the transfer is collected by the cleaning blade 141, transported by the transport spiral 143, and ultimately stored in a waste developer container (not shown). The developer image 70 on the recording medium P is fixed by the fixing device 50 , and then the recording medium P is conveyed by the discharge rollers 63 and discharged to a stacker at the top of the image forming apparatus 100 .

[0030] 1-2 Developer container Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the shutter member 22 of the developer accommodating body 20 of the embodiment 1. Figs. 7(A) and (B) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the cross section of the shutter member 22 of the developer accommodating body 20 of the embodiment 1 (when the shutter member is in the closed position and when it is in the open position).

[0031] The developer storage body 20 includes a storage container 21 that stores developer and has a discharge port 211 that is an opening through which the developer can be discharged, a shutter member 22 that is provided inside the storage container 21 and serves as an opening / closing member that is movable between an open position (FIG. 7(B)) that opens the discharge port 211 and a closed position (FIG. 7(A)) that closes the discharge port 211, and a pressing portion 212 that is provided in the storage container 21 and presses the shutter member 22 toward the discharge port 211. The pressing portion 212 may be formed as a part of the storage container 21.

[0032] The shutter member 22 has a first reinforcing rib 222 as a first reinforcing part extending in a first direction (the X direction in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B)) intersecting with the movement direction (the R direction in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B)) during opening and closing. In the first embodiment, the shutter member 22 has a cylindrical shape and is rotatable within the container 21 around the central axis of the cylindrical shape (extending in the X direction). As shown in FIG. 6, the shutter member 22 has a surface portion 221 that closes the discharge port 211, an opening 211a formed in the surface portion 221, and an operation knob 224. By operating the operation knob 224, the user can move the position of the opening 211a in the R direction, and the shutter member 22 can be moved between the closed position in FIG. 7(A) and the open position in FIG. 7(B).

[0033] The shutter member 22 has, in addition to a first reinforcing rib 222 extending in the X direction, which is the longitudinal direction, second reinforcing ribs 223 (i.e., second reinforcing ribs 2231, 2232, 2233, 2234, and 2235) as a plurality of second reinforcing portions extending in a circumferential direction perpendicular to the first reinforcing rib 222. The plurality of second reinforcing ribs 2231, 2232, 2233, 2234, and 2235 are arranged with intervals between them. The first reinforcing rib 222 and the second reinforcing rib 223 are provided to reduce the amount of deformation when the shutter member 22 rotates and when the developer accommodating body 20 falls.

[0034] In the first embodiment, the movement of the shutter member 22 is the rotation of the shutter member 22, and the movement direction of the shutter member 22 is the rotation direction (R direction) of the shutter member 22. However, the structure of the developer accommodating body 20 is not limited to the example shown in the figure, and the shutter member 22 may move to the open position or the closed position by linear movement.

[0035] 7(A) and (B), the pressing portion 212 is a protrusion that protrudes toward the inside of the container 21, and is formed long in the X direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the container 21. The first reinforcing rib 222 and the pressing portion 212 are configured so that the first reinforcing rib 222 and the pressing portion 212 abut against each other (for example, so that the pressing portion 212 abuts on and overlaps the first reinforcing rib 222) when the shutter member 22 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 7(B). In the example shown in FIG. 7(B), the pressing portion 212 presses the surface of the first reinforcing rib 222 toward the discharge port 211.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(B), it is desirable that the width W212 of the pressing portion 212 is larger than the width W222 of the first reinforcing rib 222, and that when the shutter member 22 is in the open position, the pressing portion 212 contacts and covers the entire area of ​​the first reinforcing rib 222.

[0037] The developer container 20 further includes an agitating bar 23 and an agitating film 24 attached to the agitating bar 23 as agitating members rotatable about a rotation axis inside the container 21 and inside the shutter member 22. The agitating bar 23 and the agitating film 24 rotate in the Q direction to agitate the developer and discharge the developer T in the container 21 through the opening 211a and the discharge port 211. The agitating bar 23 rotates by receiving a driving force from an external source. Details of the agitating film 24 will be described in the second embodiment.

[0038] 1-3 Comparative Example Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the shutter member 522 of the comparative developer accommodating body 520. Figs. 9(A) and 9(B) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the cross section of the shutter member 522 of the comparative developer accommodating body 520 (when the shutter member is in the closed position and when it is in the open position).

[0039] The developer container 520 of the comparative example has a container 521 that contains developer, a shutter member 522 that is provided inside the container 521 and is movable between an open position (FIG. 9(B)) that opens the discharge port 5211 and a closed position (FIG. 9(A)) that closes the discharge port 5211, and a pressing portion 5212 that is provided in the container 521 and presses the shutter member 522 toward the discharge port 211.

[0040] The shutter member 522 has a first reinforcing rib 5222. In the comparative example, the shutter member 522 has a cylindrical shape and is rotatable within the container 521 around the central axis of the cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter member 522 has a surface 5221 that closes the discharge port 211, an opening 5211a formed in the surface 5221, and an operation knob 5224. By operating the operation knob 5224, the user can move the position of the opening 5211a and move the shutter member 522 between the closed position shown in FIG. 9(A) and the open position shown in FIG. 9(B).

[0041] The shutter member 522 has a first reinforcing rib 5222 extending in the X direction, which is the longitudinal direction, as well as a plurality of second reinforcing ribs 5223 extending in a circumferential direction perpendicular to the first reinforcing rib 5222. The plurality of second reinforcing ribs 5223 are arranged at intervals. In the comparative example, the movement of the shutter member 522 is the rotation of the shutter member 522, and the movement direction of the shutter member 522 is the rotation direction of the shutter member 522.

[0042] 9(A) and (B), the pressing portion 5212 is a protrusion that protrudes toward the inside of the container 521, and is formed long in the longitudinal direction of the container 521. However, the first reinforcing rib 5222 and the pressing portion 5212 are configured so that the pressing portion 5212 does not overlap the first reinforcing rib 5222 when the shutter member 522 is in the open position, as shown in FIG.

[0043] Furthermore, the developer container 520 of the comparative example further includes an agitator bar 523 rotatably arranged around a rotation axis inside the container 521 and inside the shutter member 522, and an agitator film 524 attached to the agitator bar 523.

[0044] Effect 1-4 9(B), in the comparative example, when the discharge port 5211 is in the open state, the first reinforcing rib 5222 and the pressing portion 5212 are at different positions in the rotational direction, and the pressing portion 5212 does not overlap the first reinforcing rib 5222. Therefore, the developer accumulates and remains on the first reinforcing rib 5222, and a relatively large amount of developer is not discharged from the inside of the container 521 of the developer container 520.

[0045] 7(B), in the first embodiment, when the discharge port 211 is in the open state, the first reinforcing rib 222 and the pressing portion 212 are at the same position in the rotational direction, and the pressing portion 212 overlaps the first reinforcing rib 222. Therefore, the developer T does not accumulate and remain on the first reinforcing rib 222, and the amount of developer remaining inside the container 21 of the developer container 20 can be reduced.

[0046] 7(B), in the first embodiment, the width W212 of the pressing portion 212 is formed to be larger than the width W222 of the first reinforcing rib 222, and when the shutter member 22 is in the open position, the pressing portion 212 overlaps and covers the entire area of ​​the first reinforcing rib 222. Therefore, the developer T does not accumulate and remain on the first reinforcing rib 222, and the amount of developer remaining inside the container 21 of the developer container 20 can be reduced.

[0047] 7(B), in the first embodiment, the pressing portion 212 has a structure that extends vertically downward from the upper part of the container 21 and has a shape that narrows toward the lower end. Also, when the developer T is discharged from the discharge port 211, the angle α (FIG. 7(A)) of the side surface on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the pressing portion 212 with respect to the horizontal direction (Y direction) is 90 degrees or less. In the comparative example (FIG. 9(A)) in which the angle α is greater than 90 degrees, the developer T may accumulate or adhere to the side surface on the upstream side of the pressing portion 212. However, in the first embodiment, the developer T is less likely to accumulate or adhere to the side surface on the upstream side of the pressing portion 212, and the amount of developer remaining inside the container 21 of the developer container 20 can be reduced.

[0048] 2. Second Embodiment <2-1> Image forming apparatus and image forming unit The developer accommodating body 20 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the shape of the agitating film 24 of the agitating member. Except for this, the image forming apparatus 100, image forming unit 1, and developer accommodating body 20 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of the second embodiment, reference will also be made to Figures 1 to 7(A) and (B).

[0049] 2-2 Developer container 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the agitating film 24 of the developer accommodating body 20 of the second embodiment. The agitating film 24 is preferably made of a sheet material such as an elastic polyester film. The thickness of the agitating film 24 is preferably within a range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, and more preferably about 0.125 mm (for example, within a range of 0.1 mm to 0.15 mm).

[0050] As shown in Fig. 10, the agitating film 24 has a plurality of slits 24a to 24m and a plurality of film pieces (28a to 28l) partially separated by the slits 24a to 24m. The agitating film 24 has a region 241 corresponding to the longitudinal range of the shutter member 22, a region 242 located outside the longitudinal position of the shutter member 22 (the left end side in Fig. 10), and a step portion 243 at the boundary between the regions 241 and 242. In the second embodiment, the free length F242 of the region 242 is formed to be longer than the free length F241 of the region 241.

[0051] Fig. 11(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the shutter member 22 and the agitating film 24 of the developer accommodating body 20 of the second embodiment, and Fig. 11(B) is an enlarged view showing a main part 26 of Fig. 11(A). Fig. 11(A) shows the positional relationship between the shutter member 22 and the agitating film 24. Fig. 11(B) shows an enlarged view of the periphery of the second reinforcing rib 2233 of Fig. 11(A). FIG. 12(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a developer accommodating body 20 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 12(B) is an enlarged view showing a main part 27 of FIG. 12(A).

[0052] The plurality of film-like pieces of the agitating film 24 include first strips 28b, 28d, 28g, 28j, and 28l (also referred to as "strips 2411") provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of second reinforcing ribs 223, and second strips 28a, 28c, 28f, 28h, and 28k (also referred to as "strips 2412") adjacent to the plurality of first strips 28b, 28d, 28g, 28j, and 28l. In the first direction (the X direction in the second embodiment), the width of each of the plurality of first strips 28b, 28d, 28g, 28j, and 28l is shorter than the width of the adjacent second strips 28a, 28c, 28f, 28h, and 28k.

[0053] 11(A) shows a state in which discharge port 221a is closed by shutter member 22. Shutter member 22 can be rotated by operating operation knob 224, and opening 211a of shutter member 22 moves as it rotates, and opening 211a is formed by overlapping with discharge port 211, which is the opening of container 21. Slits 24a to 24m are provided outside second reinforcing ribs 2231 to 2235 in the X direction, and it is desirable that intervals G1 and G2 from the ends of second reinforcing ribs 2231 to 2235 to the slits be within a range of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

[0054] 12(A) and (B), a pressing portion 212 that presses the shutter member 22 toward the discharge port 211 is provided on the inner wall of the container 21. The width W212 (FIG. 7(B)) of the pressing portion 212 is set to be larger than the width W222 (FIG. 7(B)) of the first reinforcing rib 222 (FIG. 7(B)).

[0055] 13A and 13B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the operation of the agitating film 24 of the developer container 20 of the second embodiment. FIGS. 13A and 13B show the state when the discharge port 221a is in an open state. Agitating bar 23 is provided within the shutter member 22, and rotates in the direction Q by receiving a driving force from a driving unit such as a motor (not shown). Agitating film 24 is attached to the tip of the agitating bar 23, and the agitating film 24 also rotates as the agitating bar 23 rotates. An opening 37 is provided at the bottom of the container 21 for supplying developer T to the image forming device 15 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The discharge port 221a can be opened and closed by rotating the shutter member 22.

[0056] Discharge outlet 221a transitions from a closed state by shutter member 22 to an open state by operating operation knob 224. At that time, first reinforcing rib 222 provided on shutter member 22 and pressing portion 212 provided on the inside of container 21 are aligned in phase, and pressing portion 212 comes into contact with and overlaps first reinforcing rib 222, so that the upper surface of first reinforcing rib 222 is not exposed.

[0057] In embodiment 2, by setting the positions of the slits 24a to 24m provided in the agitating film 24 approximately 2 mm (preferably within a range of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm) outside the second reinforcing rib 223 of the shutter member 22, the amount L (Figure 13(B)) of the agitating film 24 protruding outside the shutter member 22 is increased, thereby expanding the range in which developer T can be scraped off from the side surface 213 (Figure 13(B)) where the first reinforcing rib 222 and the pressing portion 212 come into contact and from the inner wall of the container 21, and improving the scraping efficiency.

[0058] Furthermore, by forming a step portion 243 in which the free length F242 (FIG. 10) of the agitating film 24 is larger at the end portion (the left end portion in FIG. 12) of the shutter member 22 than at the terminal end portion 225 in the X direction, it is possible to increase the contact pressure of the agitating film 24 against the container 21 at the end portion, thereby improving the ability of the agitating film 24 to scrape away the developer T. By not providing slits 24a to 24m in the step portion 243 where the length and phase of the agitating film 24 change, no gaps are generated between the films, and therefore the efficiency of transporting the developer T in the longitudinal direction is not reduced.

[0059] 2-3 Comparative Example FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing the agitating film 524 of the developer storage body 520 of the comparative example. FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the operation of the agitating film 524 of the developer storage body 520 of the comparative example. FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B) show the state when the discharge port 5221a is in an open state. A stirring bar 523 that receives a driving force and rotates is provided inside the shutter member 522. A stirring film 524 is attached to the tip of the stirring bar 523, and the agitating film 524 also rotates as the stirring bar 523 rotates. In addition, a discharge port 5211 for supplying the developer T to the image forming device 15 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is provided at the bottom of the storage body 521. The discharge port 5211 can be opened and closed by rotating the shutter member 522.

[0060] 10, or does not have an appropriate positional relationship (FIG. 11(B)) between the slit and the second reinforcing rib 5223, there are cases where the developer T cannot be appropriately supplied to the image forming device 15 from the discharge port 5221a located at the bottom of the container 521. This is because, as shown in FIG. 15(B), the leading edge of the agitating film 524 without a slit cannot extend outside the second reinforcing rib 5223, and therefore the ability to scrape off the developer T in the container 521 is low.

[0061] Effect 2-4 15(B), in the comparative example, the agitating film 524 hardly protrudes outside the second reinforcing rib 5223 of the shutter member 22. For this reason, the developer T cannot be scraped off from the side surface 213 (FIG. 15(B)) where the first reinforcing rib 5222 and the pressing portion 212 overlap, or from the inner wall of the container 21.

[0062] In embodiment 2, by setting the positions of the slits 24a to 24m provided in the agitating film 24 approximately 2 mm (preferably within a range of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm) outside the second reinforcing rib 223 of the shutter member 22, the amount L (Figure 13(B)) of the agitating film 24 protruding outside the shutter member 22 is increased, thereby expanding the range in which developer T is scraped off from the side surface 213 (Figure 13(B)) where the first reinforcing rib 222 and the pressing portion 212 overlap and from the inner wall of the container 21, thereby improving the scraping efficiency.

[0063] Furthermore, by forming a step portion 243 in which the free length F242 (FIG. 10) of the agitating film 24 is larger toward the end (the left end in FIG. 12) than the terminal end 225 in the X direction of the shutter member 22, it is possible to increase the contact pressure of the agitating film 24 against the container 21 at the end. As a result, it is possible to improve the ability of the agitating film 24 to scrape away the developer T. By not providing slits 24a to 24m in the step portion 243 where the length and phase of the agitating film 24 change, no gaps are generated between the films, and therefore the efficiency of transporting the developer T in the longitudinal direction is not reduced.

[0064] 3. Third Embodiment FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the shutter member 22 and the agitating film 24 of the developer accommodating body 20 of the third embodiment. The developer accommodating body 20 of the third embodiment differs from that of the second embodiment in the positional relationship between the slits in the agitating film 24 of the agitating member and the second reinforcing rib. Except for this, the image forming apparatus, image forming unit, and developer accommodating body of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first or second embodiment. Therefore, in the description of the third embodiment, reference will also be made to FIGS. 1 to 7(A) and (B) and FIGS. 10 to 13(A) and (B).

[0065] In the third embodiment, the developer accommodating body 20 is configured so that a distance G3 from the slit 24c separating a first strip portion (for example, 28b) to the second reinforcing rib 2231 is shorter than a distance G4 from the slit 24b separating the same first strip portion (for example, 28b) to the second reinforcing rib 2231. In other words, the distance G3 from the slit 24c separating the first strip portion 28b to the second reinforcing rib 2231 is shorter than the distance G4 from the slit 24b separating the first strip portion 28b and located farther from the discharge port 211 than the slit 24c to the second reinforcing rib 2231.

[0066] By configuring it in this manner, when the agitation film 24 comes into contact with the second reinforcing rib 2231, a tilt occurs in the agitation film 24 (a tilt that transports the developer on the longitudinal end side closer to the opening 211a), thereby improving the developer transport efficiency.

[0067] 4. Variations In the first to third embodiments, examples have been described in which the present invention is applied to a printer, its image forming unit, and their developer containers, but the present invention can also be applied to a fax machine, a copier, a multifunction machine that combines the functions of these, its image forming unit, and their developer containers.

[0068] <5> Aspects of the present disclosure Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices. (Appendix 1) a container that contains a developer and has an outlet through which the developer can be discharged; a shutter member provided inside the container so as to be movable between an open position that opens the discharge outlet and a closed position that closes the discharge outlet; a pressing portion provided in the container and configured to press the shutter member toward the discharge port; and the shutter member has a first reinforcing portion extending in a first direction intersecting a moving direction of the shutter member when opening and closing the discharge port, When the shutter member is in the open position, the first reinforcing portion and the pressing portion come into contact with each other. A developer container characterized by: (Appendix 2) The width of the pressing portion is larger than the width of the first reinforcing portion, When the shutter member is in the open position, the pressing portion presses the surface of the first reinforcing portion toward the discharge port. 2. The developer container according to claim 1, (Appendix 3) The shutter member further includes a stirring member rotatably provided around a rotation axis inside the shutter member, the shutter member has a plurality of second reinforcing portions extending in the movement direction, the plurality of second reinforcing portions are arranged at intervals in the first direction, the stirring member has a plurality of slits and a plurality of film-like pieces partially separated by the plurality of slits, The plurality of film pieces have a plurality of first strip portions provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of second reinforcing portions, and second strip portions adjacent to the plurality of first strip portions. In the first direction, the width of each of the plurality of first strip portions is shorter than the width of the second strip portion. 3. The developer container according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The stirring member is a first portion located on the inside of the shutter member in the first direction; a second portion extending outward in the first direction of the shutter member; and A free length from the rotation axis to the tip of the second portion is longer than a free length from the rotation axis to the tip of the first portion. 4. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a developer container containing a developer. (Appendix 5) When the developer is discharged from the discharge port, the angle of the side surface of the pressing portion on the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the horizontal direction is 90 degrees or less. 5. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a developer container containing a developer. (Appendix 6) In the first strip portion corresponding to the second reinforcing portion, the distance from the slit closest to the second reinforcing portion to the side of the second reinforcing portion is within a range of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. 6. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, (Appendix 7) The distance from a first slit that divides the first strip portion to a second reinforcing portion is shorter than the distance from a second slit that divides the first strip portion and is farther from the discharge outlet than the first slit to the second reinforcing portion. 7. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein: (Appendix 8) An image forming unit comprising the developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) 8. An image forming apparatus comprising the developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1, 1K, 1Y, 1M, 1C image forming unit, 10 unit main body, 11 photosensitive drum (image carrier), 12 charging roller (charging member), 13 developing roller (developer carrier), 16 supply roller (developer supply member), 17 regulating blade, 20 developer container, 21 container, 22 shutter member, 24 stirring film (stirring member), 24a to 24m slit, 211 discharge port, 212 pressing portion, 221a opening, 222 first reinforcing rib (first reinforcing portion), 223, 2231 to 2235 second reinforcing rib (second reinforcing portion), 224 operation knob, 2411 first strip portion, 2412 second strip portion, 30, 30K, 30Y, 30M, 30C LED head (exposure head), 40, 40K, 40Y, 40M, 40C transfer roller (transfer member), 50 fixing unit, 60 paper feed tray, 100 image forming device, 101 housing (device main body), Q rotation direction, R movement direction, T developer.

Claims

1. a container that contains a developer and has an outlet through which the developer can be discharged; a shutter member provided inside the container so as to be movable between an open position that opens the discharge outlet and a closed position that closes the discharge outlet; a pressing portion provided in the container and configured to press the shutter member toward the discharge port; and the shutter member has a first reinforcing portion extending in a first direction intersecting a moving direction of the shutter member when opening and closing the discharge port, When the shutter member is in the open position, the first reinforcing portion and the pressing portion come into contact with each other. A developer container characterized by:

2. The width of the pressing portion is larger than the width of the first reinforcing portion, When the shutter member is in the open position, the pressing portion presses the surface of the first reinforcing portion toward the discharge port.

2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

3. The shutter member further includes a stirring member rotatably provided around a rotation axis inside the shutter member, the shutter member has a plurality of second reinforcing portions extending in the movement direction, the plurality of second reinforcing portions are arranged at intervals in the first direction, the stirring member has a plurality of slits and a plurality of film-like pieces partially separated by the plurality of slits, The plurality of film pieces have a plurality of first strip portions provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of second reinforcing portions, and second strip portions adjacent to the plurality of first strip portions. In the first direction, the width of each of the plurality of first strip portions is shorter than the width of the second strip portion.

2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

4. The stirring member is a first portion located on the inside of the shutter member in the first direction; a second portion extending outward in the first direction of the shutter member; and A free length from the rotation axis to the tip of the second portion is longer than a free length from the rotation axis to the tip of the first portion.

4. The developer container according to claim 3, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

5. When the developer is discharged from the discharge port, an angle of the side surface of the pressing portion on the upstream side in the movement direction with respect to the horizontal direction is 90 degrees or less.

4. The developer container according to claim 3, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

6. In the first strip portion corresponding to the second reinforcing portion, the distance from the slit closest to the second reinforcing portion to the side of the second reinforcing portion is within a range of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

4. The developer container according to claim 3, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

7. A distance from a first slit that divides the first strip portion to a second reinforcing portion is shorter than a distance from a second slit that divides the first strip portion and is farther from the discharge port than the first slit to the second reinforcing portion.

4. The developer container according to claim 3, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

8. An image forming unit comprising the developer container according to claim 1 .

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

Images