Developer container

Abstract

To provide a configuration that facilitates supplying developer to a developing chamber.SOLUTION: A developer container includes: a developing roller; a rotatable developer supply roller; a developing chamber in which the developing roller and the supply roller are provided; and a developer accommodating chamber that accommodates developer and communicates with the developing chamber through an opening, the developer accommodating chamber being provided therein with an agitating member rotatable in the same direction as the supply roller. The rotation axis of the agitating member is positioned higher than the rotation axis of the supply roller, the accommodating chamber is provided with a seal member for sealing the opening, the seal member is adhered to both the upstream side and the downstream side of the opening in a rotational direction of the agitating member, and the seal member is peeled in order from the upstream side toward the downstream side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer container. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses using an electrophotographic image forming process have adopted a cartridge system in which cartridges such as developing cartridges and process cartridges are detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus main body. The developing device included in such a cartridge has a developing chamber having a developing roller and a developer supply roller, and a developer storage chamber that stores developer, and is provided with an opening for connecting the developing chamber and the developer storage chamber.

[0003] In such a cartridge, the opening is sealed with a seal member to hermetically seal the developer storage chamber of the developing device until the cartridge is first used. When the user starts using the cartridge, the seal member is peeled off from the opening, allowing developer to be transported from the developer storage chamber to the developing chamber.

[0004] Several configurations have been proposed for peeling off the seal member from the opening. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which the seal member sealing the opening is peeled off and opened by a rotating member provided in the developer storage chamber. After opening, the seal member rotates integrally with the rotating member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-091326 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a developing device, it is preferable to make it easier to supply developer to the developing chamber, and there is a demand for further development of the conventional configuration.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration that makes it easy to supply developer to a developing chamber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention employs the following configuration: a developing roller that supplies a developer to the photosensitive drum; a rotatable supply roller for supplying the developer to the developing roller; a developing chamber in which the developing roller and the supply roller are provided; a developer storage chamber that stores the developer and communicates with the developing chamber through an opening; a stirring member provided inside the developer storage chamber, rotatable in the same direction as the supply roller, and configured to stir the developer; A developing container comprising: a height of the rotation shaft of the stirring member in the direction of gravity is equal to or greater than a height of the rotation shaft of the supply roller; The storage chamber may be provided with a seal member that seals the opening from the storage chamber side, In a state where the sealing member seals the opening, the sealing member has an upstream adhesive portion on the upstream side of the opening in the rotation direction of the agitating member and a downstream adhesive portion on the downstream side of the opening. The adhesive is bonded at the When the sealing member is opened, the upstream adhesive portion is opened first, followed by the downstream adhesive portion. The developing container is characterized by the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a configuration that makes it easy to supply developer to the developing chamber. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a development unit; [Figure 2] Schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of a process cartridge [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus [Figure 7] Exploded perspective view of the drum unit [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] Assembly perspective view of the process cartridge [Figure 10] A perspective view of a process cartridge [Figure 11A] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure for opening the sealing member. [Figure 11B] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the remaining structure of the seal member when it is opened. [Figure 11C] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the remaining structure of the seal member when it is opened. [Figure 12A] A partial cross-sectional view illustrating the behavior of the developer around the developer supply roller. [Figure 12B] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the behavior of the developer around the developer supply roller; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration for supplying developer to a gap in a developing chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the following embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to these.

[0012] [Example] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, an image forming apparatus to which four process cartridges can be detachably attached is exemplified. However, the number of process cartridges attached to the image forming apparatus is not limited to this. It can be set appropriately as needed.

[0013] In the embodiment described below, a laser beam printer is exemplified as one aspect of the image forming apparatus.

[0014] <General configuration of image forming apparatus> The overall configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as image forming apparatus 1) according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge 100.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 1 is a four-color full-color laser beam printer using an electrophotographic process, and forms a color image on a recording medium 3. The image forming apparatus 1 is of a process cartridge type, and a process cartridge 100 is removably mounted in the image forming apparatus main body 2. In this way, a color image is formed on the recording medium 3 .

[0016] Here, with respect to the image forming apparatus 1, the side where the front door 10 is provided is referred to as the front (front face), and the side opposite the front is referred to as the back (rear face). When viewing the image forming apparatus 1 from the front, the right side is referred to as the drive side, the left side is referred to as the non-drive side, the upper side is referred to as the top face, and the lower side is referred to as the bottom face. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 viewed from the non-drive side, with the front side of the page being the non-drive side of the image forming apparatus 1, the right side of the page being the front of the image forming apparatus 1, and the back side of the page being the drive side of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0017] The drive side of the process cartridge 100 is the side where the drum coupling member (photosensitive member coupling member) described later is arranged when viewed in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 101, and is the side where the development coupling member described later is arranged when viewed in the axial direction of the development roller (developing member) 103.

[0018] In the image forming apparatus main body 2, first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100K) are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0019] The first to fourth process cartridges 100 (100Y, 100M, 100C, 100 K) have the same electrophotographic process mechanism, but the color and amount of developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) are different. Therefore, in the following, there is no need to distinguish between them. If not, the subscripts Y to K will be omitted and a general explanation will be given.

[0020] The first to fourth process cartridges 100 are connected to the drive output section (details The rotational driving force is transmitted from the contacts (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 2 to the vias. A bias voltage (charging bias, developing bias, electrostatic residual detection bias, etc.) is supplied.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridge 100 of this embodiment has a drum unit 120 and a developing unit 150. The drum unit 120 has a photosensitive drum 101 and a charging roller 102. The charging roller 102 is a charging means acting as a process means that acts on the photosensitive drum 101. Here, the drum unit 120 may have not only a charging means but also a cleaning means as a process means. The developing unit 150 has a developing means that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 101. The drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 are connected to each other. A more specific configuration of the process cartridge 100 will be described later.

[0022] The first process cartridge 100Y accommodates yellow (Y) toner in the developing frame and forms a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The second process cartridge 100M accommodates magenta (M) toner in the developing frame and forms a magenta toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The third process cartridge 100C accommodates cyan (C) toner in the developing frame and forms a cyan toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101. The fourth process cartridge 100K accommodates black (K) toner in the developing frame and forms a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0023] A laser scanner unit 11 serving as an exposure means is provided above the first to fourth process cartridges 100. This laser scanner unit 11 outputs a laser beam 12 (FIG. 3) corresponding to image information. The laser beam 12 passes through an exposure window 128 of the process cartridge 100 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 101.

[0024] An intermediate transfer unit 5 serving as a transfer member is provided below the first to fourth process cartridges 100. The intermediate transfer unit 5 includes a drive roller 5e, a tension roller 5f, and a b, and a flexible transfer belt 5a (intermediate transfer belt) is stretched over it.

[0025] The lower surface of the photosensitive drum 101 of each of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 contacts the upper surface of the transfer belt 5a. This contact area is the primary transfer portion. A primary transfer roller 5d is provided on the inner side of the transfer belt 5a, facing the photosensitive drum 101.

[0026] A secondary transfer roller 6 is brought into contact with the drive roller 5e via the transfer belt 5a. The contact area between the transfer belt 5a and the secondary transfer roller 6 is the secondary transfer portion.

[0027] A feeding unit 4 is provided below the intermediate transfer unit 5. The feeding unit 4 has a paper feed tray 4a that accommodates a stack of recording media 3, and a paper feed roller 4b.

[0028] 2, a fixing device 7 and a paper discharge device 8 are provided in the upper right corner of the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the top surface of the image forming apparatus main body 2 is a paper discharge tray 9. The toner image on the recording medium 3 is fixed by a fixing means provided in the fixing device 7, and the recording medium 3 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 9.

[0029] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 250. The control unit 250 is configured with an information processing device and a processing circuit that include computational resources such as a processor and memory. In the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1, each component of the image forming apparatus 1 operates based on image information provided from an external device or image information read by a scanner, and forms an image on the recording medium 3. The image forming operation is performed by the control unit 250 controlling each component of the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with a program loaded in memory and user instructions.

[0030] <Image formation operation> The operation for forming a full-color image is as follows: Each step of this image forming operation is executed by the control unit 250 communicating with each component and controlling them.

[0031] The photosensitive drums 101 of the first to fourth process cartridges 100 are rotated at a predetermined speed (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3). The transfer belt 5a is also rotated in the forward direction (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2) relative to the rotation of the photosensitive drums 101 at a speed corresponding to the speed of the photosensitive drums 101.

[0032] The laser scanner unit 11 is driven based on image information to scan and expose the surface of each photosensitive drum 101 with a laser beam 12 in accordance with an image signal for each color. In synchronization with the driving of the laser scanner unit 11, the charging roller 102 in each process cartridge 100 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 101 to a predetermined polarity and potential. As a result, an electrostatic latent image in accordance with the image signal for the corresponding color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 101.

[0033] The developing roller 103 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in the forward direction (the direction of arrow C in FIG. 3) relative to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101. The developer supply roller 104 supplies developer to the developing roller 103 by rotating in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 3. As a result, the developer is supplied from the developing roller 103 to the photosensitive drum 101, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed.

[0034] By the electrophotographic image forming process operation as described above, a yellow toner image corresponding to the yellow component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the first process cartridge 100Y. Then, the toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 5a.

[0035] Similarly, a magenta toner image corresponding to the magenta component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the second process cartridge 100M. Then, this toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 5a, superimposed on the yellow toner image already transferred onto the transfer belt 5a.

[0036] Similarly, a cyan toner image corresponding to the cyan component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the third process cartridge 100C. Then, this toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 5a, superimposed on the yellow and magenta toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 5a.

[0037] Similarly, a black toner image corresponding to the black component of the full-color image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 of the fourth process cartridge 100K. Then, this toner image is primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 5a, superimposed on the yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images already transferred onto the transfer belt 5a.

[0038] In this way, an unfixed full-color toner image of four colors, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, is formed on the transfer belt 5a.

[0039] Meanwhile, at a predetermined control timing, the paper feed roller 4b separates and feeds the recording media 3 in the paper feed tray 4a one by one. The recording media 3 are introduced into the secondary transfer section, which is the contact point between the secondary transfer roller 6 and the transfer belt 5a, at a predetermined control timing. As a result, the four-color superimposed toner image on the transfer belt 5a is sequentially transferred onto the surface of the recording media 3 all at once as the recording media 3 is transported to the secondary transfer section.

[0040] The configuration of the image forming apparatus main body 2 will be described in more detail below.

[0041] <Process cartridge installation / removal configuration overview> The cartridge tray (hereinafter referred to as tray 20) that supports the process cartridge 100 will be described in further detail with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the front door 10 open and the tray 20 positioned inside the image forming apparatus main body 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the front door 10 open and the tray 20 positioned outside the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the process cartridge 100 housed inside the tray 20. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the front door 10 open and the tray 20 positioned outside the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the process cartridge 100 (100Y) removed from the tray 20.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tray 20 is movable relative to the image forming apparatus main body 2 in the direction of arrow X1 (pushing direction) and the direction of arrow X2 (pulling direction). The directions of arrows X1 and X2 may be substantially horizontal or may be inclined relative to the horizontal. That is, the tray 20 is configured to be able to be pulled out and pushed into the image forming apparatus main body 2, and is configured to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction when the image forming apparatus main body 2 is installed on a horizontal surface. Here, the state in which the tray 20 is located inside the image forming apparatus main body 2 with the front door 10 open (the state in FIG. 4) is referred to as the inner position. The state in which the tray 20 is located outside the image forming apparatus main body 2 (the state in FIG. 5) is referred to as the outer position. In these inner and outer positions, the photosensitive drum 101 and the transfer belt 5a are spaced apart.

[0043] 6, the tray 20 has a mounting portion 20a to which the first process cartridge 100Y can be removably mounted when the tray 20 is in the outer position. Similarly, the tray 20 also has mounting portions 20a to which the second to fourth process cartridges 100M, 100C, and 100K can be removably mounted. The process cartridge 100, when placed in the mounting portion 20a, moves toward the inside of the image forming apparatus main body 2 as the tray 20 moves. In this embodiment, when the front door 10 is closed, the intermediate transfer unit 5 rises in the direction of arrow Z1 by a link mechanism (not shown) to a position for image formation (photosensitive drum When the front door 10 is opened, the intermediate transfer unit 5 moves down in the direction of arrow Z2, and the photosensitive drum 101 and the transfer belt 5a are separated from each other.

[0044] As described above, the tray 20 allows multiple process cartridges 100 to be moved together to a position inside the image forming apparatus main body 2 where image formation is possible, and can be pulled out together to the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 2.

[0045] <Overall structure of the process cartridge> The structure of the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the drum unit 120. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the development unit 150. Fig. 9 is an assembled perspective view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side, which is one end side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 101. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the process cartridge 100 as seen from the drive side.

[0047] The process cartridge 100 includes a photosensitive drum 101 and process means that act on the photosensitive drum 101. The process means includes a charging roller 102 as charging means that charges the photosensitive drum 101, a developing roller 103 as developing means that develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 101, and the like. As described above, the process cartridge 100 is divided into a drum unit 120 and a developing unit 150.

[0048] In the following description, the longitudinal direction Y of the drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 is a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis a of the photosensitive drum 101 (FIG. 9).

[0049] <Drum unit configuration> 7 and 9, the drum unit 120 is composed of a photosensitive drum 101, a charging roller 102, and a drum frame 121. The charging roller 102 is rotatably supported by a driving-side charging roller bearing 126a and a non-driving-side charging roller bearing 127a, and is urged toward the photosensitive drum 101 (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3) by pressure springs 126b and 127b. The photosensitive drum 101 is rotatably supported by a driving-side cartridge cover member 122 and a non-driving-side cartridge cover member 123 provided at both ends of the process cartridge 100 in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, a coupling member 125 for transmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum 101 is provided at one longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum 101. The coupling member 125 engages with a main body-side drum drive coupling 30 (FIG. 5) serving as a drum drive output unit of the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the driving force of a drive motor 252 of the image forming apparatus main body 2 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 101, causing it to rotate in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3. The photosensitive drum 101 also has a drum flange 124 at the other longitudinal end. A drive-side charge roller bearing 126a and a non-drive-side charge roller bearing 127a that support the charge roller 102 are supported by the drum frame 121 so that the charge roller 102 can contact the photosensitive drum 101 and rotate following it (in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3).

[0051] <Configuration of the development unit> As shown in Figures 3 and 8, the developing unit 150 is made up of a developing roller 103, a developer supply roller 104, a developing blade 156, a developing frame, etc. The developing frame is made up of a first developing frame 151 and a second developing frame 152. The first developing frame 151 and the second developing frame 152 are joined by ultrasonic welding or the like. The developing frame has a toner storage chamber 162 that stores toner to be supplied to the developing roller 103. The developing frame also has a drive side bearing 153, The developing roller 103 and the developer supply roller 104 are rotatably supported via a non-drive side bearing 154, and a developing blade 156 that regulates the thickness of the toner layer on the circumferential surface of the developing roller 103 is held.

[0052] The developing blade 156 is made by attaching an elastic member 156b, which is a sheet metal with a thickness of about 0.1 mm, to a supporting member 156a, which is a metal material with an L-shaped cross section, by welding, etc. The developing blade 156 is attached to the developing frame body at two points, one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction, with fixing screws 156c.

[0053] A development drive input gear 159 for transmitting a driving force to the development unit 150 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the development unit 150. The development drive input gear 159 is provided with a development input coupling portion 159a that receives driving force from a main body side development drive coupling 40 (FIG. 4) of the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the driving force of a drive motor (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 2 is input to the development unit 150.

[0054] The driving force input to the developing unit 150 is transmitted to the developing roller gear 157, which rotates the developing roller 103 in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 3, and is transmitted to the developer supply roller gear 158, which rotates the developer supply roller 104 in the direction of arrow D in Fig. 3. In addition, the driving force is transmitted to the stirring gear 160, which rotates the stirring member 161 in the direction of arrow H in Fig. 3, which stirs the toner in the toner storage chamber 162.

[0055] The agitating member 161 has a rotating shaft 161a parallel to the rotational axis of the developing roller 103 and a flexible agitating sheet 161b. The agitating sheet 161b can also be called a transport member because it agitates the developer while transporting it. One end of the agitating sheet 161b is attached to the rotating shaft 161a. The other end of the agitating sheet 161b is a free end, and as the rotating shaft 161a rotates, the agitating sheet 161b also rotates, causing the agitating sheet 161b to agitate the toner. Here, the "other end" refers to a portion that includes at least an upstream adhesive portion 169 and a downstream adhesive portion 170, which will be described later. The agitating member 161 can also be called a transport member because it transports the toner to the developing chamber 166 while agitating it.

[0056] At one end of the developing unit 150 in the longitudinal direction, a developing device cover member 155 that supports and covers a developing device drive input gear 159 is provided.

[0057] <Assembling the drum unit and developing unit> 9, the assembly of the drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 will be described. The drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 are connected by a drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and a non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123, which are provided at both longitudinal ends of the process cartridge 100. The drive-side cartridge cover member 122, which is provided at one longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100, is provided with a developing unit support hole 122b for supporting the developing unit 150 so that it can swing (move). Similarly, the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123, which is provided at the other longitudinal end of the process cartridge 100, is provided with a developing unit support hole 123b for supporting the developing unit 150 so that it can swing.

[0058] Furthermore, the drive side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-drive side cartridge cover member 123 are provided with drum support holes 122a and 123a, respectively, for rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum 101. Here, at one end, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 155a of the developing cover member 155 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 122b of the drive side cartridge cover member 122. At the other end, the outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion 155a of the developing cover member 155 is fitted into the developing unit support hole 123b of the non-drive side cartridge cover member 123. The outer diameter portion of the cylindrical portion (not shown) of the non-drive side bearing 154 is fitted into the shaft.

[0059] Furthermore, both longitudinal ends of the photosensitive drum 101 are fitted into the drum support holes 122a of the drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and the drum support holes 123a of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123. Then, the drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123 are fixed to the drum unit 120 with screws, adhesive, or the like (not shown). As a result, the developing unit 150 is rotatably supported by the drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123 with respect to the drum unit 120 (photosensitive drum 101), and the developing roller 103 can be positioned to act on the photosensitive drum 101 during image formation.

[0060] The drum unit 120 and the developing unit 150 are assembled through the above steps and integrally formed as the process cartridge 100, as shown in Figure 10. When no image is being formed, the photosensitive drum 101 of the drum unit 120 and the developing roller 103 of the developing unit 150 can be spaced apart by bringing spacing members 129 and 130 into contact with contacting portions provided on the developing unit 150.

[0061] The axis connecting the center of the developing unit support hole 122b of the drive-side cartridge cover member 122 and the center of the developing unit support hole 123b of the non-drive-side cartridge cover member 123 is referred to as the swing axis b. Here, the cylindrical portion 155a of the developing unit cover member 155 on one end side is coaxial with the developing input coupling portion 159a. In other words, the developing unit 150 is configured to receive driving force from the image forming apparatus main body 2 at this swing axis b. The developing unit 150 is also supported rotatably about the swing axis b.

[0062] <Sealing member opening configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, the developing unit 150 is divided into a developing chamber 166 having a developing roller 103 and a developer supply roller 104, and a toner storage chamber 162 that stores toner, and has an opening 168 that connects the developing chamber 166 and the toner storage chamber 162.

[0063] From the time the cartridge is produced until the user starts using the cartridge, opening 168 is sealed with sealing member 161c to keep the developer sealed in toner-accommodating chamber 162. Seal member 161c is adhered to partition wall 167 at upstream adhesive portion 169 provided on the upstream side in the rotation direction of agitator 161 and at downstream adhesive portion 170 provided on the downstream side in the rotation direction. Sealing member 161c is fixed to opening 168 using a heat sealing method such as thermal welding, but other fixing methods such as ultrasonic welding or double-sided tape may also be used.

[0064] When a user starts using the cartridge, the agitating member 161 inside the toner storage chamber 162 rotates in the direction H, causing the sealing member 161c to peel off from the opening 168. Thereafter, the agitating sheet 161b transports the developer toward the developing chamber 166. At that time, the agitating sheet 161b rubs against the inner wall of the toner storage chamber 162 and the developer, and transports the developer while elastically deforming.

[0065] In this proposal, the agitating member 161 and the developer supply roller 104 are designed so that their rotation directions (H, B) are the same. Also, in the direction of gravity G, the rotation axis of the agitating member 161 is positioned at a height equal to or higher than that of the rotation axis of the developer supply roller 104. This configuration makes it possible to supply sufficient developer to the gap 166a in the developing chamber 166, which will be explained later. As a result, it is possible to provide a cartridge with improved image quality, a shorter initial installation sequence time, and improved usability. One of the reasons why the initial installation sequence is necessary is that after peeling off and opening the seal member, it is necessary to coat the developing roller 103 with a sufficient amount of developer in order to obtain a good image. Therefore, in the developing chamber 166, Improving the developer supply to 66 is effective in shortening the initial installation sequence time.

[0066] The structure for unsealing the seal member will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 11A to 11C. Until the user begins using the cartridge, as shown in Figures 1 and 11A, the seal member 161c seals the opening 168, preventing developer from being supplied to the developing chamber 166. When an image is produced for the first time after shipment, the stirring member 161 rotates according to an initial installation sequence for peeling off the seal member 161c. When the stirring member 161 rotates in the H direction, the upstream adhesive portion 169 is first peeled off (Figure 11B).

[0067] Because the developer can move in the direction of arrow F immediately after the upstream adhesive portion 169 is peeled off, the toner supply to the developing chamber 166 is improved compared to a configuration in which the downstream adhesive portion 170 is peeled off first, and the time required for the initial installation sequence can be reduced. Furthermore, by supplying toner to the developing chamber 166 immediately after peeling, this configuration can suppress an increase in torque due to toner aggregation in the toner storage chamber 162. When the agitating member 161 further rotates, the downstream adhesive portion 170 is peeled off as shown in FIG. 11C, and the opening 168 is completely opened.

[0068] 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating the problem solved by this embodiment. A general phenomenon related to the developer supply roller 104 will be described with reference to FIG. 12A. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the developer supply roller 104 in a state in which the developer supply roller 104 is filled with developer 170a in the developing chamber 166 area. The developer supply roller 104 has an elastic urethane sleeve that holds the developer inside. Within the developing chamber 166, the developing roller 103 and the developer supply roller 104 are in contact with each other longitudinally, and are arranged in such a manner that the elastic portion of the developer supply roller 104 is partially compressed by the developing roller 103, which has a high hardness.

[0069] 12A shows the compressed region 171 of the developer supply roller. At this time, the elastic portion shifts from the normal state to the compressed state on the upstream side of the compressed region 171 of the developer supply roller in the rotation direction B of the developer supply roller 104, so that the developer inside the elastic portion is released in the direction of arrow D. On the other hand, on the downstream side of the compressed region 171 of the developer supply roller, the elastic portion returns from the compressed state to the normal state, so that the developer is absorbed in the direction of arrow E.

[0070] The state inside the developing chamber 166 due to the above phenomenon and the associated problems will be described with reference to FIG. 12B. In the rotation direction B of the developer supply roller 104, the developer is reduced by the absorption (arrow E) on the downstream side of the developer supply roller compressed region 171. The resulting distribution is like developer 170b, resulting in voids 166a. The volume of these voids 166a cannot be estimated, as it varies depending on the amount of developer consumed according to the image being formed and the state of the supply roller 104. If voids 166a are present, the sponge portion of the developer supply roller 104 cannot hold a sufficient amount of developer, and this can result in poor image quality due to insufficient developer supply, particularly in a cartridge with a low amount of remaining toner.

[0071] The solution to the problem by this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13. In order to enhance the effect of supplying the developer to the gap 166a, the gap 166a must be present downstream of the opening 168 in the transport direction H. 13. In this proposal, the rotation direction of the stirring member 161 is the H direction, so that the developer is sufficiently supplied to the gap 166a. The system is configured to be able to supply the agent.

[0072] As explained above, according to the proposed configuration, since the developer can be sufficiently supplied to the gap generated near the developer supply roller 104, it is possible to supply a sufficient amount of developer to the developing roller 103 throughout the life of the cartridge, thereby improving image quality. Also, since the developer can be supplied to the developing chamber 166 immediately after the seal member is peeled off, it is possible to shorten the time for the initial installation sequence that occurs when starting to use the cartridge, improving usability. To rise.

[0073] In this proposed configuration, adhesive portions are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the opening 168 in the rotation direction of the agitating member 161, and the adhesive portions of the toner seal are arranged so that the seal is peeled off in the order of upstream adhesive portion 169 and downstream adhesive portion 170. At this time, the rotation direction of the developer supply roller 104 is the same as the rotation direction of the agitating member 161. Also, in the direction of gravity, the rotation shaft of the agitating member 161 is arranged at a position equal to or higher than the height of the rotation shaft of the developer supply roller 104. This improves the developer supply to the developer supply roller 104, shortens the initial installation sequence time, and enables improved image quality when there is little remaining toner.

[0074] The proposed configuration can be applied to a developing container that contains a developer, a developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum using the developer, and an image forming apparatus that includes such a developing device.The proposed configuration can also be applied to a developing cartridge or process cartridge that includes such a developing container and is detachable from the main body of an image forming apparatus.

[0075] [Configuration 1] a developing roller that supplies a developer to the photosensitive drum; a rotatable supply roller for supplying the developer to the developing roller; a developing chamber in which the developing roller and the supply roller are provided; a developer storage chamber that stores the developer and communicates with the developing chamber through an opening; a stirring member provided inside the developer storage chamber, rotatable in the same direction as the supply roller, and configured to stir the developer; A developing container comprising: a height of the rotation shaft of the stirring member in the direction of gravity is equal to or greater than a height of the rotation shaft of the supply roller; The storage chamber may be provided with a seal member that seals the opening from the storage chamber side, When the sealing member seals the opening, the sealing member is bonded at an upstream-side bonding portion located upstream of the opening in a rotation direction of the stirring member and a downstream-side bonding portion located downstream of the opening, The seal member is peeled off in the order of the upstream adhesive portion and the downstream adhesive portion, thereby connecting the developer storage chamber and the developing chamber. A developing container characterized by: [Configuration 2] One end of the sealing member is attached to the rotation shaft of the stirring member, the other end of the sealing member is adhered to the upstream adhesive portion and the downstream adhesive portion when the sealing member seals the opening, In the seal member, the upstream adhesive portion is located closer to the one end than the downstream adhesive portion, The sealing member is peeled off in the order of the upstream adhesive portion and the downstream adhesive portion as the stirring member rotates. 2. The developing container according to claim 1, [Configuration 3] a developing roller that supplies a developer to the photosensitive drum; a rotatable supply roller for supplying the developer to the developing roller; a developing chamber in which the developing roller and the supply roller are provided; a developer storage chamber that stores the developer and communicates with the developing chamber through an opening; a stirring member provided inside the developer storage chamber, rotatable in the same direction as the supply roller, and configured to stir the developer; A developing container comprising: a height of the rotation shaft of the stirring member in the direction of gravity is equal to or greater than a height of the rotation shaft of the supply roller; The storage chamber may be provided with a seal member that seals the opening from the storage chamber side, When the sealing member seals the opening, the sealing member is bonded at an upstream-side bonding portion located upstream of the opening in a rotation direction of the stirring member and a downstream-side bonding portion located downstream of the opening, The sealing member has regions arranged in this order from one end side to the other end side, including a portion attached to the rotating shaft of the stirring member, a portion bonded to the upstream adhesive portion, and a portion bonded to the downstream adhesive portion. A developing container characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 103: developing roller, 104: developer supply roller, 161: stirring member, 161b: stirring sheet, 161c: sealing member, 162: toner storage section, 166: developing chamber, 167: partition wall, 168: opening, 169: upstream side adhesive section, 170: downstream side adhesive section

Claims

1. a developing roller that supplies a developer to the photosensitive drum; a rotatable supply roller for supplying the developer to the developing roller; a developing chamber in which the developing roller and the supply roller are provided; a developer storage chamber that stores the developer and communicates with the developing chamber through an opening; a stirring member provided inside the developer storage chamber, rotatable in the same direction as the supply roller, and configured to stir the developer; A developing container comprising: a height of the rotation shaft of the stirring member in the direction of gravity is equal to or greater than a height of the rotation shaft of the supply roller; The storage chamber may be provided with a seal member that seals the opening from the storage chamber side, When the sealing member seals the opening, the sealing member is bonded at an upstream-side bonding portion located upstream of the opening in a rotation direction of the stirring member and a downstream-side bonding portion located downstream of the opening, The seal member is peeled off in the order of the upstream adhesive portion and the downstream adhesive portion, thereby allowing the developer storage chamber and the developing chamber to communicate with each other. A developing container characterized by:

2. One end of the sealing member is attached to the rotation shaft of the stirring member, the other end of the sealing member is adhered to the upstream adhesive portion and the downstream adhesive portion when the sealing member seals the opening, In the seal member, the upstream adhesive portion is located closer to the one end than the downstream adhesive portion, The sealing member is peeled off in the order of the upstream adhesive portion and the downstream adhesive portion as the stirring member rotates.

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

3. a developing roller that supplies a developer to the photosensitive drum; a rotatable supply roller for supplying the developer to the developing roller; a developing chamber in which the developing roller and the supply roller are provided; a developer storage chamber that stores the developer and communicates with the developing chamber through an opening; a stirring member provided inside the developer storage chamber, rotatable in the same direction as the supply roller, and configured to stir the developer; A developing container comprising: a height of the rotation shaft of the stirring member in the direction of gravity is equal to or greater than a height of the rotation shaft of the supply roller; The storage chamber may be provided with a seal member that seals the opening from the storage chamber side, When the sealing member seals the opening, the sealing member is bonded at an upstream-side bonding portion located upstream of the opening in a rotation direction of the stirring member and a downstream-side bonding portion located downstream of the opening, The sealing member has regions arranged in this order from one end side to the other end side, including a portion attached to the rotating shaft of the stirring member, a portion bonded to the upstream adhesive portion, and a portion bonded to the downstream adhesive portion. A developing container characterized by:

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