Toner cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To join a frame body forming a toner storage part and a ventilation member without a gap, and to reduce a residual toner amount.SOLUTION: A first frame body provided with a reception port for receiving air from the outside of the toner cartridge, a second frame body that forms a space inside together with the first frame body, and a sheet-shaped filter that partitions the space into an air chamber and a toner storage chamber that stores toner, the filter restricting passage of the toner and allowing passage of the air, the toner storage chamber communicates with a reception port via the filter, the filter has a first surface facing the air chamber, a second surface facing the toner storage chamber, and a third surface extending in a thickness direction of the filter and connecting the first surface and the second surface, and the filter is fixed to the first frame by bonding at least a part of the third surface to the first frame with an adhesive.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toner cartridge and a process cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and also to an image forming apparatus using these cartridges. [Background technology]

[0002] In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, a toner cartridge containing toner used in image formation and a process cartridge for performing an electrophotographic process are widely known as detachable cartridges. In such toner cartridges, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, the toner is conveyed using air pumped by both a pump that ejects air and a pump that sucks in toner T and air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4678735 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the toner cartridge disclosed in Patent Document 1, a ventilation member separates the toner storage compartment into an upper portion when the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus body and a lower portion when the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus body. Specifically, the ventilation member forms the bottom surface of the toner storage compartment when the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus body, and the ventilation member has an inclined surface. The air chamber is also provided with an air supply port for receiving air sent from the pump of the image forming apparatus. The air sent to the air supply port flows into the toner storage compartment through the ventilation member and fluidizes the toner in the toner storage compartment. The inclined surface of the ventilation member on the bottom surface of the toner storage compartment causes the fluidized toner to collect at the bottom of the toner storage compartment and be transported to the outside of the toner cartridge.

[0005] In a normal toner cartridge, two frames are generally joined together to form the toner storage section, but in a configuration that uses air to transport toner, a total of three parts are joined together: at least two containers and a ventilation member. Furthermore, in a configuration that uses air to push out and transport toner, if air leaks through the gaps between the frames, it becomes difficult to transport the toner, so it is important to join the three parts mentioned above without any gaps.

[0006] Furthermore, the adhesive portion between the ventilation member and the frame that forms the toner storage section is difficult for air to pass through, making it difficult for the toner to fluidize. Therefore, if an adhesive portion is provided by adhering part of one side of the ventilation member, the toner above the adhesive portion is difficult for air to pass through the adhesive portion, making it difficult for the toner to fluidize.

[0007] When the toner becomes difficult to fluidize, the toner that is difficult to flow is difficult to collect in the lower part of the toner storage section, and the toner above the adhesive part may remain as it is and become residual toner.

[0008] The present invention is intended to solve the problems related to so-called residual toner, and aims to join the frame body that forms the toner storage section and the ventilation member without any gaps in a toner cartridge that uses air to transport toner, and to reduce the amount of toner remaining in the toner cartridge (hereinafter referred to as the residual toner amount). [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the toner cartridge of the present invention comprises a first frame body having an air receiving port for receiving air from outside the toner cartridge, a second frame body that forms a space inside together with the first frame body, and a sheet-like filter that separates the space into an air chamber and a toner storage chamber that stores toner, and that restricts the passage of toner while allowing the passage of air, wherein the air chamber communicates with the air receiving port without passing through the filter, and the toner storage chamber communicates with the air receiving port through the filter, and the filter has a first surface facing the air chamber, a second surface facing the toner storage chamber, and a third surface extending in the thickness direction of the filter and connecting the first surface and the second surface, and is fixed to the first frame body by adhering at least a portion of the third surface to the first frame body with an adhesive. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, in a toner cartridge configured to transport toner using air, the frame that forms the toner storage section and the ventilation member can be joined without any gaps, and the amount of remaining toner can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge and a toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ventilation member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a ventilation member according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] In the following description, examples of image forming apparatuses include copiers, printers, multifunction peripherals, and commercial printing machines. An image is formed on a recording medium based on image information input from an external computer or image information read from an original. Sheet materials of various materials and shapes are used as recording media, including paper such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic film, coated paper, specially shaped sheets such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth.

[0014] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of an image forming apparatus IF according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a process cartridge B and a toner cartridge C. As shown in Fig. 1, the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C are mounted in a main body A of the image forming apparatus IF, and form an image on a sheet P, which is a recording medium. The main body A is the portion of the image forming apparatus IF excluding the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C.

[0015] (Overall configuration of image forming device) 1, the image forming apparatus IF of this embodiment is an electrophotographic laser beam printer that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive drum 1 using a laser beam L emitted from a laser scanner 3 as an exposure means, and transfers the developed image using toner T as a developer onto a sheet P. In addition to a process cartridge B and a toner cartridge C, the apparatus main body A has, in the direction in which the sheet P is transported from a sheet tray 4, a pickup roller 5a, a pair of transport rollers 5b, a transfer roller 7, a fixing device 9, a pair of discharge rollers 5c, and a discharge tray 10.

[0016] The process cartridge B has a photosensitive drum 1 as a photosensitive member, a developing roller 2 as a developer carrier, a charging roller 11 as a charging means, a toner chamber 12 that contains toner T to be supplied to the developing roller 2, etc. The toner cartridge C contains toner T to be replenished to the toner chamber 12 of the process cartridge B.

[0017] The charging roller 11 that performs charging, the developing roller 2 that performs developing, and the transfer roller 7 that performs transfer are all examples of process means that act on the photosensitive drum 1 in the electrophotographic process.

[0018] (Image formation process) When the image forming device IF receives a signal to start forming an image on a sheet P, the photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R in Figure 1. A charging roller 11 contacts the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and uniformly charges the drum surface. A laser scanner 3 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with a laser beam L based on image information, writing an electrostatic latent image on the drum surface.

[0019] Toner T contained in toner chamber 12 is sent toward sponge-like developer supply roller 6 by a stirring member 13. The toner T is then supplied to developing roller 2 by developer supply roller 6 and carried as a thin layer on the surface of developing roller 2 by developing blade 15. When toner T reaches the development area where developing roller 2 and photosensitive drum 1 face each other, it is transferred from developing roller 2 to the surface of photosensitive drum 1 in accordance with the potential distribution on the surface of photosensitive drum 1. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the drum surface is made visible as a toner image.

[0020] In parallel with this process, the sheet P is fed at a timing synchronized with the exposure operation by the laser scanner 3. A pickup roller 5a shown in FIG. 1 feeds the sheet P stacked on the sheet tray 4 from the sheet tray 4. A pair of transport rollers 5b receives the sheet P from the pickup roller 5a and transports the sheet P to a transfer section between the photosensitive drum 1 and a transfer roller 7. A bias voltage is then applied to the transfer roller 7, so that the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the sheet P.

[0021] The sheet P onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported along a transport guide 8 to a fixing device 9. The fixing device 9 applies heat and pressure to the toner image on the sheet P using a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b, fixing the image to the sheet P. The sheet P which has undergone the image fixing process is discharged by a pair of discharge rollers 5c onto a discharge tray 10 provided at the top of the apparatus main body A.

[0022] (Process cartridge) Next, the outline of the structure of the process cartridge B will be described with reference to FIG.

[0023] The process cartridge B of this embodiment is detachably mounted to the apparatus main body A. It is provided with a charging roller 11 and a cleaning blade 14 around the photosensitive drum 1. It also has, as developing means, a developing roller 2, a developing blade 15, a developer supply roller 6, a toner chamber 12 that contains toner T to be supplied to the developing roller 2, and an agitating member 13 that agitates the toner T. The process cartridge B is also provided with an inlet 24 for receiving toner T replenished from the toner cartridge C and an exhaust section 26 through which air from the toner chamber 12 passes, on the top surface of the toner chamber 12, and a filter 26a is provided on the top surface of the exhaust section 26 as a ventilation member.

[0024] (Explanation of each part of the toner cartridge) Each part will be described after describing the overall configuration of the toner cartridge C. The configuration of the toner cartridge C will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0025] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge C, where Figure 3(a) shows the state in which the sealing member 30 seals the discharge outlet 27b, and Figure 3(b) shows the state in which the sealing member 30 opens the discharge outlet 27b.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the toner cartridge C. Fig. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional perspective view of the toner cartridge C. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the ventilation member (filter) 18.

[0027] In the figures from Figure 3 onwards, the arrows X and Y or the arrows X, Y, and Z at the bottom of the figures indicate that the horizontal lateral direction when the toner cartridge C is attached to the device main body A is the X direction, the direction of gravity is the Y direction, and the horizontal depth direction is the Z direction.

[0028] First, we will explain the overall configuration of the toner cartridge C. As shown in Figure 3(a), the toner cartridge C contains toner T to be replenished to the process cartridge B, and is separated into a toner storage section 16 and an air chamber 17 by a sheet-like ventilation member 18. The toner storage section 16 is provided with a discharge path 27, and the air chamber 17 is provided with an air supply port 20.

[0029] 4, the toner cartridge C is made up of a first frame 31 and a second frame 32. The ventilation member 18 is disposed between the first frame 31 and the second frame 32 and fixed thereto.

[0030] Next, the assembly order of the ventilation member 18, the first frame 31, and the second frame 32 will be described with reference to Figure 5. The first frame 31 is provided with a support portion 31a. The support portion 31a is located inside the inner wall 31b of the first frame, and is provided around the entire circumference in the horizontal direction (X and Z directions). The ventilation member 18 is assembled to the first frame 31 from above downward in the direction of gravity (Y direction), and is supported by the abutment surface 31f of the support portion 31a. The portion of the ventilation member 18 supported by the support portion 31a is the outer edge of the ventilation member 18.

[0031] Next, the second frame 32 is assembled from above to below in the direction of gravity (Y direction) to the first frame 31 and the ventilation member 18. Details of the method of adhering the ventilation member 18, the first frame 31, and the second frame 32 according to the present invention will be described later.

[0032] Next, the ventilation member 18 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the ventilation member 18 is formed of an inclined portion 18b inclined toward the lowest portion 18a, and a bottom surface portion 18c and an adhesive surface 18d (hatched portion, third surface) connecting the inclined portion 18b and the bottom surface portion 18c.

[0033] Here, the ventilation member 18 is a porous member made of, for example, resin fibers, and has pores of a size and density that allow air to pass through but not toner T. Furthermore, the ventilation member 18 in this embodiment is made of a filter material that is molded by heat pressing or the like, and the ventilation member 18 is preferably formed to a thickness of 0.8 to 1.5 mm, and can also be formed into any desired shape.

[0034] Next, the air chamber 17 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the air chamber 17 is a space surrounded by the first frame 31 and the ventilation member 18, with the lower surface 18c of the ventilation member 18 serving as the ceiling, forming a single, connected space. The first frame 31 constituting the air chamber 17 is provided with an air supply port 20, which receives air. As shown in FIG. 1, when the toner cartridge C is installed in the apparatus main body A, the air supply port 20 is connected to a pump 35 provided in the apparatus main body A via an air supply pipe 21. The air chamber 17 is a space with the lower surface 18c of the ventilation member 18 serving as the ceiling, and the toner cartridge C is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus IF. Therefore, specifically, when the image forming apparatus IF is installed in the apparatus main body A, the air chamber 17 is a space with the lower surface 18c of the ventilation member 18 serving as the ceiling in the direction of gravity.

[0035] Next, the discharge path (pipe) 27 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, the discharge path 27 is a cylindrical path with an internally communicating space that connects the toner storage unit 16 with the outside of the toner cartridge C, with one end being an inlet (suction port) 27a provided in the toner storage unit 16 (inside the toner storage chamber) through which toner flows in (toner is sucked in), and the other end being a discharge port 27b that leads to the outside of the toner cartridge C. The discharge path 27 may be formed from an appropriate hollow member such as a flexible tube made of rubber, silicone, or the like, or a resin or metal pipe.

[0036] The inlet 27a faces downward and is opposed to the ventilation member 18, and the ventilation member 18 is formed so as to face downward as it approaches the inlet 27a. In addition, in the direction of gravity, the inlet 27a is positioned closer to the center of the ventilation member 18 than to the outer edge.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3(a), a sealing member 30 is provided at the discharge port 27b. When the toner cartridge C is in a standalone state, the sealing member 30 seals the discharge port 27b to prevent the toner T in the toner storage section 16 from leaking to the outside. When the toner cartridge C is mounted in the apparatus main body A, the sealing member 30 moves to a position that opens the discharge port 27b, as shown in FIG. 3(b). Furthermore, when the toner cartridge C is mounted in the apparatus main body A, the discharge port 27b and the receiving port 24 of the process cartridge B communicate with each other, as shown in FIG. 2, enabling the toner T in the toner cartridge C to be replenished to the process cartridge B.

[0038] The toner storage unit 16 will now be described. As shown in Figure 3(a), the toner storage unit 16 is a space surrounded by the second frame 32 and the sloped portion 18b of the ventilation member 18 as the bottom surface, and stores toner T.

[0039] 4, inside the toner storage unit 16, the second frame 32 has an inlet support portion 32a that supports the vicinity of the inlet 27a of the discharge path 27. The second frame 32 also has an outlet support portion 32b that supports the outlet 27b of the discharge path 27.

[0040] Although this embodiment has described the configuration of a toner cartridge, the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to an all-in-one cartridge in which a toner cartridge C and a process cartridge B are integrated, or to the toner chamber of a cartridge in which a toner cartridge C and a developing means are integrated.

[0041] (Toner discharge mechanism) Next, the mechanism by which the toner T is discharged from the toner cartridge C and replenished to the process cartridge B will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the toner T is transported from the toner storage section 16 to the outside of the toner cartridge C by only the pushing force generated by the air discharged by the pump 35 provided in the apparatus main body A and flowing in from the air supply port 20, and the toner T is replenished into the process cartridge B.

[0043] The pump 35 may be a reciprocating pump, a diaphragm pump, a rotary pump, or the like. The pump 35 is connected to the air supply port 20 of the air chamber 17 via an air supply pipe 21. Air discharged by the pump 35 is sent to the air chamber 17 through the air supply port 20 of the toner cartridge C, as shown in FIG. 3. The air then flows into every corner of the air chamber 17, which is a single space, and into the ventilation member 18 that forms the ceiling surface. The air then passes through the ventilation member 18 and flows into the toner storage section 16. The air that has flowed into the toner storage section 16 fluidizes the toner T in the toner storage section 16.

[0044] 2, the air mixed with the toner T passes through the inlet 27a, the discharge path 27, and is discharged from the outlet 27b. The discharged air and toner T are supplied to the process cartridge B through the receiving port 24. At this time, not only the toner T but also the air flows into the toner chamber 12 of the process cartridge B, causing the internal pressure of the toner chamber 12 to rise momentarily. However, as described above, the air can be released by the exhaust portion 26 provided on the top surface of the toner chamber 12, so that the internal pressure of the toner chamber 12 can be prevented from rising.

[0045] Although the pump 35 in this embodiment is provided in the main assembly A of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, it may be provided in the process cartridge B or the toner cartridge C.

[0046] (Connection structure between ventilation member and frame) The joining structure of the ventilation member 18, the first frame 31, and the second frame 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 7, and 8. FIG.

[0047] Figure 7(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the ventilation member 18 is supported by the first frame 31, and Figures 7(b) and 7(c) are detailed views of the joint configuration. Here, the explanation will be given using the YZ cross section, but the joint configuration has a similar shape in the XZ cross section. First, the process from assembling the ventilation member 18 to the first frame 31 to applying the adhesive member 37 will be explained using Figure 7.

[0048] 7(a), the first frame body 31 is provided with support portions 31a that protrude in the Y direction. When the ventilation member 18 is assembled to the first frame body 31, the ventilation member 18 is supported in the direction of gravity (Y direction) by the support portions 31a.

[0049] As a result, as shown in FIG. 7(b), an adhesive member holding portion 36 (hatched area with dashed lines, which may also be referred to as an adhesive holding portion) is formed around the entire periphery in the horizontal direction (X-Z direction) by the adhesive surface 18d on the side of the ventilation member 18, the outer wall 311 of the support portion 31a, and the inner wall 31b of the first frame 31. The outer wall 311 of the support portion 31a and the adhesive surface 18d of the ventilation member 18 are configured to be substantially flush with each other in the horizontal direction (X-Z direction). The support portion 31a has the outer wall 311 fixed by the adhesive member 37 on the side opposite the center of the ventilation member 18 with respect to the abutment surface 31f that abuts against the ventilation member 18. In this way, the first frame 31 has a groove shape that opens upward in the direction of gravity, and the adhesive member holding portion 36 is configured to be surrounded by the first frame 31 and the ventilation member 18.

[0050] 7(c), an adhesive applicator (not shown) injects and applies adhesive 37 to the adhesive holder 36. As a result, the first frame 31 and the ventilation member 18 are joined via the adhesive 37. In this case, hot melt, which is a thermoplastic adhesive, is applied as the adhesive 37.

[0051] Next, a method for joining the second frame body 32 and the first frame body 31 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 8. Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the ventilation member 18, the first frame body 31, and the second frame body 32 are joined, and Figure 8(b) is a detailed view of the joining configuration.

[0052] First, adhesive material 37 is applied to the first frame body 31 to which the ventilation member 18 is attached, and then the second frame body 32 is attached to the first frame body 31 from above toward below in the direction of gravity (Y direction) as described above.

[0053] 5, the second frame 32 has a protrusion 32c formed around the entire periphery in the horizontal direction (X and Z directions), and the protrusion 32c is provided at a position corresponding to the adhesive member holding portion 36. The protrusion 32c refers to a portion of the second frame 32 that protrudes relative to the first frame 31 as a result of being adhered to the first frame 31, as will be described later.

[0054] 8(b), the convex portion 32c of the second frame body 32 is inserted into the adhesive member 37 applied to the adhesive member holding portion 36. Thereafter, the hot melt adhesive member 37 is thermally hardened, and the second frame body 32 is adhered and fixed to the first frame body 31 and the ventilation member 18 via the adhesive member 37 (the convex portion 32c may also be called a fixing portion).

[0055] Furthermore, by inserting the protrusion 32c of the second frame 32, the adhesive member 37 moves upward in the direction of gravity (Y direction) by the volume of the protrusion 32c. When the adhesive member holding portion 36 is stably filled with the adhesive member 37, the ventilation member 18 and the first frame 31 can be stably joined. Note that the portion above the adhesive surface 18d in the direction of gravity (Y direction) is also configured to be part of the toner storage chamber 16.

[0056] When the image forming apparatus IF is attached to the apparatus main body A, the direction in which the first frame 31 and the second frame 32 are aligned is the direction of gravity (first direction). That is, the direction in which the convex portion 32c of the second frame 32 is provided is the horizontal direction, and within the horizontal direction, the X direction in the drawing is the second direction, and the Z direction is the third direction.

[0057] (Effect of adhesive structure) Next, the effects of the joining configuration in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11. Figures 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views of a modified example with a different configuration from that in Figure 8, showing the state in which the ventilation member 18, the first frame body 31, and the second frame body 32 are joined together.

[0058] In order to obtain the effect of reducing the amount of remaining toner in the toner cartridge C, it is desirable that the ventilation member 18, the first frame 31, and the adhesive member 37 are configured to be in the state shown in Figure 8(b) . That is, in this state, the supported portion 18e of the ventilation member 18 is in contact with the supporting portion 31a of the first frame 31, and only the adhesive surface 18d is in contact with the adhesive member 37.

[0059] 9, if the adhesive material 37 is applied not only to the adhesive surface 18d but also to part of the inclined portion 18b, the following phenomenon occurs: Air is supplied to the air chamber 17 and passes through the ventilation member 18, but the air is prevented from passing through the inclined portion 18b where the adhesive material 37 is applied because of the adhesive material 37 covering the surface. Therefore, the toner T on the inclined portion 18b where the adhesive material 37 is applied is not easily fluidized, and as a result, the amount of remaining toner increases.

[0060] Therefore, in order to obtain the effect of reducing the amount of remaining toner, the adhesive surface 18d of the ventilation member 18 is in contact with the adhesive member 37. As a result, there is no part above the inclined portion 18b that blocks the air passing through the ventilation member 18, so the toner T in the toner storage chamber 16 can be more reliably fluidized. As a result, the phenomenon in which air is not easily able to pass through can be prevented by covering the surface of the inclined portion 18b with the adhesive member 37. In other words, the three components of the first frame 31, the second frame 32, and the ventilation member 18 can be joined without any gaps, and the amount of remaining toner can be reduced.

[0061] Here, it can be said that the ventilation member 18 is fixed to the first frame 31 by an adhesive (adhesive member 37) at a first portion (adhesive surface 18d) between the surface (first surface) on the air chamber 17 side and the surface (second surface) on the toner storage chamber 16 side. Here, air passes through the ventilation member 18 from the surface (first surface) on the air chamber 17 side toward the surface (second surface) on the toner storage chamber 16 side.

[0062] Here, the adhesive surface 18d is configured to surround the first surface and the second surface when viewed from the first direction in which the first frame body 31 and the second frame body 32 are aligned.

[0063] The upper surface of the support portion 31a abuts against the supported portion 18e of the ventilation member 18, but does so without any adhesive. This allows air to pass between the upper surface of the support portion 31a and the supported portion 18e of the ventilation member 18. This fluidizes the toner T on the inclined portion 18b above the abutting portion, making it difficult for residual toner to remain above the abutting portion. Furthermore, because the support portion 31a supports the ventilation member 18 when the ventilation member 18 is attached and assembled, there is also the effect of not requiring a holding means to maintain the adhesive position.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the support portion 31a and the adhesive surface 18d are configured to be flush with each other, but as shown in Fig. 10, the adhesive surface 18d of the ventilation member 18 may be made to protrude from the outer wall 311 of the support portion 31a toward the adhesive member holding portion 36, thereby increasing the adhesive surface. The portion of the ventilation member 18 that comes into contact with the adhesive member 37 increases by the amount that the ventilation member 18 protrudes toward the adhesive member holding portion 36, and therefore the bonding strength to the ventilation member 18 can also be increased.

[0065] 11, in order to increase the adhesive area of ​​the ventilation member 18 to the adhesive member 37 on the cross section, a part of the adhesive surface 18d may be chamfered to form a sloped surface (fourth surface). This configuration also increases the area in contact with the adhesive member 37, thereby increasing the bonding strength to the ventilation member 18. The sloped portion here is an inclined surface (second adhesive surface) that intersects, but is not perpendicular to, both the surface on the air chamber 17 side (first surface) and the surface on the toner storage chamber 16 side (second surface).

[0066] Furthermore, the adhesive member 37 is not limited to hot melt, and an adhesive member such as a silicon bond may also be used. The ventilation member 18 is also not limited to being formed by hot pressing, and may be made of a material formed by nonwoven fabric or sintering, etc.

[0067] Note that, as long as only the adhesive surface 18d of the ventilation member 18 is in contact with the adhesive member 37, a configuration without a support part may be used, as shown in Fig. 15. During assembly, the ventilation member 18 is temporarily supported in a predetermined position with a jig or tool, and the adhesive member 37 is applied while maintaining that predetermined position, and the adhesive member 37 is then cured. By using such an assembly method, a configuration can be achieved in which only the adhesive surface 18d of the ventilation member 18 is in contact with the adhesive member 37, even without a support part.

[0068] Second Embodiment The configuration of this embodiment is a modified example of the second frame 32 of the first embodiment. The configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0069] 12(a) is a cross-sectional view of the second frame 132 when joined, and (b) is a detailed view of the joined configuration. Here, the explanation will be given using the YZ cross section, but the XZ cross section also has a similar shape.

[0070] The method of assembling the first frame 31, the second frame 132 and the ventilation member 18 is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 12(a), the second frame 132 is provided with a restricting portion 132a that restricts the flow of the adhesive member 37. The restricting portion 132a is positioned horizontally (in the X and Z directions) outside the inner wall 312 on the side where the inlet 27a is located, and the space above the restricting portion 132a in the direction of gravity (the Y direction) is configured as the toner storage portion 16. As shown in FIG. 12(b), the restricting portion 132a has a sloped shape, and is configured so that the distance from the ventilation member in the direction of gravity (the Y direction) decreases as the restricting portion 132a approaches the inlet 27a. As a result, even if the protrusion 132b of the second frame 132 is inserted into the adhesive member 37 and the adhesive surface of the adhesive member 37 becomes higher, the restricting portion 132a makes it difficult for the adhesive member 37 to flow into the toner storage portion 16. This is because the flow of the adhesive member 37 before hardening is restricted.

[0072] Furthermore, the angle of the slope of the restricting portion 132a is larger than the angle of repose of the toner. As a result, the slope allows the toner T in the area above the adhesive member 37, where the air that has passed through the ventilation member 18 is not sent, to be collected toward the inlet 27a. In other words, the toner T in the area above the adhesive member 37 can be collected above the ventilation member 18, through which air can pass. By collecting the toner T above the ventilation member 18, the toner T is fluidized by the air that passes through the ventilation member 18 and flows into the toner storage portion 16, and the sloped portion 18b allows the toner T to be collected toward the inlet 27a. As a result, the amount of remaining toner can be further reduced.

[0073] <Third embodiment> Next, the configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. The configuration of this embodiment is a modified example of the shape of the adhesive surface 18d of the first embodiment.

[0074] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ventilation member 118 in this embodiment. Fig. 14(a) is a cross-sectional view of the second frame 32 when joined, and (b) is a detailed view of the joined configuration. Here, the explanation will be given using the YZ cross section, but the joined configuration has a similar shape in the XZ cross section.

[0075] Similar to Example 1, ventilation member 118 has inclined portion 118b inclined toward bottom portion 118a and bottom surface portion 118c, and a part of the surface connecting inclined portion 118b and bottom surface portion 118c of ventilation member is adhesive surface 118d. Adhesive surface 118d has a shape that protrudes downward in the direction of gravity (Y direction), and adhesive surface 118d is provided over the entire periphery in the horizontal directions (X and Z directions).

[0076] Next, the joining structure of the first frame body 31, the second frame body 32, and the ventilation member 118 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Note that the method of assembling the first frame body 31, the second frame body 32, and the ventilation member 118 is the same as in Example 1, and therefore will not be described here.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 14, the end of the ventilation member 118 is bent in the horizontal direction (X and Z directions), forming an adhesive surface 118d facing in a direction intersecting the first and second surfaces. The adhesive surface 118d of the ventilation member 118 is disposed to protrude from the outer wall 311 of the support portion 31a, and can be said to protrude downward in the direction of gravity (Y direction) beyond the supported portion 118e. This increases the length of the portion that contributes to adhesion in the direction of gravity (Y direction). In other words, the adhesive distance, which is the length of the portion that contributes to adhesion, can be increased without reducing the area through which air can flow from the ventilation member 118 into the toner storage chamber 16, making it easier to ensure the bonding strength of the ventilation member 118.

[0078] 16, the ventilation member 118 may be configured to protrude upward in the direction of gravity (direction Y) beyond the supported portion 118e, as opposed to the configuration shown in FIG. 14. In this case, too, the adhesion distance, which is the length of the portion that contributes to adhesion, can be increased without reducing the area that allows air to flow from the ventilation member 118 into the toner storage chamber 16, making it easier to ensure the bonding strength of the ventilation member 118.

[0079] The ventilation member 118 of the third embodiment may be combined with the configuration of the second embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] A. Device body B Process cartridge C Toner cartridge L laser beam P-sheet R Rotation direction T Toner 1 Photosensitive drum 2 Developing roller 3 Toner cartridge 4 sheet trays 5. Laura vs. 6 Developer supply roller 7 Transfer roller 8 Transport guide 9 Fixing device 10 Output tray 11 Charging roller 12 Toner chamber 13 Stirring member 14 Cleaning blade 15 Developing blade 16 Toner storage compartment 17 Air Chamber 18 Ventilation material 18a Bottom 18b Slope 18c Bottom part 18d Adhesive surface 18e Supported part 20 Air supply port 21 Air supply pipe 24 Reception 26 Exhaust section 26a filter 27 Excretion Route 27a Inlet 27b Outlet 30 Sealing member 31 First frame 31a Support part 311 Exterior wall 312 Interior wall 31b Inner wall 32 Second frame 32a Inlet support part 32b Outlet support 32c convex part 32d Regulatory Department 34 Sealing material 35 Pump 36 Adhesive material holding portion 37 Adhesive material 118 Ventilation material 118a bottom 118b Slope 118c Bottom part 118d Adhesive surface 118e Supported part 132 Second Frame 132a Regulatory Department 132b Convex part

Claims

1. A toner cartridge, a first frame provided with an intake port for receiving air from the outside of the toner cartridge; a second frame body that forms an internal space together with the first frame body; a sheet-like filter that separates the space into an air chamber and a toner storage chamber that stores toner, the filter restricting the passage of toner but allowing air to pass through; Equipped with the air chamber communicates with the receiving port without passing through the filter; the toner storage chamber communicates with the receiving port via the filter; the filter has a first surface facing the air chamber, a second surface facing the toner storage chamber, and a third surface extending in the thickness direction of the filter and connecting the first surface and the second surface, and at least a part of the third surface is adhered to the first frame body with an adhesive, thereby being fixed to the first frame body. A toner cartridge characterized by:

2. The image forming apparatus is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus, When the toner cartridge is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the toner storage chamber is configured to be above the air chamber.

2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is a toner cartridge having a toner cartridge.

3. an outlet for discharging the toner together with air from the toner storage chamber to the outside of the toner cartridge; a pipe provided in the toner storage chamber, the pipe having a suction port communicating with the discharge port and configured to suck in the toner in the toner storage chamber; Equipped with When the direction in which the first frame and the second frame are aligned is defined as a first direction, the direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, and the direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, the first direction is the direction of gravity, and when the toner storage chamber is positioned above the air chamber, the suction port is provided facing downward and opposite the filter, and when viewed in the second direction, the filter is formed so as to face downward in the third direction as it approaches the suction port.

2. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the toner cartridge is a toner cartridge having a toner cartridge.

4. the first frame has a support portion that protrudes toward the filter and supports the filter from below at an outer edge of the filter when viewed in the second direction when the toner cartridge is in a posture attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the support portion having an abutment surface that abuts against a surface of the filter on the side of the first surface, the support portion has an outer wall to which the filter is fixed via the adhesive, the outer wall being located on the opposite side of the center of the filter with respect to the contact surface in the third direction.

4. The toner cartridge according to claim 3.

5. the first frame has an adhesive holding portion having a groove shape that opens upward when the toner cartridge is in the posture, the adhesive holding portion being constituted by the first frame and the filter; 5. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the outer wall and the third surface form a part of the adhesive retaining portion.

6. the second frame has a fixing portion that extends downward when the toner cartridge is in the posture, and that is inserted into the adhesive holding portion and fixed by the adhesive; 6. The toner cartridge according to claim 5.

7. the first frame has a support portion that protrudes toward the filter and supports the filter from below at an outer edge of the filter when viewed in the second direction when the toner cartridge is in a posture attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the support portion having an abutment surface that abuts against a surface of the filter on the side of the first surface, the second frame has a fixing portion that extends downward when the second frame takes the posture, and that is fixed to the first frame with the adhesive; The third surface is provided between the support portion and the fixed portion in the third direction.

4. The toner cartridge according to claim 3.

8. the third surface extends upward toward the outer edge of the filter when the toner cartridge is in the above-described position; 3. The toner cartridge according to claim 2.

9. When viewed in the second direction, the second frame is formed to extend downward in the third direction toward the suction port, and further includes a restricting portion configured to restrict the flow of the adhesive before hardening.

7. The toner cartridge according to claim 6.

10. A toner cartridge, a first frame provided with an intake port for receiving air from the outside of the toner cartridge; a second frame body that forms an internal space together with the first frame body; a sheet-like filter that separates the space into an air chamber and a toner storage chamber that stores toner, the filter restricting the passage of toner but allowing air to pass through; Equipped with the air chamber communicates with the receiving port without passing through the filter; the toner storage chamber communicates with the receiving port via the filter; the filter has a first surface facing the air chamber, a second surface facing the toner storage chamber, and a third surface formed by bending an end of the first surface or the second surface in a direction intersecting the first surface and the second surface, and at least a part of the third surface is adhered to the first frame body with an adhesive, thereby being fixed to the first frame body. A toner cartridge characterized by:

11. The image forming apparatus is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus, When the toner cartridge is in a position where it is attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus, The third surface is provided to protrude downward.

11. The toner cartridge according to claim 10.

12. In the first direction, the inlet is closer to the center of the filter than to the outer edge of the filter.

4. The toner cartridge according to claim 3.

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