Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a configuration that supplies air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge. [Solution] The toner cartridge C comprises a frame, a ventilation member 18, a pump 35, a flexible member 320, a connecting member 310, and a sealing portion 220. The sealing portion 220 of the connecting member 310 has an operating portion 221 on its inner circumference that is configured to contact the outer circumference surface of the connecting member 220, and a support portion 223 on its outer circumference that supports the operating portion 221. When the frame and the flexible member 320 are not connected, the position of the operating portion 221 of the sealing portion 220 is considered the first position. When the frame and the flexible member 320 are connected, the position of the operating portion 221 changes to a second position (operating portion 222) due to the elastic deformation of the sealing portion 220. When the airflow side is considered the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member 310, the second position is located downstream of the support portion 223.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a configuration in which a toner cartridge containing toner used for image formation or a process cartridge for performing an electrophotographic process is detachable from the apparatus main body is widely known. In such a toner cartridge, for example, as in Patent Document 1, there is a configuration in which air flows into the toner storage portion and the toner is discharged and conveyed by the pressure of the air.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional toner cartridge, the toner is fluidized and conveyed by the air flowing into the toner storage portion. For this reason, a configuration for supplying air from the air supply means to the toner cartridge is required.

[0005] The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes the following configuration.

[0007] (1) A frame that forms a space inside, a ventilation member fixed to the frame that divides the space into a toner storage chamber and an air chamber having an inlet for receiving air, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air, a pump that discharges air to be supplied to the air chamber, a tube that transports air from the pump to the inlet of the frame, and a connecting member having a passage for toner to be passed between the frame and the tube, the connecting member comprising a cylindrical connecting member that connects the frame and the tube, and an annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer surface of the connecting member and the frame, The toner cartridge is characterized in that the sealing portion of the connecting member has a contact portion configured on its inner circumference to be in contact with the outer circumference surface of the connecting member, and a support portion on its outer circumference to support the contact portion, and when the position of the contact portion of the sealing portion is considered to be a first position when the frame and the tube are not connected, when the frame and the tube are connected, the position of the contact portion changes to a second position due to elastic deformation of the sealing portion, and when the side from which air flows is considered to be the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, the second position is located downstream of the support portion.

[0008] (2) A toner cartridge comprising: a frame that forms a space inside; a ventilation member fixed to the frame that divides the space into a toner storage chamber and an air chamber having an inlet for receiving air, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air; a pump that discharges air to be supplied to the air chamber; a tube that transports air from the pump to the inlet of the frame; and a connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the pump, the connecting member comprising: a cylindrical connecting member that connects the frame and the tube; and an annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member and the frame, wherein, in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, when the side from which air flows is considered the upstream side, the connecting member has a first portion with the same outer diameter and a second portion whose outer diameter decreases from the first portion toward the upstream side.

[0009] (3) An image forming apparatus equipped with a removable toner cartridge, the toner cartridge comprising: a frame that forms a space inside; a ventilation member fixed to the frame that divides the space into a toner storage chamber and an air chamber having an air inlet, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air; a pump that discharges air to supply to the air chamber; a tube that transports air from the pump to the air inlet of the frame; and a connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the tube, the connecting member comprising: a cylindrical connecting member connecting the frame and the tube; and an annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member and the frame, wherein the sealing portion comprises: a contact portion configured to be in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member on its inner circumference; and an outer circumference An image forming apparatus having a support portion on one side that supports the contact portion, wherein when the frame and the tube are not connected, the position of the contact portion of the seal portion is taken as a first position, when the frame and the tube are connected, the position of the contact portion changes to a second position due to the elastic deformation of the seal portion, and when the side from which air flows is taken as the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, the second position is located downstream of the support portion, and the connecting member has a first portion with the same outer diameter and a second portion whose outer diameter decreases downstream from the first portion when the side from which air flows is taken as the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, and the toner cartridge is connected to the receiving port and supplied with air by the pump.

[0010] (4) An image forming apparatus equipped with a removable toner cartridge, the toner cartridge comprising: a frame that forms a space inside; a ventilation member fixed to the frame that divides the space into a toner storage chamber and an air chamber having an air inlet, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air; a pump that discharges air to be supplied to the air chamber; a tube that transports air from the pump to the air inlet of the frame; and a connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the pump, the connecting member comprising: a cylindrical connecting member connecting the frame and the tube; and an annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer surface of the connecting member and the frame, wherein, in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, when the side from which air flows is the upstream side, the outer An image forming apparatus having a first portion having the same diameter and a second portion whose outer diameter decreases toward the upstream side from the first portion, wherein the seal portion has a contact portion configured on its inner circumference to be in contact with the outer circumference surface of the connecting member and a support portion on its outer circumference to support the contact portion, and when the position of the contact portion of the seal portion is taken as a first position when the frame and the tube are not connected, when the frame and the tube are connected, the position of the contact portion changes to a second position due to the elastic deformation of the seal portion, and when the side from which air flows is taken as the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, the second position is located upstream of the support portion, and the toner cartridge is connected to the receiving port of the connecting member and air is supplied by the pump. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus in Example 1 [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of the process cartridge and toner cartridge of Example 1. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view explaining the connection structure between the air inlet and the connecting part in Example 1 [Figure 4] Schematic diagram showing the toner supply state to the process cartridge in Example 1 [Figure 5] Detailed cross-sectional view and perspective view of the toner cartridge in Example 1 [Figure 6] Detailed cross-sectional view and perspective view of the toner cartridge in Example 2 [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view explaining the connection structure between the air inlet and the connecting part in Example 2 [Figure 8] Detailed cross-sectional view and perspective view of the toner cartridge in Example 3 [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view explaining the connection structure between the air inlet and the connecting part in Example 3 [Figure 10] Detailed cross-sectional view and perspective view of the toner cartridge in Example 4 [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view explaining the connection structure between the air inlet and the connecting part in Example 4 [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view and perspective view of a modified example of the seal part in Example 5 [Figure 13] Cross-sectional view of a modified example of the toner cartridge in Example 6 [Figure 14] Cross-sectional view of a modified example of the mounting method of the toner cartridge in Example 7 [Figure 15] Cross-sectional view of a modified example of the toner cartridge in Example 8 [Figure 16] Cross-sectional view and perspective view of a modified example of the guide part in Example 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Examples of the image forming apparatus in the following description include a copying machine, a printer, a multifunction machine, a commercial printing apparatus, and the like. The image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium based on image information input from an external computer or image information read from a document. As the recording medium, sheets of various materials and shapes such as paper including plain paper and thick paper, plastic film, coated paper, sheets of special shapes such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth are used.

Example

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a cross-sectional configuration of an image forming apparatus IF according to Example 1, FIG. 2(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a process cartridge B, and FIG. 2(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge C. As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C are mounted on the apparatus main body A of the image forming apparatus IF to form an image on a sheet P as a recording medium. The apparatus main body A is a part excluding the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C from the image forming apparatus IF.

[0015] <Configuration of the entire image forming apparatus> As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus IF according to Example 1 is a laser beam printer of an electrophotographic system that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive drum 1 using laser light emitted from a laser scanner 3 as exposure means. The image forming apparatus IF transfers an image (developer image, toner image) developed using toner T as a developer to the sheet P. In addition to the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C, the apparatus main body A has a pickup roller 5a, a pair of conveyance rollers 5b, a transfer roller 7, a fixing device 9, a pair of discharge rollers 5c, and a discharge tray 10 along the direction in which the sheet P is conveyed from the sheet tray 4 (hereinafter referred to as the conveyance direction).

[0016] Process cartridge B includes a photosensitive drum 1, a developing roller 2 as a developer carrier, a charging roller 11 as a charging means, a toner chamber 12 for containing toner T supplied to the developing roller 2, etc. Toner cartridge C contains toner T to be supplied to the toner chamber 12 of process cartridge B. The charging roller 11 that performs the charging process, the developing roller 2 that performs the developing process, and the transfer roller 7 that performs the transfer process are all examples of process means that act on the photosensitive drum 1 as a photoreceptor in the electrophotographic process.

[0017] <Image Formation Process> When the image forming apparatus IF receives a signal to begin image formation on the sheet P, the photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R. The charging roller 11 contacts the outer surface of the photosensitive drum 1, uniformly and evenly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 (on the photosensitive drum). The laser scanner 3 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with laser light L based on the image information, writing an electrostatic latent image to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

[0018] The toner T contained in the toner chamber 12 is fed towards the developing roller 2 by the agitator 13 and is carried on the surface of the developing roller 2. When the toner T reaches the developing region where the developing roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 face each other, it is transferred from the developing roller 2 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 according to the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is made visible as a toner image.

[0019] In parallel with this process, the sheet P is fed at a timing synchronized with the exposure operation of the laser scanner 3. The pickup roller 5a shown in Figure 1 feeds the sheet P loaded on the sheet tray 4 out of the sheet tray 4. The transport roller pair 5b receives the sheet P from the pickup roller 5a and transports the sheet P to the transfer section between the photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer roller 7. Then, when a transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 7, the toner image supported on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the sheet P.

[0020] The sheet P onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported along the transport guide 8 to the fixing device 9. The fixing device 9 applies heat and pressure to the toner image on the sheet P using the heating roller 9a and the pressure roller 9b, fixing the toner image to the sheet P. After the image fixing process, the sheet P is discharged by the discharge roller pair 5c into the discharge tray 10 located at the top of the device body A.

[0021] <Process Cartridge Configuration> Next, the configuration overview of process cartridge B will be explained using Figure 2(a). A process cartridge comprises an image carrier and process means that act on the image carrier. Here, the process means include, for example, a charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, a developing device for forming an image on the image carrier, and a cleaning means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier.

[0022] The process cartridge B of Example 1 is configured to be detachably attached to the main body A of the apparatus. It is equipped with a charging roller 11 as a charging means and a cleaning blade 14 as a cleaning means around the photosensitive drum 1 which serves as the image carrier. The developing apparatus also includes a developing roller 2, a developing blade 15, and a toner chamber 12 that houses the toner supplied to the developing roller 2. The process cartridge B is also provided with a receiving port 24 for receiving toner supplied from the toner cartridge C and an exhaust port 26 on the upper surface of the toner chamber 12 for passing air through the chamber, and a filter 36 is provided on the upper surface of the exhaust port 26 as a ventilation port.

[0023] <Toner cartridge configuration> Next, the configuration overview of the toner cartridge C will be explained using Figure 2(b). Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge C to which the present invention can be applied. The lower right of Figure 2(b) also shows an enlarged view of the main part of the discharge port 19 (within the dashed circle), which will be described later. The arrows in Figure 2(b) indicate the up and down direction, and will be referred to as the z direction below. The toner cartridge C contains toner T for supplying the process cartridge B. The toner cartridge C of Example 1 includes a toner storage section 16, an air chamber 17, a ventilation member 18, a discharge port 19, and an air inlet 20. The ventilation member 18 is located below the toner storage section 16 in the vertical direction, and the air inlet 20 is located outside the air chamber 17.

[0024] The toner storage section 16 stores toner. The air chamber 17 is separated from the toner storage section 16 by a ventilation member 18. The ventilation member 18 allows air to pass through but not toner. The ventilation member 18 is fixed to the frame of the toner cartridge C, which forms a space inside. The ventilation member 18 partitions the space between the toner storage section 16, which serves as a storage chamber for toner, and the air chamber 17, which has an inlet for receiving air. It is a member that restricts the passage of toner while allowing the passage of air. In the z direction, the ventilation member 18 has an inclined section 23 with the outlet 19 as its lowest point, and the inclined section 23 forms the bottom surface of the toner storage section 16. The air inlet 20 is provided in the air chamber 17 and is an inlet for receiving air supplied from the air supply section 300, which will be described later. The outlet 19 is connected to a transport path 25 through which toner T is transported to the toner chamber 12 of the process cartridge B.

[0025] In the configuration of Embodiment 1, the opening 22 (indicated by the double arrow) that serves as the inlet for the discharge port 19 is formed as a through-hole in the ventilation member 18. The discharge port 19 is configured as a cylindrical shape formed by the side portion 27 of the ventilation member 18. The ventilation member 18 is a porous material made of, for example, resin fibers, with pores of a size and density that allow air to pass through but not toner. Alternatively, the ventilation member 18 can be made of a filter material formed by, for example, a heat press.

[0026] <Air supply unit configuration> Next, the configuration outline of the air supply unit 300 as an air supply means will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connecting structure of the air inlet 20 and the connecting part 301 to which the present invention can be applied. The air supply unit 300 has a connecting member 310 and supplies air to the air chamber 17. The connecting member 310 is a member having a passage that allows toner to flow between the frame of the toner cartridge C and the tube, which will be described later, and is a cylindrical member that connects the frame of the toner cartridge C and the tube.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3(a), the air supply unit 300 includes a pump 35 and a connecting unit 301 for supplying air to the air chamber 17 of the toner cartridge C. Details of the connecting unit 301 will be described later. The pump 35 is a reciprocating pump with a bellows shape and is reciprocally driven by a motor, gears, and cam (not shown). The pump 35 discharges air to be supplied to the air chamber 17. In Embodiment 1, the air supply unit 300 is provided on the main body A of the device, but it may also be provided on the process cartridge B. In addition, the pump 35 may be a diaphragm pump or a rotary pump instead of a reciprocating pump.

[0028] <Toner ejection mechanism> Next, the mechanism by which toner T is discharged from toner cartridge C will be explained using Figures 1 and 2(b). When toner cartridge C is installed in the main body A of the device, the connecting part 301 of the air supply unit 300 and the air inlet 20 of toner cartridge C are connected, as shown in Figure 1. Details of the connection structure between the connecting part 301 and the air inlet 20 will be described later. The air discharged by the pump 35 of the air supply unit 300 flows from the air chamber 17 of toner cartridge C through the ventilation member 18 into the toner storage unit 16, as shown in Figure 2(b). The air that flows into the toner storage unit 16 fluidizes the toner T inside the toner storage unit 16 and is discharged together with the toner T from the discharge port 19.

[0029] <Toner transport to process cartridges> Next, the transport of toner T discharged from toner cartridge C to process cartridge B will be explained using Figure 4. The toner chamber 12 of process cartridge B has a receiving port 24 that receives toner T from toner cartridge C. The discharge port 19 and the receiving port 24 are connected by a transport path 25. The transport path 25 in Embodiment 1 is configured as part of process cartridge B and has a horizontal transport path 25a connected to the receiving port 24 and a vertical transport path 25b connected to the discharge port 19. The horizontal transport path 25a is perpendicular to the z direction, and the vertical transport path 25b is parallel to the z direction. The discharge port 19 and the vertical transport path 25b are connected and disconnected when toner cartridge C is attached or detached by a connecting structure (not shown).

[0030] The toner T discharged from the toner cartridge C by the action of air flows into the toner chamber 12 of the process cartridge B via the transport path 25 along with the air. The air that flows into the toner chamber 12 then passes through the exhaust section 26 located on the upper surface of the toner chamber 12, through a filter 36 that does not allow toner to pass through, and is exhausted outside the process cartridge B.

[0031] The cross-sectional area of ​​the filter 36 provided in process cartridge B is positioned to be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet 19 of toner cartridge C. This reduces the airflow velocity of the air entering from process cartridge B along with the toner T when it passes through the filter 36 compared to when it passes through the outlet 19. As a result, when the air is discharged to the outside through the filter 36, the amount of toner T that is stirred up inside process cartridge B by the air discharged to the outside is reduced.

[0032] This prevents toner T from adhering to the filter 36 and suppresses a decrease in the air permeability of the filter 36. Therefore, the air flowing into the toner chamber 12 can be reliably exhausted, and interference with the transport of toner from the toner cartridge C to the process cartridge B can be suppressed.

[0033] <Detailed configuration of the air inlet 20 of toner cartridge C> Using Figure 5, we will explain the configuration of the air inlet 20 of the toner cartridge C, which is a characteristic configuration of Example 1. Figure 5(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the air inlet 20 of the toner cartridge C to which the present invention can be applied, Figure 5(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the air inlet 20, and Figure 5(c) is a perspective view of the air inlet 20.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the air inlet 20 provided in the air chamber 17 is composed of a guide portion 210 and a sealing portion 220, and as shown in Figure 5(c), the guide portion 210 is roughly shaped like a mortar. That is, the guide portion 210 is frustoconical (funnel-shaped), with the top surface of the frustoconical closer to the air chamber 17 and the bottom surface of the frustoconical further away from the air chamber 17. The guide portion 210 guides the connecting member 310 to the sealing portion 220. The inner diameter of the guide portion 210 increases towards the connecting member 310.

[0035] The sealing portion 220 is an annular portion that seals the gap between the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 310 and the frame of the toner cartridge C. The sealing portion 220 elastically deforms and contacts the connecting portion 301 of the air supply unit 300, which will be described later, and has an operating portion 221 as the smallest diameter of the sealing portion 220 and a support portion 223 that supports the elastic deformation of the sealing portion 220. The operating portion 221 as a contact portion is configured to be able to contact the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 310 on the inner circumferential side of the sealing portion 220, and the support portion 223 supports the operating portion 221 on the outer circumferential side. The sealing portion 220 is an annular shape, and the operating portion 221 of the sealing portion 220 is configured to be approximately circular (Figure 5(c)). The operating portion 221 is the smallest diameter (inner diameter) portion of the annule. The operating portion 221 is a contact portion that contacts the connecting member 310 when the connecting member 310 is connected to the air inlet 20. The support portion 223 supports the working portion 221 when the working portion 221, which is in contact with the connecting member 310, undergoes elastic deformation. The sealing portion 220 may also be constructed using a general-purpose rubber material, elastomer, silicone, or other elastic material, or a known oil seal.

[0036] <Detailed configuration of the connecting section 301 of the air supply section 300> Using Figure 3, the configuration of the connecting portion 301 of the air supply unit 300, which is a characteristic configuration of Embodiment 1, will be explained. As shown in Figure 3(a), the air supply unit 300 is provided with a connecting portion 301. The connecting portion 301 consists of a flexible member 320 and a connecting member 310 connected to the flexible member 320. The flexible member 320 is a tube that transports air from the pump 35 to the receiving port of the toner cartridge C frame. The flexible member 320 is connected to the connecting member 310, and more specifically, one end is connected to the pump 35 and the other end is connected to the connecting member 310. The flexible member 320 is made of a flexible tube. Note that the flexible member 320 may be made of a known tube such as a silicone tube or a urethane tube.

[0037] The connecting member 310 has a path through which air passes, and is composed of a portion 311 (hereinafter referred to as the same-diameter portion 311) with the same outer diameter, and a portion 312 (hereinafter referred to as the inclined portion 312) whose outer diameter decreases toward the downstream side in the direction of airflow X. In this case, the working portion 221 of the sealing portion 220 has a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the same-diameter portion 311 of the connecting member 310 (outer diameter of the same-diameter portion 311 > diameter (inner diameter) of the working portion 221). The same-diameter portion 311 is a first portion with the same outer diameter in the direction of airflow X supplied from the air supply unit 300. The inclined portion 312 is a second portion whose outer diameter decreases toward the downstream side in the direction of airflow X from the same-diameter portion 311.

[0038] <Connection mechanism and effect of air inlet 20 and connecting part 301> Next, the connection operation between the air inlet 20 and the connecting part 301 will be explained using Figures 1 and 3. As shown in Figure 1, when the toner cartridge C is inserted horizontally to the main body A in the direction of arrow S (direction X), the air inlet 20 of the toner cartridge C approaches the connecting part 301 of the air supply unit 300, as shown in Figure 3(a).

[0039] In this case, as shown in Figure 3(b), if the center 20c of the air path of the air inlet 20 and the center 310c of the air path of the connecting member 310 are misaligned, for example, in the vertical direction (z direction), the following occurs. That is, the inclined portion 312 provided on the connecting member 310 of the connecting portion 301 comes into contact with the guide portion 210 provided on the air inlet 20 of the toner cartridge C. Furthermore, as the toner cartridge C is moved in the direction of arrow S, since the connecting portion 301 is connected to the flexible member 320, the flexible member 320 bends and the connecting portion 301 is drawn into the air inlet 20.

[0040] Then, as shown in Figure 3(b), the working portion 221 of the sealing portion 220 of the air inlet 20 elastically deforms with the support portion 223 as the fulcrum. Hereafter, the elastically deformed working portion 221 will be referred to as the working portion 222. Here, the position of the working portion 221 when the connecting member 310 is not connected is referred to as the first position. When the connecting member 310 is connected to the air inlet 20, the working portion 221 in the first position elastically deforms and moves to become the working portion 222. Here, the position where the working portion 221 moves due to elastic deformation and becomes the working portion 222 is referred to as the second position. The first position is the position of the working portion 221 of the sealing portion 220 when the frame of the toner cartridge C and the flexible member 320 are not connected. When the frame of the toner cartridge C and the flexible member 320 are connected, the position of the working portion 221 changes to the second position due to the elastic deformation of the sealing portion 220, and this is referred to as the working portion 222.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3(c), the working portion 222 of the sealing portion 220 and the portion 311 of the connecting member 310 with the same diameter come into contact. At this time, the positional relationship between the support portion 223 and the working portion 222 of the sealing portion 220 is configured such that, in the direction of airflow X, the position of the working portion 222 is downstream of the support portion 223 in direction X. That is, the second position is located downstream of the support portion 223 in the direction X in which the air supplied from the air supply unit 300 flows. When the airflow side of the passage of the connecting member 310 is considered the upstream side, the second position is located downstream of the support portion 223.

[0042] Furthermore, the working portion 222 of the sealing portion 220 contacts the portion 311 of the connecting member 310 with a predetermined pressure, thereby preventing air from leaking from the connecting portion 301. In this case, the working portion 222 can contact any part of the portion 311 with the same diameter in the direction of arrow S, so a misalignment in the direction of arrow S, which is the insertion direction of the toner cartridge C, can be tolerated.

[0043] This configuration ensures a secure connection between the air inlet 20 and the connecting part 301, whose positions are fixed relative to each other when the toner cartridge C is installed. The allowable vertical (z-direction) displacement between the center 20c of the air path of the air inlet 20 and the center 301c of the air path of the connecting part 301 can be appropriately selected depending on the size of the guide part 210 and the size of the connecting member 310. In Example 1, for example, an allowable vertical displacement of about 4 mm was selected.

[0044] In the state shown in Figure 3(c), the connection between the air inlet 20 of the toner cartridge C and the connecting part 301 of the air supply unit 300 is completed. As a result, the air discharged from the pump 35 of the air supply unit 300 passes through the air transport path of the connecting part 301 and is supplied to the air chamber 17 from the air inlet 20 of the toner cartridge C.

[0045] In this process, as the internal pressure of the air chamber 17 increases, the working portion 222 of the sealing portion 220 elastically deforms with the support portion 223 as a fulcrum, and comes into close contact with the portion 311 of the connecting member 310 that has the same diameter. Furthermore, a centering action is performed that aligns the center 310c of the air path of the connecting member 310 with the center 20c of the air path of the air inlet 20, improving the airtightness of the air chamber 17 and making it possible to maintain the internal pressure of the air chamber 17 with a simple configuration.

[0046] As described above, Example 1 provides a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge. [Examples]

[0047] Example 1 describes a case where the air inlet 20 of the toner cartridge C is composed of a guide portion 210 and a sealing portion 220, and the connecting portion 301 of the air supply unit 300 is composed of a connecting member 310 and a flexible member 320. Example 2 describes a case where the air inlet 20A is composed of a connecting member 310A, and the connecting portion 301A of the air supply unit 300A is composed of a guide portion 210A, a sealing portion 220A, and a flexible member 320A. The image forming process and the configuration of process cartridge B are the same as in Example 1, and the configuration of the device body A and toner cartridge C are the same as in Example 1, except for the configuration of the air supply unit 300A and the air inlet 20A.

[0048] <Detailed configuration of the 20A air inlet for toner cartridge CA> Using Figure 6, the configuration of the air inlet 20A of the toner cartridge CA, which is a characteristic configuration of Embodiment 2, will be explained. Figure 6(a) is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the air inlet 20A of the toner cartridge CA to which the present invention can be applied, and Figure 6(b) is a perspective view thereof. As shown in Figure 6, the air inlet 20A provided in the air chamber 17 is composed of a connecting member 310A, and the connecting member 310A is provided with a substantially cylindrical same-diameter portion 311A ​​and a substantially conical inclined portion 312A. The first part, the same-diameter portion 311A, is the portion with the same outer diameter in the direction X in which the air supplied from the air supply unit 300A flows. The second part, the inclined portion 312A, is the portion whose outer diameter decreases toward the upstream side in the direction X from the same-diameter portion 311A. The connecting member 310A has a path through which air passes, and is composed of a same-diameter portion 311A ​​with the same outer diameter and an inclined portion 312A whose outer diameter decreases toward the upstream side in the direction X in which the air flows.

[0049] <Detailed configuration of the connecting section 301A of the air supply section 300A> Using Figure 7, the configuration of the connecting portion 301A of the air supply unit 300A, which is a characteristic configuration of Embodiment 2, will be explained. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connecting structure of the air inlet 20A and the connecting portion 301A to which the present invention can be applied. As shown in Figure 7(a), the air supply unit 300A is provided with a connecting portion 301A, and the connecting portion 301A consists of a flexible member 320A and a guide portion 210A and a seal portion 220A connected to the flexible member 320A. One end of the flexible member 320A is connected to the pump 35, and the other end is connected to the end opposite the guide portion 210A, with the seal portion 220A in between. The configuration of the flexible member 320A, the guide portion 210A and the seal portion 220A is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0050] <Connection mechanism and effect of air inlet 20A and connecting part 301A> Next, the connection operation between the air inlet 20A and the connecting part 301A will be explained using Figure 7. As shown in Figure 7(a), when the toner cartridge CA is inserted horizontally to the main body A in the direction of arrow S, the air inlet 20A of the toner cartridge CA approaches the connecting part 301A of the air supply unit 300A.

[0051] In this case, as shown in Figure 7(b), if the center 20c of the air path of the air inlet 20A and the center 301c of the air path of the connecting part 301A are misaligned, for example, in the vertical direction, the following occurs. That is, the guide part 210A provided on the connecting part 301A comes into contact with the inclined part 312A provided on the connecting member 310A of the air inlet 20A of the toner cartridge CA.

[0052] As the toner cartridge CA is moved further in the direction of arrow S, the guide portion 210A and the sealing portion 220A of the connecting portion 301A are connected to the flexible member 320A, so the flexible member 320A bends and the connecting portion 301A is drawn into the air inlet 20A.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7(b), the working portion 221A (contact portion, first position) of the sealing portion 220A of the connecting portion 301A elastically deforms with the support portion 223A as a fulcrum. As shown in Figure 7(c), the working portion 222A (contact portion, second position) of the sealing portion 220A and the portion 311A ​​of the same diameter of the connecting member 310A come into contact. At this time, the positional relationship between the support portion 223A and the working portion 222A of the sealing portion 220A is configured such that the working portion 222A is located upstream of the support portion 223A in the direction of airflow X. In this case, a predetermined contact pressure can be maintained regardless of which part of the portion 311A ​​of the same diameter of the connecting member 310A the working portion 222A of the sealing portion 220A comes into contact with, so, similar to Embodiment 1, a misalignment in the direction of arrow S, which is the insertion direction of the toner cartridge CA, can be tolerated.

[0054] With this configuration, similar to Example 1, it is possible to reliably connect the air inlet 20A and the connecting part 301A, whose positions are fixed relative to each other when the toner cartridge CA is installed. The allowable vertical displacement between the center 20c of the air path of the air inlet 20A and the center 301c of the air path of the connecting part 301A is the same as in Example 1.

[0055] In the state shown in Figure 7(c), the connection between the air inlet 20A of the toner cartridge CA and the connecting portion 301A of the air supply unit 300A is completed. As a result, the air discharged from the pump 35 of the air supply unit 300A passes through the air transport path of the connecting portion 301A and is supplied to the air chamber 17 from the air inlet 20A of the toner cartridge CA. At this time, the action and effect of the seal portion 220A in response to the rise in internal pressure of the air chamber 17 is the same as in Example 1.

[0056] As described above, Example 2 provides a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge. [Examples]

[0057] Example 3 describes a case where the air inlet 20B is composed of a connecting member 310B and a flexible member 320B, and the connecting part 301B is composed of a guide part 210B and a sealing part 220B. The image forming process and the configuration of process cartridge B are the same as in Example 1, and the configuration of the device body A and toner cartridge CB are the same as in Example 1, except for the configuration of the air supply part 300B and the air inlet 20B.

[0058] <Detailed configuration of air inlet 20B of toner cartridge CB> Using Figure 8, the configuration of the air inlet 20B of the toner cartridge CB, which is a characteristic configuration of Example 3, will be explained. Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the air inlet 20B of the toner cartridge CB to which the present invention can be applied, and Figure 8(b) is a perspective view thereof.

[0059] As shown in Figure 8, the air inlet 20B provided in the air chamber 17 is composed of a flexible member 320B and a connecting member 310B connected to the flexible member 320B. The connecting member 310B is provided with a portion of the same diameter 311B (first portion) which is substantially cylindrical and a sloping portion 312B (second portion) which is substantially conical. One end of the flexible member 320B is connected to the portion of the same diameter 311B of the connecting member 310B, and the other end is connected to the air chamber 17 of the toner cartridge CB.

[0060] Furthermore, the structure of the flexible member 320B is the same as in Embodiment 1, and it is configured as a substantially cylindrical shape with a path through which air passes inside. The connecting member 310B has a path through which air passes inside and is composed of a same-diameter section 311B with the same outer diameter and an inclined section 312 whose outer diameter decreases toward the upstream side in the direction X through which air flows.

[0061] <Detailed configuration of the connecting section 301B of the air supply section 300B> Using Figure 9, the configuration of the connecting portion 301B of the air supply unit 300B, which is a characteristic configuration of Embodiment 3, will be explained. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connecting structure of the air inlet 20B and the connecting portion 301B to which the present invention can be applied. As shown in Figure 9(a), the air supply unit 300B is provided with a connecting portion 301B, and the connecting portion 301B is composed of a guide portion 210B and a seal portion 220B. The configuration of this guide portion 210B and seal portion 220B is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0062] <Connection mechanism and effect of air inlet 20B and connecting part 301B> Next, the connection operation between the air inlet 20B and the connecting part 301B will be explained using Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9(a), when the toner cartridge CB is inserted horizontally to the main body A in the direction of arrow S, the air inlet 20B of the toner cartridge CB approaches the connecting part 301B of the air supply unit 300B.

[0063] In this case, as shown in Figure 9(b), if the center 20c of the air path of the air inlet 20B and the center 301c of the air path of the connecting part 301B are misaligned, for example, in the vertical direction, the following occurs. That is, the guide part 210B provided on the connecting part 301B comes into contact with the inclined part 312B provided on the connecting member 310B of the air inlet 20B of the toner cartridge CB. Furthermore, as the toner cartridge CB is moved in the direction of arrow S, since the connecting member 310B of the air inlet 20B of the toner cartridge CB is connected to the flexible member 320B, the flexible member 320B bends and the air inlet 20B is drawn into the connecting part 301B.

[0064] As shown in Figure 9(b), the working portion 221B (contact portion, first position) of the sealing portion 220B of the connecting portion 301B elastically deforms with the support portion 223B as the pivot point. As shown in Figure 9(c), the working portion 222B (contact portion, second position) of the sealing portion 220B and the portion 311B of the same diameter of the connecting member 310B come into contact. At this time, the positional relationship between the support portion 223B and the working portion 222B of the sealing portion 220B is configured such that the working portion 222B is located upstream of the support portion 223B in the direction of airflow X.

[0065] In this case, the working portion 222B of the sealing portion 220B can maintain a predetermined contact pressure regardless of which part of the same-diameter portion 311B of the connecting member 310B it contacts. Therefore, as in Example 1, a misalignment in the direction of arrow S, which is the insertion direction of the toner cartridge CB, can be tolerated. With this configuration, as in Example 1, it is possible to reliably connect the air inlet 20B and the connecting portion 301B, whose positions are fixed relative to each other when the toner cartridge CB is installed. The allowable vertical misalignment amount between the center 20c of the air path of the air inlet 20B and the center 301c of the air path of the connecting portion 301B is the same as in Example 1.

[0066] In the state shown in Figure 9(c), the connection between the air inlet 20B of the toner cartridge CB and the connecting portion 301B of the air supply unit 300B is completed. As a result, the air discharged from the pump 35 of the air supply unit 300B passes through the air transport path of the connecting portion 301B and is supplied to the air chamber 17 from the air inlet 20B of the toner cartridge CB. At this time, the action and effect of the seal portion 220B in response to the increase in internal pressure of the air chamber 17 is the same as in Example 1.

[0067] As described above, Example 3 provides a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge. [Examples]

[0068] Example 4 describes a case where the air inlet 20C is composed of a guide section 210C, a sealing section 220C, and a flexible member 320C, and the connecting section 301C is composed of a connecting member 310C. The image forming process and the configuration of process cartridge B are the same as in Example 1, and the configuration of the device body A and toner cartridge CC is the same as in Example 1, except for the configuration of the air supply section 300C and the air inlet 20C.

[0069] <Detailed configuration of the air inlet 20C of the CC toner cartridge> Using Figure 10, the configuration of the air inlet 20C of the toner cartridge CC, which is a characteristic configuration of Embodiment 4, will be explained. Figure 10(a) is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the air inlet 20C of the toner cartridge CC to which the present invention can be applied, and Figure 10(b) is a perspective view thereof. As shown in Figure 10, the air inlet 20C provided in the air chamber 17 is composed of a guide portion 210C, a sealing portion 220C, and a flexible member 320C. One end of the flexible member 320C is connected to the sealing portion 220C, and the other end is connected to the air chamber 17 of the toner cartridge CC. The flexible member 320C connects the air inlet 20C and the air chamber 17. The configuration of the guide portion 210C, the sealing portion 220C, and the flexible member 320C is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0070] <Detailed configuration of the connecting section 301C of the air supply section 300C> Using Figure 11, the configuration of the connecting portion 301C of the air supply unit 300C, which is a characteristic configuration of Embodiment 4, will be explained. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connecting structure of the air inlet 20C and the connecting portion 301C to which the present invention can be applied. As shown in Figure 11(a), the air supply unit 300C is provided with a connecting portion 301C, and the connecting portion 301C is composed of a connecting member 310C. The configuration of this connecting member 310C is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0071] <Connection mechanism and effect of air inlet 20C and connecting part 301C> Next, the connection operation between the air inlet 20C and the connecting part 301C will be explained using Figure 11. As shown in Figure 11(a), when the toner cartridge CC is inserted horizontally to the main body A in the direction of arrow S, the air inlet 20C of the toner cartridge CC approaches the connecting part 301C of the air supply unit 300C.

[0072] In this case, as shown in Figure 11(b), if the center 20c of the air path in the air inlet 20C and the center 310c of the air path in the connecting member 310C are misaligned, for example, in the vertical direction, the following occurs. That is, the inclined portion 312C provided on the connecting member 310C of the connecting portion 301C comes into contact with the guide portion 210C provided on the air inlet 20C of the toner cartridge CC. The outer diameter of the inclined portion 312C decreases from the same diameter portion 311C toward the downstream side in direction X. Furthermore, as the toner cartridge CC is moved in the direction of arrow S, since the guide portion 210C and the seal portion 220C are connected to the flexible member 320C, the flexible member 320C bends and the air inlet 20C is drawn into the connecting portion 301C.

[0073] As shown in Figure 11(b), the working portion 221C (contact portion, first position) of the sealing portion 220C of the air inlet 20C elastically deforms with the support portion 223C as a fulcrum. As shown in Figure 11(c), the working portion 222C (contact portion, second position) of the sealing portion 220C and the portion 311C (first portion) of the connecting member 310C come into contact. At this time, the positional relationship between the support portion 223C and the working portion 222C of the sealing portion 220C is configured such that the working portion 222C is located downstream of the support portion 223C in the direction of airflow X.

[0074] In this case, the working portion 222C of the sealing portion 220C can maintain a predetermined contact pressure regardless of which part of the same-diameter portion 311C of the connecting member 310C it contacts. Therefore, as in Example 1, a misalignment in the direction of arrow S, which is the insertion direction of the toner cartridge CC, can be tolerated. With this configuration, as in Example 1, it is possible to reliably connect the air inlet 20C and the connecting portion 301C, whose positions are fixed relative to each other when the toner cartridge CC is installed. The allowable vertical misalignment between the center 20c of the air path of the air inlet 20C and the center 301c of the air path of the connecting portion 301C is the same as in Example 1.

[0075] In the state shown in Figure 11(c), the connection between the air inlet 20C of the toner cartridge CC and the connecting portion 301C of the air supply unit 300C is completed. As a result, the air discharged from the pump 35 of the air supply unit 300C passes through the air transport path of the connecting portion 301C and is supplied to the air chamber 17 from the air inlet 20C of the toner cartridge CC. At this time, the action and effect of the seal portion 220C in response to the increase in internal pressure of the air chamber 17 is the same as in Example 1.

[0076] As described above, Example 4 provides a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge. [Examples]

[0077] Next, the configuration of Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12(a) is a cross-sectional view illustrating a seal portion 230D to which the present invention can be applied, and Figure 12(b) is a perspective view thereof. In the embodiments described above, the case in which the guide portion 210 (210A to 210C) and the seal portion 220 (220A to 220C) are configured separately was described, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. As shown in Figure 12, a configuration in which the guide portion 231D is integrally provided with the seal portion 230D can also be suitably used. The integrally provided seal portion 230D and guide portion 231D may be used as an air inlet 20D or a connecting portion 301D.

[0078] As described above, Example 5 provides a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge. [Examples]

[0079] Next, the configuration of Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a toner cartridge CE to which the present invention can be applied. In the embodiments described above, a configuration in which the air inlets 20 (20A to 20D) are located outside the air chamber 17 was described, but the invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0080] For example, as shown in Figure 13, the ventilation member 18 is positioned below the toner storage section 16 in the vertical direction, and the air inlet 20E is positioned below the ventilation member 18 in the vertical direction and inside the air chamber 17. Thus, a configuration in which the ventilation member 18 is positioned below the toner storage section 16 of the toner cartridge CE and the air inlet 20E is positioned below the ventilation member 18 can also be suitably used. As described above, by positioning the air inlet 20E below the ventilation member 18, it is possible to make the toner cartridge CE a space-saving design.

[0081] As described above, Example 6 provides a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge. [Examples]

[0082] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the installation of a toner cartridge C (CA~CE) to which the present invention can be applied into the device body A. Although Figure 14 shows an example in which the air inlets 20 (20A~20E) are provided on the outside of the air chamber 17, the invention can also be applied to a configuration in which they are provided inside the air chamber 17, as in Example 6. In the above-described examples, the case in which the toner cartridge C (CA~CE) is inserted into the device body A in the horizontal direction (S) was explained, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in Figure 14, the invention can also be suitably used when the toner cartridge C (CA~CE) is installed into the device body A in the vertical direction Y (-z direction) (a direction approximately perpendicular to direction X).

[0083] As shown in Figure 14(a), when the toner cartridge C (CA~CE) is mounted vertically Y into the main body A of the device, the connecting portion 301 (301A~301C) of the air supply unit 300 (300A~300C) is positioned as follows: The connecting portion 301 (301A~301C) of the air supply unit 300 (300A~300C) is retracted to a position where it does not interfere horizontally with the air inlet 20 (20A~20E) of the toner cartridge C (CA~CE).

[0084] As shown in Figure 14(b), once the vertical Y-direction movement of the toner cartridge C (CA~CE) to the device body A is complete, the connecting portion 301 (301A~301C) of the air supply unit 300 (300A~300C) is as follows: That is, the connecting portion 301 (301A~301C) of the air supply unit 300 (300A~300C) extends horizontally by a known extension means (not shown) and connects to the air inlet 20 (20A~20E) of the toner cartridge C (CA~CE). With the above configuration, it becomes possible to mount the toner cartridge C (CA~CE) to the device body A in the vertical Y-direction.

[0085] As described above, Example 7 provides a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge. [Examples]

[0086] Next, the configuration of Embodiment 8 of the present invention will be described using Figure 15. Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram of the toner cartridge C2. Although Figure 15 shows an example in which the air inlet 20 (20A~20E) is provided on the outside of the air chamber 17, it is also applicable to a configuration in which it is provided inside the air chamber 17, as in Embodiment 6. The configuration of Embodiment 8 differs from the previously described embodiments in the configuration of the transport path and the discharge port. The toner cartridge C2 of Embodiment 8 includes a toner storage section 16, an air chamber 17, a ventilation member 18, a discharge port 50, an air inlet 20 (20A~20E), and a transport path 40.

[0087] The transport path 40 is a path connecting the discharge port 50 to the outside of the toner cartridge C2. The ventilation member 18 has a downward-sloping portion 23 toward the discharge port 50, and the sloped portion 23 forms the bottom surface of the toner storage portion 16, with the discharge port 50 located higher than the lowest surface of the ventilation member 18. Even with a configuration of transport path 40 and discharge port 50 such as the toner cartridge C2 described above, it can be suitably used in the same manner as in the embodiment described above.

[0088] As described above, Example 8 provides a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge. [Examples]

[0089] Next, the configuration of Embodiment 9 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 16. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view illustrating the guide sections 210G and 231H to which the present invention can be applied. In the embodiments described above, the case in which the guide section 210 (210A to 210C, 231D) is composed of inclined surfaces was described, but the invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0090] For example, as shown in Figure 16(a), the guide portion 210G of Embodiment 9 has a constant inner diameter toward the connecting member 310. Even when the guide portion 210G is configured with a non-inclined surface, it can be used suitably in the same way as in the embodiments described above. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16(b), even when the guide portion 231H is integrally provided with the seal portion 230H and the guide portion 231H is configured with a non-inclined surface, it can be used suitably in the same way as in the embodiments described above.

[0091] As described above, Example 9 provides a configuration for supplying air from an air supply means to a toner cartridge.

[0092] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Composition 1) A frame that forms a space inside, A ventilation member fixed to the frame and partitioning the space into a storage chamber for storing toner and an air chamber having an inlet for receiving air, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air, A pump for discharging air to be supplied to the aforementioned air chamber, A tube for transporting air from the pump to the receiving port of the frame, A connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the tube, comprising a cylindrical connecting member connecting the frame and the tube, An annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer surface of the connecting member and the frame, Equipped with, The sealing portion of the connecting member has a contact portion configured to contact the outer surface of the connecting member on its inner circumference, and a support portion on its outer circumference that supports the contact portion. When the frame and the tube are not connected, the position of the contact portion of the seal is considered to be the first position. When the frame and the tube are connected, the position of the contact portion changes to the second position due to the elastic deformation of the seal. When the airflow side is considered the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, the second position is located downstream of the support portion. A toner cartridge characterized by the following features. (Configuration 2) A frame that forms a space inside, A ventilation member fixed to the frame and partitioning the space into a storage chamber for storing toner and an air chamber having an inlet for receiving air, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air, A pump for discharging air to be supplied to the aforementioned air chamber, A tube for transporting air from the pump to the receiving port of the frame, A connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the pump, comprising a cylindrical connecting member connecting the frame and the tube, An annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer surface of the connecting member and the frame, Equipped with, The connecting member has, in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, with the side from which the air flows being the upstream side, a first portion having the same outer diameter and a second portion whose outer diameter decreases toward the upstream side from the first portion. A toner cartridge characterized by the following features. (Composition 3) It includes a guide portion provided integrally with the seal portion, A toner cartridge according to configuration 1 or configuration 2, characterized by the above. (Composition 4) The guide portion has an inner diameter that increases toward the connecting member. A toner cartridge according to configuration 3, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 5) The guide portion has a constant inner diameter toward the connecting member. A toner cartridge according to configuration 3, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 6) The ventilation member is positioned below the housing chamber in the vertical direction. The receiving port is located below the ventilation member in the vertical direction and inside the air chamber. A toner cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 7) The ventilation member is positioned below the housing chamber in the vertical direction. The aforementioned inlet is located outside the air chamber. A toner cartridge according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized by the features described herein. (Composition 8) An image forming apparatus equipped with a removable toner cartridge, The aforementioned toner cartridge is A frame that forms a space inside, A ventilation member fixed to the frame and partitioning the space into a storage chamber for storing toner and an air chamber having an inlet for receiving air, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air, A pump for discharging air to be supplied to the aforementioned air chamber, A tube for transporting air from the pump to the receiving port of the frame, A connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the tube, comprising a cylindrical connecting member connecting the frame and the tube, An annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer surface of the connecting member and the frame, It has, The sealing portion has a contact portion configured to contact the outer surface of the connecting member on its inner circumference, and a support portion on its outer circumference that supports the contact portion. When the frame and the tube are not connected, the position of the contact portion of the seal is considered to be the first position. When the frame and the tube are connected, the position of the contact portion changes to the second position due to the elastic deformation of the seal. When the airflow side is considered the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, the second position is located downstream of the support portion. The connecting member has, in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, with the side from which the air flows being the upstream side, a first portion having the same outer diameter and a second portion whose outer diameter decreases toward the downstream side from the first portion. The toner cartridge has the connecting member connected to the receiving port, and air is supplied by the pump. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Composition 9) An image forming apparatus equipped with a removable toner cartridge, The aforementioned toner cartridge is A frame that forms a space inside, A ventilation member fixed to the frame and partitioning the space into a storage chamber for storing toner and an air chamber having an inlet for receiving air, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air, A pump for discharging air to be supplied to the aforementioned air chamber, A tube for transporting air from the pump to the receiving port of the frame, A connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the pump, comprising a cylindrical connecting member connecting the frame and the tube, An annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer surface of the connecting member and the frame, It has, The connecting member has, in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, with the side from which the air flows being the upstream side, a first portion having the same outer diameter and a second portion whose outer diameter decreases toward the upstream side from the first portion. The sealing portion has a contact portion configured to contact the outer surface of the connecting member on its inner circumference, and a support portion on its outer circumference that supports the contact portion. When the frame and the tube are not connected, the position of the contact portion of the seal is considered to be the first position. When the frame and the tube are connected, the position of the contact portion changes to the second position due to the elastic deformation of the seal. When the airflow side is considered the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, the second position is located upstream of the support portion. The toner cartridge has the connecting member connected to the receiving port, and air is supplied by the pump. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following: (Composition 10) It includes a guide portion that is integrally provided with the seal portion, The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8 or configuration 9, characterized by the above. (Composition 11) The guide portion has an inner diameter that increases toward the connecting member. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 10, characterized in that... (Composition 12) The guide portion has a constant inner diameter toward the connecting member. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 10, characterized in that... (Composition 13) The ventilation member is positioned below the housing chamber in the vertical direction. The receiving port is located below the ventilation member in the vertical direction and inside the air chamber. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 8 to 12, characterized by the above. (Composition 14) The ventilation member is positioned below the housing chamber in the vertical direction. The aforementioned inlet is located outside the air chamber. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 8 to 12, characterized by the above. (Composition 15) The toner cartridge is attached and detached in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the passage of the connecting member. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 8 to 14, characterized by the above. (Composition 16) The toner cartridge is attached to and detached in the direction of the passage of the connecting member. An image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 8 to 14, characterized by the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 16 Toner storage section 17 Air chamber 18 Ventilation component 20 Air inlet 35 pumps 220 Seal part 221, 222 Action part 223 Support part 310 Connecting member 320 Flexible member

Claims

1. A frame that forms a space inside, A ventilation member fixed to the frame and partitioning the space into a storage chamber for storing toner and an air chamber having an inlet for receiving air, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air, A pump for discharging air to be supplied to the aforementioned air chamber, A tube for transporting air from the pump to the receiving port of the frame, A connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the tube, comprising a cylindrical connecting member connecting the frame and the tube, An annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer surface of the connecting member and the frame, Equipped with, The sealing portion of the connecting member has a contact portion configured to contact the outer surface of the connecting member on its inner circumference, and a support portion on its outer circumference that supports the contact portion. When the frame and the tube are not connected, the position of the contact portion of the seal is considered to be the first position. When the frame and the tube are connected, the position of the contact portion changes to the second position due to the elastic deformation of the seal. When the airflow side is considered the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, the second position is located downstream of the support portion. A toner cartridge characterized by the following features.

2. A frame that forms a space inside, A ventilation member fixed to the frame and partitioning the space into a storage chamber for storing toner and an air chamber having an inlet for receiving air, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air, A pump for discharging air to be supplied to the aforementioned air chamber, A tube for transporting air from the pump to the receiving port of the frame, A connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the pump, comprising a cylindrical connecting member connecting the frame and the tube, An annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer surface of the connecting member and the frame, Equipped with, The connecting member has, in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, with the side from which the air flows being the upstream side, a first portion having the same outer diameter and a second portion whose outer diameter decreases toward the upstream side from the first portion. A toner cartridge characterized by the following features.

3. It includes a guide portion provided integrally with the seal portion, The toner cartridge according to feature 1.

4. The guide portion has an inner diameter that increases toward the connecting member. The toner cartridge according to feature 3.

5. The guide portion has a constant inner diameter toward the connecting member. The toner cartridge according to feature 3.

6. The ventilation member is positioned below the housing chamber in the vertical direction. The receiving port is located below the ventilation member in the vertical direction and inside the air chamber. A toner cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The ventilation member is positioned below the containment chamber in the vertical direction. The aforementioned inlet is located outside the air chamber. A toner cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.

8. An image forming apparatus equipped with a removable toner cartridge, The aforementioned toner cartridge is A frame that forms a space inside, A ventilation member fixed to the frame and partitioning the space into a storage chamber for storing toner and an air chamber having an inlet for receiving air, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air, A pump for discharging air to be supplied to the aforementioned air chamber, A tube for transporting air from the pump to the receiving port of the frame, A connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the tube, comprising a cylindrical connecting member connecting the frame and the tube, An annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer surface of the connecting member and the frame, It has, The sealing portion has a contact portion configured to contact the outer surface of the connecting member on its inner circumference, and a support portion on its outer circumference that supports the contact portion. When the frame and the tube are not connected, the position of the contact portion of the seal is considered to be the first position. When the frame and the tube are connected, the position of the contact portion changes to the second position due to the elastic deformation of the seal. When the airflow side is considered the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, the second position is located downstream of the support portion. The connecting member has, in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, with the side from which the air flows being the upstream side, a first portion having the same outer diameter and a second portion whose outer diameter decreases toward the downstream side from the first portion. The toner cartridge has the connecting member connected to the receiving port, and air is supplied by the pump. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

9. An image forming apparatus equipped with a removable toner cartridge, The aforementioned toner cartridge is A frame that forms a space inside, A ventilation member fixed to the frame and partitioning the space into a storage chamber for storing toner and an air chamber having an inlet for receiving air, the ventilation member restricting the passage of toner and allowing the passage of air, A pump for discharging air to be supplied to the aforementioned air chamber, A tube for transporting air from the pump to the receiving port of the frame, A connecting member having a passage for communicating toner between the frame and the pump, comprising a cylindrical connecting member connecting the frame and the tube, An annular sealing portion that seals the gap between the outer surface of the connecting member and the frame, It has, The connecting member has, in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, with the side from which the air flows being the upstream side, a first portion having the same outer diameter and a second portion whose outer diameter decreases toward the upstream side from the first portion. The sealing portion has a contact portion configured to contact the outer surface of the connecting member on its inner circumference, and a support portion on its outer circumference that supports the contact portion. When the frame and the tube are not connected, the position of the contact portion of the seal is considered to be the first position. When the frame and the tube are connected, the position of the contact portion changes to the second position due to the elastic deformation of the seal. When the airflow side is considered the upstream side in the direction of the passage of the connecting member, the second position is located upstream of the support portion. The toner cartridge has the connecting member connected to the receiving port, and air is supplied by the pump. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following features.

10. It includes a guide portion that is integrally provided with the seal portion, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the features described above.

11. The guide portion has an inner diameter that increases toward the connecting member. The image forming apparatus according to feature 10.

12. The guide portion has a constant inner diameter toward the connecting member. The image forming apparatus according to feature 10.

13. The ventilation member is positioned below the containment chamber in the vertical direction. The receiving port is located below the ventilation member in the vertical direction and inside the air chamber. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the features described above.

14. The ventilation member is positioned below the housing chamber in the vertical direction. The aforementioned inlet is located outside the air chamber. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the features described above.

15. The toner cartridge is attached and detached in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the passage of the connecting member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the features described above.

16. The toner cartridge is attached to and detached in the direction of the passage of the connecting member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the features described above.

Images