Container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a developer container, a developing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus that can suppress the leakage of sealing material. [Solution] In a container in which a space for containing a developer is formed by combining a plurality of members 58a, 58b and sealing the members by bonding them together with a sealing material 200, the first member has a stopper portion 102b that restricts the distance in the contact direction between the first member and the second member, so that a predetermined gap is formed between the bonded portion of the first member, which is one of the two members bonded by the sealing material 200, and the stopper portion 102b is provided so that a gap is secured when it comes into contact with the second member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a developer storage container that forms a space for storing a developer inside by combining a plurality of members and seals the space by adhering the members with a sealing material.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a developer storage container in which the space between a container body and a container lid is sealed by adhering them with a hot melt as a sealing material.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there has been a risk that the sealing material is excessively crushed and protrudes from the adhesion portion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a storage container in which a plurality of members are combined to form an internal storage space and the members are adhered by a sealing material. A first member, which is one of the two members adhered by the sealing material, has a contact portion that regulates the distance in the contact direction between the first member and the second member so that a predetermined gap is formed between the adhesion portion of the first member and the adhesion portion of the second member, which is the other member. The contact portion is provided so that the gap is ensured when it abuts against the second member. The adhesion portion of the first member has a stepped shape composed of a first surface and a second surface that intersects the first surface. The adhesion portion of the second member has a third surface that faces the first surface and a fourth surface that faces the second surface.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the overflow of the sealing material. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the copier's configuration. [Figure 2] A magnified diagram of one of the four image-making units. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional diagram of a developing apparatus. [Figure 4] Perspective diagram of a developing apparatus. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram showing the longitudinal movement of the developer within a developing apparatus. [Figure 6] An exploded perspective view of the developing apparatus casing. [Figure 7] Enlarged perspective view of the main parts of the developing case. [Figure 8] Enlarged perspective view of the main parts of the developing case. [Figure 9] An enlarged perspective view of the main part of the developing case, seen from above, at one end in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 10] An enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 9. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of CC in Figure 10. [Figure 12] A perspective view showing how the upper developing case is positioned and fixed onto the lower developing case. [Figure 13] Schematic cross-sectional view AA of Figure 9 when the upper developing case is positioned on the lower developing case. [Figure 14] A schematic cross-sectional view of the area indicated by the dashed line B in Figure 8, when the upper developing case is positioned relative to the lower developing case. [Figure 15] A perspective view showing how the developing cover is positioned and secured to the developing case. [Figure 16] A schematic cross-sectional view of the position of the dashed line γ in Figure 8 when the developing cover is positioned on the developing case. [Figure 17] A schematic cross-sectional view of the position of the dashed line β in Figure 8 when the developing cover is positioned on the developing case. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes an embodiment of a tandem-type color copier (hereinafter referred to as copier 500) as an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the copier 500. The copier 500 has a printer unit 100, which is the main body of the image forming apparatus, above which are a document reading unit 4 and a document transport unit 3, and a paper feed unit 7 below the printer unit 100. The document transport unit 3 transports the document to the document reading unit 4, and the document reading unit 4 reads the image information of the transported document. The paper feed unit 7 has a paper feed cassette 26 in which the transfer paper P, which is the recording medium, is stored, and a paper feed roller 27 that feeds the transfer paper P in the paper feed cassette 26 toward the printer unit 100. The dashed line in Figure 1 shows the transport path of the transfer paper P within the copier 500.

[0010] The upper part of the printer unit 100 is an output tray 30 on which transfer paper P on which the output image is formed is stacked. The printer unit 100 includes four image formation units 6 (Y, M, C, K) as image formation units that form toner images for each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black), and an intermediate transfer unit 10. Each image formation unit 6 (Y, M, C, K) includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K) as an image carrier on which each color toner image is formed, and a developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K) that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K).

[0011] The intermediate transfer unit 10 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8 and primary transfer bias rollers 9 (Y, M, C, K). The intermediate transfer belt 8 is an intermediate transfer body on which the toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K) are superimposed and transferred, forming a color toner image on the surface. The primary transfer bias rollers 9 (Y, M, C, K) are primary transfer means that transfer the toner images formed on the surface of each photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K) to the intermediate transfer belt 8.

[0012] The printer unit 100 includes a secondary transfer bias roller 19 for transferring the color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8 onto the transfer paper P. Further, it includes a registration roller pair 28 for adjusting the timing to convey the transfer paper P sent out by the paper feed roller 27 to the secondary transfer nip where the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer bias roller 19 face each other. Furthermore, the printer unit 100 includes a fixing device 20 for fixing the unfixed toner image on the transfer paper P above the secondary transfer nip.

[0013] Below the paper discharge tray 30 in the printer unit 100 and above the intermediate transfer unit 10, toner containers 11 (Y, M, C, K) of each color are arranged. The toner containers 11 (Y, M, C, K) of each color store the toner of each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) to be supplied to each developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K).

[0014] FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of one of the four image forming units 6 (Y, M, C, K) to which the present invention is applicable. Since the four image forming units 6 (Y, M, C, K) have substantially the same configuration and operation except that the colors of the toner used in the image forming process are different, in the following description, the reference signs Y, M, C, K indicating the corresponding colors will be appropriately omitted for explanation.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 6 is a process cartridge that integrally supports the photoreceptor 1 and the developing device 5, and this process cartridge is detachable from the main body of the copying machine 500. Further, the image forming unit 6 includes, in addition to the developing device 5 around the photoreceptor 1, a photoreceptor cleaning device 2, a lubricant application device 41, a charging device 40, etc. In the image forming unit 6 of the present embodiment, the photoreceptor cleaning device 2 is configured to be cleaned by a cleaning blade 2a, and the charging device 40 is configured to be charged by a charging roller 40a.

[0016] Hereinafter, the operation during normal color image formation in the copying machine 500 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0017] First, with the document placed on the document feeder 3, when the start button is pressed, the document is transported from the document feeder 3 by the transport rollers and placed on the contact glass of the document reading unit 4. Then, the document reading unit 4 optically reads the image information of the document placed on the contact glass.

[0018] In detail, the document scanning unit 4 scans the image of the document on the contact glass while illuminating it with light emitted from the illumination lamp. The light reflected from the document is then imaged onto the color sensor via a group of mirrors and lenses. The color image information of the document is read by the color sensor for each of the RGB (red, green, blue) color separations and then converted into an electrical image signal. Furthermore, the image processing unit performs color conversion processing, color correction processing, spatial frequency correction processing, etc., based on the RGB color separation image signals to obtain yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color image information.

[0019] Then, image information for each color—yellow, magenta, cyan, and black—is transmitted to the writing unit. From the writing unit, laser light L based on the image information for each color is emitted, directed towards the corresponding photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K).

[0020] Meanwhile, the four photoreceptors 1(Y,M,C,K) are each rotating in a clockwise direction as shown in Figures 1 and 2. First, the surfaces of the photoreceptors 1(Y,M,C,K) are uniformly charged at the point opposite the charging roller 40a of the charging device 40 (charging process). Thus, the surface of the photoreceptors 1(Y,M,C,K) becomes charged. Subsequently, the charged surface of the photoreceptors 1(Y,M,C,K) reaches the irradiation position of the laser beam L.

[0021] In the writing section, laser beams L corresponding to the image signal are emitted from four light sources, each corresponding to a different color. Each laser beam L passes through a separate optical path for the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color components and irradiates the surface of each photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K) (exposure process).

[0022] The laser beam L corresponding to the yellow component is shone onto the surface of the yellow photoreceptor 1Y, the first one from the left side of the paper in Figure 1. At this time, the laser beam L of the yellow component is scanned in the direction of the rotation axis (main scanning direction) of the yellow photoreceptor 1Y by a high-speed rotating polygon mirror. In this way, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the yellow component is formed on the surface of the yellow photoreceptor 1Y after it has been charged by the charging device 40.

[0023] Similarly, the laser light L corresponding to the magenta component is irradiated onto the surface of the magenta photoreceptor 1M, the second from the left in Figure 1, to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the magenta component. The laser light L corresponding to the cyan component is irradiated onto the surface of the cyan photoreceptor 1C, the third from the left in Figure 1, to form an electrostatic latent image of the cyan component. The laser light L corresponding to the black component is irradiated onto the surface of the black photoreceptor 1K, the fourth from the left in Figure 1, to form an electrostatic latent image of the black component.

[0024] Subsequently, the surfaces of the photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K) on which the electrostatic latent images of each color have been formed reach a position opposite the developing device 5. Then, the developing device 5 (Y, M, C, K), which contains the developer consisting of each color toner and carrier, supplies the respective color toner onto the surface of the photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K), and the latent images on the photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K) are developed (developing process).

[0025] After passing through the section facing the developing device 5, the surface of each photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K) reaches the section facing the intermediate transfer belt 8. At this section, primary transfer bias rollers 9 (Y, M, C, K) are installed so as to contact the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. The photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K) and the primary transfer bias rollers 9 (Y, M, C, K) face each other across the intermediate transfer belt 8, forming a primary transfer nip. Then, at this primary transfer nip, the toner images of each color formed on each photoreceptor 1 (Y, M, C, K) are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8 (primary transfer process).

[0026] After passing through the primary transfer nip, the surface of the photoreceptor 1 reaches a position opposite the photoreceptor cleaning device 2. At this position opposite the photoreceptor cleaning device 2, any untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1 is scraped off and collected by the cleaning blade 2a (photoreceptor cleaning process).

[0027] The surface of the photoreceptor 1, after passing through the section opposite the photoreceptor cleaning device 2, passes through the static elimination section to have any residual charge removed, completing a series of imaging processes on the photoreceptor 1 and preparing it for the next imaging operation.

[0028] Meanwhile, the toner images of each color on the four photoreceptors 1 (Y, M, C, K) are superimposed and transferred, and the intermediate transfer belt 8 carrying the color toner images moves counterclockwise across the surface in Figure 1 to reach the secondary transfer nip, which is the position opposite the secondary transfer bias roller 19.

[0029] Furthermore, the transfer paper P, which is fed from the paper feed cassette 26 containing the transfer paper P by the paper feed roller 27, passes through the transport guide and is led to the register roller pair 28, where it bumps into the register roller pair 28 and stops once. The transfer paper P that has bumped into the register roller pair 28 is then transported toward the secondary transfer nip in time with the color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 moving toward the secondary transfer nip.

[0030] Then, the color toner image supported on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred onto the transfer paper P by the secondary transfer nip (secondary transfer process).

[0031] The surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8, having passed through the secondary transfer nip, reaches the section opposite the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device. At this section, the residual transfer toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device, and the series of transfer processes on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

[0032] The waste toner scraped off the surface of the photoreceptor 1 by the cleaning blade 2a is collected in the waste toner container via the toner recovery transport path. In addition, the waste toner scraped off the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning device, as well as the waste toner of the pattern image for process control, are also collected in the waste toner container via the toner recovery transport path.

[0033] The transfer paper P onto which the color toner image has been transferred via the secondary transfer nip is guided to the fuser unit 20. In the fuser unit 20, the color image is fixed onto the transfer paper P by heat and pressure at the fuser nip formed by the fuser roller and pressure roller.

[0034] The transfer paper P that has passed through the fixing device 20 is ejected as an output image outside the printer unit 100 by the paper discharge roller pair 25 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 30, completing the series of image forming processes.

[0035] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of a developing apparatus 5 to which the present invention can be applied, and Figure 4 is a perspective diagram of a developing apparatus 5 to which the present invention is applied.

[0036] The developing apparatus 5 includes a casing 58 as a developer container, which is composed of a lower developing case 58a, an upper developing case 58b, and a developing cover 58c, and houses the developer in its internal space. The casing 58 also includes a developing roller 50 as a developer carrier facing the photoreceptor 1, a supply screw 53 as a supply and transport member, a recovery screw 54 as a recovery and transport member, a doctor blade 52 as a developer regulating member, and a partition plate 57. The supply screw 53 and the recovery screw 54 are screw members with helical blades on their rotating shafts, and by rotating, they transport the developer in an axial direction parallel to their rotating shafts. In addition, a developing area inlet seal may be placed between the doctor section where the doctor blade 52 faces the developing roller 50 and the developing area to prevent toner scattering.

[0037] Within the casing of the developing apparatus 5, the supply transport path 53a, where the supply screw 53 is located, and the recovery transport path 54a, where the recovery screw 54 is located, are spatially separated by a partition plate 57. Furthermore, the partition plate 57, with its end facing the surface of the developing roller 50 in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction (the cross-section shown in the explanatory diagram in Figure 3), is positioned close to the surface of the developing roller 50, thereby also functioning as a separation plate that promotes the separation of the developer G from the surface of the developing roller 50. The function of the partition plate 57 as a separation plate prevents the developer G, which is carried on the developing roller 50 and has passed through the developing area, from reaching the supply transport path 53a, and allows the developer G to move smoothly toward the recovery transport path 54a.

[0038] The developing roller 50 consists of a magnet roller 55, which is made up of multiple magnets fixed inside, and a developing sleeve 51 that rotates around the magnet roller 55. The developing sleeve 51 encloses the magnet roller 55 and is a cylindrical member made of a rotatable non-magnetic material. The magnet roller 55 in this embodiment is provided with five magnetic poles: the first magnetic pole P1 (N pole), the second magnetic pole P2 (S pole), the third magnetic pole P3 (N pole), the fourth magnetic pole P4 (N pole), and the fifth magnetic pole P5 (S pole). In Figure 3, P1 to P5 indicate the distribution of the magnetic flux density (absolute value) in the normal direction on the surface of the developing sleeve 51, formed by each magnetic pole.

[0039] The developing device 5 contains a two-component developer G consisting of toner and a carrier (including cases where additives are added). It is equipped with a supply screw 53 and a recovery screw 54 as developer transport members that transport the developer G in the longitudinal direction (the axial direction of the rotation axis of the developing sleeve 51) to form a circulation path. In the developing device 5, the supply screw 53 and the recovery screw 54 are arranged vertically, and a partition plate 57 placed between the supply screw 53 and the recovery screw 54 forms a supply transport path 53a and a recovery transport path 54a.

[0040] Furthermore, a doctor blade 52, which is supported on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 and regulates the amount of developer directed toward the developing region, is positioned below the developing roller 50 on the upstream side in the direction of surface movement of the developing sleeve 51 with respect to the developing region, which is the part of the photoreceptor 1 that faces the developing sleeve 51.

[0041] Since the developing device 5 uses a two-component developer G, toner is supplied to the developing device 5 as needed from a toner supply port 59 provided in a part of the developing device, according to the toner consumption within the developing device 5.

[0042] Here, we will explain how to supply new toner to the developing unit 5. The new toner filled in the toner container 11 is supplied by the toner supply device to the toner hopper located at the rear of the copier 500 body in Figure 1, and is stored in the toner hopper. When the toner concentration in the developing unit 5 is determined to be low by the toner concentration detection means located in the developing unit 5, the toner supply screw in the toner hopper is rotated. At this time, the toner supply screw is rotated for a time calculated by a predetermined conversion formula, and an appropriate amount of toner is supplied from the toner hopper to the toner supply port 59 of the developing unit 5.

[0043] A toner detection sensor is located inside the toner hopper. If this sensor detects that there is no toner at its detection location, the control unit requests toner supply from the toner replenishment device.

[0044] Upon receiving this request, the toner supply device supplies toner into the toner hopper, and when the toner detection sensor detects the presence of toner at the detection position, the toner supply by the toner supply device stops. On the other hand, if the control unit requests the toner supply device to supply toner for a predetermined time, but the toner detection sensor in the toner hopper does not detect the presence of toner at the detection position, the control unit determines that there is no toner in the toner container 11. This allows the system to detect that the toner in the toner container 11 has run out.

[0045] Toner supplied from the toner supply port 59 is transported and agitated together with the developer G in the developing device 5 by the developer transport members, the recovery screw 54 and the supply screw 53. In this way, a portion of the developer G agitated and mixed by the developer transport members is supplied to the surface of the developing sleeve 51, which is a developer carrier, and is carried on its surface. The developer G carried on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 is regulated to an appropriate amount by the doctor blade 52 installed below the developing sleeve 51 before reaching the developing area. In the developing area, the toner in the developer G on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 adheres to the latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 1, and development is performed. Inside the developing sleeve 51, which constitutes the developing roller 50, there is a magnet roller 55 with multiple magnets fixed therein, and this magnet roller 55 has multiple magnetic poles (P1 to P5) that form a magnetic field around the developing sleeve 51.

[0046] In this embodiment, the developing apparatus 5 is filled with 300 g of developer G, which is a uniform mixture of toner (average particle size 5.8 [μm]) mainly composed of polyester resin and carrier (average particle size 35 [μm]) which are magnetic fine particles, so that the toner concentration is 7 [wt%]. By rotating the supply screw 53 and the recovery screw 54, which are arranged in parallel, at 600 [rpm], the developer G is transported and the new toner supplied from the toner supply port 59 is stirred simultaneously, thereby achieving uniform mixing of the toner and carrier and imparting a charge.

[0047] The uniformly mixed developer G is transported longitudinally by a supply screw 53 located parallel to and adjacent to the developing sleeve 51, and is transferred to the outer surface of the developing sleeve 51 by the magnetic force of the fifth magnetic pole P5 of a magnetic roller 55 enclosed within the developing sleeve 51. The developer G transferred to the surface of the developing sleeve 51 reaches the developing region as the developing sleeve 51 rotates counterclockwise, as shown by the arrow in Figure 3. When a voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 51 from a high-voltage power supply, a developing electric field is formed between the developing sleeve 51 and the photoreceptor 1 in the developing region. This developing electric field supplies toner from the developer G on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 to the latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 1, and the latent image on the photoreceptor 1 is developed.

[0048] The developer G on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 after passing through the developing area is collected in the recovery transport path 54a within the developing device 5 as the developing sleeve 51 rotates. More specifically, the developer G that detaches from the surface of the developing sleeve 51 falls onto the upper surface of the partition plate 57, slides down, and is collected by the recovery screw 54.

[0049] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the longitudinal movement of the developer G within the developing apparatus 5. The white arrows in Figure 5 indicate the flow of the developer G within the developing apparatus 5.

[0050] The partition plate 57 (see Figure 4) has openings (71, 72) at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the developing device 5 that connect the supply transport path 53a and the recovery transport path 54a. The developer G that reaches the downstream end of the supply screw 53 in the supply transport path 53a is passed through the agent lifting opening 72 of the partition plate 57 to the upstream end of the recovery transport path 54a. On the other hand, the developer G that reaches the downstream end of the recovery screw 54 in the recovery transport path 54a is passed through the agent dropping opening 71 of the partition plate 57 to the upstream end of the supply transport path 53a.

[0051] In Figure 5, for the purpose of schematically illustrating the supply and collection of developer G to the developing sleeve 51, a certain distance is depicted between the supply transport path 53a and the collection transport path 54a. However, as shown in Figure 3, the supply transport path 53a and the collection transport path 54a are separated by a plate-shaped partition plate 57, and the openings of this partition plate, the developer lifting opening 72 and the developer dropping opening 71, are through-holes that penetrate the plate-shaped partition plate 57 from front to back.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, the developer G in the supply transport path 53a, which is below the recovery transport path 54a, is transported by the supply screw 53 along the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the supply screw 53, toward the left in Figure 5. Furthermore, as the developer G in the supply transport path 53a is transported to the supply screw 53, a certain amount is drawn up to the surface of the developing sleeve 51 by the rotation of the supply screw 53 and the magnetic force of the fifth magnetic pole P5, which acts as a pumping magnetic pole. After being drawn up to the surface of the developing sleeve 51, the developer G on the surface of the developing sleeve 51 that has passed through the developing area reaches the position of the developer release magnetic pole, which is composed of the third magnetic pole P3 and the fourth magnetic pole P4, which are adjacent magnetic poles of the same polarity (N pole). Then, due to the action of the magnetic force of the developer release magnetic pole and the action of the partition plate 57 as a separating plate, it is separated from the surface of the developing sleeve 51 and sent into the recovery transport path 54a.

[0053] The recovery screw 54 in the recovery transport path 54a, which is located above the supply transport path 53a, transports the developer G that has detached from the developing sleeve 51 at the position of the developer detachment magnetic pole in the longitudinal direction along the axial direction of the recovery screw 54 (opposite to the transport direction by the supply screw 53).

[0054] The downstream end in the transport direction of the supply transport path 53a, which is the transport path by the supply screw 53, and the upstream end in the transport direction of the recovery transport path 54a, which is the transport path by the recovery screw 54, are in communication via the developer lifting port 72. The developer G that is not pumped up from the supply transport path 53a to the developing roller 50 and reaches the downstream end in the transport direction of the supply transport path 53a remains at that position and is pushed up by the developer G that is transported later, reaching the upstream end in the transport direction of the recovery transport path 54a.

[0055] Furthermore, a toner supply port 59 is provided at the upstream end of the recovery transport path 54a in the transport direction, and new toner is supplied from the toner container 11 via a toner supply device and toner hopper through the toner supply port 59 as needed. In addition, the upstream end of the supply transport path 53a in the transport direction and the downstream end of the recovery transport path 54a in the transport direction are in communication via a developer drop port 71. The developer G that reaches the downstream end of the recovery transport path 54a in the transport direction falls by gravity through the developer drop port 71 and is delivered to the upstream end of the supply transport path 53a in the transport direction.

[0056] The developer G is transferred from the downstream end of the supply transport path 53a to the recovery transport path 54a, and then transferred again from the downstream end of the recovery transport path 54a to the supply transport path 53a, thereby circulating within the developing apparatus 5.

[0057] In the supply transport path 53a, the developer G is transported to the supply screw 53 and simultaneously pumped up to the developing roller 50, so the amount of developer G decreases as it moves downstream in the transport direction.

[0058] In the recovery transport path 54a, the new toner supplied from the toner supply port 59 and the developer G are transported while being agitated by the recovery screw 54. In the recovery transport path 54a, the developer G that has separated from the surface of the developing sleeve 51 after passing through the developing area is recovered and transported by the recovery screw 54, so the amount of developer G in the recovery transport path 54a increases as it moves downstream in the transport direction.

[0059] Furthermore, a toner concentration sensor, which is a toner concentration detection means, is positioned below the supply screw 53 in the supply transport path 53a, or below the recovery screw 54 in the recovery transport path 54a. This toner concentration sensor measures the toner concentration in the developing device 5 at all times, and the control unit controls the toner hopper based on this measurement result so that the toner concentration falls within an appropriate value.

[0060] As described above, the developing device 5 has a supply screw 53 and a recovery screw 54 that rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 3, and at the same time, the magnetic attraction force of the magnet roller 55 enclosed in the developing sleeve 51 pulls them towards the developing sleeve 51. Furthermore, by rotating the developing sleeve 51 at a predetermined speed ratio with respect to the photoreceptor 1, the developer G is continuously pumped up and supplied to the developing area. The developer G is released from the developing sleeve 51 by the formation of a repulsive magnetic force at the developer release poles, which are composed of a third magnetic pole P3 and a fourth magnetic pole P4. The developer G carried to the section where this repulsive magnetic force is formed is released at the developer release poles in a direction that is a combination of the normal direction and the rotational tangential direction, and is collected by falling onto the partition plate 57 under its own weight.

[0061] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the casing 58 of the developing apparatus 5.

[0062] The casing 58 mainly consists of a developing lower case 58a, a developing upper case 58b, and a developing cover 58c. The developing upper case 58b is positioned on the developing lower case 58a and fixed to the developing lower case 58a by an adhesive 200 which is a sealing material. The developing cover 58c is positioned on the developing upper case 58b and fixed to the developing upper case 58b by an adhesive 201 which is a sealing material.

[0063] The developing lower case 58a has a supply transport path 53a and a base portion 250a that extends longitudinally (axially) and forms the bottom of the casing 58, and side wall portions 250b that are provided at both longitudinal ends of the base portion 250a and form the side walls of the casing 58 and are perpendicular to the axial direction. One side wall portion 250b (left side in the figure) has a toner supply port 59. In addition, the upper front side (rear side in the figure: developing roller arrangement side) end of both side wall portions 250b is provided with a case positioning groove 161 into which the case main positioning projection 171 of the developing upper case 58b fits, and a case positioning hole 162 into which the case subordinate positioning projection 172 of the developing upper case 58b is inserted is provided near the upper center.

[0064] Furthermore, the inner wall surfaces of both side wall portions 250b are provided with flat seal mounting surfaces 110 to which a sponge seal 140 (see Figure 9), which will be described later, is attached. In addition, a concave lower case coating groove 101a, which serves as a coating area for applying the adhesive 200 as a sealing material, is provided so as to be connected to this seal mounting surface 110.

[0065] On the rear side of the base portion 250a (the front side in the figure: opposite to the side where the developing roller is placed), lower case coating surfaces 101c are provided at both longitudinal ends so as to be connected to the lower case coating groove 101a, where the adhesive 200 is applied. Furthermore, a stepped lower case coating portion 101b is provided on the rear side of the base portion 250a, connected to this lower case coating surface 101c, where the adhesive 200 is applied. Here, a stepped shape is a shape composed of two adjacent surfaces that are orthogonal to each other, with the other surface located at the end of one surface.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, the lower case coating groove 101a, the lower case coating surface 101c, and the lower case stepped coating portion 101b are formed to be continuous. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, the adhesive 200 can be applied in a single continuous manner to the lower case coating groove 101a, the lower case coating surface 101c, and the lower case stepped coating portion 101b. This allows for good sealing of the space between the upper developing case 58b and the lower developing case with the adhesive 200. Furthermore, because the lower case coating groove 101a, the lower case coating surface 101c, and the lower case stepped coating portion 101b are formed to be continuous, it is possible to apply the adhesive 200 to the lower case coating groove 101a, the lower case coating surface 101c, and the lower case stepped coating portion 101b in a single application operation, making it easy to perform automatic application by machine.

[0067] The developing case 58b has a rear wall portion 251a extending in the longitudinal direction and inner side wall portions 251b provided at both ends of the rear wall portion 251a that are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The rear wall portion 251a is provided with a partition plate 57 that separates the supply transport path 53a and the recovery transport path 54a.

[0068] The inner side walls 251b of the upper developing case 58b are provided with an upper case adhesive protrusion 120a, which fits into the lower case coating groove 101a of the lower developing case 58a and is bonded by the adhesive 200, and a sealing protrusion 111 that contacts and seals the sponge seal 140.

[0069] Furthermore, the front ends of both inner side walls 251b are provided with case main positioning projections 171 extending outward, and near the upper center, there is a case subordinate positioning projection 172 extending outward. Additionally, the front ends of both inner side walls 251b are provided with cover positioning grooves 173 into which the cover main positioning projection 181 of the developing cover 58c fits. Furthermore, the rear end faces of both inner side walls 251b are provided with cover positioning projections 174 for hooking the cover positioning hook portion 182, which is the positioning subordinate reference of the developing cover 58c.

[0070] Furthermore, the inner wall surfaces of both inner side walls 251b are provided with concave upper case coating grooves 131a, which serve as coating areas for the adhesive 201 used as a sealing material. Additionally, the back wall 251a of the developing upper case 58b is provided with an upper case coating surface 131b, which serves as a coating area for the adhesive 201 used, and is connected to the upper case coating grooves 131a.

[0071] In the developing upper case 58b, the upper case coating groove 131a and the upper case coating surface 131b for bonding the developing cover 58c are formed to be continuous, so the adhesive 201 can be applied in a single continuous manner to the upper case coating groove 131a and the upper case coating surface 131b. This allows for good sealing between the developing upper case 58b and the developing cover 58c with the adhesive 201. Furthermore, it is possible to apply the adhesive 201 to the upper case coating groove 131a and the upper case coating surface 131b in a single application operation, making automatic application by machine easy.

[0072] Furthermore, at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the back wall portion 251a, there are upper case adhesive surface portions 120c which are adhesive portions that are bonded with adhesive 200 to the lower case coating surface 101c of the developing lower case 58a.

[0073] Furthermore, the rear wall portion 251a has a case adhesive surface portion 251c on its inner wall surface which is a stepped upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b (see Figures 12 and 14) that is bonded with adhesive 200 opposite the lower case stepped coating portion 101b of the developing lower case 58a.

[0074] The developing cover 58c is provided with a cover base portion 252 that forms the upper wall portion of the casing 58. Both longitudinal ends of the cover base portion 252 are provided with cover adhesive protrusions 151a that protrude downward and fit into the upper case coating groove 131a of the developing upper case 58b, and are bonded by adhesive 201. In addition, the front ends of both longitudinal ends of the cover base portion 252 are provided with cover main positioning protrusions 181, and the rear ends are provided with cover positioning hook portions 182.

[0075] Furthermore, the rear end of the cover base portion 252 is provided with a cover adhesive surface portion 151b, which extends downward and is bonded to the upper case coating surface 131b of the developing upper case 58b by adhesive 201.

[0076] The adhesives 200 and 201, which are used as sealing materials applied to the developing case 58a and developing case 58b, should be fluid during the bonding process and then harden (solidify). It is also preferable that they have a certain degree of viscosity during the bonding process. Using a viscous adhesive helps to prevent it from flowing off the application area during bonding. Examples of adhesives that can be used include heat-melt adhesives that are applied in a molten state at high temperatures and then solidify upon cooling; UV-curing adhesives that harden when exposed to ultraviolet light; thermosetting adhesives that harden when heated; solvent-evaporation adhesives that harden when solvent components evaporate; and moisture-curing adhesives that harden in reaction to moisture in the air.

[0077] Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the developing case 58a.

[0078] As shown in Figure 7, a first case abutment projection 102a is provided near the lower case coating surface 101c, which abuts against the upper case adhesive surface 120c of the developing upper case 58b and serves as a position regulating portion that restricts the position of the upper case adhesive surface 120c. In addition, a damming wall portion 102c is provided on the outer edge of the lower case coating surface 101c to block the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case coating surface 101c and prevent it from leaking out.

[0079] Furthermore, near the lower side of the lower case stepped coating portion 101b, a second case abutment projection 102b is provided, which abuts against the back wall portion 251a of the upper developing case 58b and also serves as a position regulating portion to restrict the position of the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b (see Figures 12 and 14). In addition, an inclined surface 103a that slopes inward is formed on the upper side of the lower case stepped coating portion 101b.

[0080] Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the developing case 58b.

[0081] As shown in the figure, the upper end of the upper case coating surface 131b is provided with a cover abutment projection 132b, which abuts against the cover adhesive surface 151b of the developing cover 58c and serves as a position regulating portion to restrict the position of the cover adhesive surface 151b. Furthermore, the lower end of the upper case coating surface 131b is also provided with a cover abutment surface 132c, which is located one step higher than the upper case coating surface 131b and serves as a position regulating portion to abut against the cover adhesive surface 151b and restrict the position of the cover adhesive surface 151b.

[0082] Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the developing case 58a, viewed from above at one longitudinal end; Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 9; and Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the CC area in Figure 10.

[0083] A sponge seal 140, acting as a sealing member, is attached to the seal mounting surface 110 by double-sided tape or the like. The sponge seal 140 has a notched portion 140a on the side opposite to the developing roller 50, with the longitudinal outer side cut out. The developing roller side of the sponge seal 140 contacts the surface of the developing roller 50 and seals the hole through which the shaft of the developing roller 50 passes.

[0084] The adhesive 200 is applied to the notched portion 140a of the sponge seal 140, and is applied so as to be in contact with the sponge seal 140. In this embodiment, the notched portion 140a of the sponge seal 140 becomes part of the inner side wall of the lower case coating groove 101a, and this notched portion 140a functions to prevent the adhesive 200 applied to the notched portion of the sponge seal 140 from flowing into the interior. By applying the adhesive 200 to the notched portion 140a of the sponge seal 140 in this way, the developing case 58b can be sealed seamlessly between the sponge seal 140 and the adhesive 200, and the leakage of the developer can be effectively suppressed.

[0085] Furthermore, the sponge seal 140 is positioned such that the tip portion T of the notched portion 140a bites into the end face of the inner side wall of the lower case coating groove 101a. As shown in Figure 11, the tip portion T of the notched portion 140a is curved to follow the end face H of the inner side wall of the lower case coating groove 101a and is attached to the end face H of the inner side wall. This ensures that the sponge seal 140 is in contact with the end face H of the inner side wall of the lower case coating groove 101a, preventing the adhesive 200 applied to the notched portion of the sponge seal 140 from flowing out into the interior through the gap between the tip of the notched portion 140a and the end face H of the inner side wall of the lower case coating groove 101a.

[0086] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing how the upper developing case 58b is positioned and fixed to the lower developing case 58a.

[0087] First, the main positioning projection 171 of the upper developing case 58b is fitted into the positioning groove 161 of the lower developing case 58a. Next, using the main positioning projection 171 as a pivot point, the upper developing case 58b is rotated clockwise in the diagram, and the secondary positioning projection 172 is fitted into the positioning hole 162 of the lower developing case 58a. This positions the upper developing case 58b relative to the lower developing case 58a.

[0088] Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 9 AA when the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a.

[0089] When the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a, the upper case adhesive projection 120a of the upper developing case 58b enters the lower case coating groove 101a of the lower developing case 58a, and the tip of the upper case adhesive projection 120a comes into contact with the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case coating groove 101a. As a result, the upper case adhesive projection 120a is bonded to and sealed in the lower case coating groove 101a.

[0090] Furthermore, when the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a enters the lower case coating groove 101a, the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case coating groove 101a is crushed by the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a. However, in this embodiment, the developing upper case 58b is positioned relative to the developing lower case 58a, and the position of the developing upper case 58b relative to the developing lower case 58a is restricted. As a result, the tip of the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a is restricted to a position at a distance Z1 from the bottom surface of the lower case coating groove 101a, and does not move any further toward the bottom surface. In this way, by restricting the position between the developing upper case 58b and the developing lower case 58a by positioning so that a predetermined gap is formed between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case coating groove 101a, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 200 from being crushed more than necessary by the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a, and to prevent the adhesive 200 from leaking out of the lower case coating groove 101a.

[0091] Thus, in this embodiment, the configuration for positioning the upper developing case 58b on the lower developing case 58a (composed of the case main positioning projection 171 and case secondary positioning projection 172 of the upper developing case 58b, and the case positioning groove 161 and case positioning hole 162 of the lower developing case 58a) functions as a position regulating part.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a positioning configuration that regulates the position between the upper developing case 58b and the lower developing case 58a is provided near the bonding point between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case coating groove 101a. This allows for precise determination of the positional relationship between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case coating groove 101a, preventing the adhesive 200 from leaking out of the lower case coating groove 101a.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a is positioned further outward in the longitudinal direction than the bonding point between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case coating groove 101a. This allows for a good positional relationship between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case coating groove 101a, preventing the adhesive 200 from leaking out of the lower case coating groove 101a.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the secondary reference for positioning is provided near the center in the short-side direction (a direction perpendicular to both the long-side and vertical directions), but it is preferable to provide the secondary reference for positioning as close to the rear end as possible. With this configuration, positioning can be achieved in the short-side direction outside the bonding point between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case coating groove 101a, and the positional relationship between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case coating groove 101a, and the positional relationship between the lower case stepped coating portion 101b and the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b can be determined with high precision. This is preferable because it is possible to reliably secure predetermined gaps (Z1 in Figure 13 and α in Figure 14) between the upper case adhesive protrusion 120a and the lower case coating groove 101a, and between the lower case stepped coating portion 101b and the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b.

[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, the upper side of the inner surface of the lower case coating groove 101a is a tapered surface 106. By making it a tapered surface 106, the volume of the lower case coating groove 101a can be increased compared to when there is no tapered surface. As a result, even if the amount of adhesive 200 applied to the lower case coating groove 101a is slightly more than the specified amount, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 200 from leaking out of the lower case coating groove 101a.

[0096] Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the area indicated by the dashed line α in Figure 7 when the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a.

[0097] When the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a, the stepped adhesive portion 120b of the upper case crushes the adhesive 200 applied to the stepped coating portion 101b of the lower case, thereby bonding the stepped adhesive portion 120b of the upper case to the stepped coating portion 101b of the lower case and sealing it with the adhesive 200. At this time, a gap α is formed between the stepped adhesive portion 120b of the upper case and the stepped coating portion 101b of the lower case. Also at this time, a gap β is formed between the second case abutment projection 102b and the inner wall surface of the case adhesive surface portion 251c, which has the stepped adhesive portion 120b of the upper developing case 58b on its inner side. The gap β is narrower than the gap α.

[0098] The case adhesive surface portion 251c of the upper developing case 58b is located away from the positioning point relative to the lower developing case 58a. Furthermore, the case adhesive surface portion 251c has a plate-like shape that extends in the longitudinal direction, and its rigidity is low in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the case adhesive surface portion 251c. As a result, when an operator presses the case adhesive surface portion 251c, the case adhesive surface portion 251c deforms toward the lower case stepped coating portion 101b, causing the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b provided on the case adhesive surface portion 251c to excessively crush the adhesive 200, potentially causing the adhesive 200 to leak out from the lower case stepped coating portion 101b.

[0099] However, in this embodiment, there is a second case abutment projection 102b that abuts against the case adhesive surface 251c and serves as a position regulating part that restricts the position of the upper case stepped adhesive part 120b. As described above, the gap β between the second case abutment projection 102b and the inner wall surface of the case adhesive surface 251c is narrower than the gap α between the lower case stepped coating part 101b and the upper case stepped adhesive part 120b. Therefore, when an operator pushes the case adhesive surface 251c and deforms it toward the lower case stepped coating part 101b, the case adhesive surface 251c abuts against the second case abutment projection 102b and restricts its position before the upper case stepped adhesive part 120b contacts the lower case stepped coating part 101b. This maintains a predetermined gap (β-α) between the lower case stepped coating portion 101b and the upper case stepped bonding portion 120b, preventing the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case stepped coating portion 101b from being excessively compressed.

[0100] In this way, by restricting the position between the lower developing case 58a and the upper developing case 58b with the second case abutment projection 102b so that a predetermined gap (β-α) is formed (maintained) between the lower case stepped coating portion 101b and the upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b, it is possible to suppress leakage of the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case stepped coating portion 101b from the lower case stepped coating portion 101b.

[0101] In this embodiment, when the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a, the second case abutment projection 102b is not in contact with the inner wall surface of the case adhesive surface 251c. However, the configuration may be such that the second case abutment projection 102b contacts the inner wall surface of the case adhesive surface 251c when the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a.

[0102] However, when the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a, it is preferable that the second case abutment projection 102b does not come into contact with the inner wall surface of the case adhesive surface 251c. This is because, if the second case abutment projection 102b comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the case adhesive surface 251c when the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a, then due to manufacturing errors or the like, the second case abutment projection 102b may become higher than the target height, which could result in the upper case step adhesive surface 120b being unable to compress the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case step coating surface 101b by the desired amount, or failing to come into contact with the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case step coating surface 101b, thus potentially causing a sealing defect.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lower case stepped coating portion 101b is provided with an inclined surface 103a that slopes inward. By having this inclined surface 103a, the volume of the space between the upper developing case 58b and the lower developing case 58a above the lower case stepped coating portion 101b can be increased. This makes it possible to suppress the leakage of the adhesive 200, which has been crushed by the upper case stepped bonding portion 120b, into the inside of the casing.

[0104] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the abutment projection 102b of the second case also has the function of blocking the adhesive 200 and preventing it from leaking out.

[0105] Furthermore, when the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a, the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case coating surface 101c is crushed by the upper case adhesive surface 120c, and the upper case adhesive surface 120c adheres to the lower case coating surface 101c. Since this upper case adhesive surface 120c, like the case adhesive surface 251c, is also separated from the positioning point relative to the lower developing case 58a, when pressed, the upper case adhesive surface 120c moves toward the lower case coating surface 101c. As a result, there is a risk that the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case coating surface 101c will be excessively crushed.

[0106] However, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, a first case abutment projection 102a is provided near the lower case coating surface 101c. When the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a, the first case abutment projection 102a faces the upper case adhesive surface 120c with a gap between them. This gap is narrower than the distance between the lower case coating surface 101c and the upper case adhesive surface 120c. Therefore, when the upper case adhesive surface 120c is pressed by an operator, the first case abutment projection 102a abuts against the upper case adhesive surface 120c and restricts its position before the upper case adhesive surface 120c contacts the lower case coating surface 101c. This maintains a predetermined gap between the lower case coating surface 101c and the upper case adhesive surface 120c, preventing the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case stepped coating portion 101b from being excessively crushed.

[0107] In this way, by regulating the position between the developing lower case 58a and the developing upper case 58b with the first case abutment projection 102a so that a predetermined gap is formed (maintained) between the lower case coating surface 101c and the upper case adhesive surface portion 120c, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case coating surface 101c from being excessively crushed and leaking out from the lower case coating surface 101c.

[0108] Furthermore, the first case abutment projection 102a, like the second case abutment projection 102b, is configured to be non-contact with the upper case adhesive surface 120c when the upper developing case 58b is positioned on the lower developing case 58a. As a result, even if the second case abutment projection 102b is slightly higher than the target height due to manufacturing errors or the like, the case adhesive surface 251c can be positioned at the specified location, and the adhesive 200 applied to the lower case coating surface 101c can be appropriately compressed.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first case abutment projection 102a can block the adhesive 200, thereby preventing the adhesive 200 from leaking into the interior.

[0110] In this embodiment, a position regulating portion (case positioning groove 161 and case positioning hole 162, first case abutment protrusion 102a, second case abutment protrusion 102b) is provided to regulate the position between the lower developing case 58a and the upper developing case 58b so that a predetermined gap is formed between the case coating portion (lower case coating groove 101a, lower case stepped coating portion 101b, lower case coating surface 101c) of the lower developing case 58a and the case bonding portion (upper case bonding protrusion 120a, upper case stepped bonding portion 120b, upper case bonding surface portion 120c) of the upper developing case 58b. This prevents the adhesive 200 applied to the case coating portion from being excessively crushed and suppresses leakage of the adhesive 200.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a position regulating portion (case positioning groove 161 and case positioning hole 162, first case abutment projection 102a, second case abutment projection 102b) that regulates the position between the lower developing case 58a and the upper developing case 58b is provided near the case coating portion (lower case coating groove 101a, lower case stepped coating portion 101b, lower case coating surface 101c). This makes it possible to accurately set the gap between the case coating portion and the case bonding portion (upper case bonding projection 120a, upper case stepped bonding portion 120b, upper case bonding surface portion 120c) to a predetermined gap.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by positioning the upper developing case 58b on the lower developing case 58a, each case adhesive portion of the upper developing case 58b (upper case adhesive protrusion 120a, upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b, upper case adhesive surface portion 120c) can be reliably positioned in the predetermined location. This ensures that the adhesive portions of the upper developing case 58b (upper case adhesive protrusion 120a, upper case stepped adhesive portion 120b, upper case adhesive surface portion 120c) come into contact with the adhesive 200, and the space between the upper developing case 58b and the lower developing case 58a can be effectively sealed with the adhesive 200.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper developing case 58b is positioned relative to the lower developing case 58a, which prevents the upper developing case 58b from easily moving relative to the lower developing case 58a in a direction that would cause it to detach. Therefore, until the adhesive 200 hardens and the bonding between the upper developing case 58b and the lower developing case 58a is completed, it is possible to suppress the upper developing case 58b from moving relative to the lower developing case 58a in a direction that would cause it to detach. As a result, the upper developing case 58b and the lower developing case 58a can be reliably bonded, and the occurrence of sealing defects can be suppressed.

[0114] In the above, the developing case 58a is provided with position regulating parts (first case abutment projection 102a and second case abutment projection 102b), but the developing case 58b may also be provided with position regulating parts. Alternatively, the developing case 58b may be provided with an application area to which the adhesive 200 is applied, and the developing case 58a may be provided with an adhesive area to which it is bonded by the adhesive 200.

[0115] Figure 15 is a perspective view showing how the developing cover 58c is positioned and fixed to the developing case 58b.

[0116] The main cover positioning projection 181 (see Figure 6) of the developing cover 58c is fitted into the cover positioning groove 173 (see Figure 6) of the developing upper case 58b, and the cover is rotated clockwise in the figure using the main cover positioning projection 181 as a pivot point. Then, the cover positioning hook portion 182 is hooked onto the cover positioning projection 174. This positions the developing cover 58c on the developing upper case 58b.

[0117] Figure 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the position of the dashed line γ in Figure 8 when the developing cover 58c is positioned on the developing case 58b.

[0118] When the developing cover 58c is positioned on the developing upper case 58b, the cover adhesive protrusion 151a of the developing cover 58c fits into the upper case coating groove 131a of the developing upper case 58b, and the tip of the cover adhesive protrusion 151a moderately crushes the adhesive 201 applied to the upper case coating groove 131a, thereby bonding and sealing the cover adhesive protrusion 151a to the upper case coating groove 131a.

[0119] In this embodiment, the developing cover 58c is positioned on the developing upper case 58b, thereby restricting the position of the developing cover 58c relative to the developing upper case 58b. As a result, the tip of the cover adhesive projection 151a is restricted to a position at a distance Z2 from the bottom surface of the upper case coating groove 131a, and does not move any further toward the bottom surface. In this way, by restricting the position between the developing cover 58c and the developing upper case 58b so that a predetermined gap is formed between the cover adhesive projection 151a and the upper case coating groove 131a, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 201 from being crushed more than necessary by the cover adhesive projection 151a, and to prevent the adhesive 201 from leaking out of the upper case coating groove 131a.

[0120] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the developing cover 58c and the developing upper case 58b are positioned longitudinally outward from the bonding point between the cover adhesive protrusion 151a and the upper case coating groove 131a, and also outward in the short direction (the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the back surface). In addition, the developing cover 58c and the developing upper case 58b are positioned near the bonding point between the cover adhesive protrusion 151a and the upper case coating groove 131a. Therefore, the positional relationship between the cover adhesive protrusion 151a and the upper case coating groove 131a can be determined with high precision, and the adhesive 201 can be prevented from leaking out of the upper case coating groove 131a. Also, since the positioning by the cover positioning projection 174 and the cover positioning hook portion 182 is performed at the longitudinal end of the back surface, the positional relationship between the upper case coating surface 131b and the cover adhesive surface portion 151b can be determined with high precision. This ensures that a predetermined gap (X2 in Figure 17) is secured between the upper case coating surface 131b and the cover adhesive surface 151b, making it difficult for the adhesive 201 to leak out from the upper case coating surface 131a.

[0121] Furthermore, the upper case coating groove 131a, like the lower case coating groove 101a, has a tapered surface 133 on its upper side, making it difficult for the adhesive 201 to leak out of the upper case coating groove 131a.

[0122] Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the position indicated by the dashed line β in Figure 8 when the developing cover 58c is positioned on the developing case 58b.

[0123] As the developing cover 58c is positioned on the developing upper case 58b, the adhesive 201 applied to the upper case coating surface 131b is appropriately compressed by the cover adhesive surface 151b, and the cover adhesive surface 151b is bonded to the upper case coating surface 131b.

[0124] The cover adhesive surface portion 151b is located away from the positioning point relative to the developing case 58b and is elongated in the longitudinal direction as shown in Figure 6, making it prone to deformation. Therefore, if the cover adhesive surface portion 151b is pushed toward the upper case coating surface 131b, the cover adhesive surface portion 151b will move toward the upper case coating surface 131b.

[0125] However, in this embodiment, a cover abutment projection 132b and a cover abutment surface 132c are provided above and below the upper case coating surface 131b. The cover abutment projection 132b and the cover abutment surface 132c protrude from the upper case coating surface 131b to the cover adhesive surface 151b. Therefore, when the cover adhesive surface 151b is pushed and moves toward the upper case coating surface 131b, the cover adhesive surface 151b abuts against the cover abutment projection 132b and the cover abutment surface 132c, and its position is restricted. As a result, a predetermined gap is secured (formed) between the upper case coating surface 131b and the cover adhesive surface 151b, preventing the adhesive 201 applied to the upper case coating surface 131b from being excessively crushed and leaking out from the upper case coating surface 131b.

[0126] Furthermore, the step difference between the cover abutment protrusions 132b and the cover abutment surface 132c, which are provided above and below the upper case coating surface 131b, can prevent the adhesive 201 from leaking out of the upper case coating surface 131b. This further prevents the adhesive 201 applied to the upper case coating surface 131b from leaking out.

[0127] In this embodiment, a position restricting portion is provided on the upper developing case to restrict the position of the developing cover 58c and the upper developing case 58b so that a predetermined gap is formed between the upper case coating surface 131b and the cover adhesive surface portion 151b, but it may also be provided on the developing cover 58c.

[0128] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by positioning the developing cover 58c on the developing upper case 58b, each adhesive portion of the developing cover 58c (cover adhesive protrusion 151a, cover adhesive surface 151b) can be reliably brought into contact with the adhesive 201 applied to each coated portion of the developing upper case 58b (upper case coating groove 131a, upper case coating surface 131b), and can be appropriately compressed. This allows for good sealing of the space between the developing cover 58c and the developing upper case 58b with the adhesive 201.

[0129] Furthermore, by positioning the developing cover 58c on the developing case 58b, relative movement of the developing cover 58c in a direction that would easily cause it to detach from the developing case 58b is prevented. Therefore, relative movement of the developing cover 58c in a direction that would cause it to detach from the developing case 58b can be suppressed until the adhesive 201 hardens and the bonding between the developing case 58b and the developing cover 58c is completed. As a result, the developing case 58b and the developing cover 58c can be reliably bonded, and sealing defects can be suppressed.

[0130] Furthermore, by positioning the developing cover 58c on the developing upper case 58b, an appropriate gap can be created between the developing cover 58c and the developing roller 50. This allows the rotation of the developing roller 50 to generate an appropriate suction airflow between the developing roller 50 and the developing cover 58c, thereby preventing toner scattering.

[0131] Furthermore, since position regulating parts (cover positioning groove 173 and cover positioning projection 174, cover abutment projection 132b and cover abutment surface 132c) that regulate the position of the developing cover 58c are provided near the coated part (upper case coating groove 131a, upper case coating surface 131b) of the developing upper case 58b, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 201 applied to the developing upper case 58b from being excessively crushed, and leakage of the adhesive 201 can be suppressed.

[0132] Alternatively, the developing cover 58c may be provided with an application area for the adhesive 201, and the developing case 58b may be provided with an adhesive area for bonding to the developing cover 58c.

[0133] Furthermore, although the above description has focused on an application of the present invention to the casing 58 of a developing device, the present invention can also be applied to a toner container 11 that contains toner as a developer, a waste toner container that contains waste toner as a developer, and the like.

[0134] The above is just one example; each of the following embodiments produces its own unique effects. (Aspect 1) In a developer container such as a casing 58, which is formed by combining multiple components to create a space for containing a developer and sealing the components by bonding them together with a sealing material such as an adhesive, the container has a position regulating portion that restricts the position between the first component and the second component so that a predetermined gap is formed between the bonded portion of the first component, which is one of the two components bonded together by the sealing material (in this embodiment, the lower developing case 58a and the upper developing case 58b, and the upper developing case 58b and the developing cover 58c), and the bonded portion of the second component, which is the other component.

[0135] According to this, by regulating the position between the first member and the second member with the position regulating part, it is possible to prevent the gap between the adhesive part of the first member and the adhesive part of the second member from becoming narrower than a predetermined gap. This makes it possible to suppress excessive crushing of the sealant and prevent it from oozing out.

[0136] (Aspect 2) In Embodiment 1, the position regulating portion is a positioning portion that positions the second member relative to the first member (in this embodiment, the case positioning groove 161 and the case main positioning projection 171, the case positioning hole 162 and the case secondary positioning projection 172, the cover positioning groove 173 and the cover main positioning projection 181 and the cover positioning projection 174 and the cover positioning hook portion 182).

[0137] According to this, as described in the embodiment, the position of the adhesive portion of the second member relative to the adhesive portion of the first member can be positioned approximately to the target position, and the adhesive portion of the other member can be reliably brought into contact with the sealant applied to either the adhesive portion of the first member or the adhesive portion of the second member. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the first member from moving relative to the second member in a direction that would cause it to detach while the sealant is hardening. As a result, the adhesive portions of the first member and the second member can be properly bonded together with the sealant, and the first and second members can be properly sealed.

[0138] (Aspect 3) In embodiment 2, the positioning portion is provided outside the adhesive portion.

[0139] According to this, as described in the embodiment, the positional relationship between the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member can be precisely set to the desired positional relationship. As a result, the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member can be properly bonded with the sealing material, and the first member and the second member can be properly sealed.

[0140] (Aspect 4) In any of embodiments 1 to 3, either the adhesive portion of the first member or the adhesive portion of the second member is a coated portion to which a sealing material is applied, and the coated portion is concave (in this embodiment, the lower case coated groove 101a or the upper case coated groove 131a) or stepped (in this embodiment, the lower case stepped coated portion 101b).

[0141] According to this, the fluid sealant can be held well during the bonding process.

[0142] (Appendix 5) In embodiment 4, the shape of the adhesive portion that adheres to the concave coating portion is convex (in this embodiment, the upper case adhesive convex portion 120a and the cover adhesive convex portion 151a).

[0143] According to this method, the adhesive portion can be reliably brought into contact with the sealant applied to the recessed part of the concave coating portion, thereby bonding the adhesive portion to the coating portion.

[0144] (Aspect 6) In embodiment 4 or 5, a concave coating portion and a stepped coating portion are connected.

[0145] According to this, as described in the embodiment, the first member and the second member can be bonded and sealed together with a sealing material without any gaps.

[0146] (Aspect 7) In any of embodiments 1 to 6, there is a sealing member such as a sponge seal 140 that elastically deforms to seal the space between a first member such as a developing lower case 58a and a second member such as a developing upper case 58b, and a sealing material such as an adhesive 200 is in contact with the sealing member.

[0147] According to this, the space between the first component, such as the developing lower case 58a, and the second component, such as the developing upper case 58b, can be seamlessly sealed using a sealing member such as the sponge seal 140 and a sealing material such as the adhesive 200.

[0148] (Pattern 8) In embodiment 7, the sealing member such as the sponge seal 140 has a notched portion 140a, and a sealing material such as adhesive is filled into the notched portion of the notched portion 140a.

[0149] According to this, gaps between sealing members such as sponge seals 140 and sealing materials such as adhesives 200 can be reliably eliminated.

[0150] (Aspect 9) In embodiment 8, a series of concave coating sections, such as a lower case coating groove 101a, are connected to a mounting section such as a seal mounting surface 110 to which a sealing member such as a sponge seal 140 is attached, to which a sealing material such as an adhesive 200 is applied.

[0151] According to this, sealing materials such as adhesive 200 can be applied seamlessly to the cut-out portion of the notched shape 140a.

[0152] (Aspect 10) In embodiment 9, the tip of the notched portion 140a is attached to the tip surface H of the side wall of a concave coating portion such as the lower case coating groove 101a.

[0153] According to this, as described in the embodiment, it is possible to prevent the sealing material such as adhesive 200 applied to the notched portion of the notched portion 140a from flowing out from the gap between the leading edge of the side wall of the concave coating portion of the lower case coating groove 101a and the leading edge of the notched portion 140a.

[0154] (Aspect 11) In any of embodiments 7 to 10, a rotating member such as a developing roller 50 is provided, and a sealing member such as a sponge seal 140 is in contact with the rotating member.

[0155] According to this, the developing roller 50 can be sealed with a sealing member around the rotating member without hindering the rotation of the rotating member.

[0156] (Aspect 12) In any of embodiments 1 to 11, the position regulating portion is provided near the adhesive portion.

[0157] According to this, as described in the embodiment, when the position between the first member and the second member is restricted by the position restricting portion, the gap between the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member can be made into the desired gap, and excessive crushing of the sealing material can be reliably suppressed.

[0158] (Aspect 13) In any of embodiments 1 to 12, the position regulating portion is a convex shape that protrudes from the coating surface to which the sealing material is applied (such as the first case abutment protrusion 102a or the second case abutment protrusion 102b).

[0159] According to this method, the position can be restricted by the other member of the member on which the coated surface is formed abutting against the position restricting portion, thereby reliably preventing the sealing material from being excessively crushed.

[0160] (Aspect 14) In a developing apparatus comprising a developer carrier such as a developing roller 50 that carries and rotates a developer to develop a latent image on a latent image carrier such as a photoreceptor, and a developer storage section for storing the developer, a developer storage container from any of embodiments 1 to 13 was used as the developer storage section.

[0161] According to this method, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects caused by leaked adhesive.

[0162] (Aspect 15) In an image forming apparatus comprising a latent image carrier such as a photoreceptor 1, a developing means such as a developing device 5 for developing the latent image of the latent image carrier using a developer, and a developer container for containing the developer, a developer container from any of embodiments 1 to 13 was used as the developer container.

[0163] According to this method, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects caused by leaked adhesive. (Note 1) In a storage container in which multiple components are combined to form an internal storage space, and the components are bonded together with a sealing material, The first member has a stopper portion that restricts the distance in the contact direction between the first member and the second member, such that a predetermined gap is formed between the adhesive portion of the first member, which is one of the two members to be bonded by the sealing material, and the adhesive portion of the second member, which is the other member. The abutment portion is provided such that the gap is secured when it abuts against the second member. Of the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member, one is concave in shape. The other is a convex shape formed to fit into the concave shape, A storage container characterized by having a position regulating part that restricts relative movement between the first member and the second member in a direction that causes them to detach. (Note 2) The storage container according to (Note 1), characterized in that the abutment portion is not in contact with the opposing surface of the second member when its position is restricted by the position restricting portion. (Note 3) In the containment container described in either item (Appendix 1) or (Appendix 2), The aforementioned concave shape is characterized by having an inclined surface that slopes toward the inside of the concave shape. (Note 4) In the containment container described in any one of the items (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 3), The aforementioned position-regulating portion is characterized by having a hook portion. (Note 5) In the containment container described in any one of the items (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 4), The container is characterized in that the position regulating portion is provided outside the adhesive portion. (Note 6) In the containment container described in (Note 1), The container is characterized in that the abutment portion is provided outside the adhesive portion. (Note 7) In a storage container in which multiple components are combined to form an internal storage space, and the components are bonded together with a sealing material, The first member has a stopper portion that restricts the distance in the contact direction between the first member and the second member, such that a predetermined gap is formed between the adhesive portion of the first member, which is one of the two members to be bonded by the sealing material, and the adhesive portion of the second member, which is the other member. The abutment portion is provided such that the gap is secured when it abuts against the second member. Of the adhesive portion of the first member and the adhesive portion of the second member, one is concave in shape. The other is a convex shape formed to fit into the concave shape, The system includes a position regulating part that restricts relative movement between the first member and the second member in a direction that causes them to detach, When the position is restricted by the position restricting portion, the abutment portion is not in contact with the opposing surface of the second member. The aforementioned concave shape has an inclined surface that slopes toward the inside of the concave shape, The aforementioned position regulating part has a hooking part, The position regulating portion is provided outside the adhesive portion, A storage container characterized in that the abutment portion is provided outside the adhesive portion. (Note 8) The container described in any one of the items (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 7) is characterized in that the container contains a developer. (Note 9) The container described in (Appendix 8) is characterized in that the container is a developing device. (Note 10) An image forming apparatus equipped with the containment container described in (Appendix 8). [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 1: Photoreceptor 5: Developing equipment 50: Developing Roller 51: Developing sleeve 52: Doctor Blade 53: Supply screw 53a: Supply and transport route 54: Recovery Screw 54a: Recovery and transport route 55: Magnetic roller 57: Partition board 58: Casing 58a: Developing case 58b: Developing case 58c: Developing cover 59: Toner refill port 101a: Lower case coating groove 101b: Lower case step coating area 101c: Lower case coating surface 102a: First case abutment protrusion 102b: Second case abutment protrusion 102c: Dam wall section 103a: Inclined surface 106: Tapered surface 110: Seal mounting surface 111: Sealing protrusion 120a: Upper case adhesive protrusion 120b: Upper case step adhesive section 120c: Upper case adhesive surface 131a: Upper case coating groove 131b: Upper case coating surface 132b: Cover abutment protrusion 132c: Cover abutment surface 133: Tapered surface 140: Sponge Seal 140a: Notched section 151a: Cover adhesive protrusion 151b:Cover adhesive surface part 161: Case positioning groove 162: Case positioning holes 171: Main positioning protrusion for the case 172: Case-following positioning projection 173: Cover positioning groove 174: Cover positioning protrusion 181: Main positioning projection for cover 182: Cover positioning hook section 200: Adhesive 201: Adhesive 250a: Base section 250b: Side wall part 251a: Rear wall 251b:Inner side wall part 251c: Case adhesive surface 252: Cover base section 500: Photocopier [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0165] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5366471

Claims

1. In a storage container in which multiple components are combined to form an internal storage space, and the components are bonded together with a sealing material, The first member has a stopper portion that restricts the distance in the contact direction between the first member and the second member, such that a predetermined gap is formed between the adhesive portion of the first member, which is one of the two members to be bonded by the sealing material, and the adhesive portion of the second member, which is the other member. The abutment portion is provided such that the gap is secured when it abuts against the second member. The adhesive portion of the first member has a stepped shape composed of a first surface and a second surface that intersects with the first surface. The adhesive portion of the second member has a third surface facing the first surface and a fourth surface facing the second surface. A container characterized by the following features.

2. In the container according to claim 1, A container characterized in that the sealing material is provided at a position spanning the gap formed between the first surface and the third surface and the gap formed between the second surface and the fourth surface.

3. The first member and the second member have positioning portions, The storage container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the abutment portion is not in contact with the opposing surface of the second member when positioned.

4. In the container according to claim 2, A container characterized by having an inclined surface at the end of the first or second surface.

5. In the container according to claim 2, A storage container characterized by having a position regulating part that restricts relative movement of the first member and the second member in a direction that causes them to detach.

6. In the container according to claim 5, The aforementioned position-regulating portion is characterized by having a hook portion.

7. In the container according to either claim 5 or claim 6, The container is characterized in that the position regulating portion is provided outside the adhesive portion.

8. In the container according to claim 1, The container is characterized in that the abutment portion is provided outside the adhesive portion.

9. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the container contains a developer.

10. The container according to claim 9, characterized in that the container is a developing device.

11. An image forming apparatus comprising the containment container described in claim 9.

Images