Connection seal structure, powder supply device and powder utilization device

Abstract

To provide a connection seal structure and the like which can suppress breakage of a portion of an elastic member attached to at least a portion facing a connection part of a connected part due to insertion / withdrawal of the connection part in comparison to a case where the structure does not include maintenance means that maintains a bent state of a bent end of the elastic member.SOLUTION: The connection seal structure comprises: a first structure which has a connection part connected to be able to be inserted / withdrawn; and a second structure having a connected part to which the connection part is inserted to be connected and which is attached with an elastic member including an elastic layer on at least a portion facing the connection part. The elastic member includes maintenance means which maintains a bent state of a bent end of the elastic member in a case where the end facing the connection part when being inserted is bent in the direction not contacting the connection part in the insertion / withdrawal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection seal structure, a powder supplying device, and a powder utilizing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a seal structure in which a sealant having a base layer made of an elastic material and a rubbing layer made of a sheet material attached to the surface that rubs against the sealant of the toner receiving port of the agent storage section of the developing section is used as a sealant around a toner discharge port provided on a casing of a discharge port cover in a toner supplying device in which a toner bottle is removably attached, the rubbing layer being made long so that a tip portion of the sealant having the rubbing layer in the movement direction when the toner supplying device is slidably inserted into the copier body protrudes beyond the tip of the base layer, and the protruding tip portion of the rubbing layer is bent around the tip of the base layer toward the side of the casing and attached to the side, and also describes a developer supplying device and an image forming device using this seal structure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3919467 (paragraphs 0063-0067, figures 8-10, etc.) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a connection seal structure, a powder supplying device, and a powder utilization device which can prevent a part of an elastic member attached to at least a part of a connected part facing a connecting part into which a connecting part for removably connecting is inserted from being damaged due to insertion or removal of the connecting part, compared to a case in which there is no maintaining means for maintaining the bent state of the bent end of the elastic member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This invention (1) is, a first structure having a connecting portion for inserting and removably connecting; and a second structure having a connected portion into which the connecting portion is inserted and connected, and having an elastic member including an elastic layer attached to at least a portion facing the connecting portion; A connection seal structure comprising: , The first structure and the second structure The elastic member is To the connected part the end portion facing the connection portion when inserted is bent in a direction not to come into contact with the connection portion when inserted and removed, including the elastic layer; The connection seal structure includes: a retaining means for retaining the bent end of the elastic member in a bent state, the retaining means is formed of a spring member that presses a bent end of the elastic member against a part of the connected portion in a direction in which the connecting portion is inserted, The spring member is disposed in the connected portion in a contracted state, and is pressed by a part of the connecting portion to be inserted to become further contracted, forming a connection seal structure.

[0007] This invention ( 2 )teeth, a first structure having a connecting portion for inserting and removably connecting; and a second structure having a connected portion into which the connecting portion is inserted and connected, and having an elastic member including an elastic layer attached to at least a portion facing the connecting portion; A connection seal structure comprising: The first structure and the second structure The elastic member is To the connected part the end portion facing the connection portion when inserted is bent in a direction not to come into contact with the connection portion when inserted and removed, including the elastic layer; The connection seal structure includes: a retaining means for retaining the bent end of the elastic member in a bent state, The maintaining means is a connection seal structure constituted by a member that connects the bent end of the elastic member to a part of the connected portion.

[0008] This invention ( 3 ) is the above invention (1) Or (2)In the connection seal structure of The bent portion of the elastic layer is a connection seal structure that is bonded to a portion of the connected part.

[0009] In addition, this invention ( 4 )teeth, a powder supply structure having a connecting portion for connecting the powder in a removable manner and a discharge port provided at the connecting portion for discharging the powder to be supplied; a powder receiving structure having a connected portion into which the connecting portion is inserted and connected, and a receiving opening provided in the connected portion and facing the discharge opening for receiving the discharged powder; a first structure having the connecting portion of the powder supplying structure, and a second structure having the connected portion of the powder receiving structure; an elastic member including an elastic layer attached to a portion covering at least the periphery of the receiving opening of the connected portion and preventing leakage of powder between the connecting portion and the receiving opening; A second structure, A connection seal structure; Equipped with The connection seal structure is any one of the above inventions (1) to ( 3 ) is a powder supplying device that is configured with a connection seal structure of either

[0010] This invention ( 5 ) is the above invention ( 4 ) powder supplying device, When the connection seal structure is configured as the connection seal structure of the above invention (1), an opening / closing lid that is attached to the connected portion so as to move in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the connecting portion and that opens and closes the receiving opening; and a spring member that is disposed downstream of the receiving opening in a direction opposite to the direction in which the connecting portion is inserted and that biases the opening / closing lid in a direction opposite to the direction in which the connecting portion is inserted to hold it in a closed state; The spring member is a powder supplying device arranged so that the end facing the connected portion contacts the bent end of the elastic member and presses the bent end against a part of the connected portion.

[0011] Furthermore, this invention ( 6 )teeth, A powder deposition device for depositing powder onto a target object; a powder supplying device that supplies powder to the powder deposition device; Equipped with The powder supplying device according to the above invention ( 4 ) or ( 5 ) is a powder utilizing device that is configured including a powder supplying device. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the connection seal structure of the above invention (1), damage to a part of the elastic member attached to at least a part of the connected part facing the connecting part, into which the removably connected connecting part is inserted and connected, due to insertion and removal of the connecting part can be prevented compared to a case in which there is no maintaining means for maintaining the bent state of the bent end of the elastic member. Furthermore, according to the above invention (1), compared to a case where the maintaining means is not composed of a spring member that presses the bent end of the elastic member against a part of the connected part from the direction in which the connecting part is inserted, the bending state of the elastic member can be maintained by pressing the elastic member having an elastic layer with the biasing force of the spring member, thereby preventing a part of the elastic member from being damaged due to insertion or removal of the connecting part.

[0014] The above invention ( 2 According to the connection seal structure of ), damage to a part of the elastic member attached to at least a portion of the connected part facing the connection part, into which the removably connected connection part is inserted and connected, due to insertion and removal of the connection part can be prevented compared to a case where there is no maintaining means for maintaining the bent state of the bent end of the elastic member. In addition, the above invention ( 2 ), it is possible to prevent damage to a portion of the elastic member due to insertion and removal of the connection portion, compared to a case in which the maintaining means is not composed of a member that connects the bent end of the elastic member to a portion of the connected portion.

[0015] The above invention ( 3 ) allows the bent state of the elastic member to be better maintained and the gap between the elastic member and the connected portion to be better sealed than when the bent portion of the elastic layer is not adhered to a part of the connected portion.

[0016] The above invention ( 4), compared to a case in which the connection seal structure does not include a maintaining means for maintaining the bent state of the bent end of the elastic member, the connection seal structure is less likely to damage a portion of the elastic member having an elastic layer attached to at least a portion of the connected part that faces the connecting part, into which the removably connected connecting part is inserted and connected, due to the insertion and removal of the connecting part, and the function of preventing powder leakage is more easily maintained.

[0017] The above invention ( 5 ), a spring member that biases the opening and closing lid that opens and closes the receiving port of the connected part to keep it closed is used as the pressing member in the connection seal structure, and damage to a part of the elastic member due to insertion and removal of the connection part can be suppressed without increasing the number of parts, compared to a case in which the spring member is not positioned so that the end facing the connected part contacts the bent end of the elastic member and presses the bent end against a part of the connected part.

[0018] The above invention ( 6 ), compared to a case in which the connection seal structure of the powder supplying device does not include a maintaining means for maintaining the bent state of the bent end of the elastic member, damage to a part of the elastic member attached to at least a portion of the connected part facing the connecting part, into which the removably connected connecting part is inserted and connected, is suppressed due to insertion and removal of the connecting part, and the function of preventing powder leakage in the powder supplying device is more easily maintained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a disconnected state in the connection seal structure etc. of embodiment 1, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a connected state in the connection seal structure etc. of (A). [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing, in partial cross section, a powder supplying device provided with a connection seal structure according to embodiment 1 in a disconnected state. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic diagram showing, partially in cross section, a state in which the powder supplying device having the connection seal structure of FIG. 2 is connected. FIG. [Figure 4] 5A is an oblique view showing the state when the receiving port of the connected part in the connection seal structure of FIG. 2 is closed by an opening / closing lid, and FIG. 5B is an oblique view showing the state when the receiving port of the connected part in FIG. 5A is opened by the opening / closing lid. [Diagram 5] 1A is a schematic diagram showing, in partial cross section, a comparative reference configuration example in the connection seal structure according to embodiment 1, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing, in partial cross section, the state of the configuration example of (A) when connected. [Figure 6] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a disconnected state in a connection seal structure etc. of embodiment 2, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a connected state in the connection seal structure etc. of (A). [Figure 7] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a disconnected state in a connection seal structure etc. of embodiment 3, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a connected state in the connection seal structure etc. of (A). [Figure 8] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a disconnected state in a connection seal structure etc. relating to a modified embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a connected state in the connection seal structure etc. of (A). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (simply referred to as an "embodiment" in this specification) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a connection seal structure 5 according to the first embodiment, and a powder supplying device 7 and a powder utilizing device 1 using the connection seal structure 5. Fig. 1(A) mainly shows a disconnected state of the connection seal structure 5, and Fig. 1(B) mainly shows a connected state of the connection seal structure 5A.

[0022] <Connection seal structure configuration> The connection seal structure 5 comprises a first structure 51 having a connecting portion 52 for connection in an insertable and removable manner, and a second structure 54 having a connected portion 55 into which the connecting portion 52 is inserted and connected, and an elastic member 57 including an elastic layer 571 is attached to at least a portion of the connected portion 55 that faces the connecting portion 52. This connection seal structure 5 is a seal structure that can prevent powder from leaking from the connection portion between the connecting portion 52 and the connected portion 55, for example, when the powder is moved between the connecting portion 52 and the connected portion 55.

[0023] The first structure 51 is, for example, a device or structure that contains the powder to be supplied. The first structure 51 shown in Fig. 1 is a powder container that contains the powder to be supplied.

[0024] The connection part 52 in the first structure 51 is configured as a structural part that carries out the powder to be supplied. The connection part 52 is, for example, a structural part that includes a cylindrical main body having a passage space for carrying the powder to be supplied, and a carrying member for carrying the powder in the passage space of the main body. The connection part 52 further includes an outlet 53 for discharging the powder in a part of the main body.

[0025] On the other hand, the second structure 54 is, for example, a device or structure that receives and uses the powder supplied from the first structure 51. The second structure 54 shown in Fig. 1 is a device or structure to which the first structure 51 is detachably attached.

[0026] The connected part 55 in the second structure 54 is configured as a structural part that receives the powder discharged from the connecting part 52 and supplied when the connecting part 52 is connected. The connected part 55 is a structural part that includes a part into which the connecting part 52 is inserted and connected, a main body in which a passage space for transporting the received powder is formed, and a transport member for transporting the powder in the passage space. The connected part 55 further includes a receiving port 56 in a part thereof (a part of the main body) for receiving the powder. The receiving port 56 is arranged to face the discharge port 53 in the connecting part 52 when the connecting part 52 is inserted and connected to the connected part 55.

[0027] The elastic member 57 is a member that is provided between the connecting portion 52 and the connected portion 55 to prevent substances such as powder from leaking from the gap at the connection portion between the two.

[0028] The elastic member 57 has an elastic layer 571 as a base layer, and a covering layer 572 provided so as to cover the surface of the elastic layer 571 facing the connecting portion 52. The elastic layer 571 is made of a material such as urethane foam, soft foam, etc. The covering layer 572 is made of a material such as felt. When elastic member 57 is attached to connected portion 55 by, for example, adhesive means, an adhesive layer (adhesive tape, adhesive layer, etc.) is provided on the surface of elastic layer 571 opposite covering layer 572.

[0029] The elastic member 57 is attached to at least a portion of the connected portion 55 that faces the connecting portion 52 . At least a portion of the connected portion 55 that faces the connecting portion 52 is, for example, a peripheral portion of the receiving port 56 that faces the discharge port 53 of the connecting portion 52 when connected. Furthermore, when the elastic member 57 has the covering layer 572, the elastic member 57 is attached to the connected portion 55 with the covering layer 572 facing the front side. As a result, in the elastic member 57 attached to the connected portion 55, the front surface of the elastic layer 571 is covered with the covering layer 572 and hidden from the outside.

[0030] In addition, in this connection seal structure 5, the end 57a of the elastic member 57 that faces the connecting portion 52 when inserted to connect to the connected portion 55 is bent in a direction such that it does not come into contact with the connecting portion 52 when inserted or removed.

[0031] The end 57a of the elastic member 57 facing the connecting portion 52 is the end that the connecting portion 52 first approaches and faces when inserted. Reference numeral 57m in Fig. 1 indicates the actual bent range (bending region) of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57. The bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 shown in Fig. 1 is bent obliquely downward, for example, downward in the direction of gravity.

[0032] The direction in which the connector 52 does not come into contact with the connector 52 is a direction away from the direction (insertion direction) D1 in which the connector 52 is inserted. In other words, the direction in which the connector 52 does not come into contact with the connector 52 is a direction that at least intersects with the insertion direction D1 of the connector 52. As a result, when the connecting portion 52 is inserted into or removed from the connected portion 55, the bending region 57m of the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 does not come into contact with the connecting portion 52.

[0033] The connection seal structure 5 is provided with a maintaining means 60 for maintaining the bent state of the bent end of the elastic member 57. Maintaining the bent state means maintaining the bent state of elastic member 57 in a state where it does not fluctuate in the direction approaching connecting portion 52 due to the influence of connecting portion 52 when inserted or removed.

[0034] The maintaining means 60 in the first embodiment is composed of a member 61 that presses the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 against a part 55d of the connected portion 55 from a direction D1 in which the connecting portion 52 is inserted. The portion 55d of the connected portion 55 is, for example, an existing portion such as a side surface that is located closest to the bending region 57m of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57. The portion 55d of the connected portion 55 may be a newly provided portion. The maintaining means 60 constituted by the pressing member 61 will be described in detail later.

[0035] A connection seal structure 5 equipped with a maintaining means 60 composed of this pressing member 61 (hereinafter, the connection seal structure when having this configuration will be referred to as a connection seal structure 5A) is an effective seal structure that can prevent, for example, when powder is moved between the connecting part 52 and the connected part 55, from leaking from the connection part between the connecting part 52 and the connected part 55 even if the connecting part 52 is repeatedly inserted and removed.

[0036] <Configuration of powder supplying device equipped with connection seal structure> Moreover, the connection seal structure 5 (5A) according to the actual embodiment 1 is applied as a connection seal structure in a powder supplying device 7 as shown in FIG. The powder supplying device 7 comprises a powder supplying structure 71 having a connecting part 72 for removably connecting and an outlet 73 provided on the connecting part 72 for discharging the powder to be supplied, a connected part 75 into which the connecting part 72 is inserted and connected, and a powder receiving structure 74 having an inlet 76 provided on the connected part 75 facing the outlet 73 for receiving the discharged powder, and a connection seal structure 5 having an elastic member 57 including an elastic layer 571 attached to a portion of the connected part 75 that covers at least the periphery of the inlet 76 and prevents leakage of powder between the connecting part 72 and the powder receiving structure 74.

[0037] Of these, the connection seal structure 5 is constituted by the connection seal structure 5A having the above-mentioned configuration.

[0038] The powder supply structure 71 corresponds to the first structure 51 in the connection seal structure 5A and is a structure used to supply powder. The powder supply structure 71 is not limited to a container that is replaced and used, but includes a structure such as a hopper that is fixedly installed. In the case of the fixed type powder supply structure 71, the connection part 72 may be fixed or movable. A connection portion 72 in the powder supply structure 71 corresponds to the connection portion 52 in the connection seal structure 5A. Further, an outlet 73 provided in the connection portion 72 corresponds to the outlet 53 in the connection seal structure 5A.

[0039] The powder receiving structure 74 is a structure that has a purpose of receiving powder and that generally corresponds to the second structure 54 in the connection seal structure 5A. This powder receiving structure 74 may have a function of using the received powder, and includes, for example, a device having a function of adhering powder. The powder receiving structure 74 may also have a function of transporting the received powder further, and includes, for example, a transport device that serves as an intermediate portion for transporting powder. The connected portion 75 of the powder receiving structure 74 corresponds to the connected portion 55 of the connection seal structure 5A. Further, a receiving port 76 provided in the connected portion 75 corresponds to the receiving port 56 of the connection seal structure 5A.

[0040] Next, a connection seal structure 5A to which a maintaining means 60 constituted by a pressing member 61 is applied, and a powder supplying device 7 equipped with the connection seal structure 5 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 etc. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the connection seal structure 5A and the powder supplying device 7 are not connected to each other, and Fig. 3 shows a state in which the connection seal structure 5A and the powder supplying device 7 are connected to each other.

[0041] 2 and 3, a part of the connection seal structure 5A and the powder supplying device 7 uses a powder container 15 for accommodating the supplied powder as the first structure 51 and the powder supplying structure 71. Also, a container mounting structure or device for detachably mounting the powder container 15 is used as the second structure 54 in the connection seal structure 5A. A device for receiving and using the supplied powder is used as the powder receiving structure 74 in the powder supplying device 7. Here, when a developer is used as an example of powder, the powder supplying device 7 becomes a developer supplying device 7A, and the powder receiving structure 74 is, for example, a developing device 24 that develops a latent image with a developer to make it a visible image.

[0042] The powder container 15 has a powder storage section 151 that stores powder. The powder stored in the powder container 15 becomes a developer (toner, etc.) when the powder receiving structure 74 is the above-mentioned developing device 24. In addition, the powder container 15 has, as the connecting section 52, a connecting section 72 configured to discharge the powder in the powder storage section 151 to a supply destination.

[0043] The connecting part 72 is a structural part arranged, for example, at the lower part of the powder storage part 151. As shown in Fig. 2 and other figures, the connecting part 72 is composed of a cylindrical main body 721 having a powder transport space, and a transport member 722 such as a screw auger that rotates and transports the powder in the transport space of the main body 721. The connecting part 72 is provided with a discharge port 73 for discharging the powder transported by the transport member 722 at a position facing a connected part 75 of the developing device 24, which is the powder receiving structure 74, when connected. Reference numeral 153 in Fig. 2 denotes a guide part such as a groove that guides the connecting part 72 along the insertion / removal direction D when the connecting part 72 is inserted or removed.

[0044] The developing device 24, which is an example of the powder receiving structure 74, is a developing device provided in an image forming apparatus 2A, which is an example of the powder adhesion device 2 in an image forming apparatus 1A, which is an example of a powder-utilizing apparatus 1, which is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1. The image forming apparatus 2A is a device that forms an image made of a developer by an electrophotographic method or the like. Furthermore, since the developing device 24 needs to be replenished with the powder developer contained in the powder container 15, the developing device 24 includes, as an associated part, a container mounting structure for detachably mounting the powder container 15. As shown in Fig. 1, the container mounting structure is provided as a structural part (second structure 54) on one side surface of the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1A.

[0045] Furthermore, the developing device 24 has a connected portion 75 into which the connecting portion 72 of the powder container 15 is inserted and connected. As shown in Fig. 1, the connected portion 75 is provided so as to extend from one end of the developing device 24 to the container mounting structure of the powder container 15. Reference numeral 24d in Fig. 1 denotes a supply transport path portion that sends the developer received in the connected portion 75 into the developing device 24.

[0046] 2 and other drawings, the connected part 75 is composed of a cylindrical main body 751 having a transport space for the developer, and a transport member 752 such as a screw auger that rotates and transports the developer within the transport space of the main body 751. The connected part 75 is provided with a receiving port 76 for receiving the developer discharged from the discharge port 73 at a position facing the discharge port 73 of the connecting part 72 in the powder container 15 when connected.

[0047] The main body 751 of the connected part 75 in the first embodiment has a shape having a sloped part 751b that is inclined so that the tip part located outside the receiving port 76 is tapered. The main body 751 is also provided with a cylindrical protruding part 751c that protrudes further outward from the center of the tapered tip. The main body 751 is also formed as a side wall surface part 751d consisting of a surface along a substantially vertical direction between the sloped part 751b and the protruding part 751c. A bearing part for the rotating shaft of the conveying member 752 is provided inside the protruding part 751c.

[0048] Further, the connected portion 75 is provided with an opening / closing lid (shutter) 77 for opening and closing the receiving port 76, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG.

[0049] The opening / closing lid 77 is configured in a shape and structure having a main body 77a that covers and closes the receiving port 76. In addition, the opening / closing lid 77 is attached to the outer periphery of the main body 751 of the connected part 75 so as to be movable in a direction along the insertion / removal direction D of the connection part 72 of the powder container 15 and within a limited range. In addition, as shown in Figures 2 and 4(A), the opening / closing lid 77 is biased in the opposite direction D2 to the direction D1 in which the connection part 72 is inserted by a spring member 62 located downstream of the receiving opening 76 in the opposite direction D2, thereby keeping the opening / closing lid 77 closed. The direction D2 opposite to the direction D1 in which the connection portion 72 is inserted corresponds to the direction (pulling direction) in which the connection portion 72 is pulled out. As the spring member 62, for example, a coil spring is used.

[0050] 2, the spring member 62 made of the coil spring in the first embodiment has its coil portion inserted and held in the protruding portion 571c in the main body 751 of the connected part 75. The spring member 62 is attached such that one end portion 62a thereof is accommodated in and in contact with the cylindrical spring accommodating portion 77c provided in the front end portion 77b of the opening / closing lid 77, and the other end portion 62b thereof can contact the side wall surface portion 751d in the main body 751 of the connected part 75.

[0051] When the connecting portion 72 is not connected to the connected portion 75, the spring member 62 is held in a slightly compressed state between the spring accommodating portion 77c and the side wall surface portion 751d and biases the opening / closing lid 77 with a spring force F1 in the direction indicated by the arrow D2. This allows the spring member 62 to function to keep the receiving opening 76 closed (to stop the receiving opening 76 in the closed position).

[0052] Furthermore, the opening / closing lid 77 is configured to move in conjunction with the insertion and removal action of the connection part 72, and is provided with a receiving part 78 that receives the action of the tip part 72a of the connection part 72 hitting and opening in the direction (the direction indicated by the arrow D1) when it is inserted.

[0053] The receiving portion 78 is formed as a structural portion having an arched shape that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the main body portion 77a of the opening / closing lid 77 and receives the tip portion 72a of the connection portion 72. The receiving portion 78 has an inner wall surface portion 78a formed therein that receives the tip portion 72a of the connection portion 72 and against which the tip portion 72a of the connection portion 72 abuts.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic member 57 is a member having the above-mentioned elastic layer 571 and covering layer 572, and is attached to the area surrounding the receiving opening 76 in the connected portion 75, for example, via double-sided adhesive tape (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4(B), the elastic member 57 is a member having a rectangular shape or the like when viewed from above, and has a through opening at a portion facing the receiving opening .

[0055] Further, end portion 57a ​​of elastic member 57 facing connecting portion 72 when inserted into connected portion 75 is bent in a direction not to come into contact with connecting portion 72 when inserted and removed. As shown in Fig. 2, elastic member 57 in embodiment 1 is bent such that end portion 57a ​​facing connecting portion 72 is bent to follow inclined portion 751b at the tip of main body 751 of connected portion 75, and is then bent further to follow side wall portion 751d extending in a substantially vertical direction from the end of the inclined tip of inclined portion 751b.

[0056] <Maintenance means composed of a pressing member> The maintaining means 60 in this connection seal structure 5A is composed of a pressing member 61 that presses the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 against a part 75d of the connected portion 75 from the direction D1 in which the connecting portion 72 is inserted, as shown in Figures 2 and 4(A), and the pressing member 61 is composed of the above-mentioned spring member 62.

[0057] The spring member 62, which is an example of the pressing member 61, is positioned so that its end 62b, which comes into contact with the side wall surface portion 751d, which is a part 75d of the connected portion, comes into contact with the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57, and then presses the bent end portion 57a ​​against the side wall surface portion 751d. At this time, the end 62a of the spring member 62 is in contact with a portion of the bending region 57m of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 that is in contact with the side wall surface portion 751d. In addition, the end 62a of the spring member 62 at this time is in contact with the coating layer 572 of the elastic member 57.

[0058] As a result, in this connection seal structure 5A, the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 is pressed by the spring member 62 against the side wall surface 751d, which is a part 75d of the connected part, with the force of spring force F1, and as a result, the bent state of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 is maintained. At this time, the part of the elastic layer 571 of the elastic member 57 pressed by the end 62b of the spring member 62 is compressed between the end 62b and the side wall surface 751d of the connected part.

[0059] In addition, in this connection seal structure 5A, the elastic layer 571 of the elastic member 57 is present up to a range facing the side wall surface portion 751d of the connected part. In addition, in this connection seal structure 5A, the bending region 57m (elastic layer 571) of the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 is in contact with the inclined surface portion 751b and the side wall surface portion 751d of the main body 751 of the connected part 75, and is adhered to the inclined surface portion 751b and the side wall surface portion 751d with a double-sided tape (not shown).

[0060] The bent region 57m of the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 may be in contact with the inclined surface portion 751b and the side wall surface portion 751d without being adhered thereto. However, from the standpoint of being able to more reliably maintain the bent state of the elastic member 57 and making it easier to eliminate gaps between the inclined portion 751b and the side wall portion 751d of the main body 751 of the connected part 75 and the elastic member 57, it is preferable that the bending region 57m of the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 is not merely brought into contact with the inclined portion 751b and the side wall portion 751d but is also adhered to them.

[0061] <Connection of the connecting part to the connected part> In the powder supplying device 7 (developer supplying device 7A) to which this connection seal structure 5 is applied, the connection part 72 of the powder container 15 is connected to the connected part 75 of the developing device 24 in the following manner.

[0062] That is, in the powder supplying device 7, the connecting portion 72 is moved in the insertion direction D1 to approach the connected portion 75. At this time, the connecting part 72 is guided by the guiding means 153 and advances toward the connected part 75, and then advances with its tip part 72b penetrating inside the receiving part 78 of the connected part 75 and abutting against the inner wall surface part 78a. As a result, the opening / closing lid 77 of the connected part 75 is moved together with the connecting part 72 in the insertion direction D1 of the connecting part 72 against the spring force F1 of the spring member 62 as shown in Fig. 4(B), and finally opens the receiving opening 76 of the connected part 75. At this time, the spring member 62 is pushed in the direction of the arrow D1 by the spring accommodating part 77c which moves in conjunction with the movement of the opening / closing lid 77 in the direction of the arrow D1, and is in a contracted state (Fig. 3).

[0063] 3, in the powder supplying device 7, the discharge port 73 in the connecting part 72 and the receiving port 76 in the connected part 75 face each other and communicate with each other, and the connecting part 72 is connected to the connected part 75. At the stage when the connecting part 72 is connected to the connected part 75, the connecting part 72 is stopped relative to the connected part 75 and is kept in a fixed state. Incidentally, an opening / closing lid (not shown) for opening and closing the exhaust port 73 is disposed inside the main body 721 of the connecting part 72. The opening / closing lid is configured to open the exhaust port 73 when the connecting part 72 is connected to the connected part 75.

[0064] 3, when the connecting part 72 is connected to the connected part 75, the elastic member 57 of the connected part 75 of the connection seal structure 5 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the discharge port 73 of the connecting part 72. As a result, in the powder supplying device 7, the gap generated between the part around the discharge port 73 of the connecting part 72 and the part around the discharge port of the connected part 75 is blocked by the elastic member 57 of the connection seal structure 5.

[0065] In addition, in this powder supplying device 7, when the connecting part 72 is connected to the connected part 75, the lower part of the connecting part 72 passes through while contacting the elastic member 57 attached to the upper surface side of the connected part 75. At this time, the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 does not come into contact with the lower part of the connecting portion 72 when the bent region 57m is inserted. On the other hand, at this time, the portion of the elastic member 57 other than the bent region 57m is rubbed in the direction of arrow D1 due to contact with the lower part of the inserted connecting part 72 and receives an external force. However, since the spring member 62 which is the pressing member 61 of the maintaining means 60 is pressed against the side wall surface part 751d which is a part of the connected part 75, the bent state of the bent region 57m of the bent end part 57a of the elastic member 57 is not disturbed by the external force and is maintained.

[0066] At this time, the bending region 57m of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 receives a large spring force F2 (>F1) restoring from the contracted spring member 62, so that the portion of the elastic layer 571 pressed against the side wall surface portion 751d of the connected portion 75 by the end 62b of the spring member 62 is compressed more strongly than other portions, and the bending region 57m of the elastic member 57 is pressed against the side wall surface portion 751d, making it easier to close the gap.

[0067] <Removing the connecting part from the connected part> Furthermore, in the powder supplying device 7 (developer supplying device 7A) to which this connection seal structure 5 is applied, the connection portion 72 in the powder container 15 is separated from the connected portion 75 in the developing device 24 in the following manner.

[0068] That is, in the powder supplying device 7, the connecting portion 72 is moved in the pulling-out direction D2 to be separated from the connected portion 75. At this time, the connecting portion 72 is guided by the guiding means 153 and moves away from the connected portion 75, and then the tip portion 72b moves so as to be pulled out from the inner wall surface portion 78a inside the receiving portion 78 of the connected portion 75. As a result, the opening / closing lid 77 of the connected portion 75 is moved together with the connecting portion 72 in the pulling-out direction D2 of the connecting portion 72 while receiving the spring force F2 of the contracted spring member 62, as shown in Fig. 4(A), and finally closes the receiving opening 76 of the connected portion 75. At this time, the spring member 62 is stretched to restore its original state in the direction of arrow D2 by the spring accommodating portion 77c which moves in conjunction with the movement of the opening / closing lid 77 in the direction of arrow D2, and the degree of contraction decreases (Figs. 2 and 4(A)).

[0069] As a result, in the powder supplying device 7, as shown in FIG. 2, the connecting portion 72 is separated from the connected portion 75 and the connection is released (disconnected state), and the powder container 15 is removed from the developing device 24. Incidentally, the opening and closing lid (not shown) arranged inside the main body 721 of the connecting part 72 is adapted to close the exhaust port 73 when the connecting part 72 is separated from the connected part 75 .

[0070] When the connecting portion 72 is disconnected from the connected portion 75 and pulled away from the powder supplying device 7, the lower portion of the connecting portion 72 passes through while making contact with the elastic member 57 attached to the upper surface side of the connected portion 75 as it is pulled out from the connected portion 75. At this time, the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 also does not come into contact with the lower part of the connecting portion 72 when the bent region 57m is inserted. On the other hand, at this time, the portion of the elastic member 57 other than the bent region 57m is rubbed in the direction of arrow D2 due to contact with the lower part of the connecting portion 72 being pulled out, and is subjected to an external force. However, since the spring member 62 which is the pressing member 61 of the maintaining means 60 is pressed against the side wall surface portion 751d which is a part of the connected portion 75, the bent state of the bent region 57m of the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 is also maintained without being disturbed by the external force.

[0071] Therefore, in the powder supplying device 7 (developer supplying device 7A) equipped with this connection seal structure 5A, a portion of the elastic member 57 attached to at least a portion of the connected portion 75 in the developing device 24, which is an example of a powder receiving structure 74, that faces the connection portion 72 of the powder container 15, which is an example of a powder supplying structure 71, is less likely to be damaged by insertion or removal of the connection portion 72, compared to a case in which the device does not have a maintaining means 60 (a pressing member 61 consisting of a spring member 62) that maintains the bent state of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57.

[0072] In other words, if this connection seal structure 5A does not have a maintaining means 60 for maintaining the bent state of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57, for example, the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 will be subjected to an external force generated by contact with the connecting part 72 when inserted and removed, and will rise up and move from the inclined surface part 751b or the side wall surface part 751d of the connected part 75, causing the elastic layer 571 to come into direct contact with the connecting part 72 or the external force to be applied via the covering layer 572, which may result in damage such as breakage of the elastic layer 571. However, if the connection seal structure 5A has a maintaining means 60 constituted by the pressing member 61, such damage to the elastic layer 571 is suppressed.

[0073] Furthermore, in this connection seal structure 5A, compared to a case in which the pressing member 61 is not composed of the spring member 62 placed on the connected portion 75, the elastic member 57 is pressed by the spring force (biasing force) of the spring member 62, making it easier to maintain the bent state of the elastic member 57.

[0074] Incidentally, in this connection seal structure 5A, the gap between the elastic member 57 and the side wall surface portion 751d of the connected portion is more easily sealed than in a case where the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 is not in contact with the side wall surface portion 751d, which is a part 75d of the connected portion, due to the elastic layer 571 also being bent. In this regard, in the connection seal structure 5A, as shown in FIG. 5(A), if the elastic layer 571 of the elastic member 57 is not provided so as to contact the side wall surface portion 751d, which is a part 75d of the connected part, only the covering layer 572 of the elastic member 57 will contact the side wall surface portion 751d, and the gap between the elastic member 57 and the side wall surface portion 751d of the connected part will not be sufficiently sealed.

[0075] In addition, in order to effectively prevent leakage of powder developer by the elastic member 57 in the connection seal structure 5A, it is important that, for example, the lengths L1, L2 from the receiving port 76 in the connected portion 75 to the ends (57a, 57b, etc.) of the elastic layer 571 of the elastic member 57 and the degree of adhesion (compressibility) of the connected portion 75 to which the elastic layer 571 of the elastic member 57 is attached are sufficient.

[0076] In this regard, in the connection seal structure 5A, an elastic layer 571 is provided that reaches and contacts the side wall surface portion 751d of the connected portion up to the end of the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 (FIG. 2). Therefore, in this connection seal structure 5A, the length L2 of the end portion 57a ​​can be made longer than in a configuration in which the elastic layer 571 does not reach the side wall surface portion 751d of the connected portion 75 up to the middle of the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 (FIG. 5), and a state advantageous for preventing leakage of developer can be obtained.

[0077] In addition, in this connection seal structure 5A, the bent end 57a (elastic layer 571) of the elastic member 57 is pressed against the side wall surface portion 751d of the connected portion 75 by the spring force F2d (FIG. 3) of the contracted spring member 62 of the pressing member 61 constituting the maintaining means 60, and is reliably compressed (FIG. 3). Therefore, in this connection seal structure 5A, compared to a configuration in which the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 is not pressed by the spring member 62 of the pressing member 61 constituting the maintaining means 60, the portion of the elastic layer 571 of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 pressed by the pressing member 61 of the maintaining means 60 is sufficiently compressed and kept in close contact with the side wall surface portion 751d of the connected portion 75. This also provides an advantageous state against developer leakage in the connection seal structure 5A.

[0078] Embodiment 2 FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a connection seal structure 5B according to the second embodiment. This connection seal structure 5B has substantially the same configuration as the connection seal structure 5, 5A in embodiment 1, except that a contact member 63 that is disposed in the connecting part 52 and comes into contact when the connecting part 52 is connected to the connected part 55 is used instead of the spring member 62 of the pressing member 61 that constitutes the maintaining means 60. In Fig. 6, the opening and closing lid that opens and closes the receiving port 56 in the connected part 55 is omitted from illustration.

[0079] The contact member 63 of the pressing member 61 constituting the maintaining means 60 is a member shaped to have a contact portion 63a that contacts the bending region 57m of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 in the connected portion 55 and presses it against a portion 55d of the connected portion 55 when the connecting portion 52 is inserted and connected to the connected portion 55, as shown in FIG. 6(A). The contact member 63 is attached to the outer periphery of the connection portion 52 so as to be movable within a limited range along the insertion / removal direction D. The contact member 63 is biased in the insertion direction D1 with a required biasing force F6 by a biasing member 64 such as a spring member disposed in the connection portion 52. In the second embodiment, the contact member 63 is in contact with the bent region 57m of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 during the insertion of the connecting portion 52, and then moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D until the connecting portion 52 is connected to the connected portion 55. 2 Direction Attached It is configured to move against the biasing force F6 of the biasing member 64.

[0080] In the connection seal structure 5B and powder supplying device 7 equipped with a maintaining means 60 constituted by a pressing member 61 consisting of this contact member 63, the connecting portion 52 in the first structure 51 is connected to the connected portion 55 in the second structure 54 as follows.

[0081] That is, in the connection seal structure 5B, the connecting portion 52 is moved in the insertion direction D1 to approach the connected portion 55. At this time, as the connecting portion 52 approaches the connected portion 55 and moves in the insertion direction D1, the contact portion 63a of the contact member 63 comes into contact with the bending region 57m of the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 attached to the connected portion 55. Next, the connecting portion 52 moves to a position where it is connected to the connected portion 55. At this time, the contact member 63 moves on the connecting portion 52 against the biasing force F6 of the biasing member 64 so as to retreat in the direction D2 opposite to the direction D1 in which the connecting portion 52 is inserted.

[0082] 6(B), in this connection seal structure 5B, when the outlet 53 of the connecting portion 52 and the inlet 56 of the connected portion 55 face each other and communicate with each other, and the connecting portion 52 is connected to the connected portion 55, the contact portion 63a of the contact member 63, which is another example of the pressing member 61, presses the bending region 57m of the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 against the part 55d of the connected portion 55. At this time, if the biasing member 64 is a spring member such as a coil spring, the contact member 63 presses with a spring force F7 because the spring member contracts due to the movement of the contact member 63 in the direction of the arrow D2. As a result, the bent state of bent end 57a of elastic member 57 is maintained by the pressure of contact member 63. Note that elastic member 57 is a member having elastic layer 571 and coating layer 572, similar to elastic member 57 in embodiment 1. Also, part 55d of connected portion 55 becomes a side wall surface part at the tapered tip of connected portion 55, similar to part 55d of connected portion 55 in embodiment 1.

[0083] In addition, in the connection seal structure 5B when the connecting portion 52 is connected to the connected portion 55, when the connecting portion 52 is connected to the connected portion 55, the lower portion of the connecting portion 52 passes through while coming into contact with the elastic member 57 attached to the upper surface side of the connected portion 55. At this time, the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 does not come into contact with the lower part of the connecting portion 52 when the bent region 57m is inserted. On the other hand, at this time, the portion of the elastic member 57 other than the bent region 57m is rubbed in the direction of arrow D1 due to contact with the lower part of the inserted connecting part 52 and receives an external force. However, since the contact member 63, which is the pressing member 61, is pressed against the part 55d of the connected part 55, the bent state of the bent region 57m of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 is not disturbed by the external force and is maintained.

[0084] Furthermore, if the biasing member 64 that biases the contact member 63 is a coil spring, the bending region 57m of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 at this time will be in a contracted state as the contact member 63 moves in the direction of arrow D2 at the connection portion 52, and will be subjected to a large restoring spring force F7 (>F6) from the biasing member 64. As a result, the portion of the elastic layer 571 that is pressed against the portion 55d of the connected portion 55 by the contact portion 63a of the contact member 63 will be compressed more strongly than other portions, and the bending region 57m of the elastic member 57 will be pressed against the portion 55d of the connected portion 55, making it easier to close the gap.

[0085] Moreover, in this connection seal structure 5B, the connecting portion 52 is separated from the connected portion 55 in the following manner.

[0086] That is, in the connection seal structure 5B, the connecting portion 52 is moved in the pull-out direction D2 and pulled away from the connected portion 55. At this time, the connecting portion 52 moves away from the connected portion 55. At this time, the contact member 63 starts to move back in the direction of the arrow D1 while receiving the restoring force of the biasing member 64 in conjunction with the movement of the connecting portion 52 in the pulling direction D2. When the contact member 63 moves to a stop position in the connecting portion 52 in the non-connected state, the contact portion 63a moves away from the bending region 57m of the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57. As a result, in the connection seal structure 5B, as shown in Figure 6 (A), the connecting portion 52 separates from the connected portion 55 and becomes disconnected (disconnected state), and the first structure 51 is removed from the second structure 54.

[0087] In the connection seal structure 5B when the connecting portion 52 is disconnected from the connected portion 55 and pulled away, as the connecting portion 52 is pulled out from the connected portion 55, the lower portion of the connecting portion 52 passes through while coming into contact with the elastic member 57 attached to the upper surface side of the connected portion 55. At this time, the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 also does not come into contact with the lower part of the connecting portion 52 when the bent region 57m is inserted. On the other hand, at this time, the portion of the elastic member 57 other than the bent region 57m is rubbed in the direction of the arrow D2 due to contact with the lower part of the connection part 52 being pulled out, and is subjected to an external force. However, since the bent region 57m of the bent end part 57a of the elastic member 57 at this time is also pressed to the stage where the contact member 63, which is the pressing member 61 of the maintaining means 60, is located on the part 55d of the connected part 55, the bent state is not disturbed by the external force and is maintained.

[0088] Therefore, in this connection seal structure 5B and the powder supplying device 7 equipped with the same, damage to a part of the elastic member 57 attached to at least a portion of the connected portion 55 (75) of the second structure 54 (powder receiving structure 74) that faces the connection portion 52 (72) of the first structure 51 (powder supplying structure 71) due to insertion and removal of the connection portion 52 (72) is suppressed compared to a case in which there is no maintaining means 60 (pressing member 61 consisting of contact member 63) that maintains the bent state of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57.

[0089] Furthermore, in this connection seal structure 5B, compared to a case in which the pressing member 61 is not configured with the contact member 63, the state in which the elastic member 57 including the elastic layer 571 is pressed by the contact member 63 when the connection portion 52 is not connected is temporarily released. As a result, the elastic layer 571 of the elastic member 57 is released from the compressed state due to the pressing by the contact member 63 and restored to its original state, so that its elasticity is maintained.

[0090] Embodiment 3 FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a connection seal structure 5C according to the third embodiment. This connection seal structure 5C has substantially the same configuration as the connection seal structure 5, 5A in the first embodiment, except that the maintaining means 60 formed of a pressing member 61 is changed to a maintaining means 60 formed of a member 65 that connects the bent end portion 57a ​​of the elastic member 57 with a part 55d of the connected portion 55. Also in Fig. 7, the opening and closing lid that opens and closes the receiving port 56 in the connected portion 55 is omitted from illustration.

[0091] 7A, the connecting member 65 constituting the maintaining means 60 is a member that connects the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 to the part 55d of the connected part. The part 55d of the connected part referred to here may be a part that already exists in the connected part 55 (such as the side wall surface part 751d in the first embodiment) or may be a newly provided attachment part 59. In the third embodiment, the newly provided attachment part 59 such as a protrusion will be described as a representative example. Also, in the third embodiment, the part 55d of the connected part is a part that comes into contact with the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57.

[0092] The connecting member 65 is a member having, for example, an end holding portion at one end that grasps and holds the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57, a fixing portion at the other end that is fixed to the mounting portion 59 of the connected part 55, and a connecting portion that connects the end holding portion and the fixing portion to form an integrated member. Moreover, the connecting member 65 has a fixing portion fixed to the mounting portion 59 of the connected portion 55 so that the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 is in contact with the part 55d of the connected portion, thereby keeping the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 in a connected state to the mounting portion 59. In this case, it is preferable that the connecting member 65 is attached in a state with almost no slack (looseness) from the viewpoint of sufficiently maintaining the bent state of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57. As a result, the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 is also kept in contact with the part 55d of the connected portion. Note that even in this case, it is preferable that the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 is bonded to the part 55d of the connected portion.

[0093] In the connection seal structure 5C employing the maintaining means 60 consisting of the connecting member 65, when the connection portion 52 moves in the insertion direction D1 to be connected to the connected portion 55, as shown in Figure 7 (B), the lower portion of the connection portion 52 passes through while coming into contact with the elastic member 57 attached to the upper surface side of the connected portion 55.

[0094] At this time, the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 does not come into contact with the lower part of the connecting portion 52 when the bent region 57m is inserted. On the other hand, at this time, the portion of the elastic member 57 other than the bent region 57m is rubbed in the direction of arrow D1 due to contact with the lower part of the inserted connecting part 52 and receives an external force. However, since the bent region 57m of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 at this time is connected to the mounting part 59 of the connected part 55 by the connecting member 65 which is the pressing member 61, the bent state is maintained without being disturbed by the external force.

[0095] In addition, in the connection seal structure 5C, even when the connection portion 52 moves in the pulling-out direction D2 to disconnect and remove it from the connected portion 55, the lower portion of the connection portion 52 passes through while coming into contact with the elastic member 57 attached to the upper surface side of the connected portion 55.

[0096] At this time, the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 also does not come into contact with the lower part of the connecting portion 52 when the bent region 57m is inserted. On the other hand, at this time, the portion of the elastic member 57 other than the bent region 57m is rubbed in the direction of the arrow D2 due to contact with the lower part of the connecting part 52 being pulled out, and is subjected to an external force. However, since the bent region 57m of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57 at this time is also connected to the mounting part 59 of the connected part 55 by the connecting member 65 of the maintaining means 60, the bent state is maintained without being disturbed by the external force.

[0097] Therefore, in this connection seal structure 5C and the powder supplying device 7 equipped with it, damage to a portion of the elastic member 57 attached to at least a portion of the connected portion 55 (75) of the second structure 54 (powder receiving structure 74) that faces the connection portion 52 (72) of the first structure 51 (powder supplying structure 71) due to insertion and removal of the connection portion 52 (72) is suppressed compared to a case in which there is no maintaining means 60 (connecting member 65) for maintaining the bent state of the bent end 57a of the elastic member 57.

[0098] <Other Modifications> In embodiments 1-3, a developer supplying device 7A that supplies developer, which is an example of powder, is exemplified as a powder supplying device 7 equipped with connecting seal structures 5A, 5B, and 5C, but the powder supplying device 7 is not limited to this and may be another powder supplying device that supplies another powder.

[0099] Another example of the powder supplying device 7 is, for example, a powder paint supplying device 7B that supplies powder paint, as shown in Fig. 8. In the powder paint supplying device 7B, the powder supplying structure 71 is a structure that stores the powder paint, and the powder receiving structure 74 is a structure that receives and uses the powder paint supplied from the powder supplying structure 71. In the case of this powder paint supply device 7B, compared to a case in which the connection seal structures 5A, 5B, 5C do not have the maintenance means 60, leakage of powder paint at the connection portions of the connection seal structures 5A, 5B, 5C can be suppressed even if the powder supply structure 71 is repeatedly inserted and removed.

[0100] In embodiment 1-3, an image forming apparatus 1A that uses a developer, which is an example of a powder, is exemplified as a powder utilization apparatus 1 equipped with a powder supplying device 7 having connecting seal structures 5A, 5B, and 5C, but the powder utilization apparatus 1 is not limited to this and may be another powder utilization apparatus that uses another powder.

[0101] Another example of the powder-utilizing apparatus 1 may be, for example, a powder coating apparatus 1B equipped with a powder adhesion device 2 that adheres the powder coating to a substrate (e.g., a metal sheet) as shown in Fig. 8 when the powder is a powder coating material. In this powder coating apparatus 1B, the powder adhesion device 2 serves as a powder coating adhesion device 2B that adheres the powder coating to a substrate. The powder coating adhesion device 2B is, for example, an apparatus equipped with a powder coating adhesion roll that holds the powder coating and adheres it to the substrate in a required amount and pattern. In the case of this powder coating apparatus 1B, compared to a case in which the connection seal structures 5A, 5B, 5C in the powder paint supply device 7B do not have the maintenance means 60, leakage of powder paint at the connection portions of the connection seal structures 5A, 5B, 5C can be suppressed even if the powder supply structure 71 in the powder paint supply device 7B is repeatedly inserted and removed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1A...Image forming apparatus (an example of a powder-using apparatus) 1B…Powder coating equipment (an example of equipment using powder) 2 …Powder deposition device 2A: Image forming device (an example of a powder deposition device) 2B…Powder coating equipment (an example of a powder coating equipment) 5A, 5B, 5C...Connection seal device 7...Powder supply device 7A…Developer supply device (an example of a powder supply device) 7B…Powder paint supply device (an example of a powder supply device) 51...First structure 52,72…Connection 53,73…Discharge port 54…Second structure 55,75…Connected part 55d, 75d...Part of the connected part 56,76...Intake port 57...Elastic member 57a...The end that faces the connecting part when inserted (the bent end) 571...Elastic layer 55d, 75d...Part of the connected part 59...Mounting part (other examples of parts to be connected) 60…Maintenance means 61... Pressing member 62...Spring member 62b...End portion facing the connected portion 63...Contact member 65...Connecting parts 71...Powder supply structure 74...Powder receiving structure 751d...Side wall surface (an example of a part to be connected) D…Insertion / extraction direction D1: Insertion direction D2: Pulling direction

Claims

1. A connection seal structure comprising: a first structure having a connection part for insertably and removably connecting; and a second structure having a connected part into which the connection part is inserted and connected, and having an elastic member including an elastic layer attached to at least a portion facing the connection part, Between the first structure and the second structure, the elastic member is bent in a direction such that an end portion facing the connecting portion when the elastic member is inserted into the connected portion does not come into contact with the connecting portion when the elastic member is inserted or removed, including the elastic layer; The connection seal structure includes a maintaining means for maintaining the bent state of the bent end of the elastic member in the connected portion, the retaining means is formed of a spring member that presses a bent end of the elastic member against a part of the connected portion in a direction in which the connecting portion is inserted, The spring member is disposed in the connected portion in a contracted state, and is pressed by a part of the connecting portion to be inserted, thereby becoming further contracted.

2. A connection seal structure comprising: a first structure having a connection part for insertably and removably connecting; and a second structure having a connected part into which the connection part is inserted and connected, and having an elastic member including an elastic layer attached to at least a portion facing the connection part, Between the first structure and the second structure, the elastic member is bent in a direction such that an end portion facing the connecting portion when the elastic member is inserted into the connected portion does not come into contact with the connecting portion when the elastic member is inserted or removed, including the elastic layer; The connection seal structure includes a maintaining means for maintaining the bent state of the bent end of the elastic member in the connected portion, The maintaining means is a connection seal structure constituted by a member that connects the bent end of the elastic member to a part of the connected portion.

3. A connection seal structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bent portion of the elastic layer is adhered to a portion of the connected part.

4. A powder supply structure having a connection part for connecting in a removable manner and an outlet provided at the connection part for discharging the powder to be supplied, a powder receiving structure having a connected portion into which the connecting portion is inserted and connected, and a receiving opening provided in the connected portion and facing the discharge opening for receiving the discharged powder; a connection seal structure including: a first structure having the connecting portion of the powder supplying structure; and a second structure having an elastic member including an elastic layer attached to the connected portion of the powder receiving structure and a portion covering at least the periphery of the receiving opening of the connected portion, the elastic member preventing leakage of powder between the connecting portion and the second structure; Equipped with A powder supplying device, comprising the connection seal structure according to claim 1 .

5. When the connection seal structure is configured as the connection seal structure described in claim 1, an opening / closing lid that is attached to the connected portion so as to move in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the connecting portion and that opens and closes the receiving opening; and a spring member that is disposed downstream of the receiving opening in a direction opposite to the direction in which the connecting portion is inserted and that biases the opening / closing lid in a direction opposite to the direction in which the connecting portion is inserted to hold it in a closed state; 5. The powder supplying device according to claim 4, wherein the spring member is arranged so that an end portion facing the connected portion contacts a bent end portion of the elastic member and presses the bent end portion against a portion of the connected portion.

6. A powder deposition device for depositing powder onto a substrate; a powder supplying device that supplies powder to the powder deposition device; Equipped with A powder utilizing apparatus comprising the powder supplying device according to claim 4 or 5.

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