Cartridge and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a developer storage device that can increase the capacity for storing toner, a developing device, a cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A developer storage device has a frame body that extends in a longitudinal direction, and an opening provided in the frame body. The frame body has: a guide part for mounting the developer storage device on a developing unit along a mounting direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction; a first portion including a first chamber and a second chamber provided in parallel in a first direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction; and a second portion communicating with the first chamber and the second chamber in the longitudinal direction and having a larger capacity than that of the first portion. The first chamber is formed with the opening, and does not directly communicate with the second chamber in the first direction and communicates with the second chamber via the second portion. When seen in the longitudinal direction, a cross-sectional area of the second chamber is equal to or more than a cross-sectional area of the first chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention is a developer-containing Ruka The present invention relates to a cartridge and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having a toner cartridge and a developing unit to which the toner cartridge can be attached has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). The developing unit has an opening for receiving toner supplied from the toner cartridge and a developing shutter for opening and closing the opening. When a user attaches the toner cartridge to the developing unit, the developing shutter moves from a closed position where the opening is closed to an open position where the opening is opened. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-182010 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for toner cartridges with an increased toner storage capacity. However, the toner cartridge described in Patent Document 1 still has room for an increased toner storage capacity.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides Developer Capacity can be increased Na It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge and an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a developer storage device having a frame extending in a longitudinal direction and capable of storing a developer, and an opening provided in the frame through which the developer stored in the frame can be discharged to the outside. and , a developing unit that detachably supports the developer accommodating device, the developing unit having a developer carrier that carries a developer and a guide portion for guiding movement of the developer accommodating device relative to the developing unit along an attachment direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction;The frame body is The developing unit is guided along the guide portion. The guide portion includes a first portion including a first chamber and a second chamber arranged in parallel in a first direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and a second portion that communicates with the first chamber and the second chamber in the longitudinal direction and has a larger volume than the first portion. The first chamber is provided with the opening. ,before Through the second part only communicates with the second chamber, the developer accommodating device is moved in the mounting direction toward the developing unit and mounted therein, and then a second operation is performed in which the developer accommodating device is rotated about a rotation axis extending in the longitudinal direction, thereby enabling the developer to be discharged from the opening toward the developing unit. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, Developer The storage capacity can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall schematic view showing an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the process cartridge. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line 4A-4A of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the developing unit with the top surface of the housing removed. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the process cartridge. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the photoconductor unit with the developing unit attached thereto. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded plan view showing a photoconductor unit and a developing unit. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14]FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge viewed from above. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge as viewed from right to left along the longitudinal direction. [Figure 17] 1A is a perspective view showing a process cartridge and a toner cartridge before being mounted in the process cartridge, FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge in the process of being mounted in the process cartridge, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge after mounting in the process cartridge is completed. [Figure 18] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge after installation in the process cartridge has been completed, viewed from right to left along the longitudinal direction. FIG. [Figure 19] 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a receiving-side shutter of the developing unit is closed, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a receiving-side shutter 773 is open. [Figure 20] FIG. 4A is a side view showing a state in which the discharge-side shutter is closed, and FIG. [Figure 21] 1A is an oblique view showing the toner cartridge placed on the lift mechanism during the installation process; FIG. 1B is an oblique view showing the toner cartridge opening the lift mechanism during the installation process; and FIG. 1C is an oblique view showing the toner cartridge once installation is complete. [Figure 22] 1A is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge when it is completely installed, FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge being lifted up by a lift mechanism, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge in a lifted up state. [Figure 23] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an agitating member according to a second embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an agitating member according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] <First embodiment> First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, directions are defined based on the user who uses the image forming device 1. In other words, the front side of the image forming device 1 is referred to as the "front", the back side as the "rear", the top side as the "upper", and the bottom side as the "lower". In addition, the left side of the image forming device 1 when viewed from the front side is referred to as the "left" and the right side as the "right".

[0010] The directions of the process cartridge 5 and toner cartridge 9 serving as a developer storage device, which will be described later, are defined in the same manner as those of the image forming apparatus 1, assuming that they are in the same posture as when they are attached to the image forming apparatus 1. The directions in each drawing are defined by the arrows shown in the drawing. For example, in FIG. 1, the left side of the paper surface is the front side. The up-down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the left-right direction and the front-rear direction are parallel to the horizontal direction. The left-right direction is parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 61 and the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 71, respectively.

[0011] Moreover, the developing unit 7 mounted integrally on the photoconductor unit 6 is referred to as the process cartridge 5. Furthermore, the developing unit 7 with a toner cartridge 9, which will be described later, mounted thereon is referred to as a developing device 59 (see FIG. 17(c)). The directions of arrows S1 and S2, which indicate the insertion and removal directions when mounting this process cartridge 5 in the device body 2 of the image forming device 1, are parallel to the front-rear direction and perpendicular to the left-right and up-down directions.

[0012] Further, a toner cartridge 9 for supplying developer to the developing unit 7 is detachably provided in the process cartridge 5. The process cartridge 5 and the toner cartridge 9 are attached and integrated together, that is, the process cartridge 5 and the developing device 59 are attached and integrated together with the photosensitive unit 6, and are referred to as a cartridge unit 10 as a cartridge.

[0013] [Overall structure] The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is an electrophotographic laser beam printer. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a feed section 3 that supplies a sheet S stored in a cassette 31, an image forming section 90 that forms a toner image on the sheet S, a fixing device 8 that fixes the toner image on the sheet S, and a pair of discharge rollers 25.

[0014] The feeding section 3 has a cassette 31, a pickup roller 33 that feeds the topmost sheet S contained in the cassette 31, and a separation roller pair 32 that separates the sheets S fed by the pickup roller 33 one by one.

[0015] The image forming section 90 has an exposure device 4 provided in the device body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1, and a cartridge unit 10 that is inserted into the device body 2 in the direction of an arrow S1 and removed in the direction of an arrow S2. The cartridge unit 10 is made up of a process cartridge 5 and a toner cartridge 9. The exposure device 4 has a laser emission unit, a polygon mirror, a lens, a reflecting mirror, and the like, which are not shown. In this exposure device 4, a laser beam based on image data emitted from the laser emission unit is scanned at high speed over the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 of the process cartridge 5, thereby exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 61.

[0016] The cartridge unit 10 is disposed below the exposure device 4, and is inserted into or removed from the apparatus main body 2 with the door 21 of the apparatus main body 2 open. That is, the cartridge unit 10 is inserted into the housing section 23 of the apparatus main body 2 in the direction of arrow S1, and is configured to be attached to the apparatus main body 2. The cartridge unit 10 is removed from the apparatus main body 2 by being pulled out from the apparatus main body 2 in the direction of arrow S2.

[0017] The process cartridge 5 of the cartridge unit 10 mainly has a photosensitive unit 6 and a developing unit 7. The photosensitive unit 6 has a photosensitive drum 61 as a rotatable image carrier, a corona charger 68, a pre-exposure section 69, a recovery roller 62, a transfer roller 63, and the like. The photosensitive drum 61 and the transfer roller 63 form a transfer nip N1. The developing unit 7 has a developing roller 71, a supply roller 72, a blade 73, a toner storage section 74 that stores a developer including toner, a first agitator 75A provided in the toner storage section 74, and the like.

[0018] Although the developer in this embodiment is composed of a non-magnetic one-component developer, a one-component developer having a magnetic component may be used. The one-component developer may contain additives (e.g., wax or silica particles) for adjusting the fluidity and charging performance of the toner in addition to the toner particles. A two-component developer composed of a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may be used as the developer. When a magnetic developer is used, for example, a cylindrical developing sleeve with a magnet arranged inside is used as the developer carrier.

[0019] The developing roller 71 as a developer carrier rotates while carrying the developer, and develops the electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive drum 61 into a toner image. That is, the photosensitive drum 61 carries the toner image as the developer image. The fixing device 8 as a fixing section is disposed behind the process cartridge 5, and includes a pressure roller 81 and a heating roller 82. The heating roller 82 incorporates a heat source such as a ceramic heater.

[0020] When an image formation command is output to the image forming apparatus 1, an image forming process is started by the image forming unit 90 based on image information input from an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 or an image reading device connected as an option. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 8, the photosensitive drum 61 is rotated while the image forming process is being executed. The photosensitive drum 61 is uniformly charged in advance by a corona charger 68, and the exposure device 4 irradiates the photosensitive drum 61 with a laser beam based on the input image information. The surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is exposed by the irradiation of the laser beam, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 61.

[0021] Meanwhile, the developer in the toner storage portion 74 of the developing unit 7 is agitated by a first agitator 75A and then supplied to the developing roller 71 by the supply roller 72. The developer supplied to the developing roller 71 by the supply roller 72 passes through a gap between the developing roller 71 and a blade 73, and is carried by the developing roller 71 in a constant layer thickness. The toner on the developing roller 71 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 61, whereby the electrostatic latent image is developed and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 61.

[0022] In parallel with the above-mentioned image forming process, the sheets S stacked in the cassette 31 are sent out by the pickup roller 33. The sheets S fed by the pickup roller 33 are separated one by one by the separation roller pair 32 and transported to the transfer nip N1. In the transfer nip N1, a transfer bias is applied to the transfer roller 63, so that the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 61 is transferred to the sheet S. The sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred in the transfer nip N1 is heated and pressurized by the fixing nip N2 formed by the pressure roller 81 and the heating roller 82, so that the toner image is fixed. Then, the sheet S to which the toner image has been fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 22 by the discharge roller pair 25.

[0023] The corona charger 68 described above is a charging unit that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 in a non-contact manner. The pre-exposure section 69 includes a light-emitting diode as a light source and a light guide as a light-guiding member, and guides light emitted from the light-emitting diode through the light guide to irradiate the surface of the photosensitive drum 61 with the light. The current supplied to the light-emitting diode is supplied from the device body 2. The surface of the photosensitive drum 61 is neutralized by the irradiation of light from the pre-exposure section 69. In addition, a predetermined voltage is applied from the device body 2 to the collection roller 62, which collects foreign matter such as paper powder and dirt adhering to the surface of the photosensitive drum 61, as well as toner.

[0024] [Process cartridge] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the process cartridge 5. As shown in Fig. 2, the process cartridge 5 has a photosensitive unit 6 and a developing unit 7 that is detachably supported by the photosensitive unit 6. The developing unit 7 is attached to the photosensitive unit 6 while being held by a user.

[0025] [Developing unit] First, the configuration of the developing unit 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 7. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the developing unit 7, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the section 4A-4A in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the developing unit 7. Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the developing unit 7 with the top surface of the housing 700 removed. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the developing unit 7 viewed from below.

[0026] 2 to 5, the developing unit 7 has a housing 700, a developing roller 71, a supply roller 72, a first agitator 75A, a drive train 740, a side holder 719, a toner receiving portion 770, and a lift mechanism 760. The housing 700 has a left side wall 704 and a right side wall 705 which rotatably support both ends of the developing roller 71, the supply roller 72, and the first agitator 75A, respectively. The side holder 719 covers the drive train 740 and is supported by the left side wall 704.

[0027] The toner receiving portion 770 includes a toner receiving port 771 provided on the upper surface of the housing 700, and receives toner supplied from a toner cartridge 9 described later. The lift mechanism 760 holds and lifts up the toner cartridge 9. In the following description, the direction of the rotation axis of the developing roller 71 will be referred to as the axial direction.

[0028] The first agitator 75A has a stirring rod 78A and a stirring sheet 79A, and one end of the stirring sheet 79A is fixed to the stirring rod 78A. The other end of the stirring sheet 79A is a free end, and the stirring sheet 79A stirs the developer in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction. This allows the toner in the toner storage section 74 to be used efficiently. The developer is supplied to the supply roller 72 by the stirring sheet 79A.

[0029] The developing roller 71 is rotatably supported by a bearing 746A provided on the side holder 719 and a bearing 746B attached to the right side wall 705 of the housing 700. As shown in FIG. 3, the developing unit 7 has a first contact 720A and a second contact 720B arranged near the bearing 746B. The first contact 720A is electrically connected to the developing roller 71, and a voltage applied to the developing roller 71 is supplied from the device body 2. The second contact 720B is electrically connected to the supply roller 72, and a voltage applied to the supply roller 72 is supplied from the device body 2. These first contact 720A and second contact 720B can come into contact with a power supply contact (not shown) provided on the device body 2.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the drive train 740 provided on the left side of the developing unit 7 has a developing coupling 710, a supply roller gear 712, a developing roller gear 711, a first agitator gear 713, and idle gears 715A and 715B.

[0031] The developing coupling 710 is rotatably supported on the left side wall 704 of the developing unit 7, and a drive transmission member (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body 2 engages with the developing coupling 710 in conjunction with the closing operation of a door 21 (see FIG. 1) provided on the apparatus main body 2. Conversely, the drive transmission member moves away from the developing coupling 710 in conjunction with the opening operation of the door 21. The drive transmission member is configured to transmit a driving force to the developing coupling 710 while allowing the developing coupling 710 to shift in position within a predetermined range. In addition, the developing coupling 710, the developing roller gear 711, and the supply roller gear 712 are restricted from axial movement by a side holder 719.

[0032] When the apparatus main body 2 operates after the door 21 is closed, a driving force is transmitted from the drive transmission member to the developing coupling 710, and a gear 710a provided on the circumferential surface of the developing coupling 710 rotates. The gear 710a meshes with a developing roller gear 711 provided on an end of the developing roller 71 and a supply roller gear 712 provided on an end of the supply roller 72, and the developing roller 71 and the supply roller 72 rotate as the gear 710a rotates.

[0033] Further, the gear 710a of the developing coupling 710 meshes with the first agitator gear 713 via an idle gear 715A, and the rotation of the first agitator gear 713 rotates the first agitator 75A. Furthermore, the first agitator gear 713 meshes with a conveying screw gear 980 (see FIG. 12), which will be described later, via an idle gear 715B. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, a pair of left and right bosses 718, 718 protruding in the axial direction are provided on the bottom of the developing unit 7.

[0034] [Photoconductor unit] Next, the detailed configuration of the photoconductor unit 6 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the process cartridge 5 including the photoconductor unit 6 and the developing unit 7. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the photoconductor unit 6 with the developing unit 7 attached. Fig. 10 is an exploded plan view showing the photoconductor unit 6 and the developing unit 7. Fig. 11 is a partial perspective view of the photoconductor unit 6.

[0035] 2 and 8 to 11, the photosensitive unit 6 mainly includes a frame 610 and a photosensitive drum 61 rotatably supported at the rear of the frame 610. The frame 610 has a pair of left side walls 611 and right side walls 612, and the photosensitive drum 61 is rotatably supported by these left side walls 611 and right side walls 612.

[0036] Provided at the front of the frame 610 are an attachment portion 615 (see FIG. 2) to which the developing unit 7 can be attached, a gripping portion 617 with which the user grips the photoconductor unit 6, a pair of left and right pressing members 640 that press the developing unit 7 forward, and a pressing member 650. When the developing unit 7 is attached to the photoconductor unit 6, the toner storage portion 74 of the developing unit 7 is disposed between the left side wall 611 and the right side wall 612, and removal of the developing unit 7 is restricted by the pressing member 650.

[0037] A laser passing hole 616 through which the laser light emitted from the exposure device 4 can pass is formed in the upper rear portion of the frame 610, and a memory 500 is attached to the frame 610. The memory 500 has a memory chip (not shown) that stores information about the process cartridge 5, and a memory electrode 500A that is electrically connected to the memory chip. When the process cartridge 5 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2, the memory electrode 500A comes into contact with an electrode (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body 2, and communicates between the memory chip and the apparatus main body 2. The information about the process cartridge 5 stored in the memory chip includes information about when to replace the photosensitive drum 61, information about when to replace the development unit 7, and information about the remaining amount of toner contained in the development unit 7.

[0038] A receiving portion 641 is formed on each of the left side wall 611 and the right side wall 612 of the frame 610, and the receiving portion 641 is configured to be able to come into contact with bearings 746A, 746B of the developing unit 7. The receiving portion 641 is formed in a substantially U-shape with an open front, and supports the developing unit 7.

[0039] Further, a sheet passing hole 618 through which a sheet passes when transported to the transfer nip N1, and two protrusions 643, 643 protruding upward are formed on a bottom surface 613 of the frame 610. The protrusions 643, 643 support the developing unit 7 by abutting against a pair of bosses 718, 718 formed on the bottom surface of the developing unit 7.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 11, a first photoconductor gear 65 and a second photoconductor gear 66 are provided at the left end of the photoconductor drum 61, and a transfer gear 67 meshing with the second photoconductor gear 66 is provided at the left end of the transfer roller 63. When the process cartridge 5 including the photoconductor unit 6 is mounted in the apparatus main body 2, a drive gear provided in the apparatus main body 2 meshes with the first photoconductor gear 65. When the drive gear rotates in this state, the drive gear rotates the first photoconductor gear 65, and the photoconductor drum 61 and the second photoconductor gear 66 rotate integrally with the first photoconductor gear 65. Then, the rotation of the second photoconductor gear 66 is transmitted to the transfer gear 67, and the transfer roller 63 rotates integrally with the transfer gear 67.

[0041] 2 and 10, a pair of pressing members 640 are provided at the front of the frame 610 of the photosensitive unit 6. The pressing members 640 are biased forward by a compression spring 640A, and press the housing 700 of the developing unit 7 when the developing unit 7 is attached to the photosensitive unit 6. This causes the developing roller 71 of the developing unit 7 to be pressed against the photosensitive drum 61.

[0042] Since the photoconductor unit 6 is configured as described above, when the developing unit 7 is attached to the photoconductor unit 6 as shown in FIG.

[0043] In this state, when the user releases the developing unit 7, the developing unit 7 is supported by the protrusions 643, 643 formed on the bottom surface 613 of the photoconductor unit 6, and is pressed forward by the pressing member 640. The biasing force of the compression spring 640A pressing the pressing member 640 presses the bearings 746A, 746B of the developing unit 7 against the receiving portion 641, and the developing unit 7 is positioned in the front-rear direction with respect to the photoconductor unit 6.

[0044] [Toner cartridge configuration] Next, the configuration of the toner cartridge 9 will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 16. Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the toner cartridge 9. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge 9 viewed from below. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 9. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 9 viewed from top to bottom. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 9 viewed from right to left along the longitudinal direction LD.

[0045] 12, the toner cartridge 9 has a container member 911, a bottom member 912, a left side holder 92, a right side holder 93, an opening forming member 95, and a discharge side shutter 94. The toner cartridge 9 also has a conveying screw 96 as a conveying section, a second agitator (hereinafter referred to as an agitating member) 97, a conveying screw gear 980, an idle gear 981, and a second agitator gear 982.

[0046] As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, a toner container 910 as a frame is formed by a container member 911 and a bottom member 912, and toner is accommodated inside the toner container 910. A discharge side shutter 94 is disposed at one end of the toner container 910 in the longitudinal direction LD. The discharge side shutter 94 as a second opening forming member has a discharge port forming surface 94C on the outer periphery, and an opening (hereinafter referred to as a second opening) 94A for discharging toner to the outside is formed in the discharge port forming surface 94C. Note that the discharge side shutter 94 is configured as a separate member from the container member 911 and the bottom member 912, but the discharge side shutter 94 may be integrated with the container member 911. Furthermore, the discharge side shutter 94, the container member 911, and the bottom member 912 may be integrated.

[0047] 12 and 14, the conveying screw 96 and the stirring member 97 are rotatably provided inside the toner container 910. The conveying screw 96 and the stirring member 97 are rotated by a driving force transmitted to a conveying screw gear 980 and a second agitator gear 982 provided outside the toner container 910, respectively. The stirring member 97 has a stirring rod 98 as a rotation shaft and a stirring sheet 99 as a sheet member, similar to the first agitator 75A. One end of the stirring sheet 99 is fixed to the stirring rod 98 and the other end is a free end.

[0048] The toner contained inside the toner container 910 is stirred and transported by the stirring member 97 toward the transport screw 96, and then transported by the transport screw 96 toward the first opening 95A shown in FIG. 12, and discharged from the first opening 95A.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 12, an opening forming member 95 is disposed inside the discharge-side shutter 94. The opening forming member 95 as a first opening forming member is provided at one end of the toner container 910 in the longitudinal direction LD, and has a first opening 95A and a closing portion 95B as an opening. When the first opening 95A and the second opening 94A face each other, the toner can be discharged from the toner cartridge 9. On the other hand, when the first opening 95A faces the discharge port forming surface 94C, the toner is restricted from being discharged from the toner cartridge 9, and the toner inside is prevented from leaking out to the outside during transportation of the toner cartridge 9, for example.

[0050] The internal configuration of the toner cartridge 9 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 15 and 16. As shown in Figure 15, the toner cartridge 9 has a first portion 910R and a second portion 910L arranged to be aligned in the longitudinal direction LD (left-right direction). The first portion 910R is provided with a partition wall 911W extending in the longitudinal direction LD (left-right direction), while the second portion 910L does not have a partition wall 911W. The second portion 910L has a larger volume than the first portion 910R.

[0051] Furthermore, the first portion 910R has a first chamber 910Ra and a second chamber 910Rb arranged side by side in the direction of the arrow S4, which is a first direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction LD. A first opening 95A (see FIG. 12) is formed in the first chamber 910Ra. The stirring rod 98 and the stirring sheet 99 of the stirring member 97 extend across the second chamber 910Rb and the second portion 910L of the first portion 910R.

[0052] The first chamber 910Ra does not directly communicate with the second chamber 910Rb in the direction of the arrow S4. The first chamber 910Ra communicates with the second chamber 910Rb via the second portion 910L. In other words, the toner in the second chamber 910Rb is transported from the second chamber 910Rb through the second portion 910L to the first chamber 910Ra, and is then discharged to the outside of the toner cartridge 9 via the first opening 95A and the second opening 94A.

[0053] The toner contained in the second chamber 910Rb needs to be transported toward the second portion 910L by the rotation of the stirring member 97. In this embodiment, the stirring sheet 99 of the stirring member 97 enables the toner to be transported from the second chamber 910Rb to the second portion 910L.

[0054] The stirring member 97 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 15. The stirring sheet 99 has a first sheet portion 99a and a second sheet portion 99b arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction LD. The first sheet portion 99a is arranged at a position corresponding to the second chamber 910Rb, and the second sheet portion 99b is arranged at a position corresponding to the second portion 910L. A slit F is provided between the first sheet portion 99a and the second sheet portion 99b as a first slit. In other words, the first sheet portion 99a and the second sheet portion 99b are separated by the slit F.

[0055] The slit F is disposed in correspondence with the boundary portion PT between the second chamber 910Rb and the second portion 910L, and more specifically, the slit F is disposed slightly closer to the second portion 910L than the boundary portion PT. This makes it possible to reduce interference between the second seat portion 99b and the partition wall 911W even if there is some looseness in the mounting of the stirring member 97.

[0056] The first sheet portion 99a and the second sheet portion 99b have different lengths in the radial direction intersecting (perpendicular to) the longitudinal direction LD. The first sheet portion 99a has a length D1 in the radial direction, and the second sheet portion 99b has a length D2 that is equal to or greater than D1 (D2≧D1). The lengths D1 and D2 may be the lengths from the axial center of the stirring rod 98 to the radial ends of the first sheet portion 99a or the second sheet portion 99b.

[0057] By defining the lengths D1 and D2 in this manner, the peripheral speed of the tip of the second sheet portion 99b is faster than the peripheral speed of the tip of the first sheet portion 99a. As a result, the toner in the second chamber 910Rb is stirred by the first sheet portion 99a and transported toward the second portion 910L. The toner in the second portion 910L is stirred and transported toward the transport screw 96 by the second sheet portion 99b.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 16, the cross-sectional area Eb of the space forming the second chamber 910Rb (hatched portion) is configured to be equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area Ea of the space forming the first chamber 910Ra (hatched portion) (Eb≧Ea). The toner is conveyed from the second portion 910L to the first chamber 910Ra by the conveying screw 96, and the first chamber 910Ra is formed along the outer circumferential surface of the conveying screw 96. This allows a desired amount of toner to be discharged from the first opening 95A by the rotation of the conveying screw 96. In addition, by setting the cross-sectional area Ea of the first chamber 910Ra to be equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area Eb of the second chamber 910Rb, the radial size of the conveying screw 96 can be reduced, and the torque required to drive the conveying screw 96 can be reduced.

[0059] In addition, since the first portion 910R is divided by the partition wall 911W, the second chamber 910Rb, which is the remaining portion of the first portion 910R other than the first chamber 910Ra, can be effectively used as a toner storage space, thereby increasing the toner storage capacity of the toner cartridge 9.

[0060] 16 shows the posture of the toner cartridge 9 when it is attached to the developing unit 7, and the toner cartridge 9 performs an insertion operation in which it moves in the direction of the arrow S3, which is an attachment direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction LD. During this insertion operation, the first chamber 910Ra is located lower than the second chamber 910Rb, and the first opening 95A included in the first chamber 910Ra is located lower in the direction of gravity. During the insertion operation as the first operation, the toner cartridge 9 is in a posture in which the longitudinal direction LD is horizontal.

[0061] A partition wall 911W extends between the first chamber 910Ra and the second chamber 910Rb along a plane intersecting the directions of the arrows S3 and S4 (see FIG. 15). Due to the presence of this partition wall 911W, the toner in the second chamber 910Rb does not flow into the first chamber 910Ra in the direction of the arrow S3 when the toner cartridge 9 is attached to the developing unit 7.

[0062] This prevents an excessive amount of toner from entering the first chamber 910Ra immediately after the toner cartridge 9 is attached to the developing unit 7. This also reduces the risk of excessive toner being discharged into the developing unit 7 or toner leakage when the toner is discharged from the toner cartridge 9 to the developing unit 7.

[0063] A flat surface portion 912W formed by the bottom member 912 is disposed in the second chamber 910Rb. The flat surface portion 912W is a surface that intersects with the partition wall 911W and extends substantially parallel to the direction of the arrow S3. In other words, the flat surface portion 912W extends along the direction of the arrow S4 (see FIG. 15). Due to the presence of this flat surface portion 912W, the toner in the second chamber 910Rb slides down the flat surface portion 912W when the toner cartridge 9 is attached to the developing unit 7 in the direction of the arrow S3. The toner collides with the partition wall 911W, breaking up and becoming easier to transport, and is smoothly transported from the second chamber 910Rb toward the second portion 910L.

[0064] [Toner cartridge support] Next, the supporting structure of the toner cartridge 9 will be described with reference to Figures 17(a) to 18. Figure 17(a) is a perspective view showing the process cartridge 5 and the toner cartridge 9 before it is attached to the process cartridge 5. Figure 17(b) is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge 9 in the process of being attached to the process cartridge 5. Figure 17(c) is a perspective view showing the toner cartridge 9 after it has been attached to the process cartridge 5. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge 9 after it has been attached to the process cartridge 5, viewed from right to left along the longitudinal direction.

[0065] As shown in Figures 17(a) to (c), the toner cartridge 9 is detachably attached to the developing unit 7 of the process cartridge 5. A handle portion 911A is provided on a container member 911 of the toner cartridge 9 as a gripping portion, and a left side holder 92 and a right side holder 93 are fixed to both ends of the toner container 910 in the longitudinal direction LD. The left side holder 92 and the right side holder 93 are respectively provided with supported projections 92A and 93A for being supported by the developing unit 7. In addition, the developing unit 7 is provided with support portions 730 and 731 for supporting the supported projections 92A and 93A.

[0066] More specifically, the support portions 730, 731 are provided on a side holder 719 and a toner receiving cover 774 of the developing unit 7. The side holder 719 and the toner receiving cover 774 constitute an attachment portion 780 to which the toner cartridge 9 is attached.

[0067] When mounting the toner cartridge 9 in the developing unit 7, the user inserts the toner cartridge 9 and then rotates it. That is, as shown in FIG. 17(a), the user holds the handle 911A and moves the toner cartridge 9 from above in the direction of arrow S3 relative to the developing unit 7. The user aligns the supported projections 92A, 93A of the toner cartridge 9 with the support portions 730, 731 of the developing unit 7, and inserts the supported projections 92A, 93A into the support portions 730, 731 as shown in FIG. 17(b). This completes the insertion operation, and the toner cartridge 9 is supported by the support portions 730, 731.

[0068] Next, the user performs a rotational operation as a second operation to rotate the toner cartridge 9 around the supported projections 92A, 93A that are coaxial with the rotation center CT1 of the conveying screw 96. As a result, the toner cartridge 9 is completely attached to the process cartridge 5 as shown in FIG. 17(c), and the toner cartridge 9 and the process cartridge 5 form a cartridge unit 10.

[0069] Furthermore, when the toner cartridge 9 is completely attached to the process cartridge 5, the conveying screw gear 980 (see FIG. 12) of the toner cartridge 9 can mesh with the idle gear 715B (see FIG. 5) of the developing unit 7. This transmits the driving force of the developing unit 7 to the toner cartridge 9.

[0070] The state in which the toner cartridge 9 has been completely installed will be described with reference to Figure 18. In the rotational movement when the toner cartridge 9 is installed as described above, the second chamber 910Rb moves in a direction approaching the developing unit 7. A straight line LN1 connecting the rotation center CT1 of the transport screw 96 of the toner cartridge 9 and the rotation center CT2 of the stirring rod 98 extends horizontally when viewed in the longitudinal direction LD. As a result, the toner transport path from the second chamber 910Rb through the second part 910L to the first chamber 910Ra is arranged so that the height difference is small, thereby reducing damage to the transported toner.

[0071] Further, a toner receiving cover 774 of a toner receiving portion 770 (described later) is disposed around a toner receiving opening 771 of the developing unit 7 that is exposed when the toner cartridge 9 is attached or detached, and extends to a position higher than the toner receiving opening 771. The toner receiving cover 774 has a step 774B that is provided so as to protrude upward between the first chamber 910Ra and the second chamber 910Rb of the toner cartridge 9. This makes it possible to prevent toner from leaking to the outside from the toner receiving opening 771 when the toner cartridge 9 is attached or detached.

[0072] The life of the toner cartridge 9, which is determined by the amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge 9, is set to be shorter than the life of the process cartridge 5, which is determined by the life of the photosensitive drum 61 and the life of the developing roller 71. Therefore, it is economical to replace only the toner cartridge 9 that has reached the end of its life separately from the process cartridge 5. In this embodiment, the toner cartridge 9 can be replaced simply by opening the door 21 (see FIG. 1), and the user can replace the toner cartridge 9 without removing the process cartridge 5 from the device main body 2. In other words, the toner cartridge 9 is detachable from the developing unit 7 when the process cartridge 5 including the developing unit 7 is attached to the device main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0073] [Opening and closing of the receiving shutter] Next, the opening and closing operation of the receiving-side shutter 773 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 19. Figure 19(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the receiving-side shutter 773 of the developing unit 7 in a closed state, and Figure 19(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the receiving-side shutter 773 in an open state. That is, the receiving-side shutter 773 as a shutter is movable between an open position where the toner receiving port 771 is opened, and a closed position where the toner receiving port 771 is closed.

[0074] 5, the toner receiving portion 770 of the developing unit 7 is composed of a toner receiving port 771 provided on the upper surface of the housing 700, a receiving side shutter seal 772, a receiving side shutter 773, a toner receiving cover 774, and a connecting seal 775. The receiving side shutter seal 772, the receiving side shutter 773, the toner receiving cover 774, and the connecting seal 775 are provided with holes 772A, 773A, 774A, and 775A, respectively. The holes 772A, 774A, and 775A of the receiving side shutter seal 772, the toner receiving cover 774, and the connecting seal 775 are assembled at positions corresponding to the toner receiving port 771.

[0075] The receiving side shutter 773 has a shielding portion 773B in addition to the hole portion 773A, and is attached to the housing 700 of the developing unit 7 in a slidable state. The receiving side shutter 773 slides forward and backward to open and close the toner receiving opening 771.

[0076] The opening and closing operation of the receiving side shutter 773 is performed in conjunction with the installation and removal operation of the toner cartridge 9. Here, as shown in Figure 12 and Figures 19(a) and (b), a pair of driving protrusion groups 94B are arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the discharge side shutter 94 of the toner cartridge 9. In addition, a pair of driven protrusion groups 773C that can be engaged with the pair of driving protrusion groups 94B are arranged on the receiving side shutter 773.

[0077] As described above, the toner cartridge 9 moves to the installation complete state by performing a rotational operation during the installation process into the developing unit 7. As shown in Fig. 19(a), after the insertion operation of the toner cartridge 9 is completed and before the rotational operation, the shielding portion 773B of the receiving side shutter 773 faces the toner receiving opening 771, and the toner receiving opening 771 is in a closed state. At this time, the driving projection group 94B and the driven projection group 773C are engaged with each other.

[0078] 19(b), when the toner cartridge 9 is rotated, the driving protrusion group 94B and the driven protrusion group 773C are engaged with each other, so that the receiving-side shutter 773 slides in conjunction with the rotation of the toner cartridge 9. As a result, the hole 773A of the receiving-side shutter 773 faces the toner receiving opening 771, and the toner receiving opening 771 is opened.

[0079] Similarly, when the toner cartridge 9 is removed from the developing unit 7, the receiving side shutter 773 slides in conjunction with the rotation of the toner cartridge 9, and the toner receiving opening 771 is closed.

[0080] As described above, when the toner cartridge 9 is attached to the developing unit 7, the toner receiving opening 771 is in an open state, allowing toner to be received into the developing unit 7. On the other hand, when the toner cartridge 9 is not attached to the developing unit 7, the toner receiving opening 771 is in a closed state, preventing foreign matter from entering the developing unit 7 and preventing toner from leaking out. In addition, since the toner receiving opening 771 transitions between a closed state and an open state in conjunction with the rotational movement of the toner cartridge 9, no action is required just to open the toner receiving opening 771, improving operability.

[0081] [Opening and closing of the discharge side shutter] Next, the opening and closing operation of the discharge-side shutter 94 will be described with reference to Figures 20(a) and (b). Figure 20(a) is a side view showing the discharge-side shutter 94 in a closed state, and Figure 20(b) is a side view showing the discharge-side shutter 94 in an open state. That is, the discharge-side shutter 94 is movable between a closed position where the discharge port forming surface 94C as a shielding portion shields the first opening 95A, and an open position where the second opening 94A faces the first opening 95A to open the first opening 95A.

[0082] As described above, when the first opening 95A of the opening forming member 95 shown in Fig. 12 faces the second opening 94A of the discharge-side shutter 94, toner can be discharged from the toner cartridge 9 to the outside. Also, when the discharge port forming surface 94C on the outer periphery of the discharge-side shutter 94 faces the first opening 94A, discharge of toner from the toner cartridge 9 to the outside is restricted. The opening and closing operation of the discharge-side shutter 94 is also performed in conjunction with the rotational operation when the toner cartridge 9 is attached and detached, similar to the opening and closing operation of the receiving-side shutter 773 described above.

[0083] As shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 20(a), an end of the opening forming member 95 in the longitudinal direction LD is provided with a locked projection 95C, which is covered by a supported projection 93A of the right side holder 93. The support portion 731 of the developing unit 7 is provided with a pair of locking portions 731A as a first guide portion and a cutout portion 731B as a second guide portion. When the toner cartridge 9 is inserted, the pair of locking portions 731A guide the supported projection 93A as a guide portion of the toner cartridge 9 in the direction of the arrow S3 (mounting direction). The support portion 730 has a similar configuration to the support portion 731, and therefore a description of the support portion 730 is omitted.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 20(a), after the toner cartridge 9 has been inserted and before it is rotated, the closing portion 95B (see FIG. 12) of the opening forming member 95 faces the second opening 94A (see FIG. 12). Therefore, the first opening 95A (see FIG. 12) is closed. At this time, the locked projection 95C of the opening forming member 95 is sandwiched between the pair of locking portions 731A, and the opening forming member 95 is restricted from rotating relative to the developing unit 7.

[0085] 20(b), when the toner cartridge 9 is rotated, the supported projection 93A of the toner cartridge 9 is guided by the cutout 731B in the rotation direction around the rotation center CT1 (see FIG. 18) of the conveying screw 96. As described above, the rotation of the opening forming member 95 is restricted by the pair of locking portions 731A, so that the members other than the opening forming member 95 of the toner cartridge 9 rotate. Note that, since the supported projection 93A of the right side holder 93 can enter the cutout 731B, the rotation of the members other than the opening forming member 95 of the toner cartridge 9 is not hindered.

[0086] In this way, even if the toner cartridge 9 is rotated, the opening forming member 95 does not rotate, and the discharge-side shutter 94 rotates relative to the opening forming member 95. Then, the second opening 94A of the discharge-side shutter 94 faces the first opening 95A, and the first opening 95A (see FIG. 12) is opened.

[0087] Similarly, when the toner cartridge 9 is removed from the developing unit 7, the discharge-side shutter 94 rotates in conjunction with the rotational movement of the toner cartridge 9, and the first opening 95A (see FIG. 12) is brought into a closed state.

[0088] [Toner cartridge lift mechanism] Next, the lift mechanism 760 of the toner cartridge 9 will be described with reference to Figs. 21(a) to 22(c). Fig. 21(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner cartridge 9 is placed on the lift mechanism 760 during the mounting process. Fig. 21(b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the lift mechanism 760 is opened during the mounting process of the toner cartridge 9. Fig. 21(c) is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner cartridge 9 has been completely mounted. Fig. 22(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner cartridge 9 has been completely mounted. Fig. 22(b) is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner cartridge 9 is lifted up by the lift mechanism 760. Fig. 22(c) is a perspective view showing a state in which the toner cartridge 9 has been lifted up. For the sake of explanation, the side holder 719 of the developing unit 7 is omitted in Figs. 22(a) to (c).

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 22(a) to 22(c), the left side holder 92 of the toner cartridge 9 is provided with a protruding portion 92B, which has a contact surface 92C, a holding surface 92D, and a receiving surface 92E. As shown in FIG. 8, the lift mechanism 760 is made up of a boss 719A provided on the side holder 719 of the developing unit 7, a lift member 761, and a torsion coil spring 762. The lift member 761 and the torsion coil spring 762 are attached to the boss 719A, and the lift member 761 is rotatable about the boss 719A. The lift member 761 has a contact portion 761A, an operating portion 761B, and a lifting portion 761C. The lift member 761 is biased in the direction of the arrow R1 by the torsion coil spring 762.

[0090] 21(a) to 21(c), the movement of the lift mechanism 760 during the installation process of the toner cartridge 9 will be described. When the toner cartridge 9 is rotated to install it, as shown in FIG. 21(a), the contact surface 92C of the protrusion 92B comes into contact with the contact portion 761A of the lift member 761, and the toner cartridge 9 is placed on the lift mechanism 760.

[0091] 21(b), when the toner cartridge 9 continues to rotate, the lift member 761 is pushed by the abutment surface 92C of the protrusion 92B and rotates in the direction of arrow R2 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 762. In this way, the lift member 761 allows the toner cartridge 9 to rotate.

[0092] When the toner cartridge 9 continues to rotate further and the installation of the toner cartridge 9 is completed, as shown in Fig. 21(c), the protrusion 92B enters under the lift member 761. Then, the lift member 761 rotates in the direction of the arrow R1 due to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 762, and the abutment portion 761A of the lift member 761 comes into contact with the holding surface 92D. This allows the lift member 761 to hold the toner cartridge 9 in the installation completed state.

[0093] Next, the movement of the toner cartridge 9 from the installation completion state to the lifted up state will be described with reference to Figures 22(a) to 22(c). As shown in Figure 22(a), in the installation completion state of the toner cartridge 9, the contact portion 761A of the lift member 761 contacts the holding surface 92D, and the toner cartridge 9 cannot be removed from the developing unit 7.

[0094] To remove the toner cartridge 9 from the developing unit 7, as shown in Fig. 22(b), the user operates the operating portion 761B of the lift member 761 to rotate the lift member 761 in the direction of arrow R2. This causes the lifting portion 761C of the lift member 761 to press the receiving surface 92E of the protruding portion 92B, causing the toner cartridge 9 to rotate upward. At this time, the contact portion 761A of the lift member 761 is separated from the movement trajectory of the protruding portion 92B and does not impede the rotation of the toner cartridge 9.

[0095] Thereafter, when the user releases the operating portion 761B, the lift member 761 rotates in the direction of arrow R1 due to the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 762, as shown in Fig. 22(c). Then, the abutment surface 92C of the protrusion 92B comes into contact with the abutment portion 761A of the lift member 761, and the toner cartridge 9 is placed on the lift mechanism 760 in a lifted-up state. In the lifted-up state, the toner cartridge 9 can be removed from the developing unit 7 because the upward movement of the toner cartridge 9 is not hindered by the lift member 761.

[0096] [Summary of the first embodiment] In recent years, there has been a demand for an increased toner capacity within the constraints of a limited external size of a toner cartridge detachably attached to a process cartridge 5. In this embodiment, the toner container 910 of the toner cartridge 9 is divided into a first portion 910R and a second portion 910L aligned in the longitudinal direction LD, and the first portion 910R is divided into a first chamber 910Ra and a second chamber 910Rb by a partition wall 911W. The first chamber 910Ra and the second chamber 910Rb are aligned in the direction of an arrow S4 that intersects with the longitudinal direction LD.

[0097] The second portion 910L is directly connected to the first chamber 910Ra and the second chamber 910Rb in the longitudinal direction LD, but the first chamber 910Ra and the second chamber 910Rb are separated by a partition wall 911W and do not directly communicate with each other in the direction of the arrow S4. The first chamber 910Ra is provided with a first opening 95A for discharging the toner to the toner receiving port 771 of the developing unit 7, and the toner in the toner container 910 is transported toward the first opening 95A by the stirring member 97 and the transport screw 96.

[0098] The cross-sectional area Ea of the first chamber 910Ra is set to be equal to or smaller than the cross-sectional area Eb of the second chamber 910Rb, thereby enabling the radial size of the conveying screw 96 to be reduced and the torque required to drive the conveying screw 96 to be reduced.

[0099] In addition, since the first portion 910R is divided by the partition wall 911W, the second chamber 910Rb, which is the remaining portion of the first portion 910R other than the first chamber 910Ra, can be effectively used as a toner storage space. This increases the toner storage capacity of the toner cartridge 9. As viewed in the longitudinal direction LD, the cross-sectional area Eb of the second chamber 910Rb is equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area Ea of the first chamber 910Ra.

[0100] When mounting the toner cartridge 9 in the developing unit 7, the user aligns the supported protrusions 92A, 93A of the toner cartridge 9 with the support portions 730, 731 of the developing unit 7, and inserts the supported protrusions 92A, 93A into the support portions 730, 731. This completes the insertion operation, and the toner cartridge 9 is supported by the support portions 730, 731.

[0101] Next, the user performs a rotational operation to rotate the toner cartridge 9 around the supported protrusions 92A and 93A that are coaxial with the conveying screw 96. As a result, the toner cartridge 9 is completely attached to the process cartridge 5 as shown in FIG. 17(c), and the toner cartridge 9 and the process cartridge 5 form a cartridge unit 10.

[0102] When the toner cartridge 9 is rotated, the receiving-side shutter 773 and the discharge-side shutter 94 move from the closed position to the open position. This opens the first opening 95A of the toner cartridge 9 and the toner receiving port 771 of the developing unit 7, allowing toner to be supplied from the toner cartridge 9 to the developing unit 7. This reduces toner stains at the connection between the toner cartridge 9 and the developing unit 7 when the toner cartridge 9 is attached or detached, and improves operability because no action is required just to open the receiving-side shutter 773 and the discharge-side shutter 94.

[0103] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is obtained by modifying the configuration of the first seat portion 99a of the stirring member 97 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configuration as the first embodiment will be described by omitting illustrations or by assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0104] As shown in Fig. 23, the stirring member 297 according to the second embodiment has a stirring rod 98 and a stirring sheet 299 as a sheet member. The stirring sheet 299 has a first sheet portion 299a and a second sheet portion 99b arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction LD. The first sheet portion 299a is arranged at a position corresponding to the second chamber 910Rb, and the second sheet portion 99b is arranged at a position corresponding to the second portion 910L. A slit F is provided between the first sheet portion 299a and the second sheet portion 99b.

[0105] The first seat portion 299a and the second seat portion 99b have different lengths in the radial direction intersecting (perpendicular to) the longitudinal direction. The radial length of the first seat portion 299a is length D1 (see FIG. 15) as in the first embodiment, and the radial length of the second seat portion 99b is length D2 (see FIG. 15) that is equal to or greater than length D1 (D2≧D1). Note that lengths D1 and D2 may be lengths from the axial center of the stirring rod 98 to the radial end of the first seat portion 299a or the second seat portion 99b.

[0106] The first seat portion 299a has a plurality of slits 99m1 (four in this embodiment). Each slit 99m1 as a second slit extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction (longitudinal direction LD) of the stirring bar 98 and a radial direction (for example, the direction of arrow S4) perpendicular to the axial direction so as to have an angle m with respect to the axial direction of the stirring bar 98. More specifically, the slits 99m1 extend in a direction approaching the second portion 910L as they approach the radial inside. In this embodiment, four slits 99m1 are provided at intervals, but one to three or five or more slits may be provided.

[0107] The toner contained in the second chamber 910Rb is stirred by the first sheet portion 299a as the stirring member 297 rotates. The toner contained in the second chamber 910Rb is transported toward the second portion 910L by the first sheet portion 299a having a plurality of slits 99m1.

[0108] [Summary of the second embodiment] In this embodiment, by providing a plurality of slits 99m1 in the first sheet portion 299a, the toner in the second chamber 910Rb can be transported toward the second portion 910L more efficiently.

[0109] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described, which is a modification of the first embodiment in terms of the configuration of the stirring member 97. Therefore, configurations similar to those in the first embodiment will be described by omitting illustrations or by assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0110] 24, an agitation member 397 according to the third embodiment has an agitation bar 398 as a rotating shaft, and an agitation sheet 399 as a sheet member. The agitation sheet 399 is not disposed at a position corresponding to the second chamber 910Rb, but is disposed at a position corresponding to the second portion 910L.

[0111] Stirring rod 398 has a first shaft portion 398a provided at a position corresponding to first chamber 910Ra and a second shaft portion 398b provided at a position corresponding to second portion 910L, and second shaft portion 398b is formed in a round rod shape. A screw 98S is provided on the outer periphery of first shaft portion 398a, and toner contained in second chamber 910Rb is transported toward second portion 910L by rotation of screw 98S.

[0112] [Summary of the third embodiment] In the present embodiment, by providing a screw 98S on the outer periphery of the first shaft portion 398a of the stirring rod 398, the toner in the second chamber 910Rb can be transported toward the second portion 910L more reliably.

[0113] <Other embodiments> In any of the above-described embodiments, the developing roller 71 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 61, but the developing roller 71 may be configured not to contact the photosensitive drum 61. In other words, the developing roller 71 may be disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum 61 with a minute gap therebetween, and the toner may be developed onto the photosensitive drum 61 through this minute gap.

[0114] In addition, in any of the above-described embodiments, the toner is transported to the first chamber 910Ra by the transport screw 96. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the transport screw 96, a belt conveyor or other toner transport members may be used.

[0115] In addition, in any of the above-described embodiments, the cross-sectional area Eb of the second chamber 910Rb is set to be equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area Ea of the first chamber 910Ra, but is not limited thereto. For example, the cross-sectional area Eb may be smaller than the cross-sectional area Ea. In addition, the partition wall 911W may be provided integrally with the toner container 910 or may be provided separately.

[0116] In the first and second embodiments, the slit F is provided between the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion, but the slit F may be omitted.

[0117] In addition, in any of the above-described embodiments, the opening forming member 95 does not rotate but the discharge-side shutter 94 rotates in response to the rotational movement of the toner cartridge 9, but this is not limiting. For example, the opening forming member 95 may rotate in response to the rotational movement of the toner cartridge 9 but the discharge-side shutter 94 does not rotate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1: Image forming apparatus / 2: Apparatus main body / 7: Development unit / 8: Fixing section (fixing device) / 9: Developer storage device (toner cartridge) / 10: Cartridge (cartridge unit) / 59: Development device / 61: Image carrier (photosensitive drum) / 71: Developer carrier (developing roller) / 93A: Guide section (supported protrusion) / 94: Second opening forming member (discharge side shutter) / 94A: Second opening / 94C: Shielding section (discharge port forming surface) / 95: First opening forming member (opening forming member) / 95A: Opening, first opening / 96: Transport section (transport screw) / 97,297,397: Stirring member / 98,398: Rotating shaft (stirring rod) / 98S: Scree / 99,299: sheet member (agitation sheet) / 99a,299a: first sheet portion / 99b: second sheet portion / 700: housing / 731A: first guide portion (locking portion) / 731B: second guide portion (notch portion) / 773: shutter (receiving side shutter) / 780: mounting portion / 910: frame (toner container) / 910L: second portion / 910R: first portion / 910Ra: first chamber / 910Rb: second chamber / 911W: partition wall / 912W: flat portion / CT1,CT2: center of rotation / D1,D2: length / Ea,Eb: cross-sectional area / F: first slit (slit) / LD: longitudinal direction / LN1: straight line / S3: mounting direction (arrow) / S4: first direction (arrow)

Claims

1. a developer accommodating device including a frame extending in a longitudinal direction and capable of accommodating a developer, and an opening provided in the frame and capable of discharging the developer accommodated in the frame to the outside; a developing unit that detachably supports the developer accommodating device, the developing unit having a developer carrier that carries a developer, and a guide portion that guides movement of the developer accommodating device relative to the developing unit along an attachment direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction; A cartridge comprising: the frame of the developer accommodating device has a guided portion that is guided along the guide portion of the developing unit, a first portion including a first chamber and a second chamber arranged side by side in a first direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and a second portion that communicates with the first chamber and the second chamber in the longitudinal direction and has a larger volume than the first portion, the first chamber is formed with the opening and communicates with the second chamber only through the second portion; the developer accommodating device is moved in the mounting direction toward the developing unit and mounted thereto, and then a second operation is performed in which the developer accommodating device is rotated about a rotation axis extending in the longitudinal direction, thereby enabling the developer to be discharged from the opening toward the developing unit; A cartridge characterized by:

2. The frame body of the developer storage device has a regulating portion that, when the first operation and the second operation are performed and the developer storage device is attached to the development unit, engages with the development unit to regulate the movement of the developer storage device in the direction opposite to the attachment direction relative to the development unit and the rotation about the rotation axis, 2. The cartridge according to claim 1.

3. The first portion has a partition wall that separates the first chamber and the second chamber, The partition wall extends along a plane intersecting the first direction.

3. A cartridge according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The developer storage device includes: a stirring member rotatably supported by the frame body and stirring the developer stored in the frame body; and a transport section rotatably supported by the frame body and transporting the developer in the frame body to the opening.

4. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is a cartridge having a first opening and a second opening.

5. In the second operation, the developer accommodating device rotates around the rotation axis that coincides with the rotation center of the transport unit.

5. A cartridge according to claim 4.

6. The stirring member and the conveying section are configured such that a driving force from the developing unit is transmitted when the first operation and the second operation are performed and the developer accommodating device is attached to the developing unit.

6. A cartridge according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The stirring member has a rotating shaft and a sheet member fixed to the rotating shaft, The rotation shaft extends across the second chamber of the first portion and the second portion.

7. A cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge is a cartridge having a first opening and a second opening.

8. the sheet member has a first sheet portion disposed at a position corresponding to the second chamber of the first portion, and a second sheet portion disposed at a position corresponding to the second portion, In a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation shaft, a length of the first seat portion is shorter than a length of the second seat portion.

8. A cartridge according to claim 7.

9. In the axial direction, the sheet member has a first slit disposed between the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion.

9. A cartridge according to claim 8.

10. The first seat portion has a second slit extending in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction and the radial direction.

10. A cartridge according to claim 8 or 9.

11. the rotating shaft is disposed at a position corresponding to the second chamber of the first portion, and has a screw that rotates to transport the developer in the second chamber toward the second portion.

8. A cartridge according to claim 7.

12. The second chamber of the first portion has a planar portion extending along the first direction when viewed in the longitudinal direction. A cartridge according to any one of claims 4 to 11.

13. the opening is a first opening, The developer storage device is a first opening forming member provided at one end of the frame body in the longitudinal direction and having the first opening; a second opening forming member provided at the one end of the frame body in the longitudinal direction, the second opening forming member having a shielding portion and a second opening, the second opening forming member being movable between a closed position in which the shielding portion shields the first opening and an open position in which the second opening faces the first opening to open the first opening, in a posture in which the longitudinal direction is horizontal and the first opening is located below the direction of gravity, after the first operation, the second operation of rotating about the rotation axis that coincides with the rotation center of the transport section is performed, and the developer accommodating device is attached to the developing unit, whereby the second opening forming member moves from the closed position to the open position. A cartridge according to any one of claims 4 to 12.

14. When the second operation is completed, a straight line connecting the rotation center of the conveying unit and the rotation center of the stirring member extends along a horizontal direction when viewed in the longitudinal direction.

14. A cartridge according to claim 13.

15. The opening is a first opening, The developer storage device is a first opening forming member provided at one end of the frame body in the longitudinal direction and having the first opening; a second opening forming member provided at the one end of the frame body in the longitudinal direction, the second opening forming member having a shielding portion and a second opening, the second opening forming member being movable between a closed position in which the shielding portion shields the first opening and an open position in which the second opening faces the first opening to open the first opening, in a posture in which the longitudinal direction is horizontal and the first opening is located below the direction of gravity, the second operation of rotating about the rotation axis is performed after the first operation, and the developer accommodating device is attached to the developing unit, whereby the second opening forming member moves from the closed position to the open position. A cartridge according to any preceding claim.

16. the developer accommodating device is detachable from the developing unit in a state in which the developing unit is mounted in a main body of an image forming apparatus, A cartridge according to any preceding claim.

17. The developing unit comprises: a housing extending in the longitudinal direction and capable of housing a developer, the housing having an inlet for receiving the developer from the developer accommodating device; a shutter movable between an open position that opens the receiving port and a closed position that closes the receiving port; a mounting portion to which the developer accommodating device is attached; A cartridge according to any preceding claim.

18. the mounting portion has the guide portion that guides the guided portion of the developer accommodating device in the mounting direction in the first operation, and a rotation guide portion that guides the developer accommodating device rotatably about the rotation axis in the second operation.

18. A cartridge according to claim 17.

19. the shutter moves between the open position and the closed position as the developer accommodating device rotates about the rotation axis along the rotation guide portion.

20. A cartridge according to claim 18.

20. an apparatus main body having a fixing unit for fixing the developer image onto a sheet; and a cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 19, which is detachably supported by the main body of the apparatus.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images