Developer container and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a developer storage capable of arranging a shutter for opening / closing an open part without increase a size of an image forming device.SOLUTION: A shutter movable holding part 220 that holds the other end part of a shutter 221 is provided so as to be movable toward and away from a shutter fixing part 224 that holds one end part of the shutter 221. The shutter movable holding part 220 moves toward the shutter fixing part 224, and when a distance from the shutter fixing part 224 narrows, the shutter 221 is folded. When a supply port 219 is open, the folded shutter 221 is housed in a housing space 227 formed between the shutter fixing part 224 and the shutter movable holding part 220. That is, since a space for retracting the shutter 221 is secured between the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixing part 224, there is no need to separately secure the space for retracting the shutter 221. Therefore, the shutter 221 that opens and closes the supply port 219 can be provided without increasing a size of an image forming device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a developer container that contains a developer suitable for use in an image forming apparatus using electrophotography, such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, or a multifunction machine, and to an image forming apparatus equipped with the developer container. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming apparatus, examples of developer containers that can contain developer include a development container for a developing device that forms a toner image using developer, a toner bottle that contains replenishment developer to be replenished to the developing device, a collection container that contains recovered degraded toner, etc. These developer containers are insertable into and removable from the device body, and are provided with shutters to prevent developer leakage when inserted and removed.

[0003] For example, in a developing device, a shutter that can open and close the opening is provided to prevent developer leakage when the connection between an opening formed in a developer container for receiving replenishment developer and a replenishment transport path provided within the image forming device for transporting replenishment developer supplied from a toner bottle is released. However, providing a shutter requires securing space within the image forming device for retracting the shutter, which results in an increase in the size of the image forming device. Therefore, a conventional device has been proposed in which the shutter uses a deformable elastic member and retracts by sliding it in a direction different from the opening and closing direction relative to the opening (Patent Document 1). The device described in Patent Document 1 overcomes layout constraints of the image forming device by moving the shutter in a direction different from the opening and closing direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-22187 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, in the device described in Patent Document 1, when the opening is opened, the shutter is retracted in a direction different from the opening / closing direction so that the shutter follows the outer shape of the developer container or other devices inside the image forming device. However, there are cases where there is no space inside the image forming device to move the shutter, and in such cases, it has traditionally been difficult to provide a shutter without increasing the size of the image forming device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a developer container in which a shutter that opens and closes an opening through which developer passes can be installed without increasing the size of the image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A developer container according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a container section having an opening through which developer passes and capable of containing developer, a shutter member for opening and closing the opening, a fixed section for fixing one end of the shutter member, and a movable holding section that holds the other end of the shutter member and is arranged to be movable toward and away from the fixed section so that the shutter member closes the opening when the distance between the fixed section and the shutter member is a first distance, and opens the opening when the distance is a second distance narrower than the first distance, and is characterized in that the shutter member deforms to fit between the movable holding section and the fixed section in the movement direction as the movable holding section moves in a movement direction approaching the fixed section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a shutter for opening and closing an opening through which developer passes can be provided in a developer container without increasing the size of the image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus suitable for using the developer container of the present embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the developing device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the developing device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the developing device of the embodiment with the upper body cover portion omitted. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the developing device of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a closed state in which the shutter closes the supply port. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a supply chamber of the developing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an open state in which the shutter opens the supply port. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the shutter is in the middle of opening the supply port. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a developing device according to another embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a shutter in a closed state according to another embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a developing device according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an open state of the shutter in another embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a shutter state in the middle of opening the supply port in another embodiment. [Figure 15] Schematic diagrams showing the shutter in (a) unfolded and (b) folded states. [Figure 16] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a shutter that can be folded and stacked vertically, in which (a) the shutter is in an open state and (b) the shutter is in a closed state. [Figure 17] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views showing a compressible shutter, in which (a) the shutter is in an open state and (b) the shutter is in a closed state. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a case where a shutter is provided at the outlet of the supply pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Image forming device> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, the schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus suitable for using the developer container of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an intermediate transfer tandem type color image forming apparatus in which four color image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are arranged opposite an intermediate transfer belt 140 within an apparatus main body 100.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 has a main body 100 that houses four image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K that form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images, and an intermediate transfer belt 140. The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K each have photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K that serve as image carriers, and form toner images of each color on these photosensitive drums 11Y to 11K. The toner images carried on the photosensitive drums 11Y to 11K are transferred to a recording material P via the intermediate transfer belt 140. Examples of the recording material P include various types of sheet materials such as plain paper, cardboard, rough paper, textured paper, coated paper, plastic film, and cloth.

[0012] The image forming units 10Y to 10K are configured similarly except for the color of the toner used for development, so the configuration of the image forming units and the toner image formation process (image forming operation) will be described using the yellow image forming unit 10Y as an example. In addition to the photosensitive drum 11Y, the image forming unit 10Y has a charging roller 12Y, an exposure device 13Y, a developing device 14Y, a primary transfer roller 15Y, and a drum cleaner 16Y.

[0013] The photosensitive drum 11Y is a drum-shaped photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on its outer periphery, and rotates in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt 140. The charging roller 12Y uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. The exposure device 13Y irradiates the photosensitive drum 11Y with laser light modulated according to image information, forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. The developing device 14Y contains a developer containing toner and develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image by supplying toner to the photosensitive drum 11Y. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11Y is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 140 by the primary transfer roller 15Y. After transfer, any toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11Y is removed by a drum cleaner 16Y.

[0014] The intermediate transfer belt 140 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing. The image forming operation described above is carried out in parallel in each of the image forming units 10Y to 10K, and four color toner images are superimposed and multi-transferred to form a full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 140. This toner image is carried on the intermediate transfer belt 140 and transported to a secondary transfer nip formed between a secondary transfer outer roller 118 and a secondary transfer inner roller 119. A secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer outer roller 118, so that the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer belt 140 is secondarily transferred to the recording material P. Any toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 140 after the secondary transfer is removed by a belt cleaner 117.

[0015] The recording material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is delivered to a fixing device 170. The fixing device 170 has a pair of fixing rollers that sandwich and transport the recording material P, and a halogen heater, and applies pressure and heat to the toner image carried on the recording material P. This fixes the toner image to the recording material P.

[0016] Next, the conveying operation of the recording material P will be described. The feeding cassette 111 stores the recording material P and is attached to the apparatus main body 100 so as to be removable. The recording material P stored in the feeding cassette 111 is fed one sheet at a time by the feeding unit 110. The feeding unit 110 includes a pickup roller 113 that sends out the recording material P from the feeding cassette 111, and a feeding roller 114 and a conveying roller 115 that receive the recording material P from the pickup roller 113 and convey it. Note that the recording material P may also be fed by the feeding unit 110 from a manual feed tray 33 provided in the apparatus main body 100.

[0017] The recording material P fed by the feeding unit 110 is conveyed to the registration rollers 116. The registration rollers 116 contact the leading edge of the recording material P to correct any skew of the recording material P. The registration rollers 116 then convey the recording material P to the secondary transfer nip at a timing that corresponds to the progress of the image forming operation by the image forming units 10Y to 10K. In the single-sided printing mode, the recording material P has a toner image transferred to it in the secondary transfer nip and fixed by the fixing device 170. The recording material P is then discharged to the discharge tray 132 by a pair of discharge rollers 139. In the double-sided printing mode, the recording material P with the toner image fixed on its first side is conveyed to the reverse conveying unit 190, where a toner image is transferred to its second side in the secondary transfer nip. The toner image is then fixed by the fixing device 170, and the recording material P is then discharged to the discharge tray 132 by a pair of discharge rollers 139.

[0018] Developing devices 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K are removably mounted in apparatus main body 100, and are connected to replenishing device 250 when attached to apparatus main body 100. Since toner is consumed in developing devices 14Y to 14K as images are formed, replenishing device 250 replenishing developer (hereinafter referred to as replenishment agent) to developing devices 14Y to 14K. As will be described later, replenishing ports are formed in developing devices 14Y to 14K to connect to replenishing device 250, and shutters are provided at the replenishing ports so as to be able to open and close.

[0019] [Developing device] Next, the schematic configuration of the developing device 14Y will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4, taking the yellow developing device 14Y as an example. As shown in Figure 2, the developing device 14Y includes a developing container 201 forming a housing, a developing sleeve 202, a conveying screw 205, and an agitating screw 206. To make the description easier to understand, Figures 2 to 4 omit illustration of a shutter 221 (described later) that is provided to be able to open and close a supply port 219.

[0020] The developing device 14Y of this embodiment employs a two-component development system that uses a two-component developer containing non-magnetic toner and magnetic carrier. The non-magnetic toner is a resin, such as polyester or styrene acrylic, that contains colorants, wax components, etc., and is then pulverized or polymerized to form a powder. The magnetic carrier is a core made of resin particles kneaded with ferrite particles or magnetic powder, with a resin coating on the surface. The toner concentration in a new developer that has not yet been used for development is, for example, about 10% by weight of toner to the total weight of the developer, or about 9 parts carrier to 1 part toner by weight.

[0021] The upper part of the developing container 201 is covered by an upper main body cover part 210 so that the portion of the developing region facing the photosensitive drum 11Y (see FIG. 1) is open. A developing sleeve 202 is rotatably disposed in the developing container 201 so that a portion of it is exposed through this opening. The interior of the developing container 201 as a developer container is partitioned into a developing chamber 215 and an agitating chamber 216 by a partition wall 207 that extends in the direction perpendicular to the drawing (longitudinal direction) at approximately the center. Developer is contained in the developing chamber 215 and the agitating chamber 216, and a conveying screw 205 is rotatably disposed in the developing chamber 215, and an agitating screw 206 is rotatably disposed in the agitating chamber 216.

[0022] The developing sleeve 202 is made of a non-magnetic material and rotates with the developer carried on its surface by the magnetic force of a magnet roller 203 disposed non-rotatingly inside, transporting the developer to the developing zone. In the developing zone, the developer is supplied from the developing sleeve 202 to the photosensitive drum 11Y, whereby the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11Y is developed into a toner image. At this time, the developer that passes through the developing zone without being supplied to the photosensitive drum 11Y returns into the developing container 201 as the developing sleeve 202 rotates, and is separated from the developing sleeve 202 and collected in the developing chamber 215.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, a developing coupling 204 is provided at one end of the developing sleeve 202 in the longitudinal direction (direction of the rotation axis). The developing sleeve 202 and the developing coupling 204 are connected by a connecting portion (not shown) so that they can rotate in unison. The apparatus main body 100 is provided with a motor, a drive gear train, a main body coupling portion, and the like (not shown) to rotate the developing sleeve 202. That is, when the developing device 14Y is mounted in the apparatus main body 100, the rotational force of the motor provided in the apparatus main body 100 is transmitted to the main body coupling portion via the drive gear train, and further transmitted to the developing coupling portion 204 connected to the main body coupling portion, thereby rotating the developing sleeve 202. The developing sleeve 202, the conveying screw 205, and the stirring screw 206 are connected by a drive connecting gear portion (not shown). Therefore, when the developing sleeve 202 rotates, a rotational force is transmitted from the gear provided on the rotation shaft of the developing sleeve 202 to the gears provided on the rotation shafts of the conveying screw 205 and the stirring screw 206, causing the conveying screw 205 and the stirring screw 206 to rotate.

[0024] 4, in the developing container 201, a first communication port 207a and a second communication port 207b for transferring developer between the developing chamber 215 and the stirring chamber 216 are formed at one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction (y direction) of a partition wall 207 provided between the conveying screw 205 and the stirring screw 206. More specifically, the first communication port 207a is formed downstream in the developer conveying direction (see arrow y) of the conveying screw 205, and the second communication port 207b is formed downstream in the developer conveying direction of the stirring screw 206. The developing chamber 215 and the stirring chamber 216 are communicated with each other via the first communication port 207a and the second communication port 207b, thereby forming a circulation path for the developer circulating between the developing chamber 215 and the stirring chamber 216.

[0025] The transport screw 205 and the agitating screw 206 are each a screw having blades spirally disposed around a rotation axis. When the transport screw 205 rotates, the developer in the developing chamber 215 is transported along the transport screw 205, and at this time, a portion of the developer is supplied to the developing sleeve 202 (see FIG. 2). The developer transported in the developing chamber 215 is transferred from the developing chamber 215 to the agitating chamber 216 via a first communication port 207a. On the other hand, when the agitating screw 206 rotates, the developer in the agitating chamber 216 is transported along the agitating screw 206 in the direction opposite to the developer transport direction of the transport screw 205. The developer transported in the agitating chamber 216 is transferred from the agitating chamber 216 to the developing chamber 215 via a second communication port 207b. In this way, the first communication port 207a and the second communication port 207b are formed so that the developer can be circulated and transported within the developing container 201 (inside the developing container) while being agitated by the transport screw 205 and the agitating screw 206.

[0026] In the case of the developing device 14Y, which uses a two-component developer for development, the toner in the developer is consumed as the toner image is developed, resulting in a decrease in the toner concentration of the developer. A decrease in the toner concentration of the developer can affect image density and result in poor image quality. To restore the toner concentration of the developer, a replenishing device 250 (see FIG. 1) connected to the developing device 14Y can replenish the developer with a replenisher, for example, a mixture of toner and carrier in a weight ratio of 9:1. A toner bottle (not shown) containing the replenisher can be attached to the replenishing device 250. As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the replenishing device 250 has a replenishing pipe 226, which serves as a developer transport section and extends toward the developing container 201, to replenish the replenisher.

[0027] 3, the developer container 201 as a developer storage body has a supply unit 260 at a position upstream of the second communication port 207b of the stirring chamber 12 and away from the developer circulation path. The supply unit 260 is in communication with the stirring chamber 216 and forms a supply path for the replenishment agent to the stirring chamber 216. The supply unit 260 as a storage unit has a supply port 219 as an opening, to which a supply pipe 226 of the replenishment device 250 (see FIG. 2) is connected. As the toner bottle is rotated by the replenishment device 250, the replenishment agent stored in the toner bottle is supplied from the supply port 219 to the replenishment unit 260 through the supply pipe 226 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the supply unit 260 having the supply port 219 formed therein is disposed downstream in the insertion direction (direction of arrow y) of the developing device 14Y, and the supply port 219 is formed in a rectangular shape having dimensions of, for example, 17 mm x 15 mm.

[0028] As described above, in this embodiment, the developing device 14Y is removably inserted into the apparatus main body 100, and the insertion direction of the developing device 14Y is the longitudinal direction (y direction) indicated by the arrow. When the developing device 14Y is attached to the apparatus main body 100, it is connected to a supply pipe 226 of a supply device 250 provided in the apparatus main body 100 so that the developer can pass through. Therefore, the developing device 14Y is provided with a shutter 221 that can open and close the supply port 219 so that the supply port 219 is opened to receive the replenishment agent when the developing device 14Y is attached, and is closed to prevent developer leakage when the developing device 14Y is not attached to the apparatus main body 100. The configuration of the shutter 221 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.

[0029] 5, the developing device 14Y is provided with a shutter 221 for opening and closing the supply port 219, a shutter fixing portion 224 for fixing one end of the shutter 221, and a shutter movable holding portion 220 for holding the other end of the shutter 221. The shutter fixing portion 224 and the shutter movable holding portion 220 are arranged opposite each other in the longitudinal direction, the shutter fixing portion 224 is fixed to the developing container 201, and the shutter movable holding portion 220 is provided above the supply portion 260 so as to be movable toward and away from the shutter fixing portion 224.

[0030] The shutter movable holding part 220 is capable of moving toward and away from the shutter fixed part 224 by reciprocating in the longitudinal direction. A spring 223 is disposed between the shutter fixed part 224 and the shutter movable holding part 220 as a biasing means that biases the shutter movable holding part 220 in the insertion direction (direction of arrow y). That is, when the shutter movable holding part 220 slides toward the shutter fixed part 224 against the biasing force of the spring 223, the spring 223 contracts, and the gap between the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixed part 224 narrows. Then, as will be described in detail later, when the gap between the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixed part 224 is a first gap, the shutter 221 is in a closed state in which it closes the supply port 219, and when the gap is a second gap narrower than the first gap, the shutter 221 is in an open state in which it opens the supply port 219.

[0031] In this embodiment, as the gap between the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixing part 224 narrows, the shutter 221 is folded with the shutter fixing part 224 at the base end so that the shutter 221 fits between the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixing part 224. The shutter 221 as a shutter member is a flexible sheet member that can be deformed to be folded when pressed by the shutter movable holding part 220 towards the shutter fixing part 224. The shutter 221 is formed into a sheet shape with a thickness of 1.0 mm using urethane, or with a thickness of 0.1 mm using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, for example.

[0032] Fig. 6 shows the case where the shutter 221 is in a closed state. As shown in Fig. 6, a seal member 222 is disposed in the developing container 201 so as to surround the periphery of the supply port 219. The seal member 222 is provided to prevent developer leakage from the supply port 219 together with the shutter 221 when the shutter 221 is in a closed state. The seal member 222 is formed to a thickness of "3 mm" using, for example, urethane foam, and is attached to the periphery of the supply port 219 with double-sided tape or the like (not shown).

[0033] The shutter fixing part 224 is provided upstream of the supply port 219 in the insertion direction, and an upstream end 221c of the shutter 221 is fixed with double-sided tape (not shown) or the like. In the present embodiment, a part of the upstream end 221c side of the shutter 221 is attached with double-sided tape or the like to an attachment surface 225 of the supply part 260. On the other hand, the shutter movable holding part 220 is provided such that a downstream end 221d of the shutter 221 is attached to a shutter attachment surface 220e with double-sided tape (not shown) or the like, and the shutter 221 is positioned downstream of the supply port 219 when the shutter 221 is in a closed state.

[0034] In the closed state, the shutter 221 contacts a contact surface 228 of a seal member 222 that surrounds the periphery of the supply port 219 to close the supply port 219. The distance between the shutter movable holder 220 and the shutter fixing portion 224 at this time is a first distance "L1." In this case, the shutter 221 contacts the entire periphery of the seal member 222 without being folded, thereby preventing developer from leaking from the supply port 219. To ensure that the seal member 222 and the shutter 221 seal the developer, an upstream end 221c of the shutter 221 is fixed by the shutter fixing portion 224 below the contact surface 228 in the thickness direction of the seal member 222 (the z direction, a direction intersecting the movement direction of the shutter 221). Here, the upstream end 221c is fixed at a position lower than the downstream end 221d by the thickness of the seal member 222.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, the shutter movable holding portion 220 has guide holding portions 220c and 220d on both ends in the width direction (x direction). The developing container 201 has guide portions 224a and 224b extending in the longitudinal direction and engaging with the guide holding portions 220c and 220d. The guide holding portions 220c and 220d are formed to have a longitudinal length of, for example, 14 mm. The guide holding portions 220c and 220d are engaged with the guide portions 224a and 224b so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, with the seal member 222 sandwiched between them and the shutter 221 in the thickness direction of the seal member 222. The guide holding portions 220c and 220d and the guide portions 224a and 224b restrict movement of the shutter movable holding portion 220 in the thickness direction (z direction) and width direction (x direction) of the seal member 222.

[0036] The guide holding portions 220c, 220d are formed so as to be spaced apart, for example, by 5 mm from the shutter attachment surface 220e in the thickness direction of the seal member 222. By making the distance between the guide holding portions 220c, 220d and the shutter attachment surface 220e smaller than the total thickness of the seal member 222 and the shutter 221, the shutter 221 comes into contact with the seal member 222 in a state where it is pressed downward (for example, by a pressing amount of 1.0 mm).

[0037] In this way, on the downstream side of supply port 219 in the longitudinal direction where guide holding portions 220c and 220d are present, seal member 222 is compressed by guide portions 224a and 224b and guide holding portions 220c and 220d, maintaining a sealed state for the developer. On the other hand, on the upstream side of supply port 219 where guide holding portions 220c and 220d are not present, upstream end 221c is fixed at a position lower than downstream end 221d by the thickness of seal member 222 as described above, thereby compressing seal member 222 and maintaining a sealed state for the developer. In this way, in order to maintain contact between shutter 221 and seal member 222, shutter 221 is moved in a compressed state by pressing seal member 222 downward, allowing supply port 219 to be opened and closed.

[0038] Next, Fig. 8 shows the case where the shutter 221 is in the open state. As shown in Fig. 8, when the insertion of the developing device 14Y begins, the shutter movable holding portion 220 abuts against the abutment portion 226a of the supply pipe 226 provided in the apparatus main body 100. In this case, the movement of the shutter movable holding portion 220 in the insertion direction is restricted by the abutment portion 226a of the supply pipe 226, and the shutter movable holding portion 220 starts to move in the opposite direction to the developing container 201 moving in the insertion direction. The movement of the shutter movable holding portion 220 accompanying the insertion of the developing device 14Y will be described in detail later (see Fig. 9).

[0039] When the developing device 14Y is inserted until the supply port 219 of the supply part 260 and the developer discharge port 226b of the supply pipe 226 are substantially aligned, the shutter movable holding part 220 is moved upstream of the supply port 219, and the shutter 221 is in an open state in which the supply port 219 is open. At this time, the distance between the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixing part 224 is a second distance "L2" that is narrower than the first distance "L1" (see FIG. 6). In this case, the shutter 221 is stored in a storage space 227 formed between the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixing part 224 in a deformed, folded state. In this embodiment, the shutter 221 is folded by being folded upward twice and downward once.

[0040] Next, the operation of the shutter 221 when the developing device 14Y is inserted and the shutter 221 moves from the closed state to the open state will be described with reference to FIG. 9. As the developing device 14Y is further inserted from the start of insertion described above, as shown in FIG. 9, the developing container 201 moves in the insertion direction while the shutter movable holding portion 220 is maintained at a position where it abuts against the abutting portion 226a in the longitudinal direction. In other words, as the developing container 201 moves in the insertion direction, the shutter movable holding portion 220 receives a force from the abutting portion 226a in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, compressing the spring 223 and sliding relative to the developing container 201 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. At this time, the movement of the shutter movable holding portion 220 in the thickness direction (z direction) and width direction (x direction) of the seal member 222 is restricted by the above-described guide portions 224a, 224b and guide holding portions 220c, 220d (see FIG. 7), so the shutter movable holding portion 220 moves in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. As a result, the other end of the shutter 221 fixed to the shutter movable holding part 220 and the one end fixed to the shutter fixing part 224 are brought closer together, and the shutter 221 is folded.

[0041] If the shutter 221 bent upward reaches the spring 223 when the shutter 221 is folded as described above, the shutter 221 may be pinched by the spring 223, which may damage the shutter 221 or prevent the shutter 221 from properly opening and closing the supply port 219. Therefore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the shutter movable holding part 220 has an attitude restricting part 220b that separates the shutter 221 and the spring 223 in a direction intersecting the movement direction and restricts deformation of the shutter 221 so that the shutter 221 does not come into contact with the spring 223.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, the attitude restriction portion 220b extends from the shutter movable holding portion 220 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. The attitude restriction portion 220b is formed in a generally rectangular shape of, for example, 20 mm x 10 mm. When the shutter 221 bends upward and comes into contact with the attitude restriction portion 220b, the attitude restriction portion 220b restricts further bending upward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the shutter 221 begins to bend downward by the attitude restriction portion 220b. The shutter 221 is folded by repeating such bending upward and downward.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, the shutter movable holder 220, which holds one end of the shutter 221, is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the shutter fixing part 224, which holds one end of the shutter 221. When the shutter movable holder 220 moves toward the shutter fixing part 224 and the gap between the shutter movable holder 220 and the shutter fixing part 224 narrows, the shutter 221 is deformed so as to be folded. Then, when the supply port 219 is in an open state, the folded shutter 221 is accommodated in an accommodating space 227 formed between the shutter fixing part 224 and the shutter movable holder 220. In this way, a space for retracting the shutter 221 in response to the opening and closing of the supply port 219 is secured between the shutter movable holder 220 for folding the shutter 221 and the shutter fixing part 224, so there is no need to secure a separate space for retracting the shutter 221. Therefore, the shutter 221 that opens and closes the supply port 219 through which the developer passes can be provided in the developing device 14Y without increasing the size of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0044] [Other embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the supply unit 260 having the supply port 219 formed therein is disposed downstream in the insertion direction (direction of arrow y) of the developing device 14Y has been described as an example, but the supply unit 260 may be disposed upstream in the insertion direction of the developing device 14Y. A case where the supply unit 260 is disposed downstream in the insertion direction of the developing device 14Y will be described using Figures 10 to 14 with reference to Figure 5. Note that in other embodiments described below, components similar to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0045] 10, the interior of the developing container 201 is also partitioned into a developing chamber 215 and an agitating chamber 216 by a partition wall 207. However, unlike the developing device 14Y described above, the developing chamber 215 is formed to be located above the agitating chamber 216.

[0046] The supply unit 260 communicates with the stirring chamber 216, which is located below the developing chamber 215, and forms a supply path for the supply agent to the stirring chamber 216. However, if the supply unit 260, which has the supply port 219 formed therein, is simply arranged to communicate with the stirring chamber 216 (see FIG. 5), as in the case of the developing device 14Y described above, there is a risk that it may be difficult to connect the supply pipe 226 (see FIG. 2) of the supply unit 250 when the developing device 14YA is attached.

[0047] Therefore, in the developing device 14YA, the supply unit 260 is configured by a first supply unit 260a that communicates with the stirring chamber 216, a second supply unit 260b that is arranged above the first supply unit 260a, and a connecting pipe 260c that connects the first supply unit 260a and the second supply unit 260b. A supply port 219 is formed in the second supply unit 260b, and the replenishment agent stored in the toner bottle is supplied from the supply port 219 to the second supply unit 260b through a supply pipe 226 (see FIG. 1). The replenishment agent supplied to the second supply unit 260b falls into the first supply unit 260a through the connecting pipe 260c, and is then supplied to the stirring chamber 216 and the developing chamber 215.

[0048] The developing device 14YA is provided with a shutter 221 capable of opening and closing the supply port 219 so that the supply port 219 is opened to receive the replenishment agent when the developing device 14YA is in an attached state and closed to prevent the developer from leaking when the developing device 14YA is not attached.

[0049] 10, the developing device 14YA is provided with a shutter 221, a shutter fixing portion 224, and a shutter movable holding portion 220. The shutter fixing portion 224 is provided upstream in the insertion direction of the developing device 14YA, and the shutter movable holding portion 220 is provided downstream in the insertion direction of the shutter fixing portion 224. The shutter fixing portion 224 and the shutter movable holding portion 220 are arranged opposite each other in the longitudinal direction, the shutter fixing portion 224 is fixed to the developing container 201, and the shutter movable holding portion 220 is provided above the second supply portion 260b so as to be movable toward and away from the shutter fixing portion 224.

[0050] A spring 223 is disposed between the shutter fixing portion 224 and the shutter movable holding portion 220, and the shutter movable holding portion 220 is slid toward the shutter fixing portion 224 against the biasing force of the spring 223. As the gap between the shutter movable holding portion 220 and the shutter fixing portion 224 narrows, the shutter 221 is folded with the shutter fixing portion 224 as the base end so that the shutter 221 fits between the shutter movable holding portion 220 and the shutter fixing portion 224.

[0051] FIG. 11 shows the shutter 221 in a closed state. As shown in FIG. 11, a seal member 222 is disposed in the developing container 201 so as to surround the supply port 219 together with the shutter 221 in order to prevent developer leakage from the supply port 219. The shutter fixing portion 224 is disposed upstream of the supply port 219 in the insertion direction, and an upstream end 221c of the shutter 221 is fixed thereto. A portion of the upstream end 221c of the shutter 221 is attached to an attachment surface 225b of the second supply portion 260b. On the other hand, the shutter movable holding portion 220 is disposed so that a downstream end 221d of the shutter 221 is attached to a shutter attachment surface 220e, and is positioned downstream of the supply port 219 when the shutter 221 is in a closed state.

[0052] In the closed state, the shutter 221 contacts the contact surface 228 of the seal member 222 to close the supply port 219. At this time, the distance between the shutter movable holding portion 220 and the shutter fixing portion 224 is the first distance "L1." In this case, the shutter 221 contacts the entire periphery of the seal member 222 without being folded, thereby preventing developer from leaking from the supply port 219.

[0053] 12, the shutter movable holding portion 220 has guide holding portions 220c and 220d on both ends in the width direction (x direction), and guide portions 224a and 224b that engage with these guide holding portions 220c and 220d are provided in the developing container 201 and extend in the longitudinal direction. The guide holding portions 220c and 220d are engaged with the shutter 221 in a state in which the seal member 222 is sandwiched between them in the thickness direction of the seal member 222, and are movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the guide portions 224a and 224b. The guide holding portions 220c and 220d and the guide portions 224a and 224b restrict movement of the shutter movable holding portion 220 in the thickness direction and width direction of the seal member 222. In this way, the guide portions 224a, 224b and the guide holding portions 220c, 220d press the seal member 222 downward, compressing it, and move the shutter 221, thereby enabling the supply port 219 to be opened and closed.

[0054] Next, Fig. 13 shows the case where the shutter 221 is in the open state. The supply pipe 226 is not shown in Fig. 13. As shown in Fig. 13, when the insertion of the developing device 14YA begins, the shutter movable holding portion 220 abuts against the abutment portion 226a (see Fig. 8) of the supply pipe 226. As a result, the shutter movable holding portion 220 starts moving in the opposite direction to the developing container 201, which is moving in the insertion direction (direction of arrow y).

[0055] When the developing device 14Y is inserted and the shutter movable holding part 220 is moved upstream of the supply port 219, the shutter 221 enters an open state in which the supply port 219 is open. At this time, the distance between the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixing part 224 is a second distance "L2" that is narrower than the first distance "L1" (see FIG. 11). In this case, the shutter 221 is stored in a storage space 227 formed between the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixing part 224 in a deformed, folded state.

[0056] Next, the operation of the shutter 221 when the developing device 14Y is inserted and the shutter 221 moves from the closed state to the open state will be described with reference to Figure 14. As the developing container 201 moves in the insertion direction, as shown in Figure 14, the shutter movable holding part 220 receives a force from the abutting part 226a in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, compressing the spring 223 and sliding in the opposite direction to the insertion direction relative to the developing container 201. At this time, the other end of the shutter 221 fixed to the shutter movable holding part 220 and one end fixed to the shutter fixing part 224 are brought closer together, and the shutter 221 is folded.

[0057] The shutter movable holding part 220 has a position restricting part 220b that separates the shutter 221 and the spring 223 in a direction intersecting the movement direction and restricts deformation of the shutter 221 so that the shutter 221 does not come into contact with the spring 223. The position restricting part 220b extends from the shutter movable holding part 220 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. When the shutter 221 bends upward and comes into contact with the position restricting part 220b, further bending upward is restricted by the position restricting part 220b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14 , the shutter 221 begins to bend downward by the position restricting part 220b. The shutter 221 is folded by repeating such bending upward and downward.

[0058] Furthermore, when folding the shutter 221 to open the supply port 219, it is preferable to fold the shutter 221 upward and downward while maintaining a predetermined height, as this allows the supply port 219 to be opened and closed smoothly. Figures 15(a) and 15(b) show an example of the shutter 221 that is folded upward and downward while maintaining a constant height. Figure 15(a) shows the shutter 221 in an unfolded state, and Figure 15(b) shows the shutter 221 in a folded state.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b), the shutter 221 has a plurality of closing portions 230 for closing the supply port 219 and a bending portion 231 that bends adjacent closing portions 230. As shown in FIG. 15(b), the shutter 221 is folded at the bending portion 231 without folding the closing portions 230. For example, a plurality of sheets of another sheet material made of PET resin and having a thickness of 0.3 mm are attached to one surface of a sheet-like shutter 221 made of urethane and having a thickness of 1.0 mm, with gaps in the longitudinal direction, to form the closing portions 230 and the bending portion 231 on the shutter 221. Alternatively, the sheet-like shutter 221 made of urethane and having a thickness of 1.0 mm may be cut at intervals corresponding to a predetermined height to be maintained when folded, thereby partially reducing the thickness (for example, to 0.1 mm), thereby forming the closing portions 230 and the bending portion 231.

[0060] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the shutter 221 is folded so as to bend upward and downward, but this is not limiting, and the shutter 221 may be folded so as to be stacked upward. Figures 16(a) and 16(b) show an example of a shutter 421 that is folded so as to be stacked upward. Figure 16(a) shows the shutter 421 in a closed state, and Figure 16(b) shows the shutter 421 in an open state.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b), the shutter 421 has a plurality of closing portions 430 for closing the supply port 219 and a bending portion 431 that bends adjacent closing portions 430. As shown in FIG. 16(a), the shutter 421 is formed by arranging a plurality of plate-shaped closing portions 430 in succession in the longitudinal direction (y direction) via the bending portions 431. When the shutter movable holding portion 220 moves away from the shutter fixing portion 224, the plurality of closing portions 430 are deployed so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction, thereby closing the supply port 219. Conversely, when the shutter movable holding portion 220 moves toward the shutter fixing portion 224, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the plurality of closing portions 430 are stacked in order along the bending portions 431 in a direction intersecting the movement direction (opposite the direction of the arrow y). This opens the supply port 219. When the supply port 219 is opened, a plurality of closing portions 430 are stacked and stored in the storage space 227 formed between the shutter movable holding portion 220 and the shutter fixing portion 224 .

[0062] The shutter 221 that opens and closes the supply port 219 is not limited to the one that deforms in a folding manner as described above. For example, as shown in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), the shutter 321 may be made of an elastic sponge material that is compressed by the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixing part 224 as the shutter movable holding part 220 moves toward the shutter fixing part 224. As shown in FIG. 17(a), when the shutter movable holding part 220 moves away from the shutter fixing part 224, the shutter 321 closes the supply port 219. Conversely, when the shutter movable holding part 220 moves toward the shutter fixing part 224, the shutter 321 is sandwiched and compressed between the shutter movable holding part 220 and the shutter fixing part 224, as shown in FIG. 17(b), thereby opening the supply port 219.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the shutter 221 (321, 421) is provided on the developing device side so as to open and close the supply port 219, but this is not limiting. The shutter 221 (321, 421) according to the above-described embodiment may be arranged to be able to open and close the developer discharge port 226b of the supply pipe 226, for example. Figure 18 shows a case where the above-described shutter 221 is arranged at the developer discharge port 226b of the supply pipe 226 so as to be able to open and close.

[0064] 18, the supply pipe 226 is provided with a shutter fixing portion 224 and a shutter movable holding portion 220. In this case, when the insertion of the developing device 14YB begins, the shutter movable holding portion 220 abuts against an abutment portion 2601 provided on the developing device 14YB. As a result, the shutter movable holding portion 220 starts moving to the same side as the developer container 201 moving in the insertion direction (the direction of arrow y). When the developing device 14YB is inserted until the supply port 219 of the supply unit 260 and the developer discharge port 226b of the supply pipe 226 are approximately aligned, the shutter movable holding portion 220 is moved downstream of the supply port 219, and the shutter 221 is in an open state in which the supply port 219 is open. In this case, the shutter 221 is stored between the shutter movable holding portion 220 and the shutter fixing portion 224 in a deformed, folded state.

[0065] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) a developer storage section having an opening through which the developer passes and capable of storing the developer; a shutter member for opening and closing the opening; a fixing portion for fixing one end of the shutter member; a movable holding part that holds the other end of the shutter member and is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the fixed part so as to close the opening with the shutter member when the distance between the fixed part and the shutter member is a first distance and open the opening with the shutter member when the distance between the fixed part and the shutter member is a second distance that is narrower than the first distance, the shutter member deforms to be accommodated between the movable holding part and the fixed part in the movement direction as the movable holding part moves in the movement direction toward the fixed part; A developer container characterized by: (2) the shutter member is a flexible sheet member that is folded between the movable holding part and the fixed part as the movable holding part moves in the movement direction; The developer container according to (1) above. (3) a seal member disposed in the opening and configured to seal the opening together with the sheet member; the fixing portion fixes the one end of the shutter member below a contact surface between the shutter member and the seal member in a direction intersecting the movement direction; The developer container according to (2) above. (4) the shutter member is an elastic sponge member, and is compressed by the movable holding part and the fixed part as the movable holding part moves in the movement direction; The developer container according to (1) above. (5) the shutter member has a plurality of closing portions for closing the opening and a bending portion that bends adjacent closing portions, and as the movable holding part moves in the movement direction, the plurality of closing portions deform along the bending portions so as to be stacked in order in a direction intersecting the movement direction. The developer container according to (1) above. (6) a biasing means for biasing the movable holding portion in a direction opposite to the moving direction; The developer container according to any one of (1) to (5) above, (7) the movable holding portion has a restricting portion that separates the shutter member from the biasing means in a direction intersecting the moving direction and restricts deformation of the shutter member so that the shutter member does not come into contact with the biasing means. The developer container according to (6) above. (8) An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, A device body, a photoreceptor on whose surface an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing device that is removably mounted in the device body and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member with a developer contained in a developing container into a toner image; a supply device provided in the device main body and having a developer transport section that supplies developer to the developer container through an opening formed in the developer container, The developing container is the developer accommodating body according to any one of (1) to (7), the movable holding portion comes into contact with the developer transport portion in response to insertion into the apparatus main body, and is moved in the movement direction opposite to the insertion direction of the developing device in response to insertion of the developing device, so that the gap between the movable holding portion and the fixed portion becomes narrower. An image forming apparatus characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1...image forming apparatus, 11Y (11M, 11C, 11K)...photosensitive member (photosensitive drum), 14Y (14M, 14C, 14K)...developing device, 100...apparatus main body, 201...developer container (developing container), 219...opening (supply port), 220...movable holding portion (shutter movable holding portion), 220b...regulating portion (posture regulating portion), 221 (321, 421)...shutter member (sheet member, sponge member, shutter), 222...sealing member, 223...urging means (spring), 224...fixed portion (shutter fixing portion), 226...developer transport portion (supply pipe), 230...closing portion, 231...bent portion, 250...supply device, 260...storage portion (supply portion)

Claims

1. a developer storage section having an opening through which the developer passes and capable of storing the developer; a shutter member for opening and closing the opening; a fixing portion for fixing one end of the shutter member; a movable holding part that holds the other end of the shutter member and is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the fixed part so as to close the opening with the shutter member when the distance between the fixed part and the shutter member is a first distance and open the opening with the shutter member when the distance between the fixed part and the shutter member is a second distance that is narrower than the first distance, the shutter member deforms to be accommodated between the movable holding part and the fixed part in the movement direction as the movable holding part moves in the movement direction toward the fixed part; A developer container characterized by:

2. the shutter member is a flexible sheet member that is folded between the movable holding part and the fixed part as the movable holding part moves in the movement direction; 2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

3. a seal member disposed in the opening and configured to seal the opening together with the sheet member; the fixing portion fixes the one end of the shutter member below a contact surface between the shutter member and the seal member in a direction intersecting the movement direction; 3. The developer container according to claim 2, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

4. the shutter member is an elastic sponge member, and is compressed by the movable holding part and the fixed part as the movable holding part moves in the movement direction; 2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

5. the shutter member has a plurality of closing portions for closing the opening and a bending portion that bends adjacent closing portions, and as the movable holding part moves in the movement direction, the plurality of closing portions deform along the bending portions so as to be stacked in order in a direction intersecting the movement direction.

2. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

6. a biasing means for biasing the movable holding portion in a direction opposite to the moving direction; 6. The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the developer container is a developer container having a plurality of developer containers.

7. the movable holding portion has a restricting portion that separates the shutter member from the biasing means in a direction intersecting the moving direction and restricts deformation of the shutter member so that the shutter member does not come into contact with the biasing means.

7. The developer container according to claim 6, wherein the developer container is a developer container.

8. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, A device body, a photoreceptor on whose surface an electrostatic latent image is formed; a developing device that is removably mounted in the device body and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member with a developer contained in a developing container into a toner image; a supply device provided in the device main body and having a developer transport section that supplies developer to the developer container through an opening formed in the developer container, The developing container is the developer container according to claim 1 , the movable holding portion comes into contact with the developer transport portion in response to insertion into the apparatus main body, and is moved in the movement direction opposite to the insertion direction of the developing device in response to insertion of the developing device, so that the gap between the movable holding portion and the fixed portion becomes narrower. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

Images