Powder container, powder supply device, developing device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To surely break powder regardless of a structure of a powder storage part in comparison to a case where there is not provided breaking means which includes a film-like member that breaks powder in the powder storage part by being removed from the powder storage part together with sealing means in the time of opening of a supply port, and temporarily fixes a tip of the film-like member to a portion of the supply port located on an end on the opposite side to the removal direction of the sealing means.SOLUTION: A powder storage container comprises: a powder storage part which stores powder; sealing means which seals a supply port in an openable manner by being removed from the powder storage part; and breaking means which includes a film-like member that breaks powder in the powder storage part by being removed from the powder storage part in the time of opening of the supply port, in which the film-like member is fixed to plural spots in the powder storage part in a removable manner, and the tip of the film-like member is fixed to the powder storage part such that the power required for removal from the powder storage part becomes greater than other portions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a powder storage container, a powder supply device, a developing device, and an image forming device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a technology related to a powder storage container, for example, those disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like have already been proposed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 includes a collapsing portion disposed within a developer storage portion and along one side surface and the other side surface of a partitioning portion that partitions the developer storage portion, and a drawing portion connected to the collapsing portion and extending outside the developer storage portion from a collapsing draw-out port formed in the developer storage portion. When the drawing portion is drawn out, the collapsing portion is configured to include a collapsing member that moves in a direction intersecting one side surface and the other side surface of the partitioning portion to collapse the developer within the developer storage portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is a powder container according to claim 1, wherein the breaking means has a greater force than other parts that fixes the tip of the film-like member so that it separates from the powder container in response to the pulling out.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is, A powder container for containing powder, A sealing means that seals the supply port so that it can be opened by removing it from the powder containment section, When the supply port is opened, the device has a film-like member that is removed from the powder storage section to break up the powder inside the powder storage section, the film-like member is fixed in multiple places within the powder storage section so that it can be removed, and the breaking-up means is fixed to the powder storage section such that the force required to remove the tip of the film-like member from the powder storage section is greater than that required for other parts, Equipped with, The aforementioned breaking means is configured such that the angle at which the temporarily fixed tip of the film-like member is peeled off is set to 180 degrees. The force that fixes the tip of the film-like member so that it separates from the powder-containing portion when pulled out is greater than that of the other parts. This is a container for storing powder.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is a powder container according to claim 1, wherein the breaking means is disposed inside the powder container before the sealing means seals the supply port.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is a powder container according to claim 4, wherein the breaking means is arranged to pass through the region of the inner wall surface on the side opposite to the supply port of the powder container.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is a powder container according to claim 1, wherein the powder container is provided with a removal member at the outlet for drawing out the crushing means for removing the developer adhering to the crushing means.

[0012] The invention according to claim 7 is the powder storage container according to claim 6, wherein the collapsing means starts the collapsing operation of the developer after the sealing means finishes the opening operation of the supply port.

[0013] The invention according to claim 8 is the powder storage container according to claim 7, wherein one end of the collapsing means is connected to the sealing means, and the collapsing means starts the collapsing operation of the developer after the sealing means finishes the opening operation of the supply port.

[0014] The invention according to claim 9 is a powder supply device including a powder storage container containing powder, and a conveying and supplying means for conveying and supplying the powder supplied from the powder storage container. and using the powder storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 8 as the powder storage container.

[0015] The invention according to claim 10 is a developing device including a developer storage container containing a developer, and a conveying means for conveying and supplying the developer supplied from the developer storage container. and using the powder storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 8 as the developer storage container.

[0016] The invention according to claim 11 is an image forming device including an image holding means for holding an image, and a developing means for developing the image held by the image holding means. and using the developing device according to claim 10 as the developing means.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] ​According to the invention described in claim 1, when the supply port is opened, there is a film-like member that is removed from the powder storage part and collapses the powder in the powder storage part, and the tip of the film-like member is fixed so as to move away from the powder storage part as the tip is pulled out at the part of the supply port located at the end opposite to the removal direction of the sealing means. Compared with the case where there is no collapsing means, the powder can be surely collapsed regardless of the structure of the powder storage part. Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to disperse and reduce the force required to remove the sealing means together with the means for breaking down the sealing means.

[0018] According to the invention described in claim 2, the collapsing means can suppress the tip of the collapsing means from peeling off first compared with the case where the peeling force for peeling off the temporarily fixed tip of the film-like member is smaller than that of other temporarily fixed parts.

[0019] According to the invention described in claim 3, the collapsing means can suppress peeling off earlier than other parts compared with the case where the angle for peeling off the temporarily fixed tip of the film-like member is less than 180 degrees, and can avoid the peeling force from becoming excessive as in the case of setting it to 0 degrees.

[0020] According to the invention described in claim 4, the collapsing means makes the placement operation easier compared with the case where the collapsing means is arranged inside the powder storage part after the sealing means seals the supply port.

[0021] According to the invention described in claim 5, the collapsing means can surely collapse the developer compared with the case where it is not arranged to pass through the inner wall surface on the side opposite to the supply port of the powder storage part.

[0022] According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to suppress the developer adhering to the collapsing means from leaking to the outside and soiling the surroundings.

[0023] According to the invention described in claim 7, the collapsing means can reduce the removal force of the sealing means compared with the case where the collapsing operation of the developer starts simultaneously with the opening operation of the supply port by the sealing means.

[0024] According to the invention described in claim 8, the disintegrating means can reliably start the disintegrating operation of the developer after the supply port has been opened by the sealing means.

[0025] According to the invention described in claim 9, it is possible to reliably disintegrate the developer compared to not using the powder container described in any of claims 1 to 8 as the powder container.

[0026] According to the invention described in claim 10, it is possible to reliably break down the developer compared to not using the powder container described in any of claims 1 to 8 as the developer container.

[0027] According to the invention described in claim 11, compared to not using the developing apparatus described in claim 10 as the developing means, the developer can be reliably broken down, and the occurrence of image defects due to aggregated developer can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0028] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view diagram showing the process cartridge. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view diagram showing the process cartridge. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the developer container. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the developer container. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional diagram showing the main components of the process cartridge. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the developer container. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional diagram showing the main parts of the developer container. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional diagram showing the main parts of a modified developer container. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional diagram showing the main components of a comparative example of a developer container. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional diagram showing the main parts of a modified developer container. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view diagram showing the development apparatus. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional diagram showing the main components of the developer container. [Figure 15] This is a diagram showing the spill prevention seal. [Figure 16] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the developer container. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the function of the developer container. [Figure 18] This is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the function of the developer container. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0030] [Embodiment 1] Figures 1 and 2 show an image forming apparatus to which the powder container, developing apparatus, etc. according to Embodiment 1 are applied. Figure 1 shows an overall schematic of the image forming apparatus, and Figure 2 shows a magnified view of the main part (image forming unit) of the image forming apparatus. In the figures, arrow X indicates the depth direction along the horizontal direction, Y indicates the vertical direction, and Z indicates the width direction along the horizontal direction.

[0031] <Overall configuration of the image forming apparatus> The image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 is configured as, for example, a monochrome printer. As shown in Figure 1, this image forming apparatus 1 has a device body 1a that is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, with a height along the vertical direction Y being relatively low compared to the length in the depth direction X. The device body 1a has a front cover 101 that can be opened and closed on the front (left side in the figure) where the operator (user) operates the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a paper discharge section 36 for discharging recording paper 5 as an example of a recording medium on which an image has been formed is provided on the upper end surface of the device body 1a, with the end along the depth direction X being lower. The device body 1a is composed of support structural members and an exterior cover 102 including the front cover 101, etc.

[0032] This image forming apparatus 1 includes an imaging apparatus 10 that forms a toner image developed with toner that constitutes the developer, a paper feeder 20 that accommodates and supplies the required recording paper 5 to be supplied to the transfer position of the imaging apparatus 10, a transporter 30 that transports the recording paper 5 supplied from the paper feeder 20 along a transport path shown by a dashed line in the figure, and a fixing apparatus 40 that fixes the toner image on the recording paper 5 transferred by the imaging apparatus 10, etc.

[0033] The image-forming device 10 includes a rotating photoreceptor drum 11 as an example of an image-forming means (image-holding means). The following devices, which are examples of image-forming means, are mainly arranged around the photoreceptor drum 11. These main devices include a charging device 12 that charges the image-forming surface (image-holding surface) of the photoreceptor drum 11 to a required potential, an exposure device 13 that irradiates the charged surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 with light based on image information (signals) to form an electrostatic latent image with a potential difference, a developing device 14 as an example of a powder transport device (developing means) that develops the electrostatic latent image with black developer toner to form a toner image, a transfer device 15 that transfers the toner image to the recording paper 5, and a drum cleaning device 16 that removes and cleans any toner or other deposits remaining on the image-holding surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 after the transfer.

[0034] The photoreceptor drum 11 has an image-holding surface formed on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical or columnar substrate that is grounded, with a photoconductive layer (photosensitive layer) made of a photosensitive material. This photoreceptor drum 11 is supported to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow A.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the charging device 12 includes a contact-type charging roll 121 positioned in contact with the photoreceptor drum 11. A cleaning roll 122 is positioned on the back side of the charging roll 121 to clean its surface. A charging voltage is supplied to the charging roll 121. If the developing device 14 performs reverse development, the charging voltage or current supplied has the same polarity as the charging polarity of the toner supplied from the developing device 14. Alternatively, a non-contact type charging device such as a scorotron, which is positioned non-contact with the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11, may be used as the charging device 12.

[0036] The exposure device 13 consists of an LED print head that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photoreceptor drum 11 with light corresponding to image information using multiple LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged along the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 11. The exposure device 13 is movable in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the front cover 101 to an exposure position close to the photoreceptor drum 11 and a retracted position shown by a dashed line in the figure, which is spaced away from the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 11, in order to allow the attachment and detachment of the process cartridge 300, which will be described later. Alternatively, the exposure device 13 may be one that deflects and scans a laser beam configured according to the image information along the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 11. If the exposure device 13 uses one that deflects and scans a laser beam, exposure can be performed from a position spaced away from the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 11, so there is no need to retract it.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the developing apparatus 14 is configured by arranging a developing roll 141, which is an example of a developer holding means, inside a housing 140 having an opening and a container for the developer 4, to hold the developer 4 as an example of a powder and transport it to the developing area facing the photoreceptor drum 11; an agitation supply member 142 and an agitation transport member 143, which consist of two screw augers or the like, to transport the developer 4 through the developing roll 141 while agitating it; and a layer thickness regulating member 144, which regulates the amount (layer thickness) of the developer 4 held by the developing roll 141. In this developing apparatus 14, a developing bias voltage is supplied between the developing roll 141 and the photoreceptor drum 11 from a power supply unit (not shown). As the developer 4, a two-component developer containing non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier is used. The developing apparatus 14 as an example of a powder supply device will be described in detail later.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the transfer device 15 is a contact-type transfer device equipped with a transfer roll that rotates in contact with the photoreceptor drum 11 via the recording paper 5 during image formation, and to which a transfer voltage is supplied. The transfer voltage is a DC voltage with polarity opposite to that of the toner charge polarity, supplied from a power supply device (not shown).

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the drum cleaning device 16 consists of a container-shaped main body 160 with a partial opening, a cleaning plate 161 positioned to contact the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 after primary transfer with the required pressure to remove and clean residual toner and other deposits, and a delivery member 162 such as a screw auger that collects the toner and other deposits removed by the cleaning plate 161 and transports them to a collection container (not shown). The cleaning plate 161 is a plate-shaped member (for example, a blade) made of a material such as rubber.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the fixing device 40 is configured by arranging a heating rotating body 41 in the form of a roll or belt that rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow and is heated by a heating means so that its surface temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature, and a pressing rotating body 42 in the form of a belt or roll that rotates in contact with the heating rotating body 41 at a predetermined pressure, substantially aligned with the axial direction of the heating rotating body 41, inside a device housing 43 in which an inlet and outlet for the recording paper 5 are formed. In this fixing device 40, the contact portion where the heating rotating body 41 and the pressing rotating body 42 come into contact becomes the fixing processing portion (nip portion) N where the required fixing process (heating and pressurizing) is performed.

[0041] The paper feeder 20 is located at the bottom of the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 10, in a position below it along the vertical direction Y. This paper feeder 20 mainly consists of one (or more) paper storage units 22 that house recording paper 5 of a desired size and type stacked on a stacking plate 21, and a feeding device 23 that feeds out the recording paper 5 one sheet at a time from the paper storage units 22. The paper feeder 20 can be attached to and detached from the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 by grasping the gripping part 24 provided on the front of the paper storage unit 22 by hand and pulling it out.

[0042] Examples of recording paper 5 include plain paper used in electrophotographic copiers and printers, thin paper such as tracing paper, or OHP sheets. To further improve the smoothness of the image surface after fixing, it is preferable that the surface of the recording paper 5 be as smooth as possible. For example, coated paper, which is plain paper with the surface coated with resin, or so-called thick paper with a relatively large basis weight, such as art paper for printing, can also be suitably used.

[0043] Between the paper feeder 20 and the transfer device 15, a paper feed path 32 is provided, consisting of multiple (or single) pairs of paper transport rolls 31a, 31b and a transport guide (not shown), which transport the recording paper 5 fed from the paper feeder 20 to the transfer position. This path extends upward along the vertical direction Y on the front of the device body 1a, and then curves horizontally towards the X inside the device body 1a. The pair of paper transport rolls 31b positioned immediately before the transfer position in the paper feed path 32 are configured, for example, as rolls that adjust the transport timing of the recording paper 5 (resist rolls). Furthermore, a paper transport path 33 is provided along the horizontal direction X to transport the transferred recording paper 5 fed from the transfer device 15 to the fuser device 40.

[0044] Furthermore, a discharge transport path 37 is provided at the upper, diagonal part of the fixing device 40, which transports and discharges the paper to the paper discharge section 36 via one of two pairs of transport rolls 34 and 35, each of which has one transport roll in common. The paper discharge section 36 is provided on the upper end surface of the device body 1a in an inclined state such that the downstream side along the discharge direction is positioned upward.

[0045] At the exit 37a of the discharge transport path 37, a pair of discharge rolls 37b is positioned to discharge the recording paper 5 and reverse its front and back sides. The direction of rotation of the discharge rolls 37b can be switched between forward and reverse rotation.

[0046] Furthermore, a switching gate (not shown) is provided in front of the discharge roll pair 37b to switch the transport direction of the recording paper 5. When forming an image on both sides of the recording paper 5, the transport direction of the recording paper 5 is switched from the discharge transport path 37 to the double-sided transport path 38 by the switching gate (not shown). At this time, after the rear end of the recording paper 5 being transported in the discharge direction passes through the switching gate (not shown), the rotation direction of the discharge roll pair 37b switches from the forward rotation direction (discharge direction) to the reverse direction. The recording paper 5 being transported in the reverse direction by the discharge roll pair 37b has its transport path switched to the vertical direction Y by the switching gate (not shown), and is transported via the transport roll pair 35 to the double-sided transport path 38, which is formed by curving along the back surface of the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 from the vertical direction Y to the horizontal direction X. The double-sided transport path 38 is equipped with paper transport roll pairs 39a and 39b, which transport the recording paper 5 to the paper transport roll pair 31b with its front and back sides reversed, as well as transport guides (not shown).

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, a toner cartridge 145 containing a developer, including at least toner, to be supplied to the developing device 14 is located at the top of the developing device 14. Below the toner cartridge 145, a toner supply device is provided, which includes a supply roll (not shown) and the like, to supply the toner contained in the toner cartridge 145 to the developing device 14.

[0048] Furthermore, in Figure 1, reference numeral 200 indicates a control device that comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control device 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), or a bus and communication interface connecting these CPU, ROM, etc. (not shown).

[0049] <Processing Cartridge> In this embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 2, the imaging apparatus 10, excluding the exposure apparatus 13 and the transfer apparatus 15, is integrally assembled to form a process cartridge 300, which is an example of an image forming unit that can be attached to and detached from the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the process cartridge 300 comprises a cartridge body 301 on which a photoreceptor drum 11, a charging device 12, a developing device 14, and a drum cleaning device 16 are integrally mounted. One side of the cartridge body 301 is provided with a recessed housing portion 302 for independently and detachably housing a toner cartridge 145. Furthermore, on one side of the cartridge body 301 (left side in the figure), as shown in Figure 3, a photoreceptor connecting member 303, a developing device connecting member 304, and a toner supply connecting member 305 are provided, protruding or exposed to the side, and connected to a drive device (not shown) on the main body 1a side, to which driving force is transmitted from the drive device. The cartridge body 301 is provided with a supply unit 306 that rotates the toner cartridge 145 by obtaining driving force from the toner supply connecting member 305, thereby supplying developer from the toner cartridge 145 to the developing device 14, and a support unit 307 that rotatably supports the end of the toner cartridge 145 along its longitudinal direction. The process cartridge 300 is installed in a predetermined position from diagonally above the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 with the front cover 101 open, thereby transmitting driving force via the photoreceptor connecting member 303, the developing device connecting member 304, and the toner supply connecting member 305, and supplying the desired voltage and current via a power supply device (not shown).

[0050] <Basic operation of an image forming apparatus> The following describes the basic image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0051] The image forming apparatus 1 is controlled by a control device 200. When it receives command information requesting a monochrome image forming operation (printing) from an operation panel (not shown) mounted on the apparatus body 1a, or from a user interface (not shown) or printer driver, the image forming apparatus 10, paper feeder 20, transporter 30, and fuser 40, etc., it starts up.

[0052] Then, in the imaging apparatus 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the photoreceptor drum 11 first rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A, and the charging device 12 charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 to the required polarity (negative polarity in Embodiment 1) and potential. Subsequently, the exposure device 13 irradiates the surface of the charged photoreceptor drum 11 with light emitted based on the image information input to the image forming apparatus 1, and forms an electrostatic latent image on its surface consisting of the required potential difference.

[0053] Next, the developing unit 14 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 11 by supplying black toner charged with the required polarity (negative polarity) from the developing roll 141 and electrostatically adhering it to the image. Through this development, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 11 is revealed as a toner image developed with black toner. The developing unit 14 of the process cartridge 300 is supplied with toner from the toner cartridge 145 via a toner supply device (not shown) at the required timing.

[0054] Next, when the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum 11 is transported to the transfer position, the transfer device 15 transfers the toner image onto the recording paper 5.

[0055] Furthermore, once the transfer process is complete, the drum cleaning device 16 cleans the surface of the photoreceptor drum 11 by scraping off any adhering material from the imaging device 10. This prepares the imaging device 10 for the next imaging operation.

[0056] The paper feed device 20 sends the required recording paper 5 to the paper feed transport path 32 in accordance with the image creation operation. In the paper feed transport path 32, a pair of paper transport rolls 31b acting as registration rolls feed and supply the recording paper 5 to the transfer position in accordance with the transfer timing.

[0057] Next, the recording paper 5 on which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fuser 40 via the paper transport path 33. In the fuser 40, the transferred recording paper 5 is introduced and passed through the fuser processing section N between the rotating heating body 41 and the pressing body 42, thereby performing the necessary fuser processing (heating and pressurizing) to fix the unfixed toner image to the recording paper 5. After the fixing is complete, if the image forming operation only involves forming an image on one side, the recording paper 5 is discharged along the discharge transport path 37 by the discharge roll pair 37b to the paper discharge section 36 located at the upper end of the device body 1a.

[0058] Furthermore, when forming an image on both sides of the recording paper 5, the recording paper 5 with an image formed on one side is transported to the discharge roll pair 37b by a switching gate (not shown), and the recording paper 5 is transported in the discharge direction by the discharge roll pair 37b. Then, while the discharge roll pair 37b is still gripping the rear end of the recording paper 5, the rotation direction of the discharge roll pair 37b is reversed, flipping the front and back sides of the recording paper 5, and then it is transported again to the transfer device 15 via the double-sided transport path 38, where the toner image is transferred to the back side of the recording paper 5. The recording paper 5 with the toner image transferred to the back side is transported to the fuser device 40 via the paper transport path 33, where it is subjected to a fixing process (heating and pressurizing), and then discharged to the paper discharge section 36 by the discharge roll pair 37b.

[0059] As a result of the above operations, a recording sheet 5 with a monochrome image formed on one or both sides is output.

[0060] <Configuration of powder container and developing device> Incidentally, in order to avoid the aggregation of the developer 4 within the developing unit 14 of the process cartridge 300 when the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above is first put into use, the developing unit 14 is not pre-filled with the developer 4 and is empty when shipped. However, the developing unit 14 may be configured to contain only the carriers that make up the developer 4 when shipped.

[0061] Furthermore, the toner cartridge 145 is configured separately from the process cartridge 300, and when the image forming apparatus 1 is shipped, the toner cartridge 145 is not installed in the process cartridge 300 in order to prevent the toner and other materials from accumulating inside the process cartridge 300.

[0062] Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a developer container 50 that contains starter developer 4S (an example of powder) at the start of use, as shown in Figure 2, so that when the image forming apparatus 1 is first used after it arrives at the user's location, the image forming apparatus 1 can start image forming operations or perform test prints even if a new toner cartridge 145 has not yet been installed in the process cartridge 300. The developer container 50 in this embodiment 1 consists of a developer container 50 and an upper cover 140a of the housing 140 in which the developer container 50 is installed.

[0063] Here, we will first explain in detail the configuration of the developing apparatus 14. As shown in Figure 2, the developing apparatus 14 has a housing 140, which is an example of the developing apparatus body, with a developing opening 146 extending along the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum 11 in a location facing the photoreceptor drum 11. A developing roll 141, which serves as a developer holder, is positioned inside the housing 140 facing the developing opening 146. The developing roll 141 has a fixedly positioned magnet roll 141a with magnetized poles of the required polarity at predetermined positions along the circumferential direction, and a cylindrical developing sleeve 141b that is rotatably positioned around the outer circumference of the magnet roll 141a. Inside the housing 140, a stirring supply member 142 that supplies the developer 4 to the developing roll 141 while stirring it, and a stirring conveying member 143 that conveys the developer 2 to the stirring supply member 142 while stirring it are rotatably positioned on the back side of the developing roll 141.

[0064] The agitation supply member 142 and the agitation conveying member 143 are so-called screw augers with spiral blade members around a rotating shaft, and are configured to convey the developer 4 in opposite directions (opposite directions) along the axial direction, while transferring the developer 4 at both ends along the axial direction. The agitation supply member 142 and the agitation conveying member 143 are separated from each other by a partition wall 147 that constitutes the housing 140. The agitation supply member 142 and the agitation conveying member 143 are housed in developer storage sections 148 and 149, which are substantially semi-cylindrical recesses, respectively. In addition, a layer thickness regulating member 144 is attached diagonally above the back side of the developing roll 141 to regulate the layer thickness of the developer 4 supplied to and held on the surface of the developing roll 141. In Figure 2, reference numerals 150 and 151 indicate sealing members provided at the edge of the developing opening 146 of the housing 140, which close the gap with the photosensitive drum 11, respectively.

[0065] In the developing apparatus 14 according to this embodiment 1, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, a developer container 50, which is an example of a powder container for which starter developer 4S is contained when the developing apparatus 14 is first used, is assembled at the upper end of the rear side of the housing 140 in a state inclined along the outer surface of the toner cartridge 145, with the starter developer 4S being contained when the developing apparatus 14 is first used.

[0066] The developer container 50 is assembled to the housing 140 of the developing device 14, thereby forming a developer storage chamber 51 together with the housing 140, which is an example of a powder storage section in which the starter developer 4S is stored. The developer storage chamber 51 has a supply port 52 at its lower end along the vertical direction Y. The supply port 52 of the developer storage chamber 51 is an elongated rectangular opening in the upper cover 140a of the housing 140.

[0067] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the developer container 50 is formed in the shape of an elongated box with a roughly trapezoidal to rectangular cross-section. The bottom surface of the developer container 50 is open across its entire surface. As shown in Figure 2, the developer container 50 is attached to the upper end of the rear side of the upper cover 140a of the housing 140 by means of heat welding, screw fastening, or other means, at a position corresponding to above the developer storage section 149 where the agitation and conveying member 143 is located. The developer container 50 is located on the non-drive side of the housing 140 and extends over approximately two-thirds of the length of the housing 140 in the longitudinal direction. The cross-sectional shape and length of the developer container 50 are appropriately set according to the amount of starter developer 4S to be stored inside. As shown in Figure 5, a supply port 140b is opened at the drive-side end of the upper cover 140a, through which developer containing at least toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 145.

[0068] As shown in Figure 2, the developer container 50 includes a left side wall 501 that is inclined and located on the toner cartridge 145 side, a right side wall 502 that is located on the photoreceptor drum 11 side and is lower and parallel to the left side wall 501, front and rear walls 503 and 504 that close off both ends of the left side wall 501 and the right side wall 502 along their longitudinal directions, a ceiling wall 505 that is inclined diagonally downward from the upper end of the left side wall 501 toward the right side wall 502 via a narrow upper end 505a, a guide wall 506 that is positioned vertically upward on the outside of the upper end of the left side wall 501 and together with the left side wall 501 constitutes a guide portion for the toner cartridge 145, and a flange portion 507 that is formed in the shape of a planar rectangular frame and is positioned to extend horizontally toward the outer circumference from the lower ends of the left side wall 501, the right side wall 502, and the front and rear walls 503 and 504. The interior of the developer container 50 constitutes the main part of the developer storage chamber 51, which is an elongated storage space with a roughly trapezoidal or roughly rectangular cross-section. As shown in Figure 8, the interior of the developer container 50 is filled with a starter developer 4S, for example, consisting of toner only or toner and carrier, so that it occupies about 70-80% of the volume. The carrier concentration of the starter developer 4S may be set higher than that of the developer 4 used for normal image formation.

[0069] As shown in Figure 2, a filling port 53 is provided in the rear wall 504 of the developer container 50 for filling the starter developer 4S into the container 50 after the assembly process of the developing device 14 is completed. This filling port 53 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with a slanted orientation. The filling port 53 is sealed by a sealing member 54 made of double-sided tape or the like. On the inner surface of the sealing member 54 corresponding to the filling port 53, a synthetic resin foam 55 is arranged as an example of an aggregation suppression means to suppress the aggregation of the contained developer 4. This synthetic resin foam 55 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with a slanted orientation slightly smaller than the opening area of ​​the filling port 53, and is provided attached to the inner surface of the sealing member 54 made of double-sided tape or the like. The outer surface of the filling port 53 is formed to be slightly recessed from the outer surface of the rear wall 504 of the developer container 50 in order to prevent the sealing member 54 from unintentionally coming into contact with other components.

[0070] As shown in Figure 6, the supply port 52 of the developer storage chamber 51 is sealed so as to be openable by a sealing tape 56, which is an example of a sealing means. The sealing tape 56 is a component that opens the supply port 53 when the process cartridge 300 is first used by being removed from the housing 140 of the developing device 14. As shown in Figure 2, when the sealing tape 56 is removed, the starter developer 4S stored inside the developer storage chamber 51 falls by its own weight into the empty developer storage section 149 of the housing 140, where the agitation and transporting member 143 is housed, and is supplied. Subsequently, the starter developer 4S supplied to the developer storage section 149 of the housing 140 is transported along the axial direction of the agitation and transporting member 143 when the process cartridge 300 is mounted on the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 and the agitation and transporting member 143 is driven.

[0071] The sealing tape 56 is formed from a synthetic resin or the like into a long, thin film having the required width. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the sealing tape 56 has a sealing tape portion 56a that is peelably sealed along the supply port 52 of the upper cover 140a, and a pull-out tape portion 56b that is folded back at one longitudinal end of the sealing tape portion 56a, extends along the sealing tape portion 56a, and is pulled outward from the sealing tape portion 56a. The tip of the sealing tape portion 56a of the sealing tape 56 is located at the pull-out end of the supply port 52, and seals the supply port 52 toward the end opposite to the pull-out side of the supply port 52. The sealing tape 56 is folded back again from the end opposite to the pull-out side of the supply port 52 and constitutes a pull-out tape portion 56b that extends toward the pull-out side.

[0072] Here, the sealing tape portion 56a of the sealing tape 56 is made of a tape material that is removably fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the supply port 52 of the upper cover 140a by heat welding, adhesive, or tack. Note that the sealing tape portion 56a and the pull-out tape portion 56b of the sealing tape 56 may be made of different materials.

[0073] In this embodiment 1, when the sealing tape portion 56a of the sealing tape 56 seals the supply port 52 of the upper cover 140a, the leading edge of the pull-out tape portion 56b of the sealing tape 56a is positioned to protrude outward from one end of the upper cover 140a in the longitudinal direction.

[0074] Then, during the assembly of the developing device 14, the supply port 52 of the upper cover 140a is sealed with a sealing tape 56 as a sealing means before the starter developer 4S is placed inside. After that, the starter developer 4S is filled into the developer container 50 from the filling port 53. The filling port 52 is sealed by a sealing member 54.

[0075] Furthermore, the upper cover 140a of the developing device 14 has an appropriate number of mounting claws 140C formed on its periphery, which are elastically deformable so as to be able to catch on the edge of the top opening (not shown) of the housing 140, so that the upper cover 140a is attached to the top opening of the housing 140 of the developing device 14.

[0076] As shown in Figure 7, a slit-shaped outlet 152 is formed at one end of the housing 140 of the developing apparatus 14 along its longitudinal direction, for pulling out the tape portion 56b of the sealing tape 56. In this example, a scraping mechanism 153 for scraping off the developer 4 adhering to the sealing tape 56 is provided at the part of the housing 140 facing the outlet 152.

[0077] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the scraping mechanism 153 has a regulating wall 153a formed at one end along the longitudinal direction of the upper cover 140a, with a step slightly larger than the thickness of the seal tape 56, which restricts the position in the width direction intersecting the pull-out tape portion 152 of the seal tape 56 in the pull-out direction, and the pull-out opening 152 is secured in the area enclosed between the regulating walls 153a of the upper cover 140a. When the seal tape 56 is pulled out from the pull-out opening 152, the starter developer 4S adhering to the sealing tape portion 56a of the seal tape 56 is scraped off. In addition, a holding portion 154 for holding the seal tape 56 is provided on the outside of the pull-out opening 152 of the upper cover 140a.

[0078] Incidentally, the developing apparatus 14 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, has a film-like member inside the developer container 50 that, when the supply port 52 is opened, is removed from the upper cover 140a of the housing 140 together with the sealing tape 56 and breaks up the starter developer 4S that has aggregated inside the powder container 51. A breaking tape 60 is provided as an example of a breaking means, with the tip of the film-like member temporarily fixed to the portion of the supply port 52 located at the end opposite to the removal direction of the sealing tape 56.

[0079] Here, the part of the supply port 52 refers to the part that corresponds to (faces) the supply port 52, and does not necessarily have to be the supply port 52 itself.

[0080] The crumbling tape 60 is formed in the shape of an elongated tape made of Mylar film having a required width and thickness of approximately 3 mm, for example. As shown in Figure 9, the tip 60a of the crumbling tape 60 is temporarily fixed at a position corresponding to (facing) the supply port 52 located at the end opposite to the removal direction of the sealing tape 56. The tip 60a of the crumbling tape 60 is temporarily fixed by being folded 180 degrees and attached to the bottom surface 508 of the developer container 50, which is formed one level higher than the flange portion 507, via double-sided tape 61. The developer container 50 has a lower end portion 503a of the front wall 503 that is bent outward at a position higher than the flange portion 507 in order to form the bottom surface 508. The developer container 50 has a front end wall 509 that is arranged parallel to the front wall 503 on the drive unit side of the front wall 503. The front wall 503 and front end wall 509 of the developer container 50 are connected to each other by a plurality of inclined connecting plates 510. Note that the configuration is not limited to providing a bottom surface 508 that is raised above the flange portion 507. As shown in Figure 10, the flange portion 507 may be provided to close the end of the supply port 52, and the tip 60a of the crumbling tape 60 may be temporarily fixed to the bottom surface of the flange portion 507 with double-sided tape 61. The crumbling tape 60 is installed in a predetermined location inside the developer container 50 in a step prior to the sealing tape 56 closing the supply port 52.

[0081] The break-off tape 60 is attached to the bottom surface 508 of the developer container 50 via double-sided tape 61 with its tip 60a folded back 180 degrees, so that the force required to peel off the tip 60a of the break-off tape 60 is set to be relatively large. As shown in Figure 11, for example, if the tip 60a of the break-off tape 60 is temporarily fixed by being attached to the inner surface of the front wall 503 of the developer container 50, spaced apart from the supply port 52, the peeling angle θ of the break-off tape 60 becomes an acute angle less than 90 degrees when the break-off tape 60 is pulled out, so the force required to peel off the tip 60a of the break-off tape 60 becomes relatively small, and the tip 60a of the break-off tape 60 becomes more likely to peel off from the inner surface of the developer container 50, which is undesirable.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, if the tip 60a of the disintegrating tape 60 is attached to the bottom surface 508 of the developer container 50 via double-sided tape 61 without folding it back 180 degrees in order to relatively increase the force required to peel off the tip 60a of the disintegrating tape 60, the angle between the direction in which the peeling force applied to peel off the tip 60a of the disintegrating tape 60 is applied and the surface to which it is temporarily fixed by the double-sided tape 61 becomes 0 degrees, which is undesirable because it may result in an excessive force being required to peel off the tip 60a of the disintegrating tape 60.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, the tip 60b of the break-down tape 60 is bent at approximately a 90-degree angle from the tip 60a attached to the bottom surface 508 of the developer container 50, so as to follow the inner surface of the front wall 503 of the developer container 50, and is positioned upward along the inner surface of the front wall 503 of the developer container 50. The tip 60b of the break-down tape 60 is also temporarily fixed to the upper end of the front wall 503 of the developer container 50 via double-sided tape 62.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the middle portion 60c of the break-down tape 60 is positioned along the front wall 503 of the developer container 50, along the top wall 505, and extending to the rear wall 504. The middle portion 60c of the break-down tape 60 is temporarily fixed to the tip (non-driven end) of the top wall 505 of the developer container 50 via double-sided tape 63.

[0085] Furthermore, the rear end portion 60d of the disintegrating tape 60, located inside the developer container 50, is positioned to be spaced away from the rear wall 504 of the developer container 50 at an acute angle of less than 90 degrees, from the ceiling wall 505 to the rear wall 504.

[0086] The reason why the rear end 60d of the break-down tape 60 is positioned so as to be spaced away from the rear wall 504 at an acute angle of less than 90 degrees from the ceiling wall 505 is to prevent the break-down tape 60 from blocking part of the filling port 53 and causing an obstruction when filling the starter developer 4S from the filling port 53.

[0087] Furthermore, the rear end portion 60d of the break-down tape 60 is not positioned along the rear wall 504 in which the filling port 53 is formed inside the developer container 50, making it difficult for the break-down effect of the starter developer 4S by the break-down tape 60 to be exerted. For this reason, as described above, a synthetic resin foam 55 is placed on the inner surface of the sealing member 54 corresponding to the filling port 53 as an example of a means for suppressing aggregation. By placing the synthetic resin foam 55 on the inner surface of the sealing member 54 corresponding to the filling port 53, even if the starter developer 4S contained in the developer container 50 is struck against the inner surface of the sealing member 54 by vibration, the presence of the synthetic resin foam 55 absorbs the impact, and aggregation of the starter developer 4S due to vibration is suppressed.

[0088] The rear end portion 60d of the break-down tape 60, located inside the developer container 50, is bent toward the rear wall 504 at the lower end of the rear wall 504, and is pulled out to the outside of the developer container 50 via a pull-out portion 64 provided at the lower end of the rear wall 504, forming a pull-out portion 60e.

[0089] The pulled-out portion 60e of the break-up tape 60, which is pulled out to the outside of the developer container 50, is not immediately connected to and fixed to the sealing tape 56. As shown in Figure 13, after being pulled out to the outside of the developer container 50, it has an extension portion 60f that extends along the right side wall 502 of the developer container 50 to the end along the longitudinal direction of the developer container 50. The extension portion 60f of the break-up tape 60 is folded back again at the end along the right side wall 502 of the developer container 50 and connected to and fixed to the sealing tape 56 by double-sided tape (not shown).

[0090] The extension portion 60f of the break-up tape 60 is set to a length corresponding to the length from the sealing tape portion 56a of the sealing tape 56 to the end of the pull-out portion 60e of the break-up tape 60, which is connected and fixed to the pull-out tape portion 152 of the sealing tape 56.

[0091] To explain further, the crumbling tape 60 is connected and fixed to the pull-out tape portion 56b of the sealing tape 56, and is pulled out from the developing device 14 in conjunction with the pulling-out operation of the sealing tape 56. However, the crumbling tape 60 has an extension portion 60f set to a length corresponding to the length from the end of the sealing tape portion 56a of the sealing tape 56 and the pull-out portion 60e of the crumbling tape 60 to the part where it is connected and fixed to the pull-out tape portion 152 of the sealing tape 56. Therefore, the crumbling tape 60 is configured so that the pulling-out operation of the crumbling tape 60, which is placed inside the developer container, begins after the sealing tape 56 has been pulled out and the pull-out tape portion 56b and sealing tape portion 56a of the sealing tape 56 have been pulled out from the developing device 14.

[0092] By configuring it in this way, it becomes possible to disperse and reduce the pulling force required to break down the sealing tape 56 and pull it out together with the tape 60.

[0093] Furthermore, the loosening tape 60 does not necessarily have to be pulled out together with the sealing tape 56. It is also perfectly acceptable to configure the system so that the loosening tape 60 is pulled out separately and independently after the sealing tape 56 has been pulled out, without connecting or fixing the end of the loosening tape 60 to the sealing tape 56.

[0094] Furthermore, the dispenser portion 64 of the developer container 50 is provided with a spill seal 70, which is an example of a wiping member for wiping off the starter developer 4S adhering to the break-up tape 60. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the spill seal 70 has a thin film-like seal base 71. The seal base 71 is made of a thin film that is folded into a U-shape when the spill seal 70 is attached to the dispenser portion 64, and a guide opening 71a is formed in the center of the seal base 71, which is an example of a break-up guide opening. It is preferable that the seal base 71 be made of a resin material that is elastically deformable and has a low coefficient of friction on its outer surface so that it can be attached to the dispenser portion 64 smoothly, and as an example, it can be made of polyethylene terephthalate, so-called PET resin.

[0095] A pair of contact member bodies 72 are supported on the inner surface of the seal base 71, on either side of the guide opening 71a. The contact member body 72 has a cushion portion 72a made of urethane, which is an example of an elastic material supported by the seal base 71, as an example of a pressure-applying portion. A cleaner portion 72b made of felt, which is an example of a cloth, is supported on the surface of the cushion portion 72a, as an example of a cleaning portion. The total thickness of the pair of cushion portions 72a and cleaner portions 72b of the contact member body 72 is set to be thicker than the width of the drawer portion 64. That is, when the spill seal 70 is attached to the drawer portion 64, the cushion portion 72b mainly deforms elastically, and the cleaner portions 72b are held in contact with each other at a preset contact pressure. Therefore, when the cleaner portions 72b are held in close contact with each other, the drawer portion 64 is sealed by the spill seal 70, and leakage of the developer 4S from the developer container 50 is suppressed.

[0096] <How process cartridges work> When using the process cartridge 300, it is necessary to first remove the process cartridge 300 from the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, then release the seal tape 56 on the developing device 14 to make it usable, and then pour the starter developer 4S contained in the developer container 50 into the housing 140 of the developing device 14. If the process cartridge 300 is prepared separately from the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, it is installed inside the main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 after releasing the seal tape 56 on the developing device 14 in the process cartridge 300.

[0097] In this case, as shown in Figure 7, the user can grasp the tip of the pull-out tape portion 56b of the sealing tape 56 that protrudes from the outside of the cartridge body 301 of the process cartridge 300, and pull out the pull-out tape portion 56b, for example, upwards.

[0098] At this time, the pull-out tape portion 56b of the sealing tape 56 is pulled sequentially toward the extraction port 153 via the leveling mechanism 152, and the sealing tape portion 56a is peeled away from the edge of the supply port 52 and moves in accordance with the movement of the pull-out tape portion 56b. In this state, the side of the sealing tape portion 56a that was in contact with the starter developer 4S of the developer container 50 is exposed to the outside, but since the developer powder adhering to the sealing tape portion 56a is leveled off as it passes through the leveling mechanism 152, there is no concern that the sealing tape portion 56a of the sealing tape 56 will be pulled out with the developer powder still attached.

[0099] Furthermore, in this example, the trimming mechanism 152 restricts the widthwise position of the sealing tape 56 with the regulating wall 154. Therefore, when the sealing tape 56 is pulled out, the pull-out tape portion 56b and the sealing tape portion 56a of the sealing tape 56 will always pass through the trimming mechanism 152, and there is no concern that the sealing tape 56 will be pulled out without passing through the trimming mechanism 152.

[0100] As shown in Figure 16, while the pull-out tape portion 56b and sealing tape portion 56a of the seal tape 56 are being pulled out of the developing device 14, the extension portion 60f of the crumbling tape 60 is pulled out together with the seal tape 56. Then, when the process of pulling out the pull-out tape portion 56b and sealing tape portion 56a of the seal tape 56 is completed, that is, when the sealing tape portion 56a of the seal tape 56 has passed through the scraping mechanism 153, the process of pulling out the crumbling tape 60 from the developer container 50 begins.

[0101] As shown in Figure 17(a), when the rear end 60d of the crumbling tape 60, located inside the developer container 50, is pulled out, the middle section 60c, which is attached to the ceiling wall 505 of the developer container 50 via double-sided tape 63, peels off from the ceiling wall 505 of the developer container 50, causing the developer 4S contained inside the developer container 50 to crumble from the upper right.

[0102] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 17(b), when the crumbling tape 60 is pulled out together with the sealing tape 56, the middle portion 60c of the crumbling tape 60 causes the starter developer 4S, which is located inside the developer container 50 from the upper right portion to the upper part inside the developer container 50, to be almost completely crumbled.

[0103] Then, as shown in Figure 17(b), when the rear end 60d and middle part 60c of the break-up tape 60, located inside the developer container 50, are pulled out, the front end 60b, which is attached to the upper part of the left wall 503 of the developer container 60 via double-sided tape 62, peels off from the left wall 503 of the developer container 50, and breaks up the starter developer 4S remaining on the left wall 503 side inside the developer container 50.

[0104] Finally, as shown in Figure 18, the break-down tape 60 completes all the break-down processes of the starter developer 4S contained inside the developer container 50, with its tip 60b positioned approximately parallel to the supply port 52, leaving its tip 60a intact.

[0105] The tip 60a of the break-down tape 60 is temporarily fixed to the inner surface of the developer container 50 with a relatively stronger force compared to the other parts, and therefore remains in place until the end.

[0106] Then, as the break-up tape 60 is pulled out further, the tip 60a, which is temporarily fixed to the supply port 52 located at the end of the developer container 50 opposite to the removal direction of the sealing tape 56, is peeled off and pulled out from inside the developer container 50, thus ending the break-up process of the starter developer 4S.

[0107] As the break-up tape 60 is pulled out from the developer container 50, the spill seal 70 wipes away any starter developer 4S adhering to the break-up tape 60, thus preventing contamination of the surrounding area by the starter developer 4S adhering to the break-up tape 60.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the case where the method is applied to a monochrome image forming apparatus was described, but it is not limited to this, and it can of course be similarly applied to image forming apparatuses that form full-color images such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

[0109] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described the case in which the method is applied to a developer container as a powder container, it is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that it can also be similarly applied to powder containers that contain powders other than developers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 1…Image forming apparatus 1a...Main unit of the device 10…Image creation device 14…Developing equipment 50… Developer container 60... Breaking Tape 60a... Tip of the tape 61…Double-sided tape

Claims

1. A powder container for containing powder, A sealing means that seals the supply port so that it can be opened by removing it from the powder containment section, A disintegrating means is provided, which is configured separately from the sealing means, and has a film-like member that is removed from the powder storage section when the supply port is opened to disintegrate the powder inside the powder storage section, the film-like member is fixed in multiple places within the powder storage section so that it can be removed, and the disintegrating means is fixed to the powder storage section such that the force required to remove the tip of the film-like member from the powder storage section is greater than that required for other parts, Equipped with, The sealing means is not fixed in multiple places within the powder container so that it can be removed.

2. The powder container according to claim 1, wherein the force with which the breaking means fixes the tip of the film-like member so that it separates from the powder container in response to the pulling out of the film-like member is greater than that of the other parts.

3. A powder storage section for storing powder, A sealing means that seals the supply port so that it can be opened by removing it from the powder containment section, When the supply port is opened, the device has a film-like member that is removed from the powder storage section to break up the powder inside the powder storage section, the film-like member is fixed in multiple places within the powder storage section so that it can be removed, and the breaking-up means is fixed to the powder storage section such that the force required to remove the tip of the film-like member from the powder storage section is greater than that required for other parts, Equipped with, The aforementioned breaking means is a powder container in which the angle for peeling off the temporarily fixed tip of the film-like member is set to 180 degrees, and the force that fixes the tip of the film-like member so that it separates from the powder container in response to being pulled out is greater than that of other parts.

4. The powder container according to claim 1, wherein the breaking means is disposed inside the powder container before the sealing means seals the supply port.

5. The powder container according to claim 4, wherein the breaking-up means is arranged to pass through the region of the inner wall surface on the side opposite to the supply port of the powder container.

6. The powder container according to claim 1, wherein the powder container is provided with a removal member at the outlet for drawing out the crushing means for removing developer adhering to the crushing means.

7. The powder container according to claim 6, wherein the disintegrating means starts the disintegrating operation of the developer after the sealing means has finished opening the supply port.

8. The powder container according to claim 7, wherein one end of the disintegrating means is connected to the sealing means, and the disintegrating operation of the developer is started after the sealing means has finished opening the supply port.

9. A powder container containing powder, A conveying and supplying means for conveying and supplying the powder supplied from the powder container, Equipped with, A powder supply device using the powder container described in any one of claims 1 to 8 as the powder container.

10. A developer container containing the developer, A conveying means for transporting and supplying the developer supplied from the developer container, Equipped with, A developing apparatus using the powder container described in any one of claims 1 to 8 as the developer container.

11. An image holding means for holding an image, A developing means for developing the image held by the image holding means, Equipped with, An image forming apparatus using the developing apparatus described in claim 10 as the developing means.

Images