Toner cartridge and image forming device

Abstract

This toner cartridge comprises: a toner storage part; a ventilation member that is provided below the toner storage part, regulates passage of toner, and allows passage of air; an air chamber partitioned from the toner storage part by the ventilation member; an air reception port provided in the air chamber; an opening for delivering, from the toner storage part, the toner transported by the air from the air reception port; a delivery path communicating with the opening and serving as a path that supplies the delivered toner to outside the toner storage part; and a flow velocity adjustment member provided in the delivery path and capable of adjusting the flow velocity of the air to be delivered.

Description

Toner cartridge and image forming apparatus

[0001] The present invention relates to a toner cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

[0002] In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, a toner cartridge containing toner used in image formation and a process cartridge for performing an electrophotographic process are widely known as detachable cartridges. In such toner cartridges, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-124999, for example, air is introduced into a toner container, and the toner is discharged and transported by the air pressure.

[0003] The toner cartridge disclosed in JP 2000-147884 A is configured to transport toner by air flowing into the toner storage compartment. Therefore, toner that is not affected by the air is not transported and remains in the toner cartridge. Furthermore, if the air action is too strong, a large amount of toner is discharged from the toner storage compartment, causing a problem of toner clogging the discharge path.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage portion and stabilize the amount of toner discharged in a cartridge that discharges toner from the toner storage portion by air.

[0005] The present invention employs the following configuration: A toner cartridge mountable in an image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge comprising: a toner storage section that stores toner; a ventilation member that is provided below the toner storage section in the direction of gravity when the toner cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus and that restricts the passage of toner while allowing air to pass through; an air chamber separated from the toner storage section by the ventilation member; an air inlet provided in the air chamber that receives air sent from the outside; an opening for sending toner carried by air from the air inlet from the toner storage section; a delivery path that communicates with the opening and serves as a path for supplying the delivered toner to the outside of the toner storage section; and a flow rate adjustment member provided in the delivery path that can adjust the flow rate of the delivered air.

[0006] The present invention also employs the following configuration: That is, an image forming apparatus includes a toner cartridge mountable to an image forming apparatus, the toner cartridge comprising: a toner storage section that stores toner; a ventilation member that is provided below the toner storage section in the direction of gravity when the toner cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus and that restricts the passage of toner while allowing air to pass through; an air chamber separated from the toner storage section by the ventilation member; an air inlet provided in the air chamber that receives air sent from the outside; and an opening through which toner carried by air from the air inlet is sent out of the toner storage section; a delivery path that communicates with the opening and serves as a path for supplying the delivered toner to the outside of the toner storage section; and a flow rate adjusting member provided in the delivery path that can adjust the flow rate of the delivered air.

[0007] According to the present invention, in a cartridge that discharges toner from a toner storage portion by air, the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage portion can be reduced and the amount of toner discharged can be stabilized.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0011] 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the toner discharging state according to the first embodiment.

[0012] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views showing the toner discharging state according to the first embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the air flow in the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the flow rate adjusting member.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a continuation of the cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge and the process cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge and the process cartridge according to the first embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a toner cartridge according to the second embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 13 is a continuation of the cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a method for transporting a toner cartridge according to the third embodiment.

[0022] 15(a) and 15(b) are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the flow rate adjusting member and its surroundings.

[0023] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, etc. of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to those. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, etc. of components that have been described once in the following description will remain the same in subsequent descriptions unless otherwise specified. Well-known or publicly known technologies in the relevant technical field can be applied to configurations and processes that are not specifically illustrated or described. Furthermore, duplicated descriptions may be omitted.

[0025] In the following description, examples of image forming apparatuses include copiers, printers, multifunction peripherals, and commercial printing machines. An image is formed on a recording medium based on image information input from an external computer or image information read from a document. Sheet materials of various materials and shapes are used as recording media, including paper such as plain paper and cardboard, plastic film, coated paper, specially shaped sheets such as envelopes and index paper, and cloth. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus, as long as it is a cartridge configured to discharge and transport toner from a toner storage unit using air, or an image forming apparatus that can accommodate such a cartridge.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the image forming apparatus IF of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the process cartridge B. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge C. As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C are mounted in the main body A of the image forming apparatus IF, and form an image on a sheet P, which is a recording medium. The main body A of the apparatus is the portion of the image forming apparatus IF excluding the process cartridge B and the toner cartridge C. <Structure of the entire image forming apparatus>

[0027] 1 is an electrophotographic laser beam printer that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive drum 1 using laser light L emitted from a laser scanner 3 as an exposure means, and transfers the developed image using toner T as a developer onto a sheet P. In addition to a process cartridge B and a toner cartridge C, the apparatus main body A has, in the direction in which the sheet P is transported from a sheet tray 4, a pickup roller 5a, a pair of transport rollers 5b, a transfer roller 7, a fixing device 9, a pair of discharge rollers 5c, and a discharge tray 10.

[0028] The image forming apparatus IF further includes a control unit 80. The control unit 80 is composed of a processing circuit and an information processing device equipped with computational resources such as a processor and memory. The control unit 80 communicates with an external computer and each component of the image forming apparatus IF to collect information and send operational commands. For example, the control unit 80 controls a power supply device (not shown) to apply voltage to each component, and a drive source 90 to transmit power, thereby controlling the image formation process, toner supply process, and other operational processes described below. The drive source 90 is composed of a drive motor and transmits drive power to rotational drive mechanisms such as the photosensitive drum 1, developing roller 2, charging roller 11, and conveyance rollers via drive power transmission mechanisms such as gears and belts. The drive source 90 also transmits drive power to the flow velocity adjustment member 28. Note that a separate drive motor may be used for each component to which drive power is transmitted.

[0029] The process cartridge B has a photosensitive drum 1, a developing roller 2 as a developer carrier, a charging roller 11 as charging means, a toner chamber 12 that contains toner T to be supplied to the developing roller 2, etc. The toner cartridge C contains toner T to be replenished to the toner chamber 12 of the process cartridge B. The charging roller 11 that performs charging processing, the developing roller 2 that performs development processing, and the transfer roller 7 that performs transfer processing are all examples of process means that act on the photosensitive drum 1, which is a photosensitive member, in the electrophotographic process. <Image Forming Process>

[0030] When the image forming device IF receives a signal to start image formation on a sheet P, the photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R. A charging roller 11 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and uniformly charges the drum surface. A laser scanner 3 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with laser light L based on image information and writes an electrostatic latent image on the drum surface.

[0031] The toner T contained in the toner chamber 12 is sent toward the developing roller 2 by the stirring member 13 and is carried on the surface of the developing roller 2. When the toner T reaches the development area where the developing roller 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 face each other, it is transferred from the developing roller 2 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 in accordance with the potential distribution on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1. As a result, the electrostatic latent image on the drum surface is made visible as a toner image.

[0032] In parallel with this process, the sheet P is fed at a timing synchronized with the exposure operation by the laser scanner 3. A pickup roller 5a shown in FIG. 1 feeds the sheet P stacked on the sheet tray 4 from the sheet tray 4. A pair of transport rollers 5b receives the sheet P from the pickup roller 5a and transports the sheet P to a transfer portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and a transfer roller 7. Then, a bias voltage is applied to the transfer roller 7, so that the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the sheet P.

[0033] The sheet P onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported along a transport guide 8 to a fixing device 9. The fixing device 9 applies heat and pressure to the toner image on the sheet P using a heating roller 9a and a pressure roller 9b, fixing the image to the sheet P. The sheet P which has undergone the image fixing process is discharged by a pair of discharge rollers 5c onto a discharge tray 10 provided at the top of the apparatus main body A. <Process Cartridge>

[0034] Next, the outline of the configuration of the process cartridge B will be explained using Figure 2. The process cartridge B of this embodiment is configured to be detachably attached to the apparatus main body A. It is equipped with a charging roller 11 and a cleaning blade 14 around the photosensitive drum 1. It also has, as developing means, a developing roller 2 as a developer carrier, a developing blade 15, and a toner chamber 12 that contains toner to be supplied to the developing roller 2. The process cartridge B is also provided with an inlet 24 that receives toner T replenished from the toner cartridge C. Furthermore, an exhaust section 26 is provided on the top surface of the toner chamber 12 of the process cartridge B to allow air to pass through the toner chamber 12, and a filter 36 is provided on the top surface of the exhaust section 26 as a ventilation section. <Toner Cartridge>

[0035] Next, the outline of the configuration of the toner cartridge C will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge C. The toner cartridge C contains toner T to be replenished to the process cartridge B. The toner cartridge C of this embodiment is equipped with a toner storage section 16 (toner storage chamber), an air chamber 17, a ventilation member 18, an opening 19, and an air intake port 20. The ventilation member 18 has an inclined portion 23 whose lowest point is the opening 19, and the inclined portion 23 forms the bottom surface of the toner storage section 16.

[0036] Between the toner cartridge C and the process cartridge B, a delivery path 27 is disposed, connecting the opening 19 to the outside. The delivery path 27 includes a flow rate adjusting member 28 that adjusts the flow rate of air flowing through the delivery path 27. The flow rate adjusting member 28 in this embodiment can also be considered a switching member that switches the delivery path 27 between an open state and a closed state. The opening adjustment by the flow rate adjusting member 28 is not limited to two stages, fully open or fully closed, but may include more stages or may be continuously adjustable. However, because the internal pressure of the toner storage compartment 16 is highest when the delivery path 27 is closed, this embodiment uses a flow rate adjusting member 28 that switches between an open state and a closed state. It is also possible to increase the air flow rate by closing the air path at a position downstream of the pump 35 and upstream of the toner cartridge C (e.g., midway through the air supply pipe 21). However, because increasing the internal pressure in the toner storage compartment 16 allows for more effective toner discharge, the flow rate adjusting member 28 is provided at the illustrated position in this embodiment. The delivery path 27 and the flow rate adjusting member 28 may be considered to be included in the toner cartridge C, or may be considered to be included in the process cartridge B, or may be considered to be separate components from either.

[0037] The ventilation member 18 is a porous member made of, for example, resin fibers, and has pores of a size and density that allow air to pass through while restricting the passage of toner. The ventilation member 18 can be made of a filter material formed by, for example, a heat press. The delivery path 27 can be made of, for example, a tubular member made of a flexible material such as resin. <Mechanism of toner discharge>

[0038] Next, the mechanism by which toner is discharged from the opening 19 of the toner cartridge C will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body A of this embodiment is equipped with a pump 35 as an air supply means for supplying air to the toner cartridge C. The pump 35 is a diaphragm pump that is reciprocally driven by a motor, gears, and cam (not shown). The pump 35 is connected to the air intake port 20 of the air chamber 17 via an air supply pipe 21. Air discharged by the pump 35 flows from the air chamber 17 of the toner cartridge C through the ventilation member 18 and into the toner storage section 16. The air that has flowed into the toner storage section 16 fluidizes the toner T in the toner storage section 16 and is then discharged together with the toner from the opening 19. While the pump 35 in this embodiment is provided in the apparatus main body A, it may also be provided in the process cartridge B or the toner cartridge C. Alternatively, a bellows pump, a rotary pump, or the like may be used as the pump 35.

[0039] 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the state of toner T being sent out from the toner storage unit 16. FIG. 4(a) shows the initial state in which toner T is not being sent out. FIGS. 4(b), 5(a), and 5(b) sequentially show the state as toner T decreases. As shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 5(a), as the toner T in the toner storage unit 16 decreases due to the sending out of toner T, the toner agent surface above the opening 19 drops, causing the surrounding toner T to crumble. Furthermore, because the bottom surface of the toner storage unit 16 forms an inclined portion 23 with the opening 19 as its lowest point, the toner T fluidized by the inflow of air is transported toward the opening 19 and sent out. As the toner T further decreases and the agent surface of the toner T drops as shown in FIG. 5(b), the amount of toner T transported decreases due to the toner T crumbling, and the toner T is transported toward the opening 19 mainly by sliding down the inclined portion 23.

[0040] The angle of the inclined portion 23 and the flow rate of air supplied by the pump 35 also affect the ability to deliver the toner T. Increasing the angle of the inclined portion 23 is effective in delivering the toner T from the entire toner storage section 16, but if the angle is too large, the capacity of the toner storage section 16 will decrease, so it is desirable to make the angle of the inclined portion 23 as small as possible within the range in which delivery is possible. <Effect of the flow rate adjusting member>

[0041] Next, the effect of the flow rate adjusting member 28 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 and 15. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the air flow when the toner T in the toner storage section 16 is low. Figure 7(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the flow rate adjusting member 28 in the toner cartridge, and Figure 7(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the flow rate adjusting member 28. Figures 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the flow rate adjusting member 28.

[0042] 6, when the toner level in the toner storage section 16 becomes low, the toner T disappears above the opening 19, and even if air is introduced, the toner T is not fluidized, and the air escapes from the opening 19 as shown by the arrow D, reducing the amount of toner T delivered. As a result, toner remains in the toner storage section 16.

[0043] 7A, a flow rate adjusting member 28 is provided in this embodiment to open and close the delivery path 27 of the toner cartridge C. The delivery path 27 and the flow rate adjusting member 28 may be provided in the toner cartridge C or in a component to which the toner is delivered.

[0044] For example, when toner T is sent to a process cartridge B, the process cartridge B may have the flow rate adjusting member 28. When the image forming apparatus IF is equipped with a developing device, the image forming apparatus IF may have the flow rate adjusting member 28. Furthermore, the sending path 27 and the flow rate adjusting member 28 may be provided as independent members that can be connected to both the toner cartridge C and the member to which the toner is sent.

[0045] The flow rate adjusting member 28 is supported rotatably around a rotation center 28a and has a shape in which the outer diameter varies with respect to the rotation center 28a. In other words, the flow rate adjusting member 28 has an eccentric structure in cross section, so that the center of gravity of the flow rate adjusting member 28 is offset from the rotation center 28a when it rotates. FIG. 7(b) shows an enlarged cross section of the flow rate adjusting member 28. On the outer periphery of the flow rate adjusting member 28, the portion having the larger outer diameter S1 is referred to as the first portion 28b, and the portion having the smaller outer diameter S2 is referred to as the second portion 28c. Note that the term "portion" refers to a portion that can contact the delivery path 27 and includes at least the endpoint of the outer diameter S1 or the outer diameter S2.

[0046] Next, the operation of the flow rate adjusting member 28 will be described with reference to Figure 8. As shown in Figure 8, the first portion 28b of the flow rate adjusting member 28, which has a larger outer diameter when viewed from the rotation center 28a, is positioned so as to compress the flexible delivery path 27, closing the delivery path 27. In the closed state, air is sent from the pump 35, which serves as an air supply means, to increase the internal pressure of the toner storage section 16 and the air chamber 17. This state is also referred to as the first state.

[0047] Let us consider the conditions under which the control unit 80 closes the delivery path 27 as shown in FIG. 8 . At predetermined intervals, the control unit 80 compares the amount of toner in the toner storage unit 16 detected by a detection means (described later) with a predetermined threshold value stored in memory. This threshold value is a predetermined value depending on the configuration of the toner cartridge, etc., and is set based on the amount of toner when the toner becomes low enough to cause the problem of the present invention. When the amount of remaining toner is equal to or less than the threshold value, the control unit 80 closes the delivery path for a predetermined time. This predetermined time is a value depending on the capacity of the toner cartridge and the capacity of the pump 35, etc., and is set to a value that sufficiently increases the internal pressure.

[0048] Thereafter, the flow rate adjusting member 28 is rotated in the direction E by a drive source (not shown). That is, when the flow rate adjusting member 28 rotates as shown in Figure 9, the second portion 28c, which has a smaller outer diameter as viewed from the rotation center 28a, is positioned on the delivery path 27 side. As a result, the delivery path 27 is released from the compression of the flow rate adjusting member 28 and enters an open state. This state is also referred to as the second state.

[0049] The operation of the flow rate adjusting member 28 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 15(a) and 15(b). Figures 15(a) and 15(b) are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the delivery path 27, the flow rate adjusting member 28, and their surroundings. The support member 29 is a component provided in the housing 75 of the toner cartridge C.

[0050] When the toner cartridge C is installed in the image forming apparatus IF, the support member 29 is a member whose position within the image forming apparatus is fixed. The support member 29 is disposed in a position facing the flow rate adjusting member 28 across the delivery path 27. As shown in FIG. 15A, when the flow rate adjusting member 28 is not pressing against the delivery path 27, the delivery path 27 maintains its cylindrical shape due to its own flexibility, and is therefore in an open state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the flow rate adjusting member 28, which has an eccentric cam structure, rotates half a turn, the first portion 28b protrudes toward the delivery path 27. At this time, the delivery path 27 is backed up by the support member 29 and has no escape route, so it is crushed and closed.

[0051] By switching to the open state after the internal pressure has increased in the first state, the flow rate of air directed from the toner storage section 16 and the air chamber 17 to the outside through the opening 19, as indicated by the arrow D in Figure 6, can be increased, thereby increasing the amount of toner that can be sent out through the opening 19. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage section 16.

[0052] 4A, if toner is present above opening 19, and flow rate adjustment member 28 is used to increase the flow rate and send out toner T, the amount of toner sent out may increase significantly, potentially causing problems such as clogging of toner T in delivery path 27. Therefore, control unit 80 detects the amount of toner above the opening, and when toner T is present above the opening, keeps flow rate adjustment member 28 open and sends air from pump 35 to stabilize the amount of toner T sent out.

[0053] The presence or absence of toner T above the opening 19 can be estimated based on information stored in an information storage device that stores the amount of toner in the toner storage compartment of the toner cartridge C. The control unit 80 calculates the amount of toner used during the image formation operation based on image data. Each time an image formation operation is performed, the control unit 80 counts and accumulates the amount of used toner. When the accumulated value of the amount of used toner reaches the amount of toner stored in the information storage device (or a predetermined threshold value for starting flow rate control), the control unit 80 starts flow rate control. The amount of used toner may also be estimated using the operating time of the pump 35. In this case, the amount of toner discharged per pump operating time is stored in the information storage device. In this case, the control unit 80 itself functions as a toner amount detector. Alternatively, the control unit 80 may detect the amount of toner in the toner storage compartment 16 using a toner remaining amount detector, such as a capacitance detector or an optical detector.

[0054] Furthermore, when the toner cartridge C is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body A, the flow rate adjusting member 28 can be closed, so that it can be used as a toner seal that prevents the surrounding area from getting dirty.

[0055] Next, the effect of the arrangement position of the flow velocity adjusting member 28 will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figures 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views of a process cartridge B and a toner cartridge C in which the arrangement position of the flow velocity adjusting member 28 differs.

[0056] As shown in Figure 10, by locating the flow rate adjusting member 28 closer to the toner cartridge C with respect to the delivery path 27, the total volume of the space G formed by the toner storage section 16, the air chamber 17, the delivery path 27, and the flow rate adjusting member 28 can be reduced, thereby shortening the time it takes for air to flow in to achieve the required flow rate.

[0057] Next, as shown in Figure 11, if the flow rate adjusting member 28 is positioned on the external side of the delivery path 27, in this case on the side closer to the process cartridge B, the distance from the flow rate adjusting member 28 to the outside is shortened, and the time from switching from the closed state to the open state until the toner T is delivered can be shortened.

[0058] In view of the above, it is desirable to determine the position of the flow rate adjusting member 28 depending on the required air inflow time and the time required for toner delivery.

[0059] Here, we have described a configuration in which the toner cartridge C has the discharge path 27 and the flow rate adjusting member 28, but the same effect can be obtained with a configuration in which the discharge path 27 and the flow rate adjusting member 28 are provided in the apparatus main body A or the process cartridge B.

[0060] The flow rate adjusting member 28 may be either directly driven by the main assembly A of the apparatus or driven via the process cartridge B.

[0061] When the delivery path 27 is a tubular member made of a flexible material such as resin, a pressing member that presses the delivery path 27 can be used as the flow rate adjusting member 28. In this case, the pressing member presses the delivery path 27, causing the tube to deform and close, increasing the internal pressure. When the pressing member releases the pressure, the flexible tube returns to an open state, thereby delivering the toner T. The flow rate adjusting member that uses such pressure is not limited to a rotating body with an eccentric structure as described above, and may have any configuration as long as it can press the delivery path 27.

[0062] Next, the configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. The configuration of this embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment.

[0063] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12 , the flow rate adjusting member 40 that opens and closes the toner cartridge delivery path 27 has a different configuration from that of the first embodiment. The delivery path 27 in this embodiment includes a first delivery path 27a continuing from the opening 19 and a second delivery path 27b separated from the first delivery path 27a via the flow rate adjusting member 40. The flow rate adjusting member 40 has a communication opening 40a in part. In the state shown in FIG. 12 , the flow rate adjusting member 40 is biased upward from below by a biasing member 41, so that the first delivery path 27a and the second delivery path 27b are not in communication with each other. Therefore, by sending air using the pump 35 in this first state, the internal pressure of the toner storage section 16 and the air chamber 17 can be increased.

[0064] 13, the pressed surface 40b of the flow rate adjusting member 40 is pressed by the pressing member 42. This causes the flow rate adjusting member 40 to move in the direction of arrow H, and the communication port 40a, the first delivery path 27a, and the second delivery path 27b communicate with each other, becoming an open state. This increases the flow rate of the air passing through the opening 19, increasing the amount of toner that can be discharged from the opening 19 and, as a result, reducing the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage section 16.

[0065] Furthermore, when the pressing member 42 is pressed, that is, when the flow rate adjusting member 40 and the delivery path 27 are in communication with each other, the toner T can be delivered without increasing the internal pressure by sending air using the pump 35 .

[0066] As described above, the configuration of this embodiment also has the effect of reducing the amount of toner remaining in the toner storage unit and stabilizing the amount of toner delivered, similar to that of Embodiment 1. In the configuration of this embodiment, it is not necessarily necessary to use a flexible or deformable member for the delivery path 27.

[0067] In this embodiment, the biasing member 41 is configured to bias from below, but it may be configured to bias from above.

[0068] Next, the configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a toner cartridge C2. The configuration of this embodiment is different from the configuration of the first embodiment in the configuration of the delivery path 27.

[0069] The toner cartridge C2 of this embodiment includes a toner storage section 16, an air chamber 17, a ventilation member 18, an opening 50, an air intake port 20, and a delivery path 27. The delivery path 27 connects the opening 50 to the outside of the toner cartridge C2.

[0070] The ventilation member 18 has a downwardly inclined portion 23 toward the opening 50, and the inclined portion 23 forms the bottom surface of the toner storage section 16. In this embodiment, the opening 19 is provided at a position higher than the lowest surface of the ventilation member 18, and is an opening at the end of a pipe that forms the delivery path 27. The flow rate adjusting member 28 opens and closes the delivery path 27.

[0071] Even with the above-described configuration of the delivery path 27, when the toner level in the toner storage unit 16 becomes lower, the toner T disappears from the vicinity of the opening 19, and the amount of toner T discharged decreases. However, if the delivery path 27 is configured to include the flow rate adjusting member 28, when the amount of toner decreases, the flow rate adjusting member 28 can increase the internal pressure in the first state in which the delivery path 27 is closed. Then, by switching the delivery path 27 to the second state in which it is open, the amount of toner discharged can be increased. As a result, as with the above-described embodiments, the remaining toner in the toner storage unit 16 is reduced, and the amount of toner discharged is stabilized.

[0072] According to the present invention, there are provided a cartridge and an image forming apparatus that reduce residual toner and stabilize the amount of toner discharged.

[0073] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention.

[0074] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-128320, filed on August 7, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A toner cartridge mountable in an image forming device, comprising: a toner storage section for storing toner; a ventilation member disposed below the toner storage section in the direction of gravity when the toner cartridge is mounted in the image forming device, and which restricts the passage of the toner while allowing the passage of air; an air chamber separated from the toner storage section by the ventilation member; an air inlet disposed in the air chamber for receiving air sent from the outside; an opening for sending out toner transported by air from the air inlet from the toner storage section; a delivery path communicating with the opening and serving as a path for supplying the sent out toner to the outside of the toner storage section; and a flow rate adjustment member disposed in the delivery path for adjusting the flow rate of the air being sent out.

2. A toner cartridge as described in claim 1, wherein the delivery path is a flexible member, and the flow rate adjustment member presses against the delivery path to close the delivery path, and releases the pressure on the delivery path to open the delivery path.

3. A toner cartridge as described in claim 1, wherein the discharge path includes a first discharge path continuing from the opening and a second discharge path separated from the first discharge path via the flow rate adjustment member, and the flow rate adjustment member includes a communication port and is configured to be movable between a position where the first discharge path and the second discharge path communicate with each other via the communication port, thereby opening the discharge path, and a position where the first discharge path and the second discharge path do not communicate with each other, thereby opening the discharge path, thereby closing the discharge path.

4. The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a slope along which the toner slides down is provided below the ventilation member in the direction of gravity when the toner cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.

5. The toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said opening is provided at the lowest point of said inclined portion when said toner cartridge is mounted on said image forming apparatus.

6. A toner cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said delivery path is a pipe communicating with the outside of said toner storage portion, and said opening is an end of said pipe and is provided at a position higher than the lowest point of said inclined portion.

7. An image forming device in which a toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is mounted, comprising: a detection means for detecting the amount of toner in the toner storage section; and a control section for controlling the flow rate adjustment member in accordance with the amount of toner detected by the detection means.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting member to close the delivery path when the amount of toner detected by the detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting member to open the delivery path after the delivery path is closed and the internal pressure of the toner storage unit increases.

10. A toner cartridge mountable in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a toner storage section for storing toner; a ventilation member that is provided below the toner storage section in the direction of gravity when the toner cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus and that restricts the passage of the toner while allowing the passage of air; an air chamber separated from the toner storage section by the ventilation member; an air inlet provided in the air chamber for receiving air sent from the outside; and an opening for sending out toner carried by air from the air inlet from the toner storage section; a delivery path that communicates with the opening and serves as a path for supplying the sent out toner to the outside of the toner storage section; and a flow rate adjustment member provided in the delivery path for adjusting the flow rate of the air being sent out.

Images