Developer Container Sealing Member Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional developer accommodating containers in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face instability in unsealing the discharge opening, leading to potential deformation and scattering of developers during the filling process, which complicates manufacturing and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A developer accommodating container design featuring a flexible container with a sealing member that includes a first bonded portion upstream and a second bonded portion downstream of the unsealing direction, where the second bonded portion is positioned in a non-contact configuration to reduce the force exerted on the opening, allowing for stable unsealing without significant deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sealing member is pulled to unseal the opening, then the developer can be supplied, but the opening is pulled together with the sealing member causing large deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The bonded portion of the sealing member is divided into two separate portions: a first bonded portion upstream of the opening and a second bonded portion downstream of the opening. This segmentation allows the unsealing force to be applied at the second bonded portion without directly transmitting pulling force to the opening, thereby preventing deformation while enabling successful unsealing.
2Ease of operation
If the opening is deformed when the sealing member is pulled, then unsealing may occur, but unsealing stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The first bonded portion acts as an intermediary element between the opening and the second bonded portion. When unsealing force is applied at the second bonded portion, the first bonded portion serves as a buffer that prevents direct force transmission to the opening, ensuring stable unsealing without compromising the opening's shape or reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the developer accommodating container is made deformable to prevent scattering during filling, then filling is improved, but the opening deforms during unsealing
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bonded portion into first and second bonded portions positioned on opposite sides of the opening, the patent enables the container to be deformable for easy filling while preventing opening deformation during unsealing. The second bonded portion serves as the unsealing point, while the first bonded portion acts as a counterbalancing element that stabilizes the opening during the unsealing process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A developer accommodating container for accommodating a developer includes a developer bag 16 provided with an injection port for permitting entrance of the developer and an opening 35a for permitting discharge of the developer and includes a sealing member 19 which includes a bonded portion bonded to the developer bag 16so as to seal the opening and which is capable of exposing the opening by peeling the bonded portion from the developer bag 16 by being moved, and the sealing member includes a first bonded portion 22a in an upstream side of the opening and a second bonded portion 22b in a downstream side of the opening with respect to a sealing member unsealing direction, the first bonded portion and the second bonded portion interposing the opening, and the second bonded portion is provided in a non-contact position with the opening.