JP2006276690A - Developer cartridge and recycling method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attach/detach a cap 77 without damaging the tip surface 114 of a side cylinder part 111 of on the filling port side at the time of toner filling for recycle and to surely prevent toner leak from the side cylinder part 111 on the filling port side by performing ultrasonic welding of the cap 77 and side cylinder part 111 on the filling port side after the toner filling. <P>SOLUTION: At a contact part between the cap 77 and the tip surface 114 of the side cylinder part, to at least one of them, a projection 115 projecting toward the others is formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer cartridge that contains a developer and a reproducing method thereof.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a developer cartridge including a toner storage chamber for storing toner is detachably mounted.

  The housing of the developer cartridge is formed with a filling port for filling the toner storage chamber with toner. After the toner storage chamber is filled with toner from this filling port, a cap is attached to the filling port, thereby closing the filling port so that the toner filled in the toner storage chamber does not leak.

  When the toner in the toner storage chamber runs out, such a developer cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus and replaced with a developer cartridge filled with toner. The developer cartridge removed from the image forming apparatus can be reused by refilling the toner storage chamber with toner. The developer cartridge that has run out of toner in the toner storage chamber is removed from the cap, and the cap is attached again after the toner is refilled. For example, in Patent Document 1, as a method of recycling a developer cartridge, a sealing cap bonded to a toner filling port of a toner storage chamber is removed, and a predetermined amount of toner is filled into the toner storage chamber from the toner filling port. There have been proposed a method of sticking a sealing cap to the toner filling port with an adhesive, and a method of press-fitting the sealing cap into the toner filling port.

  Patent Document 2 proposes that a toner filling port closing member is attached to a toner container of a developer cartridge by ultrasonic welding.

JP-A-9-258537 JP-A-9-222839

  However, when the sealing cap is adhered to the toner filling port with an adhesive, it is difficult to remove the sealing cap from the toner filling port when the developer cartridge is recycled. Further, when the sealing cap is ultrasonically welded to the toner filling port, the periphery of the toner filling port must be cut off in order to remove the sealing cap. This not only increases the recycling process of the toner cartridge, but also requires a sophisticated cutting technique that does not cause toner leakage between the sealing cap attached to the filling port after the toner cartridge has been cut.

  When the sealing cap is press-fitted into the toner filling port, the sealing cap is firmly press-fitted to prevent toner leakage, and thus the toner filling port may be damaged when it is removed. Even if the sealing cap is pressed again into the damaged toner filling port, toner leakage may occur from the damaged portion of the toner filling port.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and when filling toner for recycling, the sealing cap can be removed without damaging the toner filling port. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developer cartridge capable of reliably preventing toner leakage from the mouth and a method for regenerating the same.

  In order to achieve this object, the invention described in claim 1 is a developer cartridge having a developer accommodating chamber for accommodating a developer, and for filling the developer accommodating chamber with the developer. A housing in which a filling port is formed; a filling port side cylindrical portion that is formed on the periphery of the filling port and protrudes outward from the housing; and a closing member that closes the filling port side cylindrical portion, The filling port side cylinder part is located between the inner side surface of the side cylinder part, the outer side surface of the side cylinder part, and the inner side surface of the side cylinder part and the outer side surface of the side cylinder part, which are in close contact with the closing member. A side tube portion tip surface, and provided at at least one of the side tube portion tip surface and the closing member at a contact portion between the side tube portion tip surface and the closing member, and protrudes toward the other side. A protrusion is formed.

  According to such a configuration, the closing member is inserted into and in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the side tube portion of the filling port side tube portion, so that the filling port side tube portion is sealed, and the developer is discharged from the filling port side tube portion. Can be prevented from leaking. Further, at the contact portion between the side tube portion front end surface and the closing member, the side tube portion is formed on at least one of the side tube portion front end surface and the closing member and protrudes toward the other side. The contact portion between the tip surface and the closing member does not adhere firmly. Therefore, it is possible to remove the closing member from the filling port side cylinder part without damaging the front end surface of the side cylinder part of the filling port side cylinder part.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the closing member has a flange that contacts the front end surface of the side tube portion, and the protrusion is the front end of the side tube portion. It is characterized by being formed on the surface.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is a step formed on the front end surface of the side tube portion, or the front end surface of the side tube portion and the side tube portion. It is a peripheral part between the peripheral surfaces, and the closing member is characterized in that an inclined surface is formed at a position in contact with the stepped part or the peripheral part.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the protrusion is formed on the closing member, and an inclined surface is formed at a position where the protrusion comes into contact with the front end surface of the side tube portion. It is characterized by being formed.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the closing member includes a flange portion that contacts the tip end surface of the side tube portion, and a tube portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the side tube portion. And a thin wall portion formed between the flange portion and the cylindrical portion.

  According to the configuration of the invention described in claims 2 to 5, since the contact portion between the side cylinder portion tip surface and the closing member does not adhere firmly, the side tube portion tip surface of the filling port side cylinder portion is damaged. The closing member can be removed from the filling port side cylinder without attaching.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the closing member is in contact with the front end surface of the side tube portion and stretched around the outer peripheral surface of the side tube portion. It is characterized by having a buttocks to put out.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer cartridge having a developer accommodating chamber for accommodating a developer, wherein a filling port for filling the developer in the developer accommodating chamber is formed. A casing that is formed at a peripheral edge of the filling port and protrudes outward from the casing, and a closing member that closes the filling port side cylinder, the closing member being filled It is characterized by having a collar portion that contacts the tip end surface of the side tube portion of the mouth side tube portion and projects around the tip end surface of the side tube portion.

  According to the configuration of the invention described in claim 6 or 7, since the closing member includes the flange portion that protrudes around the distal end surface of the side cylinder portion while preventing the developer from leaking from the filling port side cylinder portion. The closing member can be easily removed from the front end surface of the side tube portion of the filling port side tube portion.

  The invention according to claim 8 is a developer cartridge having a developer accommodating chamber for accommodating a developer, wherein a filling port for filling the developer accommodating chamber is formed. The filling port side cylinder part formed on the periphery of the filling port and projecting outward from the casing; and a closing member for closing the filling port side cylinder part. Is provided with a notch part in which a part of the part that comes into contact with the closing member is notched, and the case has a protruding part that protrudes to the outside of the case at a position facing the notch part. It is characterized by having.

  According to such a configuration, the filling port side cylindrical portion includes the cutout portion in which a part of the portion in contact with the closing member is cut out, and the housing is located outside the housing at a position facing the cutout portion. Since it has a protruding part that protrudes, the closing member can be removed from the notch, and the closing member can be further easily removed by attaching a remover so that the protruding part becomes a fulcrum of the lever it can.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a developer carrying member for carrying the developer.

  According to this configuration, in the developer cartridge further including the developer carrier, the closing member can be removed from the filling port side cylinder portion without damaging the front end surface of the side tube portion of the filling port side cylinder portion.

  The invention described in claim 10 is the static image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electrostatic latent image carried on the surface is visualized by supplying the developer from the developer carrying member. It further comprises an electrostatic latent image carrier.

  According to this configuration, in the developer cartridge further including the electrostatic latent image carrier, the closing member can be removed from the filling port side cylinder portion without scratching the front end surface of the side tube portion of the filling port side cylinder portion. .

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the closing member is press-fitted into the filling port side cylinder portion at the time of the first developer filling, and development for recycling is performed. In the filling of the agent, the closing member is ultrasonically welded to the filling port side cylinder.

  According to this configuration, the developer can be removed by simply removing the closing member from the filling port side cylinder portion when charging the developer for recycling, while preventing the developer from leaking from the filling port side cylinder portion. Reliably prevents the developer from leaking from the filling port side cylinder part by performing ultrasonic welding on the protrusion formed at the contact part between the side cylinder part tip surface of the filling port side cylinder part and the closing member. can do.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer cartridge having at least a developer accommodating chamber for accommodating a developer, wherein a filling port for filling the developer accommodating chamber is formed. The first developer filling, comprising: a housing that is formed, a filling port side tube portion that is formed on a peripheral edge of the filling port and projects outward from the housing; and a closing member that closes the filling port side tube portion The closing member is sometimes press-fitted into the filling port side tube portion, and the closing member is ultrasonically welded to the filling port side tube portion when the developer for recycling is charged.

  According to this configuration, while preventing the developer from leaking from the opening of the filling port side cylinder portion, the developer can be removed by simply removing the closing member from the filling port side cylinder portion when charging the developer for recycling. After the filling of the agent, it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from leaking from the filling port side cylinder part by ultrasonically welding the front end surface of the side cylinder part of the filling port side cylinder part and the closing member.

  The invention according to claim 13 includes a housing having at least a developer accommodating chamber for accommodating a developer, and a filling port for filling the developer in the developer accommodating chamber. A method for regenerating a developer cartridge comprising a filling port side cylinder portion formed on a peripheral edge of the filling port and projecting outward from the housing; and a closing member for closing the filling port side cylinder portion, When the developer is filled for the first time, the closing member is press-fitted into the filling port side cylinder, and when the developer is charged for recycling, the closing member is ultrasonically welded to the filling port side cylinder.

  According to this method, when the developer for recycling is filled, it can be removed simply by removing the closing member from the filling port side cylinder, and after the developer is filled, the sealing member is ultrasonically welded to the filling port side cylinder. Further, it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from leaking from the filling port side cylinder portion.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the thirteenth aspect, at a contact portion between the filling port side tube portion and the closing member, at least one of the filling port side tube portion and the closing member. While being provided, ultrasonic welding is performed on the protrusion protruding toward the other side.

  According to this method, since the surface and the protrusion are ultrasonically welded by performing ultrasonic welding on the protrusion, the ultrasonic wave is compared with the case where the surface and the surface are ultrasonically welded. Vibration concentrates on the protrusion and can be welded efficiently. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the closing member from being welded to the filling port side tube portion and to prevent the developer from leaking from the filling port side tube portion.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the developer can be prevented from leaking from the filling port side cylinder portion, and the side cylinder portion front end surface and the closure member can be prevented from leaking. Since the contact portion does not adhere firmly, the closing member can be removed from the filling port side cylinder portion without scratching the front end surface of the side tube portion of the filling port side cylinder portion.

  According to the invention according to any one of claims 2 to 5, since the contact portion between the side cylindrical portion distal end surface and the closing member does not adhere firmly, the side opening of the side cylindrical portion of the filling port side cylindrical portion is prevented. It is possible to remove the closing member from the filling port side cylindrical portion without scratching.

  According to invention of Claim 6 or 7, a closing member can be easily removed from a filling port side cylinder part via the collar part projected around the side cylinder part front end surface in a closing member.

  According to invention of Claim 8, it provided in the position facing this notch part with respect to the notch part by which a part of contact part of the filling port side cylinder part and the closing member was notched. By applying the removal tool with the protrusion as a fulcrum of the lever, the closing member can be easily removed from the filling port side cylindrical portion.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the developer cartridge further including the developer carrier, the closing member is removed from the filling port side cylinder portion without damaging the front end surface of the side cylinder portion of the filling port side cylinder portion. be able to.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the developer cartridge further including the electrostatic latent image carrier, the closing member is formed from the filling port side cylinder portion without scratching the front end surface of the side tube portion of the filling port side cylinder portion. Can be removed.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the developer for recycling is filled, it can be removed by simply removing the closing member from the filling port side cylinder, and after the developer filling, the tip of the side cylinder of the filling port side cylinder is removed. By performing ultrasonic welding on the protrusion formed at the contact portion between the surface and the closing member, it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from leaking from the opening of the filling port side cylindrical portion.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the developer for recycling is filled, it can be removed simply by removing the closing member from the filling port side cylinder, and after the developer filling, the end of the side cylinder of the filling port side cylinder By ultrasonically welding the surface and the closing member, it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from leaking from the filling port side cylindrical portion.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when the developer for recycling is filled, it can be removed simply by removing the closing member from the filling port side cylinder, and after the developer is filled, the blocking member exceeds the filling port side cylinder. Since sonic welding is performed, it is possible to reliably prevent the developer from leaking from the filling port side cylinder portion.

  According to invention of Claim 14, in the contact part of a filling port side cylinder part and a closure member, with respect to the protrusion which is provided in at least one of a filling port side cylinder part and a closure member, and protrudes toward the other By ultrasonic welding, the surface and the projection are ultrasonically welded, so the ultrasonic vibration is concentrated on the projection more efficiently than the surface and the surface are ultrasonically welded. Can be welded. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the closing member from being welded to the filling port side tube portion and to prevent the developer from leaking from the filling port side tube portion.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration of laser printer>
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a laser printer as an image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 includes a feeder unit 4 for feeding a sheet 3 and an image forming unit 5 for forming an image on the fed sheet 3 in a main body casing 2. .

<Configuration of body casing 2>
On the upper surface of the main casing 2, a paper discharge tray 6 for receiving the paper 3 on which an image is formed is formed. Further, an operation panel having operation keys and LED display portions is embedded on one side of the paper discharge tray 6. In the main casing 2, an attachment / detachment opening 7 for attaching / detaching a process cartridge 22 described later is formed on the side wall on the operation panel side. The attachment / detachment opening 7 is provided with a front cover 8 for opening and closing the attachment / detachment opening 7. The front cover 8 is rotatably supported by a cover shaft (not shown) inserted through the lower end portion thereof. As a result, when the front cover 8 is closed around the cover axis, the attachment / detachment opening 7 is closed by the front cover 8, and when the front cover 8 is opened with the cover axis as a fulcrum (tilted), the attachment / detachment opening 7 is opened, The process cartridge 22 can be attached to and detached from the main casing 2 through the attachment / detachment port 7.

  In the following description, the side on which the front cover is provided is referred to as the “front side” of the laser printer 1 and the opposite side is referred to as the “rear side”. A horizontal direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is a width direction in the laser printer 1.

<Configuration of feeder section>
The feeder unit 4 includes a paper feed tray 9 that is detachably attached to the bottom of the main body casing 2, a paper pressing plate 10 provided in the paper feed tray 9, and a front end side end portion of the paper feed tray 9. The paper feed roller 11 and the paper feed pad 12 provided in the paper, the paper dust removing rollers 13 and 14 provided downstream of the paper feed roller 11 in the transport direction of the paper 3, and the paper 3 for the paper dust removing rollers 13 and 14. And a registration roller 15 provided on the downstream side in the transport direction.

  The sheet pressing plate 10 can stack the sheets 3 in a stacked manner, and is supported so as to be swingable at the end far from the sheet feeding roller 11, so that the near end moves up and down. It is made possible and is biased upward by a spring (not shown) from the back side. Therefore, the sheet pressing plate 10 is swung downward against the biasing force of the spring, with the end far from the sheet feeding roller 11 as a fulcrum as the amount of stacked sheets 3 increases. The paper feed roller 11 and the paper feed pad 12 are disposed to face each other, and the paper feed pad 12 is pressed toward the paper feed roller 11 by a spring 16 provided on the back side of the paper feed pad 12.

  The uppermost sheet 3 on the sheet pressing plate 10 is pressed from the back side of the sheet pressing plate 10 toward the sheet feeding roller 11 by the urging force of the spring, and the sheet feeding roller 11 is rotated by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 11. The paper is sandwiched between the paper pads 12 and is reliably fed one by one and fed.

  Then, after the paper dust is removed by the paper dust removing rollers 13 and 14, it is conveyed to the registration roller 15.

  The registration roller 15 includes a pair of rollers facing each other. After registration of the sheet 3, the registration roller 15 is positioned at a transfer position in the image forming unit 5 (between a photosensitive drum 32 and a transfer roller 34 described later, and the photosensitive drum 32. The upper toner image is conveyed to a position where the toner image is transferred to the paper 3.

  The feeder unit 4 further includes a multi-purpose tray 17, a multi-purpose side feed roller 18 and a multi-purpose side feed pad 19 for feeding sheets 3 stacked on the multi-purpose tray 17. I have. The multi-purpose sheet-feeding roller 18 and the multi-purpose sheet-feeding pad 19 are provided opposite to each other, and the multi-purpose sheet-feeding pad 19 is multi-purposed by a spring 20 provided on the back side of the multi-purpose sheet-feeding pad 19. It is pressed toward the side paper feed roller 18.

  The sheets 3 stacked on the multi-purpose tray 17 are sandwiched between the multi-purpose side feed roller 18 and the multi-purpose side feed pad 19 by the rotation of the multi-purpose side feed roller 18, and are surely one by one. Paper is fed.

<Configuration of image forming unit>
The image forming unit 5 includes a scanner unit 21, a process cartridge 22, a fixing unit 23, and the like.

<Configuration of scanner unit>
The scanner unit 21 is provided in the upper part of the main casing 2 and includes a laser light emitting unit (not shown), a polygon mirror 24 that is driven to rotate, lenses 25 and 26, reflecting mirrors 27, 28, and 29, and the like. . As indicated by the chain line, the laser beam based on the image data emitted from the laser emission unit passes or reflects in the order of the polygon mirror 24, the lens 25, the reflecting mirrors 27 and 28, the lens 26, and the reflecting mirror 29, and the process cartridge. Irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 in 22 by high-speed scanning.

<Configuration of process cartridge>
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge 22.

  The process cartridge 22 is detachably attached to the main body casing 2 below the scanner unit 21. The process cartridge 22 includes a drum cartridge 30 and a developing cartridge 31 as a developer cartridge that is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 30.

<Drum cartridge configuration>
As shown in FIG. 2, the drum cartridge 30 includes a cartridge frame 103, a photosensitive drum 32 as an electrostatic latent image carrier provided in the cartridge frame 103, a scorotron charger 33, a transfer roller 34, and a cleaning brush 35. And.

  The photosensitive drum 32 includes a cylindrical drum body 55 formed by a positively chargeable photosensitive layer whose outermost layer is made of polycarbonate or the like, and a metal extending along the longitudinal direction of the drum body 55 at the axis of the drum body 55. And a drum shaft 56 made of steel. The drum shaft 56 is non-rotatably supported on both side walls in the width direction of the cartridge frame 103, and the drum body 55 is rotatably supported with respect to the drum shaft 56. The shaft 56 is provided to be rotatable.

  The scorotron charger 33 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 32 so as not to contact the photosensitive drum 32 with a gap therebetween. The scorotron charger 33 includes a wire 57 and a grid 58.

  The wire 57 is stretched between both side walls in the width direction of the cartridge frame 103.

  The grid 58 is disposed so as to surround the lower side of the wire 57 along the width direction, and is laid between both side walls in the width direction of the cartridge frame 103.

  The transfer roller 34 is rotatably supported on both side walls in the width direction of the cartridge frame 103 and contacts the photosensitive drum 32 from below in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. A nip is formed between them. The transfer roller 34 is configured by covering a metal transfer roller shaft 60 with a roller 61 made of a conductive rubber material.

  The cleaning brush 35 is disposed on the rear side of the photosensitive drum 32. The cleaning brush 35 has a large number of brush hairs planted on a substantially rectangular elongated support plate extending in the width direction. The cleaning brush 35 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 32 in the front-rear direction so that the brush hair contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 along the width direction.

<Configuration of developer cartridge>
FIG. 3 is a side view of the developing cartridge 31.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the developing cartridge 31 includes a developing case 63 as a box-like case having an open rear side, a supply roller 64 provided in the developing case 63, and a developer carrier. The developing roller 65 and the layer thickness regulating blade 66 are provided.

  The developing case 63 includes a pair of side walls 67 that are opposed to each other with a gap in the width direction, a lower wall 69 that is connected between the side walls, and an upper wall 70 that is an upper surface of the developing case. Is integrated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an intermediate gear 72 that meshes with the input gear 71 and an agitator drive gear 73 that meshes with the intermediate gear 72 and is disposed on the front side of the intermediate gear 72, as shown in FIG. And a developing roller driving gear 74 that is disposed obliquely below the input gear 71 and meshes with the input gear 71, and a supply roller driving gear 75 that is disposed below the input gear 71 and meshes with the input gear 71. It has been. A driving force of a motor (not shown) is input to the input gear 71.

  In addition, a filling port 76 for filling toner as a developer into a toner storage chamber 85 as a developer storage chamber is formed in the left side wall 67 obliquely above the rear side of the agitator drive gear 73. The filling port 76 is formed in a circular shape penetrating in the thickness direction of the side wall 67 at a position corresponding to the toner storage chamber 85 in the side wall 67. The filling port 76 is closed by a cap 77 as a closing member for preventing toner in the toner storage chamber 85 from leaking from the filling port 76.

  The lower wall 69 has a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and the width direction, and, as shown in FIG. 2, a rear lower wall portion 78 as a lower surface of a developing housing for defining a developing chamber 84 described later, A front lower wall 79 that is continuous with the front end edge of the side lower wall 78 and has a substantially arcuate cross section along the rotation track of the agitator 87 described later is integrally provided. The lower wall 69 is provided so as to be sandwiched between both side walls 67.

  At the boundary between the rear lower wall portion 78 and the front lower wall portion 79, a lower partition portion 81 that protrudes upward in a substantially triangular shape is formed along the width direction.

  The upper wall 70 has a flat plate shape, and an upper partition plate 83 that protrudes downward is formed along the width direction so as to face the lower partition portion 81 of the lower wall 69 on the lower surface thereof.

  In the developing case 63, an inner space behind the upper partition plate 83 and the lower partition portion 81 is defined as a developing chamber 84, and an inner space ahead of the upper partition plate 83 and the lower partition portion 81 is developed. It is defined as a toner storage chamber 85 as an agent storage chamber.

  In the toner storage chamber 85, positively charged non-magnetic one-component toner is stored as a developer. Examples of the toner include polymerizable monomers such as styrene monomers such as styrene, and acrylic monomers such as acrylic acid, alkyl (C1 to C4) acrylate, and alkyl (C1 to C4) methacrylate. Polymerized toners obtained by copolymerization by a known polymerization method such as suspension polymerization are used. Such a polymerized toner has a spherical shape, has extremely good fluidity, and can achieve high-quality image formation.

  Such a toner is blended with a colorant such as carbon black, wax, and the like, and an external additive such as silica is added to improve fluidity. The particle diameter is about 6 to 10 μm.

  Further, an agitator 87 for agitating the toner in the toner storage chamber 85 is provided in the toner storage chamber 85. The agitator 87 is supported by an agitator rotating shaft 88 extending in the width direction at the center of the toner storage chamber 85.

  The supply roller 64 is disposed on the lower front side in the developing chamber 84 and is rotatably supported between both side walls 67 of the developing housing 63. The supply roller 64 includes a metal supply roller shaft 89 extending in the width direction, and a sponge roller 90 made of a conductive foam material covering the supply roller shaft 89.

  The developing roller 65 is disposed below the rear side in the developing chamber 84, is in pressure contact with the supply roller 64, and is provided so that the rear portion is partially exposed rearward from the developing housing 63. . The developing roller 65 is covered with a metallic developing roller shaft 91 and a rubber roller 92 made of a conductive rubber material covering the developing roller shaft 91. More specifically, the rubber roller 92 is made of conductive urethane rubber or silicone rubber containing carbon fine particles, and the surface thereof is covered with fluorine-containing urethane rubber or silicone rubber. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, both side shaft ends of the developing roller shaft 91 are provided so as to protrude outward in the width direction from both side walls 67 of the developing housing 63.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the layer thickness regulating blade 66 is made of a metal leaf spring material, and includes a pressing rubber member 93 having a semicircular cross section made of insulating silicone rubber at the tip. The layer thickness regulating blade 66 is supported by the developing housing 63 above the developing roller 65, and a lower end portion of the layer thickness regulating blade 66 faces the rubber roller 92 of the developing roller 65 from the front side. It is pressed against the surface of the rubber roller 92 by the elastic force of the thickness regulating blade 66.

  When a driving force is input to the input gear 71 of the developing cartridge 31 and the agitator 87 is rotated by the driving force using the agitator rotating shaft 88 as a fulcrum, the toner in the toner storage chamber 85 is stirred and the upper partition plate is stirred. It is discharged toward the developing chamber 84 from between 83 and the lower partition 81. The toner discharged into the developing chamber 84 is supplied onto the developing roller 65 by the rotation of the supplying roller 64. At this time, the toner is positively transferred between the sponge roller 90 of the supplying roller 64 and the rubber roller 92 of the developing roller 65. Frictional charge. As the developing roller 65 rotates, the toner supplied onto the developing roller 65 enters between the developing roller 65 and the pressing rubber member 93 of the layer thickness regulating blade 66 to become a thin layer having a constant thickness. And supported on the developing roller 65.

  On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is uniformly positively charged by the scorotron charger 33 and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the scanner unit 21 to form an electrostatic latent image based on the image data. .

  Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 when the positively charged toner carried on the developing roller 65 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 32 by the rotation of the developing roller 65. That is, the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 that is uniformly positively charged is supplied to an exposed portion that is exposed by a laser beam and the potential is lowered, and is selectively carried to be visualized. Thus, a toner image is formed by reversal development.

  Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 32 and the transfer roller 34 are rotationally driven so as to sandwich and convey the paper 3 between them, and the paper 3 is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 32 and the transfer roller 34. A toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is transferred onto the paper 3.

<Configuration of fixing unit>
As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing unit 23 is provided on the rear side of the process cartridge 22 and on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper 3, and is disposed to face the heating roller 94 and the heating roller 94 and presses the heating roller 94. 95 and a pair of transport rollers 96 provided downstream of the heating roller 94 and the pressure roller 95 in the transport direction of the sheet 3.

  The heating roller 94 is made of metal and includes a halogen lamp for heating. In the fixing unit 23, the toner image transferred onto the paper 3 in the process cartridge 22 is thermally fixed while the paper 3 passes between the heating roller 94 and the pressure roller 95, and then the paper 3 is transferred to the transport roller. The sheet is conveyed to the sheet discharge path 97 by 96. The sheet 3 sent to the sheet discharge path 97 is conveyed to the sheet discharge roller 98 and is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 6 by the sheet discharge roller 98.

  Further, in the laser printer 1, the residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 after being transferred to the paper 3 by the transfer roller 34 is recovered by the developing roller 65, so that the residual toner is recovered by a so-called cleanerless system. I have to. If the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 32 is collected by such a cleaner-less method, a toner cleaner device and a waste toner storage unit become unnecessary, and the configuration of the device can be simplified.

<Configuration of reverse conveying section>
In addition, the laser printer 1 is provided with a reverse conveying unit 99 for forming images on both sides of the paper 3. The reverse conveyance unit 99 includes a paper discharge roller 98, a reverse conveyance path 100, a flapper 101, and a plurality of reverse conveyance rollers 102.

  The paper discharge roller 98 is composed of a pair of rollers, and is configured to be able to switch between forward rotation and reverse rotation. As described above, the paper discharge roller 98 rotates in the forward direction when the paper 3 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 6, but rotates in the reverse direction when the paper 3 is reversed.

  The reverse conveyance path 100 is provided along the vertical direction so that the paper 3 can be conveyed from the paper discharge roller 98 to a plurality of reverse conveyance rollers 102 disposed below the image forming position. The upstream end is disposed near the paper discharge roller 98, and the downstream end is disposed near the reverse conveying roller 102.

  The flapper 101 is swingably provided so as to face a branch portion between the paper discharge path 97 and the reverse conveyance path 100, and the paper is reversed by the paper discharge roller 98 by excitation or non-excitation of a solenoid (not shown). 3 is configured to be able to be switched from the direction toward the paper discharge path 97 to the direction toward the reverse conveyance path 100.

  A plurality of reverse conveyance rollers 102 are provided in the horizontal direction above the paper feed tray 9, and the most upstream reverse conveyance roller 102 is disposed near the rear end portion of the reverse conveyance path 100, and most A reverse conveying roller 102 on the downstream side is provided below the registration roller 15.

  When images are formed on both sides of the paper 3, the reverse conveying unit 99 is operated as follows. That is, when the sheet 3 having an image formed on one surface is conveyed from the sheet discharge path 97 to the sheet discharge roller 98 by the conveyance roller 96, the sheet discharge roller 98 rotates forward with the sheet 3 interposed therebetween. When the paper 3 is once transported to the outside (discharge tray 6 side), most of the paper 3 is sent to the outside, and the rear end of the paper 3 is sandwiched between the paper discharge rollers 98. To stop. Next, the paper discharge roller 98 rotates in the reverse direction, and the flapper 101 switches the transport direction so that the paper 3 is transported to the reverse transport path 100, so that the paper 3 is placed in the reverse transport path 100 in the reverse direction. Transport. When the conveyance of the paper 3 is completed, the flapper 101 is switched to the original state, that is, the state in which the paper 3 sent from the conveyance roller 96 is sent to the paper discharge roller 98.

  Next, the sheet 3 conveyed in the reverse direction to the reverse conveyance path 100 is conveyed to the reverse conveyance roller 102, reversed from the reverse conveyance roller 102 in the upward direction, and sent to the registration roller 15. The sheet 3 conveyed to the registration roller 15 is turned upside down and sent again to the image forming position after registration, whereby images are formed on both sides of the sheet 3.

<First embodiment of the configuration near the filling port>
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76 in the developing cartridge 31.

    The developing cartridge 31 includes a cylindrical filling port side cylinder portion 111 that protrudes outward from the peripheral edge of a circular filling port 76 formed in the left side wall 67 of the developing housing 63. The filling port side cylindrical portion 111 has a side cylindrical portion inner peripheral surface 112 into which the cap 77 is inserted and closely contacts, a side cylindrical portion outer peripheral surface 113, and a side cylindrical portion distal end surface 114 positioned therebetween. .

    The cap 77 has a cylindrical portion 123 that contacts the inner peripheral surface 112 of the side cylindrical portion and a flange portion 116 that contacts the distal end surface 114 of the side cylindrical portion.

  After the new developer cartridge 31 is filled with toner, a cap 77 is press-fitted (inserted) into the filling port side cylindrical portion 111 as shown in FIG. When the cap 77 is press-fitted (inserted) into the filling port side cylindrical portion 111, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123 comes into close contact with the side cylindrical portion inner peripheral surface 112 of the charging port side cylindrical portion 111, so that it is accommodated in the toner storage chamber 85. It is possible to prevent the toner that has leaked out from the filling port side cylinder portion 111.

  By the way, the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 in the developing housing 63 decreases as the image is formed on the paper 3. When the toner in the toner storage chamber 85 runs out, the developing cartridge 31 is removed from the main casing 2 and replaced with a developing cartridge filled with toner. The developing cartridge 31 that has run out of toner is desirably collected by the manufacturer of the laser printer 1 and recycled by refilling the toner storage chamber 85 with toner in order to save resources.

  In the present embodiment, the cap 77 has a flange 116 that contacts the side tube portion tip surface 114 of the filling port side tube portion 111, and a protrusion 115 is formed on the side tube portion tip surface 114. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the state where the cap 77 is press-fitted and fixed to the filling port side tube portion 111, the side tube portion distal end surface 114 of the filling port side tube portion 111 and the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 are formed. Since the projections 115 are in contact with each other, there is a minute gap about the height of the projection 115 between them, and the side tube portion tip surface 114 and the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 are firmly attached. Not. The cap 77 needs to be removed when the toner storage chamber 85 is filled with toner for recycling. However, by inserting the tip of the removal tool into the gap, the tip of the side tube portion 111 of the filling port side tube portion 111 is attached. Cap 77 can be removed without scratching.

  After the toner is filled, the cap 77 is press-fitted into the filling port side cylinder portion 111, and then ultrasonic welding is performed on the projection 115 from the upper surface of the flange portion 116 of the cap 77, so that the surface and the projection are ultrasonically welded. As a result, the ultrasonic vibration concentrates on the protrusions and the welding can be efficiently performed as compared with the case where the surfaces are ultrasonically welded. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the protrusion 115 is melted, and the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 and the side tube portion front end surface 114 are completely welded. As a result, even if the side cylinder part distal end surface 114 may be damaged when removing the press-fitted cap 77, the cap 77 is completely welded to the filling port side cylinder part 111. It is possible to reliably prevent the toner from leaking from the filling port side cylinder portion 111.

<Second Embodiment with Configuration Near Filling Port>
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76. In the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the same members as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the developing cartridge 31 has a filling port side cylindrical portion 111 that protrudes outward from the peripheral edge of a circular filling port 76 formed in the developing housing 63.

  The cap 77 has a cylindrical portion 123 that contacts the inner peripheral surface 112 of the side cylindrical portion and a flange portion 116 that contacts the distal end surface 114 of the side cylindrical portion.

  After the new developing cartridge 31 is filled with toner, when the cap 77 is press-fitted (inserted) into the filling port side cylindrical portion 111 as shown in FIG. 5A, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 123 of the cap 77 is filled. Since it is in close contact with the side cylindrical portion inner peripheral surface 112 of the mouth side cylindrical portion 111, the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 is prevented from leaking out from the filling port side cylindrical portion 111.

  When the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 in the developing housing 63 runs out, the developer cartridge 31 is replaced with a toner cartridge, and the developer cartridge 31 that has run out of toner is collected and recycled by the manufacturer. The

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the filling port side cylindrical portion 111 is stepped on the side cylindrical portion distal end surface 114 connected to the side cylindrical portion inner peripheral surface 112 into which the cap 77 is inserted and closely adhered. 117 is formed. In addition, an inclined surface 118 having a shape extending outward is formed at a position of the cap 77 that contacts the stepped portion 117.

  Since the cap 77 has this inclined surface 118, the cap 77 is press-fitted and fixed to the filling port side cylinder portion 111, and the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 and the side tube portion distal end surface 114 of the filling port side tube portion 111. There are minute gaps between them, and they are not firmly attached. When the toner storage chamber 85 is filled with the toner for recycling, the cap 77 can be attached without damaging the side tube portion tip surface 114 of the filling port side tube portion 111 by inserting the tip of the removal tool into the gap. Can be removed.

  Then, after the cap 77 is press-fitted into the filling port side cylindrical portion 111 after toner filling, ultrasonic welding is performed from the inclined surface 118 of the cap 77 to the stepped portion 117, so that the stepped portion 117 contacting the inclined surface 118 is superposed. Since the vibration of sound waves concentrates, it can be welded efficiently. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the stepped portion 117 is melted, and the inclined surface 118 of the cap 77 and the stepped portion 117 of the side tube portion distal end surface 114 are completely welded. As a result, even if the side cylinder part distal end surface 114 is damaged when removing the press-fitted cap 77, the cap 77 is completely welded to the filling port side cylinder part 111. It is possible to reliably prevent the toner from leaking from the side tube portion 111.

<Third embodiment of the configuration near the filling port>
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the developing cartridge 31 has a filling port side cylinder portion 111 that protrudes outward from the peripheral edge of a circular filling port 76 formed in the developing housing 63.

  The cap 77 has a cylindrical portion 123 that contacts the inner peripheral surface 112 of the side cylindrical portion and a flange portion 116 that contacts the distal end surface 114 of the side cylindrical portion.

  After the new developer cartridge 31 is filled with toner, when the cap 77 is press-fitted (inserted) into the filling port side cylinder portion 111 as shown in FIG. 6A, the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 123 becomes the filling port side tube. Since the toner is in close contact with the inner side surface 112 of the side tube portion of the portion 111, the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 is prevented from leaking out from the filling port side tube portion 111.

  When the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 in the developing housing 63 runs out, the developer cartridge 31 is replaced with a toner cartridge, and the developer cartridge 31 that has run out of toner is collected and recycled by the manufacturer. The

  As described above, the cap 77 includes the cylindrical portion 123 that contacts the inner peripheral surface 112 of the side cylindrical portion, and the flange portion 116 that contacts the distal end surface 114 of the side cylindrical portion of the filling port side cylindrical portion 111. An inclined surface 120 having a shape extending outward is formed at a position in contact with the peripheral edge portion 119 between the side tube portion distal end surface 114 and the side tube portion inner peripheral surface 111.

  Since the cap 77 has the inclined surface 120, in the state in which the cap 77 is press-fitted and fixed to the filling port side tube portion 111, the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 and the side tube portion distal end surface 114 of the filling port side tube portion 111 There are minute gaps between them, and they are not firmly attached. When the toner storage chamber 85 is filled with the toner for recycling, the cap 77 can be attached without damaging the side tube portion tip surface 114 of the filling port side tube portion 111 by inserting the tip of the removal tool into the gap. Can be removed.

  Then, after the cap 77 is press-fitted into the filling port side cylinder portion 111 after toner filling, ultrasonic welding is performed from the inclined surface 120 of the cap 77 to the peripheral portion 119, as shown in FIG. 6B. 119 is melted, and the inclined surface 120 of the cap 77 and the peripheral edge 119 are completely welded. As a result, even if the side cylinder part distal end surface 114 is damaged when removing the press-fitted cap 77, the cap 77 is completely welded to the filling port side cylinder part 111. It is possible to reliably prevent the toner from leaking from the side tube portion 111.

<Fourth embodiment of the configuration near the filling port>
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment having a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the developing cartridge 31 has a filling port side cylinder portion 111 that protrudes outward from the peripheral edge of a circular filling port 76 formed in the developing housing 63.

  The cap 77 has a cylindrical portion 123 that contacts the inner peripheral surface 112 of the side cylindrical portion and a flange portion 116 that contacts the distal end surface 114 of the side cylindrical portion.

  After the new developing cartridge 31 is filled with toner, when the cap 77 is press-fitted (inserted) into the filling port side cylinder portion 111 as shown in FIG. 7A, the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 123 becomes the filling port side tube. Since the toner is in close contact with the inner side surface 112 of the side tube portion of the portion 111, the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 is prevented from leaking out from the filling port side tube portion 111.

  When the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 in the developing housing 63 runs out, the developer cartridge 31 is replaced with a toner cartridge, and the developer cartridge 31 that has run out of toner is collected and recycled by the manufacturer. The

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, a protrusion 122 is formed at a position between the flange portion 116 and the cylindrical portion 123 on the outer peripheral surface of the cap 77. An inclined surface 121 is formed on the opening side end surface 114 of the filling port side cylindrical portion 111 at a position where the protrusion 122 contacts. Thus, at the position where the inclined surface 121 of the filling port side cylindrical portion 111 and the protrusion 122 of the cap 77 are in contact with each other, the contact surfaces are not firmly adhered, and the side cylindrical portion distal end surface 114 and Since there are few contact surfaces with the part 116, the cap 77 can be easily removed from the side cylinder part front end surface 114 of the filling port side cylinder part 111 when the toner storage chamber 85 is filled with toner for recycling.

  Then, after the toner is charged, the cap 77 is press-fitted into the filling port side cylinder portion 111, and then ultrasonic welding is performed on the protrusion 122 of the cap 77. As shown in FIG. The cap 77 is completely fixed to the inclined surface 121. As a result, even if the side cylinder portion tip surface 114 is damaged when removing the press-fitted cap 77, the cap 77 is completely welded to the filling port side cylinder portion 111. It is possible to reliably prevent the toner from leaking from the side tube portion 111.

<Fifth embodiment having a configuration near the filling port>
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment having a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the developing cartridge 31 has a filling port side cylinder portion 111 that protrudes outward from the peripheral edge of a circular filling port 76 formed in the developing housing 63.

  The cap 77 has a cylindrical portion 123 that contacts the inner peripheral surface 112 of the side cylindrical portion and a flange portion 116 that contacts the distal end surface 114 of the side cylindrical portion.

  After the new developer cartridge 31 is filled with toner, when the cap 77 is press-fitted (inserted) into the filling port side cylinder portion 111 as shown in FIG. 8A, the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 123 becomes the filling port side tube. Since the toner is in close contact with the inner side surface 112 of the side tube portion of the portion 111, the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 is prevented from leaking out from the filling port side tube portion 111.

  When the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 in the developing housing 63 runs out, the developer cartridge 31 is replaced with a toner cartridge, and the developer cartridge 31 that has run out of toner is collected and recycled by the manufacturer. The

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, a thin portion 124 formed in a thin shape is formed at a position between the flange portion 116 and the cylindrical portion 123 on the outer peripheral surface of the cap 77. In addition, a protrusion 125 is formed on the side of the collar portion 116 that contacts the side tube portion distal end surface 114. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A, in the state where the cap 77 is press-fitted and fixed to the filling port side cylinder portion 111, the side tube portion distal end surface 114 of the filling port side tube portion 111 and the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 are formed. Since they are in contact with each other through the protrusion 125, there is a minute gap about the height of the protrusion 125 between them. The cap 77 needs to be removed when the toner storage chamber 85 is filled with the toner for recycling. However, by inserting the tip of the removal tool into the gap, the tip of the side tube portion 111 of the filling port side tube portion 111 is attached. Cap 77 can be removed without scratching.

  Then, after the cap 77 is press-fitted into the filling port side cylinder portion 111 after the toner is filled, ultrasonic welding is performed from the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 to the protrusion 125, as shown in FIG. 125 is melted, and the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 is completely fixed to the side tube portion distal end surface 114 of the filling port side tube portion 111. As a result, even if the side cylinder portion distal end surface 114 is damaged when removing the press-fitted cap 77, the side tubular portion distal end surface 114 and the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 are completely welded. It is possible to reliably prevent the toner from leaking from the filling port side cylinder portion 111.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the thin part 124 is formed in the cap 77, a minute space exists between the side cylinder part front end surface 114 and the cap 77. Therefore, when this space is used as a cushion when pressure is applied from the upper surface of the flange portion 116 and ultrasonic welding is performed, the cap 77 once press-fitted and fixed is not further pushed into the filling port side cylinder portion 111. That is, there is an effect that the state where the cap 77 is press-fitted into the filling port side cylinder portion 111 before ultrasonic welding can be maintained even after ultrasonic welding.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusion 125 is formed on the flange portion 116 of the cap 77. However, the protrusion is formed on the side tube portion distal end surface 114 of the filling port side tube portion 111. Needless to say.

<Sixth embodiment of the configuration near the filling port>
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a sixth embodiment having a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the developing cartridge 31 has a filling port side cylindrical portion 111 that protrudes outward from the peripheral edge of a circular filling port 76 formed in the developing housing 63.

  The cap 77 has a cylindrical portion 123 that contacts the inner peripheral surface 112 of the side cylindrical portion and a flange portion 116 that contacts the distal end surface 114 of the side cylindrical portion.

  After the new developer cartridge 31 is filled with toner, when the cap 77 is press-fitted (inserted) into the filling port side cylinder portion 111 as shown in FIG. 9A, the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 123 becomes the filling port side tube. Since the toner is in close contact with the inner side surface 112 of the side tube portion of the portion 111, the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 is prevented from leaking out from the filling port side tube portion 111.

  When the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 in the developing housing 63 runs out, the developer cartridge 31 is replaced with a toner cartridge, and the developer cartridge 31 that has run out of toner is collected and recycled by the manufacturer. The

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 is in contact with the side tube portion distal end surface 114 and projects around the side tube portion distal end surface 114. Therefore, when the toner storage chamber 85 is filled with toner for recycling, the cap 77 can be easily removed from the protruding portion.

  Then, after the cap 77 is press-fitted into the filling port side cylindrical portion 111 after toner filling, the periphery of the collar portion 116 of the cap 77 is ultrasonically welded to the filling port side cylindrical portion 111, as shown in FIG. The portion of the portion 116 that protrudes from the front end surface 114 of the side tube portion is melted, and is completely fixed to the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface 113 of the side tube portion of the filling port side tube portion 111. As a result, even if the side cylinder part distal end surface 114 is damaged when removing the press-fitted cap 77, the filling port side cylinder part 111 and the flange part 116 of the cap 77 are completely welded. It is possible to reliably prevent the toner from leaking from the filling port side cylinder portion 111.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the protruding portion is not formed at the contact portion between the side tube portion tip surface 114 and the cap 77 has been described. However, at least the portion of the contact portion between the side tube portion tip surface 114 and the cap 77 is not described. You may apply to what was provided in one and the protrusion which protrudes toward the other was formed. In that case, the cap 77 can be removed more easily when filling the toner for recycling, and after filling the toner, the filling port side cylinder portion 111 and the flange portion 116 of the cap 77 are ultrasonically welded and completely removed. Since the toner is fixed, it is possible to reliably prevent the toner from leaking from the filling port side cylindrical portion 111.

<7th Embodiment of the structure of the vicinity of a filling port>
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a seventh embodiment having a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given to the portions common to the above-described embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the developing cartridge 31 has a filling port side cylinder portion 111 that protrudes outward from the peripheral edge of a circular filling port 76 formed in the developing housing 63.

  The cap 77 has a cylindrical portion 123 that contacts the inner peripheral surface 112 of the side cylindrical portion and a flange portion 116 that contacts the distal end surface 114 of the side cylindrical portion.

  After the new developing cartridge 31 is filled with toner, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the cap 77 is press-fitted (inserted) into the filling port side cylinder portion 111, the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion 123 becomes the filling port side tube. Since the toner is in close contact with the inner side surface 112 of the side tube portion of the portion 111, the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 is prevented from leaking out from the filling port side tube portion 111.

  When the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 85 in the developing housing 63 runs out, the developer cartridge 31 is replaced with a toner cartridge, and the developer cartridge 31 that has run out of toner is collected and recycled by the manufacturer. The

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the filling port side cylinder portion 111 in the present embodiment has a cutout portion 126 in which a part of a portion that contacts the cap 77 is cut out. In addition, the developing case 63 is formed with a protrusion 127 that protrudes outside the developing case 63 at a position facing the notch 126 of the filling port side cylindrical portion 111. FIG. 10B is a view of the cross section taken along line AA of FIG. 10A viewed from the direction of the arrow, and FIG. 10C shows the filling port side cylinder portion 111 of FIG. 10A. It is the figure seen from the B direction. For ease of understanding, the protrusion 127 is omitted in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10B, the outer peripheral surface of the cap 77 is exposed at the notch 126. When the toner storage chamber 85 is filled with toner for recycling, the tip of the removal tool is brought into contact with the exposed surface, and the removal tool is turned with the apex of the protrusion 127 as the fulcrum of the lever. The cap 77 can be easily removed from the filling port side cylindrical portion 111 without scratching the cylindrical portion front end surface 114.

  Further, in this configuration, at the contact portion between the side tube portion distal end surface 114 of the filling port side tube portion 111 and the cap 77, at least one of them may be formed with a protruding portion protruding toward the other. After the cap 77 is again press-fitted into the filling port side cylindrical portion 111, the side cylindrical portion distal end surface 114 and the cap 77 can be completely fixed to each other by ultrasonic welding to the protruding portion. Can be reliably prevented.

  According to the configuration described above, the cap that is press-fitted when the toner is charged for the first time is not only easily removed when the toner for recycling is charged, but also the side cylinder portion tip surface 114 of the filling port side cylinder portion 111 and the cap. 77, the filling port side cylinder part 111 and the cap 77 are completely fixed by performing ultrasonic welding on the projecting part formed on at least one of these and projecting toward the other, and the filling is completed. Toner leakage from the mouth side cylinder 111 can be reliably prevented. Further, if the developing cartridge 31 is regenerated by the above-described method, the cap 77 can be easily removed at the time of recycling, and the cap 77 and the filling port side cylinder portion 111 can be securely fixed after the toner is charged at the time of recycling. Therefore, toner leakage from the filling port side cylinder portion 111 can be reliably prevented.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the developer cartridge 31 has been described as an example of the developer cartridge. However, the developer cartridge 31 only needs to include at least the toner storage chamber 85.

  Further, the developing cartridge 31 as a developing cartridge may further include a photosensitive drum 32.

  Furthermore, in each embodiment mentioned above, although the cylindrical filling port side cylinder part 111 was demonstrated to the example, it should just be cylindrical and does not necessarily need to be cylindrical.

1 is a cross-sectional side view of an essential part showing an embodiment of a laser printer as an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a side view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of a filling port) illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of a filling port) illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a third embodiment of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of a filling port) illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of a filling port) illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of a filling port) illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sixth embodiment of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of a filling port) illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of a filling port) shown in FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols

31 Developing Cartridge 32 Photosensitive Drum 63 Developing Housing 65 Developing Roller 76 Filling Port 77 Cap 85 Toner Storage Chamber 111 Filling Port Side Cylinder Portion 112 Side Cylinder Portion Inner Surface 113 Side Cylinder Portion Outer Surface 114 Side Cylinder Tip Front Surface 115, 122, 125 Protruding part 116 Gutter part 117 Step part 118, 120, 121 Inclined surface 119 Peripheral part 123 Cylindrical part 124 Thin part 126 Notch part 127 Protrusion part

Claims (14)

A developer cartridge having a developer storage chamber for storing a developer,
A housing in which a filling port for filling the developer in the developer storage chamber is formed;
A filling port side cylinder portion formed on the periphery of the filling port and protruding outward from the housing;
A closing member for closing the filling port side cylinder portion,
The filling port side cylinder part is located between the inner side surface of the side cylinder part to which the closing member is inserted and closely contacts, the outer peripheral surface of the side cylinder part, and the inner peripheral surface of the side cylinder part and the outer peripheral surface of the side cylinder part. A side tube portion tip surface,
The contact portion between the side tube portion tip surface and the closing member is provided with a protrusion that is provided on at least one of the side tube portion tip surface and the closing member and protrudes toward the other. And a developer cartridge. The closing member has a collar portion that contacts the distal end surface of the side tube portion,
The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed on a front end surface of the side tube portion. The protrusion is a step formed on the side tube portion tip surface, or a peripheral portion between the side tube portion tip surface and the side tube inner peripheral surface,
The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the closing member is formed with an inclined surface at a position in contact with the stepped portion or the peripheral portion. The protrusion is formed on the closure member;
The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface is formed at a position where the protrusion comes into contact with the front end surface of the side tube portion.   The closing member has a flange portion that contacts the distal end surface of the side tube portion, a cylinder portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the side tube portion, and a thin wall portion formed between the flange portion and the tube portion. The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the developer cartridge is provided.   6. The development according to claim 1, wherein the closing member includes a flange portion that contacts the tip end surface of the side tube portion and projects around the outer peripheral surface of the side tube portion. Agent cartridge. A developer cartridge having a developer storage chamber for storing a developer,
A housing in which a filling port for filling the developer in the developer storage chamber is formed;
A filling port side cylinder portion formed on the periphery of the filling port and protruding outward from the housing;
A closing member for closing the filling port side cylinder portion,
The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the closing member includes a collar portion that contacts the tip end surface of the side tube portion of the filling port side tube portion and projects around the tip end surface of the side tube portion. A developer cartridge having a developer storage chamber for storing a developer,
A housing in which a filling port for filling the developer in the developer storage chamber is formed;
A filling port side cylinder portion formed on the periphery of the filling port and protruding outward from the housing;
A closing member for closing the filling port side cylinder portion,
The filling port side cylinder portion includes a cutout portion in which a part of a portion that contacts the closing member is cut out,
The developer cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a protruding portion that protrudes outside the housing at a position facing the notch.   The developer cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a developer carrying member for carrying the developer.   The electrostatic latent image carrying body according to claim 9, further comprising an electrostatic latent image carrying body that visualizes the electrostatic latent image carried on the surface when the developer is supplied from the developer carrying body. The developer cartridge as described.   When the developer is filled for the first time, the closing member is press-fitted into the filling port side cylinder, and when the developer is filled for recycling, the closing member is ultrasonically welded to the filling port side cylinder, The developer cartridge according to claim 1. A developer cartridge having a developer storage chamber for storing at least a developer,
A housing in which a filling port for filling the developer in the developer storage chamber is formed;
A filling port side cylinder portion formed on the periphery of the filling port and protruding outward from the housing;
A closing member for closing the filling port side cylinder portion,
When the developer is filled for the first time, the closing member is press-fitted into the filling port side cylinder, and when the developer is filled for recycling, the closing member is ultrasonically welded to the filling port side cylinder, Developer cartridge. A developer storage chamber for storing at least the developer;
A housing in which a filling port for filling the developer in the developer storage chamber is formed;
A filling port side cylinder portion formed on the periphery of the filling port and protruding outward from the housing;
A developer cartridge regeneration method comprising a closing member for closing the filling port side cylinder portion,
When the developer is filled for the first time, the closing member is press-fitted into the filling port side cylinder, and when the developer is filled for recycling, the closing member is ultrasonically welded to the filling port side cylinder, A method for recycling the developer cartridge. At the contact portion between the filling port side tube portion and the closing member, ultrasonic welding is performed on a protrusion that is provided on at least one of the filling port side tube portion and the closing member and protrudes toward the other. The method for regenerating a developer cartridge according to claim 13, wherein:

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