JP2509229B2 - Developer supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a developer replenishing device for a developing device such as an electrostatographic copying machine or a facsimile.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as a developer replenishing device, a developer cartridge in which a developer replenishing port is sealed by a flexible seal with a sheet peeling member folded back on the front side in the insertion direction is developed with respect to a developer replenishing portion. There is one that is provided so as to be freely inserted and removed in the axial direction of the agent supply roller.

According to the developer replenishing device described above, after inserting the developer cartridge which is still sealed by the sheet into the developer replenishing portion of the developer replenishing device, the sheet peeling member is simply pulled to peel off the sheet. With this simple operation, the developer can be easily and easily supplied to the developing device.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, since there is no mechanism that functions to prevent the developer cartridge from coming off, the cartridge main body should be held with one hand to prevent the developer cartridge from being pulled out when the sheet is peeled off. The sheet had to be held at a predetermined position and then the sheet had to be peeled off by the other hand, which had the drawback of requiring two-handed work and inconvenient handling.

Alternatively, the vibration of the substrate during printing (this depends on various factors, but in an optical system moving type copying machine, it is caused by movement of an optical system unit mainly including an exposure lamp and a mirror, so that the original table moving type copying machine is used. In the above, the cartridge main body moves in the cartridge insertion / removal direction due to the movement of the document table and the rotation of the photosensitive member and various rollers, etc., and the toner adhering to the inner surface of the cartridge main body is removed. There is also a drawback that it tends to scatter from the toner replenishment port into the machine and stain the print paper as well as the machine.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate the insertion / removal operation of a developer cartridge and also the peeling of a sheet. Another object of the present invention is to provide a developer replenishing device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a developer replenishing device capable of reliably holding the developer cartridge at a predetermined position when the developer cartridge is mounted in the developer replenishing section.

(Structure of the Invention) A first aspect of the invention for achieving the above object is to attach a developer cartridge, whose developer supply port is sealed by a flexible sheet with a sheet peeling member, to a developer supply section in a removable manner. A developer replenishing device provided, wherein the developer replenishing device is provided so as to be displaceable in a developer replenishing portion, and is pressed by the cartridge and displaced in a retaining release direction when the cartridge is attached or detached. When the cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position of the developer replenishing section, the retaining member that engages with the cartridge and prevents the cartridge from coming out by releasing the pressing force in the retaining release direction by the cartridge and displacing in the retaining direction. When the cartridge is pulled out, a lid for covering the developer supply port of the cartridge is inserted from the outside and positioned at a predetermined position of the developer supply section. As a result, the retaining member is displaced in the retaining release direction, and the cartridge is released from the engagement with the retaining member.

Further, a second invention for achieving the above object is that a developer cartridge having a developer replenishing port sealed by a flexible sheet with a sheet peeling member is detachably provided to a developer replenishing section. A developer replenishing device, wherein the developer replenishing device is elastically displaceable with a base end side as a swing axis by a substantially U-shaped slit provided in a top plate of a developer replenishing portion casing. The flexible sheet has a formed pressing member, which presses the developer supply port of the cartridge toward the developer receiving port when the cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position of the developer supply unit. It is characterized in that the cartridge is set so as not to be displaced due to the sheet peeling force at the time of peeling.

Still further, a third invention for achieving the above object is to provide a developer cartridge in which a developer replenishing port is sealed by a flexible sheet with a sheet peeling member so as to be detachable from a developer replenishing section. A developer replenishing device consisting of
The developer replenishing device is displaceably provided in the developer replenishing section, and when the cartridge is attached or detached, the developer replenishing apparatus is pressed by the cartridge and displaced in the retaining release direction, so that the cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position of the developer replenishing section. And the developer replenishing section are displaceably provided, and a retaining member that engages with the cartridge and prevents the cartridge from coming out by releasing the pressing force in the retaining direction by the cartridge and displacing in the retaining direction. During the attachment / detachment operation of the lid for covering the developer replenishing port of the cartridge, the lid is displaced in the direction in which the lid is pressed and the contact is released, and the lid is mounted at a predetermined position of the developer replenishing section. And a lid pressure contact support member for holding the lid at the predetermined position and an elastic portion provided in the developer replenishing portion for displacing the cartridge in the direction of withdrawing from the developer replenishing portion. When the cartridge is pulled out, by inserting the lid of the cartridge from the outside and positioning it at a predetermined position of the developer replenishing section, the retaining member is displaced in the retaining release direction and becomes a retaining member. The cartridge released from the engagement is configured to be loaded on the lid body held by the lid body pressure contact support member by receiving the restoring force of the elastic member.

(Operation of the Invention) First, the operation of the first invention will be described.

According to the first invention, the following actions (a) to (c) are achieved.

(A) When the cartridge is attached / detached, the retaining member is pressed by the cartridge and is displaced in the retaining release direction. Therefore, the attaching / detaching operation of the cartridge is performed without being hindered by the retaining member.

(B) When the cartridge is mounted at the predetermined position of the developer replenishing section, the pressing force of the cartridge in the retaining release direction is released, and the retaining member is displaced in the retaining direction to engage with the cartridge. To do.

With this, the cartridge is promptly and securely locked by the retaining member when it is mounted in the predetermined position, so that the flexible sheet can be peeled off quickly and easily, and the cartridge can be pulled out. Since it can be prevented, it is possible to prevent the cartridge from popping out due to an operation error.

(C) When pulling out the cartridge, if the lid of the cartridge is inserted from the outside and positioned at a predetermined position of the developer replenishing section, the retaining member is displaced in the retaining release direction,
The engagement between the retaining member and the cartridge is released.

Therefore, by loading the cartridge into the lid, the cartridge can be pulled out with the developer supply port covered by the lid.

Since the lid is inserted from the outside when the cartridge is pulled out, it is necessary to attach toner to the lid and secure a housing space for the lid as in the case where the lid is previously housed inside the developer replenishing section. No need to deal with matters.

 Next, the operation of the second invention will be described.

According to the second invention, the following actions (d) to (f) are achieved.

(D) Since the pressing member presses the developer replenishing port of the cartridge toward the developer receiving port when the cartridge is mounted at the predetermined position of the developer replenishing section, the cartridge should be pressed against the developer receiving port. In addition to this, when peeling off the flexible sheet, the sheet peeling force does not cause the displacement of the cartridge. Therefore, the cartridge and the developer are replenished with the peeled flexible sheet. It is possible to prevent the developer from scattering from the gap between the parts.

(E) Since the upper part of the developer replenishing section casing is covered by the top plate except for the opening by the slit, it is possible to spread the developer from the upper part of the developer replenishing section casing which may be a concern when the cartridge is attached or detached. Can be prevented.

(F) Since the pressing member is integrally formed with the top plate by providing the top plate of the developer replenishing portion casing with a substantially U-shaped slit, the structure is relatively easy and the cost merit is expected.

 Finally, the operation of the third invention will be described.

According to the third invention, the following actions (g) to (i) are achieved.

(G) When the cartridge is attached or detached, the retaining member and the cover pressing contact support member are pressed by the cartridge and are displaced in the retaining release direction and the contact releasing direction, respectively. Alternatively, it is performed without being hindered by the cover pressure contact support member.

(H) When the cartridge is attached to the predetermined position of the developer replenishing section, the pressing of the retaining member in the retaining release direction by the cartridge is released, and the retaining member engages with the cartridge.

As a result, the cartridge is quickly and securely held by the retaining member when it is mounted in the predetermined position, so that the flexible sheet can be peeled off quickly and easily, and the cartridge is prevented from coming out. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cartridge from popping out due to an operation error.

(I) When pulling out the cartridge, by inserting the lid of the cartridge from the outside and positioning it at a predetermined position of the developer replenishing portion, the retaining member is displaced in the retaining release direction and is prevented from engaging with the retaining member. The released cartridge receives the restoring force of the elastic member and is loaded into the lid body held by the lid body pressure contact support member.

As a result, the cartridge is pulled out with the developer supply port covered by the lid. Since the lid is inserted from the outside when the cartridge is pulled out, it is necessary to attach toner to the lid and secure a housing space for the lid as in the case where the lid is previously housed inside the developer replenishing section. No need to deal with matters.

Hereinafter, the developer replenishing device of the present invention will be described in detail based on specific examples shown in the drawings.

(Example) The drawing disclosed by the present invention will be briefly described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a developer replenishing device and a developer cartridge inserted into and removed from the device. In the drawing, a lid of the developer cartridge, a retaining member provided in the developer replenishing device, a lid pressure contact support member, and a pressing member are shown.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a state in which the developer cartridge is attached to the developer replenishing device and a displacement state of the retaining member and the cover pressing contact support member by attaching the lid to a predetermined portion of the device. There is.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the action of the pressing member when the flexible sheet member adhered to the developer cartridge is peeled off.

4 and 5 are a sectional view and an exploded perspective view for explaining the outline of the developer replenishing device and the developing device.

 FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the developer cartridge.

 The present invention will be described below with reference to these drawings.

First, referring to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 to 6, a developing device indicated by A as a whole includes a developing case 2 having a portion corresponding to the photoconductor 1 opened, a developing sleeve 3 and two developing sleeves. The rotary stirring tools 4 and 5 and the roller 6 for toner replenishment made of sponge are installed. Further, a partition plate 8 is provided which circulates the developer after the ear cutting by the ear cutting plate 7 toward the stirring tool 5 on the toner replenishing roller 6 side. Further, in the developing device, with the toner replenishing roller 6 facing the toner flow-down port 9, the toner replenishing hopper 10 is fitted into the upper opening side of the developing case 2 and the opening 12 is provided at one end side.
A cartridge case 13 provided in the image forming apparatus and forming a toner replenishing portion 11 is provided so as to cover the upper opening of the toner replenishing hopper 10. Next, a specific structure will be described. A toner replenishing device B for removably installing the cartridge body 15 of the toner cartridge C.
However, the toner supply roller 6, the toner supply hopper 10, and the cartridge case 13 are mainly configured.

The toner cartridge C includes a toner replenishing roller 6
It has an outer shape that is long in the axial direction and substantially matches the inner surface of the cartridge case 13. The toner supply port 16 is connected to the cartridge main body 15 in which the toner supply port 14 is located on the lower side when the toner supply unit 11 is set. Rib-shaped members 17 to 20 are provided around the toner supply port 14.
More specifically, the rib-shaped members 17 to 20 on both sides of the toner replenishing port 14 in the width direction are regulated in the axial direction of the toner replenishing roller 6 so that the toner cartridge C can be inserted and removed. The guide members 17 and 18 are used for this purpose. An operation tool 21 for inserting and removing the cartridge is provided on the upper surface of the rib-like member 19 on the side opposite to the toner supply port 16, and the toner supply port 14 is detachable with a flexible sheet 22. It is sealed. On the front side of the seat 22 in the cartridge insertion direction (the side opposite to the insertion / removal operation tool 21), the seat 22
A sheet peeling member 23 is formed by extension of itself. Then, the sheet peeling member 23 is folded back to the insertion / removal operation tool 21, and the end thereof is attached to the upper surface of the rib-shaped member 19 with a label a
Etc. (see FIG. 1).

On the other hand, the lid body 24 covering the sheet 22 side of the toner cartridge C is slidably fitted with the guide members 17 and 18 to the lid body 24a having a shape corresponding to the peripheral edge of the rib-shaped members 17 to 20. The rail portions 25, 25 are connected to each other. The side openings b, b of the rail portions 25, 25 are formed so as to expand outward so as to facilitate the fitting of the guide members 17, 18. Further, the lid body 24 extends over the other end side of the rail portions 25, 25,
A stopper member (26) that contacts the outer end of a rib-shaped member (20) on the opposite side of the rib-shaped member (19) in which the insertion / removal operation tool (21) is connected is connected.

Then, from the side where the sheet peeling member 23 is folded back, the lid body 24 is externally fitted to the guide members 17 and 18, and is slid until the stopper member 26 comes into contact with the outer end portion of the rib-shaped member 20. Then, the sheet 22 and the sheet peeling member are covered with the lid body 24, and before the lid body 24 is mounted, replenishment toner is filled into the cartridge main body 15 from the toner supply port 16, and By attaching the cap 31, the lidded toner cartridge C as a product is configured.

With this structure, as shown in FIG. 1, when the cartridge main body 15 is loaded into the toner replenishing portion 11, the stopper member 26 acts so that the lid 24 is detached in the sheet peeling direction. Since it is regulated in the opposite direction, there is no possibility of accidentally peeling the sheet 22 by removing the lid 24.

In addition, the cartridge body 15 and a member (16
21 to 21) and the lid 24 are made of hard or semi-hard synthetic resin.

Removal-preventing member and lid pressure contact supporting member Next, the retaining member 40 and the cover pressure contact support member 42 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The retaining member 40 is a member for preventing the toner cartridge C from coming out of the case 13 in the cartridge case 13, and the cover pressing contact support member 42 is the toner replenishing port 14 of the cartridge C (see FIG. 4). A lid 24 for covering
Is a member for holding the above in the insertion opening 12.

First, referring to FIG. 1, two upper and lower slits 46, 47 are formed in a side wall (side wall on the right side in FIG. 1) 44 on the insertion opening 12 side of the cartridge case 13. These two slits 4
Due to the action of 6,47, the end portion 48 of the side wall 44 on the opening 12 side is movable in the direction of the arrow 50 in the figure by the elastic action of the assembly member itself forming the side wall 44.

Two large and small wedge-shaped protrusions are formed on the inner side surface of the side wall end portion 48 so that the inclined surface of the wedge is directed toward the opening 12 side and the opposite side is a vertical surface 56, and the large protrusion is the retaining member 40. Then, the small protruding portion serves as the cover pressing contact support member 42. With such a configuration, when a force acts on the wedge slopes of the members 40 and 42, the side wall end 48 is displaced outward by the force, and when the force no longer acts on the wedge slope, the side wall end 48 It has a function to restore the original position by the elastic force of.

The functions of the retaining member 40 and the cover pressure contact support member 42 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) to (c).

FIG. 2 (a) This figure shows the toner cartridge C as a cartridge case.
Fig. 13 shows a state in the middle of inserting into 13.

When the toner cartridge c is inserted into the insertion opening 12 of the cartridge case 13, the corner 50 on the right side in the insertion direction of the cartridge C first advances along the wedge-shaped slope 40 'of the retaining member 40, and the slope 40' is shown in the figure. Press upward. Then, the side wall 52 with the cartridge C continues to enter while maintaining the state in which the retaining member 40 is pressed.

FIG. 2 (b) When the cartridge C is completely inserted while elastically biasing the elastic member 54 such as a coil spring in the cartridge case 13, the retaining member 40 no longer acts on the side wall 52, so that the side wall The elastic force of the end portion 48 restores the original position.

As a result, the pressing force of the elastic member 54 and the vertical surface of the retaining member 40
Securely locked with 56.

FIG. 2 (c) Next, when all the toner in the cartridge C is consumed,
The used cartridge C is to be replaced with a new cartridge C.

In this case, the lid 24 is provided to prevent the toner remaining in the cartridge C from dropping from the supply port 14 of the cartridge C.
Is used to cover the supply port 14. For this work, the lid 24 is inserted into the insertion opening 12 of the cartridge case 13 in such a positional relationship that the ribs 17 and 18 of the cartridge C are fitted to the guide rails 25 of the lid 24.

At this time, due to the same action as in the insertion of the cartridge C, the insertion tip corner portion of the lid body presses the wedge-shaped slope of the lid body pressure contact support member 42, and the side wall end portion 48 is again moved to the outside.

The size of the lid pressure contact supporting member 42 is set so that the locking of the retaining member 40 and the cartridge C described above can be released when the lid pressing contact supporting member 42 is moved to the outside.

In this specific example, since the width of the lid 24 is larger than the width of the container of the cartridge C, the size of the lid pressure contact support member 42 is made slightly smaller than the size of the retaining member 40 to establish this relationship. I am satisfied.

Of course, even if both members 40 and 42 have the same size, the same purpose can be achieved.

Thus, the lid body 24 presses the lid body pressure contact support member 42 and is held in the vicinity of the insertion opening 12 by the resistance force thereof, while the retaining member 40 is unlocked and the restoring force of the elastic member 54 in the cartridge case 13 is released. As a result, the cartridge C is discharged to the lid 24.

Pressing Member Next, the pressing member 80 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

The pressing member 80 is for reliably positioning the supply port 14 of the cartridge C to the toner hopper 10 side when the flexible sheet 22 of the cartridge C is opened.

First, referring to FIG. 1, the top plate of the cartridge case 13
A slit 84 having a substantially U shape when viewed from the insertion opening 12 side is provided in 82. By the slit 84, a displaceable pressing member 80 is formed at the center of the slit 84 with the upper part of the U shape as the swing axis.

The pressing member 80 has a sectional shape as shown in FIG. 3 (a), that is, a shape having a protruding portion 86 on the inner surface side of the cartridge case 13.

On the other hand, an elastic sheet 88 such as felt or sponge is fixed to the inner surface of the bottom plate near the insertion opening 12 of the cartridge case 13. The elastic sheet 88 is the flexible sheet 22.
This is for preventing the toner from scattering from the inside of the cartridge case 13 to the outside when opening (FIG. 3 (b)).

Now, the toner cartridge C is placed in the cartridge case 13.
When the cartridge C is inserted, the top edge of the cartridge C in the insertion direction side of the container body 15 and the top plate of the container body 15 are pressed by the pressing member 80.
The protrusion portion 86 displaces the case 13 toward the outside of the case 13, and at the same time, after mounting, the elastic force of the pressing member 80 presses the cartridge C toward the toner hopper 10.

When the flexible sheet 22 is pulled under such pressure as shown in FIG. 3B and the sheet 22 is peeled off from the supply opening 14, the cartridge C is pressed downward by the pressing member 80. Therefore, rattling of the cartridge C due to the peeling force is completely prevented. Moreover, since the elastic sheet 88 described above cooperates with the rib 19 of the cartridge C to press the sheet 22, the toner scattering from the insertion opening 12 is surely prevented. Further, cleaning of the toner attached to the sheet 22 is surely performed.

Therefore, the operation of the retaining member 40 and the pressing member 80 described above allows the peeling operation of the sheet 22 to be easily performed with one hand.

The sizes of the slits 84 and the protrusions 86 for forming the pressing member 80 are the same as those of the elastic member 54 described above with reference to FIG.
The cartridge C may be formed so as to provide an elastic force that does not prevent the ejection of the cartridge C from the inside.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform the operation of inserting and removing the developer cartridge and the operation of opening the sheet with one hand.

Furthermore, the presence of the retaining member allows the developer cartridge to be securely locked at a predetermined position after the mounting, and the developer cartridge can be easily replaced by using the substrate covering the supply opening of the developer cartridge.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a developer replenishing device and a developer cartridge which is inserted into and removed from the device. FIG. 2 is a state in which the developer cartridge is attached to the developer replenishing device and a lid. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the displacement state of the retaining member and the cover pressing contact support member by mounting the body on a predetermined part of the apparatus. FIG. 3 shows the flexible sheet member attached to the developer cartridge. 4 and 5 are sectional views and exploded perspective views for explaining the outline of the developer replenishing device and the developing device, and FIG. 6 shows the developer cartridge. FIG. The reference numbers in the figure indicate the following contents. 11 …… Toner supply section 22 …… Flexible sheet 23 …… Sheet peeling section 24 …… Lid body 40 …… Prevention member 42 …… Lid body pressure contact support member 54 …… Elastic member C …… Toner cartridge

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A developer replenishing device comprising a developer replenishing port sealed by a flexible sheet with a sheet peeling member, the developer replenishing unit being detachably provided in the developer replenishing section. The developer replenishing device is displaceably provided in the developer replenishing section, and when the cartridge is attached or detached, the developer replenishing apparatus is pressed by the cartridge and displaced in the retaining release direction, and when the cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position of the developer replenishing section. , Has a retaining member that engages with the cartridge and prevents the cartridge from coming out by releasing the pressing force in the retaining direction by the cartridge and displacing in the retaining direction. By inserting the lid to cover the replenishment port from the outside and positioning it at the prescribed position of the developer replenishment section, Developer supply apparatus characterized by being configured to release from engagement with and is displaced retaining the cartridge member. 2. A developer replenishment in which a developer cartridge having a developer replenishing port hermetically sealed by a flexible sheet with a sheet peeling member is detachably provided to a developer replenishing section having a developer receiving port. The developer replenishing device is formed so as to be elastically displaceable with the base end side as a swing shaft by a substantially U-shaped slit provided on the top plate of the developer replenishing portion casing. The pressing member has a pressing member that presses the developer supply port of the cartridge toward the developer receiving port when the cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position of the developer supply unit, and peels off the flexible sheet. A developer replenishing device, which is set so as not to cause positional deviation of the cartridge due to the sheet peeling force at the time of. 3. A developer replenishing device comprising a developer cartridge having a developer replenishing port sealed by a flexible sheet with a sheet peeling member, which is detachably attached to a developer replenishing section. The developer replenishing device is displaceably provided in the developer replenishing section, and when the cartridge is attached or detached, the developer replenishing apparatus is pressed by the cartridge and displaced in the retaining release direction, and when the cartridge is mounted at a predetermined position of the developer replenishing section. A retaining member that is engaged with the cartridge to prevent the cartridge from coming off by releasing the pressing force of the cartridge in the retaining direction and displacing in the retaining direction; At the time of attaching / detaching the lid to cover the developer replenishing port of the cartridge, the lid is displaced in the direction in which the lid is pressed and the contact is released, and the lid is moved to the developer replenishing portion. It has a cover pressure contact support member that holds the cover body at the predetermined position when it is mounted in a fixed position, and an elastic member that is provided in the developer replenishment section and that displaces the cartridge in the direction of coming out of the developer replenishment section. , When pulling out the cartridge, by inserting the lid of the cartridge from the outside and positioning it at the predetermined position of the developer replenishment part, the retaining member is displaced in the retaining release direction and released from the engagement with the retaining member. The developer replenishing device is characterized in that the formed cartridge is loaded into the lid body held by the lid body pressure contact support member by receiving the restoring force of the elastic member.