JP3298065B2 - Toner supply device and toner cartridge used therein - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner replenishing device for replenishing toner to a developing device in an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine, an electrostatic printer or an electrostatic facsimile. The present invention relates to a toner cartridge used for a simple toner supply device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as an electrostatic copying machine, an electrostatic printer or an electrostatic facsimile, as is well known, a developing device for applying a toner to an electrostatic latent image and developing it into a toner image is provided. Has been established. In this developing device, the toner is consumed as the development is performed, and accordingly, it is necessary to appropriately supply the toner. The supply of the toner is conveniently performed by loading the toner cartridge into the developing device and discharging the toner in the toner cartridge into the developing device.

A typical example of a toner cartridge for supplying toner to a developing device of an image forming apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 62-114470 and 1-1102487.
Patent Document No. 1 can be cited. Such a toner cartridge includes a container for storing the toner, and a shutter mechanism disposed at a lower end of the container. The shutter mechanism is substantially integral with the container and has a through-opening formed therein, and is relatively rotatable between a closed position for closing the through-opening and an open position for opening the through-opening relative to the main member. A container shutter member disposed on the main member. The container shutter member is provided with a rotation-preventing means which is locked by the rotation preventing means provided on the hopper side. A receiving portion on which the toner cartridge is detachably mounted is provided on the hopper side of the developing device. The receiving portion has a toner supply opening for supplying toner to the hopper. In such a toner supply device,
The toner cartridge is mounted at the replenishing position by locking the rotation preventing means of the container shutter member to the rotation preventing means on the hopper side. Next, when the container is rotated by 90 ° in a predetermined direction, the container shutter member is relatively rotated to an open position where the through opening is opened with respect to the main member, and the toner in the container passes through the through opening and the toner supply opening. Is discharged into the hopper.

[0004]

In the conventional toner replenishing device of the above-described embodiment, a receiving portion on which the toner cartridge is detachably mounted is provided on the hopper side of the developing device, and the receiving portion has a hopper. Is formed with a toner supply opening for supplying toner. In the toner supply opening, a relatively thin synthetic resin film having a plurality of cuts extending in the radial direction or a mesh plate having a large number of small holes is provided as a shutter member. Was. However, these shutter members do not provide a sufficient shielding function, and there is a case where a dropped object or a foreign substance is mixed in the hopper not only at the time of toner supply but also at the time other than the toner supply.

[0005] The present invention has been made based on the above facts, and a first technical problem of the present invention is that it is possible to sufficiently prevent dropping or foreign matter from entering the hopper. It is to provide a new and improved toner supply device.

A second technical object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toner cartridge which is applied to a toner replenishing apparatus capable of sufficiently preventing dropping or foreign matter from entering a hopper. It is to provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting table having a toner supply opening for supplying toner to a hopper. A toner cartridge removably mountable to the mounting table at a replenishing position at which toner can be supplied from the toner replenishing opening. The toner cartridge is provided at a lower end of the container. A shutter member, the shutter mechanism being substantially integral with the container and having a through-opening formed therein, a closed position for closing the through-opening with respect to the main member, and the through-opening. A container shutter member disposed outside the main member so as to be relatively rotatable between an open position and an open position, wherein the container shutter member includes a rotation preventing unit disposed on the mounting base. A locked rotation preventing means is provided. In the toner supply device, the mounting base includes a supply opening shutter member rotatably mounted between a closed position for closing the toner supply opening and an open position for opening the toner supply opening; A lock means including a lock member movable between a lock position for preventing the rotation of the supply opening shutter member and holding the supply opening shutter member at the closed position and an unlock position for allowing the rotation. The container shutter member is provided with an unlocking means, and the main member is locked by a locked means provided on the supply opening shutter member to rotate the supply opening shutter member. The toner cartridge is mounted at the supply position by locking the rotation-preventing means of the container shutter member to the rotation-preventing means of the mounting table. Material Unlocking means moves the locking member of the mounting base to the unlocking position, and the locking means of the main member is locked by the locked means of the supply opening shutter member, and the container is removed. By rotating relative to the container shutter member, the container shutter member is rotated relative to the main member to the open position, the supply opening shutter member is rotated to the open position, and The through opening is aligned with the toner supply opening .
The supply opening shutter member includes the supply opening shutter portion.
Operation including a control lever extending radially outward with respect to the material
The lever member rotates integrally with the supply opening shutter member .
The locked hand of the supply opening shutter member
The step has a locked portion and a floating space portion, and the toner cartridge
With the luggage attached to the replenishing position, the container is
When the supply opening shutter is rotated together with the material,
The locked portion of the material is brought into contact with the locking means of the main member.
With this, the supply opening shutter member is connected to the operation lever member.
Is rotated from the closed position to the open position together with the
The opening shutter member and the operation lever member are in the open position.
In the installed state, the container is closed together with the main member in the closing direction.
When rotated, the locking means of the main member causes the supply opening
Along the floating space away from the locked portion of the shutter member
The supply opening shutter member and the
The operating lever member is left in the open position and is left in the open position.
The supply opening shutter member is moved by the operation lever.
There is provided a toner replenishing device which is rotated to a closed position .

In the above invention, the mounting table provided with the toner supply opening is provided with the supply opening shutter member and the lock means for holding the supply opening shutter member at the closed position, and the toner cartridge is mounted at the supply position. Then, the lock means is released. By rotating the container, the through-opening of the toner cartridge is opened, and the supply opening shutter member is rotated to the open position to open the toner supply opening. Therefore,
Drops and foreign matter are reliably prevented from entering the hopper. When the above-described invention is applied to a hopper that is slid and mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, it is ensured that the toner in the hopper leaks out of the toner supply opening due to vibration or the like during mounting. Thus, peripheral contamination or waste of toner can be prevented.
As a result, problems such as deterioration of the developing function or damage to the developing device are reliably prevented, and good image formation is guaranteed. In the above-mentioned invention, also, after the toner is replenished,
By rotating the container in the opposite direction, the toner cartridge
The through opening of the cartridge is closed, but the supply opening shutter member is in the open position.
Is left in the state. As a result, the penetration of the toner cartridge
During the process of closing the passage opening, the residual toner in the toner cartridge
Even if the toner falls, the toner supply opening is open,
The toner does not collect on the upper surface of the supply opening shutter member.
The supply opening shutter member and the toner around it.
Dirt can be prevented. And the toner cartridge
After the through-opening of the
The supply opening shutter member can be rotated to the closed position.
You.

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

In order to solve the second technical problem, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a toner supply opening for supplying toner to a hopper is provided in a toner cartridge provided with a locking means. And a supply opening shutter member rotatably mounted between a closed position for closing the toner supply opening and an open position for opening the toner supply opening. Lock means including a lock member movable between a lock position for holding the supply opening shutter member in the closed position and an unlock position for allowing the rotation is provided. An operation lever including an engagement lever and an operation lever extending radially outward and rotatable integrally with the supply opening shutter member.
A member is disposed, the locked means of the supply opening shutter member includes a locked portion and a floating space portion, and rotation of the supply opening shutter member in the closing direction is performed by the operation lever. In a toner cartridge which can be detachably attached to a mounting position configured as described above so as to be detachable at a replenishing position where toner can be supplied from the toner replenishing opening, a container for accommodating toner and a lower end of the container are provided. A shutter member, the shutter mechanism being substantially integral with the container and having a through-opening formed therein, a closed position for closing the through-opening and an open position for opening the through-opening relative to the main member. And a container shutter member disposed outside the main member so as to be relatively rotatable between the container shutter member and the container shutter member. The container shutter member is locked by rotation prevention means provided on the mounting base. Rotating prevention means is provided, The shutter member is provided with unlocking means, and the main member is provided with the locking means capable of rotating the supply opening shutter member by being locked to the locked means of the supply opening shutter member. The container shutter member is mounted at the replenishing position by locking the rotation-prevented means of the container shutter member to the rotation-preventing means of the mounting base, and the lock release means of the container shutter member is mounted on the mounting base. Moving the lock member to the unlock position, and locking the main member with the locking means with the locked means of the supply opening shutter member;
Then, by rotating the container together with the main member relative to the container shutter member, the container shutter member is rotated to the open position relative to the main member .
The locked portion of the supply opening shutter member is
By contacting the locking means, the supply opening shut
The opening member from the closed position integrally with the operating lever member.
The supply opening shutter member and the operation lever.
-With the member in the open position, the container is
When rotated in the closing direction together with the main member, the container shutter portion
Is the material pivoted to the closed position relative to the main member?
The locking means of the main member is provided with the supply opening shutter member.
Move along the floating space away from the locked portion.
The supply opening shutter member and the operation lever portion
A toner cartridge is provided, wherein the material is left in the open position .

In the present invention, the toner supply opening is
A supply opening shutter member and a supply opening shutter formed
Mounting base provided with locking means for holding the member in the closed position
When the toner cartridge is mounted at the refill position
The locking means is released. Then rotate the container.
With this, the through opening is opened and the supply opening shutter member is opened.
Is rotated to the open position to open the toner supply opening.
Has been established. Therefore, the toner cart according to the present invention
Ridges can drop and fall into the hopper
Toner replenishing device that can sufficiently prevent
Can be suitably used.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a toner replenishing apparatus and a toner cartridge used in the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
This will be described in detail.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a main part of a toner cartridge 2 constructed according to the present invention. The toner cartridge 2 includes a container 4 for storing toner and a container 4.
And a shutter mechanism 6 provided at the lower end of the shutter.
The shutter mechanism includes a main member 8 integrally connected to the lower end of the container 4 by press-fitting, and a container shutter member 10 provided outside the main member 8.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 10, a main member 8, which can be integrally molded from a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin or a PS resin, has a shape like a cap as a whole. The main member 8 includes a first cylindrical portion 12 and a second cylindrical portion 14 formed at an upper end of the first cylindrical portion 12. The second cylindrical portion 14 has a larger diameter than the first cylindrical portion 12, so that an annular step 16 is formed between the first cylindrical portion 12 and the second cylindrical portion 14. ing. An annular portion 17 slightly protruding axially upward of the main member 8 is formed on the upper surface side of the step portion 16 and radially inward, and an annular groove portion is formed between the annular portion 17 and the second cylindrical portion 14. Is formed. A seal member (not shown) is provided in the annular groove. A pair of bottom walls 18 are formed on the radially inner side of the first cylindrical portion 12 in a substantially 90 ° fan shape when viewed from the axial direction.

Each of the bottom walls 18 is arranged at a symmetrical position with respect to the axis of the main member 8, and is formed so as to be continuous with each other at the axis. A pair of through-openings 20 is formed in a portion except for each of the bottom walls 18 on the radially inner side of the first cylindrical portion 12. Each of the through openings 20 is arranged at a symmetrical position with respect to the axis of the main member 8 and has a substantially 90 ° sector shape when viewed from the axial direction. Each of the bottom walls 18 has a horizontal and linear top portion that passes through the axis and extends radially inward of the first cylindrical portion 12, and an inclined surface that becomes lower from the top portion toward both sides. The cross section of each of the bottom walls 18 in a direction perpendicular to the top is substantially V-shaped, and the generally X-shaped bottom surface is positioned substantially flush with the bottom surface of the first cylindrical portion 12.

At the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 12,
Annular flanges 22 and 24 projecting radially outward
Are formed at intervals in the axial direction. A rotation locking piece 26 and a lock locking piece 28 that protrude outward in the radial direction are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the flange 24 located above in the axial direction. The rotation locking piece 26 (constituting locking means) and the lock locking piece 28 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the axis of the main member 8. The diameters of the flanges 22 and 24 are the same except for the positions where the rotation locking pieces 26 and the lock locking pieces 28 are formed. Flange 24 of rotation locking piece 26
The length of protrusion from the lock engagement piece 28 is defined to be longer than that of the lock engagement piece 28. On one side of the flange 24 in the circumferential direction of the lock engagement piece 28, a notch 29 in which the flange 24 does not exist is formed.

On the inner peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 14, four locking recesses 14a are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each of the locking recesses 14a has a rectangular shape when viewed from the axis. A discharge opening (not shown) is formed at the lower end of the synthetic resin container 4 for storing the toner, and a locking projection corresponding to the locking recess 14a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the discharge opening. . Then, the container 4 can be integrally attached to the main member 8 by pressing each of the locking projections into the corresponding locking recess 14a. When the container 4 is mounted on the main member 8, the lower end of the discharge opening of the container 4 is in contact with the seal member to prevent leakage of toner.

On the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 14, a pair of locked concave portions (undercut portions) 14b are formed. Each of the locked concave portions 14b is disposed at a symmetrical position with respect to the axis of the main member 8, and is formed so as to extend over a predetermined angular range with a constant axial width and depth along the circumferential direction. I have. The angle is formed at 90 ° or more.

Referring also to FIGS. 11 to 13, a lock member 30 is detachable between the upper surface of the flange 24 and the lower surface of the annular step portion 16 on the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 12. Attached to. For example, the lock member 30 which can be integrally molded from an elastic synthetic resin such as an ABS resin or a PS resin has a main body 31 formed of an annular plate member having a predetermined width and thickness and having two ends. have. The main body 31 which can be said to be a band-shaped member having a relatively small width and a small thickness has a substantially circular shape when viewed from the axial direction, and both ends thereof are spaced apart in the axial direction when viewed from the radial direction. It is formed to have a spiral shape. The inner diameter of the circular portion of the main body 31 is the first cylindrical portion 1
2 is substantially the same as the outside diameter. Lock member 30
It is very easy to move both ends in the axial direction to elastically deform them into a circular shape substantially facing in the circumferential direction, and return to the original spiral shape when the forcible force is removed. When the lock member 30 is elastically deformed into a circular shape, a predetermined interval is provided between one end and the other end, and a lock portion 32 is formed at one end. Lock part 32
A lock flange 34 extending radially outward and a lock member 30 extending axially from the lock flange 34
And a lock claw portion 36 extending in a direction away from the other end.

The lock flange 34 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the axial direction. The lock claw portion 36 is a circumferential end of the lock flange portion 34 (an end portion that is farther in the circumferential direction from the other end of the lock member 30), and is separated from the main body 31 of the lock member 30 by the lock flange portion 34. , And the circumferential width thereof is formed shorter than that of the lock flange portion 34, and the length of the protrusion from the main body portion 31 outward in the radial direction is shorter than that of the lock flange portion 34. Stipulated. The width of the main body portion 31 of the lock member 30 is formed to be shorter than the distance between the upper surface of the flange 24 and the lower surface of the annular step portion 16, and the width of the other end of the main body portion 31 in which the lock flange portion 34 is formed. Is formed smaller than the width of the one end of the main body 31. This is to provide an interval between the upper surface of the flange 24 and the lower surface of the annular step portion 16 so that the lock flange portion 34 can move in the axial direction between the lock position and the unlock position, as described later. It is.

The lock member 30 constructed as described above
Utilizes the elasticity of the first cylindrical portion 12 so as to be substantially in close contact with the upper surface of the flange 24 and the lower surface of the annular step portion 16 (which substantially functions as a flange) on the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 12. The locking member 30 is attached and is forcibly moved in the axial direction at both ends by the axial distance between the upper surface of the flange 24 and the annular step portion 16 to be elastically deformed into a circular shape substantially opposed in the circumferential direction. Then, the lock claw portion 36 is locked by the notch 29 of the flange 24 (specifies a lock position). This is because both ends of the lock member 30 tend to separate in the axial direction due to the action of the elastic restoring force, because the lock member 30 originally has a spiral shape. In addition, it can be said that an annular concave portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 12 by the upper surface of the flange 24 and the lower surface of the annular step portion 16, and the lock member 30 is mounted in the annular concave portion. Regarding the mounting of the lock member 30, the annular step 16 has a function substantially equivalent to that of the flange 24, that is, a function of elastically deforming the lock member 30 in the axial direction as described above to apply an axial spring force. Have. Therefore, it can be said that the annular concave portion is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 12 and the two flanges. In this mounted state, the main body portion 31 is defined to have a thickness that does not protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the flange 24, and the dimensions of the lock claw portion 36 are specified so that the radial distal end does not protrude from the radial distal end of the lock engaging piece 28. The dimensions of the lock flange portion 34 are defined such that the distal end in the radial direction of the lock flange portion 34 projects radially outward from the lock engagement piece 28 by a predetermined length.

Next, the container shutter member 10 will be described. Referring to FIGS. 14 to 18, the container shutter member 10 which can be integrally molded from a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin or a PS resin has a shape like a cap as a whole. The container shutter member 10 includes a substantially flat bottom wall 40 having a circular periphery, a first cylindrical portion 42 extending vertically upward from the periphery of the bottom wall 40, and an upper end portion of the first cylindrical portion 42. And a second cylindrical portion 44 formed in the second cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion 44 has a larger diameter than the first cylindrical portion 42, and therefore, a horizontal annular step 46 is provided between the first cylindrical portion 42 and the second cylindrical portion 44. Is formed. A pair of passage openings 48 are formed in the bottom wall 40. Each of the passage openings 48 is disposed at a symmetrical position with respect to the axis of the container shutter member 10, and has a substantially 90 ° sector shape. A sealing member (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall 40 except for each of the passage openings 48.

A pair of unlocking pins 50 constituting unlocking means are formed near the peripheral edge of the lower surface of the bottom wall 40 so as to protrude in the axial direction. Lock release pin 50
Are positioned at symmetrical positions with respect to a straight line passing through the axis. A substantially annular flange 52 is formed near the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 44 so as to extend radially outward. A protruding portion 54 is formed on a part of the flange 52 so as to protrude more in the radial direction than the other portion, and a positioning hole 56 forming a rotation-preventing means is formed on the protruding portion 54.

A first notch 60 and a second notch 62 are formed in the second cylindrical portion 44 and the first cylindrical portion 42. The first notch 60 and the second notch 62 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the axis of the container shutter member 10, and are respectively positioned from the upper end of the second cylindrical portion 44 to the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 42. It extends axially over the vicinity and is substantially rectangular when viewed from the axis. First notch 60
Is formed wider than that of the second notch 62. A pair of slits 64 and 66 are formed in the first cylindrical portion 42. The slits 64 and 66 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the axis of the container shutter member 10,
Each is formed so as to extend in the circumferential direction with a constant axial width. One end in the circumferential direction of the slit 64 communicates with the lower end of the first notch 60, and the other end is positioned at a circumferential position of approximately 90 ° from the one end (the clockwise position in FIG. 14). One end of the slit 66 in the circumferential direction communicates with the lower end of the second notch 62, and the other end is positioned at a circumferential position of approximately 90 ° from the one end (clockwise position in FIG. 14).

Near the lower end of the second cylindrical portion 44 in the axial direction, a pair of other slits 67 are formed. Each of the other slits 67 is disposed at a symmetrical position with respect to the axis of the container shutter member 10, and is formed to extend over a predetermined angular range in the circumferential direction. Engagement projections 68 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 44 and axially above each of the other slits 67. Each of the locking projections 68 is formed to extend over a predetermined angle range with a constant axial width and a radially inwardly projecting thickness. The angle is defined to be shorter than the corresponding other slit 67.

The circumferential width of the lock flange portion 34 of the lock member 30 attached to the main member 8 is the same as that of the container shutter member 1.
0 is formed smaller than that of the first notch 60, and the distal end position of the lock flange portion 34 in the radial direction is larger than the outer peripheral portion of the first cylindrical portion 42 of the container shutter member 10. The circumferential width of the rotation locking piece 26 of the main member 8 is formed smaller than that of the second notch 62 of the container shutter member 10. First cylindrical portion 12 of main member 8
The diameters of the flanges 22 and 24 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 14 of the main member 8 are smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 42 of the container shutter member 10. Is formed to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 44 of the container shutter member 10, and to be slightly larger in the upper part in the axial direction.

The mounting of the main member 8 and the container shutter member 10 is performed as follows. Referring mainly to FIGS. 1 to 5, the lock flange portion 34 of the main member 8 to which the lock member 30 is attached is aligned with the first notch 60 of the container shutter member 10, and With the stopper 26 aligned with the second notch 62 of the container shutter member 10, the main member 8 and the container shutter member 10 are forcibly moved in the axial direction toward each other. Each of the locking projections 68 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 44 of the container shutter member 10 corresponds to the corresponding locked portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 14 of the main member 8. It is fitted into the recess 14b. This allows
With the inner peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 44 of the container shutter member 10 pressed into the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 14 of the main member 8, the movement is regulated so as to be relatively rotatable and axial. Are interconnected. Each of the through openings 20 of the main member 8 is closed by a corresponding bottom wall 40 of the container shutter member 10.

The rotation locking piece 26 and the lock locking piece 28 of the main member 8 are provided with the corresponding notches 62 of the container shutter member 10.
And 60 and therefore at the circumferential ends of the corresponding slits 66 and 64. The lock member 30 attached to the main member 8 is positioned in an annular gap between the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 42 of the container shutter member 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 12 of the main member 8. Can be Further, both circumferential ends of the lock flange portion 34 of the lock member 30 are positioned between both circumferential ends of the notch 60 of the container shutter member 10, and the lock claw portions 36 are attached downward in the axial direction due to the elasticity of the lock member 30. Due to the force (elastic force), the main member 8 is fitted into the notch 29 of the flange 24 (positioned at the lock position). As a result, the movement of the lock engaging piece 28 of the main member 8 in the direction of the slit 64 is prevented by the lock claw portion 36 and the lock flange portion 34, and the relative rotation between the main member 8 and the container shutter member 10 is prevented. Are held in a locked state.
The container 4 containing the toner as described above is mounted on the upper part of the main member 8 in the axial direction.

In the toner cartridge 2 assembled as described above, each of the through openings 20 of the main member 8 is closed by the corresponding bottom wall 40 of the container shutter member 10, and the main member 8, the container shutter member 10 Relative rotation of the main member 8 is reliably prevented by the lock member 30 even when some vibration or load is applied during transportation of the toner cartridge 2 other than during toner replenishment. Are not opened, and unexpected discharge of toner is reliably prevented. Therefore, contamination of the periphery by toner or waste of toner is prevented.

When the lock flange portion 34 of the lock member 30 is forced to move upward in the axial direction and away from the lock engagement piece 28 of the main member 8 against its elasticity, the lock flange portion 34 becomes Since the lock claw portion 36 is moved upward along the notch 60 of the container shutter member 10, the lock claw portion 36 is detached upward from the notch 29 of the flange 24 of the main member 8 (moved to the unlock position). As a result, the lock by the lock member 30 is released, and the movement of the lock engagement piece 28 of the main member 8 along the slit 64 becomes possible, and the main member 8 and the container shutter member 10 are moved.
Relative rotation with. When the two members are relatively rotated by approximately 90 °, the lock engagement piece 28 of the main member 8 relatively moves along the slit 64, and the rotation engagement piece 26 relatively moves along the slit 66. Through-opening 20 of main member 8
Of the container shutter member 10 correspond to the corresponding passage openings 4.
8, the toner in the container 4 is discharged from the container 4,
The toner can be discharged from the toner cartridge 2 through each of the through openings 20 and each of the passage openings 48. That is, the container shutter member 10 is relatively rotatable with respect to the main member 8 between a closed position for closing each of the through openings 20 and an open position for opening each of the through openings 20.

FIGS. 19 to 22 show a mounting table 70 on which the toner cartridge 2 is detachably mounted. The mounting base 70 is mounted on a hopper of a developing device (not shown), and has a main body 74 in which a toner supply opening 72 described later for supplying toner is formed, and a supply opening shutter member 76 detachably mounted on the main body 74. And a receiving table 78 detachably mounted on the main body 74 so as to cover the supply opening shutter member 76 from above.

Referring to FIGS. 23 to 26, for example, ABS
The main body 74, which can be integrally molded from a resin or a synthetic resin such as a PS resin, has a substantially rectangular and horizontally extending top wall 80 as viewed from above, and an annular shape extending vertically downward from the top wall 80. The concave portion 82 is provided. The concave portion 82 includes a cylindrical portion 84, a bottom wall 86 located at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 84 and extending horizontally, and a cylindrical portion 88 extending vertically downward from the bottom wall 86. A pair of toner supply openings 72 are formed in the bottom wall 86. Each of the toner supply openings 72 is arranged at a symmetrical position with respect to the axis of the concave portion 82, and has a substantially 90 ° fan shape when viewed from the axial direction. Each of the toner supply openings 72 communicates with the cylinder 88. The bottom wall 86 has a pair of recesses 90 extending vertically downward from the bottom wall 86. Each of the concave portions 90 is provided for disposing a lock member 100 described later, and is disposed at a symmetrical position near a peripheral portion of the bottom wall 86 and across a straight line passing through the axis of the concave portion 82. I have. The bottom wall 86 is also provided with a through hole 92 at the axial center.

The cylindrical portion 84 of the concave portion 82 has a first notch 9
Fourth and second notches 96 are formed. The first notch 94 and the second notch 96 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the axis of the concave portion 82, and respectively extend from the upper end (including a part of the top wall 80) of the cylindrical portion 84 to the bottom wall 86. , And has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the axis, and each lower end is located at a substantially axially intermediate portion of the cylindrical portion 84. The circumferential width of the first cutout 94 is formed wider than that of the second cutout 96. The top wall 80 is formed with four mounting holes 97 and two positioning pins 98 and 99 extending vertically upward.

In each of the recesses 90, a lock member (lock pin member) 100 constituting a lock means and a spring member 102 are inserted. The lock member 100 is a pin-shaped member having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, and the large diameter portion is formed in a cylindrical shape. Each of the locking members 100 is axially movably inserted into the recess 90 and includes a spring member 10.
The small diameter portion and a part of the large diameter portion are positioned so as to protrude upward from each of the concave portions 90.

The main body 74 constructed as described above is mounted on the upper end of a hopper provided in the developing device of the image forming apparatus (neither is shown). A receiving opening is formed at the upper end of the hopper, and the cylindrical portion is inserted into the receiving opening via a sealing member (not shown). Therefore body 7
4 can be said to constitute a part of the hopper.

FIGS. 27 to 30 show the supply opening shutter member 76. FIG. For example, ABS resin or PS
The supply opening shutter member 76, which can be integrally formed from a synthetic resin such as a resin, has a bottom wall 110 having a circular periphery,
A circular wall portion 112 extending vertically upward from the periphery of the bottom wall 110
Consists of A pair of passage openings 114 are formed in the bottom wall 110. Each of the passage openings 114 is disposed at a symmetrical position with respect to the axis of the supply opening shutter member 76, and has a substantially 90 ° sector shape when viewed from the axial direction. Each of the passage openings 114 is formed such that an arc-shaped band portion (gap) is left between the arc portion and the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 110. These strips 1 on the bottom wall 110
Each of the 16 has an arc-shaped notch 118 formed therein. The notch 118 is positioned at a symmetrical position with respect to a straight line passing through the axis, and has a radius equal to the radius of the lock member 10.
0 is slightly larger than the large diameter portion. Bottom wall 110
Has a pair of arc-shaped slits 120 formed therein. Each of the slits 120 extends counterclockwise in FIG. 27 from the linear end of the corresponding passage opening 114 with a predetermined width,
Reference numeral 2 is positioned at approximately 90 ° in the circumferential direction from the notch 118 of the corresponding passage opening 114. Slit 12
0 and the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 110 also have an arc-shaped band 1
16 are left. The width of each of the slits 120 is slightly larger than the small diameter portion of the lock member 100. A pin 124 protruding vertically downward is formed at the axial center of the bottom wall 110.

The circular wall portion 112 has a first notch 126 and a second notch 128 extending vertically downward from the upper end. The axial depth of the first notch 126 is deeper than that of the second notch 128 and the first notch 126
Is formed larger than that of the second notch 128. One end of the first notch 126 in the circumferential direction (the left end in FIG. 27) exists at substantially the same position as one of the arc-shaped notches 118 (the left end in FIG. 27), and the other end (the right end in FIG. 27) The second notch 128 is positioned at a substantially symmetrical position with respect to the axis. The second notch 128 constitutes a locked means.

Referring also to FIGS. 21, 22 and 39,
The supply opening shutter member 76 configured as described above is
It is detachably and rotatably inserted into the concave portion 82 of the main body 74 of the mounting base 70. In this mounting state, the pin portion 124 of the supply opening shutter member 76 is rotatably fitted into the through hole 92 of the main body 74, and each of the arc-shaped notches 118 of the supply opening shutter member 76 The lock member 100 is fitted to the large-diameter portion of the corresponding lock member 100 projecting upward from the bottom wall 86. The recess 8 of the supply opening shutter member 76
Rotation with respect to 2 is locked by each of the notches 118 being blocked by the corresponding large diameter portion of the lock member 100. Each of the toner supply openings 72 on the bottom wall 86 of the recess 82 is connected to the bottom wall 110 of the supply opening shutter member 76.
Shielded by The second notch 128 of the supply opening shutter member 76 is aligned with the second notch 96 of the recess 82, and the other end of the first notch 126 of the supply opening shutter member 76 is the first notch of the recess 82. One end of the notch 94 (FIG. 23)
To the right end). And the supply opening shutter member 76
The lower end of the first notch 126 in the axial direction is aligned with the lower end of the first notch 94 of the recess 82. As described above, the positional relationship between the supply opening shutter member 76 and the concave portion 82 of the main body 74 is defined. The uppermost end of the circular wall portion 112 of the supply opening shutter member 76 is positioned slightly lower than the upper surface of the top wall 80 of the main body 74.

As can be easily understood from the above description, each of the lock members 100 (at the lock position) projecting upward from the bottom wall 86 of the concave portion 82 is pushed down in the axial direction against the spring member 102. By opening the large-diameter portion with each of the arc-shaped notches 118 of the supply opening shutter member 76 (by positioning each of the lock members 100 at the unlocked position), the supply opening shutter is opened. The lock of the member 76 in the rotation direction with respect to the recess 82 is released, and the rotation of the supply opening shutter member 76 with respect to the recess 82 is allowed. At this time, only the small diameter portion of the lock member 100 is connected to the bottom wall 10 of the supply opening shutter member 76.
Although it is positioned so as to protrude upward from 0, interference in the rotation direction with the supply opening shutter member 76 is avoided by each of the slits 120 of the supply opening shutter member 76 (see FIG. 40).

Referring to FIGS. 31 to 35, for example, ABS
The receiving base 78, which can be integrally molded from a resin or a synthetic resin such as a PS resin, has a substantially rectangular and horizontally extending mounting plate 130, and a circle extending vertically downward from the mounting plate 130. An annular recess 132 is provided. The concave portion 132 includes a cylindrical portion 134 and a bottom wall 136 located at the lower end of the cylindrical portion 134 and extending substantially horizontally. A pair of passage openings 138 are formed in the bottom wall 136. Each of the passage openings 138 is disposed at a symmetrical position with respect to the axis of the concave portion 132 and substantially 90 ° when viewed from the axial direction.
It has a fan shape. A lower portion 139 having an upper surface parallel to the upper surface is formed on the upper surface of the bottom wall 136 and at the periphery of each of the passage openings 138, and a seal member (not shown) is attached to the lower portion 139. A pair of through holes 140 are also formed in the bottom wall 136. Each of the through holes 140 is arranged at a symmetrical position close to the peripheral edge of the recess 132 and across a straight line passing through the axis of the recess 132. The diameter of each of the through holes 140 is slightly larger than that of the small diameter portion of the lock member 100.

The upper end of the cylindrical portion 134 is formed so as to slightly project vertically upward from the upper surface of the mounting plate 130. An annular flange 142 is formed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 130. The annular flange 142 is disposed so as to surround the entire circumference of the above-described protruding upper end of the cylindrical portion 134 at a fixed interval, and the upper end is formed higher than the upper end of the cylindrical portion 134. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 134 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the circular wall portion 112 of the supply opening shutter member 76, and the inner diameter of the annular flange 142 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the circular wall portion 112.

The cylindrical portion 134 has a first notch 144 and a second notch 146. The first notch 144 and the second notch 146 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the axis of the recess 132. First notch 144
Extends in the axial direction from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 134 to the upper surface of the bottom wall 136, and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the axis. The second notch 146 extends in the axial direction from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 134 to a substantially middle portion in the axial direction, and has a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from the axis. First notch 1
The circumferential width of 44 is formed wider than that of second notch 146. A locking projection 148 that extends in the same direction is formed outside the first notch 144 in the radial direction.

The locking projection 148 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the axis, and has a circumferential width slightly larger than that of the first notch 144. The locking projection 148 extends from the lower surface of the mounting plate 130 to a level slightly above the upper surface of the bottom wall 136. The outer peripheral surface of the locking projection 148 is positioned substantially flush with the outer peripheral surface of the annular flange 142. The inner peripheral surface 149 of the locking convex portion 148 is positioned on substantially the same plane as the inner peripheral surface of the annular flange 142, and the cylindrical portion 134 is located at the convex portion 148 at both ends in the circumferential direction of the locking convex portion 148. , And is formed so as to extend radially outwardly and connect to the inner peripheral surface 149. Thus, the first notch 144 is formed. A projection 150 extending inward in the radial direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface 149 of the locking projection 148. The projection 150 is the locking projection 1
At the middle in the circumferential direction of 48, it is formed so as to extend downward from above in the axial direction. The upper end of the projection 150 is located lower than the upper end of the cylindrical portion 134.

The cylindrical portion 134 has a pair of slits 152 and 154. Slits 152 and 154
Are arranged at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the axis, and are formed so as to extend in the circumferential direction with a constant axial width. One end of the slit 152 in the circumferential direction communicates with the axially intermediate portion of the first notch 144, and the other end is at a circumferential position of approximately 90 ° or more from the one end (clockwise position in FIGS. 31 and 35). It is positioned. One end of the slit 154 in the circumferential direction communicates with the lower end of the second notch 146, and the other end is substantially 9
It is positioned at a circumferential position of 0 ° or more (clockwise position in FIGS. 31 and 35). A radially outer end of the upper end of the second notch 146 is defined by an inner peripheral surface of the annular flange 142. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 13
The upper end of 4 extends radially outward at the second notch 146 and is formed to connect to the inner peripheral surface of the annular flange 142.

The mounting plate 130 has four mounting screw portions 1.
56, two positioning holes 158, and one positioning pin 159 that constitutes a rotation preventing means. Each of the mounting screw portions 156 is configured by press-fitting a metal screw member from the lower surface of the mounting plate 130 into a cylindrical portion extending upward from the mounting plate 130. The positioning pin 159 is press-fitted into a boss formed outside the peripheral edge of the annular flange 142, and is disposed so as to protrude upward from the level at the upper end of the annular flange 142. One of the positioning holes 158 is formed on the lower surface side of the boss portion in the mounting plate 130 and is coaxial with the positioning pin 159, and is not shown.

The receiving table 78 configured as described above is detachably mounted on the main body 74 so as to cover the supply opening shutter member 76 from above. Mainly FIGS. 19 to 2
With reference to FIG. 2, each of the positioning holes 158 of the cradle 78 is fitted to the positioning pins 98 and 99 of the main body 74,
The mounting position is defined. The mounting screw 156 is attached to the main body 74.
The mounting plate 130 is connected to the top wall 80 of the main body 74 by screws (not shown). The cylindrical portion 134 of the receiving table 78 is rotatably inserted into the circular wall portion 112 of the supply opening shutter member 76. Cradle 78
Is locked in the first cutout 94 of the main body 74. The lower end of the locking projection 148 is formed in the first notch 12 formed in the circular wall 112 of the supply opening shutter member 76.
6 is positioned with a gap to the upper end. Cradle 7
8 is provided with the second notch 96 of the main body 74.
And the second opening 128 formed in the circular wall portion 112 of the supply opening shutter member 76.
Each of the through holes 140 of the cradle 78 is fitted into the small diameter portion of the lock member 100 with a gap. Each of the passage openings 138 of the cradle 78 is aligned with the toner supply opening 72 of the main body 74, while the bottom wall 1 of the supply opening shutter member 76 is in between.
Shielded by 10. As described above, the cradle 78,
The positional relationship between the main body 74 and the supply opening shutter member 76 is defined, and the mounting base 70 is configured.

The toner supply opening 7 of the mounting table 70 mounted (connected) to a hopper provided in a developing device (not shown).
2 is normally a supply opening shutter member 7 as described above.
6, the droppings and foreign substances are reliably prevented from entering the hopper. On the other hand, when the mounting table 70 is used in a hopper that is slid and mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the toner in the hopper leaks out of the toner supply opening 72 due to vibrations during mounting. Can be reliably prevented, and peripheral contamination or waste of toner can be prevented. as a result,
Problems such as deterioration of the developing function or damage to the developing device are reliably prevented, and the formation of a good image is guaranteed.

Next, the toner supply opening 7 of the mounting table 70
An operation of replenishing toner from a toner cartridge 2 having the above-described configuration into a hopper (not shown) through the toner cartridge 2 will be described. First, the toner cartridge 2 is mounted on the mounting base 70 (positioned at the supply position) as follows. 36 to 38, first cylindrical portion 42 of container shutter member 10 of toner cartridge 2
The receiving member 78 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 134 of the receiving table 78. The lower surface of the flange 52 of the container shutter member 10 is positioned at the upper end of the annular flange 142 of the cradle 78. At this time, the positioning hole 56 provided in the container shutter member 10 is fitted to the positioning pin 159 of the mounting base 70, and the lock engagement piece 28 of the main member 8 and the lock member 30 attached to the main member 8 are attached.
Notch 1 of receiving base 78 of lock flange 34
44 and the rotation locking piece 26 of the main member 8 is inserted into the second notch 146 of the receiving table 78. Each of the unlock pins 50 of the container shutter member 10 pushes the lock member 100 downward in the axial direction to position the lock member 100 at the unlock position.

The positioning hole 56 of the container shutter member 10 is fitted to the positioning pin 159 of the mounting base 70, thereby positioning the container shutter member 10 with respect to the receiving table 78 and preventing its rotation. Further, the lock engagement piece 28 and the lock flange 3 of the main member 8 are provided.
4 is inserted into the first notch 144 of the receiving base 78, the lock flange portion 34 abuts on the upper end of the projection 150 provided in the first notch 144, and the first notch 144 of the main member 8 is formed. It is relatively moved axially upward along the notch 60. Thereby, the lock claw portion 36 is disengaged from the notch 29 of the flange 24 of the main member 8 (positioned at the lock release position), and the lock by the lock member 30 is released. Further, by inserting the rotation locking piece 26 of the main member 8 into the second notch 146 of the cradle 78, the tip of the rotation locking piece 26 becomes the second notch 128 of the supply opening shutter member 76. Is locked. As described above, the toner cartridge 2 is positioned at the supply position with respect to the mounting table 70.

Next, when the container 4 of the toner cartridge 2 is rotated by about 90 ° in a predetermined direction (clockwise in FIGS. 1 and 19) together with the main member 8, the main member 8 becomes the same angle with respect to the container shutter member 10. The supply opening shutter member 76 is also rotated, and the rotation locking piece 26 is locked into the second notch 128 of the supply opening shutter member 76, so that the supply opening shutter member 76 is integrally formed with the main member 8. It is rotated by the same angle. The lock locking piece 28 of the main member 8 is
52, the rotation preventing side 26 is rotated along the slit 154, and the rotation thereof is restricted by contacting the ends of the corresponding slits 152 and 154. 8 is stopped. Each of the through openings 20 of the main member 8, each of the passage openings 48 of the container shutter member 10, each of the passage openings 114 of the supply opening shutter member 76, and each of the toner supply openings 72 of the main body 74 are all aligned, and Is discharged to a hopper.

When the toner cartridge 2 is detached from the mounting table 70 after the toner supply from the toner cartridge 2 to the hopper is completed, the container 4 of the toner cartridge 2 is moved together with the main member 8 by about 90 in the opposite direction. By turning, the toner cartridge 2 can be returned to the supply position. Each of the toner supply openings 72 is closed by a supply opening shutter member 76, and each of the through openings 20 of the main member 8 is closed by the container shutter member 10. The lock engaging piece 28 of the main member 8 is aligned with the first notch 144 of the pedestal 78, and the rotation locking piece 26 is
Since the toner cartridge 2 is positioned in alignment with the second notch 146 of FIG. 8, the toner cartridge 2 can be moved relative to the mounting base 70 in the detaching direction that is above the axial direction. At the same time, each of the lock release pins 50 of the container shutter member 10 is aligned with the corresponding lock member 100.

By slightly moving the toner cartridge 2 upward with respect to the mounting table 70, the lock claw portion 36 of the lock member 30 is locked by the elasticity of the notch 29 of the flange 24 of the main member 8 to be in a locked state. (Located in the locked position). Thereby, the through opening 2 of the main member 8 is formed.
0 is locked in a closed state by the container shutter member 10. Each of the lock release pins 50 of the container shutter member 10 is separated upward from the lock member 100 by the upward movement of the toner cartridge 2, and the lock member 100 is raised to the lock position by the spring force of the spring member 102. The supply opening shutter member 76
Is prevented from rotating. As a result, each of the toner supply openings 72 is locked in a closed state by the supply opening shutter member 76. Next, by moving the toner cartridge 2 upward in the axial direction from the mounting table 70, the toner cartridge 2 can be completely detached from the mounting table 70. The upward movement of the toner cartridge 2 can also be performed by the spring force of the spring member 102.

Next, another embodiment of the mounting base on which the toner cartridge 2 is detachably mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 and 42 show the mounting base 2.
00 is shown. The mounting base 200 is mounted on a hopper of a developing device (not shown), and has a main body 204 in which a toner supply opening 114 for supplying toner is formed.
4 is a replenishing opening shutter member 206 detachably attached to
An operation lever member 207 mounted on the top of the supply opening shutter member 206 so as to be able to rotate integrally therewith;
Supply opening shutter member 20 including operation lever member 207
6 is provided on the main body 204 so as to be detachable so as to cover 6 from above. The main body 204, the supply opening shutter member 206, and the receiving table 208 that constitute the mounting table 200 are respectively the main body 74 and the supply opening shutter member 76 that form the mounting table 70 described above with reference to FIGS. And a part of the configuration of the cradle 78 is improved. Therefore, the following mainly describes the configurations that are different from each other. In each of the members shown in FIGS. 41 to 49, substantially the same parts as those in FIGS. 19 to 35 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 42 and FIG.
At the upper end of the cylindrical portion 84 of the ceiling wall 80, an arc-shaped recess 210 lower than the flat top surface of the ceiling wall 80 is formed so as to extend along the upper end. The concave portion 210 has an arc-shaped wall 212 having a constant height, and a bottom wall 214 extending in the circumferential direction with a constant radial width on the same horizontal plane. Both ends 210a and 210b of recess 210
The positions of both ends 210a and 210b are defined so that a space having an angle range of approximately 90 ° + α is left between them. A recess 210 is provided over the entire range of the angle range of the ceiling wall 80.
A flat upper surface 216 lower than the bottom wall 214 is formed. Therefore, a step is formed between both ends of the top wall 80 including the bottom wall 214 and the lower upper surface 216 so as to coincide with both ends 210a and 210b of the concave portion 210. The steps 210a and 210b are formed by the recess 82 and the recess 2
When viewed from the direction of the ten common axes, they are formed so as to coincide with straight lines passing through the center of the axis and parallel to each other and forming a 90 ° angle with each other. The concave portion 210 constitutes a support portion for rotatably supporting an annular main body 230 of the operation lever member 207 described later.
Is formed to be the same as or slightly higher than the thickness of the operation lever member 207. In the above angle range, the operation lever member 207 is allowed to rotate substantially 90 ° integrally with the supply opening shutter member 206. The bottom wall 86 of the concave portion 82 has an annular concave portion (a concave groove).
217 are formed. The main body 204 configured as described above is mounted on the upper end of a hopper provided in the developing device of the image forming apparatus in the same manner as the main body 74.

Next, the supply opening shutter member 206 will be described with reference to FIGS. An annular convex portion 218 is formed on the bottom wall 110 of the supply opening shutter member 206 and projects downward in the vertical direction. The second notch 128 of the circular wall portion 112 is formed from one end 128a to the other end 12a.
The angle range in the circumferential direction up to 8b is defined to be 90 ° + α. As will be easily understood from the description below,
One end 128a of the second notch 128 is in response to rotation of the rotation locking piece 26 (see FIG. 10) of the toner cartridge 2 in the opening direction for rotating the supply opening shutter member 206 from the closed position to the open position. The circumferential portion (space) between the one end 128a and the other end 128b of the second notch 128 in the circumferential direction is defined by the supply opening shutter member 206 A free space is configured to allow the closing direction rotation independently of the replenishment opening shutter member 206 with respect to the closing direction rotation in which the is rotated from the open position to the closed position.

The first notch 12 at the upper end of the circular wall portion 112
On the flat surface (the upper end surface on the same horizontal plane) 112a where the second notch 128 and the second notch 128 are not formed, two locking projections 220 and 222 projecting upward in the axial direction are formed. . The locking projections 220 and 222 are formed at symmetrical positions with respect to the axis of the supply opening shutter member 206. The height of the locking projections 220 and 222 from the flat surface is specified to be the same as or slightly higher than the thickness of the operation lever member 207 described later.

The supply opening shutter member 206 configured as described above is detachably and rotatably inserted into the concave portion 82 of the main body 204 of the mounting base 200 as shown in FIG. In this mounted state, the annular convex portion 218 of the supply opening shutter member 206 is
7 so as to be rotatable. Supply opening shutter member 2
One end 128a of the second notch 128 of FIG.
Of the second notch 96 (the left end in FIG. 43). The flat surface 112a at the upper end of the circular wall portion 112 of the supply opening shutter member 206 coincides with or is slightly lower than the upper surface of the bottom wall 214 of the concave portion 82.

Next, referring to FIG.
07 will be described. The operation lever member 207 is formed by punching a metal plate member having a certain thickness, and includes an annular main body 230 and an operation lever 232 extending radially outward with respect to the main body 230. Become. The outer peripheral edge 233 of the main body 230 has a slightly smaller radius than the wall 212 of the concave portion 210 in the main body 204 of the mounting base 200, and
6 is formed larger than the outer diameter. The inner peripheral edge 234 of the main body 230 is
2 is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the inner peripheral surface. And body 23
0, the notches 236, 238, 240
And 242 are formed. Notches 236 and 238
Are formed at symmetrical positions with respect to the axis center of the main body 230. The notches 236 and 238 are formed at circumferential positions corresponding to the locking projections 220 and 222 of the supply opening shutter member 206, and the depth (width) from the inner peripheral edge 234 to the outside in the radial direction is, Supply opening shutter member 206
Is defined to be the same as the thickness of the circular wall portion 112. The circumferential lengths of the notches 236 and 238 are defined so as to be able to engage with the locking projections 220 and 222 of the supply opening shutter member 206 with substantially no gap.

Notches 240 are notches 236 and 238
Formed at one of the circumferential positions between them, the circumferential length of which is
Rotation locking piece 26 of toner cartridge 2 (see FIG. 10)
The length is allowed to move in the axial direction. The notch 242 is formed at the other circumferential position between the notches 236 and 238. The circumferential length of the notch 242 is
As will be easily understood from the following description, the range is defined to allow relative rotation of the receiving base 208 with respect to the locking projection 148 (see FIG. 35). A grip portion 244 made of synthetic resin (see a solid line in FIG. 41 and a two-dot chain line in FIG. 42) is attached to the operation lever 232.

Referring to FIG. 41, mounting plate 1 of cradle 78
30 are both ends 130a and 130b which are aligned with the ends 210a and 210b of the top wall 80 of the main body 204, and an arc portion 1 formed between both ends 130a and 130b.
30c. The arc portion 130c is connected to the main body 204.
Has the same radius as that of the wall 212.

Referring to FIGS. 41, 42 and 48, operating lever member 207 has notches 236 and 238.
Is locked to the locking projections 220 and 222 of the supply opening shutter member 206 rotatably fitted into the concave portion 82 of the main body 204, so that the flat surface of the circular wall portion 112 of the supply opening shutter member 206 is While being placed on 112a,
Attached so that relative rotation is not possible. Operation lever member 2
07 coincides with the upper surfaces of the locking projections 220 and 222. The notch 242 of the operation lever member 207 is aligned with the first notch 126 of the supply opening shutter member 206, and one end of the notch 240 of the operation lever member 207 (the left end in FIG. 48) is 2nd notch 1
28 to one end 128a. Operation lever member 207
The lower surface of the circular wall portion 112 radially outward from the portion mounted on the flat surface 112 a is rotatably mounted on the bottom wall 214 of the concave portion 82 of the main body 204. Operation lever member 20
7 is provided on the lower upper surface 216 of the main body 204.
It is positioned at a distance above and proximate end 210a.

Referring to FIGS. 41, 42 and 48, the receiving table 78 is detachably attached to the main body 204 so as to cover the supply opening shutter member 206 and the operation lever member 207 relatively rotatably from above. Be attached. Cradle 20
The cylindrical portion 134 is rotatably inserted into the circular wall portion 112 of the supply opening shutter member 206 and the inner peripheral edge 234 of the operation lever member 207. Locking projection 14 of cradle 78
8 (see FIG. 35) is locked in the first notch 94 of the main body 204 and the notch 24 of the operation lever member 207.
2 so as to be relatively rotatable. The locking projection 148 (see FIG. 35) is positioned near one end (the right end in FIG. 48) of each of the notch 242 of the operation lever member 207 and the first notch 126 of the supply opening shutter member 206. ing. The lower end of the locking projection 148 is positioned with a gap from the upper end of the first notch 126 formed in the circular wall 112 of the supply opening shutter member 206. The second notch 146 of the cradle 208 is
07 notch 240 and second notch 96 in body 204
(See FIG. 43) and one end thereof (FIG. 41).
48 is an end of a notch 240 of the operation lever member 207 (the left end in FIG. 48) and one end 1 of a second notch 128 formed in the circular wall 112 of the supply opening shutter member 206.
28a.

Next, the operation of supplying toner from the toner cartridge 2 having the above-described configuration into a hopper (not shown) through the toner supply opening 72 of the mounting table 200 will be described. Attach the toner cartridge 2 to the mounting base 20
The basic operation and the operation of each member to be mounted at the replenishing position with respect to 0, relatively rotated, and detached are substantially the same as the operation to the mounting base 70, and therefore, the different operation and operation will be mainly described. Referring to FIGS. 41, 42, 48, and 49, when the toner cartridge 2 is mounted at the supply position, the rotation locking piece 2 of the toner cartridge 2 is
6 is inserted into the second notch 146 of the cradle 208, so that the rotation locking piece 26 is inserted into the notch 240 of the operation lever member 207 and the second notch 128 of the supply opening shutter member 206. Be positioned. One end of the rotation locking piece 26 is connected to the second notch 12 of the supply opening shutter member 206.
8 is positioned proximate to one end 128a. The rotation locking piece 26 and the lock locking piece 28 of the toner cartridge 2 are positioned on the line L1 in FIG.

Next, when the container 4 of the toner cartridge 2 is rotated together with the main member 8 by approximately 90 ° in a predetermined direction (clockwise in FIG. 41), the main member 8
The supply opening shutter member 206 is rotated by the same angle with respect to 0, and the rotation opening piece 26 is also brought into contact with one end 128a of the second notch 128 of the supply opening shutter member 206. As a result, the main member 8 is integrally rotated with the same angle. The operation lever 232 of the operation lever member 207 rotated integrally with the supply opening shutter member 206
Is rotated from a position near the end 210a of the main body 204 to a position near the other end 210b (FIG. 4).
1 double-dashed line position). The supply opening shutter member 206 and the operation lever member 207 are rotated clockwise from the position in FIG. 48 to the position in FIG. The rotation locking piece 26 and the lock locking piece 28 of the toner cartridge 2 are positioned on the line L2 in FIG. One end of each of the notch 242 of the operation lever member 207 and the first notch 126 of the supply opening shutter member 206 (the left end in FIG. 48) is
08 to the position close to the locking projection 148 (see FIG. 35). Then, as described above, the main member 8
, Each of the passage openings 48 of the container shutter member 10, each of the passage openings 114 of the supply opening shutter member 206, and each of the toner supply openings 72 of the main body 204 are all aligned and accommodated in the container 4. The toner is discharged to a hopper.

When the toner cartridge 2 is detached from the mounting base 200 after the toner supply from the toner cartridge 2 to the hopper is completed, the toner cartridge 2
By rotating the container 4 together with the main member 8 in the opposite direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 41) by about 90 °, the toner cartridge 2 can be returned to the supply position. In this rotation, the rotation locking piece 26 of the toner cartridge 2
Is the second notch 128 of the supply opening shutter member 206.
Of the supply opening shutter member 206 along the second notch 128 and independently of the supply opening shutter member 206, and stops at a position close to the other end 128b (in a line L1 in FIG. 49). Position shown). By this action, the operation lever member 207 and the supply opening shutter member 2
06 is left at a position rotated by 90 ° clockwise from the home position shown in FIG. 48 (the position shown in FIG. 49). Each of the through openings 20 of the main member 8 is closed by the container shutter member 10. Therefore, the main member 8
Are closed by the container shutter member 10, while each of the toner supply openings 72 is held open by the supply opening shutter member 206.
As a result, even if the residual toner in the toner cartridge 2 drops in the process of closing each of the through openings 20 of the toner cartridge 2, since each of the toner supply openings 72 is open, the toner supply opening 72 is closed. The toner does not accumulate and the supply opening shutter member 206 and its surroundings are prevented from being stained by the toner.

As is apparent from FIG. 49, the operation lever member 207 and the supply opening shutter member 206 are left at a position rotated clockwise by 90 ° from the home position shown in FIG. 48 (the position shown in FIG. 49). In a state where the rotation locking piece 26 of the toner cartridge 2 is rotated from the position on the line L2 to the position on the line L1, even if the toner cartridge 2
Since the inner edge of the operation lever member 207 is overhanging above the second notch 128 of the supply opening shutter member 206, the detachment movement of the rotation locking piece 26 of the toner cartridge 2 is interfered by the overhang portion. Will be blocked.
Therefore, detachment of the toner cartridge 2 from the mounting table 200 in a state where each of the toner supply openings 72 is open is reliably prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent droppings and foreign matter from entering the hopper sufficiently reliably.

Next, the operating lever 232 is turned 90 °, and FIG.
By rotating the shutter lever 1 in the counterclockwise direction, the operation lever member 207 and the supply opening shutter member 206 are rotated from the position shown in FIG. 49 to the position shown in FIG. The replenishment opening shutter member 206 is located at the closed position, and each of the toner replenishment openings 72 is closed. Next, the toner cartridge 2 can be completely detached from the mount 200 by moving the toner cartridge 2 upward in the axial direction from the mount 200.

The preferred embodiments of the toner replenishing apparatus and the toner cartridge used therein according to the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the supply opening shutter member 206 is provided with the operation lever 232 of the operation lever member 207 mounted on the upper end thereof.
However, the operation lever 232 can be rotated in the closing direction.
06 may be provided integrally.

[0072]

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent droppings and foreign matter from entering the hopper sufficiently reliably. When the present invention is applied to a hopper that is slid and mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus, it is ensured that toner in the hopper leaks out of the toner replenishing opening due to vibration or the like during mounting. Thus, peripheral contamination or waste of toner can be prevented. As a result, problems such as deterioration of the developing function or damage to the developing device are reliably prevented, and good image formation is guaranteed. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge which can be suitably used in a toner replenishing device capable of sufficiently reliably preventing a dropped object or a foreign substance from being mixed into a hopper.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view illustrating a main part of a preferred embodiment of a toner cartridge configured according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a main member.

FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 6 viewed from below.

8 is a sectional view taken along the line EE in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line GG of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a lock member.

FIG. 12 is a view of FIG. 11 viewed from below.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line HH of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the container shutter member.

FIG. 15 is a side view of FIG. 14 as viewed from the right.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG. 15;

18 is a sectional view taken along the line KK in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the mounting base.

20 is a front view of FIG. 19 as viewed from below.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along line LL of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line MM in FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a top view of the main body of the mounting base.

24 is a side view of FIG. 23 viewed from the left.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along the line NN of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along the arrow OO in FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a top view of a supply opening shutter member.

FIG. 28 is a front view of FIG. 27 as viewed from below.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line PP of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a sectional view taken along the line QQ in FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a top view of a receiving table.

FIG. 32 is a front view of FIG. 31 as viewed from below.

FIG. 33 is a sectional view taken along line RR of FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 is a sectional view taken along the line SS in FIG. 31;

FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken along the line TT in FIG. 32;

FIG. 36 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the mounting table, corresponding to a portion on the left side from the center line in FIG. 21;

FIG. 37 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the mounting base, and is a view corresponding to FIG. 22;

FIG. 38 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the toner cartridge is mounted on the mounting base, corresponding to a portion on the right side from the center line in FIG. 21;

FIG. 39 is a top view in which a supply opening shutter member is mounted on the main body of the mounting base, with a part thereof being omitted.

FIG. 40 is a view showing another operation mode of FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is a top view showing another embodiment of the mounting base.

42 is a sectional view taken along the line UU in FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is a top view showing another embodiment of the main body of the mounting base.

FIG. 44 is a top view showing another embodiment of the supply opening shutter member.

FIG. 45 is a side view of FIG. 44 as viewed from above.

FIG. 46 is a sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 44;

FIG. 47 is a top view of the lever member.

48 is a top view in which a lever member is mounted on the supply opening shutter member shown in FIG. 44.

FIG. 49 is a top view showing a state in which the supply opening shutter member and the lever member shown in FIG. 48 are integrally rotated clockwise by 90 °.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Toner Cartridge 4 Container 6 Shutter Mechanism 8 Main Member 10 Container Shutter Member 20 Through Opening 26 Rotating Locking Piece 28 Locking Locking Piece 29 Notch 30 Lock Member 34 Lock Flange 36 Lock Claw 位置 決 め 50 Lock Release Pin 56 Positioning Hole 70 mounting base 72 toner supply opening 74 main body 76 supply opening shutter member 78 receiving base 100 locking member 128 second notch 128a one end of second notch 128b the other end of second notch 150 protrusion 159 positioning pin 200 Mounting stand 204 Main body 206 Supply opening shutter member 207 Operation lever member 208 Receiving stand 210 Recess 220, 222 Locking projection 232 Operation lever 236, 238, 240, 242 Notch

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A mounting table having a toner supply opening for supplying toner to a hopper, and a toner cartridge detachably mountable to the mounting table at a supply position where toner can be supplied from the toner supply opening. Wherein the toner cartridge includes a container for storing the toner, and a shutter mechanism disposed at a lower end of the container, wherein the shutter mechanism is substantially integral with the container and has a through opening. And a container shutter member disposed outside the main member so as to be relatively rotatable between a closed position for closing the through opening and an open position for opening the through opening with respect to the main member. Wherein the container shutter member is provided with a rotation-preventing means that is locked by rotation-preventing means provided on the mounting base. The toner replenishing device further comprises: Close the toner supply opening Close A replenishing opening shutter member rotatably mounted between the printer and the opening position for opening the toner replenishing opening, and preventing the replenishing opening shutter member from rotating and holding the replenishing opening shutter member in the closed position. Locking means including a locking member movable between a locking position to be locked and an unlocking position allowing the rotation, the container shutter member is provided with unlocking means, and the main member is provided with Locking means for locking the supply opening shutter member and rotating the supply opening shutter member is provided, the locking means being provided on the supply opening shutter member, and the rotation preventing means for the container shutter member is provided. The toner cartridge is mounted in the replenishment position by locking the rotation preventing means of the mounting base, and the unlocking means of the container shutter member moves the lock member of the mounting base to the unlocking position. And the main part The locking means is locked to the locked means of the replenishing opening shutter member, and by rotating the container relative to the container shutter member, the container shutter member is connected to the main member. relatively the open該補supply opening shutter member is rotated to the position is rotated to the open position and the through-hole and a said toner supply opening is allowed aligned, the supplementation in該補supply opening shutter member against For aperture shutter members
Operation lever that includes an operation lever that extends radially outward
-The member can rotate integrally with the supply opening shutter member.
And the locked means of the supply opening shutter member is
A toner cartridge including a locked portion and a floating space portion;
Is attached to the supply position, and the container is connected to the main member.
When both are rotated in the opening direction, the supply opening shutter member
That the locked portion comes into contact with the locking means of the main member;
Therefore, the supply opening shutter member and the operation lever member are
The body is pivoted from the closed position to the open position and the replenishment opening
The shutter member and the operation lever member are positioned at the open position.
The container is pivoted in the closing direction with the main member
When this is done, the locking means of the main member
The play member moves away from the locked portion along the floating space portion.
Moving the supply opening shutter member and the operation.
The lever member is left in the open position and the lever member is left in the open position.
The supply opening shutter member is closed by the operation lever.
A toner replenishing device , which is rotated to a position . 2. A toner cartridge provided with locking means, wherein a toner supply opening for supplying toner to a hopper is formed and a closed position for closing the toner supply opening and an open position for opening the toner supply opening. A supply opening shutter member rotatably mounted between the supply opening shutter member, a lock position for preventing rotation of the supply opening shutter member and holding the supply opening shutter member in the closed position, and a lock for allowing the rotation A lock unit including a lock member movable between a release position and the supply opening shutter member. The supply opening shutter member includes a locked unit and a locking unit extending radially outward and integral with the supply opening shutter member. An operation lever member including a rotatable operation lever, and the locked means of the supply opening shutter member is locked.
Section and a play space section, and the supply opening shutter member is closed.
A toner cartridge that can be detachably mounted to a mounting position configured to supply toner from the toner supply opening to a mounting table configured so that rotation in the direction is performed by the operation lever; And a shutter mechanism disposed at a lower end of the container, the shutter mechanism being substantially integral with the container and having a through-opening formed therein, and a through-opening with respect to the main member. A container shutter member disposed outside of the main member so as to be relatively rotatable between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the through-opening. The container shutter member is provided with an unlocking device, and the main member is provided with the cover member of the supply opening shutter member. The supply is opened by locking the locking means. The locking means capable of rotating the mouth shutter member is provided, and the container shutter member is attached to the supply position by locking the rotation-prevented means of the container shutter member to the rotation-preventing means of the mount. The lock release means of the container shutter member moves the lock member of the mounting base to the lock release position, and the locking means of the main member is locked by the locked means of the supply opening shutter member. and the vessel by relatively rotating with respect <br/> container shutter member with the main member, the container shutter member is rotated relative the open position relative to the main member and , Of the supply opening shutter member
The locked portion is brought into contact with the locking means of the main member.
The supply opening shutter member is integrated with the operation lever member.
Is rotated to the open position from the closed position to the through opening and the toner supply opening and is allowed aligned,該補supply opening shut
And the operating lever member is positioned at the open position.
The container together with the main member in the closing direction
And the container shutter member is closed relative to the main member.
And the locking means of the main member is
The floating space is separated from the locked portion of the supply opening shutter member.
The supply opening shutter section by floating along the section.
A toner material and the operation lever member are left at the open position .