JP2002251061A - Toner cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce resistance caused by the rubbing of an elastic seal and a shutter around the toner discharge port of a toner cartridge and to prevent the turn-up of the elastic seal. SOLUTION: A plate member 12f3 is stuck to the elastic seal 12f5 around the toner discharge port 12f1, and a toner seal 12f2 is stuck to the member 12f3. When the seal 12f2 is broken before opening a shutter 12f4, the member 12f3 is brought into contact with the shutter 12f4 by the elastic force of the seal 12f5. The shutter 12f4 and the member 12f3 are rigid bodies and slide slightly. It is enough to prepare the small squeeze margin of the elastic seal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a toner cartridge which can be attached to and detached from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body.

Here, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method. And, as an example of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus,
For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, and the like), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like are included.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, toner is used as a developer in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines and printers. The toner is accommodated in a toner cartridge having a toner accommodating portion and a toner outlet, and a user mounts the toner cartridge on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and uses the toner cartridge.

Further, when the toner in the toner cartridge is consumed, the user replaces the toner cartridge with a new one, thereby simplifying the toner supply operation.

[0005] There are several forms of toner cartridges. One of the general forms is to provide a shutter member which can be opened and closed at a toner discharge port, and after the shutter member is mounted in the apparatus main body, the shutter member is opened. 2. Description of the Related Art There has been widely known a configuration in which a toner discharging port is opened by moving by a moving means of an apparatus main body so that toner can be supplied to, for example, a developing means or a toner buffer.

[0006]

The present invention is a further development of the above-mentioned prior art.

As described above, between the toner discharge port for discharging the toner stored in the toner storage section of the toner cartridge to the developing means and the toner buffer, and the movable shutter member for opening and sealing the toner discharge port. In general, a method of preventing toner leakage from between the toner outlet and the shutter member by sealing with an elastic seal member interposed is used. In consideration of the impact, it is necessary to secure a sufficient amount of crushing of the elastic seal member or to make the elastic seal member a configuration having a high repulsive force. However, according to this method, a large load is required to move the shutter member, and the elastic seal member may be broken, turned up, or wrinkled. For this reason, in order to avoid the above-mentioned problems (toner leakage, large moving load, tearing of the elastic seal, etc.), the amount of crushing of the seal and the repulsive force must be strictly controlled, which complicates the assembly and reduces the cost. There was a problem of becoming expensive.

According to the present invention, the toner does not leak due to the impact at the time of distribution or dropping without the need to strictly control the crushing amount and repulsion of the elastic seal member, the shutter member moves lightly, and the elastic seal member is torn. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner cartridge that does not wrinkle, turn over, or wrinkle.

[0009]

The main aspects of the present invention are as described below with reference to the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner container for storing toner, a toner outlet for discharging toner from the toner container, a first position for sealing the toner outlet, and a toner outlet. A shutter member movable between two positions of a second position for releasing the toner cartridge, the shutter member being disposed around the toner discharge port and the toner container being disposed around the toner discharge port. An elastic seal for sealing between the parts, and a plate member provided in contact with the surface of the elastic seal facing the shutter member and sliding with the toner shutter; A plate member having a communication port that communicates with the sealing member, and a sealing tape that seals the communication port of the plate member so as to be openable, wherein the sealing tape is opened. Thus, said plate member, a toner cartridge, wherein the shutter is in close contact.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner container for storing toner, a toner outlet for discharging toner from the toner container, a first position for sealing the toner outlet, and a toner outlet. A shutter member movable between two positions of a second position for releasing the toner cartridge, the shutter member being disposed around the toner discharge port and the toner container being disposed around the toner discharge port. An elastic seal for sealing between the parts, a sliding member provided in contact with a surface of the elastic seal on a side facing the shutter member, and sliding with the shutter member, A sliding member having a communication port that communicates with the outside, and a seal that opens and seals the toner discharge port and is drawn out from between the shutter member and the sliding member. Includes a-loop, and by the sealing tape is opened, and the sliding member, a toner cartridge, wherein the shutter is in close contact.

[0012]

In the above configuration, toner leakage due to impact on the toner cartridge during distribution or the like can be prevented by the sealing tape. Specifically, the sealing tape is attached so as to seal the communication port provided on the plate member as described above. Alternatively, it is attached around the toner outlet so as to seal the toner outlet. Therefore, the toner does not leak from here. On the other hand, when using the toner cartridge, the user opens the sealing tape and uses it. At this time, the plate member or the sliding member comes into close contact with the shutter member due to the repulsive force of the elastic sealing member, and secures the sealing property at the time of the attaching / detaching operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the amount of crushing of the elastic seal member more than necessary, and the moving load does not become unnecessarily large.
Therefore, in this configuration, the management of the crushing amount and the repulsive force of the elastic seal member can be simplified as compared with the related art.

Further, the surface of the elastic seal member is covered with a plate member or a sliding member, and the shutter member or the slide member slides on the surface of the plate member. It doesn't tear, turn over, or wrinkle.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus but can be applied to a monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus to obtain similar effects by adopting a similar configuration.

In the following description, the longitudinal direction is a direction in which the process cartridge is mounted, a direction crossing (substantially perpendicular to) the conveying direction of the recording medium 2, and an axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, photosensitive drum 7). And the same direction. The left and right are the left and right as viewed in the transport direction of the recording medium 2 from above. Furthermore, the upper and lower parts are in the mounted state of the cartridge,
Above and below.

[Overall Description of Image Forming Apparatus] First, the overall configuration of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the overall configuration of a color laser beam printer which is an embodiment of a color toner image forming apparatus.

The image forming section of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (color laser beam printer) shown in the present embodiment has four process cartridges 9Y having a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as "photosensitive drum") 7. , 9
M, 9C, 9K (yellow, magenta, cyan,
Black) and the process cartridges 9Y and 9
Exposure means 1 corresponding to each color above M, 9C, 9K
Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K (laser beam optical scanning systems) are respectively arranged in parallel.

Below the image forming section, a feeding means for feeding the recording medium 2, an intermediate transfer belt 4a for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7, and a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4a are provided. A secondary transfer roller 4d for transferring the image onto the recording medium 2 is provided.

Further, the recording medium 2 onto which the toner image has been transferred
And a discharge roller 3h, 3j for discharging and stacking the recording medium 2 outside the apparatus.

Here, as the recording medium 2, for example, paper,
An OHP sheet, cloth, or the like. The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is an apparatus of a cleanerless system. The transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 7 is taken into the developing device 10, and a dedicated cleaner for collecting and storing the transfer residual toner is a process cartridge 9Y. , 9M, 9C, 9K
Not placed inside.

Next, the configuration of each section of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail in order.

[Sheet Feeding Unit] The sheet feeding unit (sheet feeding means) feeds the recording medium 2 to the image forming unit, and includes a feeding cassette 3a loaded with a plurality of recording media 2 and a feeding cassette 3a. Feed roller 3b, retard roller 3c for preventing double feed, feed guide 3
d, a registration roller 3g.

The feed roller 3b is driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation, and separates and feeds the recording medium 2 in the feed cassette 3a one by one. The recording medium 2 is guided by a feed guide 3d, and is conveyed to registration rollers 3g via conveyance rollers 3e and 3f.

Immediately after the recording medium 2 is conveyed, the registration rollers 3g stop rotating, and the recording medium 2 is skewed by hitting the nip.

During the image forming operation, the registration roller 3g
A non-rotating operation of keeping the recording medium 2 stationary and a rotating operation of transporting the recording medium 2 toward the intermediate transfer belt 4a are performed in a predetermined sequence, and the toner image and the recording medium in the next transfer process, which is the next process, are performed. 2 is aligned.

[Process Cartridge] As shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K are integrally formed by disposing a charging device 8 and a developing device 10 around the photosensitive drum 7. The process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K can be easily removed and attached to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter, referred to as "apparatus main body") 100, and the photosensitive drum 7 has reached the end of its life. Replace if. Process cartridge 9
For Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, the cover is opened and detached as shown in FIG. The process cartridges 12 </ b> Y and 1 </ b> Y are attached to a longitudinal guide rail 100 a provided on the apparatus main body 100.
The process cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100 by fitting the longitudinal guide portions 9a of 2M, 12C and 12K and moving the process cartridge in the longitudinal direction.

[Charging Means] The charging means uses a contact charging method. In the present embodiment, a magnetic brush charging device 8 using magnetic particles as a charging member is used.

More specifically, the charging member has a magnetic brush portion formed by magnetically constraining conductive magnetic particles. The magnetic brush portion is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 7, and a voltage is applied to the photosensitive drum 7. The body is charged.

Such a charging method (charging of an object to be charged by direct injection of charges) is referred to as “injection charging”. By using the injection charging method, a cleaner mechanism (a cleaning blade, a cleaning roller, etc.) for mechanically scraping and removing the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 7 becomes unnecessary. This cleanerless system will be described later.

In addition, the injection charging method of the present embodiment does not use a discharge phenomenon in which charging of a member to be charged is performed using a corona charger, and therefore, an applied charging bias required for charging is desirable. This is a completely ozone-less and low power consumption type charging which is only for the surface potential of the member to be charged and does not generate ozone.

Next, the magnetic brush charging device 8 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[Magnetic Brush Charging Apparatus] The magnetic brush charging apparatus 8 forms a magnetic brush layer of magnetic particles on a charging sleeve 8a containing a magnet roller 8b, and the photosensitive brush is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 7 by a brush. The drum 7 is charged to a desired potential.

As shown in FIG. 2, the charging sleeve 8a extends in the longitudinal direction into the opening of the charging container 8e containing the magnetic particles so that the substantially right circumferential surface of the charging sleeve 8a protrudes and the left substantially half circumferential surface is exposed to the outside. Have been placed. On the surface of the charging sleeve 8a, the surface is appropriately roughened and irregularities are formed in order to carry the magnetic particles well.

The magnet roller 8b provided inside the charging sleeve 8a is magnetized in four poles in the circumferential direction. Then, in order to prevent the magnetic particles from adhering to the photosensitive drum 7 and being taken along with the rotation, the magnet roller 8b is arranged so that one magnetic pole, specifically, the S1 pole faces the center direction of the photosensitive drum 7. It is fixed.

A non-magnetic plate-shaped regulating blade 8c is arranged at a predetermined distance from the surface of the charging sleeve 8a. The regulating blade 8c is supported by the charging container 8e via a supporting metal plate 8d. The magnetic particles are held by the magnet roller 8b and conveyed in the direction of arrow B by the rotation of the charging sleeve 8a. Then, the magnetic particles form a magnetic brush portion on the charging sleeve 8a with a predetermined thickness by the regulating blade 8c.

The charging sleeve 8a is opposed to the photosensitive drum 7 at a predetermined interval, and the magnetic brush contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 to form a charging nip. The width of the charging nip has an effect on the charging property of the photosensitive drum 7, and in this embodiment, the gap is adjusted so that the width of the nip is about 6 mm.

The charging sleeve 8a is driven by a motor (not shown) to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow B in FIG. In this embodiment, the charging sleeve 8a is rotated in the counter direction at a speed ratio of V2 ≒ 1.5 × V1 with respect to the rotation speed V1 of the photosensitive drum 7. As the relative rotation speed between the photosensitive drum 7 and the magnetic brush portion increases, the chance of contact increases, so that the charging uniformity becomes better and the transferability of the transfer residual toner to the magnetic brush tends to be improved.

A predetermined charging bias is applied to the magnetic brush unit from a charging bias power supply (not shown) via a charging sleeve 8a, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is contact-charged to a predetermined polarity and potential at a charging nip. .

The conductive magnetic particles constituting the magnetic brush portion include magnetic metal particles such as ferrite and magnetite,
What bonded these conductive magnetic particles with resin can also be used.

The stirring member 8f is substantially parallel to the charging sleeve 8a, and is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) between wall surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the charging container 8e so as to be disposed above the charging sleeve 8a. .

The charging brush 8g is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum surface with a penetration amount of about 1 mm, and applies a predetermined voltage. By the contact of the charging brush 8g, the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is uniformly scattered, and further the charge is removed, so that the charging in the next step is performed uniformly.

Next, a description will be given of a cleanerless system in a reversal developing system in which the photosensitive member is negatively charged and the negatively charged toner is developed in the low potential portion of the exposed portion.

[Cleanerless system] First, of the transfer residual toner slightly remaining on the photoreceptor after the transfer, the toner having a particularly positive charge is once taken into the magnetic brush charging device 8 electrostatically, and Others are also collected by forced scraping by. After being charged to a negative polarity by friction with the magnetic particles in the magnetic brush charging device 8, the toner is discharged onto the photosensitive drum 7.

On the other hand, the negatively charged toner among the transfer residual toner is hardly taken into the magnetic brush charging device 8 and is collected by the developing device 10 together with the toner discharged from the magnetic brush charging device 8 (development). Simultaneous cleaning).

The toner is taken into the developing device 10 during the simultaneous cleaning by the fogging at the time of development (a fog removing potential difference which is a potential difference between a DC voltage applied to the developing device and a surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7). I have.

According to this method, the transfer residual toner is partially collected by the developing device via the magnetic brush charging device, and the remainder is directly collected and used in the next process. Therefore, the removed toner is eliminated and the maintenance is troublesome. Can be reduced. In addition, the cleaner-less system has a great advantage in terms of space, and can greatly reduce the size of the image forming apparatus.

[Exposure Means] In this embodiment, the exposure of the photosensitive drum 7 is performed by the laser exposure means 1Y, 1Y.
M, 1C, and 1K are used. That is, the device body 1
When an image signal is sent from 00, a laser beam L modulated according to this signal is scanned and exposed on the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 7 (see FIG. 2). Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is selectively formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7.

Laser exposure means 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K
Is a solid-state laser element (not shown), a polygon mirror 1
a, an imaging lens 1b, a reflection mirror 1c, and the like. The solid-state laser element is turned on at a predetermined timing by a light emission signal generator (not shown) based on the input image signal.
/ OFF light emission control is performed. Laser light L emitted from the solid-state laser element is converted into a substantially parallel light beam by a collimator lens system (not shown), and scanned by a polygon mirror 1a rotating at high speed. And the imaging lens 1b,
An image is formed in a spot shape on the photosensitive drum 7 via the reflection mirror 1c.

As described above, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is exposed in the main scanning direction by laser beam scanning, and further, the photosensitive drum 7 is exposed.
Is rotated, exposure in the sub-scanning direction is performed, and an exposure distribution according to an image signal is obtained.

That is, by the irradiation and non-irradiation of the laser beam L, a light portion potential having a reduced surface potential and a dark portion potential which is not so are formed. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed by the contrast between the light portion potential and the dark portion potential.

[Developing Unit] The developing device 10 as a developing unit
Is a two-component contact developing device (two-component magnetic brush developing device)
A developer including a carrier and a toner is held on a developing sleeve 10a which is a developer carrying member including a magnet roller 10b. A regulating blade 10c is provided on the developing sleeve 10a with a predetermined gap, and a thin layer of developer is formed on the developing sleeve 10a as the developing sleeve 10a rotates in the direction of the arrow c. Developing blade 1
Reference numeral 0c is supported and fixed to the developing container 10f.

The developing sleeve 10a is arranged in parallel with the photosensitive drum 7 so as to have a predetermined interval, and during development, the developer formed on the developing sleeve 10a is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 7. It is set so that it can be developed. The developing sleeve 10a is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed in the developing section in a counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow c in which the moving direction of the circumferential surface is the counter direction with respect to the rotating direction of the photosensitive drum 7.

The toner used in this embodiment is a negatively charged toner having an average particle diameter of 6 μm, and the magnetic carrier has an average particle diameter of 35 emu / cm 3 having a saturation magnetization of 205 emu / cm 3.
A μm magnetic carrier was used. A mixture of toner and carrier at a weight ratio of 6:94 is used as a developer.

The developer storage section 10h in which the developer is circulated
As shown in FIG. 2, each is divided into two by a partition 10 d in the longitudinal direction except for both ends. The stirring screws 10eA and 10eB are arranged with the partition 10d interposed therebetween. The stirring screws 10eA and 10eB are rotatably supported by the developing container 10f.

Discharge opening 12f1 for toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K as developer supply containers
The toner supplied through the openings 9f of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K is supplied to the stirring screw 10
It falls to the near side of eB, is stirred while being sent to the far side in the longitudinal direction, and passes through the portion without the partition 10d at the far side end.
Then, it is further sent to the near side in the longitudinal direction by the stirring screw 10eA, passes through the portion without the partition 10d on the near side, is stirred while being sent by the stirring screw 10eB, and repeats circulation.

Here, the developing step of visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by the two-component magnetic brush method using the developing device 10 and the circulation system of the developer will be described.

With the rotation of the developing sleeve 10a, the developer in the developing container 10f is pumped by the N3 pole of the magnet roller 10b to the surface of the developing sleeve 10a and transported.

In the course of the transport, the layer thickness of the developer is regulated by a regulating blade 10c arranged perpendicularly to the developing sleeve 10a.
A thin layer developer is formed thereon. When the thin layer developer is conveyed to the developing pole N1 corresponding to the developing section, a spike is formed by magnetic force. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is developed as a toner image by the toner in the developer formed in the spike shape. In this example, the electrostatic latent image is reversely developed.

The thin layer developer on the developing sleeve 10a that has passed through the developing section continuously enters the developing container 10f with the rotation of the developing sleeve 10a, and is separated from the developing sleeve 10a by the repelling magnetic field of N2 pole and N3 pole. Developing container 10
The developer is returned to the developer pool in f.

A direct current (DC) voltage and an alternating current (AC) voltage are applied to the developing sleeve 10a from a power source (not shown). In the present embodiment, a DC voltage of -500 V and an AC voltage of a peak-to-peak voltage of 1500 V at a frequency of 2000 Hz are applied to selectively develop only the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 7.

In general, in the two-component developing method, when an AC voltage is applied, the developing efficiency is increased and the image quality is high, but on the contrary, there is a risk that fogging is likely to occur. For this reason, fog is generally prevented by providing a potential difference between the DC voltage applied to the developing sleeve 10a and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 7. More specifically, a bias voltage having a potential between the potential of the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 7 and the potential of the non-exposed portion is applied.

The potential difference for preventing fogging is called a fogging potential (V _back ). The potential difference prevents toner from adhering to a non-image area (non-exposed portion) on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 at the time of development. In the cleaner-less system, the transfer residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is also collected (simultaneous development and cleaning).

When the toner is consumed by the development, the toner concentration in the developer decreases. In the present embodiment, a sensor 10g for detecting the toner density is arranged at a position close to the outer peripheral surface of the stirring screw 10eB. When the sensor 10g detects that the toner density in the developer has dropped below a predetermined density level, the toner cartridge 12
Commands for supplying toner into the developing device 10 are issued from Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K. By this toner replenishing operation, the toner concentration of the developer is constantly maintained at a predetermined level.

[Toner Cartridge] Next, the toner cartridge according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. FIG.

The toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12
C and 12K are process cartridges 9Y, 9M and 9
C, 9K, and are arranged in parallel above
It is mounted from the front (see FIG. 3).

The toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12
As shown in FIG. 2, each of C and 12K has a toner storage section 12k as a developer storage section for storing toner inside the frame 12r, and a toner transport section 12t for transporting toner to the discharge port 12f1. On the other hand, a stirring plate 12b fixed to a stirring shaft 12c as toner stirring means is disposed inside the toner storage section 12k, a screw 12a as a toner conveyance means is disposed in the toner conveyance section 12t, and a toner conveyance section 12t is provided. A discharge opening 12f having a discharge port 12f1 for discharging toner is formed on the bottom surface of the container.
Both ends of the screw 12a and the stirring shaft 12c are
d, 12e so as to be rotatable, and the developing device 10
Is rotationally driven by a command issued by the sensor 10g.

The outer shape of the screw 12a has a spiral rib shape, and the twist direction of the spiral is reversed around the discharge opening 12f (see FIG. 4). The screw 12a is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction by a coupling (not shown). And the discharge opening 12
The toner is conveyed toward f, the toner is freely dropped from the toner discharge port 12f1 of the discharge opening 12f, and the toner is supplied through the opening 9f which is a supply port of the process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.

The stirring plate 12b is formed of a flexible sheet member (for example, polyethylene terephthalate), and the stirring shaft 12c is rotated by a coupling (not shown) to slide the toner while slidingly contacting the inner wall surface of the toner container 12k. Stirring.

The toner cartridge of the present embodiment can be supplied not only to the two-component developing method but also to a process cartridge or a developing cartridge using the one-component developing method. It is needless to say that the body is not limited to the toner, and may be a so-called developer in which the toner and the magnetic carrier are mixed.

The toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12
Reference characters C and 12K denote toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, and
This is performed by inserting and removing the guide portions 12g in the longitudinal direction of 12C and 12K. The mounting and dismounting of the cartridge is performed from the front using the cover of the apparatus main body 100 as shown in FIG. Then, the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, 1
2K and process cartridges 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K
Are attached to the apparatus main body 100,
, The toner shutter 12f4 and the cartridge shutter 9b are opened.

[Transfer Means] The intermediate transfer unit 4 serving as a transfer means performs a secondary transfer of a plurality of toner images sequentially primary-transferred and superimposed sequentially from the photosensitive drum 7 to the recording medium 2 collectively. is there.

As shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 4 includes an intermediate transfer belt 4a that runs in the direction of the arrow, and runs at the same peripheral speed as the outer peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 7 in the clockwise direction of the arrow. I have. The intermediate transfer belt 4a is an endless belt having a circumference of about 940 mm.
b, a secondary transfer facing roller 4g and a driven roller 4c.

Further, in the intermediate transfer belt 4a, transfer charging rollers 4fY, 4fM, 4fC, 4fK are rotatably arranged at positions facing the photosensitive drum 7, respectively.
Is pressed in the center direction.

The transfer charging rollers 4fY, 4fM, 4fC,
4fK is supplied with power from a high-voltage power supply (not shown), charges the toner with a polarity opposite to that of the toner from the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 4a, and sequentially transfers the toner images on the photosensitive drum 7 to the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4a sequentially.

In the secondary transfer section, a secondary transfer roller 4d as a transfer member is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 4a at a position facing the secondary transfer opposing roller 4g. Secondary transfer roller 4
d can swing up and down in the figure and rotate. At this time, a bias is simultaneously applied to the transfer belt 4d, so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4a is transferred to the recording medium 2.

Here, the intermediate transfer belt 4a and the secondary transfer roller 4d are each driven. When the recording medium 2 enters the secondary transfer section, a predetermined bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 4d.
, And the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 4 a is secondarily transferred to the recording medium 2.

At this time, the recording medium 2 sandwiched between the two is conveyed at a predetermined speed to the left in the figure at the same time as the transfer step is performed, and is conveyed to the fixing unit 5 which is the next step. At a predetermined position of the intermediate transfer belt 4a, which is the most downstream side of the transfer process, a cleaning unit 11 that can be brought into contact with and separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 4a is provided to remove transfer residual toner remaining after the secondary transfer.

In the cleaning unit 11, a cleaning blade 11a for removing transfer residual toner is disposed. The cleaning unit 11 is swingably mounted on a rotation center (not shown), and the cleaning blade 11a is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 4a in a biting direction. The transfer residual toner taken into the cleaning unit 11 is transported and stored in a removed toner tank (not shown) by the feed screw 11b.

Here, a belt made of polyimide resin can be used as the intermediate transfer belt 4a. The material of the intermediate transfer belt 4a is not limited to a polyimide resin, but may be a polycarbonate resin, a polyethylene terephthalate resin, a polyvinylidene fluoride resin, a polyethylene naphthalate resin, a polyether ether ketone resin, a polyether sulfone resin, or a polyurethane resin. Plastic or fluorine-based or silicon-based rubber can be suitably used.

[Fixing Section] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 by the developing means 10 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 4a.
Is transferred onto the recording medium 2 via the. And the fixing device 5
Fixes the toner image transferred to the recording medium 2 on the recording medium 2 using heat.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 5 includes a fixing roller 5a for applying heat to the recording medium 2 and a pressing roller 5b for pressing the recording medium 2 against the fixing roller. Is a hollow roller. Each of them has a heater (not shown) therein. Then, the recording medium 2 is simultaneously conveyed by being driven to rotate.

That is, the recording medium 2 holding the toner image is conveyed by the fixing roller 5a and the pressing roller 5b, and the toner image is fixed on the recording medium 2 by applying heat and pressure. The recording medium 2 after fixing is discharged by discharge rollers 3h and 3j, and is stacked on a tray 6 on the apparatus main body 100.

[Embodiment 1] Next, the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, and 12 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The configuration of C and 12K will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C and 12K according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in an unused initial state. As shown in FIG. 5, a toner shutter 12f4, a sealing tape 12f2, and a plate member 12f3 are disposed in the discharge opening 12f of the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K. The toner shutter 12f4 is engaged with the rail 12f6 provided in the discharge opening 12f and the engaging portion 12f4-1 provided in the toner shutter 12f4, and is opened and closed by a moving means (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100. In at least two positions. In this figure, the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C,
Since 12K is an unused initial state, the toner shutter 12f4 is, of course, stationary at the sealing position. Toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, 1
2K is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 100 in the longitudinal direction. The engaging portions 12f4-1 are provided for the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 1
The direction of attachment / detachment of 2C and 12K to / from the apparatus main body 100 is orthogonal to the direction of attachment / detachment.

FIG. 6 shows the toner cartridges 12Y and 12Y.
It is a partial sectional view of M, 12C, and 12K discharge opening 12f. As shown in the figure, the toner discharge port 12f1 is sealed by a sealing tape 12f2.
2f2 is attached to the plate member 12f3. On the other hand, the plate member 12f3 and the elastic seal 12f5 are communication openings 12f3-1, 1 which are openings for communicating the toner discharge openings 12f1, respectively.
2f5-1. The plate member 12f3 is attached to the elastic seal 12f5. The elastic seal 12f5 is attached and fixed to the seal seat surface 12f7.
In the same state, the sealing tape 12f2 is attached to the plate member 12f3 and simultaneously pressed down by the toner shutter 12f4 as described above, so that the toner is discharged from the discharge opening 12f even when a shock is applied during distribution or dropping. Do not leak. At this time, as a method of attaching the sealing tape 12f2 and the plate member 12f3, a method such as welding by heat or ultrasonic waves, adhesion by an adhesive, or adhesion by an adhesive is conceivable. It is possible to make a timely selection.

The user operates the toner cartridge 12
When Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are mounted on the apparatus main body 100, the sealing tape 12f2 is peeled in the direction of the arrow and then mounted on the apparatus main body 100. At this time, the resilient seal 12f5 repels the plate member 12f3. The close contact of the toner shutter 12f4 prevents toner leakage during the mounting operation and the like. Since the impact generated at the time of mounting is much smaller than the impact at the time of distribution or falling, the repulsion here can be set to be much smaller than the conventional configuration.

The toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12
After peeling off the sealing tape 12f2 as described above, C and 12K are attached to the apparatus main body 100, and the toner shutter 12f4 is moved from the sealing position to the opening position by the moving means (not shown) so that the toner is discharged from the toner discharge port. It becomes possible and becomes usable (see FIG. 7). After the toner in the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K is used up, the toner shutter 12f4 is moved to the sealing position again by a moving unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100, and then the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 1K are moved.
2K is taken out of the apparatus main body 100. The toner shutter 12f4 slides on the plate member 12f3 when moving from the sealing position to the opening position. However, as described above, the repulsive force of the elastic seal 12f5 is set to be much smaller than that of the conventional structure, The movement load of the toner shutter 12f4 is reduced. Further, a toner shutter 12
Since the sliding surface of f4 is a plate member 12f3, which is stable in shape, it is possible to eliminate the problem of the elastic seal 12f5 being turned up, broken, and wrinkled.

Subsequently, the elastic seal 12f5 and the plate member 12f
3. A method of assembling the sealing tape 12f2 and the toner shutter 12f4 will be described.

In the first step, the elastic seal 12f5 is an elastic member, and a foamed polyurethane sheet, a foamed rubber sheet, an elastic rubber sheet or the like is used as the material. ,
12M, 12C, and 12K are attached to the seal seat surface 12f7 of the main body.

In the second step, the plate member 12f3 to which the sealing tape 12f2 has been peelably attached is attached to the elastic seal 1f.
Paste on the surface of 2f5. Attachment of the sealing tape 12f2 to the plate member 12f3 requires at least the communication port 12f3-
Using a tape that is larger than twice the width of the sheet member 12 (the size in the left-right direction in FIG. 6), the communication port 12f of the plate member 12f3 is used.
Affix to the periphery of 3-1. Then, the tape is folded back at one end 12f2-1 of the pasted portion, and the folded tape is superimposed on the pasted tape to form a sealing tape 12f.
2 is extended.

The material of the plate member 12f3 needs to be appropriately selected depending on the method of attaching the plate member 12f3 to the sealing tape 12f2. However, a resin material is generally selected. Further, as a material of the sealing tape 12f2, a polyester resin, a polyamide, a single-layer film member of a resin material such as polyethylene, or a multilayer film member configured of these materials in a multilayer, or when welding by heat or vibration,
It is known to use a multilayer-structured film member having a sealant layer on the surface to which a single-layer or multilayer film member is attached.

In the third step, after the sealing tape 12f2 is folded back as shown in FIG.
2f4-1 is engaged to attach the toner shutter 12f4. Here, the sealing tape 12f2 is used in advance for the plate member 1.
Since it is attached to 2f3, the work contents of the worker when assembling the toner cartridge are extremely simple and efficient.

As described above, the toner discharge port 12f
1 and a communication port 12f3 communicating with the toner discharge port 12f1 on a surface of the elastic seal 12f5 interposed between the toner shutter member 12f4 and the toner shutter 12f4.
A plate member 12f3 having a value of -1;
By attaching a peelable sealing tape 12f2 to seal the communication port 12f3-1 of f3 to prevent toner leakage from the toner discharge port 12f1, even if a shock during distribution or drop is applied. It is possible to prevent toner leakage, and by adopting the same configuration, the load of opening and closing operation of the toner shutter 12f4 can be reduced as compared with the related art. Further, since the sliding surface of the toner shutter is a plate member 12f3 and thus has a stable shape, there is no problem such as turning over, tearing, and wrinkling.

[Embodiment 2] Next, the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, and 12 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.
The configuration of C and 12K will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K as in FIG. 6 in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the toner cartridges 12Y and 12M in the same manner as in FIG. , 12C, 1
It is a 2K perspective view. The configuration of the other parts is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description is omitted.

As shown in FIG.
Around the discharge openings 12f of Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K, as in the first embodiment, a toner discharge opening 12f1, a movable toner shutter 12f4 that can be opened and closed by a moving unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100, and the toner discharge opening. 12f
Elastic seal 1 having a communication port 12f5-1 communicating with the elastic seal 1
2f5, and a surface of the elastic seal 12f5 has a communication port 12f communicating with the toner discharge port 12f1.
It is covered by a plate-like sliding member 12f3 'having 3'-1. On the other hand, the edge 1 around the toner discharge port 12f1
2f1-1 has a peelable sealing tape 12f2 '.
Is pasted. The method of attaching the sealing tape 12f2 'is the same as in the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, the impact of the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12
Even if it is added to K, the toner outlet 12f1 is
The toner is not leaked because it is sealed by f2 '. As in the first embodiment, when the user mounts the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K on the apparatus main body 100, the sealing tape 12f2 'is peeled off. Sliding member 12f3 'and toner shutter 12
Since f4 is in close contact with the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K, the toner does not leak even when vibration or the like during the attaching / detaching operation is applied to the toner cartridges 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the moving load of the toner shutter 12f4 is reduced as compared with the conventional example. The arrangement of the sliding member 12f3 'can prevent the elastic seal 12f5 from being turned, torn, and wrinkled.

Subsequently, the elastic seal 12f5 and the sliding member 12
f3 ', sealing tape 12f2', toner shutter 12
The method of assembling the f4 portion will be described. Note that the same materials as those in the first embodiment can be selected for those materials having the same reference numerals.

In the first step, the elastic seal 12f5 is an elastic member, which is attached to the seal seat surface 12f7 with a double-sided tape, an adhesive, an adhesive or the like.

In the second step, the sliding member 12f3 'is attached to the surface of the elastic seal 12f5. The material of the sliding member 12f3 'may be a resin plate member or a low-friction sheet member such as a polymer polyethylene sheet, a PTFE sheet, or a polyamide sheet as in the first embodiment.

In the third step, the sealing tape 12f2 'is adhered to the edge 12f1-1 around the toner outlet 12f1 by means of welding, adhesion, adhesion or the like by heat or vibration as in the first embodiment.

In the fourth step, after the sealing tape has been folded back as shown in FIG. 8, the rail portion 12f6 and the engaging portion 12f4-1 are formed.
And the toner shutter 12f4 is attached. As the material of the sealing tape 12f2 ', the same material as in the first embodiment can be selected. Here, in order to attach the sealing tape 12f2 ', it is necessary to perform the attaching operation while pushing down the sliding member 12f3' and the elastic seal 12f5. However, in this configuration, the sealing tape 12f2 is connected to the plate member 12f3 as in the first embodiment.
Since it is sufficient to seal the toner outlet 12f1 as compared with the configuration in which the sealing tape f3-1 is sealed, the sealing tape 12
Since the size of f2 'can be made smaller, component costs can be kept low (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

[0105]

As described above, a shutter member movable to at least two positions, a first position covering the toner outlet and a second position opening the toner outlet, in the toner outlet of the toner cartridge. An elastic seal member that seals between the toner discharge port and the shutter member; and a plate member that slides on the shutter member on a surface of a surface of the elastic seal member that contacts the shutter member. A configuration having a communication port communicating with the toner discharge port and the outside, wherein the plate member is provided with a sealing tape that seals the communication port so that the communication port can be opened, or the shutter member of the elastic seal member. By adopting a configuration in which a sliding member is provided on the surface of the abutting surface and a sealing tape is provided around the toner outlet so as to seal the toner outlet so that the toner outlet can be opened. Even if the amount of crushing and the repulsive force of the elastic seal are not strictly controlled, the toner does not leak due to the impact at the time of distribution or drop, the load when moving the shutter member increases, or the elastic seal It is possible to provide a toner cartridge that does not tear, turn up, or wrinkle at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a color laser printer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view around a process cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an external appearance of an apparatus main body according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a process cartridge and a toner cartridge according to the present invention in a longitudinal direction.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view of a discharge opening in an initial state of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a discharge opening of the toner cartridge according to the first embodiment in a state where a toner shutter is opened.

FIG. 8 is a partial vertical sectional view of a discharge opening in an initial state of the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the toner cartridge according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Exposure means 1a, polygon mirror 1b, imaging lens 1c, reflection mirror L, laser beam 2, recording medium 3, feeding means 3a, feeding cassette 3b, feeding roller 3c, retard roller 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K 3d: feeding guide 3e, 3
f: conveyance roller 3g: registration roller 3h, 3j ...
Discharge roller 4 ... Intermediate transfer unit 4a ... Intermediate transfer belt 4b ...
Driving roller 4c: driven roller 4d: secondary transfer roller 4fY, 4fM, 4fC, 4fK: transfer charging roller
4g: Secondary transfer facing roller 5: Fixing device 5a: Fixing roller 5b: Pressure roller 6: Tray 7: Photosensitive drum 8: Magnetic brush charging device 8a: Charging sleeve 8b
Magnet roller 8c: regulating blade 8d: supporting metal plate 8e: charging container 8f: stirring member 8g: charging brush 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K: process cartridge 9a
... Guide part 9b ... Cartridge shutter 9f ... Opening 10 ... Developing device 10a ... Developing sleeve 10b ... Magnetic roller 10c ... Regulatory blade 10d ... Partition wall
10eA, 10eB: Stirring screw 10f: Developing container 10g: Sensor 10h: Developer storage unit 11: Cleaning unit 11a: Cleaning blade 11b: Feed screw 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K: Toner cartridge 12a: Screw 12b: Stirring plate 12c ... Stirring shafts 12d, 12e: Bearing 12f: Discharge opening 12f1: Toner discharge port 1
2f1-1 ... edge 12f2, 12f2 '... sealing tape 12f2-1 ... one end 12f3 ... plate member 12f3'
... Sliding member 12f3-1, 12f3'-1 communication port 1
2f4: toner shutter 12f4-1: engaging part 1
2f5: elastic seal 12f5-1: communication port 12f6
... Rail section 12f7 ... Seal seating surface 12k ... Toner storage section 12r ... Frame 12t ... Toner transport section 100 ... Device body 100a ... Guide rail

Claims (10)

[Claims] A toner container for storing toner, a toner outlet for discharging toner from the toner container, a first position for sealing the toner outlet, and a second position for opening the toner outlet. A shutter member movable between two positions; and a toner cartridge detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the shutter member being disposed around the toner discharge port, for sealing between the shutter member and the toner storage portion. An elastic seal, a plate member provided in contact with a surface of the elastic seal facing the shutter member and sliding with the toner shutter, and having a communication port communicating with the toner discharge port to the outside. A plate member, and a sealing tape which seals the communication port of the plate member so as to be openable. When the toner cartridge, wherein the shutter is in close contact. 2. The material of the elastic seal is any one of a foamed polyurethane sheet, a foamed rubber sheet and an elastic rubber sheet.
The toner cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the number is one. 3. The communication port and the toner discharge port are sealed by attaching a sealing tape to a plate member, and at least the sealing tape attachment surface of the plate member is made of a resin material. The toner cartridge according to claim 1. 4. The method of attaching the sealing tape to the plate member by welding by heat or vibration, by adhesion with an adhesive, or by adhesion with an adhesive. 4. The toner cartridge according to claim 1. 5. The material of the sealing tape is polyester,
It is characterized by being a single-layer film member made of a resin material such as polyamide or polyethylene, or a multilayer film member comprising these materials in a multilayer structure, or a multilayer film having a sealant layer on the surface to which these single-layer or multilayer film members are attached. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 6. A toner container for containing toner, a toner outlet for discharging toner from the toner container, a first position for sealing the toner outlet, and a second position for opening the toner outlet. A shutter member movable between two positions; and a toner cartridge detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the shutter member being disposed around the toner discharge port, for sealing between the shutter member and the toner storage portion. An elastic seal, a sliding member provided in contact with the surface of the elastic seal facing the shutter member and sliding with the shutter member, and a communication port communicating with the toner discharge port and the outside. And a sealing tape that seals the toner outlet so as to be openable and is drawn out from between the shutter member and the sliding member. By Kifutome tape is opened, the toner cartridge, wherein said sliding member, said shutter is in close contact. 7. The material of the elastic seal is any one of a foamed polyurethane sheet, a foamed rubber sheet, and an elastic rubber sheet.
7. The toner cartridge according to claim 6, wherein: 8. The toner cartridge according to claim 6, wherein a material of the sliding member in the toner cartridge is a low friction sheet member such as a polymer polyethylene sheet, a PTFE sheet, and a polyamide sheet. . 9. The sealing of the toner outlet is performed by attaching a sealing tape to an edge of the toner outlet, and the method of attaching the sealing tape to the sealing tape is performed by welding by heat or vibration, bonding by an adhesive, or an adhesive. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the toner cartridge is any one of the following adhesives. 10. A single-layer film member made of a resin material such as polyester, polyamide or polyethylene, or a multi-layer film member comprising these materials in a multilayer structure, or a single-layer or multi-layer film member attached thereto. The toner cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the toner cartridge is a multilayer film having a sealant layer on a surface.