JP2006208837A - Developer cartridge and reproducing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A developer capable of ensuring a sealing property when a filling port is closed after refilling the developer, and capable of reliably determining whether or not the developer is refilled. To provide a cartridge and a reproducing method thereof.
A developing cartridge includes a cylindrical cylindrical portion that protrudes outward from a peripheral edge of a circular filling port. A cap 77 that closes the filling port 76 is received by the cylindrical portion 112 while being in contact with the inner peripheral surface 113 of the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112. When the toner storage chamber 85 is refilled with toner, the cap 77 is removed together with the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112. After refilling the toner storage chamber 85 with the toner from the filling port 76, the insertion portion 119 of the refilling port cap 118 is inserted into the base end portion 111 of the cylindrical portion 112, and the filling port 76 is inserted by the refilling port cap 118. Close.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

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

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a developer cartridge including a toner storage chamber for storing toner is detachably mounted.
The housing of the developer cartridge is formed with a filling port for filling the toner storage chamber with toner. After the toner is filled from the filling port into the toner storage chamber, a cap is pressed into the filling port, whereby the filling port is closed so that the toner filled in the toner storage chamber does not leak.

  When the toner in the toner storage chamber runs out, such a developer cartridge is removed from the image forming apparatus and replaced with a developer cartridge filled with toner. The developing cartridge removed from the image forming apparatus can be reused by refilling the toner storage chamber with toner. To refill the toner, remove the cap from the filling port and reopen the filling port, but the cap is firmly attached around the filling port, so it can be easily removed from the filling port. Can not.

Therefore, in order to make it easier to remove the cap from the filling port, the cap is pressed into the filling port, and the cap is bent in the filling port to reduce the rigidity of the cap. Is proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-137375 A

  However, cutting the cap and bending the cap does not necessarily remove the cap from around the filling port. In particular, when the cap is fixed around the filling port with an adhesive, even if the cap is bent, the cap does not peel off from around the filling port. If the cap is forcibly removed from the filling port with the cap in close contact with the filling port, the filling port will be damaged, and as a result, the sealing performance when the filling port is closed after refilling the toner. Will fall.

  Further, in order to close the filling port after refilling the toner, it is only necessary to press-fit the cap into the filling port again. In this case, the developer cartridge is new or the toner is refilled. It is difficult to determine if it is a recycled product. For example, when a recycled product that has been refilled with toner is further recycled, a developing roller for supplying toner to a photosensitive drum provided in the image forming apparatus and toner leakage from the periphery of the developing roller are prevented. When it is determined that the seal of the developer must be replaced, it is not possible to reliably determine whether the developer cartridge is new or recycled. This causes a problem that the fatigue level of these members must be checked.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to ensure sealing performance when the filling port after refilling the developer is closed, and to reliably determine whether or not the developer is refilled. It is an object of the present invention to provide a developer cartridge and a reproducing method thereof.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a developer cartridge, further comprising a developer storage chamber for storing the developer, wherein the developer storage chamber is filled with the developer. A housing in which a filling port is formed; and a first contact surface that is provided in the housing and is in contact with a first lid member for closing the filling port, wherein the first lid member is the first lid. A first receiving member that is received in contact with the contact surface and a second lid member that is provided in the housing and that closes the filling port after the developer is refilled into the developer storage chamber are in contact with each other. A second receiving member having two contact surfaces and receiving the second lid member in contact with the second contact surface.

  According to such a configuration, the first lid member that closes the filling port before refilling the developer is received by the first receiving member in contact with the first contact surface, and the filling port after refilling is closed. The second lid member to be received is received by the second receiving member in a state in which the second lid member is in contact with a second contact surface different from the first contact surface. Therefore, when the filling port is opened again, even if the first contact surface is damaged by forcibly peeling the first lid member from the first contact surface, the second cover member is brought into contact with the second contact surface. The filling port after refilling can be closed while ensuring sealing performance.

  Whether or not the developer storage chamber has been refilled according to whether the first lid member is in contact with the first contact surface or the second lid member is in contact with the second contact surface. Can be reliably determined. That is, if the first lid member is in contact with the first contact surface, it can be determined that the developer cartridge has not been refilled with the developer, and the second lid is placed on the second contact surface. If the member is in contact, it can be determined that the developer cartridge has been refilled with the developer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the first lid member is removed to reopen the filling port when the first lid member is received by the first receiving member. It is characterized by having a removal unit.
According to such a configuration, by removing the removing portion, the filling port can be reopened easily and reliably.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the removing portion is at least a part of the first lid member and the first receiving member cut out together with the first lid member. It is characterized by consisting of.
According to such a configuration, when the filling port is reopened, the first lid member closing the filling port is cut out together with at least a part of the first receiving member. Therefore, the filling port can be opened more reliably.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the first receiving member is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding outward from the housing, and the first contact surface is the first contact surface. It is an inner peripheral surface of one receiving member, and the removal portion is composed of the first lid member and the entire first receiving member.
According to such a configuration, when the filling port is reopened, the first lid member that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical first receiving member and the entire first receiving member are removed. Therefore, the filling port can be opened more reliably and large.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the second receiving member protrudes outward from the housing and is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the first receiving member. It is characterized by that.
According to such a configuration, the second receiving member is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the first receiving member. Therefore, even if the entire first receiving member is removed together with the first lid member and the filling port is opened largely, the second opening member is received by the second receiving member, so that the large opening filling port is formed. It can be reliably closed while ensuring good sealing performance.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the second receiving member is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the second lid member is inserted into the second receiving member. And a flange projecting around the insertion section, and the second contact surface includes an inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member, and a tip surface of the second receiving member that contacts the flange. It is characterized by including.
According to such a structure, the insertion part of a 2nd cover member contacts the internal peripheral surface of a 2nd receiving member, and the collar part of a 2nd cover member contacts the front end surface of a 2nd receiving member. Therefore, the filling port after the refilling of the developer can be more reliably closed while ensuring better sealing performance.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the second receiving member is formed in an annular shape, and the second lid member is inserted into the filling port, And a flange projecting around the insertion section, wherein the second contact surface is a tip surface of the second receiving member that contacts the collar.
According to such a structure, the collar part of a 2nd cover member contacts the front end surface of a 2nd receiving member. Therefore, the filling port after the refilling of the developer can be reliably closed while ensuring the sealing performance by the contact between the flange portion of the second lid member and the front end surface of the second receiving member.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the first receiving member is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding outward from the housing, and the first contact surface is the first contact surface. It is an inner peripheral surface of an outer end portion of one receiving member, and the removal portion is composed of the first lid member and an outer end portion of the first receiving member.
According to such a configuration, when the filling port is opened again, the first lid member that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical first receiving member and the outer end portion of the first receiving member are removed. Therefore, the filling port can be opened more reliably and large.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the second receiving member is a base end portion remaining after the outer end portion is removed in the first receiving member, The second lid member includes an insertion portion to be inserted into the second receiving member, and the second contact surface is an inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member.
According to such a structure, the insertion part of a 2nd cover member contacts the internal peripheral surface of a 2nd receiving member. Therefore, the filling port after the refilling of the developer can be reliably closed while ensuring the sealing performance by the contact between the insertion portion of the second lid member and the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member.

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the removal portion is formed as at least a part of the first lid member.
According to such a configuration, when the filling port is opened again, at least a part of the first lid member closing the filling port is cut off. Therefore, the filling port can be opened more reliably.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, the first receiving member protrudes outward from the housing and is formed in a cylindrical shape having the first contact surface on the inner peripheral surface. The first lid member includes a cylindrical portion inserted into the first receiving member and a closing portion that closes the cylindrical portion, and the removing portion is the closing portion.
According to such a configuration, in a state where the first lid member is received by the first receiving member, the cylindrical portion of the first receiving member is inserted into the first receiving member, and the cylindrical portion is inside the first receiving member. Contact the peripheral surface. Therefore, the filling port closed by the first lid member can be easily and reliably opened by cutting off the closing portion that closes the cylindrical portion.

The invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to claim 11, wherein the second receiving member protrudes outward from the housing and is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the outer periphery of the first receiving member, The second lid member includes an insertion portion to be inserted into the second receiving member, and the second contact surface is an inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member.
According to such a structure, the insertion part of a 2nd cover member contacts the internal peripheral surface of a 2nd receiving member. Therefore, the filling port after the refilling of the developer can be reliably closed while ensuring the sealing performance by the contact between the insertion portion of the second lid member and the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to claim 10, wherein the removal portion is the entirety of the first lid member, and the second receiving member protrudes outward from the housing. The first receiving member is formed in a tubular shape having an inner peripheral surface that is continuous with an outer peripheral surface of the second receiving member and is connected to an outer end portion of the second receiving member. And an insertion portion through which a removing means for removing the first lid member is inserted, wherein the first contact surface is an inner peripheral surface of the first receiving member.

According to such a structure, the 1st receiving member is provided with the insertion part by which the removal means for removing a 1st cover member is penetrated. Therefore, the first lid member received by the first receiving member can be reliably removed by inserting the removing means into the insertion portion. As a result, the filling port closed by the first lid member can be reliably opened.
The invention according to claim 14 is the invention according to claim 13, wherein the second lid member includes an insertion portion to be inserted into the second receiving member, and the second contact surface is the first contact surface. 2 It is the inner peripheral surface of the receiving member.

According to such a structure, the insertion part of a 2nd cover member contacts the internal peripheral surface of a 2nd receiving member. Therefore, the filling port after the refilling of the developer can be reliably closed while ensuring the sealing performance by the contact between the insertion portion of the second lid member and the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member.
The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to claim 10, wherein the removal portion is the entirety of the first lid member, and the first receiving member projects outward from the housing. It is formed in a cylindrical shape and also serves as the second receiving member, and the first contact surface is one of an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the first receiving member, and the second contact The surface is characterized in that it is the other surface different from the first contact surface among the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the first receiving member.

  According to such a configuration, the configuration can be simplified by the first receiving member also serving as the second receiving member. Even if the first receiving member also serves as the second receiving member, one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the first receiving member is the first contact surface, and the other surface is the first Since the first contact member is scratched by forcibly peeling the first lid member from the first contact surface, the refilling port contacts the second contact surface with the second contact surface. The lid member can be closed while ensuring a sealing property.

  The invention according to claim 16 includes a housing having a developer accommodating chamber for accommodating a developer, and a filling port for filling the developer accommodating chamber with the developer, A first receiver provided on the housing, having a first contact surface that contacts a first lid member for closing the filling port, and receiving the first lid member in contact with the first contact surface A second contact surface that contacts a member and a second lid member that closes the filling port after refilling of the developer into the developer accommodating chamber, And a second receiving member that receives the member in contact with the second contact surface. In order to refill the developer storage chamber with the developer, at least the first lid member is provided. Removing a part and re-opening the filling port; After the step of refilling the developer storage chamber with the developer, and after refilling the developer into the developer storage chamber, the second lid member is brought into contact with the second contact surface, and the second lid member And a step of closing the filling port.

  According to such a method, the first lid member that closes the filling port before refilling with the developer is received by the first receiving member in a state of being in contact with the first contact surface, and at least the first lid member is By removing a part, the filling port is reopened, and the developer is refilled into the developer storage chamber from the reopened filling port. After the refilling of the developer, the second cover member is received by the second receiving member in a state of being in contact with the second contact surface different from the first contact surface, so that the refilled filling port becomes the second lid. Closed by the member. Therefore, when the filling port is opened again, even if the first contact surface is damaged by forcibly peeling the first lid member from the first contact surface, the second contact surface is different from the second contact member first contact surface. By making the contact, the filling port after refilling with the developer can be closed while ensuring the sealing property.

  Whether or not the developer storage chamber has been refilled according to whether the first lid member is in contact with the first contact surface or the second lid member is in contact with the second contact surface. Can be reliably determined. That is, if the first lid member is in contact with the first contact surface, it can be determined that the developer cartridge has not been refilled with the developer, and the second lid is placed on the second contact surface. If the member is in contact, it can be determined that the developer cartridge has been refilled with the developer.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to close the filling port after refilling with the developer while ensuring good sealing performance. It is also possible to reliably determine whether or not the developer storage chamber has been refilled with developer.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the developer is refilled, the filling port can be reopened easily and reliably.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the filling port can be more reliably opened when the developer is refilled.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the filling port can be more reliably and largely opened when the developer is refilled.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even when the filling port is largely opened when the developer is refilled, the second lid member receives the second lid member, so that the largely opened filling port is It can be reliably closed while ensuring good sealing performance.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to more reliably close the filling port after refilling with the developer while ensuring better sealing performance.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the filling port after the refilling of the developer is surely secured while ensuring the sealing property by the contact between the flange portion of the second lid member and the tip surface of the second receiving member. Can be closed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the filling port can be opened more reliably and largely when the developer is refilled.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the refilling port after the refilling of the developer is ensured while ensuring the sealing property by the contact between the insertion portion of the second lid member and the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member. Can be closed.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the filling port can be more reliably opened when the developer is refilled.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the filling port closed by the first lid member can be easily and reliably opened.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the refilling port after the refilling of the developer is ensured while ensuring the sealing property by the contact between the insertion portion of the second lid member and the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member. Can be closed.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the filling port closed by the first lid member can be reliably opened.
According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the filling port after the refilling of the developer can be reliably performed while ensuring the sealing property by the contact between the insertion portion of the second lid member and the inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member. Can be closed.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the invention, the refilling port can be closed with the second lid member in contact with the second contact surface while ensuring the sealing property, while the configuration can be simplified. be able to.
According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to close the filling port after refilling with the developer while ensuring good sealing performance. It is also possible to reliably determine whether or not the developer storage chamber has been refilled with developer.

<Overall configuration of laser printer>
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a laser printer as an image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 includes a feeder unit 4 for feeding a sheet 3 and an image forming unit 5 for forming an image on the fed sheet 3 in a main body casing 2. .
<Configuration of body casing 2>
On the upper surface of the main casing 2, a paper discharge tray 6 for receiving the paper 3 on which an image is formed is formed. Further, an operation panel having operation keys and LED display portions is embedded on one side of the paper discharge tray 6. In the main casing 2, an attachment / detachment opening 7 for attaching / detaching a process cartridge 22 described later is formed on the side wall on the operation panel side. The attachment / detachment opening 7 is provided with a front cover 8 for opening and closing the attachment / detachment opening 7. The front cover 8 is rotatably supported by a cover shaft (not shown) inserted through the lower end portion thereof. As a result, when the front cover 8 is closed around the cover axis, the attachment / detachment opening 7 is closed by the front cover 8, and when the front cover 8 is opened with the cover axis as a fulcrum (tilted), the attachment / detachment opening 7 is opened, The process cartridge 22 can be attached to and detached from the main casing 2 through the attachment / detachment port 7.

In the following description, the side on which the front cover is provided is referred to as the “front side” of the laser printer 1 and the opposite side is referred to as the “rear side”. A horizontal direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction is a width direction in the laser printer 1.
<Configuration of feeder section>
The feeder unit 4 includes a paper feed tray 9 that is detachably attached to the bottom of the main body casing 2, a paper pressing plate 10 provided in the paper feed tray 9, and a front end side end portion of the paper feed tray 9. The paper feed roller 11 and the paper feed pad 12 provided in the paper, the paper dust removing rollers 13 and 14 provided on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 11 in the conveying direction of the paper 3, and the paper 3 And a registration roller 15 provided on the downstream side in the transport direction.

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

The uppermost sheet 3 on the sheet pressing plate 10 is pressed from the back side of the sheet pressing plate 10 toward the sheet feeding roller 11 by the urging force of the spring, and the sheet feeding roller 11 is rotated by the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 11. The paper is sandwiched between the paper pads 12 and is reliably fed one by one and fed.
Then, after the paper dust is removed by the paper dust removing rollers 13 and 14, it is conveyed to the registration roller 15.

The registration roller 15 includes a pair of rollers facing each other. After registration of the sheet 3, the registration roller 15 is positioned at a transfer position in the image forming unit 5 (between a photosensitive drum 32 and a transfer roller 34 described later, and the photosensitive drum 32. The upper toner image is conveyed to a position where the toner image is transferred to the paper 3.
The feeder unit 4 further includes a multi-purpose tray 17, a multi-purpose side feed roller 18 and a multi-purpose side feed pad 19 for feeding sheets 3 stacked on the multi-purpose tray 17. I have. The multi-purpose sheet-feeding roller 18 and the multi-purpose sheet-feeding pad 19 are provided opposite to each other, and the multi-purpose sheet-feeding pad 19 is multi-purposed by a spring 20 provided on the back side of the multi-purpose sheet-feeding pad 19. It is pressed toward the side paper feed roller 18.

The sheets 3 stacked on the multi-purpose tray 17 are sandwiched between the multi-purpose side feed roller 18 and the multi-purpose side feed pad 19 by the rotation of the multi-purpose side feed roller 18, and are surely one by one. Paper is fed.
<Configuration of image forming unit>
The image forming unit 5 includes a scanner unit 21, a process cartridge 22, a fixing unit 23, and the like.
<Configuration of scanner unit>
The scanner unit 21 is provided in the upper part of the main casing 2 and includes a laser light emitting unit (not shown), a polygon mirror 24 that is driven to rotate, lenses 25 and 26, reflecting mirrors 27, 28, and 29, and the like. . As indicated by the chain line, the laser beam based on the image data emitted from the laser emission unit passes or reflects in the order of the polygon mirror 24, the lens 25, the reflecting mirrors 27 and 28, the lens 26, and the reflecting mirror 29, and is processed in the process cartridge. 22 is irradiated on a surface of a photosensitive drum 32 described later by high-speed scanning.
<Configuration of process cartridge>
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge 22.

The process cartridge 22 is detachably attached to the main body casing 2 below the scanner unit 21. The process cartridge 22 includes a drum cartridge 30 and a developing cartridge 31 as a developer cartridge that is detachably attached to the drum cartridge 30.
<Drum cartridge configuration>
As shown in FIG. 2, the drum cartridge 30 includes a cartridge frame 103 and a photosensitive drum 32, a scorotron charger 33, a transfer roller 34, and a cleaning brush 35 provided in the cartridge frame 103.

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

The scorotron charger 33 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 32 so as not to contact the photosensitive drum 32 with a gap therebetween. The scorotron charger 33 includes a wire 57 and a grid 58.
The wire 57 is stretched between both side walls in the width direction of the cartridge frame 103.
The grid 58 is disposed so as to surround the lower side of the wire 57 along the width direction, and is laid between both side walls in the width direction of the cartridge frame 103.

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

The cleaning brush 35 is disposed on the rear side of the photosensitive drum 32. The cleaning brush 35 has a large number of brush hairs planted on a substantially rectangular elongated support plate extending in the width direction. The cleaning brush 35 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 32 in the front-rear direction so that the brush hair contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 along the width direction.
<Configuration of developer cartridge>
FIG. 3 is a side view of the developing cartridge 31.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developing cartridge 31 includes a developing case 63 as a box-like case having an open rear side, and a supply roller 64, a developing roller 65, and a layer provided in the developing case 63. And a thickness regulating blade 66.
The developing case 63 includes a pair of side walls 67 that are opposed to each other with a gap in the width direction, a lower wall 69 that is connected between the side walls, and an upper wall 70 that is an upper surface of the developing case. Is integrated.

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

  The left side wall 67 is formed with a filling port 76 for filling a toner storage chamber 85 (described later) with toner obliquely above the rear side of the agitator drive gear 73. The filling port 76 is formed in a circular shape penetrating in the thickness direction of the side wall 67 at a position corresponding to the toner storage chamber 85 in the side wall 67. The filling port 76 is closed by a cap 77 for preventing toner in the toner storage chamber 85 from leaking from the filling port 76.

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

At the boundary between the rear lower wall portion 78 and the front lower wall portion 79, a lower partition portion 81 that protrudes upward in a substantially triangular shape is formed along the width direction.
The upper wall 70 has a flat plate shape, and an upper partition plate 83 that protrudes downward is formed along the width direction so as to face the lower partition portion 81 of the lower wall 69 on the lower surface thereof.
In the developing case 63, an inner space behind the upper partition plate 83 and the lower partition portion 81 is defined as a developing chamber 84, and an inner space ahead of the upper partition plate 83 and the lower partition portion 81 is developed. It is defined as a toner storage chamber 85 as an agent storage chamber.

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

Such a toner is blended with a colorant such as carbon black, wax, and the like, and an external additive such as silica is added to improve fluidity. The particle diameter is about 6 to 10 μm.
Further, an agitator 87 for agitating the toner in the toner storage chamber 85 is provided in the toner storage chamber 85. The agitator 87 is supported by an agitator rotating shaft 88 extending in the width direction at the center of the toner storage chamber 85.

The supply roller 64 is disposed on the lower front side in the developing chamber 84 and is rotatably supported between both side walls 67 of the developing housing 63. The supply roller 64 includes a metal supply roller shaft 89 extending in the width direction, and a sponge roller 90 made of a conductive foam material covering the supply roller shaft 89.
The developing roller 65 is disposed below the rear side in the developing chamber 84, is in pressure contact with the supply roller 64, and is provided so that the rear portion is partially exposed rearward from the developing housing 63. . The developing roller 65 is covered with a metallic developing roller shaft 91 and a rubber roller 92 made of a conductive rubber material covering the developing roller shaft 91. More specifically, the rubber roller 92 is made of conductive urethane rubber or silicone rubber containing carbon fine particles, and the surface thereof is covered with fluorine-containing urethane rubber or silicone rubber. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, both side shaft ends of the developing roller shaft 91 are provided so as to protrude outward in the width direction from both side walls 67 of the developing housing 63.

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

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

On the other hand, the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is uniformly positively charged by the scorotron charger 33 and then exposed by high-speed scanning of the laser beam from the scanner unit 21 to form an electrostatic latent image based on the image data. .
Next, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 when the positively charged toner carried on the developing roller 65 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 32 by the rotation of the developing roller 65. That is, the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 that is uniformly positively charged is supplied to an exposed portion that is exposed by a laser beam and the potential is lowered, and is selectively carried to be visualized. Thus, a toner image is formed by reversal development.

Thereafter, the photosensitive drum 32 and the transfer roller 34 are rotationally driven so as to sandwich and convey the paper 3 between them, and the paper 3 is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 32 and the transfer roller 34. A toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is transferred onto the paper 3.
<Configuration of fixing unit>
As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing unit 23 is provided on the rear side of the process cartridge 22 and on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the paper 3, and is disposed to face the heating roller 94 and the heating roller 94 and presses the heating roller 94. 95 and a pair of transport rollers 96 provided downstream of the heating roller 94 and the pressure roller 95 in the transport direction of the sheet 3.

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

Further, in the laser printer 1, the residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 after being transferred to the paper 3 by the transfer roller 34 is recovered by the developing roller 65, so that the residual toner is recovered by a so-called cleanerless system. I have to. If the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 32 is collected by such a cleaner-less method, a toner cleaner device and a waste toner storage unit become unnecessary, and the configuration of the device can be simplified.
<Configuration of reverse conveying section>
In addition, the laser printer 1 is provided with a reverse conveying unit 99 for forming images on both sides of the paper 3. The reverse conveyance unit 99 includes a paper discharge roller 98, a reverse conveyance path 100, a flapper 101, and a plurality of reverse conveyance rollers 102.

The paper discharge roller 98 is composed of a pair of rollers, and is configured to be able to switch between forward rotation and reverse rotation. As described above, the paper discharge roller 98 rotates in the forward direction when the paper 3 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 6, but rotates in the reverse direction when the paper 3 is reversed.
The reverse conveyance path 100 is provided along the vertical direction so that the paper 3 can be conveyed from the paper discharge roller 98 to a plurality of reverse conveyance rollers 102 disposed below the image forming position. The upstream end is disposed near the paper discharge roller 98, and the downstream end is disposed near the reverse conveying roller 102.

The flapper 101 is swingably provided so as to face a branch portion between the paper discharge path 97 and the reverse conveyance path 100, and the paper is reversed by the paper discharge roller 98 by excitation or non-excitation of a solenoid (not shown). 3 is configured to be able to be switched from the direction toward the paper discharge path 97 to the direction toward the reverse conveyance path 100.
A plurality of reverse conveyance rollers 102 are provided in the horizontal direction above the paper feed tray 9, and the most upstream reverse conveyance roller 102 is disposed near the rear end portion of the reverse conveyance path 100, and most A reverse conveying roller 102 on the downstream side is provided below the registration roller 15.

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

Next, the sheet 3 conveyed in the reverse direction to the reverse conveyance path 100 is conveyed to the reverse conveyance roller 102, reversed from the reverse conveyance roller 102 in the upward direction, and sent to the registration roller 15. The sheet 3 conveyed to the registration roller 15 is turned upside down and sent again to the image forming position after registration, whereby images are formed on both sides of the sheet 3.
<Configuration near the filling port>
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76 of the developing cartridge 31.

The developing cartridge 31 includes a cylindrical portion 112 as a cylindrical first receiving member that protrudes outward from the peripheral edge of a circular filling port 76 formed in the left side wall 67 of the developing housing 63. About half of the outside (front end side) of the cylindrical portion 112 is formed to be slightly thinner than the base end side portion.
A cap 77 as a first lid member for closing the filling port 76 is formed on the inner peripheral surface 113 as the first contact surface of the outer end portion formed in a thin wall of the cylindrical portion 112 as shown in FIG. It is received by the cylindrical part 112 in the contact state. More specifically, the cap 77 includes a cylindrical tube portion 114, a closing portion 115 that closes one end side of the tube portion 114, and a collar portion that protrudes from an end edge on the other end side of the tube portion 114. 116 are integrally provided. The cap 77 has the cylindrical portion 114 press-fitted (inserted) into the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 114 is airtight (liquid-tight) to the inner peripheral surface 113 of the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112. And the flange 116 is fixed to the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112 in a state where the flange portion 116 is in contact with the distal end surface 117 of the cylindrical portion 112.

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

  When the toner storage chamber 85 is refilled with toner, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cap 77 press-fitted and fixed to the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112 is removed together with the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112. As a result, only the base end portion 111 of the cylindrical portion 112 remains in the developing case 63, and the filling port 76 is opened again inside the base end portion 111 as the second receiving member. In other words, in this embodiment, the outer ends of the cap 77 and the cylindrical portion 112 constitute a removal portion.

Then, after the toner is refilled into the toner storage chamber 85 from the reopening filling port 76, as shown in FIG. 4C, the filling port 76 is closed by the refilling port cap 118 as the second lid member. Is done.
The refill port cap 118 includes a bottomed cylindrical insertion portion 119, a flange portion 120 that protrudes from the outer edge of the insertion portion 119, and a fold back from the periphery of the flange portion 120. And a fold-back portion 121 are integrally provided. In the refill port cap 118, the insertion portion 119 is inserted into the proximal end portion 111 of the cylindrical portion 112, and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 119 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 122 as the second contact surface of the proximal end portion 111. At the same time, the folded portion 121 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the proximal end portion 111 and is received by the proximal end portion 111 in a state where the proximal end portion 111 is sandwiched between the insertion portion 119 and the folded portion 121.

  According to such a configuration, the cap 77 that closes the filling port 76 before refilling the toner is received by the cylindrical portion 112 while being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 113 of the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112, The refill port cap 118 that closes the filling port 76 after filling is received by the base end portion 111 while being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 122 of the base end portion 111 of the cylindrical portion 112. Therefore, when the filling port 76 is reopened, the cap 77 is forcibly removed from the inner peripheral surface 113 of the cylindrical portion 112, so that even if the inner peripheral surface 113 is damaged, The refill port cap 118 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 122 different from the inner peripheral surface 113 can be reliably closed while ensuring sealing performance.

  Further, depending on whether the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 113 of the cylindrical portion 112 or whether the refill port cap 118 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 122 of the base end portion 111, the developing cartridge 31 has the toner storage chamber 85. Whether or not the toner has been refilled with toner can be reliably determined. That is, if the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 113 of the cylindrical portion 112, it can be determined that the developing cartridge 31 has not been refilled with toner, and the inner periphery of the base end portion 111 can be determined. If the refill port cap 118 is in contact with the surface 122, it can be determined that the developer cartridge 31 has been refilled with toner.

Furthermore, the cap 77 and the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112 are removed, so that the filling port 76 can be reopened easily and reliably.
Moreover, since the cap 77 is cut together with the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112, the filling port 76 can be reopened more easily and reliably.
<Second Embodiment with Configuration Near Filling Port>
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76. In FIG. 5, parts corresponding to the parts shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. Further, in the following, detailed description of the parts denoted by the same reference numerals is omitted.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the developing cartridge 31 includes, as shown in FIG. 5A, an inner cylindrical portion 123 as a cylindrical first receiving member that protrudes outward from the peripheral edge of the filling port 76, and an inner side thereof. An outer cylindrical portion 124 is provided as a second receiving member provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 123 and concentrically facing the inner cylindrical portion 123. The inner cylindrical portion 123 is formed to have a larger protruding amount from the side wall 67 of the developing housing 63 than the outer cylindrical portion 124. The cap 77 is press-fitted and fixed to the inner cylindrical portion 123, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 114 is in contact with an inner peripheral surface 139 as a first contact surface of the inner cylindrical portion 123.

In addition, when the inner cylindrical portion 123 is cut off between the inner cylindrical portion 123 and the outer cylindrical portion 124 between the inner cylindrical portion 123 and the outer cylindrical portion 124, the inner cylindrical portion 123 can be easily removed from the side wall 67 on the side wall 67 of the developing housing 63. A groove 152 having a V-shaped cross section is formed in an annular shape surrounding the inner cylindrical portion 123.
When the toner storage chamber 85 is refilled with toner, as shown in FIG. 5B, the side wall 67 is cut along the groove 152, and the inner cylindrical portion 123 together with the cap 77 is removed from the root. As a result, the filling port 76 is opened again in the developing casing 63 inside the outer cylindrical portion 124.

  Then, after the toner is refilled into the toner storage chamber 85 from the reopening filling port 76, as shown in FIG. 5C, the filling port 76 is closed by the refilling port cap 125 as the second lid member. Is done. The refill port cap 125 is integrally provided with a bottomed cylindrical insertion portion 126 and a flange portion 127 projecting from the outer end edge of the insertion portion 126 to the periphery. In the refill port cap 125, the insertion portion 126 is press-fitted (inserted) into the outer cylindrical portion 124, and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 126 is airtight to the inner peripheral surface 128 as the second contact surface of the outer cylindrical portion 124. While being in close contact with (liquid-tight), the outer cylindrical portion 124 is received in a state where the flange 127 is in close contact with the distal end surface 151 of the outer cylindrical portion 124.

  According to such a configuration, the cap 77 that closes the filling port 76 before refilling the toner is received by the inner cylindrical portion 123 while being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123. The refill port cap 125 that closes the fill port 76 is received by the outer cylindrical portion 124 in a state of being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 128 of the outer cylindrical portion 124. Therefore, when the filling port 76 is reopened, the cap 77 is forcibly removed from the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123, so that even if the inner peripheral surface 139 is damaged, the refilled filling port 76 can be opened. The refill port cap 125 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 128 different from the inner peripheral surface 139 can be reliably closed while ensuring sealing performance.

  Further, depending on whether the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123 or whether the refill port cap 125 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 128 of the outer cylindrical portion 124, the developing cartridge 31 is placed in the toner storage chamber. Whether or not the toner has been refilled to 85 can be reliably determined. That is, if the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123, it can be determined that the developing cartridge 31 has not been refilled with toner, and the inner portion of the outer cylindrical portion 124 can be determined. If the refill port cap 125 is in contact with the peripheral surface 128, it can be determined that the developer cartridge 31 has been refilled with toner.

Furthermore, when the filling port 76 is opened again, the entire cap 77 and the inner cylindrical portion 123 are removed. Thereby, the filling port 76 can be opened again easily and reliably.
Moreover, since the cap 77 is cut out together with the entire inner cylindrical portion 123, the filling port 76 can be opened more reliably and greatly.

  Further, the outer cylindrical portion 124 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 123. Therefore, even if the entire inner cylindrical portion 123 is removed together with the cap 77 and the filling port 76 is largely opened, the refilling port cap 125 is received by the outer cylindrical portion 124, whereby the filling port 76 that is largely opened is provided. Can be reliably closed while ensuring good sealing performance.

In addition, the insertion portion 126 of the refill port cap 125 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 128 of the outer cylindrical portion 124, and the flange portion 127 of the refill port cap 125 is in close contact with the distal end surface 151 of the outer cylindrical portion 124. Therefore, the filling port 76 after refilling the toner can be more reliably closed while ensuring better sealing performance.
<Third embodiment of the configuration near the filling port>
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76. In FIG. 6, parts corresponding to the parts shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. Further, in the following, detailed description of the parts denoted by the same reference numerals is omitted.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the developing cartridge 31 is provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 123 as the first receiving member, as shown in FIG. 6A, and has a concentric cylindrical shape with the inner cylindrical portion 123. An annular outer seat portion 129 is provided. The outer seat portion 129 has a much smaller amount of protrusion from the side wall 67 of the developing housing 63 than the inner cylindrical portion 123 or hardly protrudes from the side wall 67.

When the toner storage chamber 85 is refilled with toner, as shown in FIG. 6B, the inner cylindrical portion 123 is cut from the root, and the cap 77 is removed together with the inner cylindrical portion 123. As a result, the filling port 76 is opened again in the developing housing 63 inside the outer seat portion 129.
After the toner is refilled into the toner storage chamber 85 from the refill port 76 opened again, the insertion portion 126 of the refill port cap 125 is inserted into the fill port 76 as shown in FIG. The filling port 76 is closed by the refill port cap 125 by welding or bonding the surface of the flange portion 127 facing the side wall 67 to the front end surface 130 as the second contact surface of the outer seat portion 129.

  According to such a configuration, the cap 77 that closes the filling port 76 before refilling the toner is received by the inner cylindrical portion 123 while being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123. The refill port cap 125 that closes the fill port 76 is received by the outer seat portion 129 in a state of being in close contact with the distal end surface 130 of the outer seat portion 129. Therefore, when the filling port 76 is reopened, the cap 77 is forcibly removed from the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123, so that even if the inner peripheral surface 139 is damaged, the refilled filling port 76 can be opened. The refill port cap 125 that is in close contact with the tip surface 130 different from the inner peripheral surface 139 can be reliably closed while ensuring sealing performance.

  Further, depending on whether the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123 or the refill port cap 125 is in contact with the front end surface 130 of the outer seat portion 129, the developing cartridge 31 has the toner storage chamber 85. Whether or not the toner has been refilled with toner can be reliably determined. That is, if the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123, it can be determined that the developing cartridge 31 has not been refilled with toner, and the front end of the outer seat portion 129. If the refill port cap 125 is in contact with the surface 130, it can be determined that the developer cartridge 31 has been refilled with toner.

Furthermore, when the filling port 76 is opened again, the entire cap 77 and the inner cylindrical portion 123 are removed. This makes it possible to open the filling port 76 easily and reliably large.
The outer seat portion 129 is formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the inner cylindrical portion 123. Therefore, even if the entire inner cylindrical portion 123 is removed together with the cap 77 and the filling port 76 is opened largely, the refilling port cap 125 is received by the outer seat portion 129, so that the filling port 76 that is opened greatly. Can be reliably closed while ensuring good sealing performance.
<Fourth embodiment of the configuration near the filling port>
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment having a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76. In FIG. 7, parts corresponding to the parts shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. Further, in the following, detailed description of the parts denoted by the same reference numerals is omitted.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, in the developing cartridge 31, as shown in FIG. 7A, the outer cylindrical portion 124 protrudes from the left side wall 67 of the developing housing 63 compared to the inner cylindrical portion 123. Is formed large.
Further, the cap 77 has a peripheral portion of the closed portion 115 as a cut portion formed to be slightly thinner than the central portion, so that the closed portion 115 can be easily cut when the toner is refilled as described below.

When the toner storage chamber 85 is refilled with toner, as shown in FIG. 7B, the peripheral portion of the closing portion 115 of the cap 77 is cut with a blade, and only the closing portion 115 is removed. As a result, the filling port 76 is opened again in the developing housing 63 inside the cylindrical portion 114 of the cap 77.
After the toner is refilled from the refill port 76 into the toner storage chamber 85, the insertion portion 126 of the refill port cap 125 is press-fitted into the outer cylindrical portion 124 (see FIG. 7C). The refill port cap 125 is received by the outer cylindrical portion 124 in a state where the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 126 is in an airtight (liquid-tight) manner in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 128 of the outer cylindrical portion 124, The refill port cap 125 closes the fill port 76.

  According to such a configuration, the cap 77 that closes the filling port 76 before refilling the toner is received by the inner cylindrical portion 123 while being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123. The refill port cap 125 that closes the fill port 76 is received by the outer cylindrical portion 124 in a state of being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 128 of the outer cylindrical portion 124. Therefore, when the filling port 76 is reopened, the cap 77 is forcibly removed from the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123, so that even if the inner peripheral surface 139 is damaged, the refilled filling port 76 can be opened. The refill port cap 125 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 128 different from the inner peripheral surface 139 can be reliably closed while ensuring sealing performance.

  Further, depending on whether the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123 or whether the refill port cap 125 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 128 of the outer cylindrical portion 124, the developing cartridge 31 is placed in the toner storage chamber. Whether or not the toner has been refilled to 85 can be reliably determined. That is, if the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 139 of the inner cylindrical portion 123, it can be determined that the developing cartridge 31 has not been refilled with toner, and the inner portion of the outer cylindrical portion 124 can be determined. If the refill port cap 125 is in contact with the peripheral surface 128, it can be determined that the developer cartridge 31 has been refilled with toner.

Furthermore, when the filling port 76 is opened again, the blocking portion 115 which is a part of the cap 77 is removed. Thereby, the filling port 76 can be opened again easily and reliably.
<Fifth embodiment having a configuration near the filling port>
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment having a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76. In FIG. 8, portions corresponding to the respective portions shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. Further, in the following, detailed description of the parts denoted by the same reference numerals is omitted.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 8A, the cylindrical portion 112 is formed with a substantially uniform thickness, and the inner peripheral surface 113 and the cylindrical portion 112 at the outer end of the cylindrical portion 112. The inner peripheral surface 122 of the base end portion 111 is continuous without a step. A groove-like insertion portion 131 that is recessed in the axial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112, and the cylindrical portion is formed in the portion where the insertion portion 131 is formed. The thickness of the part 112 is formed thinner than other parts.

  When the toner storage chamber 85 is refilled with toner, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C, a blade 132 as a removing means is inserted into the insertion portion 131, and the insertion portion 131 is inserted by the blade 132. While cutting, the cap 77 press-fitted and fixed to the outer end of the cylindrical portion 112 is pushed up. As a result, the cap 77 is detached from the cylindrical portion 112, and the filling port 76 is opened again inside the cylindrical portion 112.

  After the toner is refilled into the toner storage chamber 85 from the reopening filling port 76, the filling port 76 is closed by the refilling port cap 140 as shown in FIG. 8B. The refill port cap 140 is integrally provided with a bottomed cylindrical insertion portion 141 and a flange 142 projecting from the outer edge of the insertion portion 141 to the periphery. The insertion portion 141 is formed to be longer in the axial direction than the insertion portion 131. Therefore, when the refill port cap 140 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 112, the insertion portion 141 is press-fitted into the proximal end portion 111 of the cylindrical portion 112, and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 119 serves as the second contact surface of the proximal end portion 111. It adheres to the inner peripheral surface 122 in an airtight (liquid-tight) manner.

  According to such a configuration, the cap 77 that closes the filling port 76 before refilling the toner is received by the cylindrical portion 112 while being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 113 of the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112, The refill port cap 140 that closes the filling port 76 after filling is received by the base end portion 111 while being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 122 of the base end portion 111 of the cylindrical portion 112. Therefore, when the filling port 76 is reopened, the cap 77 is forcibly removed from the inner peripheral surface 113 of the cylindrical portion 112, so that even if the inner peripheral surface 113 is damaged, The refill port cap 118 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 122 different from the inner peripheral surface 113 can be reliably closed while ensuring sealing performance.

  Further, depending on whether the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 113 of the cylindrical portion 112 or whether the refill port cap 140 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 122 of the base end portion 111, the developing cartridge 31 has the toner containing chamber 85. Whether or not the toner has been refilled with toner can be reliably determined. That is, if the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 113 of the cylindrical portion 112, it can be determined that the developing cartridge 31 has not been refilled with toner, and the inner periphery of the base end portion 111 can be determined. If the refill port cap 140 is in contact with the surface 122, it can be determined that the developer cartridge 31 has been refilled with toner.

Further, since the insertion portion 131 thinner than the other portions is formed at the outer end portion of the cylindrical portion 112, the cylindrical portion 112 is received by inserting the blade 132 through the insertion portion 131. The cap 77 can be removed reliably. As a result, the filling port 76 closed by the cap 77 can be reliably opened.
Further, when the filling port 76 is opened again, the entire cap 77 is removed. Thereby, the filling port 76 can be opened again easily and reliably.
<Sixth embodiment of the configuration near the filling port>
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a sixth embodiment having a configuration in the vicinity of the filling port 76. 9, parts corresponding to the respective parts shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. Further, in the following, detailed description of the parts denoted by the same reference numerals is omitted.

The developing cartridge 31 includes a cylindrical first receiving member and a cylindrical portion 133 as a second receiving member that protrude outward from the peripheral edge of a circular filling port 76 formed on the left side wall 67 of the developing housing 63. I have.
The filling port 76 is in a state in which a cap 77 as a first lid member is press-fitted into the cylindrical portion 133 and the outer peripheral surface of the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 134 as the first contact surface of the cylindrical portion 133. The cap 77 is closed.

When the toner storage chamber 85 is refilled with toner, as shown in FIG. 9B, only the cap 77 that is press-fitted and fixed to the cylindrical portion 133 is removed. Thereby, the filling port 76 is opened again inside the cylindrical portion 133.
After the toner is refilled from the refill port 76 into the toner storage chamber 85, the refill port 76 is closed by the refill port cap 135 as the second lid member as shown in FIG. 9C. Is done. The refill port cap 135 is integrally provided with a disk-shaped lid portion 136 and a cylindrical skirt portion 137 connected to the peripheral edge portion of the lid portion 136. The inner diameter of the skirt portion 137 is formed to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 133. The refill port cap 135 is attached to the cylindrical portion 133 such that the outer end portion (tip portion) of the cylindrical portion 133 is inserted into the skirt portion 137, and the inner peripheral surface thereof is the cylindrical portion 133. It closely adheres to the outer peripheral surface 138 as the second contact surface. Thus, the refill port cap 135 is received by the cylindrical portion 133 in a state where the cylindrical portion 133 is press-fitted into the skirt portion 137 of the refill port cap 135, and the refill port cap 135 closes the fill port 76. .

  According to such a configuration, the cap 77 that closes the filling port 76 before refilling the toner is received by the cylindrical portion 133 in a state of being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 134 of the cylindrical portion 133 and filled after refilling. The refill port cap 135 that closes the port 76 is received by the cylindrical portion 133 in a state of being in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 138 of the cylindrical portion 133. Therefore, when the filling port 76 is reopened, the cap 77 is forcibly peeled off from the inner peripheral surface 134 of the cylindrical portion 133, so that even if the inner peripheral surface 134 is damaged, The refill port cap 135 that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface 138 different from the inner peripheral surface 134 can be reliably closed while ensuring sealing performance.

  Further, depending on whether the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 134 of the cylindrical portion 133 or the refill port cap 135 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 138 of the base end portion 111, the developing cartridge 31 moves to the toner storage chamber 85. It is possible to reliably determine whether or not the toner has been refilled. That is, if the cap 77 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 134 of the cylindrical portion 133, it can be determined that the developing cartridge 31 has not been refilled with toner, and the outer peripheral surface 138 of the cylindrical portion 133. If the refill port cap 135 is in contact with the toner cartridge, it can be determined that the developing cartridge 31 has been refilled with toner.

Further, when the filling port 76 is opened again, the entire cap 77 is removed. Thereby, the filling port 76 can be opened again easily and reliably.
Furthermore, since the cylindrical part 133 serves as the first receiving member and the second receiving member, the configuration can be simplified. For this reason, the structure can be simplified, and after refilling the toner, the filling port 76 is closed while ensuring the sealing property by the close contact between the refilling port cap 135 and the outer peripheral surface 138 of the cylindrical portion 133. Can do.

  As a modification of this embodiment, the configuration of the cap 77 and the configuration of the refill port cap 135 may be reversed. That is, the cap 77 is configured in the same manner as the refill port cap 135 shown in FIG. 9, and the refill port cap 135 is closed by attaching the cap 77 to the cylindrical portion 133 to close the refill port 76 before refilling the toner. As a configuration similar to the cap 77 shown in FIG. 9, the filling port 76 after refilling of the toner may be closed by press-fitting into the cylindrical portion 133.

1 is a cross-sectional side view of an essential part showing an embodiment of a laser printer as an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a side view of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a filling port of the developing cartridge shown in FIG. 3. 3 is a second embodiment of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of the filling port) shown in FIG. 3 (including an inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion, and the cap is removed together with the entire inner cylindrical portion to reopen the filling port. FIG. 3 of the developing cartridge (configuration near the filling port) shown in FIG. 3 (including an inner cylindrical portion and an outer seat portion, and the cap is removed together with the entire inner cylindrical portion to reopen the filling port. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment (a mode in which a filling port is reopened by removing a closed portion of a cap) of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of the filling port) shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment (a mode having an insertion portion in a distal end side cylindrical portion) of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of a filling port) shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment (a mode in which an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical portion is a first contact surface and an outer peripheral surface is a second contact surface) of the developing cartridge (configuration in the vicinity of a filling port) illustrated in FIG. 3. is there.

Explanation of symbols

31 Developing cartridge 63 Developing housing 76 Filling port 77 Cap 85 Toner storage chamber 111 Base end portion 112 Cylindrical portion 113 Inner peripheral surface 114 Cylindrical portion 115 Blocking portion 117 Front end surface 118 Refilling port cap 119 Insertion portion 120 Hook portion 122 Inner periphery Surface 123 Inner cylindrical portion 124 Outer cylindrical portion 125 Refill port cap 126 Insertion portion 127 Hook portion 128 Inner peripheral surface 129 Outer seat portion 130 Front end surface 131 Insertion portion 132 Cutlery 133 Cylindrical portion 134 Inner peripheral surface 135 Refill port cap 136 Lid Portion 138 Outer peripheral surface 139 Inner peripheral surface 140 Refill port cap 141 Insertion portion 142 Gutter portion 151 Tip surface

Claims (16)

A housing having a developer accommodating chamber for accommodating the developer, and a filling port for filling the developer accommodating chamber with the developer;
A first receiver provided on the housing, having a first contact surface that contacts a first lid member for closing the filling port, and receiving the first lid member in contact with the first contact surface Members,
A second contact surface provided on the housing and in contact with a second lid member for closing the filling port after refilling of the developer into the developer accommodating chamber; A developer cartridge comprising: a second receiving member that receives the second contact surface in contact with the second contact surface.   2. The developer according to claim 1, further comprising a removal portion that is removed to reopen the filling port in a state where the first lid member is received by the first receiving member. cartridge.   The developer cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the removing unit includes the first lid member and at least a part of the first receiving member cut out together with the first lid member. The first receiving member is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding outward from the housing,
The first contact surface is an inner peripheral surface of the first receiving member;
The developer cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the removing unit includes the first lid member and the entire first receiving member.   The developer cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the second receiving member protrudes outward from the housing and surrounds the outer periphery of the first receiving member. The second receiving member is formed in a cylindrical shape,
The second lid member includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the second receiving member, and a flange portion that protrudes around the insertion portion,
6. The developer cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the second contact surface includes an inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member and a front end surface with which the flange portion contacts the second receiving member. . The second receiving member is formed in an annular shape,
The second lid member includes an insertion portion that is inserted into the filling port, and a flange portion that protrudes around the insertion portion,
The developer cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the second contact surface is a front end surface with which the flange portion contacts the second receiving member. The first receiving member is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding outward from the housing,
The first contact surface is an inner peripheral surface of an outer end portion of the first receiving member,
The developer cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the removing unit includes the first lid member and an outer end portion of the first receiving member. The second receiving member is a base end portion remaining after removing the outer end portion in the first receiving member,
The second lid member includes an insertion portion to be inserted into the second receiving member,
The developer cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the second contact surface is an inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member.   The developer cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the removing portion is formed as at least a part of the first lid member. The first receiving member protrudes outward from the housing and is formed in a cylindrical shape having the first contact surface on an inner peripheral surface,
The first lid member includes a cylindrical portion inserted into the first receiving member, and a closing portion that closes the cylindrical portion,
The developer cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the removing unit is the blocking unit. The second receiving member protrudes outward from the housing and is formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the outer periphery of the first receiving member,
The second lid member includes an insertion portion to be inserted into the second receiving member,
The developer cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the second contact surface is an inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member. The removal portion is the entire first lid member,
The second receiving member is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding outward from the housing,
The first receiving member is connected to an outer end portion of the second receiving member, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having an inner peripheral surface continuous from an inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member. An insertion portion through which a removing means for removing the lid member is inserted;
The developer cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the first contact surface is an inner peripheral surface of the first receiving member. The second lid member includes an insertion portion to be inserted into the second receiving member,
The developer cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the second contact surface is an inner peripheral surface of the second receiving member. The removal portion is the entire first lid member,
The first receiving member is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding outward from the housing, and also serves as the second receiving member,
The first contact surface is one of an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the first receiving member;
11. The developer cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the second contact surface is the other surface different from the first contact surface of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the first receiving member. . A housing having a developer storage chamber for storing the developer, and a filling port for filling the developer storage chamber with the developer; and a housing provided in the housing; A first receiving member that is in contact with the first contact surface; and a first receiving member that receives the first lid member in contact with the first contact surface; A state in which the second cover member for contacting the second cover member for closing the filling port after refilling of the developer into the developer storage chamber is in contact with the second cover member in contact with the second contact member In a method for regenerating a developer cartridge comprising a second receiving member received at
Removing the at least part of the first lid member and reopening the filling port in order to refill the developer storage chamber with the developer;
Refilling the developer into the developer storage chamber from the filling port;
And a step of bringing the second lid member into contact with the second contact surface after the developer is refilled into the developer storage chamber and closing the filling port with the second lid member. A method for regenerating a developer cartridge.

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