JP2011059211A - Toner replenishing device, toner bottle and toner pack used for the same, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner replenishing device that requires no additional operation to screw a discharge port part (supply port part) of a toner pack to a receiving part of a toner bottle, while preventing the toner from adhering to an operator upon screwin; to provide the toner bottle and the toner pack for use in the toner replenishing device; and to provide an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The toner replenishing device includes: a toner receiving part 36 for receiving the toner supplied from the toner pack that protrudes on the end wall of the toner bottle, and a toner supply port part 44 engaging with the toner receiving inlet part that protrudes while closing the supply port with a film-like thin film 47. Upon engagement, the toner receiving part of the toner bottle breaks through the thin film, and then, the toner is supplied from the supply port of the toner pack to the toner bottle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner replenishing device, a toner bottle and a toner pack used in the toner replenishing device, and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, from a toner pack when toner contained in a toner bottle attached to the image forming apparatus runs out. The present invention relates to a technique that allows toner to be replenished to a toner bottle to be refilled easily and in a short time without leakage or scattering.

  When toner bottles used in image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines, printers, and facsimile machines run out of toner, they are replaced with new toner bottles and the toner bottles are filled with toner at the factory. It is common to be done.

  In addition, there is known a toner pack that stores toner for refilling in order to fill a toner storage portion or a toner cartridge of a developing device (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In these toner packs, a serviceman or a user performs a toner refilling operation.

  However, the toner bottle needs to have a function of supplying toner to the image forming unit in association with the image forming apparatus. Specifically, in order to minimize the amount of toner remaining in the toner bottle, the toner bottle is provided with a spiral groove or a mechanism for crushing a lump of toner when filling the image forming apparatus from the toner bottle. ing. In addition, a mechanism is provided for preventing toner from leaking from the toner bottle when the toner bottle is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus. Since these various mechanisms are applied, the configuration of the toner bottle becomes complicated, and the cost of the toner bottle itself is high. Therefore, discarding it after one use increases the cost, and the current environmental protection is not possible. It is also regarded as a problem from the point of view.

  For this reason, there is a system that collects toner bottles and cleans and refills them at the service base. However, transporting empty toner bottles is equivalent to transporting air because the weight is small for the volume. Transportation costs are high.

  The most efficient refilling system allows service personnel to carry toner to the point of use and fill it in place, and the container after filling can be reduced in size by folding or rolling, reducing the volume at take-out. It is that.

  The problem here is whether or not the toner can be easily and quickly filled from the container without toner leakage. In the toner bottle, the image forming apparatus equipped with the toner bottle, the toner pack and the toner replenishing device (see Patent Document 3) proposed in response to this request, the toner bottle is filled with toner from the toner pack once used from that viewpoint. is doing. However, in the filling method described here (see paragraphs 0027 and 0028, FIG. 4), the discharge port portion of the toner pack must be screwed into the receiving portion of the toner bottle and connected, which requires extra operation. And In addition, toner is attached to the discharge port of the toner pack, and there is a possibility that the toner may adhere to the operator when screwing.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the problems of the conventional device, and does not require an extra operation of screwing the discharge port portion (supply port portion) of the toner pack and the receiving port portion of the toner bottle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner replenishing device in which toner does not adhere to an operator, a toner bottle and a toner pack used therefor, and an image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes a toner bottle that supplies toner to the image forming apparatus and a toner pack that contains toner for refilling, and the toner bottle is empty. In addition, in a toner replenishing device that allows toner to be refilled by supplying toner from the toner pack to the toner bottle, a toner receiving port for receiving the toner supplied from the toner pack protrudes from the end wall of the toner bottle. The toner supply port portion that fits into the toner receiving port portion is closed by a film-like thin film and the toner supply port portion protrudes from the toner pack. The toner is supplied from the supply port to the toner bottle.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the toner replenishing device according to the first aspect, the thin film of the toner pack is provided with a plurality of radially weak portions from the center to the outer edge of the thin film. It is characterized by. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the toner replenishing device according to the second aspect, the weak portion is formed by a thin groove.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the toner replenishing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the toner supply port portion of the toner pack is tapered so that the diameter decreases in the fitting direction. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the toner replenishing device according to the fourth aspect, an annular engagement portion is provided on the peripheral surface of the toner supply port portion of the toner pack, and is engaged with the engagement portion when fitted. The annular engaging portion is provided on the peripheral surface of the toner receiving port portion of the toner bottle. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the toner replenishing device according to the fifth aspect, a plurality of engaging portions of the toner pack and engaging portions of the toner bottle are provided in multiple stages. Features.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the toner replenishing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, a guide side wall is provided so as to surround the toner receiving portion of the toner bottle, and the side wall is fitted as a guide. The side wall fitted at the time of joining is provided so as to surround the toner supply port of the toner pack. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the toner supply device according to the seventh aspect, the height of the side wall of the toner bottle is higher than the height of the toner receiving port. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the toner replenishing device according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the height of the side wall of the toner pack is equal to the height of the toner supply port.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is the toner replenishing device according to the ninth aspect, wherein a plurality of reinforcing ribs are provided radially between the side wall of the toner pack and the toner supply port.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the toner bottle used in the toner replenishing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the toner bottle has a toner receiving port for receiving the toner supplied from the toner pack. An annular engagement portion is provided on the peripheral surface of the inlet portion.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the toner pack used in the toner replenishing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects of the present invention, the toner pack has a toner supply port that fits into the toner receiving port of the toner bottle, An annular engagement portion is provided on the peripheral surface of the toner supply port portion, and the toner supply port portion is provided with a supply port and a film-like thin film for closing the supply port.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including the toner bottle according to the eleventh aspect.

  The present invention is as described above. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the toner receiving port for receiving the toner supplied from the toner pack protrudes from the end wall of the toner bottle. The toner supply port part to be fitted with the toner part is closed with a film-like thin film and protrudes from the toner pack, and the toner receiving part of the toner bottle breaks through the thin film when fitted, so that the toner pack supply port Since the toner is supplied from the toner bottle to the toner bottle, when the toner in the toner pack is refilled into the toner bottle, the toner bottle is broken so as to break the thin film blocking the toner supply opening of the toner pack. The toner can be replenished from the supply port of the toner pack to the toner bottle as long as it is fitted to the toner receiving port of the toner, and the toner is refilled into the toner bottle. There is no need to be screwed to the supply port of the toner pack and receiving port of the toner bottle, as previously during this course of treatment. Therefore, an extra operation for screwing becomes unnecessary, and the burden of refilling work by a serviceman or a user can be reduced. Moreover, the toner does not adhere to the worker when screwing in as before. Further, since toner leakage and scattering can be prevented and toner replenishment work can be performed efficiently in a short time and efficiently, the work load when refilling work by a service person or user can be greatly reduced. Furthermore, since the transportation cost to and from the factory can be reduced and the toner bottle can be reused, if it is used in the image forming apparatus, it is a great cost reduction for the toner supply from the toner pack to the toner bottle. An effect is obtained.

  According to the second and third aspects of the invention, the thin film of the toner pack can be easily broken from the weak portion. In addition, since the thin portion of the thin film is broken not along the point but along the line (groove), the toner can be supplied at the same time as the breakage, thereby enabling rapid toner supply. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the toner supply port portion of the toner pack can be inserted into the toner receiving port portion of the toner bottle at the time of fitting, and the fitting becomes easy.

  According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, by engaging both engaging portions of the toner pack and the toner bottle at the time of fitting, the position can be determined in a predetermined manner, and the toner supply port of the toner pack It is possible to prevent the part from coming off from the toner receiving part of the toner bottle.

  According to the seventh to ninth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to easily and reliably insert the toner supply port portion of the toner pack into the toner receiving port portion of the toner bottle by the both side walls for the guide when fitted.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the guide side wall is stabilized by the reinforcing rib. According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner bottle suitable for replenishment in the toner replenishing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a toner pack suitable for replenishment in the toner replenishing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus including the toner bottle according to the eleventh aspect can be provided.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a main part of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of an image forming part same as the above. FIG. 3 is a partially broken front view of a toner bottle. FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view before a thin film of a toner pack is attached. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a part of the supply port side after the thin film of the toner pack is attached. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a thin film of a toner pack. (A)-(C) are top views which show the various modifications of a thin film. FIG. 6 is an operation diagram for explaining refilling of toner from a toner pack into a toner bottle. FIG. 6 is an operation diagram for explaining refilling of toner from a toner pack into a toner bottle. FIG. 6 is an operation diagram for explaining refilling of toner from a toner pack into a toner bottle. FIG. 10 is an operation diagram for describing refilling of toner from a toner pack into a toner bottle in a form employing another reinforcing rib. FIG. 10 is an operation diagram for describing refilling of toner from a toner pack into a toner bottle in a form employing another reinforcing rib. FIG. 10 is an operation diagram for describing refilling of toner from a toner pack into a toner bottle in a form employing another reinforcing rib.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment applied to a printer which is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described.

<Overall configuration of printer>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer includes image forming units 102Y (yellow), 102M (magenta), and 102C (along the intermediate transfer belt 101 stretched around a plurality of stretching rollers 103, 104, 105, and 106). Cyan) and 102K (black). The toner images formed by the image forming units 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 101 by the primary transfer devices 106Y, 106M, 106C, and 106K. An image detection device 110 for detecting the toner adhesion amount of the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 101 is provided opposite to the intermediate transfer belt. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 101 is transferred to a transfer paper 112 as a recording material by a secondary transfer device 111. Further, an intermediate transfer belt cleaner 114 that cleans transfer residual toner and the like on the intermediate transfer belt 101 is provided.

  Since the configurations of the image forming units 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K are the same, the following description will be made without distinguishing each color.

(Configuration of image forming unit)
As shown in FIG. 2, a charging device 201 as a charging unit for charging the surface of the photoconductor around the photoconductor 202 of the image forming unit 102, an exposure unit for writing an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor with the writing light L. A writing device 203, a developing device 206 as a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner, a photoconductor cleaner 200 as a cleaning means for cleaning residual toner on the photoconductor, and the surface of the photoconductor. An erase (static eliminating device) 207 serving as a static eliminating unit and a potential sensor 210 serving as a potential detecting unit are provided.

  The charging device 201 is a non-contact type charger composed of a scorotron charger. By setting the grit voltage (charging bias) Vg of the scorotron charger to a target charging potential (minus potential), the potential on the surface of the photoreceptor is changed. The target charging potential is set. The charging device 201 is not limited to a non-contact charger made of a scorotron charger, and other non-contact chargers or contact chargers can also be used.

  The writing device 203 uses a laser diode (LD) as a light source, and irradiates intermittent writing light, that is, repetitive pulsed writing light L, so that an electrostatic latent image (one dot at a time) is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor. 1 dot electrostatic latent image) is formed. In this embodiment, by changing the exposure time (unit exposure time) when forming a one-dot electrostatic latent image, the toner adhesion amount attached to the one-dot electrostatic latent image is controlled to perform gradation control. It is possible to do. In the present embodiment, the maximum unit exposure time is divided into 15 (each unit exposure time is hereinafter referred to as “exposure duty”), and gradation control of 16 gradations is possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, the exposure duty can be adjusted in 16 steps from 0 (not exposed) to 15 (maximum unit exposure time).

  The developing device 206 includes a developing roller 205 as a developer carrying member disposed to face the surface of the photoreceptor, and a two-component developer composed of toner charged with a predetermined polarity (minus polarity) and a magnetic carrier is developed into the developing roller. The toner is supplied onto the surface of the photoconductor by being carried on 205. A developing bias Vb having an absolute value sufficiently larger than the exposure portion potential VL and sufficiently smaller than the charging potential Vd is applied to the developing roller 205. As a result, in the development area where the surface of the photoreceptor and the developing roller 205 face each other, the toner is moved toward the electrostatic latent image (exposure portion) on the surface of the photoreceptor, and a non-electrostatic latent image (on the surface of the photoreceptor). An electric field that does not move the toner can be formed in the non-exposed portion, and the electrostatic latent image can be developed with the toner.

(Operation of image forming unit)
When image formation is performed, first, the surface of the photosensitive member 202 is charged by the charging device 201 so that the surface of the photosensitive member 202 is uniformly at a target charging potential (negative potential). Next, writing light L corresponding to the image data is exposed to the photosensitive member 202 from the light source (LD) of the writing device 203 to the charged surface portion of the photosensitive member, whereby the potential of the exposed portion on the photosensitive member surface ( As the absolute value decreases, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 is developed into a toner image by toner carried on the developing roller 205 of the developing device 206. More specifically, a developing bias Vb having an absolute value larger than the exposed portion potential VL and smaller than the charging potential Vd is applied to the developing roller 205 to electrostatically charge the toner charged to a predetermined polarity (negative polarity). Development is performed by attaching to the electrostatic latent image. A bottle holder 213 to which the toner bottle 13 is detachably attached is connected to the developing device 206 via a tube 212, and the toner in the toner bottle 13 is appropriately supplied to the developing device 206 via the tube. Is done.

  The toner image formed on the photoreceptor 202 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 101 by the primary transfer device 106. Untransferred toner remaining on the photoconductor 202 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 101 is collected by the photoconductor cleaner 200. Further, the surface of the photosensitive member after the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 101 is uniformly irradiated with the neutralizing light by the eraser 207, so that the non-electrostatic latent image portion is removed and the neutralization is uniformly performed. It will be in the state.

  The toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units 102Y, 102M, 102C, and 102K in this way are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 101 so as to overlap each other. Thereafter, each color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 101 is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 101 to the transfer paper 112 by the secondary transfer device 111. At this time, the transfer residual toner that is not transferred onto the transfer paper 112 but remains on the intermediate transfer belt 101 is collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 114. Thereafter, the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper 112 by a fixing device (not shown), and a series of printing processes is completed.

<Configuration of toner bottle>
The toner bottle 13 that is detachably attached to the bottle holding portion 213 has an elongated bottomed cylindrical main body 17 as shown in FIG. 3, and an end wall of the main body has an axial line along the axis. A protruding toner supply port 18 is formed. Further, a spiral rib 19 is formed on the side wall of the main body 17 so as to protrude toward the inside of the main body 17 in order to promote toner supply. The toner supply port 18 includes a supply port and a cylindrical portion, and the end of the cylindrical portion is fitted into a cylindrical fitting portion (usually referred to as packing) provided in the printer, whereby the toner bottle 13 is As shown in FIG. 2, it is mounted horizontally. In addition, although the spiral rib 19 was 1 line | wire in this embodiment, you may provide two or more multiple pieces.

  The toner bottle 13 mounted in such a state is rotated about the axis, and as a result, the toner is supplied from the supply port of the toner supply port 18 to the developing device 206 through the tube 212. An elastic seal material is usually attached around the inner wall of the cylindrical fitting portion provided in the printer so as to secure the fitting state and prevent toner leakage.

  The other end wall 33 of the toner bottle 13 opposite to the toner supply port 18 of the main body 17 is provided with a cylindrical toner receiving port 36 communicating with the inside and outside of the main body 17 for refilling and filling the toner. It is provided with a projection. A threaded portion 38 is provided on the outer periphery of the toner receiving port 36, and a plurality of engaging grooves 39a and 39b (two in the present embodiment) serving as engaging portions are provided on the inner peripheral base end, and the axis line. It is provided in multiple stages at intervals in the direction. When the screw portion 38 is attached to the printer, a stopper (not shown) is screwed to close the receiving port 35. Further, a side wall 40 is concentrically provided on the other end wall 33 so as to surround the toner receiving port portion 36, and this side wall 40 serves as a guide when a toner pack described later is mounted. The side wall 40 is slightly higher than the toner receiving port 36.

<Configuration of toner pack>
As shown in FIG. 4, the toner pack 41 accommodates toner for refilling, and has a bag body 42 formed of a flexible sheet material. A cylindrical toner supply port portion 44 that supplies (discharges) the toner contained in is provided with a supply port 43 in a protruding manner. The bag body 42 is formed by welding the peripheral portions of the three sheet materials that form the front and back side walls 42a, 42b and the bottom wall 42c, respectively, and its volume is about 1.5 times the amount of toner accommodated. The internal toner is easily separated by the shape widened in the width direction by the bottom wall 42c and the gap defined in the interior, and a tapered portion is provided on the toner supply port 44 side. 45 is formed to facilitate the supply of toner.

  The toner supply port portion 44 is tapered so that the diameter decreases in the direction of fitting with the toner receiving port portion 36 of the toner bottle 13. That is, the toner supply port portion 44 is a substantially conical portion 49 whose diameter decreases toward the front end of the toner supply. The outer diameter of the toner supply port portion 44 that is a substantially conical portion 49 is at least as large as the inner diameter of the toner receiving port portion 36 of the toner bottle 13 over the axial dimension in which an engagement rib 50 described later engages with the engagement groove 39b. It has a slightly smaller diameter, and can be fitted into the receiving port portion 36 by insertion from the receiving port 35.

  One annular engagement rib 50 as an engagement portion is provided on the outer peripheral front end side of the toner supply port portion 44. The engaging rib 50 has a shape that can be engaged with an annular engaging groove 39a or 39b as an engaging portion provided in the toner receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13. In the present embodiment, the number of the engagement ribs 50 is one, but a plurality of the engagement ribs 50 may be provided in multiple stages. When a plurality of such grooves are provided, the engagement grooves 39a and 39b provided in the toner bottle 13 may be any one of them. In this embodiment, the engaging rib 50 is provided on the outer periphery of the toner supply port portion 44, and the engaging grooves 39a and 39b are provided on the inner periphery of the toner receiving port portion 36. On the contrary, the engaging rib 50 is provided. May be provided on the inner periphery of the toner supply port 44, and the engaging grooves 39 a and 39 b may be provided on the outer periphery of the toner receiving port 36. In this case, as a matter of course, the fitting of the toner supply port 44 with the receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13 is an external fitting.

  A disk-shaped bottom wall 51 is provided so as to extend horizontally outward from the base end of the toner supply port portion 44, and a side wall 46 is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall so as to surround the toner supply port portion 44. And is provided concentrically. That is, a tray-like member 52 comprising a bottom wall 51 and a side wall 46 is fixed around the toner supply port portion 44 so that the inner peripheral edge of the central hole provided in the bottom wall 51 is in contact with the outer periphery of the base end of the toner supply port portion 44. Has been. The side wall 46 of the tray-like member 52 is formed to be slightly smaller in diameter than the side wall 40 of the toner bottle 13, and can be fitted inside the side wall 40, and the height is equal to the toner supply port 44. It has become. A film-like thin film 47 closes the upper end opening of the saucer-like member 52 and the supply opening 43 of the toner supply opening 44 at the tip of the toner supply opening 44 having the same height and the tip of the side wall 46. It is pasted.

  The film-like thin film 47 is made of, for example, a composite layer material in which a resin film is bonded onto a base paper, and a weak portion 55 is provided as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the low-strength portions (low-strength portions) 55 form three thin grooves that are radially shorter than the radius of the thin film 47 from the vicinity of the center of the thin film 47 toward the outer edge. In the figure, it is displayed as a straight line, but when a load is applied, a tear is formed from the center of the groove, which is the intersection of the lines, toward the outer edge, so that it is easily broken. Note that a plurality of low-strength portions 55 can be considered, for example, about 3 to 8 shown in the drawing, but it is preferable that the number of the low-strength portions 55 be 4 or more for ease of breaking.

(Modification of thin film)
FIG. 5 shows various modified examples of the low strength portion (low strength portion) formed in the thin film 47. FIG. 5A shows an example in which four low-strength portions 56 are formed in a cross-like shape with thin grooves displayed as straight lines. FIG. 5B shows an example in which four low-strength portions 57 are formed in a cross shape by thin-walled grooves displayed as zigzag wavy lines. FIG. 5C shows an example in which eight low-strength portions 58 are formed by thin-walled grooves displayed as straight lines. As described above, the low-strength portions 56 to 58 are various linear grooves and can be formed in various numbers, all of which easily break the grooves. In addition, the low intensity | strength part shown here is an example, and the thing of another form is not excluded.

  A plurality of reinforcing ribs 61 are radially provided between the side wall 46 and the toner supply port 44 (four in a cross shape in the present embodiment). As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 6A, the rib 61 is provided so that both side edges are in contact with the side wall 46 and the toner supply port 44, and the lower edge is in contact with the bottom wall 51. The upper edge does not reach the tip of the toner supply port 44 and the side wall 46, and is provided so that a gap 62 is formed between the thin film 47. In other words, the rib 61 is formed in a tapered shape with the upper edge being higher on the side wall 46 side and lowering toward the toner supply port 44 side. The height from the receiving port 35 of the toner receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13 to the second-stage engaging groove 39b is H1, and the rib 61 and the toner supply from the engaging rib 50 of the toner supply port 44 of the toner pack 41 are supplied. Assuming that the height of the mouth portion 44 to the contact portion is H2, H1 ≦ H2. The shape of the rib 61 configured in this way enables the engagement rib 50 to be engaged with the first and second engagement grooves 39a and 39b.

(Another form of reinforcing rib)
The reinforcing rib 61 described above may have other shapes. FIG. 7A shows another type of rib corresponding to FIG. 6A. Unlike the rib 61, the rib 63 has an upper edge formed in a horizontal shape instead of a tapered shape. . Further, the side edge of the rib 63 on the side of the contact portion with the toner supply port 44 forms a gap 64 and is formed in a substantially vertical shape. The height from the receiving port 35 of the toner receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13 to the engaging groove 39b at the second stage is H1, and the rib 63 and the toner 63 are supplied from the engaging rib 50 of the toner supply port 44 of the toner pack 41. Assuming that the height of the mouth portion 44 to the contact portion is H2, H1 ≦ H2, and thus, the first and second engagement grooves 39a and 39b of the engagement rib 50 are the same as described above. It is possible to engage with.

  The sheet material forming the bag body 42 is made of a film material made of a synthetic resin material (PE, PET, etc.), and in particular, has a multilayer structure in which a material having a low frictional resistance with the toner is arranged on the surface, thereby smoothly supplying the toner. It is preferable to make it. Further, the sheet material forming the bag body 42 is preferably not bulky because it is highly flexible and can be flattened during collection.

<Effect of toner supply>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C, a procedure for a toner refilling operation for supplying toner from the toner pack 41 to the toner bottle 13 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6 (A), the toner bottle 13 removed from the printer is placed with a stopper (not shown) in a state where the toner receiving port 36 is up so that the toner remaining inside does not scatter. The screw part 38 of the inlet part 36 is unscrewed and removed.

  Then, with the toner receiving port 36 facing up, the toner supply port 44 of the toner pack 41 is turned down, and in this state, the toner supply port 44 of the toner pack 41 is connected to the toner receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13. Make it close. At this time, the side wall 46 of the toner supply port 44 of the toner pack 41 is brought close to the inside of the side wall 40 of the toner bottle 13. When the side wall 46 of the toner pack 41 is aligned along the inside of the side wall 40 of the toner bottle 13, the positions of the toner supply port 44 and the toner receiving port 36 are aligned.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the side wall 46 of the toner supply port 44 of the toner pack 41 enters the inside of the side wall 40 of the toner bottle 13, the toner pack 41 is vigorously moved to the toner bottle 13 side. Push in. As a result, the tip of the toner receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13 comes into contact with the thin film 47 of the toner pack 41, and further pushes through the thin film 47.

  Further, by pushing the toner pack 41 toward the toner bottle 13, the toner supply port 44 of the toner pack 41 enters the inside of the toner receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13, that is, the receiving port 35. At this time, the pushing direction of the toner pack 41 is guided and pushed so that the side wall 46 of the toner supply port 44 extends along the inner side of the side wall 40 of the toner bottle 13, so that even if it cannot be pushed down vertically, there is a problem. Absent.

  As described above, the thin film 47 of the toner pack 41 is provided with the weak portion 55 from the center of the thin film 47 toward the outer edge. By pushing the toner pack 41 toward the toner bottle 13, the toner pack When the pressure at the tip of the toner receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13 is applied to the thin film 47 of 41, the thin film 47 is broken from the weak portion 55. The toner pack thin film 47 that has been torn by the tip of the toner receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13 is gradually ruptured from the low-strength portion 55 originally applied to the thin film 47 when the toner pack 41 is pushed. Increase. The torn portion of the thin film 47 of the toner pack 41 fits into the gap 62 between the rib 61 of the toner pack 41 and the toner supply port 44, and does not hinder the refill path from the toner pack 41 to the toner bottle 13.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the engagement rib 50 in the toner pack 41 reaches the first-stage engagement groove 39a in the toner receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13, the pushing is stopped. In this state, since the engagement rib 50 and the first-stage engagement groove 39a are fitted and engaged with each other, the engagement is not released. If the toner is clogged at the supply port 43 of the toner pack 41 when the toner pack 41 is refilled into the toner bottle 13, the toner pack 41 is further pushed into the second-stage engagement groove 39 b of the toner bottle 13. By this operation, vibration due to the engagement of the first-stage engagement groove 39a in the supply port 43 of the toner pack 41 is caused by vibration due to re-engagement and engagement with the second-stage engagement groove 39b. The tightening can be loosened and clogging at the supply port 43 of the toner pack 41 can be eliminated. Further, the toner pack 41 can be pulled up, removed from the second-stage engagement groove 39b, and re-fitted into the first-stage engagement groove 39a, so that further vibration can be applied.

  When filling of the toner from the toner pack 41 is completed, the toner supply port portion 44 of the toner pack 41 is pulled out from the toner receiving port portion 36 of the toner bottle 13, and finally to the screw portion 38 of the toner receiving port portion 36 of the toner bottle 13. Screw on the stopper and attach. This completes the toner refilling operation.

  The procedure and operation as described above are the same in the case of the reinforcing rib 63 in another embodiment described above. That is, in general, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, with the toner receiving port portion 36 facing up, the toner supply port portion 44 of the toner pack 41 is turned down and the toner receiving port of the toner bottle 13 is received. The toner pack 41 is vigorously pushed toward the toner bottle 13 in the vicinity of the inlet 36. As a result, the tip of the toner receiving port 36 of the toner bottle 13 comes into contact with the thin film 47 of the toner pack 41 and breaks through. During the piercing, the thin film 47 is gradually broken from the low-strength portion 55, and the torn portion fits in the gap 64 between the rib 63 of the toner pack 41 and the toner supply port 44. Since other operations are the same as those shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, description thereof will be omitted.

  The above-described embodiment is merely a preferred example, and the present invention includes appropriate different embodiments within the scope described in the claims. The members such as the toner receiving port portion 36, the toner supply port portion 44, the thin film 47, and the weak portion 55 shown in the embodiment are merely preferred examples, and can be replaced with other arbitrary members. is there.

13 Toner bottle 36 Toner receiving part 39a, 39b Engaging groove (engaging part)
40 Toner Bottle Side Wall 41 Toner Pack 44 Toner Supply Port Portion 46 Toner Pack Side Wall 47 Film-like Thin Film 50 Engagement Rib (engagement portion)
55 Low strength part (low strength part)
61, 63 Reinforcing rib 101 Intermediate transfer belts 102Y, 102M, 102C, 102K Image forming unit 110 Image detecting device 201 Charging device 202 Photoconductor 203 Writing device 206 Developing device

JP-A-7-128970 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-276776 JP 2006-235046 A

Claims (13)

A toner bottle that supplies toner to the image forming apparatus and a toner pack that contains toner for refilling are provided. When the toner bottle becomes empty, toner is supplied from the toner pack to the toner bottle and the toner is refilled. In a toner replenishing device that enables
A toner receiving port for receiving toner supplied from the toner pack projects from the end wall of the toner bottle, and the toner supply port that fits into the toner receiving port closes the supply port with a film-like thin film. The toner is supplied to the toner bottle from the supply port of the toner pack by the toner receiving portion of the toner bottle breaking through the thin film when fitted. Toner supply device.   2. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein the thin film of the toner pack is provided with a plurality of portions having low strength radially from the center portion to the outer edge portion of the thin film. apparatus.   3. The toner replenishing device according to claim 2, wherein the weak portion is formed by a thin groove.   4. The toner supply device according to claim 1, wherein the toner supply port portion of the toner pack has a tapered shape so that the diameter thereof decreases in the fitting direction.   5. The toner replenishing device according to claim 4, wherein an annular engagement portion is provided on a peripheral surface of a toner supply port portion of the toner pack, and the annular engagement portion that engages with the engagement portion when fitted is a toner bottle. A toner replenishing device provided on a peripheral surface of a toner receiving port of the toner.   6. The toner replenishing device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of engaging portions of the toner pack and engaging portions of the toner bottle are provided in multiple stages.   7. The toner replenishing device according to claim 1, wherein a guide side wall is provided so as to surround a toner receiving port portion of the toner bottle, and the side wall that is fitted at the time of fitting using the side wall as a guide is a toner pack. A toner refilling device characterized by being provided so as to surround the toner supply port of the toner.   8. The toner replenishing device according to claim 7, wherein the height of the side wall of the toner bottle is higher than the height of the toner receiving port.   9. The toner replenishing device according to claim 7, wherein the height of the side wall of the toner pack is equal to the height of the toner supply port.   10. The toner replenishing device according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of reinforcing ribs are provided radially between the side wall of the toner pack and the toner supply port.   11. A toner bottle for use in the toner replenishing device according to claim 1, further comprising a toner receiving portion for receiving toner supplied from a toner pack, and an annular engagement member on a peripheral surface of the toner receiving portion. A toner bottle having a joint portion.   11. The toner pack used in the toner replenishing device according to claim 1, further comprising a toner supply port portion that fits into a toner receiving port portion of the toner bottle, and an annular surface around the toner supply port portion. And a toner supply port portion provided with a supply port and a film-like thin film for closing the supply port.   An image forming apparatus comprising the toner bottle according to claim 11.

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