JP2012242747A - Developer container, and developing device and image forming apparatus using developer container - Google Patents

Abstract

The flow of a developer contained in a developer storage chamber of a developing device is prevented from decreasing.
A developer containing portion that is divided into a first containing portion a and a second containing portion b in a vertical direction and that contains a developer, and supplies the developer from the first containing portion to the second containing portion. In order to do this, the container opening 44 provided between the first container and the second container, and the second container for supplying the developer from the second container to the external developing device 11 are provided. The developer supply port 45 provided at the bottom of the container is closed alternately with either the container opening or the developer supply port so that both the container opening and the developer supply port do not communicate with each other at the same time. And a film portion 62.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer container that suppresses a decrease in fluidity of a developer housed in a developer storage chamber of a developing device, and a developing device and an image forming apparatus that use the developer container.

  An image forming apparatus that forms a developer image with a developer using an electrophotographic recording process includes an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit.

The exposure device is a device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum by partially exposing the photosensitive drum provided inside the developing device.
The developing device is a device that develops (visualizes) the electrostatic latent image as a developer image by supplying the developer to the photosensitive drum on which the electrostatic latent image is formed.
The transfer unit is a unit that transfers the developer image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum to a print medium.
The fixing unit is a unit that fixes the developer image transferred to the print medium to the print medium.

  In such a configuration, the developing device includes a developer storage chamber for temporarily storing the developer supplied to the photosensitive drum, and a developer container is detachably mounted thereon. It has become. The developer container is a container for storing unused developer to be supplied to the developing device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The developer container has a developer container for storing unused developer therein. In the developer accommodating portion, a part of the accommodated developer may form a lump. Therefore, the interior of the developer accommodating portion is partitioned into a first accommodating portion and a second accommodating portion in the vertical direction, and a stirring member is provided inside the second accommodating portion.

  The second accommodating portion is a space prepared for subdividing the developer. The stirring member is a member for stirring (stirring) the developer. The agitating member is rotated inside the second housing portion, thereby crushing the lump of developer and subdividing the developer. The stirring member is connected to the drive mechanism of the image forming apparatus and is driven by the drive mechanism of the image forming apparatus.

  The developer container is provided with an opening (hereinafter referred to as a “developer supply port”) for supplying unused developer to the developing device at the bottom of the second container. The developer container has a shutter for opening and closing the developer supply port around the developer supply port. The developer container releases or releases unused developer from the developer supply port to the developer storage chamber of the developing device by moving the shutter to open and close the developer supply port. .

JP 2006-243446 A

However, the conventional developer container has a problem that the fluidity of the developer accommodated in the developer storage chamber of the developing device is lowered as described below.
Further, a developing device using a conventional developer container has a problem in that development failure may occur because the fluidity of the developer contained in the developer storage chamber is reduced.
In addition, the conventional image forming apparatus using the developer container has a problem in that poor image formation may occur because the fluidity of the developer stored in the developer storage chamber of the developing apparatus is reduced. It was.

In other words, the conventional developer container is in a state in which the first and second container parts of the developer container part communicate with the developer storage chamber of the developing device (a state in which the developer container is continuously opened).
Therefore, in the conventional developer container, the pressure in the gravity direction of all the developers stored in the developer container (that is, the developer stored in both the first container and the second container) is The developer is directly added to the developer stored in the developer storage chamber of the developing device. As a result, the conventional developer container compresses the developer contained in the developer storage chamber of the developing device.
As a result, the conventional developer container reduces the fluidity of the developer contained in the developer storage chamber of the developing device.

As a result, in the developing device using the conventional developer container, the flowability of the developer stored in the developer storage chamber is lowered, and thus development failure (a phenomenon in which the electrostatic latent image is not faithfully developed) occurs. There was a case.
Further, in the image forming apparatus using the conventional developer container, the fluidity of the developer stored in the developer storage chamber of the developing device is reduced, so that an image formation failure (a low-quality image is formed on the print medium). Phenomenon).

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and a developer container that suppresses a decrease in the fluidity of the developer stored in the developer storage chamber of the developing device, and the occurrence of poor development. It is a main object of the present invention to provide a developing device that suppresses image formation and an image forming apparatus that suppresses image formation defects.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first invention is a developer container for storing a developer used for image formation, which is partitioned in a vertical direction into a first storage part and a second storage part, and the developer And a container provided between the first storage portion and the second storage portion for supplying the developer from the first storage portion to the second storage portion. An opening, a developer supply port provided at a bottom of the second storage unit, and an opening in the container and the developer for supplying the developer from the second storage unit to an external developing device; In order to prevent both the supply ports from communicating with each other at the same time, it is configured to have a film portion that alternately closes one of the opening in the container and the developer supply port.

  In this developer container, the film portion alternately closes either the in-container opening or the developer supply port so that both the in-container opening and the developer supply port do not communicate with each other at the same time. As a result, the developer container includes the pressure in the direction of gravity of the developer stored in the first container of the developer container and the gravity of the developer stored in the second container of the developer container. The pressure is divided at the film part.

  Therefore, the developer container prevents the pressure in the gravity direction of the developer stored in the first container of the developer container from being applied to the developer stored in the developer storage chamber of the developing device. Can do. Thereby, this developer container can reduce the compressibility of the developer stored in the developer storage chamber of the developing device. As a result, the developer container can suppress a decrease in the fluidity of the developer stored in the developer storage chamber of the developing device.

  The second invention is a developing device for forming a developer image with a developer, and has a developer storage chamber for temporarily storing the developer, and the developer storage chamber includes the developer storage chamber. A developer container for accommodating a developer to be supplied to the chamber is configured to be detachably mounted on the chamber, and the developer container has a first container part and a second container part in the vertical direction. A developer accommodating portion that accommodates the developer, and the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion for supplying the developer from the first accommodating portion to the second accommodating portion. An opening in the container provided therebetween, a developer supply port provided at the bottom of the second storage unit for supplying the developer from the second storage unit to an external developing device, and the container In order to prevent both the inner opening and the developer supply port from communicating simultaneously, the inner opening and the container Wherein a structure comprising a film portion for closing one by one of the developer supply port alternately.

  This developing device is configured such that the developer container according to the first invention is mounted on the developer storage chamber. Therefore, this developing device can suppress a decrease in fluidity of the developer stored in the developer storage chamber. Thereby, this developing device can suppress the occurrence of development failure.

  The third invention is an image forming apparatus having a developing device, an exposure device, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit, wherein the developing device has a developer storage chamber for temporarily storing the developer, The developer storage chamber has a shape in which a developer container for storing a developer to be supplied to the developer storage chamber is detachably mounted on the developer storage chamber. A first storage portion and a second storage portion, the developer storage portion storing the developer, and the first storage portion for supplying the developer from the first storage portion to the second storage portion. An opening in the container provided between the first container and the second container; and a bottom of the second container to supply the developer from the second container to an external developing device. Both the provided developer supply port and the opening in the container and the developer supply port At the same time so as not to communicate, a structure and a film portion which closes alternately every one of the container opening and the developer feed inlet.

  This image forming apparatus is configured to use the developing device according to the second invention. Therefore, this image forming apparatus can suppress a decrease in the fluidity of the developer stored in the developer storage chamber of the developing device. Thereby, this image forming apparatus can suppress the occurrence of defective image formation.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a developer container that suppresses a decrease in fluidity of the developer stored in the developer storage chamber of the developing device.
Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a developing device that suppresses the occurrence of development failure.
Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses the occurrence of image formation defects.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a developer container according to Embodiment 1 including a developing device. It is a figure which shows the structure of the stirring member used in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure (1) which shows the structure of the principal part of the stirring member used in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram (2) illustrating a configuration of a main part of a stirring member used in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a developer container according to a second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the stirring member used in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the stirring member used in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 6A is a diagram (1) illustrating a configuration of a developer container according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6B is a diagram (2) illustrating a configuration of a developer container according to the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the stirring member used in Embodiment 3. It is a figure (1) which shows the structure of the principal part of the stirring member used in Embodiment 3. It is a figure (2) which shows the structure of the principal part of the stirring member used in Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a developer container according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the stirring member used in Embodiment 4. It is a figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the stirring member used in Embodiment 4. It is a figure which shows the structure of the developer container which concerns on a comparative example.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each figure is only schematically shown so that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the common component and the same component, and those overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Embodiment 1]
<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.

  Here, description will be made assuming that the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is configured as a tandem type color printer. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 1 is referred to as “printer 1”. Further, the “image forming” operation may be referred to as “printing” operation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a cassette 2, a stacker 3, a conveyance path 4, a discharge roller 5, a developing device 11, an exposure device 12, a transfer unit 13, and a fixing unit 14.

The cassette 2 is a part that accommodates a print medium used for image forming processing.
The stacker 3 is a part where the print media after the image forming process are stacked.
The conveyance path 4 is a path through which the print medium is conveyed. A transport mechanism (not shown) is provided around the transport path 4.
The discharge roller 5 is a roller that discharges the print medium to the stacker 3.

  The developing device 11 includes a photosensitive drum 22 (see FIG. 2) in which an electrostatic latent image is formed. By supplying a developer to the photosensitive drum 22 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, the developing device 11 An apparatus that develops (visualizes) a latent image as a developer image. The developing device 11 is configured to be detachable from the printer 1.

  The exposure device 12 is a device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 22 by partially exposing the photosensitive drum 22 provided inside the developing device 11. The exposure device 12 is configured to be detachable from the printer 1. Here, the case where the exposure apparatus 12 is configured as an LED (Light Emitting Device) head will be described. Hereinafter, the exposure apparatus 12 is referred to as “LED head 12”.

  The transfer unit 13 is a unit that transfers a developer image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 to a print medium. The transfer unit 13 includes a transfer roller (not shown) disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum 22 of the developing device 11. The transfer unit 13 travels the print medium between the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer roller. At that time, the transfer unit 13 applies a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the developer image to the transfer roller, and draws the developer image from the photosensitive drum 22 toward the transfer roller. As a result, the transfer unit 13 transfers the developer image to the print medium.

  The fixing unit 14 is a unit that fixes the developer image transferred to the print medium to the print medium. The fixing unit 14 heats and pressurizes the print medium on which the developer image is transferred, and melts the developer image. As a result, the fixing unit 14 fixes the developer image on the print medium.

  In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 11 includes a developer storage chamber (toner storage chamber) 25 that temporarily stores the developer supplied to the photosensitive drum 22, and further, The developer container 40 is detachably mounted. The developer container 40 is a container that stores unused developer to be supplied to the developing device 11.

<Developer container and surrounding structure>
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the developer container 40 according to the first exemplary embodiment and the surrounding configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the developer container 40 according to the first embodiment including the developing device 11. Here, the configuration of the developing device 11 will be described first, and then the configuration of the developer container 40 will be described.

(Configuration of developing device)
First, the configuration of the developing device 11 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the developing device 11 is configured as an image drum unit 20 that forms a developer image (toner image) on the surface of a photosensitive drum 22 provided therein.

  The image drum unit 20 includes a photosensitive drum 22, a charging roller 23, a developing roller 24, a toner storage chamber 25, a supply roller 26, a developing blade 27, and a cleaning blade 28 inside a housing 21.

The photosensitive drum 22 is an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image and a developer image (toner image) are formed.
The charging roller 23 is a charging member that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 22.
The developing roller 24 is a developer carrier that carries toner as a developer. The developing roller 24 develops (visualizes) the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 22 as a toner image by adhering the carried toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 22.

The toner storage chamber 25 is a developer storage chamber that temporarily stores toner as a developer.
The supply roller 26 is a developer supply member that supplies the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 to the developing roller 24.

The developing blade 27 is a developer layer thickness regulating member that makes the thickness of the toner attached to the surface of the developing roller 24 uniform.
The cleaning blade 28 removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 (hereinafter referred to as “transfer residual toner”) after the transfer processing by the transfer unit 13 (see FIG. 1) from the photosensitive drum 22. It is.

In such a configuration, the developing device 11 operates as follows during printing.
In the developing device 11, the charging roller 23 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 22. Thereafter, the LED head 12 partially exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22.
In the developing device 11, the supply roller 26 supplies toner as a developer to the developing roller 24, and the developing blade 27 regulates the layer thickness of the toner supplied to the developing roller 24 to be constant, whereby the developing roller 24. A toner layer is formed on the surface. The developing device 11 supplies toner from the developing roller 24 to the photosensitive drum 22 to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 as a developer image (toner image).

  When the toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 of the developing device 11, the printer 1 transfers the toner image to the printing medium by the transfer unit 13, and further transfers the toner image to the printing medium by the fixing unit 14. To settle. Then, the printer 1 discharges the print medium on which the toner image is fixed to the stacker 3 by the discharge roller 5. Thereby, the printing operation is completed.

  In such a configuration, the image drum unit 20 has an upper cover 31 provided on the toner storage chamber 25. The upper cover 31 is a member that closes the upper portion of the toner storage chamber 25. The upper cover 31 functions as a mounting portion on which the toner cartridge 40 as the “developer container” according to the first embodiment is detachably mounted.

  The upper cover 31 is provided such that a toner receiving port 35 as a developer receiving port penetrates from one surface to the other surface. The toner receiving port 35 is an opening for taking toner as a developer from the toner cartridge 40 into the toner storage chamber 25. The toner receiving port 35 is formed over the entire width of the toner storage chamber 25 in the width direction. The “lateral width of the toner storage chamber 25” is a value obtained by excluding the thickness of the casing 21 on both sides of the toner storage chamber 25 from the horizontal width of the image drum unit 20.

(Configuration of developer container)
Next, the configuration of the toner cartridge 40 as the “developer container” according to the first embodiment will be described.
The toner cartridge 40 includes a toner container 42, a waste toner container 43, a shutter 51, and a stirring bar 60 inside an outer cartridge 41 as a housing.

  The toner storage unit 42 is a storage chamber that stores unused toner. The toner container 42 corresponds to a “developer container” described in the claims. The toner accommodating portion 42 is partitioned into a first accommodating portion 42a and a second accommodating portion 42b in the vertical direction.

  The first storage portion 42a is a storage chamber that stores unused toner to be supplied to the second storage portion 42b. On the other hand, the second storage portion 42 b is a storage chamber that stores unused toner supplied to the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20. The second storage portion 42b is provided to subdivide the toner when a toner lump is formed. The second storage portion 42b is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a toner supply port 45 is provided at the bottom thereof.

  The toner supply port 45 is an opening provided at the bottom of the outer cartridge 41 in order to discharge unused toner stored in the second storage portion 42 b to the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20. The “toner supply port 45” corresponds to a “developer supply port” recited in the claims. The “toner supply port 45” is provided at a position overlapping the toner receiving port 35 of the image drum unit 20 at the bottom of the second storage portion 42 b.

  The waste toner storage unit 43 is a storage chamber that stores transfer residual toner as waste toner (hereinafter referred to as “waste toner”). When the transfer residual toner is removed from the photosensitive drum 22 by the cleaning blade 28, it is transported to the waste toner storage unit 43 by a recovery mechanism (not shown) and stored as waste toner in the waste toner storage unit 43.

  The shutter 51 is a cylindrical supply port opening / closing member that opens and closes the toner supply port 45. The shutter 51 is formed in an arc shape in cross section. The shutter 51 is rotatably arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the second housing portion 42b. The shutter 51 is provided with a shutter opening 55 so as to penetrate from one surface to the other surface. The shutter opening 55 is an opening for discharging toner from the second storage portion 42 b of the toner cartridge 40 to the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20. The toner accommodated in the second accommodating portion 42b has a film opening 65 and a shutter opening 55, which will be described later, overlap with the positions of the toner supply port 45 and the toner receiving port 35, whereby the second accommodating portion 42b of the toner cartridge 40 is provided. To the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20. The shutter 51 is provided with an opening at a position facing the first housing portion 42a when the toner supply port 45 is opened and closed so as to penetrate from one surface to the other surface.

  The agitation bar 60 is a member that agitates (stirs) the toner accommodated in the second accommodating part 42b by rotating inside the second accommodating part 42b. Here, the stirring bar 60 is demonstrated as what rotates in the arrow A direction shown in FIG. The stirring bar 60 corresponds to a “stirring member” recited in the claims. The stirring bar 60 is disposed in the second storage portion 42b of the toner storage portion 42 so as to extend in the lateral direction. The stirring bar 60 is formed to have a length equal to or greater than the lateral width of the transport path 4. The detailed configuration of the stirring bar 60 will be described later in the section “Configuration of the stirring member”.

  In such a configuration, the agitation bar 60 is rotated inside the second storage portion 42b, thereby crushing the lump of toner and subdividing the toner. Further, the shutter 51 rotates along the inner peripheral surface of the second housing portion 42 b to open and close the toner supply port 45, thereby removing unused toner from the toner supply port 45 in the toner storage chamber of the developing device 11. Release to 25 or stop the release. Hereinafter, the second accommodating portion 42b may be referred to as a “rotation supply portion”.

  In this configuration, the container opening 44 is provided between the first storage portion 42 a and the second storage portion 42 b of the toner storage portion 42. The in-container opening 44 is an opening for supplying toner from the first storage portion 42a to the second storage portion 42b. The in-container opening 44 is provided in a space between the first housing portion 42 a and the second housing portion 42 b that are located on the outer peripheral surface of the shutter 51.

(Configuration of stirring member)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the stirring bar 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the stirring member 60 used in the first embodiment. 4 and 5 are diagrams each showing a configuration of a main part of the stirring member used in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a configuration in the case where a film opening 65 to be described later is on the zenith side of the second accommodating portion 42b (a position overlapping with the container opening 44 (see FIG. 2)). FIG. 5 shows a configuration in a case where a film opening 65 to be described later is on the upper side of the second accommodating portion 42b (a position overlapping the in-container opening 44 (see FIG. 2)).

As shown in FIG. 3, the stirring bar 60 includes a core material 61 and a film portion 62.
The core material 61 is a member to which the film part 62 is attached. The core member 61 has such a rigidity that the toner inside the second storage portion 42b can be sufficiently stirred.

The core member 61 includes a bearing portion 61a and a protruding portion 61b.
The bearing portion 61 a is a long rod-shaped portion that serves as a rotating shaft of the stirring bar 60.
The protruding portion 61b is a portion that protrudes straight from the bearing portion 61a along the axial direction of the bearing portion 61a.

  The core member 61 is rotatably supported by the side surfaces of the outer cartridge 41 at both ends of the bearing portion 61a. The core member 61 has a gear (not shown) mounted on one side of the bearing portion 61 a and rotates when the gear engages with a gear train connected to a drive source of the printer 1.

  The film part 62 is a thin film type elastic member. In the first embodiment, the film part 62 is formed in a rectangular shape. The film part 62 has such a rigidity that it is not crushed by the weight of toner inside the second storage part 42b. The film portion 62 is fixed to the bearing portion 61a or the protruding portion 61b of the core member 61 on the fixed end E1 side by a fixing means such as a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive.

  When manufacturing the toner cartridge 40, the manufacturing operator winds the free end E2 side of the film portion 62 of the stirring bar 60 around the bearing portion 61a and the protruding portion 61b, and the stirring bar 60 is moved to the second storage portion 42b ( (See FIGS. 4 and 5). Then, as for the film part 62, the free end E2 side spreads outside. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the film portion 62 develops along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 from the tip of the protruding portion 61 b of the core member 61. As a result, the film part 62 is disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 so as to extend downstream from the tip of the protruding part 61 b of the core member 61 in the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60.

  The film part 62 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 in most regions (contacts while sliding). Hereinafter, the portion of the film portion 62 that is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 is referred to as a “sliding contact portion 63”. Here, the “inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51” refers to an actual inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 and an inner peripheral surface of a virtual arcuate space extending from the actual inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51. It means both. In other words, the “inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51” means the inner peripheral surface of the moving space for one round of the tip P <b> 1 of the sliding contact portion 63 that moves by the rotation of the stirring bar 60.

  The film portion 62 is formed so that the width of the sliding contact portion 63 with respect to the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60 (that is, the distance from the front end P1 to the end P2 of the sliding contact portion 63) is shorter than the length of the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51. ing. That is, the film portion 62 is formed such that the width of the sliding contact portion 63 is shorter than the length of the moving distance of one round of the tip P1 of the sliding contact portion 63 with respect to the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60. Therefore, on the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51, there is a space from the terminal end P2 to the tip end P1 of the sliding contact portion 63 as a region where the film portion 62 and the shutter 51 do not contact.

  The space from the terminal end P2 to the tip end P1 of the sliding contact portion 63 is moved by the stirring bar 60 being rotated inside the second accommodating portion 42b. At that time, when the space from the terminal end P2 to the tip end P1 of the sliding contact portion 63 overlaps with the opening 44 in the container, it serves as an opening for allowing the toner to flow (pass) from the first storage portion 42a to the second storage portion 42b. Function. Further, the space from the terminal end P2 to the tip end P1 of the sliding contact portion 63 serves as an opening through which the toner flows (passes) from the second storage portion 42b to the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20 when it overlaps the toner supply port 45. Function. Hereinafter, the space from the terminal end P2 to the tip end P1 of the sliding contact portion 63 is referred to as a “film opening 65”.

  When the film opening 65 is in a position where the film opening 65 overlaps either the container opening 44 or the toner supply port 45, the sliding contact portion 63 connects the other of the container opening 44 and the toner supply port 45 to each other. It is configured to close. Therefore, the sliding contact portion 63 functions as a partition wall that prevents the container opening 44 and the toner supply port 45 from communicating simultaneously when the stirring bar 60 rotates.

  The sliding contact portion 63 closes both the container opening 44 and the toner supply port 45 when the film opening 65 is in a position where it does not overlap either the container opening 44 or the toner supply port 45. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the film opening 65 is on the zenith side of the second storage portion 42b (the position overlapping the container opening 44 (see FIG. 2)), the toner is It flows from the 1st accommodating part 42a to the 2nd accommodating part 42b.

  The second accommodating portion 42 b is partitioned into two spaces 71 and 72 for holding the developer by the protruding portion 61 b of the core member 61 of the stirring bar 60. Hereinafter, the two spaces 71 and 72 are referred to as a “first developer holding space 71” and a “second developer holding space 72”. Here, the upstream space with respect to the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60 is referred to as a “first developer holding space 71”, and the downstream space is referred to as a “second developer holding space 72”.

  The “first developer holding space 71” and the “second developer holding space 72” are divided by half by the protruding portion 61 b of the core member 61 of the stirring bar 60, and are communicated by half by the communication portion 73. ing. Hereinafter, the protrusion 61b may be referred to as a “half-partition wall”.

  When the toner flows from the first storage portion 42 a to the second storage portion 42 b, first, the toner enters the second developer holding space 72. The toner that has entered the second developer holding space 72 moves in the second storage portion 42b together with the film portion 62 while the periphery is surrounded by the film portion 62 as the stirring bar 60 rotates. To do. Then, the toner flows from the second developer holding space 72 to the first developer holding space 71, or conversely, the toner flows from the first developer holding space 71 to the second developer holding space 72. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the film opening 65 is on the upper side of the second storage part 42b (position overlapping the container opening 44), the second storage is performed from the first storage part 42a along the arrow B. As shown in FIG. 2, the toner that has flowed to the portion 42 b is secondly taken along the arrow C when the film opening 65 is on the bottom side of the second storage portion 42 b (position overlapping the toner supply port 45). The toner flows from the container 42b to the toner storage chamber 25.

  In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, the film portion 62 is configured such that the width of the film opening 65 is D1 and the width of the in-container opening 44 is D2 with respect to the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60. The width D1 of the film opening 65 and the width D2 of the in-container opening 44 are formed so as to satisfy the relationship “D1 <D2”. However, the width D1 of the film opening 65 is set to be equal to or larger than a predetermined width so that the toner can smoothly pass through the film opening 65.

  Further, when the distance from the container opening 44 to the shutter opening 55 on the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 is D3 with respect to the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60, the film part 62 The width D1 and the distance D3 from the container opening 44 to the shutter opening 55 are formed so as to satisfy the relationship “D1 <D3”.

  With such a configuration, when the film opening 65 is located at a position where the film opening 65 overlaps either the container opening 44 or the toner supply port 45, the slidable contact portion 63 is formed in the container opening 44 and the toner. The other side of the supply port 45 is closed. Therefore, in the toner cartridge 40, both the opening 44 in the container and the toner supply port 45 do not communicate with each other at the same time.

<Operation of developer container>
Hereinafter, the operation of the toner cartridge 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. Here, description will be made assuming that the user of the printer 1 opens the upper cover (not shown) of the printer 1 and attaches the toner cartridge 40 to the image drum unit 20 of the developing device 11.

  First, the user opens the upper cover (not shown) of the printer 1 and attaches the toner cartridge 40 to the upper cover 31 of the image drum unit 20.

  Next, the user rotates the shutter 51 so that the shutter opening 55 coincides with the toner supply port 45 of the outer cartridge 41. As a result, the toner supply port 45 is opened. As a result, the second storage portion 42 b of the toner cartridge 40 communicates with the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20 through the shutter opening 55, the toner supply port 45, and the toner receiving port 35.

  Thereafter, the user closes the upper cover (not shown) of the printer 1. Then, the printer 1 rotates the stirring bar 60 of the toner cartridge 40 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 2 by a driving mechanism (not shown).

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the toner cartridge 40, when the film opening 65 overlaps the container opening 44, the toner flows in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 4). As a result, the toner cartridge 40 supplies toner from the first container 42a to the second container 42b through the film opening 65. Then, the toner cartridge 40 agitates the toner inside the second storage portion 42b as the agitation bar 60 continues to rotate.

  In the toner cartridge 40, as shown in FIG. 2, when the film opening 65 overlaps the toner supply port 45, the toner flows in the direction of arrow C (see FIG. 4). As a result, the toner cartridge 40 discharges the toner from the second container 42 b to the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20 through the film opening 65. The toner remaining inside the second storage portion 42b is continuously stirred by the stirring bar 60 inside the second storage portion 42b.

  In such a toner cartridge 40, when the stirring bar 60 rotates, the sliding contact portion 63 of the film portion 62 functions as a partition wall, so that both the in-container opening 44 and the toner supply port 45 are simultaneously communicated. Can be prevented. Therefore, the toner cartridge 40 can obtain the following effects as compared with, for example, the toner cartridge 140 shown in FIG. 17 that does not have the film portion 62 that functions as a partition wall. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge 140 as a developer container according to a comparative example.

  The toner cartridge 140 according to the comparative example is a developer container provided with a stirring bar 160 that rotates inside the second storage part 42b. However, in the toner cartridge 140, unlike the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the stirring bar 160 is not provided with the film portion 62 that constitutes the sliding contact portion 63 that functions as a partition wall. In such a toner cartridge 140, both the opening 44 in the container and the toner supply port 45 are simultaneously communicated.

  Therefore, in the toner cartridge 140, the pressure in the gravity direction of all the toners stored in the toner storage unit 42 (that is, the toner stored in both the first storage unit 42a and the second storage unit 42b) is reduced. The toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 is added. As a result, the toner cartridge 140 compresses the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20. Accordingly, the toner cartridge 140 reduces the fluidity of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20.

  On the other hand, the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment has a film portion 62 that constitutes a sliding contact portion 63 that functions as a partition wall. In such a toner cartridge 40, the pressure in the gravitational direction of the toner accommodated in the first accommodating portion 42a and the pressure in the gravitational direction of the toner accommodated in the second accommodating portion 42b are applied by the sliding contact portion 63 of the film portion 62. Divide.

  Therefore, the toner cartridge 40 can prevent the pressure in the direction of gravity of the toner stored in the first storage portion 42a from being applied to the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20. Thereby, the toner cartridge 40 can reduce the compression rate of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20. As a result, the toner cartridge 40 can suppress a decrease in the fluidity of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20.

  Such a toner cartridge 40 is low-cost when the shutter 51 is configured to be manually rotated, or when used in the developing device 11 in which the stirring member is not provided in the toner storage chamber 25. Since it is possible to suppress a decrease in fluidity of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25, it is particularly effective in these cases.

  Further, the developing device 11 using the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment can suppress a decrease in fluidity of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25. Therefore, the developing device 11 can consume the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 while sufficiently flowing the toner. Thereby, the developing device 11 can suppress the occurrence of development failure (a phenomenon in which the electrostatic latent image is not developed faithfully).

  Further, the printer 1 using the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment can suppress a decrease in the fluidity of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the developing device 11. Therefore, the printer 1 can consume the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the developing device 11 while sufficiently flowing the toner. As a result, the printer 1 can suppress the occurrence of image formation defects (a phenomenon in which an image with low image quality is formed on the print medium) and can perform good image formation.

  Note that the toner cartridge 40 according to the first exemplary embodiment is configured so that the toner stored in the second storage portion 42b is surrounded by the film portion 62 in the second storage portion 42b together with the film portion 62. Move. Therefore, the toner cartridge 40 can reduce toner damage more than the toner cartridge 140 according to the comparative example.

  As described above, according to the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the pressure in the gravity direction of the toner stored in the first storage portion 42 a of the toner storage portion 42 is stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20. Since it is possible to prevent the toner from being added, it is possible to prevent the fluidity of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the developing device 11 from being lowered.

  Further, according to the toner cartridge 40, the toner stored in the second storage portion 42b is moved together with the film portion 62 in the second storage portion 42b while being surrounded by the film portion 62. In addition, toner damage can be reduced.

Further, according to the developing device 11 using the toner cartridge 40, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of development failure (a phenomenon in which the electrostatic latent image is not faithfully developed).
Further, according to the printer 1 using the toner cartridge 40, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an image formation defect (a phenomenon in which an image with low image quality is formed on a print medium).

[Embodiment 2]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the toner cartridge 40A as the developer container according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge 40A as a developer container according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a stirring bar 60A as a stirring member used in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a stirring bar 60A as a stirring member used in the second embodiment.

  The toner cartridge 40A according to the second embodiment is different from the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment in that a stirring bar 60A is used instead of the stirring bar 60. Compared with the stirring bar 60 according to the first embodiment, the stirring bar 60A includes a film part 62A (see FIG. 7) instead of the film part 62 (see FIG. 3).

  The film part 62A is a thin-film elastic member formed in a rectangular shape, like the film part 62 according to the first embodiment. Similarly to the film part 62, the film part 62A is fixed to the bearing part 61a or the protruding part 61b of the core 61 on the fixed end E1 (see FIG. 7) side by a fixing means such as a double-sided adhesive tape or adhesive. ing.

  However, in the stirring bar 60A, the film part 62A is formed longer than the film part 62 of the stirring bar 60 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, in the film portion 62A, the width of the sliding contact portion 63 with respect to the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60A is the same as the length of the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 or slightly longer than the length of the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51. It is formed to be long.

  The stirring bar 60A has a plurality of holes 67 formed in the sliding contact portion 63 of the film portion 62A. The plurality of holes 67 are spaces through which the toner passes. For example, in the toner cartridge 40A, when the hole 67 is positioned so as to overlap the opening 44 in the container, the toner flows through the hole 67 and flows from the first storage portion 42a to the second storage portion 42b. In the toner cartridge 40 </ b> A, when the hole 67 is positioned so as to overlap the toner supply port 45, the toner flows through the hole 67 and flows from the second storage portion 42 b to the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of holes 67 form a plurality of rows in the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60A. In each row, an even number of holes 67 (two holes 67a and 67b in the illustrated example) are arranged. When the film portion 62A is unfolded along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51, the plurality of holes 67 are located at symmetrical positions with respect to each other about the bearing portion 61a of the stirring bar 60A. (See FIGS. 6 and 8).

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of holes 67 are arranged two per row. Hereinafter, of the two holes 67 arranged in each row, the hole 67 on the tip P1 (see FIG. 7) side of the sliding contact portion 63 is referred to as a “first hole 67a”, and the rear end P2 ( The hole 67 on the side is referred to as a “second hole 67b”.

  The first hole 67a and the second hole 67b are disposed at symmetrical positions around the bearing portion 61a of the stirring bar 60A when the film portion 62A is developed along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 8).

  The slidable contact portion 63 of the film portion 62A includes a portion 63a in which one of the first hole 67a and the second hole 67b is formed (hereinafter referred to as “opening portion 63a”), the first hole 67a, and the second hole 67a. It is partitioned into a portion 63b in which 67b is not formed (hereinafter referred to as “non-opening portion 63b”). In the second embodiment, two opening parts 63a and two non-opening parts 63b are formed.

  In the second embodiment, the angle formed by the center position of the container opening 44 centered on the bearing 61a and the center position of the toner supply port 45 is smaller than 180 degrees (strictly speaking, It is assumed that the angle is set to 180 degrees from which an angle larger than the width of one opening 63a is subtracted. On the other hand, the two opening portions 63a are arranged on the object with the bearing portion 61a as the center. Therefore, the angle formed by the center position of one opening part 63a centering on the bearing 61a and the center position of the other opening part 63a is 180 degrees.

  Therefore, the film portion 62A has the non-opening portion 63b on the other side of the container opening 44 and the toner supply port 45 when the opening 63a overlaps with either the container opening 44 or the toner supply port 45. It becomes the composition which closes. Accordingly, the non-opening portion 63b functions as a partition wall that prevents the container opening 44 and the toner supply port 45 from communicating simultaneously when the stirring bar 60A rotates.

  The non-opening portion 63 b closes both the container opening 44 and the toner supply port 45 when the opening 63 a is in a position where it does not overlap either the container opening 44 or the toner supply port 45.

  When manufacturing the toner cartridge 40A, the manufacturing operator winds the free end E2 side of the film portion 62A of the stirring bar 60A around the bearing portion 61a and the protruding portion 61b, and the stirring bar 60A is moved to the second storage portion 42b ( (See Fig. 6) Then, as for the film part 62A, the free end E2 side spreads outside. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, the film portion 62 </ b> A is developed along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 from the tip of the protruding portion 61 b of the core member 61. As a result, the film portion 62A is disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 so as to extend from the tip of the protruding portion 61b of the core member 61 of the stirring bar 60A to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60A.

  At this time, as described above, in the film portion 62A, the width of the sliding contact portion 63 with respect to the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60A (that is, the distance from the front end P1 to the end P2 of the sliding contact portion 63) is the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51. The end P2 of the slidable contact portion 63 is substantially coincident with the front end P1 because it is formed so as to be equal to or slightly longer than the length of the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51.

  At this time, the film portion 62A is in a state in which the first hole 67a and the second hole 67b are arranged at symmetrical positions with the bearing portion 61a as the center.

  The operation of the toner cartridge 40A according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, the operation different from that of the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the operation of the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment will be described for the same operation as that of the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment. The detailed description is omitted as a replacement for the operation of the toner cartridge 40A according to the second exemplary embodiment.

The printer 1 rotates the stirring bar 60A of the toner cartridge 40A in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 6 by a drive mechanism (not shown).
At this time, in the toner cartridge 40A, as shown in FIG. 8, when the opening portion 63a in which the first hole 67a is formed overlaps with the container opening 44, the toner flows in the arrow B direction. Thus, the toner cartridge 40A supplies toner from the first storage portion 42a to the second storage portion 42b through the first hole 67a. Then, the toner cartridge 40A stirs the toner inside the second storage portion 42b as the stirring bar 60A continues to rotate.

  In the toner cartridge 40A, as shown in FIG. 6, when the opening 63a in which the first hole 67a is formed overlaps the toner supply port 45, the toner flows in the arrow C direction. Accordingly, the toner cartridge 40A discharges the toner from the second storage portion 42b to the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20 through the first hole 67a. The toner remaining inside the second storage portion 42b is continuously stirred by the stirring bar 60A inside the second storage portion 42b.

  Similarly, in the toner cartridge 40A, when the opening 63a in which the second hole 67b is formed overlaps with the opening 44 in the container, the toner is transferred from the first container 42a to the second container 42b via the second hole 67b. To supply. Further, in the toner cartridge 40A, when the opening 63a in which the second hole 67b is formed overlaps the toner supply port 45, the toner is stored in the toner storage chamber of the image drum unit 20 from the second storage portion 42b through the second hole 67b. To 25.

Such a toner cartridge 40A has the following characteristics.
(1) The film portion 62A is disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 so as to extend from the tip of the protruding portion 61b of the core member 61 of the stirring bar 60A to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60A.
(2) The film portion 62A is in a state in which the end P2 of the sliding contact portion 63 substantially coincides with the leading end P1, and the sliding contact portion 63 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 over the entire periphery.
(3) In the film portion 62A, a plurality of holes 67 are provided in the sliding contact portion 63 two by two on the same line in the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60A.
(4) The two holes 67a and 67b are arranged symmetrically around the bearing portion 61a of the stirring bar 60A.

  Therefore, the film portion 62A has, for example, the non-opening portion 63b when the opening portion 63a (the portion in which one of the first hole 67a and the second hole 67b is formed) is positioned so as to overlap the container opening 44. The portion where the first hole 67a and the second hole 67b are not formed closes the toner supply port 45. Further, in the film part 62A, for example, when the opening part 63a is at a position overlapping the toner supply port 45, the non-opening part 63b closes the opening 44 in the container.

Similar to the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the toner cartridge 40 </ b> A is configured such that the pressure in the gravity direction of the toner stored in the first storage portion 42 a is applied to the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20. It can be prevented from joining. Therefore, the toner cartridge 40A can obtain the same effect as the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment.
Further, the developing device 11 and the image forming apparatus 1 using the toner cartridge 40A can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the toner cartridge 40A according to the second embodiment, like the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the fluidity of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the developing device 11 is reduced. Can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the toner cartridge 40A, similarly to the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the toner accommodated in the second accommodation portion 42b together with the film portion 62A is surrounded by the film portion 62A. In addition, since the inside of the second housing portion 42b is moved, toner damage can be reduced.

  Further, according to the toner cartridge 40A, it is possible to freely set the toner discharge amount by changing the size of the hole 67 and the number of the holes 67 arranged in the width direction of the film portion 62A.

Further, according to the developing device 11 using the toner cartridge 40A, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of development failure (a phenomenon in which the electrostatic latent image is not faithfully developed).
Further, according to the printer 1 using the toner cartridge 40A, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an image formation defect (a phenomenon in which an image having a low image quality is formed on a print medium).

[Embodiment 3]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the toner cartridge 40B as the developer container according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are diagrams each showing a configuration of a toner cartridge 40B as a developer container according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a stirring bar 60B as a stirring member used in the third embodiment. FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams each showing a configuration of a main part of a stirring bar 60B as a stirring member used in the third embodiment.

  The toner cartridge 40B according to the third embodiment is different from the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment in that a stirring bar 60B is used instead of the stirring bar 60. Compared with the stirring bar 60 (refer FIG. 3) which concerns on Embodiment 1, the stirring bar 60B becomes a structure provided with the additional film part 62B (refer FIG. 11) in addition to the film part 62. FIG.

  The additional film part 62B is a thin film type elastic member formed in a rectangular shape. The additional film portion 62B has such a rigidity that it is not crushed by the weight of toner inside the second storage portion 42b. The additional film portion 62B has a length substantially equal to the distance from the bearing portion 61a to the toner supply port 45 so that the free end E2b (see FIG. 11B) can freely protrude into the toner supply port 45. Is formed. Further, the additional film portion 62B has a fixing end E1 (see FIG. 11 (b)) side, for example, by a fixing means such as a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive, and the bearing portion 61a of the core member 61 or the protruding portion is outside the film portion 62. It is fixed at a position facing the portion 61b.

  Hereinafter, the configuration around the stirring bar 60B will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, and then the configuration of the stirring bar 60B will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the configuration around the stirring bar 60B will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the toner cartridge 40B, the shutter 51 is rotatably disposed inside the second housing portion 42b. As shown in FIG. 10, the shutter 51 includes a plurality of arch-shaped frames (hereinafter referred to as “arch portions 59”) on the outer peripheral surface. The arch portion 59 is a frame for reinforcing the strength of the shutter 51. The arch portion 59 is also provided in the shutter 51 of other embodiments.

  The film portion 62 of the stirring bar 60B is disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 so as to extend from the tip of the protruding portion 61b of the core member 61 of the stirring bar 60B to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60B. The

  The additional film portion 62B of the stirring bar 60B is in a state where the free end E2b (see FIG. 11B) and the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 are in contact with the rotation of the stirring bar 60B (see FIG. 12). Then, the state where the contact between the free end E2b and the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 is released (see FIG. 9) is repeated. When the additional film portion 62B comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51, the free end E2b side is bent and enters between the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 and the film portion 62 (see FIG. 12). On the other hand, when the contact between the free end E2b and the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 is released, the additional film portion 62B expands outward from the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 (see FIG. 9).

Next, the configuration of the stirring bar 60B will be described with reference to FIG.
Fig.11 (a) has shown the structure of the stirring bar 60B before an assembly, and FIG.11 (b) has shown the structure of the stirring bar 60B after an assembly.

  As described above, the stirring bar 60B is configured to include the additional film part 62B (see FIG. 11) in addition to the film part 62, as compared with the stirring bar 60 (see FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment.

  As described above, the additional film portion 62B is fixed to the bearing 61a of the core member 61 on the outer side of the film portion 62 on the fixed end E1 (see FIG. 11B) side by a fixing means such as a double-sided adhesive tape or adhesive. Or it is being fixed to the position which opposes the protrusion part 61b.

  When manufacturing the toner cartridge 40B, the manufacturing operator winds the free end E2 side of the film portion 62 of the stirring bar 60B around the bearing portion 61a and the protruding portion 61b, and the free end E2b of the additional film portion 62B is the toner. The stirring bar 60B is mounted inside the toner cartridge 40B so as to be disposed inside the supply port 45 (or the container opening 44). Then, as for the film part 62, the free end E2 side spreads outside. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the film portion 62 develops along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 from the tip of the protruding portion 61 b of the core member 61. As a result, the film part 62 is disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 so as to extend from the tip of the protruding part 61b of the core member 61 to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60B. Further, the additional film portion 62B is in a state where the free end E2b is developed inside the toner supply port 45 (or the container opening 44).

  In the film portion 62, the width of the sliding contact portion 63 with respect to the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60B (that is, the distance from the front end P1 to the end P2 of the sliding contact portion 63) is shorter than the length of the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51. Is formed. Therefore, a film opening 65 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 so that the film portion 62 and the shutter 51 are not in contact with each other, as in the first embodiment.

  In such a configuration, the film part 62 has a relationship in which the width D1 (see FIG. 9) of the film opening 65 and the width D2 (see FIG. 9) of the container opening 44 are “D1 <D2”, as in the first embodiment. It is formed so that. However, the width D1 of the film opening 65 is set to be equal to or larger than a predetermined width so that the toner can smoothly pass through the film opening 65. Further, the film portion 62 is formed so that the width D1 of the film opening 65 and the distance D3 (see FIG. 9) from the container opening 44 to the shutter opening 55 are in a relationship of “D1 <D3”. Yes.

  With such a configuration, when the film opening 65 is located at a position where the film opening 65 overlaps either the container opening 44 or the toner supply port 45, the slidable contact portion 63 is formed in the container opening 44 and the toner. The other side of the supply port 45 is closed. Therefore, similarly to the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the toner cartridge 40B does not allow both the container opening 44 and the toner supply port 45 to communicate with each other at the same time.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the toner cartridge 40B according to the third exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 12, and 13. FIG. Here, the operation different from that of the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the operation of the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment will be described for the same operation as that of the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment. The detailed description is omitted as a replacement for the operation of the toner cartridge 40B according to the third exemplary embodiment.

The printer 1 rotates the stirring bar 60B of the toner cartridge 40B in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 9 by a driving mechanism (not shown).
At this time, in the toner cartridge 40B, as shown in FIG. 12, when the film opening 65 overlaps the container opening 44, the toner flows in the arrow B direction. As a result, the toner cartridge 40B supplies the toner from the first storage portion 42a to the second storage portion 42b via the film opening 65. Then, the toner cartridge 40B agitates the toner inside the second accommodating portion 42b by the rotation of the agitation bar 60B.

  In the toner cartridge 40B, as shown in FIG. 9, when the film opening 65 overlaps the toner supply port 45, the toner flows in the arrow C direction. Accordingly, the toner cartridge 40B discharges the toner from the second storage portion 42b to the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20 through the film opening 65. The toner remaining inside the second storage portion 42b is continuously stirred by the stirring bar 60B inside the second storage portion 42b.

Similar to the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the toner cartridge 40B has a sliding contact portion 63 of the film portion 62 that functions as a partition when the stirring bar 60B rotates. And the toner supply port 45 can be prevented from communicating simultaneously. Therefore, the toner cartridge 40B can obtain the same effects as the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment.
Further, the developing device 11 and the image forming apparatus 1 using the toner cartridge 40B can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, when the additional film portion 62B comes to a position where the toner cartridge 40B overlaps the toner supply port 45, the free end E2b of the additional film portion 62B is directed outward from the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51. And expand. As a result, the free end E2b of the additional film portion 62B enters the toner supply port 45 and moves inside the toner supply port 45.

  As a result, the free end E2b of the additional film portion 62B breaks up the toner lump around the toner supply port 45 to subdivide the toner, and stores the toner around the toner supply port 45 from the toner supply port 45 into the toner. It pushes out to the chamber 25 side. Therefore, the toner cartridge 40B can supply the subdivided toner to the toner storage chamber 25 more stably than the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the toner cartridge 40B according to the third embodiment, like the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the fluidity of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the developing device 11 is reduced. Can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the toner cartridge 40B, similarly to the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the toner accommodated in the second accommodating portion 42b together with the film portion 62 is surrounded by the film portion 62. In addition, since the inside of the second housing portion 42b is moved, toner damage can be reduced.

  Further, according to the toner cartridge 40B, the free end E2b of the additional film portion 62B breaks up the toner lump around the toner supply port 45 to subdivide the toner, and also removes the toner around the toner supply port 45 from the toner. Since the toner is pushed out from the supply port 45 toward the toner storage chamber 25, the finely divided toner can be supplied to the toner storage chamber 25 more stably than the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment.

Further, according to the developing device 11 using the toner cartridge 40B, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of development failure (a phenomenon in which the electrostatic latent image is not faithfully developed).
Further, according to the printer 1 using the toner cartridge 40B, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of image formation defects (a phenomenon in which an image with low image quality is formed on a print medium).

[Embodiment 4]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the toner cartridge 40C as the developer container according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a toner cartridge 40C as a developer container according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a stirring bar 60 </ b> C as a stirring member used in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a stirring bar 60 </ b> C as a stirring member used in the fourth embodiment.

  The toner cartridge 40C according to the fourth embodiment aims to obtain the same effects as the toner cartridge 40B according to the third embodiment with the same number of parts as the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment.

  The toner cartridge 40C according to the fourth embodiment is different from the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment in that a stirring bar 60C (see FIG. 15) is used instead of the stirring bar 60. Fig.15 (a) has shown the structure of 60 C of stirring bars before an assembly, and FIG.15 (b) has shown the structure of 60 C of stirring bars after an assembly. The stirring bar 60 </ b> C is configured to include a film part 62 </ b> C instead of the film part 62 as compared with the stirring bar 60 (see FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment.

  The film part 62C has a plurality of cuts 68 in the axial direction around the distal end part P1 (see FIG. 15B) of the sliding contact part 63 with respect to the film part 62 (see FIG. 3) according to the first embodiment. It is the member formed along. The plurality of cuts 68 are each formed in a “U” shape. The inner portion of each notch 68 is in contact with the distal end E2c of the notch 68 (see FIG. 15B) and the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 in a state where the film portion 62C is unfolded along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51. When is released, it becomes a portion (hereinafter referred to as “deployment portion 69”) that develops from the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 toward the outer side.

  Similarly to the film portion 62 according to the first embodiment, the film portion 62C is fixed to the bearing portion 61a of the core member 61 on the fixed end E1 (see FIG. 15A) side by a fixing means such as a double-sided adhesive tape or adhesive. It is fixed to the protruding portion 61b.

  When manufacturing the toner cartridge 40C, the manufacturing worker winds the free end E2 side of the film portion 62C of the stirring bar 60C around the bearing portion 61a and the protruding portion 61b, and places the stirring bar 60C inside the toner cartridge 40C. Installing. Then, as for the film part 62C, the free end E2 side spreads outside. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 14, the film portion 62 </ b> C is developed along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 from the tip of the protruding portion 61 b of the core member 61. As a result, the film portion 62C is disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 so as to extend from the tip of the protruding portion 61b of the core member 61 to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stirring bar 60C.

  The developing portion 69 of the film portion 62C is in a state where the free end E2c (see FIG. 15B) and the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 are in contact with the rotation of the stirring bar 60C (see FIG. 16). The state where the contact between the free end E2c and the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 is released (see FIG. 14) is repeated. When the developing portion 69 of the film portion 62C comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51, it is bent along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 (see FIG. 16). On the other hand, when the contact between the free end E2c and the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 is released, the film part 62C expands outward from the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 (see FIG. 14).

  The operation of the toner cartridge 40C according to the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, the operation different from that of the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the operation of the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment will be described for the same operation as that of the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment. The detailed description is omitted as a replacement for the operation of the toner cartridge 40C according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.

The printer 1 rotates the stirring bar 60C of the toner cartridge 40C in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 14 by a drive mechanism (not shown).
At this time, in the toner cartridge 40C, as shown in FIG. 16, when the film opening 65 overlaps the container opening 44, the toner flows in the direction of arrow B. As a result, the toner cartridge 40C supplies the toner from the first storage portion 42a to the second storage portion 42b via the film opening 65. Then, the toner cartridge 40C stirs the toner inside the second storage portion 42b as the stirring bar 60C continues to rotate.

  In the toner cartridge 40C, as shown in FIG. 14, when the film opening 65 overlaps the toner supply port 45, the toner flows in the arrow C direction. As a result, the toner cartridge 40 </ b> C discharges the toner from the second storage portion 42 b to the toner storage chamber 25 of the image drum unit 20 through the film opening 65. The toner remaining inside the second storage portion 42b is continuously stirred by the stirring bar 60C inside the second storage portion 42b.

Similar to the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the toner cartridge 40C has a sliding contact portion 63 of the film portion 62C that functions as a partition when the stirring bar 60C rotates. And the toner supply port 45 can be prevented from communicating simultaneously. Therefore, the toner cartridge 40C can obtain the same effect as the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment.
Further, the developing device 11 and the image forming apparatus 1 using the toner cartridge 40C can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when the developing part 69 of the film part 62 </ b> C comes to a position where the toner cartridge 40 </ b> C overlaps the toner supply port 45, the developing part 69 develops from the inner peripheral surface of the shutter 51 toward the outer side. To do. As a result, the developing portion 69 of the film portion 62 </ b> C enters the toner supply port 45 and moves inside the toner supply port 45.

  As a result, the developing unit 69 of the film unit 62C breaks up the toner lump around the toner supply port 45 to subdivide the toner, and removes the toner around the toner supply port 45 from the toner supply port 45 to the toner storage chamber. Push to 25 side. Therefore, similarly to the toner cartridge 40B according to the third embodiment, the toner cartridge 40C can supply the subdivided toner to the toner storage chamber 25 more stably than the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the toner cartridge 40C according to the fourth embodiment, like the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the fluidity of the toner stored in the toner storage chamber 25 of the developing device 11 is reduced. Can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the toner cartridge 40C, similar to the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, the toner stored in the second storage portion 42b is combined with the film portion 62C in a state of being surrounded by the film portion 62C. In addition, since the inside of the second housing portion 42b is moved, toner damage can be reduced.

  Further, according to the toner cartridge 40C, the developing unit 69 of the film unit 62C breaks up the toner lump around the toner supply port 45 to subdivide the toner and supply the toner around the toner supply port 45 to the toner. In order to push out from the opening 45 to the toner storage chamber 25 side, the subdivided toner is more stably supplied to the toner storage chamber 25 than the toner cartridge 40 according to the first embodiment, similarly to the toner cartridge 40B according to the third embodiment. can do.

Further, according to the developing device 11 using the toner cartridge 40C, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of development failure (a phenomenon in which the electrostatic latent image is not faithfully developed).
In addition, according to the printer 1 using the toner cartridge 40C, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of image formation defects (a phenomenon in which an image with low image quality is formed on a print medium).

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, the present invention can be used not only for a printer but also for an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and an MFP. Note that “MFP” is an abbreviation for Multi Function Printer, and is an apparatus in which a facsimile function, a scanner function, a copy function, and the like are added to a printer.
For example, the stirring bar 60A used in the second embodiment may be configured to include the additional film portion 62B in addition to the film portion 62A, like the stirring bar 60B used in the third embodiment.
Further, for example, the stirring bar 60A used in the second embodiment may be formed with the cuts 68 and the unfolding portion 69 in the film part 62A like the stirring bar 60C used in the fourth embodiment.

1 Image forming device (printer)
2 cassette 3 stacker 4 transport path 5 discharge roller 11 developing device 12 exposure device (LED head)
13 Transfer Unit 14 Fixing Unit 20 Image Drum Unit 21 Case 22 Photosensitive Drum (Image Carrier)
23 Charging roller (charging member)
24 Development roller (developer carrier)
25 Toner storage room (developer storage room)
26 Supply roller (developer supply member)
27 Development blade (developer layer regulating member)
28 Cleaning blade (developer removal member)
31 Upper cover (mounting part)
35 Toner receiving port (Developer receiving port)
40, 40A, 40B, 40C Toner cartridge (developer container)
41 Outer cartridge (housing)
42 Toner container (developer container)
42a 1st accommodating part 42b 2nd accommodating part (rotation supply part)
43 Waste toner container 44 Opening in container 45 Toner supply port (developer supply port)
51 Shutter (Supply port opening / closing member)
55 Shutter opening 60, 60A, 60B, 60C Stirring bar (stirring member)
61 Core material 61a Bearing (rotating shaft)
61b Protruding part (half bulkhead)
62, 62A, 62C Film portion 62B Additional film portion 63 Sliding contact portion 65 Film opening portion 67 (67a, 67b) Hole 68 Notch 69 Development portion 71 First developer holding space 72 Second developer holding space 73 Communication portion D1 Film Width of opening D2 Width of opening in container D3 Distance from developer supply port to opening in container E1 Fixed end E2 Free end P1 Tip P2 End

Claims (12)

In a developer container for containing a developer used for image formation,
A developer accommodating portion that is partitioned into a first accommodating portion and a second accommodating portion in the vertical direction, and that accommodates the developer;
An in-container opening provided between the first storage portion and the second storage portion in order to supply the developer from the first storage portion to the second storage portion;
A developer supply port provided at the bottom of the second storage unit for supplying the developer from the second storage unit to an external developing device;
A film portion that alternately closes either the opening in the container or the developer supply port so that both the opening in the container and the developer supply port do not communicate with each other at the same time. Developer container. The developer container according to claim 1.
Furthermore, it has an agitating member that is arranged inside the second accommodating portion and rotates to agitate the developer inside the second accommodating portion,
The second accommodating portion is formed in a cylindrical shape,
The film portion is attached to the agitation member so as to extend downstream from the agitation member in the rotation direction, and the second housing is accommodated as the agitation member rotates. A developer container, wherein the developer container moves inside the unit. The developer container according to claim 2,
And a shutter having an arcuate cross section that is disposed along an inner peripheral surface of the second housing portion and opens and closes the developer supply port.
The film part is
A sliding contact portion that is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the shutter, and a film opening through which the developer passes are disposed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stirring member along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter. Form the
The developer container, wherein the sliding contact portion closes the other when the film opening is in a position overlapping either one of the opening in the container or the developer supply port. The developer container according to claim 2 or 3,
The developer container, wherein the width of the film opening is shorter than the width of the opening in the container with respect to the rotation direction of the stirring member. The developer container according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The developer container, wherein the width of the film opening is shorter than the distance from the developer supply port to the opening in the container with respect to the rotation direction of the stirring member. The developer container according to claim 2,
And a shutter having an arcuate cross section that is disposed along an inner peripheral surface of the second housing portion and opens and closes the developer supply port.
The film part is
With multiple holes,
Along the inner peripheral surface of the shutter, on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stirring member, and disposed over the entire inner peripheral surface of the shutter,
When the portion where the plurality of holes are formed is in a position overlapping either one of the opening in the container or the developer supply port, the portion where the plurality of holes are not formed closes the other. A developer container. The developer container according to claim 6,
The plurality of holes are provided in an even number on the same line in the rotation direction of the stirring members so that the holes forming a pair are arranged at symmetrical positions around the rotation axis of the stirring member. A developer container. The developer container according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
In addition to the film part, the stirring member further includes an additional film part arranged on the upstream side of the film part,
The developer container, wherein the additional film portion has a free end entering the inside of the developer supply port when the additional film portion is positioned so as to overlap the developer supply port. The developer container according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
The film portion is formed with a plurality of unfolded portions that are unfolded in the outer direction of the second housing portion by cutting off the tip portion of the sliding contact portion.
The developer container, wherein the plurality of developing portions respectively enter the developer supply port when they are in positions overlapping with the developer supply port. The developer container according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The developer container, wherein the film part is constituted by a rectangular thin-film type elastic member. In a developing device that forms a developer image with a developer,
A developer storage chamber for temporarily storing the developer;
The developer storage chamber has a shape in which a developer container for storing the developer supplied to the developer storage chamber is detachably mounted on the developer storage chamber.
The developer container is
A developer accommodating portion that is partitioned into a first accommodating portion and a second accommodating portion in the vertical direction, and that accommodates the developer;
An in-container opening provided between the first storage portion and the second storage portion in order to supply the developer from the first storage portion to the second storage portion;
A developer supply port provided at the bottom of the second storage unit for supplying the developer from the second storage unit to an external developing device;
A film portion that alternately closes either the opening in the container or the developer supply port so that both the opening in the container and the developer supply port do not communicate with each other at the same time. Developing device. In an image forming apparatus having a developing device, an exposure device, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit,
The developing device has a developer storage chamber for temporarily storing the developer,
The developer storage chamber has a shape in which a developer container for storing the developer supplied to the developer storage chamber is detachably mounted on the developer storage chamber.
The developer container is
A developer accommodating portion that is partitioned into a first accommodating portion and a second accommodating portion in the vertical direction, and that accommodates the developer;
An in-container opening provided between the first storage portion and the second storage portion in order to supply the developer from the first storage portion to the second storage portion;
A developer supply port provided at the bottom of the second storage unit for supplying the developer from the second storage unit to an external developing device;
A film portion that alternately closes either the opening in the container or the developer supply port so that both the opening in the container and the developer supply port do not communicate with each other at the same time. Image forming apparatus.

Images