JP2024089842A - Developer supply vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce a risk of causing a scratch, etc., by collision in a contact part to the seal member of a developer storage part.SOLUTION: A developer supply container attachable and detachable to a developer supply device and for supplying a developer through a supply port includes: a developer supply part including the supply port and controlled not so as to rotate by being mounted on the developer supply device; a developer storage part relatively and rotatably provided to the developer supply part and for storing the developer; and an annular seal member provided in a connection part to the developer storage part of the developer supply part and for sealing between the developer supply part and the developer storage part. The developer storage part provided in an end part on the side of the developer supply part in the axial direction used as the rotation center of the developer storage part includes: an annular contact part provided so as to contact the seal member in the axial direction; and a projection part provided in the vicinity of the contact part and provided to project on the side of the developer supply part from the contact part in the axis direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to a developer supply container that can be attached to and detached from an image forming device.

Conventionally, fine powder developers have been used in electrophotographic image forming devices such as copying machines. In such image forming devices, the developer is consumed as the image is formed, so it is replenished from a detachably attached developer supply container.

As such a developer supply container, a configuration has been disclosed that has a flange portion with a discharge port and a developer storage portion with an internal space for storing developer, and the developer storage portion rotates relative to the flange portion to supply developer from the discharge port (Patent Document 1).

In this developer supply container, the developer storage section is attached so as to be rotatable relative to the flange section, with the ring-shaped seal member provided on the flange section at its end being compressed. Therefore, in conventional developer supply containers, the developer storage section rotates relative to the flange section while realizing a seal between the developer storage section and the flange section by rubbing the end of the developer storage section (the portion that abuts against the seal member) against the seal member.

Patent No. 6021699

However, in conventional developer supply containers, the developer storage section has a contact portion with the seal member located at the end of the developer storage section. Therefore, when the developer storage section is handled as a separate component during assembly work, there is a concern that the contact portion with the seal member of the developer storage section may be damaged by a collision or the like during the work.

Furthermore, in the case of conventional developer supply containers, the developer storage unit may be a target part for collection and reuse of products used in the market from the perspective of protecting the global environment. When reusing a developer supply container, compared to the process of handling a new developer storage unit and assembling a product, new processes are created, such as disassembling the collected developer supply container, cleaning, moving, and storing the developer storage unit. The risk of collisions in the developer storage unit while it is in a component state increases with the number of new processes.

If damage occurs at the contact area between the end of the developer storage unit and the seal member, the seal member against which the end of the developer storage unit rubs may also be damaged. As a result, the sealability between the developer storage unit and the flange in the finished developer supply container may be reduced, leading to the risk of developer scattering, etc.

The object of the present invention is to reduce the risk of scratches or other damage occurring due to collisions at the contact points between the developer container and the seal member.

A typical configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is a developer supply container that is detachably attached to a developer supply device and supplies developer through a supply port, the developer supply container having the supply port and being regulated not to rotate when attached to the developer supply device, a developer storage section that is provided rotatably relative to the developer supply section and stores developer, and an annular seal member that is provided at the connection section between the developer supply section and the developer storage section and seals between the developer supply section and the developer storage section, the developer storage section having an annular abutment portion that is provided at the end of the developer supply section side in the direction of the axis that is the center of rotation of the developer storage section and is provided so as to contact the seal member in the direction of the axis, and a protrusion that is provided near the abutment portion and protrudes toward the developer supply section side from the abutment portion in the direction of the axis.

This invention reduces the risk of damage caused by collisions at the contact points between the developer container and the seal member.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus External view of developer supply device and developer supply container External view of developer supply device External view of developer supply container Cross-sectional view of developer supply container Cross-sectional view of the container frame side of the developer supply container External view of developer supply container FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the end portion of the developer container; FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the end portion of the developer container; FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a tip portion of a developer container according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the developer container; and FIG. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a tip portion of a developer container according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the developer container; and FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a tip portion of a developer container according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the developer container; and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a container frame side of a developer supply container.

The developer supply container and developer supply system according to the present invention will be described in detail below. Note that, unless otherwise specified below, it is possible to replace various configurations of the developer supply container with other known configurations that perform similar functions within the scope of the concept of the invention. In other words, unless otherwise specified, there is no intention to limit the configuration of the developer supply container to the one described in the examples below.

Example 1
First, the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described, and then the configurations of the four developer supply devices 3 and four developer supply containers 4 that make up the developer supply system 2 mounted on this image forming apparatus 1 will be described in order.

(Image forming apparatus)
As an example of an image forming apparatus 1 equipped with a developer supply device 3 to which a developer supply container 4 is detachably attached, a copying machine (electrophotographic image forming apparatus) employing an electrophotographic system will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

In FIG. 1, 1 denotes the main body of the copying machine (hereinafter referred to as the image forming device or the main body of the device). An original 6 is placed on the glass platen 7. The image information of the original 6 placed on the glass platen 7 is read by the reading means 8. The data of the original 6 obtained as image information by the reading means 8 is imaged on each photoconductor 10 by a laser scanner 9. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on each photoconductor 10. This electrostatic latent image is visualized by a dry developer 11 (single-component developer) using toner (single-component magnetic toner) as a developer (dry powder).

In this example, we will explain an example in which one-component magnetic toner is used as the developer to be replenished from the four developer supply containers 4, but this is not the only example, and configurations such as those described below may also be used.

Specifically, when using a one-component developer that uses one-component non-magnetic toner for development, one-component non-magnetic toner is replenished as the developer. Also, when using a two-component developer that uses a two-component developer in which a magnetic carrier and a non-magnetic toner are mixed, non-magnetic toner is replenished as the developer. In this case, it is also possible to use a configuration in which magnetic carrier is replenished together with non-magnetic toner as the developer.

The recording medium (hereinafter also referred to as "sheet") S is stored in a cassette 12 arranged at the bottom of the image forming device 1. Here, the recording medium is not limited to paper, and can be appropriately used and selected, for example, an OHP sheet, etc.

The sheets S stored in the cassette 12 are fed one by one by the feeding/separating device 13. Then, each sheet S conveyed by the feeding/separating device 13 is conveyed to the registration rollers 15 via the conveying section 14. The sheet S is conveyed by the registration rollers 15 in synchronization with the rotation of the photoconductor 10 and the scanning timing of the laser scanner 9.

Each photoconductor 10 is charged by the charger 16, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by scanning with the laser scanner 9 as described above. Then, one-component magnetic toner is supplied from the developer 11 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 10, and a toner image is formed on the photoconductor 10.

The toner image formed on each photoconductor 10 is transferred to the transfer belt 17. This image formation process is repeated for the four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and a four-color superimposed toner image is formed on the transfer belt 17.

The toner image formed on the transfer belt 17 is transferred to the sheet S at the nip (secondary transfer section) with the transfer roller 18. The sheet S with the transferred toner image is sent to the fixing section 19, where the toner image is fixed by heat and pressure, and then discharged from the discharge section 20 onto the discharge tray 21, completing the image formation operation.

(Developer Supply System)
Next, the four developer supply devices 3a to 3d and the four developer supply containers 4a to 4d, which are components of the developer supply system 2, will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. Figure 2 is an external view of the developer supply device 3 and the developer supply container 4. Figure 3 is an external view of the developer supply device 3.

The developer supply devices 3a-3d and developer supply containers 4a-4d have the same configuration except for the color of toner used, so a-d will be omitted in the following description. Also, here, four developer supply devices 3a-3d and four developer supply containers 4a-4d are shown as components of the developer supply system 2, but the number of units used should be set appropriately and is not limited to this.

The developer supply device 3 has an attachment section 22 (attachment space) into which the developer supply container 4 is removably (detachably) attached, and a hopper 23 (see FIG. 1) that temporarily stores developer discharged from the developer supply container 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the developer supply container 4 is configured to be attached and detached in the direction A relative to the attachment section 22. In other words, the developer supply container 4 is attached and detached from the attachment section 22 so that its longitudinal direction (the direction of the rotation axis, the direction of axis P shown in FIG. 4) approximately coincides with this direction A.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the developer supply device 3 also has a drive mechanism 5 that drives the developer supply container 4. This drive mechanism 5 has the function of applying a rotational drive force to the developer supply container 4 that is set in the mounting portion 22. The operation of the drive mechanism 5 is controlled by a control device (CPU) (not shown).

Here, a configuration is shown in which one drive mechanism 5 drives and rotates two developer supply containers 4, but this is not limiting. For example, a drive mechanism 5 may be provided for each developer supply container.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting portion 22 is also provided with a rotational direction regulating portion (not shown) that abuts against the container frame 103 of the developer supply container 4 when the developer supply container 4 is mounted, thereby regulating movement of the container frame 103 in the rotational direction (direction B shown in FIG. 4).

The mounting section 22 also has a developer receiving port (not shown) that communicates with the supply port 103a (see FIG. 7) of the developer supply container 4 described below when the developer supply container 4 is mounted, and receives the developer discharged from the developer supply container 4.

When developer is needed, the developer supply container 4 mounted in the mounting portion 22 is transmitted a rotational driving force by the drive mechanism 5. When the rotational driving force is transmitted by the drive mechanism 5, developer is discharged from the developer supply container 4 and supplied to the hopper 23 of the developer supply device 3.

The developer discharged from the developer supply container 4 and stored in the hopper 23 is transported to the developing device 11 via the supply path 25.

The developer transported to the developing device 11 is transported to the developing roller 27 by the agitating transport member 26, and is supplied from the developing roller 27 to the photoconductor 10 as necessary during image formation.

(How to mount/remove developer supply container)
Next, a method for mounting/removing the developer supply container 4 will be described in order.

First, the operator opens the replacement cover (not shown), which is part of the exterior cover of the image forming apparatus 1, and inserts and attaches the developer supply container 4 into the attachment portion 22 of the developer supply device 3. The operator then closes the replacement cover, completing the attachment process. This sets the developer supply container 4 in a state in which it can replenish developer to the developer supply device 3.

On the other hand, when the operator replaces the developer supply container 4, the operator performs the reverse operation to that for installation. For example, if the developer inside the developer supply container 4 becomes empty, the operator opens the replacement cover (not shown) and removes the developer supply container 4 from the mounting portion 22 of the developer supply device 3. Then, the operator inserts a new developer supply container 4 that has been prepared in advance into the mounting portion 22 of the developer supply device 3 and mounts it. The operator then closes the replacement cover, completing the replacement work from removing to remounting the developer supply container 4. This sets the developer supply container 4 in a state in which it can supply developer to the developer supply device 3.

(Replenishing Operation of Developer Supply Container)
The supply operation of the developer supply containers 4a to 4d will be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Figure 4 is an external view of the developer supply container. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the developer supply container. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container frame side of the developer supply container. Figure 7 is an external view of the developer supply container. Figure 8(a) is a perspective view of the leading end of the developer container, and Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view of the leading end of the developer container.

The developer supply container 4a contains yellow (Y) toner, the developer supply container 4b contains magenta (M) toner, the developer supply container 4c contains cyan (C) toner, and the developer supply container 4d contains black (K) toner. Other than that, the developer supply containers 4a to 4d have the same configuration, so the following explanation will omit a to d.

The developer supply container 4 is mainly composed of a developer container 101, a drive input gear 102, a container frame 103, a container blade 104, and a container seal 105. The developer supply container 4 is detachable from the developer supply device 3, and supplies developer to the developing device 11 through the developer supply device 3.

The developer container 101 is fitted with a drive input gear 102 and container blades 104. The developer container 101 is configured to rotate integrally with the drive input gear 102 and container blades 104.

The developer container 101 has a spirally formed transport groove 101a, and is configured to rotate in direction B about axis P as a result of rotation of the drive input gear 102 to which the rotational drive force is transmitted from the drive mechanism 5. By rotating in direction B, the developer container 101 transports the developer in the developer container 101 toward the container frame 103 via the transport groove 101a.

The container blade 104 has a container blade transport section 104a and a container blade pumping section 104b, and rotates in the direction B by the rotation of the drive input gear 102, similar to the developer container 101. The developer transported by the transport groove 101a of the developer container 101 is pumped up from the developer container 101 by the container blade pumping section 104b, and is further transported in the direction of the container frame 103. The developer pumped up by the container blade pumping section 104b is transported into the container frame 103 by the container blade transport section 104a, and is supplied to the supply port 103a, which will be described later.

The container frame 103 is attached so as to be rotatable relative to the developer container 101. When the container frame 103 is attached to the attachment portion 22 of the developer supply device 3, it is configured not to rotate in the B direction when rotation is input by the drive input gear 102.

Specifically, when the developer supply container 4 is attached to the developer supply device 3, the container frame 103 is restricted (prevented) from rotating in direction B by a rotation direction restricting portion (not shown) provided in the attachment portion 22. In other words, the container frame 103 is held so that it cannot rotate in direction B relative to the attachment portion 22.

The container frame 103, which is the developer supply section, is provided with a supply port 103a, which is a supply port through which the developer sent from the developer container 101 is supplied to the developer supply device 3.

Although not shown, a container shutter (not shown) is attached to the container frame 103. The container shutter has a shutter opening that can communicate with the supply port 103a. The container shutter is movable in the direction of the axis P relative to the developer supply container 4, and opens and closes the supply port 103a in response to the attachment and detachment of the developer supply container 4.

Specifically, the container shutter is movable between a sealing position where it seals the supply port 103a and a supply position where the shutter opening faces the supply port 103a and the developer is replenished from the developer supply container 4. That is, the container shutter is movable between a sealing position where it seals the supply port 103a and a supply position where the shutter opening communicates with the supply port 103a.

(Sealing Structure of Developer Supply Container)
The container frame 103 is provided at a connection portion with the developer container 101 with a container seal 105, which is an annular sealing member for sealing between the container frame 103 and the developer container 101. The sealing configuration of the connection portion between the developer container 101 and the container frame 103 will be described below.

The developer container 101 is provided with a container engagement rib 101b at the connection portion with the container frame 103. The container engagement rib 101b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connection portion of the developer container 101 with the container frame 103, protruding outward, and is provided continuously around the entire circumference.

The container frame 103 is provided with a frame engagement rib 103d that engages with the container engagement rib 101b at the connection portion with the developer container 101. The frame engagement rib 103d is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the connection portion with the developer container 101 of the container frame 103, protrudes inward, and is provided in the circumferential direction.

The container engagement rib 101b of the developer container 101 engages with the frame engagement rib 103d of the container frame 103, thereby holding the developer container 101 and the container frame 103 so that they do not separate. In addition, the developer container 101 is held so as to be rotatable relative to the container frame 103 around the axis P, which is the center of rotation.

The container frame 103 is provided with a seal seat 103c. The seal seat 103c is provided in a position facing the frame engagement rib 103d across a space in the direction of the axis P. The seal seat 103c is provided facing the engagement surface (contact surface) of the frame engagement rib 103d with the container engagement rib 101b in the direction of the axis P. The seal seat 103c is provided continuously around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

A container seal 105 is attached to the seal seat 103c of the container frame 103. As described above, the container seal 105 is an annular sealing member for sealing between the container frame 103 and the developer container 101.

The developer container 101 has a container lip portion 101c, which is an annular abutment portion, at its end. The container lip portion 101c is provided at the end on the container frame 103 side, which is the developer supply unit side, in the direction of the axis P. The container lip portion 101c is provided protruding toward the container frame 103 side in the direction of the axis P more than the container engagement rib 101b so as to contact the container seal 105 in the direction of the axis P. The container lip portion 101c is provided continuously around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction. When the container engagement rib 101b and the frame engagement rib 103d are engaged, the container lip portion 101c faces the seal seat surface 103c of the container frame 103 in the direction of the axis P and is configured to contact the container seal 105 attached to the seal seat surface 103c. The container lip portion 101c is configured to rub against the container seal 105 when the developer container 101 rotates relative to the container frame 103.

As described above, the developer container 101 and the container frame 103 engage with the container engagement rib 101b and the frame engagement rib 103d, and the container seal 105 on the seal seat surface 103c abuts against the container lip portion 101c. This allows the developer container 101 and the container frame 103 to be sealed even when the developer container 101 rotates relative to the container frame 103.

(Reuse of the developer container 101)
After being used in the market, the used developer supply container 4 can be collected and refilled with developer, making it possible to reuse the developer supply container 4.

When the developer container 101 is reused, it is produced again as a product after going through the process of disassembling the collected developer supply container 4, cleaning, moving and storing the developer container 101, and assembling the developer supply container 4 using the reused developer container 101.

However, reusing a developer supply container requires more steps than manufacturing a new developer supply container, such as collecting the used developer supply container and disassembling and cleaning it before refilling it with developer. In particular, when reusing a developer supply container, the number of steps increases compared to when making a new product, which can increase the risk of damage to parts.

Many parts of the developer container 101 are parts that are relatively at low risk of breakage, but the container lip portion 101c, which is the contact portion with the container seal 105, is located at the end of the developer container 101. Therefore, when the developer container 101 is handled as a single component during assembly work, etc., there is a concern that the container lip portion 101c of the developer container 101 may be damaged by a collision or the like during that work.

If the container lip 101c, which is the end of the developer container 101, is damaged, the container seal 105 against which the container lip 101c rubs may also be damaged. As a result, in the finished developer supply container, the sealing performance between the developer container 101 and the container frame 103 may be reduced, and developer may splash.

Therefore, when reusing the developer container 101, it is extremely important to reduce the risk of damage due to collision with the container lip portion 101c, which is the contact portion with the container seal 105.

(Container lip protection configuration 1)
9A and 9B, a protective structure for the container lip portion 101c of the developer container 101 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 9A is a perspective view of the tip portion of the developer container 101 according to the first embodiment, Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the developer container 101, and Fig. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the container frame 103 side of the developer supply container 4.

As shown in Figures 9(a) to 9(c), the developer supply container 4 in Example 1 has a protruding outer ring 101d, which is a protruding portion that protrudes toward the container frame 103, which is the developer supply portion side, in the direction of the axis P beyond the container lip portion 101c.

The protruding outer ring 101d is provided near the container lip portion 101c. Specifically, the protruding outer ring 101d is provided on the outer periphery of the container lip portion 101c. The protruding outer ring 101d is provided continuously around the entire circumference of the container lip portion 101c in the circumferential direction. The protruding outer ring 101d is provided in an annular shape in the circumferential direction along the container lip portion 101c.

As a result, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 9(b), the risk of damage to the container lip portion 101c can be effectively reduced, particularly in the event of a collision from a disassembly device, cleaning device, moving device, storage device, or assembly device from the outer periphery. In other words, the risk of scratches or the like being caused by a collision to the container lip portion 101c (the contact portion with the container seal 105) of the developer container 101 can be reduced.

Example 2
A developer supply container according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 including the developer supply device 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here. In addition, the configuration of the developer supply container is also the same as that of the first embodiment described above, except for the configuration described below, and therefore members having equivalent functions are given the same reference numerals and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the above-described first embodiment, the protruding outer ring 101d that is continuously provided around the entire circumference of the container lip 101c is used as an example of the protruding portion of the developer container 101, but the present invention is not limited to this. A detailed description will be given below.

(Container lip protection configuration 2)
A protective structure for the container lip portion 101c of the developer container 101 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10(a) is a perspective view of the tip portion of the developer container 101 according to the second embodiment, Fig. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the developer container 101, and Fig. 10(c) is a cross-sectional view of the container frame 103 side of the developer supply container 4.

As shown in Figures 10(a) to 10(c), the developer supply container 4 in Example 2 has a protruding rib 101e that protrudes toward the container frame 103, which is the developer supply section side, in the direction of the axis P beyond the container lip portion 101c.

The protruding rib 101e is provided near the container lip portion 101c. Specifically, the protruding rib 101e is provided on the outer periphery of the container lip portion 101c. The protruding rib 101e is divided and provided at multiple locations along the circumferential direction of the container lip portion 101c. Here, the protruding ribs 101e are provided evenly at intervals of 120 degrees. Furthermore, the protruding ribs 101e are provided in an area of about 50% of the entire outer periphery.

In other words, the protruding rib 101e is divided into three equally spaced locations along the circumferential direction of the container lip portion 101c. The protruding outer ring 101d is annularly arranged in the circumferential direction along the container lip portion 101c.

As a result, as shown by the arrow in Figure 10(b), the risk of damage to the container lip portion 101c can be effectively reduced, particularly in the event of collision with a storage device having a surface or a wall.

Regarding the proportion of the area where the protruding rib 101e is provided, even if it is only a small portion of the outer periphery (for example, about a few percent less than 50% of the outer periphery), it is effective against collisions with a storage device having a surface or a wall. However, when considering the risk of damage to the protruding rib 101e itself, providing it over a certain amount of area (for example, about 30% of the outer periphery) can avoid the concentration of stress during a collision, thereby further reducing the risk of damage.

On the other hand, the smaller the area in which the protruding rib 101e is provided, the less material is required, which is advantageous in terms of cost, etc.

In addition, with regard to the number of protruding ribs 101e in the circumferential direction, if there are three or more, they will stably contact the surface, effectively reducing the possibility of damage to the container lip portion 101c. However, even if there are only one or two protruding ribs 101e in the circumferential direction, it is possible to reduce the possibility of damage to the container lip portion 101c.

The protruding rib 101e also reduces the risk of damage to the container lip portion 101c in the event of a collision from a disassembly device, cleaning device, moving device, storage device, or assembly device from the outer periphery.

Example 3
A developer supply container according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 including the developer supply device 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here. In addition, the configuration of the developer supply container is also the same as that of the first embodiment described above, except for the configuration described below, and therefore members having equivalent functions are given the same reference numerals and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the above-described first embodiment, the protruding outer ring 101d that is continuously provided around the entire circumference of the container lip 101c is used as an example of the protruding portion of the developer container 101, but the present invention is not limited to this. A detailed description will be given below.

(Container lip protection configuration 3)
A protective structure for the container lip portion 101c of the developer container 101 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11(a) is a perspective view of the tip portion of the developer container 101 according to the third embodiment, Fig. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the developer container 101, and Fig. 11(c) is a cross-sectional view of the container frame 103 side of the developer supply container 4.

As shown in Figures 11(a) to 11(c), the developer supply container 4 in Example 3 has a protruding inner ring 101f, which is a protruding portion that protrudes toward the container frame 103 side, which is the developer supply portion side, in the direction of the axis P beyond the container lip portion 101c.

The protruding inner ring 101f is provided near the container lip portion 101c. Specifically, the protruding inner ring 101f is provided on the inner peripheral side of the container lip portion 101c. The protruding inner ring 101f is provided continuously around the entire circumference of the container lip portion 101c in the circumferential direction. The protruding inner ring 101f is provided in an annular shape in the circumferential direction along the container lip portion 101c.

Therefore, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 11(b), the risk of damage to the container lip portion 101c can be effectively reduced, particularly in the event of a collision from a disassembly device, cleaning device, moving device, storage device, or assembly device from the inner peripheral side. In particular, when cleaning the developer inside the developer container 101, such as when a cleaning device is inserted inside the developer container 101, the risk of damage to the container lip portion 101c can be effectively reduced.

Other Examples
(Amount of protruding outer ring, protruding rib, and protruding inner ring protruding from the container lip)
The protruding outer ring 101d, the protruding rib 101e, and the protruding inner ring 101f protrude from the container lip 101c in the direction of the rotation axis of the developer container 101 (the direction of the axis P), and the greater the protruding amount g, the more effectively the container lip 101c can be protected. On the other hand, if the protruding amount g is large, there is a possibility that they may interfere with the container frame 103, etc.

From the above viewpoints, it is appropriate that the amount of protrusion g of the protruding outer ring 101d, the protruding rib 101e, and the protruding inner ring 101f from the container lip portion 101c is less than the thickness h of the container seal 105 (g<h). For example, if the thickness h of the container seal 105 is 3-4 mm, then the amount of protrusion g should be 1-3 mm. With such a relationship, the protruding outer ring 101d, the protruding rib 101e, and the protruding inner ring 101f do not interfere with the container frame 103, and the risk of damage to the container lip portion 101c can be effectively reduced.

(Combination of protective configurations for container lip)
In addition, the protective configurations for the container lip portion 101c described in the first to third embodiments can be combined. For example, protective configuration 1 can be combined with protective configuration 3, and protective configuration 2 can be combined with protective configuration 3. In this case, the effects of each protective configuration are combined and exerted. For example, when protective configuration 1 is combined with protective configuration 3, the risk of damage to the container lip portion 101c can be effectively reduced against collisions from a disassembly device, a cleaning device, a moving device, a storage device, and an assembly device from the outer or inner peripheral side as shown by the arrows in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11.

1 ... image forming apparatus 2 ... developer supply system 3 (3a to 3d) ... developer supply device 4 (4a to 4d) ... developer supply container 101 ... developer container 101a ... transport groove 101b ... container engagement rib 101c ... container lip portion (abutment portion)
101d ... protruding outer ring (protruding part)
101e ... protruding rib (protruding portion)
101f ... protruding inner ring (protruding part)
102 ... Drive input gear 103 ... Container frame (developer supply unit)
103a ... supply port (supply port)
103c ... seal seat surface 103d ... frame engagement rib 104 ... container wing 105 ... container seal (seal member)

Claims (7)

A developer supply container that is detachably attached to a developer supply device and supplies developer through a supply port,
a developer supply unit that includes the supply port and is regulated so as not to rotate when attached to the developer supply device;
a developer storage section that is provided rotatably relative to the developer supply section and that stores the developer;
a ring-shaped seal member provided at a connection portion between the developer supply portion and the developer accommodating portion for sealing between the developer supply portion and the developer accommodating portion;
Equipped with
The developer container includes:
a ring-shaped contact portion provided at an end of the developer accommodating portion on the developer supply portion side in a direction of an axis that is a rotation center of the developer accommodating portion, the ring-shaped contact portion being provided so as to be in contact with the seal member in the direction of the axis;
a protruding portion provided in the vicinity of the contact portion and protruding toward the developer supply portion in the axial direction beyond the contact portion,
A developer supply container comprising: The protrusion is divided into a plurality of portions along the circumferential direction of the contact portion.
2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, The protrusion is provided continuously around the entire circumference along the circumferential direction of the abutment portion.
2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, The protrusion is provided annularly in the circumferential direction along the abutment portion.
2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, The protrusion is provided on the inner circumferential side of the abutment portion.
2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, The protrusion is provided on the outer circumferential side of the contact portion.
2. The developer supply container according to claim 1, The protruding portion has a protruding amount from the abutting portion that is smaller than a thickness of the seal member.
2. The developer supply container according to claim 1,

Images