Toner storage unit, residual toner collect unit, toner container with these units and image forming apparatus with such toner container

A toner container comprises a toner storage section for providing a developer unit with a supply of toner, and a residual toner collect section integrally formed with the toner storage section and adapted to collect residual toner after an image has been developed. The present invention is intended to facilitate positioning, loading and unloading of the toner container, and also enable the toner to be smoothly supplied without being scattered from the toner container. The toner storage section includes a longitudinally extending rotary shaft and a resiliently deformable blade mounted to the rotary shaft. The toner storage section has a bottom, a first side wall, and the other or second side wall. A portion of the blade at a location corresponding to the first side wall is curved larger than a portion of the blade at a location corresponding to the second side wall. Alternatively, a portion of the blade at a location corresponding to the second side wall is curved gradually larger toward a portion of the blade at a location corresponding to the bottom. The toner storage section has an inclined side wall, and the residual toner collect section has an inclined side wall The side walls of the toner storage section and the residual toner collect section are substantially parallel to the direction in which the toner container is loaded and unloaded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention is applicable to a facsimile machine, a printer, a 
photocopier or a combination of these machines and is directed to an image 
forming apparatus wherein toner powder is used for image development. More 
particularly, the present invention relates to a toner storage unit for 
feeding toner into a developer unit, a residual toner collect unit for 
collecting residual toner after the image has been developed, a toner 
container wherein the toner storage unit and the residual toner collect 
unit are integrated together, and an image forming apparatus including one 
of these units. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
An image forming system is conventionally used as a facsimile machine, a 
printer and a photocopier, and for example, includes an 
electrophotographic apparatus and an electrostatic recording apparatus as 
an indirect toner image recording system. These apparatus typically 
employs a photosensitive drum or belt. A latent image is formed on the 
photosensitive element by an exposure unit and then, turned to a developed 
or toner powder image by a developer unit. The toner powder image is 
thereafter transferred from the photosensitive element to a sheet of 
recording paper. Also, a direct toner image recording system is well known 
(see WO 90/14959) and includes a mesh electrode arranged in matrix form 
and disposed between a toner carrier roller and a back electrode for 
allowing the passage of a recording paper. A voltage is applied, in a 
controlled manner, to the mesh electrode corresponding to video or image 
data so as to attach a toner image to a sheet of recording paper directly 
from the toner carrier roller. 
In such a recording system, for example, the electrophotographic apparatus, 
a separate toner storage unit provides a toner receptacle in the developer 
unit with a fresh supply of toner when the toner receptacle becomes empty 
as a result of consumption of the toner on the photosensitive drum. 
More specifically, the toner receptacle in the developer unit has an open 
top. The toner storage unit has an open bottom which is engageable with 
the open top of the toner receptacle and sealed by a peelable sheet or a 
closure member. After the toner storage unit is engaged with the top 
opening of the toner receptacle, the peelable sheet is peeled off or the 
closure member is opened so as to dispense the toner from the toner 
storage unit into the toner receptacle through the open bottom of the 
toner storage unit and the open top of the toner receptacle. 
However, the peelable sheet is subject to damage due to shock in shipment 
or handling. Also, the open bottom of the toner storage unit is always 
kept open after the peelable sheet has been peeled away from the open 
bottom. Thus, residual toner may be scattered from the open bottom of the 
toner storage unit and may cause soiling within the machine when the toner 
storage unit is removed from the toner receptacle. 
There has been proposed a device wherein shutter members are mounted to the 
supply opening of the toner storage unit and the opening of a toner 
receptacle. These openings are opened with the opening of a separate or 
single shutter member (see Japanese laid-open utility model publication 
No. 50-84056 and Japanese utility model publication No. 55-12193). 
In such a device, toner particles fall into the toner receptacle and are 
attached to the open edge of the toner receptacle as the shutter members 
are opened. The toner particles tend to be scatterd from the open edge to 
cause slight soiling within the machine when the toner storage unit is 
removed. 
The separate shutter member is typically pulled in the longitudinal 
direction of the toner storage unit. Its operation thus requires a unduly 
long space. 
In order to solve such problems, Japanese laid-open utility model 
publication No. 5-84966 discloses a toner storage unit which has a shutter 
member at its bottom and is located adjacent the toner receiving opening 
of a machine body. When the shutter member of the machine body is pulled 
(with the shutter member of the toner storage unit being fixed), the toner 
storage unit or body is so moved as to face with the toner receiving 
opening of the machine body. This causes toner in its entirety to be 
drained from the toner storage unit into the machine body. 
However, as the toner in its entirety within the toner storage unit falls 
into the machine body, the machine body must have such a volume as to 
prevent overflow of the toner. This results in an increase in the size of 
the machine body. 
Where a developer material has two different components, it is necessary to 
provide a developer unit with a plurality of chambers, that is, a hopper 
for containing toner and a T/C container for agitating carrier particles 
and toner particles. If the hopper is adapted to receive the toner in its 
entirety, there is a substantial difference in quantity between when the 
hopper is empty and when the hopper is full. This arrangement makes it 
difficult to control a supply of toner to the T/C container. 
Also, discharge of the entire toner at once has a detrimental effect on 
image development since some of the toner is subject to caking or 
agglomeration and is drained, in that state, into the hopper. 
To overcome such deficiency, the toner storage unit has a side wall 
extending upwardly from its bottom. An opening is formed in the side wall, 
and a agitator blade is attached to a rotary shaft which extends along the 
length of the toner storage unit. The agitator blade is curved from the 
bottom toward the opening with a predetermined radius of curvature and is 
rotated to break the agglomerated toner and scrape the toner from the 
inner wall of the toner receptacle. In this way, the toner is drained from 
the bottom of the toner storage unit through the opening into the toner 
receptacle. 
The inner wall of the toner receptacle on which the agitator blade is 
frictionally slid is so arcuated as to provide uniform axial torque. This 
arragement, however, results in unform linear velocity of the agitator 
blade. It is thus difficult to effectively scrape the toner from the 
bottom of the toner storage unit up to the opening when the amount of the 
toner within the toner storage unit decreases, in other words, when the 
toner is accumulated only in the bottom of the toner storage unit. 
To this end, the toner storage unit may have a larger opening. In such a 
case, however, a substantial amount of toner will be discharged at the 
initial stage of agitation. It is thus impossible to achieve desired 
results in this art, that is, gradual supply of toner. 
Also, the linear velocity of the agitator blade may be increased as the 
amount of toner contained within the toner storage unit is decreased. 
However, this attempt is not appropriate since to increase the linear 
speed along the entire circumference brings about an increase in axial 
torque. In addition, the axial torque and the linear velocity are unduly 
increased at the initial stage of agitation where the toner storage unit 
has a large amount of toner. 
In the electrophotographic apparatus, a cleaning blade is employed to 
remove residual toner from the photosensitive drum after the toner has 
been transferred. The residual toner is then directed to a collect 
container by conveyance means. The collect container is provided at one 
end of a drum shaft. 
In the direct recording system, residual toner is removed from the mesh 
electrode by an electrostatic, hydraulic or a mechanical cleaning means 
and is directed to a collect container. 
It is necessary to replace the collect container when a predetermined 
number of copies are produced. However, a indication of required 
replacement is generally not shown on a display or similar means. There is 
a risk of overflow as a result of continued production of copies because 
an operator is not aware of the fact that the collect container is full up 
with residual toner. As this occurs, the machine suffers from soiling. 
In order to overcome this disadvantage, the collect container may have a 
larger volume. However, such a large collect container substantially 
affects the design of the machine since the machine has a limited space. 
It also contradicts the need for a compact machine. 
To this end, there have been proposed various devices (see Japanese 
laid-open patent publication No. 2-33168 and other publications) wherein a 
toner storage unit and a toner collect container are integrated as a 
single unit (hereinafter, referred to as a toner container). This 
arrangement allows replacement of the toner collect container 
simultaneously or automatically when the toner storage unit is replaced. 
One example of such toner container is disclosed, for example, in Japanese 
laid-open patent publication No. 2-33168. A toner container comprises a 
cylindrical toner storage unit within which a partition is provided to 
difine a residual toner collect section at one longitudinal end of a toner 
reservoir. Another example is disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent 
publication No. 5-88423. This toner container includes a toner storage 
unit and a toner collect container with a toner conveyance means, which 
are integrated by a connecting shaft to form a kit. 
However, either of these conventional toner containers is loaded to and 
unloaded from a machine body in the axial direction of the photosensitive 
drum or the longitudinal direction of the toner container. A large space 
is inevitably required for replacement of the toner containers. 
Particularly, the total length of the toner container is unduly increased 
since the toner container includes a residual toner collect section at the 
longitudinal end of the toner reservoir. 
In a printer or similar machine where there is no need to provide a 
document table, it has been proposed that the top of the machine which 
faces with a document unit can be opened to allow a toner container to be 
loaded to and unloaded from the top of the machine in the width direction 
of the toner container, in other words, in a direction at right angles to 
the axis of the photosenstive drum. 
However, this results in a decrease in the width of a guide, as compared to 
the manner in which the toner container is loaded to the developer unit in 
the longitudinal direction of the toner container. It is thus impossible 
to accurately load the container to the developer unit. 
The residual toner is not given a uniform charge due to corona discharge or 
other reasons when an electrostatic latent image is formed, when a bias is 
applied, or when an image is transferred. As a result, the residual toner 
is not uniformly accumulated within the toner collect container and tends 
to be accumulated adjacent the opening of the toner collect container. The 
residual toner is also subject to crosslinking as it is charged. This 
results in a decrease in the bulk density of the toner. 
As such, even if the toner collect container is designed to become full up 
with the toner at the time of replacement of the toner container, overflow 
of the residual toner results prior to the replacement. As this occurs, 
the machine suffers from soiling. 
To prevent uneven accumulation and crosslinking of the residual toner, 
attemtps have previously been made to provide an agitator blade within a 
residual toner collect container. However, rotation of the agitator blade 
within a space wherein residual toner is accumulated results in an 
increase in the required power. Also, the residual toner, when agitated, 
is sometimes discharged from the container to outside a residual toner 
receiving opening. 
In view of the foregoing, the inventor of the present application 
previously proposed an ellipsoidal conveyance roller provided adjacent to 
the opening of a residual toner collect chamber. Residual toner enters 
through the opening and is forced toward the residual toner collect 
chamber as the conveyance roller is rotated (see Japanese utility model 
application No. 4-29320). 
The conveyance roller provides a large force, but can convey only a small 
amount of residual toner. To this end, an element made of Mylar (TM) is 
provided to divide the interior of the collect chamber into a preliminary 
chamber and an accumulation chamber. Residual toner is first drained 
through the opening into the preliminary chamber. The residual toner is 
then forced into the accumulation chamber as the conveyance roller is 
rotated. Even with this arrangement, the residual toner still tends to be 
accumulated only in the inlet of the accumulation chamber. This results in 
an increase in useless space of the chamber. 
Given the volume of a hopper in a developer unit, it is preferable to 
gradually add toner contained in the toner storage unit while the toner is 
agitated by the agitator blade. It is also necessary to provide the 
residual toner collect chamber with an agitation blade in order to prevent 
uneven accumulation and crosslinking of the residual toner and insure 
effective accumulation. In this case, there must be provided an effective 
seal between the partition and the rotary shaft which extends through the 
partition. Otherwise, not only the power of the shaft is undesirably 
increaesd, but also the residual toner enters the collect container. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Objects 
It is an object of the present invention wherein with a relatively simple 
structure, shutter members mounted to a toner storage unit and a machine 
body can safely be opened and closed so as to prevent scattering and 
leakage of toner from the toner storage unit when the toner is supplied or 
the supply of toner is replenished. 
It is another object of the present invention wherein in order to more 
positively prevent scattering and leakage of the toner, the toner storage 
unit is not removed when the shutter member of the toner storage unit or 
the shutter member of the machine body is open, but is removed after the 
shutter members have been moved to their closed positions. 
It is still another object of the present invention to prevent inadvertent 
opening of the shutter members in shipment or handling and completely 
avoid soiling inside and outside of the machine. 
It is a further object of the present invention to facilitate handling of 
the toner storage unit, to provide the shutter members with a better seal, 
and to simplify the toner storage unit. 
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a toner 
container having two different components and adapted to be mounted to a 
developer unit. 
It is another object of the present invention is to facilitate loading of 
the toner container to the machine body. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner storage unit 
wherein an agitator member is adapted to agitate toner so as to smash caky 
toner, and scrape the toner from the bottom of the unit to feed the toner 
through a toner supply opening defined in the side wall of the toner 
storage unit, and to prevent an increase in torque of the shaft and 
effectively scrape the toner from the bottom toward the toner supply 
opening even if he toner are accumulated only in the bottom of the toner 
storage unit. 
Still another object of the present invention is to effectively supply 
toner if the toner storage unit has a small toner supply opening, to 
provide the shutter members with better seal integrity, and to simplify 
the toner storage unit. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a toner container 
which can accurately and readily be positioned, with the aid of walls of a 
toner storage section and a residual toner collect section, if the toner 
container is loaded in the transverse direction of the toner container. 
It is still another object of the present invention to accurately and 
readily load and unload the toner container. 
It is a different object of the present invention to effectively seal an 
agitator or rotary shaft against a partition and reduce required power. 
Another object of the present invention is to reduce the production cost 
and the size of a toner container and to facilitate handling of the toner 
container. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a residual toner 
collect unit with an agitator blade without increasing power, to provide a 
conveyance roller without complicating its structure, and to effectively 
collect residual toner within the residual toner collect unit. 
A still further object of the present invention is to increase the volume 
of collected residual toner and to readily reduce the size of the residual 
toner collect unit and the entire machine. 
Construction 
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an 
image forming apparatus comprising a machine body with a developer unit 
and associated toner receiving section, and a toner storage unit adapted 
to be loaded to and unloaded from the machine body in a predetermined 
direction, wherein the toner storage unit includes a wall, a toner supply 
opening defined in the wall, and a shutter member movably mounted onto the 
wall and adapted to open and close the toner supply opening, wherein the 
machine body includes a corresponding wall, a toner receiving opening 
defined in the wall, and a shutter member movably mounted onto the wall 
and adapted to open and close the toner receiving opening, and wherein the 
shutter members includes respective engagement portions, the engagement 
portion of one of the shutter members being engaged with the engagement 
portion of the other shutter member so as to cooperatively open the toner 
supply opening and the toner receiving opening as the toner storage unit 
is loaded to the machine body in the predetermined direction. The shutter 
members are automatically moved to their open positions in association 
with, rather than independently of, loading of the toner storage unit. 
This arrangement facilitates handling of the apparatus. 
A resilient member is associated with the shutter member of the machine 
body and adapted to urge the shutter member in such a direction as to 
close the toner receiving opening A holding member is provided for fixing 
the toner storage unit in a predetermined position when the toner storage 
unit has been loaded to the machine body. The holding member has a holding 
surface oriented to face against the bias of the resilient member. The 
resilient member acts as a means for automatically moving the shutter 
member to its closed position as well as a means for fixing the toner 
storage unit in position. This arrangement requires a lesser number of 
parts. The resilient member advantageously allows for accurate positioning 
of the toner storage unit. 
Also, the force of the resilient member is maximized when the toner storage 
unit is fixed in position. This is because the resilient member is 
disposed to urge the shutter member toward its closed position. It is thus 
possible to accurately and firmly hold the toner storage unit in position 
with the toner supply opening and the toner receiving opening aligned. 
According to the present invention, the shutter member of the machine body 
is slightly pivotable in a plane parallel to said toner receiving opening. 
As such, it is possible to accommodate assembly errors in the toner 
storage unit or the machine body and slight displacement of the toner 
storage unit relative to the machine body and thus, to insure accurate 
opening of the shutter members with the both openings aligned. 
The shutter member is pivotable in a plane parallel to the toner receiving 
opening. In other words, it is also parallel to the opening. As there 
remaines no space between the both openings when aligned, they can readily 
be in close contact with each other. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the openings 
have respective peripheral walls engaged with end surfaces of the shutter 
members. By this arrangement, the toner supply opening and the toner 
receiving opening are simultaneously opened with the openings in a 
face-to-face relationship. 
The engagement portions do not require separate elements, but may be formed 
in other functional elements. 
The present invetion permits safe opening of the shutter members with a 
relatively simple structure and prevents inadvertent opening of the 
shutter members on addition of toner from the toner storage unit or in 
shipment and handling and thus, avoid soiling inside and outside of the 
apparatus. 
Also, the present invention facilitates handling of the toner storage unit, 
provides the shutter members with better seal, and provides a simple 
structure. The present invention is suitably applied to a toner storage 
unit having two different components and adapted for attachment to a 
developer unit. 
According to the present invention, a toner storage unit includes a wall, a 
toner supply opening defined in the wall, a shutter member mounted onto 
the wall and adapted to open and close the toner supply opening, and a 
locking member mounted on a guide and adapted to lock the shutter member 
in its closed position. A machine body includes a release member. The 
locking member is engaged with the release member when the toner storage 
unit is loaded to the machine body. As a result, the locking member is 
released to cause the shutter member to move to its open position. The 
locking member does not extend out of the toner storage unit and is 
arranged on the guide. This arrangement prevents inadvertent movement of 
the locking member in shipment and handling. 
The locking member is released automatically when the toner storage unit is 
loaded. It is thus prossible to readily load the toner storage unit and 
avoid damage of the shutter member which may occur when the locking member 
is inadvertently kept locked. 
An engagement member is provided on the wall of the developer unit and 
engageable with the shutter member in its open position. The engagement 
member is adapted to move the shutter member toward its closed position 
when the toner storage unit is removed from the machine body, while the 
engagement member and the shutter member are engaged with each other. The 
engagement member is disengaged from the shutter member after or 
simultaneously when the shutter member is locked by the locking member. 
The engagement member is effective to move the shutter member toward its 
closed position when the toner storage unit is unloaded. The locking 
member is adapted to lock the shutter member only when the shutter member 
is in its closed position. In other words, the toner storage unit can not 
be removed unless the shutter member is moved to its closed position and 
locked by the locking member, and the engagement is disengaged from the 
shutter member. 
It is thus possible to completely eliminate scattering of the toner which 
may occur when the toner storage unit is removed while the shutter member 
remains unlocked and is not yet moved to its closed position. 
The engagement member comprises an engagement pawl and associated elements 
which are pivotable away from the shutter member of the machine body. The 
engagement pawl will in no way block loading of the toner storage unit and 
permits smooth engagement of the engagement member. 
Preferably, an engagement member is provided on the wall of the developer 
unit and engageable with the shutter member in its open position. The 
engagement member is adapted to move the shutter member toward its closed 
position when the toner storage unit is removed from the machine body, 
while the engagement member and the shutter member are engaged with each 
other. The engagement member is disengaged from the shutter member after 
or simultaneously when the shutter member is locked by the locking member. 
Preferably, the engagement member comprises an engagement pawl and 
associated elements which are pivotable away from the shutter member of 
the machine body. 
In order to prevent scattering and leakage of toner, the toner storage unit 
can not be removed when the shutter member of the toner storage unit or 
the shutter member of the machine body remains open. The toner storage 
unit can be removed only when the both shutter members have been closed. 
According to the present invention, a machine body includes a swing plate, 
and a toner receiving opening defined in the swing plate and adapted to 
receive toner from a toner storage unit. The machine body has a toner 
receiving opening. The swing plate is mounted to the toner receiving 
opening of the machine body and pivotable the direction of the toner 
receiving opening and laterally pivotable with respect to the toner 
receiving opening of the machine body and in a direction transverse to the 
direction in which the toner storage unit is loaded. 
The shutter mounting plate of the toner container is positioned relative to 
a restriction guide groove in the machine body. However, the shutter 
mounting plates of the toner container and the machine body may not 
properly be positioned due to manufacturing tolerances of parts and 
assembly errors. Where the shutter members are fixed to the toner storage 
unit and the machine body, it is difficult to adjust relative position of 
the shutter members if the respective engagement portions are too far away 
from or too close to each other. To this end, the shutter mounting plate 
in the machine body is swung toward or away from the toner receiving 
opening in the machine body so as to adjust the position of the shutter 
member relative to the restriction guide groove in the machine body. 
Also, in the present invention, the swing plate can be swung in a direction 
transverse to the direction in which the toner storage unit is loaded. The 
shutter mounting plates could be displaced relative to the toner receiving 
openings of the toner container body and the machine body due to 
manufacturing tolerances of parts and assembly errors. Where the shutter 
mounting plates are fixed to the toner container and the machine body, 
respectively, it is difficult to adust the position of the shutter 
mounting plates when the respective engagement portions are too far away 
from or too close to each other. To this end, the shutter mounting plate 
of the machine body can be swung relative to the toner receiving opening 
of the machine body in its longitudinal direction. This arrangement allows 
for positional adjustment of the shutter mounting plate of the machine 
body and facilitates loading of the toner storage unit to the machine 
body. 
According to the present invention, a machine body includes a toner 
receiving opening and a swing plate pivotable toward and away from the 
toner receiving opening. The swing plate includes a toner receiving 
opening through which toner is supplied from a toner storage unit. The 
toner storage unit includes a restriction guide groove. The swing plate 
includes a guide wall engaged with the restriction guide groove. The swing 
plate is mounted to the toner receiving opening of the machine body in 
such a manner that the guide wall is upwardly inclined at an angle greater 
than that of a wall in which the toner receiving opening of the machine 
body is defined. As such, the swing plate of the shutter mounting plate is 
pivoted toward the opening in the machine body. Where the shutter mounting 
plates are fixed to the respective bodies, the guide wall is undesirably 
forced into the restriction groove to cause damage to the machanism. To 
this end, the shutter mounting plate of the machine body is swung toward 
the opening in the machine body so that the guide plate of the shutter 
mounting plate can be gradually received in the restriction groove of the 
shutter mounting plate in the toner container. This arrangement thus 
enables smooth insertion of the guide plate into the restriction groove 
and facilitates loading of the toner storage unit to the machine body. 
A second aspect of the present invention will next be described. 
The second invention is applied to a toner storage unit which comprises a 
container, a rotary shaft extending longitudinally of the container and an 
elastically deformable agitator blade attached to the rotary shaft. The 
agitator blade is curved with a predetermined radius of curvature and 
adapted to agitate toner while the agitator blade is frictionally slid on 
the inner surface of a toner storage section. 
The present invention is not limited to such a toner cartridge, but may be 
applied to a hopper or similar means in the developer unit and also, to a 
toner container wherein the toner storage section is integrally formed 
with a residual toner collect section, provided that toner is supplied as 
required. 
The present invention is intended to smoothly convey toner from the bottom 
of the container to the supply opening under the action of the agitator 
blade without unduly increasing torque of the agitator blade. 
To this end, two measures are available. 
As a first measure, the force or bias of the agitator blade applied to the 
inner wall of the container is not constant along the circumference of the 
container, but is maximized between the bottom and the supply opening. The 
greater the force of the agitator blade, the greater the friction on the 
wall of the container. This arrangement enables toner to be scraped toward 
the supply opening and thus, permits smooth discharge of the toner. 
The agitator blade is slid on the upstream or other side wall, but simply 
in contact therewith to scrape toner from the other side wall and convey 
the toner to the bottom. The agitator blade is thus required to apply only 
a small force. 
To this end, the rotary shaft has an axis offset toward the toner supply 
opening. 
As a second measure, the transverse section of the container is such that 
the agitator blade is curved gradually larger toward the bottom. 
For example, the container may have an arcuate surface or a combination of 
an arcuate surface and an inclined surface. Also, the arcuate surface has 
a nominal center offset from the axis of the rotary shaft toward the other 
side wall. 
With such a means, the force of the agitator blade is maximized in the 
bottom of the container so as to effectively scrape toner from the bottom 
and convey the toner toward the supply opening. Thus, the toner 
acccumulated in the bottom can smoothly and readily be discharged from the 
supply opening. 
Not only the force to scrape the toner, but also the force to agitate the 
toner is maximized between the bottom and the supply opening. This 
facilitates longitudinal movement of the toner and allows for smooth 
agitation of the toner. Also, frictional resistance and torque applied to 
the distal end of the blade is displaced in the direction of rotation of 
the blade. If toner exists only in the longitudinal ends of the container, 
the blade is so rotated as to evenly distribute the toner within the 
container. If the width of the toner supply opening is less than half, or 
even one fourth the length of the toner storage section, the toner is 
discharged without any problem. 
A projection extends from the distal end of the blade at a location 
corresponding to the toner supply opening and is adapted to enter the 
opening. As the blade is rotated, the projection enters the opening so as 
to prevent crosslinking of toner in the opening and to allow smooth supply 
of the toner. Thus, the width of the opening can be less than one eighth 
to tenth, or even one twentieth to twentyfifth the length of the toner 
storage section. 
Such smaller openings prevent discharge of a substantial amount of toner at 
the initial stage of agitation. It is also possible to improve seal 
integrity between the shutter members and the corresponding openings and 
provide a simple structure. 
In either of the measures, the agitator blade is gradually rather than 
sharply curved and provides a greater force only at any necessay portion 
of the container. This arrangement prevents undesirable increase in 
touque. 
According to the present invention, the linear speed of the agitator blade 
increases not with rotational speed, but with accumulation and dissipation 
of biasing force. In other words, the linear speed is greater at some 
portion of the blade than the other portion of the blade. This arrangement 
also prevents undue increase in torque at the initial stage of agitation 
where a substantial amount of toner is contained within container. 
The distal end of the agitator blade has a width less than that of the 
toner supply opening. As toner is agitated, the distal end of the agitator 
blade enters the toner supply opening so as to insure supply of the toner 
through the opening, and prevent caking of the toner in the toner supply 
opening. If the toner becomes caky across the opening, the distal end of 
the blade is inserted into the toner supply opening to smash the caky 
toner and insure supply of the toner. 
In order to prevent the generation of toxic gases during incineration, the 
toner storage unit is made of synthetic resin with calcium carbonate. 
As a feature of the present invention, there is provided a toner storage 
unit which has a bottom and a side wall located downstream of the bottom 
in the direction of rotation of an agitator blade and including a toner 
supply opening, the agitator blade being curved larger between the bottom 
and the toner supply opening than the other side wall in opposite relation 
to the toner supply opening. 
Alternatively, the agitator blade is curved gradually larger from the other 
side wall to the bottom. 
Also, there may be provided a toner storage unit with a combination of 
these two arrangements. 
Preferably, the axis of the agitator blade is offset toward the toner 
supply opening. 
Preferably, The distal end of the agitator blade is shorter than the width 
of the toner supply opening so that the distal end may enter the toner 
supply opening when toner is agitated. 
The toner storage unit is preferably made of synthetic resin with calcium 
carbonate. 
Also, the toner storage unit is arcuate, or arcuate and inclined from the 
other side wall to the bottom. The arcuate side wall has a nominal center 
offset from the axis of the rotary shaft toward the other side wall. 
The agitator blade is rotated such that frictional resistance and torque 
applied to its distal end are displaced in the direction of rotation of 
the agitator blade. The toner supply opening has a width, in the 
longitudinal direction of the container, which is less than one half, or 
preferably, about one fourth the length of the toner storage section. Even 
with this arrangement, no problem occurs when toner is discharged. 
However, the toner could be scattered when the width of the toner supply 
opening is about one fourth the length of the toner storage section. It is 
thus preferred that the width of the toner supply opening is less than one 
eighth to tenth the length of the toner storage section. In such a case, 
however, the narrower opening may cause crosslinking of toner and 
deteriorate smooth supply of the toner. 
To this end, the projection extends from the distal end of the blade at a 
location corresponding to the toner supply opening. If the width of the 
toner supply opening is less than one eighth to tenth, or even less than 
one twentieth to twentyfifth the length of the toner storage section, the 
projection enters the opening so as to prevent crosslinking of the toner 
and promote supply of the toner as the blade is rotated. 
This toner storage unit prevents undesirable increase in torque and is 
effective to scrape toner from the bottom up to the toner supply opening. 
Also, according to the present invention, toner can be effectively supplied 
if the toner supply opening has a small area. It is thus possible to 
improve seal integrity in the shutter and provide a simple structure. 
A third aspect of the present invention will now be described. 
The invention is applied to an image forming apparatus which comprises a 
toner container including a toner storage section and a residual toner 
collect section defined at one longitudinal end of the toner storage 
section by a partition, the toner container being loaded to and unloaded 
from a machine body in the transverse direction of the toner container. 
The toner storage section has a downwardly inclined side wall in which a 
toner supply opening is defined. The downwardly inclined side wall is 
substantially flat and inclined downwardly toward its bottom. The residual 
toner collect section has an upwardly inclined side wall in which a toner 
collect opening is defined. The upwardly inclined side wall is 
substantially flat and inclined outwardly from its top. These side walls 
extend substantially parallel to each other in the direction in which the 
toner container is loaded and unloaded. The side walls serve as guide 
surfaces when the toner container is loaded in the transverse direction. 
The side walls are both inclined so that the guide surfaces may have 
larger width. It is thus possible to readily load and accurately position 
the toner container. 
According to the present invention, the walls of the toner storage section 
and the residual toner collect section are advantageously used to not only 
position the toner container with high accuracy, but also transversely 
load or unload the toner container with ease. 
The inclined walls allows a user to identify the direction in which the 
toner container is loaded. Thus, the toner container can be loaded without 
failure. 
The inclined surfaces serve as position restriction guides. Alternatively, 
separate position restriction guides may be provided. In such a case, the 
inclined surfaces serves as loading guides only. 
The restriction guides may be provided adjacent to the inclined surfaces or 
at the longitudinal end surface of the toner container. 
A shutter member is mounted to the inclined surface and adapted to open and 
close the toner supply opening. The shutter member includes an engagement 
portion which is engaged with the corresponding engagement portion of the 
machine body when the toner container is loaded to the machine body. At 
this time, the shutter member is moved to its open position. This 
arrangement eliminates the need for a separate element to open and close 
the shutter member. 
A resilient cushion member is sealingly disposed between the toner 
conatiner body and a body cap. The cushion member is expanded to fill any 
space which may be formed between the body and the cap due to deformation. 
The body and the cap are made of synthetic resin with calcium carbonate. 
This provides lower combustion calorie, reduces the generation of toxic 
gases during incineration, and provides better environment. 
A fourth aspect of the present invention will now be described. 
The invention is directed to a residual toner collect unit including a 
collect chamber in a face-to-face relation to a residual toner collect 
opening, and a conveyance roller mounted within the collect chamber and 
having a substantially oblong section, the conveyance roller being adapted 
to receive residual toner through the residual toner collect opening and 
rotated to convey the residual toner downstream in the direction of 
rotation of the conveyance roller. The collect unit may or may not be 
integrally formed with a toner container. 
The conveyance roller preferably has an oblong section, although not 
limited thereto. For example, it may be in the form of a water wheel, star 
or plate. 
A rotary shaft extends within the collect chamber. A blade is mounted to 
the rotary shaft and is elastically deformable in the direction of 
rotation of the blade. The blade has a distal end located at the outlet of 
a space or in surface contact with the peripheral surface of the 
conveyance roller. Residual toner is first conveyed to the outlet of the 
space by the conveyance roller and then, to the downstream end of the 
collect chamber by the blade. The conveyance roller is used to convey 
toner from an area wherein the toner tends to be accumulated, and the 
agitator blade is uesd to further convey the toner from that area. The 
conveyance roller advantageously provides great force to convey 
accumulated toner. The agitator blade advantageously conveys toner farther 
than the conveyance roller. This arrangement takes advantages of these two 
elements. A disadvantage with the conveyance roller is that it can not 
convey toner farther than the agitator roller. The agitator roller has a 
disadvantage that it is able to convey toner farther, but requires great 
power. 
With the present invention, the agitator blade within the residual toner 
collect unit does not require great power. The conveyance roller is 
effective to collect residual toner within the container without 
complicating the structure of the container. This brings about an increase 
in the volume of collected residual toner. It is thus possible to reduce 
the size of the collect unit and the entire apparatus. 
The distal end of the blade has a coefficient of elasticity greater than 
that of the proximal end of the blade so that residual toner can be 
scraped from the outlet of the space. 
The blade may have a thick distal end. Preferably, a thin layer is attached 
to the distal end of the blade and has a coefficient of friction greater 
than that of the blade. 
The distal end of the blade is located at the outlet of the space adjacent 
to the peripheral surface of the roller. Preferably, the distal end of the 
blade is in surface contact with the peripheral surface of the roller. In 
this way, residual toner can be positively removed from the peripheral 
surface of the roller and adjacent areas while the blade is frictionally 
slid on the peripheral surface of the roller. 
The thin layer may be made of sponge, suede leather, or blanket. 
The blade is absent at least on a portion of the rotary shaft adjacent to a 
partition wall in the collect chamber. Residual toner is conveyed toward 
the partition during rotation of the blade located in the lower portion of 
the residual toner collect opening of the collect chamber. This 
arrangement also reduces required power of the rotary blade. 
The blade can convey more toner than the conveyance roller, whereas the 
blade has greater torque than the conveyance roller. To this end, the 
speed of rotation of the blade is preferably less that the speed of 
rotation of the conveyance roller. This arrangement reduces required 
torque and insures conveyance of residual toner. 
The blade and the conveyance roller may have respective transmission 
systems. Preferably, a single transmission system is used to provide a 
connection between the blade and the conveyance roller. This provides a 
simple structure. 
If gears are arranged within the collect chamber, toner may enter between 
teeth of the gears to cause locking of the gears. 
According to the present invention, the main portion of the gear train is 
located within the collect chamber. Also, one of the gears has teeth which 
are different in profile from those of adjacent gear such that the gears 
are meshingly engageable with a big backlash. 
Such a play prevents locking if toner enters between the meshed surfaces. 
The gears are frictionally engaged in such a manner as to remove toner 
from the meshed surfaces. 
The main portion of the gear train in the transmission system is located 
out of the collect chamber, and a cover is removably attached to the gear 
train. In this way, the gears are free from toner and locking 
Also, the cover protects the gears from damage due to contact with the 
guide or other components of the machine body during loading and unloading 
of the container. The cover may be removed if the gears malfunction. 
This invention is also applied to a toner container which comprises a toner 
storage section and a residual toner collect section defined at one 
longitudinal end of the toner storage section by a partition wall. A 
rotary shaft is located within the toner storage section and the residual 
toner collect section and extendes through the partition wall. An 
elastically deformable blade is mounted to the rotary shaft. The blade is 
curved with a predetermined radius of curvature such that the blade is 
frictionally slid on the inner surface of the toner storage section and 
the residual toner collect section. A sealing member provides a seal 
between the upper surface of the partition and a cap. The sealing member 
has a portion depending from the upper surface of the partition and 
terminating at the rotary shaft and serving as a seal therefor. 
The sealing member serves as a seal for the rotary shaft. With such a 
simple structure, the rotary shaft can be sealed against the partition. 
In this case, the sealing member is preferably made from a string skin 
packing, sponge body or resin body. 
The blade is absent at least on a portion of the rotary shaft adjacent to 
the partition wall. Residual toner is conveyed toward the partition wall 
during rotation of the blade located in the lower portion of the residual 
toner collect opening of the collect chamber. By this arrangement, it is 
possible to smoothly collect residual toner in a portion of the collect 
section adjacent to the partition wall. 
No rotation of the blade occurs adjacent to the partition wall. Thus, 
residual toner can smoothly be conveyed to the partition wall without 
undue load. 
Also, according to the present invention, a rotary shaft extends through a 
partition wall which is provided between a toner storage section and a 
residual toner collect section. An elastically deformable blade is mounted 
to the rotary shaft. The blade is curved with a predetermined radius of 
curvature such that the blade is frictionally slid on the inner surface of 
the toner storage section and the residual toner collect section. A thin 
layer is attached to the partition wall in coaxial relation to the rotary 
shaft and has a central opening through which the rotary shaft extends. 
The central opening has an inner edge sealingly pressed against the outer 
surface of the rotary shaft. The thin layer serves as a seal for the 
rotary shaft. With such a simple structure, the rotary shaft can be sealed 
against the partition. 
With the present invention, the rotary shaft of the agitator shaft is 
effectively sealed against the partition and requires less power. Also, 
the present invention enables effective collection of residual toner 
within the residual toner collect section. 
Both the third and fourth inventions can reduce the production cost and 
make downsizing of the toner container and facilitates handling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIGS. 2 and 4 show a developer unit and its related components in an image 
forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
Reference numeral 1 indicates a developer unit. 2 is a toner container 
made of synthetic resin with calcium carbonate and adapted to be removably 
mounted to a loading station 11 in the direction indicated by the double 
headed arrow (the width direction of the toner container 2). The loading 
station 11 is located at the top of the developer unit 1. 3 is a 
photosensitive drum mounted in a face-to-face relation to a developer 
sleeve 14 and adapted for rotation in the direction of the arrow. A 
residual toner collect mechanism 4 with a cleaning blade 4a, a charging 
mechanism 5, a LED unit 6, the developer sleeve 14 and a transfer roller 7 
are situated around the photosensitive drum 3 in that order in the 
direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum 3. The LED unit 6 is 
adapted to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 3 corresponding 
to video data. A toner image is formed by the developer unit 1. The toner 
image is then tranferred to a sheet of recording paper which is, in turn, 
fed from a resist roller (not shown) in synchronism with the beginning of 
the toner image. The toner image is thereafter fused thereto by a fixing 
roller (not shown). The paper is discharged after a permanent image has 
been formed. 
Processing means, the developer unit 1, the photosensitive drum 3, the 
residual toner collect mechanism 4, the charging mechanism 5, and the LED 
unit 6 may be formed as an integral unit. 
Reference will now be made to the processing means. 
The residual toner collect mechanism 4 is operable to remove residual toner 
from the photosensitive drum 3 by the cleaning blade 4a after the toner 
image has been transferred. 
The residual toner thus removed is sent to a collect chamber by an 
ellipsoidal roller 4b with its top sealed by an element made of Mylar 4d. 
The residual toner is then sent to a belt conveyor mechanism 60 by a screw 
roller 4c shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the belt conveyor 
mechanism 60 includes an upwardly inclined oblong belt housing 62 within 
which an endless rubber belt 61 is rotated in the direction of the arrow. 
A plurality of partitions 61a extend upwardly from the surface of the 
endless belt 61 and are spaced a suitable distance away from each other. 
The residual toner is conveyed to the bottom of the belt housing 62 by the 
screw roller 4c. As the endless belt 61 is rotated, the residual toner 
between each adjacent partitions 61a is conveyed to a top or discharge 
opening 68. The residual toner then enters the residual toner collect 
section 30 through a collect opening 35 which is formed in a face-to-face 
relation to the discharge opening 68. 
The residual toner collect section 30 is defined within the toner container 
2 by a partition wall 10 adjacent to one longitudinal end of the toner 
container 2. The toner container 2 is made of a low pollution resin as 
will be explained later. The shape and internal structure of the residual 
toner collect section 30 will be described later. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the charging mechanism 5 comprises a magnet roller 5a, 
a charging plate 5b made of a magnetic material, a group of charged 
particles 5c located on and around the magnet roller 5a and the charging 
plate 5b, and a back electrode 3a provided at the back of the 
photosensitive drum 3. The back electrode 3a is effective to apply a 
charging bias through the group of charged particles so as to give a 
uniform charge on the photosensitive drum 3. 
As is well known, the LED unit 6 comprises a LED head array for controlling 
an array of LED elements to emit light in response to video or image data, 
and a lens adapted to focus the light from the LED head array. 
A developer material or agent is contained in the developer unit 1 and 
includes two different components, that is, carrier and toner (hereinafter 
referred to as T/C). The developer unit 1 comprises a T/C receptacle 13 
for generating charges on the toner, and a hopper 12 through which the 
toner is fed to the T/C receptacle 13 as necessary. The loading station 11 
is formed above the T/C receptacle 13 and the hopper 12 to mount the toner 
container 2 which is adapted to provide the hopper 12 with a fresh supply 
of toner. 
Situated within the T/C receptacle 13 are a developer sleeve 14 with a 
fixed magnet assembly (not shown), an agitator roller 13a for uniformly 
mixing the toner and carrier particles together. The agitator roller 13a 
includes a magnet roller 13c rotated concentrically within a nonmagnetic 
sleeve. 
The hopper 12 comprises an agitator roller 12a associated with an element 
made of Mylar (TM), and a toner supply roller 12b adapted to receive toner 
information from a toner sensor and feed toner through a toner supply 
opening 12c to the T/C receptacle 13 as the toner within the T/C 
receptacle 13 is depleted. 
The loading station 11 is provided with a toner container loading mechanism 
and a shutter mechanism associated with the hopper 12. 
The toner container 2 is made of a low pollution resin with calcium 
carbonate. As shown in FIG. 1, the toner container 2 comprises a toner 
storage section 20 extending longitudinally of the toner container 2 and 
the residual toner collect section 30 defined in the longitudinal end of 
the toner container by means of the partition wall 10. 
Reference will now be made to the structure of the toner storage section 
20. 
FIGS. 4 and 5 shows the toner storage section 20 as seen from the rear in 
FIG. 2. As shown in transverse section in FIGS. 4 and 5, the toner storage 
section 20 has a central bottom 20d, a top, a first side wall depending 
from the edge of the top and inclined inwardly along a straight line, and 
a rectangular toner supply opening 25 formed at a location adjacent to the 
first side wall 20c and slightly above the central bottom 20d. 
A second or opposite side wall 20a is inclined at an angle slightly sharper 
than that of the first side wall 20c and terminates at the central bottom 
20d. The lower end of the second side wall 20a has an arcuate transverse 
section 20e. 
As shown in FIG. 1, a rotary shaft 21 extends along the length of the toner 
storage section 20 and projects into the residual toner collect section 30 
through the partition wall 10. The rotary shaft 21 has opposite ends 
journaled in opposite walls of the toner container. A radial blade 22 
extends throughout the length of the toner storage section 20. The radial 
blade 22 is made of Mylar (TM) and elastically deformed in the direction 
of rotation of the blade. The radial length of the blade 22 is so 
determined as to be in sliding contact with the inner wall of the toner 
storage section 20. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the rotary shaft 21 is mounted such that its central 
axis is offset from the center of the toner container 2 slightly toward 
the toner supply opening 25. The lower end of the second side wall 20a is 
located slightly below the nominal horizontal central line of the toner 
container such that the blade 22 is curved gradually larger toward the 
bottom 20d. 
Reference numerals 22a and 22b (FIG. 1) indicate cutting lines formed in 
three agitator blades 22A, 22B and 22c and associated with the toner 
supply opening 25. A tongue 22Ba extends from one end of the agitator 
blade 22B at a location corresponding to the toner supply opening 25 and 
has a width narrower than that of an opening 25'. The opening 25' is 
defined by an opening restriction member 52e which is, in turn, mounted 
within the toner supply opening 25. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the toner supply opening 25 is defined generally 
centrally in the first side wall 20c, but displaced slightly toward one 
end of the toner storage section 20. The width of the toner supply opening 
25 is approximately one fourth of the total length of the toner storage 
section 20. The opening 25' has a width (3 to 5 mm) approximately one 
fiftieth shorter than that of the toner storage section 20. 
The rotary shaft 21 has one end which extends outwardly through one end of 
the toner storage section 20. A gear 26 is mounted to the one end of the 
rotary shaft 21. When the toner container 2 is mounted to the loading 
station 11 of the developer unit 1, a rotational force is transmitted to 
the gear 26 through a gear 27. As shown in FIG. 5(B), the blade is rotated 
from the bottom 20d toward the toner supply opening 25 so as to feed toner 
to the hopper 12 of the developer unit 1 through the openings 25 and 25' 
and a toner receiving opening 44. 
The toner drained into the hopper 12 is agitated by an agitator roller 12a. 
The T/C receptacle 13 is provided with a toner sensor 13b to detect the 
amount of toner within the T/C receptacle 13. As the toner within the T/C 
receptacle 13 is reduced, the toner supply roller 12b is so rotated as to 
dispense the toner through the toner supply opening 12c (FIG. 2) into the 
T/C receptacle 13 or maintain the toner amount or level within the T/C 
receptacle 13. 
It is necessary to rapidly dispense the toner from the toner storage 
section 20 into the hopper 12. To this end, a drive system in the machine 
body is advantageously employed to continuously rotate the agitator blade 
22. 
In order to prevent inadvertent contact of the gears 26 and 27 with other 
components and resulting damage during loading of the toner container, a 
protection cover 28 is integrally formed with a cap 2A made of synthetic 
resin with calcium carbonate, as shown in FIG. 1. If necessary, a guide 
rib 29 is formed in the outer wall of the protection cover 28 and extends 
parallel to the first side wall 20c of the toner container. On loading of 
the toner container 2, the guide rib 29 is fit in a guide groove (not 
shown) in the machine body. 
The width of the opening 25' in the direction of the toner container is 
less than one twentyfifth, preferably one fiftieth (3 to 5 mm) of the 
total length of the toner storage section 20 as mentioned earlier. 
The opening 25' is smaller than the toner supply opening 25 so as to allow 
toner to be gradually fed into the hopper 12. When the hopper is full up 
with the toner, the toner is freely rotated within the container. Thus, a 
drive mechanism within the hopper is in no way locked which may otherwise 
occur when the toner is squeezed into the hopper. 
The toner storage section 20 has a asymmetrical transeverse cross section, 
and the rotary shaft 21 is offset from the center of the toner storage 
section 20. This arrangement allows friction and torque at the end of the 
blade 22 to be displaced in the direction of rotation of the blade. If the 
toner is undesirably displaced toward opposite ends of the toner storage 
section while the blade 22 is rotated, the toner is uniformly dispensed 
from the toner supply opening 25'. 
Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the blade 22 is curved gradually 
larger from the second side wall 20a toward the bottom 20d of the toner 
storage section 20, and the force of the blade 22 is maximized at the 
bottom 20d. By this arrangement, toner present in the bottom 20d can 
effectively be scraped so as to facilitate discharge of the toner through 
the toner supply opening 25. 
After the toner in the bottom 20d has been discharged, a fresh supply of 
toner is added from opposite longitudinal sides. 
Since the agitator blade 22 is curved greater in the first side wall 20c 
than in the second side wall 20a, toner is more strongly scraped and 
agitated in a portion of the toner storage section from the bottom 20d to 
the toner supply opening 25. This facilitates longitudinal movement of the 
toner toward the toner supply opening 25 and promotes smooth agitation. 
If only a small amount of toner remains within the toner storage section 
20, the agitator blade 22 is repeatedly rotated to gradually dispense the 
remaining toner through the opening 25'. The toner is then moved to the 
toner opening supply 25 and in no way left in the longitudinal ends of the 
container. In this way, substantially the entire toner can be drained into 
the hopper 12. 
The opening 25' has a narrow width. This may result in agglomerating or 
caking of the toner across the opening 25'. Advantageously, the projection 
or tongue 22Ba of the agitator blade 22 is inserted into the opening 25' 
during rotation of the blade so as to brake or smash the caky toner and 
promote supply of the toner. 
Again, in this embodiment, the tongue 22Ba extends from the front end of 
the blade at a location corresponding to the opening 25' and is adapted 
for insertion into the opening 25'. It is thus possible to inhibit 
crosslinking of the toner and allow for smooth supply of the toner if the 
opening 25' has a width one twentieth or even one twentyfifth less than 
that of the toner storage section. 
Also, as shown in FIG. 24, toner can smoothly be discharged without the aid 
of the tongue 22Ba if the width of the toner supply opening 25' is one 
half or preferably one fourth shorter than the length of the toner storage 
section 20. This is due to the fact that friction and torque is vary from 
one end of the blade in the direction of rotation of the blade 22 as the 
blade is rotated. 
Reference will next be made to the configuration of the residual toner 
collect section 30. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the residual toner collect section 30 is deeper 
than the toner storage section 20 and has a substantially rectangular 
section. The residual toner collect section 30 has a trapezoidal chamber 
30b defined at one longitudinal end of the second side wall 20a of the 
toner storage section opposite the toner supply opening 25. The 
trapezoidal chamber 30b has an inclined top or surface 39 which extends 
obliquely and downwardly from the upper end toward the lower end of the 
chamber. The inclined surface 39 extends parallel to the first side wall 
20c of the toner storage section 20 and has a collect opening 35. 
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a guide member 80 is mounted above the collect 
opening 35 to receive the belt conveyor mechanism. A slit 81 is formed in 
one side of the guide member 80 and extends parallel to the inclined 
surface 39. A guide rib extends from one side of a belt housing and is fit 
into the slit 81. In FIG. 7(B), the guide member 80 and the belt housing 
62 are shown on an enlarged scale for the purpose of clarity. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a toner accumulation chamber 30d is defined in a 
stepwise fashion adjacent to the partition wall 10. 
A conveyance roller 31 is located within the trapezoidal chamber 30b below 
the collect opening 35. The conveyance roller 31 has an ellipsoidal shape 
on section view and is made of rigid resin. A partition wall 30c depends 
from the top of the trapezoidal chamber 30b and terminates adjacent to the 
bottom of the trapezoidal chamber 30b to form an opening 31a through which 
the trapezoidal chamber 30b and the collect chamber 30a are communicated 
with each other. 
A radial blade 32 is mounted to the rotary shaft 21 which extends through 
the collect chamber 30a. The blade 32 is elastically deformed in its 
rotational direction. 
The blade 32 is absent from a portion of the rotary shaft 21 within the 
toner accumulation space adjacent to the partition wall 10, but outside of 
the lower region of the collect opening 21 of the residual toner collect 
section 30. The blade 32 is frictionally slid only within, say, the 
rectangular space. 
The blade 32 comprises a narrow portion 32b at a location corresponding to 
the trapezoidal chamber 30b, and a wide portion 32a with one end cut out. 
A slit is formed between the narrow portion 32b and the wide portion 32a 
of the blade. The narrow blade portion 32b has a free end in sliding 
contact with the peripheral surface of the conveyance roller 31 adjacent 
to the opening 31a. A thin layer 34 is attached to the free end of the 
narrow blade portion 32b and made of a material, such as sponge, having a 
coefficient of friction greater than that of the blade. The sponge layer 
34 is frictionally contacted with the peripheral surface of the 
ellipsoidal roller 31 to positively remove toner from the roller 31 and 
also, feed toner from adjacent the opening to the collect chamber 30a. 
The residual toner fed to the collect chamber 30a is agitated by the wide 
blade portion 32a and then, enters the accumulation chamber 30d. 
As no blade exists within the accumulation chamber 30d, no agitation takes 
place, and the residual toner can be accumulated with high density. 
A groove 102 is formed in the top of the partition wall 10. As shown in 
FIGS. 1 and 12, a seal string or member 101 is made from sponge and fit in 
the groove 102 to provide a seal between the cap 2A and the partition wall 
10. A portion of the groove in the form of a tongue terminates at a 
portion of the partition wall through which the rotary shaft 21 extends. 
The seal member 101 has a U-shaped central portion fit in that portion of 
the groove 102 and adapted to seal the rotary shaft 21 against the 
partition wall 10. 
A gear train 33 is mounted to the inner wall of the collect chamber 30a 
adjacent to one end of the rotary shaft 21 and adapted to connect the 
rotary shaft 21 with the conveyance roller. 
The gear train 33 comprises a speed increasing gears and is designed such 
that the speed of rotation of the blade 32 is less than the speed of 
rotation of the conveyance roller 31. 
As shown in FIGS. 11(B), adjacent gears 33a and 33b in the gear train 33 
are different in profile from each other. As shown in FIG. 11(A), each 
tooth of the gear 33a is wider in tooth width (narrower tooth root) than 
each tooth of the other gear 33b so that the gears engaged with big 
backlash are meshed with lost motion or play. 
Where a gear has a diameter, for example, of 30 .PHI., the clearance 
between the tooth of one gear and the tooth of the other gear is normally 
on the order of 0.1 mm (see FIG. 11(B), but in the range of 0.4 to 0.5 mm 
in this embodiment. 
Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 36 indicates a position restriction 
rib which extends parallel to the first or inclined side wall 20c of the 
toner storage section 20 in which the toner supply opening 25 is defined. 
The rib 36 is releasably fit in a groove (not shown) formed in the machine 
body. 
In the illustrated embodiment, the gear train 33 is internally mounted to 
the end wall of the residual toner collect section 30. This arrangement 
eliminates the risk of contact of the gear train 33 with the guide or 
other elements in the machine body. In addition, the adjacent gears 33a 
and 33b have different profiles. Thus, if toner is accidentally introduced 
between the gears, the toner is removed as the gears are rotated. No 
locking results. 
Reference will now be made to a mechanism for mounting the toner container 
2, and shutter members. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the loading station 11 on the top of the developer unit 
1 includes a lock/release lever 15 adapted to hold the toner container 2 
in position and allow removal of the toner container 2 and pivotably 
supported by a pivot shaft 18. 
The member 15 comprises a lock lever 15b extending obliquely and upwardly 
from the pivot shaft 18 along an inclined surface 19 of the unit and 
having a pawl 15a at its free end, and a swing or control lever 15c 
extending from the pivot shaft and having a L-shape. 
As shown in FIG. 7(B), the rectangular prismatic guide member 80 is mounted 
onto the inclined surface 39 of the residual toner collect section 30 
where the residual toner receiving opening 35 is formed. The guide member 
80 has an internal shape identical to the cross sectional shape of the 
belt housing 62 of the machine body. The guide member 81 has a slit 81 
which extends parallel to the inclined surface 39. A shutter plate 69 is 
movable on the inclined surface 39 by a restriction guide, not shown, so 
as to open and close the residual toner receiving opening 35. The shutter 
plate 69 has a projection 69a on its upper surface. 
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7(B), a residual toner conveyance mechanism 
includes a shutter member 66 adapted to open and close the discharge 
opening 68 of the belt housing 62 and attached to the belt housing through 
a sponge layer 66a. A spring 67 is disposed to pull the shutter member 66 
to allow the shutter member 66 to close the discharge opening 68. A plate 
member 65 extends from the upper end of the belt housing and is 
elastically swingable away from the shutter plate 69. A pawl 65a is formed 
on the front or free end of the plate member 65 and is engageable with the 
projection 69a of the shutter plate 69 so as to open and close the toner 
receiving opening 35. 
By this arrangement, the toner container 2 is loaded to the developer unit 
1 while the inclined surface 19 of the developer unit 1 is aligned with 
the first or inclined side surface 20c of the toner container as shown in 
FIG. 2. At this time, the guide member 80 is first fitted over the belt 
housing 62 (see FIG. 7(B)). The pawl 65a of the belt housing 62 is engaged 
with the projection 69a of the shutter plate 69 and is adapted to push up 
the shutter plate 69 so as to open the toner receiving opening 35. At this 
time, the lower end of the residual toner collect section 30 is brought 
into engagement with the upper edge of the shutter member 66 to lower the 
shutter member 66 against the action of the spring 67 and thus, open the 
discharge opening 68. The pawl 65a of the belt housing is stopped when it 
is moved beyond the projection 69a of the shutter plate 69. 
The shutter plate 69 is held in position by the upper end of the sponge 
layer 66a upon engagement of the pawl 65a. 
The shutter member in the toner storage section is also opened when the 
toner container 2 is loaded to the developer unit 1 with the inclined 
surface 19 aligned with the inclined surface 20c of the toner container 2. 
This arrangement will be described later. 
Referring to FIG. 2, when the inclined surface 20c of the toner container 2 
is moved obliquely and downwardly toward the inclined surface 19 of the 
developer unit, the pawl 15a of the lock lever 15b is first brought into 
contact with the toner container 2. As a result, the lever 15 is moved 
away from the inclined surface 19 against the action of the spring 16. 
When the toner container 2 is loaded to a predetermined position, the pawl 
15a of the lock lever 15b is brought into engagement with a recess 201 of 
the toner storage section 20. 
The toner container 2 is held in position under the action of the spring 
16. However, the force of the spring is not sufficient to positively fix 
the toner container 2 in position. 
To this end, a spring 43 is associated with a shutter member 40 in the 
developer unit 1 and is advantageously employed to hold the toner 
container in position. 
Referring specifically to FIG. 4, the spring 43 is connected to the shutter 
member 40 and is adapted to urge the shutter member 40 in such a direction 
as to close a toner receiving opening 44 prior to the loading of the toner 
container 2. As such, the bias of the spring 43 is maximized when the 
toner receiving opening 44 is open. Turning to FIG. 2, the pawl 15a of the 
lock lever is engaged with the recess from below, in other words, in a 
direction against the bias of the spring 43. This arrangement insures 
accurate positioning and holding of the toner container 2 in position. 
Again, the spring 16 and the spring 43 of the shutter member 40 
advantageously apply opposite pulling forces. The spring of the shutter 
member urges the shutter member in such a direction as to close the toner 
receiving opening and provides a maximum amount of force when the shutter 
is opened during loading of the toner container. In this way, the toner 
container 2 can positively be held in position. 
When the toner container 3 is finally held in position as shown in FIG. 3, 
the gear 27 of the toner container 2 is brought into meshing engagement 
with the drive gear 17 of the developer unit. The bottom of the residual 
toner collect section 30 pushes down the wire spring 73 which then, 
projects upwardly from a slit 71. This slit 71 is formed in a loading 
table 70 of the developer unit as shown in FIG. 6. A sensor 75 is fixedly 
mounted to a base plate 72 and is pressed down as the wire spring 73 is 
pushed. The sensor 75 is operable to sense that the toner container is 
accurately loaded and send a corresponding signal to a control circuit 
(not shown). 
The wire spring 73 tends to be laterally swung since it is supported only 
by a shaft 76. To this end, a pair of projections 74 depend from the lower 
surface of the loading table 70 on either side of the wire spring 73 so as 
to prevent the lateral swing motion of the wire spring 73 and insure 
pressing of the sensor. 
To remove the toner container 2, the control lever 15c is rotated in a 
counterclockwise direction so as to disengage the pawl 15a from the recess 
201 as shown in FIG. 3(B). The toner container 2 is then automatically 
moved upwardly along the inclined surface under the action of the spring 
43 (see FIG. 4). 
The recess 201 has a surface which faces against the direction of bias of 
the spring 43, that is, which extends in a direction at right angles to 
the inclined surface 19. 
Referring to FIG. 6, as the toner container is raised, the shutter plate 69 
is lowered to close the toner receiving opening 35. This is because the 
pawl 65a of the belt housing 62 is engaged with the projection 69a of the 
shutter plate 69. At the same time, the shutter member 66 in the belt 
housing 62 is moved under the influence of the spring 67 (FIG. 7) so as to 
close the discharge opening 68. The toner container 2 can be removed with 
both the discharge opening 38 in the belt housing 62 and the toner 
receiving opening 35 in the residual toner collect section 30 closed by 
the respective shutter members. 
The shutter mechanism in the toner storage section 20 will next be 
described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. 
The loading station 11 on the developer unit 1 is formed with the inclined 
surface 19 which extends parallel to the first or inclined surface 20c of 
the residual toner collect section 30. The toner receiving opening 44 is 
defined in the inclined surface 19 at a location corresponding to the 
hopper 12 (FIG. 4). The shutter members 40 and 50 are mounted to the 
inclined surface 20c in the toner container and the toner receiving 
opening 44 in the developer unit 1, respectively. 
The shutter member 50 is made of elastically deformable resin and comprises 
a shutter mounting plate 52 attached to the inclined surface 20c and 
having the toner supply opening 25, and a shutter plate 51 movable along a 
restriction guide 58 in the transverse direction of a cartridge for 
opening and closing of the toner supply opening 25. The structure of the 
shutter plate and the shutter mounting plate will be described 
hereinbelow. 
FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are plane views of the shutter mounting plates 52 and 
42 as viewed from above the toner container 2. FIG. 8(C) is a sectional 
view taken on the line A--A in FIG. 8(A). FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) are plan 
views of the shutter mounting plates as viewed from the hopper 12, that 
is, as seen in a direction opposite to that in FIG. 8. 
Specifically, the shutter mounting plate 52 has a pair of restriction 
grooves 58b along which the shutter plate 51 is moved in the transverse 
direction of the toner container 2. The restriction grooves 58b are also 
adapted to restrict the position of the shutter plate 51 and extend 
longitudinally of the shutter plate 51. A pair of restriction grooves 58a 
are formed above the restriction grooves 58b, and a pair of restriction 
grooves 58c are formed outside of the restriction grooves 58a (see FIG. 
8(C)). The shutter mounting plate 42 in the developer unit 1 has a guide 
wall 423a which can be fit into the restriction grooves 58c. The shutter 
plate 51 has opposite guide edges 51a. The guide edges 51a have a L-shaped 
section and can be fit into the grooves 58b. 
The shutter mounting plate 52 has a lower or stepped end (FIG. 10). The 
stepped end has a central edge 52d adapted for engagement with the upper 
end of the shutter plate 41. 
A locking member is provided within the grooves 58c to lock the shutter 
plate 51 in its closed position. 
The locking member 53 includes a rectangular proximal end 53c fit in the 
recess of the mounting plate 52. The distal end of the locking member 53 
is outwardly swingable about the proximal end 53c. A side projection 53b 
(FIG. 9) extends horizontally from the intermediate portion of the locking 
member 53 toward a rectangular recess 51b of the guide edge 51a of the 
shutter plate 51. Also, a wedge portion 53a is formed at the distal end of 
the locking member 53 and is forced to swing outwardly when one end 423d 
of the shutter mounting plate 42 in the developer unit 1 is inserted. 
The shutter plate 51 includes a L-shaped guide edge 51a, and a recess 51b 
for engagement with the side projection 53b of the locking member 53. 
In FIG. 10(A), reference numeral 519 indicates a projection extending from 
the upper end of the shutter plate 51 and adapted to be fit in a recess 
529 of the shutter mounting plate 52 and restrict the lower (closed) 
position of the shutter plate 51. 
Reference numeral 528 indicates a projection extending from the upper end 
of the shutter mounting plate 52 and adapted to be fit in a H-shaped 
recess of the shutter plate 51 and restrict the upper (open) position of 
the shutter plate 51. 
The shutter member 40 in the developer unit 1 is also made of elastically 
deformable resin and is received within a mounting hole 451 in the 
inclined surface 19 through a shaft-like insert 423c, as shown in FIG. 4. 
The shutter member 40 includes a shutter mounting plate 42 in which the 
toner receiving opening 44 is defined, and a shutter plate 41 adapted to 
move along a restriction guide 423b of the shutter mounting plate 42 in 
the transverse direction of the toner container so as to open and close 
the toner receiving opening 44. 
The structure of the shutter mounting plate 42 is shown in plan in FIG. 
8(B). Specifically, the shutter mounting plate 42 comprises an engagement 
plate 423, and a swing plate 421 extending around the engagement plate 423 
with a generally U-shaped slit 424 therebetween. A pawl 422a extends 
centrally from the front end of the swing plate 421 and is engageable with 
the upper end of the shutter plate 51 to move down the shutter plate 51 to 
its closed position. A pair of cams 422b are formed at the right and left 
corners of the front end of the swing plate 421 and adapted to contact 
with the lower end of the shutter mounting plate 52 so as to retreat the 
swing plate 421 behind the shutter mounting plate 52. 
The engagement plate 423 has the L-shaped side or guide wall 423a which is 
fit into the groove 58a formed in the lower end of the shutter mounting 
plate 52. 
A channel 423b is formed in the engagement plate 423 in a face-to-face 
relation to the shutter plate 41 and extends parallel to the L-shaped 
guide wall 423a. The shutter plate 41 has a guide wall 41a received in the 
channel 423b. The shutter plate 41 is thus allowed to move in a vertical 
direction. The shutter plate 41 has opposite projections engaged with 
springs which are, in turn, engaged with the upper end of the swing plate. 
This arrangement allows the shutter plate 51 to move in the transverse 
direction of the toner receiving opening 25. 
The toner receiving opening 44 in the engagement plate has a step 4235 at 
its upper edge, which is engageable with the lower end of the shutter 
plate 51 in the toner container 2. 
In this embodiment, a lower edge 52f (see FIG. 13(C)) of the shutter 
mounting plate 52 is first brought into contact with the cams 422b of the 
swing plate 421 when the toner container 2 is loaded to the developer unit 
1 with the inclined surface 19 aligned with the inclined surface 20c of 
the toner container as shown in FIG. 4. The swing plate 421 is then 
retreated behind the shutter mounting plate 52. Further movement causes 
the L-shaped guide wall 423a of the engagement plate 423 to be inserted 
into the groove 58a of the shutter mounting plate 52. Further insertion 
causes the wedge end 53a of the locking member 53 to contact with the 
front corner of the engagement plate 423. This results in displacement of 
the wedge end 53a (see FIG. 9(A)). The side projection 53b is disengaged 
from the recess 51b of the shutter plate 51. Thereafter, the lower end of 
the shutter plate 51 is pressed by the step 4235 of the engagement plate 
423 to cause opening of the shutter plate 51. 
A step 52d of the shutter mounting plate 52 presses the upper end of the 
shutter plate 41 simultaneously when the shutter plate 51 is opened. The 
shutter plates 51 and 41 are then moved in such a direction as to open the 
openings 25 and 44. 
When the openings 25 and 44 are completely aligned, the pawl 422a comes 
into engagement with the upper edge 51c of the shutter plate 51 (see FIG. 
13(A)). 
Also, in this embodiment, the shutter mounting plate 52 is fixed to the 
inclined surface 19 with the insert 423c fit into the mounting hole 451. 
The shutter mounting plate 42 can be slightly swung in a plane parallel to 
the toner receiving opening 44. As such, the shutter plate 41 can 
accurately and positively be fixed in its open position even if the pawl 
422a of the swing 421 and the shutter plate 41 are incorrently assembled 
or slighly displaced relative to each other. 
Moreover, the shutter mounting plate 42 can readily be in close contact 
when the openings are aligned. This is because the shutter mounting plate 
42 is swung in a plane parallel to the opening. 
As shown in FIG. 3, pulling of the control lever 15c causes disengagement 
of the pawl 15a. The toner container 2 is then moved upwardly along the 
inclined surface 19 under the action of the spring 43 which pulls the 
shutter plate 41. 
When the shutter mounting plate 52 is moved to the left in FIG. 13(A), the 
shutter plate 51 closes the opening 25. This is because the shutter plate 
51 is engaged with the pawl 422a of the swing plate 421. 
The shutter plate 41 of the unit 1 which is engaged with the lower end of 
the shutter mounting plate 52 of the container 2 is moved toward its 
closed position by the bias of the spring 43 simultaneously when the 
shutter plate 51 is moved toward its closed position. Then, the swing 
element of the locking member 53 which is mounted to the shutter mounting 
plate 52 of the container 2 is disengaged from the front corner 423d of 
the engagement plate 423 and returned to the guide edge 51a of the shutter 
plate 51 under the elastic force of the locking member 53 per se. The side 
projection 53b is moved into engagement with the recess of the guide edge 
51a. This completes locking of the shutter plate 51. 
At this time, an inclined surface 52a of the shutter mounting plate 52 is 
in contact with the cam 422b as shown in FIG. 13(B). As shown in FIG. 
13(C), the shutter mounting plate 52 is then moved above the cam 422b so 
as to facilitate removal of the toner container 2 from the machine body. 
Thereafter, a front end 423d of the engagement plate 423 is moved away from 
the restriction grooves 58a of the shutter mounting plate 52 to allow for 
removal of the toner container 2 from the machine body. 
After the toner container 2 has been removed from the machine body, the 
shutter plate 51 is constantly locked in its closed position by the 
locking member 53. Since the locking member 53 is not erroneously operated 
in shipment or handling, the shutter plate 51 will not be inadvertently 
opened. Moreover, the locking member 53 does not project outside of the 
unit and is contained on the guide of the shutter member. This also 
prevents inadvertent opening of the shutter member in shipment or 
handling. 
The locking member 53 is automatically unlocked when the toner container is 
loaded. This arrangement allows for ready loading of the toner container 
and prevents the locking member from being kept locked. 
A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. FIG. 14 
is a plan view of a toner container and a residual toner conveyance 
machanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The 
difference between the first and second embodiments resides in a seal 
structure for the rotary shaft 21 with the agitator blade 22 in the 
partition wall 10 between the residual toner collect section 30 and the 
toner storage section 20 and the position of the gear train 33 between the 
rotary shaft 21 and the conveyance roller 31. This structural difference 
will now be described in detail. 
Referring to FIG. 14, a rotary shaft 21' includes an agitation blade 22'. 
The rotary shaft 21' is rotatably supported in a through hole 10'a as 
encircled at F and shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 14(B). The opening 
10'a is defined in a partition wall 10' which is, in turn, located between 
a toner storage section 20' and a residual toner collect section 30'. A 
thin film 91 is affixed, by means of a double coated adhesive tape 90, to 
a wall 10'b of the partition wall 10' adjacent to the toner storage 
section 20'. The film 91 has a central hole in coaxial with the through 
hole 10'a. The central hole of the film 91 is smaller than the outer 
diameter of the rotary shaft 21' and is in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 mm. An 
inner edge 91a of the central hole advantageously seals the rotary shaft 
21' as it is rotated. 
Again, the doughnut-shaped film has a central hole in coaxial with the 
through hole of the partition wall through which the rotary shaft extends. 
With such a simple seal structure, any residual toner passing through a 
clearance left between the rotary shaft and the through hole 10'a can in 
no way enter the toner storage section due to the presence of the inner 
edge 91a of the film 91. 
The inner edge 91a of the film 91 also blocks leakage of fresh toner from 
the toner storage section 20' into the residual toner collect section 30'. 
Referring to FIG. 14, a gear train 33 is mounted to a longitudinal end 
surface 37' of the toner container so as to transmit rotational force from 
the rotary shaft 21' to a transfer roller 31. 
The gears are coupled to respective rotary shafts or the transfer roller 
such that the gears may be rotated with the rotary shafts or the transfer 
roller. For example, each gear has an ellipsoidal hole or a circular hole 
with a cutout, which are engaged with one ends of each of the shafts. An 
intermediate gear has a central hole. The rotary shaft extends from the 
end surface 37' and has one end inserted into the central hole of the 
intermediate gear. In order to prevent undesirable release of the gears, a 
gear cover 370 is provided for covering the gear train 33 from the above. 
A covering structure is illustrated in FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B). Specifically, 
the end surface 37' of the toner container has an inclined flange 37'c 
formed at its upper left-hand corner and an inclined flange 37'd extending 
parallel to the flange 37'c and formed in a diagonally opposite relation 
thereto, that is, formed at its lower righ-hand corner. A substantially 
diamond-shaped space is defined by these flanges 37'c and 37'd. As shown 
in FIG. 15(B), the flange 37'c has two holes 37'b and 37'b. Similarly, the 
flange 37'd has two holes 37'a and 37'a. 
The gear cover 370 is adapted to cover this diamond-shaped space. A flange 
depends from the edge of the gear cover 370 and has a height substantially 
equal to that of each of the flanges 37'c and 37'd. A position restriction 
rib 36' extends from the outer surface of the gear cover 370 and is 
received in a restriction guide groove (not shown) which is, in turn, 
formed in the machine body. A left flange 370c has two projections 370b 
and 370b engageable with the corresponding holes 37'b and 37'b. Similarly, 
a right flange 370d has two projections 370a and 370a engageable with the 
corresponding two holes 37'a and 37'a. In the illustrated embodiment, the 
gear train is located outside of the residual toner collect section. As 
such, even if gear teeth are meshed with no clearance, toner will in no 
way enters between the gear teeth, and no locking results. 
Reference will next be made to a sealing structure between a toner 
container body and a cap according to the second embodiment of the present 
invention. 
FIG. 16(B) is a top plan view of the toner container body. FIG. 16(A) is a 
sectional view taken on the line A--A in FIG. 16(B). 
A toner container 2 comprises a toner container body 20' made of synthetic 
resin with calcium carbonate, and a cap 2A similarly made of synthetic 
resin with calcium carbonate. A resilient sealing member 97 is provided 
between the toner container body 20' and the cap 2A. The toner container 
body 20' has an engagement portion 20'f adapted for engagement with a pawl 
2Aa of the cap 2A. 
The sealing member 97 has an outer configuration substantially identical to 
the open top of the toner container body 20'. The sealing member 97 is 
affixed to an upper edge 20'g of the toner container body 20' by an 
adhesive agent or a double coated adhesive tape. When the cap 2A is snap 
fit over the toner container body 20', the sealing member 97 provides a 
tight seal between the cap 2A and the upper edge 20'g of the toner 
container body 20'. The sealing member 97 serves to fill any gap which may 
be formed between the inner surface of the cap 2A and the upper edge 20'g 
of the toner container body 20' as a result of deformation. 
Such a simple, but tight seal between the toner container body and the cap 
eliminates the need for an expensive ultrasonic or oscillation welding 
equipment. 
The toner container 2 is made of synthetic resin with calcium carbonate. 
This provides low combustion calories, minimizes the generation of toxic 
gases, and will not deteriorate environment. 
The sealing member 97 is made of urethan foam, unwoven fabric, paper, felt 
and rubber sponge. More preferably, the sealing member is made of PP type 
sponge as it does not generate toxic gases and odors, and provides better 
environment. 
Reference will now be made to a shutter mounting plate in the machine body 
according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a shutter mounting plate according to the 
second embodiment of the present invention, with the shutter mounting 
plate mounted to the machine body. FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the 
shutter mounting plate as viewed from the top in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a 
sectional view of the shutter mounting plate shown in FIG. 17. 
A shutter mounting plate 42' of the second embodiment is different from the 
shutter mounting plate 42 of the first embodiment in that in the former, 
inserts 423'c and 423'e which extend from an engagement plate 423' and are 
inserted into mounting holes 451 of the machine body are longer than those 
of the first embodiment, and a cushion member 120 made of urethan sponge, 
with opening 120a, is attached to the toner receiving opening 44, as shown 
in FIG. 19. 
The shutter mounting plate 42' has a lower end 42'a for engagement with an 
engagement portion 111 which is formed in the lower end of the inclined 
surface 19 of the machine body and faces against the top of the inclined 
surface 19. An engagement portion 113 is also formed in the upper end of 
the inclined surface 19 and has the mounting holes 451 into which the 
inserts 423'c and 423'e are inserted. By this arrangement, the shutter 
mounting plate 42' is urged in a direction away from the toner receiving 
opening 44 under the influence of the cushion member 120 when it is 
mounted to the machine body, as shown in FIG. 17. 
At this time, the cushion member 120 is compressed more strongly at a 
location adjacent to a step portion 4235' than in a location adjacent to 
the engagement portion 111. This is because the distance between the 
engagement plate 423' and a portion of the inclined surface 19 adjacent to 
the step portion 4235' is greater than that between the engagement plate 
423' and a portion of the inclined surface 19 adjacent to the engagement 
portion 111 as the insert 423'c is longer than the insert 42 of the first 
embodiment. 
Accordingly, the upper surface of the engagement plate 423' is not parallel 
to, but inclined upwardly from the inclined surface 19. Similarly, the 
shutter plate 41 and a guide wall 423'a are both inclined upwardly from 
the inclined surface 19. This guide wall 423'a is inserted into the 
restriction groove 58a which is formed in the shutter mounting plate 52 of 
the toner container. 
The shutter mounting plate 42' is pivotable about the engagement portion 
111, and the step portion 4235' is moved toward and away from the inclined 
surface 19 (in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow Z). If 
the shutter mounting plate 52 and the shutter mounting plate 42' are fixed 
to the toner container and the machine body, respectively, the guide plate 
would be undesirably forced into the restriction groove. This may result 
in damage of the mechanism. In this embodiment, the shutter mounting plate 
42' is pivoted toward the inclined surface 19 so as to allow gradual or 
smooth insertion of the guide plate of the shutter mounting plate 42' into 
the restriction groove in the toner container. 
Referring to FIG. 18, a pair of stoppers 112a and 112a are provided on 
either side of and spaced a suitable distance away from the engagement 
portion 111. The stoppers 112a and 112a are adapted to contact with the 
guide wall 423'e so as to limit lateral movement of the engagement plate 
423'. Also, the mounting hole 451 is so formed as to allow lateral 
movement of the inserts 423'c. When the toner container is loaded, the 
shutter mounting plate 52 can be laterally moved to facilitate positioning 
of the shutter mounting plate 52 relative to the engagement plate 423'. 
Reference will next be made to the manner in which the shutter mounting 
plate 42' and the shutter mounting plate 52 are operated during loading of 
the toner container to the machine body. 
A position restriction rib 36' and a guide rib 29 are provided on opposite 
longitudinal ends of the toner container 2. 
Referring to FIG. 20, the lower edge 52f of the shutter mounting plate 52 
is first brought into contact with cams 422'b of the shutter mounting 
plate 42' when the toner container 2 is inserted into the developer unit 
1. 
The toner container is then lowered while the position restriction rib 36' 
and the guide rib 29 are guided by the restriction guide grooves in the 
machine body. As the lower edge 52f of the shutter mounting plate 52 
causes downward movement of the cams 422'b, the shutter mounting plte 42' 
is lowered against the action of the cushion member 120. 
Further downward movement of the toner container 2 causes the shutter 
mounting plate 42' to move downward as shown in a phantom line. The 
shutter mounting plate 42' is then engaged with the pawl 15a (FIG. 3) of 
the locking lever 15 as shown in FIG. 20(B). At this time, the shutter 
mounting plate 42' extends parallel to the inclined surface 19 of the 
machine body. 
As shown in FIG. 18, the guide wall 423'a of the shutter mounting plate 
42', which is fit in the restriction groove 58a of the shutter mounting 
plate 52 on the toner container 2, has right and left front ends 423'd and 
423'd. These front ends 423'd and 423'd are obliquely cut to provide a 
converging end and become shorter between opposite sides of the toner 
receiving opening 44. As such, the guide wall 423'a can be suitably 
received in the restriction groove 58a of the shutter mounting plate 52 
even if the shutter mounting plate 52 of the toner container 2 is slightly 
displaced in a lateral direction. 
As mentioned earlier, in this embodiment, the shutter mounting plate 42' in 
the machine body is moved toward and away from the toner receiving opening 
44. 
The shutter mounting plate 52 of the toner container 2 and the shutter 
mounting plate 42' of the machine body tend to be displaced with respect 
to the restriction groove as a reference due to manufacturing tolerances 
or assembly errors. If the shutter mounting plates 52 and 42' are both 
fixed, no positional adjustment can be made. In this embodiment, however, 
positional adjustment relative to the restriction guide can be effected 
when the engagement portions of the shutter mounting plates 52 and 42' are 
too far away from or too close to each other. 
Also, the position of the shutter mounting plate 52 relative to the toner 
supply opening 25 and the position of the shutter mounting plate 42' 
relative to the opening 44 are subject to displacement in the longitudinal 
direction of the toner container or the machine body due to manufacturing 
tolerances or assembly errors. Where the shutter mounting plates 52 and 
42' are fixed, their mounting may not smoothly be effected when they are 
too far away from or too close to each other. 
To this end, in this embodiment, the shutter mounting plate 42' can be 
pivoted in the longitudinal direction of the toner receiving opening 44. 
This pivotal movement allows for positional adjustment of the shutter 
mounting plate 42' during mounting of the shutter mounting plates 42' and 
52. together. 
Reference will now be made to a seal structure for use in the bearing of a 
toner agitator blade shaft in the developer unit. 
FIG. 21(A) illustrates a seal structure for use in the bearing of the 
developer unit according to the present invention. FIG. 21(B) is a 
perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the seal structure as encircled 
at F in FIG. 21(A). FIG. 21(C) illustrates the manner in which an agitator 
shaft extends through a seal member. 
Specifically, the developer unit 100 includes a toner storage unit 20". The 
toner storage unit 20" has a side wall 20"f in which a hole 20"g is 
defined. An agitator shaft 21" has a plurality of fins 94 for agitating a 
developer material (toner). A bearing 95 has a central hole adapted to 
receive the agitator shaft 21". The bearing 95 is mounted concentrically 
within the hole 20"g. In order to prevent entry of toner between the 
agitator blade 21" and the bearing 95, a sealing member 910 is affixed to 
the inner surface 20"e of the side wall by a double coated adhesive tape 
90 and is in the form, for example, of a polyester film. The sealing 
member 910 has an opening 910a through which the agitator shaft 21" 
extends. The opening 910a has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the 
agitator shaft 21". As such, the sealing member 910 is deformed when the 
agitator shaft extends therethrough. At this time, an inner edge 910b of 
the opening 910 is brought into close contact with the outer surface of 
the agitator shaft 21" so as to prevent leakage of the toner. 
The seal structure will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 
22. The sealing member 910 is affixed to the inner surface 20"e of the 
side wall by the adhesive tape 90 with the central hole of the bearing 95 
in concentric with the opening 910a of the sealing member 910. 
A front end of the agitator shaft 21" is inserted throught the opening 
910a. At this time, the inner edge 910b (FIG. 22(B)) of the sealing member 
910 is in close contact with the outer surface of the agitator shaft 21". 
FIG. 23 shows a modified form of the seal structure for use in the bearing. 
Specifically, the sealing member 910 is affixed to the inner surface 20"e 
of the side wall with the central hole of the bearing 95 in concentric 
with the opening 910a of the sealing member 910. 
A gear 96 has a rotary shaft 96a. An agitator shaft 210 has a front recess 
210a at its front end. The rotary shaft 96a of the gear 96 is inserted 
through the opening 910a of the sealing member 910 into the recess 210a of 
the agitator shaft 210 within the toner storage section 20". 
The inner edge 910b of the sealing member 910 is then brought into close 
contact with the outer surface of the rotary shaft 96a as shown in FIG. 
23(B). 
The difference between the inner diameter of the sealing member and the 
outer diameter of the agitator shaft is preferably less than 1 mm. 
The thickness of the sealing member is preferably in the range from 20.mu. 
to 0.5 mm. 
The sealing member is made of elastic materials such as resin, rubber and 
leather. Preferably, the sealing member is in the form of a polyester or 
polyethylene film and has a thickness of between 10 and 250.mu.. 
As stated earlier, in this embodiment, the sealing member is in the form of 
a thin film and has a hole smaller in diameter than the agitator shaft. 
When the agitator shaft is inserted through the hole of the sealing 
member, the inner edge of the thin film is so deformed as to closely 
contact the outer surface of the agitator shaft. 
The thin film is deformed by an amount corresponding to the difference 
between the inner diameter of the thin film and the outer diameter of the 
shaft. This arrangement allows close contact of the thin film with the 
shaft. 
The agitator shaft is not subject to substantial pressure. No substantial 
torque is produced as the film is thin. No wear and noise result. 
With such a simple structure, but high seal integrity, no toner is 
accumulated between the bearing and the rotary shaft and escapes from the 
developer unit.