Developer replenishing cartridge and developer receiving apparatus within which such cartridge is mounted

Abstract: A developer supply opening (30) of a developer replenishing cartridge (3) is sealed by a flexible film (5) peelably adhered to the cartridge (3), and one end of a folded back portion of the film (5) is secured to a gripper (6) which is manipulated by an operator and which is separably mounted on the cartridge (3). A developer receiving container (1) on which the cartridge (3) can be mounted has a lid (2). When the lid (2) is opened, the lid (2) engages by the gripper (6) to separate the latter from the cartridge (3).

Description: The present invention relates to a toner replenishment system for an electrophotographic apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, electrophotographic printer and the like which can form an image by developing an electrostatic latent image by powder developer (toner). It also relates to a toner cartridge for use in the above replenishment system. A developer replenishing cartridge in which flexible film is peelably adhered to a developer container to seal a developer supply opening of the container is disclosed in US Patent 4981218. When the developer in a developer receiving apparatus is replenished, the flexible film is peeled from the container. In such an arrangement, if the film is peeled from the container before the cartridge is completely mounted within the developer receiving apparatus, there is risk that the developer may be scattered about. Furthermore, in the above arrangement, it is necessary to open a developer receiving opening of the developer receiving apparatus before the cartridge is mounted within the apparatus. However, if this is done, there is a risk that foreign matter may drop into the apparatus through the opening. The Japanese Utility Model publication No 57-38673 discloses a mechanism in which sliding lids are provided on both a developer replenishing cartridge and on a developer receiving apparatus and the sliding lids are shifted in synchronism with each other. US patent 4491161 discloses a developer replenishing cartridge in which a developer supply opening of the cartridge is sealed by a flexible film and a slidable lid. The developer supply opening of the cartridge is opened in synchronism with the movement of a lid of a developer receiving apparatus. This arrangement not only provides convenience similar to that of Japanese Utility Model publication No 57-38673, but also provides sealing ability superior to that of Japanese Utility Model publication No 57-38673. However, in this arrangement, when the lid of the developer receiving apparatus is being opened, the developer adhered to the film of the cartridges likely to adhere to the lid. Furthermore, there is a risk that an operator may remove the cartridge from the developer receiving apparatus before the lid of the developer receiving apparatus is completely closed. If that happens, the apparatus will be damaged or the developer will be scattered about. Furthermore, if the developer is replenished into a developer receiving apparatus in which a substantial amount of developer still remains, the excess developer will be loaded in the developer receiving apparatus or the developer will overflow from the developer receiving apparatus, thus making closure of the lid difficult. US Patent No 4834246 (Inoue) discloses a disposable toner supply cartridge to be demountably fixed over a toner-receiving opening of a toner container. The toner cartridge has a bottom opening sealed by a peelable sealing film. A covering member is attached to the cartridge beneath the sealing film and is slidable in a first direction in which the sealing film is peeled off from the bottom opening. The sealing film has a first end fixedly attached to an edge portion of the bottom opening and a second end provided with integral folded extension covering at least one end of the covering number so that the sliding of the covering member in the first direction moves the folded extension of the sealing film in a first direction and causes the film to become peeled off from the bottom of the cartridge to expose the bottom opening of said cartridge. The toner container also has a sliding lid but the covering member and the lid of the sliding container interlock so that they move together in both opening and closing. The present invention provides a developer replenishment system having the features of claim 1 of the accompanying claims and also a developer cartridge having the features of claim 20. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig 1 is an elevational sectional view of an electrophotographic system to which the present invention is applicable; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a developer replenishing cartridge and a developer receiving container; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A - A of Fig. 2 showing the cartridge mounted on the container in place; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line B - B of Fig. 2 showing the cartridge mounted on the container in place; Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing a condition that a lid of the developer receiving container is opened; Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a condition that a seal sheet of the developer replenishing cartridge is being removed; Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a condition that the removal of the seal sheet is completed; Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing a condition that the lid is being closed; Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing a condition that the closing of the lid is completed; Figs. 10A, 10B and 10C are views for explaining a locking mechanism; Figs. 11A and 11B are views for explaining a cartridge lifting and rocking mechanism; Figs. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D are views for explaining a slide biasing mechanism for the lid; Figs. 13A, 13B and 13C are views showing another example of a locking mechanism; Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17 are sectional views showing an example of a buffer chamber; Figs. 18, 19, 20 and 21 are sectional views showing another example of a buffer chamber; Fig. 22 is a perspective view for explaining a width of the seal sheet; and Fig. 23 is a sectional view for explaining a configuration of a gripper. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Fig. 1, an electrophotographic image forming system 50 includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member 51 rotated in a direction shown by the arrow. The photosensitive member 51 is firstly charged by a charger 52 and then is illuminated with recording image light by an exposure device 53, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member. The electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing unit 54. The developing unit 54 has a developing roller 55 which is rotated in a direction shown by the arrow and by which developer D is fed to and applied onto the electrostatic latent image. A developer image so formed is transferred onto a transfer sheet 57 by means of a transfer charger 56 and then is permanently fixed to the transfer sheet 57 by means of a fixing device 58. After the transferring operation, the photosensitive member 51 is cleaned by a cleaning device 59. In order to compensate for the developer consumed by the developing unit 54, the developer D is supplied to the developing unit 54 from the developer storage container (hopper) 1 of a developer receiving apparatus via a convey device 60 such as a screw conveyor. When an amount of the developer D in the container 1 is decreased below a permissible amount, an operator must replenish new developer from a developer replenishing cartridge into the container 1. Next, the developer replenishing cartridge and the developer receiving apparatus will be fully explained. In Figs. 2, 3 and 4, an upper opening 100 of the container 1 (i.e., an opening 100 through which the developer discharged from a developer replenishing cartridge 3 can drop into the container 1) is closed and opened by a lid 2 supported by guide grooves 1b formed in flange portions of the container 1 for sliding movement in a direction shown by the arrow O and an opposite direction shown by the arrow C. Further, on an upper surface of the container 1, there are formed a recessed portion 14 for receiving a protruded portion 3b of the cartridge 3, and a guide 1a for guiding the insertion of the protruded portion into the recessed portion. Incidentally, an elongated slot 21 extending in the sliding direction is formed on an upper surface of the lid 2. On the other hand, a proper amount of replenishing developer D is housed in a container 3a of the developer replenishing cartridge 3, and a developer supply opening 30 of the cartridge is covered or closed by a slide lid 4 slidably guided by guide grooves 32 formed in flange portions of the container 3a for movement in the direction O and the opposite direction C. Incidentally, a projection 41 is formed on the slide lid 4 at an end of the lid in a push-in (slide closing) direction C, which projection is adapted to be hooked by an end portion 22 (in the push-in or slide closing direction C) of the lid 2. Further, a thin cavity 42 having openings on both ends thereof (in the sliding direction) is formed in the slide lid 4. That is to say, the slide lid 4 integrally includes a first plate member 43 and a second opposed plate member 44 via the cavity 42. Further, a film (flexible seal sheet) 5 made of synthetic resin and the like is peelably adhered, for example, by heat welding, to a peripheral edge surface 31 defining a lower opening of the container 3a in such a manner that the seal sheet can prevent the leak of the developer D. When the seal sheet 5 is developed in the sliding direction, a total length of the sheet is selected to have a value greater, by twice or more, than a length of the supply opening 30 along a sheet peeling direction. The remaining portion 52 of the sheet 5 which is not adhered to the peripheral edge surface 31 is folded back and is passed through the inner cavity 42 of the slide lid 4 and is firmly secured to a gripper 6 (which is grasped by the operator when he wants to peel the seal sheet from the opening) at a position 61 where the seal sheet 5 does not protrude from the cartridge 3. That is to say, the first sheet portion 51 adhered to the peripheral edge surface 31, 31' seals the supply opening 30 to prevent the leak of the developer in the container 3a. On the other hand, the second sheet portion 52 folded back toward the direction O is connected to the gripper 6 so that, when the second sheet portion 52 is pulled toward the direction C by pulling the gripper 6 (by the operator), the first sheet portion 51 is peeled from the peripheral edge surface 31 of the container 3a, thus opening the supply opening 30. Incidentally, the rear end portion 31' (in the peeling direction) of the sheet is not separated from the container 3a. The sheet pulling gripper 6 can be pulled out by the shifting movement of the lid 2 and is fixed to the flange portions of the container 3a, for example, by pinching, clipping or meshing means before the cartridge 3 is mounted on the container 1. Further, the gripper 6 has a projection 62 which is adapted to engage by a rear end 23 (in a pull-out or slide opening direction O) of the elongated slot 21 of the lid 2 to disengage or pull out the gripper from the container 3a. In this way, although the gripper 6 is disengaged from the container 3a by engaging with the rear end wall 23 immediately before the sliding of the lid 2 in the direction O is completed, the length of the second sheet portion 52 is selected so that the shock caused when the gripper 6 is disengaged from the container 3a by the shifting movement of the lid 2 is not transmitted to the first sheet portion 51. That is to say, the second sheet portion 52 has the surplus length, and, when the gripper 6 is attached to the container 3a, the surplus length of the second sheet portion 52 is housed within the cavity in the slide lid 4 in the folded condition not to protrude from the cartridge 3. By the way, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, it is desirable that the dimensional relation between the supply opening 30 of the developer replenishing cartridge 3 and the opening 100 of the developer receiving container 1 is so selected that a dimension K 1 is greater than a dimension K 2 and a dimension W 1 is greater than a dimension W 2 , that is, the opening 100 of the developer receiving container 1 is sufficiently greater than the supply opening 30 of the cartridge 3, because the guide grooves for the lid 4 of the container 3a and the lid 2 of the developer receiving container 1 are prevented from being smeared by the scattered developer when the developer is supplied from the cartridge to the developer receiving container. Further, preferably, the peripheral edge surface 31 of the container 3a to which the seal sheet 5 is adhered has a step with respect to a sliding plane 32 for the slide lid 4 not to squeeze or compress the seal sheet 5 for permitting the smooth movement of the sheet. Next, the opening/closing of the supply opening 30 of the cartridge 3 and the developer passing opening 100 of the container 1 will be explained with reference to Figs. 5 to 8. In a condition, as shown in Fig. 3, that the developer replenishing cartridge 3 is mounted on the developer receiving apparatus in place, i.e., in a condition that the lid 2 is opposed to the slide lid 4, the operator pulls the lid 2 in the direction O via a grip 2a of the lid 2. As a result, the opening 100 of the developer receiving apparatus is opened. Immediately before the lid 2 opens the opening 100 of the developer receiving container 1 completely, the rear end wall 23 of the elongated slot 21 formed in the lid 2 is engaged by the projection 62 of the sheet pulling gripper 6, thus starting the disengagement of the gripper 6 from the container 3a through the shifting movement of the lid 2 in the direction O. When the lid 2 opens the opening 100 completely, as shown in Fig. 5, the gripper 6 is disengaged from the container 3a, with the result that the operator can easily pull the gripper. In this condition, the supply opening 30 of the container 3a is still closed, and, thus, the developer is not yet supplied to the container 1. Then, from this condition, when the operator pulls the seal sheet 5 in a direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 6 via the gripper 6, the seal sheet is shifted in the direction O within the cavity 42 while being guided by the plate members 43, 44 of the slide lid 4, with the result that the portion of the sheet 5 adhered to the peripheral edge surface 31 of the container 3a is gradually peeled from the folded position along the direction O. In this way, the folded position is gradually shifted in the direction O, as shown in Fig. 6. At the folded position 53, since the seal sheet 5 is engaged by a portion of the slide lid 4 (more particuarly, a rear end of the plate member 43 in the direction O, or a leading end in the direction C), according to the principle of a so-called "dynamic pulley block", the slide lid 4 is urged by the sheet 5 to be shifted in the direction O together with the second sheet portion 52. In this way, the supply opening 30 of the container 3a begins to be opened, and the developer D starts to be dropped from the cartridge container 3a into the developer receiving container 1, as shown by the arrow F. Fig. 7 shows a condition that the supply opening 30 of the cartridge container 3a is completely opened. In this condition, the slide lid 4 is opposed to the lid 2 again. Incidentally, in this case, the seal sheet 5 is still secured to the container 3a at the position 31', and the sheet 5 is not completely separated from the container 3a. When the replenishment of the developer into the developer receiving container 1 is completed, the operator pushes the grip 2a of the lid 2 toward the direction C. Consequently, the lid 2 is shifted toward the direction C to close the opening 100. Immediately after the lid 2 starts to be slidingly shifted toward the direction C, an engagement portion 22 provided at an leading end (in the direction C) of the lid 2 is abutted against a projection 41 of the slide lid 4. As a result, the slide lid 4 is subjected to the shifting force from the lid 2 and starts to shift in the direction C together with the lid 2. The seal sheet 5 remains to be secured to the container 3a at 31', and, since the sheet is engaged by the slide lid 4 at the folded position as mentioned above, when the slide lid 4 is shifted in the direction C, the sheet 5 is subjected to the shifting force from the slide lid 4 and starts to shift in a direction C opposite to the above-mentioned direction to start to close the opening 30 again. The sheet portion pulled out of the cavity 42 of the slide lid 4 starts to be re-entered into the cavity 42. In this way, the opening 30 of the container 3a is closed. In this case, as shown in Fig. 7, even when the developer D protrudes from the opening 100, since the lids 2, 4 are engaged by each other at the leading ends thereof in the push-in or slide closing direction, the developer does not enter between the lids 2, 4 and is leveled by the lids. When the opening 100 of the container 1 is completely closed by the lid 2 and the supply opening 30 of the container 3a is completely closed by the slide lid 4, as shown in Fig. 9, a part of the seal sheet 5 and the sheet pulling gripper 6 are maintained in a condition that they slightly protrude from the cartridge 3. In this condition, the lids 2, 4 are opposed to each other again. As shown in Fig. 5, the operator is permitted to access the sheet pulling gripper 6 only when the opening 100 of the developer receiving container 1 and the gripper 6 is disengaged from the cartridge 3. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the accident regarding the scattering of the developer caused when the cartridge is unsealed while closing the lid 2. Further, as shown in Fig. 8, the slide lid 4 of the cartridge 3 is closed in synchronous with the closing movement of the lid 2 of the developer receiving apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the accident regarding the scattering of the residual developer from the cartridge 3 as caused when the cartridge 3 is dismounted from the developer receiving apparatus while not closing the cartridge with the lid 4. Further, since the seal sheet 5 of the cartridge 3 is protected by the slide lid 4, it is possible to prevent the accident regarding the scattering of the developer as caused when the sheet is teared or damaged. Further, when the cartridge is opened or unsealed, since the first sheet portion 51 which was contacted with the developer in the container 3a is retracted into the cavity 42 of the slide lid 4, it is possible to prevent the scattering of the developer adhered to the first sheet portion 51. That is to say, when the sheet 5 is pulled out (Fig. 6), when the pulling of the sheet is completed (Fig. 7), when the sheet is retracted (Fig. 8) and when the retraction of the sheet is completed (Fig. 9), the upper surface (surface exposed out of the apparatus) of the lid 2 of the developer receiving container 1 is shielded from the sheet surface to which the developer is adhered, by the plate member 44 of the lid 4, whereby the upper surface of the lid 2 is not smeared by the developer adhered to the sheet surface. Further, in the conditions shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, since the sheet portion to which the developer is adhered is covered by the plate member 43 of the lid 4 not to be exposed externally, even if the operator inadvertently accesses to such sheet portion, the operator is not smeared with the developer. In addition, since the seal sheet 5 is not separated from the cartridge 3 completely and can be removed from the developer receiving apparatus together with the container 3a and the lid 4 after the cartridge container 3a is closed by the lid 4 and the sheet, the handling of the disused sheet can be facilitated. Next, a locking mechanism will be explained. When the developer is replenished into the developer receiving container 1, first of all, the developer replenishing cartridge 3 is mounted on the developer receiving container 1 in place, as shown in Fig. 3. That is to say, the cartridge container 3a is rested on the container 1 while inserting a protruded portion 3b of the container 3a into the recessed portion 14 of the container 1. The protruded portion 3b of the container 3a is regulated by the guide 1a so as not to shift upwardly. In this condition, the cartridge 3 can be pivoted around the protruded portion 3b. Locking mechanisms 7 are provided on the developer receiving container 1 at position 101. Each locking mechanism 7 includes integral locking pawls 71, 73 which are pivotally mounted on a shaft 74 attached to the container 1. A leaf spring 9 urges a portion 72 of the pawl 71 upwardly so that the pawls 71, 73 are elastically biased toward an anti-clockwise direction. When the cartridge 3 is not mounted on the container 1, as shown in Fig. 10A, the pawl 71 is fitted into a hole 24 of the lid 2 under the biasing force of the leaf spring 9, with the result that the sliding movement of the lid 2 is prevented and the lid 2 is locked at the position shown in Fig. 3. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the accident regarding the penetration of foreign matters into the developer receiving container 1 as caused when the operator inadvertently opens the lid 2 before the cartridge 3 is mounted on the container 1. As mentioned above, when the protruded portion 3b of the cartridge 3 is inserted into the recessed portion 14 of the container 1 and the cartridge 3 is lowered toward the upper surface of the container 1, projections 33 formed on the flange portions of the cartridge container 3a are abutted against cam surfaces 75 formed on upper surfaces of the locking pawls 73 of the locking mechanisms 7. In this condition, when the cartridge 3 is further lowered, each locking pawl 73 urged downwardly by the corresponding projection 33 is rotated in a clockwise direction in opposition to the biasing force of the corresponding leaf spring 9, with the result that the corresponding locking pawl 71 is also rotated in the clockwise direction together with the locking pawl 73. Consequently, the locking pawl 71 is disengaged from the hole 24 of the lid 2 to permit the sliding movement of the lid 2. When the projection 33 passes through the cam surface 75, the locking pawl 73 is rotated in the anti-clockwise direction under the biasing force of the leaf spring 9 to engage by an upper surface of the projection 33 (refer to Fig. 10B). In this way, the cartridge 3 is locked at a predetermined position on the container 1, i.e., at a position where the developer is replenished from the cartridge into the container 1. The cartridge is prevented from being dismounted from the predetermined position. Since the anti-clockwise rotation of the locking pawl 71 is inhibited by the engagement of the locking pawl 73 with the projection 33, the unlocked condition of the lid 2 is maintained. As mentioned above, since the cartridge 3 is locked at the predetermined position when the sliding movement of the lid 2 is permitted, it is possible to prevent the operator's miss-operation as to the inadvertent dismounting of the cartridge 3 from the developer receiving container 1 while opening the lid 2. In the condition shown in Fig. 10B, the operations already described in connection with Figs. 5 to 9 can be performed. After the developer is replenished from the cartridge 3 into the container 1, the lid 2 is shifted or retracted in the direction C to reach the lid at a position slightly beyond the position shown in Fig. 3 where the opening 100 is completely closed. As a result, a cam surface 25 formed on an inner surface of the grip 2a of the lid 2 is abutted against the locking pawls 71. From this condition, when the lid 2 is further shifted to the direction C, each locking pawl 71 is urged by the cam surface 25 to be rotated in the clockwise direction in opposition to the biasing force of the corresponding leaf spring 9, thus rotating the corresponding integral locking pawl 73 in the clockwise direction. Consequently, as shown in Fig. 10C, the locking pawl 73 is disengaged from the projection 33 of the cartridge 3, thus unlocking the cartridge 3. In this condition, the cartridge 3 is automatically pivoted around the protruded portion 3b and lifted by a biasing force of a spring 8 described below up to a position where, even when the locking pawl 73 is rotated in the anti-clockwise direction again, it cannot engage by the upper surface of the projection 33. The operator can understand the fact that the cartridge 3 is unlocked, by ascertaining the automatic elevation of the cartridge 3. Accordingly, since the fact that the cartridge is dismountable can easily be judged, it is possible to prevent the operator's miss-operation as to the forcible dismounting of the cartridge 3 from the container 1. On the other hand, after the operator recognizes the fact that the cartridge 3 is unlocked, when he releases the grip 2a of the lid 2 in the condition of Fig. 10C, the lid 2 moves as follows. That is to say, the lid 2 is subjected to the biasing forces of the leaf springs 9 via the locking pawls 71 and the cam surface 25. Accordingly, when the locking pawls 71, 73 are rotated in the anti-clockwise direction under the biasing forces of the leaf springs 9, the lid 2 is automatically shifted in the direction O by the biasing forces of the springs. At a point where the lid 2 is slightly shifted to the direction O, the locking pawls 71 are re-entered into the corresponding holes 24 of the lid 2 under the biasing forces of the springs 9, thus restoring the condition shown in Fig. 10A. In the condition shown in Fig. 10A, the lid 2 is locked at the position shown in Fig. 3. As mentioned above, since the cartridge 3 can be unlocked only when the lid 2 is further pushed beyond the locked position shown in Fig. 3 where the opening 100 of the container 1 is completely closed, and the lid 2 is automatically returned to the locked position after the unlocking of the cartridge, it is possible to prevent the cartridge from being dismounted from the developer receiving container in the condition that the opening of the developer receiving container is not completely closed. In Fig. 2, two recesses 102 are formed in the container 1 between the front and rear ends of the opening 100 (in the sliding direction of the lid 2) and at both lateral sides of the opening 100. Leaf springs 8 are disposed in these recesses 102. On the other hand, two projections 34 (only one of the which is shown) adapted to be inserted into the recesses 102 are formed on the flange portions of the cartridge container 3a. When the cartridge 3 is mounted on the container 1 as mentioned above, the projections 34 are fitted into the recesses 102 while abutting against the corresponding leaf springs 8. These leaf springs 8 apply the upward urging or biasing force to the cartridge 3 (see Fig. 11B). The biasing force of the leaf springs 8 contributes to ensure the engagement between the locking pawls 73 and the projections 33 and serves to lift the cartridge 3 as mentioned above when the locking pawls 73 are disengaged from the projections 33. On the other hand, as the lid 4 of the cartridge 3 is slidingly shifted in the direction O, when the cartridge 3 itself tries to shift in the direction O, one lateral surface 341 of the projection 34 is abutted against one lateral surface 103 of the corresponding recess 102, thus preventing the shifting of the cartridge 3 in the direction O. Further, as the lid 4 is slidingly shifted in the direction C, when the cartridge 3 itself tries to shift in the direction C, the other lateral surface 342 of the projection 34 is abutted against the other lateral surface 104 of the corresponding recess 102, thus preventing the shifting of the cartridge 3 in the direction C. That is to say, the projections 34 and the recesses 102 aid to the locking operation by means of the locking pawls 73. In other words, the projections 34 and the recesses 102 can prevent the inadvertent unlocking due to the excessive load applied to the locking mechanisms 7 during the opening/closing of the opening 30. Further, the recesses 102 has the function to identify the cartridge. That is to say, only the cartridge having the projections 34 in correspondence to the recesses 102 can be mounted on the developer receiving container at the predetermined position. Accordingly, by differentiating the position of the projections 34 on the cartridge in correspondence to the kinds of developer, any cartridge containing the developer unnecessary to the specific image forming system cannot be mounted, at the predetermined position, on the developer receiving container for such image forming system, and, thus, it is possible to prevent the replenishment of the unnecessary or unsuited developer into the developer receiving container. Incidentally, in the above example, while the leaf springs were abutted against the projections 34, the leaf springs may be abutted against the cartridge 3 at any portions other than the projections 34. Further, the projections may be formed on the container 1 and the recesses corresponding to such projections may be formed in the cartridge to achieve the same function as that obtained by the above-mentioned projections 34 and the recesses 120. Figs. 12A to 12D show another embodiment. In this embodiment, when the lid 2 is in a position shown in Fig. 12C and when the lid is in a position slightly offset from the position of Fig. 12C in a direction C, a spring 10 is abutted against a rear end 26 (in a direction O) of the lid 2 to elastically bias the lid 2 toward the direction O. Figs. 12A, 12B and 12D correspond to Figs. 10A, 10B and 10C, respectively. In Fig. 12B, when the lid 2 is unlocked, the lid 2 is automatically shifted from the locked position toward the direction O slightly by the spring 10 (refer to Fig. 12C). By such automatic shifting of the lid 2 in the pulling direction (direction O), the operator can understand the fact that the cartridge 3 is unlocked. From the position of Fig. 12C, when the lid 2 is slidingly shifted in the direction O, the lid is separated from the spring 10. In order to unlock the cartridge 3, the operator must shift the lid 2 in the direction C in opposition to the biasing force of the spring 10. However, when the lid 2 is automatically returned from the unlocked position for the cartridge 3 to the locked position for the lid 2 itself, the biasing force of the spring 10 aids such returning of the lid 2, as well as the biasing force of the springs 9. Figs. 13A to 13C show another embodiment of a locking mechanism. As shown in Fig. 13A, in a condition that the developer replenishing cartridge 3 is not mounted on the developer receiving apparatus, the lid 2 of the developer receiving container 1 is engaged by a locking pawl 602 of a locking mechanism 600 via a hole 24 formed in the lid itself, thus preventing the shifting movement of the lid. The locking pawl 602 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 601 formed on the developer receiving container 1 and is always biased toward the hole 24 of the lid 2 by an elastic member (leaf spring) 8. Further, the locking pawl 602 itself may be constituted by an elastic member to omit the elastic member 8. On the other hand, another locking mechanism 700 is arranged in the recess 101 of the lid 2. The locking mechanism 700 is similar to the above-mentioned locking mechanism 7, but, in place of the locking pawl 71, a cam engagement projection 76 is integrally formed on the locking pawl 73, and, in place of the leaf spring 9, a coil spring 900 is hooked to the locking pawl 73 to bias the locking pawl 73 and projection 76 in the anti-clockwise direction. When the developer replenishing cartridge 3 is mounted as shown in Fig. 3, in the same manner as mentioned above, the projection 33 of the developer receiving container 1 rotates the locking pawl 73 in the clockwise direction. When the mounting of the cartridge is completed, as shown in Fig. 13B, the projection 33 is engaged by the locking pawl 73. This prevents the dismounting of the cartridge in cooperation with the protruded portion 3b of the cartridge 3 inserted into the recessed portion 14. As shown in Fig. 13B, in a condition that the developer replenishing cartridge 3 is mounted, by the projection 34 of the cartridge 3 fitted into the recess 102 of the container 1, the elastic member 8 is pressed down to disengage the locking pawl 602 from the hole 24, thus disengaging the locking pawl 602 from the lid 2 to permit the movement of the latter. In this way, the developer is supplied from the cartridge into the container 1 as mentioned above. After the replenishment of the developer, the lid 2 is pushed to the position of Fig. 3. From this condition, as shown in Fig. 13C, when the lid 2 is further pushed toward the direction C, the cam surface 25 of the lid 2 urges the projection 76 integral with the locking pawl 73, thus rotating the locking pawl 73 in the clockwise direction in opposition to the coil spring 900. As a result, the locking pawl 73 is disengaged from the projection 33 of the cartridge 3. Consequently, the cartridge 3 is automatically lifted by the biasing force of the elastic member 8. In this condition, the cartridge 3 can be dismounted from the container 1 while retracting the protruded portion 3b from the recessed portion 14. Then, when the operator detaches his hand from the lid 2, the latter is returned to the pulling direction by the compressed coil spring 900 via the projection 76. Meanwhile, the locking pawl 602 biased toward the anti-clockwise direction by the elastic member 8 released from the projection 33 is re-entered into the hole 24 of the lid 2, thus stopping the lid 2. In this way, the lid 2 is returned to the position of Fig. 13A. Alternatively, from the position of Fig. 13C, the lid 2 may be manually pulled until the locking pawl 602 is re-entered into the hole 24 of the lid 2. By the way, in a developer replenishing system wherein the lid of the developer receiving container is locked other than the replenishment of the developer, the operator cannot directly ascertain the residual amount of the developer with his eyes. Further, even when a sensor of piezo type is provided on the developer receiving container to detect the residual amount of the developer, it is feared that the developer is replenished even into the developer receiving container in which a relatively large amount of developer still remains due to the mal-function of the sensor or the operator's careless mistake, with the result that the amount of the replenished developer exceeds the maximum developer containing ability of the developer receiving container. In such a case, the lid 2 must be closed while pushing a mountain of developer aside by the end projection 41 of the slide lid 4 to push the excessive developer back to the developer replenishing cartridge 3. The developer comprised of small particles has the good fluidity, but is likely to be lumped. Thus, when the lids 2, 4 are being closed, the developer is pressed together by the ends of the lids and is jammed at a portion T in Fig. 8, thus opposing to the closing movement of the lids 2, 4. As a result, it is feared that the developer replenishing cartridge 3 cannot be dismounted from the developer receiving container 1. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the developer receiving container 1 is provided with a buffer chamber for receiving the excessive developer to eliminate the resistance to the closing movement of the lids 2, 4, thus ensuring that the slide lid 4 of the developer replenishing cartridge can be closed without fail. The operation of the buffer chamber according to this embodiment will now be explained with reference to Figs. 14 to 17. In Fig. 14, the developer receiving container 1 has a buffer chamber 200 disposed beside the opening 100 of the container 1 and adjacent to the front end (in the push-in direction C) of the lid 2 when the opening 100 is completely closed by the lid 2. The buffer chamber 200 has an excessive developer introducing opening 201 disposed in substantially the same plane as the opening 100 of the developer receiving container 1. The opening 201 is closed by a lid 300 biased toward a closing direction (opening direction O for the lids 2, 4) by means of an elastic member 400, in a condition that the developer replenishing cartridge 3 is not mounted on the developer receiving container 1. In this embodiment, by the limitation of the dimension of the edge surface 31 to which the seal sheet 5 of the developer replenishing cartridge 3 is adhered ant of the developer supplying apparatus, when the developer replenishing cartridge 3 is mounted on the developer receiving container 1, the lid 300 is pushed and opened by the end portion 26 (in the closing direction) of the lid 2 in opposition to a biasing force of the elastic member (spring) 400. However, in such a condition, the lid 300 may remain to be closed. When the protruded portion 3b of the developer replenshing cartridge 3 is inserted between the guide 1a of the developer receiving container 1 and the lid 300, the protruded portion 3b contacts the lid 300 with a strength not to disturb the sliding the lid 300, while the upward movement of the protruded portion being limited by the guide 1a. When the developer is supplied from the developer replenishing cartridge, since the lid 2 is shifted in the opening direction O to release the urging force (via the end portion 26) against the lid 300, as shown in Fig. 15, the lid 300 is urged in the closing direction by the elastic member 400 to close the opening 201 of the buffer chamber 200 with contacting with the lower surface of the protruded portion 3b of the developer replenishing container 3a. In this condition, the developer overflowed from the developer receiving container 1 does not enter into the buffer chamber 200 and remains in the developer replenishing container 3a. In this condition, when the lid 2 forcibly closed, the end face 22 of the lid 2 engages with the projection 41 of the lid 4 to push the lid 4, with the result that the lids 2, 4 are advanced while pushing the developer aside by the projection 41. As shown in Fig. 16, immediately before the supply opening 30 of the developer replenishing container 3a is completely closed by the slide lid 4, the developer D has nowhere to go and is pressed together at the portion T, thus making the further closing movement of the lid 4 difficult. At this point, the end portion 26 (in the closing direction C) of the lid 2 starts to engage with the lid 300 to forcibly open the latter in opposition to the biasing force of the elastic member 400, with the result that, as shown in Fig. 17, the excessive developer at the portion T is pushed into the buffer chamber 200 through the opening 201 by the urging force of the lids 2, 4, thus ensuring the complete closing of the lid 4. Incidentally, in the illustrated embodiment, while the lid 300 was opened by urging it by the lid 2, a left extension may be formed on the lid 4 to open the lid 300 by urging the latter by the extension. A further embodiment is shown in Figs. 18 to 21. In this embodiment, a further opening 202 is formed in a bottom of the buffer chamber 200 to communicate with the interior of the developer receiving container 1. In Fig. 18, the buffer chamber 200 has the bottom opening 202. Further, in order to prevent the natural scattering of the developer from the buffer chamber 200 through the entrance (for the protruded portion 3b of the cartridge) of the recessed portion 14 of the container 1, an auxiliary lid 15 is pivotally mounted at the entrance. In a condition that the cartridge 3 is not mounted on the developer receiving container 1, the lid 15 is abutted against the end face 22 of the lid 2 by its own weight or by a coil spring and the like to close the entrance. The developer replenishing cartridge 3 is mounted on the developer receiving apparatus while opening the lid 15 by the protruded portion 3b, as shown in Fig. 19. As in the previous embodiment, the lid 300 can be forcibly opened by the lid 2. However, when the developer is being replenished, the lid 300 closes the opening 201 of the buffer chamber 200 via the biasing force of the spring or elastic member 400, as shown in Fig. 20. The replenishment of the developer into the developer receiving container 1 is effected in the same manner as the previous embodiment. The bottom opening 202 has a dimension so that the buffer chamber 200 is filled with the developer from the container 1 through the opening 202 during the replenishment of the developer. By the way, the end face 22 of the lid 2 has a convex wedged shape, and the projection 41 of the lid 4 includes an inner surface (to be engaged by the end face 22) having a complementary concave wedged shape. With this arrangement, since the inner surface of the projection 41 which is adapted to be engaged by the end face 22 of the lid 2 is tapered in the slide closing direction C, when the lid 2 is forcibly closed, the end face 22 thereof is closely contacted with the projection 41 of the lid 4, thus effectively preventing the developer from entering between the lids to avoid the contamination of the lits. Further, the free end of the lid 4 has a wedged configuration defined by the projection 41 and an additional projection 43, so that, when the lids 2, 4 are closed, the lids can easily push the developer aside. Further, the movement of the seal sheet 5 aids to reduce the resistance between the developer and the lid 4 when the lids 2, 4 are being closed while pushing the developer aside. As the further closing movement of the lids 2, 4 continues, immediately before the supply opening 30 of the developer replenishing cartridge 3 is completely closed by the lid 4, the lid 300 is forcibly opened by the end portion 26 of the lid 2, with the result that the excessive developer is pushed into the buffer chamber 200. Consequently, the opening 30 can be completely closed by the lid 4, as shown in Fig. 21. Further, as shown in Fig. 21, when the lid 4 is completely closed, the projection 43 of the lid 4 is fitted into a recess 3d formed in the flange portion of the cartridge container. Accordingly, after the cartridge 3 is dismounted from the developer receiving container 1, for example, even when the operator grips the protruded portion of the container 3a to suspend the container 3a laterally, since the projection 43 of the lid 4 is caught by a projection 3c defining the recess 3d of the container 3a, it is possible to prevent the lid 4 from sliding down or dropping out of the container 3a by its own weight. Incidentally, when the lid 4 is being opened or closed by the operator's manipulation, since the projection 43 can be elastically deformed downwardly by the abutment against the projection 3c to easily override the latter due to the elasticity of the lid 4 made of synthetic resin, the opening and closing movement of the lid is not obstructed. Incidentally, in the illustrated embodiment, while the projection 43 of the lid 4 was fitted into the recess 3d of the container 3a, a recess for receiving the projection 3c of the container 3a may be formed in the lid 4. When the developer in the developer receiving container 1 is used up and the developer in the container 1 leaves from the bottom opening 202, the developer entered into the buffer chamber 200 is sent to the container 1 to be used. Thus, the function or ability of the buffer chamber does not depend upon the volume of the buffer chamber, and, therefore, the buffer chamber can be used repeatedly. By the way, as shown in Fig. 22, the seal sheet 5 has a width W3 wider than a width of the supply opening 30 at a sheet section where it is adhered to the edge surface defining the opening 30 of the developer replenishing container 3a, and a width W4 narrower than the width W4 at a sheet section where it is drawn from the slide lid 4. The width W4 of the seal sheet is sufficiently narrow to permit the sheet to pass between two first grip portions 28 spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the lid 2, so that, when the lid 2 is being closed, the sheet 5 can be retracted into the lid 4 through between the first grip portions 28 of the lid 2. In this case, the operator may merely push the first grip portions 28 of the grip 2a in a direction shown by the arrows by his hand. Further, a second grip portion 27 is formed on the grip 2a between the first grip portions 28. The grip portion 27 has an inclined surface against which the depended seal sheet 5 is slidably contacted. The inclined surface is positioned below the first grip portions (pushing grip portions) 28 (see Fig. 23). Since the seal sheet 5 stripped during the developer replenishing operation is retracted into the developer replenishing cartridge via the inclined surface lower than the first pushing grip portions 28 of the lid 2 as the lid 2 is forcibly closed, the operability of the lid closing movement is improved. Incidentally, the operator may pull out the lid 2 by pulling the second grip portion 27.

Claims: A developer replenishment apparatus for an electrophotographic apparatus, said replenishment apparatus comprising: a developer receiving container (1) having a developer receiving opening, and a container lid (2) that may be slid to open and close the opening; and a developer cartridge (3) comprising a developer container (3a), a developer discharge opening (30) for discharge of the developer into the receiving container and which fits onto the developer receiving opening, a cartridge lid (4) slidably supported for movement across the developer discharge opening (30) between a first position in which the developer discharge opening (30) is covered and a second position in which the developer discharge opening (30) is uncovered, and a flexible film (5) that seals the developer discharge opening (30) and that can be pulled so as to peel the film from the opening (30) and fold it into engagement with the cartridge lid (4) which is movable from its first to its second position by pulling the film, return of the cartridge lid (4) from its second to its first position re-covering the opening (30) with the film (5) still being secured to said developer container (3a) at an end portion (31) thereof, characterised in that; (a) the container lid (2) is slidable open without bringing about movement of the cartridge lid (4); (b) the cartridge lid (4) is movable to its second position after the container lid (2) has been opened, and (c) the cartridge lid (4) is arranged when not at its first position to engage the container lid (2) during closing movement of the container lid (2) so that the cartridge lid (4) closes as the container lid (2) is closed. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cartridge lid (4) has a projection (41) that provides an abutment for the container lid (2), the projection (41) being located at an end of the cartridge lid (4) away from which the container lid (2) travels as it is opened. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cartridge opening (30) is rectangular when viewed in plan, and the container and cartridge lids (2, 4) are slidable in a direction parallel to the longer sides of the cartridge opening (30). The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the length (K 1 ) and width (W 1 ) of the container opening (100) are greater than the length (K 2 ) and the width (W 2 ) of the cartridge opening (30). The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the cartridge lid (4) is formed with a cavity (42) extending from one end of the lid to the other parallel to the plane of the lid for receiving the film member (5) from the opening (30) as cartridge lid (4) is moved to its second position. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein a gripper (6) is attached to the film (5). The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the gripper (6) is detachably connected to the cartridge (3), and the gripper (6) and container lid (2) have inter-engageable portions (62, 21) arranged so that opening of the container lid (2) detaches the gripper (6) from the cartridge (3). The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the gripper (6) is connected to the film (5) by a loose length of the film which is stored within the cartridge (3) until the gripper (6) becomes detached from the cartridge (3). The apparatus of any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the film (5) has a width (W 3 ) greater than the width of the developer discharge opening (30) except for a portion adjacent to the gripper (6) which portion has a width (W 4) narrower than the width of the cartridge opening (30). The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the cartridge further comprises projections (34) whose locations identify the developer present in the cartridge so that only the projections (34) of a cartridge containing the correct developer will fit into a corresponding recess (102) of the developer receiving container (1). The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the developer receiving container (1) further comprises an auxiliary chamber (200) having an opening (201) offset from the opening 100 of the receiving container (1) in the closing direction of the container and cartridge lids (2,4), said auxiliary chamber (200) being arranged to receive developer displaced by closing movement of the lids (2,4). The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary chamber (200) has a lid (300) resiliently biased so as to normally close an opening (201) of the auxiliary chamber, the lid (2) of the receiving container (1) being arranged to push the auxiliary container lid (300) open as the receiving container lid (2) is closed. The apparatus of claim 11 or 12, wherein the auxiliary chamber (200) has an opening (202) for passage of developer into the receiving container (1). The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the developer receiving container (1) has locking means (7) arranged (a) to lock the lid (2) of the developer receiving container (1) in its closed position in the absence of a cartridge (3), (b) when a cartridge (3) is mounted on the receiving container (1) to release the container lid (2) and (c) to lock the cartridge (3) against removal when the container lid (2) has moved away from its closed position. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the locking means is arranged to release the cartridge (3) on return of the container lid (2) to its closed position. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the container lid (2) is arranged to have a return movement from its open position to slightly beyond its closed position, said movement beyond the closed position releasing the locking means (7), resilient means (8, 9) being provided which biases the cartridge (3) away from the container (1) on release thereof, and means being provided for biasing the container lid (2) which has made the return movement slightly beyond its closed position to return to its closed position, so that the cartridge (3) becomes released only after the container lid (2) has made the return movement beyond its closed position, and the lid (2) becomes returned to the closed position after release of the cartridge (3). The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the container lid (2) is biased to its closed position by a portion (71) of the locking means (7) acting on a cam surface (25) of the lid (2). The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the container lid (2) is biased to its closed position by resilient means (10) in compression against an end of the lid (2). The apparatus of any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the cartridge (3) when mounted on the receiving container (1) is pivoted at one end of the container opening (100), and resilient means (9,8) biases the cartridge (3) to pivot upwards away from the receiving container (i) on return of the container lid (2) from its open to its closed position. A developer cartridge (3) for use in the developer replenishment apparatus of claim 1, said cartridge (3) comprising a developer container (3a) which has a developer discharge opening (30), a lid (4) slidably supported for movement across the opening (30) between a first position in which the opening (30) is covered and a second position in which the opening is exposed, and a flexible film (5) that seals the opening (30) and that can be pulled so as to peel the film from the opening (30) and fold it into engagement with the lid (4) which is movable from its first to its second position by pulling the film, return of the lid from its second to its first position re-covering the opening (30) with the film still being secured to said developer container (3a) at an end portion (31) thereof, characterised in that the lid (4) has a projection (41) on that face which is further from the developer container (3a), the projection extending away from the developer container (3a) out of the plane of the lid (4) and being located at an end portion of the lid (4) away from which the container lid (2) travels as it is opened, the projection (41) being arranged so that in use of the cartridge it provides an abutment for the container lid (2) during closing of the container lid (2) so that the cartridge lid (4) is returned to its first position as the container lid (2) is closed. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the developer discharge opening (30) is rectangular when viewed in plan and the cartridge lid (4) is slidable in a direction parallel to the sides of the developer discharge opening (30). The cartridge of claim 20 or 21, wherein the lid (4) is formed with a cavity (42) extending from one end of the lid to the other parallel to the plane of the lid for receiving the film member (5) from the opening (30) as the lid (4) is moved to its second position. The cartridge of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein a gripper (6) is attached to the film (5). The cartridge of claim 23, wherein the gripper (6) is detachably connected to the cartridge (3). The cartridge of claim 24, wherein the gripper (6) is connected to the film member (5) by a loose length of the film which is stored within the cartridge (3) until the gripper (6) becomes detached from the cartridge (3). The cartridge of claim 24 or 25, wherein the film (5) has a width (W 3 ) greater than the width of the developer discharge opening (30) except for a portion adjacent to the gripper (6) which portion has a width (W 4 ) narrower than the width of the cartridge opening (30). The cartridge of any of claims 20 to 26 further comprising projections (34) whose locations identify the developer present in the cartridge so that only the projections (34) of a cartridge containing the correct developer will fit into a corresponding recess (102) of the intended developer receiving container (1).

Inventors: YAMADA YOSHIHIKO, YAMADA, YOSHIHIKO, Yamada, Yoshihiko, c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G03G15
IPC codes: G03G15