Toner cartridge

Abstract: A toner cartridge is extractably set in a storing recess (500) of an image forming apparatus main body (G), and toner is supplemented to a specified part of the image forming apparatus main body (G). While the toner cartridge is brand-new, an inner seal member (30) peelably adhered to the lower surface of the toner cartridge main body (1) is closing the toner dropping opening (10a) of the lower surface. After setting the toner cartridge in the storing recess (500), by peeling off and taking up the inner seal member (30) by the take-up shaft (50), the toner dropping opening (10a) is released. An outer seal member (40) provided slidably along the lower surface of the toner cartridge main body (1) opens or closes the toner dropping opening (10a) beneath the inner seal member (30). When drawing out the toner cartridge main body (1) from the storing recess (500), outer seal member operating member (60) is engaged with engaging part (80) of the image forming apparatus main body (G), thereby automatically closing the outer seal member (40).

Description: The present invention relates to a toner refilling device for refilling a developing device with toner in an image forming apparatus such as electrostatic copier and facsimile apparatus. A toner cartridge generally comprises a storing case having a toner dropping opening in the lower surface and containing toner inside, and a sheet-form seal member closing the toner dropping opening being peelably adhered to the lower surface of the storing case. The toner cartridge is inserted and set in the storing recess of the image forming apparatus main body, and the seal member is peeled off. As a result, the toner dropping opening is opened, and the toner in the storing case drops in to refill the developing device of the image forming apparatus disposed beneath the storing case. When the toner in the developing device is spent up, the toner cartridge is drawn out of the storing recess, and a new toner cartridge is set in the storing recess, so that the used toner cartridge may be replaced with a new one. In the storing case of the spent toner cartridge, however, a slight amount of toner is left over, including the toner depositing on the seal member. When drawing out the spent toner cartridge from the storing recess, the remaining toner drops from the toner dropping opening, and the dropping toner scatters about inside and outside the image forming apparatus main body. To avoid this, a toner cartridge has been provided with a slit for inserting the seal member in when stripping off seal member (Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Hei. 3-86371). In this toner cartridge, when the seal member passes through the slit, the toner depositing on the upper surface of the seal member is scraped off by the slit. In this toner cartridge, however, since the slit itself is opened to the outside, when drawing out the spent toner cartridge from the storing recess, the toner depositing on the slip drops and scatters. Another, toner cartridge has been presented (Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Hei. 3-56951), in which a cleaning compartment is provided adjacently to the end of the storing case, and a cleaning roller for cleaning the toner depositing on the upper surface of the seal member when peeling off the seal member is provided in this cleaning compartment. In this toner cartridge, same as in the toner cartridge disclosed in the Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Hei. 3-86371, when drawing out the spent toner cartridge, the toner depositing on the slit may scatter. The United States Patent US-A-4,799,608 discloses a toner cartridge for storing toner therein and having an opening for discharge of the toner, the opening being covered by a seal member. The seal member has a first portion adhered to the container for closing the opening and a second portion turned under and extending below and along the first portion. Take up means tear off the first portion from the container by drawing up the second portion. A protective cover is mounted on the container to be slidably movable below the opening, such that the opening can be covered again after the toner has been discharged before removal of the cartridge from a copy machine. It is the object of the present invention to provide a toner refilling device by which an unexpected or inadvertent opening of the cartridge is prevented and by which toner scatter during the refill operation is reliably prevented. In accordance with the present invention, a toner refilling device for refilling an image forming apparatus is provided as defined in Claim 1. Embodiments of the toner refilling device are defined in the Claims 2 to 23. The refilling device is adapted such that the take up means for peeling of a sealed member cannot be activated unless the device is fully inserted in the image forming machine. Since the take up means cannot be activated outside of the copy apparatus, inadvertent peeling off of the seal member is avoided as well as undesired scatter of toner inside or outside of the machine. Description of the Drawings Figures 1A and 1B are sectional views showing the mounting of a toner cartridge in the storage recess of an image forming apparatus. Figures 2A and 2B are sectional views showing the sequential steps of peeling off the inner seal member of the toner cartridge. Figures 3A and 3B are sectional views showing the sequential steps of drawing out the spent toner cartridge from the storage recess. Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view showing the condition just before completion of withdrawal. Figure 5 is a general perspective view of a toner cartridge main body. Figure 6 is a perspective exploded view of a toner cartridge main body. Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of a driving force transmitting mechanism in a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a sectional view of the driving mechanism showing the condition of the drive coupling shaft being about to be coupled with the take up shaft in cooperation with the closing action of the lid. Figure 9 is a sectional view of the driving mechanism showing the condition of the drive coupling shaft when coupled to the take up shaft. Figure 10 is a sectional view of the driving mechanism corresponding to the condition shown in Figure 7. Figure 11 is a sectional view of the driving mechanism corresponding to the condition shown in Figure 9. Figure 12 is a sectional view showing the sequential steps and corresponding to the condition shown in Figure 9. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a toner refilling device according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing the condition in which the toner cartridge is set. Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of a toner refilling device according to a further embodiment of the invention. Figures 16A and 16B are schematic sectional views of a toner refilling device according to a further embodiment of the invention, where Figure 16A shows the condition before setting the toner cartridge and Figure 16B shows the set condition. Figure 17 is a schematic view of a toner refilling device according to another embodiment. Figures 18A, 18B and 18C are sectional views of a toner refilling device according to another embodiment, where Figure 18A shows the condition beforre setting the toner cartridge, Figure 18B shows the condition in which the cartridge is set and Figure 18C shows the condition after completing take up of the seal member. Figures 19A and 19B are schematic views of a toner refilling device according to a further embodiment, where Figure 19A shows the condition before setting the toner cartridge and Figure 19B shows the condition after having set the toner cartridge. Figures 20A and 20B are schematic views of further toner refilling device in another embodiment, where Figure 28 shows the condition before setting the toner cartridge and Figure 20B shows the condition after the toner cartridge is set. Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view of a toner refilling device according to a further embodiment. Before discussing preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, the following description is given of the general structure and operation of a toner cartridge for use in refilling an image forming apparatus. This discussion given in conjunction with Figures 1 to 6 is given by way of illustration, but does not include the essential features of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Fig. 1A shows the state of introduction of front end of a toner cartridge TC into a storing recess 500 provided in an image forming apparatus main body G. Referring to Fig. 1A, this toner cartridge TC comprises i) a toner cartridge main body 1 of double container type consisting of an inner container 10 containing toner T, and an outer container 20 containing the inner container 10, ii) toner dropping openings 10a, 20a formed respectively in the inner container 10 and outer container 20, iii) an inner seal member 30 in sheet form for covering the toner dropping opening 10a of the inner container 10, being peelably adhered to the lower surface of the inner container 10, iv) an outer seal member 40 in sheet form for opening and closing the toner dropping opening 20a of the outer container, v) a take-up shaft 50 as take-up means for taking up the inner seal member 30 while being peeled off from the inner container 10 as shown in Fig. 2B as required, and vi) a slide member 60 for presenting outer seal member operating means for opening and closing the toner dropping opening 20a of the outer container 30 by the outer seal member 40, by sliding along the lower surface of the outer container 20, with one end of the outer seal member 40 in fixed state. The take-up shaft 50 is designed to be driven by a hand-turning handle H as the external driving member, through a drive force transmitting mechanism 90 provided in the image forming apparatus main body G as shown in Fig. 24. As shown in Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, the toner cartridge main body 1 is moved in and out of the storing recess 500 along its longitudinal direction. In the bottom near the inlet in the storing recess 500, there is a slide member moving member 80 for opening and closing the outer seal member 40 as being engaged with the slide member 60. The outer seal member 40 is moved to the closing position shown in Fig.1A and the opening position shown in Fig. 2A, along with the relative move of the slide member 60 engaged with the slide member moving member 80, to the toner cartridge main body 1. In this toner cartridge TC, in the unused state, the outer seal member 40 is set in the closed state. The slide member 60 automatically releases the outer seal member 40, depending on the insertion action of the toner cartridge TC, as sequentially shown in Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B, and Fig. 2A. The slide member 60 also automatically closes the outer seal member 40, depending on the drawing action of the toner cartridge TC, as sequentially shown in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B. The two ends of the toner cartridge main body TC in the longitudinal direction are referred to as lead-in end la and drawing end 1b, respectively. Toner Cartridge Main Body Referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the toner cartridge main body 1 is explained below. First, referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the outer container 20 is divided into upper and lower halves, an upper casing 200 and a lower casing 250. The both casings 200, 250 are mutually fitted and fixed. Besides, the both casings 200, 250 are fixed in the state of positioning the inner container 10, by inserting a tongue of the inner container 20 into their fitting parts. The upper casing 200 and lower casing 250 are formed in one body by resin. Referring to Fig. 1A, the inner container 10 is also formed in one body by resin, and a plug 106 is thermally fused to a toner feed tube 105 formed on the inner container 10. Referring to Fig. 1A, the upper surface 101 of the inner container 10, and the upper surface 201 of the upper casing 200 of the outer container 20 are parallel at a specific interval. Between these upper surfaces 101, 201, there is a storing space 70 for storing a part of the outer seal member 40 in a nearly upright state as shown in Fig. 2A when required. When the toner dropping opening 20a of the outer container 20 is released by the outer seal member 40, a part of the outer seal member 40 is guided by the take-up shaft 50 while being turned upside down, and is stored in the storing space 70. The storing space 70 is formed between the upper surface 101 of the inner container 10, and the upper surface 201 of the upper casing 200 of the outer container 20, and the outer seal member 40 is guided by the upper surfaces 101, 201 and take-up shaft 50, and therefore the number of parts may be saved as compared with the case of installing guide member separately, and the manufacturing cost can be lowered. Moreover, a part of the outer seal member 40 releasing the toner dropping opening 20a of the outer container 20 is stored in a nearly upright state as shown in Fig. 2A. Therefore when an outer seal member 40 of high rigidity is employed, bending marks are not formed on the outer seal member 40. By such outer seal 40 without bending marks, the toner dropping opening 20a of the outer container is closed, and the sealing is secure, so that toner scattering may be prevented securely. The Figs. 7 to 12 show a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the route cut-off means comprise a lock member 93. Fig. 7 to Fig. 9 are schematic sectional views sequentially showing the steps of coupling the drive coupling shaft 91 to the take-up shaft along with the closing action of the lid 510. Fig. 10 to Fig. 12 are schematic sectional views corresponding to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9, respectively. With reference to these diagrams, the driving force transmission mechanism 90 is explained. The driving force transmission mechanism 90 is disposed on the side surface 500c near the inlet of the storing recess 500. The driving force transmission mechanism 90 comprises the drive coupling shaft 91 coupled detachably to the take-up shaft 50, a compression coil spring 92 as thrusting means for thrusting the drive coupling shaft 91 in the axial direction, a lock member 93 for holding the drive coupling shaft 91 in the specified position, a torsion spring 94 as thrusting means for thrusting the lock member 93 in the locked state, and a lock member driving part 95 provided in the back side of the lid 510 for unlocking the lock member 93. The drive coupling shaft 91 is free to move in the axial direction between the coupling position (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 12 of the take-up shaft 50 inserted in the drive coupling recess 50e, in the state of advancing into the storing recess 500, and the disengaging position (see Fig. 7 and Fig. 10) for clearing the coupling as retreating from the storing recess 500. Referring to Fig. 7, in the middle part of the drive coupling shaft 91, a flange 91c moving in the axial direction together with the drive coupling shaft 91 is formed. The rear end of the drive coupling shaft 91 is projecting outward from the image forming apparatus main body G. Referring to Fig. 9, by inserting and coupling the coupling protrusion H1 of the hand turning handle H into the coupling recess 91b formed in this rear end, the take-up shaft 50 is driven through the hand turning handle H and coupling drive shaft 91. As mentioned above, the flat part 91a to be engaged with the flat part 50f formed in the drive coupling recess 50e is formed at the front end of the drive coupling shaft 91. The mutually engaged flat parts 50f, 91a compose the torque transmission surface. Referring to Fig. 7, the compression coil spring 92 is interspaced between the inner surface of the image forming apparatus main body G and the flange 91c of the drive coupling shaft 91, and thrusts the drive coupling shaft 91 to the coupling position (the take-up shaft 50 side). The lock member 93 is composed of a plate member rotatably fitted around the shaft 93a mounted on the image forming apparatus main body G. The base end of the lock member 93 is rotatably supported by the shaft 93a. The lock member 93, of which front end abuts against the front end of the drive coupling shaft 91, is free to rotate about the shaft 93a, between the lock position (see Fig. 7 and Fig. 10) for holding the drive coupling shaft 91 in the disengaging position, and the unlocking position (see Fig. 9 and Fig. 12). Referring to Fig. 10, the torsion spring 94 is wound around the shaft 93a, and its one end is hooked on the shaft 96 fixed on the image forming apparatus main body G, while the other end is hooked on the hook hole 93b provided in the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the lock member 93. This torsion spring 94 thrusts the lock member 93 to the lock position (in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 8). Referring to Fig. 10, the lock member driving part 95 is in a plate form, and is projecting to the rear side of the lid 510. This lock member driving part 95 moves the lock member 93 from the lock position shown in Fig. 25 to the unlocking position shown in Fig. 12 in cooperation with the closing action of the lid 510 sequentially shown in Fig. 10 to Fig. 12. The lock member driving part 95 also possesses an insertion hole 95a for inserting the coupling drive shaft 91 with the lock member 93 moved to the unlocking position. The operation of the driving force transmission mechanism 90 is explained below. As shown in Fig. 2A, when the toner cartridge TC is set in the storing recess 500 of the image forming apparatus main body G, the take-up shaft 50 is introduced to the position confronting the front end of the drive coupling shaft 91. In this state, by the lock member 93 in the lock position shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 10, the drive coupling shaft 91 is held in the disengaged position. When the lid 510 is closed, as sequentially shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, and in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the lock member driving part 95 provided on the lid 510 draws away the lock member 93 to the unlocking position shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 12, in cooperation with the closing action of the lid 510. As a result, the coupling drive shaft 91 thrust by the compression spring 92 penetrates through the insertion hole 95a of the lock member driving part 95, and is coupled with the drive coupling recess 50e of the take-up shaft 50 of the toner cartridge TC. Consequently, it is possible to drive the take-up shaft 50 by the handle H. Thus, in cooperation with the closing action of the lid 510, driving and coupling to the take-up shaft 50 is effected, and driving and coupling is not effected unless the lid 510 is closed. Therefore, unless the lid 510 is closed, the inner seal member 30 is not peeled off, so that toner scatter may be securely prevented. Besides, with the lid 510 closed, the drive coupling shaft 91 in the coupling position penetrates through the insertion hole 95a of the lock member driving part 95, and by this drive coupling shaft 91, opening of the lid 510 is blocked through the lock member driving part 95. Therefore, with the drive coupling shaft 91 coupled to the drive coupling recess 50e of the toner cartridge TC, opening of the lid 510 is prevented, so that toner scatter may be prevented more securely. Moreover, by picking the rear end of the drive coupling shaft 91 by finger, and moving to the right in Fig. 9 by resisting the compression coil spring 92, it is set aside to the disengaging position shown in Fig. 7, and only when the take-up shaft 50 is set in a drive prohibited state, the toner cartridge TC can be drawn out from the storing recess. Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 are schematic diagrams showing a toner refilling device in another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 13 shows the state before the toner cartridge TC is set in the storing recess 500 of the image forming apparatus main body G, and Fig. 14 shows the complete setting state. The toner cartridge TC has an approximately L-shaped section in a plan view, and comprises i) a toner cartridge main body 1 containing the toner, ii) a toner dropping opening 2 provided in the bottom la of the toner cartridge main body 1, iii) a seal member 3 in a sheet form for closing the toner dropping opening, being peelably adhered to the lower surface of the toner cartridge main body 1 in fresh state of the toner cartridge TC, iv) a take-up shaft 4 as-take-up means for fixing one end 3a of the seal member 3, peeling off the seal member 3, and taking it up, and v) driving force transmitting means for transmitting the driving force of a driver 7 as an external driving member to the take-up shaft 4. The driving force transmitting means 5 comprises a driving gear member 5A coupled with the driver 7, and a worm wheel 5B for presenting a driven gear member that can rotate together with the take-up shaft 4. The driving gear member 5A consists of a disk 5A1 forming a fitting groove 5A4 as the drive coupling recess to be coupled with the driver 7, a worm shaft 5A2 fixing the disk 5A1 rotatably together at one end, and a worm 5A3 coaxially fixed on the worm shaft 5A2. The worm wheel 5B as the driven gear member is engaged with the worm 5A3, and is fixed coaxially at one end of the take-up shaft 4. The fitting groove 5A4 is a cross groove for fitting the driver 7 and is formed in the central part of the end of the disk 5A1. In the portion confronting the disk 5A1 of the withdrawal side end 1b of the toner cartridge main body 1, a driving member insertion hole 1c is formed for driving and coupling the driver 7 to the fitting groove 5A4 of the disc 5A1, as required, by inserting the driver 7 from outside of the toner cartridge main body 1. What is characteristic of this embodiment is that a shutter member S composed of a sheet member is provided in the toner cartridge main body 1 as route cut-off means for opening and closing the driving member insertion hole 1c. A push rod 110 is provided in the insertion hole 1c. A push rod 110 is provided in the storing recess 500 as the releasing means for pushing and releasing the shutter member S. The shutter member S runs along the inner side of the toner cartridge main body 1 in a ladle shape, with one end fixed at the inner side of the toner cartridge main body 1 (hereinafter this fixed end is called the restricted end RE). The other part remains in a slidable state along the inner side of the toner cartridge main body 1. The other end of the shutter member S (hereinafter called the free end FE) is usually closing the driving member insertion hole 1c of the toner cartridge main body 1, but releases the driving member insertion hole 1c along with the sliding motion. The toner cartridge main body 1 has first to third guide pins P1 to P3 for guiding the slide of the shutter member S against the inner side of the toner cartridge main body 1; the pins located at three bent positions of the shutter member S in a ladle shape. In the toner cartridge main body 1, there is a space 8 for deflecting the shutter member S inward between the first guide pin P1 and second guide pin P2, and a push rod lead-in opening le for leading the push rod 110 into the space 8 is formed in the back side 1d of the toner cartridge main body 1. According to this embodiment, when the toner cartridge TC is inserted into the storing recess 500 of the image forming apparatus, as shown in Fig. 14, the push rod 110 deflects the shutter member S upon completion of setting, and the free end FE of the shutter member S slides and releases the driving member insertion hole 1c. As a result, the driver 7 can be coupled with the fitting groove 5A4 of the disk 5A1 through the driving member insertion hole 1c. That is, unless the toner cartridge TC is set completely in the storing recess 500, the seal member 3 cannot be peeled off, so that scattering of toner due to unexpected opening of the toner cartridge TC may be securely prevented. The embodiment shown in Fig. 15 is a modified example of the previous embodiment. In this embodiment the free end FE of the shutter member S is thrust in the direction of closing the driving member insertion hole 1c, by the tension coil spring 9 as thrusting means, interspaced between the free end FE of the shutter member S and the engaging part of the toner cartridge main body 1. The other constitution is same as previously and the same reference numbers are used in the drawing and the explanation is omitted. According to the embodiment, the driving member insertion hole 1c can be closed when drawing out the toner cartridge TC from the storing recess 500. Therefore, if the toner cartridge TC is once set, and immediately removed and set again, unnecessary release of the toner cartridge TC may be prevented at the time of setting again. Fig. 16A and Fig. 16B relate to a further embodiment of the invention. Referring to these diagrams, what is characteristic of this embodiment is that the drive transmission route is cut off by sliding the driving gear member 5A to the position for canceling the engagement with the worm wheel 5B as the driven gear member. In this embodiment, the route cut-off means is composed of the sliding driving gear member 5A. The driving gear member 5A is supported by the toner cartridge main body 1, in a manner free to slide between the engaging position with the worm wheel 5B as the driven gear member (see Fig. 16A), and the engagement clearing position (see Fig. 16B). The driving gear member 5A consists of a worm shaft 5A2, and a worm 5A3 coaxially fixed nearly to the central position of the worm shaft 5A2. At one end of the worm shaft 5A2, a fitting hole 5A5 is provided as a drive coupling recess that can be fitted with the coupling protrusion H1 of the hand turning handle H as driving member, while a flange 5A6 is provided at the other end. The toner cartridge main body 1 is furnished with an elastic rib 1f as thrusting means for thrusting the driving gear member 5A to the engagement clearing position. This elastic rib lf thrusts the driving gear member 5A to the position for clearing engagement through the flange 5A6. On the other hand, in the storing recess 500 of the image forming apparatus main body G, as shown in Fig. 16B, there is provided a protrusion 120 for presenting operating means for moving the driving gear member 5A to the engaging position, by pushing the flange 5A6 of the driving gear member 5A, upon completion of setting of the toner cartridge TC in the storing recess 500. The other constitution is same as the embodiment shown in Fig. 13, and the explanation is omitted. According to this embodiment, while the toner cartridge is in fresh state, the driving gear member 5A is held in the position avoiding engagement with the worm wheel 5B by the elastic rib 1f as shown in Fig. 16A. Therefore, while the toner cartridge TC is not set in the storing recess 500 of the image forming apparatus main body G, undesired peeling of the seal member 3 is avoided. As a result, toner scatter can be securely prevented. On the other hand, when the toner cartridge TC is set in the storing recess 500, the protrusion 120 of the storing recess 500 moves the driving gear member 5A to the engaging position as shown in Fig. 16B, so that the seal member 3 can be taken up. Fig. 17 shows a modified example, where instead of the elastic rib 1f used previously, a compression coil spring 5C is interspaced between the worm 5A3 and inner surface of toner cartridge main body 1 Fig. 18A to Fig. 18C relate to a further different modified example where the driving gear member 5A is held in the engagement clearing position by the thrusting means. As shown in Fig. 18A, by using a wedge protrusion 5A7 provided at a position closer to the flange 5A6 than the worm 5A3 of the worm shaft 5A2, the driving gear member 5A is held in the engagement clearing position. On the worm shaft 5A2, other wedge protrusion 5A8 is provided at the position closer to the flange 5A6 than the wedge protrusion 5A7. According to this embodiment, while the toner cartridge TC is not set in the storing recess 500 of the image forming apparatus main body G, as shown in Fig. 18A, the wedge protrusion 5A7 abuts against the right side peripheral part of the worm shaft support hole lg of the toner cartridge main body 1, and accordingly the driving gear member 5A is held in the engagement clearing position. Therefore, the take-up shaft 4 cannot be driven. When setting the toner cartridge TC in the storing recess 500 of the image forming apparatus main body G, the protrusion 120 pushes the flange 5A6, and penetrates the wedge protrusion 5A7 leftward into the worm shaft support hole 1g. In the complete setting state of the toner cartridge, as shown in Fig. 18B, the driving gear member 5A is moved to the position to be engaged with the worm wheel 5B. As a result, it is ready to take up, and the driving gear member 5A is driven by the handle H, and the seal member can be taken up on the take-up shaft 4. In the state shown in Fig. 18B, incidentally, the other wedge protrusion 5A8 abuts against the right side peripheral edge of the worm shaft support hole 1g, and the driving gear member 5A is held in the engagement position by a specified holding force. When take-up of the seal member 3 by the take-up shaft is over, the worm wheel 5A3 is in locked state, and even after the locked state, by turning the driving gear member 5A continuously by the handle H, the driving gear member 5A receives a driving reaction from the worm wheel 5B. By this driving reaction, if it exceeds the holding force by the wedge protrusion 5A8, the driving gear member 5A is moved to the left in the axial direction as shown in Fig. 18C, to a position avoiding engagement. In this state, the wedge protrusion 5A8 is penetrating through the worm shaft support hole 1g, and the wedge protrusion 5A8 prevents the driving gear member 5A from being to the engagement position as shown in Fig. 18B. Therefore, instead of completion of take-up of the seal member 3, if the handle H is turned continuously, the toner cartridge main body 1 will not be broken. Besides, due to sudden rise of the rotation load of the handle H, completion of take-up is noticed to the operator, so that occurrence of breakage may be prevented. Fig. 19A and Fig. 19B relate to a further embodiment. In the embodiment in Fig. 16A, by the move of the driving gear member 5A, the engagement with the worm wheel 5b as the driven gear member is cleared, whereas in this embodiment, by the move of the driving gear member 5A, coupling of the driving gear member 5A and the handle H is disabled. Referring to Fig. 19A and Fig. 19B, the driving gear member 5A is supported by the toner cartridge main body 1 so as to be capable of sliding between the position to be coupled with the hand turning handle H as shown in Fig. 19A, and the position disabled to be coupled as shown in Fig. 19B. The driving gear member 5A is, at whichever position, engaged with the worm wheel 5B. the driving gear member 5A is thrust at a position disabled to be coupled by the compression coil spring 5C. In this embodiment, unnecessary opening of the toner cartridge main body 1 is prevented, and toner scatter can be securely prevented. Fig. 20A and Fig. 20B show a modified embodiment wherein the fitting hole 5A5 for fitting the handle H is not formed unless the toner cartridge TC is set in the storing recess 500 of the image forming apparatus main body G. The driving gear member 5A is composed of a box body with the square section hole 5D to be supported penetrating in the axial direction. On the outer circumference of the right side of the driving gear member 5A from the middle part in the axial direction, a worm 5A3 is formed, as being engaged with a worm wheel as driven gear member not shown in the drawing. At the right end of the driving gear member 5A, a flange 5A9 to abut against the protrusion 120 is formed. In the hole to be supported 5D, a square section support member lh rotatably supported by a rib 1i of the toner cartridge main body 1 is penetrating. Accordingly, the driving gear member 5A can rotate together with the support member 1h, and is free to slide in the axial direction as mentioned above. The driving gear member 5A slides in the axial direction, and moves relatively leftward of the support member 1h, and a part of the hole to be supported 5D is opened, and the fitting hole 5A5 into the handle H is formed. While the toner cartridge TC is not set in the image forming apparatus main body G, as shown in Fig. 20A, the driving gear member 5A thrust by the compression coil spring 5C is moved to the right, and the hole to be supported 5D is closed by the support member 1h. In this embodiment, too, the drive transmission route can be cut off when not required, and unnecessary take-up of the seal member can be prevented. Fig. 21 shows a further embodiment wherein, the worm wheel 5B as the driven gear member rotating together with the take-up shaft 4 is provided on the toner cartridge main body 1, and the driving gear member 5A to be engaged with the worm wheel 5B is provided on the image forming apparatus main body G. Therefore, only when the toner cartridge TC is set in the storing recess 500, the both gear members 5A, 5B are engaged with each other so that the seal member can be taken up. In this embodiment, the route cut-off means is composed of both gear members 5A, 5B. In this embodiment, too, unnecessary take-up of the seal member 3 can be prevented, so that scatter of toner can be prevented securely. The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but, for example, the gear mechanism included in the driving force transmitting means 5 may be realized by worm gear mechanism, screw gear mechanism, other skew gear mechanism, bevel gear mechanism, or other crossed shaft gear mechanism. In addition, the toner cartridge main body 1 may be composed in a double container structure as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and the outer seal member 40 and slide member 60 may be provided.

Claims: A toner refilling device for refilling an image forming apparatus container with toner from a toner cartridge (TC), the toner cartridge (TC) being detachably displaceable in a storing recess (500) of an image forming apparatus main body (G), said device comprising: a toner cartridge main body (1) containing toner and having a toner dropping opening (10a) in the lower surface thereof, a seal member (3) in sheet form for closing said toner dropping opening (10a), said seal member (3) being peelably adhered to the lower surface of said toner cartridge main body (1), take-up means (4) provided inside said toner cartridge main body (1) for exposing said toner dropping opening (10a) by taking up while peeling off said seal member (3), driving force transmitting means (5) for transmitting a driving force to said take-up means (4), characterized by said driving force transmitting means (5) comprising a drive coupling part (5A4), which can be coupled to an external driving member (7) for supplying said driving force, route cut-off means (S) for cutting off a driving force transmitting route from the driving member (7) to the take-up means (4) through said driving force transmitting means (5), said cut-off means (S) adapted to activate said driving force transmitting route only when the toner cartridge is inserted in the storing recess (500). A toner refilling device of Claim 1, further comprising: releasing means (110) for activating said cut-off means (S) thereby opening the driving force transmitting route, wherein: i) said driving force transmitting means (5) is disposed in said toner cartridge main body (1), and ii) said toner cartridge main body (1) has a driving member insertion hole (lc) for coupling the driving member (7) with said drive coupling part (5A4) by insertion from the outside of said toner cartridge main body (1) when required, and iii) said route cut-off means comprises a shutter member (S) adapted for opening and closing said driving member insertion hole (lc), and being set in a closed state when the toner cartridge is new, and iv) said releasing means (110) is disposed on the image forming apparatus main body (G) so as to retract said shutter member (S) upon completion of setting of the toner cartridge in the storing recess (500). A toner refilling device of Claim 2, wherein the shutter member (S) comprises: a sheet member (S) having a restricted end (RE) fixed to said toner cartridge main body (1), and a free end (FE) for opening said driving member insertion hole (1c) by sliding along the inner surface of said toner cartridge main body (1), and said releasing means comprises a push rod (110) for deflecting a part of said sheet member (S) upon completion of setting of the toner cartridge in the storing recess (500). A toner refilling device of Claim 3, further comprising urging means (9) for urging said free end (FE) of the sheet member (S) in the direction of closing said driving member insertion hole (1c), said urging means (9) being disposed between said free end (FE) of the sheet member (S) and the specified part of said toner cartridge main body (1). A toner refilling device of Claim 1, further comprising releasing means (120) for activating said cut-off means thereby opening the driving force transmitting route, wherein said driving force transmitting means (5) is disposed in said toner cartridge main body (1), and comprises a driven gear member (5B) rotatable with said take-up means (4), and a driving gear member (5A) composing said route cut-off means and being movable between an engaging position with the driven gear member (5B) and a disengaging position, and wherein said releasing means comprises operating means (120) on the image forming apparatus main body (G) for moving the driving gear member (5A) to the engaging position upon completion of setting of the toner cartridge in the storing recess (500). A toner refilling device of Claim 5, further comprising holding means (1f) for holding the driving gear member (5A) at the disengaging position. A toner refilling device of Claim 6, wherein said holding means comprises urging means (1f). A toner refilling device of Claim 7, wherein said urging means comprises an elastic rib (1f) formed in the toner cartridge main body (1). A toner refilling device of Claim 7, wherein said urging means comprises a coil spring (5C) interposed between said toner cartridge main body (1) and said driving gear member (5A). A toner refilling device of Claim 6, wherein said holding means comprises a wedge protrusion (5A7) engaged with an insertion hole (1g) of said toner cartridge main body (1) with a predetermined engaging force, said protrusion (5A7) being disposed on a gear shaft of said driving gear member (5A). A toner refilling device of Claim 10, wherein the gear shaft (5A2) of said driving gear member (5A) is provided with a second wedge protrusion (5A8) to be engaged with said insertion hole (1g) of said toner cartridge main body (1) with a predetermined engaging force, wherein, when taking up by said take-up means (4), an axial movement of said gear shaft (5A2) caused by the driving reaction of said driving gear member (5A) is restrained by the second wedge protrusion (5A8), and wherein, when the driving reaction increases due to the rotation of the driving gear member (5A) being restrained at the end of take-up of the seal member (3), the engagement of the second wedge protrusion (5A8) releases, thereby moving the driving gear member (5A) in the axial direction, and cancelling the engagement of the driving gear member (5A) and the driven gear member (5B). A toner refilling device of Claim 1, further comprising releasing means (120) for activating said cut-off means thereby opening the driving force transmitting route, wherein: i) said driving force transmitting means (5) includes a member (5A) forming said drive coupling part (5A5) and composing said route cut-off means, said member (5A) being movable between a coupling position of the drive coupling part (5A5) with the external driving member (H) and a non-coupling position, and ii) said releasing means comprises operating means (120) on the image forming apparatus main body (G) for moving the member (5A) forming the drive coupling part (5A5) to the coupling position, upon completion of setting of the toner cartridge in the storing recess (500). A toner refilling device of Claim 12, further comprising holding means (5C) for holding the member (5A) forming said drive coupling part at the non-coupling position. A toner refilling device of Claim 13, wherein said holding means composes urging means (5C). A toner refilling device of Claim 14, wherein said urging means composes an elastic rib (1f) formed in said toner cartridge main body (1). A toner refilling device of Claim 14, wherein said urging means composes a coil spring (5C). A toner refilling device of Claim 1, wherein said driving force transmitting means (5) includes a pair of members forming said drive coupling part, said members comprising: a first member (5A) having an insertion hole (5D), and a second member (1h) movable in the axial direction relatively to said first member (5A), said second member (1h) being inserted in said insertion hole (5D) of said first member (5A), wherein said first member (5A) and second member (lh) form said drive coupling part (5A5) when moved relatively in axial direction. A toner refilling device of Claim 17, wherein said drive coupling part (5A5) is composed of said insertion hole (5D) of said first member (5A). A toner refilling device of Claim 17, wherein said drive coupling part (5A5) is composed of the front end of said second member (lh), while projecting from said insertion hole (5D) of said first member (5A). A toner refilling device of Claim 1, wherein the driving force transmitting means (5) comprises: a driven side gear member (5B) rotatable together with the take-up means (4) and being provided in said toner cartridge main body (1), and a driving gear member (5A) engageable with the driven gear member (5B) in a state of setting the toner cartridge in the storing recess (500), said driving gear member (5A) being provided in the image forming apparatus main body (G), wherein said route cut-off means is composed of both the driven gear member (5B) and driving gear member (5A). A toner refilling device of Claim 1, further comprising releasing means (90) for activating the cut-off means thereby opening the driving force transmitting route, wherein said driving force transmitting means (5) includes a member (91) forming a drive coupling part (91a) to the take-up means (50), said member (91) being movable between a coupling position of the drive coupling part (91a) with said take-up means (50), and a non-coupling position, and said releasing means comprises interlocking means (90) for moving the member (91) to the coupling position, in cooperation with a closing action of a lid (510) for opening and closing an inlet of the storing recess (500) of the image forming apparatus main body (G). A toner refilling device of Claim 21, wherein said interlocking means (90) comprises: first urging means (92) for urging said member (91) forming said drive coupling part to the coupling position, a lock member (93), composing the route cut-off means, being movable between a locking position for holding said member (91) at the non-coupling position by advancement to a location between said member (91) and said take-up means (50), and an unlocking position, second urging means (94) for urging said lock member (93) to the locking position, and a lock member driving part (95) for moving said lock member (93) to the unlocking position, in cooperation with the closing action of the lid (510), said driving part (95) being provided in the lid (510). A toner refilling device of Claim 22, wherein said lock member driving part (95) is provided with an insertion hole (95a) for inserting therein said member (91) forming said drive coupling part, when said lock member (93) is moved to the unlocking position.

Inventors: KAMIDAIRA KAZUYA, KUSUDA TOSHIAKI, MAKIE IKUO, OKAMOTO EIJI, TANAKA YOSHIHISA, KAMIDAIRA, KAZUYA, KUSUDA, TOSHIAKI, MAKIE, IKUO, OKAMOTO, EIJI, TANAKA, YOSHIHISA, Kamidaira, Kazuya, c/o Mita Industrial Co., Ltd., Kusuda, Toshiaki, c/o Mita Industrial Co., Ltd., Makie, Ikuo, c/o Mita Industrial Co., Ltd., Okamoto, Eiji, c/o Mita Industrial Co., Ltd., TANAKA, YOSHIHISA, C/O MITA INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Applicants: MITA INDUSTRIAL CO LTD, MITA INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G03G15
IPC codes: G03G15