Patent ID: 12204272

Parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.3show a developer receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1, in which part (a) is a perspective view thereof, and part (b) is a cross-sectional view thereof.

Parts (a), (b) and (c) ofFIG.4show a developer receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1, in which part (a) is an enlarged partial perspective view thereof, part (b) is an enlarged cross sectional view thereof, and part (c) is a perspective view of a developer receiving portion.

Parts (a), (b) and (c) ofFIG.5show a developer supply container according to Embodiment 1, in which part (a) is a partially cut-away perspective view, part (b) is a cross-sectional view thereof around a flange portion, and (c) is a front elevational view thereof as viewed from a front side.

FIG.6is a perspective view of the container main body of the developer supply container according to Embodiment 1.

Parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.7show a flange portion in Embodiment 1, in which part (a) is a perspective view thereof, and (b) is a bottom view thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.8are side views of the engaging portion according to Embodiment 1, in which part (a) shows the contact angle on the downstream side in the mounting direction, and part (b) shows the contact angle on the upstream side in the mounting direction.

Parts (a), (b), (c) and (d) ofFIG.9illustrate the relationship between the engaged portion (portion to be engaged) and the engaging portion according to Embodiment 1, in which part (a) shows the relationship before the start of engagement, part (b) shows the relationship at the start of engagement, part (c) shows the relationship during engagement, part (d) shows the relationship when a receiving opening is in communication with the opening.

Parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.10show the shutter according to Embodiment 1, in which part (a) is a top view, and part (b) is a perspective view.

Parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.11show the pump according to Embodiment 1, in which part (a) is a perspective view, and part (b) is a side view.

Parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.12show the reciprocating member according to Embodiment 1, in which part (a) is a perspective view, part (b) is a perspective view as viewed from the opposite side of part (a).

Parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.13show the cover according to Embodiment 1, in which part (a) is a perspective view, part (b) is a perspective view as viewed from the opposite side of (a).

FIG.14is a schematic illustration of the force acting on the developer receiving portion during a mounting operation of the developer supply container.

FIG.15is a graph showing the relationship between the contact angle and the coefficient C.

FIG.16is a graph showing the relationship between the height of the developer receiving portion and the operating force.

Parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.17show the developer supply container according to Embodiment 2, in which part (a) is a perspective view illustrating the end portion of the developer supply container with the cover removed, and part (b) is a side view of the engagement portion.

FIG.18is a schematic illustration showing the relationship between the engaged portion and the engaging portion in the developer supplying container mounting operation in Embodiment 2.

Part (a) and part (b) ofFIG.19show the developer supply container according to Embodiment 3, in which part (a) is a perspective view illustrating an end portion of the developer supply container in a state that the cover is removed, and part (b) is a side view of the engagement portion before engaging with the engaged portion.

FIG.20is a schematic illustration showing the relationship between the engaged portion and the engaging portion during the mounting operation of the developer supply container, in Embodiment 3.

FIG.21is a schematic illustration showing the relationship between the engaged portion and the engaging portion during the mounting operation of the developer supply container in Comparative Example 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment 1

In the following, referring toFIGS.1-18, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. First, referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, a schematic structure of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

[Image Forming Apparatus]

InFIG.1, the image forming apparatus100includes an original reading device103at a top of a main assembly100aof the image forming apparatus. An original101is placed on an original platen glass102. A light image corresponding to image information of the original101is imaged, using a plurality of mirrors M and the lens Ln of the original reading device103, on a photosensitive drum104which is a cylindrical photosensitive member as an image bearing member to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is visualized using toner (one component magnetic toner) as a developer (dry powder) by a dry type developing device (one-component developing device)201. Here, in this embodiment, a one-component magnetic toner is used as the developer to be supplied from the developer supply container1(also referred to as a toner cartridge), but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and it may be of a structure as will be described hereinafter.

More specifically, in the case of using a one-component developing device which performs developing operation with one component nonmagnetic toner, one component nonmagnetic toner is supplied as a developer. In addition, non-magnetic toner is supplied as the developer when using a two-component developer which develops the image using a two component developer prepared by mixing magnetic carrier and nonmagnetic toner. In this case, as the developer, a structure may be employed in which the magnetic carrier is also supplied together with the non-magnetic toner.

As described above, a developing device201shown inFIG.1develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum104using the toner as the developer based on the image information of the original101. In addition, a developer supplying system200is connected to developing machine201, and the developer supplying system200includes a developer supply container1and a developer receiving apparatus8relative to which the developer supply container1is mountable and dismountable. Developer supplying system200will be described hereinafter.

The developing device201includes a developer hopper portion201aand a developing roller201f. In this developer hopper portion201a, a stirring member201cfor stirring the developer supplied from the developer supply container1is provided. The developer stirred by the stirring member201cis fed to a feeding member (201e) side by a feeding member201d. And, the developer which has been sequentially fed by the feeding members201eand201bis carried on the developing roller201fand finally supplied to a developing zone where it is opposed to the photosensitive drum104. In this embodiment, a one-component developer is used, and therefore, toner as a developer from the developer supply container1is supplied to the developing device201, but when using a two component developer, toner and carrier as a developer may be supplied from the developer supply container.

Cassettes105to108contain recording materials S such as sheets of paper. When an image is to be formed, a cassette containing an optimum recording material S among the sheets contained in these cassettes105to108is selected on the basis of the information inputted by the operator (user or service person) on the operation portion100dof the image forming apparatus100or on the basis of the size of the original101. Here, as for the recording material S, it is not limited to sheets of paper, but it may be an OHP sheet or the like as the case may be. One sheet of recording material S fed by the feeding and separating devices105A to108A is fed to registration rollers110by way of a feeding portion109. Then, the recording material S is fed in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum104and the scan timing of the original reading device103.

A transfer charging device111and a separation charging device112are provided at positions opposing the photosensitive drum104on a downstream side of the registration roller110in the recording material feeding direction. The image of the developer (toner image) formed on the photosensitive drum104is transferred onto the recording material S fed by the registration roller110, by a transfer charging device111. And, the recording material S onto which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum104by a separation charging device112. Subsequently, heat and pressure are applied to the recording material S fed by the feeding portion113in a fixing portion114, so that the toner image is fixed on the recording material. Thereafter, the recording material S to which the toner image is fixed passes through a discharge/reversing portion115and is discharged to the discharge tray117by the discharge roller116, in case of single-sided copy.

On the other hand, in case of double-sided copy, the recording material S passes through the discharge/reversing portion115, and the recording material S is partly discharged to the outside of the apparatus once by the discharge roller116. After this, at the timing when a trailing end of the recording material S passes through the switching member118and is still nipped by the discharge rollers116, the position of the switching member118is switched, and the discharge roller116is rotated counterclockwise, by which the recording material S is fed again into the apparatus. Thereafter, the recording material S is fed to the registration roller110by way of the re-feeding and feeding portions119and120, and is discharged to the discharge tray117by way of the same path as in the case of single-sided copying.

In the image forming apparatus100having the above-described structure, image forming process devices such as a developing device201, a cleaner portion202, a primary charging device203and the like are provided around the photosensitive drum104. Here, the developing device201supplies the developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum104on the basis of the image information of the original101read by the original reading device103so as to develop the electrostatic latent image. In addition, the primary charging device203uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum to form a desired electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum104. Furthermore, the cleaner portion202has a function of removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum104.

As shown inFIG.2, when the operator opens a replacement cover40which is a portion of an outer cover of the apparatus main assembly100aof the image forming apparatus100, a part of the developer receiving apparatus8which will be described hereinafter can be seen. And, by inserting the developer supply container1into this developer receiving apparatus8, the developer supply container1is mounted in a state where it can supply the developer to the developer receiving apparatus8. On the other hand, when the operator exchanges the developer supply container1, it carries out the operation opposite to the loading operation, by which the developer supply container1is dismounted from the developer receiving apparatus8, and thereafter a new developer supply container1can be mounted. Here, the replacement cover40is a cover exclusively for mounting/dismounting (exchanging) the developer supply container1, and is opened and closed only for dismounting/mounting the developer supply container1. On the other hand, the maintenance operation for the image forming apparatus100is performed by opening/closing a front cover100c. Here, the replacement cover40and the front cover100cmay be integrated. In such a case, the replacement of the developer supply container1and the maintenance of the image forming apparatus100are performed by opening and closing the integrated cover (not shown).

[Developer Receiving Apparatus]

Next, referring to part (a) ofFIG.3to part (c) ofFIG.4, the developer receiving apparatus8constituting the developer supplying system200will be described. As shown in part (a) ofFIG.3, the developer receiving apparatus8is provided with a mounting portion (mounting space)8fto which the developer supply container1is dismountably mounted. The mounting portion8fis provided with an insertion guide8efor guiding the developer supply container1in the mounting and dismounting directions. In the case of this embodiment, the structure is such that the mounting direction of the developer supply container1is the direction indicated by A, and the dismounting direction B of the developer supply container1is opposite to the direction A of mounting the developer supply container1, by the insertion guide8e.

As shown in part (a) ofFIG.3to part (a) ofFIG.4, the developer receiving apparatus8has a drive gear9which functions as a driving mechanism for driving the developer supply container1. A rotational driving force is transmitted to the actuating gear9from a driving motor500by way of a driving gear train (not shown), so that the actuating gear9applies the rotational driving force to the developer supply container1mounted in the mounting portion8f. The operation of the driving motor500is controlled by the control device600.

In addition to controlling the driving motor500, the control device600controls overall of the image forming apparatus100. The control device600has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU controls each portion while reading the program corresponding to a control procedure stored in the ROM. In addition, working data and an input data are stored in the RAM, and the CPU executes control while looking up the data stored in the RAM on the basis of the program etc.

In the mounting portion8fof the developer receiving apparatus8, there is provided a developer receiving portion11for receiving the developer discharged out of the developer supply container1. The developer receiving portion11is connected to a container discharge opening3a4(part (b) ofFIG.5) of the developer supply container1when the developer supply container1is mounted, and has a receiving opening11afor receiving the developer discharged through the container discharge opening3a4. The developer receiving portion11is mounted so as to be movable (displaceable) in the direction in which the receiving opening11amoves toward and away from the container discharge opening3a4(in this embodiment, the direction crossing with the direction in which the developer supply container1is mounted (more specifically, vertical direction relative to the developer receiving apparatus8)). In the case of this embodiment, as shown in part (b) ofFIG.3, the developer receiving portion11is urged by an urging member (spring)12as urging means in a direction in which the receiving opening11amoves away from the container discharge opening3a4(vertically downward). That is, the urging member12urges the developer receiving portion11in a direction opposite to the direction in which it displaces in accordance with the mounting operation of the developer supply container1. Therefore, when the receiving opening11amoves toward the container discharge opening3a4(upward in the vertical direction), the developer receiving portion11moves against the urging force of the urging member12.

In addition, as shown in part (a) ofFIG.4, a first shutter stopper portion8aand a second shutter stopper portion8bare provided on the mounting portion8fof the developer receiving apparatus8in the upstream side, in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A), of the developer receiving portion11. In the developer supplying container1which is moving relative to the developer receiving apparatus8during mounting and dismounting, the first and second shutter stopper portions8aand8brestrict relative movement of the shutter4only (part (a) ofFIG.10and the like) with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8, which will be described later. In this case, the shutter4moves relative to a portion of the developer supply container1other than the shutter4, such as the container body2and the like which will be described later.

As shown in part (b) ofFIG.3and part (b) ofFIG.4, below the developer receiving apparatus8in the vertical direction, a sub hopper8cfor temporarily storing the developer supplied from the developer supply container1is provided. In this sub hopper8c, a feeding screw14for feeding the developer to a developer hopper portion201a(FIG.1) which is a portion of the developing device201, and an opening8dcommunicating with the developer hopper portion201aare provided.

As shown in part (c) ofFIG.4, a main assembly seal13formed so as to surround the receiving opening11ais provided in the developer receiving portion11. The main assembly seal13comprises an elastic member, foam and so on. With the developer supply container1mounted, the main assembly seal13and an opening seal3a5(part (b) ofFIG.5) surrounding the container discharge opening3a4of the developer supply container1sandwich the shutter4in close contact therewith. By this, the developer discharged from the container discharge opening3a4of the developer supply container1through the shutter opening4j(discharge port) of the shutter4to the receiving opening11ais prevented from leaking out of the receiving opening11a(developer feed path).

Here, it is desirable that a diameter of the receiving opening11ais substantially the same as or slightly larger than a diameter of the shutter opening4jof the shutter4, in order to prevent the interior of the mounting portion8ffrom being contaminated by the developer. This is because if the diameter of the receiving opening11ais smaller than the diameter of the shutter opening4j, the developer discharged from the shutter opening4jis more likely to be deposited on the upper surface of the main assembly seal13. If the developer is deposited on the lower surface of the developer supply container1at the time of mounting/dismounting operation of the developer supply container1, it becomes a cause of contamination by the developer. In view of this point, it is preferable that the diameter of the receiving opening11ais roughly the same as or about 2 mm larger than the diameter of the shutter opening4j. For example, in the case that the diameter of the shutter opening4jof the shutter4is a fine hole (pinhole) of about 2 mm in diameter, it is preferable that the diameter of the receiving opening11ais about 3 mm.

In addition, as shown in part (c) ofFIG.4, on the side surface of the developer receiving portion11, an engaged portion (portion to be engaged)11bprojecting toward the center side is provided. In the case of this embodiment, the engaged portion11bis directly engaged with the engaging portion30(part (a) inFIG.7) provided in the developer supply container1which will be described hereinafter, and is guided by the engaging portion30, by which the developer receiving portion11is lifted toward the developer supply container1in the upward direction.

[Developer Supply Container]

Next, referring to part (a)FIG.5to part (b) ofFIG.12, the developer supply container1constituting the developer supplying system200will be described. First, referring to part (a) ofFIG.5and part (b) ofFIG.5, the overall structure of the developer supply container1will be described. The developer supply container1mainly includes the container body2, a flange portion3, the shutter4, a pump portion5, a reciprocating member6, and a cover7. The developer supply container1supplies the developer to the developer receiving apparatus8by rotating in the developer receiving apparatus8in the direction indicated by an arrow R about the rotation axis P shown in part (a) ofFIG.5. In the following, each element constituting the developer supply container1will be described in detail.

[Container Body]

As shown inFIG.6, the container body2mainly comprises a developer accommodating portion2cfor containing the developer. In addition, the container body2is provided with a helical feeding groove2a(feeding portion) for feeding the developer in the developer accommodating portion2cby rotating the container body2in the direction of the arrow R around the rotation axis P. In addition, as shown inFIG.6, a cam groove2band a drive receiving portion2dfor receiving a driving force from the main assembly side are integrally formed over the entire periphery of the outer circumferential surface of the container body2on one end side. Here, in this embodiment, the cam groove2band the drive receiving portion (gear)2dare integrally formed with the container body2, but the cam groove2bor the drive receiving portion2dmay be formed as a separate member and may be integrally mounted to the container body2. In addition, in this embodiment, for example, a toner including a volume average particle diameter of 5 μm to 6 μm is accommodated in the developer accommodating portion2cas the developer. In addition, in this embodiment, the developer accommodating portion2cincludes not only the container body2but also the interior spaces of the flange portion3and the pump portion5which will be described hereinafter.

[Flange Portion]

Referring to part (a) ofFIG.5, part (b) ofFIG.5, part (a) ofFIG.7through part (d) ofFIG.9, the flange portion3will be described. The flange portion3is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the container body2about the rotation axis P. And, when the developer supply container1is mounted to the developer receiving apparatus8, the flange portion3is held so as not to rotate in the arrow R direction relative to the mounting portion8f(part (a) ofFIG.3). In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG.7, a container discharge opening3a4is provided in a portion of the flange portion3, and an opening seal3a5is mounted to the periphery thereof. As shown in parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.5, the flange portion3is provided with the pump portion5, the reciprocating member6, the shutter4, and the cover7.

First, as shown in part (b) ofFIG.5, the pump portion5is threaded at one end side of the flange portion3, and the container body2is connected to the other end side with a sealing member (not shown) therebetween. In addition, a reciprocating member6is provided so as to sandwich the pump portion5, and the engaging projection6b(parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.12) provided on the reciprocating member6is engaged with the cam groove2b(FIG.6). The flange portion3is provided with the shutter4. In this embodiment, the flange portion3and the shutter4constitute a discharge portion300for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion2cout. In addition, the surface on which the shutter4is provided is the bottom side of the flange portion3. In addition, in order to improve the outer appearance and to protect the reciprocating member6and the pump portion5, a cover7is integrally provided so as to cover the flange portion3, the pump portion5, and the reciprocating member6as a whole, as shown in part (b) ofFIG.5.

[Engaging Portion]

The flange portion3, as shown in part (a) ofFIG.7, is provided with an engaging portion30engageable with the engaged portion11b(part (c) ofFIG.4) of the developer receiving portion11. The engaging portion30displaces the developer receiving portion11toward the developer supply container1according to the mounting operation of the developer supply container1and connects them to each other, so that it becomes possible to replenish the developer from the developer supply container1to the developer receiving portion11. In addition, along with the removal operation of the developer supply container1, the engaging portion30performs guiding such that the developer receiving portion11is displaced in a direction away from the developer supply container1, by which the connection state between the developer supply container1and the developer receiving portion11is ceased.

As shown in parts (a) ofFIG.7through part (b) ofFIG.8, the engaging portion30has a curved portion3band a parallel portion (extending portion)3c. Part (c) ofFIG.5is a front view of the developer supply container1. As shown in part (c) ofFIG.5, the engaging portion30(the curved portion3b, the parallel portion3c) is disposed below a plane H including the rotational axis P. Also, the plane H including the rotational axis P is a horizontal plane, and the engaging portion30is disposed below this horizontal plane. The curved portion3bdisplaces the developer receiving portion11in a direction crossing the mounting direction of the developer supply container1, so that an unsealing operation of the developer receiving portion11is performed. In this embodiment, along with the mounting operation of the developer supply container1, the curved portion3bdisplaces the developer receiving portion11toward the developer supply container1, so that the developer receiving portion11is connected to a portion of the opening seal3a5of the developer supply container1. In order to accomplish this, the curved portion3bextends in a direction crossing with the mounting direction of the developer supply container1. More specifically, the curved portion3bhas a curved surface which is curved to guide the engaged portion11bso that the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11communicates with the container discharge opening3a4in accordance with the mounting operation of the developer supply container1. Although details will be described hereinafter, the engaging portion of this embodiment has the following structure. The inclined portion (first portion)3band the parallel portion (second portion)3cextending from the lower end (the first position) toward the upper end (the second position) constitute the tracks where the engaged portion11bpasses. And, as shown in part (c) ofFIG.5, the track is arranged below the plane H. Also, when the plane including the rotation axis is imagined, the discharge opening and the track are provided in the same region (lower region). In such a case, the parallel portion3cis disposed at a position closer to the horizontal plane H or the imaginary plane than the inclined portion3b. Also, in this embodiment, in the developer receiving portion11, the engaged portion11band the receiving opening are on the same plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P. As a result, the engaged portion11band the parallel portion3care on the same plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P. The engaged portion11bis engaged with this track, and the engaged portion11bis lifted so that the discharge opening and the receiving opening can communicate with each other. And, when the communication path is formed, a discharge path is formed between the inside of the developer supply container and the discharge opening so that the developer in the developer supply container can be discharged toward the receiving port.

In particular, in this embodiment, the curved portion3bis formed such that which the angle (contact angle) relative to the mounting direction becomes smaller toward the upstream (direction opposite to the direction of arrow A) in the mounting direction of the developer supply container1. That is, as shown in part (a) ofFIG.8, the contact angle at an arbitrary first position in the mounting direction of the curved portion3bis θ1, and as shown in part (b) ofFIG.8, the contact angle at an arbitrary second position on the upstream side of the above arbitrary first position of the curved portion3bin the mounting direction is θ2. In this case, the curved portion3bis formed so as to satisfy θ2<θ1. More specifically, the surface (upper surface) engaged with the engaged portion11bof the curved portion3bis curved so as to be convex up. In addition, the curved portion3bis provided from a position at which engagement of the engaged portion11bstarts with the mounting operation of the developer supply container1.

The parallel portion (engagement surface)3csmoothly continues with the upstream end portion, in the mounting direction of the curved portion3band extends substantially in parallel with the mounting direction. The parallel portion3cmaintains the position of the developer receiving portion11, so that the container discharge opening3a4communicates with the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11in accordance with the mounting operation of the developer supply container1. That is, while the developer supply container1relatively moves with respect to the shutter4after the developer receiving portion11is connected to a portion of the opening seal3a5of the developer supply container1, a state in which the main assembly seal13and the opening seal3a5are connected is maintained. In other words, while the receiving opening11ais connected to a portion of the opening seal3a5and moves to the container discharge opening3a4, the state in which the main assembly seal13and the opening seal3a5are connected is maintained, and the receiving opening11ais made to communicate with the container discharge opening3a4. In order to accomplish this, the parallel portion3cextends in a direction parallel to the mounting direction of the developer supply container1. More specifically, the surface on which the engaged portion11bof the parallel portion3cengages is a substantially horizontal surface. In this embodiment, the engaging portion (parallel portion3c) engaged with the engaged portion11bis substantially parallel to the mounting direction or the rotational axis P, but the engaging portion corresponding to the parallel portion3cof this embodiment is not limited to parallel, and it may be inclined. Here, in this embodiment, the surface perpendicular to the rotation axis of the developer supply container and passing through the container discharge opening3a4passes through this parallel portion.

When the developer supply container1is mounted on the developer receiving apparatus8, the engaged portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is first brought into contact with the downstream end portion of the engaging portion30, in the mounting direction, of the curved portion3b, as shown in part (a) ofFIG.9to part (b) ofFIG.9. And, as shown in part (c) ofFIG.9, the engaged portion11bis guided along a shape of the curved portion3bwith the movement of the developer supply container1in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow A). As described in the foregoing, the developer receiving portion11is movable only in a direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the mounting direction of the developer supply container1. In order to accomplish this, in the developer receiving portion11, the engaged portion11bis guided along the curved portion3bby the mounting operation of the developer supply container1so that it is displaced upward in the vertical direction (direction of arrow D), that is, the direction approaching the developer supply container1. Also, when the developer supply container1is inserted, as shown in part (d) ofFIG.9, the engaged portion11brides on the parallel portion3cand moves, so that and the receiving opening11abecomes in a state of communicating with the container discharge opening3a4. Here, as shown in part (d) ofFIG.9, the container discharge opening3a4and the parallel portion3chave a relationship that a plane L passing through the container discharge opening3a4and perpendicular to the rotation axis P passes through the parallel portion3c. In addition, the plane including the parallel portion3cis disposed between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening3a4.

Here, as previously described, the developer receiving portion11is urged downward in the vertical direction by the urging member12(part (b) ofFIG.3). In order to accomplish this, when removing the developer supply container1, the engaged portion11bof the developer receiving portion11is guided along the curved portion3band displaced in a direction away from the developer supply container1, as the developer supply container1moves in the direction opposite to the arrow A direction.

[Shutter]

Next, referring to parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.9the shutter4will be described. The shutter4slidable on the shutter insertion portion3d(part (a) ofFIG.7) of the flange portion3move relative to a portion (flange portion3) of the developer supply container1. The shutter4has a shutter opening4jas a discharge opening, and opens and closes the container discharge opening3a4(part (b) inFIG.7) of the developer supply container1in accordance with the mounting and dismounting operation of the developer supply container1. That is, by moving the shutter4relative to the developer supply container1in accordance with the mounting operation of the developer supply container1, the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11and the shutter opening4jcommunicate with each other, and in addition with the container discharge opening3a4. By this, the developer in the developer supply container1can be discharged to the receiving opening11a. That is, the discharge portion300(part (b) ofFIG.5) for discharging the developer is constituted by the flange portion3and the shutter4, and the shutter4of the discharge portion300is provided with the shutter opening4jas the discharge opening for discharging the developer.

On the other hand, a developer sealing portion4ais provided at a position deviated from the shutter opening4jof the shutter4. The developer sealing portion4acloses the container discharge opening3a4, and as the shutter4moves relative to the developer supply container1in accordance with the operation of taking out the developer supply container1. In addition, the developer sealing portion4aprevents leakage of the developer from the container discharge opening3a4, when the developer supply container1is not mounted to the mounting portion8f(part (a) ofFIG.3) of the developer receiving apparatus8. Here, the shutter4is engaged with the flange portion3in an attitude in which the developer sealing portion4afaces upward.

The shutter4is provided with a first stopper portion4band a second stopper portion4cheld by first and second shutter stopper portions8aand8b(part (a) ofFIG.4) of the developer receiving apparatus8doing so that the developer supply container1is capable of moving relative to the shutter4. In addition, the shutter4is provided with a support portion4dfor displaceably supporting the first and second stopper portions4band4c. The support portion4dis elastically deformable and extends from one side to other side of the developer sealing portion4a. And, the first stopper portion4band the second stopper portion4care provided at the free end portion of the support portion4d. By this, the first and second stopper portions4b,4ccan be displaced by the elasticity of the support portion4d.

Here, the first stopper portion4bis inclined so that an angle α formed by the first stopper portion4band the support portion4dis an acute angle. On the contrary, the second stopper portion4cis inclined so that an angle β formed by the second stopper portion4cand the support portion4dis an obtuse angle.

When the developer supply container1is mounted, the first stopper portion4bis engaged with the guide portion8gof the developer receiving apparatus8and is displaced to pass through the second shutter stopper portion8b, thus engaging with the first shutter stopper portion8a. By engaging the first stopper portion4band the first shutter stopper portion8a, the position of the shutter4with respect to the developer receiving apparatus8is fixed, and the shutter4and the developer supply container1can move relative to each other. And, as the shutter4and the developer supply container1move relative to each other, the shutter opening4jand the container discharge opening3a4are opened and closed. That is, when the developer supply container1is mounted, the developer can be discharged from the developer supply container1, and when the developer supply container1is removed, the developer is not discharged from the developer supply container1.

The second stopper portion4cis engaged with the second shutter stopper portion8bof the developer receiving apparatus8at the time of removing the developer supply container1so that the first stopper portion4bdisengages from the first shutter stopper portion8a. By this, the shutter4is disengaged from the developer receiving apparatus8.

[Pump Portion]

Referring to parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.11, the pump portion5will be described. The pump portion5alternately and repeatedly changes the internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion2c, switching between a state lower than the atmospheric pressure and a state higher than atmospheric pressure by the driving force received by the drive receiving portion2dof the container body2(FIG.6). In this embodiment, in order to stably discharge the developer through the small container discharge opening3a4as described above, the pump portion5is provided at a portion of the developer supply container1. The pump portion5is a displacement type pump in which a volume is changed. More specifically, the pump portion5employed in this embodiment has a bellows-like stretchable member capable of expanding and contracting.

The pressure inside the developer supply container1is changed by the expansion and contracting operations of the pump portion5, and the developer is discharged by utilizing the pressure. More specifically, when the pump portion5is contracted, the interior of the developer supply container1is brought into a compressed state, and the developer is pushed out to discharge through the container discharge opening3a4of the developer supply container1. In addition, when the pump portion5is expanded, the interior of the developer supply container1is brought into a reduced pressure state, and the air is taken in from the outside through the container discharge opening3a4. By air taken in, the developer in the container discharge opening3a4and in the neighborhood of the storage portion3a3(part (a) inFIG.7) that stores the developer transported from the container body2of the flange portion3is loosened and smoothly discharged.

That is, in the neighborhood of the container discharge opening3a4of the developer supply container1and the neighborhood of the storage portion3a3, the developer in the developer supply container1may gather due to vibrations imparted when transporting the developer supply container1and so on, with the possible result that the developer is caked in this portion. Therefore, as described above, the air is taken in through the container discharge opening3a4, so that it is possible to loosen the developer that has been caked. In addition, in the usual discharging operation of the developer, as air is taken in as described above, the air and the powder as the developer are mixed with the result that the flowability of the developer is enhanced, and therefore, clogging of the developer does not easily occur, as an additional advantage. By repeatedly performing the expansion and contracting operation as described above, the developer is discharged.

As shown in part (a) ofFIG.11, in the pump portion5, a joint portion5bis provided so as to be able to be joined with the flange portion3on the opening end side (dismounting direction B). In this embodiment, screw threads are formed as the joint portion5b. In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG.11, the pump portion5has a reciprocating member engaging portion5cwhich engages with the reciprocating member6(parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.12), which will be described hereinafter, on the other end side.

In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG.11, the pump portion5has a bellows-shaped expandable portion (bellows portion, expansion and contraction member)5ain which crests and bottoms are alternately formed periodically. The expansion and contraction portion5ais capable by being folded in the direction of the arrow A or expanded in the direction of the arrow B along the folding lines (with folding lines as the base point). Therefore, when the bellows-like pump portion5as employed in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce variations in volumetric change with respect to the expansion and contraction amount, and therefore, it is possible to accomplish the stable volumetric change.

Here, in this embodiment, polypropylene resin is used as the material of the pump portion5, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As for the material (material) of the pump portion5, any material may be used as long as it has an expansion and contraction function and is capable of changing the internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion by changing the volume. For example, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polystyrene, polyester, polyethylene, and so on are usable. Or, rubber, other stretchable materials or the like can also be used.

[Reciprocating Member]

Referring to parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.12, the reciprocating member6will be described. As shown in parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.12, in order to change the volume of the pump portion5, the reciprocating member6is provided with a pump engaging portion6a(part (b) ofFIG.11) which engages with the reciprocating member engaging portion5cprovided on the pump portion (part (b) ofFIG.10). In addition, the reciprocating member6is provided with an engaging projection6bto be engaged with the above-described cam groove2b(FIG.6) at the time of assembly. The engaging projection6bis provided at the free end portion of the arm6cextending in the mounting and dismounting direction (arrows A and B in the Figure) from the neighborhood of the pump engaging portion6a. In addition, the reciprocating member6is regulated in rotation around the rotation axis P (part (a) ofFIG.5) of the arm6cby the reciprocating member holding portion7b(part (b) ofFIG.13) of the cover7which will be described hereinafter. Therefore, when the container body2is driven by the drive receiving portion2dby the driving gear9, and the cam groove2brotates integrally, the reciprocating member6reciprocates back and forth in the directions A and B by the urging action of the engaging projection6bfitted in the cam groove2band the reciprocating member holding portion7bof the cover7. Accordingly, the pump portion5engaged with the pump engaging portion6aof the reciprocating member6by way of the reciprocating member engaging portion5cexpands and contracts in the direction B and the direction A.

[Cover]

Referring to parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.13, the cover7will be described. As described above, the cover7is provided as shown in part (b) ofFIG.5for the purpose of improving the appearance of the developer supply container1and protecting the reciprocating member6and the pump portion5. In more detail, the cover7is provided so as to cover the entirety of the flange portion3, the pump portion5, and the reciprocating member6. As shown in part (a) ofFIG.13, the cover7is provided with a guide groove7ato be guided by the insertion guide8e(part (a) ofFIG.3) of the developer receiving apparatus8. In addition, as shown in part (b) ofFIG.13, the cover7is provided with a reciprocating member holding portion7bfor restricting rotation of the reciprocating member6about the rotation axis P (part (a) ofFIG.5).

[Effect by Engagement Portion]

Next, the shape of the curved portion3bof the engaging portion30of the flange portion3and its effect will be described in detail referring to parts (a), (b) ofFIGS.8and14to16. Parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.8are side views of the flange portion3(detailed shape illustration of the engaging portion30).FIG.14is an illustration showing the relationship of forces acting on the engaged portion11bof the developer receiving portion11during the mounting operation of the developer supply container1.FIG.15is a graph showing the relationship between the contact angle between the curved portion3bof the engaging portion30and the engaged portion11band the coefficient C described later.FIG.16is a graph showing the relationship between the height position of the developer receiving portion11in the vertical direction and the insertion force (operating force) of the developer supply container1.

As described in the foregoing, the shape of the surface engaged with the engaged portion11bof the curved portion3bis formed such that the angle with respect to the mounting direction (contact angle) becomes smaller toward the upstream, in the mounting direction, of the developer supply container1. In other words, the upper surface of the curved portion3bhas a curved shape such that the contact angle with respect to the engaged portion11bbecomes an acute angle as the position is higher in the vertical direction.

Here, the description will be made about the force relationship when the curved portion3bof the flange portion3and the engaged portion11bof the developer receiving portion11are in contact with each other at a certain contact angle θ, referring toFIG.14. As shown inFIG.14, F is the force (operating force) for inserting the developer supplying container1(flange portion3) (operating force), N is the vertical force applied to the curved portion3bof the flange portion3, friction coefficient is μ, and T is the force (drag) required to lift the developer receiving portion11upward in the vertical direction. Then, the following balancing equation holds.
F=Nsin θ+ρNcos θ
T=Ncos θ−ρNsin θ

From the above two equations, when noting the operating force F, the following equation (1) holds:

F=sin⁢θ+μ⁢cos⁢θcos⁢θ-μ⁢sin⁢θ·T(1)

Here, a coefficient C is defined as the following equation (2):

sin⁢θ+μ⁢cos⁢θcos⁢θ-μ⁢sin⁢θ=C(2)

By this, equation (1) can be expressed as F=C·T. The coefficient C and the contact angle θ have the relationship shown in the graph ofFIG.15. Here,FIG.15shows an example in which the coefficient of friction μ is 0.3 and 0.5. As can be seen fromFIG.15, the smaller the contact angle θ, the smaller the coefficient C is. Therefore, if the drag T for lifting the developer receiving portion11is constant, the smaller the contact angle θ, the smaller the operating force F becomes.

Here, because the developer receiving portion11is urged downward in the vertical direction by the urging member12, the force T required to raise the developer receiving portion11becomes higher as the position of the developer receiving portion11in the vertical direction becomes higher. Therefore, if the contact angle of the engaging portion of the flange portion3which engages with the engaged portion11bduring the mounting operation of the developer supply container1is constant (in the case of Comparative Example 1), The higher the position of the developer receiving portion11in the vertical direction is, the higher the operating force F (broken line inFIG.16).

On the contrary, in the case of this embodiment, like the curved portion3bof the engaging portion30, the shape of the surface engaged with the engaged portion11bis curved so that the contact angle becomes sharper as the position is higher in the vertical direction. For this reason, as the position in the vertical direction is higher, the contact angle θ becomes smaller, and as shown in Figure the coefficient C also becomes smaller Therefore, even when the position of the developer receiving portion11in the vertical direction is high, that is, the resistance is high, the coefficient C is small, and therefore, it is difficult for the operating force F to become high as will be understood from the expression (1). Therefore, the relationship between the position of the developer receiving portion11in the vertical direction and the operating force F becomes as shown by the solid line inFIG.16, and the peak of the operating force F can be reduced as compared with the comparative example 1. From the above, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the operating force when mounting the developer supply container1, thus improving the operability of the operator.

Here, in this embodiment, the curved portion3bis provided at a position where engagement of the engaged portion11bstarts with the mounting operation of the developer supply container1, but it is not always necessary to provide the curved portion3bfrom this position. For example, the downstream end portion or intermediate portion of the engaging portion30in the mounting direction of the developer supply container1may be inclined in a direction (upward direction) in which the receiving opening11acommunicates with the container discharge opening3a4toward the upstream side in the mounting direction to be smoothly continuous with the curved portion3bat the end portion.

Embodiment 2

Referring to parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.17andFIG.18, an Embodiment 2 will be described. In Embodiment 1 described above, the engaging portion30has a curved portion3band a parallel portion3c. On the contrary, in this embodiment, the engaging portion30A includes only a curved portion3A. Other structures and operations are the same as in Embodiment 1 described above, and therefore, the illustration and explanation of the same structure will be omitted or simplified, and the following description mainly focuses on portions different from the structure of Embodiment 1.

As shown in part (a) ofFIG.17, the flange portion3A has an engaging portion30A which can engage with the engaged portion11b(part (c) ofFIG.4) of the developer receiving portion11. Similarly to Embodiment 1, in accordance with the mounting operation of the developer supply container1, the engaging portion30A displaces the developer receiving portion11toward the developer supply container1so that a connection state in which the developer can be replenished from the developer supply container1to the developer receiving portion11is established. In addition, the engaging portion30A carries out the guide along with the removal operation of the developer supply container1so that the developer receiving portion11is displaced in a direction away from the developer supply container1, by which the connection state between the developer supply container1and the developer receiving portion11is ceased.

In particular, in this embodiment, the engaging portion30A has a curved portion3Ab, and the curved portion3Ab extends to a position where the developer receiving portion11is located at a position in which the receiving opening11a(part (c) ofFIG.4) communicates with the container discharge opening3a4(part (b) inFIG.5) by engagement with the engaged portion11b. That is, in the case of this embodiment, as shown in part (b) ofFIG.17, the engaging portion30A does not have the parallel portion3cas in Embodiment 1 and the curved portion3Ab is continuously formed from the downstream end3Ab1of the engaging portion30A to the upstream end3Ab2in the mounting direction. That is, the upper surface of the engaging portion30A has a curved shape extending from the downstream end3a1to the upstream end3a2.

Here, as in Embodiment 1, the curved portion3Ab is formed such that the angle (contact angle) formed between the mounting direction and the surface (curved surface) engaged with the engaged portion11bbecomes smaller toward the upstream of the mounting direction of the developer supply container1(the direction opposite to the arrow A direction). That is, a surface (upper surface) engaged with the engaged portion11bof the curved portion3bis curved so as to be convex up.

Also in the case of this embodiment, when the developer supply container1is mounted on the developer receiving apparatus8, the engaged portion11bof the developer receiving portion11comes into contact with the downstream end portion of the engaging portion30A, in the mounting direction, of the curved portion3b. And, along with the movement of the developer supply container1in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A), the engaged portion11bis guided along the shape of the curved portion3Ab. The developer receiving portion11displaces upward in the vertical direction, that is, in a direction approaching the developer supply container1, by the engaged portion11bbeing guided along the curved portion3Ab in the mounting operation of the developer supply container1. Also, when the developer supply container1is inserted, the engaged portion11bis positioned in the neighborhood of the upstream end portion, in the mounting direction, of the curved portion3Ab, and the receiving opening11ais in a state of communicating with the container discharge opening3a4.

Here, the developer supply container1is fixed at a predetermined mounting position in a state in which it is retracted in the mounting direction by a retracting device provided in the developer receiving apparatus8. For this reason, the developer supply container1does not move in the removal direction unless an operator or the like intentionally takes it out by applying force. Therefore, even if the engaged portion11bis positioned at the upstream end portion, in the mounting direction of the curved portion3Ab, it does not inadvertently move to the downstream side along the curved portion3Ab.

Here, referring toFIGS.18and20, the description will be made as to the behavior of the engaged portion11bmoving along the engaging portion of the flange portion during the mounting operation of the developer supply container1.FIG.20is a schematic illustration of a locus of the position of the engaged portion11bwith respect to the engaging portion30C during the mounting operation of the developer supply container1to the developer receiving apparatus8in the comparative example 2.FIG.18is a schematic illustration of the locus of the (the position of the engaged portion11bwith respect to the engaging portion30A during the mounting operation of the developer supply container1to the developer receiving apparatus8in this embodiment.

As shown inFIG.20, the engaging portion30C of the comparative example 2 includes an inclined portion30C1inclined upward from the downstream end of the developer supplying container1in the mounting direction (direction of arrow A) toward the upstream side, and a parallel portion30C2continuing the upstream end portion of the inclined portion30C1. In the case of Comparative Example 2, with the mounting operation of the developer supply container1, the engaged portion11bis guided along the inclined portion30C1to be displaced upward in the vertical direction. And, when the engaged portion11brides on the parallel portion30C2and moves, the receiving opening11abecomes in a state of communicating with the container discharge opening3a4.

In the case of Comparative Example 2, at the portion where the inclined portion30C1and the parallel portion30C2connect with each other, an inflection point30C3at which the inclination angle is switched is provided. Therefore, when mounting the developer supply container1, the engaged portion11bpasses on the inflection point30C3. For this reason, the direction of movement of the engaged portion11babruptly changes at the position passing on the inflection point30C3, and this change may affect the operability at the time of mounting the developer supply container1.

On the contrary, in this embodiment, as shown inFIG.18, the engaging portion30A has a curved portion3Ab curved from the downstream end3Ab1to the upstream end3Ab2. For this reason, there is no inflection point as contrasted to Comparative Example 2, and when the developer supply container1is mounted, the engaged portion11bmoves smoothly along the curved portion3A b. At this time, the moving direction of the engaged portion11bchanges smoothly, and therefore, the change in the moving direction has little influence on the operability at the time of mounting the developer supply container1.

As described above, in the case of this embodiment, the curved portion3Ab extends to the position where the developer receiving portion11is displaced to the position where the receiving opening11acommunicates with the container discharge opening3a4by engagement with the engaged portion11b. For this reason, the operability at the time of mounting the developer supply container1can be improved.

Here, also in the case of this embodiment, as in Embodiment 1, the engaging portion30A has the curved portion3Ab formed such that in the angle formed between the surface engaging with the engaged portion11band the mounting direction becomes smaller toward the upstream in the mounting direction of the developer supply container1. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the operating force when mounting the developer supply container1.

Embodiment 3

Embodiment 3 will be described referring to part (a) ofFIG.19throughFIG.20. In above-described Embodiment 2, regardless of the engagement with the engaged portion11b, the engaging portion30A has a curved shape. On the contrary, in the case of this embodiment, the engaging portion30B deforms by engagement with the engaged portion11bwith the mounting operation of the developer supply container1. Other structures and operations are similar to those of the first and Embodiment 2 described above, and therefore, the illustration and explanation of the same structure will be omitted or simplified, and the following description mainly focuses on portions different from the first and Embodiment 2.

As shown in part (a) ofFIG.19, the flange portion3B has an engaging portion30B which can engage with the engaged portion11b(part (c) ofFIG.4) of the developer receiving portion11. The base end portion3Bb1of the engaging portion30B is fixed to the flange portion3B and the other portion can be displaced relative to the flange portion3B. And, as shown in part (b) ofFIG.19, the engaging portion30B is provided in a state of standing in a direction intersecting the mounting direction (direction of arrow A) (vertical direction in the illustrated example) before engaging with the engaged portion11b.

The engaging portion30B is deformed by engagement with the engaged portion11bwith the mounting operation of the developer supply container1. And, the structure is such that the engaging portion30B has a curved shape such that the angle, relative to the mounting direction, of the locus of the engaged portion11bin the mounting operation decreases toward the upstream in the mounting direction of the developer supply container1(the direction opposite to the arrow A direction).

In order to accomplish this, the engaging portion30B is elastically deformable by engagement with the engaged portion11bwith the mounting operation of the developer supply container1, and finally forms a curved portion3Bb shown inFIG.20. As in Embodiment 1, the curved portion3Bb has a shape such that the angle relative to the mounting direction decreases as the surface (curved surface) engaged with the engaged portion11bmoves toward the upstream in the mounting direction of the developer supply container1. The rigidity of each portion is set so that the engaging portion30B finally has such a curved shape.

However, the final shape of the engaging portion30B is not limited to this example. That is, it will suffice if by suitably setting the rigidity of each portion of the engaging portion30B, the angle, with respect to the mounting direction, of the locus of the engaged portion11bby the mounting operation becomes smaller toward the upstream in the mounting direction of the developer supply container1.

The engaging portion30B is elastically deformed so as to be bent about the base end portion3Bb1by engagement with the engaged portion11b. In addition, in the case of this embodiment, as shown in parts (a) and (b) ofFIG.19, a positioning portion31is provided on the upstream side of the engaging portion30B of the flange portion3B in the mounting direction. The positioning portion31abuts against the free end portion3Bb2of the deformed engaging portion30B to position the free end portion3Bb2.

Referring toFIG.20, the deformation of the engaging portion30B will be described together with the mounting operation of the developer supplying container1to the developer receiving apparatus8. When mounting of the developer supply container1is started, the engaged portion11bapproaches to the neighborhood of the base end portion3Bb1of the engaging portion30B. At this time, the engaged portion11bis not engaged with the engaging portion30B, and therefore, the engaging portion30B remains standing.

Next, when the developer supply container1is further inserted in the direction of the arrow A, the engaged portion11band the engaging portion30B are engaged with each other, and the engaging portion30B is bent in a direction in which the engaging portion30B gradually bends, and simultaneously therewith, the engaged portion11bis displaced upward by engagement with the engaging portion30B. And, with the mounting operation of the developer supply container1, the deformation of the engaging portion30B and the upward displacement of the engaged portion11bby the engagement with the engaging portion30B continue. And, the free end portion3Bb2of the engaging portion30B abuts on the positioning portion31, whereby the engaging portion30B becomes having a curved shape (curved portion3Bb), and the engaged portion11bis positioned in the neighborhood of the upstream end portion, in the mounting direction, of the curved portion3Bb, so that the receiving opening11ais in a state of communicating with the container discharge opening3a4. In this embodiment, the engaging portion is formed such that the moving locus of the engaged portion11bduring such mounting operation becomes smaller toward the upstream in the mounting direction of the developer supplying container1, so that the angle with respect to the mounting direction becomes smaller.

Here, in this embodiment, the curved portion3Bb is constituted by the engaging portion30B deformed into a curved shape as described above and the positioning portion31which is in contact with the free end portion3Bb2of the deformed engaging portion30B. Therefore, the upper surface of the positioning portion31is curved so as to be smoothly continuous with the curved surface of the upper surface of the engaging portion30B in a state where the free end portion3Bb2abuts.

As described above, in this embodiment, the engaged portion11bis displaced such that the locus of the relative position with respect to the engaging portion30B becomes a curved shape as described above during the mounting operation of the developer supply container1. Therefore, also in the case of this embodiment, as in Embodiment 2, when the developer supply container1is mounted, the engaged portion11bmoves smoothly along the above-described curved shape. For this reason, the operability at the time of mounting the developer supply container1can be improved.

Here, the structure in which the engaging portion deforms by engagement with the engaged portion as in this embodiment may be applied to the structure of Embodiment 1. In this case, for example, the upper surface of the positioning portion may be the parallel portion of Embodiment 1.

Other Embodiments

In the above-described description, the discharge opening with which the receiving opening11aof the developer receiving portion11communicates is the shutter opening4jof the shutter4. However, without employing a shutter, the receiving opening of the developer receiving portion may be directly contacted to the container discharge opening of the developer supply container1to establish communication with each other. In this case, the container discharge opening is the discharge opening for communicating with the receiving port.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, there is provided a developer supplying container and a developer supplying system capable of reducing the operating force for mounting the developer supplying container.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

1=developer supply container:2c=developer accommodating portion:3,3A,3B=flange portion:3a4=container discharge opening:3b,3Ab=curved portion:3Bb1=base portion:3Bb2=free end portion3c=parallel portion:4=shutter:4j=shutter opening (discharge opening):8=developer receiving device:11=a developer receiving portion:11a=receiving opening:11b=engaged portion:12=urging member (urging means):30,30A,30B=engaging portion:31=positioning portion:200=developer supply system:300=discharging portion