Patent Grant
12001155
The present invention relates to a container for use with an image forming apparatus and for accommodating content of powder or a liquid.
In general, an image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic type forms an image by transferring a toner image, formed on a surface of a photosensitive drum, onto a transfer material as a transfer medium. Further, as a toner supplying type, for example, a process cartridge type or a toner supplying (replenishing) type has been known. The process cartridge type is a type in which the photosensitive drum and a developing (developer) container are integrally assembled as a process cartridge in which the process cartridge is exchanged with a new one when toner runs out.
On the other hand, the toner supplying type is a type in which when the toner runs out, toner is newly supplied (replenished) to a developing container. For example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A) 2021-26199, an image forming apparatus in which the toner is supplied to the developing container by using a toner pouch mountable to a mounting portion provided on the developing container is disclosed.
In recent years, the image forming apparatus has been required by a user to employ various using manners such as the above-described process cartridge type, the above-described toner supplying type, and the like.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for use with an image forming apparatus and for accommodating a content of powder or a liquid, the container comprising: an accommodating portion configured to accommodate the content; a top end portion including a discharging portion and a shielding member, wherein the discharging portion includes a discharge opening for discharging the content to an outside of the container and a passage for permitting passing of the content toward the discharge opening, and the shielding member shields the discharge opening; and a cap detachably mounted to the top end portion, wherein the cap includes a main body portion covering at least a part of the top end portion and a fixing portion fixed to the top end portion and connected to the main body portion, and wherein the main body portion of the cap is configured so as to be separated from the fixing portion by being rotated about a rotational axis thereof relative to the top end portion.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
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In the following, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described while making reference to the drawings.
Part (a) of
The image forming apparatus 1 is a monochromatic printer for forming an image on a recording material P on the basis of image information inputted from an external device. In the recording material P, various sheet materials different in material including papers such as plain paper and thick paper, a plastic film such as a sheet for an overhead projector, special-shaped sheets such as an envelope and index paper, a cloth, and the like are included.
[General Structure]
The image forming apparatus 1 includes, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of
The image forming portion 10 includes a scanner unit 11, a process unit 20 of an electrophotographic type, and a transfer roller 12 for transferring the toner image, formed on a photosensitive drum 21 of the process unit 20, onto the recording material. The process unit 20 includes the photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 22 disposed at a periphery of the photosensitive drum 21, a pre-exposure device 23, and a developing device 30 including a developing roller 31.
The photosensitive drum 21 is a photosensitive member molded in a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 21 in this embodiment includes, on a drum-shaped base material molded with aluminum, a photosensitive layer formed with a negatively chargeable organic photosensitive member. Further, the photosensitive drum 21 is rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed in a predetermined direction (clockwise direction in the figure) by a motor.
The charging roller 22 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 at a predetermined press-contact force and forms a charging portion. Further, a desired charging voltage is applied to the charging roller 22 by a high charging voltage power source, so that the charging roller 22 electrically charges a surface of the photosensitive drum 21 uniformly to a predetermined potential. In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 is charged to a negative polarity by the charging roller 22. The pre-exposure device 23 discharges (removes) a surface potential of the photosensitive drum 21, at a position in front of the charging portion in order to generate stable electric discharge at the charging portion.
The scanner unit 11 irradiates the photosensitive drum 21, by using a polygonal mirror, with laser light La corresponding to image information inputted from the external device or the reading device 200, so that the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 is subjected to scanning exposure. By this light exposure, an electrostatic latent image depending on the image information is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. Incidentally, the scanner unit 11 is not limited to a laser scanner device, but for example, an LED exposure device including an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 21 may be employed.
The developing device 30 includes the developing roller 31 for carrying a developer, a developing container 32 which is a casing for the developing device 30, and a supplying roller 33 capable of supplying the developer to the developing roller 31. The developing roller 31 and the supplying roller 33 are rotatably supported by the developing container 32. Further, the developing roller 31 is disposed at an opening of the developing container 32 so as to oppose the photosensitive drum 21. The supplying roller 33 rotatably contacts the developing roller 31, and toner as a content accommodated in the developing container 32 is applied onto the surface of the developing roller 31 by the supplying roller 33. Incidentally, when a constitution capable of supplying the toner sufficiently to the developing roller 31 is employed, the supplying roller 33 is not necessarily be required.
The developing device 30 in this embodiment uses a contact development type as a development type. That is, a toner layer carried on the developing roller 31 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 at a developing portion (developing region) where the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 31 oppose each other. To the developing roller 31, a developing voltage is applied by a high developing voltage power source. Under application of the developing voltage, the toner carried on the developing roller 31 is transferred from the developing roller 31 onto the drum surface in accordance with a potential distribution of the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, so that the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image. Incidentally, in this embodiment, a reversal development type is employed. That is, the toner image is formed by being deposited on a surface region of the photosensitive drum 21 attenuated in charge amount by being exposed to light in an exposure step after being charged in a charging step.
Further, in this embodiment, the toner which is 6 μm in particle size and of which normal charge polarity is a negative polarity is used. As the toner in this embodiment, a polymerization toner formed by a polymerization method as an example is employed. Further, the toner in this embodiment is a so-called non-magnetic one-component developer which does not contain a magnetic component and in which the toner is carried on the developing roller 31 principally by an intermolecular force or an electrostatic force (mirror force). However, a one-component developer containing a magnetic component may also be used. Further, in the one-component developer, an additive (for example, wax or silica fine particles) for adjusting flowability and charging performance of the toner is contained in addition to toner particles in some cases. Further, as the developer, a two-component developer constituted by non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier may also be used. In the case where the developer having a magnetic property is used, as the developer carrying member, for example, a cylindrical developing sleeve inside of which a magnet is disposed is used.
The developing container 32 is provided with a toner accommodating portion 36 and a stirring member 34 provided inside the accommodating portion 36. The stirring member 34 is rotated by being driven by an unshown motor, and thus stirs the toner in the developing container 32 and sends the toner toward the developing roller 31 and the supplying roller 33 by being rotated. Further, the stirring member 34 has a function of circulating the toner, peeled off from the developing roller 31 without being used for the development, in the developing container 32 and of uniformizing the toner in the developing container 32. Incidentally, the stirring member 34 is not limited to a rotatable form. For example, a stirring member in a swingable form may also be employed.
Further, at an opening of the developing container 32 where the developing roller 31 is disposed, a developing blade 35 for regulating an amount of the toner carried on the developing roller 31 is disposed. The toner supplied to the surface of the developing roller 31 passes through an opposing portion to the developing blade 35 with rotation of the developing roller 31, so that the toner is uniformly formed in a thin layer and is charged to the negative polarity by triboelectric charge.
A feeding portion 60 includes, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of
The fixing portion 70 is of a heat fixing type in which an image fixing process is performed by heating and melting the toner on the recording material. The fixing portion 70 includes a fixing film 71, a fixing heater such as a ceramic heater for heating the fixing film 71, a thermistor for measuring a temperature of the fixing heater, and a pressing roller 72 press-contacting the fixing film 71.
Next, an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When an instruction of image formation is inputted to the image forming apparatus 1, on the basis of the image information inputted from an external computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 or from the reading device 200, an image forming process by the image forming portion 10 is started. The scanner unit 11 emits the laser light toward the photosensitive drum 21 on the basis of the inputted image information. At this time, the photosensitive drum 21 is charged in advance by the charging roller 22, and is irradiated with the laser light, so that the electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21. Thereafter, this electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing roller 31, so that the toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21.
In parallel to the above-described image forming process, the pick-up roller 65 of the feeding portion 60 sends the recording material P supported by the front door 61, the tray portion 62, and the intermediary plate 63. The recording material P is fed to a registration roller pair 15 by the pick-up roller 65, and is abutted against a nip of the registration roller pair 15, so that oblique movement of the recording material P is corrected. Then, the registration roller pair 15 is driven by being timed to a transfer timing of the toner image, and is conveyed toward a transfer nip formed by a transfer roller 12 and the photosensitive drum 21.
To the transfer roller 12, a transfer voltage power is applied from a high transfer voltage source, so that the toner image carried on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the recording material P conveyed by the registration roller pair 15. The recording material P onto which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing portion 70, where the toner image is heated and pressed when the recording material P passes through a nip between the fixing film 71 and the pressing roller 72 of the fixing portion 70. By this, toner particles are melted and are thereafter fixed, so that the toner image is fixed on the recording material P. The recording material P passed through the fixing portion 70 is discharged to an outside of the image forming apparatus 1 (outside of the printer) by a discharging roller pair 80, so that the discharged recording materials P are stacked on a discharge tray 81 formed at an upper portion of the apparatus main assembly 400.
The discharge tray 81 is inclined upward toward a downstream in a discharging direction of the recording material P, and the recording material P discharged on the discharge tray 81 slides down on the discharge tray 81, so that a trailing end of the recording material is aligned by a restricting surface 84.
The reading device 200 includes a reading unit 201 in which an unshown reading portion is built, and a platen (pressure plate) 202 supported by the reading unit 201 so as to be openable (closable). At an upper surface of the reading unit 201, an original supporting platen glass 203 which permits transmission of light emitted from the reading portion and on which an original is to be placed.
In the case where a user intends to cause the reading device 200 to read an image of the original, the user places the original on the original supporting platen glass 203 in a state in which the platen 202 is opened. Then, the platen 202 is closed and a positional deviation of the original on the original supporting platen glass 203 is prevented, so that a reading instruction is outputted to the image forming apparatus 1 by operating the operating portion 300, for example. When a reading operation is started, the reading portion in the reading unit 201 reciprocates in a sub-scan direction, i.e., a left-right direction in a state in which the user faces the operating portion 300 of the image forming apparatus 1 on a front (surface) side. The reading portion receives light reflected by the original by a light receiving portion while emitting light from a light emitting portion toward the original, and photoelectrically converts the light, so that the reading portion reads the image of the original. Incidentally, in the following, on the basis of a state in which the user faces the operating portion 300 on the front side, a front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and an up-down direction are defined.
At an upper portion of the apparatus main assembly 2, a top cover 82 is provided, and at an upper surface of the top cover 82, the discharge tray 81 is formed. As shown in part (b) of
The openable member 83 is constituted so as to be movable between a closed position where the openable member 83 covers a supplying port 32a so that a toner pack 100 cannot be mounted on the developing container 32 and an open position where the supplying port 32a is exposed so that the toner pack 100 can be mounted on the developing container 32. In a state in which the openable member 83 is positioned in the open position, the toner pack 100 is moved in a mounting direction M and is mounted on the supplying port 32a.
The openable member 83 functions as a part of the discharge tray 81 in the closed position. The openable member 83 and the opening 82a are formed on a left(-hand) side of the discharge tray 81. Further, the openable member 83 is opened in a left(-hand) direction by being hooked with user's finger(s) from a groove portion 82b provided on the top cover 82. The openable member 83 is formed in a substantially L-shape along a shape of the top cover 82.
The opening 82a of the discharge tray 81 opens so that the supplying port 32a for toner supply formed at the upper portion of the developing container 32 is exposed, and the openable member 83 is opened, so that the user can access to the supplying port 32a. Incidentally, in this embodiment, a type (direct supply type) in which the user supplies the toner from the toner pack 100 (see, parts (a) and (b) of
For this reason, in the case where a remaining toner amount of the process unit 20 becomes small, an operation in which the process unit 20 is taken out of the apparatus main assembly 400 and is exchanged with a new process unit becomes unnecessary, so that usability can be improved. Further, the toner can be supplied to the developing container 32 more inexpensively than exchange of entirety of the process unit 20. Incidentally, the direct supply type can be reduced in cost since there is no need to exchange various rollers and gears, and the like even when compared with the case where only the developing device 30 of the process unit 20 is exchanged. Incidentally, the image forming apparatus 1 and the toner pack 100 constitute an image forming system 1000.
[Mounting Portion]
Next, using part (a) of
Part (a) of
As shown in part (a) of
Incidentally, the first frame 107, the cover 110, and the second frame 117 may be integrally constituted, not as separate members. As shown in parts (a) and (b) of
Each of the operating lever 108 and the apparatus-side shutter 109 is mounted on the main body base portion 2 so as to be rotatable about the rotational axis B. The first frame 107 is provided with the positioning portion 107a. The positioning portion 107a projects inward from an inner peripheral surface about the rotational axis B of the first frame 107 in a radial direction r of a phantom circle (virtual circle) VC about the rotational axis B.
Further, the operating lever 108 as an open positioning portion is provided with a drive transmitting portion 108a and an open positioning portion 108b. A user is capable of rotating the operating lever 108 about the rotational axis B relative to the main body base portion 2 by open positioning the open positioning portion 108b.
The drive transmitting portion 108a is a projected portion projected inward from an inner peripheral surface about the rotational axis B of the operating lever 108 in the radial direction r of the phantom circle VC about the rotational axis B.
As shown in parts (a) and (b) of
The apparatus-side shutter 109 is constituted so as to take a shielding position and an open position relative to the main body base portion 2. Specifically, the apparatus-side shutter 109 is, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of
In part (a) of
Incidentally, the operating lever 108 and the apparatus-side shutter 109 are not drive-connected to each other, and therefore, even when the operating lever 108 is open positioned in a state in which the toner pack is not mounted, the apparatus-side shutter 109 is not rotated.
As shown in part (a) of
[Structure of Accommodating Container]
Next, using part (a) of
The accommodating container 800 as a container includes, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of
The pouch 101 as an accommodating portion has flexibility, and is provided on one end side of the toner pack 100 with respect to an axial direction D1 which is a direction of a rotational axis A of the pack-side shutter 103. The rotational axis A coincides with the rotational axis B of the apparatus-side shutter 109 when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, and therefore, in the following, both the directions of the rotational axis A and the rotational axis B are referred to as the axial direction D1.
The nozzle 102 and the pack-side shutter 103 are provided on the other end side of the toner pack 100 with respect to the axial direction D1. The pouch 101 is formed by subjecting, for example, a flexible polypropylene sheet to pouch processing, and has a bag shape such that one end portion thereof opens through the opening 101a. Incidentally, the pouch 101 may also be a bottle made of a resin material or a container made of paper or a vinyl resin material.
The opening member 104 as an intermediary member is an annular resin member provided with a through hole 104a and is fixed to the opening 101a of the pouch 101. In this embodiment, the opening member 104 is formed of a polypropylene resin material and is larger in thickness than the pouch 101 which is the flexible sheet, and this has high rigidity. In other words, the pouch 101 has first rigidity, and the opening member 104 has second rigidity higher than the first rigidity. By this, even the flexible pouch 101 is capable of maintaining a state in which the opening 101a opens.
Further, the opening member 104 is connected to the nozzle 102 and is provided with the through hole 104a. That is, the opening member 104 connects the pouch 101 with the portion-to-be-mounted 700 so that the pouch 101 and the portion-to-be-mounted 700 including the nozzle 102 communicate with each other.
Further, the opening member 104 includes a pair of extended portions 104b extended so as to be spaced from the rotational axis A with respect to the radial direction r of the phantom circle VC about the rotational axis A. The pair of extended portions 104b are disposed at phases which are different from each other by 180 degrees with respect to a circumferential direction about the rotational axis A. Thus, outer peripheral surface of the opening member 104 is not a uniform circumferential surface about the rotational axis A, and therefore, the user is capable of stably holding the opening member 104 by grasping the extended portions 104b. That is, the extended portions 104b function as non-slip portions so that user's hands do not slip with respect to a rotational direction about the rotational axis A.
Incidentally, the nozzle 102 as a discharging portion is connected to the opening member 104, but a connecting method may be any method. For example, as the connecting method, a method using various adhesives such as a hot-melt adhesive, a method in which the through hole 104a of the opening member 104 is thermally welded to an outer periphery of the nozzle 102, and the like method may be used. A connecting method of the pouch 101 with the opening member 104 may be any method.
The nozzle 102 includes a side surface 102c as an outer surface extending along the rotational axis A, and the side surface 102c is provided with a discharging port 102a constituted so as to communicate with an inside of the pouch 101 and provided with a recessed portion 102e. The recessed portion 102e is provided in a position different from the discharging port 102a with respect to a rotational direction of the pack side shutter 103. The toner accommodated in the pouch 101 is constituted so as to be discharged to an outside of the toner pack 100 through for discharging port 102a by being compressed (squeezed) by the user and thus by being decreased in volume of the pouch 101. That is, inside the nozzle 102, a passage (see, part (a) of
Incidentally, the nozzle 102 may be constituted integrally with the opening member 104. Further, a constitution in which a seal is provided between the pouch 101 and the discharge opening 102a of the nozzle 102 and in which the pouch 101 and the discharge opening 102a communicate with each other in the case where the seal is removed may be employed.
Outside the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102, the pack-side shutter 103 as a shielding member is disposed. The pack-side shutter 103 is provided rotatably about the rotational axis A extending in the direction along the axial direction D1 and is provided with an opening 103a. Specifically, an inner peripheral surface 103m of the pack-side shutter 103 is slidably supported by an annular rib 104m of the opening member 104. The pack-side shutter 103 is provided outside the side surface 102c with respect to the radial direction r of the phantom circle VC about the rotational axis A and is capable of shielding the discharge opening 102a. An arcuate surface of the side surface 102c is a curved surface projected toward an outside with respect to the radial direction r.
An inside surface of the pack-side shutter 103, i.e., a surface opposing the side surface 102c is a curved surface extending along the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102, and a rectangular pack-side seal 105 is mounted on the curved surface.
The pack-side shutter 103 is constituted so as to be rotatable between a shielding position (position shown in part (a) of
When the pack-side shutter 103 positioned in the shielding position as a first shielding position shown in part (a) of
In a rotating operation of the pack-side shutter 103, the pack-side shutter 103 slides on the side surface 102c of the nozzle 102 through the pack-side seal 105.
Next, using part (a) of
As shown in part (a) of
With respect to the direction of the rotational axis A, on a side downstream of the portion to be positioned with respect to the mounting direction M, each of a surface 102e1 and a surface 102e2 is provided. A side surface 102e3 is provided between the surface 102d1 and the surface 102d2 and between the surface 102e1 and the surface 102e2. The side surface 102e3 is recessed inward from the side surface 102c with respect to the radial direction r. The portion to be positioned 102d, the surface 102e1, the surface 102e2, and the side surface 102e3 form the recessed portion 102e.
Further, the pack-side shutter 103 has a side surface 103d provided with the opening 103a. The side surface 103d extends along the rotational axis A. As shown in part (a) of
Further, the pack side shutter 103 is provided with a portion 103e to which drive is transmitted on a side opposite from the opening 103a with respect to the rotational axis A. In the case where the pack side shutter 103 is positioned in the shielding position, the portion 103e to which drive is transmitted is provided on a side opposite from the recessed portion 102e of the nozzle with respect to the rotational axis A. The portion 103e to which drive is transmitted includes a surface 103b1, a surface 103b2, and a side surface 103b3, and is capable of engaging with the drive transmitting portion 108a. The side surface 103b3 is provided between the surface 103b1 and the surface 103b2, and is recessed inward from the side surface 103d with respect to the radial direction r. Further, at an upstream end portion of the pack side shutter 103 with respect to the mounting direction M, a flange portion 103i extended from the side surface 103d on an outside of the side surface with respect to the radial direction r, i.e., in a direction spaced from the rotational axis A is provided. The flange portion 103i is provided with a cap fixing portion 103n as a fixing portion described later.
Next, a projected portion 102b of the nozzle 102 will be specifically described. As shown in parts (a) and (b) of
The pack side shutter 103 has an end surface 103c which is a lower end portion with respect to the vertical direction VD and constituting a bottom of the pack side shutter. The nozzle 102 includes the projected portion 102b projected toward a downstream of the end surface 103c of the pack side shutter 103 with respect to the mounting direction M, i.e., projected below the end surface 103c. The projected portion 102b is a cylindrical portion (portion having a cylindrical shape) about the rotational axis A. The projected portion 102b has a projected portion end surface 102b2 which is a lower end surface. The projected portion end surface 102b2 is provided with a hole defined by an inner peripheral surface 102b1 about the rotational axis A. Further, as shown in part (b) of
Here, as shown in
The claw portion 102f as a second restricting portion includes, as shown in
The abutting portion 102f2 opposes a restricting portion 103h of the pack side shutter 103 positioned in the shielding position when the claw portion 102f is positioned in the restricting position as shown in part (b) of
Further, when the claw portion 102f is positioned in the non-restricting position, the abutting portion 102f2 is positioned inside the restricting portion 103h of the pack-side shutter 103 with respect to the radial direction r of the phantom circle VC about the rotational axis A. For this reason, the pack-side shutter 103 is capable of being rotated about the rotational axis A without interfering with the abutting portion 102f2.
As shown in part (a) of
The inclined releasing surface 102f1 is inclined with respect to the mounting direction M (axial direction D1) so as to extend inward in the radial direction r toward a downstream of the mounting direction M. Further, when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, the inclined releasing surface 102f1 converts a direction of a force received from the restrict releasing rib 109j by the claw portion 102f into an inward direction with respect to the radial direction r. By this, the claw portion 102f is moved inward from the restricting position to the non-restricting position in the radial direction r by pressing the inclined releasing surface 102f1 by the restriction releasing rib 109j. In other words, when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, the claw portion 102f is moved from the restricting position to non-restricting position by being pressed by the mounting portion 106.
The above-described abutting portion 102f2 of the claw portion 102f abuts against the restricting portion 103h of the pack-side shutter 103 and thus restricts rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the arrow K direction. Next, a constitution in which rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in the arrow L direction opposite to the arrow K direction will be described.
As shown in part (b) of
As shown in parts (a) and (b) of
As described above, in a state in which the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, the rotation of the pack-side shutter 103 in each of the arrow K direction and the arrow L direction is restricted, so that the pack-side shutter 103 is easily held at the shielding position. When the pack-side shutter 103 is rotated in the arrow K direction in a state in which the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106 and in which the claw portion 102f is positioned in the non-restricting position, the discharging port 102a of the nozzle 102 is exposed as shown in part (b) of
Further, as shown in part (b) of
[Cap]
Next, a cap 120 mounted on the toner pack 100 will be described using parts (a) and (b) of
As shown in parts (a) and (b) of
The cap 120 includes the cap main body portion 120U1 as a main body portion, a fixing tab 120U2 as a fixing portion, and a connecting portion 120U3 connecting the cap main body portion 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2. In this embodiment, the cap main body portion 120U1 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the rotational axis A, but is not limited thereto. That is, the cap main body portion 120U1 may only be constituted in the cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the rotational axis A, and may also be constituted in a polygonal cylindrical shape, for example.
The cap main body portion 120U1 includes a cap opening 120a, a bottom 120b, an inner peripheral surface 120c, an annular rib 120d, a projected screw portion 120e, and a cap outer surface 120f The cap opening 120a as an opening is provided at one end of the cap main body portion 120U1 with respect to the axial direction D1 of the rotational axis A. The annular rib 120d extends from a surface 120g, opposite from the bottom 120b, toward a downstream side, i.e., upward with respect to the dismounting direction U. The surface 120g opposes the end surface 103c of the pack side shutter 103 and the projected portion 102b of the nozzle 102. The projected screw portion 120e as a cap side screw portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface 120c extending along the rotational axis A and projects from the inner peripheral surface 120c toward the inside in the radial direction r. The projected screw portion 120e is capable of engaging with the recessed screw portion 103g of the pack side shutter 103 by rotating the cap main body portion 120U1 in the arrow K direction. The projected screw portion 120e is engaged with the recessed screw portion 103g, so that the cap main body portion 120U1 is mounted on the pack side shutter 103. Incidentally, the inner peripheral surface 120c of the cap 120 is constituted so as to surround at least a part of the side surface 103d of the pack side shutter 103, and surrounds entirety of the side surface 103d in this embodiment.
Here, the case where the accommodating container 800 including the toner pack 100 and the cap 120 is directed so that the rotational axis thereof is parallel to the vertical direction VD and so that the nozzle 102 is positioned below the pouch 101 will be considered. Such an attitude of the accommodating container 800 is similar to an attitude when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106. At this time, the annular rib 120d extends upward from the surface 120g. Further, the bottom 120b is a surface which is an end surface of the cap 120 with respect to the mounting direction M and which is perpendicular to the rotational axis A, and constitutes the bottom of the accommodating container 800 in the state in which the cap 120 is mounted on the toner pack 100. Further, the bottom 120b extends in the horizontal direction when the accommodating container 800 is in the attitude shown in part (a) of
The cap 120 is mounted on the pack side shutter 103 of the portion to be mounted 700 so as to cover the portion to be mounted 700 of the toner pack 100. At this time, the annular rib 120d of the cap 120 is provided outside the projected portion 102b of the nozzle 102 with respect to the radial direction r and is provided so as to surround the projected portion 102b. In other words, the annular rib 120d as a projected cap portion is disposed so as not to overlap with the projected portion 102b as viewed in the vertical direction (the dismounting direction or the mounting direction M).
For this reason, even when the cap 120 is shocked externally during transportation or the like, the cap 120 is capable of protecting the projected portion 102b. A projected portion end surface 102b2 of the projected portion 102b is, as described later, abutted against a pack contact surface 109g (see, part (a) of
Further, as shown in part (b) of
Further, portions of the portion to be mounted 700 of the toner pack 100 other than the recessed screw portion 103g are spaced from the inner peripheral surface 120c of the cap 120. By this, the respective portions of the portion to be mounted 700 are protected from the shock by the cap 120.
Further, in the state in which the cap 120 is mounted on the portion to be mounted 700 of the toner pack 100, even when the toner leaks out through the discharging port 102a of the nozzle 102, the cap 120 receives the leaked toner. For this reason, the user is capable of reducing a degree of deposition of the toner on user's hand(s) or the like without touching the leaked toner. Incidentally, in the case where the content accommodated in the toner pack 100 is a liquid, the toner leaked out onto the cap 120 is dried on the cap 120 with a lapse of time. By this, it is possible to reduce a degree of deposition of the content on the user's hand(s) or the like.
The fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 is connected to the cap opening 120a of the cap main body portion 120U1 through the connecting portion 120U3. In a state in which the cap 120 is not dismounted once from the portion-to-be-mounted 700 and the toner pack 100 is unused, the fixing tab 120U2 is fixed to the cap fixing portion 103n provided on the flange portion 103i of the pack-side shutter 103. That is, the fixing tab 120U2 is fixed only to a part of the flange 103i with respect to the circumferential direction of the phantom circle VC about the rotational axis A. Specifically, as shown in
As shown in part (a) of
The fixing tab 120U2 includes, as shown in part (b) of
When the cap 120 is dismounted from the toner pack 100, as shown in part (b) of
Then, when the cap 120 means toward the downstream side of the mounting direction M, the connecting portion 120U3 connecting the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap main body portion 120U1 is broken. The breakage of the connecting portion 120U3 is made in a state in which the fixing tab 120U2 is fixed to the cap fixing portion 103n, whereby the cap main body portion 120U1 is separated from the fixing tab 120U2.
Then, as shown in part (c) of
[Mounting of Toner Pack on Mounting Portion]
Next, using part (a) of
Part (a) of
When the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, first, the user dismounts the cap main body portion 120U1 from the portion-to-be-mounted 700 of the toner pack 100 in the above-described procedure. By this, the portion 103e to which drive is transmitted, the projected portion 102b, and the portion-to-be-positioned 120d of the portion-to-be-mounted 700 (see, parts (a) and (b) of
Then, the user mounts, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of
After such positional alignment of the toner pack 100 with the mounting portion 106, the user gradually mounts the toner pack 100 onto the mounting portion 106 by moving the toner pack 100 in the mounting direction M. Then, as shown in part (b) of
At this time, the drive transmitting portion 109a of the operating lever 108 and the portion 103e to which drive is transmitted of the pack-side shutter 103 engage with each other as shown in part (a) of
Further, the surfaces 102e1 and 102e2 of the recessed portion 102e of the nozzle 102 engage with the surfaces 110f and 110g, respectively, of the cover 110, so that the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 does not rotate relative to the main body base portion 2 including the cover 110. In other words, when the toner pack 100 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, the recessed portion 102e engages with the cover 110, and thus restricts rotation of the nozzle 102 relative to the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the operating lever 108, the pack-side shutter 103, and the apparatus-side shutter 109 are rotatable relative to the main body base portion 2 and the nozzle 102 substantially integral about the rotational axis B.
Specifically, when the operating lever 108 is rotated, the drive transmitting portion 108a presses the surface 103b1 or 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103, so that the pack-side shutter 103 is rotated. Thereafter, the surface 103b1 or 103b2 constituting the portion 103e to which drive is transmitted of the pack-side shutter presses the portion 109e to which drive is transmitted of the apparatus-side shutter 109, so that the apparatus-side shutter 109 is rotated.
In a state in which the mounting of the toner pack 100 on the mounting portion 106 is completed, the three radial direction positioning portions 103f (see, part (b) of
Further, as shown in part (b) of
Further, the portion-to-be-positioned 102d provided on the nozzle 102 engages with the positioning portion 107a of the first frame 107. By this, rotation of the nozzle 102 of the toner pack 100 relative to the first frame 107 (main assembly base portion 2) is restricted.
Further, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of
[Operation of Operating Lever]
Parts (a) of
As described above, in the state in which the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, the operating lever 108, the pack-side shutter 103, and the apparatus-side shutter 109 are integrally rotatable about the rotational axis B relative to the main assembly base portion 2 and the nozzle 102. In a state in which the toner pack 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106 and in which the operating lever 108 is positioned in the closed position, as shown in part (a) of
As shown in parts (a) and (b) of
Specifically, the drive transmitting portion 108a presses the surface 103b1 of the pack-side shutter 103. By this, the pack-side shutter 103 is rotated together with the operating lever 108 from the shielding position to the open position. In other words, the pack-side shutter 103 is rotated from the shielding position to the open position in interrelation with the rotation of the operating lever 108 through engagement between the drive transmitting portion 108a and the surface 103b1. Further, the surface 103b of the pack-side shutter 103 rotated from the shielding position to the open position presses, the portion 109e, to which the drive is transmitted, of the apparatus-side shutter 109. By this, the apparatus-side shutter 109 is rotated together with the pack-side shutter 103 from the shielding position to the open position. In other words, the apparatus-side shutter 109 is rotated from the shielding position to the open position in interrelation with the rotation of the operating lever 108 through engagement between the surface 103b2 and the portion 109e to which drive is transmitted.
Then, as shown in part (b) of
The user rotates the operating lever 108 from the open position to the closed position when the supply of the toner from the toner pack 100 to the developing container 32 is completed. When the operating lever 108 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the drive transmitting portion 108a of the operating lever 108 presses the surface 103b2 of the pack-side shutter 103. By this, the pack-side shutter 103 is rotated together with the operating lever 108 from the open position to the shielding position. Further, the portion 103b1 of the pack-side shutter 103 rotated from the open position to the shielding position presses, the portion 109e, to which the drive is transmitted, of the apparatus-side shutter 109. By this, the apparatus-side shutter 109 is rotated together with the pack-side shutter 103 from the open position to the shielding position.
In this state, by pulling out the toner pack 100 from the mounting portion 106, a supplying operation of the toner is completed. On the toner pack 100 after the supplying operation is completed, the user may mount the cap main body portion 120U1 or may separately dispose of the cap main body portion 120U1 and the toner pack 100.
[Detailed Structure of Connecting Portion and Fixing Tab]
Next, using
As shown in
That is, when the cap main body portion 120U1 is dismounted from the toner pack 100, it is desirable that the cap main body portion 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2 are separated from each other earlier than elimination of the fixing between the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing portion 103n. For that reason, in this embodiment, as shown in parts (a) and (b) of
The three connecting portions 102U3 are constituted substantially in the same shape and are disposed in positions different from each other with respect to the circumferential direction about the rotational axis A. Each of the three connecting portions 120U3 is a cylindrical rib which extends along the rotational axis A and which connects the cap main body portion 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2. Further, in a cross section perpendicular to the rotational axis A, a cross-sectional area of each of the connecting portions 120U3 is made smaller than a cross-sectional area of the fixing tab 120U2. Incidentally, a total cross-sectional area of the three connecting portions 120U3 is also made smaller than the cross-sectional area of the fixing tab 120U2. In part (c) of
Further, each of the connecting portions 120U3 has a shape such that the cross-sectional area thereof is not uniform between the cap main body portion 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2 and changes intermittently. For example, as shown in part (b) of
Further, the connecting portion 120U3 includes an upstream corner portion T1 and a downstream corner portion T2 with respect to the arrow L direction in an end portion on a side where the connecting portion 120U3 is connected to the fixing tab 120U2. The corner portion T1 is smoothly connected to the fixing tab 120U2 at curvature smaller than curvature of the corner portion T2. That is, the corner portion T1 is connected to the fixing tab 120U2 in an area larger than the corner portion T2 is.
Thus, the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 120U3 becomes small on the side close to the cap main body portion 120U1, and therefore, the connecting portion 120 U3 is easily broken on the side closer to the cap main body portion 120U1. Further, the corner portion T1 is formed at the curvature smaller than the curvature of the corner portion T2, and therefore, when the cap main body portion 120U1 is rotated in the arrow L direction, the corner portion T2 is bent easier than the corner portion T1, and the corner portion T1 is stronger in bending stress than the corner portion T2. For this reason, a part of the connecting portion 120U3 close to the cap main body portion 120U1 is broken before a part of the connecting portion 120U3 which includes the corner portions T1 and T2 connected to the fixing tab 120U2 and which is close to the fixing tab 120U2. For this reason, a residue of the connecting portion 120U3 remaining on the cap main body portion 120U1 side after the breaking can be made small in amount, so that when the user takes charge of the removed cap main body portion 120U1, the residue is not readily caught, and thus usability can be improved.
Incidentally, in this embodiment, a constitution in which the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 120U3 is made large on the side close to the fixing tab 120U2 and is made small on the side close to the cap main body portion 120U1 was employed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The connecting portion 120U3 may preferably be provided with a part, at any place between the cap main body portion 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2, where the cross-sectional area thereof is small so as to be easily broken.
Further, in this embodiment, as materials of the cap 120 and the pack-side shutter 103, a polypropylene resin material is used. The fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing portion 103n are adhesively bonded to each other in such a manner that a primer principally comprising hexane and an amine compound is applied onto their flat surface portions 120U2a and the 103n1 and then an instant adhesive of a cyanoacrylate type is applied onto the flat surface portions. Adhesive strength between the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing portion 103n bonded to each other in such a manner is higher than strength of the connecting portion 120U3. Thus, the flat surface portions 120U2a and 103n1 are adhesively bonded to each other, and therefore, movement of the fixing tab 120U2 relative to the pack-side shutter 103 in the axial direction D1 of the rotational axis A is restricted. Further, in the holes 120U2b and 120U2c, the projected portions 103n2 and 103n3 are engaged, respectively, and therefore, movement of the fixing tab 120U2 relative to the pack-side shutter 103 in the rotational direction of the cap main body portion 120U1 is restricted. That is, the fixing tab 120U2 is fixed to the portion-to-be-mounted 700 so as to restrict the movement of the cap main body portion 120U1 relative to the portion-to-be-mounted 700 including the pack-side shutter 103 in both of the axial direction D1 and the rotational direction of the cap main body portion 120U1.
For this reason, when the cap main body portion 120U1 of the cap 120 is dismounted from the toner pack 100, the connecting portions 120U3 are broken without eliminating the adhesive bonding between the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing portion 103n. By this, the cap main body portion 120U1 is separated from the fixing tab 120U2, so that the cap main body portion 120U1 can be dismounted from the toner pack 100.
Thus, the cap 120 of which connecting portions 120U3 are broken can be discriminated from an outer appearance thereof as that the cap 120 has already been used (up), so that it is possible to reduce an opportunity to supply the toner with use of the toner pack 100 used up. By this, toner supply efficiency can be improved.
Next, using
As shown in
When the cap main body portion 120U1 is dismounted from the toner pack 100, the user applies a force, for rotating the cap main body portion 120U1, to the cap main body portion 120U1. At this time, the user is easy to exert the force on the cap main body portion 120U1 by gripping the extended portion 104b with user's hand opposite to the other hand used for rotating the cap main body portion 120U1. That is, the extended portion 104b functions as a non slip portion so that the user's hand does not slip with respect to the rotational direction about the rotational axis A, so that an operating property can be improved.
The extended portion 104b and the fixing tab 120U2 fixing the cap 120 to the toner pack 100 with respect to the rotational direction are disposed in positions which overlap with each other as viewed in the axial direction D1, and therefore, the user can easily observe states of the fixing tab 120U2 and the connecting portion 120U3. For this reason, the user is capable of easily discriminating whether the toner pack 100 is not used or used (up), so that usability can be improved.
Next, using part (a) of
As shown in part (a) of
Further, as shown in part (a) of
As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide one form of the accommodating container 800 mountable on the image forming apparatus 1. Especially, when the cap 120 is dismounted from the toner pack 100, the cap main body portion 120U1 is separated from the fixing tab 120U2, and thus the user easily discriminates whether the toner pack is not used or used (up), so that the usability can be improved. Further, the cap 120 is mounted on the portion-to-be-mounted 700 of the toner pack 100, so that the portion-to-be-mounted 700 can be protected. Particularly, the cap 120 is capable of protecting the portion 103e to which drive is transmitted, the projected portion 120b, and the portion-to-be-positioned 102d. The portion 103e to which drive is transmitted, the projected portion 102b, and the portion-to-be-positioned 120d are used for positioning of the toner pack 100 (the nozzle 102) relative to the mounting portion 106 and for the rotational operation of the pack-side shutter 103 by the operating lever 108. For this reason, the portion 103e to which drive is transmitted, the projected portion 102b, and the portion-to-be-positioned 102d are prevented from being broken by an external shock (impact), or the like before the toner supply, so that the toner supply from the toner pack 100 toward the developing container 32 can be appropriately performed.
Next, although a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, in the second embodiment, the constitution of the filter portion 140 in the first embodiment is changed. For this reason, constituent elements similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted from illustration or will be described by adding the same reference numerals or symbols to the figures.
Part (a) of
As shown in parts (a) and (b) of
The cap fixing portion 303n includes a flat surface portion 303n1 and two projected portions 103n2 and 103n3 projected from the flat surface portion 303n1 toward the mounting direction M along the rotational axis A. Each of the projected portions 103n2 and 103n3 is a boss formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.
The flat surface portion 303n1 is provided in a position recessed from the surface 103p of the flange portion 103 in the dismounting direction U. By this, as shown in part (b) of
Incidentally, in a state in which the portion-to-be-mounted 1700 of the toner pack 1100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, as shown in part (b) of
In this embodiment, as described above, not only the flat surface portion 303n1 is provided so discriminates to be recessed from the surface 103p in the dismounting direction U, but also the fixing tab 120U2 is disposed downstream of the surface 103p of the flange portion 103i with respect to the dismounting direction U. For this reason, when the portion to be mounted 1700 of the toner pack 1100 is mounted on the mounting portion 106, the fixing tab 120U2 fixed to the flange portion 103i does not contact the upper surface of the operating lever 108, so that positioning of the toner pack 1100 with respect to the mounting direction M can be performed with accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to suppress, scattering of the toner caused due to that the toner pack 1100 is not appropriately mounted on the mounting portion 106.
As shown in part (a) of
Similarly as in the case of the groove portion 500, the storing portion 506 is also provided so as to be positioned downstream of and recessed from the flat surface portion 303n1 with respect to the dismounting direction U. The storing portion 506 is provided at one end portion of the flat surface portion 303n1 with respect to the circumferential direction CD about the rotational axis A (see, part (a) of
The second groove portion 502 is formed in a circular shape along the outer peripheral surface of the projected portion 103n2, and the fourth groove portion 504 is formed in a circular shape along the outer peripheral surface of the projected portion 103n3. The first groove portion 501 extends along the circumferential direction CD over from an end portion 507 of the cap fixing portion 303n, opposite from the storing portion 506 with respect to the circumferential direction CD, to the second groove portion 502. The third groove portion 503 extends along the circumferential direction CD so as to connect the second groove portion 502 and the third groove portion 503. The fifth groove portion 505 extends along the circumferential direction CD so as to connect the fourth groove portion 504 and the storing portion 506. Thus, the first groove portion 501, the second groove portion 502, the third groove portion 503, the fourth groove portion 504, and the fifth groove portion 505 of the groove portion 500, and the storing portion 506 are formed continuously. Further, the groove portion 500 is formed over a full length of the flat surface portion 303n1 with respect to the circumferential direction CD.
[Assembling of Cap]
Next, a procedure of assembling the cap 120 onto the toner pack 1100 will be described. When the cap 120 is assembled onto the toner pack 1100 in a fresh (new) state, i.e., in a state in which the connecting portions 120U3 are not broken, an operator (user) rotates the cap 120 in the arrow K direction (see, part (a) of
In this state, the operator fixes the fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 to the cap fixing portion 303n as shown in parts (a) and (b) of
Next, the operator engages the projected portions 103n2 and 103n3 of the cap fixing portion 303n with the holes 120U2b and 120U2c of the fixing tab 120U2, respectively. Further, at this time, the flat surface portion 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2 contacts the flat surface portion 303n1 of the cap fixing portion 303n. Further, as shown in
Next, the operator injects, for example, the adhesive of the cyanoacrylate type into, for example, the part 501a of the first groove portion 501 by a certain amount. Here, in a state in which the flat surface portion 120U2a and the flat surface portion 303n1 are in contact with each other, as shown in part (b) of
By this, the adhesive flows through the first groove portion 501, the second groove portion 502, the third groove portion 503, the fourth groove portion 504, and the fifth groove portion 505 in a named order. Further, the groove portion 500 is formed over a full length of the flat surface portion 303n1 with respect to the circumferential direction CD. Therefore, the adhesive flowed through the first groove portion 501, the second groove portion 502, the third groove portion 503, the fourth groove portion 504, and the fifth groove portion 505 bleeds out to an entire region of the flat surface portion 303n1. For this reason, the flat surface portion 303n1 of the cap fixing portion 303n and the flat surface portion 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2 can be firmly bonded to each other by the adhesive. Further, the adhesive extends over the second groove portion 502 and the fourth groove portion 504 formed at peripheries of the projected portion 103n2 and the projected portion 103n3, respectively, so that the holes 120U2b and 120U2c and the projected portions 103n2 and 103n3 can also be bonded to each other by the adhesive.
As described above, the operator injects the adhesive into, for example, the part 501 of the first groove portion 501, so that the operator can easily cause the adhesive to flow into the first groove portion 501, the second groove portion 502, the third groove portion 503, the fourth groove portion 504, and the fifth groove portion 505. By this, the cap fixing portion 303n and the fixing tab 120U2 can be firmly bonded to each other.
Further, the operator can confirm that the adhesive flowed through the entire region of the groove portion 505 by observation of the adhesive caused to flow along the first groove portion 501, the second groove portion 502, the third groove portion 503, the fourth groove portion 504, and the fifth groove portion 505 and to flow out to the part 505a of the fifth groove portion 505. Further, the part 505a of the fifth groove portion 505 is connected to the storing portion 506, and therefore, the adhesive flowed out of the part 505a of the fifth groove portion 505 can be stored in the storing portion 506. By this, it is possible to reduce a degree of overflow of the adhesive toward an outside of the cap fixing portion 303n. Incidentally, the storing portion 506 is not necessarily required to store the adhesive, and it is preferable that the adhesive is extended over the entire region of the groove portion 500 without a flow of the adhesive through the storing portion 506.
Further, in this embodiment, the adhesive is injected into the storing portion 506 after the fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 is engaged with the cap fixing portion 303n. In the case where the adhesive is applied onto the cap fixing portion 303n or the fixing tab 120U2 before the fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 is engaged with the cap fixing portion 303n, there is a liability that an operation of assembling the cap 120 to the toner pack 1100 becomes hard to be performed. For example, during an operation in which the cap 120 is rotated and the fixing tab 120U2 is engaged with the cap fixing portion 303a, there is a liability that the adhesive applied onto the cap fixing portion 303n in advance adheres to a place other than the flat surface portion 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2 or to an operator's hand, or the like.
On the other hand, in this embodiment, after the fixing tab 120U2 of the cap 120 is engaged with the cap fixing portion 303n, the adhesive is injected into the groove portion 500, so that the adhesive is hard to adhesive to the place other than the flat surface portion 120U2a of the fixing tab 120U2 or to the operator's hand, or the like. Therefore, an operating property in an adhesive bonding operation can be improved.
Incidentally, in either of the embodiments described above, the cap 120 is mounted on the pack-side shutter 103, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cap 120 may be mounted on the nozzle 102. Further, if the cap is capable of protecting the portion-to-be-mounted of the toner pack, the cap may also be mounted on any member of the toner pack without limiting the portion-to-be-mounted to the nozzle or the pack-side shutter.
Further, in the first embodiment, the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing portion 103n are bonded by the primer and the adhesive, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing portion 103n may be fixed by (thermal) welding, a double-side tape, or the like. Further, materials of the cap 120 and the portion-to-be-mounted 700 and a shape of the connecting portion 120U3 may be changed arbitrarily.
Further, in either of the above-described embodiments, the toner is applied in the pouch 101 of the toner pack 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as the content accommodated in the pouch 101, other than the toner, ink may be used, and powder or a liquid is capable of being accommodated in the pouch 101. Further, the powder accommodatable in the pouch 101 is not limited to the toner. In the case where the ink is accommodated in the pouch 101, the toner pack 100 may be mounted on an image forming apparatus of an ink jet type.
Further, in either of the above-described embodiments, the pack-side shutter 103 and the apparatus-side shutter 109 are constituted so as to be rotatable about the rotational axes A and B between the shielding position and the open position, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the pack-side shutter 103 and the apparatus-side shutter 109 may be constituted so as to be movable between the open position by being linearly moved parallel to the mounting direction M
Further, in either of the above-described embodiments, the pack-side shutter 103 is constituted so as to open the discharging port 102a of the nozzle 102 only in the open position, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the pack-side shutter 103 may be a rotatable member which opens the discharging port 102a of the nozzle 102 irrespective of a rotation position. At that time, the discharging port 102a of the nozzle 102 may employ a constitution in which the discharging port 102a is closed by a seal when the toner pack 100 is not yet mounted on the mounting portion 106 and then the seal is removed by a mounting operation onto the mounting portion 106 or after the mounting. Further, a constitution in which the pack-side shutter 103 of the toner pack 100 is omitted may be employed.
Further, in either of the above-described embodiments, the pack-side shutter 103 is provided with the recessed screw portion 103g which is a female screw, and the cap 120 is provided with the projected screw portion 120e which is a male screw, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the pack-side shutter 103 may be provided with the male screw, and the cap 120 may be provided with the female screw.
Incidentally, in either of the above-described embodiments, the cap main body portion 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2 were connected by the connecting portions 120U3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the fixing tab 120U2 may be directly fixed to the cap main body portion 120U1 by bonding, snap-fitting, a magnet, or the like. In this case, it is preferable that fixing strength of the cap main body portion 120U1 and the fixing tab 120U2 is set so as to be weaker than above-described strength of the fixing tab 120U2 and the cap fixing portion 103n.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a form of the container for accommodating the content of power or a liquid.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2021-158543 filed on Sep. 28, 2021, and 2021-205885 filed on Dec. 20, 2021, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-158543 | Sep 2021 | JP | national |
| 2021-205885 | Dec 2021 | JP | national |
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| 10065828 | Takeuchi et al. | Sep 2018 | B2 |
| 11089172 | Yokota et al. | Aug 2021 | B2 |
| 20190163091 | Koshikawa | May 2019 | A1 |
| 20210103246 | Morihara et al. | Apr 2021 | A1 |
| 20210314456 | Yokota et al. | Oct 2021 | A1 |
| 20220155708 | Sato et al. | May 2022 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
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| 2012-192589 | Oct 2012 | JP |
| 2014-233909 | Dec 2014 | JP |
| 2021-026199 | Feb 2021 | JP |
| 2021-060510 | Apr 2021 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| U.S. Appl. No. 17/983,973, filed Nov. 9, 2022. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230096298 A1 | Mar 2023 | US |
