Patent Grant
11467516
The present invention relates to a powder container that contains a powder such as a toner, and relates to an image forming apparatus in which the powder is conveyed from the powder container toward a conveying destination.
In an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, or a facsimileing machine in which the electrophotographic process is implemented; a latent image formed on a photoreceptor is turned into a visible image using the toner present in a developing device. Hence, development of latent images results in the consumption of the toner. Because of that, it becomes necessary to replenish the developing device with the toner. There, a toner replenishing device, which functions as a powder supplying device installed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, conveys the toner from a toner container, which functions as a powder container, to the developing device. As a result, the developing device is replenished with the toner. Using a developing device that is replenished with the toner in the abovementioned manner, it becomes possible to develop images in a continual manner. Moreover, the toner container is attached to the toner replenishing device in a detachable manner. Hence, when the toner container runs out of the toner, it is replaced with a new toner container that contains the toner.
As toner containers that can be detachably attached to a toner replenishing device, some toner containers are known in which a spiral rib is formed on the inner surface of a cylindrical toner containing member that contains toner (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-241496, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-221825, Japanese Patent No. 4342958, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-202656, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-233247). In the condition in which such a toner container is attached to a toner replenishing device, the toner containing member is rotated so that the toner stored therein is conveyed from one end to the other end in the direction of the rotational axis. Then, from an opening formed at the other end of the toner containing member, the toner is discharged toward the main body of the toner replenishing device.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-276659 is disclosed the following configuration. Regarding a toner container in which a toner containing member is rotated so that the toner stored in the toner containing member is conveyed from one end to the other end, a conveying nozzle fixed to a toner replenishing device is inserted from an opening formed at the other end of the toner containing member. The conveying nozzle that is inserted in the toner container has a toner receiving opening formed in the neighborhood of the end portion at the front end in the direction of insertion of the conveying nozzle. Thus, when inserted in the toner container, the conveying nozzle receives the toner from the toner containing member through the toner receiving opening. Then, the conveying nozzle conveys the toner to the main body of the toner replenishing device. Moreover, in the toner container, inside the opening formed at the other end of the toner containing member, a nozzle insertion member is fixed that has a nozzle insertion opening for enabling insertion of the conveying nozzle. Furthermore, the toner container includes a container shutter that shuts the nozzle insertion opening when the conveying nozzle is not inserted, and opens the nozzle insertion opening at the time of insertion of the conveying nozzle.
In the toner container disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-276659, the nozzle insertion opening is kept shut until the conveying nozzle is inserted. With that, it becomes possible to prevent leakage or scattering of the toner before the toner container is attached to a toner replenishing device. Moreover, when the toner container is attached to a toner replenishing device, the conveying of toner from the toner container into the conveying nozzle of the toner replenishing device is done inside the toner container. As a result, as compared to the method in which the conveying of toner to the toner replenishing device is done on the outside of the toner container, the inside of the toner replenishing device as well as the outer surface of the toner container can be prevented from getting dirty with the scattered toner. For that reason, if the operator pulls out the toner container even after the start of image formation, the operator does not get dirty with the toner.
However, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-276659, there is no disclosure of a holding mechanism that would enable fixing the toner container (toner cartridge) to a toner replenishing device against the restoring force of springs that press the shutter toward the outside. Beyond that, there is no disclosure of a specific configuration that would enable avoiding interference between gears, which are installed for conveying the toner present inside the toner container, and the holding mechanism. Unless a holding mechanism is present that would enable holding the toner container to a toner replenishing device without causing interference with the gears, it is not possible to convey the toner in a stable manner. And it is not possible to supply the toner to the toner replenishing device with preventing toner leakage from the nozzle insertion opening.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a powder container in which a conveying nozzle can be inserted, and the powder container can be held at a replenishable position inside a replenishing device in such a way that a powder can be conveyed from the powder container to the replenishing device in a stable manner; as well as to provide an image forming apparatus that includes the powder container.
It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology.
According to an embodiment, there is provided a powder container attachable to a powder replenishing device in a horizontal longitudinal direction. The powder replenishing device includes a conveying nozzle for conveying a powder, a nozzle opening formed on the conveying nozzle to receive the powder from the powder container, and a replenishing device engaging member for holding the powder container by laterally biasing the powder container. The powder container includes a container body configured to contain a powder for image formation, the powder being to be supplied to the powder replenishing device; a conveyor configured to convey the powder from one end in the longitudinal direction to the other end at which a cylindrical container opening is formed, the conveyor being provided inside the container body; a gear configured to rotate the conveyor with an external driving force; a container cover configured to cover the gear, the container cover having a gear exposing hole for partially exposing a gear tooth; and a nozzle receiver configured to guide the conveying nozzle inside of the container body, the nozzle receiver being provided on the container opening. The container cover includes a container engaged portion that includes a sliding section configured to enable the replenishing device engaging member to slide, and an engaged hole with which the replenishing device engaging member engages. The container engaged portion is provided outer than the tooth of the gear in a radial direction.
The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Given below is the explanation of exemplary embodiments of the present invention that is applied to a copier (hereinafter, referred to as a copier 500) which functions as an image forming apparatus.
In a container holding section 70 that is disposed in the upper part of the printer 100, four toner containers 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K) that function as powder containers corresponding to four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively) are installed in a detachable manner (in a replaceable manner). On the lower side of the container holding section 70 is disposed an intermediate transfer unit 85.
The intermediate transfer unit 85 includes an intermediate transfer belt 48, four primary-transfer bias rollers 49 (49Y, 49M, 49C, and 49K), a secondary-transfer backup roller 82, a plurality of tension rollers, and an intermediate transfer cleaning device. The intermediate transfer belt 48 is wound around and supported by a plurality of rollers, and performs endless movement in the direction of arrows illustrated in
In the printer 100, four image forming units 46 (46Y, 46M, 46C, and 46K) are arranged in parallel to each other and opposite to the intermediate transfer belt 48. On the lower side of the four toner containers 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K), four toner replenishing devices 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) that function as powder replenishing devices are disposed respectively. Herein, each of the toner replenishing devices 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) supplies a toner, which is stored in the corresponding toner container 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, or 32K), to a developing device (a powder using unit) of the image forming unit 46 (46Y, 46M, 46C, or 46K) of the corresponding color.
As illustrated in
The image forming unit for yellow 46Y includes the drum-shape photoreceptor 41Y that functions as a latent image bearer. Moreover, the image forming unit for yellow 46Y includes the following constituent elements disposed around the photoreceptor 41Y: a charging roller 44Y that functions as a charging unit; a developing device 50Y that functions as a developing unit; a photoreceptor cleaning device 42Y; and a discharging device. The photoreceptor 41Y is subjected to imaging processing (including a charging operation, an exposing operation, a developing operation, a transferring operation, and a cleaning operation). As a result, a yellow image is formed on the photoreceptor 41Y.
Meanwhile, regarding the other three image forming units 46 (46M, 46C, 46K), except for the point that the colors of the used toner are different, the configurations are substantially identical to the configuration of the image forming unit for yellow 46Y corresponding to the yellow color. Thus, on each of the photoreceptors 41M, 41C, and 41K; images of the color of the corresponding toner are formed. Hereinafter, the explanation of the three image forming units 46 (46M, 46C, 46K) is appropriately omitted, and only the image forming unit for yellow 46Y is explained.
The photoreceptor 41Y is rotary-driven by a driving motor in the clockwise direction with reference to
Each of the four primary-transfer bias rollers 49 (49Y, 49M, 49C, and 49K) of the intermediate transfer unit 85 forms a primary transfer nip by sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 48 with the corresponding photoreceptor 41 (41Y, 41M, 41C, or 41K). Then, a transfer bias having opposite polarity to the polarity of the toner is applied to the primary-transfer bias rollers 49 (49Y, 49M, 49C, and 49K).
Following the formation of a yellow toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y during the developing operation, the surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches the primary transfer nip formed opposite to the primary-transfer bias roller 49Y. Then, at the primary transfer nip, the yellow toner image gets transferred from the photoreceptor 41Y onto the intermediate transfer belt 48 (a primary transfer operation). At that time, untransferred toner remains, albeit only slightly, on the photoreceptor 41Y. Once the yellow toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 48 at the primary transfer nip, the outer surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches the position opposite to the photoreceptor cleaning device 42Y. At that position, the untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor 41Y is mechanically collected by a cleaning blade 42a (the cleaning operation). Finally, the outer surface of the photoreceptor 41Y reaches the position opposite to the discharging device. At that position, the residual potential on the photoreceptor 41Y is removed. That marks the end of a sequence of operations that are performed with respect to the photoreceptor 41Y during the imaging process.
With respect to the other image forming units 46 (46M, 46C, and 46K) too, the imaging process is performed in an identical manner to the imaging process performed with respect to the image forming unit for yellow 46Y. That is, the exposing device 47 that is disposed on the lower side of each image forming unit 46 (46M, 46C, or 46K) emits image-information-based laser light L toward the photoreceptor 41 (41M, 41C, or 41K) of each image forming unit 46 (46M, 46C, or 46K). More specifically, in the exposing device 47, the laser light L is emitted from a light source and, is scanned using a rotary-driven polygon mirror so that the laser light L falls on each photoreceptor 41 (41M, 41C, and 41K) via a plurality of optical elements. That is followed by the developing operation. Then, the toner image of each color is transferred from the corresponding photoreceptor 41 (41M, 41C, or 41K) onto the intermediate transfer belt 48.
At that time, the intermediate transfer belt 48 is moving in the direction of the arrows illustrated in
Then, the intermediate transfer belt 48, on which the color toner image has been formed by superimposed transfer of the toner images of all colors, reaches the position opposite to a secondary transfer roller 89. At that position, the secondary-transfer backup roller 82 forms a secondary transfer nip by sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 48 with the secondary transfer roller 89. When a recording medium P such as a transfer paper sheet is conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip, the color toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 48 onto the recording medium P. At that time, untransferred toner that was not transferred onto the recording medium P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 48. After passing through the secondary transfer nip, the intermediate transfer belt 48 reaches the position of an intermediate transfer cleaning device, which collects the untransferred toner from the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 48. That marks the end of a sequence of operations performed with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 48.
Given below is the explanation regarding the recording medium P.
The recording medium P that is conveyed to the secondary transfer nip is conveyed from a feed tray 26 of the sheet feeder 200, which is disposed on the lower side of the printer 100, via a feed roller 27 and a registration roller pair 28. More specifically, in the feed tray 26 is housed a plurality of recording media P in a stacked manner. When the feed roller 27 is rotary-driven in the counterclockwise direction with reference to
The recording medium P that is conveyed to the registration roller pair 28 temporarily stops at the position of the roller nip of the registration roller pair 28 that has been stopped from rotary-driving. Then, in synchronization with the timing at which the color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 48 reaches the secondary transfer nip, the registration roller pair 28 is rotary-driven so that the recording medium P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. As a result, the desired color toner image gets transferred onto the recording medium P.
Then, the recording medium P, on which the color toner image has been transferred at the secondary transfer nip, is conveyed to a fixing device 86. In the fixing device 86, due to the heat and pressure generated from a fixing belt and a pressure roller, the color toner image is fixed on the recording medium P. After passing through the fixing device 86, the recording medium P is discharged to the outside of the copier 500 through a discharge roller pair 29. Once the recording medium P is discharged to the outside of the copier 500 through the discharge roller pair 29, it is sequentially stacked as an output image in a stack section 30. That marks the end of a sequence of operations performed during an image forming process in the copier 500.
Given below is the more detailed explanation about the configuration and the operations of the developing device 50 disposed in each image forming unit 46. Herein, the explanation is given with reference to the image forming unit for yellow 46Y. However, the explanation is identical with reference to the image forming units 46M, 46C, and 46K corresponding to the other three colors.
As illustrated in
The developer G present inside the developing device 50 circulates between the first developing particle accommodating portion 53Y and the second developing particle accommodating portion 54Y while being stirred by the two developer conveying screws 55Y. While the developer G that is housed in the first developing particle accommodating portion 53Y is conveyed to one side of the developer conveying screws 55Y, it is supplied to and carried on the sleeve surface of the developing roller 51Y by means of a magnetic field formed by the magnet roller of the developing roller 51Y. The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y is rotary-driven in the counterclockwise direction as illustrated by an arrow in
The developer G that is carried on the developing roller 51Y is then conveyed in the direction of the arrow illustrated in
The developer G present inside the developing device 50Y is adjusted to have the toner density within a predetermined range. More specifically, depending on the amount of development-related consumption of the toner that is included in the developer G present inside the developing device 50Y, the toner stored in the toner container 32Y is supplied to the second developing particle accommodating portion 54Y via the toner replenishing device 60Y (described later).
Then, the toner that is supplied to the second developing particle accommodating portion 54Y circulates between the first developing particle accommodating portion 53Y and the second developing particle accommodating portion 54Y while being mixed with the developer G and being stirred by the two developer conveying screws 55Y.
Given below is the explanation regarding the toner replenishing devices 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K).
Depending on the amount of consumption of the toners in the developing devices 50 (50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K), the respective toners are appropriately supplied to the developing devices 50 (50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50K) from the toner containers 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K) that are installed in the container holding section 70. At that time, the toners in the toner containers 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K) are supplied by the toner replenishing devices 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) that are installed on the basis of the toner colors. Meanwhile, regarding the four toner replenishing devices 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) or regarding the four toner containers 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K), the configurations are substantially identical other than the point that the color of the toner used in the imaging process is different. For that reason, hereinafter, the explanation is given only regarding the toner replenishing device 60Y and the toner container 32Y corresponding to the yellow color, and the explanation of the other toner replenishing devices 60 (60M, 60C, and 60M) and the other toner containers 32 (32M, 32C, and 32K) corresponding to the other three colors is appropriately omitted.
Each toner replenishing device 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) includes the container holding section 70; a conveying nozzle 611 (611Y, 611M, 611C, and 611K); a conveying screw 614 (614Y, 614M, 614C, and 614K); the toner dropping passage 64 (64Y, 64M, 64C, and 64K); and a container driving section 91 (91Y, 91M, 91C, and 91K).
Consider the case when the toner container 32Y is moved in the direction of an arrow Q illustrated in
In a first embodiment, the toner container 32Y is a toner bottle having a substantially cylindrical shape; and mainly includes a container front end cover 34Y, which serves as a container cover held in the container holding section 70 in a nonrotating manner, and a container body 33Y, with which a container gear 301Y serving as a gear is configured in an integrated manner. Moreover, the container body 33Y is held in a relatively-rotatable manner with respect to the container front end cover 34Y.
The container holding section 70 mainly includes a container cover receiving section 73, a container receiving section 72, and an insert hole portion 71. The container cover receiving section 73 is the portion for holding the container front end cover 34Y of the toner container 32Y. The container receiving section 72 is the portion for holding the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y. The insert hole portion 71 is the portion in which an insertion opening is formed that is used during the fitting operation for fitting the toner container 32Y into the container receiving section 72. In the copier 500, when a main body cover disposed on the near side (i.e., on the near side in the vertical direction with reference to
The container receiving section 72 is configured to have the length in the longitudinal direction substantially equal to the length in the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y. The container cover receiving section 73 is disposed at the container front end side in the longitudinal direction (the attaching-detaching direction) of the container receiving section 72. The insert hole portion 71 is formed at one end in the longitudinal direction (the attaching-detaching direction) of the container receiving section 72. Hence, during the fitting operation for fitting the toner container 32Y; the container front end cover 34Y passes through the insert hole portion 71, slides over the container receiving section 72 for some distance, and then fits into the container cover receiving section 73.
In the condition in which the container front end cover 34Y is attached to the container cover receiving section 73; a rotary drive is input from the container driving section 91Y, which includes a driving motor and a driving gear, to the container gear 301Y, which is included in the container body 33Y, via a container driving gear 601Y. As a result, the container body 33Y gets rotary-driven in the direction of an arrow A illustrated in
Inside the conveying nozzle 611Y is disposed the conveying screw 614Y, which rotates in response to a rotary drive that is input from the container driving section 91Y to a conveying screw gear 605Y and which conveys the toner that has been supplied into the conveying nozzle 611Y. The downstream end in the conveying direction of the conveying nozzle 611Y is connected to the toner dropping passage 64Y. Thus, the toner conveyed by the conveying screw 614Y falls into the toner dropping passage 64Y due to its own weight and reaches the developing device 50Y (the second developing particle accommodating portion 54Y).
When any toner container 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, or 32K) comes to the end of its product life (i.e., when the toner stored in any toner container 32 is almost completely consumed thereby leaving that toner container 32 empty), it is replaced with a new toner container 32. In the toner container 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, or 32K), a gripper (handle) 303 is disposed at the opposite end portion of the container front end cover 34 in the longitudinal direction of that toner container 32. While replacing the toner container 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, or 32K), the operator can hold the gripper 303 and pull out that toner container 32.
Meanwhile, there are times when a controller 90 calculates the amount of toner consumption based on the image information used in the exposing device 47 and accordingly determines to request the developing device 50Y to supply the toner. Alternatively, there are times when, based on the detection result of the toner density sensor 56Y, the controller 90 detects that the toner density has decreased in the developing device 50Y. In such cases, under the control of the controller 90, the container driving section 91Y is rotary-driven and the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y and the conveying screw 614Y are rotated for a predetermined period of time so as to supply the toner to the developing device 50Y. Herein, the toner is supplied as a result of the rotation of the conveying screw 614Y that is disposed in the conveying nozzle 611. For that reason, if the number of rotations of the conveying screw 614Y is detected, then it also becomes possible to accurately calculate the amount of supplied toner from the toner container 32Y. When the cumulative amount of supplied toner that is calculated from the time of holding the toner container 32Y goes up to the amount of toner present in the toner container 32Y at the time of holding, then it is considered that there is no toner left in the toner container 32Y and a notification urging replacement of the toner container 32Y is displayed on a display unit of the copier 500.
Meanwhile, even if the operation of detecting a decrease in the toner density using the toner density sensor 56Y, the operation of performing a toner supplying operation, and the operation of determining whether or not the toner density is restored are repeated for a plurality of times; there are instances when the toner density sensor 56Y does not detect that the toner density is restored. In this case too, it is considered that there is no toner left in the toner container 32Y and a notification urging replacement of the toner container 32Y is displayed on the display unit of the copier 500.
Furthermore, to the frame 602 is fixed the container driving section 91 that includes a driving motor 603, the container driving gear 601, and a worm gear 603a which transmits the rotary drive of the driving motor 603 to the rotational axis of the container driving gear 601. Moreover, to the rotational axis of the container driving gear 601 is fixed a drive transmitting gear 604 that engages with the conveying screw gear 605 fixed to the rotational axis of the conveying screw 614. With such a configuration, by rotary-driving the driving motor 603, it becomes possible to rotate the toner container 32 via the container driving gear 601 and the container gear 301. Moreover, along with rotating the toner container 32, it becomes possible to rotate the conveying screw 614 via the drive transmitting gear 604 and the conveying screw gear 605.
Given below is the explanation of the conveying nozzle 611 of the toner replenishing device 60.
At the base of the conveying nozzle 611 is formed a container setting section 615 that fits with a container opening 33a, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60. The container setting section 615 is cylindrical in shape, and an inner surface 615a thereof fits with the outer surface of the container opening 33a in a slidable manner. As a result of that fitting, positioning of the toner container 32 with respect to the toner replenishing device 60 is done in the planar direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the toner container 32. Meanwhile, while the toner container 32 is rotating, the outer surface of the container opening 33a serves as a rotational axis portion and the container setting section 615 functions as a bearing. At that time, the outer surface of the container opening 33a comes in slidable contact with the container setting section 615. With reference to
As illustrated in
The length in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the first inner rib 612b is such that, when the nozzle shutter 612 is attached to the conveying nozzle 611, the first inner rib 612b can fit into the width in the circumferential direction of a nozzle opening 610.
As illustrated in
Given below is the detailed explanation regarding the toner containers 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K) and the toner replenishing devices 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K). As described above, except for the point that the color of the used toner is different in each toner container 32 (32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K) and each toner replenishing device 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K), the configurations are substantially identical. Hence, the following explanation is given without writing the toner color referring characters of Y, M, C, and K.
The toner replenishing device 60 includes the conveying nozzle 611 that in turn includes the conveying screw 614. Besides, the toner replenishing device 60 includes the nozzle shutter 612. In a container-unattached condition in which the toner container 32 is yet to be fit (i.e., in the condition illustrated in
Firstly, the explanation is given regarding the toner container 32.
As described above, the toner container 32 mainly includes the container body 33 and the container front end cover 34.
The container body 33 is substantially cylindrical in shape and is configured to be rotatable around the central axis of the cylindrical shape as the rotational axis. In the following explanation, the direction parallel to the rotational axis is called “rotational axis direction”. Moreover, in the toner container 32, the side in the rotational axis direction at which the nozzle receiving opening 331 is formed (i.e., the side at which the container front end cover 34 is present) is called “container front end side”. Furthermore, in the toner container 32, the side at which the gripper 303 is disposed (i.e., the opposite side to the container front end side) is called “container rear end side”. Hereinafter, the terms “the container front end side” and “the container rear end side” are referred to in the direction in which any members are attached to the toner container 32. Meanwhile, the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32 is the rotational axis direction. In the condition in which the toner container 32 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the rotational axis direction points to the horizontal direction. The portion of the container body 33 more toward the container rear end side than the container gear 301 has a greater outer diameter as compared to the container front end side. On the inner surface of the container body 33 is formed the spiral rib 302. When the container body 33 rotates in the direction of the arrow A illustrated in
The container body 33 is configured in such a way that, when the container body 33 rotates in the direction of the arrow A illustrated in
In the portion of the container body 33 that is more toward the container front end side than the conic-shaped portion, the container gear 301 functioning as a gear is formed. And the container front end cover 34 includes a gear exposing hole 34a from which a portion of the container gear 301 gets exposed, in the condition in which the container front end cover 34 is attached to the container body 33. Then, once the toner container 32 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the container gear 301 that is exposed from the gear exposing hole 34a engages with the container driving gear 601 of the toner replenishing device 60.
In the portion of the container body 33 that is more toward the container front end side than the container gear 301, the container opening 33a having a cylindrical shape is formed. Then, if a nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 of the nozzle receiver 330 is press-fit in the container opening 33a, it becomes possible to fix the nozzle receiver 330 to the container body 33. However, the method of fixing the nozzle receiver 330 is not limited to press fitting. Alternatively, the nozzle receiver 330 can be fixed using an adhesive agent or using screws.
In the toner container 32, when the toner is filled in the container body 33 from the opening of the container opening 33a, the nozzle receiver 330 is fixed to the container opening 33a of the container body 33.
In the container opening 33a, a cover hooked portion 306 is formed at the end portion on the side of the container gear 301. To the toner container 32 (the container body 33) in the condition illustrated in
Meanwhile, the container body 33 is formed by implementing the biaxial stretch blow molding method (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-241496, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2005-221825, and Japanese Patent No. 4342958). The biaxial stretch blow molding method generally includes preform molding and stretch blow molding. During preform molding, injection molding of a resin is performed to cast a test-tube-shaped preform. As a result of performing injection molding; the container opening 33a, the cover hooked portion 306, and the container gear 301 are formed at the opening of the test-tube-shaped preform. During stretch blow molding; the preform, which has been cooled after preform injection molding and which has been removed from the cast, is heated and softened before being blow-molded and stretched.
In the container body 33 according to the first embodiment, the portion on the container rear end side than the container gear 301 is molded by performing stretch blow molding. That is, the portion including the spiral rib 302, and the gripper 303 are molded by performing stretch blow molding.
In the container body 33, the constituent elements such as the container opening 33a and the cover hooked portion 306 that are present more toward the container front end side than the container gear 301 take the shape of the preform that is formed by injection molding. Hence, those constituent elements can be molded with accuracy. In contrast, the portion including the conveying vane 304 and the spiral rib 302, and the gripper 303 are formed firstly by injection molding and are then stretched during stretch blow molding. Hence, the molding accuracy is inferior as compared to preform molding.
Given below is the explanation regarding the nozzle receiver 330 that is fixed to the container body 33.
The nozzle receiver 330 includes a container shutter supporter 340, the container shutter 332, a container seal 333, a container shutter spring 336, and the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337. The container shutter supporter 340 includes a shutter rear end supporting portion 335, shutter side supporting portions 335a, and the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337. The container shutter spring 336 is made of a coil spring.
The container shutter 332 includes a front end cylindrical portion 332c, a sliding section 332d, a guiding rod 332e, and a shutter hook 332a. The front end cylindrical portion 332c is that portion of the container front end side which fits tightly to the cylindrical opening (the nozzle receiving opening 331) of the container seal 333. The sliding section 332d is a cylindrical section that is formed more on the container rear end side than the front end cylindrical portion 332c, that has a slightly greater outer diameter than the front end cylindrical portion 332c, and that slides on the inner surface of the pair of shutter side supporting portions 335a. The guiding rod 332e is a column erected from the inside of the front end cylindrical portion 332c toward the container rear end side; and is a rod-like portion that, when inserted inside the coil of the container shutter spring 336, guides the container shutter spring 336 to prevent buckling thereof. The shutter hook 332a is disposed at the opposite end of the erected base of the guiding rod 332e and has a pair of claws for preventing the container shutter 332 from falling off from the container shutter supporter 340.
As illustrated in
The nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 is tubular in shape in which the diameter of the outer surface and the diameter of the inner surface goes on decreasing in a stepwise manner toward the container rear end side. That is, the diameters decrease in sequence from the container front end side to the container rear end side. On the outer surface of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 are present two outer diameter portions (an outer surface AA and an outer surface BB in that order from the container front end side). On the inner diameter of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 are present five inner diameter portions (an outer surface CC, an outer surface DD, an outer surface EE, an outer surface FF, and an outer surface GG in that order from the container front end side). The boundary between the outer surface AA and the outer surface BB on the outer surface is linked by a tapered surface. In an identical manner, the boundary between the fourth inner diameter portion FF and the fifth inner diameter portion GG on the inner surface is also linked by a tapered surface. The inner diameter portion FF on the inner surface and the tapered surface linked to the inner diameter portion FF correspond to a seal jam preventing space 337b (described later); while the ridge lines of those surfaces correspond to a pentagonal cross-section (described later).
As illustrated in
Meanwhile, as illustrated in
Given below is the explanation of the functions of the seal jam preventing space 337b. When the container shutter 332 moves in the container rear end side direction from the condition of shielding the nozzle receiving opening 331; the inner surface of the container seal 333 slides with the front end cylindrical portion 332c of the container shutter 332. For that reason, the inner surface of the container seal 333 is pulled by the container shutter 332 and undergoes elastic deformation to move in the container rear end side direction.
At that time, in case the seal jam preventing space 337b is absent and if the vertical surface linked from the third inner surface (i.e., the surface for attaching the container seal 333) is orthogonal to the fifth inner surface GG, then there is a possibility of the following condition occurring. That is, there is a possibility that the elastically-deformed portion of the container seal 333 gets sandwiched and jammed between the inner surface of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337, which slides with the container shutter 332, and the outer surface of the container shutter 332. If the container seal 333 gets jammed in the portion within which the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 and the container shutter 332 slide against each other, that is, if the container seal 333 gets jammed between the front end cylindrical portion 332c and the inner surface GG; then the container shutter 332 gets locked with respect to the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337. As a result, opening and closing of the nozzle receiving opening 331 cannot be performed.
In contrast, in the first embodiment, the nozzle receiver 330 has the seal jam preventing space 337b formed on the inner perimeter thereof. The inner diameter of the seal jam preventing space 337b (the inner diameter of the inner surface FF and the inner diameter of each tapered surface linked to the inner surface FF) is smaller than the outer diameter of the container seal 333. For that reason, the entire container seal 333 never enters the seal jam preventing space 337b. Moreover, there is a limit to the area of the container seal 333 which gets pulled and undergoes elastic deformation, and the container seal 333 itself goes back to the original state before getting jammed at the inner surface GG. Due to that action, it becomes possible to prevent a situation in which opening and closing of the nozzle receiving opening 331 cannot be performed because the container shutter 332 gets locked with respect to the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337.
As illustrated in
When the reverse side of the nozzle shutter spring receiving surface 612f of the nozzle shutter flange 612a, which is biased to the nozzle shutter spring 613, runs into the nozzle shutter positioning ribs 337a; the position in the rotational axis direction of the nozzle shutter 612 is determined with respect to the toner container 32. As a result, the positional relationship in the rotational axis direction of the end surface at the container front end side of the container seal 333 and the end surface at the container front end side of a front end opening 305 (i.e., as described later, the internal space of the cylindrical nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 that is disposed inside the container opening 33a) with the nozzle shutter 612 is determined.
As illustrated in
As described later, the container setting section 615 has the inner surface 615a that, at the time of setting the toner container 32, engages with the container opening 33a of the toner container 32. The inner surface 615a of the container setting section 615 is assumed to have an inner diameter D1; while the outer surface of the container opening 33a of the toner container 32 is assumed to have a diameter d1.
The nozzle shutter 612 disposed in the conveying nozzle 611 includes the nozzle shutter flange 612a that is assumed to have an outer diameter D2. Moreover, of the inner diameter of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337, the inner diameter on the outside of the container seal 333 in the axial direction (i.e., the inner diameter of the second inner surface from the container front end side) is assumed to be d2. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the container seal 333 is assumed to be d3. Meanwhile, the nozzle shutter positioning ribs 337a makes contact against the outer surface of the container seal 333 and are arranged in plurality between the outer surface of the container seal 333 and the second inner surface from the container front end side of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337. The outer diameter of the nozzle shutter 612 (i.e., the outer diameter of the nozzle shutter tube 612e (described later)) is assumed to be D3, and the inner diameter of the container seal 333 is assumed to be d4.
At the time of fitting the toner container 32 into the toner replenishing device 60, the conveying nozzle 611 enters the nozzle receiving opening 331, with the nozzle opening 610 remaining shut by the nozzle shutter 612. Then, the nozzle shutter flange 612a makes contact against the container seal 333 and flattens out the container seal 333. Subsequently, the nozzle shutter flange 612a runs into the end portions at the container front end side of the nozzle shutter positioning ribs 337a. As a result, the nozzle opening 610 is opened, and the inside of the toner container 32 becomes communicated with the inside of the conveying nozzle 611. At that time, the outer surface of the container opening 33a of the toner container 32 and the inner surface 615a of the container setting section 615 fit into each other in such a way that the toner container body 33 is held in a rotatable manner at that position of fitting.
In order to ensure that the outer surface of the container opening 33a of the toner container 32 and the inner surface 615a of the container setting section 615 fit into each other in a rotatable manner, the diameter d1 of the outer surface of the container opening 33a of the toner container 32 and the internal diameter D1 of the inner surface 615a of the container setting section 615 are set to satisfy the relationship “d1<D1”. Herein, d1 and D1 are set to have the fitting tolerance in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm. In this way, by maintaining the relationship “d1<D1”, it becomes possible to rotary drive the container body 33 while holding it on the inner surface 615a of the container setting section 615.
Herein, the configuration is such that the conveying nozzle 611 and the nozzle shutter 612 enter the nozzle receiving opening 331, with the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611 remaining shut by the nozzle shutter 612. In order to implement the configuration, the setting is done to satisfy the relationship “D2<d2”, where D2 represents the outer diameter of the nozzle shutter flange 612a and d2 represents the inner diameter that, of the inner diameter of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337, is on the outside of the container seal 333 in the axial direction (i.e., d2 represents the inner diameter of the second inner surface from the container front end side).
Meanwhile, the outer diameter D2 of the nozzle shutter flange 612a is set to also satisfy the relationship “D2>d3” in order to ensure the following: after the nozzle shutter flange 612a makes contact against the container seal 333 and flattens out the container seal 333, the nozzle shutter flange 612a runs into the end portions in the container front end side of the nozzle shutter positioning ribs 337a. Thus, the setting is done to satisfy the relationship “d3<D2<d2”, where D2 represents the outer diameter of the nozzle shutter flange 612a; d2 represents the inner diameter that, of the inner diameter of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337, is on the outside of the container seal 333 in the axial direction (i.e., d2 represents the inner diameter of the second inner surface from the container front end side); and d3 represents the outer diameter of the container seal 333.
As a result of doing the setting in this manner, the nozzle shutter 612 can be housed in the front end opening 305 of the toner container 32 (i.e., can be housed on the inside of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337). Then, accompanying the rotation of the container body 33, when the container seal 333 and the nozzle shutter flange 612a slide against each other; it also becomes possible to prevent sliding-induced deterioration of the container seal 333. That becomes possible because, the nozzle shutter flange 612a is made to abut against the nozzle shutter positioning ribs 337a in such a way that the container seal 333 is not excessively flattened out and the sliding load can be controlled. In addition, since the nozzle shutter flange 612a flattens out the container seal 333 and fits thereto tightly but within limits, it also becomes possible to reduce toner scattering that occurs at the time of fitting the toner container 32 into the toner replenishing device 60.
Besides, the outer diameter D3 of the nozzle shutter 612 and the inner diameter d4 of the container seal 333 of the nozzle receiver 330 are set to satisfy the relationship “d4<D3”. Because of that, when the conveying nozzle 611 enters the container seal 333, the inner diameter of the container seal 333 is pushed out. Hence, the container seal 333 can fit tightly but within limits to the nozzle shutter 612. For that reason, in the condition in which the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted, it becomes possible to prevent toner leakage from the toner container 32 to the outside.
By summing up the abovementioned relationships of diameters, the constituent elements of the toner container 32 are set to satisfy “d4<D3<d3<D2<d2<d1<D1”. As a result of doing the setting in such a manner, it not only becomes possible to achieve sealability that prevents scattering or leakage of the toner from the toner container 32 but also becomes possible to achieve the housing capacity to house the nozzle shutter 612 and the nozzle shutter spring 613.
Moreover, as described later, at the time of fitting the toner container 32 into the toner replenishing device 60, the nozzle opening 610 starts opening only after the nozzle shutter flange 612a runs into the nozzle shutter positioning ribs 337a and the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the toner container 32 is fixed. On the other hand, at the time of removing the toner container 32 from the toner replenishing device 60, even if the conveying nozzle 611 starts pulling out from the toner container 32, as long as the nozzle opening 610 is open, the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the toner container 32 does not change because of the biasing force applied by the nozzle shutter spring 613.
Once the toner container 32 is pulled out, the relative position of the toner container 32 with respect to the conveying nozzle 611 undergoes a change. For that reason, the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the conveying nozzle 611 also undergoes a change, and the nozzle shutter 612 starts shutting the nozzle opening 610. At that time, as the toner container 32 is pulled out, the distance between the toner container 32 and the container setting section 615 goes on increasing. As a result, the nozzle shutter spring 613 starts returning to the natural length because of its own restoring force. Hence, the biasing force against the nozzle shutter 612 starts to decrease.
Moreover, once the toner container 32 is pulled out and the nozzle shutter 612 completely shuts the nozzle opening 610, some portion of the nozzle shutter 612 (i.e., the first inner rib 612b (described later in detail)) runs into some portion of the conveying nozzle 611. As a result of that contact, the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the conveying nozzle 611 gets fixed, and the contact made by the nozzle shutter flange 612a against the nozzle shutter positioning ribs 337a is released.
When the toner container 32 is further pulled out, the nozzle shutter 612 comes out of the toner container 32 along with the conveying nozzle 611.
In the condition in which the nozzle shutter flange 612a has run into the nozzle shutter positioning ribs 337a, the portion of the conveying nozzle 611 in which the nozzle opening 610 is formed is positioned sufficiently on the inward side (the container rear end side or the depth side) as compared to the opening portion of the nozzle receiving opening 331. More particularly, the arrangement is such that the nozzle opening 610 is placed at a position that is beyond the container gear 301 in the rotational axis direction toward the container rear end side. Since the nozzle opening 610 performs opening and closing from the position that is sufficiently on the inward side of the toner container 32, it becomes possible to prevent leakage of the toner from the nozzle opening 610 to the outside.
Meanwhile, regarding the shutter side supporting portions 335a and a space 335b between the shutter side supporting portions 335a; the two shutter side supporting portions 335a that are opposite to each other constitute a cylindrical shape that is cut off in a large way at a portion (two positions) of the space 335b between the shutter side supporting portions 335a. Because of such a shape, the container shutter 332 can be guided to move along the rotational axis direction inside the columnar space 51 that is formed on the inward side of the cylindrical shape.
While the container body 33 is rotating, the nozzle receiver 330 that is fixed to the container body 33 also rotates along the container body 33. At that time, the shutter side supporting portions 335a of the nozzle receiver 330 rotate around the conveyor nozzle 611 of the toner replenishing device 60. For that reason, the shutter side supporting portions 335a that are rotating pass through the space immediately above the nozzle opening 610, which is formed in the upper part of the conveying nozzle 611. With that, even if the toner gets deposited momentarily above the nozzle opening 610, the shutter side supporting portions 335a cut across the deposited toner and break it. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent a situation in which the deposited toner agglutinates during the period of non-use of the device thereby leading to trouble while conveying the toner when the device is restarted. Meanwhile, at a timing at which the shutter side supporting portions 335a are positioned laterally with respect to the conveying nozzle 611 and opposite to the nozzle opening 610, the toner inside the container body 33 is supplied into the conveying nozzle 611 as illustrated by an arrow β illustrated in
As illustrated in
Explained below with reference to
At the time of fitting the toner container 32 into the toner replenishing device 60, the container front end cover 34 is moved in a sliding manner over the container receiving section 72 illustrated in
Meanwhile, on the container front end cover 34 is disposed an IC tag (an ID tag or an ID chip) 700 that is used in recording data of the usage status of the toner container 32. Moreover, on the container front end cover 34 is disposed a color specific rib 34b that prevents a situation in which the toner container 32 that contains the toner of a particular color is fit into the setting cover 608 corresponding to a different toner color. As described above, at the time of fitting the toner container 32 into the replenishing device 60, the sliding guides 361 engage with the slide rails of the container receiving section 72. As a result, the orientation of the container front end cover 34 in the toner replenishing device 60 gets determined. With that, the position adjustment between the container engaged portions 339 and the replenishing device engaging members 609 can be performed in a smooth manner; as well as the position adjustment between the IC tag 700 (described later) and a connector 800 of the toner replenishing device 60 can be performed in a smooth manner.
Given below is the explanation about the operation of fitting the toner container 32 into the toner replenishing device 60.
As indicated by the arrow Q illustrated in
When the toner container 32 is further moved in the direction of the toner replenishing device 60, that surface of the nozzle shutter flange 612a which is opposite to the nozzle shutter spring receiving surface 612f comes in contact with the container front end side of the container seal 333. When the container seal 333 is slightly flattened out, the abovementioned surface of the nozzle shutter flange 612a runs into the nozzle shutter positioning ribs 337a. As a result, the relative position in the rotational axis direction of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the toner container 32 gets fixed.
When the toner container 32 is further moved in the direction of the toner replenishing device 60, the conveying nozzle 611 gets further inserted on the inward side of the toner container 32. At that time, the nozzle shutter 612 that has run into the nozzle shutter positioning ribs 337a is pushed back to the nozzle base end with respect to the conveying nozzle 611. As a result, the nozzle shutter spring 613 undergoes compression, and the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the conveying nozzle 611 moves to the nozzle base end. Accompanying the movement of the relative position, the nozzle opening 610 that was covered by the nozzle shutter 612 gets exposed inside the container body 33, and the inside of the container body 33 becomes communicated with the inside of the conveying nozzle 611.
In the condition in which the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted in the nozzle receiving opening 331; due the biasing force of the container shutter spring 336 in the compressed state or the biasing force of the nozzle shutter spring 613 in the compressed state, a force acts in the direction of pushing back the toner container 32 with respect to the toner replenishing device 60 (i.e. a force acts in the opposite direction to the direction of the arrow Q illustrated in
As illustrated in
Moreover, the gutter width of the guiding gutters 339b is slightly greater than the width of the replenishing device engaging members 609, and is set to such an extent that the replenishing device engaging members 609 do not drop out from the gutters.
The container rear end side of each guiding gutter 339b is not directly linked to the corresponding engaged hole 339d, but has a dead end. Moreover, the container rear end side of each guiding gutter 339b has the same height as the height of the side peripheral surface of the container front end cover 34. That is, between each guiding gutter 339b and the corresponding engaged hole 339d is present the outer surface of about 1 mm thickness of the container front end cover 34. That portion corresponds to the corresponding bump 339c. The replenishing device engaging members 609 climb over the bumps 339c and land into the engaged holes 339d. With that, the engaging of the toner container 32 with respect to the toner replenishing device 60 is accomplished.
The toner container 32 is configured in such a way that, on a virtual plane that is orthogonal to the rotational axis, the container shutter 332 is positioned in the center of the line segment that joins the two container engaged portions 339. If the container shutter 332 is not positioned on the line segment that joins the two container engaged portions 339, then there arises the following possibility. That is, the distance from the line segment to the container shutter 332 functions as an arm of moment; and, due to the biasing force of the container shutter spring 336 and the nozzle shutter spring 613, there occurs an action of the moment of force which rotates the toner container 32 around the line segment. Because of the action of the moment of the force, there is a possibility that the toner container 32 tilts with respect to the toner replenishing device 60. In that case, there occurs an increase in the fitting load of the toner container 32, and the nozzle receiver 330 that holds and guides the container shutter 332 comes under strain.
Particularly, in the case of a new toner container 32 that is sufficiently filled with the toner, when the horizontally-protruding conveying nozzle 611 is pushed from the rear end of the toner container 32 for insertion in the toner container 32, the moment of force for rotating the toner container 32 acts by also taking into account the toner weight. As a result, there is a possibility that the nozzle receiver 330, in which the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted, comes under strain and, at worst, undergoes deformation or breaks down. In contrast, in the toner container 32 according to the first embodiment, the container shutter 332 is positioned on the line segment that joins the two container engaged portions 339. For that reason, due to the biasing force of the container shutter spring 336 and the nozzle shutter spring 613 acting at the position of the container shutter 332, it becomes possible to prevent the toner container 32 from tilting with respect to the toner replenishing device 60.
Meanwhile, as illustrated in
In the condition in which the positioning of the toner container 32 in the rotational axis direction is done in the abovementioned manner, the outer surface of the container opening 33a fits in a slidable manner in the inner surface 615a of the container setting section 615. For that reason, as described above, the positioning of the toner container 32 is done with respect to the toner replenishing device 60 in the planar direction orthogonal to the rotational axis. With that, the fitting of the toner container 32 into the toner replenishing device 60 is completed.
After the fitting of the toner container 32 is completed, when the driving motor 603 is rotary-driven, the container body 33 of the toner container 32 rotates as well as the conveying screw 614 in the conveying nozzle 611 rotates.
Due to the rotation of the container body 33, the toner inside the container body 33 is conveyed by the spiral rib 302 to the container front end side of the container body 33. Then, the toner that has been conveyed to near the nozzle opening 610 enters the nozzle opening 610 and is supplied in the conveying nozzle 611. Subsequently, the toner supplied in the conveying nozzle 611 is conveyed ahead by the conveying screw 614 to the developing device 50 through the toner dropping passage 64. The flow of the toner from the inside of the container body 33 to the toner dropping passage 64 is indicated by the arrow β illustrated in
In the toner container 32 according to the first embodiment, as illustrated in
In this way, since the opening position of the nozzle receiving opening 331 is deeper as compared to the opening position of the container body 33, it becomes possible to prevent toner attachment to the outer surface of the container opening 33a. That is because, even if toner leakage occurs at the time of taking out the conveying nozzle 611 from the toner container 32, the toner that leaks and floats free from the nozzle receiving opening 331 cannot easily float around the end surface at the container front end side of the container opening 33a. Moreover, the toner that leaks and falls down from the nozzle receiving opening 331 gets stuck at the lower inner surface of the front end opening 305. For that reason, it becomes possible to prevent toner attachment to the inner surface 615a of the container setting section 615. In this way, the toner that leaks from the nozzle receiving opening 331 can be held in the area surrounded by the inner surface that is more toward the container rear end side of the container opening 33a as compared to the end surface at the container front end side of the container opening 33a. Hence, it becomes possible to prevent scattering of the toner to the outside of the toner container 32.
Moreover, as described above, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the container seal 333 is flattened out by the nozzle shutter flange 612a. As a result, the nozzle shutter flange 612a fits tightly and with pressure to the container seal 333. That enables achieving prevention of toner leakage in a more reliable manner. By having the configuration in which the container shutter 332 is disposed more toward the inward side in the longitudinal direction (i.e., more toward the container rear end side) as compared to the opening position, a cylindrical space is formed between the front end of the toner container 32 and the end surfaces at the container front end side of the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333.
In the condition in which the toner container 32 is not attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611 is shut by the nozzle shutter 612. Thus, when the toner container 32 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, it becomes necessary to open the nozzle shutter 612 so that the toner can be received.
In the toner replenishing device 60, a cylindrical space (the front end opening 305) is formed between the end portion at the container front end side of the container opening 33a and the end surfaces at the container front end side of the container shutter 332 and the container seal 333. Inside that space is formed a withdrawal space in which the withdrawal space of the nozzle shutter 612 in the open state fits entirely or partially. Moreover, in that withdrawal space, the nozzle shutter spring 613 that is used for shutting the nozzle shutter 612 fits entirely or partially. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to reduce the space required to dispose the nozzle shutter 612 and the nozzle shutter spring 613.
As illustrated in
With such a configuration, the distance from the opening position of the front end opening 305, which is the foremost end of the toner container 32, to the toner falling portion in the toner replenishing device 60 (i.e., the position at which the toner dropping passage 64 is connected to the conveying nozzle 611) can be shortened. As a result, it becomes possible to downsize the main body of the copier 500.
Meanwhile, in the toner container 32 according to the first embodiment, the portions are figured out for press fitting the nozzle receiver 330 into the container body 33.
With reference to
The toner container 32 illustrated in
As illustrated in
In order to prevent such issues from arising, the amount of swelling of the container opening 33a caused due to press fitting can be estimated in advance, and the outer diameter of the container opening 33a can be accordingly set while manufacturing the toner container 32. However, if the outer diameter of the container opening 33a is set by taking into account the amount of swelling caused due to press fitting, then the following issue may arise. That is, it becomes necessary to set a large dimensional tolerance for the outer diameter of the container opening 33a. If the amount of swelling is small within the dimensional tolerance, then that leads to an increase in the difference between the outer diameter of the container opening 33a and the cylindrical inner surface 615a of the container setting section 615. That may result in inadequate positioning.
As a configuration that enables preventing such issues from arising, in the toner container 32 according to the first embodiment, in the neighborhood of the end portion at the container front end side of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 of the nozzle receiver 330, the outer diameter is reduced slightly to such an extent that the nozzle receiver 330 is clearance-fit, and not press-fit, to the inner surface of the container opening 33a. Moreover, the end portion at the container front end side is not set as the press fitting portion. Instead, at a position that is more toward the container rear end side and that has no relation to the fitting of the container setting section 615 and the toner container body 33 (i.e., that does not affect the fitting), the outer diameter of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 is set to such an extent that adequate press fitting is possible with respect to the container inner diameter. Examples of the position not related to the fitting include the portion corresponding to the thick portion of the container gear 301 (i.e., the portion γ1 illustrated in
If a press fitting portion having a greater outer diameter is formed more toward the container rear end side as compared to the end portion at the container front end side of the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 of the nozzle receiver 330, it becomes possible to prevent swelling out of the container opening 33a with respect to the fitting portion of the container setting section 615. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent a situation in which the toner container 32 cannot be attached to the toner replenishing device 60 or in which the rotary torque of the toner container 32 increases.
Moreover, since the container opening 33a has the shape of the preform that is formed by injection molding, it can be formed with accuracy. Furthermore, since the press fitting portion in the container opening 33a does not swell out after press fitting the nozzle receiver 330 and can be used as a positioning portion or a sliding portion, it becomes possible to maintain the accuracy of injection molding, as well as to achieve accurate positioning and excellent slidability.
Meanwhile, the toner container 32 that is press-fit in the portion γ1 includes the following invention. Regarding the toner container 32 that is press-fit in the portion γ1, the press fitting portion in the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 of the resinous nozzle receiver 330 corresponds to the inner surface of the position at which the container gear 301 of the container body 33 is disposed. Since the portion of the container gear 301 has a gearing mechanism in the whole circumference of the rotational axis and the vertical direction, it has more strength than the other portion of the container body 33 and does not easily undergo deformation due to press fitting. Moreover, since the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 is tightened, the nozzle receiver 330 does not easily come out over time. Hence, this press fitting portion is suitable for the purpose.
The toner container 32 that is press-fit in the portion γ2 includes the following invention. Regarding the toner container 32 that is press-fit in the portion γ2, the press fitting portion in the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 of the nozzle receiver 330 corresponds to the portion at which the inner diameter of the container opening 33a goes down a notch (step) and the thickness increases. Since the portion at which the inner diameter of the container opening 33a goes down a notch (step) is thick in the whole circumference of the rotational axis and the vertical direction, it has more strength than the other portion of the container body 33 and does not easily undergo deformation due to press fitting. Moreover, since the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 is tightened, the nozzle receiver 330 does not easily come out over time. Hence, this press fitting portion is suitable for the purpose.
Furthermore, the toner container 32 that is press-fit in the portion γ2 includes the following invention. Alternatively, regarding the toner container 32 that is press-fit in the portion γ2, the press fitting portion in the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 of the resinous nozzle receiver 330 corresponds to the inner surface of the position at which the cover hooked portion 306 of the container body 33 is disposed. Since the portion of the cover hooked portion 306 has a rib structure in the whole circumference of the rotational axis and the vertical direction, it has more strength than the other portion of the container body 33 and does not easily undergo deformation due to press fitting. Moreover, since the nozzle receiver fixing portion 337 is tightened, the nozzle receiver 330 does not easily come out over time. Hence, this press fitting portion is suitable for the purpose.
Given below is the explanation regarding the holding mechanism of the IC tag (the ID tag or the ID chip) 700 that is disposed in the toner container 32 according to the first embodiment.
Herein, the IC tag disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-121688 is used as the IC tag 700 according to the first embodiment, and the contact-type communication method is implemented. Accordingly, the connector 800 is disposed at such a position in the toner replenishing device 60 that is opposite to the end surface at the container front end side of the container front end cover 34.
The IC tag holding structure 345 includes a holding portion 343, which has holding bases 358 for holding the IC tag 700; and includes an IC tag holder 344, which is a covering member that holds the IC tag 700 in a movable manner in the X-Z direction illustrated in
The explanation about the IC tag holding structure 345 is given below in more detail.
The frame 352 of the IC tag holder 344 is formed to be longer than the length of the holding bases 358 in the Y-axis direction illustrated in
While assembling it, the IC tag 700 gets hooked against an inner wall protrusion 351 (see
Given below is the detailed explanation about attaching the IC tag holder 344.
In the toner container 32 according to the first embodiment, the IC tag holder 344 is fixed to the container front end cover 34 not by using thermal caulking or using a fastener but by using a hook.
As illustrated in
Around the IC tag attaching surface 357 in the container front end cover 34, three attached parts are formed opposite to the holder upper hook 355, the holder lower hook 354, and the holder right side hook 356, respectively. More specifically, around the IC tag attaching surface 357, an upper attached part 359a is formed at the position opposite to the holder upper hook 355. Moreover, around the IC tag attaching surface 357, a lower attached part 359b is formed at the position opposite to the holder lower hook 354. Similarly, around the IC tag attaching surface 357, a side attached part 360 is formed at the position opposite to the holder right side hook 356.
While setting the IC tag holder 344 in the container front end cover 34, the three hooks (the holder upper hook 355, the holder lower hook 354, and the holder right side hook 356) in the IC tag holder 344 engage with and get fixed at the three attached parts (the upper attached part 359a, the lower attached part 359b, and the side attached part 360, respectively). Meanwhile, the upper attached part 359a and the lower attached part 359b are hole-shaped, while the side attached part 360 is hook-shaped.
With respect to the hole-shaped upper attached part 359a and the hole-shaped lower attached part 359b, the IC tag holder 344 is set using the inclination at the hook front ends of the holder upper hook 355 and the holder lower hook 354 as well as using the elasticity of those hooks. With respect to the hook-shaped side attached part 360, the IC tag holder 344 is set using the inclination at the hook front end of the holder right side hook 356 as well as using an inclined surface 360a of the side attached part 360.
In such a configuration, as illustrated in
In the example illustrated in
In this way, in the first embodiment, the explanation is given regarding the engagement performed using hooks. However, as the case may be, the IC tag holder 344 can be fixed to the container front end cover 34 using thermal caulking or using a fastener. Alternatively, it is also possible to cite an example in which the demand is to attach the IC tag to the container front end cover 34 in a more rigid manner or an example in which a jig is present that, at the time of recycling the IC tag, can perform rewriting in the IC tag without having to remove the IC tag from the container front end cover 34.
In the IC tag 700 according to the first embodiment, only a single ID tag hole 701 is formed on a substrate 702. That ID tag hole 701 is formed in between a plurality of metallic pads 710 (710a, 710b, and 710c) made of rectangular metallic plates.
Given below is the explanation regarding a protecting unit for protecting the toner container 32 when not in use.
The toner container 32 illustrated in
In the toner container 32 according to the first embodiment, the cap 370 has a cap flange 371. When the cap 370 is attached to the toner container 32; then, as illustrated in
Moreover, in the toner container 32 according to the first embodiment, the cap flange 371 of the cap 370 is made to be greater in size than the outer diameter of the container body 33 of the container front end cover 34. With that, even if there is an unexpected fall of the container front end cover 34, it can be prevented from getting broken, thereby enabling protection of the toner container 32.
Moreover, the front end opening 305, which is a part of the toner container 32, is sealed directly by the cap 370. Hence, as compared to a configuration in which the front end opening 305 is sealed via a different member (such as the container front end cover 34) other than the container body 33, it becomes possible to achieve a greater sealing effect. Moreover, by sealing the front end opening 305 in a direct manner, it also becomes possible to hermetically seal the container body 33. If hermetic sealing can be achieved, then it becomes possible to prevent entry of air or moisture into the container body 33. That also enables achieving reduction in the use of the packaging material while keeping the toner container 32 in storage.
At the time of using the toner container 32 (i.e., at the time of fitting the toner container 32 into the toner replenishing device 60), the cap 370 is removed. As far as attaching the cap 370 to the toner container 32 is concerned, it is possible to make use of screws or hooks for the fixing purpose. Herein, the fixing portion such as a screw thread for using a screw or a hooked portion for using a hook is disposed on the outer surface of the front end opening 305 in an exposed manner from the container front end cover 34. Meanwhile, as illustrated in
Meanwhile, the configuration for sealing the opening formed at the front end opening 305 is not limited to using a screw for fixing the cap 370. Alternatively, the opening can be sealed by pressure bonding a film to the end portion at the container front end side of the front end opening 305.
As a second embodiment of the present invention, explained below with reference to
According to the second embodiment, the adsorption agent adsorbs not only the moisture but also various other elements (such as gases). Hence, the adsorption agent also functions as a desiccant agent. Examples of the adsorption agent include silica gel, aluminum oxide, and zeolite. Thus, any material having the adsorptive property can be used as the adsorption agent.
Meanwhile, if the container body 2033 can be completely-sealed by the cap 2370, it becomes possible to prevent entry of air or moisture into the container body 2033. That eliminates the need for the adsorption agent and eliminates the need for the packaging material accompanying the adsorption material. In this method, by reducing the packaging material such as the bag for packing the toner container 32, the cushioning material, and the individual packaging box; it becomes possible to downsize the packaging. That leads to a reduction of the use material as well as a reduction of environmental burdens.
However, the inventors of the present invention confirmed that a gas is formed from the toner in the powdered form; and, although it does not result in agglutination or solidification, it leads to the formation of toner aggregation in the form of small agglomerates. Since such toner aggregation can lead to the generation of defective images having white spots or spots of other colors, it needs to be prevented from occurring. If no gas is formed from the toner, then it is possible to have a sealing configuration without using any adsorption agent. However, in the case when the toner container 32 contains a toner from which a gas is formed, then it is desirable to dispose an adsorption agent for adsorbing the gas.
The toner container 2032 illustrated in
In the toner container 2032 illustrated in
Moreover, in the toner container 2032 illustrated in
Meanwhile, in the configuration in which the cap 2370 is used in sealing the toner container 2032, the degree of adhesion between the front end opening 305 of the toner container 2032 and the cap 2370 can be enhanced using a packing material or the like.
As far as the configuration of disposing the adsorption agent 2372 on the cap 2370 is concerned, the adsorption agent 2372 either can be disposed in an integrated manner with the cap 2370 (i.e., can be fixed to the cap 2370) or can be disposed separately from the cap 2370 (i.e., can be unfixed with respect to the cap 2370). However, if the adsorption agent 2372 can be disposed in an integrated manner with the cap 2370, then the adsorption agent 2372 and the cap 2370 can be removed together. That does not leave room to forget removing the adsorption agent 2372. Hence, the operability is also enhanced.
According to a third embodiment, the toner container 3032 is a powder container that contains a toner as a powdered developer; and that includes the container shutter 332 which opens or shuts the nozzle receiving opening 331 that is a powder outlet through which passes the toner discharged from the container body 3033. In addition, in the toner container 3032, a nozzle receiver 3330 that serves as a nozzle insertion member for supporting the container shutter 332 is detachably attachable to a container body 3033.
Herein, the explanation is given for a screw clamp mechanism that enables the nozzle receiver 3330 to be detachably attachable to the container body 3033. Moreover, the explanation is given for a configuration example in which the nozzle receiver 3330 is fixed to the container body 3033 using the screw clamp mechanism.
In the nozzle receiver 3330 in which the container shutter supporter 3340 illustrated in
In the assembled form of the toner container 32 explained with respect to
In regard to such issues, in the toner container 3032 in which the container shutter supporter 3340 illustrated in
Meanwhile, the nozzle receiver 3330 includes different types of materials such as the container shutter supporter 3340 and the container shutter 332 that are made of a resin such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), or polyoxymethylene (POM); the container seal 333 made of a sponge; and the container shutter spring 336 that is made of SW-C (hard steel wire), SWP-A (piano wire), or SUS304 (steel wire for spring). For that reason, the nozzle receiver 3330 can be easily removed from the container body 3033 that is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like. Hence, it becomes possible to easily perform material recycling in which the toner container 3032 is disassembled and different materials are separated.
Moreover, the third embodiment includes the following invention. Meanwhile, in the toner container 3032 according to the third embodiment, as illustrated in
Along with the container body 3033, the nozzle receiver 3330 also rotates in the direction of the arrow A illustrated in
In contrast, in the toner container 3032 in which the container shutter supporter 3340 illustrated in
As compared to the first four embodiments, a fifth embodiment differs in the way that the nozzle receiver includes conveying vanes for enhancing the toner conveying property.
As illustrated in
The toner conveying action using the lifting portions 5304i is explained with reference to
Thus, in the fifth embodiment, the explanation is given for an example in which the lifting portions 5304i are disposed on the toner container 33 and the nozzle receiver 330 according to the first embodiment. Alternatively, even if the lifting portions 5304i are disposed in the toner container and the nozzle receiver according to any one of the second to fourth embodiments, it still becomes possible to achieve the same toner conveying property.
With reference to
Meanwhile, in the first to sixth embodiments, a spiral rib 8302, which is formed on the inner side wall surface in the neighborhood of the container opening 33a of a container body 8033 (i.e., formed on the inner side wall surface at the container front end side, or at the other end, or at the conical portion), can have the pitch set to be greater than the pitch of the spiral rib 302, which is formed on the inner side wall surface of the main body portion (the cylindrical portion) on one end (the container rear end side or the gripper end) of the container body 8033, as illustrated in
Meanwhile, in the first to sixth embodiments, it is possible to implement the following configuration. That is, a spiral rib 9302, which is formed on the inner side wall surface in the neighborhood of the opening of a container body 9033, can have some portion thereof to be perpendicular to the rotational axis of the container body 9033. As an example of that,
Given below is a more detailed explanation of toner containers A032 (A032Y, A032M, A032C, and A032K) and the toner replenishing devices 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K) according to a tenth embodiment. As described above, except for the point that the color of the used toner is different in each toner container A032 (A032Y, A032M, A032C, and A032K) and each toner replenishing device 60 (60Y, 60M, 60C, and 60K), the configurations are substantially identical. Hence, the following explanation is given without writing the toner color referring characters of Y, M, C, and K.
The toner replenishing device 60 includes the conveying nozzle 611 having the conveying screw 614. Moreover, the toner replenishing device 60 includes the nozzle shutter 612. In a container-unattached condition in which the toner container A032 is yet to be attached (i.e., in the condition illustrated in
Firstly, the explanation is given regarding the toner container A032 with reference to
As described above, the toner container A032 mainly includes a container body A033, a nozzle receiver A330, an agitating conveyor A380, and a container front end cover A034.
The container body A033 is cylindrical in shape and houses the agitating conveyor A380 (described later). In the following explanation, the direction parallel to the spindle of the agitating conveyor A380 along the longitudinal direction of the container body A033 is called “shaft direction”. The shaft direction is the same direction as the rotational axis direction, which is referred to in the first to ninth embodiments described above. Moreover, in the shaft direction, the side at which the nozzle receiving opening A331 is formed in the toner container A032 (i.e., the side at which the container front end cover A034 is disposed) is called “container front end side”. Furthermore, the side at which a gripper A303 is disposed in the toner container A032 (i.e., the end opposite to the container front end side) is called “container rear end side”. In the condition in which the toner container A032 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the shaft direction is the horizontal direction. As described above, the agitating conveyor A380 is disposed inside the container body A033 and rotates when driving transmission is provided thereto via the container gear A301 and the nozzle receiver A330. When the agitating conveyor A380 rotates in the direction of the arrow A illustrated in
In the toner container A032, after the toner T is filled in the container body A033 through a filling hole A307a that is formed on a rear end lid A307, the filling hole A307a is covered by a cap A311. As a result, the toner T is housed inside the toner container A032.
The nozzle receiver A330 includes a container shutter supporter A330a, which supports the container shutter A332 in a movable manner, and a container spring supporter A330b, which is the base (the container rear end side) of the container shutter supporter A330a and to which abuts the end portion of a container shutter spring A336.
Moreover, the nozzle receiver A330 has a first outer surface A330c, which is supported in a rotatable manner by the container front end cover A034, and a second outer surface A330d, which has a greater outer diameter than the first outer surface A330c and which is supported by a first container cover A308a. The first outer surface A330c has a toner receiving opening A392 formed thereon and has a key convex A391 that fixes the container gear A301. The second outer surface A330d points to such an outer surface of the nozzle receiver A330 which, when the toner container A032 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, is supported in a rotatable manner by the container setting section 615 of the toner replenishing device 60.
The inner surface of the nozzle receiver 330 includes the container shutter supporter A330a; has an inner surface A330e that has a greater inner diameter than the container shutter supporter A330a; and has a step A330f that is formed between the container shutter supporter A330a and the inner surface A330e. And the nozzle receiver A330 includes a container seal A333. One end surface of the container seal A333 is attached to the step (container seal fixing surface) A330f, while the other end surface of the container seal A333 and the inner surface A330e form a front end opening A305 as a cylindrical spatial area. Moreover, the outer surface of the container shutter A332 is abutted against the inner surface of the container seal A333 so that the nozzle receiving opening A331 is sealed. In this receiving opening A331 is inserted the conveying nozzle 611 of the toner replenishing device 60. In the toner container A032, the nozzle receiving opening A331 of the nozzle receiver A330 serves as the opening through which the conveying nozzle 611 can be inserted, while the outer surface of the front end opening A305 (i.e., the second outer surface A330d) serves as a container opening.
Herein, in order to facilitate smooth insertion of the conveying nozzle 611 into the nozzle receiving opening A331, an insertion guiding member made of Teflon (registered trademark) and having excellent slidability can be disposed in the container shutter supporter A330a.
Meanwhile, the nozzle receiver A330 includes different types of materials such as the container shutter A332 that is made of a resin such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene (PS), or polyoxymethylene (POM); and the container shutter spring A336 that is made of SW-C (hard steel wire), SWP-A (piano wire), or SUS304 (steel wire for spring).
For that reason, the nozzle receiver A330 can be easily removed from the container body 33 made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like. Hence, it becomes possible to easily perform material recycling in which the toner container 32 is disassembled and different materials are separated.
The agitating conveyor A380 provides the conveying force to the toner T housed in the container body A033 in such a way that the toner T moves from one end (the container rear end side) to the other end (the container front end side) in the shaft direction. Moreover, at the container front end side of the agitating conveyor A380, lifting portions A382 are disposed that extend from the neighborhood of the toner receiving opening A392 of the nozzle receiver A330 toward the inner surface of the container body A033.
The lifting portions A382 extend from more upstream side as compared to the toner receiving opening A392 in the direction of rotation of the nozzle receiver A330. Due to the rotation of the agitating conveyor A380, the lifting portions A382 can lift the toner T from the lower side to the upper side and run the toner T into the toner receiving opening A392. And then, the powder receiving opening A392 of the nozzle receiver A330 rotates so that the powder receiving opening A392 passes over the nozzle opening. Herein, the agitating conveyor A380 is attached to the nozzle receiver A330 in such a way that the lifting portions A382 make a predetermined angle with respect to the tangential direction at the edges of the toner receiving opening A392.
When the toner container A032 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the toner receiving opening A392 becomes communicated with the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611 that has been inserted from the nozzle receiving opening A331 of the nozzle receiver A330. As a result, it becomes possible to supply the toner T from the toner container A032 to the toner replenishing device 60.
In the configuration illustrated in
The container front end cover A034 covers the container gear A301 from the container front end side as well as holds thereon the IC tag 700 (described later). The container front end cover A034 has a first container cover A308a that supports the second outer surface A330d of the nozzle receiver A330 in a rotatable manner; and has a second container cover A308b that is fixed to the container front end side of the container body A033 and that supports the first outer surface A330c of the nozzle receiver A300 in a rotatable manner. The first container cover A308a is fixed to the second container cover A308b and constitutes the container front end cover A034. Moreover, the container front end cover A034 includes a pair of slide guides A361 that are disposed on both lower side surfaces of the container front end cover A034; includes container engaged portions A339; and includes a color specific rib A034b that protrudes in the direction perpendicular to the attaching-detaching direction of the toner container A032. Meanwhile, the container front end cover A034 not only can have the same functions as the functions of the container front end cover 34 according to the first embodiment but also can have the same outer shape.
At the time of fitting the toner container A032 into the toner replenishing device 60, the pair of sliding guides A361 that are disposed on both lower side surfaces of the container front end cover A034 function as guides for the container front end cover A034 to move in a sliding manner over the container receiving section 72 illustrated in
Moreover, at the time of fitting the toner container A032 into the toner replenishing device 60, the container engaged portions A339 get engaged with the replenishing device engaging members 609 which are disposed in the setting cover 608. Furthermore, each container engaged portion A339 includes a guiding gutter A339b that guides the relative movement with the corresponding replenishing device engaging member 609; and an engaged hole A339d that gets engaged with the corresponding replenishing device engaging member 609 in the condition in which the toner container A032 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60.
The first container cover A308a of the container front end cover A034 constitutes the guiding gutter A339b and includes the ID tag (IC tag) 700 that is used in recording data of the usage status of the toner container A032. Moreover, the first container cover A308a has a through hole A308e through which passes the end portion at the container front end side of the nozzle receiver A330 and which is used to expose the second outer surface A330d. Furthermore, the positional relationship of the first container cover A308a and the nozzle receiver A330 in the longitudinal direction is regulated by a ring stopper A306 that fits in the second outer surface A330d from the container front end side of the nozzle receiver A330.
Meanwhile, the color specific rib A034b prevents a situation in which the toner container A032 that contains the toner of a particular color is fit into the setting cover 608 corresponding to a different toner color.
On the container front end cover A034 is formed a gear exposing hole A034a from which a portion (the central reverse side illustrated in
Given below is the explanation of the agitator assembly A390 that includes the nozzle receiver A330 and the agitating conveyor A380 which are disposed in a rotatable manner with respect to the container body A033.
As illustrated in
The agitator assembly A390 receives the drive of the container driving gear 601 of the toner replenishing device 60 via the container gear A301. That causes the nozzle receiver A330 to rotate, and causes the agitating conveyors A380 to rotate. When the agitating conveyors A380 rotate, not only the toner T present in the container rear end side of the container body A033 is conveyed to the container front end side at which the toner receiving opening A392 is formed, but also the toner T present inside the container body A033 is unhardened. As described above, the lifting portions A382 are disposed at the container front end side of the agitating conveyors A380. Hence, when the agitating conveyors A380 rotate, the lifting portions A382 lift the toner T, which has been conveyed to the container front end side, up to the toner receiving opening A392 formed in the nozzle receiver A330; and run the toner T into the toner receiving opening A392. Then, the toner T that has entered the toner receiving opening A392 sequentially enters the conveying nozzle 611, which is inserted in the nozzle receiving opening A331 and which is communicated to the toner receiving opening A392, via the nozzle opening 610. As a result, the toner T is conveyed into the toner replenishing device 60.
In the example illustrated in
Still alternatively, the container gear A301 and the nozzle receiver A330 can be molded in an integrated manner, or the nozzle receiver A330 and the agitating conveyors A380 can be molded in an integrated manner.
That enables streamlining of the assembly process and achieving reduction in the cost.
Meanwhile, the shaft A334 is disposed to prevent center-runout (rotational irregularity) of the nozzle receiver A300 while it rotates. However, if the nozzle receiver A330 has a sufficient strength to avoid center-runout while it rotates, then it is possible to have a configuration not including a shaft as illustrated in
Moreover, it is also possible to use a bearing in the portion within which the nozzle receiver A330 slides with the container front end cover A034 and the first container cover A308a. Herein, it is desirable that the bearing also has toner sealability.
When the toner container A032 having the configuration described above is inserted in the container holding section 70, the front end portion of the conveying nozzle 611 enters into the nozzle receiving opening A331. When the toner container A032 is further inserted in the container holding section 70, the front end portion of the conveying nozzle 611 abuts against the container shutter A332. As a result, the container shutter A332 gets pressed toward the container rear end side against the biasing force of the container shutter spring A336. Consequently, the container shutter A332 moves in the direction of the container rear end side, and the toner receiving opening A392 becomes communicated with the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611.
Once the toner receiving opening A392 becomes communicated with the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611, it becomes possible to take in (supply) the toner T. However, herein, the positional relationship between the toner receiving opening A392 and the lifting portions A382 of the agitating conveyors A380 is desirably set to positions that enable smooth entry of the toner T into the toner receiving opening A392.
Illustrated in (b) of
In the configuration illustrated in (a) of
In contrast, in the configuration illustrated in (b) of
Thus, when the toner T is dropped from a higher position than the nozzle opening 610 and the toner receiving opening A392, it becomes possible to take in the toner T inside the conveying nozzle 611 from the nozzle opening 610 that is communicated via the toner receiving opening A392. In this configuration, the conveying screw 614 is covered by the conveying nozzle 611 up to an area on the upper side (up to the neighborhood of the upper end of the conveying screw 614) as compared to the configuration illustrated in (a) of
Meanwhile, in the tenth embodiment, the nozzle receiver A330 includes the container shutter supporter A330a for supporting the container shutter 332, as well as holds the container shutter spring A336.
In the configuration illustrated in (a) of
In contrast, in the configuration illustrated in (b) of
In this way, as compared to the configuration illustrated in (a) of
As examples of an accumulating portion according to the tenth embodiment, given below is the explanation of a plurality of exemplary configurations for lifting the toner up to the upper side of the toner receiving opening A392 and running the toner into the toner receiving opening A392.
In order to ensure that the toner T, which has been conveyed to the container front end side inside the container body A033, is lifted smoothly by the lifting portions A382 of the agitating conveyors A380 and is run into the toner receiving opening A392, it is desirable to have a configuration in which the toner accumulates in the neighborhood of the lifting portions A382. In that regard, the important factor is the mounting angles of the lifting portions A382 with respect to the first outer surface A339c, which has the toner receiving opening A392 of the nozzle receiver formed thereon.
In
In the example illustrated in
In the condition in which the toner container A032 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, when the driving motor 603 is driven so that the drive from the container driving gear 601 of the toner replenishing device 60 is transmitted to the container gear A301 thereby resulting in the rotation of the nozzle receiver A330 in the direction of the arrow B illustrated in (a) of
Then, through the toner receiving opening A392, the toner T falls into the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611 that has been inserted into the nozzle receiver A330. Then, due to the rotation of the conveying screw 614, the toner T is supplied to the toner replenishing device 60. In this way, in the configuration illustrated in
Meanwhile, in the cross-section perpendicular to the rotational axis direction, the cross-sectional shape of the lifting portion A382 is not limited to the straight line as illustrated in
Thus, in
Meanwhile, in
Herein, the anti-drop wall A383 explained with reference to
In an identical manner to
The configuration illustrated in
In the condition in which the toner container A032 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, when the driving motor 603 is driven so that the drive from the container driving gear 601 of the toner replenishing device 60 is transmitted to the container gear A301, the nozzle receiver A330 starts rotating and the lifting portion A382 of the nozzle receiver A330 starts rotating. In the condition illustrated in (a) of
When the nozzle receiver A330 further rotates in the direction of the arrow B illustrated in (b) of
As explained with reference to
Still, if a plurality of sets of the toner receiving opening A392 and the lifting portion A382 of the agitating conveyor A380 is disposed, then the amount of supplied toner per rotation of the agitator assembly A390 can be increased. Moreover, if a sufficient amount of supplied toner can be ensured according to the relationship between the number of rotations of the agitator assembly A390 and the amount of supplied toner, then it is possible to adopt the configuration illustrated in
Given below is the explanation of the operation of fitting the toner container A032 into the toner replenishing device 60.
As indicated by the arrow Q illustrated in
When the toner container A032 is further moved in the direction of the toner replenishing device 60, the surface of the nozzle shutter flange 612a that is opposite to the nozzle shutter spring receiving surface 612f comes in contact with the container front end side of the container seal A333. As a result, the relative position in the rotational axis direction (shaft direction) of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the toner container A032 gets fixed.
When the toner container A032 is further moved in the direction of the toner replenishing device 60, the conveying nozzle 611 gets further inserted on the inward side of the toner container A032. At that time, the nozzle shutter 612 that had come into contact with the container front end side of the container seal A333 is pushed back to the nozzle base end with respect to the conveying nozzle 611. As a result, the nozzle shutter spring 613 undergoes compression and the relative position of the nozzle shutter 612 with respect to the conveying nozzle 611 moves to the nozzle base end. Accompanying the movement of the relative position, the nozzle opening 610 that was covered by the nozzle shutter 612 gets exposed inside the container body A033, and the inside of the container body A033 becomes communicated with the inside of the conveying nozzle 611.
In the condition in which the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted in the nozzle receiving opening A331; due the biasing force of the container shutter spring A336 in the compressed state or the biasing force of the nozzle shutter spring 613 in the compressed state, a force acts in the direction of pushing back the toner container A032 with respect to the toner replenishing device 60 (i.e. a force acts in the opposite direction to the direction of the arrow Q illustrated in
As illustrated in
Moreover, the gutter width of the guiding gutters A339b is slightly greater than the width of the replenishing device engaging members 609, and is set to such an extent that the replenishing device engaging members 609 do not drop out from the gutters.
The container rear end side of each guiding gutter 339b is not directly linked to the corresponding engaged hole A339d; but has a dead end. Moreover, the container rear end side of each guiding gutter 339b has the same height as the height of the side peripheral surface of the container front end cover A034. That is, between each guiding gutter A339b and the corresponding engaged hole A339d is present the outer surface of about 1 mm thickness of the container front end cover A034. That portion corresponds to the corresponding bump A339c. The replenishing device engaging members 609 climb over the bumps A339c and land into the engaged holes A339d. With that, the engagement of the toner container A032 with respect to the toner replenishing device 60 is accomplished.
In the toner container A032 according to the tenth embodiment, the container front end cover A034 includes the first container cover A308a. Since the first container cover A308a is attached to the container front end cover A034 from the container front end side, the first container cover A308a covers the container front end cover A034 from the outside. Thus, when slits are formed on the first container cover A308a and when those slits fit with the engaged holes A339d formed on the container front end cover A034, the slits can also serve as the guiding gutters A339b.
The toner container A032 is configured in such a way that, on an imaginary plane that is orthogonal to the rotational axis, the container shutter A332 is positioned in the center of the line segment that joins the two container engaged portions A339. If the container shutter A332 is not positioned on the line segment that joins the two container engaged portions A339, then there arises the following possibility. That is, due to the biasing force of the container shutter spring 336 and the nozzle shutter spring 613, the distance from the line segment to the container shutter A332 functions as the arm of moment and there occurs an action of the moment of force which rotates the toner container A032 around the line segment. Because of the action of the moment of the force, there is a possibility that the toner container A032 tilts with respect to the toner replenishing device 60. In that case, there occurs an increase in the fitting load of the toner container A032, and the nozzle receiver A330 that holds and guides the container shutter A332 comes under strain.
Particularly, in the case of a new toner container A032 sufficiently filled with the toner, when the horizontally-protruding conveying nozzle 611 is pushed from the rear end of the toner container A032 for insertion in the toner container A032, the moment of force for rotating the toner container A032 acts by also taking into account the toner weight. As a result, there is a possibility that the nozzle receiver A330, in which the conveying nozzle 611 is inserted, comes under strain and, at worst, undergoes deformation or breaks down. In contrast, in the toner container A032 according to the tenth embodiment, the container shutter A332 is positioned on the line segment of the two container engaged portions A339. For that reason, due to the biasing force of the container shutter spring A336 and the nozzle shutter spring 613 acting at the position of the container shutter A332, it becomes possible to prevent the toner container A032 from tilting with respect to the toner replenishing device 60.
Meanwhile, as illustrated in
In the condition in which the positioning in the rotational axis direction (shaft direction) is done in the abovementioned manner, the second outer surface A330d of the nozzle receiver A330 fits in a slidable manner in the inner surface 615a of the container setting section 615. For that reason, as described above, the positioning of the toner container A032 with respect to the toner replenishing device 60 is done in the planar direction orthogonal to the rotational axis (the planar direction is corresponding to a radial direction of the nozzle receiver A330). With that, the fitting of the toner container A032 into the toner replenishing device 60 is completed.
Once the fitting of the toner container A032 is completed, when the driving motor 603 is rotary-driven, the agitator assembly A390 of the toner container A032 rotates as well as the conveying screw 614 in the conveying nozzle 611 rotates.
Because of the rotation of the agitating conveyors A380 in the agitator assembly A390, the toner T inside the container body A033 is conveyed to the container front end side of the container body A033 and reaches the lifting portions A382. Then, the rotation of the agitating conveyors A380 makes the lifting portions A382 to lift the toner T to the upper side of the toner receiving opening A392. The toner T that has been lifted up to the upper side of the toner receiving opening A392 falls into the nozzle opening 610 that is communicated with the toner receiving opening A392. As a result, the toner T is supplied in the conveying nozzle 611. Subsequently, the toner T supplied in the conveying nozzle 611 is conveyed ahead by the conveying screw 614 through the toner dropping passage 64 to the developing device 50. The flow of the toner T from the inside of the container body A033 up to the toner dropping passage 64 is indicated by the arrow β illustrated in
Moreover, as described above, the position at which the second outer surface A330d of the nozzle receiver A330 comes in contact in a slidable manner with the container setting section 615 and at which the positioning of the toner container A032 with respect to the toner replenishing device 60 is done is indicated by α in
Furthermore, as described above, when the toner container A032 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the container seal A333 is flattened out by the nozzle shutter flange 612a. As a result, the nozzle shutter flange 612a fits tightly and with pressure to the container seal A333. That enables achieving prevention of toner leakage in a more reliable manner. By having the configuration in which the container shutter A332 is disposed more toward the inward side in the longitudinal direction (toward the container front end side) as compared to the opening position, a cylindrical space is formed from the front end of the nozzle receiver A330 to the end surface at the container front end side of the container shutter A332 and the container seal A333.
In the condition in which the toner container A032 is not attached to the toner replenishing device 60, the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611 is shut by the nozzle shutter 612. In the condition in which the toner container A032 is attached to the toner replenishing device 60, it becomes necessary to open the nozzle shutter 612 so that the toner can be received.
In the toner replenishing device 60, a cylindrical space (the front end opening A305) is formed from the end portion at the container front end side of the nozzle receiver A330 to the end surface at the container front end side of the container shutter A332 and the container seal A333. Inside that space is formed a withdrawal space in which the withdrawal space of the nozzle shutter 612 in the open state fits entirely or partially. Moreover, in that withdrawal space, the nozzle shutter spring 613 used for closing the nozzle shutter 612 fits entirely or partially. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to reduce the space required to dispose the nozzle shutter 612 and the nozzle shutter spring 613.
As illustrated in
With such a configuration, the distance from the opening position of the front end opening A305, which is the foremost end of the toner container A032, to the toner falling portion in the toner replenishing device 60 (i.e., the position at which the toner dropping passage 64 is connected to the conveying nozzle 611) can be shortened. As a result, it becomes possible to downsize the main body of the copier 500.
Given below is the explanation regarding the holding mechanism of the IC tag (the ID tag, the ID chip, or the IC chip) 700 that is disposed in the toner container A032 according to the tenth embodiment. Herein, in the tenth embodiment, an IC tag (an ID tag or an information memory device) and a holding mechanism identical to that explained in the first embodiment is adopted.
Given below is the explanation regarding a protecting unit for protecting the toner container A032 when not in use.
As described above, the front end opening A305 is a part of the nozzle receiver A330. As illustrated in
In an eleventh embodiment, since the toner replenishing device 60 is identical to the toner replenishing device 60 according to the tenth embodiment, the constituent elements thereof are referred to by the same reference numerals.
Usually, during the toner filling operation, a toner container D032 that is a powder container is filled with the toner T that has been fluidized. Since the toner T is mixed with air during the toner filling operation; deaeration occurs after the elapse of a predetermined period of time, and thus the volume of toner powder decreases. For example, the volume of toner powder decreases to about 70% to 90% of the capacity of a container body D033.
When a new toner container D032 that contains the toner T is attached to the toner replenishing device 60 for use, a large amount of the toner T is present in the neighborhood of a toner receiving opening D392. Hence, even without fluidizing the toner T by rotating an agitating conveyor D380 and then conveying the toner T to the container front end side, the toner T can still be taken in the conveying nozzle 611 via the toner receiving opening D392 and the nozzle opening 610. Rather, if it is attempted to rotate the agitating conveyor D380 when the toner T is present in large amount, then the rotational load increases due to the presence of a large amount of the toner T in the container body D033.
On the other hand, when the amount of toner T inside the container body D033 decreases, it becomes necessary to rotate the agitating conveyor D380 for conveying the toner T toward the container front end side and to use lifting portions D382 for lifting the toner T up to the toner receiving opening D392 and running the toner T into the toner receiving opening D392.
For that reason, in the toner container D032 according to the eleventh embodiment, the configuration is such that an agitator assembly D390 and a shaft D334 are coupled via a torque limiter D900. With such a configuration, at the time of starting to use a new toner container D032, if the toner T is present in large amount in the neighborhood of the toner receiving opening D392, the agitating conveyor D380 is subjected to rotation restriction.
As illustrated in
As described above, on the end portion at the container front end side of the nozzle receiver D330 of the agitator assembly D390, the torque limiter D900 is disposed in a coupled manner with the shaft D334. Moreover, the agitating conveyor D380 is disposed on the shaft D334 in such a way that it rotates in an integrated manner with the shaft D334.
As illustrated in
More particularly, when the toner T is present in large amount in the container body D033 as illustrated in
In such a configuration, as illustrated in
In contrast, consider the case when only a small amount of the toner T is present inside the container body D033 as illustrated in
Meanwhile, in the toner T, toner base particles are dusted with additive agents of submicron size that are used as auxiliary agents for facilitating fluidity and charging. However, due to movements such as the rotation of the agitating conveyor D380; there are times when the additive agents get immersed in the toner T or become detached from the toner T, and fail to fulfill their original functionality at the time when the toner T is supplied to the developing device 50. In that regard, in the configuration according to the eleventh embodiment, because of the torque limiter D900, the toner T stored in the container body D033 can be supplied to the developing device 50 without excessively exerting force on the toner T inside the container body D033.
Meanwhile, the bearing D905 supports the nozzle receiver D330 in a rotatable manner, as well as has the function of preventing toner leakage from the inside of the container body D033.
Herein, in
According to a twelfth embodiment,
Herein, unlike the tenth embodiment, a first container cover E308a (a container front end cover E034) supports in a rotatable manner a second outer surface E330d of a nozzle receiver E330 of the agitator assemble E390, and has the container rear end side thereof fixedly attached to the periphery of a container body E033.
In the toner container E032 according to the twelfth embodiment, the agitator assembly E390 mainly includes the nozzle receiver E330 that is cylindrical in shape; a container cover portion E308b; a gear portion E301; and a shaft portion E334. In the agitator assembly E390, a container shutter spring E336 and a container shutter E332 are disposed at the reverse side of a receiving opening E331. In the example illustrated in
In the toner container E032, the gear portion E301 receives a rotary drive force from the toner replenishing device 60, and the agitator assembly E390 gets rotary-driven. As a result, the agitating conveyor E380 rotates via the shaft portion E334 and moves the toner T present inside the container body E033 from the container rear end side to the container front end side. Then, the lifting portions E382 rotate via the nozzle receiver E330, and lift the toner T that has moved to the container front end side and run the toner T into the toner receiving opening E392. Then, at the timing at which the toner receiving opening E392 and the nozzle opening 610 become communicated, the toner T gets supplied into the conveying nozzle 611. Meanwhile, in the example illustrated in
As far as the mounting angles of the lifting portions E382 with respect to the agitator assembly E390 is concerned; in an identical manner to the configuration described with reference to
According to a thirteenth embodiment,
In the toner container F032 according to the thirteenth embodiment, an agitator assembly F390 includes an agitating conveyor F380, a prop F381, a shaft F334, lifting portions F382, a second container cover F308b, and a container gear F301.
The second container cover F308b is covered from outside in the radial direction by a first container cover F308a that has the container rear end side thereof fixed to a container body F033. The first container cover F308a and the second container cover F308b constitute a container front end cover F034. On the inner surface of the second container cover F308b are attached the lifting portions F382 that extend toward the rotational axis. Meanwhile, rotating sliding portions F905 serve as the connecting portions between the container body F033 and the second container cover F308b, and have a sealed configuration. Herein, as the rotating sliding portions F905, it is possible to use bearings having sealability.
With reference to
Meanwhile, in an identical manner to the nozzle receiver A330 according to the tenth embodiment, the nozzle receiver F330 includes a receiving opening F331 on the container front end side; includes a container seal F333; includes a container shutter F332; and includes a container shutter spring F336.
Moreover, in an identical manner to the tenth embodiment, the first container cover F308a of the container front end cover F034 holds the IC tag 700, as well as includes container engaged portions F339 and sliding guides F361.
In the configuration illustrated in
On a first outer surface F330c of the nozzle receiver F330 is formed a key convex F391 that fits in a concave F393 formed on the inner perimeter of the container gear F301, which is integrated with the second container cover F308b that performs relative rotation with respect to the nozzle receiver F330. With that, the key convex F391 and the concave F393 serve as a seal and a hook. Herein, in an identical manner to the rotating sliding portions F905, bearings having sealability can be substituted for a sealing configuration including the key convex F391 and the concave F393.
The lifting portions F382, which extend from the inner surface of the second container cover F308b, and which couple with a front end portion F380a of the agitating conveyor F380. The agitating conveyor F380 includes a screw F380b, a prop F381, and a shaft portion F334. Moreover, the agitating conveyor F380 rotates via the lifting portions F382 and along with the second container cover 308b. Due to the rotation of the agitating conveyor F380, the toner T is moved from the container rear end side to the container front end side. Then, the toner T that has been moved to the container front end side is lifted by the lifting portions F382 and is dropped into the toner receiving opening F392. Consequently, the toner T is supplied into the nozzle opening 610 of the conveying nozzle 611. In the configuration illustrated in
Meanwhile, in order to prevent toner leakage, a gap t between the end portions of the lifting portions F382 on the side of the nozzle receiver F330 and the first outer surface F330c of the nozzle receiver F330 is desirably equal to or smaller than 2 mm, or more desirably equal to or smaller than 1 mm. In the thirteenth embodiment, the gap t is set to be 0.75 mm. With that, it becomes possible not only to prevent toner leakage but also to enable smooth rotation of the lifting portions F382 without any interference.
With reference to
When positioned in the lower side with reference to
In the example illustrated in
In contrast, in the example illustrated in
As illustrated in (a) of
In the configurations illustrated in
Explanation of a toner container fitting mechanism implemented in common in the first embodiment to the thirteenth embodiment
Hereinafter, in order to explain a toner container fitting mechanism, the configuration of the first embodiment is used as a representative embodiment for the other embodiments.
As illustrated in
Explained below with reference to
Moreover, the toner replenishing device 60 includes the container driving gear 601. In the condition illustrated in
When viewed in the longitudinal axis direction of the toner container 32, the container engaged portions 339, which make the replenishing device engaging members 609 run upon and slide and then engage with engaged holes, are disposed on the outside of the outer diameter of the container gear 301. In other words, each of the container engaged portions 339 is provided outer than the tooth of the container gear 301 in a radial direction of the container gear 301. Hence, the container engaged portions 339 do not interfere with the container gear 301. Moreover, when viewed in the longitudinal axis direction of the toner container 32 from the container opening 33a at the container front end side, the engaged hole 339d is formed at the container rear end side of the container front end cover 34. And the engaged hole 339d is provided beyond the container gear 301 in the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32. Hence, when the toner container 32 is fit into the replenishing device 60, the toner container 32 is held at the positions where the container setting section 615 and the replenishing device engaging members 609 are. And the positions are sandwiching the container gear 301 in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the drive of the container gear 301 can be sufficiently received, and conveying of the toner inside the container body 33 can be performed in a stable manner.
Furthermore, as illustrated in
The embodiments described above include power containers as set forth in Aspects 1 to 18 below and an image forming apparatus as set forth in Aspect 19 below.
Aspect 1. A powder container (A032; D032; E032; F032) attachable to a powder replenishing device (60) in a horizontal longitudinal direction, the powder replenishing device (60) including a conveying nozzle (611) for conveying a powder, a nozzle opening (610) formed on the conveying nozzle (611) to receive the powder from the powder container (A032; D032; E032; F032), and a conveying screw (614) provided on the conveying nozzle (611) to convey the powder received from the nozzle opening (610), the nozzle opening (610) having a smaller width than a diameter of the conveying screw (614) in a direction orthogonal to a rotational axis of the conveying screw (614), the powder container (A032; D032; E032; F032) including
a container body (A033; D033; F033) configured to contain a powder for image formation, the powder being supplied to the powder replenishing device (60);
a conveyor (A380; D380; E380; F380) configured to convey the powder from one end in the longitudinal direction to the other end at which a cylindrical container opening is formed, the conveyor (A380; D380; E380; F380) being provided inside the container body (A033; D033; F033);
a nozzle receiver (A330; D330; E330; F330) configured to guide the conveying nozzle (611) inside of the container body (A033; D033; F033), the nozzle receiver (A330; D330; E330; F330) being provided on the container opening;
a powder receiving opening (A392; D392; E392; F392) configured to communicate the nozzle opening (610) with an inside of the container body (A033; D033; F033); and
a lifting portion (A382; D382; E382; F382) configured to lift the powder that has been conveyed to the other end by the powder conveyor (A380; D380; E380; F380) to run the powder into the powder receiving opening (A392; D392; E392; F392).
According to the powder container as set forth in Aspect 1, since the lifting portion is provided to lift the powder (toner) against the direction of gravitational force up to a position higher than the powder receiving opening, it becomes possible to guide the lifted toner to the powder receiving opening of the conveying nozzle while preventing the lifted toner from falling out of the conveying nozzle.
Aspect 2. The powder container according to Aspect 1, wherein
the nozzle receiver further includes
According to the powder container as set forth in Aspect 2, it is possible to provide stability in the amount of supplied powder (toner) and to achieve prevention of toner scattering.
Aspect 3. The powder container according to Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, wherein the lifting portion has an accumulating portion in which the powder accumulates while being lifted.
According to the powder container as set forth in Aspect 3, the powder (toner) accumulates near the lifting portion. Hence, the toner T, which has been conveyed to the container front end side inside the container body, is lifted smoothly by the lifting portion of the powder conveyor and is then run into the powder receiving opening.
Aspect 4. The powder container according to any one of Aspect 1 to Aspect 3, wherein
the nozzle receiver has an outer surface that serves as a positioning portion between the powder container and the powder replenishing device.
Aspect 5. The powder container according to Aspect 3, wherein
the nozzle receiver further includes a powder receiving opening formed thereon and to rotate so that the powder receiving opening passes over the nozzle opening, and
the lifting portion is configured to extend toward an inner surface of the container body from a periphery of the nozzle receiver, the periphery being disposed at more upstream side of the nozzle receiver than the powder receiving opening in a rotational direction of the nozzle receiver.
Aspect 6. The powder container according to Aspect 5, wherein
the lifting portion is configured to have a base making an obtuse angle with respect to a tangential direction at an upstream side edge of the powder receiving opening in a direction of rotation of the nozzle receiver.
According to the powder container as set forth in Aspect 6, it becomes possible to enhance the function of lifting the powder (toner T) using the lifting portion that is fulfilled according to Aspect 3 and Aspect 5.
Aspect 7. The powder container according to Aspect 6, wherein
the lifting portion is configured to extend from the periphery of the nozzle receiver that is adjacent to an edge of the powder receiving opening.
According to the powder container as set forth in Aspect 7, it becomes possible to enhance the function of running the powder (toner T) smoothly into the powder receiving opening.
Aspect 8. The powder container according to Aspect 6 or Aspect 7, wherein
the accumulating portion has an inclined surface made by the lifting portion with respect to the powder receiving opening when the powder receiving opening of the nozzle receiver and the nozzle opening of the conveying nozzle are communicated in the direction of rotation.
According to the powder container as set forth in Aspect 8, it becomes possible to enhance the function of lifting the powder (toner T) using the lifting portion and running the lifted toner T smoothly into the powder receiving opening that is fulfilled according to Aspect 3 and Aspect 5.
Aspect 9. The powder container according to Aspect 6 or Aspect 7, wherein
the accumulating portion has a concave portion which is formed to be bent at the portion between the base and the end of the lifting portion.
Aspect 10. The powder container according to Aspect 6 or Aspect 7, wherein
the accumulating portion has a concave portion which is formed to be curved at the portion between the base and the end of the lifting portion.
Aspect 11. The powder container according to Aspect 9, wherein
the concave portion which is formed to be bent in a same direction at a plurality of positions between the base and the end of the lifting portion.
According to the powder container as each set forth in Aspect 9, Aspect 10, and Aspect 11; it becomes possible to further enhance the function of lifting the powder (toner T) using the lifting portion that is fulfilled according to Aspect 6 and Aspect 7.
Aspect 12. The powder container according to any one of Aspect 1 to Aspect 11, wherein
the nozzle receiver is connected to the conveying nozzle, and
the conveyor is connected to one end of the nozzle receiver via a torque limiter.
Aspect 13. The powder container according to Aspect 12, wherein
torque setting of the torque limiter is done in such a way that the torque limiter restricts a drive transmission when the container body is sufficiently filled with the powder, and the torque limiter performs the drive transmission when the powder gets consumed thereby resulting in a decrease in an amount of powder.
According to the powder container as each set forth in Aspect 12 and Aspect 13, in the condition in which the powder (toner T) is present in large amount in the container body, it becomes possible to reduce the rotational load of the powder conveyor.
Aspect 14. The powder container according to Aspect 3, further including a second container cover which is rotatable with respect to the container body, the second container cover being provided on the other end of the container body, wherein
the lifting portion is configured to extend from an inner surface of the second container cover toward an inside of the second container cover.
Aspect 15. The powder container according to Aspect 14, wherein
the accumulating portion has a concave portion in the lifting portion, the concave portion including
According to the powder container as set forth in Aspect 15, it becomes possible to enhance the function of lifting the powder (toner T) using the lifting portion that is fulfilled according to Aspect 3 and Aspect 14.
Aspect 16. The powder container according to Aspect 15, wherein
the bent portion is shorter than the extending portion.
Aspect 17. The powder container according to Aspect 14, wherein
the accumulating portion is the lifting portion that is extended with an offset in a downstream side of a rotational direction of the second container cover.
According to the powder container as each set forth in Aspect 16 and Aspect 17, it becomes possible to enhance the function of lifting the powder (toner T) using the lifting portion and running the lifted toner T smoothly into the toner receiving opening.
Aspect 18. The powder container according to any one of Aspect 13 to Aspect 17, wherein
a gap between an end portion of the lifting portion and an outer surface of the nozzle receiver is 2 mm or smaller.
According to the powder container as set forth in
Aspect 19. An image forming apparatus including
an image forming unit configured to perform image formation with a powder for image formation; and
a powder replenishing device configured to hold the powder container according to any one of Aspect 1 to Aspect 17, wherein the powder replenishing device conveys the powder from the powder container to the image forming unit when the powder container is attached to the powder replenishing device.
Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.
Aspect 20. A powder container attachable to a powder replenishing device in a longitudinal direction, the powder replenishing device including a conveying nozzle for conveying a powder, a nozzle opening formed on the conveying nozzle to receive the powder from the powder container, and a replenishing device engaging member for holding the powder container by laterally biasing the powder container, the powder container comprising:
a conveyor configured to convey the powder from one end in the longitudinal direction to the other end at which a container opening is formed;
a gear configured to rotate the conveyor with an external driving force;
a nozzle receiver provided on the container opening and configured to receive the conveying nozzle insertable; and
a container engaged portion that is provided outer than a tooth of the gear in a radial direction and includes an engaged hole with which the replenishing device engaging member engages, wherein
the engaged hole is arranged at a position to correspond with the nozzle opening of the conveying nozzle in the longitudinal direction when the powder container is attached to the powder replenishing device.
Aspect 21. The powder container according to Aspect 20, wherein the
container engaged portion is configured to cross the gear in the longitudinal direction of the powder container.
Aspect 22. The powder container according to Aspect 20 or 21,
wherein the engaged hole is arranged at a position beyond the gear when viewed from the container opening in the longitudinal direction of the powder container.
Aspect 23. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 22, wherein the container engaged portion includes a sliding portion configured to cause the powder replenishing device engaging member to slide.
Aspect 24. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 22, further comprising a container cover configured to cover the gear and include the container engaged portion.
Aspect 25. The powder container according to Aspect 24, wherein the container cover includes a gear exposing hole for partially exposing a gear tooth.
Aspect 26. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 25, wherein the engaged hole includes a through hole.
Aspect 27. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 26, wherein an outer surface of the container opening serves as a positioning portion between the powder container and the powder replenishing device.
Aspect 28. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 27, further comprising:
an information storage device; and
a holding structure configured to hold the information storage device.
Aspect 29. The powder container according to Aspect 28, wherein the information storage device is held to be movable within the holding structure.
Aspect 30. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 29, wherein an outer surface of the nozzle receiver and an inner surface of the container opening have screws formed thereon for mutual screwing.
Aspect 31. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 30, wherein the nozzle receiver includes a lifting portion configured to lift the powder by rotation of the nozzle receiver to convey the powder to the nozzle opening of the conveying nozzle.
Aspect 32. The powder container according to Aspect 31, wherein the lifting portion has an accumulating portion in which the powder accumulates while being lifted.
Aspect 33. The powder container according to Aspect 31 or 32, wherein
the nozzle receiver has an outer surface that serves as a positioning portion between the powder container and the powder replenishing device.
Aspect 34. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 31 to 33, wherein
the nozzle receiver further includes a powder receiving opening formed thereon and to rotate so that the powder receiving opening passes over the nozzle opening,
the lifting portion is disposed at a periphery of the nozzle receiver, and
the periphery configured to be disposed at more upstream side of the nozzle receiver than the powder receiving opening in a rotational direction of the nozzle receiver.
Aspect 35. The powder container according to Aspect 34, wherein
the lifting portion is configured to have a base making an obtuse angle with respect to a tangential direction at an upstream side edge of the powder receiving opening in the rotational direction of the nozzle receiver.
Aspect 36. The powder container according to Aspect 35, wherein
the lifting portion is configured to extend from the periphery of the nozzle receiver that is adjacent to an edge of the powder receiving opening.
Aspect 37. The powder container according to Aspect 35 or 36, wherein
the accumulating portion includes an inclined surface made by the lifting portion with respect to the powder receiving opening when the powder receiving opening of the nozzle receiver and the nozzle opening of the conveying nozzle are communicated in the direction of rotation.
Aspect 38. The powder container according to Aspect 35 or 36, wherein
the accumulating portion includes a concave portion which is formed to be bent at the portion between the base and the end of the lifting portion.
Aspect 39. The powder container according to Aspect 35 or 36, wherein
the accumulating portion includes a concave portion which is formed to be curved at the portion between the base and the end of the lifting portion.
Aspect 40. The powder container according to Aspect 38, wherein
the concave portion which is formed to be bent in a same direction at a plurality of positions between the base and the end of the lifting portion.
Aspect 41. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 31 to 40, wherein
the nozzle receiver is connected to the conveyor.
Aspect 42. The powder container according to Aspect 41, wherein the conveyor is connected to one end of the nozzle receiver via a torque limiter.
Aspect 43. The powder container according to Aspect 42, further comprising
a container body configured to contain a powder for image formation, the powder being to be supplied to the powder replenishing device, wherein
torque setting of the torque limiter is done in such a way that the torque limiter restricts a drive transmission when the container body is sufficiently filled with the powder, and the torque limiter performs the drive transmission when the powder gets consumed thereby resulting in a decrease in an amount of powder.
Aspect 44. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 40, further comprising
a container body configured to contain a powder for image formation, the powder being to be supplied to the powder replenishing device, wherein
the conveyor is a spiral rib formed on an inner side wall surface of the container body.
Aspect 45. The powder container according to Aspect 44, wherein
the gear is disposed on the container body,
the powder present inside the container body is conveyed, by rotation of the container body, from one end in a direction of a rotational axis of the container body to the other end at which the container opening is formed, and
a part of the spiral rib that is formed on the inner side wall surface near the opening of the container body includes a pitch parallel to the rotational axis.
Aspect 46. The powder container according to Aspect 44, wherein
the gear is disposed on the container body,
the powder present inside the container body is conveyed, by rotation of the container body, from one end in a direction of a rotational axis of the container body to the other end at which the container opening is formed, and
a part of the spiral rib that is formed on the inner side wall surface near the opening of the container body includes a pitch greater than a pitch of the spiral rib formed on the inner side wall surface at the one end of the container body.
Aspect 47. The powder container according to Aspect 44, wherein
the gear is disposed on the container body,
the powder present inside the container body is conveyed, by rotation of the container body, from one end in a direction of a rotational axis of the container body to the other end at which the container opening is formed, and
a part of the spiral rib that is formed on the inner side wall surface near the opening of the container body includes a portion to be perpendicular to the rotational axis.
Aspect 48. The powder container according to Aspect 43, wherein the conveyor is an agitating conveyor configured to rotate in the container body.
Aspect 49. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 42, further comprising
a container body configured to contain a powder for image formation, the powder being to be supplied to the powder replenishing device, wherein
the conveyor is an agitating conveyor configured to rotate in the container body.
Aspect 50. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 42, further comprising
a container body configured to contain a powder for image formation, the powder being to be supplied to the powder replenishing device, wherein
the gear is provided as a separate member different from the container body.
Aspect 51. The powder container according to Aspect 50, wherein an inner surface of the gear and an outer surface of the nozzle receiver have screws formed thereon for mutual screwing.
Aspect 52. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 43 to 48, wherein the gear is provided as a separate member different from the container body.
Aspect 53. The powder container according to Aspect 52, wherein an inner surface of the gear and an outer surface of the nozzle receiver have screws formed thereon for mutual screwing.
Aspect 54. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 31 to 42, further comprising
a container body configured to contain a powder for image formation, the powder being to be supplied to the powder replenishing device, wherein
the lifting portion includes a conveying vane which extends from the nozzle receiver to an inner surface of the container body.
Aspect 55. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 43 to 48 and 52 to 53, wherein
the nozzle receiver includes a lifting portion configured to lift the powder by rotation of the nozzle receiver to convey the powder to the nozzle opening of the conveying nozzle, and
the lifting portion includes a conveying vane which extends from the nozzle receiver to an inner surface of the container body.
Aspect 56. The powder container according to Aspect 20, further comprising:
a container body configured to contain a powder for image formation and the conveyor, the powder being to be supplied to the powder replenishing device;
a second container cover which is rotatable with respect to the container body, the second container cover being provided on the other end of the container body; and
a lifting portion configured to lift the powder by rotation of the second container cover to convey the powder to the nozzle opening of the conveying nozzle, wherein
the lifting portion is configured to extend from an inner surface of the second container cover toward an inside of the second container cover.
Aspect 57. The powder container according to Aspect 56, wherein the container engaged portion includes a sliding portion configured to cause the replenishing device engaging member to slide.
Aspect 58. The powder container according to Aspects 56 or 57, further comprising a container cover configured to cover the gear and include the container engaged portion.
Aspect 59. The powder container according to Aspect 58, wherein the container cover includes a gear exposing hole for partially exposing a gear tooth.
Aspect 60. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 56 to 59, wherein the engaged hole includes a through hole.
Aspect 61. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 56 to 60, wherein
the accumulating portion includes a concave portion in the lifting portion, wherein
the concave portion includes
Aspect 62. The powder container according to Aspect 61, wherein the bent portion is shorter than the extending portion.
Aspect 63. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 56 to 62, wherein
the accumulating portion is the lifting portion that is extended along an upward position than the center of rotation of the second cover, when the lifting portion is substantially horizontal.
Aspect 64. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 56 to 62, wherein
the accumulating portion is the lifting portion such that a base of the lifting portion is positioned more on an upstream side in the rotational direction of the second container cover than an end portion of the lifting portion on a side opposite to the nozzle receiver.
Aspect 65. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 52 to 64, wherein
a gap between an end portion of the lifting portion and an outer surface of the nozzle receiver is 2 mm or smaller.
Aspect 66. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 56 to 65, wherein the conveyor is an agitating conveyor configured to rotate in the container body.
Aspect 67. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 66, wherein
the nozzle receiver further includes
Aspect 68. A powder container attachable to a powder replenishing device in a longitudinal direction, the powder replenishing device including a conveying nozzle for conveying a powder, a nozzle opening formed on the conveying nozzle to receive the powder from the powder container, and a replenishing device engaging member for holding the powder container by laterally biasing the powder container, the powder container comprising:
a conveyor configured to convey the powder from one end in the longitudinal direction to the other end at which a container opening is formed;
a gear configured to rotate the conveyor with an external driving force;
a nozzle receiver provided on the container opening, and configured to receive the conveying nozzle insertable; and
a container engaged portion is provided outer than the tooth of the gear in a radial direction and includes an engaged hole with which the replenishing device engaging member engages, wherein
an outer surface of the nozzle receiver and an inner surface of the container opening have screws formed thereon for mutual screwing.
Aspect 69. A powder container attachable to a powder replenishing device in a longitudinal direction, the powder replenishing device including a conveying nozzle for conveying a powder, a nozzle opening formed on the conveying nozzle to receive the powder from the powder container, and a replenishing device engaging member for holding the powder container by laterally biasing the powder container, the powder container comprising:
a conveyor configured to convey the powder from one end in the longitudinal direction to the other end at which a container opening is formed;
a gear configured to rotate the conveyor with an external driving force;
a nozzle receiver provided on the container opening, and configured to receive the conveying nozzle insertable; and
a container engaged portion is provided outer than the tooth of the gear in a radial direction and includes an engaged hole with which the replenishing device engaging member engages, wherein
the nozzle receiver includes a lifting portion configured to lift the powder by rotation of the nozzle receiver to convey the powder to the nozzle opening of the. conveying nozzle.
Aspect 70. The powder container according to Aspects 68 or 69, wherein the container engaged portion configured to cross the gear in the longitudinal direction of the powder container.
Aspect 71. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 68 to 70, wherein the engaged hole is arranged at a position beyond the gear when viewed from the container opening in the longitudinal direction of the powder container.
Aspect 72. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 68 to 71, wherein the container engaged portion includes a sliding portion configured to cause the replenishing device engaging member to slide.
Aspect 73. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 68 to 72, further comprising a container cover configured to cover the gear and include the container engaged portion.
Aspect 74. The powder container according to Aspect 73, wherein the container cover includes a gear exposing hole for partially exposing a gear tooth.
Aspect 75. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 68 to 74, wherein the engaged hole includes a through hole.
Aspect 76. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 68 to 75, further comprising
a container body configured to contain a powder for image formation, the powder being to be supplied to the powder replenishing device, wherein
the conveyor is a spiral rib formed on an inner side wall surface of the container body.
Aspect 77. The powder container according to any one of Aspects 68 to 76, further comprising
a container body configured to contain a powder for image formation, the powder being to be supplied to the powder replenishing device, wherein
the conveyor is an agitating conveyor configured to rotate in the container body.
Aspect 78. An image forming apparatus comprising:
an image forming unit configured to perform image formation with a powder for image formation; and
the powder replenishing device configured to hold the powder container according to any one of Aspects 20 to 77, wherein the powder replenishing device conveys the powder from the powder container to the image forming unit when the powder container is attached to the powder replenishing device, the powder replenishing device comprising:
Aspect 79. The image forming apparatus according to Aspect 78, wherein the powder replenishing device further includes
a nozzle shutter for opening or shutting the nozzle opening,
a biasing member for biasing the nozzle shutter to shut the nozzle opening, and
a butting portion formed on the nozzle shutter to move the nozzle shutter with respect to the conveying nozzle so that the nozzle shutter opens the nozzle opening.
Aspect 80. The image forming apparatus according to Aspect 78 or 79, wherein the powder replenishing device further includes a conveying screw provided on the conveying nozzle to convey the powder received from the nozzle opening, the nozzle opening having a smaller width than a diameter of the conveying screw in a direction orthogonal to a rotational axis of the conveying screw.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-126637 | Jun 2012 | JP | national |
| 2012-126642 | Jun 2012 | JP | national |
| 2013-092765 | Apr 2013 | JP | national |
| 2013-092938 | Apr 2013 | JP | national |
The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/591,619, filed Oct. 3, 2019, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/651,754, filed Jul. 17, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,474,062), which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/558,466, filed Dec. 2, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,740,139), which is a continuation of PCT filing PCT/JP2013/065901, filed Jun. 3, 2013, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2013-092938 and 2013-092765, filed Apr. 25, 2013, and Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2012-126642 and 2012-126637, filed Jun. 3, 2012. The entire contents of each of the above are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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| Parent | 16591619 | Oct 2019 | US |
| Child | 17111532 | US | |
| Parent | 15651754 | Jul 2017 | US |
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| Parent | 14558466 | Dec 2014 | US |
| Child | 15651754 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | PCT/JP2013/065901 | Jun 2013 | US |
| Child | 14558466 | US |
