KR0158371B1 - Developer replenishing device and developer container for use therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a developer refilling device for recharging a developing device as a developer and a developer container used therein. The developer container or toner container has an inlet portion smaller in diameter than the hollow cylindrical main body portion at one end thereof.

At the end of the container provided with the inlet, the shoulder portion has an inner surface which partially protrudes into the edge of the inlet to form a projection for pumping toner. Moreover, a portion of the inner surface of the container circular wall in contact with the protrusion projects out of the axis of the rotatable container to form another raised portion.

When the container is mounted in the container holder, it is included in the refill mechanism with the inlet side laterally substantially horizontal and as the container rotates it raises the toner from the bottom of the main body to the inlet. As a result, the toner is gently discharged to the outside via the inlet portion.

Description

Developer Refilling Device

1A and 1B are a sectional view and a front view, respectively, of a copier to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the overall structure of a developing mechanism used for the copier of FIG.

3A and 3D are a sectional view and a partially enlarged view showing a toner container used for the copier, respectively.

4A to 4C are schematic diagrams showing the procedure of removing the lid from the toner container.

Fig. 5A is a sectional view showing a specific configuration of the lid.

5b and 5c are perspective views each showing another specific configuration of the lid.

Fig. 5D is a perspective view showing a thin flat member attached to the lid of the toner container.

5E is a cross-sectional view of a lid with a thin flat member attached thereto.

6 is a cross-sectional view showing a toner supply unit included in one embodiment of the present invention.

7 and 8 are exploded perspective views showing specific portions of the toner supply unit, respectively.

9A to 11B are cross-sectional views each showing a collet chuck included in the toner supply unit.

12A is an exploded perspective view showing another part of the toner supply unit.

Figure 12b is a partial perspective view of the toner container.

13A is a cross sectional view of a corret chuck.

13B and 13C are sectional views showing another specific configuration of the toner container, respectively.

14A to 14E are perspective views showing specific component parts included in the nose shown in FIG. 7, respectively.

Fig. 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the force required to operate the toner supply unit and the inlet diameter of the toner container.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a stop cover and a collet shaft included in a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

17A-17D are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the modified embodiment.

18A-18D are schematic diagrams illustrating another operation of the modified embodiment.

19A is a perspective view of a lid;

19b or 19a is a sectional view of the cover.

19C is a schematic diagram illustrating the force acting on a cover when the cover is attached and detached.

19D is a sectional view showing another specific configuration of the cover.

Figure 20a is a front view of the toner container with a lid attached.

20B to 20F each show the toner container of FIG. 20A viewed from various aspects.

20g is a plan view of the toner container with the lid removed.

Fig. 21A is a cross sectional view along the line A-A in Fig. 20A.

Figure 21b is a perspective view of the toner container.

FIG. 21C is a partially enlarged sectional view of the toner container shown in FIG. 21A.

FIG. 21D is a cross sectional view along line A1-A3 in FIG. 23C; FIG.

Fig. 22A is a front view showing how the toner container guides the toner together with the protrusions.

FIG. 22B is a front view of the toner container rotated 90 degrees from the position of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 22C is a right side view of the toner container shown in FIG. 22A.

FIG. 22D is a right side view of the toner container shown in FIG. 22B.

FIG. 23A is a front view of the toner container rotated 90 degrees from the position of FIG. 23B.

FIG. 23B is a front view of the toner container rotated 90 degrees from the position of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23C is a right side view of the toner container shown in FIG. 23A. FIG.

FIG. 23D is a right side view of the toner container shown in FIG. 23B. FIG.

24A to 24C are diagrams each showing a modified form of the toner container viewed from a specific direction.

25 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed of the toner container and the amount of toner remaining in the toner container without being discharged.

Figures 26a and 26b show specific actions available for the modified corret chuck, respectively.

27 is a front view of another specific configuration of the toner supply unit supported at the toner refill position.

28B is a plan view of the toner supply unit shown in FIG. 27. FIG.

FIG. 29A is a right side view of the unit shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29B is a partially enlarged view of direction A of FIG. 28. FIG.

30 is a front view of the toner supply unit supported in the position for mounting the toner container.

FIG. 31A is an exploded perspective view of the corret chuck and core included in the unit of FIG. 27. FIG.

31B is a front view of the core.

32A and 32B show a specific operation of the corret chuck shown in FIG. 31A, respectively.

33 is an enlarged view of a portion of the toner container for use in the toner supply unit of FIG. 27. FIG.

34A is a front view showing a modified toner container for use in the toner supply unit of FIG. 27;

34B is a right side view of the toner container shown in FIG. 34A.

34C is a cross sectional view of a gear link connected to the toner container;

FIG. 34D is a view in the A direction shown in FIG. 34C; FIG.

35A to 35E illustrate a step of producing a toner container according to the present invention.

36A is a perspective view of a toner container and an annular link included in a modification of the present invention.

36B shows a toner container inserted into the annular link.

37 and 38 are perspective views each showing a toner container and an annular link included in another modification of the present invention.

Fig. 39A is a perspective view showing another specific configuration of the toner container.

39B is an enlarged view of a portion of the toner container.

39C is a plan view of the toner container.

40A is a perspective view showing another specific configuration of the toner container.

40B is an enlarged view of a portion of the toner container.

40C is a plan view of the toner container.

41 is a perspective view of the toner container and the annular link included in another modification of the present invention.

42A is an internal arrangement diagram of the annular link shown in FIG. 41;

42B is a sectional view of the annular link.

42C is a block diagram showing a toner container inserted into the annular link.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

20: developer container 21: container holder

23: entrance 24: collar (Collar)

25 cover 26 lug

26a: illusion obstacle 30: a collet chuck

35: spiral member 38: annular gear link

39: core 40,93: cam mechanism

52: locking member (a looking member) 57: container rib

58: link rib 59,60: annular sealing member

65,66: flange 73,102: protrusion

85: first protrusion 86: second protrusion

106: groove 150: concealment member

151b: a slit 152: annular wall

L ₁ : grip part

The present invention relates to a developing apparatus included in a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, a printer or a similar image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a developer refilling mechanism for refilling a developer in a developing apparatus and a developer container used therein. will be.

Copiers, facsimile machines, printers or the like for forming a latent imape on a photoconductive element, developing the latent image with charged color particles, i.e., a developer, and then transferring the developed image onto paper. Similar electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are widely used. When the developer stored in the container is consumed, it is common to replenish the new developer with this type of apparatus. The developer refilling mechanism may consist of, for example, a cylindrical hollow container in which the developer is stored, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publications (KOKAI) 59-188678 and 60-146265.

The container is substantially completely open at one end to form a developer outlet, and rotates around its longitudinal axis to continuously discharge the developer or powder through the outlet to the container of the image forming apparatus.

In order to replace the container with a new container filled with a new developer, a holder placed horizontally on the body of the image forming apparatus is placed downward so that one end thereof is vertically positioned. In this state, after removing an empty container from a holder, a new container is mounted in a holder. The holder is then placed in a horizontal position where a new container can recharge the developer into the device. Before the new container is mounted in the holder, which is held in a vertical position, the container is opened after its opening or developer outlet is positioned up. On the other hand, the container without a lid is mounted on the holder with the open side up so that the powder loaded in the container does not fall.

However, a requirement of the conventional construction described above is that the length of the holder must be less than or equal to the height of the device since the holder must be rotated between the horizontal position and the vertical position with respect to one end. In general, in response to the demands of a small structure, the device is provided as small as possible, so the holder and container are required to be as short as possible. As a result, the amount of developer usable in one container is reduced, resulting in frequent replacement of the container. In any case, the conventional conventional recharging mechanism does not reduce its size, and the design structure limitation is greatly imposed on the internal structure of the image forming apparatus.

In view of the above problems, the inventors have conducted a series of studies and experiments to provide an apparatus for solidifying a cylindrical container while keeping the holder in a horizontal position. However, as one end of the container is substantially fully opened, the developer stored therein falls through the outlet of the container when the container is mounted in the holder. Accordingly, the present inventors have proposed a developer refilling apparatus using a container in which both end portions of the container are closed and a developer outlet is formed in a circular wall adjacent to one of the closed ends in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 3-2881. A container of this kind is placed in the holder with the outlet on top. However, given the fact that the image forming apparatus is used by ordinary ordinary people, the container may be inadvertently mounted to the holder with the outlet down.

Therefore, the developer falls from the container and contaminates the periphery of the image forming apparatus.

Moreover, an invalid space is created at the engaging end of the container of the discharge port, so that an additional length is required to be provided in the container to fit the invalid space.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved developer refilling mechanism free of the above deficiencies.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a developer refilling mechanism capable of preventing the developer from falling out of the container even when the container is placed in a horizontal state.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved developer container for use in such a developer refilling mechanism.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a developer container capable of recharging all the developer stored in the developing mechanism mounted on the image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention, a holder for supporting a developer container so that the developer is discharged from a mouth portion of the developer container into the developer replenishment device, and fixed by the holder A hollow cylinder-type main body portion having an inlet at one end is provided in a developer container for use with a developer refilling device having a drive unit or the like for rotating a developer container about a central axis thereof. The inlet has a diameter smaller than the diameter of a shoulder portion which contacts the one end and forms a circumferential wall. A guide portion is provided in a portion of the shoulder portion to guide the developer stored in the developer container to the inlet.

Further, according to the present invention, a container holder in which an inlet of a toner container can be mounted so that the toner in the toner container is discharged to the toner supply device, and a drive unit for rotatable driving the toner container when the toner container is mounted to the toner refilling device. In the toner container used together with the toner refilling apparatus having a toner refilling device, the toner container has a first diameter portion proximate to one side end, and has an outlet at the one end, and the outlet is larger than the inlet and the first diameter portion. A second radial portion having a smaller number, and having a peripheral surface shape at one end thereof extending in the circumferential and radial directions, wherein the first diameter portion and a radial position not larger than the second diameter portion are provided. There is provided a main body portion comprising a hollow container having an inclined surface radially connected between the shells.

Further, according to the present invention, a container holder in which the inlet of the toner container is mountable so that the toner in the toner container is discharged into the toner refilling device, and when the toner container is mounted in the toner refilling device, the toner container is rotated about its longitudinal axis. In the toner container used in conjunction with the toner refilling device having a drive unit, the main body portion having a hollow container and a radially extending surface of the main body portion are formed on the toner container, and interoperate with the container holder to A rotational force transmission protrusion or groove for transmitting the rotation to the toner container is provided.

According to the present invention, the toner container is used together with a toner refilling device having an inlet for discharging the toner into the toner refilling device, and a drive unit configured to rotate the toner container when the toner container is mounted in the toner refilling device. The toner container includes a first diameter portion adjacent to one end of the container, an outlet at the one end, the outlet having an inlet and a second diameter less than the first diameter, A toner container including a hollow container extending in a radial direction, having a shape of a main body portion at one end, and having an inclined surface radially connected between a first diameter portion and a radial position smaller in size than the second diameter portion; Supplying the toner control amount to the discharge port when the toner control amount in the toner container is rotated by the drive unit And it is provided with a inclined surface that is radially increases in diameter toward the second part from the first diameter portion.

According to the present invention, an apparatus for replenishing a developer in a developing apparatus of an image forming apparatus includes a developer container having a developer therein and having an inlet, and supporting the developer container while positioning the inlet toward the developer refill unit And a holder in communication with the developer refill. The holder is rotatable about one end in a substantially horizontal plane.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail by applying to an electrophotographic copying machine belonging to the image forming apparatus.

In FIG. 1a, the copier has a glass gob 1 for placing a document to be copied on top. The optical unit 2 is located under the glass support 1 and includes a lamp 2a, a mirror 2b, and a not shown lens for projecting a document. The photoelectric element in the form of a drum 3 is positioned to rotate below the optical unit 2. Around the drum 3 are arranged the main charger 4, the developing unit 5, the transfer charger 6, the cleaning unit 7, the discharger 8 and other conventional units used for the electrophotographic process.

A fixing unit 9 for fixing the toner image transferred from the drum 3 to the paper by the transfer charger 6 is located on the left side of the drum 3 as shown in the figure. The paper feed section 10 is provided in the lower portion of the copier and the paper 10a stack is located. The sheet 10a is continuously fed from the sheet feeding section 10 to the drum 3. The operation of this type of copier is well known in the art and will not be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, developing unit 5 is a conventional drying process unit using a two component type developer, i.e., a mixture of toner and carrier.

The developing unit 5 has a casing 5a, a developing roller 11 therein, a paddle wheel 12 for stirring, a mixing roller 13, a separator 14, and a screw 15 extended horizontally for stirring. Hopper 16 extends with casing 5a and is located on the components of developing unit 5 as described above. Toner is supplied to developing unit 5 from hopper 16. The screw conveyor 18 is housed in a hopper 16 and consists of a helical member 35 attached to an axis 34 and an axis 34. The screw conveyor 18 carries with stirring the toner in the toner supply unit 17 as described in detail below. The toner supply roller 19 is located at the portion where the hopper 16 is connected to the developing unit 5, which is rotated according to the output signal of the toner concentration sensor, not shown.

As shown in Fig. 1A, the toner supply unit 17 is located in the upper front portion of the copier and includes a container holder 21 (support means). The container holder 21 serves as a support means for supporting the toner container or the developer container 20.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the container holder 21 is mounted on the axis 22 of FIG. 1A located at the right end of the unit 17. As shown in FIG. The vessel holder 21 can rotate about 90 ° around the Z axis of axis 22 in a substantially horizontal plane.

In particular, container holder 21 is movable between two points A and B as shown.

In position A (point 1), pull the left side of container holder 21 to the front end of the copier so that container 20 is loaded thereon. At position B (second point), the entire unit 17 is flush with the front end of the copier. The container holder 21 has an opening formed at its bottom to allow the toner to run out. In at least the B position, the bottom opening of the container holder 21 is located above the toner receiver 16a of FIG. 2 which is contained in the hopper 16 and extends in front of the copier. Preferably, the toner supply unit 17 is located inside the front cover which covers the front end of the copier not shown; When the front cover is open, unit 17 can be pulled to position A.

FIG. 3a shows the specific configuration of the vessel 20, and FIG. 3b shows the inlet 23 which forms the 20 outlet of the vessel. As shown, the vessel 20 is substantially cylindrical, with an inlet 23 provided substantially at the center of one end of the vessel. The inlet 23 is smaller in diameter than the cylinders constituting the vessel 20 and has a circular cross section. In a particular configuration, the inlet 23 is formed at the end of a collar 24 extending from the vessel 20 and is reached by the lid 25.

A lug 26, like a basset, protrudes from the center of the cover 25. Like the container presented in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-188678, a spiral guide groove (helical member) 27 is formed on the inner surface of the container 20.

When the container 20 rotates around the longitudinal axis, the spiral groove 27 (helical member) carries the toner contained in the container 20 to the inlet 23. Annular ribs 28 are formed on the outer surface of the collar 24. During transfer of vessel 20, lid 29 (Figure 12a) contacts rib 28 to cover the entire collar 24. In this regard, the ribs 28 form an engaging portion. For this purpose, the lid 29 is provided with lugs or grooves that replenish rib 28 on its inner surface.

4a-4c show a mechanism (separation means) 32 for removing the lid 25 at the inlet 23 of the vessel 20. FIGS. As shown, mechanism 32 consists of a collet chuck or retaining means 30 and unmarked moving means for moving the collet chuck 30 back and forth of the vessel 20. The collet chuck 30 has a chucking portion 33 at the tip and is supported by a hole 31a formed in the wall 31 which forms part of the container holder 21. When the corret chuck 30 is free, the chucking section 33 is open, as shown in FIG. 4A. 4B shows a state where the vessel 20 is in a predetermined position of the vessel holder 21. When the collet chuck 30 is detached from the container 20 by means of a moving means, the larger diameter portion around the collet chuck 30 is squeezed by the wall of the hole 31a so that the chucking portion 33 is squeezed to fix the lug 26 of the cover 25. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4C, the chuck 30 secures the lugs 26 of the lid 25 to move the lid 25 to the position where the inlet of the container 20 is fully open.

The mechanism 32 is provided in the toner supply unit 17 so that the inlet 23 of the container 20 is sealed with the lid 25 so that the container 20 is mounted in the container holder 21. Thus, as shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, even if the container 20 is placed at a position substantially horizontal to the container holder 21, toner is prevented from falling out of the inlet 23.

When the toner in the container 20 is completely consumed, the empty container 20 is removed from the container holder 21. At this time, the moving means moves the corret chuck 30 to the container 20 to fix the cover 25 to the inlet 23. Then, when the container 20 is removed from the container holder 21, the inlet 23 will be closed by the cover 25. This prevents the toner loaded on the inlet 23 from falling off and soiling the hands and clothes of the person replacing the container 20.

5a shows a modified form of the inlet 23 of the container 20.

As shown, the screw lid 29 secured to the lid, for example the collar 24 of the inlet 23, has a hole 29a formed at its wall end. The lid 25 with lugs 26 is removably received in the hole 19a of the lid 29.

5b and 5c show a modification of the lid 25 shown in 3b or 5a, respectively. An inexperienced person will attempt to remove the cover 25 of the new developer container 20 by picking up the lug 26 of the cover 25 without using the corret chuck 30. By doing so, new toner may fall out of the container 20.

To prevent this, the cover 25 shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C is provided with an obstacle 26b such as an annular obstacle 26a or a pin around the lug 26, respectively.

Obstacles 26a and 26b prevent a person's finger from easily approaching the projection 26.

5d shows a cover 150 which is a specific surrogate of obstacle 26a or obstacle 26b. As shown, the cover 150 consists of a thin plate member 151 for concealing a cover 25 around the lug 26 with an annular wall (annular portion) 152 extending from the outer edge of the thin plate member 151. A hole 151a is formed in the center of the thin plate member 151 and is slightly larger in diameter than the lug 26 of the cover 25. Many slits 151b extend radially at the edge of the hole 151a. As shown in FIG. 5E, only the tip of lug 26 is visible when cover 150 is secured to lid 25. This prevents an inexperienced person from mishandling the lug 26 tip as a member for removing the cover 25.

The toner supply unit 17 is described in more detail. FIG. 6 shows the unit 17 in position B and FIGS. 7 and 8 show the parts which have been specifically modified. The unit 17 supports the container 20 and is configured to rotate the container in accordance with the rotation of the toner supply roller 19.

As a result, new toner is continuously supplied to the toner receiving portion 16a of the hopper 16 via the inlet 23 of the container 20.

As shown in Fig. 6, the toner receiver 16a is supplied to the top-open trough and extends in front of the side wall of the hopper 16 located on the operation side.

The axis 34 extends from the inside of the hopper 16 and extends through the filling of the toner receiver 16a. A spiral member, or a toner supply plate 35, is fixed to the shaft 34 to convey the toner separated from the inlet 23 of the container 20 to the hopper 16. The side 34 and the helical member 35 constitute the spiral conveyor 18 of FIG. 2 described above. The container holder 21 is rotatably supported on the front wall of the copier and can support the container 20 in a substantially horizontal position. The locking mechanism 36 places the vessel 20 in the vessel holder 21 in the axial direction of the vessel 20. The motor 37 causes the vessel 20 lying in the vessel holder 21 to rotate about its axis. The annular gear link 38 transmits the rotation of the motor 37 to the vessel 20. The corret chuck 30 secures the lid of the vessel 20 lying in the vessel holder 21.

Core 39 glides to Corret Chuck 30. The cam device 40 moves the pallet chuck 30 back and forth to the vessel 20.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the container holder 21 is dismounted to the movable bracket 41. The fixing bracket 42 is fixed to the front wall of the copier and has a lower pin 43 and an upper pin 44 of FIG. 6 fixed thereto. The movable bracket 41 is rotatably supported by the lower pin 43 and rotatably retained by the upper pin 44.

Thus, the bracket 41 can rotate about a substantially longitudinal axis extending through the upper and lower pins 43 and 44. As shown in FIG. 8, the fixing bracket 42 is rotatably supported by stays 45 fixed to the front wall by screws and fixed to the front wall by screws 46. As shown in FIG.

The container holder 21 further includes a cover 47 for covering the end of the inlet 23 of the container 20. The cylinder stop cover 48 is positioned on the sheet 47 to cover the inlet 23 of the container 20 in an air-tight state. The stop cover 48 has a link receiving portion for rotatably adjusting the gear link 38 and a core receiving portion for adjusting the core 39. The core receiving portion has an inner diameter slightly larger than the inlet portion 23 of the vessel 20. The core receiving portion has an opening 49 of FIG. 6 for allowing toner to fall off, and a hole and a boss 50 in the end wall thereof so as to keep the collet chuck 30 slidable.

A screw auger-like spring (deflection support) 51 is located in the core receiver to keep the core 39 pushed towards the vessel 20.

The core 39 shown in FIG. 7 is modified and has the following advantages.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 48a denotes a link stop for stopping the annular link formed at the edge of the opening end facing the container 20. In FIG.

The locking mechanism 36 described above positions the container 20 in its axial direction. The mechanism 36 has a locking member 52 and a spring 53 acting thereon. The locking member 52 is rotatably supported at its lower end by a member included in the container holder 21, for example, the stop cover 48 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The non-fixed free end of the locking member 52 is formed to engage with a coupling, that is, a projection or recess formed outside the surface of the container 20. The spring 53 continues to deflect the locking member 52 toward the outer surface of the vessel 20.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the engagement portion of the container 20 consists of a ring 54 having a right triangle triangular cross-section consisting substantially of the vertical contact surface 54a and the inclined surface 54b extending from the contact surface 54a to the inlet 23. The contact surface 54a may be formed in such a manner as to incline toward the rear end side of the container 20.

As shown in Fig. 6 or 8, the motor 37, which constitutes the driving means for driving the vessel 20, can be mounted to the movable bracket 41 together with the gear 55. Alternatively, when the container holder 21 is in the B position, the position where the motor 37 can engage with the gear link 38 can be fixed to the copier body. The gear link 38 consists of gear teeth 56 engaged with a gear 55 coupled with a motor 37 and is provided with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the vessel 20. A hole is formed in the end wall of the gearlink 38 so that the collar 24 of the container 20 extends there through. As shown in FIG. 6, the wall end of the gear link 38 described above has, for example, a number of radially extending ribs which may be combined with ribs 57 provided in the vessel 20 (hereinafter referred to as link ribbra). 58 is provided (Figure 34d).

In the particular configuration shown in FIG. 6, the stop cover 48 is formed at its lower part with an opening for engaging the gear 55 of the motor 37 with the teeth 56 of the gear link 38. The annular sealing device 59 mounted around the hole in the end wall seals the gap between the outer surface of the collar 24 of the container 20 and the stop cover 48 so that the toner is located outside the inlet 23, for example outside the container 20. Prevent it from coming off the surface. At the same time, the sealing device 59 cleans the outer surface of the collar 24 when the container 20 is replaced with a new toner container. The sealing device 59 is bent to project toward the corret chuck 30 so that the container 20 can be easily mounted.

7 is also made of a sponge-like soft object, a seal 60 attached to the end of the gear link 38, a thin flexible seal attached to the abutment above the seal 60 (e.g. thickness 0.188 mm) 61, and A shutter 107 for closing the opening formed in the seat 47 of the container holder 21 was shown to allow the toner to fall. Typically, the shutter 107 is located in an opening formed in alignment with the opening of the sheet 47. As long as this is maintained, a seaviceman can lift the shutter 107 by holding the thumb piece 108 to close the opening of the sheet 47.

As shown in FIG. 7, the corret chuck 30 is formed of a plurality of slits 62 having a chucking portion 33 which is pressed by an external force. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, with no force applied, the chucking portion 33 is opened to a distance D ₁ longer than the tip maximum diameter d ₁ of the lug 26 of the lid 25. The chuck 30 includes a larger diameter portion 63 in contact with the chucking portion 33 and a smaller diameter portion 64 behind the larger diameter portion 63. In the absence of pressure, the larger diameter portion 63 has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter D ₂ of the smaller diameter portion 64.

The core 35 consists of a flange 66 which abuts the flange 65 provided on the cover 25 and a cylindrical slider 67 on which the chuck 30 can slide.

The slider 67 is greater than the outer diameter D of the chuck 30 of the smaller diameter portion 64 _2, and has a large-diameter portion the inner diameter D ₃ smaller than the outer diameter 63 than the case would support the pressure applied on 63 parts of the diameter. In this configuration, when the core 39 is inserted into the larger diameter portion 63 of the chuck 30, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 9B, the core slides over the larger diameter portion and the opening of the chucking portion 33 becomes smaller. The resulting opening of the chucking portion 33 is chosen to be at least less than the maximum diameter d ₁ of the lug 26, preferably equal to the diameter d ₂ of the root of the lug 26.

The cam mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 6 is comprised as follows. When vessel holder 21 is moved from position B to position A, cam mechanism 40 removes chuck 30 from vessel 20. In addition, when the vessel holder 21 is moved from the A position to the B position, the cam mechanism 40 moves the chuck 30 toward the vessel 20.

In one embodiment, the cam mechanism 40 has a flat cam member 68 and a roller 70 mounted rotatably on the chuck shaft 69. The chuck shaft 69 is attached to the rear end of the chuck 30.

As shown in 10a and 10b, the cam member 68 has a first face 71 for guiding the roller 70 from the surface in contact with the center of rotation Z of the positioned container holder 21 and a roller 70 from the opposite side to the center of rotation Z. It has a second side 72 for guiding.

As shown in FIG. 10B, in particular, when the container holder 21 is moved from the B position to the A position, the first face 71 engages the larger diameter 63 of the chuck 30 and the container 20 by the spring 51 via the core 39. Guide roller 70 so that biased chuck 30 is away from vessel 20.

When vessel holder 21 is moved from position A to position B, first side 71 guides roller 70 such that chuck 30 deflected supported by spring 51 moves towards vessel 20.

As shown in FIG. 11B, in particular immediately before the vessel holder 21 completes its movement from position A to position B, the core 39 abuts the edge of the collar 24 of the vessel 20 positioned by the locking mechanism 36.

As a result, the core 39 is removed at the larger diameter of the chuck 30, preventing the force of the spring 51 from acting on the chuck 30.

From this moment until the movement of the vessel holder 21 to the B position is completed, the second face 72 of the cam member 68 guides the roller 70 so that the chuck 30 approaches the vessel 20.

As mentioned above, the cam mechanism 40 is located near the axis of rotation of the vessel holder 20.

Therefore, when replacing or retracting the receptacle 20 by pulling or pushing the receptacle holder 21 between the A and B positions, the point of the holder 21 and the center of rotation Z on which the resulting force acts are defined as 1st face 71 or 2nd face. The joint information of 72, roller 70, and center of rotation Z falls at larger intervals. This allows the vessel holder 21 to be moved for a relatively small force based on the lever action.

In the above structure, during the normal copying operation, the toner supply unit 17 having the container holder 21 is positioned at the B position. In order to position the container holder 21 in the B position, it is preferred that a locking mechanism, for example using a magnet, is provided in front of the copier and the container holder 21. As shown in FIG. 6, in position B, the vessel 20 placed in the vessel holder 21 is positioned with a ring 54 abutting the end of the locking member 52 of the locking mechanism 36. In this state, the container rib 57 of the container 20 is engaged with the rib 58 of the gear link 38. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the corret chuck 30 is supported by a spring 51 located at a larger diameter portion 63 furthest away from the vessel 20 and compresses the chucking portion 33. As a result, the chucking portion 33 fixes the lug 26, that is, the lid 25, so that the inlet 23 of the container 20 is opened. The hopper toner receiver 16a of FIG. 6 is placed under the opening 49 of the stop cover 48. As shown in FIG.

As the toner concentration in the developing unit decreases due to the repeated phenomenon, the toner supply roller 19 starts to rotate in accordance with the output signal of the toner concentration sensor not shown. At the same time, motor 37 starts to rotate. The rotation of the motor 37 is transmitted to the vessel 20 via the gear 55 and the gear link 38, which causes the vessel 20 to rotate. The spiral guide grooves 27 formed on the inner surface of the container 20 carry the toner to the inlet 23 of the container 20 until the toner falls off the inlet 23.

The toner separated from the container 20 is stored in the toner receiver 16a of the hopper 16 via the opening 49 of the stop cover 48. Thereafter, the screw conveyor 18 carries the toner from the toner receiver 16a through the hopper 16 to a deeper position in the copier. This operation continues until the toner concentration in the unit is at a predetermined value, that is, the toner supply roller 19 stops rotating. Alternatively, when the toner in the hopper 16 is reduced, the container 20 can be rotated for a sufficient time.

As shown in Figs. 12A and 12B, the projection 73 is provided at a position which can face a part of the locking member 52 of the above-described positioning mechanism of the toner container 20. As shown in Figs. Then, when the vessel 20 is rotated, the protrusion 73 is in contact with a part of the locking member 52 so that the locking member 52 is not freed against the action of the spring 53 (Fig. 7) such that the locking member 52 is not completely released from the ring 54. Raise the end. Subsequently, as the protrusion 73 is moved out of the locking member 52, the locking member 52 returns and impacts the outer surface of the container 20, causing the wall of the container 20 to vibrate. This is effective to increase the fluidity of the toner in the container 20 and thus allows a larger amount of toner to flow out of the container 20 via the inlet 23. Moreover, only a minimum amount of toner is allowed to adhere to the inner surface of the container 20.

In Figures 12a and 12b, the configuration of the container 20 around the inlet 23 encourages effective discharge of the toner from the container 20 as described in detail below.

When vessel 20 in vessel holder 21 is replaced or removed for similar purposes, vessel holder 21 is moved from position B to position A.

While the vessel holder 21 is moving, the cam mechanism 40 guides the roller 70 having the first face such that the collet chuck 30 carries the lid 25 and moves towards the inlet of the vessel 20. As a result, the flange 66 of the core 39 is folded over the collar 24 edge of the vessel 20 via the flange 65 of the lid 25. Even after the movement of the core 39 is limited by the collar 24, the cam mechanism 40 guides the roller 70 with the second side to continuously move the chuck 30 until the diameter 63 with the larger chuck 30 is separated from the core 39. . As a result, the chucking portion 33 is opened by the restoring force of the chuck 30, and the lug 26 is separated from the cover 25. According to the above procedure, the lid 25 is inserted into the collar 24 of the developer container 20 and the inlet 23 is sealed. When the vessel holder 21 has been completely moved to the A position, the chucking portion 33 of the chuck 30 opens larger than the maximum diameter D ₁ of the lug 26 of the lid 25, as shown in FIGS. 9a, 11a and 11b.

Subsequently, when the container holder 21 is in the A position, the locking member 52 of the locking mechanism 36 is pulled by hand from the container 20 against the action of the spring 53 until the member 52 is released from the ring 54 of the container 20.

The vessel 20 is then separated from the stop cover 48 and the vessel holder 21.

The locking member 52 is continuously biased towards the vessel 20 by the spring 53.

Thus, as described above, when the locking member 52 is pulled apart by hand, the free end that is not fixed falls apart and recombines with the ring 54 of the container 20. Therefore, it is necessary to hold the unfixed free end of the locking member 52 in the raised position when the container 20 is to be removed. To meet this demand, the container 20 is preferably replaced automatically when the locking member 52 is lifted from the container 20.

FIG. 13 shows a specific configuration in which the spring 51 pushes the toner container 20 through the core 39 when the container 20 is detached from the locking mechanism 36.

As shown, the height of the collar 24 as well as other elements are selected such that when the container 20 is positioned by the locking mechanism 36, the edge of the collar 24 pushes the predetermined amount S out of the stop cover 48. In this configuration, when the locking member 52 is lifted from the ring 54 of the vessel 20, the core 39 is moved by the spring 51 until the flange 66 abuts the gear link 38. As a result, the container 20 pushes out the predetermined amount S.

Assuming the initial movement of the core 39 and the lugs 26 of the cover 25 are completely removed from the chucking portion 33 of the corret chuck 30, the core 39 squeezes the chucking portion 33 in combination with the larger diameter portion 63 of the chuck 30. . Thereafter, the lid 25 is held continuously by the chuck 30. That is, even when the container 20 is taken out, the inlet part 23 of 20 is open. As a result, the toner deposited on the inner surface of the inlet 23 falls and soils the hands and clothes. Moreover, if the chucking portion 33 is pressed too much, when the new toner container 20 is mounted, the lug 26 of the lid 25 will not be inserted into the chucking portion 33.

In view of this, preferably the quantity S is chosen such that even after the flange 66 of the core 39 abuts the gear link 38, the chucking portion 33 remains open without the core 39 contacting the larger diameter portion 63 of the chuck 30. do.

Particularly preferably, the gearlink 38 is positioned such that when the core 20 is detached from the locking mechanism 36, the core 39 can contact the gearlink 38 before engaging the larger diameter 63 of the chuck 30.

The gear link 38 is used to limit the movement of the core 39 but can be replaced with a typical limiting member.

In position A, empty container 20 is replaced with new container 20. In particular, the new container 20 is filled with a new toner and the inlet 23 is sealed with a sealing device 25. The new container 20 is mounted in the container holder 21 with its head portion facing the stop cover 48. After that, the head of the container 20 is inserted into the stop cover 28. At this time, the locking member 52 of the locking mechanism 36 fixes the ring 54 of the container 20 moved to the stop cover 48. As a result, the toner container 20 is placed in the container holder 21. In one embodiment, while the container 20 moves deeper into the stop cover 48, the unfixed free end of the locking member 52 is inserted into the inclined surface 54b of the ring 54.

With respect to the fact that the ring 54 lifts the inclined surface of the member 52, there is no need to lift the locking member 52 by hand.

As noted above, in the stop cover 48 the core 39 is held in a position that does not contact the larger diameter portion 63 of the chuck 30. Thus, the chucking portion 33 of the chuck 30 remains open. This allows the lug 26 of the cover 25 to move smoothly to the chucking 33.

As mentioned above, assuming the configuration when the container 20 is pushed out by the core 39, the chucking portion 33 of the chuck 30 is closed after the lug 26 of the lid 25 is removed from the chucking portion 33. In such a case, the lid 25 should preferably be configured such that the flange 65 of the lid 25 projects sufficiently beyond the lug 26. Then, when the new container 20 is inserted in the stop cover 48, the edge of the collar 24 pushes the flange 66 of the core 39 through the flange 65 of the cover so that the core 39 separates from the larger diameter 63 of the chuck 30, and thus King 33 is opened.

In this state, the lug 26 of the lid 25 is inserted into the open chucking portion 33.

The container holder 21 is then moved from the A position to the B position. At this time, the cam mechanism 40 guides the roller 70 having the first cam surface to be removed from the inlet of the container 20 by the chuck 30 carrying the lid 25.

In the initial movement state, the larger diameter portion 63 of the chuck 30 engages the core 39 and the chucking portion 33 is compressed. As a result, the chucking part 33 fixes the lug 26 of the cover 25. Thereafter, the core 39 and the larger diameter portion 63 continue to be engaged by the force of the spring 51, so that the chucking portion 33 continuously supports the lid 25. As a result, the lid 25 is removed from the inlet 23 and opened. In this way, as shown in FIGS. 6, 10a and 10b, the container holder 21 is completely moved to the B position. At position B, the container 20 is rotated to continuously refill the toner from the container 20.

As described above, by the toner supply unit 17 of the seventeenth embodiment, it is possible to replace the container 20 only by moving the container holder 21. At this time, the toner is prevented from leaking out of the inlet 23 of the container 20.

As shown in FIG. 13B, the flange 65 of the lid 25 is preferably provided with an outer diameter d _{2 which} is smaller than the outer diameter d ₃ of the collar 24.

On the other hand, when the container 20 moves outwardly under the interior of the stop cover 38, the flange 65 abuts the sealing device 59 mounted on the interior side of the stop cover 38, allowing the cover 25 to be removed. In addition, as shown in Fig. 13C, the lid 29 is attached to the lid 25 on the vessel 20. The lid 29 does not need to be coupled so that the lid 25 is fixed to the collar 24 in the container 20 when the container 20 is transported, in particular, by a highland or aircraft, and the force required for the automatic lid attachment and removal mechanism is reduced.

The modified form of core 39 shown in FIG. 7 is described with reference to FIGS. 14A-14E. As shown in 14a, the core 39 has a cylindrical drum portion 74 having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the stop cover 48. A flange is provided on the circumferential surface of the drum portion 74 to form a plurality of annular recesses. Each of the annular seal member 75 and the drum portion 74 shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C is fixed to the annular groove and cast side by side in the axial direction of the drum portion 74. The sealing member 75 seals the gap between the outer surface of the core 39 and the inner surface of the stop cover 48.

As shown in FIG. 14B, each sealer member 75 may be supplied as an elongate member having both ends in contact with the adhesive layer 75a.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14C, the sealing member 75 can be supplied to the ring and attached to the drum portion 74. As shown in FIG. Preferably, the sealing member 75 having the shape shown in FIG. 14B should be positioned so that their portions in contact with the opposite ends are shifted in the axial direction of the core 39. Further, the annular sealing member 75 shown in FIG. 14C is preferably provided in the first elastic member 75b, for example, a bubble-free bullet body, which is mainly reinforced in the circumferential direction, and the elastic member 75b, and mainly in the thickness direction. The elastically reinforced second elastic member 75c, for example, is composed of a bubble elastic body.

The core 39 shown in Fig. 14A is formed at its end with a boss 77 whose lid 25 is in contact with the flange 65. The booth 77 is provided with a hole for extending the corrugation 30 through the core 39. The boss 77 also allows the flat annular end seal 78 shown in Fig. 14d or 14e to be positioned when the seal 78 is attached and mounted to the flange end. The end sealing device 78 may be composed of a single body or a plurality of annular elements bonded to each other as shown in FIG. 14d. At least the front end 78a of the end sealing device 78 is preferably composed of, for example, a silicone resin, a fluoro resin, or a similar resin having a low surface energy so that the toner is not easily deposited thereon.

An improved configuration for reducing the forces applied manually on the vessel holder 21 is described below with reference to FIGS. 15-18.

Assume that the toner is deposited on the inner surface of the collar 24 of the container 20 and the lid 25 is in contact with it. At that time, the force required to insert or remove the lid 25 into the inlet 23 of the container 20 increases.

As a result, the container holder 21 is pushed from position A to position B (to ensure lid 25 is removed from inlet 23) and pulled from position B to position A (to allow lid 25 to be inserted into inlet 23). ) The required force is increased.

The pushing and pulling forces described above are measured according to three different types of toner supply units 17 (hereinafter referred to as type 1-3) that differ in the shape of the corret chuck 30 and the core 39 and the Tony container 20 having various inlet diameters. For example, toner is deposited on the inner surface of the color 24 of the container 20. 15 shows the measurement results. In Fig. 15, the abscissa and the ordinate represent the diameter of the inlet 23 of the vessel 20 and the force required to move the vessel holder 21, respectively. The graph includes a one-dot line representing the measurement results. Among them, the one-dotted line with arrows and the one-dotted line with points are related to types 1 and 2, respectively; The cross-dotted one-dot line relates to type 3.

The pushing force measured in type 1 indicated by braces is distributed in the area A ₁ , and the pulling force measured in type 1 is distributed in the area B ₁ . The pushing force measured as type 2 is distributed in the area A ₂ and the pulling force measured as type 2 is distributed in the B ₂ area. The distribution measured with type 3 is not shown in the graph, but the measured pushing force is located in areas A ₁ and A ₂ , and the pulling force is located in and below the areas B ₁ and B ₂ . Defective insertion occurred in the area indicated by hatching in the C region (enclosed by a horizontal line representing a force of 2200 g and an oblique line representing the upper limit of the A ₂ region).

As shown in FIG. 15, the required pushing force will be greater than the required pulling force, for example 2 kg or more. In addition, when the pulling force is large, for example, 2.2 kg, the inlet 23 has a diameter and the shape of the corret 30 and the core 39, and the cover 25 is incompletely inserted.

FIG. 16 shows an improved mechanism that causes the lid 25 to rotate around it when the lid 25 is attached to or detached from the inlet 23 of the vessel 20. As a result, the pushing and pulling forces are reduced, so that the lid 25 is attached or detached to the inlet 23 smoothly. In order to allow the cover 25 to rotate about its axis, the boss 50 of the stop cover 48 on which the chuck 30 slides is formed with a cam slit 79 for allowing the chuck 30 to rotate as it moves back and forth to the vessel 20. The pin 80 is fixed to the chuck axis 69 of the chuck 30 so as to be movable into the cam slit 79.

17a and 17b, corresponding to FIGS. 10a and 10b, respectively, show an improved mechanism with the container holder 21 in position B. FIG. FIG. 17C is an enlarged view of the mechanism seen from the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 17B. FIG. 17d is an enlarged view of the mechanism seen from the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 17b. As shown, the pin 80 is located at the outermost portion of the cam slit 79 formed at the lowest portion of the circumference of the boss 50 shown by dashed line L ₁ in FIG. 17C. The innermost end of the cam slit 79 is assumed to be the position indicated by the dashed-dotted line L ₂ of Fig. 17c away from the predetermined angle α, for example, 90 ° from the L ₁ position. As shown by the dashed-dotted line C in FIG. 17C, while the pin 80 moves from the outermost part of the cam slit 79 to the innermost part, as shown in FIG. 17D, the cam slit 79 has the pin circumference of the boss 50 as shown in FIG. Rotate by the predetermined angle α. 18a and 18b, corresponding to FIGS. 11a and 11b, respectively, show the mechanism with vessel holder 21 located at point A. FIG. FIG. 18C is an enlarged view seen from the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 18B. FIG. 18D is an enlarged view seen from the direction indicated by arrow B in FIG. 18B.

In operation, when vessel holder 21 moves from point B to point A, chuck axis 69 of chuck 30 slides into boss 50 of stop cover 48 and moves to toner container 20. At the same time, the pin 80 rotates the axis circumference of the boss 50 of the stop cover 48 by a predetermined angle α by the guide of the cam slit 79, as indicated by the dashed line C in FIG. 17C.

As a result, the lid 25 supported by the chuck 30 while rotating the axis of the boss 50 is continuously inserted into the collar 24 of the container 20.

Conversely, when moving from vessel holder A to point B, the chuck axis 69 is removed from the vessel 20 while sliding into the boss 50 of the stop cover 48. At this moment, the pin 80 rotates the circumference of the boss 50 by an angle α in the opposite direction guided by the cam slit 79.

As a result, the cover 25 supported by the chuck 30 while rotating the axis of the boss 50 is removed from the collar 24 of the container 20.

As mentioned above, the lid 25 is inserted into and removed from the inlet 23 while the shaft 25 of the boss 50 of the stop cover 48 is rotated.

This allows the lid 25 to be flexibly inserted into and removed from the inlet 23, thus reducing the force required to push or pull the container holder 21 as compared to the case where the lid 25 does not rotate.

Another improved mechanism for reducing the force required to push or pull vessel holder 21 is described in connection with FIGS. 19A-19D. 19A and 19B show a specific form of the lid 25 that allows the lid 25 to be easily attached and detached to the inlet portion 23 of the toner container 20. FIG. As shown, the cover 25 has an annular wall 81, a bottom wall 82, and an inclined wall 83 (connection) 83 connecting the two walls 81 and 82 in contact with the inner surface of the collar 24. The wall portion 83 is inclined at a predetermined angle, preferably less than 45 °. The bottom wall portion 82 has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the annular wall portion 81.

Preferably, the inclined wall 83 has a thickness t that is less than the thickness T of the bottom wall 82, for example half the thickness T (t 1/2 .T). As a result, when the collet chuck 30 inserts the cover into the inlet 23, the forces f ₁ and f ₁ 'required for inserting the circular wall of the cover 25 into the collar 24, as compared to the case where the thickness t and T are the same (Fig. 19C). ) Is reduced. Also, when the chuck 30 separates the cover 25 at the inlet 23, the forces f ₂ and f ₂ ′ by the collar 24 against the circular wall of the cover 25 are also reduced. This prevents the defect that the cover 25 is inserted or removed from the inlet 23 by deformation.

If necessary, the surface of the bottom wall portion 82 of the lid 25 in contact with the toner may be provided in a wave shape. Thus, even if the toner condenses during storage, it easily spills when the cover 25 is removed. The waveform is constituted by wavy ribs formed on the surface of the bottom wall portion 82 described above.

Also, as shown in FIG. 19D, a saw-toothed portion 84 may be provided on the outer surface of the annular wall portion 81. When the cover 25 is inserted into the inlet 23, the saw blade 84 scrapes the toner deposited on the inner surface of the collar 24 of the container 20 and pushes it into the container 20. As a result, the force required to insert the lid 25 into the collar 24 is kept constant.

This eliminates a 1.5-fold increase in the force required to insert the lid 25 into the inlet 23 due to the toner deposited on the inner surface of the collar 24. For example, if the engagement of the chuck 30 and the cover 25 is 39.90 mm in diameter at the inlet 23, the force to pull the cover 25 when the toner is not deposited is reduced to a maximum of 950 g and even up to 1570 g even if the toner is deposited. To be selected. This coupling also reduces the force required to insert the lid 25 to 1370 g when no toner is deposited and to 1770 g when toner is deposited.

With respect to FIGS. 20A-24C, a specific configuration for a portion of the container 20 adjacent to the inlet portion 23 to allow toner to be discharged in a preferred manner will be described.

In the figure, the container rib 57 is subjected to rotational force from the ring not shown (FIGS. 34A and 34B).

Briefly, when the container 20 shown in the drawing is placed in a position substantially horizontal to the container holder 21 with the inlet 23 positioned laterally, the toner located in the lower portion of the cylindrical body of the container 20 is rotated in the container 20. After being raised to the inlet 23 by, it is configured to be discharged via the inlet 23. As a result, the toner is preferably discharged out of the container 20 via an inlet 23 having a diameter smaller than that of the cylindrical body of the container 20. In particular, the end or shoulder of the container 20 provided with the inlet 23 has an inner surface that partially protrudes into the edge of the inlet 23 and forms a portion 85 represented by hatching. The protrusion 85 moves the toner upward when the container 20 is rotated, as described in detail below. As shown in FIG. 21A, the end of the vessel 20 and the circular wall are substantially the same in thickness, so that the inner construction of the vessel 20 also appears directly on the outer surface. For this reason, in other figures (e.g., Figure 20e), reference numerals given to the inner surface of the container 20 are also used to indicate corresponding parts of the outer surface.

Furthermore, the container 20 has another projection 86 in contact with the projection 85 in the circular direction, as indicated by the shadow in a direction different from the shaded portion indicated by 86 in FIG. 21B. In particular, the inner surface portion of the cylindrical wall in contact with the projection 85 in the circular direction as shown in the twenty-first a projected out of the axis or rotation center line L of the container 20 over the edge of the inlet 23. As shown in Fig. 20g, when the lid and lid are removed and the container 20 is viewed from the outside in the axial direction, that is, along the centerline L, the projection 86 is visible in the inlet 23.

Preferably, adjacent protrusions 85 and 86 are provided with an inclined surface shape that protrudes more towards the axis L as its distance from the inlet 23 increases. Further, as shown in FIG. 21D, the projections 85 and 86 are provided with concave surfaces that are at least partially visible in a section including the L axis in a curve in which the curved center C ₁ approaches the axis L. As shown in FIG. FIG. 21D is a cross sectional view along line A ₄ -A ₂ of FIG. 23C and shows a projection 85. FIG. 21C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 21A and is a cross-sectional view taken along line A ₁ -A ₃ in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21C, preferably, the projection 86 has a curved surface center C ₂ with a curve away from the axis L and provided with a convex surface visible in the cross section including the axis L. As shown in FIG. The curve with the curved center C ₂ allows the toner to smoothly push out of the collar 24. Moreover, it is preferable that the projection 85 abuts against the spiral guide groove 27.

Thus, the toner guided near the inlet 23 along the guide recess 27 having a constant width is continuously raised to the edge of the inlet 23 and then guided to the protrusion 86.

FIG. 24a shows a preferred form of the wall a forming the guide groove 27 of the container 20. FIG. As shown, the wall a includes a b portion (second inclined wall) for guiding the toner in the guiding direction indicated by the arrow A (i.e., the inlet portion 23).

The b part projects toward the axis of the container 20 at an angle θ1, for example 80-90 °, which is substantially perpendicular to the flat inner surface of the container 20. The other part c (first inclined wall) of the wall a carried by the toner is projected at a small angle θ2, for example, less than 30, preferably 10-30 ° and in the guiding direction A, on the axis of the container 20. The wall a having this shape allows the toner to easily fall off the inner surface while the container 20 rotates, so that the toner remaining in the container 20 is minimized.

With reference to FIGS. 22A-22D and 23A-23D, a description will be given of how the projections 85 and 86 guide the toner. 22c and 23c are the right side views of the container 20 shown in front view in 22a and 23a, respectively.

22d and 23d are right side views of the container 20 shown in front view in 22b and 23b, respectively. 22b and 23b show the container 20 in the position rotated 90 degrees in the positions shown in 22a and 23a. The arrow K indicates the direction in which the container 20 is rotated by the toner supply unit 17.

In the state shown in Figs. 22A and 22C, the maximum diameter portion of the shoulder is located at the bottom in the vertical direction. Thus, the guide groove 27 guides the toner to the bottom of the maximum diameter portion of the head portion of the container 20. As shown in Figs. 22B and 22D, when the container 20 is rotated 90 degrees in the K direction, the boundary between the largest diameter portion of the shoulder and the protrusion 85 is located at the bottom in the vertical direction; The toner is partially loaded into the protrusion 85 in the guide groove 27. As shown in FIGS. 23A and 23C, while the container 20 is rotated 90 degrees or more in the K direction in the states of FIGS. 23A and 23C, the protrusion 85 lifts the toner to the edge of the inlet 23 like a Spon. When the container 20 is rotated by 90 degrees or more in the K direction in the 23b and 23d degree states, the toner is partially conveyed from the protrusion 85 to the inclined protrusion 86. As a result, the toner is guided out of the container 20 in the L direction by the projection 86 and then discharged via the inlet 23.

As well shown in FIG. 23C, the projection 85 itself is provided in a concave form, such as a Spoon. When the container 20 has a shape adjacent to the inlet 23, the toner powder prevents excessive falling from the inlet 23 and dust generation in the hopper 16. That is, the toner powder is discharged little by little in the container 20. In addition, little toner remains in the container.

Moreover, while the container 20 rotates, only a small amount of so-called toner is pumped up to the inlet 23. As a result, a constant amount of toner is always discharged from the inlet 23.

As shown in Fig. 24B, two pairs of projections 85 and 86 are formed on the inner surface of the container 20 shoulder. In this case, the toner will be released twice the amount usable as the pair of projections 85 and 86 when the rotational amount of the container 20 is the same.

Furthermore, as shown in article 24c, the outer surface of the vessel 20 additionally has an outer diameter ψ ₁ of the grip gortion L ₁ having a diameter ψ ₁ smaller than the diameter ψ ₀ (more than 100 mm) of the other part is 80-100 mm. It is beneficial; The length is advantageously 80-100 mm. The wall a forming the guide groove 27 in FIG. 24c has an inner surface shape as shown in FIG. 24a. In FIG. 24C, arrow a indicates that the toner is conveyed upward by the inner surface of the container 20 due to the rotation of the container 20, and arrow b indicates that the toner falls accordingly.

25 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed (rotation per minute) of the container 20 while the toner is supplied, and the amount of toner remaining in the container 20 without being discharged. As shown, the amount of toner remaining in the container 20 depends on the rotational speed. For example, assuming that the maximum amount of acceptable toner remaining in container 20 is 50 g, it is desirable for container 20 to rotate 30-40 times in one minute. Of course, the appropriate rotational speed of the container 20 for reducing the amount of residual toner is determined depending on, for example, the diameter of the inlet 23 and the shape of the protrusions 85 and 86. Thus, in practice, the appropriate rotational speed is determined by preliminary experiments, and vessel 20 is rotated at this speed.

In one embodiment, the toner supply unit 17 is configured such that the chuck 30 supports the lugs 26 of the lid 25 when the end of the corret chuck is compressed. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 26A, the chuck 30 contacts the inner surface of the annular wall of the cover 25 such that the open cover 25 is maintained. 26B shows a state where the tip of the compressed chuck 30 releases the lid 25. In chuck 30 shown in 26a and 26b, the slit has a rear portion 87 that is wider than the front or tip portion. Pin 88 is fixed at a predetermined position, for example stop cover 48. The chuck 30 moves relative to the pin 88 such that the pin 88 is inserted into the narrower tip of the slit, ie the tip of the open slit. When moving the chuck 30 so that the pin 88 is inserted into the rear portion 87 of the slit, the tip of the chuck 30 does not contact the cover 25. 26A and 26B show the engagement position of the container holder 21 with the B position and the A position, respectively.

According to Figs. 27-30, the modified form of the toner supply unit 17 will be described. In the drawings, the same or similar parts or the same parts as those described above are denoted by the same numerals.

In a variant, the toner supply unit 17 can also rotate substantially horizontally substantially between positions A and B around the rotational center Z of FIG. 1B. The mechanism described above may also be used to keep the center of rotation Z around the container holder 21 rotatable. Again, the toner supply unit 17 has a locking mechanism for positioning the container 20 in the container holder 21, a motor 37 for causing the container 20 to rotate, a gear link 38 for transmitting the rotation of the motor 37 to the container 20, and a cover for the container 20. A corret chuck 30 for retaining 25, a core 39 slidably mounted to the chuck 30, and a cam mechanism for moving the chuck 30 back and forth.

Modifications different from the above-described embodiment are as follows. First, in the above embodiment, the cam mechanism for moving the chuck 30 back and forth is located adjacent to the center of rotation Z of the container holder 21. In contrast, in this variant, the cam mechanism is located at a position relatively away from the center of rotation Z in the vertical direction of the container holder 21.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, in general, the cam mechanism 93 will face the end of the vessel holder 21 (hereinafter referred to as the movable end) away from the center of rotation Z when the holder 21 is in the B position. Can be fixed to the copier front wall 96. Moreover, the cam mechanism 93 has a roller 95 mounted at the movable end of the container holder 21 and is supplied with a flange. In particular, the roller 95 is rotatably mounted on a plate 94 which is in turn fixed to the bracket 89. The bracket 89 is secured to the movable bracket 41 near the rear of the container holder 21 or the rear of the container 20 (opposite the end where the inlet 23 is located) in such a way that it is movable back and forth to the rear end of the container 20. The bracket 89 and the arm member 99 are secured to the rear end of the chuck 30 by screws 98 connected together by an axis 100 extending in the longitudinal direction of the container holder 21.

The cam member 97 is composed of a pair of fence members facing each other. Guide members 97a and 97b guide roller 95 from the side and support the flange of roller 95 below roller 95. The guide members 97a and 97b are configured such that the distance from the center of rotation Z decreases as the distance to the front wall 96 decreases.

As shown in FIG. 29B, the front end of the guide member 97a is inclined downward so that the container holder 21 can smoothly start contacting before completely moving from the A position to the B position.

Bracket 89 has boss 89a on its vertical wall. Rod 90 is inserted while sliding in a hole surrounded by boss 89a of bracket 89. An abutment 91 is attached to the rod 90 and abuts the rear end of the vessel 20. The strip is placed between the vertical wall of the bracket 89 and the pedestal 91 so that they continue to slope away from each other.

In operation, when the vessel holder 21 is in the B position, the flange and roller 95 are positioned closest to the bottom end of the vessel holder 21 by the cam member 97 as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 degrees. Corret chuck 30, which is connected to roller 95 by axis 100, is also located at the nearest point of the bottom end of vessel holder 21. In this state, the chuck 30 supports the lid 25 at a point away from the inlet 23 of the container 20 so that the toner is discharged from the inlet 23. The vessel 20 is supported at its rear end against the pedestal 91 and the spring 92 and directed to the bottom end of the vessel holder 21.

The end of the vessel 20 with the inlet 23 abuts the end of the stop cover 48. Thus, the vessel 20 is located in the longitudinal direction of the vessel holder 21. In this regard, the pedestal 91 as well as the member coupled thereto consist of a mechanism for positioning the vessel 20 in the vessel holder 21.

When the container holder 21 is moved from point B to point A, the roller 95 is guided by the cam member 97 toward the unfixed end of the container holder 21. At the same time, the chuck 30 is moved towards the inlet 23 of the vessel 20. While the roller 95 is guided as described above by the cam member 97, the distance between the bracket 89 and the stop cover 48 is shorter than the sum of the length of the vessel 20 and the length of the spring 92 which is not subjected to force, and the pedestal 91 holds the vessel 20. When positioned, the cover 25 supported by the chuck 30 is fully inserted into the inlet 23.

If necessary, a cam member, not shown, may be provided at the rear end of the rod 90 such that sufficient force for inserting the lid 25 is generated when the container holder 21 is moved from point B to point A.

Thus, compared to the bracket 89, the rod 90 continues to be pressurized toward the chuck 30 and the rear end of the container 20 abuts the pedestal 91 of the rod 90.

As container holder 21 is further directed to point A, roller 95 is disengaged from cam member 97. 30 shows the container holder 21 is supported at the point A. In this state, the inlet 23 of the vessel 20 is completely sealed with the lid 25, the chucking portion of the chuck 30 is open to a sufficient extent to allow the lugs 26 of the lid 25 to be separated, and the pedestal 91 is separated from the rear end of the vessel 20. .

It is assumed that after the roller 95 is separated from the cam member 97, the chuck 30 is accidentally inserted into the bottom end side of the container holder 21. At this time, the larger diameter portion 63 (Fig. 31a) of the chuck 30 is engaged with the core 39, which is cut by the stop cover 48 which secures the lug 26 of the cover 25 and is compressed. In view of this, as shown in FIG. 28, the cam member 101 is additionally located adjacent to the center of rotation Z, and a specific cam surface is provided. In particular, while the roller 95 and the cam member 97 are separated from each other, the cam surface of the cam member 101 restricts the rear end of the chuck 30 such that the chuck 30 is not inserted into the bottom end side of the container holder 21. If necessary, the cap member 101 may also be provided at a suitable point of the core 39 for opening the chuck 30 and its chucking portion 33.

When the container holder 21 moves from point A to point B, the roller 95 comes into contact with the cam member 97. In succession, bracket 89 and chuck 30 move to the bottom end side of container holder 21, respectively. As a result, the vessel 20 is placed in the vessel holder 21 and the lid 25 is removed from the vessel 20. The state of the result is shown in FIG. 27 and 28 degree | times.

Other differences between the toner supply unit 17 and the toner supply unit 17 described above are as follows. The toner supply unit 17 described above keeps the chucking portion 33 of the chuck 30 sufficiently open by setting the portion 33 in a state such that the external force to be pressed is not applied. In contrast, the toner supply unit 17 is used to apply an external force to the portion 33 to open the chucking portion 33.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 31A, the chuck 30 has a slit portion 30a located behind the slit portion 30b in contact with the portion 30a, and the 30b has a wider area than the portion 30a. The chuck 30 is slidable to a bore formed in the core 39. As shown in Fig. 31B, the inner surface of the core 39 is provided with a projection 102 inserted into each (three in this case) slit of the chuck 30. Furthermore, the chuck 30 has a 103 portion larger in diameter than the large diameter portion 63 and a pedestal or shoulder 104 that is substantially perpendicular between the portions 103 and 63.

The core 39 shown in FIG. 31A is substantially the same as the core 39 of FIG. 14A except for the protrusion 102. In FIG. 31A, reference numeral 105 denotes an opposite end of each sealing member in contact with each other.

32A and 32B show the relationship between the chuck 32, the core 39, and the chucking portion 33. In particular, FIG. 32a shows that the core 39 is closed against the stop cover 48 (not shown), for example when located at the point A of the container holder 21. In this state, the protrusions 102 of the core 39 are located in the respective narrow slit portions 30a to fix them so that the chucking portion 33 is surely opened. On the other hand, FIG. 32B shows, for example, when the container holder 21 moves from the point A to the point B, the roller 95 and the cam member 97 come into contact with each other and the collet chuck 33 retreats at a constant distance. In this state, the boss of the core 39 is deflected and supported by the spring 51 which is blocked by the shoulder portion 104 of the chuck 30 to squeeze the chucking portion 33.

Further, the toner supply unit 17 forms a container rib 57 at the end of the container 20 having the inlet 23 and a link rib 58 at the end of the gear link 38 to transmit rotation of the gear link 38 to the container 20. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 33, the modified toner supply unit 17 provides a recess 106 in the container rib 57 position of the container 20 so that the link rib 58 engages with the groove 106. As shown in FIG.

However, as shown in Figures 34A-34D, a transmission mechanism similar to the mechanism of the previous embodiment may also be used.

34d shows the internal surface structure of the gear link 38 as viewed in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 34c.

As shown in Figs. 34A and 34B, it is assumed that container ribs (projections) 57 are formed on the outer surface of the container 20, and the container 20 is cast using resin. At this time, it is preferable that the container rib 57 is formed in a parting line portion between mold parts as shown in FIGS. 35A to 34E. This allows the container 20 to have a relatively thick wall at the point where the rib 57 is located as compared to where the rib 57 is located elsewhere. If they are provided in the separate part of the pupil mold part, any necessary number of ribs 57 can be provided. In particular, two dividing lines with two divided mold parts as shown in 35a-35e can be used.

The groove 106 in FIG. 33 formed in the vessel 20 is a specific mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the gearlink 38 to the vessel 20. Alternatively, as shown in the examples 36a and 36b, an outer surface member corresponding to the inner surface protrusion 85 is used to engage the link rib 58 or similar gear link 38 in the shoulder portion of the container 20.

As shown in FIG. 36A, the gear link 38 has an engaging portion 200 which can engage with an outer surface (coupling portion) 85a portion of the container 20 corresponding to the inner projection 85. As shown in FIG. When the head portion of the vessel 20 is inserted into the gear link 38, the engagement portion 200 engages outside the portion 85a of the vessel 20. 36b shows the portion 85a of the vessel 20 and the portion 200 of the gearlink 38 which are joined to each other. In FIG. 36B, reference numeral 200a denotes the surface of portion 200 directly in contact with portion 85a. When portions 85a and 200 are engaged in a substantially perpendicular engagement in the direction of rotation, the vessel 20 is rotated about its axis with the gearlink 38. This kind of drive transmission does not need to form container ribs 57 or similar protrusions on the container 20, thus reducing the production cost of the container 20. In addition, drive transmission is assured since the engaging portion 200 of the gear link 38 is in contact with the portion 85a of the vessel 20.

As shown in FIG. 37, two contact surfaces may be provided at the vessel 20 end. As shown, the contact surface 201 is formed at a predetermined point spaced 180 degrees apart in the rotational direction of the vessel 20 in the above-mentioned portion 85a. The gear link 38 is formed with two engagement portions 200 which engage with the surfaces 85a and 201 of the vessel 20, respectively. In this case, the inner surface of the container 20 corresponding to the additional contact surface 201 may also be formed as a projection for raising the toner.

38 and 39a-39c show another particular configuration of vessel 20. FIG.

As shown, the vessel 20 has two protrusions 85 (outer surface portion 85a shown as corresponding to each other) spaced 180 degrees apart in the rotational direction of the vessel 20 and symmetrical with respect to the vessel axis. In the drawings, parts that coincide with parts of the previous specific configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this structure, while the container 20 is rotated one time, the toner is guided twice along the protrusion 85 to the inlet 23. Therefore, when only a small amount of toner remains in the container 20, it is more certainly discharged from the inlet 23. Moreover, since the vessel 20 and the gear link 38 engage each other at two spaced points, drive transfer from the link 38 to the vessel 20 is further facilitated.

In general, the characteristics of the toner, for example, chargeability and color, depend on the printing unit.

Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that the container 20 containing the toner different from the expected toner characteristics is not mounted in the toner supply unit 17.

To this end, the container 20 shown in 38 and 39a-39c is provided with a lug 204 at the point extending from the circular edge of the collar 24 to the shoulder 205.

The lug 204 is sized and positioned according to the characteristics of the toner contained in the container 20. The end wall of the gear link 38 is recessed in its inner surface to receive the lug 204 of the container 20 containing the expected toner when the container 20 is inserted into the link 38.

When a container containing an unexpected toner is placed in the toner supply unit 17, it is not fully inserted into the gear link 38 since the lug 204 in size or position does not coincide with the groove of the link 38. If necessary, grooves and lugs may be provided in each of the vessel 20 and the gear link 38.

Three or more engagements that can engage gearlink 38 in container 20, or to more reliably transfer the rotation of link 38 to container 20, or to further facilitate the discharge of small amounts of toner remaining in container 20. Three or more protrusions 85 may be provided. This joining or projection is also preferably located at the same interval in the rotational direction of the container 20. In particular, FIGS. 40a-40c show a container 20 having protrusions (corresponding to the outer surface 85a corresponding thereto) (first protrusions) and joining portions (second protrusions) 203 staggered with each other at an annular interval of 90 °. In these configurations, the same parts as those of the specific container structure are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The gearlink 38 may be provided with a greater number of engagements than the vessel 20 to ensure smooth insertion of the tip of the vessel. In particular, the vessel 20 of FIG. 41 has two projections 85 symmetrical to each other at intervals of about 180 ° as shown in FIG. And the outer surface 85a of the projection 85 used as the mating surface, respectively.

The end wall of the gear link 38 is formed with four arc-shaped rims 202 on its inner surface. The rim 202 projects toward the axis of the gear link 38 and is arranged symmetrically about the axis of the link 38, as shown in the yellow cross section. As shown in 42b, the rim 202 is inclined by an angle α at the upper edge 202b facing the container inlet of the gearlink 38. When the vessel 20 is inserted into the gearlink 38, it is assumed that the portion of the vessel 20 between the circular edge of the collar 24 and the shoulder 205 abuts the upper edge 202b of the rim 202. This portion of vessel 20 then slides to rim 202 along the slope α while rotating its axis. As a result, the container 20 is inserted smoothly into the gear link 38. In order to be inserted smoothly, the angle α should preferably be less than 30 °. Each rim 202 has a surface 202a opposite the axis of the gearlink 38. This surface 202a of the rim 202 abuts the outer surface 85a of the vessel and transmits the rotation of the gearlink 38 to the vessel 20.

In summary, the present invention has many unexpected advantages listed below.

(1) The holding means for supporting the developer container is rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane to replace the shape container.

This eliminates the requirement that the length of the support means and the igniter container should be shorter than the height of the image forming apparatus, respectively, especially in conventional systems where the support means need to move both horizontally and vertically. Thus, a developer container having a sufficient length can be provided.

(2) The cover is automatically detached from the inlet part contained in the developer container.

Thus, the developer can continue to be supplied simply by mounting the developer container on the support means. This not only facilitates the replacement of the developer container but also prevents the developer from falling off at the inlet of the developer container. Furthermore, for example, the developer deposited on the inner surface of the inlet portion is prevented from falling to the outside.

(3) While the support means is placed at the point for mounting the developer container, the container can be removed with the lid sealing the inlet. This also prevents the developer deposited on the inner surface of the inlet from falling out.

(4) The developer can be effectively discharged from the developer container via the inlet portion.

Moreover, the amount of developer left unused on the container inner surface is reduced.

(5) Drive transmission of the developer container is assured.

(6) When the developer container is replaced, the support means can move between the loading position and the toner refilling position with minimal force. Furthermore, when a motor, solenoid or similar actuator is used to move the support means, a small actuator can be used.

(7) The developer container can be positioned in a completely unlocked state, so that it can be reliably separated from the supporting means.

(8) Compared to a conventional container whose diameter of the inlet portion is substantially equal to the maximum diameter of the shoulder inner surface, the size of the inlet portion of the developer container can be reduced.

The small inlet allows a minimum amount of developer to be deposited on its inner surface and prevents the developer from being blown or dropped as accidentally as possible.

When the container is transported, for example, the lid blocking the inlet of the container can be as small as the inlet. Thus, the lid can be detached with little force and the manual detachment operation becomes easy. This also applies to a mechanism for automatically detaching the lid mounted on the developer recharging device. Moreover, the size of such instruments is also reduced.

(9) The shoulder which forms part of the developer container and has a diameter larger than the inlet part has an inner surface projecting partially to the inlet edge. When the container rotates, the inner surface of the protruding portion raises the developer around the shoulder to the inlet, and causes the toner to fall through the inlet. As a result, all the developer charged in the container can be used for development. Moreover, the developer discharge rate via the inlet is determined by, for example, the size of the protrusion so that the developer can be safely discharged through the inlet.

(10) Prevent the person who wants to replace the developer container from accidentally removing the cover of the developer container. If not, the developer will fall out of the container and get dirty.

Claims (79)

A support means 21 for supporting the developer to be discharged from the inlet portion 23 to the developer refilling mechanism, and a driving means for rotating the circumference L in a state supported by the support means 21. A developer container used for a developer refilling mechanism, comprising: an inlet portion 23 at one end thereof, wherein the diameter of the inlet portion 23 is smaller than the diameter of the shoulder portion forming a circular wall adjacent to the one end; Hollow cylindrical main body portion; And guide means provided to a part of the shoulder part to guide the developer stored in the main body part to the inlet part 23 when the main body part is rotated. A developer container comprising a. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide means comprises: at least one first protrusion (85) formed at a portion of the shoulder portion and protruding from the shoulder portion to an edge of the inlet portion (23); And at least one second protrusion formed at a portion of the shoulder portion adjacent to the first protrusion 85, formed over an edge of the inlet 23, and protruding toward an axis L that forms a rotation center. (86); a developer container, characterized in that it comprises a. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second protrusions 85 and 86 respectively include first and second inclined surfaces that become higher in the direction of the axis L as the distance from the inlet 23 increases. A developer container characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. The first sloped surface portion of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the first inclined surface portion appears to be a curve in which a center of curvature (C ₁ ) is close to the axis (L) in a cross section along the plane including the axis (L). The developer container characterized in that it is formed so as to be concave. 5. The developer container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second inclined surface portion has a protruding end in a cross section along the plane, the curved center (C ₂ ) being a curved line located far from the axis (L). The shoulder of claim 1, wherein the guide means is formed at a part of the shoulder part and protrudes from the shoulder part to the edge of the inlet part 23, and is formed at the two shoulder parts separated from each other by 180 ° in the rotational direction. Two first protrusions 85 to be formed and adjacent to the two first protrusions 85 as the shoulder parts, respectively, and protrude toward the axis L over the inlet 23 edge, Two second projections 86 formed on the shoulder at two points spaced apart from each other by 180 ° in the rotational direction; A developer container comprising a. A developer container according to claim 1, wherein the shaft (L) coincides with the shaft of the inlet portion (23). The developer container according to claim 1, wherein the inlet portion (23) is a circular cross section. 6. The developer container according to claim 5, wherein at least one spiral guide groove (27) is formed in the inner surface of the circular wall to guide the developer to the first and second inclined surfaces. The guide groove (27) of claim 9, further comprising: a first inclined wall (C) to which the developer is passed; And a second inclined wall (b) for conveying said developer from said first inclined wall to said first and second inclined surface portions; A developer container comprising a. 10. The developer container according to claim 9, wherein the main body is provided with a grip portion L ₁ having a diameter smaller than that of the shoulder portion. The developer container according to claim 2, further comprising a driven portion that can be coupled to a drive portion of the drive means. 13. The developer container according to claim 12, wherein the driven part includes a projection formed at one end of the main body and capable of engaging with a coupling member included in the driving part. 13. The developer container according to claim 12, wherein the driven part includes a recess formed at one end of the main body and capable of engaging with a coupling member included in the driving part. 13. The developer container according to claim 12, wherein the driven portion includes an outer surface of the first protrusion (85) that can engage with a coupling portion included in the driving portion. The method of claim 15, wherein the driven portion is coupled to the coupling portion of the drive unit, provided in the shoulder portion at a position spaced 180 degrees apart from the outer surface of the first projection portion 85 in the rotational direction, And a contact surface for guiding the developer to the inlet (23). 3. The developer container according to claim 2, further comprising a positioning portion positioned in said support means by a locking member (52) included in said holding means. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the positioning portion includes a coupling portion 54 formed at a predetermined point on an outer surface of the circular wall of the main body portion and capable of engaging with the locking member 52. Developer container. 19. The developer container according to claim 18, wherein the coupling portion (54) protrudes. The method of claim 18. And the engaging portion (54) is concave. 8. The outer surface of the circular wall is formed so as to face the positioning portion, and rotates so that the locking member 52 of the support means 48 strikes the outer surface of the circular wall. A developer container characterized in that it comprises a projection (73). The developer container according to claim 2, further comprising an annular collar (24) projecting outward from the inlet portion (23). 23. The developer container according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of protrusions (28) are formed on the outer flat surface of the circular wall of the collar (24). 23. The developer container according to claim 22, further comprising a cover (25) for closing the inlet (23). 25. The developer container according to claim 24, wherein the cover (25) includes a bottom wall portion for sealing the inlet portion (23) and a circular wall portion mounted to the inlet portion (23). 26. The developer container according to claim 25, wherein the cover (25) includes a lug (26) which protrudes substantially from the center of the bottom wall portion and is fixed when the cover (25) is detached. 27. The cover (25) according to claim 26, wherein the cover (25) is provided with preventing means located in the space between the lug (26) and the inner surface of the circular wall to prevent a user from picking up the lug (26). A developer container further comprising. 28. The developer container according to claim 27, wherein said prevention means includes an annular obstruction (26a) surrounding said lug (26). 28. The developer container according to claim 27, wherein said prevention means comprises a plurality of elongated pin-shaped obstacles (26b) fixed around said lug (26). 28. The developer container according to claim 27, wherein said preventing means includes a concealing member (150) for concealing said lug (26). The method of claim 30, wherein the concealing member 150 includes a thin plate member 151 for concealing the lug 26 surrounding the annular portion 152 integrally formed on the outer surface of the thin plate member 151. A developer container characterized in that. 32. The thin plate member 151 has a hole 151a slightly larger than the lug 26 in its center and a plurality of slits 151b extending radially outwardly from the hole 151a. A developer container, characterized in that) is formed. The lid 25 is characterized in that it comprises a connecting portion 83 inclined in the direction connecting the bottom wall portion 82 and the annular wall portion 81 and the cover 25 is removed. Developer container. 34. The developer container according to claim 33, wherein the connecting portion (83) is thinner than the bottom wall portion (82). 34. The developer container according to claim 33, wherein the cover (25) further has a saw blade portion (84) and includes a portion formed on the surface of the annular wall portion (81) to be mounted to the inlet portion (23). . When mounted in the toner refilling mechanism, a container holder in which an inlet portion suitable for discharging the internal toner into the toner refilling mechanism is inserted, and a toner container used in the toner refilling mechanism equipped with a rotating drive unit, is located adjacent to one end. Main body portion including a hollow structure having a first diameter portion; An outlet formed on one side end of the main body portion, forming an inlet portion 23, and having a second diameter portion smaller than the first diameter portion; And a circumferential and radially inclined surface portion which is formed on an outer circumferential surface at one side end of the main body portion and radially connects between the first diameter portion and a radial point not larger than the second diameter portion; Toner container comprising a. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the inclined surface portion protrudes to a radial point smaller than the first diameter to form a meterin edge beyond the amount of measured toner that must flow into the inlet portion 23. Toner container. 38. The toner container of claim 37, wherein the inclined surface portion is curved in the circumferential direction. 39. The toner container of claim 38, wherein the inclined surface portion is formed in a concave shape to form a toner support spoon portion. When mounted on the toner refilling mechanism, it is used in the toner refilling mechanism having a container holder 21 equipped with an inlet portion for discharging the toner therein to the toner refilling mechanism, and a drive unit for rotating about the longitudinal axis. A toner container, comprising: a main body portion having a substantially hollow structure; And a rotational force transmission protrusion 57 or a recess 106 formed on the radially extending surface of the main body and transmitting the rotation of the container holder 21 by interacting with the container holder 21. Toner container comprising a. In the toner container used for the toner refilling mechanism having an inlet portion for discharging the toner therein to the toner refilling mechanism when mounted in the toner refilling mechanism and the drive unit for rotation, the first diameter portion is located close to one end. A main body portion having an approximately hollow structure having; An outlet port forming an inlet portion 23 at one end of the main body portion and having a second diameter portion substantially less than the first diameter portion; And radially connected between the first diameter portion and a radial point not larger than the second diameter portion, and being controllable when the main body portion is rotated by the driving unit. A circumferential and radially extending inclined surface portion which is increased in the radial direction from the first diameter portion to the second diameter portion, and is configured to supply a controllable amount of toner to the discharge port; Toner container comprising a. 42. The toner container of claim 41, further comprising toner therein. 42. The toner container of claim 41, further comprising an anti-rotation protrusion (204) located on a radially extending surface of the main body portion adjacent the one end. 44. The toner container of claim 43, further comprising a spiral member (27) formed in said main body portion for delivering said toner to said inlet portion (23) side. 45. The toner container according to claim 44, wherein the spiral member (27) forms an edge of the inclined surface structure. A mechanism for refilling a developer in a developing mechanism of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a developer container (20) containing a developer and having an inlet portion (23); And support means (21) connected to the developer refill unit to support the developer container (20) while positioning the inlet (23) to face the developer refill section; It comprises, wherein the support means 21 is a developer refilling mechanism, characterized in that configured to be rotatable about one side end in a horizontal plane. 47. A separator according to claim 46, further comprising a separating means for separating the lid (25) from the developer container (20) supported by the support means (21) and having an inlet portion (23) closed by the lid (25). A developer recharging mechanism comprising. 48. The developer according to claim 47, further comprising an attachment means for sealing the inlet portion (23) by attaching the cover (25) to the inlet portion (23) of the developer container (20). Recharge appliance. The method of claim 46, wherein the support means 21 is a first point (A) in which the developer container 20 can be easily mounted on the support means 21, and the support means 21 is the development A developer refilling device, characterized in that it is movable between a second point (B), which can be connected to a second section. 50. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein at least the support means (21) is located at the first point (A), the cover (25) is fully coupled to the inlet portion (23), and at least the support means (21) Phenomenon characterized in that it further comprises a control means for adjusting the separating means and the attachment means such that the cover 25 is completely separated from the inlet 23 when located at the second point (B) Recharge mechanism. 50. The apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said separating means and said attaching means each comprise retaining means for selectively taking an operating point for supporting the cover 25 or a non-operating point for removing the cover 25; And moving means for moving at least one of the holding means and the developer container 20 back and forth with respect to the other one; Developer refilling mechanism comprising a. A pushing means for pushing the developer container 20 toward the opening 49 in the direction in which the holding means or the developer container 20 moves. ; And positioning means for positioning the developer container 20 to fold in the opening 49; Developer refill mechanism characterized in that it further comprises. 53. The developer refilling mechanism according to claim 52, further comprising driving means for causing the developer container (20) fixed by the support means (21) to rotate about its longitudinal axis. 54. The developer recharging mechanism according to claim 53, wherein said driving means includes a motor (37) and transmission means for transmitting a rotation of said motor (37) to said developer container (20). 55. The shoulder of claim 54, wherein the transfer means rotates the shaft circumference of the developer container 20, and is adjacent to the inlet portion 23 of the main body of the hollow cylinder string of the developer container 20. And an annular gear link (38) having an engaging portion that can engage the engaging portion formed in the portion. 56. The link rib (58) of claim 55, wherein the engagement portion of the gear link (38) is engageable with a container rib (57) formed on one end of the developer vessel (20) provided with the engagement portion. Developer refilling mechanism comprising a. 56. The outer surface of at least one protrusion portion (85) according to claim 55, wherein the engagement portion of the gear link (38) is formed on a portion of the shoulder portion, and protrudes from the shoulder portion of the main body portion to the edge of the inlet portion (23). Developer refill mechanism, characterized in that it comprises a coupling portion 200 that can be combined with (85a). 59. The engaging portion of the gear link 38 is provided at a point spaced 180 degrees apart from the protruding portion 85 outer surface 85a in the rotational direction of the developer container 20 in the shoulder portion. And a contact surface (201) for guiding the developer to the inlet (23). 59. The outer surface of the two protrusions 85 provided on the shoulder portion according to claim 57, wherein the engaging portion of the gear link 38 is spaced 180 degrees apart from each other in the rotational direction of the developer container 20. Developer refill mechanism, characterized in that it comprises two coupling parts (200) capable of engaging with (85a). 52. The apparatus of claim 51, further comprising rotation means for rotating the retaining means about the longitudinal axis of the developer container 23 when the lid 25 is detached or attached at the inlet 23. A developer recharging mechanism, characterized in that. A moving device as set forth in claim 51, wherein said moving means is moved when said predetermined portion of said image forming apparatus and said support means (21) are moved relative to each other between said first point (A) and said second point (B). And a cam mechanism (40) for moving. 63. The method of claim 61, further comprising limiting means for limiting the movement of the means of movement at the first point A such that the support means 21 pushes the lid 25 against the inlet 23. A developer recharging mechanism comprising. 63. The developer refilling as set forth in claim 61, wherein the upper limb support means (21) can rotate around a shaft (Z) coupled to one side end, and the cam mechanism (40) is coupled to the shaft (Z). Instrument. 49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the separating means comprises: a corret chuck (30) for holding the lug (26) protruding from the cover (25) to support the cover (25); Moving means for moving at least one of the corret chuck 30 and the developer container 20 back and forth of the other; And when the corret chuck 30 and the developer container 20 fall by a predetermined distance, the chucking part 33 of the corret chuck 30 is opened so that the lug 26 flows in, and the distance is moved by the moving means. Control means for fixing the lug 26 of the cover 25 by pressing the chucking portion 33 is increased; Developer refilling mechanism comprising a. The method of claim 64, wherein the control means comprises a large diameter portion (63) of the outer surface of the corret chuck (30); A core (39) sliding and engaging the small diameter portion (64) of the corret chuck (30) against the large diameter portion (63) against the chucking portion (33); Biasing means (51) for continuously biasing the core (39) toward the inlet (23) side of the developer container (20); A coupling portion located in the core 39 for pressing the chucking portion 33 of the corret chuck 30; and limiting means for limiting the movement of the core 39 with respect to the force of the deflection supporting means 51; Developer refilling mechanism comprising a. 68. The developer container (20) according to claim 65, wherein the developer container (20) supported by the support means (21) is positioned at a position at which an inlet (23) edge point acts as the limiting means against the force of the deflection support means. Positioning means for making; And the core 39 at a point away from the edge of the inlet portion 23 of the developer container 20 positioned by the positioning means when the developer container 20 is removed from the support means 21. Restriction member which acts as a limiting means by limiting the movement of; Developer refilling mechanism comprising a. 67. The circular wall of the developer container 20 has a coupling portion formed therein, and the positioning means has an operating position for engaging with the developer container 20 coupling portion, and the circular wall rather than the operating position. And a refillable developer according to claim 1, wherein the developer refillable device is movable between non-operational positions distant from. 65. The collet chuck 30 according to claim 64, wherein the separating means supports the collet chuck 30 so as to be movable back and forth of the developer container 20 placed at a predetermined point of the supporting means C ₁ , A stop cover (48) comprising an end wall having a hole extending therethrough and a circular wall surrounding the corret chuck (30); A core (39) slidably coupled to the corret chuck (30) and continuing to bias against the developer container (20), the core (39) including an end that can be in contact with a flange (65) included in the cover (25); And an end sealing device (78) for sealing a gap between the end portion and the flange (65) of the cover (25). Developer refilling mechanism comprising a. 69. The developer refilling mechanism according to claim 68, wherein the end sealing device (78) has a multi-stage sealing structure. 70. The core sealing device according to claim 69, wherein the end sealing device (78) comprises a plurality of elongated rectangular sealing members (75) each having opposite ends enclosing the core (39) and abutting against each other, wherein the core (39) The sealing members (75) coupled in the axial direction of the developer refill mechanism characterized in that they are shifted with respect to each other at the position where the both ends are in contact in the circumferential direction of the core (39). 69. The developer refilling device of claim 68 wherein at least one side of the end seal (78) is made of 4-fluoro ethylene polymer. 70. The end elastic device (78) according to claim 68, wherein the end sealing device (78) mainly includes a first elastic member (75b) rich in elastic force in the circumferential direction, and a second elastic member rich in elastic force mainly in the thickness direction on the first elastic member (75b). And a circular sealing member (75) mounted on a circular surface of said core (39). 49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the attachment means comprises: a corret chuck (30) for fixing the lug (26) protruding from the cover (25); Moving means for causing at least one of the corret chuck 30 and the developer container 20 to move back and forth of the other; And a distance between the collet chuck 30 and the developer container 20 by the moving means so that the inlet portion 23 is completely sealed by the cover 25 supported by the corret chuck 30. Separating means for releasing the lugs 26 by opening the chucking portion 33 of the corret chuck 30 when reduced or before or after; Developer refilling mechanism comprising a. 75. The separator according to claim 73, wherein the separating means is mounted so as to slide on the corret chuck 30, and is deflectably supported by the deflection supporting means 51 to the inlet portion 23 of the developer container 20. Core 39; It is formed on the core 39, is accommodated in the slit portion 30a in the corret chuck 30, and supports the corret chuck 30 when supporting the collet chuck 30 when moved to the rear narrow portion of the slit portion 30a. A protrusion 102 for opening the chucking portion 33 of; And when the distance is reduced by the moving means until or before or after the lid 25 completely closes the inlet 23, the core against the force of the deflection support means 5 Limiting means for restricting the movement of (39) such that the protrusion (102) is moved from the wide part of the lid (25) to the narrow part; Developer refilling mechanism comprising a. 75. The hole of claim 73 wherein the attachment means supports the corret chuck 30 to move back and forth the developer container 20 placed at a predetermined point of the support means and through which the corret chuck 30 extends. A stop cover (48) comprising an end wall having a circular wall surrounding the corret chuck (30); A core (39) slidably coupled to the corret chuck (30) and continuing to be deflected toward the developer container (20), the core (39) comprising an end portion abutting the flange (65) included in the cover (25); And an end sealing device (78) for sealing a gap between the end portion and the flange (65) of the cover (25). Developer refilling mechanism comprising a. 76. The developer refilling mechanism according to claim 75, wherein the end sealing device (78) has a multistage sealing structure. 78. The device of claim 76, wherein the end seal 78 includes a plurality of elongated rectangular seal members 75 each having opposing end portions enclosing the core 39 and contacting each other, wherein the core 39 The sealing member (75) coupled in the axial direction of the developer refilling mechanism is characterized in that it is formed so as to be shifted with respect to each other in the circumferential direction of the core (39) at the position where both side ends contact. 78. The developer refilling device of claim 77 wherein at least one side of the end seal (78) is comprised of 4-fluoro ethylene polymer. 78. The end sealing device according to claim 77, wherein the end sealing device includes a first elastic member (75b) that is mainly rich in elasticity in the circumferential direction, and a second elastic member (75c) that is mainly rich in elasticity in the thickness direction on the first elastic member (75b). And an annular sealing member (75) mounted on the circumferential surface of the core (39).