Developer storage container, developer storage unit, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
Abstract
Problem to be solved.To open a flexible developer bag 16 when opening a sealing member 19.
Solution.When a sealing member 19 is moved to open a developer bag 16, a fixing portion 18c for suppressing the movement of the developer bag 16 is provided. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Term
7.2 yearsto projected expiry
Projected expiry 20 November 2033, counted from filing; an application has no term until it is granted.
- Priority
- Filed
- Published
- Today
- Projected expiry
13 claims: 4 independent, 9 dependent
- 1画像形成に用いられる現像剤を収納する現像剤収納ユニットであって、 前記現像剤収納ユニットは、 収納した現像剤を排出するための開口部を備えた可撓性容器と、前記開口部を封止するとともに移動されることによって前記開口部を露出する封止部材と、を有する現像剤収納容器と、 前記封止部材に取り付けられ前記封止部材を移動させる開封部材と、 前記現像剤収納容器と前記開封部材とを収納し前記可撓性容器を固定する固定部を有する枠体と、 を備えることを特徴とする現像剤収納ユニット。
- 2前記封止部材は一端が前記開口部の周囲と接合部で接合されており、 前記接合部を剥離し始める時に、 前記封止部材の、前記接合部に接合された面と移動方向に沿った面との挟角は、90度以下であることを特徴とする請求項1記載の現像剤収納ユニット。
- 3前記可撓性容器には前記枠体の前記固定部に固定される被固定部を備えたことを特徴とする請求項1又は2に記載の現像剤収納ユニット。
- 4前記可撓性容器は被固定部を有し、前記被固定部は前記枠体の前記固定部に固定される連結部材を介して前記枠体に固定されることを特徴とする請求項1又は2に記載の現像剤収納ユニット。
- 5前記固定部は、前記封止部材の移動方向と略垂直な方向に沿って設けられていることを特徴とする請求項1から4に記載の現像剤収納ユニット。
- 6前記封止部材は前記固定部に近い側から剥がれるように前記開封部材に巻き取られることを特徴とする請求項1から5のいずれかに記載の現像剤収納ユニット。
- 7画像形成に用いられる現像剤を収納する現像剤収納ユニットであって、 前記現像剤収納ユニットは、 収納した現像剤を排出するための開口部を備えた可撓性容器と、前記可撓性容器に接合部で接合し前記開口部を封止するとともに移動されることによって前記開口部を露出する封止部材と、を有する現像剤収納容器と、 前記現像剤収納容器と前記封止部材とを収納する枠体と、 前記枠体に回転可能に設けられ、回転軸に前記封止部材を巻きつけることで前記封止部材を前記現像剤収納容器から剥がして前記開口部を開封するための開封部材と、を備え、前記封止部材は、前記封止部材の表面に沿ってみた場合に、前記接合部と前記開封部材が取り付けられている部分との間で返し部があり、 前記枠体は、前記開封部材が移動する際に前記可撓性容器の移動を抑制するための固定部を備え、 前記開封部材と、前記開口部と、前記固定部と、を通り、前記開封部材の回転軸に垂直な平面を見た時に、 前記開口部を挟んで対向する前記接合部のうち、前記封止部材の表面に沿ってみた場合に、前記返し部に近い側の接合部を第一の接合部とし、前記第一の接合部のなかで開口部に近い側の端部の点を第一の点として、 前記開口部を含まない方向に、前記固定部から前記第一の点まで前記可撓性容器に沿って測った距離をM1、 前記開口部を含む方向に、前記固定部から前記第一の点まで前記可撓性容器に沿って測った距離をM2、として、 M1 M2を満たすことを特徴とする現像剤収納ユニット。
- 8前記開口部を挟んで前記第一の接合部に対向する接合部を第二の接合部とし、 前記第一の接合部のなかで前記開口部から遠い側の端部の点を第二の点、 前記第二の接合部のなかで前記開口部から遠い側の端部の点を第三の点として、 前記開封部材により前記第一の接合部での接合が開封される時に、 前記開封部材が前記封止部材に力を与える部分を力点部、とし、 前記第二の点と前記第三の点との距離をL1 前記第二の点と前記力点部との距離をL2として、 L1 L2を満たすことを特徴とする請求項7に記載の現像剤収納ユニット。
- 9前記開封部材が前記封止部材を移動させ開封動作を行う前の時と、前記開封動作を開始し前記第一の接合部での接合が開封される時とで、前記現像剤収納容器の位置が変化するように、前記可撓性容器は前記枠体に固定されていることを特徴とする請求項7又は8に記載の現像剤収納ユニット。
- 10現像剤を収納する為の現像剤収納容器であって、 前記現像剤収納容器は、 前記現像剤を排出するための開口部と を備えた可撓性容器と、前記可撓性容器に接合部で接合し前記開口部を封止するとともに移動されることによって前記開口部を露出することが可能な封止部材と、を備え、 前記封止部材の一端側に、前記封止部材を移動させて開封するための開封部材に係合される被係合部が設けられ、 前記可撓性容器は、前記開封部材による開封動作の際に前記可撓性容器の移動を抑制するために現像剤収納容器を収納する枠体に固定される被固定部を備え、 前記被係合部と、前記開口部と、前記被固定部と、を通り、前記封止部材の平面に垂直な平面を見た時に、 前記開口部を挟んで対向する前記接合部のうち、前記封止部材の表面に沿ってみた場合に、前記被係合部に近い側の接合部を第一の接合部とし、前記第一の接合部のなかで開口部に近い側の端部の点を第一の点として、 前記開口部を含まない方向に、前記固定部から前記第一の点まで前記現像剤収納容器に沿って測った距離をM1、 前記開口部を含む方向に、前記固定部から前記第一の点まで前記現像剤収納容器に沿って測った距離と前記開口部との和をM2、として、 M1 M2を満たすことを特徴とする現像剤収納容器。
- 11潜像を現像するための現像剤を担持する現像剤担持体を備えることを特徴とする、請求項1乃至9のいずれかに記載の現像剤収納ユニット。
- 12画像形成装置本体に着脱可能としたプロセスカートリッジであって、 請求項1乃至9、11のいずれかに記載の現像剤収納ユニットと電子写真感光体とを一体としたプロセスカートリッジ又は、請求項10に記載の現像剤収納容器と電子写真感光体とを一体としたプロセスカートリッジ。
- 13請求項12に記載のプロセスカートリッジを備えることを特徴とする電子写真画像形成装置。
Independent claims13
23 paragraphs, as filed
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a developing agent storage container, a developing agent storing unit, a developing apparatus, and a cartridge used in the image forming apparatus.
Here, the image forming apparatus is for forming an image on a recording medium by using, for example, an electrophotographic image forming process, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic. Includes facsimile machines and the like.
Further, the cartridge is a cartridge in which at least a developing means and a developing device containing a developing agent are integrally configured so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, or a developing device and a photoconductor unit having at least a photoconductor are integrally formed. It is configured and attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body.
The developer storage container and the developer storage unit are stored in the image forming apparatus or the cartridge. The developer storage container and the developer storage unit include at least a flexible container for storing the developer.
In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using a conventional electrophotographic image forming process, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a process means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge method is adopted.
In such a process cartridge, as shown in FIG. 48, an opening provided in the developer storage frame 31 for storing the developer (toner, carrier, etc.) is sealed with a sealing member. Then, a method is widely adopted in which the opening is opened and the developer can be supplied by peeling off the joint portion 33 of the toner seal 32 which is a sealing member at the time of use (Patent Document 1, FIG. 13).
Further, a product using an internal container that can be deformed against the problem of the developer being scattered in the machine of the process cartridge in the process of filling the developer during the process cartridge manufacturing has been devised (Patent Document 1).
<p><patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-66980</text></patcit></p>
<p> However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems.</p><p> However, as in Patent Document 1, it is difficult in manufacturing to provide an elastic member inside the inner container, and it may be costly.</p><p> Therefore, an object of the present invention is to propose a developer storage unit using a flexible container and having excellent openability in a configuration different from the conventional one.</p>
<p> In order to achieve the above object, one of the configurations of the invention according to the present application is as follows.</p><p> A developer storage unit for storing a developer used for image formation, wherein the developer storage unit seals a flexible container having an opening for discharging the stored developer and the opening. A developer storage container having a sealing member that exposes the opening by being stopped and moved, an opening member that is attached to the sealing member and moves the sealing member, and the developer storage container. The developer storage unit is characterized by containing the opening member and a frame body having a fixing portion for fixing the flexible container.</p>
<p> As described above, according to the present invention, in the developer storage unit using a flexible container for storing the developer, the opening characteristics of the sealing member for sealing the opening of the flexible container are improved. Can be made to.</p>
<figref num="1">It is a main sectional view of the process cartridge in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a main sectional view of the image forming apparatus in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="3">It is a perspective view from the cross section of the developer storage container which has the opening member in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="4">It is sectional drawing before opening of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="5">It is sectional drawing just before opening of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="6">It is sectional drawing in the middle of opening of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="7">It is explanatory sectional view of the opening process of the discharge part in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="8">It is explanatory sectional view of the opening process of the discharge part in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="9">It is sectional drawing after opening of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="10">It is explanatory drawing before opening of the developer storage container in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="11">It is explanatory drawing in the middle of opening of the developer storage container in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="12">It is explanatory sectional view of the discharge part in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="13">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage container which is difficult to open which is not the Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="14">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage container which is difficult to open which is not the embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="15">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit which is difficult to open which is not the embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="16">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="17">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="18">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage container in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="19">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="20">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage container in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="21">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage container in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="22">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage container in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="23">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage container which is not the Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="24">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage container in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="25">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="26">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="27">It is explanatory drawing of the fixing part of the developer storage container in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="28">It is explanatory drawing of the opening of the developer storage container in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="29">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage container in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="30">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage container in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="31">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage container which has an opening member.</figref><figref num="32">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="33">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="34">It is explanatory drawing of the developer storage unit in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="35">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit in Embodiment 3 of this invention.</figref><figref num="36">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit in Embodiment 3 of this invention.</figref><figref num="37">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit in Embodiment 4 of this invention.</figref><figref num="38">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit in Embodiment 4 of this invention.</figref><figref num="39">It is the schematic explanatory drawing of the opening in Embodiment 5 of this invention.</figref><figref num="40">It is the schematic explanatory drawing of the opening in Embodiment 5 of this invention.</figref><figref num="41">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit in Embodiment 6 of this invention.</figref><figref num="42">It is the schematic explanatory drawing of the opening in Embodiment 6 of this invention.</figref><figref num="43">It is the schematic explanatory drawing of the opening in Embodiment 6 of this invention.</figref><figref num="44">It is the schematic explanatory drawing of the opening in Embodiment 6 of this invention.</figref><figref num="45">It is a schematic explanatory drawing in embodiment of Example 4 of this invention.</figref><figref num="46">It is the schematic explanatory drawing of the drive transmission to the opening member in embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="47">It is sectional drawing of the developer storage unit in Embodiment 6 of this invention.</figref><figref num="48">It is a figure explaining a conventional example.</figref>
In the following description, the developer storage container refers to at least a flexible container and a container provided with a sealing member for sealing an opening for discharging the developer provided in the flexible container.
The developer storage container before storing the developer is the developer storage container 37 for storing the developer. The developer storage container provided with the opening member for storing the developing agent and opening the sealing member is referred to as the developing agent storage container 30 having the opening member. The developer storage container 26 that stores the developer and does not have the opening member for opening the sealing member is referred to as the developer storage container 26 that stores the developer.
For the sake of simplicity, the developer storage container 37, the developer storage container 30, and the developer storage container 26 will be described separately by reference numerals.
The developer storage unit includes at least a developer storage container and a frame for storing the developer storage container.
<p> FIG. 1 shows a main cross-sectional view of a process cartridge having a developer storage unit to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 2 shows a main cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.</p><p> <Outline of process cartridge configuration> The process cartridge includes an image carrier and a process means that acts on the image carrier. Here, as the process means, for example, a charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, a developing device for forming an image on the image carrier, and a developer (including toner, carriers, etc.) remaining on the surface of the image carrier are removed. There is a cleaning means for.</p><p> As shown in FIG. 1, the process cartridge A of the present embodiment has a cleaner unit 24 having a charging roller 12 as a charging means and an elastic cleaning blade 14 as a cleaning means around a photoconductor drum 11 which is an image carrier. It has. Further, the process cartridge A includes a developing device 38 having a first frame body 17 and a second frame body 18. The process cartridge A integrates the cleaner unit 24 and the developing device 38, and is detachably configured with respect to the image forming apparatus main body B as shown in FIG. The developing apparatus 38 includes a developing roller 13 and a developing blade 15 which are developing means, a developing agent supply roller 23, and a developing agent storage container 26 containing a developing agent for storing the developing agent. The developing roller 13 and the developing blade 15 are supported by the first frame body 17.</p><p> <Outline of configuration of image forming device> This process cartridge A is attached to the image forming apparatus main body B as shown in FIG. 2 and used for image forming. For image formation, the sheet S is conveyed from the sheet cassette 6 mounted on the lower part of the apparatus by the transfer roller 7, and in synchronization with this sheet transfer, the photoconductor drum 11 is selectively exposed from the exposure device 8 to obtain a latent image. Form. The developer is supplied to the developing roller 13 (developer carrier) by the sponge-like developer supply roller 23, and is thinly supported on the surface of the developing roller 13 by the developing blade 15. By applying a development bias to the developing roller 13, a developing agent is supplied according to the latent image to develop the developing agent image. This image is transferred to the sheet S conveyed by applying a bias voltage to the transfer roller 9. The sheet S is conveyed to the fixing device 10 to fix the image, and is discharged to the paper ejection section 3 on the upper part of the device by the paper ejection roller 1.</p><p> <Outline of configuration of developer storage unit> Next, the configuration of the developer storage unit 25 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 (a), and 20. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view from a cross section of the developer storage container 30, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the developing device 38, and FIG. 20 is a perspective view from the cross section of the developer storage container 26. The cross-sectional view is a plane passing through the opening member 20, the opening 35a, and the fixing portions 16d and 16e. Further, the cross-sectional view is a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the opening member 20.</p><p> (Developer storage unit) As shown in FIG. 4, the developer storage unit 25 includes a developer storage container 30, a developing roller 13, a developing blade 15, and a first frame 17 and a second frame 18 that support them. The combination of the first frame and the second frame is the frame for storing the developer storage container 30.</p><p> In this embodiment, the developer storage unit 25 is the same as the developing device 38. This is because the developer storage unit 25 has a developing roller 13 and a developing blade 15. However, the developing roller 13 and the developing blade 15 may be supported by a separate frame from the developing agent storage unit 25 and separated from the developing agent storage unit 25. In this case, the developing device 38 is composed of a developing agent storage unit 25, a developing roller 13, and a developing blade 15. (Not shown)</p><p> (Developer storage container with opening member) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the developer storage container 30 having the opening member is composed of the opening member 20 and the developing agent storage container 26.</p><p> The opening member 20 has an engaging portion 20b that engages with the sealing member 19, and the developing having the opening member is formed by engaging the engaged portion 19b and the engaging portion 20b of the developer storage container 26. It becomes the agent storage container 30.</p><p> (Developer storage container containing developer) As shown in FIG. 30 (c), the developer storage container 26 is composed of a developer, a developer bag 16, and a sealing member 19. Here, the developer is a powder.</p><p> The developer bag 16 of the developer storage container 26 has a joint portion 39a in which a plurality of openings 35a for discharging the developer are sealed by a sealing member 19 and an injection port 39 for containing the developer is sealed. doing. Since the openings 35a and the injection port 39 of the developer storage container 26 containing the developer are sealed in this way, the stored developer can be treated as one unit without leaking to the outside. Further, the sealing member 19 is provided with a hole which is an engaged portion 19b that engages with the opening member 20, so that the sealing member 19 can be engaged with the opening member 20.</p><p> (Developer storage container for storing the developer) As shown in FIG. 30 (a), the developer storage container 37 for storing the developer is moved while sealing the developer bag 16 and the plurality of openings 35a for discharging the developer. It is composed of a sealing member 19 that exposes the opening 35a. Here, the developer bag 16 of the developer storage container 37 for storing the developer has an injection port 39 for containing the developer and an opening 35a for discharging the developer.</p><p> Here, the developer storage container 37 for storing the developer has not yet been filled with the developer, and the injection port 39 for containing the developer is open.</p><p> (Filling and developer storage container) Here, the relationship between the developer storage container 37 for storing the developer and the developer storage container 26 for storing the developer will be described.</p><p> First, as shown in FIG. 30 (a), the developer storage container 37 for storing the developer is not filled with the developer and has an injection port 39 for containing the developer.</p><p> Next, as shown in FIG. 30 (b), the developer is filled from the injection port 39 for containing the developer in the developer storage container 37 for storing the developer. Further, due to the flexibility of the developer bag 16, the injection port 39 for inserting is deformable according to the filling device, so that the developer can be easily filled without scattering. The filling is performed using a known auger type filling device, but other methods having the same function may be used.</p><p> Next, as shown in FIG. 30 (c), the injection port 39 for containing the developer is joined and sealed. In this embodiment, the joining portion 39a of the opening for inserting the developer is joined by ultrasonic waves, but may be joined by heat or a laser.</p><p> Then, when the joining of the joint portion 39a of the opening for filling is completed, the developer is sealed and becomes the developer storage container 26 containing the developer.</p><p> The position and size of the injection port 39 for filling may be appropriately arranged according to the shape of the developing agent filling device, the process cartridge A, and the like.</p><p> (Effect of having a developer bag in the developing device) The developer can be handled as a unit by taking the form of a bag for the developer storage container 26 containing the developer. Therefore, the developer filling process can be separated from the main assembly process (manufacturing line) of the process cartridge A. As a result, the developer does not scatter in the main assembly process (manufacturing line) of the process cartridge A, and maintenance such as cleaning of the manufacturing line can be reduced. Since the developer is not scattered during the assembly process, the cleaning step of the process cartridge A after the developer is filled can be omitted.</p><p> Further, even in the filling step of the developing agent bag 16, the developing agent bag 16 has flexibility and the injection port 39 for filling is also soft, so that it can be easily sealed with less scattering.</p><p> Further, since the developer storage container 26 containing the developer has flexibility, it can be assembled according to the shape of the frame.</p><p> Further, since the developer storage container 37 has flexibility in the filling step, the cross section can be deformed to increase the volume for filling, so that the filling amount can be increased at the time of filling.</p><p> Further, since the developer storage container 37 before filling with the developer is flexible, it can be made smaller (thinner), and the storage space for storage before filling is larger than that of the frame, which is a resin structure. It can be made smaller.</p><p> <Structure of developer bag> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the developer bag 16 is a bag-shaped bag in which the developer is stored and the shape can be deformed, and a plurality of developing agents are stored in the discharge unit 35 in order to discharge the stored developer. It has an opening 35a.</p><p> Further, the developer bag 16 has developer bag fixing portions (fixed portions) 16d and 16e fixed to the first frame body 17 and the second frame body 18 frame body.</p><p> (Material of developer bag, breathability) FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the developer storage container 26. As shown in FIG. 29 (a), the developer bag 16 is formed by laminating a sheet 16u having a discharge portion 35 and having no breathability and a sheet 16s having a breathability as a breathable portion. Has been done.</p><p> Here, the air permeability of the venting portion 16s may be appropriately selected so that the developer does not leak out of the developer bag 16 in consideration of the size of the developer to be stored (particle size of the powder).</p><p> As the material of the ventilation portion 16s, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or the like, and a non-woven fabric having a thickness of 0.03 to 0.15 mm is preferable. Further, the material of the ventilation portion 16s may not be a non-woven fabric, but may have holes finer than powder such as a developer to be stored in the developer bag 16.</p><p> Further, in the arrangement of the ventilation portion 16s, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 29, the ventilation portion 16s is arranged on the second frame 18 side over the entire length direction of the developer bag 16. As shown in FIG. 29 (b), the entire developer bag 16 may be composed of 16s in the ventilation portion 16s.</p><p> As the material of the developer bag 16 other than the ventilation portion 16s, a material having flexibility is preferable so as to improve the efficiency at the time of discharging the developer, which will be described later. Further, the material of the ventilation portion 16s may be made flexible.</p><p> (Effect of the developer bag having breathability) The reason why the developer bag 16 is made breathable in this way is that it can be used at the time of manufacturing, at the time of distribution until the user uses the cartridge A, and at the time of storage.</p><p> First, the reason for manufacturing is that the developer bag 16 can be deformed and reduced so that the developer bag 16 can be easily incorporated into the frames 17 and 18. When the developer bag 16 does not have the ventilation portion 16s, the size cannot be changed from the size of the developer bag 16 filled with the developer (the bag is closed), and therefore it is difficult to deform. Therefore, it takes time to assemble and the process becomes complicated. Therefore, if at least a part of the developer bag 16 is made breathable, the developer bag 16 can be filled with the developer and the size of the bag can be changed from the closed size, which facilitates assembly.</p><p> Next, the reason for distribution and storage is to cope with different changes in atmospheric pressure during transportation and storage of the process cartridge A. A pressure difference between the inside and outside of the developer bag 16 occurs when the pressure environment is lower than that at the time of manufacture due to physical distribution, or when the temperature is higher than that at the time of manufacture. Therefore, as the developer bag 16 expands, each part in contact with the developer bag 16 may be deformed or damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to control the atmospheric pressure and temperature during distribution and storage, which requires equipment and cost. However, it is possible to solve the problem caused by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the developer bag 16 due to the atmospheric pressure by making a part of the developer breathable.</p><p> In addition, when the discharge portion 35 and the joint portion 22 around the discharge portion 35 are provided on the breathable non-woven fabric, the fibers of the non-woven fabric are removed due to the peeling of the sealing member 19 at the time of opening and enter the developer, which adversely affects the image. May give. Therefore, by providing the discharge portion 35 on the sheet 16u, which is different from the breathable sheet 16s, the fibers of the non-woven fabric as described above will not come off.</p><p> Further, the packing density can be increased by filling the developer while degassing from the ventilation portion 16s.</p><p> (Composition of discharge part of developer bag) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the developer bag 16 has a developer discharge portion 35 composed of a plurality of openings 35a for discharging the developer inside and a connecting portion 35b defining the plurality of openings 35a. doing. Then, the sealing member 19 continuously surrounds the periphery of the discharging portion 35 with the joining portion 22, joins the discharge portion 35 so as to be openable, and seals the developer to be stored in the developer bag 16.</p><p> (Construction of joint part of developer bag) Since the joint portion 22 is continuous in a "square" shape surrounded by two in the long direction (direction F) and two in the short direction (direction E), the discharge portion 35 can be sealed.</p><p> Here, of the two joints welded in the long direction (direction F), the one that is opened first is referred to as the first joint 22a, and the one that is opened later is referred to as the second joint 22b. In the present embodiment, when viewed along the surface of the sealing member 19, the joint portion on the side closer to the return portion 19d (or the engaged portion 19b) described later is the first joint portion 22a. Further, the joint portion facing the first joint portion 22a across the opening is the second joint portion 22b. The joint in the short direction is the short joint 22c.</p><p> In this embodiment, the opening direction is direction E. The opening direction is defined as follows. When the sealing member 19 is moved to open the seal, the first joint portion 22a is first opened (peeled) between the first joint portion 22a and the second joint portion 22b sandwiching the opening 35a. To. In this way, the direction from the first joint portion 22a to the second joint portion 22b to be opened first is defined as the opening direction E.</p><p> When the sealing member 19 is opened from the developer bag 16 in the E direction (when peeled off), it is microscopically viewed even in the first joint portion 22a and the second joint portion 22b due to the opening force. Peeling may proceed in the direction of arrow F due to the deformation of the developer bag 16. However, the opening direction in this embodiment does not indicate such a microscopic opening direction.</p><p> (Arrangement of openings in the developer bag) Next, the arrangement of the opening 35a will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 30. The moving direction (direction pulled by the opening member 20) of the sealing member 19 that exposes the opening 35a by being moved while sealing the opening 35a is D. Due to the movement of the sealing member 19, the opening 35a is exposed in the opening direction E. Hereinafter, the moving direction of the sealing member 19 is defined as D. A plurality of openings 35a and connecting portions 35b are arranged so as to be offset in the direction F perpendicular to the opening direction E. Further, the sealing member 19 is configured to rotate and wind the opening member 20, but the above-mentioned direction F is the same direction as the axis of the rotation axis of the opening member 20.</p><p> Here, the direction F of the rotation axis of the developing roller 13 and the direction F in which the plurality of openings 35a are lined up are aligned so that the developing agent can be easily supplied evenly to the entire longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 when the developing agent is discharged.</p><p> Here, since the plurality of openings 35a are arranged so as to be offset in the direction of F, the discharge portion 35 is long in the direction F and short in the direction E. That is, the end-to-end distance of the plurality of openings 35a in the direction F is longer than the end-to-end length of the openings 35a in the direction E.</p><p> In this way, the discharge portion 35 in which the plurality of openings 35a are arranged so as to be offset in the direction F perpendicular to the opening direction E is long in the direction F and short in the direction E, so that the distance required for opening is long. Since it is shorter than opening in F, the time required for opening can be shortened.</p><p> Further, the sealing member 19 that covers the discharging portion 35 is wound by the opening member 20. By setting the rotation axis direction of the opening member 20 and the direction F substantially perpendicular to the opening direction E to be the same direction, the winding distance and time of the sealing member 19 can be shortened.</p><p> (Shape and direction of opening of developer bag) Each of the plurality of openings 35a of the first embodiment has a round shape. Considering the discharge property, the area of the opening 35a should be large. Further, the connecting portion 35b that defines the opening should be large (thick) in order to increase the strength of the developer bag 16. Therefore, the area of the opening 35a and the area of the connecting portion 35b need to be balanced according to the material and thickness of the discharging portion 35, the force relationship with the peeling strength at the time of opening, which will be described later, and may be appropriately selected. Further, the shape of the opening 35a may be a polygon such as a square or an oval as shown in FIG. 18 of the second embodiment described later, in addition to the circle.</p><p> The arrangement of the opening 35a may be offset with respect to the direction F perpendicular to the opening direction E, and the opening 35a overlaps the direction F perpendicular to the opening direction E as shown in FIG. 28 (c). However, as shown in FIG. 28 (d), even if they do not overlap, there is an effect of the connecting portion 35b described later.</p><p> Further, it is preferable that the direction of the opening 35a is such that the developer to be stored in the posture at the time of image formation can be easily discharged. Therefore, in the posture at the time of image formation, the opening 35a is arranged so as to open downward in the direction of gravity. Here, when the opening 35a opens downward in the direction of gravity, it means that the direction of the opening of the opening 35a has a component in the downward direction in the direction of gravity.</p><p> (Fixing the developer bag and frame) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the developer bag 16 is fixed to the inside of the first frame 17 and the second frame 18 by the two fixing portions 16d and 16e.</p><p> (First fixed part) First, as the first fixing portion, a first fixing portion 16d of the developing agent bag 16 that receives a force when the sealing member 19 described later is opened from the developing agent bag 16 is provided. A plurality of fixing portions 16d are provided in parallel with the direction F in which the plurality of openings 35a are arranged. In addition to the plurality of fixed portions 16d provided in this way, one fixed portion 16d may be long in parallel with the direction F. (Not shown) The position of the first fixing portion 16d is provided in the vicinity of the opening 35a of the developer bag 16.</p><p> Further, the first fixing portion 16d of the developer bag is fixed to the first fixing portion 18a of the frame body.</p><p> The first fixing portion 16d is a fixing portion necessary for opening the developer bag 16, and its operation and arrangement will be described later in the explanation of opening.</p><p> (Second fixed part) Further, as the second fixing portion, a second fixing portion 16e is provided to prevent the developer bag 16 from moving downward or toward the developing roller 13 and the developing agent supply roller 23.</p><p> There are two reasons for providing the second fixing part 16e. The first reason is that the second fixing portion 16e of the developer bag does not move the developer bag 16 downward in the posture at the time of image formation. Therefore, it is preferable that the second fixed portion 16e is arranged upward in the posture at the time of image formation.</p><p> The second reason is to prevent the developer bag 16 from coming into contact with the developing roller 13 and the developing agent supply roller 23 during image formation and disturbing the image. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the second fixing portion 16e of the developer bag 16 at a position away from the developing roller 13 and the developing agent developing roller 23. In this embodiment, the second fixing portion 16e of the developer bag is arranged above the developing roller 13 as shown in FIG. Further, the second fixing portion 16e of the developer bag is fixed to the second fixing portion 18b of the frame body.</p><p> (How to fix the developer bag and frame) (How to fix the first fixing part) As a method of fixing the first fixing portion 16d of the developer bag, the boss of the second frame 18 is passed through the hole of the developer bag 16 and fixed by ultrasonic caulking to crush the boss. As shown in FIG. 27 (a), before fixing, the first fixing portion 18a of the second frame 18 has a cylindrical boss shape, and the first fixing portion 16d of the developer bag 16 has a hole. is open. The assembly process is shown below.</p><p> First, the convex portion of the first fixing portion 18a of the second frame 18 is passed through the hole of the first fixing portion 16d of the developer bag 16 (FIG. 27 (b)).</p><p> Then, the tip of the first fixing portion 18a of the second frame body 18 is melted with the ultrasonic caulking tool 34 ((FIG. 27 (c)).</p><p> Then, the developer bag 16 is made into the second frame by deforming the tip of the first fixing portion 18a of the second frame 18 so as to be larger than the hole of the first fixing portion 16d of the developer bag 16. It is fixed at 18 (Fig. 27d).</p><p> (How to fix the second fixing part) As shown in FIG. 4, the method of fixing the second fixing portion 16e of the developer bag uses sandwiching by two frames 17 and 18. A hole is made in the developer bag 16 to form the second fixing portion 16e of the developing agent bag, and a convex portion is provided on the second frame body 18 to form the second fixing portion 18b of the frame body.</p><p> The assembly process is shown below. The convex portion of the fixing portion 18b of the second frame body 18 is passed through the first fixing portion 16d of the developer bag 16, and the second fixing portion 16e (hole) of the developer bag is passed from the convex portion of the first frame body 17. ) Is fixed by pinching so that it does not fall off.</p><p> (Other fixing means) As the fixing means, other than ultrasonic waves can be used in addition to the above-mentioned ultrasonic caulking. For example, heat caulking using heat, heat welding or ultrasonic welding that directly welds the developer bag to the first frame 17 or the second frame 18, or bonding using a solvent or adhesive, the frame. It may be sandwiched between spaces, heat caulked, ultrasonic caulked, screw, hooked by a hole and a convex part (boss, etc.), or the like. In addition, due to the space and arrangement of the first and second frames 17 and 18 and the developer bag 16, a separate member is provided between the first and second frames 17 and 18 and the developer bag according to the design. It may be fixed via (not shown).</p><p> <Structure of sealing member> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sealing member 19 covers the discharge portion 35 of the developing agent bag 16 and seals the developing agent in the developing agent bag 16 before using the process cartridge A. The sealing member 19 exposes the opening 35a by being moved. The sealing member 19 is composed of a sealing portion 19a that covers the discharging portion 35 of the developer bag 16, an engaged portion 19b that is fixed to the opening member 20 described later, and a sealing portion 19a and the engaged portion 19b. It is in the form of a sheet having a sealing member connecting portion 19c connecting the two. The sheet is a laminate material having a sealant layer exhibiting easy-opening property, which will be described later, and the base material may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene, polypropylene or the like, and a thickness of 0.03 to 0.15 mm may be appropriately selected.</p><p> (Sealing part of sealing member) The sealing portion 19a refers to a region where the sealing member 19 seals the plurality of openings 35a of the developer bag 16 and the connecting portion 35b. The sealing portion 19a prevents the developer from leaking from the inside of the developer bag 16 until before the process cartridge A is used.</p><p> (Engagement part of sealing member) The sealing member 19 has a free end portion on one end side in the opening direction E, and the engaged portion 19b that is engaged with the opening member for moving the sealing member is provided at the free end portion. .. An opening member for moving the sealing member to expose the opening is engaged with the engaged portion 19b. The opening member may be one that automatically opens the opening by receiving a drive from the image forming apparatus main body B. Alternatively, the user may grasp and move the opening member to open the opening. In this embodiment, the opening member 20 is a rotating shaft provided on the frame body, and the developing agent storage container 26 containing the developing agent is opened by pulling the sealing member 19 engaged with the opening member 20. ..</p><p> (Sealing member connecting part of sealing member) The portion connecting the joint portion 22 and the sealing member engaging portion 19b is the sealing member connecting portion 19c. The sealing member connecting portion 19c is a portion that receives a force from the opening member 20 and transmits the force so as to peel off the joint portion 22.</p><p> (Folding of the sealing member connecting part) Here, it is assumed that the surface N1 formed by the first joint portion 22a and the second joint portion 22b at the moment when the package is opened using FIG. Then, the surface N2 is perpendicular to the surface N1 and passes through the first joint portion 22a. Here, the opening member 20 is arranged on the second joint 22b side with respect to the surface N2 passing through the first joint 22a. In other words, the sealing member 19 is a portion between the joining portion 22 and the engaged portion 19b between the opening member 20 (connecting portion 19c) when viewed along the surface of the sealing member 19 which is in the form of a sheet. It has a return part 19d that is folded back at. The barb 19d may or may not have creases. Here, the return angle Q of the sealing member 19 is preferably 90 degrees or less. The folding angle Q is a sandwiching angle Q between the surface of the joint portion 22 of the developer bag 16 and the surface of the sealing member 19 along the pulling direction D.</p><p> (Fixing of sealing member) Further, the sealing member 19 and the opening member 20 are fixed by the same ultrasonic caulking as in the first fixing portion 16d in this embodiment. In addition to the ultrasonic caulking, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesion, sandwiching between frames, hooking by holes and protrusions, etc. may be performed in the same manner as the means for fixing the first fixing portion 16d and the second fixing portion 16e.</p><p> (Part of the sealing member that has easy opening properties) Next, a method of setting the peeling force of the joint portion 22 to a desired value will be described. In the present embodiment, two main methods are adopted in order to reduce the peeling force to a desired value (here, the force is as small as possible within the range in which the toner sealing property can be maintained).</p><p> First, a laminating material having a sealant layer that enables easy opening is applied to the sealing member 19. Then, by applying a flexible sheet material (for example, polyethylene or polypropylene) that can be welded to the sealant layer to the material of the developer bag 16, the joint portion can be easily opened. The peeling force can be adjusted according to a desired condition by changing the formulation of the sealant layer and the combination of the materials to be bonded. In this example, in the test of the sealed flexible packaging bag of JIS-Z0238, the one having a peeling strength of about 3N / 15mm is used.</p><p> The second method is to make the discharge portion 35 of the developer bag 16 folded back in the direction in which the opening proceeds (arrow E in the figure) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. For example, in the state of FIG. 4, the opening member 20 is rotated (arrow C in the figure), and the sealing member 19 is pulled in the direction pulled by the opening member 20 (arrow D in the figure). By doing so, the developer bag 16 and the sealing member 19 have a sandwiching angle between the surface of the joint portion 22 of the developing agent bag 16 and the surface of the sealing member 19 along the pulling direction D as shown in FIG. Q is 90 degrees or less in a tilted peeling positional relationship. Conventionally, it is known that the peeling force required for peeling both can be reduced by using inclined peeling. Therefore, as described above, by making the sealing member 19 folded back in the direction in which the opening proceeds (arrow E in the figure), the sealing member 19 at the joint portion 22 and the developer bag 16 are inclined and peeled off. It can be adjusted so as to have a positional relationship and reduce the peeling force.</p><p> <Structure of opening member> The opening member 20 is for the purpose of applying a force to the sealing member 19 to move the sealing member 19 and peel it off from the developer bag 16. The opening member 20 has a support portion (not shown) rotatably supported at both ends by the second frame body 18 in a shaft shape, and an engaging portion 20b for fixing the engaged portion 19b of the sealing member 19. doing. In this embodiment, the opening member 20 has a square shaft shape, and the engaged portion 19b of the sealing member 19 is engaged with the engaging portion 20b on one surface of the square shaft.</p><p> (Combined use of opening member, pressing member, and stirring member) Further, the pressing member 21 that acts from the outside of the developing agent bag 16 to discharge the developing agent inside the developing agent bag 16 and the opening member 20 may be different members, but in this embodiment, the opening member 20 and the pressing member 20 are pressed. The member 21 is functioning with the same parts.</p><p> Further, the function of stirring the developer discharged from the developer bag 16 and the function of the opening member 20 may be performed by different parts, but in this practical example, the opening member 20 is made to function as the stirring function by the same parts. ing.</p><p> (Effect of opening member, pressing member, stirring member) Thus unsealing member 20, the pressing member 21, the agitating member and cost reduction by reducing the number of parts by a, it is possible to save space.</p><p> <Outline of opening the developer storage bag> Next, the opening of the developer storage bag 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The developing device 38 has a force point portion 20a that gives a force that the opening member 20 pulls the sealing member 19 for opening, and a fixing portion 18a of a frame that fixes the developer bag 16 that is pulled.</p><p> The force point portion 20a is the portion closest to the joint portion 22 in the portion where the sealing member 19 and the opening member 20 are in contact with each other at the moment of opening. In FIG. 7 (b), the corner portion 20c of the opening member 20 is the force point portion 20a. Further, the fixing portion 18a of the second frame body 18 has a fixing portion 18c that suppresses the movement of the developer bag 16 due to the force at the time of opening. Further, from the joint portion 22, in this embodiment, the first fixing portion 18a of the frame body and the first fixing portion 16d of the developer bag are joined by ultrasonic caulking, and FIGS. 7 (b) (c) and 8 As shown in (a), the portion of the ultrasonic caulking portion of the first fixing portion 18a that is close to the joint portion 22 is the fixing portion 18c.</p><p> Next, the drive transmission of the opening member 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 50 is a schematic explanatory view showing drive transmission to the opening member 20. In FIG. 50, the sealing member 19, the developer bag 16, and the like are omitted. First, both ends of the opening member 20 are rotatably supported by the first frame body 17. A gear 54 is connected to one end of the opening member 20. Gears (52, 53) are arranged on the cartridge A. The gear 52 has a coupling portion 52a that receives a drive from the image forming apparatus B.</p><p> The image forming apparatus B is provided with a driving means 51, and has a coupling 51a at the tip of the driving means 51 for transmitting the driving to the cartridge A.</p><p> The cartridge A is mounted in the image forming apparatus B main body in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 50 (a). Next, the drive means 51 moves in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 50 (b), and the coupling portion 51a of the drive means 51 and the coupling 52a of the gear 52 are engaged with each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 50 (c), the drive is transmitted from the drive means 51 of the image forming apparatus B to the gear 52, the gear 53, and the gear 54 of the cartridge A, and the opening member 20 rotates. The drive transmission from the image forming apparatus B to the cartridge A is not limited to coupling due to unevenness, and any means capable of drive transmission such as engagement by gears may be used.</p><p> Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening member 20 is transmitted with a driving force and rotates in the direction of the arrow C.</p><p> The state immediately before the sealing member 19 is pulled by the rotation of the opening member 20 and the opening of the first joint portion 22a is started is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 (b). The sealing member 19 fixed to the opening member 20 by the engaged portion 19b with rotation is pulled in the direction of arrow D by the corner portion 20c (power point portion 20a) of the square opening member 20.</p><p> When the sealing member 19 is pulled, the developer bag 16 is pulled through the joint portion 22. Then, a force is applied to the first fixing portion 16d of the developing agent bag 16, and the developing agent bag 16 is pulled from the fixing portion 18c toward the force point portion 20a by the fixing portion 18c. Then, in the cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the opening member 20, the first joint portion 22a moves so as to approach the line connecting the force portion 20a and the fixing portion 18c. At this time, in the direction of arrow D, the opening 35a, the first joint 22a, the return portion 19d, and the fixing portion 18c are arranged in this order from the side closer to the rotation axis of the opening member 20 (FIG. 7 (b)). ). Then, since the sealing member 19 is folded back between the first joint portion 22a and the engaged portion 19b, a force is applied to the portion of the first joint portion 22a so as to be inclined and peeled off in the direction of the arrow D. Then, the first joint portion 22a is peeled off and the discharge portion 35 is opened.</p><p> Further, the force point portion 20a moves in the direction of the arrow C together with the corner portion 20c, and when the corner portion 20d and the sealing member 19 come into contact with each other, the force point portion moves from the corner portion 20c to the corner portion 20d. Here, FIG. 7 (b) shows the state where the force point portion 20a is the corner portion (c), and FIG. 7 (c) shows the state where the opening member 20 further rotates and the force point portion moves to the corner portion 20d.</p><p> As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 (c), as the opening member 20 rotates, the opening progresses and the return portion 19d also advances in the direction of arrow E. Then, the opening is further advanced and the opening 35a is exposed. FIG. 8 (a) shows a state in which the second joint 22b is peeled off after the opening 35a is exposed. At this time as well, the sealing member 19 is pulled toward the point of effort 20a and the developer bag 16 is pulled in the direction of the fixing portion 18c (arrow H) in the same manner as the peeling of the first joint portion 22a. Then, in the cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the opening member 20, the second joint portion 22b moves so as to approach the line connecting the force portion 20a and the fixing portion 18c. Then, a force in the direction of arrow D is applied to the portion of the second joint portion 22b, and the second joint portion is peeled off. Then, the second joint 22b is peeled off to complete the opening (Fig. 8 (b), Fig. 9). Then, the developer inside the developer bag 16 is discharged in the direction of arrow I through the opening 35a of the discharge unit 35.</p><p> In this way, the rotation of the opening member 20 causes the sealing member 19 to be wound around the opening member 20 to open the joint portion 22. Since the sealing member 19 is wound by rotation, the space required for moving the opening member 20 only needs to be the rotation space of the opening member 20, which saves space as compared with the case where the sealing member 19 is moved by a movement other than rotation. You can do things. Further, the user may rotate the opening member 20 to wind up the sealing member 19 to expose the opening 35a. However, it is more preferable to rotate the opening member 20 and wind up the sealing member 19 by driving from the image forming apparatus B without bothering the user.</p><p> Further, since the sealing member 19 is provided with the return portion 19d, the joint portion 22 can be subjected to inclined peeling without shear peeling, and the sealing can be reliably opened.</p><p> Further, an engaged portion (19b) engaged with the opening member 20 for opening the sealing member 19 is provided on one end side of the sealing member 19 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction F in which the plurality of openings 35a are arranged. By being provided, the sealing member 19 can be securely engaged and opened.</p><p> Further, by providing the fixing portion 18c on the frame body and supporting the developer bag 16 at the time of opening, even the soft and deformable developing bag 16 can be reliably opened.</p><p> Regarding the discharge of the developer at the time of opening, the joint portion 22 moves on the line connected by the force point portion 20a and the fixing portion 18c at the time of opening (Fig. 7 (a) Fig. 7 (b) Fig. 7 (c). ) Fig. 8 (a)). By this movement, the developer around the opening 35a is moved, and the agglomeration of the developer can be broken.</p><p> Further, as shown in FIG. 34, the opening member 20 can be opened even if it is rotated in the rotation direction of the arrow C2. As described above, the rotation direction of the opening member 20 can be selected from the direction C shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 and the direction C2 shown in FIG. 34, and the rotation direction may be appropriately selected according to the design.</p><p> (Arrangement of fixed parts related to opening) As shown in FIG. 4, in order to reliably peel off the first joint portion 22b, the following arrangement relationship is required between the first joint portion 22b and the fixed portion 18c. At the time of opening, the opening member 20 pulls the sealing member 19 with respect to the fixing portion 18c in the direction of arrow D. At this time, in the moving direction D of the sealing member 19 by the opening member 20, the fixing portion 18c is provided on the upstream side of the opening 35a. Therefore, the force of the fixed portion 18c is applied in the direction of the arrow H. Therefore, when the opening force is applied, the fixing portion 18c and the opening member 20 are pulled in the directions of the arrows H and D, and the force is applied to the first joint portion 22a to proceed the opening in the direction of the arrow E. In this way, if the fixing portion 18c is not provided upstream in the moving direction D of the sealing member 19, the entire developer bag 16 is pulled in the direction in which the opening member 20 is pulled, and a force is applied to the first joint portion 22a. Cannot be added and cannot be opened.</p><p> By providing the fixing portion 18c upstream in the moving direction D of the sealing member 19 in this way, reliable opening is possible.</p><p> (Distance relationship of fixed part related to opening) As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, in order to reliably peel off the first joint portion 22b, the following length relationship is required between the first joint portion 22b and the fixed portion 18c. First, when looking at the plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the opening member 20 through the opening member 20, the opening 35a, and the fixing portion 18c, the point that is finally peeled off in the first joint portion 22a. Let be the first point 22d. The first point 22d is the point of the end of the first joint 22a on the side closer to the opening. Then, the distance from the fixed portion 18c to the first point 22d along the developer bag 16 is defined as M1. Then, the distance measured along the developer storage bag 16 from the fixed portion 18d to the first point 22d in the direction including the opening 35a is defined as M2. The opening 35a is a space in which the material of the developer bag 16 does not exist, but the width of the opening 16 is also included in the distance.</p><p> At this time, M1 <M2 is satisfied so that the first joint can be peeled off. Here, the relationship of M1 <M2 described above will be described in detail.</p><p> (For M1 <M2) First, when M1 <M2 is satisfied, as shown in FIG. 22, the force for pulling the sealing member 19 of the opening member 20 (arrow D) and the force for stepping on the fixing portion 18c (arrow H) are first at the first joint 22a. It is possible to perform inclined peeling with respect to the first joint portion 22a over the joint portion 22a. The peeling force can be set low by using the inclined peeling. Here, FIG. 22 (a) is before opening, and FIG. 22 (b) is just before the first joint portion 22a is opened.</p><p> (When M1> M2) On the other hand, when M1> M2, as shown in FIG. 23, the pulling force of the opening member 20 is not applied to the first joint portion 22a, and the force is applied to the second joint portion 22b. In this case, no force is applied to the first joint portion 22a, so that the joint portion 22a does not peel off. In this case, the force from the opening member 20 (arrow D) and the force to step on the fixing portion 18c (arrow H) are applied to the second joint 22b. In this state, the force for pulling the sealing member 19 of the opening member 20 (arrow D) and the force for stepping on the fixing portion 18c (arrow H) are applied to the second joint 22b, and the second joint 22b is peeled off. It is difficult to open the second joint 22b because the relationship is a shear peeling relationship. This is because shear peeling requires a larger force than inclined peeling.</p><p> Here, FIG. 23 (a) shows the force before opening, and FIG. 23 (b) shows the force (arrow) in which the opening member 20 rotates and the sealing member 19 is pulled by the opening member 20 to the joint (in this case, the second joint). D) It is a figure when the joint is applied. Further, although a force is applied to the second joint portion 22b, a force is applied due to shear peeling, so that a very large force is required as compared with the case of inclined peeling, and it becomes difficult to reduce the peeling force.</p><p> (Distance with folds) Here, the definition of how to measure the distances of M1 and M2 described above will be described. As for the distance between M1 and M2, the distance when pulled at the time of opening is important. If there is no fold 16t in the middle of the M1 and M2 route, the expanded distance should be measured as shown in Fig. 22 and Fig. 23. Also, as shown in Fig. 24, if there are folds 16t that can be manufactured by bonding in the middle of the path of M1 and M2, the folds 16t will not stretch (cannot be peeled off) even if pulled at the time of opening, so the folds 16t part is M1. , Not included in the M2 distance. In other words, parts that do not affect force transmission, such as folds 16t, are not included in the M1 and M2 distances.</p><p> As described above, the first joint portion 22a is opened before the second joint portion 22b because of the relationship of M1 <M2. When the first joint portion 22a is opened before the second joint portion 22b, the first joint portion 22a forms a return portion 19d of the sealing member 19. Due to this return portion 19d, shear peeling does not occur but inclined peeling occurs. As a result, it is possible to provide the developing device 38 which can surely peel off the sealing member 19 from the developing agent bag 16 and can be opened.</p><p> (When there are multiple fixed parts) Here, the relationship between the plurality of fixed portions and the opening will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 31 (b) is just before the opening member 20 rotates from the state of FIG. 31 (a) and the first joint portion 22a is opened. In this embodiment, it has a first fixing portion 18a and a second fixing portion 18b. Here, the force at the time of opening is applied to the first fixing portion 18a located near the first joint portion 22a which is first opened with the opening 35a in between. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the second fixing portion 18b in the above-mentioned method of measuring the distances of M1 and M2. If there are a plurality of fixed portions in this way, the fixed portion located near the first joint 22a to be opened first across the opening 35a to which the force at the time of opening is applied is used as a reference. Good.</p><p> (Positional relationship of the second joint) Next, with reference to FIG. 12, which shows the state of the first joint portion 22a immediately before opening, the arrangement in which the second joint portion 22b can be opened more satisfactorily without being caught in the opening member 20 will be described. First, the end of the first joint 22a on the side far from the opening 35a is defined as the second point 22e. The end of the second joint 22b on the side far from the opening 35a is defined as the third point 22f. Here, the distance from the second point 22e to the third point 22f is L1. The distance from the second point 22e to the point of effort 20a is L2. At this time, the relationship between the distance L1 and the distance L2 needs to be L1 <L2.</p><p> The reason is that when L1 is larger than L2, the second joint 22b reaches the force point 20a before the peeling of the second joint 22b is completed, and the second joint 22b is wound around the opening member 20. I will follow you. No force can be applied to the second joint 22b to peel it off. Therefore, it becomes difficult to open the sealing member 19 from the developer bag 16.</p><p> As described above, by setting the relationship between the distance L1 and the distance L2 to L1 <L2, the sealing member 19 is not caught in the opening member 20 and can be opened satisfactorily.</p><p> (Role of the connecting part that defines the opening) Here, the outline of the connecting portion 35b that defines the opening that plays a major role in the opening operation of the developer bag 16 will be described.</p><p> FIG. 11 is a view when the opening portion 35a is exposed after the peeling of the first joint portion 22a to be opened first is completed, and the peeling of the second joint portion 22b is not completed. As described above, the discharge portion 35 has a plurality of openings 35a displaced in the direction F perpendicular to the opening direction E in which the exposure of the openings 35a progresses. Therefore, a plurality of connecting portions 35b that define a plurality of openings are also arranged in the direction of F. As a result, the plurality of connecting portions 35b bridge the first joint portion 22a and the second joint portion 22b in the direction E in which the opening of the discharging portion 35 proceeds. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 8 when the first joint portion 22a has been opened, the force when the second joint portion 22a is opened can be received by the first fixing portion 16d via the connecting portion 35b. This makes it possible to transmit the force for peeling the sealing member 19 from the developer bag 16. That is, a force is applied to the second joint 22b in the directions of arrows D and E, and the second joint 22b can also be peeled off.</p><p> As described above, the same effect can be obtained except when the openings are arranged in the direction F perpendicular to the opening direction E as shown in FIG. 28 (b). Even if the connecting portion 35b is not completely aligned in the direction perpendicular to the opening direction E as shown in FIG. 28 (c), the connecting portion 35b applies a force for peeling the sealing member 19 from the developer bag 16 to the second joint portion 22b. It can be conveyed as shown by the arrow P. Further, as shown in FIG. 28 (d), even if the opening 35a overlaps with the opening direction E, the connecting portion 35b diagonally applies the force of peeling the sealing member 19 from the developer bag 16 to the second joint 22b. Can be told like P. That is, it suffices that the plurality of openings 35a are arranged so as to be offset in the direction F perpendicular to the opening direction E.</p><p> Further, as shown in FIG. 28B, the portion around the opening 35a including the connecting portion 35b may be used as the joint portion 22. Even in this case, the presence of the connecting portion 35b allows the force to be applied until the joint portion 22 is peeled off, so that the opening is surely performed.</p><p> Further, in terms of the relationship between the rotation axis of the opening member 20 and the opening 35a, it can be said that the opening 35a is arranged so as to be displaced in the direction R of the rotation axis of the opening member 20. By doing so, it has a connecting portion 35b that bridges the opening member 20 in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (arrow E). The arrangement of the opening 35a may be shifted in the rotation axis direction R of the opening member. Even if the opening 35a overlaps the rotation axis direction R as shown in FIG. 28 (b), even if it does not completely overlap the rotation axis direction R as shown in FIG. 28 (d), the force is as shown by the arrow P. It is possible to convey the effect of the connecting part 35b.</p><p> In this way, the developer storage container 26 that stores the developer and the developer storage container 30 that has the opening member have a connecting portion 35b that bridges to the discharging portion 35, so that the opening force of the opening member 20 is transferred to the second joint portion. You can tell until you open 22b and you can open it reliably.</p><p> Further, the relationship between the opening 35a and the engaged portion 19b of the sealing member will be described (FIG. 3). The engaged portion 19b is provided on one end side of the sealing member 19 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of openings 35a are arranged.</p><p> In addition, the relationship between the opening 35a and the opening member 20 will be described (Fig. 3). The opening member 20 is provided on one end side of the sealing member 19 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of openings 35a are lined up.</p><p> Even with such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the effect that the opening force of the opening member 20 can be transmitted by the connecting portion 35b until the second joint portion 22b is opened.</p><p> (Example of a separate member for the connecting part) Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the connecting portion 35b that defines the opening portion 35a of the discharging portion 35 may be another member (connecting member 16f). In this case, one long opening 16a is provided in the direction F perpendicular to the opening direction E, and the connecting member 16f, which is another member bridging along the opening direction E, is provided in the long one opening 16a. At this time, the connecting member 16f is bonded or welded to the first joint 22a side and the second joint 22b side of one long opening 16a, respectively.</p><p> Even when the connecting member 16f is provided on the developing agent bag 16, the sealing member 19 is folded back between the joint portion 22 and the engaged portion 19b as described above, so that the sealing member 19 is attached to the opening member 20. It can be opened by wrapping it around. By adopting such a configuration, the connecting portion 35b and the connecting member 16f, which define the openings when a plurality of openings 35a are provided, play the same role. That is, one long opening 16a is the same as when there are a plurality of openings 35a due to the connecting member 16f.</p><p> Therefore, when the opening of the first joint portion 22a is completed and the second joint portion 22b is peeled off, the force (arrow D) when the opening member 20 opens the second joint portion 22a is transmitted through the connecting member 16f. The first fixing portion 16d can be received by the arrow H. Therefore, the force for peeling the sealing member 19 from the developer bag 16 can be transmitted. That is, a force is applied to the second joint 22b in the directions of the arrows D and H, and the second joint 22b is also possible.</p><p> In such a long one opening 16a, it is possible to strengthen only the connecting member 16f by forming a plurality of openings 35a by the connecting member 16f.</p><p> (Issues of openability when there is no connecting part) Here, an example in which the developer bag 16 is difficult to open without applying the present invention will be described. This is a case where opening is difficult because the connecting portion 35b does not exist as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the connecting portion 35b does not exist and the opening 16a is one example. FIG. 13 (a) shows the state before the second joint portion 22b is peeled off, and FIGS. 13 (b) and 15 show the second. It is a figure which showed the state at the time of peeling off the joint part of. Further, FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the opening 35a in the state where the second joint portion 22a is peeled off in this embodiment, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the opening 35a in the case where the connecting portion 35b does not exist and the opening becomes difficult. It is a sectional view of the surroundings.</p><p> In this case, the state in which the opening has progressed to the second joint portion 22b is shown in FIG. 14A, and from this state, the sealing member 19 is pulled and moved in the direction of the arrow D by the rotation of the opening member 20. Then, since the connecting portion 35b is not provided, the force from the first fixing portion 16d cannot be transmitted to the second joint 22b side in the center of the opening 16a. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 14 (b) and 13 (b), the second joint portion 22b loses the binding force from the fixed portion 18a of the frame body, and the opening portion 16a opens wide in the direction of arrow D. Further, the second joint portion 22b is pulled by the sealing member 19, and the opening portion 16a is deformed as shown in FIG. 14 (c). In this case, the force acting on the second joint 22b does not have the positional relationship of inclined peeling as shown in FIG. 8, and the opening 35a is deformed as shown in FIG. 14 (b) to cause shear peeling (approximately 0 °). (Peeling), so a large force is required to peel off. Moreover, since the force supported by the first fixing portion 16d cannot be transmitted to the second joint portion 22b, the second joint portion 22b is pulled by the opening member 20 without being peeled off. Therefore, the opening 16a near the center of the longitudinal direction of the second joint 22b opens even wider and wraps around the opening member 20.</p><p> If the developer is stored as hard as a structure, there is no such deformation and the package can be opened as in the conventional example. However, in the case of a configuration in which the developer is stored in a deformable soft bag-shaped object and the opening is deformed when opened, it is difficult to open the package without the connecting portion 35b as described above.</p><p> As described above, by transmitting the driving force to the opening member 20 of the image forming apparatus B, the sealing member 19 (= toner seal) can be opened, eliminating the need for the user to remove the toner seal and developing more easily. The device 38 and the process cartridge A can be replaced and used. Further, since the sealing member 19 after opening is fixed to the opening member 20, the process cartridge A can be opened without discharging waste material.</p><p> <Overview of pressing member and developer discharge> (Pressing member) As shown in FIG. 16, the pressing member 21 includes a shaft portion 21a and a pressing sheet 21b fixed to the shaft portion 21a, and is rotatably provided inside the first frame body 17 and the second frame body 18. Has been done.</p><p> First, the shaft portion 21a is made to function as the same part as the opening member 20 (21a = 20). Therefore, as described above, the driving force is transmitted by the driving means from the image forming apparatus B main body (not shown), and the pressing member 21 (= 20) rotates in the direction of the arrow C.</p><p> Next, the pressing sheet 21b is fixed to one surface of the shaft portion 21a having a square cross section, and rotates together with the shaft member 21a. The material of the pressing sheet 21b is a flexible sheet such as PET, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), polycarbonate, etc., and the thickness is about 0.05 to 0.1 mm, and the tip is outside the circumscribed circle of the shaft portion 21a. It is protruding. Here, in this embodiment, the sealing member 19 and the pressing sheet 21b are fixed to different surfaces of the shaft portion 21a, but the sealing member 19 and the pressing sheet 21b may be fixed to the same surface of the shaft portion 21a.</p><p> Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the pressing sheet 21b also has a function of stirring the developing agent and transporting it to the developing roller 13 and the developing agent supply 23.</p><p> <Outline of developing agent discharged from the developing agent storage bag> (Outline of discharge from before opening to when opening) First, regarding the discharge of the developer from before opening to the start of opening, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 above, the sealing member 19 is pulled toward the point of effort 20a (arrow D), and the developer bag 16 is fixed to the frame. Supported by part 18c. Therefore, at the time of opening, the force point portion 20a, the fixing portion 18c of the frame body, and the place where the joint portion 22 is peeled off move in a direction in which they are aligned linearly in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis of the opening member 20. To do. The opening 35a is obtained before the opening operation is performed by the opening member 20 by applying a force to the sealing member 19 and when the opening operation is started and the joint at the first joint portion 22a is opened. By changing the position of, it is possible to prevent the developer from staying in the vicinity of the opening 35a, and the discharge performance is good.</p><p> (Outline of discharge after opening when pressed) Further, after opening, when the sealing member 19 is opened from the above-mentioned developer bag 16 as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the opening 35a is arranged so as to open below the developer bag 16, so that gravity The developer near the opening 35a is discharged due to the action of the above and the vibration of the developer bag 16 at the time of opening.</p><p> When the opening member 20 further rotates after opening, the pressing sheet 21b that pushes the developer bag 16 fixed to the opening member 20 also rotates, and as shown in FIG. 9, the developer bag 16 winds around the opening member 20. Here, as shown in FIG. 16, since the pressing sheet 21b has elasticity, the developer bag 16 is pushed in the direction of arrow J in order to restore the original shape. At this time, the developer bag 16 is pressed against the second frame 18 via the toner that is pressed and stored by the pressing sheet 21b, and the entire developer bag 16 is deformed. Further, the developer bag 16 is pushed by the pressing sheet 21b to reduce the internal volume. As described above, the volume reduction of the developer bag 16 and the change in the overall shape cause the developer inside the developer bag 16 to be agitated, whereby the developer is easily discharged from the opening 35a. At this time, the developer bag 16 is closed except for the opening 35a, and there is no escape route for the developer other than the opening 35a, so that the developer bag 16 has high dischargeability from the opening 35a. Due to the discharge action as described above, the developer can be easily discharged in the direction of arrow I.</p><p> At this time, the developer bag 16 can be deformed if at least a part of the developer bag 16 is in contact with and pressed against the second frame body 18.</p><p> Further, by aligning the rotation axis direction of the developing roller 13 with the direction F in which the plurality of openings 35a are lined up, it is possible to facilitate the uniform supply of the developing agent to the entire longitudinal direction of the developing roller 13 when the developing agent is discharged.</p><p> Further, when the developing device 38 is attached to the image forming device B, the opening 35a is provided so as to open in the direction of gravity, so that the dischargeability of the developing agent can be improved.</p><p> Further, the developer can be discharged easily by pressing the developer bag 16 so as to be pressed against the second frame 18 by the pressing member 21 provided inside the frame (17, 18).</p><p> Further, since the sealing member 19 also uses a flexible sheet having a base material of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. and a thickness of 0.03 to 0.15 mm, it discharges by the same mechanism as the pressing sheet 21b. I am involved.</p><p> (Outline of discharge: Recovery of developer bag shape) Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the opening member 20 further rotates, and the pressing sheet 21b separates from the developer bag 16. At this time, since the developer bag 16 has flexibility, it tries to recover to the state before being pressed by the weight of the developer to be stored (arrow K). Then, the pressing sheet 21b also rotates, and as shown in FIG. 16, the developer bag 16 is pushed into the second frame 18, and the developer bag 16 is deformed, so that the developer other than the vicinity of the opening 35a is moved and the opening is opened. It is discharged from 35a.</p><p> (Outline of discharge Repeated pressing / recovery) If there is a large amount of developer immediately after opening inside the developer bag 16, the amount of the pressing sheet 21b and the opening member 20 entering the developer bag 16 changes repeatedly, and the developer bag is pressed against the second frame 18. Transform 16 The shrinkage of the developer bag 16 due to the pressing of the pressing member 21 and the recovery due to the weight of the developer inside the developer bag 16 and the flexibility of the developer bag 16 are repeated. Further, since the developer bag 16 itself moves due to the above action, the developer bag 16 vibrates, and the developer inside the developer bag 16 is also discharged from the opening 35a by this vibration. Further, since the pressing member 21 rotates, the developer bag 16 can be repeatedly pressed.</p><p> (Example of attaching the developer bag to the frame) As shown in FIG. 25, the portion 27 where the developer bag 16 is pressed against the second frame 18 is joined by providing a joint portion 28 such as an adhesive or double-sided tape, but the pressing sheet 21b is a developer. The developer can be discharged by pressing the bag 16.</p><p> (When the developer is low) The case where the image is formed and the amount of the developer in the developer bag 16 is reduced will be described with reference to FIG. 32. Although the pressing member 21 will be mainly described for simplification, the same phenomenon will occur with the sealing member 19. Immediately after opening, as shown in FIG. 32 (a), the shape of the developer bag 16 follows the pressing member 21 so that it is in constant contact with the pressing member 21 due to the weight of the developer to be stored, and the size (internal volume) is periodically changed. .. However, when the amount of the developer to be stored decreases, the weight of the developer becomes lighter as shown in FIG. 32 (b), and the developer does not follow the pressing member 21, and the detaching and disconnecting are repeated periodically. Since the developing agent bag 16 and the pressing member 21 are in periodic contact with each other, the developing agent can be discharged by vibrating the developing agent bag 16.</p><p> Depending on the positional relationship between the developing agent bag 16 and the pressing member 21, the developing agent bag 16 and the pressing member 21 may not always come into contact with each other when the amount of the developing agent is low. That is, since the developer is not discharged due to periodic contact, there is a possibility that the developer that is not discharged remains in the developer bag 16. At this time, as shown in FIG. 32 (c), the pressing sheet 21b is fixed to the pressing member 21, and it is preferable that the pressing sheet 21b has a sufficient length to always be in contact with the developing agent bag 16. By doing so, since the pressing sheet 21b is in contact with the developing agent bag 16 in a bent state, even if the developing agent is reduced and the developing agent bag 16 is deformed, the developing agent is used. The bag 16 and the pressing member 21 do not come into contact with each other, and the discharge effect can be maintained. That is, when a flexible sheet is used for the pressing member 21, the distance from the center of the rotation axis of the pressing member to the point of action for pressing the developing agent bag 16 can be changed according to the state of the developing agent bag. .. Specifically, when the developer bag 16 is sufficiently filled with toner, the developer bag 16 is pressed with the pressing sheet 21b bent, but as the toner in the developer bag 16 decreases, the pressing is performed. The sheet 21b comes into contact with the developer bag 16 in a state where the bending is further eliminated.</p><p> Further, even if the developing agent in the developing agent bag 16 is biased in the rotation axis direction of the pressing member 21 and uneven contact between the developing agent bag 16 and the pressing member 21 occurs, the pressing member 21 is pressed. If the sheet 21b has a fixed configuration, it is possible to maintain the discharge effect in the same manner as described above.</p><p> (Combined use of pressing sheet and sealing member) The pressing sheet 21 and the sealing member 19 may be used in combination to provide both functions with one component. This is because the joint portion 22 is separated from the developer bag 16 after opening, so that the end portion of the sealing member 19 on the joint portion 22 side becomes a free end. Therefore, the sealing member 19 can have the function of the pressing sheet 21b. In this way, the opening member 20 can have the function of the shaft portion 21a of the pressing member 21, and the sealing member 19 can have the function of the pressing sheet 21b. By doing so, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.</p><p> As described above, the developer inside the developer bag 16 can be satisfactorily discharged without providing other discharge parts such as a developer discharge roller in the opening 35a which is the developer discharge port, and the developer near the opening 35a can be discharged satisfactorily. Aggregation and bridging can be prevented. As a result, even if the developer in the developer bag 16 is solidified by tapping during distribution, storage, etc., the developer can be broken up by moving around the entire developer bag 16 or the opening 35a to break the developer. It is possible to prevent a state in which discharge becomes difficult.</p><p> (Example of one pressing member) Further, even if the pressing member 21 is not a separate component of the shaft portion 21a and the pressing sheet 21b, but a convex portion 21c that acts as the pressing sheet 21b is provided on the pressing member 21 as the same component as shown in FIG. 26 (a), the same applies. The developer can be discharged. When the pressing member 21 is composed of only the shaft portion 21a, the cross section of the shaft portion 21a is polygonal (FIG. 26 (b)) or a cam shape (FIG. 26) when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the center of rotation. Even if (c)) is provided, the developer bag 16 can be pressed against the frame 29 to be deformed. This is because when the pressing member 21 is arranged so as to be in contact with at least the developing agent bag 16, the distance of the pressing member 21 from the center of rotation to the outer shape changes, so that the amount of the pressing member 21 penetrating into the developing agent bag 16 also changes. Is. That is, the developer bag 16 can be deformed by the rotation of the pressing member 21 unless the axis has a circular cross section having a rotation axis at the center. As shown in FIG. 26, since the distance 21c from the center of the pressing member 21 to the outer shape and the distance 21d close to the outer shape are different, the amount of penetration of the pressing member 21 into the developing agent bag 16 also changes. 33 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the pressing member 21 having a cross-shaped cross section, and FIG. 33 (a) is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the developer storage unit 25 having the cross-shaped pressing member 21. As shown in FIG. 33, when there are four convex portions 21e having the same distance from the center of the pressing member to the outer shape, the outer shapes (21c) of the four convex portions 21e are both equal. However, since it has an outer shape portion (distance 21d) close to the center other than the convex portion 21e, the amount of penetration into the developer bag 16 can be changed. That is, the pressing member 21 can be a rotating member having a portion in a cross section perpendicular to the rotation center of the pressing member 21 in which the distance from the rotation center of the pressing member 21 to the outer shape of the pressing member is different.</p><p> In this way, when the developer bag 16 is pushed by the pressing member 21 (arrow J), it is pressed against the frame 29 and deformed to reduce the internal volume, and the internal developer is pushed out and discharged from the opening 35a. (Arrow I).</p><p> Further, in the posture at the time of image formation, the shaft portion 21a (= 20) of the pressing member 21 is below the developer bag 16 in the direction of gravity and is in contact with the developer bag 16. Since the shaft portion 21a (= 20) of the pressing member 21 has a square cross-sectional shape and the cross-sectional shape is not round, the shaft portion 21a (= 20) to the developing agent bag 16 is rotated by the rotation of the shaft portion 21a (= 20). The amount of invasion of is changed periodically as described above. The volume of the developer bag 16 can also be changed and vibrated by changing the amount of penetration of the shaft portion 21a (= 20) into the developer bag 16, and the dischargeability can be improved.</p><p> Further, if the pressing sheet 21b is fixed to the pressing member 21, the developing agent bag 16 is deformed because the pressing sheet 21b is in contact with the developing agent bag 16 in a bent state. Even if there is, the developing agent bag 16 and the pressing member 21 do not come into contact with each other. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the discharge effect. Further, even if the structure does not have the flexible pressing sheet 21b, the convex portion 21c is formed into a thin sheet having flexibility and has a sufficient length to come into contact with the developer bag 16. Even so, it is possible to maintain the discharge effect in the same manner as described above.</p><p> <Outline of developing agent circulation in pressing member and developing agent bag> The toner discharge has been described above as the action and effect of the pressing member 21, but next, the developing agent circulation action in the developing agent bag, which is another action and effect of the pressing member 21, will be described with reference to FIG.</p><p> As shown in FIG. 17, the opening member 20 rotates and the pressing sheet 21b separates from the developer bag 16. At this time, since the developer bag 16 has flexibility, it tries to recover to the state before being pressed by the weight of the developer to be stored (arrow K). The pressing sheet 21b also rotates, and as shown in FIG. 16, the developer bag 16 is pushed into the second frame 18, and the developer bag 16 is deformed to move the developer other than the vicinity of the opening 35a. The movement of the developer causes the developer to circulate in the developer bag 16. That is, the deforming action of the developer bag 16 moves the developer in the developer bag 16 to cause the developer circulation action in the developer bag 16. Further, the deformation amplitude of the developing agent bag and the developing agent circulating action are in a proportional relationship.</p>
<p> (Vacuum forming) As the second embodiment, the developer storage member 34 is used instead of the developer bag 16 of the first embodiment. The developer storage member 34 is a sheet-shaped material formed by vacuum forming, compressed air forming, or press forming. The developer storage container 30 having the opening member includes the developing agent storage member 34, the sealing member 19, the opening member 20, the first frame body 17, the second frame body 18, and the same as in the first embodiment. have. The opening member 20 is a member having both the function of the pressing member 21 and the function of stirring the developer, as in the first embodiment.</p><p> (Structure of developer bag) As shown in FIGS. 18 and 29 (c), the developer storage member 34 is composed of a molding portion 34a, which is a flexible container formed by vacuum forming, compressed air forming, and press forming, and a sheet. It is composed of a ventilator 34b. Here, the bonding between the molded portion 34a and the ventilation portion 34b includes heat welding, laser welding, an adhesive, an adhesive tape, and the like. The reason why the developer storage member 34 is made breathable is that it corresponds to the same as in Example 1 during manufacturing, distribution, and storage.</p><p> As the material of the molded portion 34a, ABS, PMMA, PC, PP, PE, HIPS, PET, PVC and the like, and these composite multilayer materials are preferable. The thickness of the molded portion 34a is preferably about 0.1 to 1 mm, which is the thickness of the sheet before molding. The material and thickness of the molded portion 34a may be appropriately selected depending on the cost, product specifications, manufacturing conditions, and the like.</p><p> The molding portion 34a is joined to the ventilation portion 34b at the outer circumference 34c of the molding portion 34a. The developer storage member 34 stores the developer inside. Further, a fixing portion 16d (fixed portion) of the developer storage member 34 is provided on a part of the outer peripheral portion 34c. The shape of the molded portion 34a is along the inside of the frames 17 and 18 (Fig. 19).</p><p> The developer storage container 26 containing the developer covers the developer storage member 34 and the discharge portion 35 of the developer storage member 34 so as to be openable, and seals toner inside the developer storage member 34. It consists of 19.</p><p> The developer storage container 30 having an opening member is composed of an opening member 20 that opens the sealing member 19 from the developer storage member 34 and a developer storage container 26 that stores the developer.</p><p> The developing device 38 is composed of a developing agent storage container 30 having an opening member, a developing roller 13 as a developing means, a developing blade 15, and a first frame 17 and a second frame 18 supporting these. ..</p><p> Here, the discharge unit 35 is provided in the molding unit 34a, and the configuration of the discharge unit is the same as in the first embodiment, and a plurality of discharge portions 35 are provided in directions F substantially perpendicular to the opening direction E in which the developer storage member 34 is opened. It has an opening 35a and a connecting portion 35b that defines a plurality of openings 35a. That is, the plurality of openings 35a are arranged so as to be offset in the direction F perpendicular to the opening direction E. Further, the plurality of openings 35a are arranged so as to be offset in the direction of the rotation axis of the opening member 20. Further, the engaged portion 19b is provided on one end side of the sealing member 19 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of openings 35a are arranged. Further, the opening member 20 is provided on one end side of the sealing member 19 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of openings 35a are lined up. The fixing portion has a fixing portion 16d necessary for opening, which corresponds to the first fixing portion 16d of the first embodiment. The developer storage member 34 itself tries to maintain its shape by the molding unit 34a, and since the developer storage member 34 has a shape along the frame body, it is totally supported by the frame body and the developer storage member 34 is the developer. It becomes difficult to move toward the supply roller 23 and the developing roller 13.</p><p> Next, as means for fixing the fixing portion, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesion, sandwiching between frames, thermal caulking, ultrasonic caulking, hooking by holes and protrusions, and the like can be mentioned. The configurations of the sealing member 19 and the opening member 20 are the same as those in the first embodiment.</p><p> <Outline of opening the developer storage bag> Next, the opening of the developer storage bag 16 will be described. Here, the positions of the fixed portion and the fixed portion are almost the same as those of the first embodiment, and the relationship of force is also the same. Therefore, the opening process is the same. (Fig. 7, Fig. 8) Although the opening 35a is arranged in the molding portion 34a in the second embodiment, the molding portion 34a is also flexible as in the first embodiment, and the relationship of the forces at the time of opening is the same as that in the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, a plurality of connecting portions 35b bridge the first joint portion 22a and the second joint portion 22b in the direction E in which the opening proceeds. Therefore, when the first joint portion 22a is opened and the second joint portion 22a is opened, the force for peeling the sealing member 19 from the developer storage member 34 can be transmitted. Therefore, the second joint 22b can also be opened.</p><p> The same applies to the developer discharging structure after opening as in Example 1. When the sealing member 19 is opened from the developer storage member 34 described above, first, since the opening 35a is arranged below the developer storage member 34, gravity acts and the position of the opening 35a at the time of opening moves at the same time. Then, the developer is discharged. Further, the developer in the vicinity of the opening 35a is discharged due to vibration of the developer storage member 34 or the like. Here, the opening member 20 also serves as a pressing member 21. Further, the cross section of the pressing member 21 is quadrangular in the cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the pressing member 21, and the rotation of the pressing member 21 promotes the discharge of the developer as described in Example 1 (FIG. 19). ..</p><p> Here, the pressing member 21 is in contact with the same surface as the surface of the developer storage member 34 where the opening 35a is provided. The developer storage member 34 is composed of a plurality of surfaces with the bent portion 34d sandwiched between the surface provided with the opening 35a and the other surface.</p><p> By adopting the above configuration, in addition to the effect of Example 1, the following effects are obtained.</p><p> (Effect of vacuum forming) The following effects are obtained by forming a part of the developer storage member 34 by vacuum forming.</p><p> As the first effect, the developer storage member 34 can be shaped along the inside of the frame. Therefore, in the bag form as shown in the first embodiment, it is difficult to put the bag even in the corner of the frame body, and a gap is formed between the developer storage member 34 and the first frame body 17, and the space is effective for storing the developer. It doesn't become a space.</p><p> As a second effect, the developer storage member 34 can be formed into a shape along the frame body, so that it can be easily incorporated into the frame body. This is because it is not necessary to push it into the frame to match the shape at the time of assembly.</p><p> As a third effect, the developer storage member 34 becomes difficult to move toward the developer supply roller 23 and the developing roller 13. This is because the developer storage member 34 itself tries to maintain its shape by vacuum forming and the developer storage member 34 has a shape along the frame, so that the developer storage member 34 is a frame. This is because it is supported as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to abolish the second fixing portion for restricting the movement toward the image agent supply roller 23 and the developing roller 13 as shown in the first embodiment.</p><p> Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the effect of pushing the same surface 34f as the surface provided with the opening 35a is as follows. The developer storage member 34 is formed of a plurality of surfaces by vacuum forming. Therefore, the bent portion 34d exists between the plurality of surfaces. The surface of the developer storage member 34 is defined as a portion surrounded by a bent portion. Here, the difference in effect between the case where the surface 34f including the opening 35a is pressed and the case where the surface 34e not including the opening 35a is pressed will be described. The surface 34e is a surface sandwiching the bent portion 34d with respect to the surface 34f including the opening 35a. The force received by the surface 34e pressed by the pressing member 21 passes through the bent portion 34d. Before reaching the surface including the opening 35a, the bending portion 34d greatly attenuates. Therefore, the force for moving the opening 35a is smaller than that when the surface 34f having the opening 35a is directly pressed. Therefore, the action of moving the opening 35a to discharge the developer is reduced. Therefore, when the pressing member 21 presses the surface 34f including the opening 35a, the dischargeability of the developing agent inside can be efficiently improved, and the retention of the developing agent can be prevented. In this way, the developer storage member 34 is deformed by pressing the developer storage member 34 against the second frame 18 by the rotation of the pressing member 21 that also serves as the opening member 20, and the position of the opening 35a. Is changed to discharge the developer inside. In addition, since there are multiple openings 35a, it is easier to discharge than one opening. Further, since the opening 35a is arranged downward in the direction of gravity in the posture at the time of image formation, it is easy to discharge the developer.</p>
<p> (Opening member, pressing member, stirring member are different examples) FIGS. 35 and 36 show an example in which the pressing member 21, the opening member 20, and the stirring member 41 are separate members. FIG. 35 is a schematic cross-sectional view before opening, and FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view after opening. Here, the pressing member 21, the opening member 20, and the stirring member 41 are rotatably supported by the first frame body 17, and rotate under the drive of the image forming apparatus B main body. In the opening step, the sealing member 19 is wound up by rotating the opening member 20 in the direction of arrow C, and the opening 35a is exposed. Further, by pressing the developer storage member 34 with the rotation of the pressing member 21, the developer storage member 34 is deformed to promote the discharge of toner from the inside of the developer storage member 34. Further, the toner discharged from the developer storage member 34 can be agitated by rotating the agitating member 41. In this way, since the pressing member 21, the opening member 20, and the stirring member 41 are separate members, their respective rotation directions, rotation speeds, rotation times, and the like can be set as necessary.</p>
<p> (Example of opening operation other than rotation) 37 and 38 show an example in which the opening member 20 does not rotate but moves away from the fixing portion 18a to expose the opening 35a. Here, both ends of the opening member 20 are slidably supported by the first frame body 17. Further, the opening member 20 can be moved by the operation of the image forming apparatus B main body or the user. Here, the opening member 20 moves in the direction of arrow C2. As the opening member 20 moves, the sealing member 19 is pulled in the direction of arrow D to peel off the welded portions 22a and 22b to expose the opening portion 35a. The sliding direction C2 is not limited to a straight line but may be an arc shape, as long as the opening member 20 can move in a direction away from the fixed portion 19a.</p><p> Further, the opening member 20 may also be used as a pressing member 21 at the time of discharging by repeatedly reciprocating after opening, or may also be used as a stirring member for toner after discharging (FIG. 45).</p><p> In this way, since the sealing member 19 can be configured to be movable other than the rotation of the opening member 20, the configuration in which the opening member 20 operates can be appropriately selected as needed.</p>
<p> (Example of opening made by half cut) An example of making an opening 35a using a half cut as shown in FIG. 39 will be described. FIG. 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the process of forming the opening 35a. The state of processing in the order of (a), (b), and (c) in FIG. 39 is shown. A view from above of FIG. 45 is FIG. 40.</p><p> First, the developer bag 16 which is a flexible container and the sealing member 19 are joined so as to have easy-opening property as described above to form a two-layer structure (FIG. 39 (a)). Next, the layer of the developer bag 16 is cut into a hole shape to be the opening 35a later with a jig such as a knife (FIGS. 39 (b) and 40 (a)). As a result, what is composed of two layers of the developer bag 16 and the sealing member 19 is in a state in which the layer of the developer bag 16 is cut (half-cut).</p><p> Next, the state at the time of opening is shown with reference to FIGS. 39 (d), (e), (f) and 40. Of the two layers of the half-cut developer bag 16 and the sealing member 19, the sealing member 19 is pulled by the opening member 20 in the direction of arrow D (FIG. 39 (d)). FIGS. 39 (e) and 40 (b) show that the opening 35a begins to be exposed as the opening member 20 is pulled in the direction of arrow D. At this time, the cut portion 16w of the developer bag 16 separates from the developer bag 16 together with the sealing member 19. Then, the sealing member 19 further moves and separates from the developer bag 16 to expose the opening 35a. By providing the opening 35a using such a half cut, it is not necessary to treat the end piece of the opening 35a as garbage in the manufacturing process. Further, it is possible to omit the management so that the end pieces of the opening 35a are not mixed in the process cartridge A at the time of manufacturing.</p>
<p> (Activation of developer circulation in developer bag 16) Next, the configuration and action of activating the developer circulation action in the developer bag 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19, 41, 42, 43, and 44. FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rotation center axis of the pressing member 21 of the developing device 38.</p><p> As described in Example 1, it was described earlier that the developer circulation in the developer bag 16 occurs due to the deformation of the developer bag 16. Here, when the molded product 34 described in Example 2 is used, the shape of the developer bag 16 can be the same as that of the frame 17, so that the developer is as shown in FIG. The area where the bag 16 and the frame 17 are in close contact with each other increases. This limits the deformable region of the developer bag 16 by the pressing member 21, and as a result, the circulation of the developer in the developer bag 16 may also be limited. Therefore, when the developing agent circulation action in the developing agent bag 16 is more necessary, as shown in FIG. 41, the surface 34f having the opening of the developing agent bag 16 and the continuous surface 34e sandwiching the bent portion 34d and the frame body. A gap α is provided between 17. This gap α may be set according to the amount of amplitude of the developer bag 16. Here, when the gap α is set to a value equal to or greater than the amplitude of the developer bag 16 by the pressing member 21, the circulating action of the developer is proportional to the amplitude of the developer bag 16, so that the circulating action of the developer is It is maximized. However, in this case, the amount of the developer to be accommodated is limited by the volume generated by the gap α. Next, when the gap α is set to be less than the amplitude of the developer bag 16, the circulating action of the developer is limited. In this case, as compared with the case where a gap α having an amplitude or more of the developer bag 16 is opened, it is possible to distribute the developer in the direction of increasing the storage amount of the developer as the gap α is reduced. Therefore, the value of the gap α may be appropriately set according to the desired developer circulation action in the developer bag 16 and the amount of the developer to be stored. Further, as shown in FIG. 41, the gap α may be reduced toward the surface 34f having an opening and the surface 34h facing the surface having the opening. That is, the gap α is configured to become larger as it approaches the surface 34f forming the opening. In such a configuration, the developer circulation and the amount of the developer stored in the developer bag 16 are larger than the configuration in which the gap α is provided in the entire area of the continuous surface 34e sandwiching the curved surface 34f and the bent portion 34d. The configuration can be made easier to balance. The bent portion 34d is chamfered (Fig.)</p><p> The configuration of the gap α in the cross section perpendicular to the rotation center axis of the pressing member 21 has been described above. Next, using FIGS. 42, 43, and 44, the cross section of the pressing member 21 in the direction parallel to the rotation center axis. The configuration of the gap β in the above will be described. FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the developer storage container 30. FIG. 43 is a VV cross section shown in FIG. 41. FIG. 44 is a perspective view in which only the frame body 17 shown in FIG. 41 is cut by VV.</p><p> As shown in FIG. 42, the surface 34f having an opening and the surfaces 34e and 34g continuous across the bent portion 34d are three surfaces, one on both sides in the direction of the central axis of rotation of the pressing member 21 and the other on the surface facing the ventilation portion 34b.</p><p> Here, as shown in FIG. 43, a gap is provided between the surface 34 g of the pressing member 21 in the longitudinal direction of the rotation center axis and the frame body 17, respectively. The method of setting the gap is the same as the cross section perpendicular to the center axis of the rotation axis of the pressing member.</p><p> Further, the developing agent circulation action is the same as the action described in Example 1. As described above, it is possible to further activate the circulation of the developer in the developer bag 16.</p>
16 Developer bag 16d First fixing part of the developer bag 16e Second fixing part of the developer bag 17 First (development) frame 18 Second (development) frame 18a First fixed part of the frame 18b Second fixing part of the frame 18c Frame fixing part 19 Sealing member 19a Seal 19b Engaged part 19d return part 20 Opening member 20a Power point 20b Engagement part 21 Pressing member 22 Joint 22a First joint 22b Second joint 25 Developer storage unit 26 Developer storage container containing the developer 27 The part where the developer bag is pressed against the second frame 28 Joint 29 frame 30 Developer storage container with opening member 31 Developer storage frame 33 Joint 34 Developer storage member 34a Molding part 34e Surface without openings 34f Surface with opening 35a opening 41 Stirring member 42 Supply frame 43 Supply unit 51 Drive means 51a coupling 52 gear 52a coupling 53 gear 54 gear
49 sheets
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Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10732543B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| JP2004094071A | Cites | Japan | Search report |
| JP2004094071A | Cites | Japan | Examiner |
| JP2013037347A | Cites | Japan | Examiner |
| JPH0744006A | Cites | Japan | Search report |
| JPH0744006A | Cites | Japan | Examiner |
54 members in 11 offices
Priority claims7
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011155834 | Japan | A | |
| 2011155834 | Japan | A | |
| 2011155834 | Japan | – | |
| 2013240144 | Japan | A | |
| 20112011155834 | – | – | – |
| JP20110155834 | – | – | – |
| JP20130240144 | – | – | – |
Members54
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TW201303530A | Taiwan Province of China | A | |
| WO2013008952A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| WO2013008953A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| WO2013012086A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| JP2013037341A | Japan | A | |
| JP2013037347A | Japan | A | |
| JP2013114027A | Japan | A | |
| US2013308973A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2014029974A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| PH12014500118A1 | Philippines | A1 | |
| JP5420026B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| JP2014032425AThis record | Japan | A | |
| CN103649844A | China | A | |
| CN103649847A | China | A | |
| US2014079432A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CN103688224A | China | A | |
| KR20140041826A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| EP2733546A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP2733547A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP2733548A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US8824918B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP2733546A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| TWI467351B | Taiwan Province of China | B | |
| TW201510681A | Taiwan Province of China | A | |
| EP2733548A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| EP2733547A4 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A4 | |
| RU2014105454A | Russian Federation | A | |
| US9304439B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| RU2579637C2 | Russian Federation | C2 | |
| JP5921167B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| KR20160062219A | Republic of Korea | A | |
| US2016170330A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP5959936B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| TWI554850B | Taiwan Province of China | B | |
| KR101672604B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 | |
| KR101672683B1 | Republic of Korea | B1 | |
| JP6049590B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| US9529304B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| CN103649844B | China | B | |
| CN103649847B | China | B | |
| BR112013030916A2 | Brazil | A2 | |
| US9599930B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| PH12014500116A1 | Philippines | A1 | |
| US2017212452A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CN103688224B | China | B | |
| US2018136588A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US10001727B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP2733546B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| US10162289B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| MY173278A | Malaysia | A | |
| EP2733548B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| EP2733547B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| BR112013030916B1 | Brazil | B1 | |
| PH12014500114A1 | Philippines | A1 |
8 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Written notification of patent or utility model registrationJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R151R151 | R151 | |
| First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61A61 | A61 | |
| Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01A01 | A01 | |
| Decision of grant or rejection writtenTRDD | TRDD | |
| Written amendmentJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523A521 | A521 | |
| Notification of reasons for refusalJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131A131 | A131 | |
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Numbers
- Publication
- 2014032425
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2014032425
- Publication, EPODOC
- JP2014032425
- Application
- 240144
- Application, DOCDB
- 2013240144
- Application, EPODOC
- JP20130240144
Titles2
- Japanese
- 現像剤収納容器、現像剤収納ユニット、プロセスカートリッジ、電子写真画像形成装置
- English
- Developer storage container, developer storage unit, process cartridge, electrophotographic image forming device
Classification
- IPC, 1
- G03G15 08