-50-
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`Thereafter, the pushing member 21 slides to be contacted into the releasing portion, and
`
`the engaging projection is disengaged from the driving portion 20. Furthermore, the pushing
`
`member 21 pushes the main body of the toner bottle together with the sealing member toward the
`
`el-range front cover to a position where the operator can easily take the toner bottle out.
`
`In this manner, the sliding movement (retraction, advancement) of the main body of the
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`bottle used for unsealing the opening can be used for resealing the open opening with a simple
`
`structure. In addition, the slide movement distance of the pushing member can be made shorter
`
`than in the foregoing embodiments, and therefore, complication of the apparatus at the main
`
`body side can be avoided.
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`l0
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`15
`
`The structure for the engagement and disengagement between the main assembly of the
`
`image forming apparatus and the toner bottle or the photosensitive member may be used in
`
`Embodiments 2, 3 and 4.
`
`In Embodiments l-6, only by the movement of the releasing projection of the main
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`assembly of ‘th_e apparatus in a direction (axial direction, for example) of relative motion of the
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`sealing member relative to the main body, the engaging projection or projections are moved in a
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`direction or directions substantially perpendicular to the direction (radial direction, for example),
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`and therefore, the structure for the disengagement is simple. Even when a plurality of engaging
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`projections are provided, all the engaging projections are brought into disengaging positions by a
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`force applied substantially at one position, and therefore, the structure for the disengagement is
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`20
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`simple. In Embodiments l, 4, 5 and 6, the releasing force receiving portion of the sealing
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`member is disposed substantially at the free end portion of the sealing member, so that releasing
`
`375
`
`375
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`
`
`Thereafter, the pushing member 21 slides to be contacted into the releasing portion, and
`
`the engaging projection is disengaged from the driving portion 20. Furthermore, the pushing
`
`member 21 pushes the main body of the toner bottle together with the sealing member toward the
`
`el-range front cover to a position where the operator can easily take the toner bottle out.
`
`In this manner, the sliding movement (retraction, advancement) of the main body of the
`
`bottle used for unsealing the opening can be used for resealing the open opening with a simple
`
`structure. In addition, the slide movement distance of the pushing member can be made shorter
`
`than in the foregoing embodiments, and therefore, complication of the apparatus at the main
`
`body side can be avoided.
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`l0
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`15
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`The structure for the engagement and disengagement between the main assembly of the
`
`image forming apparatus and the toner bottle or the photosensitive member may be used in
`
`Embodiments 2, 3 and 4.
`
`In Embodiments l-6, only by the movement of the releasing projection of the main
`
`assembly of ‘th_e apparatus in a direction (axial direction, for example) of relative motion of the
`
`sealing member relative to the main body, the engaging projection or projections are moved in a
`
`direction or directions substantially perpendicular to the direction (radial direction, for example),
`
`and therefore, the structure for the disengagement is simple. Even when a plurality of engaging
`
`projections are provided, all the engaging projections are brought into disengaging positions by a
`
`force applied substantially at one position, and therefore, the structure for the disengagement is
`
`20
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`simple. In Embodiments l, 4, 5 and 6, the releasing force receiving portion of the sealing
`
`member is disposed substantially at the free end portion of the sealing member, so that releasing
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`375
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`375
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`
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`-5]-
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`force receiving portion can be engaged with the main assembly at a relatively early stage after
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`the start of insertion of the toner bottle.
`
`In embodiments Embodiments 1-4, the driving portion 20 provided in the main assembly
`
`of the image forming apparatus is provided with a locking hole and an engaging rib, and the
`
`sealing member 2 is provided with an engaging projection portion 3 engageable with the locking
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`hole and the engaging rib of the driving portion 20, but the projection and recess relationship 15
`
`may be reverse reversed. In other words, the driving portion 20 of the main assembly of the
`
`apparatus is provided with the engaging projection and the releasing portion (releasing
`
`projection), and the sealing member 2 is provided with the locking hole and the engaging rib.
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`l0
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`With such a structure, the same advantageous effects are provided.
`
`As described in the foregoing, according to these embodiments, the toner accommodating
`
`container and the main assembly of the image forming apparatus are locked in a sr-rap—fit E1)-:fi‘t
`
`type engagement, and the sealing member can be automatically engaged into or disengaged from
`
`the opening of the toner accommodating container, wherein the locking engagement can be
`
`15
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`released with a simple structure without load—on effort by the user.
`
`Therefore, the toner supply operation can be carried out by the user with much less load
`
`effort.
`
`Such a sealing member, a toner accommodating container and an image forming
`
`apparatus can be provided at low cost.
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`20
`
`While the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein,
`
`it is not confined to the details set forth and this application is intended to cover such
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`376
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`376
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`
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`-52-
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`modifications or changes as may come within the purpose of the improvements or the scope of
`
`the following claims.
`
`377
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`377
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`.53.
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`ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
`
`
`
`A toner supply container is detachably mountable to an assembly of an
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`l0
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`electrophoto graphic image forming apparatus having a driving member. The toner supply
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`container includes a container body including an opening provided at a cylindrical surface of the
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`container body configured to permit discharge of toner contained in the container body; a shutter
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`for opening and closing the opening; and a coupling portion provided at a side of the container
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`body and configpred and positioned to engage with the driving member so as to receive a
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`15
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`rotational drive force.
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`FCHS_WS 8158207v1.doc
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`378
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`378
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`
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`CLEAN SUBSTITUTE SPECIFICATION
`
`Attorney Docket No. 00684.003330. 18
`
`_ 1 _
`
`SEALING MEMBER,
`TONER ACCOMMODATING CONTAINER AND
`
`IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART:
`
`This application is a divisional application ofApplication No. 13/231,388, filed
`
`September 13, 2011, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 8,290,394 on October 16, 2012, which is a
`
`divisional application of Application No. 12/981,785, filed December 30, 2010, which issued as
`
`U.S. Patent No. 8,045,901 on October 25, 2011, which is a divisional application ofApplication
`
`No. 12/615,012, filed November 9, 2009, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 7,890,027 on February
`
`15, 2011; which is divisional application ofApplication No. 12/169,895, filed July 9, 2008,
`
`which issued as U.S. Patent No. 7,647,012 on January 12, 2010; which is a divisional application
`
`ofApplication No. 11/200,179, filed August 10, 2005, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 7,430,384
`
`on September 30, 2008; which is a divisional application ofApplication No. 10/429,741 filed
`
`May 6, 2003, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 6,990,301 on January 24, 2006; and which is a
`
`continuation-in-part application ofApplication No. 10/076,430 filed February 19, 2002, which
`
`issued as U.S. Patent No. 6,879,789 on April 12, 2005.
`
`The present invention relates to a toner accommodating container, a sealing member
`
`therefor and an image forming apparatus, suitably usable with an image forming apparatus such
`
`20
`
`as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine.
`
`In a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an
`
`electrophoto graphic copying machine or a printer, fine particle toner is used as a developer.
`
`379
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`379
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`
`
`When the toner in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is used
`
`up, the toner is supplied into the main assembly of the image forming apparatus using a toner
`
`accommodating container (toner supply container).
`
`Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is an apparatus which forms
`
`images on a recording material through an electrophotographic image formation type process.
`
`The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic copying
`
`machine, an electrophotographic printer (laser beam printer, LED printer, for example), a
`
`facsimile machine, word processor or the like.
`
`Since the toner is a very fine powder, it is known to place, upon toner supplying
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`l0
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`15
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`operation, a toner supply container inside the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and
`
`to gradually supply the toner through a small opening to avoid scattering of the toner.
`
`Any one of the above-described toner supply containers receives a driving force from the
`
`main assembly of an image forming apparatus to drive the feeding member in the toner supply
`
`container or the main body itself to discharge the toner. As for such a drive transmitting means,
`
`there are some methods. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Hei 05-
`
`75768 discloses that a gear portion is provided on an outer surface of the toner bottle (toner
`
`supply container), and the gear is engaged with a driving gear, by which the toner bottle is
`
`rotated.
`
`Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Hei l0-63084 discloses that an end surface of the
`
`20
`
`toner bottle is provided with a projection, which is engaged with a recess formed in a driving
`
`portion of the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, thus transmitting the driving force.
`
`380
`
`380
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`
`
`-3-
`
`Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Hei 10-63076 discloses another type. A rotating
`
`force transmitting portion of a main assembly of an image forming apparatus has an inner
`
`diameter which is provided with a plurality of engaging grooves, and the toner container is
`
`provided with projections engageable with the engaging grooves. The rotational driving force is
`
`transmitted through the engagement therebetween.
`
`As described, various drive transmission methods are proposed for driving the toner
`
`supply container.
`
`However, the conventional structures involve some problems.
`
`In the case of Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application Hei 05-75768, when the
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`l0
`
`15
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`20
`
`toner bottle is inserted into the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to
`
`make the gear portion on the outer surface of the toner bottle properly engage with the driving
`
`gear portion in the main assembly of an image forming apparatus. This requires the user to be
`
`careful for the proper engagement. In addition, since the toner bottle is rotated through the
`
`meshing engagement between gears, the toner bottle receives forces tending to deviate the bottle
`
`in a direction perpendicular to the axis. Therefore, there is a possibility that the toner bottle is
`
`raised or is laterally deviated with a result of improper rotation. In order to avoid such a
`
`deviation, it is required that the entire outer circumference of the toner bottle be enclosed. This
`
`imposes difficulty in the toner bottle mounting and demounting operations. Additionally, the
`
`supplying system becomes complicated and expensive.
`
`In the methods disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Hei l0-63084 and
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`Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Hei l0-63 076, when the toner bottle is inserted such that
`
`381
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`381
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`
`
`projection (or recess) provided at the end surface of toner bottle is properly engaged with the
`
`basis (or projection) of the main assembly side driving portion (main assembly driving portion),
`
`an indexing operation in the rotational direction is required. This degrades the developer
`
`supplying operativity, and even a slight deviation may result in inoperability.
`
`In order to avoid such an improper engagement, it is required that toner bottle is provided
`
`on its outer surface with a guiding rib so as to determine the position of the toner bottle in the
`
`rotational direction upon the insertion thereof, or that a rotating operation of the engaging recess
`
`of the main assembly driving portion is controlled to stop at a predetermined rotational position
`
`whenever it stops. This also results in complications and a cost increase.
`
`In most of the coupling drive transmissions using proj ection/recess engagement, when the
`
`phase deviation occurs between the toner bottle and the main assembly driving portion, it is
`
`required that the main assembly driving portion is retracted against a spring force, and the
`
`engaging position is established when the phase becomes aligned. With such a structure, even if
`
`there is a phase difference when the toner bottle is inserted, the main assembly driving portion is
`
`retracted, and when the bottle is rotated in this state, the phase differences are eliminated sooner
`
`or later, and therefore, the engagement is established. However, the structure of the main
`
`assembly driving portion is complicated. In addition, the main assembly driving portion has to
`
`be movable toward the rear side, which requires additional space and therefore hinders
`
`downsizing of the main assembly of the apparatus.
`
`In the conventional example, it is not disclosed as to how to disengage the projection
`
`from the recess. Assuming that the operator uses force to pull the toner supply container out, or
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`l0
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`l5
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`20
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`382
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`382
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`
`
`the operator pushes the small projection with a finger, the usability is not good, or the driving
`
`portion of the image forming apparatus or the toner supply container may be damaged.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
`
`Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a sealing member
`
`in which a sealing member is locked with an image forming apparatus in order to open or unseal
`
`a toner discharge opening of a toner accommodating container, and yet the sealing member can
`
`be released from the image forming apparatus with a simple structure.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a toner accommodating container
`
`in which a locking portion of the toner accommodating container is locked with an image
`
`forming apparatus, and the locking of the locking portion with the image forming apparatus can
`
`be released with a simple structure.
`
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toner accommodating container
`
`in which a sealing member is locked with an image forming apparatus to open or unseal a toner
`
`discharge opening of the toner accommodating container, and yet the sealing member can be
`
`released from the image forming apparatus with a simple structure.
`
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in
`
`which a locking portion of a toner accommodating container is engaged with a portion to be
`
`locked of a mounting means, and the locking portion can be released from the portion to be
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`l0
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`15
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`20
`
`locked with a simple structure.
`
`383
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`383
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`
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`-6-
`
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus in
`
`which a locking portion of a sealing member is engaged with a portion to be locked of the
`
`mounting means to open or unseal a toner discharge opening of a toner accommodating
`
`container, and yet the locking portion can be released from the portion to be locked with a simple
`
`structure.
`
`These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become
`
`more apparent upon a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of
`
`the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`l0
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
`
`Figure l is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment
`
`of the present invention.
`
`Figure 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus shown in Figure 1.
`
`Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating mounting of a toner supply container into an
`
`15
`
`image forming apparatus.
`
`Figure 4 is a front view of an image forming apparatus of Figure l.
`
`Figure 5 is a side view of the image forming apparatus of Figure 1.
`
`Figure 6 is a top plan view of the image forming apparatus in which a toner container
`
`front cover is shown as being in an open position.
`
`20
`
`Figures 7(A) through 7(C) are sectional views illustrating a toner supply container
`
`mounting operation, wherein Figure 7(A) shows an initial stage of the mounting operation,
`
`384
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`384
`
`
`
`Figure 7(B) shows the state in the process of mounting operation, and Figure 7(C) shows the
`
`state after the completion of the mounting operation.
`
`Figure 8 is a partly broken perspective view of a toner supply container according to an
`
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Figure 9 is a partly enlarged sectional View of a drive transmitting portion according to an
`
`embodiment of the present invention in which a driving shaft is provided on the main body side
`
`of the toner supply container.
`
`Figure 10 is a partly broken perspective view of a toner supply container according to
`
`another embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Figure ll is a partly enlarged sectional view of a drive transmitting portion according to
`
`another embodiment of the present invention in which a driving shaft is provided on a sealing
`
`member side.
`
`Figures l2(A) through l2(C) are side views of a sealing member according to an
`
`embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figure l2(A) is a front view, Figure l2(B) is a
`
`side view as seen in the direction X of Figure l2(A), and Figure l2(C) is a side view as seen in
`
`the direction Y of Figure l2(A).
`
`Figure l3 is a sectional view of a sealing member taken along a line Z-Z of Figure l2(B).
`
`Figure l4 is a perspective view of a driving force transmitting portion and a driving force
`
`receiving portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Figures l5(A) through l5(C) are partially sectional views illustrating engaging action of a
`
`drive transmitting portion of a toner bottle, in which Figure l5(A) shows a state before insertion
`
`l0
`
`l5
`
`20
`
`385
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`385
`
`
`
`-8-
`
`of a toner bottle, Figure l5(B) shows a state in the process of insertion, and Figure l5(C) shows a
`
`state after the completion of an inserting operation.
`
`Figure 16 is a perspective view of a driving force receiving portion according to another
`
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Figure 17 is a sectional view of the sealing member of Figure 16.
`
`Figures l8(A) through l8(C) are illustrations of phase alignment when the toner bottle is
`
`inserted into the main assembly of the apparatus wherein Figure l8(A) shows a state in which an
`
`engaging rib and an engaging projection are aligned with each other, Figure l8(B) shows a state
`
`in which they are not aligned after rotation to a certain extent, and Figure l8(C) shows a state in
`
`which the engaging rib is abutted to the engaging projection to enable drive transmission.
`
`Figures l9(A) through l9(C) show a sealing member according to an embodiment of the
`
`present invention, wherein Figure l9(A) is a left side view, Figure l9(B) is a front view, and
`
`Figure l9(C) is a right-hand side view.
`
`Figure 20 is a perspective view of a driving force transmitting portion and a driving force
`
`receiving portion according to a further embodiment of the present invention, in which phase
`
`l0
`
`15
`
`control operation is not necessary.
`
`Figures 2l(A) through 2l(C) illustrate the drive transmitting portion of Figure 20 during
`
`a toner bottle inserting operation, wherein Figure 2l(A) shows a state before insertion of the
`
`toner bottle, Figure 2l(B) shows a state in the process of the inserting operation, and Figure
`
`20
`
`2l(C) shows a state after completion of the inserting operation.
`
`386
`
`386
`
`
`
`-9-
`
`Figures 22(A) through 22(C) illustrate disengagement action at the drive transmitting
`
`portion of the toner bottle, wherein Figure 22(A) is before disengagement, Figure 22(B) is in the
`
`process of disengagement, and Figure 22(C) is after completion of the disengagement action.
`
`Figures 23(A) through 23(C) are sectional views of a sealing member according to a
`
`further embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figure 23(A) is a side view, Figure 23(B)
`
`is a front view, and Figure 23(C) is a sectional view.
`
`Figure 24 is a sectional view illustrating engagement of the sealing member of Figure 23
`
`with a driving portion.
`
`Figures 25(A) through 25(C) are illustrations of disengagement action at the drive
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`l0
`
`transmitting portion of the toner bottle, wherein Figure 25(A) is before disengagement, Figure
`
`25(B) is in the process of disengagement, and Figure 25(C) is after the completion of the
`
`disengagement action.
`
`Figures 26(A) and 26(B) illustrate a sealing member according to a further embodiment
`
`of the present invention, wherein Figure 26(A) is a side view, and Figure 26(B) is a sectional
`
`15
`
`view taken along a line X-X.
`
`Figures 27(A) through 27(D) show a driving portion engageable with the sealing member
`
`of Figures 26(A) and 26(B) according to a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein
`
`Figure 27(A) is a front view, Figure 27(B) is a side view, Figure 27(C) is a sectional view taken
`
`along a line C-C of Figure 27(B), and Figure 27(D) is a sectional view taken along a line D-D of
`
`20
`
`Figure 27(A).
`
`387
`
`387
`
`
`
`-10-
`
`Figures 28(A) through 28(C) illustrate engaging action between the sealing member of
`
`Figures 26(A) and 26(B) and the driving portion of Figures 27(A) through 27(D), wherein Figure
`
`28(A) shows a state in which the toner bottle is being inserted, Figure 28(B) shows a state in the
`
`process of insertion, and Figure 28(C) shows a state after the completion of insertion.
`
`Figures 29(A) through 29(C) illustrate disengagement action after the engagement shown
`
`in Figures 28(A) through 28(C), wherein Figure 29(A) is before the disengagement, Figure 29(B)
`
`is in the process of the disengagement, and Figure 29(C) is after completion of the
`
`disengagement action.
`
`Figures 30(A) and 30(B) are sectional views of a sealing member according to a further
`
`l0
`
`embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figure 30(A) is before disengagement, and Figure
`
`30(B) is in the process of disengagement.
`
`Figure 31 is a perspective view of a toner supply container according to a further
`
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Figures 32(A) through 32(C) show a sealing member according to a modified
`
`15
`
`embodiment of Embodiment 2.
`
`Figure 33 is a perspective view illustrating a drive transmission for a photosensitive drum
`
`according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
`
`Figures 34(A) and 34(B) schematically show the sealing member which is rotating.
`
`Figures 35(A) through 35(C) illustrate another example in which the phase alignment is
`
`20
`
`not required.
`
`388
`
`388
`
`
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`-11-
`
`Figure 36(A) shows the sealing member shown in Figures 35(A) through 35(C) and the
`
`driving portion, and Figure 36(B) shows a sectional view of the sealing member engaged with
`
`the driving portion.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
`
`A sealing member, a toner accommodating container and an image forming apparatus
`
`according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in conjunction
`
`with the accompanying drawings.
`
`389
`
`389
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`
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`-12-
`
`(Embodiment 1)
`
`Referring to Figure 1, a description will first be made as to an electrophotographic image
`
`forming apparatus which is an exemplary image forming apparatus which is mounted with a
`
`toner supply container (toner accommodating container) according to an embodiment of the
`
`present invention.
`
`(Electrophotographic image forming apparatus)
`
`Figure 1 shows an electrophotographic copying machine. An original 101 in a main
`
`assembly (main assembly of the apparatus) 100 is placed on an original supporting platen glass
`
`102. A light image corresponding to the image information of the original 101 is an image on an
`
`10
`
`electrophoto graphic photosensitive drum (image bearing member) 104 through a plurality of
`
`mirrors M and a lens Ln of an optical portion 103. On the basis of selection by the user on an
`
`operating portion 100a shown in Figure 2 or on the basis of automatic selection in accordance
`
`with the paper size of the original 101, an optimum sheet P is selected from the cassettes 105,
`
`106, 107, 108. The recording material is not limited to the sheet of paper, but may be an OHP
`
`15
`
`sheet, for example.
`
`A single sheet P supplied from one of separating devices 105A, 106A, 107A, 108A, is fed
`
`to registration rollers 110 by way of a feeding portion 109, and the sheet P is fed to the transfer
`
`portion by the registration rollers 110 in synchronism with the rotation of the photosensitive
`
`drum 104 and the scanning timing of the optical portion 103. In the transfer portion, a toner
`
`20
`
`image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer
`
`390
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`390
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`
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`-13-
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`discharger 111. The sheet P now having the transferred toner image is separated from the
`
`photosensitive drum 104 by a separation discharger 112.
`
`The sheet P is fed into a fixing portion 114 by a feeding portion 113. In the fixing portion
`
`114, the toner image is fixed on the sheet P by heat and pressure. Thereafter, the sheet P is
`
`passed through a discharged sheet reversing portion 115 and discharged to a sheet discharge tray
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`117 by sheet discharging rollers 116 in the case of a one-sided copy mode. In the case of a
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`duplex copy mode, the sheet P is re-fed to the registration rollers 110 through sheet refeeding
`
`paths 119, 120, under the control of a flapper 118 provided in the discharged sheet reversing
`
`portion 115. Then, the sheet is fed similarly to the case of the one-sided copy mode, and is
`
`10
`
`finally discharged to the sheet discharge tray 117.
`
`In the case of a superimposed copy mode, the sheet P is temporarily and partly discharged
`
`by the sheet discharging rollers 116 through the discharged sheet reversing portion 115.
`
`Thereafter, at the timing when the trailing edge of the sheet passes by the flapper 118 while it is
`
`still nipped by the sheet discharging rollers 116, the flapper 118 is controlled, and the sheet
`
`15
`
`discharging roller 116 is rotated in the reverse direction, so that it is re-fed into the main
`
`assembly 100. Thereafter, the sheet is fed to the registration rollers 110 through the sheet
`
`refeeding portions 119, 120, and then the sheet is processed similarly to the case of the one-sided
`
`copy mode. It is finally discharged to the sheet discharge tray 117.
`
`In the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, there are provided a developing device 201
`
`20
`
`(developing means), a cleaning device 202, the primary charger 203 and so on, around the
`
`photosensitive drum 104.
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`391
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`391
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`-14-
`
`An electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing the photosensitive drum 104 to
`
`uniformly double to the image light corresponding to the image information of the original 101.
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`The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by a developing device 201. In order to
`
`supply the toner (developer) into the developing device 201, a toner supply container 1 is
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`detachably mountable by the user into the main assembly 100 of the apparatus. The present
`
`invention is applicable to the case in which only the toner is supplied into the image forming
`
`apparatus from the toner supply container and to the case in which the toner and carrier are
`
`supplied therefrom. In this embodiment, the former is the case.
`
`The developing device 201 comprises a toner hopper 201a (accommodating means) and a
`
`10
`
`15
`
`developing device 201b. The toner hopper 201a is provided with a stirring member 201c for
`
`stirring the toner supply designated from the toner supply container 1. The toner stirred by the
`
`stirring member 201c is supplied into the developing device 201b by a magnet roller 201d. The
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`developing device 201b comprises a developing roller 201f and a feeding member 201e. The
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`toner fed from the toner hopper 201a by the magnet roller 201d is fed to the developing roller
`
`201f by the feeding member 201e, and is supplied to the photosensitive drum 104 by the
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`developing roller 20 1 f.
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`The cleaning device 202 functions to remove the toner remaining on the photosensitive
`
`drum 104. The primary charger 203 functions to electrically charge the photosensitive drum 104.
`
`When the user opens a front cover 15 for exchange of the toner supply container which is
`
`20
`
`a part of an outer casing shown in Figure 2, a container receiving tray 50, which is a part of the
`
`mounting means, is drawn out to a predetermined position by an unshown driving system. The
`
`392
`
`392
`
`
`
`-15-
`
`user places the toner supply container 1 on the container receiving tray 50. When the user takes
`
`the toner supply container l out of the main assembly 100 of the apparatus, the container
`
`receiving tray 50 is drawn out, and the toner supply container l is taken out of the tray 50.
`
`The front cover 15 is provided exclusively for mounting and demounting (exchange) of
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`the toner supply container 1, and therefore, it is opened and closed only for that purpose. When
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`the maintenance operation for the main assembly l00 of the apparatus is to be carried out, the
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`front cover l00c is opened.
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`The toner supply container l may be directly mounted to the main assembly l00 of the
`
`apparatus, and may be taken out.
`
`l0
`
`(Toner supply operation)
`
`Referring to Figure 7(A) and Figure 7(C), the toner supply operation from the toner
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`supply container (toner bottle) in this embodiment, will be described. Figures 7(A) - 7(C)
`
`illustrate the process of toner supply in which the toner bottle l of this embodiment is inserted
`
`into the main assembly l00 of the apparatus.
`
`l5
`
`20
`
`As shown in the Figures, the main assembly l00 of the apparatus is provided with a toner
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`supply device 400, and the toner supply device 400 is provided with a driving portion (driving
`
`force transmitting portion) 20 for connecting with and rotating the toner bottle l. The driving
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`portion 20 is rotatably supported by bearings 23, and is rotated by an unshown driving motor
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`provided in the main assembly 100 of the apparatus.
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`The main assembly l00 of the apparatus is further provided with a partition 25
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`constituting a toner supply path 24 connecting with a hopper 201a, and to the partition 25, inner
`
`393
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`393
`
`
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`-16-
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`and outer bearings 26a, 26b for rotatably bearing a part of the toner bottle l and for sealing the
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`toner supply path 24, are fixed. Furthermore, a screw member 27 is disposed in the toner supply
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`path 24 to feed the toner to the hopper 201a.
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`Figure 7(A) illustrates insertion of the toner bottle l into the main assembly l00 of the
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`apparatus. One end of the toner bottle l is provided with a toner supply opening la, which will
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`be called simply "opening", formed by a cylindrical member in this embodiment, the opening la
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`sealed by a sealing member 2 at the free end of the cylinder.
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`Figure 7(B) shows a state in which the toner bottle l has been further inserted, and an
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`engaging projection 3 (as a locking projection) provided at a free end portion of the sealing
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`member 2 is engaged with a locking hole (retaining) with the driving portion 20 provided in the
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`main assembly. The engagement between the driving portion 20 and the sealing member 2 is
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`accomplished in the following manner. The user inserts the toner bottle l into the main
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`assembly, and by this, the driving portion 20 is brought into contact with an upper surface
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`(locking force receiving portion) of the engaging projection. By further inserting the toner bottle
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`1, the driving portion 20 presses down the engaging projection to displace it. Thereafter, when
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`the pressing action by the driving portion 20 is released, the portion supporting the locking
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`l0
`
`l5
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`projection restores by its own elastic force, so that engagement is accomplished.
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`Thus, in this embodiment, the engagement is a so-called “snap-fit” type.
`
`Since the locking surface 3b (locking portion) provided in the engaging projection 3 is
`
`20
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`locked with a locking hole (portion to be locked) against a thrust direction (axial direction)
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`394
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`394
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`
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`-17-
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`motion, and therefore, as long as the locking is maintained, the sealing member 2 is retained at
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`the fixed position by the driving portion 20, although small play is permissible.
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`As will be understood from Figure 7(C), after the sealing member 2 and the driving
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`portion 20 are engaged, a slidable member 300 is retracted in a direction indicated by an arrow b
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`in interrelation with a closing operation of the front cover 15 for exchange of the bottle. By this,
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`the toner bottle 1 is retracted, too, but the sealing member is locked with the main assembly side
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`of the image forming apparatus, and therefore, the sealing member 2 is away from the toner
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`bottle 1, thus opening the opening la to enable toner supply.
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`At the time, the driving shaft lb fixed to the main body IA of the toner bottle 1, is not
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`completely disengaged fiom the sealing member 2 even in the state of the opening la being
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`sealed by the sealing member and even in the state of the opening being opened, and the
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`engaging portion (hole portion) of the sealing member is kept engaged with the driving shaft lb
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`(portion to be engaged). The driving shaft lb has a non-circular cross-sectional configuration,
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`such as rectangular or triangular shape to permit driving force transmission. Correspondingly,
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`the hole (engaging portion) has a complementary configuration for slidable fitting.
`
`l0
`
`15
`
`When an unshown motor is driven in this state, the rotational driving force is transmitted
`
`to a driving force receiving surface (driving force receiving portion) of the engaging projection
`
`of the sealing member 2 from the main assembly driving portion 20 (the driving portion provided
`
`in the main assembly), and the driving force is transmitted from the sealing member 2 to the
`
`20
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`driving shaft lb, which rotates the toner bottle 1 to feed and discharge the toner.
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`395
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`395
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`
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`-18-
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`Thus, the sealing member 2 has a function of sealing the opening la, a function of
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`receiving the rotational driving force from the main assembly side of the image forming
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`apparatus, and a function of transmitting the rotational driving force to the toner bottle 1 side.
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`The toner bottle 1 is rotatably supported by bottle receiving roller 23 provided on a
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`container receiving tray 50, and therefore, can be smoothly rotated by a small driving torque.
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`The bottle receiving roller 23 is disposed at each of four positions forming a saddle with respect
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`to the m
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