United States Patent [10[
`Matsuoka ct al.
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`USOO5903806A
`[II] Patent Number:
`[45J Date of Patent:
`
`5,903,806
`May II, 1999
`
`[54[
`
`[75[
`
`m~ VELOI'ING AC":NT REI'L£NISHING
`API'ARATUS ANI) CARTRII)G E
`
`Inventors: Isao Mnlsllok.n ; Yozo "ujii, bOlh of
`I-iachioji, Japan
`
`[73[
`
`Assignee: Kunica Curporation, Tokyo, Japan
`
`121] AppL No.: 08/902,898
`
`122]
`
`[30[
`
`Filed:
`
`.lul.30, 1997
`
`Foreign Apilliclition !'riurity Un!a
`
`Japan .................................... 8-208287
`Japan .................................... 8-219810
`
`PPI
`Aug. 7, 1996
`Aug. 21 , 1996 prj
`InI. CI.6
`...••••...•••...•••...••••...•••...•••...••••...•••.. G03C 15/OS
`[51]
`[52] U.S. C I •..................... 399/258; 3991262; 222/DIG. 1
`[58[
`field of Sl'arch
`............................... 399/258, 262,
`399/263; 222J1)IG. 1,444,449,518,633,
`549,559; 220/348, 350, 380
`
`[56J
`
`n cfcrcnccs Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCU MENTS
`
`3,446,403
`3,971,493
`4,271,986
`4,719,949
`5,074,342
`5, 154,212
`5,248,847
`
`511969 Serio.
`711976 Williams.
`6/1981 Sleeker .................................... 222/151
`1119&'S Mears
`.................
`141/301
`12/1991 Kraehn.
`10/1992 Wfber.
`9/1993 AO)'3ma .................................. 399/238
`
`5,481,344
`5,495,323
`5,500,719
`5,557,382
`5,589,919
`5,620,434
`5,765,079
`
`1/ 1996 Yasuda e! al. .......................... 399/ 120
`2/1996 Meflze, Jr ..
`311996 Ichikawa c! al.
`................... 399/238
`9/1996 Tatsumi el aL ......................... 399/262
`lkunami el aL
`12/1996
`4/ 1997 Brony ...................................... 604/406
`6/ 1998 Yoshiki et aL
`......................... 399/258
`
`FOREI GN PATENT DOCUM ENTS
`
`0604999 A2
`8708034
`19541680 AI
`3·87864
`7-295356
`
`7/ 1994 European Pal. Off.
`6/ 1987 G{"rmany.
`511996 Germany.
`4/ 1991
`Japan.
`11/ 1995
`Japan.
`
`Primary Exallliller-Robcn Beally
`AI/orney, Agenl, or Firm-Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman,
`Langer & Chick
`
`[57[
`
`AIlSTRA.c r
`
`A developing agent replenishing apparatus includes a devel(cid:173)
`oping agent receiving pan for receiving a developing agent
`from a replenishment cartridge which stores developing
`agent when the cartridge is mOunted ami a conveyor for
`conveying the developing agent received in the receiving
`port to a developing device. 11lC developer agent receiving
`port has a receiving opening and the replenishment cartridge
`has a replenishment opening. Cylindrical expandable covers
`are provided at the receiving and replenishment openings for
`opening or closing these openings.
`
`39 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`
`GPI EXHIBIT 1006
`GENERAL PLASTIC v. CANON
`IPR2015-01954
`
`1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May II , 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`
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`2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May II , 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`
`FIG.2
`
`20Y
`
`_'-'-----l6 ____ 8+ 20M
`
`t/J::::::;;:;jt 20C
`
`~~28K
`o o
`
`20K
`
`10
`
`22 23
`
`24 21 26
`
`27
`
`3
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`

`
`May II, 1999
`
`Sileet 3 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`
`U.S. Patellt
`
`FIG. 3
`
`43
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`"
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`20Y
`20M
`20C
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`20k
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`31
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`313
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`312
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`5
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`321
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`326 327
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`32
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`FIG.4(c)
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`FIG. 4 (a)
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`FIG. 4 (b)
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`May 11,1999
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`FIG. S (e)
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`FIG.S(a)
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`5b
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`FIG. S (b)
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`
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`
`7
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May II , 1999
`
`Sheet 7 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`
`FIG. 7 (a)
`~
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`33
`
`331
`
`311
`
`45
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`8
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May II , 1999
`
`Sheet 8 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May II , 1999
`
`Sheet 9 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`
`FIG. 9 (a)
`
`44
`
`FIG. 9 ( b )
`
`324
`
`10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 10 01'19
`
`5,903,806
`
`FIG. 10 ( a )
`
`f
`
`44
`
`FIG. 10 (b)
`40
`J
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`324
`
`11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet II of 19
`
`5,903,806
`
`FIG. 11
`
`441-
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`
`321
`
`12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 12 01'19
`
`5,903,806
`
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`13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 13 of 19
`
`5,903,806
`
`FIG. 13 (a)
`
`46
`
`FIG. 13 ( b )
`
`INSERTING
`DIRECTION OF
`CARTRIDGE
`•
`a
`
`32
`
`F1 449
`
`14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 14 01'19
`
`5,903,806
`
`FIG. 14 (a)
`
`46
`
`\ ,
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`
`33
`
`FIG. 14 (b)
`
`31
`
`32
`
`REMOVING
`DIRECTION 0
`ARTRIDG
`
`-----" "- 33
`
`R 449 331
`
`15
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 15 01'19
`
`5,903,806
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`
`16
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 16 01'1 9
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`5,903,806
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 17 01'19
`
`5,903,806
`
`FIG. 17 (a)
`
`311
`
`314
`
`327
`
`329
`
`FIG. 17 (b)
`~
`
`331
`
`321 329
`
`18
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 18 or 19
`
`5,903,806
`
`FIG. 18 (a)
`
`324
`
`31
`
`314
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`321 ( ~~:~:~~ __ /'J--"-----,,
`329
`18b-1
`FIG. 18 (b)
`
`FIG. 18 (c)
`
`326
`
`19
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 19 01'19
`
`5,903,806
`
`FIG. 19 (a)
`
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`
`- -
`
`(341) 32
`
`31
`
`FIG. 19 (b)
`
`34
`342 1
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`341
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`343
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`
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`20
`
`

`
`5,903,806
`
`1
`m~ V E U)l'lNG AC I<:NT R":I)U~N ISHING
`AI'rAI(ATUS ANI) CAlrnUHG E
`BACKGROUND OF TH E INVENTION
`The present invention relates 10 a powder storing con(cid:173)
`tainer containing powder, a developing agent canridgc
`which rotates \0 replenish a developing agent, a developing
`agent replenishing apparatus on which the developing agent
`cartridge is allachcd 10 supply a developing agent to a
`developing agent receiving porI, and a color image forming
`apparatus loaded with a plurallty of developing agent car(cid:173)
`tridges.
`Heretofore, as a means to replenish a developing agent to
`a developing agent storing section of an image forming
`apparatus from a developing agent cartridge containing a
`developing agcnt, there has been known a device of a Iype
`wherein a developing agent cartridge is set in a main body
`when replenishing a developing agent, then developing
`agents in the devc\oping agent cartridge are supplied to a
`developing agent receiving port, and after supplying is
`finished, the developing agent camidge is removed from the
`main body. However, there has been a possibility in the
`replenishing method of the above-mentioned type that the
`developing agenl.S are exces.."ively supplied and overflow the
`developing agent receiving port because developing agents
`are supplied TO the developing agent receiving port in a
`manner, which has required a means \0 prevent excessive
`replenishment of a developing agent . Ilowever, it is diflicult
`to prevent excessive replenishment, and the conventional
`apparatus has been required to be high in cost and large in
`size, even if a means to prevent excessive replenishmenT can
`be installed on the apparatus. With the foregoing as a
`background, there has been developed a replenishing
`method of a type (Japane~ Patent Application No. 088807/
`1994) published as J apanese Tokka i-Hei 7-295356 wherein
`a developing agent canridge having therein a spiral-shaped
`protrul;ion is set in the apparatus main body, the developing
`agent cartridge is rotated around its central axis, developing
`agents are ejected from a developing agent outlet of the
`developing agent canridge, and the developing agents arc
`replenished to a devcloping agent receiving porI. Since a
`developing agent cartridge is always loaded on the apparatus
`main body in the replenishing method of this type, it is
`possible TO replenish developing agents to the developing
`agent receiving pon by rotating the developing agent
`cartridge, whcn developing agents in the developing agent
`receiving port are reduced, which makes it unnecessary to
`prevent aforesaid excessive replenishment of a developing
`agent.
`However, the developing agent cartridge and the devcl- 50
`oping agent replenishing apparatus which is loaded with the
`developing agent cartridge have the following problems.
`(I) In the developing agent cartridge wherein it is mounted
`on or dismounted [rom a rotating foree transmission member
`which transmits rotating force to the developing agent
`cartridge, while the deVeloping agent cartridge is rotated,
`and an opening/closing cover provided at a developing agent
`replenishment opening is opened and closed respectively
`when the developing agent cartridge is mounted and
`dismounted, the opening is opened and closed when a
`cartridge fixing cover for the developing agent cartridge and
`a cartridge opening/closing cover are slid, but it is dillicult
`that an entire circumferenTial surface of one cover comes in
`contact with that of the opponent cover. Therefore, there is
`a possibiliTY that a developing agent exists in a clearance
`between both covers, which makes sealing of the opening/
`closing cover to be problematic.
`
`2
`(2) In the developing agent cartridge wherein it is mounted
`on or dismounTed from a driving and roTating force Trans(cid:173)
`mission member by moving the developing agent cartridge
`horilOntally, and an opening/elosing cover of the developing
`5 agent cartridge or the like is opened and closed respectively
`when the developing agent cartridge is mounted and
`dismounted, when the outlet of the developing agent car(cid:173)
`tridge is cl()l;Cd, a recesl;ed portion of the developing agent
`cartridge is engaged with a protrusion of the cartridge
`to opening/closing cover. Under this structure, a pan of the
`protrusion touches a circumferential surface of the develop(cid:173)
`ing agent cartridge when the opening/closing cover opens or
`is
`closes, and therefore, considerable amount of force
`required for opening/closing operations.
`(3) Some of developing agent replenishing apparalUscs arc
`t5 represented by one wherein an opening/closing cover which
`opens or closes a developing agent outlet is provided on a
`developing agent cartridge, and the opening/closing cover
`opens or closes when The developing agent cartridge is
`loaded on or unloaded from the apparatus, with the opening/
`20 closing cover and a developing agent cartridge loading
`section both being in contact with each other. However, if
`the position of this contact is not appropriate, the opening/
`closing cover can not be opened or cl()l;Cd smoothly in the
`course of an operation to load or unload the developing
`25 agent cartridge, resulting in the problem that an action to
`replenish to the apparalUs main body can not be conducted,
`or developing agents overflow when the developing agent
`cartridge is removed.
`(4) In a plurality of detachable cartridges which can be
`30 loaded on and unloaded from thc developing agent replen(cid:173)
`iShing apparatus provided on a color image forming
`apparatus, it is necessary to prevent a disadvantage that
`developing agent cartridges containing developing agents
`used for different apparatuses or developing agent cartridges
`containing devc\oping agents of different colors are loaded,
`35 resulting in existence of different developing agents in the
`developing agent replenishing apparalUs.
`Further, in some of developing agell1 cartridges for
`replenishing developing agents by rotating, there is provided
`an opening/closing cover which opens and closes a devc\-
`40 oping agent outlet of the developing agent cartridge.
`In such a cartridge, the opening/closing cover is required
`to be closed to cover the developing agent outleT so that
`developing agents remaining in the cartridge do not over(cid:173)
`image
`flow when the cartridge is dismounted from an
`45 forming apparatus.
`However, it has also been a problem that poor sealing of
`the opening/closing cover caused devcloping agents to over(cid:173)
`flow and soil user 's hands despite the closed opening/closing
`cover when the cartridge was removed.
`Therefore, it has been necessary to design the structure of
`the cartridge by taking the scaling characteristics of the
`opening/closing cover into consideration.
`With regard to the cartridge mentioned a\x:lve, there has
`been a possibility that the opening/closing cover is acciden-
`55 tally opened during transportation to cause developing
`agents to overflow.
`Accordingly, it has also been necessary to design the
`structure of a cap member to be allached to the cartridge so
`that the opening/closing cover is not accidentally opened
`60 during transponation.
`
`SUMMARY OF "]lIE INVENTION
`An object of the invention
`is to solve the aforesaid
`problems in a developing agent cartridge or in a devcloping
`65 agent replenishing apparatus which supplies developing
`agenll; from the developing agent cartridge to a developing
`means.
`
`21
`
`

`
`5,903,806
`
`4
`FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) respectively represcnt a front view
`of the aforesaid canridge and a side vicw thereof.
`FIGS. 17(a)/and 17(b) respecliveJy represent a general
`perspectivc view of a developing agem canridge and a
`5 partial perspective view thereof.
`FIGS. lS(a)- 18(c) respectively represent a top view wilh
`a partial seclion of a developing agenl canridge, a seclional
`side vicw laken on line 18b-18b Ihereof, and an exploded
`top view Ihereof taken on line 18e- 18e.
`FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b) respeclively represem a lOp view
`with a partial section of a developing agent carlridge, and an
`enlarged sectional view of part A.
`
`W
`
`3
`The object mentioned above can be allaincd by a devel(cid:173)
`oping agent replenishing apparatus having [he following
`structure:
`a developing agent re .. -eiving port which is a cylindrical
`c;t;:pamlablc covering member and receives developing
`agenls from a cartridge when the cartridge containing
`developing agents is 3n3chcd; and
`a conveyor for conveying developing agents from the
`developing agent receiving porI 10 a developing unit.
`Or [he above-mentioned objeci can be anained by a
`developing agent cartridge having the following struc-
`lUre:
`a replenishment opening in which a cylindrical expand(cid:173)
`able covering member is arranged.
`BR IEF DESCRWrlON OF TH E DRAWINGS
`FI G. 1 sectional structure view of a color printer [hal is an
`example of a color image forming apparatus equipped with
`a plurality f developing units of the invention.
`FI G. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the
`developing apparatus equipped with a plurality of develop- 20
`ing units.
`FIG. 3 is perspectivc view showing a cartridge, a devel(cid:173)
`oping agent receiving pon and a part of a developing unit.
`FI GS. 4(a), 4(b), 4(c) and 4(d) respectively represent a top
`view, a left side view, a right side view and an exploded top 2S
`view, all of Ihc canridge.
`FIGS. Sea), 5(b) and 5(c) respectively represent a partial
`seclion of a cartridge, a sectional view of a fixed cover taken
`on line Sb-5b, and another section of the carlridge.
`FIG. 6 represenll; a sectional view of a developing agent 30
`receiving pon Ihal is under Ihe stale where a cartridge is
`attached on a cartridge attachment seclion and a sectional
`view of a developing agent conveying section.
`FI GS. 7(a) and 7(b) respectively represent an exploded
`sectional view of a cartridge and an exploded sectional view 35
`of a rOlation power transmission member to be eonnecled to
`Ihc canridge.
`FIGS. 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c) respcctively represent a top
`view, a front view and a side view of the rotation power
`transmission member.
`FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) respectively represent a sectional
`view of the stale righl before Ihe attaehmem of a cartridge
`on a developing agent replenishing apparatus and a sectional
`view of the state of the start of Ihe al1achment.
`FI GS. 100a) and 100b) respectively represent a sectional
`vicw showing Ihe intennediale process of the al1achment of
`a cartridge on a developing agent replenishing apparatus.
`FI G. II is a seclional view showing that a canridgc has
`just been al1ached on a developing agent replenishing appa-
`rat us.
`FI G. 12 is a sectional view showing anOlher example of
`a cartridge of Ihe invention. mission member.
`FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) respectively represcnl a sectional
`vicw of primary parts of a cartridge whose replenishment
`opening of the fixed cover is about to be opened and of a
`developing agent replenishing apparatus, and an enlarged
`seclional view of pan A.
`FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) respectivcly represcnl a sectional
`view of primary parts of a cartridge whose replenishment
`opening of the fixed cover is being closed and of a devel(cid:173)
`oping agent replenishing apparatus, and an enlarged sec(cid:173)
`lional view of pan B.
`FI G. 15 is a sectional vicw of a canridge of the invenlion
`equipped wilh a discriminalor for preventing erroneous
`allachment and of a developing agent replenishing appara(cid:173)
`tus.
`
`"
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPT ION OF TH E
`PREFERRED EMUOI)]M [NT
`Prior to explanation of examples of the invention, the
`Slructure of a color printer which is an example of a color
`image forming apparatus equipped wilh a pluralilY of devel(cid:173)
`oping unils of the invcntion and ilS opcralions will be
`explained as follows, referring to a sectional structure view
`in FIG. I.
`This color printer is a color image fonning apparatus of a
`type for superposing loner images each having a different
`color formed on an image fomling body in succession, then
`forming a color imagc by Iransferring collectively the toner
`images onto a reCOrding sheet at a Iransfer section, and then
`separating the .. -olor image from the image fomling body by
`a separating means.
`In FIG. I, the numeral 10 is a ph01oreceptor drum
`representing an image forming body whcrein O PC photo(cid:173)
`receplor (organic photoreceptor) is coated on a drum base
`body to be formed thereon, and it is grounded and driven to
`be rolated clod:wisc in the drawing. The numeral II is a
`scorolron charger which gives uniform charging of high
`voltage VH to the circumferential surface of photoreceptor
`drum 10 through corona discharge by means of a grid kept
`to grid voltage VG and a corona discharge wire. Prior to
`charging by means of this scorotron charger ll , the circum-
`40 fercntial surface of Ihe photoreceptor is neulralized through
`exposure by means of pel (pre-charging neulrali(",.er) 12
`employing a light-emil1ing diode, for eliminating hysteresis
`accumulated on the photoreceptor during a period up to the
`preceding print.
`After uniform charging on pholOreceplor drum 10, image-
`wise exposure based on image signals is carried out by
`imagewise exposure means 13. In the imagewise exposure
`means 13, a beam emilled from an unillustrated light source
`of laser diodc passes through rotary polygon mirror 131, fO
`50 lens 132 and cylindrical lens 133, and its optical path is
`dellected by rellecting mirror 134 for primary scanning
`which fonns a latent image together wilh rotation (sub(cid:173)
`scanning) of the photoreceptor drum 10. In the present
`example, cxposure is conducted for the imagc portion 10
`55 form a reversal latent image in which an image portion is at
`low voltage of VL.
`Surrounding a pOrlion of the circu[Jlferenlial surface of
`the photoreceptor drum 10, there is provided developing
`device 20 composed of dcveloping units 20Y, 20M , 20C and
`60 20K cOnlaining respectively 2-componenl developing
`agenll; each being composed of carrier and toner such as
`yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (q or black ( K) toner. First,
`development for the first color of yellow is conducted by
`developillg agerll carrier (developing sleeve) which houses
`65 magnels and rolales while holding therein developing
`agenL<;. The developing agent is composed of a carrier
`having therein a core of ferrite coated on its surface with
`
`"
`
`22
`
`

`
`5,903,806
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`5
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`5
`insulating resin and of loner whose primary material is
`polycster to which a pigment depending on toner color, a
`charge t'Olllrolllng agent, silica and tltanium oxide arc
`added. 'Ibc developing agenb are regulated by a layer
`forming means 10 be of a layer thickness (developing agents)
`of 1(X)-600 11m on developing sleeve 22, to be conveyed to
`the developing area.
`A clearance between the developing sleeve 22 and pho(cid:173)
`torcceptor drum 10 in the developing area is 0.2- 1.0 mm
`which is greater than a developing agent layer thickness, and 10
`AC bias of V .... c and DC bias of V DC arc superimposed and
`impressed into the aforesaid clearance. Since V DO VII and
`loner Charging are of the same polarity, the toner urged by
`VA C to leave carrier docs not stick to the ponion where
`voltage is VII that is higher than V DC but sticks to the portion t5
`of VI. that is lower than VDC so that image visualization
`(reversal development) is carried oul.
`Mter completion of visualization for the first color, a
`scquence enters an image fonning process for the second
`color of magenta, and uniform charging is conducted by 20
`scorotron charger U again, and a latent image based on
`image data for the second color is fomled by imagewisc
`exposure means 13. In this case, neutralizing conducted by
`PCL 12 in the image forming process for the first color is not
`conducted, because toner stuck to the image portion for the 25
`first color may sealler due to sharp drop of surrounding
`VOltage.
`In the photoreceptor where entire surface of the circum(cid:173)
`ferential surface of photoreceptor drum 10 is of voltage of
`VIi> for the portion having no image for the first color, there 30
`is formed a latent image identical to that for the first color
`to be developed, but for the portion which has an image for
`the first color and is to be developed again, a latent image of
`V",' is formed by light-shielding of the adhering toner for the
`first color and by charge owned by toner itself, thus devel- 35
`opment depending on the voltage difference between V DC
`and V",' is conducted. In the (X.lrtion where the image for the
`first color and that for the sc(."Ond color are super(X.lsed, when
`The development for the first color is conducted alier making
`a latent image of V L> a balance between the first color and 40
`the second color is los!. Therefore, medium VOltage satis(cid:173)
`fying the condition of V">V,,,>VL is sometimes used by
`reducing an amount of exposure for the first color.
`For the third color of cyan and the fourth color of black,
`an image forming process identical to that for the second 45
`color of magenta is also conducted, and four visual images
`each having a dill"erent color are formed on the circumfer(cid:173)
`ential surface of photoreceptor drum 10 accordingly.
`The developing agent replenishing apparalUs which
`refreshes fresh developing agent of each color by controlling 50
`it to eal.:h of the aforesaid developing units 20Y, 20 M, 20C
`and 20K is composed of cartridge allaching section 41
`which enables a plurality of developing agent cartridges
`(hereinafter referred TO as cartridges) 30 (y, M, C and K) to
`be allached or detached, developing agent receiving ports 42 55
`(Y, M, C and K) which temporarily receive developing
`agents contained in cartridges 30, and developing agent
`conveyor 43 (Y, M, C and K) which convey developing
`agents in The developing agenT receiving poets 42 to the
`developing units 20.
`On the other hand, a sheet of transfer material (transfer
`sheet or the like) p fed out of paper casselle 50 through
`woodrull· roller 5 1 passes through a pair of paper feed rollers
`52 and 53, then temporarily stops at the point close to a pair
`of registration rollers 54, and is conveyed, when the timing 65
`for transfer is synchronized, to a transfer section by the
`rotation of the paired registration rollers 54.
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`6
`In the transfer section, transfer means 60 is brought into
`pressure contaCT with The circumferential surface of photo(cid:173)
`receptor drum 10 in synchronization with the transfer
`timing, and whereby, multi-color images are collectively
`transferred onto the transfer material p which is conveyed
`and sandwiched in the transfer means.
`Then, tbe transfer material p is neutralized by separating
`means 6 1, then is separated from the circumferential surface
`of photoreceptor drum 10 and is conveyed to fixing unit 70
`where toner is fixed by heat and pressure given respectively
`by heat roller (upper roller) 71 and pressure roller (lower
`roller) 72 . After that, the transfer material p passes through
`ejection rollers 8 1 and 82 and is ejected on copy tray 83
`located on the outside of an apparatus. Incidentally, the
`transfer means 60 leaves, after the transfer material p has
`passed through it, the circumferential surface of photore(cid:173)
`ceptor drum 10 to be away of it to be ready for the following
`formation of toner images.
`On the other hand, the photoreceptor drum 10 from which
`the transfer material p has been separated is neutralized by
`neutralizing unit 14, then is cleaned by blade 15 1 of cleaning
`unit 15 that is in pressure contact with the photoreceptor
`drum to be free from residual toner thereon, and is subjected
`again to neutralizing by means of the PCL 12 and charging
`by means of scorotron charger II to enter the succeeding
`image forming process. Incidentally, the blade 151 moves to
`be away of the circumferential surface of photoreceptor
`drum 10 immediately after cleaning the photoreu:ptor sur(cid:173)
`face. Waste toner scraped olr by the blade 151 into the
`cleaning unit 15 is ejccted by screw 152, and then is
`acCUmUlaTed in an unillustrated container for collected waste
`toner.
`FIG. 2 is a sectional view s howing the structure of
`developing device 20 equipped with a plurality of develop(cid:173)
`ing units. Surrounding a portion of the circumferential
`surface of the photoreceptor drum 10, there is provided
`developing device 20 composed of developing units 20Y,
`20M, 20C and 20K containing respectively developing
`agents each being composed of carrier and toner such as
`yellow(Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) or black ( K) toner. In the
`upper space of the developing unil'; 20Y, 20M, 20C and 20K,
`there arc provided developing agent replenishment openings
`28Y, 28M, 2SC and 28K which are communicated with the
`developing agent conveyor 43 (y, M, C and K).
`Since the developing uniTS 20Y, 20M, 20C and 20K are
`mostly the same in terms of structure, the developing device
`20 representing these developing units will be explained as
`follows.
`In FIG. 2, the numeral 21 represents a developing unit
`casing containing 2-component developing agent composed
`of toner and carrier, 22 represents a developing agenT carrier
`(hereinafter referred to as a developing sleeve) which is a
`developing agent conveying meats equipped with magnetic
`field generating means (magnet roll) 23 having therein a
`fixed magneT body, 24 represents a developing agent sup(cid:173)
`plying roller (hereinafter referred to also as a supply paddle),
`25 represents a developing agent layer thickness regulating
`member (hereinafter referred to as a layer thickness regu(cid:173)
`lating bar) which regulates the thickness of a developer layer
`60 on the developing sleeve 22 to a prescribed value, 26 and 27
`represent a developing agent stirring screw (hereinafter
`referred to as a stirring screw), and 28 (Y, M, C and K)
`represents a developing agent replenishment opening
`formed on the upper part of the developing unit casing 21,
`and it receives developing agents replenished from the
`cartridge 30 shown in FIG. I through developing agent
`receiving (X.lrt 42 and developing agent conveyor 43.
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`5,903,806
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`FI G. 3 is a perspective view showing cartridges 30Y,
`30M, 30e and 30K, developing agent receiving POrlS 42Y,
`42M, 42C and 42K, and a parI of developing units 20Y,
`20M, 20C and 20K. Camidgc 3naching section 4 1 makes
`four cartridges 30Y, 30M, 30e and 30K 10 be scI, on a 5
`detachable basis, in parallel wilh each Olher on the nlQs[]y
`same plane. It is arranged so thai each developing agcot in
`each of the cartridges 30Y, 30M , 30e and 30K may be
`controlled and replenished when an amount of toner in each
`of the aforesaid developing unil'; 20Y, 2DM, 20e and 20K 10
`is reduced. Since the cartridges 30Y, 30M, 30e and 30K arc
`mostly the same in terms of structure, the canridgc 30
`representing these canridgcs 30 (Y, M, C aod K) will be
`eXplained as follows.
`FIGS. 4(a)-4(d) and FIGS. 5(a )- 5(c) represent cartridge tS
`30, wherein FIG. 4(a) is a top view of the cartridge 30, FIG.
`4(b) represents a len side view, FIG. 4 (c) is a right side
`view, FIG. 4(d) is an exploded top view, FIG . 5«(/) is a partial
`$Cction of the cartridge 30, FIG. 5 (b) is a $Cctional view
`taken on line 5b-5b of fixed cover 32 of the cartridge 30, 20
`and FIG. 5(c) is another $Cctional view of the cartridge 30.
`The cartridge 30 is composed of container main body 3 1
`which is a cylinder whose inner surfacc is provided with
`guide portion (developing agent leading portion) 311 com(cid:173)
`posed of a spiral protruded groove and contains developing 25
`agents, fixed cover 32 which is fixed solidly with opening
`3L2 of the container main body 3 1 and has opening
`(replenishment opening) 32 1, and cartridge opening/closing
`cover 33 which is engaged inside the fixed cover 32 and
`takes a form of expandable bellows. Engagement claw 30
`portion 313 provided on the surrounding of the opening 3 12
`of the container main bcxly 31 is engaged closely with
`recessed portion 322 provided on the inner surrounding of
`the fixed cover 32 to be nipped and united solidly with the
`recessed portion. Grip portion 3 14 makes an operation to 35
`position cartridge 30 easy when allaching the cartridge 30 on
`the camidge allaching section 41 .
`On the inner surface of the opening 32 1 of the aforesaid
`tixed cover 32 , there is solidly formed 4-blade.shaped 40
`developing agent agitating portion (paddle) 323. Further,
`there is interposed cartridge opening/closing cover 33
`between bollom portion 324 in the inner part of the tixed
`cover 32 and a projected portion protruded on the inner
`surface of the opening 32 1. The eartridge opening/closing 45
`cover 33 is one made to be bcllow-shaped through blow
`mOlding, and it is fixed (welded) on the bOllom portion 324
`through ultrasonic welding. This fixing can also be done
`with adhesives. On the central portion of the bottom portion
`324, there is projeeted hollow and cylindrical positioning 50
`portion 326. At two locations on the tip portion of the
`positioning portion 326, there is formed engagement pro(cid:173)
`jection 327 which regulates the position in the rotating
`direction of the cartridge 30. ·n le numeral 32S is an engage·
`ment portion which engages, on a detachable basis, with 55
`cartridge coming-off preventing portion 444 of rotary power
`transmitting member 44 which will be explained later.
`FI G. 6 is a sectional view showing the developing agent
`receiving port 42 under the state where the cartridge 30 is
`allached to the cartridge allaching $Cction 41 , and showing 60
`the developing agent conveying means 43. FIG. 7«(/) is an
`exploded perspective view of the cartridge 30, and FIG. 7(b)
`is an exploded perspective view of the rotary power trans·
`milling member 44 which is connected to the camidge 30.
`On the vertical wall side facing the opening 321 of
`cartridge 30 allached to the developing agent receiving port
`42, there is rotatably supported rotary power transmilling
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`8
`member 44. On the position which is inside the power
`transmilling member 44 and faces the opening 32 1 of the
`cartridge 30, there are installed developing agent replenish-
`ing apparatus opening/elosing cover 45 and coil spring 46.
`On one axial end of the rotary power transmilling member
`44, there is fixed cartridge-turning gear 47 which is driven
`to rotate by an unillustrated driving sourcc. When opening/
`closing cover 33 is opened by the-rotary power transmilling
`member 44, developing agents contained in container main
`body 3 1 of the cartridge 30 pass through repleniShment
`opening $Cction 441 of the rotary power transmilling mem-
`ber 44 from the opening 321, and then is contained in a
`hopper of the developing agent receiving port 42.
`The cartridge 3D is rotated by the rotary power transmit(cid:173)
`ting member 44, and thereby developing agent') are replen(cid:173)
`ished to the developing agent receiving port 42 . However,
`after receiving a