Developer storage body, image forming unit and image forming apparatus
View Patent ↗A developer storage body includes a first storage member, a second storage member, a frame and a resiliently deformable partition member. The first storage member includes a first opening, and a first flange provided along an outer periphery of the first opening. The second storage member includes a second opening, and a second flange provided along an outer periphery of the second opening so that the second flange faces the first flange. The frame includes a third flange held between the first flange and the second flange. A partition member includes a peripheral end portion fixed to the frame. The partition member and the first storage member form a first space portion therebetween. The partition member and the second storage member form a second space portion therebetween.
1. A developer storage body comprising:
a first storage member including a first opening and a first flange provided along an outer periphery of the first opening;
a second storage member including a second opening, and a second flange provided along an outer periphery of the second opening so that the second flange faces the first flange;
a frame including a third flange sandwiched by the first flange and the second flange; and
a resiliently deformable partition member including a peripheral end portion fixed to the frame,
wherein the partition member and the first storage member form a first space portion therebetween, and the partition member and the second storage member form a second space portion therebetween.
2. The developer storage body according to claim 1 , wherein the third flange protrudes outward from an outer surface of the frame.
3. The developer storage body according to claim 1 , wherein the partition member resiliently deforms according to a volume of a first developer stored in the first space portion and a volume of a second developer stored in the second space portion.
4. The developer storage body according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral end portion of the partition member is fixed to a portion of the frame different from the third flange.
5. The developer storage body according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral end portion of the partition member is fixed to the third flange.
6. The developer storage body according to claim 1 , wherein the first storage member includes a first main body on which the first opening is formed, and
wherein the second storage member includes a second main body on which the second opening is formed.
7. An image forming unit comprising:
the developer storage body according to claim 1 ;
an image bearing body that bears a latent image on a surface thereof;
a developer bearing body that bears a developer and develops the latent image on the surface of the image bearing body; and
a developer supply member that supplies the developer to the developer bearing body.
8. An image forming apparatus comprising:
the image forming unit according to claim 7 ; and
a medium feeding unit that feeds a medium to the image forming unit.
9. A developer storage body comprising:
a first storage member including a first opening and a first flange provided along an outer periphery of the first opening;
a second storage member including a second opening, and a second flange provided along an outer periphery of the second opening so that the second flange faces the first flange;
a frame including a third flange held between the first flange and the second flange; and
a resiliently deformable partition member including a peripheral end portion fixed to the frame,
wherein the partition member and the first storage member form a first space portion therebetween, and the partition member and the second storage member form a second space portion therebetween;
wherein the first flange includes a step portion including a first contact surface and a third contact surface retracted from the first contact surface;
wherein the second flange includes a second contact surface that contacts the first contact surface; and
wherein the second contact surface and the third contact surface face each other via the third flange inserted therebetween.
10. The developer storage body according to claim 9 , wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface are welded to each other.
11. The developer storage body according to claim 9 , wherein a gap between the first contact surface and the third contact surface is substantially the same as a thickness of the third flange.
12. The developer storage body according to claim 11 , wherein the second contact surface is welded to both of the first contact surface and the third flange.
13. A developer storage body comprising:
a first storage member including a first opening and a first flange provided along an outer periphery of the first opening;
a second storage member including a second opening, and a second flange provided along an outer periphery of the second opening so that the second flange faces the first flange;
a frame including a third flange held between the first flange and the second flange; and
a resiliently deformable partition member including a peripheral end portion fixed to the third flange of the frame,
wherein the partition member and the first storage member form a first space portion therebetween, and the partition member and the second storage member form a second space portion therebetween.
14. The developer storage body according to claim 13 , wherein the third flange protrudes outward from an outer surface of the frame.
15. The developer storage body according to claim 13 , wherein the partition member resiliently deforms according to a volume of a first developer stored in the first space portion and a volume of a second developer stored in the second space portion.
16. The developer storage body according to claim 13 , wherein the first flange includes a step portion including a first contact surface and a third contact surface retracted from the first contact surface;
wherein the second flange includes a second contact surface that contacts the first contact surface; and
wherein the second contact surface and the third contact surface face each other via the third flange inserted therebetween.
17. The developer storage body according to claim 16 , wherein a gap between the first contact surface and the third contact surface is substantially the same as a thickness of the third flange.
18. The developer storage body according to claim 13 , wherein the first storage member includes a first main body on which the first opening is formed, and
wherein the second storage member includes a second main body on which the second opening is formed.
19. An image forming unit comprising:
the developer storage body according to claim 13 ;
an image bearing body that bears a latent image on a surface thereof;
a developer bearing body that bears a developer and develops the latent image on the surface of the image bearing body; and
a developer supply member that supplies the developer to the developer bearing body.
20. An image forming apparatus comprising:
the image forming unit according to claim 19 ; and
a medium feeding unit that feeds a medium to the image forming unit.