HK1112069B - Toner container and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Toner container and image forming apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to a toner container detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body to supply toner used in an image forming process, and an image forming apparatus including the toner container.

Background

In a conventional image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction product having these functions, a cylindrical toner container for supplying toner to a developing device is known (see, for example, patent document 1, patent document 2, and patent document 3).

In patent document 1 and the like, a toner container (toner bottle, reagent storage container) mainly includes a container body and a holding portion (cap portion, cover), and the container is replaceably mounted in a toner container holder (bottle holder, connecting portion) of an image forming apparatus main body. A spiral projection is provided along an inner circumferential surface of the container body, and toner contained in the container body is transferred toward the opening by rotation of the container body. The held portion communicates with the opening of the container body and is held by the toner container holder unrotatably, i.e., it does not rotate with the container body. The toner output from the opening of the container body is discharged from a toner outlet provided in the held portion. Subsequently, the toner discharged from the toner outlet of the held portion is supplied to the developing device.

The toner container configured in the above-described manner can reduce toner stains when the toner container is replaced, as compared with toner containers each having no holding portion and supplying toner directly from the container body opening to the developing device (see, for example, patent document 5 and patent document 6). More specifically, since the toner outlet of the held portion is opened or closed in synchronization with a part of the attachment/detachment operation (rotation operation) of the toner container, such a trouble that the hand of the user touches the toner outlet and is stained with toner can be suppressed. Further, the toner outlet is formed downward in the lower portion of the toner container in the vertical direction, and the amount of toner near the toner outlet can be reduced due to its own weight when the toner container is empty. Therefore, toner offset in the toner outlet is reduced when the toner container is replaced.

More specifically, in patent document 1 and the like, when a toner container is to be attached to a toner container holder in the apparatus main body, first, a main body cover (stacking portion) is opened upward and the toner container holder is exposed. Then, the toner container is placed on the toner container holder from the upper side. Thereafter, the handle integrally provided to the held portion is held, so that the held portion is rotated (rotating operation). With this operation, the position of the toner container is finally fixed in the toner container holder. Further, a toner outlet provided in the held portion is moved to a lower portion in response to rotation of the held portion, and a shutter opens the toner outlet downward to overcome a biasing force of a spring.

On the other hand, patent document 4 and the like disclose a toner storage container having a bag container and a cap member. The toner outlet of the cover member is opened/closed in synchronization with a partial operation of the attaching/detaching operation of the toner storage container (a turning operation of the opening/closing folder), in order to reduce toner offset (toner scattering) generated at the time of the attaching/detaching operation.

More specifically, when the toner storage container is attached to the apparatus body, first the opening/closing bracket (opening/closing folder) is rotated about a hinge, and the upper side of the opening/closing bracket is exposed. Then, the toner storage container is set in the opening/closing holder. Thereafter, the opening/closing holder having the toner storage container set therein is rotated about the hinge (rotating operation). With this operation, the position of the toner storage container is finally fixed in the apparatus body. Further, the latch member (shutter member) is pushed by the nozzle (toner conveying pipe) in response to the rotation of the opening/closing support, thereby overcoming the biasing force of the spring, thereby opening the toner outlet sealed by the packing (G).

Patent document 1: japanese patent application unexamined publication No.2004-287404

Patent document 2: japanese patent application unexamined publication No.2001-5286

Patent document 3: japanese patent application unexamined publication No.2000-310901

Patent document 4: japanese patent application unexamined publication No.2004-161371

Patent document 5: japanese patent application unexamined publication No.2000-338758

Patent document 6: japanese patent application unexamined publication No.2003-233248

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

Each of the toner containers disclosed in patent documents 1 to 3 has less toner contamination at the toner outlet than in patent document 5 or 6, and therefore, it is expected to obtain such a trouble that the user's hand is prevented from being contaminated with toner by touching the toner outlet. However, the toner containers in patent documents 1 to 3 have a disadvantage in operability/workability at the time of attachment/detachment (replacement) thereof.

The first disadvantage is that the attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder is achieved by a plurality of operations. More specifically, the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container includes a plurality of operations such as an operation of opening/closing the main body case, an operation of placing/detaching the toner container on/from the toner container holder, and an operation of rotating the held portion.

A second drawback consists in the difficulty for the user to check whether the operation is performed correctly, until close to the completion of the connection operation. More specifically, the user cannot certainly feel whether the operation at this point is correct or not at the time when the operation of opening the main body case and the operation of placing the toner container on the toner container holder are completed. Thereafter, by rotating the held portion to thereby fix the position of the held portion, the user obtains a click feeling of the held portion, and surely feels that no erroneous operation occurs.

A third disadvantage is that the layout of the upper side of the toner container holder is limited. More specifically, in order to place the toner container onto the toner container holder from the upper side, the operation of opening/closing the main body casing needs to be performed in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is necessary to secure a space required for layout to open/close the main body case and place/remove the toner container. This results in a decrease in operability/workability of attachment and detachment of the toner container when a scanner (document reader) or the like is provided on the toner container holder.

On the other hand, in the toner storage container described in patent document 4 and the like, the latch member is pushed by the nozzle in response to the opening operation of the opening/closing holder, thereby opening the toner outlet sealed by the packing. Therefore, the effect of reducing toner offset can be expected. However, the toner storage container according to patent document 4 and the like has some drawbacks of operability/workability occurring at the time of attachment/detachment.

The first disadvantage is that the toner amount of the toner storage container cannot be increased, and therefore the frequency of replacing the toner storage container increases. The toner storage container has a longitudinal bag container for containing toner. The bag container is arranged to stand vertically. Therefore, if the capacity of the bag container is increased, the height of the toner storage container needs to be increased. This increases the height of the opening/closing stand, thereby affecting the layout of the height of the entire image forming apparatus. Therefore, the toner amount of the toner storage container cannot be increased so much, and the frequency of replacement is thereby increased as compared with the toner container according to patent document 1 or the like (in which the horizontal direction is set as the longitudinal direction).

The second drawback makes it difficult for the user to certainly feel that no erroneous operation occurs. More specifically, because the latch member opens/closes the toner outlet in synchronization with the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing holder, it is difficult for the user to feel whether the toner outlet is actually opened or closed because the user cannot touch the toner storage container during the operation.

The present invention has been made to solve at least these conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a toner container having high operability/workability during replacement and capable of reliably reducing the occurrence of toner contamination, and an image forming apparatus including the toner container.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problems and attain the above object, according to the invention disclosed in claim 1, a toner container detachably attached to a toner container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a container body containing toner and having an opening for discharging the toner; and a held portion that has a toner outlet for discharging the toner discharged from the opening, and that discharges the toner discharged from the opening from the toner outlet and is held by the toner container holder in a non-rotational manner, wherein the held portion includes an opening/closing member that opens/closes the toner outlet in synchronization with an attaching/detaching operation of the held portion to/from the toner container holder.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 2, in the toner container according to claim 1, the opening/closing member includes a latch member which is pushed by a nozzle provided in the toner container holder in synchronization with an operation of connecting it to the toner container holder to open the toner outlet, and is biased by a biasing member in synchronization with an operation of detaching it from the toner container holder to close the toner outlet.

The invention disclosed in claim 3 is the toner container according to claim 2, wherein the biasing member includes a claw member provided in the toner container holder, which is retracted to a position not to hinder attachment of the held portion in synchronization with an attaching operation of the toner container, and then projected to a position where it is engaged with the latch member, while biasing the latch member in synchronization with a detaching operation of the toner container, and then retracted to a position not to hinder detachment of the held portion.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 4, in the toner container according to claim 3, the pawl member fixes the position of the latch member in the toner container holder together with the nozzle by engaging the latch member, and the held portion is also moved in the attaching/detaching direction with the position of the latch member fixed, thereby opening/closing the toner outlet.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 5, in the toner container according to claim 3, the pawl member is biased from the retracted position to the engaged position by a second biasing member, and the second biasing member is formed such that a force with which the pawl member biases the latch member is larger than a sliding resistance of the latch member.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 6, in the toner container according to claim 2, the latch member is configured to have a stroke when the toner outlet is opened/closed larger than a stroke movable by a manual operation.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 7, the toner container according to claim 2 is connected to the conveyor pipe (71) through the nozzle, which is connected to a pump for conveying or introducing gas from/into, thereby conveying the toner discharged from the toner outlet and the gas.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 8, in the toner container according to claim 1, the held portion includes a slide portion that slides along the toner container holder in synchronization with an attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder, and the opening/closing member is provided at a position surrounded by the slide portion.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 9, the toner container according to claim 1 is attached/detached in the longitudinal direction of the container body.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 10, the toner container according to claim 9 is attached to the toner container holder on the basis that the container body is set to the longitudinal direction of the horizontal direction.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 11, in the toner container according to claim 9, the held portion is attached to the toner container holder so that the held portion is set as a head portion of a container body.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 12, in the toner container according to claim 1, the container body is rotatably provided and conveys toner contained therein toward the opening after the rotation.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 13, in the toner container according to claim 12, the container body includes a gear provided on a circumferential surface thereof and on a side of the opening, and the gear transmits a rotational driving force to the container body.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 14, in the toner container according to claim 12, the container body includes a spiral projection along an inner circumferential surface thereof.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 15, in the toner container according to claim 12, the container body includes a conveyor member that conveys the toner contained therein toward the opening.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 16, in the toner container according to claim 15, the conveyor member is a rotatably provided coil or a spiral.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 17, in the toner container according to claim 1, the held portion communicates with the container body through the opening.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 18, in the toner container according to claim 1, the container body contains toner in the inside thereof.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 19, in the toner container according to claim 18, the container body contains a carrier inside thereof.

According to the invention disclosed in claim 20, an image forming apparatus includes the toner container according to claim 1, which is detachably attached to a toner container holder provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus.

Effects of the invention

The invention optimizes the configuration of the toner container set in the toner container holder. Therefore, the present invention can provide a toner container having high operability/workability during replacement and capable of reliably reducing the occurrence of toner contamination, and an image forming apparatus including the toner container.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a general schematic diagram of a printer as an image forming apparatus;

fig. 2 is an enlarged view of an imaging unit of the imaging apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a toner supply path of the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a toner container holder;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a toner container;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the head side of the toner container;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the toner container as viewed from the direction M of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of one example of an agitating member;

fig. 8B is a schematic view of an example of the agitating member viewed from the direction M of fig. 6;

FIG. 8C is a side view of an example of the agitating member;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another example of the head side of the toner container;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a toner container holder;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a nozzle;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of how the yellow toner container is attached to the toner container holder as viewed from the longitudinal direction;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing how the attachment of the toner container advances when viewed from the longitudinal direction;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a toner container attached to a toner container holder as viewed from the longitudinal direction;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of how the toner container is attached to the toner container holder as viewed from the holder;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a toner container attached to a toner container holder as viewed from the holder;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the head side of the toner container according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 18A is a schematic view of how a yellow toner container is attached to a toner container holder as viewed from the longitudinal direction;

FIG. 18B is a sectional view of a portion of the holder surrounding the held portion when the yellow toner container is attached to the toner container holder as viewed from the upper side;

FIG. 19A is a schematic view of a toner container attached to a toner container holder as viewed from the longitudinal direction;

FIG. 19B is a sectional view of a portion around the holder when the toner container is attached to the toner container holder as viewed from the upper side;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a toner container according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a pair of arms provided in a toner container holder according to a fourth embodiment;

fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the arm pair;

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of the relationship between the arm pair and the held portion when the yellow toner container is attached to the toner container holder as viewed from the upper side;

fig. 24 is a schematic view of the relationship between the arm pair and the held portion when the connection of the toner container advances as viewed from the upper side;

FIG. 25 is a schematic view of the relationship between the pair of arm portions and the held portion when the toner container is attached to the toner container holder as viewed from the upper side;

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of a pair of arm portions when a toner container according to the fifth embodiment is attached to a toner container holder;

fig. 27A is a schematic view of how the yellow toner container is attached to the toner container holder as viewed from the longitudinal direction;

FIG. 27B is a schematic view of a portion surrounding the holder when the yellow toner container is attached to the toner container holder as viewed from the upper side;

fig. 28A is a schematic diagram of how the attachment of the toner container advances when viewed from the longitudinal direction;

fig. 28B is a schematic view of a portion of the holder surrounding the held portion when the attachment of the toner container advances, as viewed from the upper side;

FIG. 29A is a schematic view of a toner container attached to a toner container holder viewed from the longitudinal direction;

FIG. 29B is a schematic view of a portion around the holder when the toner container is attached to the toner container holder, as viewed from the upper side;

FIG. 30A is a schematic view of how a toner container is attached to a toner container holder according to the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 30B is a schematic view of how a toner container is attached to a toner container holder according to the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a toner container according to the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of a toner container according to the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a sectional view of a toner container according to the tenth embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a schematic view of a plate member;

FIG. 35 is a schematic view of a toner supply path of the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a toner container;

FIG. 37 is a sectional view of the head side of the toner container;

FIG. 38 is a schematic view of the toner container as viewed from the direction M of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a schematic view of how the yellow toner container is attached to the toner container holder as viewed from the longitudinal direction;

FIG. 40 is a schematic view showing how the attachment of the toner container advances when viewed from the longitudinal direction;

FIG. 41 is a schematic view of a toner container attached to a toner container holder as viewed from the longitudinal direction;

fig. 42 is a graph of the relationship between the moved position of the held portion and the load applied to the held portion from the arm portion during the connecting operation of the toner container;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a toner container detachably attached to a toner container holder according to the twelfth embodiment;

FIG. 44 is a sectional view of a toner container according to the twelfth embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a substrate disposed in a toner container holder;

fig. 46 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the base plate on which the toner container is set.

Description of reference numerals

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K photosensitive drum

2Y cleaning unit

2a cleaning blade

4Y charger

5Y developing device

6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K imaging unit

7 Exposure device

8 intermediate transfer belt

9Y, 9M, 9C and 9K main transfer printing bias roller

10 intermediate transfer cleaning unit

12 auxiliary transfer backup roller

13 cleaning backup roller

14 tension roller

19 Secondary transfer roller

20 fixing unit

26 paper feeding unit

27 paper feeding roller

28 alignment roller pair

29 paper discharge roller pair

30 stacking part

31 toner container holder

31a, 31b sliding surface (guide rail)

31c positioning member

31c1, 34g1 taper

31d, 31e assembly parts

31g drive gear

32Y, 32M, 32C, 32K toner container

33Y Container body

33a front end

33b projection

33c Gear (bottle gear)

33d gripper

33f, 33h agitating member

33g1 board part

33g2 Ring component

34Y holding part (cover)

34a cover main portion

34a1 projection

34a2 load-bearing part

34b cover shell

34b1 jaw

34c, 340c, 134m support

34c1, 34c2 sliding part

34d latch part (opening/closing part, valve)

34e packing

34f compression spring

34g engaging part (groove part)

34h notch part

34k flat part

34m concave part

34n convex body part

340m corner

35 ID chip

37 sealing parts (sealing)

43Y toner conveying pipe

51Y developing roller

52Y scraper

53Y, 54Y developer storage unit

55Y transmitter screw

56Y density detection sensor

59 toner supply device

60 spiral pump (powder pump)

61 rotor

62 stator

63 suction inlet

64 cardan joint

66 motor

67 supply port

Nozzle 70 (toner conveying pipe, joint parts)

70a ink powder supply port (receiving port)

70b positioning pin

71 tube (conveyor tube (71))

73 holding part

74 communication circuit (terminal)

75 controller

76 jaw member

76a rotating spindle

77 plate spring (second biasing member)

80Y rotating shaft

81Y coil (transmitter parts)

83Y threaded rod

83Ya external thread component

84Y plate member (conveyor member)

84Ya internal thread part

85Y guide part

90 arm pair (bias unit)

91 first arm (second biasing member)

92 second arm (biasing element)

93 mandrel

94 torsion spring

100 main body of image forming apparatus (apparatus body)

A opening

B ink powder outlet (supply port)

G developer

L laser

P to-be-transferred material

310a substrate

31a11 guide groove

31a12 leading edge

340n nozzle hole

340k positioning hole

340b1 jaw (jaw part)

340c2 opening

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference letters or numerals, and the description of the overlapping parts will be simplified or omitted if unnecessary.

First embodiment

A first embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail below with reference to fig. 1 to 16.

First, the structure and operation of the entire image forming apparatus are explained with reference to fig. 1 to 4.

Fig. 1 is an overall schematic view of a printer as an image forming apparatus, fig. 2 is an enlarged view of an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus, fig. 3 is a schematic view of a toner supply path of the image forming apparatus, and fig. 4 is a perspective view of a part of a toner container holder.

As shown in fig. 1, four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K correspond to a plurality of colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) and are detachably (replaceably) arranged in a toner container holder 31 provided on the upper side of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

The intermediate transfer unit 15 is disposed on the lower side of the toner container holder 31. The image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K corresponding to a plurality of colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are arranged in a serial manner so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the intermediate transfer unit 15.

Referring to fig. 2, the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow includes a photosensitive drum 1Y, and also includes a charger 4Y, a developing device 5Y (developing unit), a cleaning unit 2Y, and a discharger (not shown), which are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1Y. An image forming process (a charging process, an exposure process, a developing process, a transfer process, and a cleaning process) is performed on the photosensitive drum 1Y, and a yellow image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

The other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K have almost the same structure as the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow except that the toner colors used are different, and form images corresponding to the respective toner colors. Hereinafter, the description of the other three image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K is omitted, and only the image forming unit 6Y corresponding to yellow is described.

Referring to fig. 2, the photosensitive drum 1Y is rotated clockwise in fig. 2 by a drive motor (not shown). The surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y is uniformly charged at the position of the charger 4Y (charging process).

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position where laser light L is radiated from an exposure device 7 (see fig. 1), wherein exposure light is scanned to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow (exposure process).

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the developing device 5Y, where the electrostatic latent image is developed and a yellow calm image is formed (developing process).

Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the primary transfer bias roller 9Y, in which the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 (primary transfer process). At this time, a small amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive drum 1Y.

Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y reaches a position facing the cleaning unit 2Y, in which the untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1Y is mechanically collected by the cleaning blade 2a (cleaning process).

The surface of the photosensitive drum 1Y finally reaches a position facing a discharger (not shown) in which the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 1Y is removed.

An image forming process is performed on the other image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K in the same manner as the yellow image forming unit 6Y. In other words, the laser light L based on the image information is radiated from the exposure device 7 disposed on the lower side of the image forming unit toward each photosensitive drum of the image forming units 6M, 6C, and 6K. More specifically, the exposure device 7 emits laser light L from its light source, radiates the laser light L onto the photosensitive drum through a plurality of optical elements, and simultaneously scans the laser light L by a rotating polygon mirror.

Then, the respective color toner images formed on the photosensitive drums by the developing process are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 in superposition. In this way, a color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

Referring to fig. 1, the intermediate transfer unit 15 includes an intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K, a secondary transfer backup roller 12, a cleaning backup roller 13, a tension roller 14, and an intermediate transfer cleaning unit 10. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is stretched and supported by three rollers 12 to 14, and is circularly moved in the direction of the arrow in fig. 1 (i.e., the direction indicated by the arrow α) by the rotation of the rollers 12.

The four primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8 with the photosensitive drum 1Y and the photosensitive drums 1M, 1C, and 1K, thereby forming each primary transfer nip. A transfer bias opposite in polarity to the toner is applied to the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K.

Then, the intermediate transfer belt 8 moves in the arrow direction (α direction) and sequentially passes through the primary transfer nip of the primary transfer bias rollers 9Y, 9M, 9C, and 9K. In this way, toner images corresponding to the colors on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 to perform primary transfer.

Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 having the toner image of the color corresponding to the superimposed transfer reaches a position facing the secondary transfer roller 19. At this position, the secondary transfer backup roller 12 and the secondary transfer backup roller 19 sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 8, thereby forming a secondary transfer nip. The four color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred to a transfer material P such as a transfer paper conveyed to a secondary transfer nip position. At this time, the untransferred toner that is not transferred to the transfer material P remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 8 reaches the position of the intermediate transfer cleaning unit 10, in which the untransferred toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is collected.

In this way, a series of transfer processes performed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is completed.

The transfer material P conveyed to the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed thereto from a paper feed unit 26 provided on the lower side of the apparatus body 100 through a paper feed roller 27 and a registration roller pair 28.

More specifically, the transfer materials P such as transfer papers are stored in large quantities in the paper feed unit 26. When the paper feed roller 27 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in fig. 1, the uppermost transfer material P is fed to the rollers of the registration roller pair 28.

The transfer material P conveyed to the registration roller pair 28 is once stopped at the position of the transfer nip between the registration roller pair 28 whose rotation is stopped, which stops its rotation. Then, the registration roller pair 28 rotates in synchronization with the color image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the transfer material P is conveyed toward the secondary transfer nip. In this way, a desired color image is transferred to the transfer material P.

The transfer material P having the color image transferred at the position of the secondary transfer nip is conveyed to the position of the fixing unit 20, where the color image transferred to the surface of the transfer material P is fixed to the transfer material P by the fixing roller and the pushing roller under heat and pressure.

Thereafter, the transfer material P is discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the rollers of the discharge roller pair 29. The transfer materials P discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the pair of discharge rollers 29 are sequentially stacked on the stacking portion 30 as output images.

In this way, a series of imaging processes in the imaging apparatus is completed.

The structure and operation of the developing device in the image forming unit will be described in further detail with reference to fig. 2.

The developing device 5Y includes a developing roller 51Y facing the photosensitive drum 1Y, a blade 52Y facing the developing roller 51Y, two conveyor screws 55Y provided in developer storage units 53Y and 54Y, and a density detection sensor 56Y for detecting the density of toner in the developer. The developing roller 51Y includes a magnet fixed inside thereof and a sleeve rotating around the magnet. The two-component developer G containing the carrier and the toner is stored in the developer storage units 53Y and 54Y. The developer storage unit 54Y communicates with the toner conveying pipe 43Y through an opening formed on the upper side of the developer storage unit 54Y.

The developing device 5Y configured in the above manner operates as follows.

The sleeve of the developing roller 51Y rotates in the arrow direction (counterclockwise) of fig. 2. The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y by the magnetic field formed by the magnet moves along the developing roller 51Y in association with the rotation of the sleeve.

The developer G in the developing device 5Y is controlled so that the ratio of toner in the developer (toner concentration) is in a predetermined range. More specifically, the toner contained in the toner container 32Y is supplied to the developer storage unit 54Y by the toner supply device 59 (see fig. 3) in accordance with the consumption of the toner in the developing device 5Y. It should be noted that each configuration and operation of the toner supply device 59 and the toner container 32Y will be described in detail below.

Then, the toner supplied to the developer storage unit 54Y circulates in the two developer storage units 53Y and 54Y (moves in the vertical direction on the paper of fig. 2) while being mixed with the developer G and agitated. The toner in the developer G is attracted to the carrier by frictional charge with the carrier, and is carried on the developing roller 51Y together with the carrier by magnetic force formed on the developing roller 51Y.

The developer G carried on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed in the arrow direction (counterclockwise) of fig. 2, thereby reaching the position of the blade 52Y. At this position, the amount of the developer is adjusted as appropriate, and then the developer G on the developing roller 51Y is conveyed to a position (developing area) facing the photosensitive drum 1Y. The toner is attracted to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Y by an electric field formed in the developing region. Then, the developer G remaining on the developing roller 51Y reaches the upper side of the developer storage unit 53Y in association with the sleeve rotation, where the developer G is separated from the developing roller 51Y.

The toner supply device 59, which will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 3, guides toner contained in the toner container 32Y (reagent storage container) to the developing device 5Y.

For ease of understanding, fig. 3 shows a modified arrangement structure of the toner container 32Y, the toner supply paths 43Y, 60, 70, and 71, and the developing device 5Y. Actually, in fig. 3, the longitudinal direction of the toner container 32Y and a part of the toner supply path are arranged in the vertical direction of the paper (see fig. 1).

Referring to fig. 4, the toners (powder reagents) in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K arranged in the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100 are supplied to each developing device through the toner supply path provided for each toner color according to each toner consumption of the developing devices corresponding to the respective colors as needed. The four toner supply paths have almost the same structure as each other except that the toner colors for each image forming process are different.

More specifically, the toner container 32Y is set in the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100, and the nozzle 70 (toner conveying pipe) of the toner container holder 31 is connected to the held portion 34Y (cap) of the toner container 32Y. The latch member 34d (opening/closing member) of the toner container 32Y is interposed between the nozzle 70 and the pawl member 76, and in this state, opens the toner outlet (supply port) of the held portion 34Y. This allows the toner contained in the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y to be conveyed into the nozzle 70 through the toner outlet.

On the other hand, the other end of the nozzle 70 is connected to one end of a pipe 71 as a conveyor pipe (71). The pipe 71 is made of a flexible material excellent in resistance to ink, and the other end thereof is connected to a screw pump 60(Mohno pump, powder pump) of the toner supply device 59.

The tube 71 as the conveyor tube (71) is formed to have an inner diameter of 4 to 10 mm. The material of the tube 71 allows the use of rubber materials such as polyurethane, nitrile, EPDM, and silicone, and resins such as polyethylene and nylon. Such a flexible tube 71 serves to enhance flexibility in layout of the toner supply path, thus reducing the size of the image forming apparatus.

The screw pump 60 is a suction type non-coaxial centrifugal screw pump, and includes a rotor 61, a stator 62, a suction port 63, a universal joint 64, and a motor 66. The rotor 61, the stator 62, and the universal joint 64 are accommodated in a housing (not shown). The stator 62 is an internally threaded member made of an elastic material such as rubber, and a spiral groove having a double pitch is formed along the inside of the stator 62. The rotor 61 is an externally threaded member in which a shaft made of a rigid material such as metal is spirally formed, and is rotatably inserted into the stator 62. One end of the rotor 61 is rotatably connected to a motor 66 through a universal joint 64.

In the first embodiment, the spiral direction (rotational direction) and the rotational direction of the rotor 61 are set to match the spiral direction (rotational direction) and the rotational direction of the projection 33b formed in the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y.

The screw pump 60 configured in the above-described manner generates a suction force at the suction port 63 (air in the pipe 71 is discharged to generate a negative pressure in the pipe 71) by rotating the rotor 61 of the stator 62 in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise as viewed from the upstream side in the toner conveying direction) by the motor 66. This allows the toner in the toner container 32Y to be sucked into the suction port 63 through the tube 71 with the air. The toner sucked into the suction port 63 is sent to the gap between the stator 62 and the rotor 61 and is supplied to the other end side with the rotation of the rotor 61. The supplied toner is discharged from the supply port 67 of the screw pump 60 to be supplied to the developing device 5Y through the toner conveying pipe 43Y (movement in the arrow direction indicated by the dotted line in fig. 3).

In the first embodiment, the rotor 61 of the screw pump 60 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the upstream side in the toner conveying direction. The spiral direction (rotational direction) of the rotor 61 is set to the right direction. This setting and rotation of the rotor 61 causes a clockwise helical airflow to be generated in the screw pump 60.

The toner container will be described below with reference to fig. 5 to 9.

As explained with reference to fig. 1 and 4, four substantially cylindrical toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (toner bottles) are detachably provided in the toner container holder 31. The toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K can be replaced with new toner containers when they are used up (when almost all the contained toner is consumed and the containers become empty). The toner of each color contained in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is supplied to each developing device of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K as needed through each toner supply path described with reference to fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the toner container 32Y. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the head side (side where the held portion 34Y is provided) of the toner container 32Y. Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the toner container of fig. 6 when viewed from the direction M of fig. 6. Fig. 8A is a perspective view of an example of an agitating member, fig. 8B is a schematic view of an example of an agitating member viewed from the M direction of fig. 6, and fig. 8C is a side view of an example of an agitating member. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of another example of the head side of the toner container 32Y.

The other three toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K have almost the same structure as the toner container 32Y containing yellow toner, except for the different toner colors contained and the positions of the concave portion 34M and the convex portion 34 n. The descriptions of the other three toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K are omitted below, and only the toner container 32Y containing yellow toner is described below.

As shown in fig. 5, the toner container 32Y mainly includes a container body 33Y and a held portion 34Y (cap) provided at a head portion thereof.

The head of the container body 33Y includes a gear 33C integrally rotating with the container body 33Y, and an opening a (see fig. 6). An opening a is provided in the head portion of the container body 33Y (the front end position when it is attached), and is used to discharge toner contained in the container body 33Y into the space (cavity) of the held portion 34Y.

The gear 33c is engaged with a driving gear 31g of a driving unit provided in the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100, thereby rotating the container body 33Y about a rotation axis (shown by a chain line in fig. 6). More specifically, the gear 33c is exposed from a notch portion 34h formed in the held portion 34Y and engaged with the drive gear 31g of the apparatus body 100 at an engaging position D shown in fig. 6 and 7. The driving force is transmitted from the driving gear 31g to the gear 33c, and the container body 33Y is rotated counterclockwise in fig. 7. In the first embodiment, the drive gear 31g and the gear 33c are spur gears.

In the first embodiment, the toner container 32Y and the apparatus body 100 are arranged so that the held portion 34Y (or the container body 33Y) is biased downward by the force supplied from the driving gear 31g to the gear 33c when the driving gear 31g rotates in the arrow direction (clockwise) of fig. 7 (mainly during toner supply).

More specifically, referring to fig. 7, the engagement position D between the gear 33c and the drive gear 31g is set in a range X from the uppermost portion of the gear 33c to the downstream side of the rotation 1/4 rotations thereof (the range excluding the uppermost portion of the gear 33c and the position of rotation 1/4 rotations).

According to this structure, a component force acting downward in the vertical direction is effectively generated by the drive gear 31g, which acts vertically on the gear surface of the gear 33 c. Therefore, the sealing ability of the nozzle 70 communicating with the toner outlet B is maintained without large vertical fluctuation of the held portion 34Y, thus preventing toner scattering from the vicinity of the toner outlet B.

Referring to fig. 5, a gripper 33d is provided at the rear end (bottom) of the container body 33Y so that a user can grip the gripper to attach/detach the toner container 32Y.

The spiral protrusion 33b is provided along the inner circumferential surface of the container body 33Y (spiral groove when viewed from the outer circumferential side). The spiral projection 33b is used to expel toner from the opening a by rotating the container body 33Y in a predetermined direction. The container body 33Y and the gear 33c provided along the circumferential surface thereof constructed in this manner can be produced by blow molding.

The toner container 32Y according to the first embodiment has the stirring member 33f (see fig. 6) that rotates together with the container body 33Y provided in the opening a. The stirring member 33f is a rod-shaped member or a plate member that extends from the space in the held portion 34Y toward the container body 33Y and is disposed at an angle to the rotational axis (shown by a chain line in fig. 6). The co-rotation of the stirring member 33f with the container body 33Y improves the toner discharging capability away from the opening a. Specifically, as shown in fig. 8A, 8B, and 8C, a ring member 33g2 having a pair of plate members 33g1 whose respective slopes are opposite to each other is provided at a point symmetrical with respect to the rotational center. When this ring member 33g2 is fixed into the opening a to form the agitating member, the toner can be scooped up continuously and discharged by its rotating action, further improving the discharging capability. As shown in fig. 9, if the stirring member extends upward to the vertical toner discharging path formed in a mortar shape (stirring member 33h), the toner discharging capability is intended to be further improved.

In the first embodiment, the container body 33Y of the toner container 32Y is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the upstream side in the toner conveying direction. Further, the spiral direction (rotational direction) of the projection 33b of the container body 33Y is set to be directed in the right direction.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the held portion 34Y includes a cover main portion 34a, a cover case 34b, a holder 34c, a latch member 34d as an opening/closing member, a packing 34c, and an ID chip 35. Referring to fig. 5 and 7, engaging portions 34g (groove portions) that engage with the positioning members 31c of the toner container holder 31 are provided on both sides of the held portion 34Y. A concave portion 34m into which the fitting portion 31d of the toner container holder 31 is fitted is provided on an end surface of the held portion 34Y. A convex body portion 34n of another fitting member (not shown) fitted into the toner container holder 31 is provided on the circumferential surface of the held portion 34Y. Further, a notch portion 34h from which a part of the gear 33c is exposed is provided on the upper side of the held portion 34Y.

The held portion 34Y communicates with the container body 33Y through the opening a, and discharges the toner discharged from the opening a from the toner outlet B (moving in the arrow direction shown by the broken line in fig. 6).

In the first embodiment, the cavity (space) formed inside the held portion 34Y is almost cylindrical. A toner discharging path (vertical path) from the almost cylindrical cavity formed inside the held portion 34Y up to the toner outlet B is formed in a mortar shape. With this shape, the toner conveyed by the rotation of the container body 33Y is temporarily accumulated in the mortar body, and the suction force of the screw pump 60 on the side of the apparatus body 100 is conveyed to the efficiently accumulated toner. Therefore, the toner conveying ability of the toner discharged from the toner outlet B and moving along the inside of the pipe 71 is improved.

The held portion 34Y does not follow the rotation of the container body 33Y, but is held in a non-rotational manner by a holding portion 73 (see fig. 4 and 10) of the toner container holder 31 and at the same time the engaging portion 34g engages with the positioning portion 31 c.

The cover shell 34b of the held portion 34Y is adhered to the circumferential surface of the cover main portion 34 a. The claw 34b1 is provided at the front of the cover case 34 b. The pawl 34b1 engages with an engagement member formed in the head portion of the container body 33Y, whereby the container body 33Y is held relatively rotatable with respect to the held portion 34Y. In order to smoothly rotate the container body 33Y, the claw 34b1 of the held portion 34Y and the engaging member of the container body 33Y are engaged with each other by maintaining a proper gap therebetween.

The seal member 37 is adhered to a surface of the held portion 34Y, which faces the front end 33a around the opening a of the container body 33Y. The sealing member 37 is for sealing a gap around the opening a and between surfaces of the container body 33Y and the held portion 34Y that face each other, and is made of an elastic material such as urethane foam.

The support 34c is provided on the lower side of the held portion 34Y. Provided in the holder 34c is a latch member 34d (shutter) as an opening/closing member for opening/closing the toner outlet B in synchronization with the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y. More specifically, the latch member 34d is movable in the horizontal direction of fig. 6 in the support 34c so as to be surrounded by the slide portions 34c1 and 34c 2. A space (concave portion) in which the latch member 34d relatively moves is provided on the bottom surface of the holder 34c so that the claw member 76 of the apparatus body 100 engages with the latch member 34 d. A packing 34e such as a G seal is provided on both sides of the latch member 34d to prevent toner from leaking from the vicinity of the latch member 34 d. Further, a packing such as an O-ring is provided in the joint portion between the seat 34c and the cap main portion 34a, thereby preventing toner from leaking from both gaps.

The toner container 32Y is set in the toner container holder 31, and then a pawl member 76 (see fig. 5 and 14) is engaged with the right side of the latch member 34d, the pawl member 76 being a biasing member for biasing the latch member 34d in a direction to close the toner outlet B. The jaw member 76 will be described in detail below.

The ID chip 35 of the held portion 34Y is configured to face the communication circuit 74 (terminal) of the toner container holder 31 with a predetermined distance therebetween, and is synchronized with the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y to the toner container holder 31. More specifically, the ID chip 35 is disposed on a projecting portion 34a1 of the held portion 34Y, the projecting direction of which portion (i.e., the direction indicated by the arrow β in fig. 5) is the direction in which the held portion 34Y is attached to the toner container holder 31, and the projecting portion is disposed on a plane orthogonal to the attaching direction. The ID chip 35 performs noncontact communication (radio communication) with the communication circuit 74 of the apparatus body while the held portion 34Y is held in the toner container holder 31.

The ID chip 35 stores various types of information relating to the toner container 32Y in advance. On the other hand, the communication circuit 74 of the toner container holder 31 exchanges information with the ID chip 35 by radio while setting the toner container 32Y in the toner container holder 31. More specifically, the information stored in the ID chip 35 is transmitted to the controller 75 (see fig. 5) of the apparatus body 100 through the communication circuit 74, or the information for the apparatus body 100 acquired by the controller 75 is transmitted to the ID chip 35 and stored therein.

The ID chip 35 stores information about the toner, such as the toner color, the toner serial number (production lot number), and the toner production date, and information about the recycling of the toner container 32Y, such as the number of cycles, the recycling date, and the recycling manufacturer. When the toner container 32Y is set in the toner container holder 31, the information stored in the ID chip 35 is transmitted to the controller 75 of the apparatus body 100 through the circuit 74. The apparatus body 100 performs optimization control based on this information. For example, if the toner color is different from the toner color that should be set in the toner container holder, the operation of the toner supply device 59 may be stopped, or the image forming conditions may be changed according to the serial number or the recycling manufacturer.

Provided in seat 34c of held portion 34Y are sliding portions 34c1 and 34c2 for sliding along toner container holder 31 following the operation of attachment/detachment thereof to/from toner container holder 31.

More specifically, the first slide portion 34c1 is a flat portion formed in parallel with the slide surface 31a of the toner container holder 31 (the flat surface has a flat surface formed upward, see fig. 10, and fig. 45 and 46 to be described later), which is provided at the bottom of the held portion 34Y through which the attaching/detaching operation is performed. Further, the second sliding portion 34c2 is a flat portion formed in parallel with the sliding surface 31b of the toner container holder 31 (the flat surface has a flat surface formed toward the lateral direction, see fig. 10, and fig. 45 and 46 to be described later), which is provided at the side of the held portion 34Y through which the attaching/detaching operation is performed.

Referring to fig. 5 and 7, a concave portion 34m that fits with the fitting part 31d of the toner container holder 31 is provided in an end face as the held portion 34Y and a portion near the protruding portion 34a 1. The concave portion 34m is formed to fit with the corresponding fitting part 31d when the attaching operation with the toner container holder 31 is correct (when the toner container holder 31 is attached at the normal position).

More specifically, as shown in fig. 7, the positions of the concave portions 34m are arranged differently from each other according to each color of toner contained in the toner container (container body). The concave portion 34m (c) of the toner container corresponding to cyan and the corresponding fitting part (not shown) of the toner container holder are disposed on the uppermost side, and the concave portion 34m (m) of the toner container corresponding to magenta and the corresponding fitting part (not shown) of the toner container holder are disposed on the upper side of the intermediate stage. The concave portion 34m (y) corresponding to yellow of the toner container and the corresponding fitting part 31d of the toner container holder are arranged on the lower side of the intermediate stage, and the concave portion 34m (k) corresponding to black of the toner container and the corresponding fitting part (not shown) of the toner container holder are arranged on the lowermost side.

This structure can prevent a failure that a toner container for an unsuitable color (for example, a toner container for yellow) is set in a toner container holder for a predetermined color (for example, a cyan toner container holder), and this would cause an image of a desired color to be not formed.

Also, referring to fig. 5 and 7, a convex body portion 34n fitted with another fitting member (not shown) is provided on the circumferential surface of the held portion 34Y. Similar to the concave portion 34m, when the toner container is properly attached to the toner container holder 31, the convex body portion 34n is fitted into the corresponding fitting part. The positions of the convex portions 34n are arranged differently from each other according to each toner color contained in the toner container (container body).

Such a structure as described above can prevent erroneous setting of the toner container in the toner container holder, similar to the concave portion 34 m.

In the first embodiment, as the toners contained in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, the toners are formed so that the following relationship can be used, where Dv (μ M) is the volume average particle size and Dn (μ M) is the number average particle size:

3≤Dv≤8 (1)

1.00≤dv/dn≤1.40 (2)

therefore, the toner particles are selected according to the image pattern during development, excellent image quality is maintained, and satisfactory developing ability can be maintained even if the toner is agitated in the developing device for a long time. Also, the toner can be efficiently and reliably conveyed without clogging the toner supply path such as the pipe 71.

The volume average particle size and number average particle size of the toner can be measured by using a typical apparatus, such as a Coulter Counter type particle size distribution measuring apparatus: coulter counter-TA-II (manufactured by Coulter Electronics Limited) and Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Coulter Electronics Limited).

Further, in the first embodiment, as the toners contained in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, substantially spherical toners are used, and the toners are formed so that the shape factor SF-1 is in the range of 100 to 180, and the shape factor SF-2 is in the range of 100 to 180. This can suppress a decrease in cleaning performance while maintaining high conveying efficiency. Also, the toner can be efficiently and reliably conveyed without clogging the toner supply path such as the pipe 71.

Here, the shape factor SF-1 represents the sphericity of the toner particles, which is determined according to the following equation.

SF-1＝(M2/S)×(100π/4)

In this equation, M is the maximum particle size (the maximum particle size among the uneven particle sizes) on the projection plane of the toner particles, and S is the projection area of the toner particles. Therefore, toner particles whose shape factor SF-1 is 100 are ideally spherical, and as the shape factor becomes greater than 100, the sphericity decreases.

The shape factor SF-2 represents the irregularity of the toner particles, which is determined by the following equation.

SF-2＝(N2/S)×(100/4π)

In this equation, N is the circumferential length on the projection plane of the toner particle, and S is the projected area of the toner particle. Therefore, toner particles whose shape factor SF-2 is 100 have irregularities, and as the shape factor becomes greater than 100, the irregularities also become larger.

The shape factors SF-1 and SF-2 were obtained by photographing toner particles with a scanning electron microscope "S-800" (manufactured by Hitachi, ltd.), and analyzing photographs of the obtained toner particles with an image analyzer "lucex 3" (manufactured by Nireco corp.).

The structure of the toner container holder 31 will be described below with reference to fig. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a toner container holder, and FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a nozzle.

Referring to fig. 10, the toner container holder 31 includes sliding surfaces 31a and 31b along which the sliding portion in each of the held portions of the four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K slides; a holding portion 73 for fixing the position of the holder 34c of the held portion; a nozzle 70; a drive unit (in which a drive gear 31g is provided) for transmitting a rotational drive force to the container body 33Y; a communication circuit 74; an arm pair 90 (biasing unit) for biasing the held portion 34Y toward the holding portion 73 in synchronization with the connection of the toner container 32Y; and a pawl member (biasing member) 76 for biasing the latch member 34d in a direction in which the toner outlet B of the toner container 32Y is closed.

The holding portion 73 holds the held portion of each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K in a non-rotating manner. The holding portion 73 includes a sliding surface that contacts the holder 34c, and a contact surface that contacts a portion of the cover case 34 b. Provided in the sliding surface (side surface) of the holding portion 73 is a positioning member 31c for positioning in synchronization with the connecting operation of the held portion 34Y (see fig. 5). The positioning member 31c is a convex body portion extending in the attaching/detaching direction of the toner container 32Y.

Provided in the sliding surface (bottom) of the holding portion 73 is a pawl member 76 as a biasing member for biasing the latch member 34d in a direction in which the toner outlet B is closed in synchronization with the removal of the held portion 34Y (see fig. 5, and fig. 12 to 14). The pawl member 76 is pivotally held by the toner container holder 31 about the rotation spindle 76a in the direction of the double-dot arrow (R direction) in fig. 5. More specifically, the pawl member 76 is biased by a plate spring 77 (second biasing member) fixed to the lower side of the pawl member 76 in fig. 3 and 5 in a direction in which the pawl member 76 projects from a retracted position, which does not hinder attachment/detachment of the held portion 34Y, to a position (biased in the direction of an arrow R2 in fig. 13) that engages the latch member 34 d.

Further, the communication circuit 74 and the fitting part 31d are provided on the surface of the holding portion 73 on the rear side thereof.

The nozzles 70 as shown in fig. 11 are arranged in the holding portion 73 corresponding to each toner color. Disposed in the nozzle 70 is a toner supply port 70a communicating with a toner outlet B formed in the held portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y.

The operation of attaching/detaching the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container holder 31 will be described below with reference to fig. 12 to 16.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of how the yellow toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 as viewed from the longitudinal direction (moving in the direction of arrow Q). Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of how the connection of the toner container 32Y advances (when the toner outlet B starts to be opened) as viewed from the longitudinal direction. Fig. 14 is a schematic view of the toner container 32Y attached to the toner container holder 31 when viewed from the longitudinal direction (when opening of the toner outlet B is completed). Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of how the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 when viewed from the holder 34c side. Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of the toner container 32Y attached to the toner container holder 31 as viewed from the holder 34c side.

When the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100, first, a body case (not shown) provided on the front surface (the near side of the paper of fig. 1) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is opened to expose the toner container holder 31 to the front side.

Then, referring to fig. 12, the toner container 32Y is pushed into the toner container holder 31 (moved in the direction of arrow Q). More specifically, the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 along the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y (or the toner container 32Y) so that the held portion 34Y becomes the head of the container body 33Y.

At this time, the first sliding portion 34c1 slides along the sliding surface 31a of the toner container holder 31 on the head side of the toner container 32Y, and the second sliding portion 34c2 slides along the sliding surface 31b of the toner container holder 31, and while sliding, the toner container 32Y is pushed into the toner container holder 31 with good balance by the user gripping the gripper 33d on the rear side of the toner container 32Y.

Thereafter, when the holder 34c of the toner container 32Y reaches the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31, the held portion 34Y starts positioning. More specifically, the engaging portion 34g of the held portion 34Y and the positioning member 31c of the toner container holder 31 start to engage with each other. During this time, the arm pair 90 biases the held portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y toward the holding portion 73 (in the direction of arrow Q).

Also, during this time, the claw member 76 provided in the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31 is retracted to a position not to obstruct the connection of the held portion 34Y (which is the rotation in the direction of the arrow R1 around the rotating spindle 76 a). More specifically, the pawl member 76 is pushed down by the slide portion 34c1 in a direction against the biasing force of the plate spring 77 as the second biasing member.

Thereafter, when the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y is further advanced, the latch member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B while the engaging portion 34g and the positioning member 31c are engaged with each other (the state shown in fig. 13). More specifically, the latch member 34d is pushed by the nozzle 70 in synchronization with the insertion of the front end of the nozzle 70 into the hole of the holder 34 c.

At this time, the pawl member 76 projects from the retracted position in fig. 12 to a position engaged with the latch member 34d (which is rotation in the direction of the arrow R2 about the rotating spindle 76 a) just before the front end of the nozzle 70 contacts the latch member 34 d. More specifically, the pawl member 76 is released from the urging by the slide portion 34c1 and is urged upward to its default position by the biasing force of the plate spring as the second biasing member.

At this default position, the pawl member 76 projects toward a space on the container body 33Y side of the latch member 34d, apart from the nozzle 70, and is provided between an engaging portion (of the latch member 34d) protruding from the surface of the latch member 34d and a side portion of the container body 33Y, both of which are provided on both sides in the space in the horizontal direction.

Ideally, from the viewpoint of preventing toner scattering, it is preferable that the pawl member 76 engages the engagement portion of the latch member 34d when the pawl member 76 is pushed upward, but the pawl member 76 is preferably configured to be pushed upward to a position separated from the engagement surface by about 0.5 to 3mm so as to maintain mechanical tolerance. This structure allows the pawl member 76 to easily wait for its engagement with the engagement portion of the latch member 34 when the user pushes the toner container into the toner container holder.

If the front end of the nozzle 70 contacts the front end of the latch member 34d to start the movement of the latch member 34d before the pawl member 76 is pushed up to the default position, the pawl member 76 will not engage with the engaging portion of the latch member 34d according to the setting of the mechanical tolerance, after which the trouble that the toner may leak from the toner outlet is pre-felt when the user feels strange and pulls out the toner container again.

The state shown in fig. 13 is that the latch member 34d is held by the nozzle 70 and the pawl member 76, and its position is fixed in the toner container holder 31 (holding portion 73). If the toner container 32Y is further moved in the connecting direction (the direction of arrow Q) from the state of fig. 13, the toner outlet B is opened while the position of the latch member 34d is fixed in the holding portion 73 (the latch member 34d is relatively moved).

Then, referring to fig. 14, the position of the held portion 34Y is fixed at a position where the holder 34c abuts against the holding portion 73 (an abutting reference position), while the latch member 34d completely closes the toner outlet B and the gear 33c of the toner container 32Y is engaged with the driving gear 31g of the driving unit of the toner container holder 31. The ID chip 35 as an electronic substrate faces the communication circuit 74 at a position where radio communication is possible. Further, a concave portion 34m and a convex portion 34n for ensuring the toner container incompatibility are fitted in the fitting parts 31d and 31e of the apparatus body. The toner outlet B of the toner container 32Y communicates with the toner supply port 70a of the nozzle 70, and the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y is completed.

On the other hand, when the toner container 32Y is pulled out (removed) from the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100, this operation is performed in a reverse manner to the connection.

First, while the position of the latch member 34d in the holding portion 73 is fixed by the nozzle 70 and the pawl member 76, in synchronization with the separation (detaching operation) of the toner container 32Y from the holding portion 73, the latch member 34d is biased by the pawl member 76, thereby closing the toner outlet B (movement from the state of fig. 14 to the state of fig. 13). At this time, the end face (right-hand end face in fig. 13) of the latch member 34d is fitted in the fitting portion formed in the held portion 34Y, and the closing of the toner outlet B is completed by the latch member 34 d. Thereafter, when the toner container 32Y is further moved in the separating direction (the direction opposite to the arrow Q) from the state of fig. 13, the claw member 76 is moved to a position where the separation of the held portion 34Y is not hindered (the state of fig. 12). When the held portion 34Y is completely separated, the claw member 76 is released from the urging of the slide portion 34c1, thereby returning to the default position by the biasing force of the plate spring as the second biasing member.

Here, the plate spring 77 is a second biasing member for biasing the pawl member 76 from the retracted position to the engaged position. Such a plate spring 77 is formed such that the force exerted by the pawl member 76 to bias the latch member 34d becomes larger than the sliding resistance of the latch member 34d (the resistance is generated by the packing of the O-ring in association with the opening/closing operation). This prevents the occurrence of a failure in which the pawl member 76 is pushed by the latch member 34d to move to the retracted position upon the removal operation of the toner container 32Y, so that the toner outlet B is not completely closed. In other words, the latch member 34d surely closes the toner outlet B at the time of the removal operation of the toner container 32Y.

In the first embodiment, since the position of the latch member 34d is held by the nozzle 70 and the pawl member 76 so as to be stably fixed in the toner container holder 31, the latch member 34d is not displaced even when the apparatus body 100 is in operation. Therefore, the toner can be prevented from scattering in the vicinity of the toner outlet B.

In the first embodiment, when the toner outlet B is opened/closed, the stroke of the latch member 34d is set to be longer than the stroke movable by manual operation (for example, operation of the latch member by pushing with a finger). In other words, even if the user erroneously touches the latch member 34d of the toner container 32Y, the stroke of the latch member 34d is set sufficiently long so as not to open the toner opening B. More specifically, the latch member 34d is formed such that its length is sufficiently long (in particular, the length from the end face where the nozzle is joined to the toner outlet), and the hole of the latch member 34d is formed to be sufficiently small compared with the size of the user's finger. Therefore, even if a biasing member (pawl member 76) for biasing the latch member 34d in the direction of closing the toner outlet B is not provided in the toner container 32Y, it is possible to prevent toner scattering from occurring in the vicinity of the toner outlet B due to an erroneous operation by the user, as described in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, however, because the biasing member (the pawl member 76) for biasing the latch member 34d is provided in the apparatus body 100, the number of parts in the toner container 32Y can be reduced, thus reducing the parts cost and the running cost.

In the first embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, 15 and 16, the latch member 34d is disposed at a position surrounded by the slide portions 34c1 and 34c 2. That is, the latch member 34d is provided in the held portion 34Y. This structure allows the sliding operation (attaching/detaching operation) of the sliding portions 34c1 and 34c2 to be performed surely without being hindered by the latch member 34d from the opening/closing operation of the toner outlet B. In other words, the slide portions 34c1 and 34c2 serve as protective walls corresponding to the latch member 34 d. Further, the cylinder portion of the latch member 34d is covered by the seat 34c of the held portion 34Y so as not to be exposed regardless of the opening/closing of the latch. Accordingly, the airtight seal can be maintained regardless of the opening/closing of the latch. Further, the latch member 34d has two plates as engaging portions with the pawl members 76, projecting symmetrically in the axial direction of the cylinder portion and in the perpendicular direction thereof. Although the two plates are exposed to engage the jaw members 76, they are located at a high position by the thickness of the abutments 34 c. Therefore, even when the toner container 32Y is attached/detached to/from the main body of the image forming apparatus 100, there is no possibility that the latch is inadvertently opened due to the sliding of the toner container with the sliding surface 31a of the toner container holder 31, and therefore, it is configured to prevent toner scattering.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the attaching operation and the detaching operation of the toner container 32Y are completed by one action (except for the opening/closing operation of the main body door), so that the sliding portion 34c1 of the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31 a.

The toner container 32Y according to the first embodiment includes the held portion 34Y having the toner outlet B disposed downward in the vertical direction. The toner opening B is disposed on the lower side than the opening a in the vertical direction, and after the latch member 34d is positioned surely in synchronization with the connecting operation, the latch member 34d is pushed by the nozzle 70 to open the toner outlet B sealed by the packing 34 e. Therefore, there is less toner offset in the toner outlet B, and the inconvenience of the user's hand being offset by toner by touching the toner outlet B can be avoided.

Since the attaching/detaching operation of the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container holder 31 is performed by one action in association with the sliding of the sliding portion 34d1, the operability/workability when replacing the toner container 32Y can be improved. Specifically, by providing the sliding portion 34c1 at the bottom of the held portion 34Y, the sliding portion 34c1 slides along the sliding face 31a while supporting the toner container 32Y.

Further, the attaching operation of the toner container 32Y is performed by starting sliding the sliding portion 34c1 while the user directly grips the gripper 33d, starting the positioning of the held portion 34Y while being biased by the arm pair 90, starting the insertion of the nozzle 70, ending the positioning of the held portion 34Y, the insertion of the nozzle 70, and being attached to the driving unit as soon as the sliding ends. Therefore, when the held portion 34Y is positioned while the slide of the held portion 34Y advances (by the one-time action of the connecting operation), the user obtains a click feeling that no erroneous operation is certainly made in the connecting operation.

Further, the toner container 32Y is not set in the toner container holder 31 (apparatus body 100) from the upper side thereof, but attachment/detachment is performed from the front surface of the toner container holder 31 (apparatus body 100), and therefore, flexibility of layout corresponding to the upper side of the toner container holder 31 can be enhanced. For example, even if a scanner (document reader) is being provided above the toner supply device 59, operability/workability when attaching/detaching by the toner container 32Y does not deteriorate. Also, flexibility in layout of the engaging position D between the gear 33c corresponding to the toner container 32Y and the driving gear 31g of the apparatus body 100 can be enhanced.

The toner container 32Y is mounted in the apparatus body 100 by setting its longitudinal direction to the horizontal direction, and therefore, the toner capacity of the toner container 32Y is increased without affecting the layout of the entire image forming apparatus 100 in the height direction, which also reduces the frequency of replacement.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, the latch member 34d of the held portion 34Y opens/closes the toner outlet B by one action in synchronization with the attachment/detachment operation at the time of the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container holder 31, which allows reliable and smooth opening/closing of the toner outlet B. Therefore, operability/workability at the time of replacement of the toner container 32Y can be improved, and the occurrence of toner offset can be certainly reduced.

In the first embodiment, only toner is contained in each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, but in the case where a two-component developer containing toner and carrier is supplied to each developing device, the two-component developer may also be contained in each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. Even in this case, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the first embodiment, the projection 33b is integrally formed on the inner circumferential surface of the container body 33Y, and the container body 33Y is rotated. Meanwhile, the coil or screw is rotatably held inside the container body 33Y, and the container body 33Y is not rotated, but the coil or screw may be rotated by the gear 33 c. Also in this case, if the latch member 34d of the held portion 34Y opens/closes the toner outlet B in synchronization with the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y by one action, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the first embodiment, a suction type screw pump 60 for sending air to the inside of the pipe 71 is provided in the toner supply device 59. Meanwhile, a discharge type screw pump for sending air to the inside of the pipe 71 may also be provided in the toner supply device 59. In addition, a diaphragm type air pump may be used as the pump connected to the tube 71. Even in these cases, if the latch member 34d of the held portion 34Y opens/closes the toner outlet B in synchronization with the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y by one action, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Second embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 17 to 19.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the head side of the toner container according to the second embodiment, which corresponds to what is shown in fig. 6 according to the first embodiment.

Referring to fig. 17, a toner container 32Y according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a compression spring 34f is provided as a member that applies a biasing force to a held portion 34Y. More specifically, a compression spring 34f for biasing the latch member 34d in the direction of closing the toner outlet B is provided on the right-hand side of the latch member 34 d.

The operation of attaching/detaching the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container holder 31 will be described below with reference to fig. 18 and 19.

Fig. 18A is a schematic diagram of how the yellow toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 (moved in the arrow direction) as viewed from the longitudinal direction, and fig. 18B is a sectional view of a part of the holder 34c surrounding the held portion 34Y in this state as viewed from the upper side. Fig. 19A is a schematic view of the toner container 32Y attached to the toner container holder 31 (attachment is completed) as viewed from the longitudinal direction, and fig. 19B is a sectional view of a part of the surrounding holder 34c in this state as viewed from the upper side.

The toner container holder 31 includes four toner container holders corresponding to the four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. Each of the four toner container holders includes sliding faces 31a and 31b along which sliding portions 34c1 and 34c2 of the held portion 34Y slide; a holding portion 73 for fixing the position of the abutment 34c of the held portion 34Y; a nozzle (toner conveying pipe) 70; and a driving unit (not shown) for transmitting a rotational driving force to the container body 33Y. The holding portion 73 includes sliding faces 31a and 31b that contact the holder 34c, and a contact face (not shown) that contacts a portion of the cover case 34 b.

When the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100, first, a body case (not shown) provided on the front surface (the near side of the paper of fig. 1) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is opened to expose the toner container holder 31 to the front side.

Then, referring to fig. 18A, the toner container 32Y is pushed into the toner container holder 31 (moved in the arrow direction). More specifically, the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 in the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y (or the toner container 32Y) so that the held portion 34Y becomes the head of the container body 33Y.

At this time, the first sliding portion 34c1 at the head side of the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31a of the toner container holder 31, and the second sliding portion 34c2 slides along the sliding surface 31b of the toner container holder 31, and while sliding, the toner container 32Y is pushed into the toner container holder 31 with good balance by the user gripping the gripper 33d on the rear side of the toner container 32Y.

Then, when the holder 34c of the toner container 32Y reaches the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31, the held portion 34Y starts positioning.

Thereafter, the latch member 34d is pushed by the nozzle 70 in response to the front end of the nozzle 70 being inserted into the hole of the holder 34 c. The position of the held portion 34Y is fixed at a position where the holder 34c abuts against the holding portion 73, and at the same time, the latch member 34d completely opens the toner outlet B. This opening allows the toner outlet B of the toner container 32Y to communicate with the toner supply port 70a of the nozzle 70, and the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y is completed, as shown in fig. 19A and 19B.

The movement of the nozzle 70 toward the inside or outside of the seat 34c and the movement of the latch member 34d toward the inside or outside of the seat 34c are performed when these two members slidably contact the flange of the packing 34e of the seat 34c (i.e., the portion forming the hole of the O-ring in fig. 17, and correspond to the front end of a pentagon, such as a home base used for a base ball), similarly to the cross section of the O-ring shown in fig. 17. Therefore, a malfunction in which toner leaks from the holder 34c due to the insertion or removal of the nozzle 70 can be prevented.

In the second embodiment, the attachment operation of the toner container 32Y is completed by one action (except for the opening/closing operation of the main body door), so that the sliding portion 34c1 of the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31 a. In other words, the positioning operation of the held portion 34Y (toner container 32Y) and the inserting operation of the nozzle 70 are sequentially performed in synchronization with the sliding operation, so that the sliding portion 34c1 of the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31 a.

When the toner container 32Y is taken out (detached) from the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100, this operation is performed in reverse to the attachment. In this case, the nozzle 70 is also separated from the holder 34c in synchronization with this operation, so that the toner container 32Y is separated from the holding portion 73, and the latch member 34d is moved to a position closing the toner outlet B by the biasing force of the compression spring 34 f.

The image forming apparatus to which the toner container 32Y is attached/detached may use the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, including the claw member 76 as shown in fig. 3, which is different from the image forming apparatus of the eleventh embodiment described later. In this case, the action of the pawl member 76 described with reference to fig. 12 to 14 may be superimposed on the action of the compression spring 34 f. Therefore, in order to enhance the sealing ability of the toner outlet B, the airtight seal between the plug member 34d and the packing 34e can be further enhanced. In this case, the sliding load during the movement of the latch member 34d also increases, but the compression of the spring 34f and the pawl member 76 can increase the moving force of the latch member 34d, so that the toner outlet can be smoothly opened/closed.

In this way, the detaching operation of the toner container 32Y is completed by one action (except for the opening/closing operation of the main body door), so that the sliding portion 34c1 of the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31 a.

The toner container 32Y according to the second embodiment includes the held portion 34Y with the toner outlet B disposed on the lower side in the direction of gravity, and the latch member 34d is pushed by the nozzle 70 in synchronization with the connecting operation, thereby opening the toner outlet B sealed by the filler 34 e. Therefore, toner in the toner outlet B is less stained, and the trouble that the user's hand is stained by touching the toner outlet B can be prevented.

The attaching/detaching operation of the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container holder 31 is performed by one action in association with the sliding of the sliding portion 34c1, and therefore, the operability/workability at the time of replacement of the toner container 32Y can be improved. Specifically, by providing the sliding portion 34c1 at the bottom of the held portion 34Y, the sliding portion 34c1 slides along the sliding surface 31a while supporting the toner container 32Y.

Further, the connection operation of the toner container 32Y is performed by: the user directly holds the gripper 33d while starting sliding the sliding portion 34c1, while starting positioning the held portion 34Y while sliding, starts inserting the nozzle 70, and completes the positioning of the held portion 34Y and the insertion of the nozzle 70 immediately after the sliding is completed. Therefore, when the slide of the held portion 34Y (the connecting operation by one action) advances and at the same time when the held portion 34Y is positioned, the user feels a click feeling and determines that no erroneous operation has occurred in the connecting operation.

Moreover, the toner container 32Y is not set in the toner container holder 31 (apparatus body 100) from the upper side, but attachment/detachment is performed from the front surface of the toner container holder 31 (apparatus body 100), and therefore, flexibility of layout corresponding to the upper side of the toner container holder 31 is enhanced. For example, even if the scanner (document reader) is disposed just above the toner container holder, the operability/workability at the time of attachment/detachment of the toner container 32Y does not deteriorate.

The toner container 32Y is mounted in the apparatus body by setting its longitudinal direction to the horizontal direction, and therefore, the toner capacity of the toner container 32Y will be increased without affecting the layout in the height direction of the entire image forming apparatus 100, which can reduce the frequency of replacement.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the sliding portions 34c1 and 34c2 are provided in the held portion 34Y, which slide along the toner container holder 31 and in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder 31. Therefore, operability/workability in replacing the toner container 32Y can be improved, and the occurrence of toner offset is surely reduced.

Third embodiment

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 20.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a toner container according to a third embodiment, which corresponds to FIG. 5 according to the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the shape of the sliding portion 34c1 formed in the held portion 34Y is different from that of the other embodiments.

As shown in fig. 20, in the toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment, the first sliding portion 34c1 of the held portion 34Y is two convex body portions (ribs) that project toward the sliding surface 31a of the toner container holder 31, unlike the sliding portions formed with flat portions in the other embodiments. More specifically, the two convex body portions 34c1 as sliding portions are formed to have a height contactable with the sliding surface 31a (they are formed to be equal in height to the sliding surface 31a in the vertical direction) and extend in the longitudinal direction (attaching/detaching direction). Therefore, when the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y is performed, the two convex body portions 34c1 (sliding portions) slide along the sliding surface 31a while the posture of the held portion 34Y (or the toner container 32Y) is being maintained.

The attaching/detaching operation of the toner container 32Y according to the third embodiment is also completed by one action (except for the opening/closing operation of the main body door), so that the sliding portion 34c1 of the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31a, similarly to the other embodiments.

As described above, in the third embodiment, similarly to the other embodiments, the configuration of the toner container mounted in the toner container holder is optimized by setting the longitudinal direction thereof to the horizontal direction. Therefore, operability/workability at the time of replacement is improved, and the occurrence of toner offset can be reduced with certainty.

The shape of the slide portion 34c1 in the toner container 32Y is not limited to the case of the third embodiment or the other embodiments. Therefore, if any sliding portion slides along the sliding face 31a while maintaining the posture of the held portion 34Y, the same effect as that of the other embodiments can be obtained.

Fourth embodiment

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 21 to 25.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the arm pair 90 provided in the toner container holder 31 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the arm pair 90. In the following description, the embodiments will be described using the drawings where necessary.

Referring to fig. 4 and 10, the toner container holder 31 includes a sliding surface 31a along which each of the held portions of the four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K slides; the holding portion 73 is for fixing each position of the holder 34c of the held portion; a nozzle 70; a drive unit that transmits a rotational drive force to each container body 33Y; a communication circuit 74; the arm portion pair 90 serving as a biasing unit.

The holding portions 73 will each hold each of the held portions of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K in a non-rotating manner. The holding portion 73 includes a sliding surface that contacts the holder 34c and a contact surface that contacts a portion of the cover case 34 b. The sliding surface (side surface) provided in the holding portion 73 is a positioning member 31c (see fig. 5) for positioning in synchronization with the connection of the held portion 34Y. The positioning member 31c is a convex body portion extending in the attaching/detaching direction of the toner container 32Y.

The nozzle 70 shown in fig. 11 is provided corresponding to each toner color in the holding portion 73. The nozzle 70 has a toner supply port 70a for communicating with a toner outlet B formed in the held portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y.

Referring to fig. 10 and 21, the arm pair 90 is provided corresponding to each toner color in the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31. As shown in fig. 21, the arm portion pair 90 is provided on both sides sandwiching the held portion of the toner container.

Referring to fig. 22, the arm portion pair 90 includes a first arm 91 (second biasing member), a second arm 92 (biasing member), a spindle 93, and a torsion spring 94. The arm pair 90 is integrally provided via a spindle 93, and forces in both directions are applied in a rotational direction around the spindle 93 by a torsion spring 94. More specifically, the first arm 91 and the second arm 92 apply forces in two directions in the rotational direction around the spindle 93. As the angle formed between the first arm 91 and the second arm 92 increases, the force increases more.

The arm pair 90 configured in the above-described manner functions as a biasing unit that biases the held portion 34Y toward the holding portion 73 (biases it in the direction of arrow Q) while the toner container 32Y is set in the toner container holder 31. More specifically, the arm pair 90 biases the flat portion 34k, which serves as a biasing portion of the held portion 34Y, with the toner container 32Y set in the toner container holder 31. Further, the arm pair 90 is configured such that the sliding portions 34c2 of the held portion 34Y (second sliding portions provided in both side portions of the held portion 34Y) contact the arm pair 90 in synchronization with the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y, thereby sliding. In the fourth embodiment, the flat portion 34k as the biasing portion of the held portion 34Y biased by the arm pair 90 is flat (which is connected between the ends of both side portions and orthogonal to the attaching/detaching direction of the fourth embodiment), crossing the side portion among the ends of both side portions of the held portion 34Y where the sliding portion 34c2 is formed.

According to the above configuration, the toner container 32Y is set in the holding portion 73 while the two sliding portions 34c2 held by the two arm pairs 90 are slid with sufficient balance, and the posture of the held portion 34Y in the holding portion 73 is held by the arm pairs 90 (the held portion is biased to the nozzle 70 side and the position thereof is fixed). Therefore, operability/workability at the time of replacement of the toner container 32Y can be improved, and occurrence of toner offset associated with the replacement work can be reliably reduced.

The attaching/detaching operation of the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container holder 31 will be explained below with reference to fig. 23 to 25 and fig. 12 to 14.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of how the yellow toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 (movement in the arrow Q direction) as viewed from the longitudinal direction, and fig. 23 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the arm pair 90 and the held portion 34Y (holder 34c) in this state as viewed from the upper side. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of how the connection of the toner container 32Y advances (the toner outlet B starts to be opened) as viewed from the longitudinal direction, and fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the arm pair 90 and the held portion 34Y (the holder 34c) in this state as viewed from the upper side. Fig. 14 is a schematic view of the toner container attached to the toner container holder 31 (opening of the toner outlet B is completed) as viewed from the longitudinal direction, and fig. 25 is a schematic view of the relationship between the arm pair 90 and the held portion 34Y (holder 34c) in this state as viewed from the upper side.

When the toner container 32Y is to be attached to the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100, a main body cover (not shown) first provided on the front surface (the near side on the paper of fig. 1) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is opened to expose the toner container holder 31 to the front side.

Then, referring to fig. 12, the toner container 32Y is pushed into the toner container holder 31 (moved in the arrow Q direction). More specifically, the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 along the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y (or the toner container 32Y) so that the held portion 34Y becomes the head of the container body 33Y.

At this time, the sliding portion 34c1 slides along the sliding face 31a of the toner container holder 31 at the head side of the toner container 32Y, and the toner container 32Y is pushed into the toner container holder 31 with sufficient balance by the user gripping the gripper 33d on the rear side of the toner container 32Y.

Thereafter, referring to fig. 23, when the abutment 34c (the held portion 34Y) of the toner container 32Y reaches the pair of arm portions 90 in the toner container holder 31, the first arm 91 comes into contact with the leading edge of the abutment 34c (the held portion 34Y), the second arm 92 comes into contact with the side surface (the sliding portion 34c2) of the abutment 34c (the held portion 34Y), and the pair of arm portions 90 thereby widens in the black arrow direction (γ direction) of fig. 23. Then, by widening the arm portion pair 90 in the black arrow direction (γ direction), the first arm 91 applies a force to the abutment 34c in the direction of the arrow S1 and the second arm 92 applies a force thereto in the direction of the arrow S2 under the elastic force of the torsion spring 94. In this case, the second arms 92 face each other on both side surfaces of the seat 34c, and the forces from both directions indicated by the arrow S2 are cancelled out. Therefore, the force acting from the second arm 92 on the sliding portion 34c2 becomes a small amount of sliding resistance between the resins, and therefore, the force in the direction of the arrow S1 by the first arm 91 mainly acts on the held portion 34Y. These forces are forces in the direction in which the toner container 32Y is detached from the holding portion 73.

Thereafter, the toner container 32Y is further pushed in against the force in the detaching direction, and when the holder 34c of the toner container 32Y reaches the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31, the held portion 34Y starts to be positioned while the second slide portion 34c2 slides along the pair of arm portions 90, in addition to the sliding of the first slide portion 34c1 along the slide surface 31 a. More specifically, the engaging portion 34g of the held portion 34Y and the positioning member 31c of the toner container holder 31 start to engage with each other.

Then, the attaching operation of the toner container 32Y is further advanced, and the detaching member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B while the engaging portion 34g and the positioning member 31c are engaged (the state shown in fig. 13). That is, the front end of the nozzle 70 is inserted into the hole of the holder 34c, and at the same time, the latch member 34d is relatively pushed by the nozzle 70.

At this time, the second arm 92 biases the held portion 34Y toward the holding portion 73 (in the direction of the arrow Q) in addition to the sliding of the second sliding portion 34c2 along the first arm 91.

More specifically, referring to fig. 24, the first arm 91 is widened by the front edge of the abutment 34c (the held portion 34Y) so as to be in contact with the second slide portion 34c 2. Meanwhile, the second arm 92 contacts the rear end of the abutment 34c (flat portion 34 k). At this time, the forces applied by the first arm 91 from the two directions of the arrow S2 are cancelled. Therefore, the force acting on the sliding portion 34c2 from the first arm 91 reaches approximately a small amount of sliding resistance between the resins, and therefore, the force acting from the arrow S3 direction by the second arm 92 acts mainly on the held portion 34Y. These forces are forces in the direction (the direction of arrow Q) in which the toner container 32Y is biased toward the holding portion 73.

Referring to fig. 14, the position of the held portion 34Y is fixed at a position where the holder 34c abuts against the holding portion 73 (corresponding to the abutting reference position), while the latch member 34d fully opens the toner outlet B, and the gear 33c of the toner container 32Y engages with the driving gear of the driving unit in the toner container holder 31. Further, the ID chip 35 is fixed at a position communicable with the communication circuit 74. The toner outlet B of the toner container 32Y and the toner supply port 70a thus communicate with each other, and the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y is completed.

At this time, referring to fig. 25, the first arm 91 contacts the second slide portion 34c2, and the flat portion 34k (the rear end of the abutment 34c) as the biasing portion of the second arm 92 contacts. In this case, only the force of the second arm 92 in the direction of the arrow S4 acts on the held portion 34Y. These forces are forces (positioning forces) for holding the held portion 34Y of the toner container in the holding portion 73. In the fourth embodiment, the two arm pairs 90 are in contact with two portions (both ends) of the flat portion 34k, and thus the held portion 34Y is biased toward the connecting direction with sufficient balance.

Before or after the engaging portion 34g of the held portion 34Y is disengaged from the positioning member 31c of the toner container holder 31, the first arm 91 and the second arm 92 are in the positions shown in fig. 23 even when the toner container 32Y is manually detached by the user. At this time, the first arm 91 also applies forces to the held portion 34Y in the direction of S1 in which the toner container 32Y is detached from the holding portion 73, these forces supporting the user' S pulling-out operation, thereby facilitating the detachment.

Further, when the force facilitating the detachment is generated by the first arm 91, the operation passes through the state shown in fig. 25 and 24. However, at this time, forces shown by arrows S3 and S4 that bias the toner container 32Y toward the holding portion 73 are generated in the second arm 92, and these forces serve to push the toner container 32Y back to the holding portion 73, thereby closing the toner outlet to suppress scattering of toner by the user when a slow and slight detaching operation is performed, and therefore the pulling-out operation requires forces, so these forces can urge the user to complete such a quick pulling-out operation with less scattering of toner.

In the fourth embodiment, referring to fig. 6, the sliding portions 34c2 as the biasing portions are formed such that their heights (positions in the vertical direction) reach almost equal to the height of the toner outlet B (or the latch member 34 d). Therefore, when the slide portion 34c2 slides along the arm pair 90, even if a torque (disturbance) in the longitudinal direction about the nozzle center axis acts on the held portion 34Y, the force acting on the slide portion 34c2 from the first arm 91 and the second arm 92 can be prevented from becoming a torque-urging force. As a result, such a malfunction that the toner outlet B (or the latch member 34d) and the nozzle 70 are away from each other can be prevented.

In the fourth embodiment, the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y to the toner container holder 31 is configured such that the nozzle 70 starts pushing the latch portion 34d after the slide portion 34c2 starts sliding along the arm pair 90, and the arm pair 90 biases (positions) the flat portion 34k (biasing portion) once the slide portion 34c2 finishes sliding along the arm pair 90. In other words, as shown in fig. 6, the length of the sliding portions 34c2 in their attaching/detaching direction is set to be sufficiently long. This allows a reliable operation so that the nozzle 70 pushes the latch member 34d and the holding portion 73 positions the held portion 34Y after the held portion 34Y starts to be smoothly attached to the toner container holder 31.

The fourth embodiment is configured such that the moving distance, in the attaching/detaching direction of the latch member 34d in association with the attaching/detaching operation of the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container holder 31, is shorter than the distance from the toner outlet B to the flat portion 34k (biasing portion) in the attaching/detaching operation. According to this configuration, the nozzle 70 and the latch member 34d are surely engaged after the held portion 34Y starts to be smoothly attached to the toner container holder 31.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the engaging portions 34g of the held portion 34Y are provided on the upper side of the sliding portion 34c2 (second sliding portion) in their vertical direction and the toner outlet B (or the latch member 34 d). Therefore, even if toner leaks out of the toner outlet B, most of the leaked toner drops in the direction of gravity, thus reducing the adhesion of toner to the engaging portion 34g to cause a failure of poor engagement with the positioning member 31 c.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, similarly to the other embodiments, the configuration of the toner container mounted in the toner container holder is optimized in accordance with the longitudinal direction set as the horizontal direction. Therefore, the operability/workability at the time of replacement is improved, and toner offset is certainly reduced.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the toner container 32Y is set in the holding portion 73 while the two sliding portions 34c2 held by the two arm pairs 90 smoothly slide, and the held portion 34Y is held by the holding portion 73 under the biasing force of the arm pair 90. Therefore, operability/workability in replacing the toner container 32Y is further improved, and toner offset associated with the replacement work can be determined to be reduced.

Fifth embodiment

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 26.

Fig. 26 is a schematic diagram of the arm pair 90 when the toner container 32Y according to the fifth embodiment is attached to the toner container holder 31, and corresponds to fig. 25 according to the fourth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the corner portion 340m serves as a biasing portion of the held portion 34Y in the toner container 32Y, which is different from the flat portion 34k serving as a biasing portion of the held portion 34Y in the fourth embodiment.

Referring to fig. 26, in the fifth embodiment as well, the arm pair 90 functions as a biasing unit to bias the held portion 34Y toward the holding portion 73 while the toner container 32Y is set in the toner container holder 31. More specifically, the arm pair 90 biases the corner 340m (curved portion) as the biasing portion of the held portion 34Y while the toner container 32Y is set in the toner container holder 31. Further, the arm pair 90 is configured such that the second slide portion 34c2 of the held portion 34Y contacts the arm pair 90 to slide in synchronization with the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y. Here, the corner 340m is a corner (two corners) in respective ends of both side portions of the held portion 34Y where the sliding portion 34c2 is formed, which serves as a biasing portion of the held portion 34Y biased by the pair of arm portions 90.

According to the above configuration, the toner container 32Y is set in the holding portion 73 while the two sliding portions 34c2 held by the two arm pairs 90 are smoothly slid, and the posture of the held portion 34Y in the holding portion 73 is held by the arm pair 90. In the fifth embodiment, the two arm portions 90 contact the two corner portions 340m, thereby biasing the held portion 34Y with good balance along the connecting portion.

In the fifth embodiment, the corner 340m of the held portion 34Y is rounded (rounded off). The rounded shape of the corner 340m is formed such that it is smaller than the rounded shape of the contact portion (the contact portion 92a of the second arm 92) of the arm portion pair 90 that is in contact with the corner 340 m. Therefore, the transition from the operation is smoothly performed, so that the slide portion 34c2 slides along the arm pair 90 to the operation, so that the arm pair 90 biases the held portion 34Y (the corner 340 m).

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, similarly to the other embodiments, the configuration of the toner container mounted in the toner container holder is optimized in accordance with the longitudinal direction set as the horizontal direction. Therefore, operability/workability at the time of replacement is improved, and the occurrence of toner offset can be surely reduced.

Further, in the fifth embodiment, similarly to the fourth embodiment, the toner container 32Y is set in the holding portion 73 while the two sliding portions 34c2 held by the two arm pairs 90 smoothly slide, and the held portion 34Y is held by the holding portion 73 by the biasing force of the arm pairs 90. Therefore, operability/workability in replacing the toner container 32Y is further improved, and toner offset associated with the replacement work can be surely reduced.

Sixth embodiment

A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 27 to 29.

The toner container 32Y according to the sixth embodiment also includes sliding portions 34c1 and 34c2 provided in a seat 34c of the held portion 34Y, and a sliding portion that slides along the toner container holder 31 in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder 31.

More specifically, the first sliding portion 34c1 is a flat portion formed in parallel with the sliding surface 31a (as an upper surface, see fig. 27A) of the toner container holder 31, and a flat portion is provided at the bottom of the held portion 34Y, by which attachment/detachment is performed. Further, the second sliding portion 34c2 is a flat portion formed in parallel with the sliding surface 31B (side surface; see fig. 27B) of the toner container holder 31, and a flat portion is provided in the side portion of the held portion 34Y, by which attachment/detachment is performed.

The attachment/detachment of the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container holder 31 will be described below with reference to fig. 27 and 29.

Fig. 27A is a schematic view of how the yellow toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 (moved in the arrow direction) when viewed from the longitudinal direction, and fig. 27B is a schematic view of surrounding a part of the holder 34c in the held portion 34Y in this state when viewed from the upper side. Fig. 28A is a schematic diagram of how the attachment of the toner container 32Y advances (starts positioning the held portion 34Y) as viewed from the longitudinal direction, and fig. 28B is a schematic diagram of a part of the holder 32c surrounding the held portion 34Y in this state as viewed from the upper side. Fig. 29A is a schematic view of the toner container 32Y attached to the toner container holder 31 (attachment is completed) viewed from the longitudinal direction, and fig. 29B is a schematic view of a portion surrounding the holder 34c in this state viewed from the upper side.

Provided in the toner container holder 31 are four toner container holders corresponding to the four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, respectively. Each of the four toner containers includes sliding faces 31a and 31b along which sliding portions 34c1 and 34c2 of the held portion 34Y slide; a holding portion 73 for fixing the position of the abutment 34c of the held portion 34Y; a nozzle 70; and a driving unit (not shown) for transmitting a rotational driving force to the container body 33Y. The holding portion 73 includes sliding faces 31a and 31b that contact the holder 34c, and a contact face (not shown) that contacts a portion of the cover case 34 b. Provided on the sliding surface 31b (side surface) of the holding portion 73 is a positioning member 31c for positioning in synchronization with the connecting operation of the held portion 34Y. The positioning member 31c is a convex body portion extending in the attaching/detaching direction of the toner container 32Y.

When the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100, first, a body case (not shown) provided on the front surface (the near side on the paper of fig. 1) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 is opened to expose the toner container holder 31 to the front side.

Then, referring to fig. 27A, the toner container 32Y is pushed into the toner container holder 31 (movement in the arrow direction). More specifically, the toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder 31 along the longitudinal direction of the container body 33Y (or the toner container 32Y) so that the held portion 34Y reaches the head of the container body 33Y.

At this time, the first sliding portion 34c1 slides along the sliding face 31a of the toner container holder 31 at the head side of the toner container 32Y, and while sliding, the toner container 32Y is pushed into the toner container holder 31 with sufficient balance by the user gripping the gripper 33d on the near side of the toner container 32Y.

Referring to fig. 28A, when the holder 34c of the toner container 32Y reaches the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31, the held portion 34Y starts to be positioned while the second sliding portion 34c2 slides along the sliding surface 31b in addition to the sliding of the first sliding portion 34c1 along the sliding surface 31 a. More specifically, the engaging portion 34g of the held portion 34Y and the positioning member 31c of the toner container holder 31 start to engage with each other.

Thereafter, when the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y is further advanced, the latch member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B while the engaging portion 34g and the positioning member 31c are engaged with each other. More specifically, the latch member 34d is pushed by the nozzle 70 in association with the insertion of the front end of the nozzle 70 into the hole of the holder 34 c. Then, as shown in fig. 29A, the position of the held portion 34Y is fixed at a position where the holder 34 abuts against the holding portion 73 (corresponding to the abutting reference position), and at the same time, the latch member 34d completely opens the toner outlet B. The toner outlet B of the toner container 32Y and the toner supply port 70a of the nozzle 70 are thereby communicated with each other, and the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y is completed.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y to the toner container holder 31 is configured such that the latch member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B after the held portion 34Y starts to be positioned. More specifically, the front end of the positioning member 31c is formed such that it is closer to the side of the held portion 34Y than the front end of the nozzle 70 with respect to the held portion 34Y that moves in the connecting direction (i.e., in the direction of the arrow shown in fig. 27A). In other words, referring to fig. 27B, the positioning member 31c is formed longer than the nozzle 70 by a predetermined length H to the left from the reference position corresponding to the abutment in the holding portion 73.

More specifically, in the sixth embodiment, the attachment operation of the toner container 32Y is completed by one action (except for the opening/closing operation of the main body door) so that the sliding portion 34c1 of the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31 a. In other words, the sliding portion 34c1 of the toner container 32Y is caused to slide along the sliding surface 31a, and in synchronization with this operation, the positioning operation of the held portion 34Y is started, and then the insertion operation of the nozzle 70 is started.

Therefore, the nozzle 70 is surely brought into contact with the latch member 34d (hole) of the held portion 34Y, which is accurately positioned by the positioning member 31 c. This prevents damage to the nozzle 70 (or the held portion 34Y) that may occur due to the nozzle 70 not being aligned with the latch member 34d but hitting the held portion 34Y. In other words, if the insertion operation of the nozzle 70 is started before the held portion 34Y is accurately positioned, the nozzle 70 may be misaligned with the latch member 34d but hit against the held portion 34Y, which results in a stress exceeding the allowable stress acting on the nozzle 70 (or the held portion 34Y), whereby the nozzle 70 (or the held portion 34Y) may be deformed.

In the sixth embodiment, referring to fig. 27B, the positioning member 31c has a tapered portion 31c1 (or a slope) formed at the front end of the side portion to which the held portion 34Y is connected. Further, the engaging portion 34g of the held portion 34Y also has a tapered portion 34g1 (or a slope) formed at the front end of the side portion to which the positioning member 31c is engaged. This allows smooth engagement between the engaging portion 34g of the held portion 34Y and the positioning member 31c of the toner container holder 31 during the attaching/detaching operation of the toner container 32Y.

Further, when the two members slidably contact the flange of the packing 34e of the holder 34c, the nozzle 70 moves to the inside or the outside of the holder 34c, and the latch member 34d moves to the inside or the outside of the holder 34 c. Therefore, the occurrence of a failure in which toner leaks out of the holder 34c due to the insertion or removal of the nozzle 70 can be prevented.

When the toner container 32Y is taken out (detached) from the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100, the reverse operation to the connection is performed. At this time, the nozzle 70 is also separated from the holder 34c in synchronization with the operation of separating the toner container 32Y from the holding portion 73, and the latch member 34d is moved to the position of closing the toner outlet B by the biasing force of the compression spring 34 f.

In this way, the detaching operation of the toner container 32Y is completed by one action (except for the opening/closing operation of the main body door), so that the sliding portion 34c1 of the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31 a.

The toner container 32Y according to the sixth embodiment includes the held portion 34Y, and the outlet B is provided at the lower side in the gravity direction, and after the latch member 34d is positioned surely in synchronization with the connecting operation, the latch member 34d is pushed by the nozzle 70, thereby opening the outlet B sealed by the packing 34 e. Therefore, toner is less likely to be stained at the toner outlet B, and the trouble that the user touches the toner outlet B and is stained with toner can be prevented.

The attaching/detaching operation of the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container holder 31 is performed by one action in association with the sliding of the sliding portion 34c1, and therefore, the operability/workability when replacing the toner container 32Y is improved. Specifically, by providing the sliding portion 34c1 at the bottom of the held portion 34Y, the sliding portion 34c1 slides along the sliding surface 31a while supporting the toner container 32Y.

Further, the attaching operation of the toner container 32Y is performed by the user directly holding the gripper 33d while starting sliding the sliding portion 34c1, starting the positioning of the held portion 34Y in association with the sliding, starting the insertion of the nozzle 70, and once the sliding is completed, the positioning of the held portion 34Y and the insertion of the nozzle 70 are completed. Therefore, when the slide of the held portion 34Y advances (by the one-time action of the connecting operation) while the held portion 34Y is positioned, the user obtains a click feeling, and feels sure that no erroneous operation occurs in the connecting operation.

Further, the toner container 32Y is not set in the toner container holder 31 (apparatus body 100) from the upper side, but attachment/detachment is performed from the front surface of the toner container holder 31 (apparatus body 100), and therefore, flexibility of layout of the upper side of the toner container holder 31 is enhanced. For example, even if the scanner (document reader) is disposed directly above the toner container holder, operability/workability in replacing the toner container 32Y is not deteriorated.

The toner container 32Y is mounted in the apparatus body 100 by setting its longitudinal direction to the horizontal direction, and therefore, the toner capacity of the toner container 32Y is increased without affecting the layout in the height direction of the entire image forming apparatus 100, which can reduce the frequency of replacement.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, when the toner container 32Y is to be attached to the toner container holder 31, the positioning of the held portion 34Y is started in synchronization with the attaching operation, and then, the latch member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B. Therefore, the toner outlet B will be successfully and smoothly opened. Thereby, operability/workability in replacing the toner container 32Y can be improved, and occurrence of toner offset can be reduced with certainty.

Seventh embodiment

A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 30A and 30B.

Fig. 30A and 30B are schematic views of how a toner container 32Y according to the seventh embodiment is attached to a toner container holder 31, corresponding to fig. 27A and 27B according to the seventh embodiment. The seventh embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment mainly in the shape of the held portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y.

The toner container 32Y according to the seventh embodiment also includes a container body 33Y and a held portion 34Y (cap), similarly to the sixth embodiment. A latch member 34d as an opening/closing member is provided in the held portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y, and an engaging portion 34g which engages with the positioning member 31c of the toner container holder 31 is provided therein.

The held portion 34Y according to the seventh embodiment differs from that of the sixth embodiment as follows. The leading end of the engaging portion 34g that engages with the positioning member is formed such that the leading end is closer to the toner container holder 31 side (right-hand side on the paper) than the leading end of the latch member 34d pushed by the nozzle 70 when the held portion 34Y is moved relative to the toner container holder 31 in the connecting direction (i.e., the direction shown by the arrow in fig. 30A). In other words, the engaging portion 34g is formed longer than the plug member 34d by a predetermined length H on the holding portion 73 side. In the toner container holder 31, the positioning member 31c and the nozzle 70 are formed so that lengths from the reference positions corresponding to the abutment in the holding portion 73 are almost equal to each other.

According to the above-described structure, in the seventh embodiment, similarly to the sixth embodiment, during the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y to the toner container holder 31, the held portion 34Y starts to be positioned, and then, the latch member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B. Therefore, damage to the nozzle 70 (or the held portion 34Y) caused by the nozzle 70 colliding against the held portion 34Y while the latch member 34d is misaligned can be prevented.

As described above, in the seventh embodiment, similarly to the sixth embodiment, when the toner container 32Y is to be attached to the toner container holder 31, the latch member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B after the held portion 34Y starts to be positioned in synchronization with the attaching operation. Therefore, the toner outlet B can be successfully and smoothly opened. Operability/workability in replacing the toner container 32Y can thereby be improved, and the occurrence of toner offset can be reduced with certainty.

Eighth embodiment

An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 31.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a toner container according to the eighth embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. The eighth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of a positioning member 31c provided in a toner container holder.

Referring to fig. 31, a positioning member 31c provided in the toner container holder according to the eighth embodiment projects from the rear side of the holding portion of the toner container holder toward the side of the held portion 34Y in common with the nozzle 70, unlike the first embodiment in which the positioning member 31c is integrally formed on the wall surface (side surface) of the toner container holder. Similar to the sixth embodiment, the positioning member 31c according to the eighth embodiment is also formed to be longer than the nozzle 70 by a predetermined length from the reference position corresponding to the abutment in the holding portion to the side of the held portion 34Y.

According to the above-described structure, in the eighth embodiment as well, similarly to the sixth embodiment, during the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y to the toner container holder 31, the positioning of the held portion 34d is started, and then, the latch member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B. Therefore, damage to the nozzle 70 (or the held portion 34Y) caused by the nozzle 70 colliding against the held portion 34Y while the latch member 34d is misaligned can be prevented.

As described above, in the eighth embodiment, similarly to the sixth embodiment, when the toner container 32Y is to be attached to the toner container holder 31, the latch member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B after the held portion 34Y starts to be positioned in synchronization with the attaching operation. Therefore, the toner outlet B can be successfully and smoothly opened. Operability/workability in replacing the toner container 32Y can thereby be improved, and the occurrence of toner offset can be reduced with certainty.

Ninth embodiment

A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 32.

Fig. 32 is a sectional view of a toner container according to the ninth embodiment. The toner container 32Y according to the ninth embodiment has points that the container body 33Y is held by the toner container holder 31 in a non-rotatable direction in common with the held portion 34Y, and the coil 81Y as a conveyor member is provided in the container body 33Y, unlike the embodiment in which the container body 33Y is rotated to convey toner contained therein to the opening a.

As shown in fig. 32, the toner container 32Y mainly includes a container body 33Y and a held portion 34Y.

An opening a is provided at the head of the container body 33Y, and a gear 33c is rotatably provided around the periphery of the opening a. The gear 33c is engaged with the driving gear of the apparatus body 100 to rotate the coil 81Y.

The rotary shaft 81Y is integrally formed with the gear 33c, and the helical coil 81Y is connected to the rotary shaft 80Y. One end of the rotating shaft 80Y is supported by the bearing portion 34a2 of the held portion 34Y. The coil 81Y extends from the opening a to the rear end (bottom) in the container body 33Y. The gear 33c rotates around the container body 33Y to rotate the rotation shaft 80Y and the coil 81Y.

Therefore, the toner contained in the container body 33Y is conveyed toward the opening a by the toner conveying force of the coil 81Y.

Because the outer diameter of coil 81Y is smaller than the inner diameter of container body 33Y, toner conveying force can be exerted on the toner near the center axis of rotation, away from the inner peripheral surface of container body 33Y. Further, the coil 81Y is relatively flexible in shape and is supported only by one end thereof, and thus, its position may swing during rotation. This can apply the toner conveying force completely from the inner peripheral surface of the container body 33Y to the rotation center shaft. Therefore, even when a large amount of toner is contained in the container body 33Y and toner aggregation occurs due to environmental changes or "leaving time is too long", the aggregation state is weakened by the coil 81Y through the toner conveying force, and thus a reduction in the amount of toner to be discharged can be prevented.

In the ninth embodiment, similarly to the other embodiments, when the toner container 32Y is attached/detached to/from the toner container holder 31, the latch member 34d of the held portion 34Y opens/closes the toner outlet B by one action in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation. In this case, the held portion 34Y starts to be positioned, and then, the latch member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B. Further, sliding portions 34c1 and 34c2 are provided in the held portion 34Y so as to slide along the toner container holder 31 in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder 31.

As described above, in the ninth embodiment, similarly to the other embodiments, the configuration of the toner container mounted in the toner container holder is optimized according to the longitudinal direction set as the horizontal direction. Therefore, operability/workability at the time of replacement can be improved, and the occurrence of toner offset can be reduced with certainty.

The coil 81Y is used as the transmitter part in the ninth embodiment, but a spiral may also be used as the transmitter part. In this case as well, the same effects as those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained.

Tenth embodiment

A tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 33 and 34.

Fig. 33 is a sectional view of a toner container according to the tenth embodiment, corresponding to fig. 32 according to the ninth embodiment. Fig. 34 is a schematic view of the plate member 84Y. The toner container according to the ninth embodiment is different from the ninth embodiment in that a plate member 84Y is used as the conveyor member.

As shown in fig. 33, the toner container 32Y mainly includes a container body 33Y and a held portion 34Y.

An opening a is provided at the head of the container body 33Y, and a gear 33c is rotatably provided around the periphery of the opening a. The gear 33c is engaged with the driving gear of the apparatus body 100 to be rotated, similarly to the ninth embodiment.

The threaded rod 83Y is formed integrally with the gear 33c, and the plate member 84Y is provided on the threaded rod 83Y. More specifically, the male thread portion 83Ya of the threaded rod 83Y is screw-fitted with the female thread portion 84Ya in the plate member 84Y (see fig. 34). Referring to fig. 34, a notch portion is formed on the plate member 84Y, the notch portion engaging with a guide portion 85Y, which is protruded along the inner circumferential surface of the container body 33Y.

Referring to fig. 33, the threaded rod 83Y is supported at one end thereof by the bearing portion 34a2 of the holding portion 34Y, and at the other end by a bearing portion provided in the rear side of the container body 33Y. The gear 33c is rotated around the container body 33Y, and the threaded rod 83Y is also rotated integrally. Therefore, the plate member 84Y engaged with the threaded rod 83Y moves in the screw feeding direction (moves toward the opening a in the arrow direction) while being guided by the guide portion 85Y (without rotating following the threaded rod 83Y). The moving speed of the plate member 84Y is set comparatively slow in accordance with the toner consumption speed of the container body 33Y.

In this way, the toner contained in the container body 33Y is conveyed to the opening a side by the toner conveying force of the plate member 84Y.

Here, the outer diameter of plate member 84Y is formed to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of container body 33Y, and the toner conveying force can be exerted on the toner near the rotation center axis a away from the inner peripheral surface of container body 33Y. Therefore, even if a large amount of toner is contained in container body 33Y and toner is accumulated therein due to environmental improvement or "leaving time is too long", the accumulated state is weakened by the toner conveying force due to plate member 84Y, whereby a reduction in the amount of toner to be discharged can be prevented.

In the tenth embodiment, similarly to the other embodiments, when the toner container 32Y is attached/detached to/from the toner container holder 31, the latch member 34d of the held portion 34Y opens/closes the toner outlet B by one action in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation. In this case, the held portion 34Y starts to be positioned, and then, the latch member 34d starts to open the toner outlet B. Further, sliding portions 34c1 and 34c2 are provided in the held portion 34Y so as to slide along the toner container holder 31 in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder 31.

As described above, in the tenth embodiment, similarly to the other embodiments, the configuration of the toner container mounted in the toner container holder is optimized according to the longitudinal direction set as the horizontal direction. Therefore, operability/workability at the time of replacement can be improved, and the occurrence of toner offset can be reduced with certainty.

Eleventh embodiment

An eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 35 to 42. In the conventional art, toner offset hardly exists at the toner outlet of the toner container, and therefore it is expected to suppress such a trouble that the user's hand is offset by the toner by touching the toner outlet. However, there are problems that operability (setting) when replacing the toner container is insufficient because the position of the held portion is not fixed when the toner container is mounted, and that toner may scatter from the vicinity of the toner outlet when the toner container is replaced.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the following embodiments provide a toner container holder and an image forming apparatus that can reliably reduce toner scattering at the time of toner container replacement by a simple operation.

The configuration and operation of the entire image forming apparatus are first explained below.

Fig. 35 is a schematic view of a toner supply path of an image forming apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment. The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, 2, and 4. However, the toner supply device of the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment is different from the toner supply device 59 according to the first embodiment in some points. That is, as shown in fig. 35, the latch member 34d does not include the claw member 76 shown in fig. 3, and the ID chip 35 of the toner container 32Y is directly provided on the flat portion of the front end thereof without providing the convex portion 34a1 on the head portion of the held portion 34Y. The other components are the same as those of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The toner container will be described below with reference to fig. 36 to 38.

Similar to the first embodiment described with reference to fig. 1 and 4, in the eleventh embodiment, four substantially cylindrical toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K (toner bottles) are detachably provided in the toner container holder 31. When the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K reach the end of their useful lives, that is, almost all of the contained toner is consumed and the containers become empty, it is necessary to replace the new toner containers. The toner of each color contained in the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K is supplied to each developing device of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K through the toner supply paths as needed, as shown in fig. 35.

Fig. 36 is a perspective view of the toner container 32Y. Fig. 37 is a sectional view of the head side (side where the held portion 34Y is provided) of the toner container 32Y. Fig. 38 is a schematic view of the toner container 32Y of fig. 37 viewed from the arrow M direction.

The other three toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K have almost the same configuration as the toner container 32Y containing yellow toner, except that the contained toner is different in color. Hereinafter, the description of the other three toner containers 32M, 32C, and 32K will be omitted, and only the toner container 32Y containing yellow toner will be described.

Referring to the toner container according to the eleventh embodiment shown in fig. 36 to 38, the same portions as those of the toner container of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as shown in fig. 5 to 7, and will not be described again. The toner container according to the eleventh embodiment does not include the stirring member 33f, the pawl member 76, the rotating spindle 76a, the convex portion 34a1, the concave portion 34m, the fitting member 31d, and the convex body portion 34n, which are provided in the toner container of the first embodiment. Further, the drive gear 31g of fig. 5 is not shown in fig. 36.

The toner container according to the eleventh embodiment includes a compression spring 34f as a biasing unit. The compression spring 34f is provided on the right side of the latch member 34d in fig. 37, thereby biasing the latch member 34d in the direction of closing the toner outlet B. The ID chip 35 of the eleventh embodiment is disposed at a position where the held portion 34Y faces the communication circuit 74 in a plane perpendicular to the attaching/detaching direction with respect to the toner container holder 31 (i.e., in the direction indicated by the arrow in fig. 36) and during the attaching/detaching operation.

Slide portions 34c1 and 34c2 are provided in seat 34c of held portion 34Y so as to slide along toner container holder 31 in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation to/from toner container holder 31.

More specifically, the first slide portion 34c1 is a flat portion formed in parallel with a sliding surface (guide rail) 31a of a base plate 310a (which is a flat surface having a flat surface formed upward; see fig. 10) provided in the toner container holder 31, and the flat portion is provided in the bottom of the held portion 34Y through which attachment/detachment is performed. Further, the second sliding portion 34c2 is a flat portion formed in parallel with the sliding surface 31b of the toner container holder 31 (which is a plane having a flat surface formed toward the side; see fig. 10), which is provided at the side of the held portion 34Y, through which attachment/detachment is performed.

As shown in fig. 37, the toner container 32Y has a toner outlet B (or a latch member 34d) which is provided in the vertical direction at a lower side (lower side in fig. 37) than the opening a of the container body 33Y when the toner container 32Y is set in the toner container holder 31.

This allows the toner in the toner container 32Y to move in the direction shown by the broken line in fig. 37 and to be discharged from the toner outlet B opened in synchronization with the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y. In other words, the toner in the container body 33Y is discharged from the opening a, and is discharged from the toner outlet B provided in the vertically lower side.

The toner outlet B is disposed on the rear side (left side in fig. 37) further than the container body 33Y (or opening a) with respect to the direction of attachment to the toner container holder 31.

This allows the toner outlet B to be smoothly and successfully opened/closed in synchronization with the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y in the longitudinal direction (axial direction). In other words, when the toner container 32Y is to be attached, the held portion 34Y is initially positioned, and then the nozzle 70 and the latch member 34d are preferably brought into contact with each other. Further, since the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31 including the nozzle 70 can be disposed on the rear side in the attaching direction (the left side in fig. 37), the layout of the apparatus body 100 can be simplified.

Further, the toner outlet B is disposed on a relatively rearward side (left side in fig. 37) in the direction of connecting to the toner container holder 31, further rearward than the gear 33c disposed on the outer periphery of the container body 33Y, and close to the opening a.

This allows the toner outlet B to be smoothly and reliably closed/opened in synchronization with the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container 32Y in the longitudinal direction. In other words, when the toner container 32Y is to be attached, the held portion 34Y starts to be positioned, and then the nozzle 70 and the latch member 34d preferably contact each other, after which the gear 33c and the drive gear 31g engage each other.

The toner container holder 31 according to the eleventh embodiment will be explained below. A toner container holder 31 according to the eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 10 and 11 in the first embodiment and fig. 21 and 22 in the fourth embodiment.

As shown in fig. 10, the toner container holder 31 includes a sliding surface 31a along which the sliding portion in each of the held portions of the four toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K slides; a holding portion 73 for fixing the position of the holder 34c of the held portion; a nozzle 70 as an engaging member; a drive unit for transmitting a rotational drive force to the container body 33Y; a communication circuit 74; and a pair of arm portions 90 serving as a biasing member and a second biasing member.

The holding portion 73 holds the held portion of each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K in a non-rotating manner. The holding portion 73 includes a sliding surface that contacts the holder 34c and a contact surface that contacts the cover case 34 b. Provided on the sliding surface (side surface) in the holding portion 73 is a positioning member 31c for positioning in synchronization with the connecting operation of the held portion 34Y (see fig. 36). The positioning member 31c is a convex body portion extending in the attaching/detaching direction of the toner container 32Y.

The nozzles 70 shown in fig. 11 are provided in the holding portion 73 corresponding to each toner color. Disposed in the nozzle 70 is a toner supply port 70a that communicates with a toner outlet B formed in the held portion 34Y of the toner container 32Y.

Referring to fig. 10 and 21, the arm pair 90 is provided in the vicinity of the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31 corresponding to each toner color (a position just before inserting the held portion of the toner container into the held portion). As shown in fig. 21, the arm portion pair 90 is provided on both sides of the held portion sandwiching the toner container.

Referring to fig. 22, the arm portion pair 90 includes a first arm 91, a second arm 92, a spindle 93, and a torsion spring 94. The arm pair 90 is integrally provided via a spindle 93, and forces are exerted in both directions in a rotational direction around the spindle 93 by a torsion spring 94. More specifically, the first arm 91 and the second arm 92 apply a force in both directions in the rotational direction around the spindle 93. This force increases as the angle formed between the first arm 91 and the second arm 92 increases.

The arm pair 90 configured in the above-described manner functions as a biasing unit that biases the held portion 34Y (toner container 32Y) toward the holding portion 73 (biases it toward the arrow direction Q of fig. 4) in synchronization with the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y. Further, the arm pair 90 also functions as a second biasing member for biasing the held portion 34Y (toner container 32Y) in a direction (a direction opposite to the arrow of fig. 4) in which the held portion 34Y (toner container 32Y) is separated from the holding portion 73 in synchronization with the detaching operation of the toner container 32Y.

Fig. 39 is a schematic diagram of how the yellow toner container 32Y is attached to the toner container holder (movement in the arrow Q direction) as viewed from the longitudinal direction. Fig. 40 is a schematic diagram of how the connection of the toner container 32Y advances (when the toner outlet B starts to open) as viewed from the longitudinal direction. Fig. 41 is a schematic view of the toner container 32Y attached to the toner container holder 31 (when the toner outlet B is fully opened) as viewed from the longitudinal direction.

The attaching/detaching operation of the toner container 32Y and/or the toner container holder 31 is the same as the fourth embodiment described with reference to fig. 12 to 14 and fig. 23 to 25.

In the eleventh embodiment, the movement of the held portion 34Y relative to the holding portion 73 and the opening of the toner outlet B of the toner container 32Y are performed by the biasing force of the arm pair 90.

Fig. 42 is a graph of the relationship between the moved position of the held portion 34Y (toner container 32Y) and the load applied to the held portion 34Y from the arm pair 90 during the connection operation of the toner container.

As shown in fig. 42, when the held portion 34Y is moved to the position of W1 (the position of fig. 39 and 23), the held portion 34Y is subjected to a force in the direction opposite to the connecting direction (the direction of arrow Q). In other words, the force in the direction in which the toner container 32Y separates from the holding portion 73 is applied to the toner container 32Y just before being biased toward the holding portion 73 by the arm pair 90. This causes the user to push the toner container 32Y into the side of the holding portion 73 with strength against the force. Therefore, the pushing strength of the user is added to the biasing force of the arm pair 90 applied to the held portion 34Y, and the toner outlet B is thereby flushed.

The held portion 34Y also moves to the position W2 in fig. 1 (the position in fig. 40 and 24), and the held portion 34Y is subjected to a force (a biasing force by the arm pair 90) in the connecting direction (the direction of the arrow Q). At the same time, the object sealed by the packing 34e of the held portion 34Y is switched from the plug member 34d to the nozzle 70. The switching speed is accelerated by the arm pair 90, which can reduce the time during which the sealing ability is decreased due to switching between the objects to be sealed.

The position of the held portion 34Y is fixed at the position W3 of fig. 42 (the position in fig. 41 and 25).

In this way, in the eleventh embodiment, the opening speed of the toner outlet B of the toner container 32Y is mechanically determined by the arm pair 90, not according to the operation speed of the user (the speed of pushing the toner container). Therefore, the time for which the sealing ability of the held portion 34Y is reduced is not extremely long, but becomes almost invariably short at any time, and the toner scattered from the vicinity of the toner outlet B is thereby reduced.

In the eleventh embodiment, the biasing operation by the arm pair 90 and the positioning operation of the held portion 34Y are started in synchronization with one action (except for the opening/closing operation of the main body door), so that the sliding portion 34c1 of the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31a, then, the insertion operation of the nozzle 70 is started, and finally, the connection of the gear 33c with the drive gear is completed. This allows improvement in operability of the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y.

When the toner container 32Y is to be taken out (detached) from the toner container holder 31 of the apparatus body 100, this operation is performed in reverse to the attaching operation. In this case, the nozzle 70 is also separated from the holder 34c in synchronization with this operation, so that the toner container 32Y is separated from the holding portion 73, and the latch member 34d is moved to a position closing the toner outlet B by the biasing force of the compression spring 34 f.

In this way, the detaching operation of the toner container 32Y is completed by one action (except for the opening/closing operation of the main body door) so that the sliding portion 34c1 of the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31 a.

At this time, the arm pair 90 functions as a second biasing member for biasing the held portion 34Y (toner container 32Y) in the direction in which the held portion 34Y separates from the holding portion 73 in synchronization with the detaching operation of the toner container 32Y. This allows the speed of closing the toner outlet B of the toner container 32Y to be mechanically determined by the arm pair 90, not according to the operation speed of the user (the speed of pulling out the toner container). Therefore, the time for which the sealing ability of the held portion 34Y is reduced is not extremely long, but becomes almost invariably short at any time, and the toner scattered from the vicinity of the toner outlet B is thereby reduced.

The effects in the eleventh embodiment will be classified according to the background art.

In the techniques described in patent documents 1 to 4, if the operation speed of the user manually attaching/detaching the toner container becomes slow, the toner may be scattered from the vicinity of the toner outlet.

More specifically, in the techniques described in patent document 1 and patent document 2, the user manually rotates the held portion of the toner container on the toner container holder, thereby causing the shutter to move and open the toner outlet. In other words, the speed at which the toner outlet of the toner container is opened is determined in accordance with the operation speed of the user (the speed at which the held portion is rotated). If the speed of opening the toner outlet of the toner container is extremely slow, the toner near the toner outlet is likely to scatter outside the toner container, and the apparatus body may be contaminated with the toner. This is because the sealing ability in the vicinity of the toner outlet during the opening operation of the toner outlet (dynamic state) is lowered as compared with before and after the opening of the toner outlet (static state). Therefore, if the opening speed of the toner outlet of the toner container is extremely reduced, the time during which the sealing ability is reduced increases, and toner is thereby scattered from the vicinity of the toner outlet.

Also, in the technique described in patent document 4, a user manually rotates an opening/closing holder in which a toner storage container (toner container) is disposed, thereby causing a toner conveying tube (nozzle) to push a latch member and open a toner outlet sealed by a packing. In other words, the speed of opening the toner outlet of the toner storage container is determined according to the user's operation speed (speed of rotating the opening/closing holder). Therefore, similar to the techniques in patent document 1 and patent document 2, if the opening speed of the toner outlet of the toner storage container is extremely reduced, the time corresponding to the reduction in the sealing ability of the packing increases, whereby toner scatters from the vicinity of the toner outlet.

Here, in order to solve these problems, some problems may be considered. That is, the opening area of the toner outlet is made small or the tackiness of the seal member provided in the vicinity of the toner outlet is enhanced. However, the former measure may limit the amount of toner discharged from the toner container, and the latter measure may reduce the operability of attachment/detachment of the toner container due to the action of the seal member having enhanced adhesiveness.

In the eleventh embodiment, the toner container holder 31 is provided to bias the toner container 32Y toward the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31 in synchronization with the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y. This can reliably reduce the occurrence of toner scattering regardless of how the user operates the replacement toner container 32Y, while not reducing the amount of toner discharged from the toner container 32Y and the operability at the time of replacement.

The toner container 32Y according to the eleventh embodiment includes the held portion 34Y, and the toner outlet B is disposed downward in the vertical direction. The toner outlet B is disposed on the side lower than the opening a in the vertical direction, and the latch member 34d is positioned surely in synchronization with the connecting operation and then pushed by the nozzle 70 to open the toner outlet B sealed by the packing 34 e. Therefore, there is almost no contamination of the toner in the toner outlet B, and the trouble that the user's hand touches the toner outlet B to be contaminated can be avoided.

Since the attaching/detaching operation of the toner container 32Y to/from the toner container holder 31 is performed by one action in association with the sliding of the sliding portion 34c1, the operability/workability when replacing the toner container 32Y is improved. Specifically, by providing the sliding portion 34c1 at the bottom of the held portion 34Y, the sliding portion 34c1 slides along the sliding face 31a while supporting the toner container 32Y.

Further, the attachment operation of the toner container 32Y is performed by the user directly holding the gripper 33d while starting the sliding of the sliding portion 34c1, starting the positioning of the held portion 34Y and the start of the insertion of the nozzle 70 together with the biasing by the arm pair 90, and completing the positioning of the held portion 34Y, inserting the nozzle 70, and attaching to the driving unit once the sliding is completed. Therefore, the user obtains a click feeling when the slide of the held portion 34Y advances (by the connecting operation of one action) while the held portion 34Y is positioned, and the feeling determines that no erroneous operation occurs in the connecting operation.

Further, the toner container 32Y is not set in the toner container holder 31 (apparatus body 100) from the upper side, but the attaching/detaching operation is performed from the front surface of the toner container holder 31 (apparatus body 100), thus enhancing the flexibility of the layout corresponding to the upper side of the toner container holder 31. For example, even if a scanner (document reader) is disposed directly above the toner container holder 31, operability/workability at the time of attachment/detachment of the toner container 32Y does not deteriorate. Also, the flexibility of the layout of the engagement position D between the gear 33c of the toner container 32Y and the drive gear of the apparatus body 100 is enhanced.

The toner container 32Y is mounted in the apparatus body 100 by setting its longitudinal direction to the horizontal direction, and therefore, the toner capacity of the toner container 32Y is increased without affecting the layout in the height direction of the entire image forming apparatus 100, which can reduce the replacement frequency.

As described above, in the eleventh embodiment, when the toner container 32Y is replaced, the replacement operation is relatively simple, and scattering of toner can be reduced assuredly.

Further, the toner container holder 31 is configured to bias the toner container 32Y toward the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31 in synchronization with the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y. This allows reliable reduction in toner scattering regardless of how the user operates the replacement toner container 32Y, without reducing the amount of toner discharged from the toner container 32Y and the operability at the time of replacement.

In the eleventh embodiment, only toner is contained in each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, but a two-component developer containing a carrier and toner may also be stored in each of the toner containers 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K of the image forming apparatus 100, which supplies the two-component developer to each developing device as needed. Even in this case, by providing the pair of arm portions 90 for biasing the toner container 32Y toward the holding portion 73 of the toner container holder 31 in synchronization with the connecting operation of the toner container 32Y, scattering of toner can be successfully reduced.

Twelfth embodiment

A twelfth embodiment will be described below with reference to fig. 43 to 46.

Fig. 43 is a perspective view of a toner container 32Y detachably provided in a toner container holder 31 according to the twelfth embodiment, corresponding to fig. 36 according to the eleventh embodiment. Fig. 44 is a sectional view of a toner container 32Y according to the twelfth embodiment. The toner container holder 31 according to the twelfth embodiment is different from the eleventh embodiment in that a positioning pin 70b that engages with a positioning hole 340k of the toner container 32Y is provided in the nozzle 70.

Similarly to the eleventh embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the twelfth embodiment includes a toner container holder 31 (setting portion) as a connecting portion provided between a stacking portion (discharging portion) 30 and an intermediate transfer unit (intermediate transfer member) 15. In the connecting portion, toner containers (toner bottles) 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K as reagent storage containers, each of which stores toner to be supplied to each developing device of the image forming units 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, are detachably connected.

As shown in fig. 43 and 44, a toner container (toner bottle) 32Y set in the apparatus body (printer) 100 includes a cylindrical container body (toner bottle) 33Y with an opening a formed at one end thereof, and a held portion (cap) 34Y which is relatively rotatable with respect to the container body 33Y having the opening a. Formed around the outer periphery of the container body 33Y is a projection 33b (spiral and projecting toward the inside of the container) as a conveyor portion that conveys the contained toner to the opening a side by rotation. The opening a is cylindrical, is formed around the axis (rotation axis) of the container body 33Y, and has a diameter smaller than that of the container body 33Y. In order to discharge the toner from the opening a having a smaller diameter, a second spiral (second projection) and an absorbing portion for absorbing the toner toward the second spiral are provided between the projection 33b and the opening a (although both of them are not shown, they are provided at a position behind the seat 134 m).

The held portion (lid) 34Y is connected to the container body 33Y through a holder 134 m. As shown in fig. 44, the claws (claw portions) 340b1 are provided on the outer circumference of the cylinder of the held portion 34Y. The engagement of the pawl 340b1 in the circumferential groove 33e formed in the container body 33Y allows relative rotation of the held portion 34Y and the container body 33Y. The connecting portion between the container body 33Y and the held portion 34Y is formed with a seal member (seal) 37, thereby preventing toner from leaking from the connecting portion. The gear (bottle gear) 33c is provided integrally with the container body 33Y in the vicinity of the position where the held portion 34Y of the container body 33Y is connected. The gear 33c serves as an input portion for rotating the container body 33Y.

A toner outlet (supply port) B is formed in a lower portion of the outer periphery of the held portion 34Y. More specifically, the toner outlet B is integrally provided with a funnel-shaped opening 340c2 provided in the holder (output member) 340 c. The nozzle 70 (toner conveying pipe) as an engaging member is inserted into a nozzle hole 340n provided in the holder 340c, and the toner outlet B and the nozzle 70 thereby communicate with each other through the toner supply port 70 a. The latch member (shutter) 34d is fitted in the nozzle hole 340n, and when the toner container 32Y is not engaged with the nozzle 70, a series of toner supply paths are blocked. Although not shown in the twelfth embodiment, a biasing unit is not set in the toner container 32Y side but is set in the toner container holder 31 side, the biasing unit biasing the latch member 34d in a direction preventing it from being pushed by the nozzle 70.

As shown in fig. 43, positioning pins 70b are arranged on both sides of the nozzle body on the side of the apparatus body 100, with the nozzle 70 provided therein. The positioning pin 70b is inserted into the positioning hole 340k provided in the held portion 34Y. The supply side of the nozzle 70 communicates with the suction port of the suction-type screw pump 60, similarly to the eleventh embodiment. As the screw pump, a non-axial centrifugal screw pump (Mohno pump) capable of continuously supplying a fixed amount having a high solid/gas ratio may be used.

In the toner container 32Y configured in the above-described manner, when viewed from the direction of arrow M in fig. 43, the held portion 34Y having the holder (output member) 340c fixed thereto projects outward from the outer circumferential surface of the container body 33Y. In other words, the seat 340c, which is a projecting portion projecting along the attaching/detaching operation, is formed in the held portion 34Y so as not to cover the projection plane in the attaching/detaching direction (the direction of arrows M and Q) of the container body 33Y.

When the toner container 32Y is set in the toner container holder (set portion) 31 in the direction of arrow Q, the positioning pin 70b is inserted in the positioning hole 340k, and the nozzle 70 is inserted in the nozzle hole 340 n. More specifically, the nozzle 70 is inserted into the nozzle hole 340n by moving the toner container 32Y in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) with the held portion 34Y as the leading end. Then, when the nozzle 70 is inserted into the nozzle hole 340n, the latch member 34d is pushed out from the nozzle hole 340n toward the rear side, and the toner supply port (receiving hole) 70a of the nozzle 70 communicates with the toner outlet B (opening 340c2) so that toner can be supplied.

In the toner container holder according to the twelfth embodiment as well, the toner supply operation is performed in the same manner as in the eleventh embodiment. In other words, the contained toner is supplied to the held portion 34Y side by the rotation of the container body 33Y, and the toner outlet B is filled with toner. If the toner outlet B as the suction side is filled with toner, the suction type screw pump surely conveys the toner. Therefore, the amount of toner according to the operation time can be supplied to the developing device.

The toner supply is performed in this manner while the user sets the toner container 32Y in the toner container holder 31. Therefore, if the toner container 32Y is not properly set therein or if there is a failure of the setting, the nozzle 70 is not properly inserted into the nozzle hole 340n, which results in a failure of the toner supply.

Fig. 45 is a perspective view of the base plate 310a provided in the toner container holder (setting portion) 31, and fig. 46 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the base plate 310a on which the toner container 32Y is provided.

Referring to fig. 45 (also refer to fig. 10), the base plate 310a provided in the toner container holder 31 has a space in which the toner containers 32Y corresponding to the four colors can be attached, and sliding surfaces 31a and 31b are formed in each attachment position of the toner containers 32Y. Four toner containers 32Y are set in one piece of the base plate 310a in the twelfth embodiment, but the base plate 310a may be independently provided corresponding to each toner container 32Y according to the number of toner containers 32Y.

As shown in fig. 46, the sliding surface 31a and the sliding surface 31b formed in the base plate 310a form a guide groove 31a11 in which the held portion 34Y is fitted. The sliding surface 31b of the guide groove 31a11 and the upper surface of the base plate 310a form a guide edge 31a12 as a bending piece, which supports the container body 33Y. The guide groove 31a11 is configured to guide a seat 340c (projecting portion) projecting from the outer circumference of the container body 33Y when viewed in the vertical direction of the paper of fig. 46. In other words, the guide groove 31a11 is formed such that the projecting portion 34c of the held portion 34Y fits in the guide groove 31a 11. The guide edge 31a12 is formed along the edge between the start point and the end point of the guide groove 31a11, and is formed with a slope so as to easily support the rotary container body 33Y.

Therefore, the toner container holder 31 configured in the above-described manner includes the sliding surfaces 31a and 31b forming the guide groove 31a11, so when the held portion 34Y is fitted in the guide groove 31a11, rotation about the central axis of the held portion 34Y is restricted. Therefore, if the toner container 32Y is disposed on the slide surface 31a while the held portion 34Y is fitted in the guide groove 31a11 so as to move in the arrow Q direction, the toner container 32Y can be set simply, reliably, and correctly. More specifically, by setting the held portion 34Y in the guide groove 31a11, no displacement occurs in the nozzle 340n and the positioning hole 340 k. Therefore, when the toner container 32Y is set therein in the arrow Q direction, the positioning pin 70b is surely inserted into the positioning hole 340k, and the nozzle 70 is reliably inserted into the nozzle hole 340 n.

In the twelfth embodiment, the toner container 32Y slides along the sliding surface 31a in parallel with the axis from the start to the completion of the connecting operation. Meanwhile, the method may be changed to slide the toner container 32Y in the direction perpendicular to the arrow Q at the start of the connecting operation with the held portion 34Y as the head, and then connect it in the arrow Q direction. The method may also be changed to a method of setting the toner container 32Y on the sliding surface 31a from the upper side at the start of the connecting operation and then sliding it in the direction of arrow Q to make the connection.

The image forming apparatus according to the twelfth embodiment is configured to dispose the toner discharge mechanism in the rear side as viewed from the operator (user), and to interface the nozzle hole 340n of the toner container 32Y with the nozzle 70 on the apparatus body 100 side in the rear side of the apparatus body 100. According to the above structure, even if toner is scattered in the butting portion, the position is away from the operator. Therefore, the operator's hand is not easily stained with toner, as compared with the case where the toner discharge mechanism (docking structure) is in the near side of the apparatus body 100. Further, since the docking structure is provided in the rear side of the apparatus body 100, the operator hardly performs an operation while holding the held portion 34Y at the time of connection. It is confirmed through an experiment of the operation that the operator generally holds the container body 33Y to push it in. If the operator holds the container body 33Y, the held portion 34Y side may rotate during operation, which may cause deterioration in operability, but in the twelfth embodiment, operability is improved because rotation of the held portion 34Y is restricted by the sliding surface 31 a. Therefore, even if the toner discharge mechanism (docking structure) is provided in the rear side of the apparatus body 100, the operability when replacing the toner container 32Y is improved.

The relationship of the configuration and effect of the toner container holder 31 according to the twelfth embodiment will be summarized below. Most of the configurations and effects described below are also exhibited for the toner container holder according to the eleventh embodiment.

In the twelfth embodiment, the main portion of the held portion (cap) 34Y on the discharge side of the toner container 32Y is substantially cylindrical, and a part of the cylinder has a pedestal 340c (projecting portion, convex portion) projecting toward the space including the toner shutter mechanism. On the basis of the holder 340c, the toner container 32Y is fitted in the guide groove 31a11 formed on the side of the apparatus body 100 to be connected, and the positional relationship with the nozzle 70 which sucks the toner can be accurately determined.

The toner container 32Y moves along the sliding surface 31a, and the toner outlet B engages with the nozzle 70 to prevent setting failure or erroneous setting of the toner container 32Y. According to the configuration of the twelfth embodiment, in comparison with patent documents 1 to 4 that require a plurality of motions to perform the detaching operation of the toner container 32Y, the detaching operation of the toner container 32Y is completed by one motion (except for the opening/closing operation of the main body door) so that the toner container 32Y moves along the sliding surface 31 a.

The provision of the guide edge 31a12 for the slide face 31a helps rotatably and surely support the toner container 32Y after attachment.

The provision of the guide groove 31a11 for the slide face 31a helps to eliminate the movement of the toner container 32Y at the time of connection, thus successfully preventing the setting failure or erroneous setting of the toner container 32Y.

If the user merely holds the container body 33Y and tries to set it in the apparatus body, the held portion 34Y rotates unless the rotation is restricted. At this time, moment force is generated around the rotation center of the held portion 34Y, and the abutment (projecting portion) 340c faces downward. Therefore, in the twelfth embodiment, the guide groove 31a11 is formed on the lower side in the vertical direction. With this shape, even if the user holds only the container body 33Y, the holder 340c itself fits in the guide groove 31a11, and the erroneous setting prevention performance of the toner container 32Y is improved.

In the twelfth embodiment, since the toner outlet B for the docking nozzle 79 (toner supply port 70a) is formed in the holder (projecting portion) 340c, the toner outlet B moves along the sliding surface 31a, and this can prevent the rotational movement of the toner container B. Therefore, the user can easily and surely butt the toner outlet B with the nozzle 70 without being aware of it. Unlike the opening operation of the toner outlet of the sleeve chuck system in patent document 5 and patent document 6, the twelfth embodiment has a mechanism of pushing the latch member 34d through the nozzle 70 in synchronization with the connecting operation, thereby opening the toner outlet B without using a lever or the like. This prevents the toner from scattering when the toner container 32Y is replaced.

Since the user can easily perform the attaching/detaching operation of the toner container 32Y by holding only the container body 33Y, the toner discharging mechanism (the abutting portion between the nozzle 70 and the toner outlet B) can be provided at the rear side of the apparatus body 100.

As described above, the twelfth embodiment is configured to allow simple operation, and also to allow scattering of toner to be reduced with certainty at the time of replacement of the toner container 32Y.

It is apparent that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments, and the embodiments may be changed as needed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention except for the contents described in the embodiments. In addition, each number, position, and shape of the respective components are not limited by the embodiment, and thus, may be changed as appropriate to implement the present invention.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described connecting operation of the toner container to the toner container holder, after the start of positioning, the opening/closing member starts opening the toner outlet.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, on the basis of the above-described toner container, the toner container holder has a nozzle communicating with the toner outlet, and the opening/closing member is set as a latch member which is pushed by the nozzle in synchronization with the attachment operation of the toner container holder to start opening the toner outlet, and which is biased by the biasing member in synchronization with the detachment operation from the toner container holder to start closing the toner outlet.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, on the basis of the above-described toner container, the toner container holder has a positioning member for engaging with the held portion to position the held portion, and the nozzle starts to push the latch member after the held portion starts to engage with the positioning member during the connecting operation with the toner container holder.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, on the basis of the above toner container, the front end of the positioning member is formed closer to the held portion side than the front end of the nozzle with respect to the held portion in the connecting direction.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that when the above-described toner container is moved to the toner container holder in the attaching direction, the front end of the held portion engaged with the positioning member is formed closer to the toner container holder side than the front end of the latch member pushed by the nozzle.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, on the basis of the above toner container, the front end of the positioning member on the side of the connecting held portion is tapered or cut.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, on the basis of the above toner container, the front end of the held portion on the side of the engagement positioning member is tapered or cut.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described toner container is detachably attached to a toner container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus, the toner container including a container body that discharges toner contained inside the toner container from an opening; and a held portion that discharges the toner discharged from the toner outlet port of the container body and is carried out by the toner container holder in a non-rotating manner, and that includes a sliding portion that contacts and slides with the toner container holder.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described sliding portion of the toner container slides along the toner container holder in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the sliding portion of the above-described toner container is a flat portion.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the flat portion of the above-described toner container is formed in parallel with the sliding surface of the toner container holder.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the sliding portion of the above toner container is a plurality of convex body portions whose height can be brought into contact with a predetermined plane.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the predetermined plane of the above-described toner container is set as a sliding surface of the toner container holder.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the sliding portion of the above-described toner container is provided in the bottom of the holding portion.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the bottom of the above-described held portion of the toner container is disposed on and slides along the sliding surface of the toner container holder when performing attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the sliding portion of the above-described toner container is provided in the side portion of the held portion.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described held portion of the toner container slides along the sliding surface of the toner container holder serving as the side surface when the attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder is performed.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the held portion of the above-described toner container includes a biasing portion that is biased in the attaching direction by a biasing unit of the toner container holder while the held portion is disposed in the toner container holder, and the sliding portion is brought into contact with the biasing unit and slides in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, on the basis of the above-described toner container, the biasing unit is a pair of arm portions integrally provided by the spindle, and the force is applied in both rotational directions around the spindle by a torsion spring.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above toner container, the sliding portions are provided in both side portions of the held portion, and the biasing portions are corner portions at ends of both side portions.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described toner container, the corner is formed such that a curvature of the corner is smaller than a curvature of a contact portion of the biasing unit that contacts the corner.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described toner container, the sliding portions are provided in both side portions of the held portion, and the biasing portions are planes intersecting the side portions at both side portions.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described toner container, the sliding portion is formed so that the height thereof is equal to the height of the toner outlet.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, on the basis of the above-described toner container, the toner container holder includes a nozzle communicating with the toner outlet, and the held portion includes a latch member which is urged by the nozzle in synchronization with a connecting operation of the toner container holder to open the toner outlet and is biased by the biasing member in synchronization with a detaching operation from the toner container holder to close the toner outlet, the toner conveying pipe starts to urge the latch member after the sliding portion starts to slide toward the biasing unit during the connecting operation of the toner container holder, and the biasing unit biases the biasing portion once the sliding portion finishes its sliding to the biasing unit.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described toner container, a moving distance of the latch member in the attaching/detaching direction associated with the attaching/detaching operation of the toner container holder is set shorter than a distance from the toner outlet to the biasing portion in the attaching/detaching direction.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described toner container, the held portion includes an engaging portion that engages with the positioning member of the toner container holder in synchronization with the connecting operation of the toner container holder, the engaging portion being provided in the upper side in the vertical direction of the sliding portion and the toner outlet.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described image forming apparatus includes a toner container detachably provided therein, the container including a container body that discharges toner contained in the toner container from an opening, and a held portion that discharges the toner discharged from the opening of the container body from a toner outlet; and further comprising a holding portion that holds the held portion in a non-rotational manner; and a guide rail that guides the held portion toward the holding portion while restricting rotation of the held portion at the time of attachment of the toner container.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the guide rail includes a guide edge for supporting the container body.

The toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the guide rail includes a guide groove for guiding a part of the held portion.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the projecting portion of the held portion projecting in the attaching/detaching direction does not cover the projecting plane in the attaching/detaching direction of the container body, and the projecting portion is guided along the guide groove.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the projecting portion has a toner outlet.

A toner container according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the guide groove is provided in a lower side with respect to a vertical direction of the held portion.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described image forming apparatus includes a toner supply device in which a toner container is detachably provided, the toner container including a container body that discharges toner contained in the toner container from an opening, and a held portion that discharges toner discharged from the opening of the container body from a toner outlet; and also includes a holding portion that holds the held portion in a non-rotational manner; and a biasing member for biasing the toner container toward the holding portion in synchronization with the connecting operation of the toner container.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the biasing member biases the held portion toward the holding portion in synchronization with the connecting operation of the toner container.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the toner container includes an opening/closing member for opening/closing the toner outlet in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation, and the opening/closing member starts to open the toner outlet after the biasing member starts to bias during the attaching operation of the toner container.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described image forming apparatus is configured to apply a force to the toner container in a direction to separate the toner container from the holding portion before being biased toward the holding portion by the biasing unit.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described image forming apparatus includes a second biasing member for biasing the toner container in a direction of separating the toner container from the holding portion in synchronization with a detaching operation of the toner container.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the second biasing member biases the held portion in a direction of separating it from the holding portion in synchronization with the detaching operation of the toner container.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the toner container includes an opening/closing member for closing/opening the toner outlet in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation, and the opening/closing member starts to close the toner outlet after the second biasing member starts to bias during the detaching operation of the toner container.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described image forming apparatus is configured to apply a force to the toner container toward the holding portion before biasing the second biasing unit in a direction of separating the toner container from the holding portion.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the biasing member and the second biasing member are integrally provided by the spindle and formed as a pair of arm portions that exert forces in both directions of the rotational direction around the spindle by the torsion spring.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the guide rail includes a sliding surface along which the sliding portion of the held portion slides in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation of the toner container, and the biasing member biases the held portion after the sliding of the sliding portion starts during the attaching operation of the toner container, and at the same time, starts positioning the held portion to the holding portion, and once the sliding of the sliding portion ends, the positioning of the held portion to the holding portion is completed.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the guide rail includes a sliding surface along which the sliding portion of the held portion slides in synchronization with the attaching/detaching operation of the toner container.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described image forming apparatus includes a sliding surface along which a sliding portion of the held portion slides in synchronization with the attachment/detachment operation of the toner container.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the biasing member biases the held portion after the sliding portion starts sliding during the connecting operation of the toner container, and at the same time, the held portion starts to be positioned to the holding portion, and once the sliding of the sliding portion is completed, the positioning of the held portion to the holding portion is completed.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described image forming apparatus includes a toner container including an opening/closing member for opening/closing a toner outlet of a held portion; and also includes a toner conveying pipe that pushes the opening/closing member in synchronization with the connecting operation of the toner container to start opening the toner outlet, and that communicates with the toner outlet.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the toner container includes a member that applies a force biasing the opening/closing member in a direction that hinders a direction pushed by the toner conveying pipe.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the toner container is attached/detached in a longitudinal direction of the container body.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the toner container is connected on the basis of a longitudinal direction of the container body set to a horizontal direction.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the held portion is connected so as to become a head portion of the container body.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above image forming apparatus includes a toner container including a gear provided on an outer periphery of a container body and in the vicinity of an opening; and also includes a drive gear engaged with the gear to transmit the rotational drive force to the gear.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the toner container conveys the toner contained in the container body toward the opening by a rotational driving force transmitted to the gear in synchronization with rotation of the container body.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the toner container has a spiral-shaped protrusion along an inner circumferential surface of the container body.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the toner container contains toner in a container body.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the toner container further contains a carrier in the container body.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that the above-described image forming apparatus includes a toner container detachably attached to the attachment portion, the toner container including a container body having a conveyor portion for conveying contained toner to the opening side by rotation; and a held portion that is fixed to the opening of the container body and is relatively rotatable with respect to the container body, wherein the held portion has a toner outlet that forms a part of a path for conveying toner contained in the container body to a main body of the image forming apparatus, and the connecting portion includes an engaging member that engages with the toner outlet when the toner container is moved in the axial direction, and a guide rail for restricting rotation of the held portion during the movement.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the guide rail includes a guide edge for supporting the container body and a guide groove for guiding an end surface of the held portion.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the held portion has an outwardly projecting portion which projects beyond an outer diameter of the container body at a cross section perpendicular to an axis of the toner container, and the projecting portion is guided by the guide groove of the guide rail.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the guide groove is formed in a lower side in the gravitational direction.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the toner outlet is formed in the projecting portion.

An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is characterized in that, in the above image forming apparatus, the connecting portion is located on a rear side of the main body as viewed from the operator.

Claims (18)

1. A toner container detachably attached to a toner container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

a container body containing toner and having an opening for discharging the toner; and

a held portion that has a toner outlet for discharging the toner discharged from the opening, and that discharges the toner discharged from the opening from the toner outlet and is held by the toner container holder in a non-rotational manner, wherein the held portion includes an opening/closing member that opens/closes the toner outlet in synchronization with an attaching/detaching operation of the held portion to/from the toner container holder,

wherein the opening/closing member includes:

a latch member that is pushed by a nozzle provided in the toner container holder to open the toner outlet in synchronization with an operation of its attachment to the toner container holder and is biased by a biasing member to close the toner outlet in synchronization with an operation of its detachment from the toner container holder,

wherein the biasing member comprises:

a claw member provided in the toner container holder, the claw member retracting to a position not to hinder attachment of the held portion in synchronization with an attaching operation of the toner container, then protruding to a position where it engages with the latch member, while biasing the latch member in synchronization with a detaching operation of the toner container, and then retracting to a position not to hinder detachment of the held portion.

2. The toner container as in claim 1 wherein the pawl member secures the position of the latch member in the toner container holder in conjunction with the nozzle by engaging the latch member, and

the held portion is also moved in the attaching/detaching direction with the position of the latch member fixed, thereby opening/closing the toner outlet.

3. The toner container as in claim 1, wherein the pawl member is biased from the retracted position to the engaged position by a second biasing member, and

the second biasing member is formed such that a force with which the claw member biases the plug member is larger than a sliding resistance of the plug member.

4. The toner container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latch member is configured to have a stroke when the toner outlet is opened/closed larger than a stroke movable by a manual operation.

5. The toner container according to claim 1, which is connected to the conveyor pipe (71) through the nozzle, the pipe being connected to a pump for conveying or introducing gas from/into, thereby conveying the toner discharged from the toner outlet port and the gas.

6. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the held portion includes a slide portion that slides along the toner container holder in synchronization with an attaching/detaching operation to/from the toner container holder, and

the opening/closing member is disposed at a position surrounded by the sliding portion.

7. The toner container according to claim 1, which is attached/detached along a longitudinal direction of the container body.

8. The toner container according to claim 7, which is attached to the toner container holder on the basis that the container body is set to a longitudinal direction of a horizontal direction.

9. The toner container according to claim 7, wherein the held portion is attached to the toner container holder such that the held portion is set as a head portion of a container body.

10. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the container body is rotatably provided and conveys toner contained therein toward the opening after rotation.

11. The toner container according to claim 10, wherein the container body includes a gear provided on a circumferential surface thereof and on a side of the opening, and the gear transmits a rotational driving force to the container body.

12. The toner container according to claim 10, wherein the container body includes a spiral protrusion along an inner circumferential surface thereof.

13. The toner container according to claim 10, wherein the container body includes a conveyor member that conveys toner contained therein toward the opening.

14. The toner container of claim 13 wherein the conveyor member is a rotatably disposed coil or spiral.

15. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the held portion communicates with the container body through the opening.

16. The toner container according to claim 1, wherein the container body contains toner inside thereof.

17. The toner container according to claim 16, wherein the container body contains a carrier inside thereof.

18. An image forming apparatus includes:

the toner container according to claim 1, which is detachably attached to a toner container holder provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus.